Chapter Three Hundred and Sixty-Three Commanding the Division South
After the Battle of Kunyang, Liu Xiu did not feel complacent, nor did he forget about his past. Instead, he planned to strike while the iron was hot, taking advantage of the defeat of the Mang army and the high morale of his own army to move south to seize more fruits of victory.
Unlike Liu Xiu, Wang Feng was so happy that he couldn't find Bei for the past few days, and had been organizing people to collect the materials left behind by the Mang camp.
The more than 400,000 Mang troops were all dispersed. When they fled, they didn't take much with them at all. There were so many materials abandoned in the Mang army camp that they piled up like mountains.
There are hundreds of large siege weapons alone. In addition, there are countless supplies of food, weapons, armor, etc.
There were so many supplies left behind by the companies and camps of the Mang army for dozens of miles. Collecting them all would be a big project and would take a long time. Liu Xiu did not have that much time to waste time in Kunyang.
On the third day after the victory at Kunyang, Liu Xiu found Wang Feng and suggested that his army should quickly lead his army south and take Runan directly.
Runan is located in the south of Yingchuan, bordering Nanyang and Yingchuan. If we can occupy the entire territory of Runan, then Nanyang, Yingchuan, and Runan will form a triangle formation, which can completely consolidate our foundation.
Another very important point is that there are Han troops in Runan.
After Wang Mang became emperor, as his position was consolidated, he began to suppress the Liu clan across the country, and the Liu clan in Runan was naturally not immune.
Among the Liu clan in Runan, Liu Sheng, who had a high reputation, was stripped of his title by Wang Mang and demoted to a commoner.
Liu Sheng was a very tolerant person. After he was demoted, he held back and worked hard until the Green Forest Army rebelled. A branch of the Green Forest Army also appeared in Runan. Liu Sheng then rose up, summoned the clansmen in southern Hunan, and united with the Green Forest Army branch. Gradually,
formed its own armed force.
After Liu Xuan became emperor, Liu Sheng, who was in Runan, also expressed his willingness to surrender to the Gengshi court. However, Liu Sheng said it nicely, but in reality, he did not give decent support to the Gengshi court.
For example, when the Battle of Kunyang broke out, Liu Xiu also sent people to Runan to borrow troops from Liu Sheng. However, Liu Sheng refused Liu Xiu's plan on the excuse that the Runan army was fierce and it was difficult for him to defend himself, so he could not divide his troops.
ask.
In Liu Xiu's view, although Liu Sheng was pretending to be a Han army, his Han army was not reliable. Taking advantage of the current opportunity, he should quickly send troops to Runan, firstly to eliminate the local county troops, and secondly,
It was to completely conquer Liu Shengyi.
In this way, our own skills can gain a county in Runan, and we can also absorb Liu Sheng's troops. It can be said that we kill two birds with one stone.
I don’t know if it’s because Wang Feng was frightened out of his wits by the Battle of Kunyang, but now Wang Feng feels a headache whenever he hears about the war.
He looked at Liu Xiu who proposed to go south, with a wry smile on his face, and said meaningfully: "Uncle Wen, we just fought a great victory in Kunyang, defeating hundreds of thousands of reckless troops, and now the camp is full of wounded soldiers.
, the soldiers are tired, it is not appropriate to start another war at this time, right?"
Liu Xiu said seriously: "Gong Cheng, now is a good time to regain Runan! A considerable number of Runan's county troops were dispersed in Kunyang. Now is the time when Runan is weak. If we
If we don’t take this opportunity to capture Runan, Runan will inevitably fall into Liu Sheng’s hands.”
"Oh!" Wang Feng sighed and said nonchalantly: "Liu Sheng is also a Han official. Is there any difference between Runan being captured by Liu Sheng and being captured by my troops?!"
After a pause, he said meaningfully: "Uncle Wen made his first contribution in the battle of Kunyang. When he returns to Nanyang, he will definitely be made a marquis and prime minister by His Majesty!"
The implication is that your contribution is already great enough, and now there is really no need to compete with Liu Sheng for credit and rush to capture Runan.
In fact, among the generals of the Green Forest Department, although Wang Feng is a bit selfish, he is relatively good. At least he does not harbor evil intentions towards Liu Xiu, nor does his reputation overshadow his own because of Liu Xiu's great achievements.
, and had bad thoughts towards Liu Xiusheng.
Firstly, Wang Feng himself is not a very strong person, nor does he have too big or lofty ambitions. Secondly, Liu Xiu once saved his life. Wang Feng has always kept this in mind, so he treats Liu Xiu very much.
Xiu, Wang Feng is always very polite and polite.
Liu Xiu said quietly: "Don't forget, Duke Cheng, that Liu Sheng only professed his vassalship on the surface, but in fact, he didn't give us any help at all. Did Liu Sheng help any of our soldiers in the battle of Kunyang?"
Wang Feng's face suddenly darkened when he heard this. He was also very unhappy about this matter. The battle of Kunyang was so critical. We only had more than 10,000 soldiers and were besieged in the city by hundreds of thousands of reckless troops, and Liu Shengjin
There was no strong enemy threat in Runan nearby, so he was reluctant to send even a single soldier to assist his side. This was indeed a bit unreasonable.
He asked tentatively: "Uncle Wen means that Liu Sheng has counter-intentions?"
Liu Xiu shook his head and smiled. In fact, Liu Sheng couldn't talk about whether he was rebelling or not. Liu Sheng's power in Runan was established by himself. His own side did not give him any assistance. Liu Sheng was willing to help his side.
To put it bluntly, he just wants to gain more allies. It can be said that the relationship between the two parties has not yet reached the level of prioritization. Because of this, Liu Xiu is also eager to capture Runan, subdue Liu Sheng's troops, and make the two
The two Han armies were completely integrated into one, avoiding long nights and nightmares, and sudden changes.
He said meaningfully: "Liu Sheng is not actually a minister of His Majesty. Naturally, it cannot be said whether he is a rebel or not. The most urgent task is to subdue Liu Sheng, capture Runan, and increase our strength. In this way, our survival
Only then can you get a guarantee.”
Wang Feng nodded thoughtfully.
Li Yi on the side suddenly said: "I think Uncle Wen is overly worried! We wiped out hundreds of thousands of Mang troops in Kunyang. Now Wang Mang has no troops available in Chang'an, and he will not be able to threaten us again in the future."
The Han army is here!”
Liu Xiu said: "General Li thinks that after Wang Mang falls, the world will be at peace and our situation will be safe?"
Li Yi frowned and looked at Liu Xiu sideways, isn't it?
Liu Xiu said: "Even if Wang Mang really falls, there will still be hundreds of thousands of Red Eyebrow Army, hundreds of thousands of Bronze Horse Army, Datong Army, Gaohu Army, Heavy Company Army, Iron Shan Army, and Big Spear Army."
, Youlai Army, Shangjiang Army, Qingdu Army, Five Schools Army, etc., there are millions of rebel armies, among these many rebel armies, which one will willingly submit to us? "
Li Yi lowered his head and said no more. Wang Feng stared at Liu Xiu blankly. After a long while, he swallowed his saliva and murmured: "Uncle Wen's words make sense!"
There are so many rebel armies all over the country now. If you add all the big and small ones together, there must be dozens if not hundreds. Maybe one of them will develop and grow and become an uprising comparable to the Red Eyebrow Army and the Bronze Horse Army.
military.
Wang Mang is still there, and the rebel armies in various places have the same goal, which is to kill Wang Mang and overthrow the new Mang court.
But once Wang Mang is really killed, and the Xin Mang court is really overthrown, then, with so many rebels, who will rule the world? By then, there is no telling how they will kill each other!
After all, when it comes to making iron, you have to be strong yourself, and the fist is the last word. As Liu Xiu said, if you want to survive for a long time, you must first continuously strengthen yourself and accumulate strength.
Wang Feng cleared his throat and asked: "Uncle Wen, although retaking Runan is a top priority, Yingchuan cannot leave people alone. First of all, the materials left by the Mang army need to be dealt with urgently. Secondly, the counties of Yingchuan must also be dealt with in time.
Conquer!"
Liu Xiu was so smart that he could naturally understand what Wang Feng was saying. He would definitely support the attempt to conquer Runan, but he would not go anyway. He had to stay here in Yingchuan and take charge of the overall situation.
To put it bluntly, what Wang Feng means is that if there is a war, whoever you like can go. Anyway, I won’t go. Now that Yingchuan is safe, I will stay here in Yingchuan.
Before Liu Xiu could answer, Wang Feng suddenly thought of something again and said seriously: "By the way, the battle situation in Kunyang also requires someone to meet with His Majesty and report the details. This matter can only be left to me.
Do it!”
As he spoke, he looked reluctant.
Liu Xiu almost laughed. Wang Feng was unwilling to follow him to fight in Runan, which was exactly what he wanted. Wang Feng was too timid and too selfish. When it came to fighting, he was timid and afraid of fighting with him.
The concept is completely different.
But the terrible thing is that Wang Feng's official position is that of Grand Duke, and they go out to fight together, so Liu Xiu has to obey him. Of course, if Wang Feng doesn't go to Runan, he will be happy and relaxed, and he can let go of his hands and feet.
He said sternly: "Gong Chengguo can stay in Yingchuan, Xiu is willing to lead the army to Runan."
Wang Feng's eyes suddenly lit up, he put his hands on his hands and said with a smile: "That's great! With Uncle Wen going to Runan in person, our army will definitely win a complete victory and successfully conquer Liu Sheng's First Division!"
Liu Xiu said: "Gong Cheng, I need soldiers, horses, grain, grass and supplies to recover Runan."
Wang Feng said sternly: "How many troops and horses will Uncle Wen need to mobilize? Of course, as for the food, grass, materials, and those captured from the Mang Army's camp, Uncle Wen can requisition them at will!"
He did not dare to go to war, but he was very generous to those who dared to fight, and would not make trouble for soldiers, horses and supplies.
Liu Xiu thought for a while and said: "We need two thousand cavalry and five thousand infantry."
Wang Feng thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay." In fact, the number of troops Liu Xiu wanted was not many, only seven thousand soldiers in total.
But Li Yi on the side was not happy. Liu Xiu was just a partial general. How could he lead 7,000 troops on an expedition? He said angrily: "My army is in Yingchuan, with a total of only 10,000 soldiers. Uncle Wen now wants to mobilize 7,000 soldiers."
With thousands of soldiers and horses, our troops are in Yingchuan, and we will be faced with the situation of having no available troops."
Liu Xiu blinked his eyes and said with a smile: "If General Li can lead seven thousand soldiers to capture Runan, I can also give him a chance to defeat General Li."
His words made Li Yi blush and became speechless on the spot.
Runan is not a small county, it is much larger than Yingchuan. There are thirty-seven counties in total. The county troops plus county soldiers from various places must have tens of thousands at least. Li Yi only led 7,000 troops to conquer it.
Runan, he really doesn’t have that ability.
Although Li Yi was filled with indignation at Liu Xiu's rebuttal, he had to admit that Liu Xiu was really good at fighting. It was crazy and unbelievable that he dared to attack the camp of hundreds of thousands of reckless troops with three thousand men.
Seeing that Li Yi looked ugly and was silent, Wang Feng made peace with the mud and said, "With the current strength of our army, the one who wants to regain Runan is none other than Uncle Wen. But, Uncle Wen, this battle
You must not take it lightly. Runan is a large county in Yuzhou with many towns. The remnants of the reckless army cannot be underestimated!"
