Chapter 665: Puyang gathers troops

On March 18, in the tenth year of Tiantong, Deng Sheng appointed Xue Rengui, the general of the Governor's Office, to attack the Grand Marshal Zhao, and awarded the Grand Marshal's seal and Shang Fang's sword. He allowed him to make a decision in advance, take action first and then report, lead the three armies and coordinate various units, and the army vowed to fight the Northern Expedition in Luoyang.

On March 23, in the tenth year of Tiantong, in Puyang City, Dongjun, the Jinwu Guard of Deng Kingdom, Shenxing Guard, Longxiang Guard, Lingshe Guard, Yingyang Guard, and Tiger Wing Guard gathered here, and was led by Xue Rengui himself.

At the same time, Murong Ke also led the Shence Guard and the Shenwu Guard to attack Hanoi County.

In Puyang City, Deng’s army camp, and in the central army’s tent, a group of Deng’s generals surrounded the map and discussed the strategy of advancing.

"General, generals, according to the spies' response, after learning that our army was dispatched, Zhao Kuo personally led an army of 150,000 to Liyang, and now he has set up camp outside Liyang City." In the central army's tent, as the military advisor in charge of intelligence this time, Yingyang Guard's military advisor Xun You said to everyone.

Xue Rengui looked at the map. Liyang City was located on the edge of the Yellow River. It was the southernmost city in Wei County and was also the only way to attack Wei County from Dongjun. Zhao Kuo led his army south from Yecheng to Liyang. The purpose was self-evident. He wanted to defend the enemy outside the country.

"Haha, Zhao Kuo is really crazy. At this time, he is still thinking about defending the enemy outside the country. If it were me, he would have led all his troops to defend Yecheng long ago. Yecheng is high and deep, with abundant money and food, and there is 150,000 troops in his hand. It is no problem to defend for one or two years. On the contrary, although Liyang is a fortress, the city is short and not enough to accommodate 150,000 troops to station. When coming to Liyang, it seems like a wonderful move, but he gave up his strengths and put him in an unfavorable situation." Deng Qiang, the general of Jinwu Guard, smiled and said.

"General, if we want to say the last general, why do we need so many concerns? Lead the army directly to kill. It would be even better if Zhao Kuo dared to confront our army head-on. We can do our best to defeat Zhao Kuo's army under Liyang City, and then our army can easily take down Ye City." Qin Lie, the general of Longxiang Guard, said.

Upon hearing this, Xue Rengui shook his head and said, "Don't be reckless. The Zhao army is not weak. Moreover, Zhao Kuo, the chief general of Zhao army, is said to be the son of Zhao Xin. After the general, he was entrusted with an important task by Zhao State to replace Li Rubing to fight our army. It is probably an outstanding feature. Moreover, although our army is in an advantageous position now, our army still needs to cross the Yellow River, which is not conducive."

"Is the general worried that the Zhao army would attack him halfway while our army crossed the river?" asked Sun Wuji, the commander of the Lingser Guard.

Half-crossing, attacking it is a classic military strategist, and this allusion that anyone who is a general has heard of.

Xue Rengui shook his head and said, "Otherwise, this general is not worried about. It is a classic military strategist. This general is not Long Ji, and he, Zhao Kuo, is not Han Xin. I will not give Zhao Kuo this opportunity. If Zhao Kuo really thinks that this can defeat me, then it will be too late to be happy."

Half-crossing, this is a well-known classic. Xue Rengui has experienced many battles, so how could he be without any defense? So if Zhao Kuo really had such an idea, Xue Rengui would not be worried.

"Then I wonder what the general is concerned about?" Changsun Wuji asked in confusion.

"Look at it." Xue Rengui pointed out the location of Liyang City on the map and said: "Liyang City is located on the edge of the Yellow River, only a few miles away from the Yellow River. In addition, Liyang City's city is short, and it is already very difficult to accommodate 150,000 Zhao troops. If the Zhao army chooses to defend from Liyang City to the Yellow River, how many places can allow our army to settle down? In this way, although our army's strength is twice that of the Zhao army, the Zhao army has the advantage in Liyang City."

When everyone saw this, it was true that the Zhao army filled this area from Liyang City to the Yellow River area. Even if the Deng army crossed the river, there would probably not be many soldiers ashore every time. So isn’t this a chance to gradually erode the Zhao army?

"That general, what should we do?" asked Ma Chao, the general of Shenxing Guard.

Xue Rengui said: "No need to do anything, just wait."

"Wait?" Everyone was puzzled by this. When did they have to wait.

Xue Rengui nodded and said, "That's right, just wait, don't forget that this Northern Expedition is not just our army. Murong Cheqi also led 100,000 elite troops to attack Hanoi County at any time. Although Zhao Kuo placed all his troops in Wei County, he would never give up Hanoi County easily. So once Murong Cheqi's army moves, Zhao Kuo must move. If Zhao Kuo moves, we will move."

When everyone heard this, they suddenly realized that it was not true. Murong Ke's 100,000 troops attacked Henei County. Once he took Henei County, he would either attack Huguan westward or advance northward to Yecheng. However, Huguan was steep and easy to defend but difficult to attack. In addition, Shangdang County behind him had 100,000 Zhao troops. With Murong Ke's troops, he would not get any benefits at all. Therefore, Murong Ke could only choose to go north to attack Yecheng. At this time, the main force of the Zhao army was in Liyang, and Yecheng was empty. Once Murong Ke's troops were at the city, it would be as easy to capture Yecheng. Yecheng was a key area of ​​the Zhao army's rear defense and a place for money and grain reserves, and it would not be possible to lose it. Therefore, Zhao Kuo had to divide his troops. As long as the Zhao army divided his troops, the Deng army's opportunity would come.

"As King Guiyang said, the best choice for the Zhao army is to defend Yecheng. Zhao Kuo went south to Liyang, seemingly defending the enemy outside the national gate, but he exposes the defense seriously under the army's military front. Zhao Kuo was born in a general and has a profound family. There is no reason not to see this?" Ling Jing, a military advisor of Jinwu Guard, asked in confusion.

"I think there are two reasons why Zhao Kuo chose to go south to Liyang." At this time, the military advisor of the Tiger Wing Guard Pang Tong said with a smile.

"Oh, Military Advisor Pang knows the reason, I would like to hear it carefully!" Everyone asked hurriedly when they saw Pang Tong's confidence, with a look of seeing through everything.

Pang Tong said: "First, that is, Zhao Kuo does have this confidence to defeat our army in Liyang. After all, Zhao Kuo was born into a general and the son of Zhao Xin. He was a man who was like a star since childhood. He was a little arrogant. Second, that is, the pressure Li Rubing puts him."

"The pressure Li Rubing puts him? Military advisor Pang, Li Rubingyuan is in Yuyang, how can he put pressure on Zhao Kuo?" Everyone was puzzled, but Xue Rengui in the main position was thoughtful and signaled Pang Tong to continue.

After understanding, Pang Tong continued, "You are also clear that since Zhao Xin's death, the military power of Zhao has always been in the hands of Li Rubing. In the past ten years, no one has been able to challenge Li Rubing's position. Although Li Rubing has led troops to fight and has returned from a great defeat over the years, no one has ever questioned his position as the first general of Zhao. On the other hand, although Zhao Kuo is the son of Zhao Xin and the descendant of the general, he has never had a record of being able to make a move. The reason why he can lead the Zhao army now is mostly based on the remaining power of his father Zhao Xin. However, Zhao Xin has been dead for more than ten years, and his prestige remains very limited. If Zhao Kuo wants to establish his prestige and continue to take charge of military power, he must have a record of being able to make a move, or even a record far superior to Li Rubing."

"Military Pang said this, but I understand!" Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Li Rubing fought south and north throughout his life, with great achievements. The Former Qin, the Former Chu, and the Xianbei people were defeated by Li Rubing, but they fought with our Great Deng. Li Rubing never had any victory. If Zhao Kuo wanted to compete with Li Rubing, the best way was to defeat our army. As long as he defeated our army a few times and defeated his opponent that Li Rubing had never won, Zhao Kuo's prestige would naturally rise, and then he could replace Li Rubing and become the first general of Zhao."

"Yes!" Pang Tong nodded and said, "As far as we know, Zhao Kuo was forty years old, not a few years younger than Li Rubing, but he had never achieved any military achievements and suddenly became a high position. Although he had the appointment of the Zhao court and the remaining power of his father Zhao Xin, there must be many people in the army who did not accept Zhao Kuo. Therefore, Zhao Kuo must achieve military achievements as soon as possible and shock the entire army. Moreover, I believe that when our army heads north, there must be someone in Jinyang who asked Li Rubing to lead the army south to resist our army. Although I don't know why Li Rubing still did not come in the end, this invisibly put a great pressure on Zhao Kuo. Once the war is not going well, Li Rubing will go south. When Li Rubing comes, Zhao Kuo will not have any chance to show."

"The two military advisors have made a good summary!" At this time, Xue Rengui, who had been watching the show, spoke: "This is why the general chose to wait. Now he is anxious not us, but Zhao Kuo. As the saying goes, he will make a decision and then move. Once he knows the Zhao army's movements, our army can deal with it calmly."

"The general is wise!" everyone praised.

In the tenth year of Tiantong, on the first day of April, the Deng army had gathered in Puyang City for almost ten days, but there was no sign of crossing the river north. This made Zhao Kuo, who was in Liyang City, very anxious. Especially now Murong Ke led his army to attack Henei County. The Hanoi County was inadequate, and Murong Ke's army was progressing very smoothly. He easily captured Heyang, Wen County, Pinggao and other places. The troops were aimed directly at Huai County. At the speed of Deng's army, the entire Henei County could be captured in less than a month, and then advanced to Yecheng. Now many generals in the army have persuaded Zhao Kuo to give up Liyang and return to Yecheng to guard.

"Taiwei, Murong Ke has led a large army to besiege Huai County. The defenders of Huai County may be captured by Murong Ke within three days. All parts of Henei County are in urgent need of emergency. Once the Henei County is lost, Murong Ke will advance to Yecheng. The main force of our army is in Liyang. Yecheng is empty. Yecheng is our army's back defense and has a lot of money and food. Once Yecheng is lost, our army will be in danger. Please ask the Taiwei to return to Yecheng." In the Zhao army camp in Liyang City, Zhao army general Kou Hong said to Zhao Kuo.

Kou Hong is the brother of Kou Fei, a famous general of the former Zhao State. When Kou Fei died in the border of Sishui, Li Rubing brought Kou Hong into the army for training. Later, when Li Rubing was forced to leave Jinyang, Kou Hong did not leave Li Rubing, but chose to stay in Jinyang and act as Li Rubing's eyewitness in Jinyang. Since he came to Wei County, Kou Hong has been very dissatisfied with Zhao Kuo, but for the sake of the overall situation, Kou Hong did not choose to go against Zhao Kuo, but Zhao Kuo's various obsessions really made Kou Hong unable to see it.

Originally, Kou Hong suggested that Zhao Kuo defend Yecheng, because whether it was Xue Rengui from Puyang or Murong Ke from Henoi, their ultimate goal was Yecheng. Instead of dividing troops to resist, it would be better to wait for work in Yecheng directly and use the tall and strong city walls of Yecheng to block Deng's army. Yecheng was high and deep, and the city was rich in money and food. It was not a problem to defend with an army of 150,000. However, Zhao Kuo refused to listen and led his army south to Liyang. The situation is urgent now, and Kou Hong didn't care too much, so he directly let Zhao Kuo return to Yecheng with a carriage.

"General Kou, the Taiwei is the chief general of the army. Whether to fight or retreat is naturally the Taiwei. Do you think the Taiwei is not clear about the current situation? Why do you need to interfere with the situation?" Since Zhao Kuo became the Taiwei, he has also won over a large number of generals. Facing Kou Hong, General Tian Zhen did not wait for Zhao Kuo to speak, and he scolded him.

"You..." In Kou Hong's opinion, Tian Zhen and others were treacherous villains, but these people were Zhao Kuo's confidants.

"Okay, stop arguing!" Seeing that Tian Zhen and Kou Hong were about to start arguing, Zhao Kuo hurriedly said: "General Kou, the situation in our army is now the only one who has the right to decide. You should go and rectify the troops first and wait for the orders of this Grand Marshal to do things."

"But the Grand Marshal..." Kou Hong wanted to say something, but was immediately interrupted by Zhao Kuo.

"Okay, this Grand Marshal let you go out!" Zhao Kuo said in a stressful tone.

Seeing this, Kou Hong knew that it would make no sense to continue talking, so he turned his head and left.

Looking at Kou Hong's back as he left, Zhao Kuo said dissatisfiedly: "This Kou Hong, relying on his loyalty and wiseness, has become more and more presumptuous."

Kou Hong was a general trained by Li Rubing, and his deceased brother Kou Fei was also Li Rubing's confidant general, so Zhao Kuo has always been on guard against him. If he had not been in charge of military power for a short time and had not many people under his command, Zhao Kuo would not have led Kou Hongkai to Liyang at all.

Realizing Zhao Kuo’s dissatisfaction with Kou Hong, Tian Zhen immediately catered to him and said, “Taiwei, Kou Hong is a general cultivated by Li Rubing. He has always been dissatisfied with the Taiwei’s command in charge of military power, so the Taiwei doesn’t need to care.”

Zhao Kuo took a deep breath and said, "Although Kou Hong is really annoying, he is right. The situation in Hanoi County is now critical. Once Hanoi County is lost, Murong Ke will enter Yecheng. If this magistrate continues to stay in Liyang, Murong Ke may have cut off his retreat. Tian Zhen, do you think this magistrate should really return to Yecheng?"

Although Zhao Kuo really wanted to defeat Deng's army and prove that he was stronger than Li Rubing, he was not a ungrateful person. After all, he was born in a general and had been in the army for many years. The simple situation could be seen clearly. He also knew that the best choice at this time was to return to Yecheng, but Zhao Kuo could not give up his face. At that time, he ignored the opposition of the crowd and insisted on leading his army south to Liyang. Now he has not made any achievements and has returned without a single battle. Zhao Kuo felt embarrassed. Besides, he did not have a chance. As long as he could defeat Xue Rengui in Puyang, Murong Ke was not worth worrying, so Zhao Kuo still wanted to take a gamble.

Although Tian Zhen was not clear about his ability, his ability to observe his expressions was first-class. Although Zhao Kuo said he was returning to Yecheng, Tian Zhen knew that Zhao Kuo was unwilling to go back in his heart.

So he took the opportunity to speak out: "The Taiwei must not be. Once the Taiwei returns to Yecheng, Xue Rengui from Puyang and Murong Ke from Henoi can march straight into Yecheng. The Taiwei Jieshi may have to trap Yecheng. Once the war is unsuccessful, the imperial court will definitely propose that Li Rubing lead the army south. By that time, all the efforts of the Taiwei will be a wedding dress for Li Rubing. The reason why Kou Hong and others proposed to return to Yecheng was to have this idea and have ulterior motives. If the Taiwei returns to Yecheng, it will be a perfect match for Kou Hong and others."

"Hmph!" Zhao Kuo was furious when he heard this. What he couldn't listen to most now was the name Li Rubing. After his father passed away, the military power of Zhao State was under the control of Zhang Chuan, and Zhang Chuan also valued him very much. However, after the Lang Meng Incident, a large number of veterans such as Zhang Chuan and Sima Chong were purged and killed. He was also regarded as Zhang Chuan by Li Rubing. Sima Chong's party was suppressed by Li Rubing. If it weren't for his father's influence, he might have been killed by Li Rubing. Although he had saved his life in the end, he had never made a fortune and had been in a daze for more than ten years.

Now that the Empress Dowager Meng and Zong Zheng Zhang Ying are in power, Li Rubing goes to Yuyang and takes charge of military power. It is the time to show his strength. As long as he can defeat Deng's army, he can prove to the world that he is stronger than Li Rubing, and that he is the most suitable person to hold military power. Even if he restores his former position as Zhao Xin, he is not impossible.

"But if you don't return to Yecheng, what can you do to defeat Deng's army?" Zhao Kuo asked.

When Tian Zhen heard this, he knew that Zhao Kuo no longer wanted to return to Yecheng, but now the most urgent task is to come up with a way to defeat Deng's army, otherwise it would be meaningless to stay in Liyang.

"I wonder if the Taiwei has ever heard the allusion of attacking him in half?" Tian Zhen thought for a while and said.

Zhao Kuo nodded and said, "Of course I will hear about the story of King Wu of Qi." (Han Xin was the founding king of Qi in this era, and was posthumously named King Wu of Qi)

"The last general's plan is similar to that of King Wu of Qi. Now everyone knows that the biggest loophole of our army is Yecheng. If the Taiwei voluntarily leads his army to withdraw from Liyang and return to Yecheng, Xue Rengui will definitely think that the Taiwei is worried about the safety of Yecheng, so he will rush to withdraw his troops. After our army leaves Yecheng, Deng's army will cross the river. When Deng's army crosses the river, our army suddenly kills a retaliation and will definitely defeat Deng's army." Tian Zhen said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo said unpredictably: "Although this plan is good, Xue Rengui is also a long-standing general on the battlefield. Will he be trapped so easily?"

Tian Zhen said: "If our army commander was Li Rubing at this time, Xue Rengui might not have fallen into the trap, but the Taiwei has not been famous for many years. Although the last generals knew that the Taiwei was far superior to Li Rubing, Xue Rengui didn't know that the Deng army had won many battles for many years and had already become a arrogant soldier. He would definitely look down on the Taiwei in his heart and be eager to achieve success, so he would naturally fall into the trap."

When Zhao Kuo heard this, he was overjoyed and said, "Okay, Tian Zhen, if you can defeat the Deng army in this battle, you should be the first to be the best. After defeating the Deng army, this Grand Marshal will personally ask for you in front of the Empress Dowager."
Chapter completed!