Fu Shanhe

Chapter 88: Failed City Deception
Taizhou City.

After defeating Commander Rong's army, the rebel army became confused again.

This is a common problem among many rebel armies.

When the imperial court launched a campaign of encirclement and suppression, everyone knew to deal with it with all their strength, but after the war, no one knew what to do next.

Due to cognitive limitations, there is a lack of long-term strategic planning.

Looking at the map of Dayu hanging on the wall, the Huang brothers became worried.

Compared with ordinary soldiers, they had traveled to many places while selling salt and were considered to be knowledgeable.

Taizhou is just a corner of the world. It is impossible for it to fight against the whole world.

The worst thing is that due to the war, food production has dropped sharply.

If they continue to stay in Taizhou without moving, they won’t be able to hold out for long or they will run out of food.

"Brother, it's not time to give up yet, just give it one more try.

Although the Zong family is a bad guy, they still have strategic vision.

If there is no better choice, just stick with the original plan.

If we can take Yangzhou, conquer Zhenjiang and seize Nanjing, we can expect to achieve hegemony.

If unfortunately you fail, you will hide your identity and hide in the mountains.

The world is so big, there is no need to worry about not having a place for us brothers!"

Huang Renliang suggested.

Whether it is hegemony or not, it is just a pie in the sky to deceive people.

The most important thing to do right now is to capture Taizhou as soon as possible before the army runs out of food.

“You are right. People with the surname Zong do have some strategic vision, but unfortunately they are often out of touch with reality.

It is pure nonsense to say that the imperial navy blocked the river, crossed the river to capture Zhenjiang and seize Nanjing.

However, there is still a chance to capture Yangzhou.

Unlike before, the troops of the Five Cities Army had left, and the interior of Yangzhou City was now empty.

The imperial envoy stationed in Yangzhou was a member of the Qingliu Party, and was not on the same side as the eunuch party. Even if the Jinyiwei received the news, they would not pass it on to him immediately.

If they are lucky, they can use the identity of the government army to seize Yangzhou City.

If the siege is blocked, then bypass Yangzhou and go directly to Luzhou Prefecture."

Huang Renlong said approvingly.

Choosing Yangzhou as a breakthrough point was completely out of necessity.

The road to the south is blocked by a big river.

Even if the imperial navy did not intercept them, it would take time for them to cross the river with just the few small boats they had.

The imperial army was gathering in the north, and the rebels in Gaoyou Prefecture were in danger. They had only been sending their heads to waste.

The second attack on Yangzhou became the only option.

"General, when we attack Yangzhou again, should we call on the rebel forces in Nantongzhou?
Their current situation is not very good either.

I heard that after the failure of crossing the river, they lost a large number of elite troops and are now being bullied by the government troops.

If we extend an invitation, they will most likely agree.

If we combine our strength and attack Yangzhou together, our chances of success will be even greater."

A simple and honest middle-aged general suggested.

Having a common enemy, the various rebel forces in the Huaihe River and Yangtze River regions are all potential allies.

"no!"

"It's too late. That official surnamed Rong's fake victory report won't fool the government for long.

Once the people in the imperial court discover the truth, they will definitely send troops over.

Capturing Yangzhou depends on speed, there can be no delay.

Pass the order down, the entire army should be prepared to set out, and the army will march to Yangzhou tomorrow.

Second brother, you lead the old camp to change into the official army's clothes, take a few dog officers with you and go ahead to see if you can trick the city gate open."

Huang Renlong made a decisive decision.

There is strength in numbers, and with many people, there are bigger goals.

The last time he organized a coalition to besiege Yangzhou City and failed, he realized how unreliable the joint operations of the rebels were.

The problem is that the command is chaotic and there is no unified order. The key is that everyone has his own calculations.

No one can guarantee that they will not be stabbed in the back by their allies at a critical moment.

……

Yangzhou City.

After working for a while, Xu Wenyue finally sorted out the affairs of Yangzhou.

Although he was only in charge of a provincial capital, he felt more tired than when he was governor.

After the place was ravaged by the rebels, it was left behind a huge mess.

Not only was there a serious shortage of officials, but there was also a severe shortage of money, food, and other supplies.

A lot of stolen money was indeed confiscated from the treasury, but unfortunately, the day before he entered Yangzhou, it was secretly loaded onto a ship and sent to the capital by Marquis Wuyang.

Just after he took over Yangzhou, a prison break by rebels occurred. By the time he recovered, the things were almost in the capital.

Originally they could have intercepted the flow for their own use, but suddenly they had to apply for funding from the imperial court.

Even if he is a cabinet minister, he still has to go through the necessary procedures.

After all the trouble, the money and grain have not been received yet, but quite a few memorials have been submitted.

Fortunately, Xu Wenyue had enough reputation, and the Zhejiang Provincial Government allocated some supplies for emergency use, so no trouble occurred.

"Sir, Commander Rong of the Five Cities Military Department has returned with his troops.

Because of the delay, the city gates were closed.

The foreman in charge of guarding the city asked whether the city gate should be opened to let them in. "

Hou Huaichang said with a smile.

Marquis Wuyang has given his master a lot of trouble, and his subordinates are clearly asking for trouble by coming to him now.

Not to mention that the city gates were closed, even if the gates were open, they would be able to find reasons to refuse entry.

“Let them stay outside and tell them that Yangzhou is too small to accommodate a bunch of True Buddhas like them.

If Commander Rong has any objections, let him first find out what Marquis Wuyang has done."

Xu Wenyue said disdainfully.

It turns out that resentment in one's heart must be vented.

After venting his anger just now, his mood instantly improved a lot.

"Lord, Commander Rong came back so quickly, most likely because he suffered a defeat on the front line. Marquis Wuyang is really brave to let a playboy lead the troops!"

Hou Huaichang took the opportunity to continue the conversation.

Identity determines one's stance. Some time ago, Marquis Wuyang gave them a lot of trouble.

The Wucheng Bingmasi suffered a defeat and had a ready-made excuse, so they had to find a way to regain their lost face.

"Humph!"

"Among those relatives, how many are capable?
Marquis Wuyang is just a slightly respectable guy among a bunch of bastards.

When hiring people, nepotism is inevitable.

There's nothing strange about losing the battle.

Pass the order down, not only will they not be allowed to enter the city tonight, but they will not be allowed to enter the city tomorrow either!"

Xu Wenyue said with a sneer.

It seems to be mocking Marquis Wuyang, but in fact it is alluding to Emperor Tianyuan everywhere.

Nepotism was obviously started by the emperor.

If it weren't for his status as the emperor's uncle, a scholar like Marquis Wuyang, who had failed the imperial examinations many times, wouldn't even be worthy of being looked at by him.

……

Outside Yangzhou city.

The soldiers defending the city had emotional intelligence, and Xu Wenyue's words were not conveyed truthfully.

When big shots are fighting, if a small pawn gets involved, it would be absolutely irresponsible for his own life.

The provocative words could not be relayed, but the order to seal off the city had to be carried out.

Huang Renliang pretended to be a government soldier and cursed at the defenders, but saw no response from the soldiers in the city. He knew that his plan had failed.

Although I don’t know which link has gone wrong, there is no hope of tricking the city gate open.

"Commander Rong, they don't give you face, don't you want to do something?"

Commander Rong, who was taken prisoner, was so frightened when he heard his name being called that he almost collapsed to the ground.

He had a hard time during those days in the rebel camp.

The guards would beat and kick him if they were not satisfied with him.

If he wasn't forced to do so, he would never have followed.

Although he was a simple-minded man, he knew that if he cooperated with the rebels to open the city gate, he would be doomed to death when the imperial court came to settle accounts with him.

Not only would he die, but the entire Rong family, including the imperial concubines in the palace, would be implicated.

He wanted to commit suicide several times, but finally gave up because he was afraid of the pain.

"General, I really can't help it!

Otherwise, let me go to the city gate and negotiate with the soldiers guarding the city.

If I meet an old acquaintance, maybe he will give me a favor and open the city gate.”

After hearing what Commander Rong said, Huang Renliang's heart was agitated, and then he whipped him.

"Mr. Rong, do you think Grandpa Huang is easy to deceive?
This is Yangzhou City. All the soldiers from the Five Cities Army have left. You don’t know anyone here.

Besides, with your current dignity, even if you meet an acquaintance, would they be able to recognize you?

You are dreaming if you want to tip off the defenders!"

Commander Rong was beaten for no reason and looked very aggrieved.

If he wasn't afraid of death, he wouldn't want to show up in public.

Once the matter of being captured becomes public, the entire Rong family will be disgraced.

"Grandpa Huang, I really didn't mean to lie to you!
The person in charge of Yangzhou now is Lord Xu. He is a civil servant and I am a relative by marriage, so we are not the same kind of people.

They forced me to go on this expedition.

You can rest assured, as long as I can return to the capital, I will find someone to put him in a sack..."

Commander Rong's performance made all the rebel generals burst into laughter.

I have seen stupid people, but I have never seen such stupid people.

Falling into the hands of the rebels and expecting to return alive is simply a dream.

Keeping them now is a waste utilization.

Once they lose their value, they die.

"Okay, as long as the court is willing to pay the ransom for you, I will let your grandson go back!"

After saying that, Huang Renliang waved his hand and signaled to drag the person away.

I was afraid that if I stayed with this idiot for too long, I would be infected.

It was impossible to take Yangzhou by force without any siege equipment.

The value of Commander Rong and his group is not as high as expected.

Perhaps their identities can fool ordinary local officials, but when they meet the elders in the court, they simply won't buy it.

Tricking the city gate open requires speed. If you don't achieve your goal immediately, it will be difficult to succeed later.

Fake is fake after all. The longer you delay, the greater the risk of exposure.

The failure of the plan to capture Yangzhou was absolutely disastrous for the rebel army.

"Huang Sihai, go back overnight and tell Brother that the situation has changed. We did not trick the city gates into opening.

If you want to attack Yangzhou again, you must prepare siege equipment as soon as possible.

While the city is empty, there is still a glimmer of hope."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the guards running over in a hurry.

"Second General, something terrible is happening!
We found traces of government troops twenty miles away.

Judging from the flags, they should be the troops of the Five Cities Army."

Huang Renliang's head exploded when he received this bad news.

How could the enemy arrive so quickly?
What exactly was exposed?

His mind was full of doubts and no one could help him explain.

“Send more people to investigate and find out the enemy’s strength as soon as possible.

Huang Sihai, bring this news to Big Brother!"

After hesitating for a moment, Huang Renliang frowned and gave the order.

No matter where the problem occurs, judging from the enemy's performance, it can be confirmed that they are well prepared.

If the news had not been leaked, the troops of the Five Cities Army should have headed straight to Taizhou even if they had marched south, instead of revisiting Yangzhou.

(End of this chapter)