Jiuxi

Chapter 534 Chapter 532 [The wind is blowing and the clouds are flying] ()
In the central part of Dingzhou, the defense line is built up.

Fighting and stopping has been the main theme between Qi Jing and the two armies during this period of time.

Although these four words seem simple, they do not mean that the situation on this battlefield is loose.

As Qing Yugong's right-hand man, Mugudi and Xi Lie had a significantly higher status in the Xiashan Army and the City Defense Army than other Daxiangyins. Naturally, they could deeply understand Qing Yugong's strategic intentions. The offense always maintained a very high intensity, and it was not without progress.

In this area, which is more than 40 miles wide from east to west and more than 70 miles long from north to south, Jingjun has now pushed the front line to about halfway, gradually approaching Jishan Tun, the core of the opponent's defense system.

Compared with the roundabout maneuvers of hundreds of miles on the Moyang Road battlefield on the western front, the Jing army's advance on the eastern front seemed very slow, but this was a war in which both sides were fully committed. The Jing army had to attack the Qi army's defense line every time it took a step forward. It can be said that there is no water in such progress.

Once the defense line of Jishan Tun is broken, the vast territory in central Dingzhou will be completely exposed to Jing's army. The Qi army can only rely on a few large cities to continue to hold on. By then, countless people will fall under the ravages of Jing's cavalry.

"What do you think of the prince's military order?"

On a gentle slope near the Jingjun camp, Shao Gudi looked at the looming Qi Jun fort in the distance and asked with a deep expression.

"What do you think?"

"I understand."

Xi Lie frowned slightly and said, "You want to disobey the prince's military order?"

If one were to name the most embarrassing figure during the war, it would have to be Li Jingda, the governor of Dingzhou.

The two of them couldn't help but wonder at this moment, would a stable and famous general like Xiao Wangzhi step into the trap set by Qing Yugong?
At the same time, the Qi army camp was stationed in the south.

Xi Lie asked unhurriedly: "What is the purpose of our battle?"

Xi Lie also finished the call. He raised his eyes to look at the Qi Army's stronghold in the distance and sighed softly: "I'm just a little regretful that I couldn't personally participate in the two battles on the Western Front."

Standing next to him was Xi Lie, a tall man with a slightly puzzled expression.

Bone-destroying land knows this very well and can explain this issue clearly in a few words.

Of course Bone Slayer remembered this incident, so he asked: "What does this have to do with the bandit army in the north?"

Xi Lie was relieved and said with a smile: "I think you have reached a dead end."

The prince's military orders naturally need to be carried out without compromise. There is no room for bargaining on this point, so Xi Lie doesn't understand why the bone-killing place would ask this question.

Bone-destroying ground pondered: "According to your and my previous inferences, the Qi army was obviously weaker in the last two battles than before, so they lost two villages and one fortress one after another. If Xiao Wangzhi was deliberately showing weakness, and at the same time used such By paralyzing our army and quietly withdrawing the elite main force, our army can break through the Jishan Tun defense line and sweep across the entire Dingzhou. It only took the Qi army three months to occupy the entire territory of Dingzhou. Naturally, our army can do the same. ”

Xi Lie's expression became more solemn and he said quietly: "Judging from the current situation, Li Tianrun is about to die soon, and Xiao Wangzhi is gradually getting old and frail. The burden of commanding the Southern Qi border army will most likely fall on Lu Chen. Although the bandit army in the north was born out of grass and green forests, it was an army supported by Lu Chen. After receiving formal training, those Cao Mang with high martial arts skills were far stronger than the Southern Qi frontier army. Not only could they annihilate this bandit army. Eliminating the hidden dangers inside Baotai Mountain can also eliminate one of Lu Chen's future arms."

The two had worked together for many years and had a tacit understanding. Bonekiller knew very well that his companion was reminding him, so he did not continue to argue.

The so-called two battles, one refers to the battle around Yongqiu City, and the other is that once the main elite of the Huaizhou Army in the south retreats and moves westward, there will also be a hard battle waiting for them.

The purpose of Jingjun's large-scale march south is naturally very clear, that is, to attack the Qi army in the north of the Yangtze River, to wash away the humiliation brought to the Jing Dynasty by the Battle of Leize and the Battle of Heluo, and at the same time to truly measure the strength of the Qi army and provide a basis for Lay a solid foundation for future national wars.

Bonebreaker shook his head and sighed: "I just don't understand. In the eyes of the prince, the bandit army in the north is more important than Ruyin City or even the entire Dingzhou. We need to spend all our efforts to set up a plan. "

Xi Lie then continued: "Have you forgotten that at this time a year ago, the prince summoned you, me and He Shilie and clearly told us that this battle was not about strategic territory, but only to inflict heavy losses on the Qi army as much as possible."

This time it was Mie Gudi's turn to look at him in confusion.

The bone-destroying land suddenly understood, and the hesitation in his heart was swept away.

Xi Lie raised his hand and patted his shoulder, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty never thought that the Qi army could be completely defeated in one battle, because the opponent was not the trash of those powerful foreigners and middle-class people in Zhao State, but Li Tianrun and Xiao Wangzhi. People have the strength to compete with the prince, and Lu Chen is also a formidable young man. To be honest, many people in our army are too arrogant now. If the prince had not always maintained absolute sobriety, our army would have suffered a big loss in this battle. "

From the time when he was the general of Nanya of the Beijing Army to the governor of Dingzhou, Li Jingda's official rank has not changed. He is still a senior official of the first rank, and his military power has not been reduced but has increased. After all, he is not among the top three in the military in the capital, and he still has a lot of hair on his head. Many big shots who had been suppressing him came to Dingzhou and took over all the power.

On the way north, Li Jingda indeed had such good expectations and the ambition to accomplish great achievements.

However, when the war broke out, he realized that this was just his fantasy.

As the only supervisor of the Daqi border army for more than ten years, Xu Zuo, the censor Zhongcheng, clearly told Li Jingda not to take the initiative to ask for war. Even if Li Jingda had the guts to make his own decisions, he would not be able to command anyone other than the Dingwei Army brought from the capital. People, because Feiyun, Lai'an, Dingbei and Ningyuan and other troops all have the word "land" written on their foreheads.

After the fall of northern Dingzhou, Xu Zuo was recalled to the capital by the emperor. Li Jingda's situation remained unchanged because Xiao Wangzhi had fully taken over the command of the Ding and Huai armies in accordance with the imperial edict. The battle at Jishantun's defense line was so brutal that Li Jingda could only stay in Ruyin City and work with Chen Chun, the governor of Dingzhou in the south, to transport grain, grass and weapons for the army.

Even if you are a clay puppet, you will still have a lot of resentment in your heart.

So when Li Jingda faced Xiao Wangzhi at this moment, his expression looked very gloomy.

Fortunately, there were no other people in the hall, so the generals below would not be worried.

"Brother Li, thanks to you and Governor Chen's handling of logistics these days, the soldiers on the front line have no worries."

In fact, with Xiao Wangzhi's current title and seniority, there is no problem in calling Li Jingda brother. This word "brother" obviously gives the other party enough respect.

Li Jingda looked at the sincere expression on the other party's face, and the resentment in his heart subsided a lot unconsciously, and the expression on his face gradually softened. He said humbly: "The Duke of the country is ridiculous, this is the duty of a lower official."

Xiao Wangzhi smiled slightly and then turned to the topic: "I chose to personally guard the defense line of Jishan Tun, not because I couldn't trust Brother Li's military skills, nor did I mean to exclude you. I just wanted to let Qing Yugong know that I was here, so as to induce him to lead the army. The troops went south to besiege Yongqiu."

Li Jingda didn't realize for a moment what the connection between Xiao Wangzhi's appearance on the front line and Qing Yugong's march south to Yongqiu was, but Xiao Wangzhi's explanation made him feel quite comfortable.

Li Jingda has been involved in the official circles of the capital for so long, so he naturally understands this simplest truth. He said sincerely: "The Duke's words make me feel a little ashamed. I haven't contributed much to the war so far."

"You and I both serve His Majesty and Daqi, so there is no need to make such a clear distinction."

Xiao Wangzhi waved his hand. He could see that the other party was still not clear about the current situation, so he briefly explained the plans of him, Li Tianrun and Lu Chen.

Li Jingda was entranced upon hearing this.

He really didn't expect that these three people would actually play such a big game.

When he thought of Xiao Wangzhi's last explanation, he reacted suddenly and asked slightly nervously: "The Duke wants to lead the troops to withdraw from the Jishan Tun defense line?"

Xiao Wangzhi nodded and said, "Yes. Now that Governor Li is using himself as bait to lure Qing Yugong outside Yongqiu City, this is the opportunity for our army to encircle it on three sides. The Beijing army led by Liu Shouguang is on its way north, and Lu Chen will also come from The troops from the east of Jingzhou marched westward, and then our troops passed through Leize Plain and inserted diagonally behind the main force of Jing's army led by Qing Yugong. "

"Then here in Jishantun..."

Li Jingda hesitated to speak.

If Xiao Wangzhi wants to intercept Qing Yugong's retreat, he must bring the elite main force of the Jingzhou Army. In this way, the defensive strength of Dingzhou's center line will be greatly weakened. How could the Jingzhou Army in the north miss this opportunity?

You must know that Jing Jun has never relaxed during this period, and will launch a tough offensive every now and then.

Xiao Wangzhi said calmly: "I will lead the Zhenbei, Taixing and Guangling armies to advance westward, and the Pingshan Army will still stay here. In addition, plus the Ningyuan, Fengfu and Dingwei armies, these four armies can still defend Jishantun. Line of defense.”

Li Jingda thought for a moment and realized that Xiao Wangzhi's decision was not too great, but he still said uneasily: "I'm sorry to say that if the Duke leaves Dingzhou, the morale of the soldiers will be unstable."

Xiao Wangzhi smiled and said, "I have to leave it to Brother Li."

Li Jingda was stunned.

For more than a year, he has been unable to develop his own power in Dingzhou. With the outbreak of the war, he gradually accepted his fate and accepted the fact that he was an outsider. He did not expect to hear such a sentence at this moment.

Xiao Wangzhi continued: "Brother Li, I know you are not feeling happy during this period, but please believe that Xiao has no prejudice against you personally. Everything is just for the overall situation. Now the fate of the country of Daqi is in my generation." In the hands of soldiers, one step forward will lead to Guangzong Yaozu, and one step back will lead to an abyss. No one can stay out of it. The safety of Jishantun's defense line and even Dingzhou depends on Brother Li. "

Li Jingda looked into his eyes and said tremblingly: "Does the Duke really trust this subordinate?"

Xiao Wangzhi said without hesitation: "I believe it."

At this moment, an extremely complicated expression appeared on Li Jingda's face.

There is relief, but also gratitude.

Without saying anything, he stood up and saluted Xiao Wangzhi solemnly.

His eyes were extremely firm.

(End of this chapter)