Thief Emperor

Chapter 641 The last battle in Jiangbei!
When fighting on this sideline, you can't just rush in and hope to stop the enemy, then surround them and kill them all.

That's not very realistic.

Even if we count the part of the troops that Lu Hui had already taken out of the city, Li Yun only had more than 2,000 people. With so many people facing the main force of the Pinglu Army, they could only harass them and it was impossible to intercept them.

If we use the lives of these two thousand people to prevent the Pinglu Army from joining, although it may be of some use, at most they will just be harassed. Leaving an extra two or three thousand Pinglu Army behind is basically a one-for-one exchange, which is not worth it.

Li Yun's strategy was very simple. When he saw the retreating Pinglu Army, he would stick to them fiercely. When the enemy reacted and counterattacked head-on, Li Yun would also fight back. However, as long as the number of enemies exceeded a certain number, he would retreat decisively.

The pursuers were fifty miles away, and there were friendly troops behind them. In this situation, the Pinglu troops had no way to engage in a proper battle with Li Yun. They could only engage in battle when Li Yun approached them. As soon as Li Yun retreated, they had to quickly catch up with the main force to avoid being caught up by the pursuers behind them.

Soon, the news was reported to General Zhou of the central army, who simply asked about the situation.

"Both Chuzhou and Haozhou have troops attacking?"

"Yes."

The one who reported the news was a captain. He bowed his head and said, "General, there are people attacking from both sides."

General Zhou was silent for a while, then said expressionlessly: "Send two battalions of the commanders to Haozhou to fight. They are not allowed to retreat until the main army passes by."

"Send a battalion of commanders from Chuzhou to fight against the Jiangdong troops."

This is similar to an action of covering the rear, and in the military, everyone knows that it is difficult for those people who are used to cover the rear to survive.

Unless they are brave and fearless, and can quickly distance themselves from the Jiangdong soldiers while allowing themselves to retreat, otherwise, it will be impossible for them to escape.

The current situation may be even worse, because these two armies are used to cut off the enemy's left and right wings. Even if they can hold on, as soon as the pursuing enemies arrive, they will be surrounded immediately and have no chance of survival.

Although he understood it in his heart, the military order was as firm as a mountain, so the captain still bowed his head and said, "I understand!"

General Zhou silently glanced at the captain who turned away, sighed, called Luo Zhen who was with the army, and said in a muffled voice: "Li Er is too vicious. He won't let us go easily. You arrange people to cover the rear on both sides and in the back. We will march day and night and leave here as quickly as possible and rush to Chuzhou."

Luo Zhen was the general second only to Zhou Xu in the current army, so he naturally understood the current situation. He looked up at Zhou Xu, then gritted his teeth and said, "Xie Zhao's main force is also moving towards us. If it doesn't work, we can just fight them!"

"We, the Pinglu Army, are not without follow-up forces!"

Luo Zhen gritted his teeth and said, "Why should I endure this?"

Zhou Xu was silent.

Of course he had this idea before. Instead of being harmed by Li Yun like this, he might as well go back and fight Li Yun to see who is better and take revenge!

However, with that strange thunder bomb, Li Yun can delay the Pinglu Army by defending the city in Jiangbei. Even if the Pinglu Army sends out all its elite troops, Li Yun may not be able to win in one or two years, but he will definitely win in three to five years.

"I'm old now, and I don't have the energy anymore."

Zhou Xu sighed silently, looked at Luo Zhen, and said, "If we really fight to the death, Qingzhou may not exist anymore. Those people in the court may be waiting for Li Yun and I to fight to the point of mutual destruction."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "This time, our Pinglu Army suffered heavy casualties. No matter what, it is a sin that I cannot shirk. After returning to Qingzhou..."

"I will give an explanation to my brothers."

Hearing this, Luo Zhen looked up at Zhou Xu, who had a calm expression.

Luo Zhen knew in his heart that this great general who had served as the Jiedushi of Pinglu for decades might... be handing over his post.

He felt quite emotional.

According to current news, the Hedong Jiedushi has also handed over his post.

It is very likely that in the next few years, the older generation of military governors will begin to hand over power to the next generation.

Thinking about Li Yun, the "upstart" who had risen in Jiangdong, Luo Zhen couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

In the future, this world...will most likely become a stage for young people.

He bowed slightly and said, "The general decided to send troops out for the benefit of Qingzhou. The generals like me all agreed. No matter what, the general cannot be blamed."

"Stop talking about this."

Zhou Xu waved his hands, obviously not in a good mood. He said silently: "Go and do your work. Let's get out of Jiangbei first."

Luo Zhen lowered his head: "I will arrange it right away."

Lieutenant General Luo turned around and left to arrange the war.

General Zhou, on the other hand, was riding on his horse. He looked around and sighed.

"What a beautiful land north of the Yangtze River."…………

Li Yun's Chuzhou blocking battle lasted until the evening of the next day. Meng Qing's troops in the rear finally caught up. With the cooperation of the Nine Divisions, Meng Qing, who was dressed in armor, brought Meng Hai and his personal soldier Meng Yan all the way to Li Yun's tent near Chuzhou. After seeing Li Yun, of the three brothers, Meng Qing and Meng Hai stood in front, half-knelt down, bowed their heads and saluted: "Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Meng Yan was also brought to Li Yun by Meng Qing, but Meng Yan had only seen Li Yun a few times, and the last time he saw Li Yun, he was still very young.

Moreover, the status and position of Li Yun at that time was completely different from that of Li Yun now. The eldest son of the Meng family was trembling with fear. He knelt down on both legs and lowered his head and shouted, "You are in the upper position."

Li Yun smiled dumbly upon seeing this. He first raised his hand and asked Meng Qing and Meng Hai to stand up. Then he walked to Meng Yan and lifted him up with one hand. He turned around and looked at Meng Qing, smiling and said, "Is this your youngest? How come he is so thin and skinny?"

Meng Hai had been with Li Yun the longest, and he smiled upon hearing this, and said, "Sir, this kid has been skinny since he was a child, and he has become relatively strong after joining the army."

Li Yun looked down at the boy. Meng Yan swallowed his saliva and lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Mr. Li shook his head and laughed, "Not as brave as Meng Qing."

Brothers Meng Qing and Meng Hai laughed when they heard this, but Meng Yan blushed.

This is the power of having good connections.

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For example, Meng Yan has not received any special treatment so far. He serves as Meng Qing's personal guard in the army, which is reasonable.

As Meng Qing's personal guard, it is reasonable for him to follow Meng Qing to see Li Yun.

But generally the personal guards were not allowed to get close. Meng Qing brought this little brother to Li Yun, even if it was just to talk to Li Yun and make him familiar to Li Yun, which would be of great benefit to his future.

Soon, the two brothers Meng Qing and Meng Hai sat down in Li Yun’s tent, while Meng Yan stood behind Meng Qing cautiously.

Li hung a map high up, pointed at it, and said, "At this time, Zhou Xu's troops of the Pinglu Army should have joined forces with the main force of Chuzhou. If they join forces, we won't have to get so close to them."

"Wait for them to cross the Huai River from Chuzhou and head north."

Meng Qing looked at the map and said, "Once they have crossed half of the river, we can fight another battle."

"Correct."

Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and said, "That battle was the last battle for Jiangbei. From now on, I will not allow anyone to interfere in Jiangbei."

When he said this, his eyes were fixed on Meng Qing, and he snorted, "Last year, I said in Yangzhou that Yangzhou would have peace for at least 50 years, but this year, these Pinglu troops broke my original boast!"

Meng Qing was a member of the original Huaihe River defense line. He stood up and bowed his head and said, "Don't worry, my subordinates will definitely guard the Huai River and not let the enemy move south!"

Li Yun said "hmm" and continued, "If we want to defend the Huai River, it is not enough to rely on infantry alone, and we should also prepare for our future crossing of the river to the north."

"I want to form a navy on the Huai River."

He looked at Meng Qing.

Meng Qing immediately lowered his head and said with a wry smile: "Master, your subordinate...your subordinate..."

"I know you won't."

Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and continued, "When the time comes, I will discuss with those generals. You should continue to defend the Huai River, and then you can learn slowly from me."

Meng Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, I understand!"

Li Yun looked at Meng Qing again and said calmly, "The Nine Divisions must move and spread the news from the front to all parties. If the Pinglu Army does not stay in Chuzhou this time and directly crosses the river to the north, then this final battle will be fought by you, Meng Qing, and the Fengyang troops."

"Chen Da and the others can turn around and go back to Jingxiang."

At this point, Li Yun thought for a moment and continued, "Jingxiang doesn't have much of a problem anymore. What's left is time to work hard. For the sake of peace in Jiangbei, Meng Qing, you should stay with Deng Yang in Jiangbei."

Meng Qing nodded his head.

Li Yun looked at him and said with a smile: "General Xiao Meng has made great contributions this time. After the battle, I will promote you to deputy general."

At this time, the rank of deputy general was "officially announced" by Li Yun for the first time.

Meng Qing stood up and bowed his head deeply.

"Subordinate, thank you, my superior!"

　I'm sick... I have a low fever, so the updates are unstable, please forgive me brothers!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)