Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 446 Han Xin’s Miscalculation
The distance is too far, and the road is extremely difficult. Of course, Uncle Zhou, the coach of the northern line of the Han army, cannot clearly grasp the situation of Tian Heng's rebellion behind Qidi. Heng's information was leaked to the Qi army, and when the spring farming in Zhaodi was about to end, the Northern Front Corps of the Han Army with a strength of as many as 14 suddenly mobilized and marched eastward along the Chidao. The Northern Expedition on the Northern Front was delayed for a lot of precious time.

Prior to this, according to Xiang Kang's order, Zang Tu, the king of Yan who had surrendered to the Han army under Li Shiqi's persuasion, also sent his son Zang Yan to lead [-] cavalry to the south from Yandi to Qidi. Help the Han army on the battlefield, obey Uncle Zhou's command, and assist the Han army in launching a military operation to seize Qidi.

King Zang Tu of Yan also showed enough sincerity this time. The land of Yan in this era was relatively sparsely populated and not well developed, and suffered a lot of losses during Qin Shihuang's war to unify the six countries and the war against Qin. However, the total national strength has not yet reached 5, and more than half of the troops were dispatched to fight the Han army at one go. The sincerity of surrendering to Xiang Kang and being optimistic about the Han army is self-evident.So after confirming this situation, not only were the civil and military members of the Han army beaming with joy, but Uncle Zhou also clapped his hands happily, and said happily, "Okay, this time, not only is he more confident, but we don't have to worry about Zang Tu's duplicity and suddenly stabbing us in the back." gone."

However, due to tactical needs, Uncle Zhou did not ask the Yan army to go directly to the Pingyuan battlefield to join the Han army, but asked the Yan army to go straight to Nanpi via Wuyuan, and planned to let the Yan army cross the Yellow River in Nanpi. The judgment of the Qiji coalition forces made it impossible for the Qiji coalition forces to confirm where the Han army first crossed the river, forcing the Qiji coalition forces to divide their troops to reinforce Nanpi, diluting the enemy's river defense forces.

During this period, the fleet of the Han army that had been assembled in Puyang before, of course, set off on schedule according to the time required by Uncle Zhou, and rushed to the Jibei battlefield to assist the Han army's northern line corps to cross the river. Because of the assembly of a fleet, the Han army fleet also selected skilled sailors to arm a group of ships in order to start a water battle with the Jinbei army.

It's a pity that the Han army's reputation for deceit is too bad. No matter how Uncle Zhou spread the rumors and set up false appearances in advance, he wanted the Qiji coalition army to think that the Han army was going to fight again when the spring was warm and the flowers were blooming, and was ordered to guard the important town of the plain. General Tian Ji of the Jinbei Army was not fooled, and he never relaxed his vigilance against the Han army from the beginning to the end, so he just confirmed the news of the sudden large-scale dispatch of the Han army through careful work. The army immediately made preparations for battle, and tightly guarded the wharfs and ferries of Pingyuan, Gexian County, and Gaotang. In addition, they deployed [-] troops to go north to Nanpi to prevent the Yan army from crossing the river in Nanpi first, and then going south to meet the Han army's rush to cross. .

In addition, after receiving Tian Ji’s fast-horse warning, Tian Da, the current King of Jibei, who ascended the throne by bribing Master Xiang Boxiang, also immediately went north from Boyang and personally led the reserve team of the Jibei Army assembled in Licheng to rush to the throne. He came to Pingyuan to help, and at the same time sent light vehicles and horses to ask for help from the Western Chu Army. A large-scale decisive battle on the northern front was about to start on the Qidi battlefield.

This is also an important decisive battle related to the future and destiny of the Han army and the Western Chu army. If the Han army wins and successfully eliminates Tian Da and Tianjia, the last two warlords outside the pass who are still attached to the Western Chu army, then the Western Chu army will fall into a trap. In the passive dilemma of being completely isolated and helpless, as long as the Han army digests the results of victory, it can drown the Western Chu army just like Liu Laosan in history, just relying on the army to drown.And once the Northern Front Corps of the Han Army fails in the Eastern Expedition, not only will the time to unify the country be delayed until what year and month, but the Western Chu Army, which has been greatly weakened, may even get a chance to turn around in the overall strategic situation!
Probably evil comes with evil. Uncle Zhou, who helped Xiang Kang to abuse the king, was very unlucky this time. When the news of his sudden Eastern Expedition spread to Chu, his most dangerous opponents in this Eastern Expedition, Liu Laosan and Han Xin, Assisting Xiang Zhuang, the commander-in-chief of the Western Chu Army, happened to win two decisive victories against Peng Yue's army in the Wuyan area and around Juyeze. The army's secret food store was successful, and it took away a large amount of food, grass and military supplies that the Han army had just supported to Peng Yue's army. It is a dream of Peng Yuejun to share the pressure for Zhou Shu Corps.

This time, Peng Yue lost to Han Xin's superior tactical prediction. He predicted that Peng Yue's army, who had just recovered some vitality, would not dare to directly enter Xiaqiu, Lu County and other places. The weak troops in Wuyan and other places in Zhang County waited for an opportunity to harass the main artery connecting the Western Chu army and Qi. Han Xin persuaded Xiang Zhuang to prepare for the army in advance, and just confirmed through the beacon tower that Peng Yue's army invaded Wuyan. The partial division of the Western Chu Army stationed in Xiaoqiu immediately mobilized and rushed to Wuyan to fight the Peng Yue army who was attacking the city.

Unexpectedly, the partial division of the Western Chu Army would come so quickly. Peng Yuejun, who was caught off guard by the Western Chu Army on the salt-free battlefield, was forced to take risks to fight. Coupled with Liu Laosan's fierce generals Cao Can, Fan Kui and others fighting bravely, Peng Yuejun, who had just recovered his breath, was beaten by the Western Chu Army and fled in embarrassment. Before that, Liu Laosan's eyeliner who had inserted into Peng Yuejun also took the opportunity to fight with the Western Chu Army. The army got in touch and betrayed the location of Peng Yuejun's lair to the West Chu army.

Next, Liu Laosan and Han Xin, of course, urged Xiang Zhuang not to waste energy chasing Peng Yue, who was good at fleeing, and led the army to directly attack Peng Yue's lair. They were still near Peng Yue's lair, and once again grabbed Peng Yue who had retreated in a roundabout way. The main force of the army beat Peng Yue hard, and beat Peng Yue to escape with his tail between his legs. He also successfully destroyed Peng Yue's lair and smashed the material base of Peng Yue's army relying on Juye Ze to harass the hinterland of Xue County. Nozawa went west to ask the Han army for help, which temporarily resolved the flank threat of the Western Chu army going north to reinforce the Qi battlefield.

Under such circumstances, after receiving the news that Uncle Zhou sent troops, Liu Laosan, who was anxious to make a comeback, of course urged Xiang Zhuang not to wait for Xiang Yu's order, and directly led the Western Chu Army's partial division to go north to reinforce Jibei. Xiang Zhuang also knew the military situation For the reason of fire, he accepted Liu Laosan's suggestion after a little calculation, and immediately ordered the Western Chu Army's partial division to return to Shilu County immediately, and go straight north along Chidao to reinforce the Yellow River defense line of the Qiji coalition army.

Fortunately, the Western Chu Army's partial division received the news of Uncle Zhou's eastward advance on the edge of Juyeze, and it would take about three days to return to Lu County, and the Western Chu Army's partial division had just raided hundreds of people. In the two battles in a row, the soldiers needed a little time to rest and recuperate. At the same time, from Lu County to the north to reinforce the plains, no matter how fast the march would take more than eight days, in addition The army and asking for help from the Western Chu Army also wasted a lot of time, so Uncle Zhou still had hope to break through the Yellow River defense line and take the tactical initiative before the two troublesome enemies Liu Laosan and Han Xin arrived.

Liu Laosan, who has crawled out of the dead for countless times, of course understands this truth very well. On the way back to Shilu County, after carefully counting the time, Liu Laosan said to Han Xin: "If you count the time, Uncle Zhou will count the time." Moving eastward at a normal marching speed, we can arrive at the plain battlefield at least ten days earlier than us. If the Jibei Army and Qi Army can hold these ten days, it’s okay. If they can’t hold these ten days, let Uncle Zhou If Pifu crossed the river first, our battle might not be a big one."

"The traitor has more than ten days." Han Xin replied coldly: "When I was under the tent of the traitor Xiang Kang, I already knew very well Zhou Shupifu's character and tactical style. He is the same as me. If you don't move, you will be yourself, and if you move, you will be thunderous! Therefore, I can be sure that when he sends troops to the east this time, he will definitely let the brigade escort the food, grass and military supplies to follow, and let the main soldiers rush to rush to the west bank of the river as quickly as possible. In addition, he will definitely dispatch the fleet from Puyang Sanchuan to go down the river without worrying about the problem of collecting ships. Therefore, I estimate that the main force of the Han bandits will be able to arrive at the plain battlefield at least fifteen days earlier than us. .”

"Uncle Zhou is so powerful?" Liu Laosan asked doubtfully.

"If the number of troops under his command is the same, the general won't even be afraid of that traitor Xiang Kang, and he can guarantee victory." Han Xin replied directly, saying: "Only when we meet Uncle Zhou, the general dare not say that he has a guaranteed chance of victory." .”

Liu Laosan, who knew how arrogant Han Xin was, was speechless, and had to say: "No wonder that traitor Xiang Kang was able to leave the army alone when he was in Pengcheng, chasing Uncle Zhou for dozens of miles all night, no wonder Xiang Kang The traitor is able to leave so many old troops unused, and let this man lead the army on the northern front for him, and be in charge of the war on the northern front alone, it seems that this man is really capable."

After muttering, Liu Laosan asked Han Xin again: "In your opinion, are the Jibei Army and the Qi Army able to hold the Dahe defense line until our reinforcements arrive?"

"I don't know how the Jibei Army and the Qi State Army are deployed on the east bank of the river, and the general can't be sure." Han Xin shook his head, and said: "However, the general can be sure that as long as the Jinbei Army and the Qi State Army Zhou Shupifu's tricks of changing the truth in the army can confirm Zhou Shupifu's real crossing place in advance, so they can hope to hold the river and hold on until our reinforcements arrive."

"Where is the most likely place for the Han thief to cross the river?" Liu Laosan hurriedly asked.

"Gaotang or Ge County are both possible, but it is definitely not a plain." Han Xin replied: "The plain is located on the Chidao road, and it must be the focus of guarding by the Jibei Army and the Qi Army. The fleet can transport troops to fight, and prevent the Han thieves from launching a rush to cross. The possibility of Zhou Shupifu going head-to-head with the Qiji coalition forces in the plain is definitely very small. , secretly crossing Gaotang or Ge County, as long as a sufficient number of troops are sent across the river, the main force of the Han bandits will be able to cross the river with ease."

"Of course, the Han thieves can also cross the river in Nanpi." Han Xin added: "However, Nanpi is too far away from the plain, even if the partial army crosses the river smoothly, it will be difficult to go south as soon as possible to meet the main force to cross the river, and they will be surrounded by us." There is danger on the east bank of the river, so even if the Han bandits marched into Nanpi, it was only for bluffing, luring the Qi and Ji army to divide up and strengthen the Nanpi defenders, diluting the river defense force, and it is impossible to launch a rush to cross Nanpi first."

Liu Laosan nodded slowly, and said again: "So, Uncle Zhou's most likely place to initiate a crossing should be one of Li County or Gaotang. Where is the most likely place?"

"Ge County!" Han Xin replied decisively, and said: "Ming's attack on the plains attracted the attention of the Qiji coalition forces, and the fleet suddenly went upstream to Gaotang to transport partial divisions across the river. Gao Tang has the opportunity to go down the river to Ge County, but it can be much faster, so if I were Uncle Zhou, I would definitely choose to launch a rush crossing in Ge County, and send one of my partial divisions across the river first."

I also know that Uncle Zhou, like Xiang Kang, likes to use soldiers to avoid the truth, but Liu Laosan nodded again, and then said: "Why don't you just do this, I'll go see Xiangzhuang Zhuzi, tell him your analysis, and persuade him He immediately wrote a letter to Qiji's army, telling Qiji's army to pay more attention to Ge County."

Han Xin didn't object to Liu Laosan's decision, but when Liu Laosan went to see Xiang Zhuang, Han Xin's heart beat a little, and he secretly said: "What I want, logically speaking, Uncle Zhou must be able to think of it. Shouldn't you be playing tricks and finding another way to cross the river?"

The limitations of the times once again restricted Han Xin's thinking. After repeated thinking, Han Xin found that it was impossible, because there were only a few ferries in the plain area suitable for a large number of troops to cross the river, and the remaining ferries were either too small or too far away. There is not much room for Uncle to play tricks, and considering the maneuvering speed of the Han army fleet, Han Xin insisted on his own judgment, secretly said: "It will only be Li County, Uncle Zhou will not have other choices. "

…………

Of course, Han Xin didn't know that he had miscalculated this time. In fact, after the sudden dispatch of troops from Julu to the east, Uncle Zhou did not, as he guessed, dispatch the main force to rush to the Yellow River to initiate a rush to cross the Yellow River. In order to follow the orthodox marching method, the main force of the Han army marched fifty miles a day along the spacious road, and it took a total of eight days to rush from Julu to the plain.

However, Han Xin guessed correctly in other respects. On the way to the west, the Northern Front Corps of the Han Army with strong troops split into two divisions. One route of 2 people went northeast to Li County Ferry, and the other route of more than [-] people went southeast to Gaotang. The ferry also made it impossible for the Qiji allied forces guarding the Yellow River defense line to judge the location of the Han army's rush to cross, so they had to adopt stupid methods to divide their troops to reinforce Li County and Gaotang, diluting the already disadvantaged river defense forces by themselves.

On the same day that the main force of Uncle Zhou’s corps arrived in the plain, the fleet of the Han army sailing down the river from Puyang also arrived at Pingyuan Ferry where it joined the main force of Uncle Zhou’s corps, and was immediately closely guarded by the soldiers of the Han army. .During this period, the armed fleet of the Jinbei Army also took the initiative to attack, trying to sink some of the Han army's ships to reduce the pressure on the Qiji coalition's defense of the river. Relying on their familiarity with hydrology and geography, the Han army's fleet also had the protection of armed ships. He successfully killed more than ten ships of the Han army, and unexpectedly won the first victory in river defense.

After suffering losses in the water battle, the general of the Han army who commanded the fleet, Shen Ke, could only go to Uncle Zhou in disgrace, but fortunately, Uncle Zhou didn't mind much, and waved his hand and said, "I don't blame you, you are from a long way away. Come here, I am not familiar with hydrology and geography, and the big river is not as wide as the Yangtze River. It is very easy for the enemy's warships to rush into our fleet.

After Shen Ke hurriedly thanked Uncle Zhou, the general of the Han army beside him, Chong Da, asked curiously: "General Zhou, can you tell me now, where should we cross the river? Gaotang in the upper reaches, or Ge County in the lower reaches?"

"Not in Gaotang, nor in Ge County." Uncle Zhou replied with a smile, "It's right here, just crossing the river on the plain."

"It's here?" Chongda was a little dumbfounded. He looked at the Qiji coalition army waiting in full force on the other side of the Yellow River, and then at the Jibei Army fleet showing off its might on the river. Secretly said: "General Zhou is really not joking? Not only does the Qiji bandit army have the most guards here, but also the navy of the Jibei bandit army is stationed. Crossing the river here, we are not only under great pressure, but also very dangerous?"

On the contrary, Uncle Zhou selected from among the generals of the Han army, Shen Ke, the temporary naval commander of the Han army, without any fear, and immediately said: "Don't worry, general, when crossing the river, the last general guarantees to stop the Jibei bandit army." Sailors, we will never let them touch our troop carrier!"

"No hurry, wait a few days." Uncle Zhou's answer once again surprised the Han army civil and military present, and said with a smile: "I still need a few days to prepare, and then I can launch the river crossing."

"General Zhou, the last general is taking the liberty, and I really don't understand it." Lu Kuang on the other side couldn't help but interjected: "From Julu east to the plain, it's fine if you don't want to divide your troops first. Why did we get to the plain? I also arrived on time, and you still say that it will take a few days to prepare? This time has been delayed for a long time, and the reinforcements of the bandit army rushed to the east bank of the river first, so it would be more difficult for us to initiate crossing the river?"

"Even if we start crossing the river tomorrow, it will be too late." Uncle Zhou replied: "The main force of the Jibei bandit army has already been deployed on the east bank of the river, and the main force of the remaining reserve team has already assembled in Licheng. Time, within tomorrow at the latest, their reinforcements will reach the east bank of the river, so even if we cross the river tomorrow, there is no way to break through the river before the arrival of enemy reinforcements. Instead, let our soldiers rest for a while, Also make corresponding preparations, and then it will not be too late to initiate crossing the river."

"Also." Uncle Zhou added: "It's not that I haven't considered sending elites to go first to the west bank of the river to launch a rush to cross, but there is no way, the Jibei bandit army is ready to have a navy to intercept our troop convoy If we don't solve this problem, even if we go ahead with the elite, we won't be sure that we can cross the river successfully, and we may suffer heavy losses, so I can only dismiss this idea."

"Then how do we solve this problem and ensure that we can successfully cross the river?" All the generals of the Han army present raised this question in their hearts.

As analyzed by Uncle Zhou, in the evening of that day, Jibei Wang Tianda really rushed to the plain battlefield with the reserve team of the Jibei Army. Although more than 1 reserve troops were recruited, it was still unable to reverse the strength disadvantage of the Qiji coalition forces.In addition, because Tian Heng temporarily held back the main force of the Qi State, and the partial division of the Western Chu Army also needed time to go north, the Han army's strength advantage was still very obvious.

It is precisely because of this that even though the main force of the northern line of the Han army and the troop fleet joined forces at Pingyuan Ferry, Jibei Wang Tianda and Jibei Army General Tian Ji led [-] troops to help the Jibei Army in advance. Tian Bu, a general of the Qi army, had to have the same question in his heart, "Will the Han bandits really confront us head-on and cross the river directly on the plain? Will they play some false tricks to attack the plains on the surface? , In fact, a surprise attack was launched at another ferry, right?"

　I'm sorry, I have to go out tomorrow, so I have to ask for a day off.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)