It was only July, and the Kuaiji war that everyone was eagerly awaiting failed to break out after all...
On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which was the Qiqiao Festival, Lin Fu stood at the top of Kuaiji City, with his scouts and cavalry sent out in all directions, bringing back the news that She Feixiong was leading his troops to withdraw from Xiaoshan...
"The enemy troops are withdrawing from Zhitang. Our former army has entered Zhitang and taken over the defense camp. There is nothing abnormal. Deputy Commander Tang has sent a large number of reconnaissance cavalry to Xiaoshan. When will the main force enter? We still need your instructions from your Excellency?"
Tang Fuguan led the elite vanguard to press towards Xiaoshan. After taking over Zhitang, he sent people back to ask Lin Fu for instructions on the next move.
Zhitang is one of the water sources of Jinghu Lake. It is located at the northern foot of Daxiang Mountain and is the gateway to Xiaoshan from the northwest of Kuaiji County. Zhejiang and Fujian troops abandoned Zhitang, which means that Shefei Xiong abandoned Xiaoshan. It is true and is not a suspected military plan.
"As Tang Fuguan sent small groups of elites to conduct in-depth reconnaissance, the main force was stationed in Zhitang, waiting to see what happens, and be prepared to be prepared for the enemy to return the carbine..." Lin Fu ordered loudly, and listened to the messenger repeating his command correctly, waving him to leave.
, rushed to Zhitang to convey orders to Tang Fuguan.
"This battle was not successful in the end," Gao Zongting sighed softly and said, "The She family is trying to delay the decisive moment until Yanhu breaks through the Hehuai defense line!"
Lin Fu let out a sigh of regret. Of course, he hoped that the situation on the southern front could be completely decided in one battle so that troops and horses from the southern front could be sent to Huaisi to meet the stormy waves of Yanhu's cavalry. However,
It was impossible for everything to go as planned - the She family would rather give up Xiaoshan and Shanyin after losing Kuaiji, but also avoid close contact with the Huaidong Army. Lin Fu had all his tricks, but there was nothing he could do.
"Zongting, based on your familiarity with the Zhejiang and Fujian people, if the Zhejiang and Fujian armies were able to abandon Xiaoshan and Shanyin, could it be because Shewenzhuang has directly interfered in the war here?" Fu Qinghe asked Gao Zongting.
Although there has been no movement from the Shanyin garrison, it is obvious that after She Feixiong abandoned Xiaoshan in the north, the Zhejiang and Fujian troops could not alone defend Shanyin County, which was only separated from Kuaiji County by Jinghu Lake.
Either defend them all, or defend them all. With the momentum with which the She family brothers went to Shanyin and Xiaoshan to gather forces before, it is hard to imagine that they could give up Shanyin and Xiaoshan so decisively.
"Perhaps Shewenzhuang has been hiding in Shanyin or Xiaoshan, presiding over all this behind the scenes!" Gao Zongting's guess was more direct than Fu Qinghe's, saying, "To retreat in order to advance is his usual tactic!"
Lin Fu frowned and said, "What an old fox!" He could have expected that the Zhejiang and Fujian troops would not dare to attack and recapture Kuaiji, but he did not expect that the Zhejiang and Fujian troops would abandon Shanyin and Xiaoshan so decisively...
The topography of Shanyin and Xiaoshan is connected with Kuaiji. It is a relatively complete plain terrain surrounded by mountains and rivers such as Kuaiji Mountain, Puyang River, Qianjiang River and Cao'e River. If the Zhejiang and Fujian Army wants to defend Shanyin and Xiaoshan, their defensive camps must be in the same position as those in Huaidong.
The canine teeth are in contact with each other.
Such a defensive state is extremely difficult for both the enemy and ourselves.
Lin Fu also wanted Huaidong to bite the bullet and use such a stagnant position that was unfavorable for both sides to defend, and quickly drain the military potential of the She family in Zhejiang County, so that after winter, Huaidong could draw some of its troops from the southern front.
Come out to support Huaisi.
The Zhejiang and Fujian troops decisively abandoned Shanyin and Xiaoshan, which made Lin Fu's wishful thinking come to nothing.
Since the Zhejiang and Fujian Army abandoned Shanyin and Xiaoshan, the Huaidong Army had to take over, otherwise it would chill the hearts of local forces. However, when the Huaidong Army regains Shanyin and Xiaoshan counties, the defense line will be stretched longer.
, the military strength will be diluted.
"No matter how precise Shewenzhuang's calculation was, he used retreat to advance, trying to trap the main force of our army in eastern Zhejiang and unable to get out. In the end, when the Yanhu cavalry broke through the Hehuai defense line and directly threatened the hinterland of Huaidong, the main force of our army had to
By going north for reinforcements, the Zhejiang and Fujian armies would be able to seize the opportunity to counterattack," Gao Zongting said with a smile, "But no matter how smart he was, he never thought that Huaidong had invested so many resources in the Huaiyang military town in the past year or so.
…”
Huaiyang Town has been greatly strengthened, with 30,000 soldiers and 40,000 troops deployed on the Huaisi defense line - at least to ensure that after the Hehuai defense line collapses, Yanhu cavalry has no possibility of continuously breaking through the Huaisi defense line.
This can buy Huaidong one more year. This makes the She family's plan of retreating to advance, at least on the eastern front, unsuccessful.
"Well, let's keep the eastern front first. If we can divert the trouble to the west, that would be the best." Lin Fu said with a bitter smile.
The She family still has a total of 170,000 or 80,000 soldiers and horses in various parts of Zhejiang and Fujian. Although they are trapped in a lack of resources and will become weaker as time goes by, there will definitely be a fight to the death, and it will be tragic - Lin Fu doesn't want to be left alone.
The Huaidong Army came to take a fatal blow from the She family.
As long as it can be ensured that there will be no leaks on the eastern front, the She family can be forced to look for opportunities on the western front - this was Lin Fu's idea.
"To the south, the She family should retreat to Zhuji." Gao Zongting braved the wind and asked his guards to spread the map on the wall. "No matter how much it costs, we must at least control Lizhu, otherwise Shanyin's defensive situation will be too ugly.
Already..."
Zhuji is backed by Dongyang County, with Kuaiji Mountain to the east and Longmen Mountain to the west. It is a relatively long and narrow Puyang River valley basin with Puyang River running through it, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Zhuji is only a hundred miles away from Dongyang County, the defensive center of the Zhejiang and Fujian Army on the eastern front. The terrain of the river valley basin also makes the roads between Zhuji, Pujiang, and Dongyang counties open, and most areas are connected by waterways, so they can support each other quickly.
As a result, it would be difficult for the Huaidong Army to attack alone in Shengzhou, Shanyin and other places without an absolute advantage in strength.
However, the Zhejiang and Fujian troops retreated to Zhuji and used their troops in a condescending manner against the three counties of Shanyin, Kuaiji and Xiaoshan.
The Zhejiang and Fujian Army can save a lot of expenses by shrinking its defense line. The Huaidong Army seems to have two more places, but its defense line is stretched and its terrain is at a disadvantage. A large number of troops will be trapped in Kuaiji and cannot be withdrawn.
The Lizhu pointed out by Gao Zongting on the map is the Lake of Jinghu, located among the hills in the southwest of Shanyin County. It is also an important pass for Zhuji to enter Shanyin. If the Huaidong Army can capture Lizhu, it will have to defend Shanyin.
The situation in Yin Zhu counties will be slightly better.
Lin Fu had studied the maps around Kuaiji thoroughly and knew where Gao Zongting was pointing without looking at the map. He looked down at the city brick wall under his feet and said, "If possible, I would rather return Xiaoshan to Hangzhou."
…”
She Feixiong led his troops to withdraw from Xiaoshan and return to Fuyang in the west. Fuyang and Xiaoshan are separated by the Longmen Mountains, which still makes it difficult for the Huaidong Army to send troops from Xiaoshan to attack Fuyang, while it is easy for the Zhejiang and Fujian Army to send troops from Fuyang to attack Xiaoshan - Xiaoshan Old
Belongs to Hangzhou Prefecture, returning Xiaoshan to Hangzhou Prefecture is to rely on the Hanghu Army to independently resist the Zhejiang and Fujian armies gathered in Fuyang and other places.
"I'm afraid Meng Yishan and Meng Xinshi don't have the guts to accept it!" Fu Qinghe said, "She Feixiong evacuates to Fuyang. There will be as many as 60,000 soldiers and horses in Fuyang and Linshui. Even if they want to take Xiaoshan over, you
Can you really feel relieved?"
Lin Fu sighed, shook his head, and said: "On the eastern front, I'm still worried that there will be trouble in Hanghu, and I have to take the initiative to take some responsibilities - if Hanghu is to be penetrated by the She family, it will also make Huaidong very miserable.
Ugly!”
Although the total number of troops of the Huaidong Army on the southern front exceeds 80,000, because the defensive line to be defended is too long and the troops are scattered, it is difficult to launch a sharp offensive against the She family. However, these troops are trapped in
They cannot withdraw from the defensive line. If they are not careful, the fists retracted by the Zhejiang and Fujian troops may come out unexpectedly.
In the afternoon, news of the evacuation of the Shanyin garrison came. Lin Fu ordered Ao Canghai to send reconnaissance cavalry to infiltrate, to prevent the Shanyin garrison from wrapping up the people when they withdrew. Others were waiting to see what would happen.
At nightfall, Chen Mingzhe, the prefect of Jiaxing, took a detour and rushed to Kuaiji to meet Lin Fu.
The Hangzhou direction had clearly detected signs of the Xiaoshan garrison withdrawing from the west to return to Fuyang - Meng Yishan the day before yesterday. Meng Xinshi was waiting in line in Hangzhou and did not dare to leave. He rushed Chen Mingzhe to Hangzhou and asked him to come to Kuaiji to contact the Huaidong Army.
.
After arriving in Kuaiji, Chen Mingzhe learned that the Zhejiang and Fujian troops had begun to withdraw from Shanyin and return south. Chen Mingzhe was very excited. When he saw Lin Fu, he praised him: "Master Lin is really a god in using troops. He called Zhejiang again and again."
The Fujian rebels lost their troops and generals, and today they were asked to leave with hatred..."
"Master Chen, you're welcome." Lin Fu smiled and asked Chen Mingzhe to take a seat. He asked straight to the point why Chen Mingzhe was here, "Master Chen took a detour to Kuaiji. What can I tell you?"
"I don't dare to give you advice," Chen Mingzhe said. "The She family has lost troops and generals one after another. Their fatigue has become apparent and the situation cannot last long. The imperial government will soon be able to regain western Zhejiang. However, the poisonous snake will die, but it can still bite back the Zhejiang and Fujian rebels."
Even with the withdrawal of troops from Xiaoshan, there are still a large number of troops gathered in Fuyang, and we must be on guard. Meng Yishan and Meng Xinshi asked me to discuss with Mr. Lin how the two armies should join forces to fight against the rebels gathered in Fuyang.
military?"
"If Mr. Chen doesn't come to Kuaiji, I will also send someone to Hangzhou to contact the two Mr. Meng," Lin Fu said. "Although the Zhejiang and Fujian rebels have been frustrated one after another, their troops and horses have not yet damaged their roots, so they cannot be cautious. Chen
It would be great if your Excellency could come here..." He added, "I will go back to Chongzhou in a few days. The defense of eastern Zhejiang will be in charge of Qinghe. I will ask him to discuss the alliance with Mr. Chen in detail...
…”
"Thank you, General Fu!" Chen Mingzhe bowed to Fu Qinghe.
Fu Qinghe returned the gift and asked Chen Mingzhe to move to the wall chart hanging on the north wall, and said: "Gathering strength will make you strong, and dividing strength will make you weak. Only by working together can the Zhejiang and Fujian rebels be completely wiped out - Luxury
After Feixiong led his troops to retreat to Fuyang, the pressure on the Hanghu Army was greater. We hope that the Hanghu Army can gain a firm foothold in Wuchao Mountain in the northwest of Fuyang County, while Huaidong will drive the Shuiying warships into the Qianjiang waterway.
To get a glimpse of Zhuantang..."
Zhuantang is a valley plain formed by silted river sand in the eastern suburbs of Fuyang County. It is small in area and about ten miles deep. It is located at the foot of the southern foot of Wuchao Mountain and faces the Puyang River Estuary.
The Huaidong Water Camp can directly enter the Qianjiang Waterway from the Puyang River, and the troops can advance to Zhuantang. As long as the Hanghu Army can enter Wuchao Mountain from the northeast and gain a foothold, they can actually jointly control from Wuchao Mountain to the north bank of the Qianjiang River.
Area.
Fu Qinghe continued to explain: "...In this way, the troops and horses of the Zhejiang and Fujian troops in Fuyang can be blocked to the west of Wuchao Mountain and unable to move eastward, and the fertile soil along the West Lake can no longer be affected by the war and can resume farming as soon as possible.
, this should be of great significance to Hangzhou."
Hangzhou has been a land of plenty since ancient times, but due to the war, most of the fertile counties within the territory had abandoned their fields, leaving the former tax-rich government with no harvest in two years, and the people's livelihood was in dire straits.
Chen Mingzhe only came to Kuaiji to discuss matters on behalf of Meng Yishan and Meng Xinshi. After listening to Fu Qinghe's introduction, he just nodded in agreement. Meng Yishan and Meng Xinshi had to nod before he agreed.
Fu Qinghe added: "At the southern foot of Nanping Mountain on the south bank of West Lake, if Hangzhou is interested, they can jointly build a pontoon bridge to connect the north and south banks..."
Nanping Mountain is closer to the east, located on the south bank of West Lake, not far from Hangzhou City and across the river from Xiaoshan County. At the foot of the southern foot of Nanping Mountain, a floating bridge across the Qianjiang River can be built to connect Hangzhou and Xiaoshan.
If the situation in the Hanghu area is critical, it will be very convenient for the Huaidong Army to send troops from Xiaoshan for reinforcements - the floating bridge also has the function of controlling the waterway.
"How many troops will Huaidong station in Xiaoshan?" Chen Mingzhe asked.
"On the defense line north of Kuaiji Mountain, the troops are mainly concentrated in Xiaoshan," Lin Fu took over and said, "There is no definite number yet, but the total number of water infantry troops will not be less than forty battalions..."
The She family decisively abandoned Xiaoshan and Shanyin. Given the current situation, there is no chance for a decisive battle on the Eastern Front in a short period of time. The most important problem for the Huaidong Army on the Eastern Front is how to operate and ensure that the Eastern Defense Line is foolproof.
Not only can there be no problems in the area defended by the Huaidong Army, but also the Hangzhou and Huzhou defenses defended by the Hangzhou and Hunan Army must be stable and there will be no major problems. This will force the She family to shift their dying vision from the east to the west to look for fighter opportunities.
——Even if the She family's defense line in the Jiangxi direction is breached in the future, it will be far better than the Hanghu defense line. It will allow Huaidong to breathe a few more breaths and make it less uncomfortable.
Although the Hanghu Army was relatively weak after Dong Yuan left northern Zhejiang, the original Haiyu Army led by the Chen family and the Hanghu Navy based on the Bai Nao Army had a close relationship with the Huaidong Army. Even Meng Yishan
There was no previous history of hostility with the Huaidong Army, and Lin Fu was more willing to cooperate with the Hanghu Army.