The Summoning of the Troubled Times at the End of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 501 Wang Bao's Defense

With Gao Qi's affirmation, Qi finally made some adjustments under the established strategic plan.

That is to pacify Lingnan and completely destroy the Taiping Army in the rear as the main goal.

After the target is determined, the next step is naturally the issue of general support.

Now Wang Xuance is the governor of Lingnan, and his standing army has [-] troops. Compared with the Taiping Army, it is weak.

As for Xiangzhou, the Yue Fei Army stationed in Changsha, its army has now expanded to [-] soldiers and horses.

The standing armies of Bashu and Hanchuan are around 12 (Lu Xiangsheng's [-] are under Zhuge Liang's jurisdiction).

As for Xiangzhou, which is located in the hinterland, there are only [-] county soldiers responsible for daily management.

Xue Rengui's army in Nanyang also has around [-] troops.

In the newly established Luzhou, its legion has just been established, and the expanded legion is also at [-].

In addition to directly stationing troops in Jiangling, the standing army under Gao Qi's direct control is also around [-].

In addition, there are [-] sailors trained by Zhou Yu, and [-] imperial guards and imperial guards.

The troops directly under Gao Qi's command reached 18.

Today, the standing army in Qi State has reached almost 60 soldiers and horses.

Such a huge legion is also thanks to the series of measures formulated by Gao Qi.

In agriculture, Gao Qi invented the Quyuanli and supported Zaoyi's farming strategy, which greatly increased the grain production of the people in the territory.

Coupled with the smooth weather in recent years, there has been no major famine, and the recovery of food crops has increased.

Not only that, Gao Qi also encouraged the caravans under his rule to actively trade, and took the initiative to take the lead in doing business.

This made the caravans under the rule unite with the government one after another.

Gao Qi gained huge benefits from this move.

In addition, Gao Qi implemented a professional military system, fighting in wartime, disarmed and returning to the fields during busy farming seasons, except for the troops that needed to be guarded everywhere.

The rest returned to their villages and took charge of farming to ease the pressure on the army.

It was under Gao Qi's implementation of various policies that Qi State could have such a huge army, and relying on half of the south of the Yangtze River, it was able to support it.

It is only said that after deciding to march south of Lingnan, Gao Qi discussed with the ministers and decided that the southern expedition will mainly dispatch troops from Xiangzhou and Jiangling.

Since Yue Fei wanted to stick to Xiangzhou and coordinate the local overall situation, his energy was mainly to defend against the enemy forces in the east of the river.

Therefore, Gao Qi ordered that Zhong Hui would lead the Xiangzhou Army's [-] troops southward to join Wang Xuance's Lingnan Army, and Wang Xuance would confront the Taiping Army in a unified manner.

Next, on the Jiangling side, Xue Dingshan and Liu Rengui each led [-] infantry to the south to assist Wang Xuance in suppressing the rebellion.

As for Zhang Xian, Yuwen Shi and other generals, Gao Qi did not let them go south to suppress the rebellion at this time.

The reason why Liu Rengui and Xue Dingshan were put in charge was also the result of Gao Qi's careful consideration.

This is precisely for the purpose of improving the record and qualifications of the generals, and in order to cultivate outstanding talents for this imperial examination as soon as possible, so as to be independent as soon as possible!
Moreover, when Xue Dingshan was born, besides his wife Fan Lihua, he also brought other young generals with him.

Such as Luo Zhang, Qin Ying, Yuchi Qingshan, Qin Han and so on.

During the imperial examination, these talents were all outstanding talents who ranked below Xue Dingshan in the martial arts examination.

For this Southern Expedition, Gao Qi also put these young generals under Xue Dingshan's tent and focused on training them.

A few days later, Jiangling Campus
All of a sudden, a gust of westerly wind blew in, making the battle flags planted on the school grounds whirr, and the Qi Wang Gaoqi on the handsome stage seemed to be unable to open his eyes.

A gust of westerly wind passed by, Gao Qi slowly stepped off the platform, and under the guard of Dian Wei and Chen Dao, he walked to Liu Rengui and Xue Dingshan.

"General Liu and Xue Shizi, the rebel army in the south is invading Gu Daqi this time. Hereby, I hope that you can lead the army to drive straight into Huanglong, destroy the Taiping Army, and recover Lingnan."

"Therefore, I entitle you to be the general manager and governor of Zhengnan University respectively."

"I hope that you will live up to your mission, successfully put down the rebellion, and come back after recovering the land, waiting for your good news alone in the royal city."

Hearing this, Xue Dingshan and Liu Rengui clasped their hands together and said: "The final general will definitely live up to your majesty's expectations, and he will return triumphant!"

"Okay, okay!"

Immediately, accompanied by the amiable Fengjing, Gao Qi picked up two swords from Dianwei and Chen Dao's palms, and solemnly handed them over to the two generals.

"I wish you all a triumphant return!"

For a moment, Xue Dingshan and Liu Rengui couldn't help but feel the great honor, they knelt down alone, and solemnly took the sword.

Afterwards, Gao Qi slowly turned around and walked towards the high platform, looking at the three armies.

Immediately, Xue Dingshan and Liu Rengui got up slowly, walked to the assembled army, each brandishing their swords and roaring.

All of a sudden, there were drums of war on the school grounds. Accompanied by the sound of the drums, the two generals each swung their swords and gave the order to 'move out the whole army'.

For a moment, under the leadership of the generals, tens of thousands of troops set out in awe-inspiring way and headed south!

As for the generals under Xue Dingshan's tent this time, Fan Lihua was the deputy, and the young generals under his command were the main ones, and they went straight to Wuling to take Lingnan.

However, Liu Rengui's army was dominated by Huo Qubing and Fan Zhongyan, who went south from Changsha and directly bypassed the territory of Cangwu.

Go straight to Nanhai and Longchuan County in the east of Lingnan, cut off the connection between the Taiping Army and Hong Xiuquan in Yangzhou, and implement the trend of closing the door and beating dogs.

For a time, the Qi army gathered in large numbers, and about [-] troops from the Southern Expedition went straight to Lingnan, and their momentum was absolutely unstoppable!
There is quite a trend that if you don't break Loulan, you won't return it!
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Cangwu County, Fengyang City

Because the streams and Duanshui in Cangwu look around, they separate Yongxi County, the base camp of the Taiping Army in the south of the Five Ridges, across the river.

Therefore, after Wang Xuance conceived the deduction, in order to better defend his own army, he also stationed troops here to monitor the Taiping Army.

In the city mansion, several lieutenant generals and academies gathered together to discuss the current battle situation.

The leader with a sharp sword hanging from his waist, wearing a battle armor, and staring at the map on the screen is none other than the governor Wang Xuance.

After observing for a long time, Wang Xuance first said: "Generals, this time the Taiping Army is almost mobilized, how should our army respond?"

After the words fell, the mansion was silent, no general proposed a plan.

In fact, this is mainly an army problem.

It should be noted that this time the size of the Taiping Army was nearly [-] troops, but the Qi Army was only [-].

No matter how it is calculated, there is no chance of winning, so how can it be defeated?

For a long time no one came up with a countermeasure, but a young general stood up and said, "Brother!"

"According to the general's opinion, the Tianping army's attack from all fronts this time must have put all their eggs in one basket. They want to wipe out our army in one fell swoop and take back the entire territory of Lingnan."

"Afterwards, with a big victory, he took the opportunity to enter Xiangzhou and fight against me."

"Therefore, the general guesses that this time the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing must have the idea of ​​success or benevolence."

"So, as expected, the Taiping Army will definitely take advantage of its large number of troops this time. The troops will be divided into two groups, all the way to our army's Xishui defense line, and carry out a fierce attack."

"The other way should attack in a direction where our army was not expecting."

This general is none other than Wang Teng, a general of the Northern Song Dynasty who was born randomly, and his implanted identity is Wang Xuance's brother.

In fact, it is a pity to talk about Wang Ting. Wang Ting was originally an unknown general in the Northern Song Dynasty.

However, just as the Jingnan period arrived, the Jin army went south in a large scale and launched a large-scale attack on the Northern Song Dynasty.

While other lines of defense in the Northern Song Dynasty were facing collapse one after another, only Wang Zhi on the northern line was firmly on the front line of Taiyuan.

Although the Jin army fought hard, Taiyuan City was as solid as a rock under the leadership of Wang Zhi and could not be conquered for a long time.

However, in the end, due to being outnumbered, coupled with isolation and helplessness, the city was broken, and he was killed for refusing to surrender.

A generation of famous generals will be crowned!
However, what is extremely interesting is that in the famous novel "Water Margin" of later generations, Wang Ting has become the despicable villain who framed Liangshan's "hero".

I have to say, how ironic this move is.

For a famous general in his lifetime, yet he was portrayed in such a way by the writer, Wang Ting can't die with peace in his eyes!
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Following Wang Teng's analysis, Wang Xuance couldn't help but open his eyes, and he couldn't help asking slowly: "Then according to Brother Teng's words, the Taiping Army is divided into two groups, where will the other group attack?"

Hearing this, Wang Ting stared at the map for a long time, and said truthfully: "It's really hard to draw a conclusion."

"After all, due to the strength of our army, there are several weak areas, and all of them are important areas. There are also many directions for the rebels to choose."

"This general does not dare to draw conclusions lightly, but the general direction should be in Xin'an County."

Seeing this, one of the generals asked suspiciously: "General, why are you so determined?"

"It should be noted that in the south of the Lingnan, whether it is Xin'an County or Xiping County, the roads are all in the jungle."

"Not only are there many poisonous snakes and beasts, but the climate is also very harsh!"

"This move, even if the will is as strong as our army, it may not be able to walk. Can the rebels really do it?"

Hearing this, after thinking about it for a while, Wang Ting affirmed: "The main attack direction of the rebel army must be to cross the stream and wipe out our army."

"However, our army has already built a solid line of defense on the banks of the stream and Duanshui at this time."

"We have to guard against it. When the rebel army is unable to attack for a long time, the rebel army will turn their guns and use the advantage of their own army to march into areas where our army is weak."

"Xin'an County is the closest to the two counties of Guiyang and Lingling on the border of Xiangzhou in the Great Qi Dynasty. The best official road is to cross Huanglian Mountain in the direction of Guiling in Xiping County."

"You can march into Lingling County and Guiyang County at any time. Think about it, if the rebels' plan succeeds."

"Then the two counties will fall, and our army will be divided and isolated by the rebels. The situation of our army may be in danger!"

For a while, Wang Teng directly proposed the most dangerous plan, but immediately afterward, Wang Xuance also threw himself on the map, carefully checking the terrain of Xin'an County.

After a long time, Wang Xuance said slowly, "Brother, in your opinion, if the rebels are caught by surprise, where will they attack Hechuan?"

Hearing this, Wang Ting was somewhat uncertain, guessing: "The terrain of Hechuan is really too complicated."

"Based on the idea of ​​a late general, the establishment and militaryization of Huaiji may be important territories for rebel raids."

"It's just that our army can't defend against the rebels at these points except for the troops on the Xishui defense line."

For a while, following Wang Tin's analysis, Wang Xuance and the generals analyzed closely for a moment, and concluded that Wang Tin was not trying to scare people.

After a long time, Wang Xuance rubbed his tired eyes and said, "Brother, since that's the case, I will give you five thousand elite soldiers."

"You led the army and rushed to You'an City in Xiping County to hold on. The surrounding terrain of You'an is narrow and dense."

"Coupled with two weeks of lush forests, this is the place Xiping must pass through on his way to the north, and this place is not suitable for large-scale fighting."

"Even if the rebels occupy the three cities by surprise, our army will not be passive. As long as you hold this place firmly, if the rebels want to raid the second county, the plan to isolate our army will come to naught."

"promise!"

Immediately, due to the emergency of the military situation, Wang Ting retreated after receiving the order and led the army forward.

After Wang Tun led the army to go, Wang Xuance also summoned all the generals to go to the front line of the stream to inspect the defense line of the stream, and beware of being successfully raided by the arrival of the rebels.

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The two tributaries of Xishui and Duanshui intersect and cut off Fengchuan and Yongxi County on the Cangwu line.

It can be seen from this that if the Taiping Army strikes in a large scale, it must gather a large army, and it must be hidden from the Qi Army, which is only across the bank.

"Soldiers, this time our army will resist dozens of times the enemy's onslaught. If we win, it must be a great achievement this time."

"But if they are defeated, the rebel army can take the opportunity to put on their strength and take the opportunity to go northward with light clothes and invade the territory of Xiangzhou in Daqi."

"As Da Qierlang, we will never let the rebels break through, defend to the death, and defend our home and country!"

"Defend the home and the country, defend the home and the country!"

Suddenly, when Wang Xuance was patrolling the defense line, he was also quickly encouraging the morale of the troops while patrolling.

It has to be said that Gao Qi's benevolent government in the territory has also been greatly recognized.

At this time, it is necessary for the Qi army to know that there are few major generals on their side, but they are not timid at all, and all they have is endless morale.

One or two days later, the Tianping Army finally attacked across the board. Under the leadership of the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing, tens of thousands of troops came together.

For a moment, the raised battle flags that covered the sky and the endless roars in the army all complained excitedly that the Tianping Army is not what it used to be.

Seeing that the Qi army on the other side had already set up a defense line, Yang Xiuqing did not launch an attack immediately, but instead issued a military order, and the whole army stationed on the bank one by one.

Standing on the high platform on the north bank, Wang Xuance quietly watched the Taiping Army formation on the opposite bank. Although the clouds obscured the sun, there was no panic in the chaos, and they set up their camp in an orderly manner.

"Hey, the facts are as King Qi expected, this battle is not easy!"

In order to destroy the Tianping Army in the First World War, Gao Qi also used the convenient flying pigeon to send the information from the shadow to inform Wang Xuance of the changes in the Tianping Army in recent years.

Moreover, since Cangwu and Yongxi faced each other across the water, Wang Xuance, the chief training officer of the Taiping Army, had heard a little about it.

Therefore, after seeing this scene at this time, Wang Xuance couldn't help sighing.

Immediately, the rest of the generals asked Wang Xuance what he meant.

Seeing this, Wang Xuance slowly explained: "Generals, pay attention, the Tianping Army today is very different from what it was a few years ago!"

"The Tianping Army at that time had a religious belief, but its combat power was extremely low, the morale of the army was disorganized, and there was no discipline at all."

"However, judging from the way the Taiping Army camps today, it's not what it used to be."

"This is completely consistent with the news that King Qi sent to Bendu!"

Following Wang Xuance's reminder, all the generals couldn't help but looked in the direction of the enemy's camp, and the facts were indeed as they said.

Not only that, the generals admire Gao Qi even more, after all, they have been here for a long time, and they don't know much about the Taiping Army's movements.

The king of Qi they respected was thousands of miles away, and he could still know every move of the Tianping army.

How can such behavior not be admired by the generals under his command?
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After one night, the next day, the Taiping army camp was full of yelling and quarreling. Looking carefully, it was the boats used by the Tianping army to cross the river.

Not only that, the Tianping Army also built many catapults, which were transported to the camp together.

In an instant, the battle situation here became tense. Can the Qi army resist the reinforcements?
The Battle of Lingnan is imminent!
(End of this chapter)