Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 356 Changes in the Civil War

After carefully studying Uncle Zhou’s military reports, Xiang Kang realized that Uncle Zhou was really helpless when he asked him for help. He prepared a table of meals but welcomed two tables of guests. He really couldn’t handle it, so he asked I opened my mouth.

Together, Xiang Kang and Uncle Zhou underestimated the importance Xiang Yu attached to the northern front. Although both Xiang Kang and Uncle Zhou agreed that Xiang Yu was likely to send troops to rescue Zhao, they did not expect Xiang Yu to be so aggressive. While the fight was in full swing, 13 troops were dispatched from the back of Chu to go north to aid Zhao. Although this gave Peng Yue a great opportunity to stir up trouble behind the West Chu, it also laid a solid foundation for the West Chu army. Superiority in military strength on the northern front.

That's not to mention, according to Xiang Yu's order, Jibei Wang Tiandu also led [-] troops to join the reinforcements of Zhao Guo, and what caught Uncle Zhou by surprise was that because of Zhao Xiang Zhang Er's envoy pleading, there was also Xiang Yu He also sent someone to say hello, and Tianjia, the new king of Qi who was conferred by Xiang Yu after killing Tianshi Tianrong, also jumped out and crossed the line, and dispatched [-] troops to rescue Zhao Guo, further expanding the anti-Han coalition forces. The superiority of troops on the northern front battlefield.

With 13 Western Chu Army, 7 Jibei Army, and 31 Qi Army, plus more than [-] main forces of the Zhao Army returning from Hanoi to the north, the anti-Han coalition army reached an astonishing [-] or more in one fell swoop!Even if the Han army on the northern front includes Wang Ling's troops who just captured Daijun, as well as the newly recruited soldiers from the Dai-Jin and Zhai coalition forces and the Xia Shuo troops who rebelled in Jingxing, the total strength has only just exceeded [-], not yet One-third of the enemy, so even Uncle Zhou couldn't guarantee that he could still win, so he had to ask Xiang Kang for help.

Fortunately, although the anti-Han coalition forces have a large number of troops, their overall quality is not very high. The overall combat effectiveness cannot keep up with the real main force of the Western Chu Army.Therefore, Uncle Zhou did not make too harsh demands on Xiang Kang, but only asked Xiang Kang to send some of his main force to go north from Hanoi County, take advantage of the falsehood to attack Julu, the current capital of Zhao State, and cut off the anti-Han coalition forces from the rear. The anti-Han coalition forces went south to rescue, sharing part of the pressure for the northern Han army on the frontal battlefield, and then Uncle Zhou hoped to turn the situation around and defeat the anti-Han coalition forces one by one.

After carefully understanding the situation, before the Han army that was chasing the defeated Western Chu army could withdraw, Xiang Kang hurriedly discussed countermeasures with Zhang Liang and Chen Ping in the Han army flag formation outside Puyang City, discussing how to send troops Reinforce Uncle Zhou.However, after careful consideration, Chen Ping put forward a different opinion to Xiang Kang, saying: "My lord, under the current situation, do we still need to send troops to reinforce the northern front?"

"What does Mr. Chen Ping mean?" Xiang Kang was a little surprised, and then immediately understood what Chen Ping meant, and hurriedly said: "Mr. Chen Ping wants to suggest that we ignore the northern line and take advantage of the current opportunity to attack the Western Chu thieves with all our strength." The hinterland of the army?"

"That's right." Chen Ping nodded, and said, "The Western Chu bandit army in Puyang has already suffered a disastrous defeat. There is no way to stop our main force from advancing into the hinterland of Western Chu. We take this opportunity to aggressively attack the hinterland of Western Chu, flanking General Peng Yue's army back and forth, and we have every hope of directly defeating the main force of the Western Chu bandit army."

"If we do this, the Western Chu bandit army on the northern front will become rootless, and the Chu, Qi and Zhao coalition forces will collapse. Even if we don't send troops to reinforce the northern front, General Uncle Zhou is sure to defeat them directly. Retire Let’s take it a step further, even if General Uncle Zhou still has no chance of winning by then, it’s not too late for us to send troops north to help him pinch the bandits on the northern front.”

"Your Majesty, this is also a good choice." Tang Bing, the old man from Shangshan, interjected, "General Uncle Zhou is currently confronting the bandits on the northern front in the Dongyuan area. It is very easy to withdraw to Jingxing. We just need to let General Uncle Zhou retreat to Jingxing to guard the dangerous point , we will be invincible right away, and there will be absolutely no problem in persevering until we and the main force of the Western Chu bandit army decide the outcome."

This is indeed a good choice. Xiang Kang was also a little moved, and quickly turned his attention to Zhang Liang, who is good at strategy. I hope you will go all out to march into the hinterland of Western Chu to meet the ruler Han Cheng. However, from your perspective, the king, the foreign ministers feel that it is too risky for us to march into the hinterland of Western Chu now, so please be sure to do so. Think twice."

"Mr. Zifang, the Western Chu bandits are currently under attack, and even the capital Pengcheng has been taken by our allies. Why is it too dangerous for us to enter the hinterland of Western Chu?" Wu Shi, another Shangshan old man, asked doubtfully. .

"Mr. Qiliji, we are now marching into the hinterland of Western Chu, and there are two major dangers." Zhang Liang raised two fingers and said, "First, we don't know how long General Peng Yue and the others can last, or even how long he is now. Is it still in Pengcheng? If we march into the hinterland of Western Chu now, and Peng Yue has been defeated or even wiped out by the main force of the Western Chu bandits, then we will be in big trouble. With the convenience of on-the-spot food collection, military supplies and food are more secure than ours, and in a decisive battle head-on, our chances of winning will definitely not be great.”

"Secondly, after we invade the hinterland of Western Chu in a large scale, the rear will definitely be empty." Zhang Liang continued: "At that time, the Western Chu bandits on the northern line will take advantage of the opportunity to go south, cut off our food roads, and even attack Aocang and Sanchuan. , cut off our connection with the rear of Guanzhong, how should we deal with it?"

No one dared to deny this possibility. Chen Ping and the two Shangshan old men could only keep their mouths shut, but Li Zuoche, who had just joined the Han army for an hour, opened his mouth and said to Xiang Kang, "My lord, the guilty minister also thinks It is not yet ripe for you to march into the hinterland of Western Chu, so it is best to continue to be patient and continue your previous strategy of frontal stalemate and flank development, and when the time is really ripe, it will not be too late to send troops to destroy Chu."

"Mr. Guangwu, please try to explain the details." Xiang Kang, who had a poor history, wanted to test Li Zuoche's true quality for a long time, so he said immediately.

"The guilty minister is being abrupt." Li Zuoche said: "The guilty minister believes that there are three points that are destined to make it difficult for you to destroy Chu immediately. The first is that the main force of the Western Chu army still has the strength to fight, and the overlord of Western Chu is brave. Invincible, able to conquer and fight well, even if you send out the main force to fight against it, you may not dare to say that you are sure of victory. Therefore, your majesty, it is a bit risky to march into the hinterland of Western Chu now. We are at a disadvantage again in terms of overall strategy."

"Secondly, your strength is not enough to sweep the world." Li Zuoche continued: "At present, you only have the upper hand in the overall strategy, you can take the offensive in one strategic direction, but in another strategic direction However, you must take a defensive position and do not have the strength to launch a full-scale offensive to quickly dominate the world. Under such circumstances, you, my lord, let go of the enemies on the northern front, which are relatively easier to deal with, and take the risk of attacking the strongest main force of Western Chu. Fighting a strategic decisive battle with little confidence is tantamount to choosing the easy and taking the difficult, abandoning the flat road and taking the rugged path, and there is a danger of more haste than speed.”

"Then what about the third one?" Xiang Kang asked thinkingly.

"The third is that you have too many enemies and hidden dangers, my lord." Li Zuoche replied: "Zhao Guo in the north and Liu Ji in the south are all sworn enemies of your lord, and you may take advantage of them at any time. Stab you in the back. Tianjia and Tian of Qi State are all vassals of Western Chu, and it is very difficult to win them. Even if you win them, you definitely dare not trust them completely. In addition, Zang Tu of Yan State is also sitting on the fence, Once you see that Western Chu is powerful, it is also possible to suddenly become your enemy, if you cannot completely eliminate these enemies, or make them truly surrender to you, you will not be able to launch the battle to destroy Chu with peace of mind."

"So in my humble opinion, my lord, it is best for you to send troops to the northern front first, and try your best to help General Zhou attack the enemy on the northern front as soon as possible." Li Zuoche continued: "This will not only ensure victory, but also eliminate the enemy. The hidden dangers on the northern line can further strengthen your strength, the king, and gain the upper hand in the overall strategy, and then launch the battle to destroy Chu, so that you can be more confident."

After all, he was a person who just surrendered, and he lacked understanding of Xiang Kang's character and temper. After talking endlessly, Li Zuoche inevitably peeped at Xiang Kang's expression a little nervously.Fortunately, the tempers of Xiang Kang and Xiang Yu have always been two extremes. Although similar words will definitely make Xiang Yu furious, after Xiang Kang heard it, he gradually smiled and said: "It is Mr. Guangwu after all, and he really deserves his reputation. , I also feel that our current strength is not enough to launch the battle to destroy Chu."

Li Zuoche heaved a sigh of relief, and Xiang Kang said again: "Mr. Chen Ping, Lord Dongyuan, I know that your suggestion is also reasonable. Now we still have the option of taking advantage of the emptiness to march into the hinterland of Western Chu, but there is no way. I am not sure that I can defeat my overlord brother, so we should cut off his wings first, and wait for us to kill his accomplices and lackeys first, and then concentrate on cleaning him up, so that we can be sure of victory."

They are very aware of Xiang Kang's temper, knowing that even if their opinions don't suit Xiang Kang's wishes, Xiang Kang will not alienate himself because of such a thing, so Chen Ping and Tang Bing immediately bowed their hands and expressed their support for Xiang Kang's decision, and then Chen Ping also asked: "Your Majesty, since you have decided to send troops to reinforce the northern front, do you plan to lead the troops to the north yourself, or send another general to the north to help General Uncle Zhou?"

"The transportation is inconvenient and the distance is too far. I can't take the risk of leading the troops northward." Xiang Kang immediately shook his head, denying the possibility of leading the army northward in person, and said, "Let Zheng Bu go, and take Zhong Limei and Guan Ying with him." Go with them with Gongsun and help Uncle Zhou solve the northern line problem as soon as possible."

Zhang Liang and Chen Ping's eyelids moved, secretly admiring Xiang Kang's careful consideration in choosing the commander of the reinforcements - Guan Ying and Gongsun Tong were both younger and less experienced than Zheng Bu, so there would definitely not be a situation where the command would not be inactive. Although Zhong Limei's qualifications and age are similar to Zheng Bu's, he was rescued by Zheng Bu once in the Wuguandao battlefield. However, if Ding Ji or Long Qi were to be the main generals of the reinforcements, at least it would be difficult for Zhong Limo to command them like his arms and fingers.

It was Tang Bing, an old man from Shangshan, who made an opinion and said, "Your Majesty, General Zheng Bu has a stable personality and is cautious in his actions. He is indeed an ideal candidate to lead the army to reinforce the northern front. However, in my humble opinion, General Zheng Bu seems to be lacking in flexibility. How to solve it at one point?"

"It's too easy." Xiang Kang smiled, pouted at Li Zuoche who had just surrendered, and said, "Haven't we added a resourceful Guangwu Lord now? Let Guangwu Lord go out with the army and help It’s okay for Zheng Bu to come up with a plan, isn’t it?”

"Let the guilty minister go?" Li Zuoche opened his mouth wide in surprise, and said, "Your Majesty, the guilty minister has just surrendered. Zhao Guo is the criminal minister's home country, so you are so relieved of the criminal minister?"

"Don't doubt people, don't doubt people, this has always been the king's principle of employing people." Xiang Kang replied with a relaxed expression, and then said: "That's it, Guangwu Lord, this king now entitles you to be the counselor of the Han Kingdom." Doctor, follow General Zheng Bu to the Zhao Kingdom, help him to make suggestions, kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds, and when you return triumphantly, this king will reward you for your meritorious service and promote you to an official position."

Unexpectedly, Xiang Kang would reuse him so soon, and was surprised that Xiang Kang and Xiang Yu had completely different ways of employing people. Of course, Li Zuoche hurriedly saluted and thanked Xiang Kang, and Xiang Kang waved his hand and said, "No need." , Mr. Guangwu, if you can abandon the darkness and turn to the light, and choose to help the king to calm down the world as soon as possible and end the war, that is already the best thanks to the king."

In this way, after comprehensive consideration of all aspects, Xiang Kang finalized the strategic decision to give priority to the northern line on the same day when he took Puyang for the second time, and quickly decided to transfer [-] troops from the main force of the Han army to the army. General Zheng Bu of the Han army, led by the nearby Baimajin, directly crossed the Hebei River, followed the Chi Road to take Julu City, the current capital of Zhao State, and surrounded Wei and rescued Zhao, forcing the anti-Han coalition forces to go south to rescue Julu. Chidao contact.

Facts have proved that Xiang Kang made a quite correct decision, because before the Han army division led by Zheng Bu had time to go north, an urgent report was sent from the rear, saying that Liu Laosan and Xichu general Liji (real name) Wancheng teamed up to defeat the main force of the Yingbo army. The Yingbo army suffered heavy losses and was forced to flee to Nanjun in embarrassment.

Even Chen Ping and Zhang Liang were very surprised by this news, and said, "How is it possible? Shenyang is nothing more than that, why is Yingbo not even Liu Jipifu's opponent? I remember Liu Jipifu's battlefield during the Central Plains War. The performance is not even half of Yingbo's?"

"It's nothing strange." Xiang Kang was not surprised, and said, "To tell you the truth, this is the real reason why I don't dare to invade the hinterland of Western Chu. Liu Ji himself is not difficult to deal with, but he only needs to reuse Han Xin. I don’t even dare to say that I can take care of Liu Ji’s army.”

I still don't understand why Xiang Kang is afraid of Han Xin who is ridiculed as a child under his crotch. Chen Ping can only change his words and ask: "My lord, what should we do now? If Yingbo is quickly wiped out by Liu Ji, Liu Jiteng If we do something, our southern line will definitely be in danger again, how about this? Let General Li Shang send troops from Hanzhong, take the Wuguan Road to attack Danshui in Xixian County, encircle Wei and rescue Zhao to share the pressure on Yingbu?"

"Mr. Chen Ping, remember, don't underestimate Liu Ji." Xiang Kang said in a serious tone, "Li Shang's military strength does not have any advantage in front of Liu Ji, and he was asked to take the initiative." To launch an attack is to risk General Li Shang and our Hanzhong defenders, if there is a little carelessness, Li Shang and the others are in danger of being wiped out!"

Seeing Xiang Kang's serious tone, Chen Ping had no choice but to agree, and Xiang Kang then ordered: "Ask Li Shang to go east from Fangling and directly reinforce Yingbo's homeland, and tell Li Shang and Yingbo clearly that I don't want to I count on them to launch an attack, as long as they can defend Nanjun and restrain Liu Ji's main force for me for a long time, I will give them a great credit."

Chen Ping sang promises, and hurriedly drafted an order for Xiang Kang. Xiang Kang turned his eyes to the southwest again, and said inwardly with great anxiety: "Will Yingbo be able to escape back to Nanjun smoothly? If he is killed by Liu on the way to escape If the third child is killed, then my problem on the southern line will definitely only become more troublesome."

This time it was Xiang Kang's turn to turn into a crow's mouth. In fact, before Xiang Kang received the news of the disastrous defeat of the Yingbo army in Wancheng, the traitor Yingbo of the Western Chu army and his thousands of remnants had already After being overtaken by Liu Xiang's allied forces, he failed to retreat across the Hanshui River and escape back to the mainland, and was directly surrounded by Deng County on the Hanshui River.

After being trapped, Yingbo once planned to stand firm and wait for help, waiting for the Han army in Hanzhong or the local rear army to send troops to rescue, but Liu Laosan seized the opportunity to attack the city day and night. On the small road of the Lingling Mausoleum, the net opened to lure the Yingbo army to break through and go west.In the end, seeing the fierce attack of Liu Xiang's coalition forces, Yingbo's selfishness of wanting to survive still prevailed. He gritted his teeth and decided to take the remaining army out of the city to break through, and fled to Fangling by taking a small road. Liu Laosan took the opportunity to send troops to pursue , broke Yingbo again on the mountain road, and the remnant army of Yingbo was almost wiped out. Yingbo himself and the envoy of the Han army, Chen Hui, managed to escape to Fangling with less than [-] cavalry to save their lives.At this moment, Li Shang, the general of the Han army stationed in Hanzhong, had just received Xiang Kang's order to send troops to reinforce Yingbu.

After this battle, the leaderless Nanjun and other places naturally became the fat on Liu Laosan's lips. Not to mention, the southern line of the Han army immediately appeared in danger again. At the same time, Liu Laosan also had a very clear attitude, openly saying : "Next, we can only do our best to help the King of Western Chu destroy the Han Dynasty, and we must not let the King of Western Chu lose to that little traitor Xiang Kang. Only when the King of Western Chu wins the Chu-Han War can we hope to save We can live in land and cities, but if that little traitor Xiang Kang wins, no matter how much land and cities we lay down in the south, we will be wiped out by him sooner or later!"

(End of this chapter)