Jiuxi

Chapter 925 923 [Personal Conquest]

Qing Yu Zhongwang has always been in awe of his father and regards his father's judgments as the golden rule.

However, Qing Yugong's words were really hard for him to believe.

Emperor Jing and Lu Chen join forces?
But after all, he had gone through a lot of hardships, so he quickly calmed down and began to carefully ponder the profound meaning of this sentence.

"Father is saying that His Majesty ordered the three armies to advance simultaneously, and then deliberately slowed down the offensive in Dingzhou, allowing Father's army to continue to advance. This will attract Lu Chen's attention and lure him to transfer heavy troops here."

Qing Yu Zhongwang gradually came to his senses and said in a deep voice: "Once our army breaks through Xileng Pass and marches southward for hundreds of miles to Pingyang City, Lu Chen will have enough space to counterattack our army. Father, His Majesty is going too far. He is still plotting against Qing Yu at this time!"

At the end of his speech, a murderous look appeared on his face.

"Before I took over the Western Route Army, I had a heart-to-heart talk with Your Majesty."

Qing Yugong remained calm, and then briefly recounted the conversation he had had with Emperor Jing at Yingyang Prefecture in Henan Road, reminiscing about the past and looking forward to the future.

When Qing Yuzhongwang heard Emperor Jing's heartfelt confession, he became more and more confused.

Judging from what Emperor Jing said, he had clearly put aside the disputes and conflicts of these years and was willing to work together with Qing Yugong to deal with Lu Chen of Southern Qi. The monarch and his subject worked together sincerely.

"You don't understand your majesty."

Qing Yugong smiled and said slowly, "If your majesty truly trusts me, he will let me lead the main army. As for the Western Route Army, you can give it to Abuhan or Shanyang. They are capable of doing this. After all, this route does not require too much planning. We just need to move forward. Whether it is Gaotang City, Xileng Pass or Pingyang City, the Qi army will defend the city to the death. What difference will it make if someone else comes? It's nothing more than a strong attack. I can do this, so even if other commanders spend more time, the final result will not be much different."

"Main force?"

Qing Yuzhong hesitated and said, "Father, do you mean that the three armies now are not the main force of our army?"

"Your Majesty is putting pressure on Lu Chen to see if he will be as eager to reverse the situation as before. As long as the Qi army takes the initiative, Your Majesty will turn the virtual into real, at most giving Lu Chen a group of troops, and then destroy the other lines of defense of the Qi army."

Qing Yugong took a sip of tea and continued, "Comparatively speaking, it is definitely our route that is more likely to attract Lu Chen's interest. As you said, if we advance alone and are surrounded by the Qi army, we won't be able to retreat. If I deliberately delay the advance, His Majesty can legitimately issue an order to reprimand me, or even punish me for disobeying His Majesty's will. This is completely in line with the rules in the army, and no one will speak up for Qing Yu because of this."

Qing Yuzhongwang felt a chill in his heart.

Emperor Jingdi was well versed in the ways of an emperor, so he would naturally not do anything like punishing someone without teaching him. Apart from dismissing Qing Yugong from his military post because of the defeat at Yongqiu, he had never used illegal means to weaken Qing Yugong's power.

However, Qing Yugong could not disobey orders, especially since Emperor Jing's orders were reasonable and logical, which was the most taboo thing in the army. Therefore, he could only lead the Western Army to first capture Gaotang and then attack Xileng Pass, moving forward step by step according to the strategy set by Emperor Jing.

"Because I have already taken Gaotang City, His Majesty's commendation edict will surely arrive soon. He will also order me to take Xiling Pass within a specified time and then continue to march southward."

Qing Yugong said this with a slightly tired look.

Qing Yuzhongwang could not hide the hatred in his heart, and said slowly: "No wonder my father asked Mie Gudi to keep an eye on Liu Shouguang in Yongqiu, so that our army at least has a way to retreat."

"This retreat is too far. Once our army breaks through Xileng Pass, Lu Chen will not let me retreat as long as he is determined to take action."

Qing Yugong put down the teacup and said softly, "I just let the bone-destroying land trap the troops in Liu Shouguang and Zhang Xu's hands, so that Lu Chen can't transfer them over. It can also increase Lu Chen's difficulty a little."

Qing Yuzhong pondered for a moment and said, "Father just said that this was a conspiracy between His Majesty and Lu Chen. Even if His Majesty really wanted to force Father to death, would Lu Chen really come to the southwest of Jingzhou? If he did so, wouldn't he be afraid that His Majesty would send troops to capture the entire Dingzhou? After all, the Qi army also traveled on foot. It is impossible for them to be in the southwest of Jingzhou one moment and then return to the northwest of Dingzhou the next."

"You need to stand taller."

Qing Yugong slowed down his tone and said calmly: "I have calculated that after taking Xileng Pass, the maximum number of troops I can bring to Pingyang City will not exceed 70,000. Lu Chen still has two capital camps of Qi State, a Chengzhou Governor's Office, and the troops in Shazhou, which he has not yet used. It is enough to set up a killing array in Pingyang City."

Qing Yuzhongwang finally understood everything at this point.

Perhaps when Emperor Jing asked his father to take over the Western Army, Lu Chen of Southern Qi already had an unspoken understanding. Therefore, the Guangji Army of Jingzhou did not defend Gaotang City to the death. Instead, it took the initiative to retreat south after making the Jing Army pay a certain price. Now, it is using Xileng Pass to consume the Jing Army's manpower. This is the only way to ensure that the Qi Army has the advantage in manpower in the battle of Pingyang.

"Then... can our army delay the attack on Xileng Pass as much as possible?"

Qing Yuzhongwang was indignant because the emperor's plan was truly vicious. Wasn't he afraid that the Western Army would turn against him in the middle of the battle?

Qing Yugong obviously knew what he was thinking, and said calmly: "Haven't you calculated carefully? The Western Army has nearly 180,000 soldiers and horses, and only Miegudi and Xilie's 30,000 soldiers are loyal to the Qing Yu clan. In addition, Gulijia, Guyuk, Shuhu, Wuyanxiong and others are either your majesty's trusted direct descendants, or generals from the Huiluo clan or the Juntugu clan. They have been hostile to the Qing Yu clan for many years. Even though they are very respectful to me now, as long as I disobey the imperial edict, they will definitely attack you and me."

Qing Yuzhongwang could not help but remain silent, clenching his hands into fists.

"So I took Gaotang City with a tough attitude, and I will not relax at Xiling Pass. In short, I will do whatever His Majesty tells me to do. What reason does he have to unjustly kill a prince who has made outstanding contributions to Dajing? How can he convince others?"

Qing Yugong raised his lips slightly, and then said: "It is not that easy for your majesty to kill me. After all, I am not Jia Guyong, who will take the initiative to put my head under his butcher knife."

Qing Yuzhong sighed and said, "I just feel so depressed."

"That's not necessary." Qing Yugong shook his head, his eyes becoming more profound: "Your Majesty has certainly calculated what I will do, but he may not be able to predict Lu Chen's response."

Qing Yuzhongwang asked in confusion: "Will Lu Chen miss this opportunity?"

Qing Yugong said slowly, "I just said that he shouldn't miss it, but I always believe that his attention will be on Your Majesty. From what I know about Lu Chen, he has been able to hold back all this time, not because he doesn't have the courage to launch a counterattack on a certain battlefield, but because he is waiting for Your Majesty to make a move. This young man has a sharp eye and is even more courageous. He knows very well that only by defeating our Majesty in person can we completely win this national war."

"I understand."

Qing Yu Zhongwang suddenly realized, "He wants to achieve success in one fell swoop. Otherwise, even if he achieves a temporary victory, or even swallows up tens of thousands of our troops, it will not fundamentally change the balance of power between the two sides."

A hint of approval finally appeared on Qing Yugong's face.

After clearing up the fog of the current battlefield, Qing Yuzhongwang's thoughts gradually became clear, and he said slowly: "The significance of the commander-in-chief to an army needs no elaboration. As long as Lu Chen himself does not come to the southwest of Jingzhou, it will be difficult for the Qi army here to exert too much potential. Even if our army is surrounded, father can still defeat the Qi army. Uh... father, didn't I say--"

"It doesn't matter."

Qing Yugong raised his hand to interrupt him and said frankly: "An opponent like Lu Chen deserves respect. If he is surrounded by superior forces on the battlefield, I may not be able to defeat him, because he can definitely boost the morale of the Qi army and create some near-miraculous results, such as the destruction of Wu Yanshu's Tiger and Leopard Camp in the Battle of Taikang. But if he does not command personally, it will not be so easy for Your Majesty to let me die in the siege of the Qi army."

At this moment his eyes were slightly sharp.

Qing Yuzhong looked at him with admiration.

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Qing Yugong then said, "Starting tomorrow, you will personally supervise the battle until Xileng Pass is breached. Since Your Majesty wants to trap me in the Western Route Army, don't blame me for not sparing the troops. After all, we are all serving Dajing, and we can't always rely on Qing Yu to shed blood."

Qing Yuzhong stood up and said solemnly: "I will obey your orders!"

……

Starting from early September, Jing's army continued to intensify its offensive on three battlefields.

On September 12, the Shanyang Division of the Jing Army broke through Jiuqu Village on Dingfeng Road, but was recaptured by the personal guard battalion led by the fierce general Song Shifei the next morning.

On September 17, Wen Gusun's troops of the Jing army captured the military city southeast of Yaoshan Pass. The remnants of the Qi army retreated into Yaoshan Pass. The pressure on the Zhenbei Army suddenly increased, and the commander Pei Sui was determined to hold on to the death.

On September 21, the Shanyang Division of the Jing Army once again captured Jiuqu Village, and this time Song Shifei failed to take it back.

The loss of Jiuquzhai meant that a gap appeared in the Qi army's fortress system in the north of Dingzhou. Even if the entire defense system was not disintegrated, the Jing army would still have to fight hard. At least this gave them a glimpse of hope.

On the second day of October, after more than a month of fierce fighting, Qing Yugong's army finally captured Xileng Pass and headed straight for Pingyang City.

On the sixth day of October, Jing's army suddenly opened up a fourth battlefield.

Abuhan and Sagai led 50,000 troops and suddenly crossed Teng County, heading directly for the border area between the three states north of the Da Qi River.

Fortunately, Lu Chen had been prepared, and the Guangling Army and Panlong Army held their defense line, not giving the Jing Army the opportunity to easily break into the city.

The Jing army then sent out 10,000 elite troops, which crossed the south of Ningling City, intending to launch a surprise attack on Tongshan City and Qingtian City in the south. However, they were blocked by the Zhenwei Army sent by Chen Lanyu, and failed to enter Huaizhou smoothly. They finally returned empty-handed.

It was October 17th when Emperor Jing received the news.

In the main hall of Zhuoyuan, the Great Jing Emperor looked at the urgent report sent by Abuhan and said with a smile: "I didn't expect Lu Chen to be so patient this time. He still refused to take action even in this situation."

The generals in the hall did not dare to speak casually.

Emperor Jing was silent for a moment, then he said leisurely: "Since he is unwilling to take action, I will give him a surprise. All generals, listen to my orders."

"Chen is here!"

More than a dozen generals stood up and bowed.

Emperor Jing looked around at everyone and said word by word: "You all must gather your troops immediately and follow me south to Teng County to attack Dingzhou of Southern Qi!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

There was a ferocious and bloodthirsty look in everyone's eyes.

……

……

(Today's four updates are completed, making up for yesterday's two updates.)
(End of this chapter)