Thief Emperor

Chapter 808 Two Paths
"General Su."

In the Cangzhou military camp, a map of Hebei Province was unfolded. Meng Qing pointed to the southernmost end of Hebei Province and said, "This is Weizhou, the southernmost prefecture in Hebei Province."

“It borders the capital city of Tokyo.”

Meng Qing looked at Su Sheng and said, "According to the agreement I made with General Zhao before I left, in half a month, the troops from Duji Province will go straight into Weizhou and head north from Weizhou."

He looked at Su Sheng and continued, "Duji Province is the core of the Central Plains. It is being watched by countless people. Once the troops in Duji Province move, the Hedong Army and the Shuofang Army will most likely be attracted by the movement in Weizhou."

"At least, I won't sit idly by."

At this point, Meng Qing paused and continued: "Weizhou, Xiangzhou, Weizhou and several other states will immediately become battlefields."

Meng Qing spoke calmly, "If, if the main force of the Fanyang Army does not go south to rescue these states, with the strength of our Jiangdong Army in Duji Road and the ability of General Zhao, the entire southern Hebei Road will soon fall into our hands. If they go south to rescue these states and counties."

Meng Qing drew a horizontal line on the map with his hand: "My army can march westward and draw a straight line in Hebei Road, dividing the entire Hebei Road into two, and blocking their southward forces in the southern part of Hebei Road."

Su Sheng lowered his head and drank tea without saying anything.

Also sitting there was Zhou Chang of the Pinglu Army. He was also looking at the map. Upon hearing this, he shook his head slightly and said, "General Xiao Meng, your idea is good, but don't forget that Hebei Road is connected to Hedong Road. If Weizhou, Xiangzhou and other states are not comfortable, they can go west and enter Hedong Road."

Meng Qing smiled and said, "General Zhou, to the west of Weizhou is Zezhou in Hedong Road. Zezhou is currently... under the control of our army."

"With mutual cooperation, even if we cannot defeat the large forces of the Fanyang Army, at least we can bring the southern part of Hebei Province and even the southern part of Hedong Province under our control."

Su Sheng stroked his beard, staring at the map, and said, "The Central Plains doesn't have many troops to begin with, and Xiao Meng, you've pulled in another 40,000 or 50,000 troops. Once a war breaks out in Weizhou, the Central Plains will likely face pressure from both the Fanyang Army and the Hedong Army, and the Shuofang Army is also likely to take advantage of the situation."

Meng Qing heard this and looked at Zhou Chang without saying anything. Zhou Chang stood up and said with a smile, "I'm going out for some fresh air."

Su Sheng pressed his hands and shook his head, saying, "In this Northern Expedition, the Pinglu Army is our friendly army. The superior has explained in the letter that as long as they are friendly troops, we will treat them equally. General Zhou has made great contributions in this trip to Cangzhou. No matter what, there is no need to hide it from him."

Meng Qing nodded and said softly: "General, Shannan East Road is now under our control, especially the five states of Jingxiang, which can provide a steady supply of troops at this moment. There is also a big city like Luoyang in the Central Plains. General Zhao said so before I came."

"Even if he's fighting one against three, he can at least hold on until the end of this year."

"Luoyang will definitely not be lost."

Meng Qing continued, "And if these three forces really dare to enter the Central Plains again, then it will be nothing more than transferring the battlefield in Hebei Road to the Central Plains, and the decisive battle will be brought forward to that time."

"The great cause of ascending to the throne will actually be achieved faster."

Su Sheng lowered his head and drank his tea without expressing his opinion directly.

Zhou Chang, who was standing by, smiled and said, "So even if the Jiangdong Army were to fight them head-on, they would be able to do so now, that's right."

He looked at Su Sheng and asked, "General Su, last time you told me that you might need to use my little cousin. Do you still need him now? If so, I will ask my father to send him to the front line."

Su Sheng shook his head slightly and said, "The superiors sent an order yesterday. We don't need to use your brother's reputation. We should directly announce to the public that the Fanyang army has secretly communicated with the Khitan."

Zhou Chang frowned and said, "After all, my uncle died in Youzhou, and this matter was widely publicized by Xiao Heng. Now everyone in Hebei knows about it. If we force it, it may damage the reputation of the King of Wu in the future."

He paused and continued, "No matter how my uncle died, he died in Youzhou. There is no doubt about that. No one in the world can see it as clearly as the King of Wu."

Su Sheng also frowned.

As Li Yun's senior brother, he knew very well what Li Yun was thinking. If he followed Xiao Heng's words and dealt with the public opinion in Hebei Province, the resistance would naturally be smaller, but it would be tantamount to acknowledging the fact that General Xiao died for his country.

Let Xiao Xian's evil thoughts come true.

In the future, he might be posthumously conferred the title of King of Yan, and even the people who are unaware of the truth might build a temple for him and deify him.

Su Sheng thought for a moment and said, "Then let's not mention Xiao Xian, just mention that Xiao Heng secretly communicated with the Khitan."

At this point, Su Sheng sneered and said, "No matter what, the war has to be fought. If we can win, the Fanyang Army will surrender. If we can't win, the Fanyang Army is unlikely to surrender just because of your brother."

"The battle should be fought the way it should be fought."

He looked at Meng Qing and Zhou Chang and said in a deep voice, "When the battle in Weizhou starts, I plan to march westward from Cangzhou and attack Hengzhou directly. Who of you will be the vanguard?"

Zhou Chang hesitated for a moment and said nothing.

Meng Qing did not hesitate, stepped forward, bowed his head and clasped his fists, saying: "I am willing to go!"

"it is good."

Su Sheng patted the table and said in a deep voice, "It's settled."

…………

Huaizhou, Huojia County, Jiangdong Army Camp.

Zhao Cheng was wearing armor and sitting in the big tent, flipping through documents from various places.

Most of them came from the Nine Departments, some came from Jinling, and a very small part came from Luoyang City.

He was very patient and read it bit by bit, then called a few of his subordinates to deploy the troops and give orders for the battle.

After it was completely dark, he stretched himself and looked back at a soldier in his tent. His expression softened: "Chengqi, are you hungry?" Zhao Chengqi, who had just joined the army a few days ago, stepped forward and clasped his fists, saying: "General, I..."

Zhao Cheng patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "No outsiders."

"Yes."

Zhao Chengqi lowered his head and called him uncle.

Speaking of which, it was impossible for the uncle and nephew to have the same character in their names. When Zhao Chengqi was just born, his surname was not Zhao, nor was he called this name. Later, the Zhao family encountered a major change, and Zhao Erjie thought that all the family members had passed away. In addition, she had to change her son's name. In order to commemorate her younger brother Zhao Cheng, she changed her son's name to this.

Now, two of the three characters in his name are the same as his uncle's.

Zhao Cheng led Zhao Chengqi to a nearby cooking camp, and soon someone brought food to the two of them.

It's not particularly hearty, but it has meat.

This is actually quite rare in the military.

Zhao Cheng and his nephew each received their meals and returned to the big tent. Zhao Cheng said, "From now on, you can go and eat at mealtime. Your uncle may be a little busy during this period and may not be able to eat."

Zhao Chengqi responded and nodded, "My uncle is not arrogant at all. I heard my mother talk about my grandfather. When he was a general, he was very majestic."

Zhao Cheng was startled, then he smiled and said, "If I hadn't brought you with me, I wouldn't have to go get the food myself. I'm just taking you to get to know the way, but there's one thing."

"In our Jiangdong Army, unless they pay for it themselves, all generals, regardless of their rank, eat and drink with the soldiers below them."

Zhao Chengqi looked down at the meat in his bowl and was a little surprised.

He originally thought that this was food he could only get by following his uncle.

Just as he was lost in thought, Zhao Cheng said, "I have arranged for your mother and two sisters to be settled in Luoyang City. They are very safe. From now on, you will follow me and serve as a personal soldier in my tent."

"As for your family matters."

Zhao Cheng said slowly: "I have asked the Ninth Division to investigate. I think there will be a result soon. Once the Ninth Division has the result, I will take you to settle accounts with them."

General Zhao paused for a moment and said softly, "As for the people in Chenzhou who bullied your mother back then, I have also asked them to investigate. After finding them, we will settle the old scores with them."

Zhao Chengqi clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and whispered, "Uncle, I heard... I heard that King Wu is kind and benevolent. Please don't break the rules because of my family's affairs."

"My nephew will come and settle the accounts with them for my family's affairs."

"Kindness..."

General Zhao raised his head and drank a sip of tea, then said with a smile: "You don't know the King of Wu. When there is a chance, I will take you to meet the King of Wu."

"In the future, we will go back to Jinling together, and I will take you to meet your aunt and your two younger brothers."

Zhao Chengqi just bowed his head and said yes, when someone outside the tent said, "General, General Yu Ye wants to see you!"

Zhao Cheng said without hesitation: "Come in."

Yu Ye lowered his head and strode into the big tent. He first looked at Zhao Chengqi, then lowered his head and said, "General, everything is ready."

"it is good."

Zhao Cheng said in a deep voice: "Three days later, your troops will enter Weizhou!"

Yu Ye answered loudly, then looked at Zhao Chengqi who was eating at the same table with Zhao Cheng, and asked with a smile: "General, who is this little brother?"

"My nephew."

Zhao Cheng smiled at Yu Ye and said, "I just joined the army a few days ago."

Then he turned to Zhao Chengqi and said, "This is Commander Yu."

"You will be promoted to deputy general soon."

Zhao Chengqi quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "Zhao Chengqi, I pay my respects to General Yu."

Yu Ye was overjoyed by the words "soon to be promoted to deputy general" and "General Yu". He looked Zhao Chengqi up and down, smiled at him and said, "The general's nephew is also a handsome man."

"He looks like the general, and his name is similar to his."

"I will remember him."

Zhao Cheng also smiled.

"Be careful of the battle of Weizhou. Report immediately if anything happens."

Yu Ye lowered his head.

"I obey my orders!"

(End of this chapter)