The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 654 The best way to fight against the enemy

"Sun Tzu's Art of War: Mou Gong" has a saying: "The first is to attack the enemy, the second is to attack the enemy, the second is to attack the army, and the next is to attack the city; the method of attacking the city is a last resort...". "Fighting plan" refers to defeating the enemy with one's own strategy, so as to achieve the goal of defeating others without fighting.

Regardless of whether the Sui army launched a huge fleet to show their power, or organized an entire army to demonstrate outside Jiangdu City, it was a conspiracy to put pressure on the Wei army in the city and increase their psychological burden. The army cannot be defeated, cannot resist, and finally gives birth to a heart of despair.

Not long after Chen Bing lined up, the Sui army set up camp by the side of Bingou. Tents were densely arranged, stretching for more than ten miles, and there were at least three or four thousand tents. The white tents were particularly dazzling in the sun.With the fleet in the river as the background, the Sui army camp is full of crippling deterrence, as if there is a violent and evil spirit rising into the sky.

In the big tent of the Chinese army, the city defense map of Jiangdu written by Bing Yuanzhen himself was presented in front of Yang Tong and others. It showed in detail the defenses of the Wei army and the loopholes in the defense. There were only more than [-] soldiers of the Wei army in the city. The perimeter of the defense Jiangdu City is about sixty miles.

There are three outstanding loopholes on the map: one is that the water gate is almost unguarded; the other is that the north gate has been in disrepair for a long time. When Li Mi captured Jiangdu, it was hit by a heavy siege machine, which caused the gate to loosen. Li Mi did not repair it afterwards. The other point is that there are too few defenders. Yang Tong can take advantage of cavalry and troops to send troops around the city, mobilize the Wei army on the city, and drag them to the ground. , and then use the strategy of attacking the west from the east to attack Jiangdu City at the lowest cost.

"My lord, we have a large number of soldiers, so we simply launched an attack on the north and south gates and the water gate at the same time, and divided the enemy's limited force into three groups to reduce the pressure on the siege. Whoever enters the city first will be the first." After reading the Jiangdu city defense map , Su Dingfang immediately gave the simplest and most trouble-free suggestion.

Yang Tong smiled and said: "Although the Wei army is in chaos and fear, if we attack by force at this time, it will arouse their common hatred and determination to die."

"Jiangdu is such a soldier, are we still afraid?" Yang Qinfang said disdainfully.

"Of course it's not that I'm afraid of them, but it's unnecessary." Yang Tong glanced around, and finally settled on Su Dingfang, who was the main battler, and said lightly: "There is a saying in the ancients: 'The way to conquer a country is to attack the heart first, and to attack the enemy." The city is the bottom; the victory of the heart is the top, and the victory of the soldiers is the bottom. Therefore, the sage's mission to attack the enemy is also to conquer his heart first.' And our fleet's majesty, demonstrations under the city, and deployment of camps on land and water are all for the purpose of not fighting And Qu Renzhi’s soldiers prepared it. If we stand still and wait for a day or two, the fear and fear of the soldiers of the Wei Army who are in panic all day long will further expand, but if there is a little trouble, they will feel like they are all soldiers. After a day or two, they resist His will has disappeared without a trace, and his physical strength has also been exhausted in the exhaustion of the soldiers. When we attack the city, we first use the strong crossbow to kill his heart, and then use the strategy of the square to attack in many easy-to-attack places. Launch a fierce offensive, and you can take Jiangdu City in one battle!"

"When did you learn to be as cunning as Fang Shangshu?" Yang Qinfang wondered.

"..." Fang Xuanling's face was as black as ink
Everyone snickered.

"Go out and run around the camp." Yang Tong said in a deep voice.

"..." Yang Qinfang's face was as black as black, and she gave the triumphant Fang Xuanling a fierce look, and rushed out of the tent without saying a word, and ran away.

"My lord..." Fang Xuanling coughed softly, wanting to plead for Yang Qinfang.

"No big or small, no law, no princess look, should be punished." Yang Tong interrupted Fang Xuanling with a wave of his hand. Yang Qinfang didn't care what Yang Qinfang said, but he couldn't attack other people personally, and he had to respond accordingly. Otherwise, it would be chilling. He continued the topic just now and continued: "I am not in a hurry to attack Jiangdu. Apart from the above reasons, there is also the time to give Bing Yuanzhen. If he can persuade the defenders to surrender the city, That would be great. If they don't surrender tomorrow, it won't be too late for us to attack the city. Generals, go down and make arrangements."

"I will obey orders." Su Dingfang, Niu Jinda, Yu Chigong, Zhang Zhenzhou, Wang Xiongdan, Li Zhi and other Sui army generals bowed in agreement and left.

Jiangdu City was the companion capital of Yang Guang's era. It was built into a strong city by Wang Shichong. Like Luoyang, Daxing, and Yecheng, it had two walls, inside and outside. The distance between the two was ten feet, and each was four feet high. A certain loss.And Yang Tong doesn't want Jiangdu, which is no longer armed, to pay a heavy price.

The important thing is that the Sui-Wei war was a civil war between brothers. It doesn’t matter whether it is the Sui army or the Wei army. A soldier is a vigorous labor force. If he does not die, he is a labor force and can contribute to the post-war reconstruction. These young and strong labor capacity are especially important for the post-war period when the population is severely lacking.

This is also Yang Tong's experience in managing politics seriously. During the civil war, he completely gave up the idea of ​​bloody battles and hoped to use tactics to win one victory after another. Subduing others is the most ideal result.

Why did he grant an amnesty to the rebel leader Bing Yuanzhen?
With the help of Bing Yuanzhen's special status in the Wei army, he said that the counties of Jiangdu and the seven southern counties of Danyang, Piling, Xuancheng, Wujun, Yuhang, Kuaiji, Suian, and Xin'an exchanged the lives of countless people with one person. , It's really a bargain.

The generals naturally couldn't feel the change in Yang Tong's mentality, but the wise men such as Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Cen Wenwen, etc. had a deep understanding.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not only did the Sui army not attack the city, they never even came out after entering the camp. Apart from the morale of the patrols, the vast barracks rarely saw idlers waiting around. It is suspected that this is a dead camp, an empty camp.

Wei Jun in the city was in fear for a whole day, until night fell, and the majestic scene outside the city could no longer be seen, and the soldiers breathed a long sigh of relief. They had no time to rest, and gathered together with their familiar comrades, bowing their heads. They were discussing the fate of Wei and their own future.

Compared with ordinary soldiers, the officers undoubtedly thought more and farther. They knew that Jiangyangcang was the lifeblood of the Wei army. With its fall, the Wei state was actually on the verge of extinction. Yang Yang suffered a disastrous defeat, and there is still a glimmer of hope to regain it, but now, in the south, including Jiangdu, there are almost no decent troops, and the Wei state, which has only been established for two or three months, is already in danger.

Inside the military camp.

A thick cloud of gloom hangs over everyone's head.

Bing Yuanzhen, who was in charge of logistics, ordered people to hold a pre-war banquet for more than a hundred generals above the school lieutenant. This kind of banquet inherited the tradition of the Wagang Army. The dinner before the war, of course, if they can come back triumphantly, they will also have a dinner to celebrate.

It's just that the Wagang Army has transformed into a regular army. This kind of reckless tradition has been strictly prohibited by Li Mi who was de-Wagangized. Bing Yuanzhen is also taking advantage of Li Mi's absence to invite the generals to have a drink.

These generals who were promoted from the 'Pusan ​​Public Camp' and the Fourth Internal Army thought that Bing Yuan really encouraged morale, and felt very cordial to the long-lost banquet.

"Generals!"

Bing Yuanzhen held up a bowl of wine and said loudly to everyone: "Maybe it's the last time we all get together to drink together. I'm a literati, I can't lead soldiers, I can't fight wars, I can only stand behind for everyone Encouragement, I hope that the generals will persevere and work hard for a few days. If the Holy Majesty hears the news, he will definitely send his troops to help. This bowl of wine, I respect everyone, let’s do it.”

"Done!"

After Bing Yuanzhen's reminder, the generals also thought that Huainan still had more than [-] troops. If Li Mi returned to the army, it would only take four or five days. He happily picked up the wine and drank it down.

Zhang Tongren put down the big bowl, wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth, and said to the generals in a dignified voice: "The Sui army hid in the barracks and rested for a whole day. It is very likely that they will come to attack the city tonight. Everyone should stop in moderation. Don't drink too much."

When the generals heard what Zhang Tongren said, they were very disappointed, and their faces were sullen, but Zhang Tongren was the chief general, so he didn't dare not listen, so he had to drink the wine one after another.

After a while, only the sound of "bang bang bang bang" was heard continuously, and everyone including Zhang Tongren fell on the table and the ground, and all of them were so drunk that they fell all over the ground in disorder.

Bing Yuanzhen laughed, his wine was bad wine mixed with water, the intoxicating thing was the perspiration medicine in the wine, although he also drank some, but he took the antidote beforehand, so he was not fascinated.He stood up slowly, walked towards the door, and kicked the people around him, but there was no movement at all.

However, the wine that the soldiers drink outside is all good wine, and there is not so much sweat medicine to put, but Bing Yuan really knows that the Wei army has a tradition of "decapitated wine", and the Sui army entered the country in large numbers, as long as there is wine in front of them, I am afraid that they will not see it. Tomorrow the soldiers of the sun will drink it, as long as the amount is sufficient, they will be intoxicated.

About half an hour later, Fan Qin led more than [-] people into the barracks.The barracks were full of drunken soldiers, lying drunk on the ground in various gestures.

Fan Qin's [-]-odd people not only had his soldiers, but also Bing Yuanzhen's personal guards and the Sui army's meticulous work. Now everyone has the same goal, which is to dedicate Jiangdu completely to the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty. Close the door!"

More than a dozen soldiers closed the gate of the general's camp. Fan Qin drew out his sword and rushed into the camp with a large group of people. General, down to the school lieutenant, brigade commander, and captain, none of them can stay. Mr. Shi will follow me to the Chinese army."

He knows that Li Mi has a very high control over the army, and the military officers, big and small, are his confidantes. Once these people sober up and lead troops to make trouble, there is no other way but to use the army to suppress them. If these confidants of Li Mi are slaughtered, the army It is in a mess of scattered sand without a leader, and there is nothing to worry about.

"Here."

Everyone was ordered to disperse.

……

There were [-] soldiers guarding the south gate of Jiangdu. The main general was called to the barracks for a drink more than an hour ago, and he never came back. The trusted general Zhang Che led him.After waiting for so long, the soldiers were not only exhausted, but also fearful, for fear that the Sui army would break through the city and kill themselves.

This time, Fan Qin led more than [-] people to line up, and beside him was Bing Yuanzhen, holding Zhang Tongren's command arrow, and urged him to come forward, "Where is Zhang Che?"

The soldiers got up one after another, and a school captain rushed down to the top of the wall, clasped his hands and said, "I'm telling you, the last general is Zhang Che."

Bing Yuanzhen raised the command arrow and said in a loud voice: "General Zhang has an order. General Zhang will take over the unguarded water gate. The south gate will be guarded by General Fan. You should rush to defend immediately. If you miss something important, you will be executed!"

The military order fell like a mountain, and he dared not disobey the order. Zhang Che took the arrow of the order, turned around and shouted to the soldiers: "All follow me to the water gate."

Seven hundred soldiers followed Zhang Che to the water gate in the west of the city. Bing Yuanzhen and Fan Qin glanced at each other, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief. The city is almost undefended, and the next thing becomes extremely simple.

But when the drunken soldiers finally woke up, they were outnumbered, and the time left for them was running out. Bing Yuanzhen said to Shi Hao beside him: "Mr. Shi, please report to the Holy Majesty that the South Gate has been captured. Please send troops into the city to take over the barracks!"

Shi Hao cupped his hands, "The two of you have given great support and made great achievements. When I see the Holy Majesty, I will definitely report the truth."

At this moment, the city gate was opened and the suspension bridge was lowered. Shi Hao rode his horse out of the city gate and rushed into the dark night...

At the same time, Yang Tong and a dozen generals, under the protection of the Xuanjia Army, watched Jiangdu City from a distance before the camp. There was no news of the black ice platform in the city so far, so they must have already started to act.Yang Tong knew Bing Yuanzhen's status and prestige in the Wei army, as long as he cooperated with all his strength, Jiangducheng could be defeated without a fight.

As soon as I thought of this, I heard the sound of horseshoes in the distance. A knight was rushing towards this side, and soldiers had already greeted him, "Who is here?"

"I am Shi Hao, General Ying Yanglang of the Jiangdu Information Hall. I have urgent information to report to the Holy One." In the darkness, a person said loudly.

Yang Tong heard it clearly and ordered, "Bring him up!"

After a while, Shi Hao walked up to Yang Tong under the supervision of the soldiers of the Xuanjia Army, and bowed deeply: "The last general Shi Hao pays homage to the Holy Majesty."

"General Shi died." Yang Tong said with a smile: "You have fought wits and courage with the enemy in the rear all these years, and you have made a lot of contributions. You are an unsung hero of our Sui Dynasty. I have always wanted to see the general, and tonight I finally got my wish .”

Received the emperor's praise, Shi Hao was extremely excited in his heart, he gave a deep salute and said: "This is what a general should do, and it should not be praised by the sage."

"It's right, it's right." Yang Tong looked at Shi Hao and asked, "General Shi didn't hesitate to venture out of the city, what happened in the city?"

"My lord, the southern city gate of Jiangdu has been taken over by the troops led by Bing Yuanzhen and Fan Qin. Zhang Tongren and all the generals above the team have been killed. Now the soldiers of the Wei army are all drunk. To prevent them from waking up and causing unhappiness. Necessary trouble. Please send troops to take over Jiangdu City and take over the barracks."

Yang Tong was overjoyed when he heard the words, and said to Yuchi Gong: "Yuchi, take two thousand brothers and General Shi to investigate!"

"The last general obeys the order!" Yuchi respectfully ordered the soldiers of the two guards, and followed Shi Hao towards the city.

Yang Tong also ordered [-] Xiaoguo troops to gather in front of the camp and prepare for orders.

Not long after, Yu Chigong sent someone to report, "Report to Your Majesty, the South City Gate has been controlled by our army."

"Haha, it really doesn't take much effort to get here." Yang Tong laughed loudly, and ordered to Su Dingfang who was beside him: "Dingfang, you and Lao Niu lead the soldiers into Jiangdu City, capture all important strongholds, and don't disturb the people. , Those who disobey the order will be beheaded...

"The last will obey."

The two generals bowed their hands together and led the army towards Jiangdu.

(End of this chapter)