Jiuxi

Chapter 661 659 [The oriole is behind]

Ruyin City, the Governor's Mansion.

Lu Chen was sitting behind a big case, flipping through a stack of urgent military intelligence from the southwest border.

In the conference room, in addition to Huang Xianfeng, Liu Yuan and other subordinates, there were also Dingbei Army Commander Li Chengen and Ruishi Battalion Captain Ye Jitong. As for Ningyuan Army Commander Liu Jiangdong, who was supposed to stay in the city, he was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone looked at the solemn-looking Grand Admiral, feeling a little heavy-hearted.

Since late September, the southwest front of Dingzhou has been harassed more and more frequently by Jing's cavalry. Currently, the Zhenbei Army and Guangling Army have stepped up their vigilance, and the Feiyu Army, under the command of Li Bingxue, is doing its best to maintain stability on the border.

The problem is that the Jing army cavalry had no idea of ​​attacking cities and strongholds, nor did they have the strength to do so.

From the current intelligence, we know that the Jing army's cavalry has a minimum of 1,000 and a maximum of more than 2,000 people, divided into six or seven small groups, and frequently crosses the border to launch surprise attacks.

In fact, for Da Qi, this level of harassment cannot shake the morale of the army at all, and will not pose any threat to the border defense line. Instead, Jing’s army itself will have to pay a considerable price.

The enemy's long-distance raids and roundabout maneuvers are bound to result in a certain amount of non-combat casualties. Moreover, in order to drive these Jinglian cavalrymen to cross the border and fight for their lives, the Jing army's top brass must have given them sufficient rewards. However, the results they achieved were at most to cause panic among the people living on the border of Da Qi, and could not bring any substantial results.

Huang Xianfeng said cautiously, "Grand Commander, I have already notified the two prefectures of Jingzhou and the Panlongguan garrison as you instructed to temporarily close the northern passage between Jingzhou and Huaihai. At the same time, we will implement a strategy of clearing the fields in the northeast of Jingzhou, so that innocent people will not be attacked by the Jingjun cavalry again."

This is a necessary response.

In fact, when Lu Chen discovered the appearance of Jingjun cavalry, he had already asked Huang Xianfeng to do this. However, due to the speed of transmitting information, many people of Daqi still died tragically at the hands of Jingjun.

Lu Chen put down the military intelligence reports and asked solemnly, "Have you figured out the losses?"

Huang Xianfeng said with a sigh: "As of today, a total of 873 people have died in the massacre by the Jing army during this period of time."

Lu Chen frowned, and everyone in the hall held their breath.

"Eight hundred and seventy-three people..."

Lu Chen's tone was low and his eyes were cold.

These were all unarmed civilians. They had no means of saving their lives when facing the fierce Jing army. However, the Jing army obviously did not care about this. In their eyes, the Qi people were lambs that could be slaughtered at will.

For Lu Chen, although he was also angry about the atrocities of Jing’s army in the past, his feelings were not deep enough. Now he is the Grand Commander of Dingzhou, the backbone of the border army, and is responsible for protecting the people of Da Qi.

Since he enjoys the wealth and glory brought by the title and official position, he must fulfill his duties.

Now this number weighed heavily on his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Among all the people in the hall, Li Chengen undoubtedly knew Lu Chen best. He changed the subject with some concern: "Grand Commander, why did the Jing army do this?"

From a military perspective, what Jing Jun did during this period seemed more like a simple attempt to vent the negative emotions accumulated after the defeat.

Lu Chen said slowly: "Although Wu Yanshu is not as good as Qing Yugong, he is also one of the famous generals in the north. He has realized that the strength of our army should not be underestimated. Continuing to take tough measures will not be worth the loss, so he will use this hunting-like method to constantly tease our army's patience and find our army's flaws."

Liu Yuan, who was sitting below, breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, he was somewhat worried that the young commander-in-chief might start a war in a fit of anger. Not to mention whether this would lead to Jing's army falling into his trap, it would be difficult to explain to the imperial court.

Xu Zuo succeeded Chen Chun as the governor of Dingzhou and brought the emperor's order.

In the past two years, Da Qi needs to recuperate, and the national treasury can no longer continue to support the border troops in large-scale wars. Lu Chen and Liu Shouguang must try their best to restrain and endure, as long as they can defend the current border.

Seeing that Lu Chen was still keeping a calm state of mind, Liu Yuan suddenly realized that the young commander-in-chief in front of him was not someone who got promoted by luck, but a talented general who had been promoted based on his military merits. His worries were unnecessary.

Liu Yuan suppressed his thoughts and said, "Grand Commander, it seems that the Jing army is unwilling to swallow the defeat in the past and wants to open a gap in the north of Jingzhou. In my humble opinion, we might as well take the initiative to deter the enemy."

Lu Chen said calmly: "Wu Yanshu thinks this method can paralyze me and Liu Shouguang?"

He did not deny Liu Yuan's analysis. In fact, as early as when they first met in Guangling City, Liu Yuan expressed his thoughts on the border situation and Lu Chen affirmed it.

But he obviously thought deeper.

The Jing army's cavalry dispersed their forces to cross the border to harass, which would not shake the morale of the Qi army. On the contrary, the Qi army would definitely strengthen its vigilance.

Under such circumstances, how could the Jing army attack Jingzhou silently?

Li Chengen, who was sitting on the other side, echoed, "The Grand Commander is right. If Wu Yanshu really wants to launch a surprise attack on Jingzhou, the most important thing he should do is to stop and lower our army's defenses. Only in this way can we catch our army off guard. With such frequent attacks like now, even if our army can't do anything about the enemy's small cavalry, how can we completely turn a blind eye?"

Liu Yuan couldn't help but be stunned.

He realized that he was thinking too simply, and frowned, "Perhaps in Wu Yanshu's view, if this kind of small-scale cavalry attacks happen more often, our army will gradually get used to it. What if he suddenly mobilizes a large number of troops to march south?" Lu Chen looked at this aide who was over 40 years old, and suddenly his heart moved.

It seemed as if a ray of light shone into his heart.

He said calmly: "Wu Yanshu is not Qing Yugong after all. His position in the Jing army is not that high. If he rashly provokes a war and eventually loses, his fate will definitely not be as simple as dismissal. Therefore, his intentions are not difficult to guess."

Everyone looked puzzled.

Lu Chen let out a long breath, picked up the teacup to moisten his throat, and ordered: "Immediately send a message to Duan Zuozhang and Liu Jiangdong, ordering them to capture Gongcheng within five days after receiving the military order, and then reinforce Gongcheng's defenses, and set up more camp flags in Gongcheng and the surrounding areas to create the illusion that a large army is stationed."

Huang Xianfeng, the chief officer of the Metropolitan Governor's Office, immediately stood up and said, "I obey your orders."

Lu Chen thought for a moment, and then said to Liu Yuan: "Draft a letter for me to inform the soldiers and civilians on the border. The general idea is that the recent frequent intrusions by the Jing army are just bluffing. Our border soldiers will be able to protect the border and the people, so that everyone can live in peace. Try to avoid leaving the city in the near future."

This is the area that Liu Yuan is best at. After Lu Chen finished speaking, he already had a speech in mind and immediately stood up to agree.

Lu Chen looked at Li Chengen and Ye Jitang again and said calmly: "Go down and make preparations so that you can march long distances at any time."

"The last general takes command!"

The two of them responded in unison.

The commander-in-chief's military order was transmitted by carrier pigeon from Ruyin City, and there was also an 800-mile fast horse as backup. In just two days, it went all the way west and appeared in the general's mansion at Qingliu Pass on the west line of Dingzhou.

Duan Zuozhang, the chief general of the Lai'an Army who was ordered to guard the Qingliu Pass defense line, and Liu Jiangdong, who had arrived in advance with the Ningyuan Army infantry, arrived there in advance. After receiving Lu Chen's military order, these two generals led their troops westward after just a brief discussion.

The target is directly aimed at Gongcheng.

The battle was not very intense. The Jing army only stationed a small number of troops in Gongcheng as a symbolic outpost of Yaoshan Pass.

When the Jing army defending the city discovered that the Qi army was attacking, they did not even put up any resistance. More than 2,000 people simply abandoned Gongcheng and quickly retreated to Yaoshan Pass in the west.

The Qi army successfully captured Gongcheng without losing a single soldier, and then set up camp in Gongcheng and its surroundings.

Inside Yaoshan Pass, two generals of the Jing army stood at the foot of the city wall, gazing towards the distant east.

They could not see Gongcheng which was more than 20 miles away, but their eyes seemed to be filled with swords and horses.

Pucha said sincerely, "Your Excellency is indeed as good as a god. You have calculated that the Qi army will definitely start from here."

The person next to him was naturally Wu Yanshu, the Nanjing garrison commander.

Hearing Pucha's compliment, Wu Yanshu said calmly: "The Qi army certainly doesn't want to fight now, but they can't just stand there and say nothing. Whether from the north or southwest of Dingzhou, it's hard for them to intimidate our army at a very small cost. Only this small Gongcheng can allow Lu Chen to show his strength."

Pu Cha nodded and said, "It's just that Lu Chen obviously didn't expect that his every move was within your expectations. Since he wants Gongcheng, then give it to him. Anyway, our army won't suffer any loss."

Wu Yanshu said slowly: "Don't underestimate this man. Our army has suffered a lot at his hands in the past."

"Yes, my lord."

Pucha responded respectfully and said, "According to the cavalry, the Qi army has reinforced the city defenses in Gongcheng and set up many camps around it, showing an attitude of wanting to launch a large-scale attack."

"This is inherent in the topic. He originally wanted us to focus our attention here to reduce the pressure in the southwest."

Wu Yanshu spoke his judgment slowly, then turned to look at Pucha and said, "Are you ready?"

Pucha's face showed eagerness and excitement, and he said loudly: "I am ready to take orders at any time!"

Wu Yanshu nodded slightly, raised his hand and placed it on the battlement, still looking at the vast sky and earth in the east, and said softly: "Lu Chen is now trapped in Ruyin City, staying in the Grand Commandery every day. He will not be so keen in judging the situation on the border. This is an opportunity we can take advantage of. I have already petitioned His Majesty and received His Majesty's approval. We just need to continue to confuse the enemy and make Lu Chen think that our army is still fighting a small battle, and the possibility of your success will be greatly increased."

Pu Cha replied: "Please rest assured, sir, I will do my best."

"Of course I'm assured. His Majesty has always valued you, so he entrusted the cavalry power to you."

Wu Yanshu smiled gently, and then said: "Go, lead the Feiyu Army out of the tortoise shell, eat up this cavalry, and capture Li Bingxue alive."

"Follow the order!"

Pucha held his head high and chest puffed out, his face full of solemnity.

(End of this chapter)