The legend of the king of crossing

Chapter 402 Controversy

Hear Li Tingzhi's analysis.I suddenly thought.Historically, Xiangyang City was able to hold on for five or six years.Except that the city is strong.The Lu brothers did their best.Perhaps Kublai Khan was deliberately delaying time.Wait for Song Jun to come to the rescue.Lu Wende is right.My thoughts and Kublai Khan's thoughts are very likely to be the same.Surround the point to fight for aid.Both want to take the opportunity to destroy the other party's vital forces outside Xiangyang City.Thus.The Battle of Xiangyang might be more difficult than I imagined.

but.fair enough.To save me, I have to find a way to get Kublai Khan to surround Xiang with heavy troops.

"You want to fight. I will fight." Let the outside of Xiangyang City be the test field for our North Korean firearms.

I withdrew my thoughts and said: "Everyone. Now suppose that Baihe City is also occupied by the blue army. Li Aiqing and Xia Aiqing. Except for the flags on the sand table, each small flag next to it represents [-] soldiers. The slightly larger flag represents Two thousand soldiers. The largest banner represents ten thousand soldiers. The red and blue banners are the same. Four mistresses. You may begin."

Conduct simulated battles on the sand table.For Lu Wende and others.It was the first time.Although I know it too.The discrepancy in this kind of simulated battle may be very large.Maybe it doesn't mean anything at all.But I still let them give it a try.

Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui are both famous generals in the world.Especially Li Tingzhi.He was highly valued by Marshal Meng Gong at that time.And Lu Wende and Lu Wenhuan are also experienced people.Otherwise, it would not be possible to stick to Xiangyang for six years.I have them do mock drills.First, I wanted to see what they did to the Battle of Xiangyang.Secondly, I also want to see the tacit understanding between Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui.Although in the battle of Anfeng.Xia Gui was very grateful to Li Tingzhi for sending the most elite Polu army under his command to help.But if I order Li Tingzhi to be the commander of the Jianghuai Military Region.Xia Gui, who is highly qualified, will definitely say yes on the surface.However, in the actual course of the war.But I am worried that the Luzhou Army will inevitably have a situation where yin and yang violate.

Communication in ancient times was backward.After the war broke out.Once there is no clear power.When conflicts arise.It is very likely that no one will accept the other.Wait until I receive their battle report before making a decision.It's too late too.

The battle of Xiangyang in history.The army of the Song Dynasty acted independently.Even if there is a subordinate relationship, they will not listen to dispatch.It is one of the main reasons for failure.Of course I will not repeat the same mistakes.Let later scholars lament.

Xia Gui and Lu Wende were more impatient.They are all quite familiar with the terrain around Xiangyang.Be the first to act on the sand table.He kept changing the flag in his hand.Although it is fast.But not out of order.Appears in order.It is enough to show the proficiency of the two in forming troops.Xia Gui, Lu Wende and Lu Wenhuan are fellow villagers.They are all from Anfeng Army on West Huainan Road (now Shou County, Anhui).After Lu Wende joined the army, Zhao Kui followed.After Xia Gui joined the army, he served under Zhao Kui's brother Zhao Fan.Both of them are due to the accumulation of military merits.Step by step from the bottom up.In addition, they often cooperate in combat.So we are very familiar with each other.

Li Tingzhi and Lu Wenhuan remained calm.Just quietly watching the flag changes on the sand table.

Xia Gui sent [-] blue troops to guard Lumen Mountain and Baihe City.Another [-] soldiers surrounded Xiangyang.But no attack was launched.As the main attacking force is the [-] army.Its target is directed at Fancheng.The remaining [-] soldiers were on standby outside Xiangyang City.

It can be seen from the number of red flags in Fancheng.The defenders numbered 5000.Fancheng is located on the north bank of the Han River.It is much smaller than Xiangyang City.The solidity of the city is far inferior.There is a pontoon bridge connecting the two cities.Can support each other.

Xia Gui's purpose is very obvious.Feint to attack Fancheng.Lure the Red Army to send reinforcements from Xiangyang.

Of course Lu Wende understood Xia Gui's intentions.The gates of the city are closed.Support back and forth from the pontoon only.It also made the Blue Army do nothing.

"To take down Fancheng, first burn down the pontoon bridge on the Han River. Navy. This is the importance of navy." Xia Gui whispered. "Master Li. What's the best idea?"

Li Tingzhi smiled: "Lord Xia. This Xiangyang city is known as the iron-forged Xiangyang. The blue army will attack by force. It will definitely kill [-] enemies and lose [-]. Attack Xiangyang with double or double the strength. It is difficult to win. Fancheng is small. The [-] army is too many. It is impossible to deploy it. I believe that under normal circumstances, we can only encircle and not attack. First build fortifications in Lumen Mountain, Baihe City, and Baizhang Mountain. Take a step-by-step approach. Narrow the encirclement. Trapped the Red Army in Xiangyang and Fancheng. At the same time, focus on building warships. Block the waterway hub. Completely block the connection between Xiangyang and the outside world. When the supplies such as food and military supplies in Xiangyang City are exhausted. External news and assistance. There will be internal problems. There will be a sense of despair in the heart. At that time, concentrate the forces. Take Fancheng first. Finally, force Xiangyang to surrender."

Xia Gui thought for a while and said: "Master Li is right. First use Lumen Mountain, Baihe City and other fortresses. Surround the points to fight for reinforcements. Eliminate the Red Army's foreign aid. Let the Red Army in the city fight alone for a long time. Finally, it will collapse on its own."

The battle of Xiangfan in history.The process is basically consistent with Li Tingzhi's prediction.

first.The Mongols set up a forum outside Xiangyang.This led to the Mongols quickly gaining a foothold in the Xiangfan area.Later, an earthen wall was built in the quarry.In the end, Xiangyang City became an isolated city.It can be said that the war has not started.The Song Dynasty has already lost one trick; the second is that Song Ting's command is weak.The troops who went to the rescue did their own thing.Zhang Shijie, Xia Gui, Fan Wenhu and others were ordered to rescue Xiangyang.But they all retreated.Later, Li Tingzhi was ordered to help again.But because Fan Wenhu didn't listen to his orders.Also retreated in defeat.

certainly.The failure of the Xiangfan War.In the final analysis, it is Song Ting's corruption and incompetence.There is no doubt about this.

I'm almost there.He said: "The victory or defeat of this war does not depend on the gains and losses of Xiangyang City itself. It lies in the encirclement and anti-encirclement outside Xiangyang City."

Lu Wende said: "Please make it clear, Your Majesty."

"Since Kublai Khan issued the Southern Expedition Announcement. I have conducted long-term discussions with the Military Affairs Council and the Ministry of War. I have decided to use Xiangyang as bait. A war of attrition to encircle and counter-encircle Xiangfan will be launched. Since it is bait, then To give the Mongols a little bit of sweetness. That’s why I tolerated the Mongols to set up battlegrounds outside the city of Xiangyang. You all know that the strength of the Mongolian army lies in its cavalry. It is said to be invincible in field battles. And in positional warfare. The horses But the role is no longer prominent. Of course. As a bait, Xiangyang will naturally fall into a hard fight. Lu Aiqing must be mentally prepared for this."

Lu Wende saw that I took the matter of the discussion on my shoulders.He looked at me gratefully and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Even if Xiangyang becomes an isolated city, I can assure you. There will be no problems in ten or eight years."

"Lv Aiqing. It won't take so long. I estimate it will be three or five years at most." I smiled.Point to Xiangyang Road on the map. "Everyone, please take a look. Regarding the upcoming Xiangfan battle. My idea is that the [-] to [-] regular troops of the Xiangyang Military Region, as well as the regiment defenses and elite people of the two cities will stick to the city. I will personally lead the Lin'an Military Region, Yulin Army and Navy to go there. Reinforcement from Xiangfan. We must eliminate as many Mongolian forces as possible outside Xiangfan City."

Lu Xiufu, who heard me say for the first time that I want to go on a personal expedition, hastily persuaded: "Your Majesty is a man of gold. How can you go to the front line so easily. I think it is enough to choose a good general from the court to lead the expedition."

Fan Wenhuan and Lu Wende immediately agreed: "Your Majesty Lu is right. Your Majesty must not take risks."

"Your Majesty, don't take risks." Xia Gui and the others also said.

"Why. Don't you think that our soldiers can't protect me?"

Lu Xiufu said: "No. I don't mean that."

"Let's not discuss this matter for now." I waved my hand.Said. "For the Battle of Xiangyang. I am very confident. Of course. I will not be blindly impulsive. If the Mongols have reinforcements in addition to the 15 people of the Central Route Army, I will also draw reinforcements from the Yangzhou and Luzhou Military Regions ...In short. I will treat this war with an optimistic attitude and a cautious approach. Next, let's discuss another matter. That is after the outbreak of the war. I guess it will be the year after next. I plan to transfer Yangzhou The Military Region and the Luzhou Military Region have been merged into the Jianghuai Military Region. What do you think about this?"

Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui looked at each other and said, "I agree with Your Majesty's decision."

I nod.The question was thrown out bluntly: "The combination of the two into one is naturally for the unified command during the war. This must have more advantages than disadvantages. But what makes me hesitate all the time is. Who should be the commander of the Jianghuai Military Region?" It's Li Aiqing. Or Xia Aiqing. Or someone else from the court."

Xia Gui said without hesitation: "Your Majesty, I am old. The Jianghuai Military Region will take on the important task of the Northern Expedition in the future. Therefore, the old minister recommended Li Tingzhi, who is in his prime, to take up this position. I will definitely support it unconditionally. Li Daren Familiar with the terrain of the Jianghuai River. He is versatile in both civil and military affairs. He is really the best candidate."

I didn't expect it to be so simple.I asked directly.Xia Gui answered very readily.

Xia Gui has been an official for many years.Naturally, people grow old and mature.From Xia Qing and Xia Song.Xia Gui knew about it a long time ago.After I ascended the throne, I secretly created the Dragon Tooth Organization.And Li Tingzhi was one of the first big names in the military to join Longya.It can be described as my number one favorite in the army.Although Xia Gui could feel it.I also take him seriously.But it is still incomparable with Li Tingzhi.

North Korea and China have always called for the establishment of the Jianghuai Military Region.before coming to the meeting.Xia Gui and his son Xia Song discussed this matter seriously.If the imperial court proposes the merger of the two major military regions.Just go with the flow.

Lu Xiufu said: "Master Li is both civil and military. He has also won the true biography of Commander Meng Gong. The minister also agrees."

Jia Sidao also said: "The veteran also agrees."

"Okay. After the war broke out, the Yangzhou and Luzhou military regions were merged. The Jianghuai military region was established. Li Tingzhi will be the envoy and Xia Gui will be the deputy envoy."

After the merger of the two military regions of Yangzhou and Luzhou.The number can reach more than 10 people.It is definitely the largest military region in the Song Dynasty.

"Minister Li Tingzhi and minister Xia Gui obey the order."

"En. Li Aiqing. In the past, Marshal Meng Gong fought on the battlefield for many years, but he failed to leave any heirs. You can be regarded as half of his apprentice. I wonder if you can pass on Meng Shuai's skills."