A thousand-year-old family that began with the Battle of Makino

Chapter 954: Three attacks on Juancheng are difficult to reach, and a feint to the east and aggression to the west gather at Luqiao

June 23, the second year of Qianning
Guo Huilong once again arrived at Juancheng with more troops than last time.

Looking at the distant Juancheng where he had returned empty-handed, the East and West Taicheng cities that he had destroyed miraculously stood there, more solid and spacious than last year.

Thanks to the secret support of Master Wang, Zhu Xuan invested a lot of manpower and material resources to rebuild the East and West Taicheng, wanting to make Juancheng an indestructible line of defense under his command.

Moreover, the two city walls are wider and made of more solid materials than the original ones.

Originally it could only accommodate one thousand people for defense, but now it can be increased to three thousand people.

Not only did he have a strong city, but Zhu Xuan, who was also rich in money and food, increased his efforts to recruit soldiers this year.

The strength of the Tianping Army increased from 30,000 to 50,000.

Although the combat effectiveness of the 20,000 newly recruited soldiers was questionable, it was more than enough to defend the city.

After seeing the three cities of Juancheng, Guo Huilong knew that this battle could not be a head-on confrontation like last time, otherwise the losses would be unacceptable to him.

Thinking of this, he immediately ordered: "Inform all camps to cut down trees and set up camp. Each unit will take turns to challenge. Remember not to attack the city easily."

As Guo Huilong's order was issued, the 70,000 Xuanwu troops followed suit in just one day.

Seven large camps were set up in a row on the plain a few miles away from Juancheng, completely blocking the route from Juancheng to the south.

In the following days, generals of the Western Army, including Yuan Congwu and Bai Haoyuan, led their troops to challenge outside Juancheng.

Zhu Xuan turned a blind eye to it and strictly prohibited each sect from going out to fight at will. Anyone who disobeyed the order would be executed.

Seeing that Zhu Xuan was determined to be a coward, Guo Huilong snorted coldly and led his generals back to the camp.

In a short while, several cavalrymen galloped out from the south gate of Guoying and headed towards Bianzhou.

Because of the blockade of the Xuanwu Army's cavalry and the first Battle of Juancheng last year, Zhu Xuan's cavalry had not recovered.

South of Guo Jun’s camp, Zhu Xuan had become blind.

Even within a radius of ten miles centered on Juancheng, there were many cavalry of the Xuanwu Army, causing people in Juancheng who were often intercepted when transmitting information to the outside world.

Juancheng’s contact with the outside world is intermittent.

Zhu Xuan was helpless in this situation, as he couldn't just use his only 500 remaining cavalrymen.

He was also prepared to hold it in his hand as a trump card.

"Never mind." Looking at the vague Guo army camp outside the city and the sound of training coming from it, Zhu Xuan thought:

"Anyway, it's just an isolated city. As long as Juancheng is not taken, Yunzhou will be as stable as Mount Tai."

"And he had anticipated this and had stored food and fodder for the army for two or three years in Juancheng. He was confident that with the current strength and fortified city, the Xuanwu Army would not be able to break through easily."

"As long as Zhu Quanzhong resolves the situation in the river, the situation will develop in a positive direction."

What's more, he has the help of his younger brother Zhu Jin. Wang Shifan of the Pinglu Army will not sit idly by and watch the Xuanwu Army swallow him up. He doesn't believe that Wang Shifan doesn't understand the truth that the lips and teeth are interdependent.

It was precisely because he was confident that his Juancheng could knock out the Xuanwu Army's front teeth that he did not ask Zhu Jin for help this time.

July 16

The fields outside Bianzhou City had now become an oversized military camp. A murderous aura gathered in the air, and the occasional shouts of killing made the surrounding area a forbidden zone where no life was allowed.

As early as a month ago, the people of Bianzhou knew about the changes outside the city, but no one dared to join in the fun.

In the military mansion, Bai Yi stood in front of a huge cowhide map, staring at the situation map on it, thinking about something in his eyes.

The military officers, counselors and other clerks in the hall who were responsible for organizing information and conveying military orders were walking hurriedly, constantly exchanging documents in their hands. "Sir, there is a letter from General Guo on the front line of Juancheng." A military officer walked in quickly from outside the door and handed a secret letter to Bai Yi with both hands.

Bai Banghan and Tian Weiyi, who had been handling affairs nearby, heard this and their expressions changed, and they came to Bai Yi.

"Envoy." Bai Banghan asked.

Bai Yi smiled as he handed the secret letter to the two curious people and said, "Zhu Xuan has also put in a lot of effort to make Juancheng airtight."

"He believed he could fight against Guo Huilong and did not ask Zhu Jin for help."

Tian Weiyi put down the secret letter in his hand and said inexplicably: "In this case, our original plan to seize Yanzhou while Zhu Jin is rushing to support Puzhou has failed."

Bai Banghan sneered and said, "It doesn't matter. It just takes a little more effort. I don't believe that Zhu Jin can compare to Zhu Xuan. With two military geniuses in one generation, the Zhu family is already very successful."

After hearing the two people finish their discussion, Bai Yi no longer hesitated and immediately gave the order:
"Pass on the envoy's order. All units will attack in sequence according to the original plan. The target is Xiaqiu in Yanzhou."

July

Li Kerang's troops, who had been hiding in Xuzhou, immediately left Pei County and attacked Luqiao like a tiger. The Yanhai army was caught off guard and Li Kerang seized the southern gate of Yanzhou.

Inside Xiaqiu City, at the Yanhai Army Headquarters, Zhu Jin looked at the officers covered in blood in front of him with a look of disbelief and shouted angrily:
"Where did the army come from? Are you made of paper? Three thousand people can't even hold out for a day. You are useless."

Because the third Puzhou battle had begun, Zhu Jin's attention was almost entirely focused on Juancheng.

He ignored Li Kerang of Xuzhou, who had been his neighbor but had not taken any action for several years.

The defeated officers knelt on the ground, not daring to raise their heads and cried, "Li's troops were too fierce and came too fast. I was not prepared. Please forgive me, General."

Zhu Jin's face turned pale and he asked, "How many of them are there?"

"One thousand? Three thousand? No, there should be at least five thousand people, all elite soldiers in full armor. Otherwise, I would not have been defeated so easily."

Zhu Jin got what he wanted, sighed, and nodded to a guard standing at the door.

Several guards immediately stepped forward, dragged the defeated officers away, and beheaded them in public.

"Is it finally my turn?" Zhu Jin muttered to himself.

A moment later, the military government issued an order that all units of the Yanhai Army should immediately gather at Xia Qiu without any mistakes.

As Zhu Jin's military order was issued, the Yanhai Army, which was originally scattered in Yanzhou and other places, quickly gathered in Xia Qiu.

Fortunately, because of the Puzhou Campaign, Zhu Jin had already gathered half of his military forces, otherwise when the Xuanwu Army arrived, he would have no one to use.

July 28
Chen Daniu's army of 10,000 men broke through Fangyu County southwest of Luqiao, leaving 1,000 men to garrison, while the rest of the large force continued to march towards Luqiao to join Li Kerang's army.

Fangyu County is located at the branch of Sishui River. Its removal can greatly guarantee the rear food supply route of Luqiao Camp.

July 30

Bai Xiaoqiang's 10,000-man army arrived at Luqiao.

August th
Yuan Qing and his 10,000 men who came all the way from Sizhou arrived at Luqiao.

August 12

Bai Yi and Bai Banghan arrived at Luqiao with 50,000 main forces.

For a moment, the small Luqiao was surrounded by endless camps.

(End of this chapter)