Late Tang

Jiangzhou, the prefecture in the middle of the river, is on the bank of the Fenshui River fifty miles between Zhengping County and Jishan County. .

The pattering rain started on the evening of August 28 and has not stopped for three consecutive days.This sudden rain not only caused the temperature to drop sharply, but also stopped the Qin Fan army from going south.The autumn rains continued, and the water level of the Fen River also rose sharply. The [-] forwards of the Qin army who went south were stationed in the four cities of Jishan, Zhengping, Longmen, and Quwo on the north bank of the Fen River. The defense line stretched for hundreds of miles.The soldiers and horses of the ten towns of Chang'an took over Wang Chongrong's defeated troops, stationed on the south bank of Fenshui River, and went down to the village along the river bank. Relying on the cities of Baibi, Wenxi and Jiangxian counties on the south bank, they confronted the Qin army across the river.

The two sides confronted each other across the river, and both took advantage of the autumn rain to slow down the pace.The war that was on the verge of breaking out is slowly cooling down.But this is just cooling down, it will never disappear.For the Qin army, sweeping the two towns of Hedong and Zhaoyi in a row, quickly capturing most of the area in the middle of the river, went smoothly and unexpectedly.However, this also brought some small troubles. The too smooth offensive allowed the Qin army to add a large area of ​​occupied areas. The new occupied areas, the officials who took over were unable to be in place for a while, and the Qin army had to leave a lot of soldiers every day. Horse garrison.At the same time, the Qin army moved too fast, and it had already reached the southeast of the river in a blink of an eye, which made it difficult to keep up with the delivery of logistics.

The farthest reach of the grain trucks is the most effective attack range of the Qin army.The supply of logistics supplies determined the offensive of the Qin army.

It is also helpless for soldiers and horses to suspend the north bank of Fenshui.Temporarily stationing the army on the north bank, just to rest and reorganize the troops, and at the same time, waiting for the officials in the rear to take over the newly occupied area and the arrival of supplies of food, grass and luggage.

As for the official army, they faced the imposing Qin army.They didn't dare to hit Fenshui rashly.Just at this time, when the autumn water is continuous and the river is soaring, it is time to rest temporarily.They also need to wait for the arrival of food and supplies, as well as the fundamental latest situation, to make new adjustments.

But no matter how the rain falls or how the water rises, this battle will not end. This is just the calm before the storm. Both sides are adjusting their postures like two beasts that want to meet.Gather strength.Give the opponent a blow that kills.

There is only Hezhong Town in the Hezhong Mansion left. Chang'an will never give up, and dare not give up.

Although Puzhou is not big, it is extremely important.This is the triangular confluence area of ​​Guanzhong, Hedong and Henan.It is also the throat of the struggle between the East and the West.

in history.This is the battleground for military strategists.It is the core of the strategy.The Battle of Yubi, which determined the surname of the East and West, and the Battle of Baibi between Li Tang and Liu Wuzhou, which determined the survival of the emerging Tang Dynasty, all took place here.The ending of each campaign.all play a vital role.

Although Yang Fugong said that he stayed in the deep palace all the time, he was not as long as his brother Yang Fuguang who supervised the army outside.But Chang'an is not without people who don't know how to fight, and the key point in the competition with Qin Fan's Luoyang is not to attack Luoyang directly, but to compete for Hezhong Mansion.Whoever controls the Hezhong Mansion will occupy a high position in this decisive battle.For Yang Fugong, Taiyuan had already been lost, and if Hezhong was lost to Puzhou, it would be worse than losing Luoyang.Qin Jun won Puzhou, so he could not only stabilize the occupation of Luoyang, but also opened Puban, the side gate of Guanzhong, so that he could cross west and enter the pass at any time.It can even directly threaten Tongguan. In that case, the entire Guandong land can no longer be defended.

And defending Puzhou can cut off the northern part of Luoyang, and then recover Taiyuan, a super strategic place where the East and the West compete for supremacy.

In any case, neither side will give up Hezhong Mansion or Puzhou. This will inevitably be a decisive battle between success and failure.

In Jishan County, the commander-in-chief of the [-] Qin army is Anguogong Lin Wei.Under his command are the Duke of Baoguo Wang Zhong, the Duke of Ningguo Lin Wu, and three young generals of the young and strong faction, the Iron Spear General of the Second Taibao Wang Yanzhang, the White Horse and Silver Spear of the Third Taibao Gao Siji, the Tiger Fighting General of the Fourth Taibao Li Cunxiao, and the Ministry of Intelligence. Guo Wei, the new star of the army, and the generals of the Shanxi garrison Liu Yuniang, Li Siyuan, Li Cunxin, Song Wen, Lin Xi, Zhang Cheng and other generals.

Lin Wei was both a little excited and a little wary about being able to lead the army and command the offensive this time.This is a crucial battle. If it is well fought, the coalition forces of the towns can be defeated in one fell swoop, and the Qin army can not only stabilize Luoyang, but even enter Guanzhong westward in one fell swoop.If he fails to fight well, then the newly conquered Hezhong states, even Zhaoyi and Taiyuan, may be taken back by the coalition forces.Qin Jun now has dozens of generals, whether it is Cui Anqian, Zhang Zimian, or Zeng Yuanyu and Zhao Ji, they are all generals who have made great achievements and can stand alone.Others such as the Thirteenth Taibao, General Gao, General Zhao, General Guo, etc., the famous generals in the Qin army are like clouds, and the fierce generals are like rain.Generally speaking, although he is a high-ranking noble in Qin Fan, he still doesn't have too many dazzling achievements when it comes to commanding troops.If it weren't for King Qin's insistence that he should be the commander of the Hedong armies, it would be impossible for him to have the opportunity to be the commander-in-chief this time.

As King Qin's brother-in-law and one of the few Dukes, he must win this war.Many people underestimated Qin Jun's series of victories, but he didn't.He knows very well that the other party still has a lot, so he must not be careless.What's more, now is not the time to be happy, the king of Qin has already confessed to him, and the goal this time is no longer to capture Taiyuan, or to level Hebei and East River.The current situation is very good, and the Qin army is already strong. As long as they fight well, not only can they take Luoyang this time, but they can even defeat the coalition forces of various towns.And now, as long as the coalition forces can be defeated, it can even be said that this will be the last battle, and no one in the world can stop them from pacifying the world.

At the beginning of the war, even if Li Jing said these words to him personally, he would never believe it.

But now, in less than half a year, the Qin army has leveled the second town in Hebei, captured the three towns in Hedong, plus half of Hezhong, and one Luoyang. The results of the Qin army are not without glory.With such a dazzling record ahead, his trust in King Qin has already raised him to an unprecedented height.Even if the king of Qin said that the world will be wiped out by the end of this year, he wouldn't think it was too much.

Thinking of King Qin who was still sitting in Luoyang City at this time, Lin Wei's eyes were full of confidence.

Fifty thousand, this is just the vanguard of the Qin army's army. Qin Fan's war machine has been fully activated for this decisive battle.Qin Fan can mobilize 30 elite troops to the south.For Qin Fan, whose standing army has reached 80, no one is afraid of fighting a big battle or a decisive battle.

What's more, in a flat land like Puzhou, it is very suitable for the Qin army's motorized army and warfare.The Qin Army has a standing army of 100 million, of which 20 are divided into four rotations. The entire Qin Army maintains a standing army of 85 at any time.Among them, there are 20 cavalry.Even the infantry of the Qin army.That is also an extremely mobile cavalry infantry.

Fifty thousand at this time.It's just a pioneer.

In Luoyang City, there are also [-] Qin troops, and more soldiers and horses are coming one after another.In Hebei and Hedong, more than [-] soldiers and horses are rushing quickly after receiving orders.

The Qin army is waiting for the arrival of food supplies and follow-up troops.Yang Fugong was also waiting.

He is waiting for Tian Lingzi's general Gao Renhou to lead the troops of Sanchuan and Liu Jurong of Shannan's five towns.And Zhu Wen's soldiers and horses came.Although there are 30 horses in hand.But even though there were only [-] Qin troops on the opposite side, Yang Fugong didn't dare to fight rashly.

Shangzhou Wuguan.

Dongchuan Jiedu envoy Gao Renhou was pacing with hands behind his back in the closed camp, Yang Fugong sent several urgent letters a day urging troops to be promoted.just.He received another letter urging troops to be dispatched. This is already No. 18 urging letter.

"Gao Shuai, don't you really plan to send troops to the north to reinforce Yang Fugong, who has no eggs?"

In the camp of the Chinese army, a fat man with a white face and no beard was wearing a brocade robe, and he was holding a crystal clear jade cup and drinking blood red wine leisurely.Looking at Gao Renhou's hesitant expression, he said with a sneer.He is Tian Lingzi's adopted son, and he is also the supervisor sent by Tian Lingzi.The [-] soldiers and horses in Sanchuan were commanded by Gao Renhou, and he was the supervisor of the army.

Gao Renhou returned to his seat and sat down, picked up his wine glass, and drank a glass of red wine in one gulp.

"Mr. Chen, Li Jing's offensive is too fast. Before this, no one expected that the Qin army's offensive would be so fast. According to someone, Yang Fugong alone is definitely not Li Jing's opponent."

"Gao Shuai, you are too worried. Yang Fugong has assembled more than [-] troops in the thirteen towns, while the Qin army in Hedong is only [-]. In my opinion, it is just that Yang Fugong has no eggs and dare not go out to fight. "Chen Jingzhong is also an eunuch himself, but he might as well despise Yang Fugong as a eggless.

"30? Those who can fight are only [-]."

"You don't care about his one hundred and eighty thousand, so what if he can only fight with eight thousand?" Chen Jingzhong smiled sinisterly with a half-smile. "Gao Shuai, don't forget one thing. Before he came out, Mr. Tian made it clear. Do you really think that we sent troops this time to reinforce Yang Fugong?"

Gao Renhou frowned a few times, and sighed inwardly.Of course, he did not forget what Tian Lingzi told him when he summoned him before sending out troops. Brother Yang Fugong contacted Chengdu earlier, and Tian Lingzi unexpectedly agreed.This matter made him very puzzled, but what Tian Lingzi said when he summoned him that day made him understand immediately.Tian Lingzi made it very clear that they sent troops out of Sanchuan this time, not to help Yang Fugong, but to stab him in the back.

Tian Lingzi is by no means a grandiose person, on the contrary, he is a person who will take revenge.He is still brooding over the loss of favor and loss of power by Yang Fugong's brothers.Not to mention, not long ago Yang Fuguang instigated Dongchuan Jiedu envoy Yang Shili's betrayal of him, which is even more unforgettable.Right now, Chang'an is being beaten all over his head by Li Jing, he is happy and there is still time, so how could he really send troops to help him.That is to say, Yang Fugong is now in a hurry to go to the doctor, and he credulously believed Tian Lingzi's promise.If Yang Fuguang was still there, seeing Tian Lingzi agreeing so easily and sending troops to help, he would definitely be more vigilant immediately.

"Gao Shuai, Tian Gong is very clear. Our purpose of this trip is to take advantage of the chaotic battle between Li Jing and the Yang brothers. Let them fight. Our task is to take the opportunity to win Wuguan, and then the soldiers entered the pass, and went straight to Chang'an. Then greet Tian Gong and His Majesty and return to Chang'an, and reorganize the court."

Gao Renhou sighed secretly in his heart, "But Mr. Chen, his lips are dead and his teeth are cold. If Yang Fugong is defeated, I'm afraid not only Luoyang will be Li Jing's in the future, but Chang'an will also fall into his pocket."

Chen Jingzhong smiled darkly, "Gao Shuai, do you really think that you have won a few battles and wiped out a few groups of small rebels, and that you have become the invincible Li Jing? Don't let the words of Tian Gong and Chen Dashuai go." On your mind? You are so focused on helping Yang Fugong, how many benefits did he give you, and what kind of high officials did he promise you, huh?"

"Chen Gong don't want to slander, Gao's appreciation for Tian Gong and Chen Dashuai is in his heart, how can he forget it. What I said is just because I don't want to betray the trust of Tian Gong and Chen Dashuai."

Chen Jingzhong confronted him tit for tat, "If Shuai Gao really thinks so, then now he should seriously abide by the explanations of Mr. Tian and Dashuai Chen. Instead of being half-hearted, eating what's in the bowl while looking at what's in the pot."

Being robbed by this meal, even though Gao Renhou called Xichuan a famous general, he was speechless at this time.Although he is the commander-in-chief of [-] soldiers, he also knows that these [-] soldiers are the soldiers of Tian Lingzi and Chen Jingxuan brothers. If he really dares to think otherwise, he may become a prisoner in the blink of an eye. .He wanted to explain a few more words at first, but seeing what had happened, he could only sigh, bow his head and drink the wine.

Chen Jingzhong saw that Gao Renhou had been grasped, with a dark smile on his face, and he was very proud of himself.Putting on the air of supervising the army, he even ordered directly, and the whole army continued to stand by.

As for Gao Renhou's claim that after Yang Fugong's defeat, Li Jing would seize the two capitals, Chen Jingzhong didn't take it to heart at all.In his mind, they dispatched troops this time to take back Chang'an under the secret order of Lord Tian.Therefore, Yang Fugong's life and death have nothing to do with them.Letting Yang Fugong's coalition forces suffer a bit from Li Jing will be of great benefit to them in capturing Chang'an.What's more, he felt in his heart that Yang Fugong had 30 horses, even if he couldn't take back Taiyuan and Luoyang, he would lose both sides in a fight with Li Jing and stop Li Jing from advancing westward.

The words that Li Jing will defeat Yang Fugong and send his troops westward to Guanzhong are nothing more than Gao Renhou's alarmist words.Gao Renhou is a martial artist, exaggerating is just to gain more bargaining chips.He thought he had seen through Gao Renhou, so he would naturally consider Gao Renhou's analysis seriously.

Yang Fugong's envoys pulled out several times a day and kept coming to urge them to go north, but the [-] soldiers and horses stationed at Wuguan in Shangzhou kept making various excuses to stop moving forward.One day, the supply of grain and grass in the rear was insufficient, tomorrow the chief general of the army fell ill, and the next day the sergeant fell ill in order to serve him, and so on. For many days, Yang Fugong's messengers ran and broke their legs, but Sanchuan's soldiers and horses remained still. Stand still, don't send a soldier! . )