The legend of the king of crossing

Chapter 243 The Theory of Xiangyang

"I want to drink tea again," Lu Wende suddenly remembered the scene of drinking tea in the Tongle Building. The tea made by His Majesty the Emperor himself is not so delicious. It is like the Hongmen tea at the Hongmen Banquet, but this tea cannot don't drink.

Lu Wende respectfully took the teacup from me: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the tea,"

"Excellent Longjing," I said with a smile, "Lu Aiqing, you two brothers have guarded Xiangfan for many years, and you have worked hard for the country and the people."

Lu Wende also didn't know what I meant by praising him, so he could only reply cautiously: "It is my duty to protect the territory for your Majesty and for our Great Song Dynasty,"

"What a duty, Lu Aiqing is not proud of the credit, and she should be a role model for me, but I can drink this cup of tea made by myself,"

"Your Majesty's praise, I dare not be a minister,"

"Really, let's get back to business, Lu Aiqing, in your opinion, where will the Mongols choose as a breakthrough point when they go south on a large scale?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, if the Mongols invade the south, I think that Kublai Khan will definitely adopt a strategy of multiple simultaneous attacks and key breakthroughs. The first priority of this strategy will be the Sichuan theater, followed by the Xiangfan theater."

"Well, what Aiqing said, I basically agree that the Huaihe River is blocking the Huaihe River in the Huaihe River War Zone. Compared with our dynasty, the Mongolian navy is temporarily at a disadvantage, and the terrain of the Huaihe River and Huaihe River is not conducive to large-scale assaults by the Mongolian cavalry. It will show momentum and not attack by force. The Sichuan theater has always been the key breakthrough point chosen by the Mongolian army, and there is no exception every time. However, I think the Xiangfan theater will be the focus of the next Mongol attack."

Lu Wende was a little puzzled and said: "Ah, why is your majesty so sure? Is the Sichuan theater no longer the first choice?"

I nodded and said: "Lu Aiqing, the Mongols have attacked the Sichuan theater several times. Generally speaking, they have returned without success every time. The Song-Mongol War has lasted for more than 40 years. The current Khan of Mongolia, Kublai Khan, is so talented. With the help of Liu Zhengzhi, naturally he will not repeat the same mistakes. Therefore, I expect that Kublai Khan will sum up the experience and lessons of the previous two attacks on our dynasty, change the main attack direction in due course, and vigorously develop the navy. We will take the method of containing the two wings and concentrating our forces, trying to forcibly tear a hole in our Xiangfan war zone. If Xiangyang falls, Kublai Khan can go straight to Lin'an. The army was divided and surrounded by Mongolian iron cavalry, and was beaten passively,"

Lu Wende looked at the map on the table, and thoughtfully said: "Your Majesty, if Mongolia focuses its attack on Xiangfan, I swear to live and die with Xiangyang."

"Aiqing's courage is commendable, but, I only want Aiqing to coexist with Xiangyang, not to coexist and perish,"

Lu Wende heard my concern this time, and he was slightly moved: "Yes, Your Majesty, I vow to coexist with Xiangyang,"

"Well, Lu Aiqing, I've heard that Xiangyang, which is known as the city of iron, is a battleground for military strategists. Is there such a saying?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, Xiangyang City runs from north to south and from east to west. It has been a traffic hub since ancient times. It has the reputation of having many roads. Xiangyang is named because it is located in the Yang of Xiangshui. In ancient times, Chu was Beijinxu. With a history of 2000 years, it has been an important military location in all dynasties. From the perspective of geographical location, Xiangfan is located at the southern end of the Nanyang Basin. Xiangyang and Fancheng are sandwiched by the Han River in the north and south. Dangerous, it is indeed a battleground for military strategists,"

I said: "Xiangyang's upper-class gate leads to Ruluo in the north, leads to Qin and Shu in the west, covers Huguang in the south, and overlooks Wu and Yue in the east. How about it?"

"Your Majesty, after Marshal Yue Fei took back Xiangyang from the Jin people, he began to strengthen the city wall. For the past 100 years, the guards of all dynasties have also continued to consolidate and maintain, and the key points of defense are all in accordance with Marshal Yue's layout. The saying of iron fighting is why I dare to make the oath of coexistence with Xiangyang, "

"It turns out that Marshal Yue is a peerless famous general in our dynasty. His defense strategy must be correct. It is true that you rely on the strength of Xiangyang City to fight a defensive battle. But has Ai Qing ever thought about it? What will happen if the Mongols surround Xiangyang heavily?"

Lu Wende seemed to think of something, he hesitated for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, even if the Mongols surround Xiangyang, our soldiers and civilians in Xiangyang will surely be able to persist for several years, and your Majesty has sent troops to rescue Xiangfan at that time, so maybe we can form a joint internal and external attack and strangle the enemy." The vital force of the Mongolian army,"

Beginning in the summer of 1261, Kublai Khan began to build earth walls, long walls, and more than ten castles on the east, south, and west sides of Xiangfan in the name of protecting the Mongol goods. , sent envoys to bribe Lu Wende with jade belts and good Mongolian horses, and asked for a discussion outside the city of Xiangyang (now Xiangyang, Hubei).

I just mentioned that the Mongols surrounded Xiangyang, which made Lu Wende's heart tremble. Lu Wende knew the situation around Xiangyang very well. If the Mongols' earthen walls and castles were all built, they would just surround Xiangyang. Lu Wende had no choice but to I thought of the strategy of using Xiangyang as a bait. Of course, I didn't know about this. I just thought it was Lu Wende's heroism, sacrificing himself to achieve the goal of destroying the Mongols' main force.

"In this way, the two sides are likely to form a situation of surrounding each other in Xiangyang,"

"Yes, Your Majesty, this possibility is extremely high,"

For this kind of intensive war in one place, the effectiveness of firearms can be maximized.

I smiled and said: "Lu Aiqing, the future battle of Xiangyang may be the watershed between our dynasty and Mongolia. As long as we can hold back or eliminate the new Mongolian army in Xiangyang, it will lay the foundation for our dynasty's Northern Expedition."

"Your Majesty, I will stick to Xiangyang, even if I sacrifice my own life, I will contribute my small strength to His Majesty's great cause."

"Lv Aiqing, according to my prediction, the Mongols will launch an attack in the autumn of the third year of Xianchun (1267) two years later. Xiangyang City only needs to be defended for a year or two to buy enough time for me,"

"Just a year or two,"

"Well, at that time, my guns and artillery should be able to be put into the battlefield in large quantities. With the advantage of firearms, I can reverse my passive defense situation in the past. Ai Qing, you think, if my army has hundreds of cannons, tens of thousands of them Muskets, even in the face of hundreds of thousands of Mongolian troops, will not be afraid at all. Even if the city of Xiangyang is tall, can it block the salvo of hundreds of artillery, not to mention that there are no Mongols outside the city of Xiangyang?"

Although Lu Wende couldn't imagine how shocking the power of a salvo of hundreds of cannons would be, but from the effect of firing a single cannon from the Gunpowder Division, one can vaguely feel its enormous power, which is indeed beyond human power: "Your Majesty, if Hundreds of cannons are firing at Xiangyang, and I can't predict how long Xiangyang will be able to defend, at least the strong city walls cannot withstand the artillery attacks in turn."

I nodded again and said with a smile: "That's right, Aiqing will know the specific power when the time comes,"

"Yes, Your Majesty,"

"Aiqing, let Xia Jiangang's [-] forbidden troops return to Lin'an after you go back. I will reorganize the forbidden army starting next month,"

"Yes, I will notify General Xia as soon as I return."

"Well, as for Lu Xin, you can rest assured that he is in Lin'an. I will let him stay in the Military University for two or three years. If I think he is qualified, I will ask him to return to Xiangyang and serve as a reserve candidate for the future commander of the Xiangfan theater. , if unqualified,,,,,,"

Before I could finish speaking, Lu Wende said first: "Your Majesty will dispose of you."

I laughed loudly and said, "Ai Qing, I didn't say that I would dispose of Lu Xin. If he failed, I would let him return to Xiangyang, just change to other matters."

Lu Wende was overjoyed in his heart: "Thank you, Your Majesty, although the son of a low-ranking minister has a hot temper, he is definitely not a coward on the battlefield. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"Okay, Lu Aiqing, the so-called tiger father has no dogs, I believe in Lu Aiqing, and I also believe in Lu Xin. I hope that Lu Xin can learn more new knowledge and new ideas in the military university. In the university, Lu Xin can also make many friends with me. The young talents in the North Korean army will be of great benefit to Lu Xin's future development in the military."

"Thank you again, Your Majesty, for your kindness,"

Lu Wende knew that the Lin'an Royal Military University must be the cradle for the emperor to train young generals. In the future, the Song Army may be dominated by this group of people.

"Okay, you can return to Xiangyang tomorrow. After you go back, you can discuss with your brother how to strengthen military training and how to go deep into enemy-occupied areas. When you return to the court to report on your duties at the end of the year, you can bring your brother Lu Wenhuan along with you. So that I can see the demeanor of the two heroes of your Lu family, "

"Yes, I obey the order,"

"Also, you don't have to say goodbye to Jia Sidao, you can leave the city directly tomorrow."

Lu Wende smiled sheepishly, knowing that I was doing it for his own good, it was embarrassing to go, and said: "I understand."

"Well, Xiao Qi, let them all come in,"

"Yes, official,"

"Dear dear friends," I said after everyone entered, "the battle of life and death between Song and Mongolia will break out in a few years. There is only one, to completely defeat the opponent. After you go back, your main task is to train troops to meet the arrival of the great war. Our Chinese clan has lasted for thousands of years, and we will never lose to the Mongolian iron cavalry. You all know my thoughts and determination now , I also know that I was born in response to the destiny. God brought me advanced firearms and advanced strategies and tactics. Do you have the confidence to join me in defeating Mongolia and recovering the Central Plains?"

"Your Majesty, the ministers are full of confidence,"

My eyes scanned the faces of the four people, then got up and said: "My Great Song Dynasty will definitely stand on the top of the world again, and my Great Song Royal Army will definitely become the number one invincible army in the world. Come on, the situation where our dynasty has been repeatedly invaded by foreigners will no longer exist. The great dragon of the Great Song Dynasty is about to take off, and you are the first to witness the miracle. Dear friends, for the rise of the Great Song Dynasty, everyone will work hard."

Lu Xiufu and the four envoys also stood up together and said in unison: "For the rise of the Song Dynasty, work hard,"

"Okay, today's meeting is over, Junshi,"

"The minister is here,"

"In the evening, please invite the four lovers to room No. [-], Tianzi, Tongle Building, have a good meal, and discuss the later plans of the Military Affairs Council."

"Yes, I understand,"

"Oh, by the way, Junshi, you also call Lu Xin, the son of Lu Aiqing, he has always wanted to go to Room No. [-] in Tianzi, and let Li Beiyang, Xia Song and Ouyang Jianqing also participate ,"

Lu Xiufu said: "The minister obeys the order,"

Hearing this, Lu Wende was immediately grateful. He understood that I wanted him to meet Lu Xin before leaving Lin'an, and at the same time, it also allowed Lu Xin to integrate into the future Lin'an military led by Xia Song, Ouyang Jianqing and other young generals. Among the main backbone groups of the university,