For Li Xingchen, Chen Zhishen, Cao Zhong, Lu Zhiwu and other subordinates who originally followed him to Shu, as well as Dai Cai, Tang Zhengliang and other Bashu people who later joined him, all of them are subordinates and can really be regarded as companions.
There is only Xiao Shilian.
The main task of the general is still responsible for tactical planning and command. When it comes to thinking and planning at the strategic level, the first thing Li Xingchen needs to find is Xiao Shilian. Because if it really comes down to it, there are only two people between him and Xiao Shilian.
Even those aristocratic families who had just joined him didn't know how powerful Li Xingchen's subordinates really were.
But now Xiao Shilian did not know how to shout and kill like before, but began to study the strategic environment around Bajun, which naturally made Li Xingchen feel relieved.
Everyone is growing, and it is obvious that Xiao Shilian is growing from a fighting general to a master general after being tempered by these battles.
And as Xiao Shilian said, despite Li Xinchen's capture of Bajun, their current situation is not yet completely safe.
From Bajun to Yong'an City, the range that Li Xingchen can control is only along the river. However, there are still many places such as Dianjiang County and Rongjiang County in Hezhou on the north side of Bajun, and Dongjiangyang County in Luzhou on the west side.
The army of the Northern Zhou Dynasty was reduced, and Ba County was semi-surrounded.
The danger of Bajun's terrain lies not in the city itself, but in the peripheral defense line. On the periphery of Bajun, the three counties of Hezhou, Luzhou, Linjiang, Fuling and other places are connected together to form a complete, easy-to-defend but difficult-to-attack
The defensive circle is somewhat similar to the eight gates outside Luoyang City, protecting Bajun in the middle. Coupled with Yong'an, Suizhou and other places further away, the entire Bajun area can be attacked or defended, and it is possible to advance and retreat in a controlled manner.
Now, what Li Xingchen really controls is actually only the east and south sides of Bajun. The west and north sides are still in the hands of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Bajun actually faces enemies on both sides, especially Luzhou in the west and Luzhou in the north.
Hezhou is a land surrounded by mountains. It is also easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is definitely not that easy to capture.
So it's no wonder Xiao Shilian was worried.
Now they can really say that "when entering the circle of thousands of mountains, every mountain will be ignored." And since they are already standing at the head of Bajun City, there is no way out.
"Cheng Feng is on Wangjiangtai in the west, and Cao Zhong is on Gele Mountain in the north of the city." Li Xingchen suddenly said without any clue.
Xiao Shilian was startled for a moment, and then he realized: "It turns out that you have already made arrangements."
Li Xingchen nodded slightly: "Even if we don't want to attack, we still have to send troops to defend places like Geleshan and Wangjiangtai."
"Okay, where are you going to fight?" Xiao Shilian said in a deep voice. When he was in a good mood, he might be able to speak politely. When he was in a bad mood, he and Li Xinchen had nothing to be polite about, especially now that Li Xinchen was clearly showing off.
.
"What do you think?" Li Xingchen gently rubbed his chin.
Xiao Shilian did not hesitate this time. Obviously he also knew that Li Xingchen had not made up his mind yet: "I have made some plans in my mind now, but I am still hesitant. It stands to reason that Luzhou's terrain is difficult and we should guard the upper reaches and win it first. But compared to
Luzhou and Hezhou are obviously closer."
"Hezhou." Li Xingchen said decisively, "Boqing, you see, Hezhou also guards the upper reaches of the Han River and Fulishui River. More importantly, only by winning Hezhou can we open up the road that threatens Shu County."
"Are you thinking of attacking Shu County now?" Xiao Shilian was startled.
Li Xingchen chuckled and said: "It is not to attack Shu County, but to prevent the enemies of Shu County and even Luzhou from attacking us easily."
Once Li Xingchen planned to attack Shu County, the Northern Zhou Dynasty's already small army would definitely shrink the defense line as much as possible and prepare to defend the city instead of seeking to attack Ba County.
"What about Luzhou? After all, this is a shield in front of us. Who knows when a sword will come out from behind the shield and hit us by surprise." Xiao Shilian said worriedly, which is why he had been thinking about it before.
Luzhou must be captured, because this place is obviously more dangerous than Hezhou, and it is also not far away from Bajun.
With a deep sigh, Xiao Shilian felt helpless: "It's a pity that we have too few troops now, otherwise even if we attack at the same time, it is not impossible!"
Li Xingchen nodded slightly. Now that the Northern Zhou garrison was short of major generals, how could they not face this problem? If Li Xingchen now had 30,000 to 40,000 troops, he would really dare to fight all the way to Shu County along the Han River.
"At least our navy has an advantage on the river," Li Xingchen said slowly. "In addition to sending some warships into the Han River to cooperate with the attack on Hezhou, the rest of the main force was led by Wang Chang to advance to Hejiang (today's Hejiang
County), please be alert to Luzhou’s movements.”
"This is the only way." Xiao Shilian could understand Li Xingchen's helplessness of having generals and no soldiers, "So who are you going to send to attack Hezhou?"
Li Xingchen glanced at him: "Do you want to go?"
"I don't want to go. I'll have many opportunities to make contributions by attacking Shu County in the future," Xiao Shilian snorted and said with experience, "If I attack Hezhou, you might use this as a reason to let me stay in Ba County in the future.
, feel free to go to the front line by yourself!"
Finally unable to hold back his laughter, Li Xingchen was helpless towards this lively brother-in-law: "I knew it! So why do you think I didn't let Cao Zhong be responsible for attacking the city?"
Xiao Shilian curled his lips. In the battle to attack Bajun, it was Lu Zhiwu who served as the vanguard instead of Cao Zhong who first joined Li Xingchen. Although Cao Zhong was not the kind of person who was eager for quick success and did not show dissatisfaction, Xiao Shilian also knew that Cao Zhong
Zhongzhong still feels a little sad and lost.
But now it seems that Li Xingchen has obviously made arrangements for a long time.
Or in other words, Li Xingchen had a plan for Hezhou.
Compared with being a forward, being a general will obviously contribute more to winning a city. As long as Li Xingchen gives this order, Cao Zhong will not only put away his unhappiness, but also use all his strength to fight the battle.
Thinking of something, Li Xingchen then said: "By the way, let's send Lu Zhiwu over to Wangjiangtai. Cheng Feng has never participated in the war. Isn't it better to put him in the rear?"
"It makes sense." Xiao Shilian nodded, "I have been with him for a few days. Cheng Feng is more stable than agile. It is indeed better to sit in the rear. At least he can be like that in the big mountainous area of Fuling.
, indicating that this person still has some ability."
Li Xingchen and others cannot always rely on the supply of food and grass in Jingzhou. After all, the war in Jingzhou is still unclear, and winter is about to enter, which means that the Three Gorges Channel will be more dangerous, and the transportation of food will also become difficult. If they do not advance in advance
If you start farming and collecting grain, you will definitely face the danger of running out of grain and grass in the future.
Before the army moves, food and grass go first. Food and grass are the strongest and most stable support for an army's combat power at all times.