The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 521: Deployment forward
Zezhou, Jincheng.

In the military camp outside the city, Zhu Xiu frowned and looked through the files recording the grain stocks of various states in Henan Prefecture. His brows deepened as he read.

Luoyang, the capital of Henan Province and the western capital, was even poorer than he expected.

For more than three years of the Chinese New Year, we kept a low profile and tried our best to avoid major wars. People's livelihood in Kaifeng Prefecture, Huaibei, Shandong and even Hebei improved greatly. The grain treasury of state and county governments was not only piled up in mountains, but it was also considerable.

Unlike the prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of Henan Prefecture, the treasury is almost empty. Even if all the grain is collected, it will not be enough for Chai Rong to feed his army for half a month.

The grain quantity reported by the Henan Prefecture before was still too high. Even the prime ministers Fan Zhi and Feng Dao were optimistic that if the war was prolonged, grain from the nearby Henan Prefecture could be recruited to support the army.

Now it seems that it is not feasible at all, and we still need to transport food to Kaifeng.

But this coming and going took too long, which was not conducive to the movement of the army.

Zhu Xiu closed the account book and smiled bitterly. No wonder in history, after the Battle of Gaoping, the Zhou army was defeated at the gate of Taiyuan City.

Not to mention other things, logistics and transportation alone were unable to support the Zhou army to attack Taiyuan.

The life of Henan Prefecture was tight. First, it was threatened by the Northern Han Dynasty all year round. A large amount of grain was shipped to the front lines of Luzhou and Liaozhou to support the army, and it was impossible to save a family.

Second, in the past year or so, Henan Prefecture has suffered from severe drought, lack of water conservancy, and poor grain harvests. We even need to rely on transportation from Chang'an, Kaifeng and other places to provide relief.

Luoyang, the majestic city of gods, has fallen into such a state of decline.

Liu Ci quickly walked into the tent with the imperial edict: "His Majesty's army is about to station in Bagongyuan, and he ordered us to escort the follow-up supplies and arrive within three days!"

Zhu Xiu took it and browsed it quickly, feeling secretly nervous: Gaoping, Ba Gongyuan!

After stabilizing his mind, Zhu Xiu said in a deep voice: "Liu Shuai, take a look, this is sent by the governor of Henan. The food in this province is not enough to supply the needs of the army.

This does not include the civilian rations. If it were included, food would only be more scarce and would have to be transported from Kaifeng! "

Liu Ci thought about it silently for a while, and said with a wry smile: "Your Majesty asked us to raise 15 shi of grain, which can be used by the army for three months. But if we really want to recruit these 15 shi of grain from Henan Prefecture, the government will not be able to come up with it. If you plunder it from the people, I'm afraid it will cause trouble!"

Zhu Xiudao: "Including the common people, we need at least 25 shi of grain. Even if we dig the ground of Henan Prefecture three feet, we won't be able to find this much grain!"

Liu Ci said helplessly: "The grain and grass transferred from Kaifeng can only last until the end of May at most. There is still one and a half months left. Isn't the war in Gaoping still over?"

Zhao Pu, who did not know when he entered the tent, suddenly said softly: "Could it be that your Majesty wants to conquer Taiyuan? Destroy the Northern Han Dynasty in one fell swoop?"

Liu Ci was shocked and said: "Even if Liu Chong is defeated in the Gaoping War, there are still tens of thousands of Northern Han soldiers in Taiyuan who can fight, and the Khitan people will not just sit idly by. Now is not the best time to attack and destroy the Northern Han Dynasty!"

Zhu Xiu glanced at Zhao Pu in surprise. She didn't know if he just said it casually or if he had already inferred it.

Zhu Xiudao: "First send people back to Kaifeng and ask the two ministers, Fan Zhi and Wang Pu, to continue to adjust the food supply. Our top priority is to lead the army to Bagongyuan to serve as backup to support the front army in the war!"

"That's exactly what I mean!" Liu Ci also agreed.

Immediately, Liu Ci ordered Zhao Pu to go down to pass the order, and the whole army immediately set up camp and marched to Gaoping!
After Zhao Pu left, Zhu Xiu took Liu Ci to the long desk, spread out the map and said, "Shuai Liu, I have an idea.

Earlier, when His Majesty was in Jincheng, he sent Li Yanchong, governor of Zezhou, to lead local garrison troops to Jiangzhuling to prevent Liu Chong's defeated army from fleeing north.

I want to send an additional army with light equipment to Jiangzhuling to help Li Yanchong intercept Liu Chong!
More than thirty miles west of Jiangzhu Ridge, there is Diaohuang Ridge, which leads directly to Jinzhou. If the enemy is defeated, it is possible to escape from here. Therefore, I also want to send an army to Diaohuang Ridge to set up an ambush! "

Liu Ci looked at the map carefully and hesitated: "Is it inappropriate for you and our rear army to go out without permission without His Majesty's military orders?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "The fighter plane is fleeting. If we can kill Liu Chong in one fell swoop, wouldn't it be a great achievement? Your Majesty's mind is incomparable to others. While we dispatched troops and horses, we also sent people to Bagongyuan to report the matter. , Even if you get nothing in the end, Your Majesty will not blame you."

Liu Ci thought for a while and said with a smile: "You want to get me to share the blame?"

Zhu Xiu said hehely: "If it succeeds, of course it will be half as good as Mr. Liu!"

"Haha~" Liu Ci laughed out loud, he was not a pedantic person, he agreed after a little consideration, and promised to send [-] troops from Anguo Army to Zhu Xiu.

Immediately, Zhu Xiu summoned Pan Mei and Cao Bin.

"Old Pan, you lead an army, carry ten days of dry food, rush to Jiangzhuling with light equipment, set up an ambush according to the terrain, and wait patiently. I predict that Liu Chong's defeated army will evacuate from here! When the time comes, all the ambush troops will be out, and he will be caught off guard!" Zhu Xiu took out his troop deployment talisman and gave serious instructions.

Pan Mei pinched the soldier talisman, stared blankly, and said: "Is there a result in the battle in Bagongyuan?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "It's almost time, don't ask any more questions, just go! Remember, no matter what news you hear, don't pay attention to it, just defend Jiangzhuling for me! If Li Yanchong, the governor of Zezhou, withdraws, leave him alone. Just keep ambush!"

Pan Mei looked confused and muttered: "The battle at Bagongyuan has not started yet, how do you know Liu Chong will be defeated and leave Jiangzhuling?"

Zhu Xiu smiled mysteriously: "I have my own plan, you can act according to the plan!"

Pan Mei still didn't believe it, but he knew that Zhu Xiu had always been evil. Since he said so, he might as well do it and see if this guy's calculations were accurate.

Zhu Xiu took out another half of the military talisman and gave it to Cao Bin: "Brother Guohua led five thousand troops, carrying kerosene, sulfur and other fire starters, and rushed to Diaohuang Ridge. It is surrounded by mountains to the north and valleys to the south. The road is flat and narrow. , there are many winding roads in the valley. When you arrive, order your soldiers to cut down trees and carry huge rocks, block the way in the middle of the valley, and then set up an ambush on the northern hillside. Just wait for Yelu Dilu and the Khitan soldiers to arrive, and push the rolling logs and rocks down the hillside. Then a volley of rockets was fired, setting fire to the valley!
Even if Yelu Dilu cannot be captured, the more than 1 Khitan soldiers will be lost in half!
If I don't let the Khitans feel pain once, they will think that I, Da Zhou, are weak and can be bullied! "

Cao Bin's handsome face was completely stunned, and he even forgot to receive the soldier talisman.

Diaohuangling?He had never been there, only seen it on a map.

But why did Zhu Xiu think that Yelu Dilu would go to Diaohuangling?
And make such detailed combat arrangements?

Cao Bin was silent for a while and asked: "Have you been to Diaohuang Ridge? Why are you so familiar with the terrain there?"

Zhu Xiu said vaguely: "I just heard what the local guide said, and I have a general impression in my mind. After you arrive, you can flexibly adjust your tactics according to the terrain. You just need to block the way of Yelu Dilu."

Cao Bin's furrowed brows still did not open up, and he asked again: "Diaohuang Ridge and Jiangzhu Ridge are not far apart. Why are you sure that Yelu Dilu and Liu Chong will evacuate separately?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "If Liu Chong is defeated in Bagongyuan, there are only two ways back, one is to go north to Luzhou through Changping Pass, and the other is Diaohuang Ridge or Jiangzhu Ridge.

Li Jun in Luzhou was defeated and huddled in the city. He still had some troops in hand. As long as he was not hopelessly stupid, he would have thought of sending troops to block Changping Pass to prevent Liu Chong from evacuating.

Liu Chong will definitely not take the risk and will only choose Jiangzhu Ridge or Diaohuang Ridge.

The terrain of Jiangzhuling is dangerous and unsuitable for cavalry, and the road is short. You can go directly to Qinyuan and go north along the Qinshui River.The soldiers of the Northern Han Dynasty were mainly infantry, so taking Jiangzhuling was the best choice.

There are many winding roads in Diaohuangling Valley, but they are flat and easy to walk. It must be the first choice for Yelv Dilu! "

"Wouldn't they join forces and evacuate together?" Cao Bin asked.

Zhu Xiu raised his head and pretended to think, and said with a smile: "After all, the Khitans and Liu Chong are not of the same mind. Once they are defeated and their differences are obvious, I bet that they will not come together!"

Cao Bin stared at Zhu Xiu for a while, then took the military talisman and said, "Your Majesty, you still don't know that you will arrange it this way?" "You just go first, and I will explain it to Your Majesty." Zhu Xiu said with a smile.

Cao Bin slowly clasped his fists and said in a deep voice: "The last general takes orders!"

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Brother Guohua, you said that there is no future in working with me. After this battle, you will know that working with me is the wisest choice!"

Cao Bin looked at him deeply and said nothing.

After sending the two of them out of the tent, Zhu Xiu lay down on the chair tiredly and comfortably.

His mind was obviously very tired, but he also felt an inexplicable excitement that made him extremely clear-headed!

When studying this period of history in his previous life, Zhu Xiu lay in front of the computer and looked at the satellite map carefully, and was deeply impressed by the terrain in the Bagongyuan, Jiangzhuling, and Diaohuangling areas.

At that time, he guessed that Chai Rong divided his troops to guard Jiangzhu Ridge and left Diaohuang Ridge alone for two reasons.

First, the troops at hand are limited and it is impossible to be perfect.

Second, Jiangzhuling was the best escape route for Liu Chong. Chai Rong's primary target was Liu Chong, so he only made arrangements for Jiangzhuling.

Khitan general Yang Gun, also known as Yelu Dilu, led the Khitan cavalry to evacuate calmly from Diaohuang Ridge after the Battle of Bagongyuan.

Zhu Xiu thought at that time that if Chai Rong had enough troops, it would be impossible to ignore Diaohuang Ridge.

Compared with Jiangzhu Ridge, Diaohuang Ridge is easier to set up an ambush.

It only takes a few thousand troops to defeat the Khitan soldiers.

Now that Zhu Xiu has more than 1 Tiger Wing infantry, as well as [-] Anguo troops obtained from Liu Ci, he can completely verify whether the previous inference is feasible.

The more Zhu Xiu thought about it, the more excited he became, pacing in the tent.

This is an opportunity to change the course of history!

It is also an opportunity to show off his military talent, Zhu Wencai!

Although his military ability is based on foresight, no one in this world knows it!
Everyone will think that he is really a born handsome man, one of the best in this world!
Feng Dao was right. He needed military exploits, extremely dazzling military exploits, to consolidate his position in Chai Rong's mind!
More importantly, he needs military merit to hold military power!

Chai Rong and the Zhou court would not trust him to grant military power to a person without the ability to command military operations!

No matter how loyal he is, he can only be a mascot-like noble prince.

Without military power, no matter how rich you are, it will be like a mirror, and will be shattered if you stir it up!
Zhu Xiu walked out of the military tent and looked at the busy camp, feeling a sense of urgency in his heart.

In the first year of Xian De, there was not much time left for him to prepare.
~~~
Bagongyuan is roughly estimated to be 75 hectares wide.

On such a vast plain, the Zhou army and the Northern Han soldiers fought fiercely!

The three armies in the east, middle and west fought each other, with flags waving, soldiers running back and forth desperately, and war drums rumbling endlessly.

From the beginning, the crossbowmen of both sides fired volleys at each other from a long distance, to the infantry forming formations to fight after the hand-to-hand combat, to the cavalry of both sides attacking from both wings, various outflanks and detours, to the formation of chariots to block the cavalry, and the pikemen to stab and kill. , the battle has lasted for more than an hour.

To the west, the two brave generals Li Chongjin and Bai Chongzan took the lead. The Zhou army became more and more courageous as they fought, and they had the upper hand.

Wang Yansi and Bai Conghui were no match for them, but they yelled and tried their best to command the Northern Han soldiers to fight to the death. Anyone who dared to take even half a step back would be killed on the spot.

The soldiers of the Northern Han Dynasty showed their tenacious fighting will and struggled with the soldiers of Zhou Dynasty.

The middle route army was inextricably killed. Xiang Xun and Shi Yanchao's cavalry were small in number and their horses were exhausted, making it difficult for them to be effective.

On the contrary, on the side of the Northern Han soldiers, most of the horses came from Khitan, and the horses were strong. A cavalry army of 4000 people attacked everywhere, causing chaos in the Zhou army's formation.

If the Zhou army had not been well-trained and fought to the death, they would have been scattered by the cavalry.

To the east, the Northern Han soldiers had the advantage.

The fierce general Zhang Yuanhui used his two hammers and leapt on his horse to charge. Behind him were more than a thousand fine cavalry, stabbing back and forth like a sharp knife. The formation of the Zhou army in the east chamber collapsed, and the signs of defeat were obvious!

On the high hill in the south of Bagongyuan, Chai Rong looked cold and stern, pursed his lips and said nothing.

He did not expect that the battle would be so stalemate, and the Northern Han soldiers' combat power was stronger than he expected.

Moreover, this is a hilly basin, suitable for cavalry attacks. Liu Chong did not have many cavalry, but it caused great trouble to the Zhou army.

Chai Rong's eyes fell in the distance. Shi Yanchao and Xiang Xun led the infantry to form formations and beat back the attacks of the Northern Han soldiers time and time again.

"Which army is at the front?" Chai Rong murmured, pointing at the whip.

Zhang Yongde looked at it from a distance and said: "It's the Tiger Wing Army! The fighting method in which the soldiers form three or three formations and act as horns to each other was the first of its kind by Zhu Xiu and was only practiced in the Tiger Wing Army!"

"Tiger Wing Army" Chai Rong was silent.

Suddenly, Zhang Yongde's expression changed, he pointed to the east and shouted: "Your Majesty, look!"

Chai Rong looked up, and there was clearly a flash of panic in the depths of his eyes!
Zhou Jun actually started to retreat!
To the east of Bagongyuan, two hills sandwiched a narrow strip of flat land, where the soldiers of the Northern Han Dynasty and the Zhou army fought.

Fan Aineng and He Hui had become disgraced and no longer looked as arrogant as before. He was riding on horseback with dozens of soldiers protecting him.

The battlefield was littered with corpses, mostly Zhou soldiers.

There was smoke everywhere, and only the shouts of killing could be heard in the front, but no figures could be seen clearly.

Suddenly, a man and a horse rushed out of the smoke, wielding their hammers, and came towards Fan Aineng He Hui!
"Zhang Yuanhui is here! Zhou Jun is the leader!"

A roar like thunder scared Fan Aineng and He Hui almost to the point of falling off his horse.

"Quickly retreat!" Fan Aineng's eyes were splitting, and he turned his horse's head and ran away. He Hui wanted to organize a resistance, but when he saw Fan Aineng running away, he panicked and hurried to follow.

Several soldiers rushed forward and tried their best to stop Zhang Yuanhui, but they were beaten on the head by him three or two times.

Seeing the generals of the Zhou army fleeing for their lives in panic, Zhang Yuanhui laughed wildly, picked up the general flags discarded by the Zhou army, and laughed loudly: "The Zhou army was defeated miserably. The generals have fled. The remaining ones surrendered on their knees and will not be killed. Those who resist will not be killed!"

The soldiers of the Northern Han Dynasty cheered and shouted Zhang Yuanhui's words over and over again throughout the battlefield. The remaining soldiers of the Zhou army in the east chamber were demoralized. More than a thousand defeated soldiers knelt down and surrendered, crying and howling.

Zhang Yuanhui left a few soldiers to guard the prisoners, gathered his men, reorganized his formation, and led his elite cavalry to kill in the middle.
(End of this chapter)