Chapter 716 Zhengqi

Chapter 716 Zhengqi

Chapter 716 Zhengqi
It rains in every household during the Qingming Festival.

But after Qingming, the rain continued to fall. Fortunately, on the tenth day of April, a sunny day finally came.

On the slope, Shen Ling and several followers walked, sliding with each step.

After a while, he finally climbed up to the Bronze Sparrow Tower, panting, and ran into Qu Zhuang, an official from the Dongcao Department and an old acquaintance of Sima Yue's former shogunate.

Qu Zhuang was about to go down the mountain, but when he saw Shen Ling, he stopped and said with a smile: "Jing Gao is not even fifty years old, and he can still have sex with several women. Why is it so hard for him to walk such a short mountain road?"

Shen Ling bowed to him helplessly and said, "Ming Gong doesn't want to live in Ye Palace, and only loves Tongque Tower, but it makes us suffer."

Qu Zhuang smiled and said, "I'm fine. I only make one trip back and forth in a few days."

"I have been back and forth three times today." Shen Ling sighed, "I am old now, and I am not as good as I was a dozen years ago."

"But what about the westward advance?" Qu Zhuang asked.

"That's right." Shen Ling was a Zhonglang official, responsible for the arrangements, liaisons, and supplies for Lord Liang's travels. He had been relatively idle before, but has been extremely busy in the past two days.

"Hukou Pass is about to be captured?" Qu Zhuang asked in surprise.

"No." Shen Ling shook his head. "If this pass can be captured, Liu Yao's rear will be lost. He will do everything he can to protect Hukou Pass. But it's useless. After Jingxing is taken, Li's heavy troops are heading towards Jinyang. Liu Yao is already in a situation where he is attacked from both sides."

Just like facing the dilemma of being attacked from both sides after taking the detour through Jingxing Pass, once the main force of Li Zhong's army entered the Taiyuan Basin one after another, they could move south from Jinyang and join forces with the army moving north from Gaodu and Xunshi to attack Liu Yao from the north and south, and defeat Liu Yao in Shangdang.

A little breakthrough can shake the whole line, that's what this means.

The defense was already difficult, with troops and food supplies stretched to the extreme. Now that it had been breached, Liu Yao should consider how to retreat as completely as possible.

Because defeat is inevitable.

In the narrow Changzhi Basin, the population and supplies are so limited that once they are completely surrounded, they will not be able to hold out for long.

There is not much difference between defending for one or two months and defending for three or five months in the current battle situation in Bingzhou, because there will probably be no reinforcements, which will lead to the complete waste of the time that Liu Yao's troops have gained with their fearless spirit of sacrifice and by holding on to the desperate situation.

"From what you said, Liu Yao is under attack from three sides." Hearing this, Qu Zhuang said with a smile, "Your Excellency, if you go to Shexian to supervise the battle, you may gain something."

Shen Ling nodded with a smile.

Liang Gong had fought on the battlefield for more than ten years and had a very keen sense of smell. He could tell which place would change by just looking at the map. The enemy's and our own military strength, food, morale, deployment and even internal situation were not visible on the map, but Liang Gong had already calculated them many times in his mind.

He could judge how long the enemy could hold out. Starting tomorrow, he would go to Hukou Pass to supervise the battle. In fact, he was judging that after the breakthrough at Jingxing, the news would continue to spread and ferment, and the situation would change every day. Liu Yao's troops might not be able to hold out for too long.

After saying goodbye to Qu Zhuang, Shen Ling continued forward with his subordinates and came to a courtyard on the west side of Tongque Tower.

The personal soldiers and clerks were coming in and out, very busy.

Shen Ling took a casual glance and found that everyone looked happy.

Shen Ling also smiled unconsciously.

Several armies attacked together, and one of them had successfully penetrated into Bingzhou's territory, completely destroying the enemy's painstakingly constructed defense line. The situation was very good, and everyone would be happy - Duke Liang continued to advance triumphantly, and his momentum was growing day by day. Those of them who had surrendered early now had hope.

Shen Ling was quickly informed and entered with an official letter.

"Greetings, my lord." After seeing Shao Xun, Shen Ling bowed.

The Taihang Mountains were filled with deafening cries of killing and the blood was flowing everywhere, but in the small courtyard of the Bronze Sparrow Tower there was the sound of birdsong and the fragrance of flowers.

Duke Liang of the Jin Dynasty, who issued one killing order after another, sat leisurely on a Hu bed, meeting guests all day long, talking and laughing.

There is no trace of war here.

After Shen Ling finished his greeting, he glanced around and saw two Jizhou scholars coming out hand in hand, looking relaxed. Seeing this, he was a little relieved.

Perhaps, what Mr. Liang did behind the scenes was more important.

Li Zhong was advancing like a hot knife through butter, and it was said that he had already entered Shouyang. Such a rapid advance required countless people in Hebei to transfer food and grain, because the local nobles in Leping alone were far from enough to provide aid.

In the past six or seven years, Hebei has been in a state of war for three years, there was another serious locust plague, a not-so-light drought, and another riot caused by the locust plague and the incident involving the honorary official. In such a cruel world, even the commanders of the fortresses could not hold on and became refugee commanders on the spot.

From Shen Ling's point of view, the people of Jizhou are really suffering. If this year's battle drags on for a long time, they will really be squeezed to the point of exhaustion.

A while ago, he went to Guangping County to supervise the supply of food and military supplies, and listened to too many complaints from scholars and powerful people. Their words were half true and half false, but it was true that it was very difficult - even the powerful families began to be frugal, so you can imagine what the living conditions of ordinary people were like.

Lord Liang was stationed in Yecheng and met with local officials and wealthy families one by one to appease the people. His ultimate goal was to squeeze money and food from them to support the war.

"Jinggao, are you ready?" Shao Xun asked, motioning him to sit down.

Shen Ling handed over a list of supplies and said, "Everything is ready."

Shao Xun took it, glanced at it roughly, and said, "I always trust Jing Gao to do things. Now that everything is ready, let's send the troops tomorrow."

After saying that, he stood up and looked at the map hanging on the wall, his eyes moving around as if they were real.

There were six routes of the army from north to south.

The first route: Li Zhong, the governor, led 20,000 auxiliary troops to attack Jingxing Pass. His main opponent was Shi Le. He made great progress, and his main forces were scattered in Shangai and Shouyang. The second route: Yang Dan, the governor, led more than 20,000 auxiliary troops to attack Hukou Pass from Shexian County. His main opponent was Liu Yao. So far, there has been no progress.

The third route: Governor Hou Feihu, with nearly 20,000 auxiliary troops, went north from the Jincheng Basin to attack Danzhuling. There was no progress so far, but Hou Feihu made many roundabout attacks, which made the Xiongnu defenders very diverted. Then he took the opportunity to launch a frontal attack and destroyed many castles at the foot of the mountain and on the hillside. He had now reached Danzhuling.

This route was also the place where the largest number of Hun defenders were tied down, so much so that 10,000 strong men were sent south from Jinyang to reinforce.

The fourth route: Governor Yang Quan, with 15,000 auxiliary troops, attacked Chenguan. There was little progress on the front battlefield, but General Liu Quan of Heqing Town was ordered to take a shortcut to the core area of ​​Wangwu Mountain. Although he was repelled by King Liu Xian of Quyang, the Huns were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses.

The fifth route: mainly composed of the imperial guards and more than 30,000 auxiliary troops, attacked Xishi Fort and captured it after paying the price of 6,000 to 7,000 casualties.

This was a very inspiring battle for the Imperial Guards.

In the war with Wang Mi, it was the first time that a strong city was captured with such "minor" casualties. However, the operation of Pei Kuo, the general of the Northern Army, was indispensable. When the battle reached the middle stage, Pei's troops and farmhands in Xishi Fort rebelled and turned against their own side, thus defeating the fort.

The defending general Wang Yan retreated to Minchi with hundreds of defeated soldiers - Minchi County of the Han Dynasty, not Minchi County of the Jin Dynasty.

The imperial guards are currently resting, waiting for replenishment of troops, food, and equipment.

After resting, they will continue westward and besiege Minchi County.

The sixth route: Governor Le Kai, with 20,000 to 30,000 auxiliary troops, entered from Wuguan and attacked Lantianguan, which was guarded by the Xiongnu. Due to the long distance and the fact that the road had been in disrepair for a long time, they have not yet reached their destination.

Judging from the progress on all fronts, both sides generally played at a high level.

The Huns were not stupid either, and their entire defense circle was relatively successful. However, there were too many places that needed to be defended, and they were short of soldiers and supplies. This created a typical dilemma: they had to set up defenses everywhere, and their military strength was greatly stretched.

In fact, the Huns had another way of fighting, which was to give up stationing troops in various dangerous passes and important cities, and directly abandon these places, concentrate the main force in the Jinyang area, and engage in a field battle with Shao's army to fight a life-and-death battle.

This style of play can also help you take chances with low-probability events: such as flying sand and rocks, falling meteorites, etc.

But this also requires cooperation from the opponent.

The Jin army was divided into several routes and attacked separately, which meant that a thrilling battle involving more than 100,000 people was doomed to fail.

During that time, the Jin army had already contacted local nobles and ordered them to rebel, cutting off the Xiongnu's food supply and retreat routes, waiting for them to collapse.

"Jin Dao, Huan Lang, come here." Shao Xun waved his hand and said.

The two older boys came over and looked at the map.

"My father is good at commanding troops and is familiar with the changes between regular and unregular forces. Can you tell me, among these six armies, which are regular troops and which are unregular troops?" Shao Xun asked.

"Father, all six routes are regular troops and special forces." Jin Dao said confidently.

"Father, the six armies are each other's surprise forces. Whichever army achieves a breakthrough will be the surprise force." Hulang said.

After listening to this, Shao Xun smiled with satisfaction. He had been talking to them about the strange changes for a long time, and finally they had some insight.

"Tell me in detail." He looked at his two sons again and said.

"Father, Lü Ya led 2,500 men to sneak across the Weize and attack Shangai from behind. This is a surprise attack." Hu Lang took the lead and said, "Liu Ling attacked Jingxing Pass head-on. This is a regular attack. The combination of the two is a regular and surprising change."

Shao Xun nodded and said, "There is another positive and strange change here. Where is it?"

Jin Dao glanced at his brother, smiled and stepped forward, pointing to the area south of Jinyang on the map, and said, "Commander Li went down Jingxing and entered Shouyang, with the intention of attacking Jinyang and heading south to intercept Liu Yao's retreat. This is a surprise attack. Commander Hou and Commander Yang are attacking Danzhuling and Hukouguan day and night to contain the Xiongnu army. This is a regular attack. With the combination of regular and surprise attacks, we will surely defeat them."

"If Governor Li fails to capture Jingxing, and Governor Hou and Governor Yang break through Danzhuling or Hukou Pass, then they will become the special forces and Governor Li will become the regular troops. So the troops are divided into six routes, which actually serve as special forces for each other," Jin Dao added.

Shao Xun stroked his beard and smiled, looking at Shen Ling who had not yet left, and asked: "How is it?"

Shen Ling didn't waste any words, he just bowed and said, "Congratulations, sir."

Shao Xun laughed and said, "My son, you still need to learn, and you must not be proud and complacent."

To be right, to win.

This principle of military strategy remained effective until the Korean War. It involves attracting and holding the enemy from the front, making detours from the flanks, and going around in depth. This is the normal and unusual change.

The two sons have been with him for a long time and now have some understanding of the basic principles, that is, they can talk about it on paper.

Next, we need to further strengthen and consolidate our ability to talk about tactics on paper and understand the basic principles of various tactics.

After a few years, when they are older, they can start to develop practical skills.

"Jin Dao, Hu Lang." Shao Xun looked at the two again and said, "You two can substitute Liu Yao, Liu Yasheng, and Shi Le and write a countermeasure. Give it to me before you leave tomorrow."

"Yes." The two children saluted.

Shen Ling nodded secretly.

Lord Liang really spared no effort in raising his children. He also kept them by his side during the war, teaching them by example, which was a huge help.

It’s a pity that the concubine’s son is not here, otherwise he would have learned a lot.

(End of this chapter)