After Liu Jianfeng returned to Yuanzhou (Yichun) with his defeated troops, he once again expanded his army crazily. He wanted to take revenge. After two months, he had another 80,000 troops. Seeing that his strength had been restored, Liu Jianfeng could not hold back and immediately

Everyone was summoned to discuss matters. Gao Yu didn't want to participate, but Ma Yin and Xinglan strongly invited them. Gao Yu couldn't help but follow them to Liu Jianfeng's mansion.

As soon as Liu Jianfeng and others arrived, he said: "Our previous defeat at Ganjiang was really embarrassing. We must avenge this. I am planning to attack Hongzhou again and cut Zhong Chuan into pieces with a thousand knives for those who died in the battle."

Brothers, take revenge. Do you have any good ideas?" Everyone did not say anything, but looked at Gao Yu. Gao Yu began to offer suggestions at the foot of Xuanzhou City, and he never left out any suggestions. Naturally, the generals hoped that he would express his opinions first to avoid making a fool of themselves.

Gao Yu also kept silent. He still couldn't let go of Liu Jianfeng's disobedience to him last time. Liu Jianfeng returned in defeat and did not go directly to apologize to him. He did not directly ask him for advice now, so naturally he was too lazy to speak out. Liu Chengfeng because

In the Battle of Ganjiang, it was his carelessness that led to the collapse of the entire army. At this time, he naturally had no face to support Liu Jianfeng.

Seeing that no one answered, Ma Yin had no choice but to say in order not to embarrass Liu Jianfeng: "Brother, I think it's better to discuss this matter in the long term." Zhang Ji originally wanted to count on Gao Yu for advice, but it seemed that he didn't want to say anything, so he had to say:

"Commander, General Ma is right. Now is not a good time to attack. We were defeated last time and all the food and grass were destroyed. What we have collected in the past two months is only enough for the entire army for more than a month. Zhong Chuan

He is also engaged in a large-scale campaign to clear the country. It is difficult for us to get supplements in his territory. Once we reach a deadlock and we run out of food, we will have no choice but to return without success."

Liu Jianfeng said unhappily: "Can't we cross the Ganjiang River in more than a month because we are outnumbered by the enemy?" Ma Yin said: "Brother, it's better to prepare for a rainy day. In case Zhong Chuan defends the Ganjiang River again, we are alone.

If we can't defeat the enemy within a month, what should we do? I'm not completely sure, so I think it's better not to act blindly. We can only make plans after we have enough food."

Liu Jianfeng was unhappy when he saw that both Zhang Ji and Ma Yin were opposed to the eastward advance. But he couldn't blame them. He looked at Gao Yu and said, "Mr. Gao, last time I failed because I didn't listen to the students.

.I would like to apologize here, sir, but please don’t take it to heart. This matter concerns everyone’s future and the safety of the three armed forces. Please give me your advice!”

Gao Yu looked at Liu Jianfeng slowly and said, "If you don't listen to my opinion, what's the use of what I say?" Liu Jianfeng said quickly: "I won't do it this time. Whatever you say, sir, I will definitely accept it.

Good words.”

Gao Yu said: "I have said before that Zhong Chuan's foundation has been solidified and the people are loyal to him. Unless he has internal and external troubles, he can take advantage of the chaos. Now that you have defeated Ganjiang, their morale and confidence will definitely be greatly improved.

It also strengthened the people's trust and support for them. To attack him at this time is undoubtedly asking for trouble. If you are really willing to listen to Gao's opinion, then give up the eastward advance and turn to the west to capture Tan.

The state is the fundamental place.”

Gao Yu's words not only made Liu Jianfeng feel strange, but also Ma Yin, Zhang Ji and others were puzzled. Liu Jianfeng thought for a while and said to Gao Yu: "Sir, can you tell me the reason? If what you said makes sense,

Naturally, I will follow your master's wishes and march westward with all my troops."

Gao Yu said: "A general should have an eye for six directions and an ear for all directions. A commander should have the world in mind and take a long-term view. Since there is no opportunity to take advantage of Hongzhou, why hang yourself on a tree? I asked Mrs. Ma to send someone there.

I have inquired about the situation in Tanzhou and found that it is just the opposite." Then Gao Yu informed everyone about the current situation in Tanzhou (Changsha).

In the first year of Guangming, that is, 880, the water in the Xiangjiang River surged. Huang Chao, who had just left Guangzhou and captured Guizhou, was very happy. Huang Chao immediately led his army to continue northward. They rode a large raft down the river, along the Xiangjiang River, and passed through Yongzhou

, Hengzhou, and troops came to Tanzhou City. At that time, Hunan Observer Li Xi heard that Huang Chao was bringing him as a guest, and was so frightened that he closed the city and refused to leave. No matter how hard and soft Huang Chao tried, Li Xi was determined to be a coward, but refused.

come out.

When Huang Chao saw that Li Xi was playing tricks on him, he was furious and ordered a fierce attack on Changsha. Huang Chao's army was indeed powerful, and they captured Tanzhou in less than a day. However, although Li Xi's fighting skills were not high, he was very good at rubbing oil on his feet.

But he was extremely powerful, no less powerful than Duan Yu, who could move lightly on waves. Li Xi quickly fled to Langzhou, but the 100,000 troops under his command were not able to escape. They were all killed, and their corpses covered the Xiangjiang River. From then on

The Tang Dynasty court lost effective control over Hunan. Huang Chao was just borrowing a way. He was not interested in Hunan and soon left Tanzhou and headed north.

After Huang Chao left, Hunan was very empty. Because the imperial army had been wiped out, Huang Chao's army had left completely. As a result, local tycoons from all over Hunan took advantage of the situation to rise up, each occupied the city, and competed with each other for dominance. Hunan suddenly fell into pieces, and fighting continued. In 881,

, Jiangxi Ya general Min Xu returned to Hongzhou (Nanchang) from Annan, where he was stationed. When he passed through Hunan, he found that there were no powerful people and troops there, so he had a different idea and summoned his generals and said: "Now the world is uncertain.

I want to protect the city with you and wait for the emperor's order, what do you think?" Naturally, everyone had no objection.

Min Xu immediately sent his troops to expel Li Yu, the Hunan observer envoy at that time, and occupied Tanzhou. This man was also funny. He did not go home honestly, but instead seized the city of the imperial officials. Min Xu's general Deng Chuna

The lieutenant general of the Hejun army recommended Min Xu as a post to stay and occupy Tanzhou for self-defense. The imperial court was unable to intervene, so it had to appoint Min Xu as the observer envoy to Hunan. Min Xu submitted a petition to build a festival and open a government, but was not approved by the imperial court.

In 882, Zhong Chuan gathered thousands of people to invade Fuzhou and attacked Hongzhou. The imperial court ordered Min Xu to lead an army to attack, but Min Xu saw through the imperial court's plan of killing two birds with one stone. Not only did he not attack Zhong Chuan, but instead formed an alliance with Zhong Chuan. The imperial court

He had no choice but to appoint Min Xu as the military envoy of Wu'an Army, and later he was appointed as the military envoy of Qinhua Army, stationed in Tanzhou. In order to reward Deng Chune for his support, Min Xu appointed him as the governor of Shaozhou. Deng Chune's courtesy name

Chong Yun is from Shaozhou.

He was brave and resourceful when he was young, and he followed Min Xu to garrison Annan.

In 884, Min Xu's power increased greatly and he governed people with kindness. He pitied Xu Hao, the governor of Hengzhou, who was driven away by Zhou Yue, a big tycoon in Hengzhou, and married Xu Hao, thus offending Zhou Yue. Zhou Yue was not a good person.

Stubble, he is from Zuoxi, with the courtesy name Junzhao. He once hunted in partnership with Lei Man, a Wuling barbarian. Once after hunting, they fought with each other over sharing the meat. Zhou Yue tried to kill Lei Man, but failed. So the two of them

A quarrel shows that this person is the one who cannot afford to suffer.

Lei Man is not a weakling. He is from Wuling, Langzhou, which is also the legendary Peach Blossom Spring. Lei Man is fierce and brave, with tattoos and broken hair. In the middle of the Guangming Dynasty, there was a great famine in Hunan, and thieves were everywhere. Lei Man and Tongli people

Si, Zhou Yue (the one who fought over eating meat above) and others gathered thousands of barbarians and hunted in the swamp. They ate meat and drank wine, selected heroes at the table, and appointed them as corps commanders, known as the native regiment army.

This title is similar to that of Sun Ru's Baitiao Army. The barbarians obeyed and recommended Lei Man as their commander.

At this time, Gao Pian happened to be guarding Jingnan. When he learned that Lei Man's troops were fierce, he summoned Lei Man under his command and ordered the barbarians to attack Huangchao. After Gao Pian transferred to Huainan, Lei Man followed him to Yangzhou. Soon he escaped again.

, gathered a crowd to kill Cui Zhu, the governor of Langzhou, and occupied Langzhou. Zhaozong had no choice but to appoint Li and Lang as Wu Zhenjun, and worship Leiman as Jiedu envoy.

At this time, Xiang Gui, a big local tycoon in Lizhou, killed the governor and occupied Lizhou. The barbarians of Xidong, Song Yechang, Shi Yi and others, all raised their own troops to plunder outside Dongting Lake. Lei Man used a light boat to go up and down the Jingjiang River to attack and plunder

Prefectures and counties. Lei Man occupied Langzhou, diverted the Yuan River to cut his city, and built a long bridge to make it impossible to attack.

Zuoxi was under the control of Langzhou. After Zhou Yue heard the news, he was afraid that Lei Man would settle an old score with him, so he hurriedly led his troops to attack Hengzhou and drove away Xu Hao, the governor of Hengzhou. Xu Hao had no choice but to defect to Min.

Xu. At this time, Xizong was threatened by Huang Chao's army, so he had no choice but to appoint Zhou Yue as the governor of Hengzhou and place him under the command of Li Yu, the Hunan observer envoy.

Zhou Yue was furious when he learned that Min Xu had accepted Xu Hao. He contacted Xiang Gui, a wealthy man who had already occupied Lizhou, and under the banner of revenge for Li Yu, attacked Min Xu from the north and south. Xiang Gui was the chief of Shimendong, and he

I heard that Lei Man was successful and after occupying Langzhou, he also gathered thousands of barbarians, slaughtered cattle and laborers, wielded long knives and crossbows, and invaded nearby prefectures and counties, calling themselves the Langbei Regiment. Soon after, he captured Lizhou and killed

The governor, Lu Zimu, called himself the governor.

Under Zhou Yue's inducement, Xiang Gui agreed to cooperate with him. Xiang Gui was worried that he was not strong enough, so he summoned Meishan Shidong to cut off the Shaozhou Road to prevent Deng Chuna from reinforcing Tanzhou. Min Xu led his army to fight and killed Xiang Gui's camp.

Xiang Gui was defeated. Xiang Gui hurriedly asked Zhou Yue for help. Zhou Yue came with his army and used his defeated army to lure him into battle. Min Xu underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, but he was ambushed and was defeated.

Seeing that Zhou Yue and Xiang Gui were in great danger, Min Xu was so overwhelmed that he asked Huang Hao, the Huaixi general and Huang Chao's nephew, for help. Unexpectedly, the person he invited was not a bodhisattva who saved people from suffering, but a murderous demon who did not blink an eye.

.Huang Hao led his army to Tanzhou. Instead of killing Zhou Yue, he killed Min Xu and occupied Tanzhou himself. However, evil people have their own way. Huang Hao was still hot in Tanzhou, so Zhou Yue led his army.

came to attack. Huang Hao could not resist, so Zhou Yue quickly invaded Tanzhou and killed Huang Hao. Zhou Yue immediately occupied Tanzhou and called himself the military envoy of Wu'an Army.

After hearing the news that his old superior Min Xu had been killed, Deng Chune from Shaozhou cried bitterly. The generals came to express condolences, and Deng Chune said: "I and you all have been greatly favored by Servant Min Xu, and today Servant

The innocent people were killed by Zhou Yue. I want to do my best as a state with you to avenge Pushe. Are you willing?" The generals agreed. So Deng Chune trained his soldiers and stepped up preparations for war. In 893, he sent people to fight with Zhou Yue.

Lei Man, the governor of Langzhou, formed an alliance, and then sent troops from Shaozhou to conquer Tanzhou and kill Zhou Yue. Deng Chune immediately claimed to be the envoy of the Wu'an Army and stayed behind.

At this time, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty had changed his master. Li Xuan, the game-loving Emperor Xizong, had died. Li Xuan's younger brother Li Ye succeeded him as Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty. Although Li Ye showed great ambition to revitalize the Tang Dynasty when he came to power, For the Tang Dynasty, which was over, there was no way to save it. Regarding the melee in the vassal town in the distant place of Hunan, Li Ye had no choice but to appoint Deng Chune as the military governor of Wu'an Army.

Although Deng Chuna became the nominal leader of Hunan, his ability was obviously far behind that of Yang Xingmi, Qian Liu, Zhong Chuan and other powerful figures. The Wu'an Army Jiedushi was in charge of seven states: Tanzhou, Shaozhou, Hengzhou, Yongzhou, Daozhou, Chenzhou, and Lianzhou. The new Jiedu envoy only controlled Tan and Shao. He had no way to deal with the big local tyrants in other places. They still occupied their own territory:

After Zhou Yue's death, Hengzhou was controlled by the local tycoon Yang Siyuan.

Yongzhou was occupied by the local hero Tang Shimin. This Tang Shimin had always been brave, handsome in appearance, with eye rings and teeth. Tang Xi

In the last years of Zong Qianfu's reign, Huang Chao rebelled. He also took advantage of the chaos to form a self-defense with local soldiers, broke into the city, killed Zheng Wei, the governor, and took possession of Yongzhou. He was very careful in managing his one-third-acre land, which won the hearts of the people, so much so that he After he was killed, the people of Yongzhou built a temple to worship Tang Gong.

However, Daozhou was in the hands of Cai Jie. Cai Jie was a native of Jianghua, Daozhou. In the first year of Guangming, that is, 880, Huang Chao's army passed by Daozhou. Cai Jie, He Yu and others from Daozhou took the opportunity to lead a rebellion and captured the city in June of the same year. Daozhou. He also joined forces with Lu Jingren, the Huangchao general who marched into Lianzhou, and took advantage of the chaos to seize several cities. They formed camps and garrisoned in strategic places within the territory, and controlled Daozhou.

Chenzhou was controlled by Chen Yanqian. In the sixth year of Qianfu (879), Huang Chao's army came out of Wuling, passed Yongzhou and Hengzhou along the Xiangjiang River, and captured Tan and Lang states. Chen Yanqian, a Chenzhou native, took advantage of the chaos and killed Dong Yue, the governor of Chenzhou, and called himself "the capital". "Unify", gather troops to defend the state, and separate one side. In the third year of Zhonghe, Xizong was promoted to Hunan Observer Envoy and Qinhua Army Jiedu Envoy. Chenzhou nominally belonged to the Qinhua Army, but it was still divided by Chen Yanqian.

In 893, after Deng Chune, the governor of Shaozhou, captured Tanzhou, Zhaozong changed the Qinhua Army to the Wu'an Army, with Deng Chune as the military envoy. He also granted Li Keyong's adopted son Li Cun, a Uighur, the governor of Chenzhou, to lead Chenzhou from afar. Chenzhou nominally belonged to the Wu'an Army, but in fact it was still controlled by Chen Yanqian. After he captured the city, he opened the Treasury to recruit troops and gained a certain degree of strength.

The actual controller of Lianzhou is Lu Jingren. He is from Suzhou. In the second year of Qianfu, he joined Huang Chao's army and fought in the north and south. He was an important general of Huang Chao. When Huang Chao went north from Guangzhou, he stayed in Lianzhou due to illness, and then He led more than a thousand men to join forces with Cai Jie and helped Cai Jie capture Daozhou. In the first year of Guangming, 880, he joined forces with Lianzhou garrison general Huang Xingcun and led 5,000 men to capture Lianzhou. Later, he joined forces with Tang Xingmin of Yongzhou to conquer Lianzhou. Chen Yanqian of Chenzhou was divided into one party.

At the same time, there were Feishan Barbarians, Chenzhou Barbarians, Xuzhou Barbarians and other tribes. They also occupied their own mountains and became kings. They did not obey the orders of the imperial court and were not controlled by the military commander Deng Chune.

After Gao Yu introduced the situation in Hunan, he continued: "At the beginning of May this year, Deng Chune killed Zhou Yue and became the military commander of Wu'an Army. It has been more than half a year now, and Deng Chune is still intoxicated with the success of killing Zhou Yue. In his joy, he was only busy eating, drinking, and singing with his surroundings all day long, and did not spend any thought on military and political matters. The total number of troops under his command was less than 20,000. If we march westward, we must first capture Liling, and then seize Tanzhou must be easy. Why go to head-to-head with Zhong Chuan? Besides, there are several benefits to us occupying Tanzhou."

Liu Jianfeng asked quickly: "Sir, please speak!" Gao Yu said: "Hongzhou is too close to two powerful enemies: Yang Xingmi and Qian Liu. I estimate that Yang Xingmi will send troops to attack Zhong Chuan soon. Even if we capture Hongzhou,

We will soon face Yang Xingmi, who is now much stronger. He will not give us much time to recuperate and accumulate strength. In that case, we will still be difficult to resist and may gain and lose again. Hunan does not have such worries."

Ma Yin asked: "Mr. Gao, as you just said, there are many powerful people in Hunan. We may not be sure, right?" Gao Yu smiled slightly and said: "General Ma is too self-effacing.

With your ability and strength, it will be easy to defeat these reckless people. There are many forces in Hunan, but they cannot form a joint force, so we can use various strategies to defeat them. After we unify Hunan, we can divide our troops to guard the key roads and accumulate strength. This

Hunan has Luoxiao Mountain in the east, Xuefeng Mountain in the west, Wuling Mountain in the south, and the Yangtze River in the north. It can be defended according to the danger. At this moment, there are no particularly powerful forces around Hunan. We just use this time to vigorously expand our strength. Wait until Yang Xingmi temporarily lives there.

In Jiangxi, we are capable of fighting him."

Zhang Ji asked doubtfully: "Mr. Gao, but Hunan is the place where the Four Wars were fought. Guan Yu couldn't hold it back then, how can we hold it?" Gao Yu said: "Zhang Sima only knows one, but not the other. Hunan is indeed

It was a place of four battles, but conversely it was also a place of four exits. Guan Yu failed to defend it, firstly because of his own pride and carelessness, and secondly because he was too focused on the north, too eager to advance northward, and neglected to accumulate strength.

The third is that Sun Quan’s strength is too strong. But it is different now. After we occupy Hunan, we don’t have to rush to capture cities and territories. We should focus on protecting the environment and the people, and recuperating. We can only wait until there is chaos in any direction in the surrounding area, and then we take advantage of the opportunity to escape. Naturally, we will be foolproof."

Gao Yu's words were praised by everyone. Liu Jianfeng was deeply moved and said: "Mr. Gao's words made me enlightened. I am determined to follow Mr. Gao's plan and immediately send troops to the west." Gao Yu said:

"Commander, don't be impatient. Gao still has something to say." Liu Jianfeng said happily: "Sir, please speak! Sir, please speak!"

Seeing Liu Jianfeng's sincere attitude, Gao Yu couldn't help but feel a little proud, and said slowly: "Commander, before we send our army to march westward, there are still a few things to do. The first is to collect food and supplies. The second is to expand our troops.

Third, we need to spread the news everywhere, saying that Yang Xingmi is about to attack Hongzhou. Jiangxi will soon face war and the people will be devastated. We then encourage the people to follow us to the west and promise them that after arriving in Hunan, we will properly resettle them and help them.

They have settled down. For those who are willing to follow us, we will give them some money and food. In this way, most of the people nearby will definitely follow us to Hunan."
Chapter completed!