Han Shizu

Chapter 1004 How to lose this battle?
Guazhou, located less than [-] miles south of Yangzhou City, is an important traffic town in the north of the Yangtze River, a waterway hub, and the Yangtze River directly leads to the river.

This is a sandbar formed by quicksand alluvial, surrounded by water and shaped like a melon, so it is named. However, after hundreds of years of vicissitudes, Guazhou has been connected to the north bank of the Yangtze River, shortening the distance between the north and the south. .

As a thoroughfare, relying on excellent traffic conditions, it has always been an important economic center in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. However, after the Han Dynasty captured Huainan and took over all of Jiangbei, it also assumed more military roles. Since the fifth year of Qianyou, Its garrison has gradually increased from [-] to [-], and it attaches great importance to it, monitoring Runzhou on the south bank nearby.

In the late autumn, when the howling cool wind blows, above the big river, there are surging waves, and the sound of the waves is endless.In previous years, tourists and tourists would gather on the river, and the river boats would flow like a shuttle. This is the season when economic exchanges between the north and the south are the most frequent.

However, with the tense relationship between the North and the South, the imperial court Chen Bing Jiangbei felt the atmosphere of war, and most people chose to retreat.It is human instinct to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, but for merchants, it is even more sensitive. Although the imperial edict of the southern expedition has not yet been issued, even the common people in Jiangnan and Jiangbei know that it is inevitable for the army to go south.Even, many people are looking forward to it, especially those merchants who travel from south to north.

In addition, the blockade of the waterway by the north and the south made the front of Guazhou very desolate at this time, with only a small number of patrolling boats cruising on the river.

Of course, if you look northward, you will find that before the war, Yangzhou was more prosperous and bustling than in previous years. Some military supplies, some are official transfers, some are recruited and transferred, and a lot of them come for profit.

During the years of war, the imperial court has been aware of the enthusiasm of private merchants. In addition to controlled materials such as military equipment and armor, other quilts, shoes and socks, gloves, jade tools, water containers and even military rations have gradually tried to make private ships The team is responsible for transportation, and even purchasing and shipping.

Benefits touch people's hearts, and they can indeed stimulate people's enthusiasm. After the baptism of the Northern Expedition, the implementation of this policy has risen to a new stage.Although overall, the proportion is not too much, but it is increasing, and it has indeed saved a lot of trouble for the court.

Of course, there were many problems, and some experience was summed up, and certain rules were formulated.Therefore, this time in Pingnan, it is even more handy. The test and exercise of a country's organizational ability in war is unparalleled, and the Great Han Dynasty, which has passed the test of wars of a scale such as the Northern Expedition, is in the "small battle" of the Southern Expedition. In terms of organization, it can also be said to be handy.

At Guazhou Ferry, wearing a thick dark black cloak, Li Gu stands at the ferry, facing the south of the river.The cloak on his body was embroidered with golden silk dragon pattern, very luxurious, it was specially sent by the emperor from Tokyo to Yangzhou, and there was also a pair of knee pads and leggings, in consideration of the colder weather, and Li Gu was suffering from wind paralysis disease.

For the emperor's care and thoughtfulness, Li Gu only swore to repay it with death, and put all his enthusiasm into the great cause of Pingnan, taking the last step for the great man to rule the world.

On the surface of the river, the cold mist is sparse, looking from north to south, you can see the mountains on the south bank, as well as the enemy's land and water camps and other military facilities that rely on Xingsheng.

Although Li Gu is a literati, he has always possessed a kind of heroic spirit, a kind of boldness. This is why Liu Chengyou is willing and dared to let his leader Pingnan. It is impossible to give him great power just to satisfy his one wish. of.

Looking at Jingkou on the other side, Li Gu's old face revealed a confident, smug attitude.

"The great river spans thousands of miles, and the ancient crossing is insignificant.

The sound of the mighty waves is dangerous, and the blue sky looks sad.

The three parties belong to the Han Ding, and the one water is limited to Wuzhou.

Where is the hegemony now, the clear spring flows by itself. "

On a whim, Li Gu recited a poem by Dai Shulun in a low voice, with a touch of emotion in his tone.Beside him is a general who is not burly but has a bold bearing. He looks like a general at first glance. It is Pingnan's deputy commander Shi Shouxin this time.This is Liu Chengyou's assistant to Li Gu, and it is also an insurance. It has been a month since he arrived in Yangzhou to prepare for the southern expedition.

To Li Gu, Shi Shouxin still respects him very much, not only for his fame, but also for being impressed by his talents and virtues after getting in touch with him.On the other hand, the demeanor of a Confucian general like Li Gu who is sympathetic to literature and martial arts is very contagious, especially for an open-minded general like Shi Shouxin.

"Why is Li Gong so interested in reciting poems?" Listening to his chanting, Shi Shouxin couldn't help but said curiously: "The description is the scene in front of me! Although it fits the occasion, there is always a little bit of generosity, which is not in line with Nanzheng's affairs!"

"It's just picking up people's teeth!" Hearing what he said, Li Gu couldn't help but chuckled and said, "Shouxin also studies poetry?"

Shi Shouxin shook his head: "I'm just a vulgar person, I'm not elegant. I'm good at leading troops in battle. I don't have the passion to study poetry and articles!"

"The general is obviously self-effacing. Your Majesty has said that Shi Shouxin has the appearance of a famous general and the talent of a commander-in-chief!" Li Gugan said, looking at Shi Shouxin with admiration, after all, this is Relying on his solid military exploits, he gradually became the talent of a senior general of the Han Dynasty.

Hearing Li Gu's words, Shi Shouxin couldn't help showing a little smile, after all, everyone loves to hear good things.

"Guazhou, Jingkou, the thousand-year-old ferry, separated by a river, since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, in the six to seven hundred years, there have been so many iron horses and heroes, and now, it's our turn!" The not-so-sharp gaze became extraordinarily firm , Li Gu said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, he turned his gaze to the south, pointing at the Jingkou on the south bank, Shi Shoudao: "Mr. Li has been watching here several times, do you want to use this place as the breakthrough target for Nandu?"

"What do you think of Shouxin?" Without answering, Li Gu asked Shi Shouxin's opinion.

Shi Shouxin obviously thought about it, and after a moment of pondering, he said fluently: "Jingkou has always been an important place for military strategists. It is an important pass for defense against the river. It is adjacent to the river in the north and Guling in the south. It can be called a place of victory. The southern army has been operating for many years, and the fortifications are complete. , sufficient ordnance, well-trained defenders, familiar with the terrain, defender Lin Renzhao is quite talented, if you want to break through head-on, I'm afraid it will not be easy, and the casualties will be not small!
In addition, we have concentrated our troops in Yangzhou, and the Southern Army is also gathering troops, which also adds a lot of risk and difficulty to the forced crossing.

However, if you cross the river from here, defeat Lin Renzhao's army, and occupy Runzhou, you can go straight to Jinling and kill him in the heart.Among the Southern Army, only the navy of Runzhou Town has the power to fight. If they are destroyed, the other armies will be worthless.

This is the simplest and most direct strategy for marching troops, but it is the most difficult. If it goes well, Jinling may be settled in January, and the states in the south of the Yangtze River may be determined..."

"Keeping promises is worthy of being a great general, and the situation of the war can be seen clearly!" Hearing his words, Li Gu's old face showed a little excitement, and he said: "In your opinion, should we cross the river from now on?"

Shi Shouxin thought for a while before he said: "Forgive me, the general said bluntly that it is not wise to choose to cross when the southern army is well prepared and the defense is solid.

In this Southern Expedition, the primary target of the attack is only Jinling, and the defense of Jinling is at Jingkou in the lower reaches, and Dangtu and Caishiji in the upper reaches.The southern army's concentration of troops at Jingkou will inevitably weaken the defenses of other places. A single Lin Renzhao cannot take care of both upstream and downstream, and a township navy cannot cross the river and block our way.

In my opinion, we can continue to display troops on the north bank to attract their attention, and at the same time send elites to cross the river from Hezhou.Then go down the river to the east, heading straight for Jinling, waiting for soldiers to threaten Jinling, no matter how strong the Jingkou is, it is useless! "

Hearing this, Li Gu said: "It's just that the southern army is not defenseless! It's not easy to cross the river easily!"

Facing Li Gu's gaze, Shi Shouxin pretended to be surprised, and said: "Could it be that Mr. Li really can't see the weakness of the southern army? Its national strength is weak, although there are [-] troops, most of them are useless. Moreover, their More than [-] troops are spread out on the river defense, which is also stretched.

In the direction of Ezhou, there is Cao Bin's army, which is enough to contain tens of thousands of his troops. Runzhou has heavy troops, and Jinling needs enough defense. How can Dangtu deploy a sufficient defense?
Furthermore, when General Guo Tingwei went north from Wuyue, how would the Southern Army resist?As long as our army moves in multiple directions and fights steadily, the Southern Army will inevitably collapse, and there is absolutely no possibility of victory! "

Shi Shouxin's eyes were full of strong self-confidence, and Li Gu was full of admiration for his strategy, and said with a smile: "The general said everything that I think in my heart!"

In fact, although the war has not yet started, the strategic situation between the North and the South has become very clear. The court is holding two kings and four twos, and there are a lot of consecutive cards left. How to play and how to win.

"However, the first thing we need to do is to wipe out the navy in the south of the Yangtze River and completely control the waterway of the Yangtze River!" Li Gu said.

"Water warfare is not my specialty, and I still have to rely on General Zhang Yanqing. However, the southerners are good at boats. At the beginning of the Huainan War, they failed to exert their effectiveness. I don't know if ten years later, their navy still retains some combat power. ?” Shi Shouxin said.

"I'm still in the Runzhou Navy, but a single tree is hard to support, not to mention its unbearable weight!" Li Gu said in a low tone.

The turbulent waves hit the shore under his feet, and a gust of air blew up, rolled up his clothes, and also caused Li Gu's figure to sway, a middle-aged man beside him hurriedly supported him, and persuaded: "Father, the wind on the river is very cold, You are not feeling well, you should go back to the city and don't stay any longer!"

This middle-aged man was Li Gu's eldest son, who had been promoted by Liu Chengyou before, and was specially arranged to take care of Li Gu. At the same time, he was accompanied by an imperial doctor who was good at typhoid fever and wind paralysis.

At this time, the pain in the joints of his body became more and more intense due to the cold wind. Li Gu did not force himself, but accepted his suggestion and returned.

And as soon as he returned to the Guazhou military camp, he received a notice from Zhao Yanjin that the emperor had issued an edict and could mobilize troops.

(End of this chapter)