Chapter 166 Versatility Go all the way south along the canal, capture Gaoyou and Yangzhou, which are as prosperous as Huai'an, and push the front all the way to the Yangtze River.
In this way, the territory controlled by the Huai'an Army became a semi-enclosed area sandwiched between the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, with a vast ocean to the east.
But at this moment, on its west side, there are Xuzhou Zhao Junyong, Suzhou Zhima Li, Haozhou Guo Zixing and Dingyuan Sun Deya.
If Meng Yuan wants to launch an attack from the west, he must first walk through the territory of one of these four heroes.
South of the Yangtze River is the big granary of Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Even if the Huai'an army was unable to fight across the river, the Mongolian and Yuan court could no longer prevent the people from selling food to the north of the Yangtze River.
What's more, there is a large sea bandit named Fang Guozhen lying on the other side of Wenzhou.
If he wanted to sell grain to the Huai'an army, Meng Yuan's navy couldn't stop him even if he wanted to.
As the saying goes, when a child falls on the ground, everything comes alive.
If the Huai'an army can really do what Zhu Chongba said, the previous potential food crisis will completely cease to exist.
After the addition of Gaoyoufu and Yangzhou Road under the rule, the Huai'an Army's strategic depth quickly expanded threefold.
Even if you occasionally lose on the battlefield, you will not immediately face the embarrassing situation of life or death.
However, in this way, the Huai'an Army's original strategic deployment will be completely disrupted.
The peaceful life like a paradise in front of us will no longer exist.
In addition, the city walls of Gaoyou and Yangzhou are taller and stronger than those of Huai'an.
When we attacked Huai'an last time, we had drainage ditches to drill.
If we want to attack Gaoyou and Yangzhou this time, I'm afraid it won't be possible to repeat the same tactics.
If you want to break into the city, you can only rely on your own strength.
By then, I am afraid that there will be corpses under every city wall.
Thinking that the newly expanded army would have to pay at least half of the casualties for this, everyone here felt very hesitant.
It was not easy to save such a small amount of money.
Except for the portion allocated to Zhima Li and Zhao Jun, the money collected from the Huai'an government treasury was almost entirely spent on the 30,000 new troops.
And if that wasn't enough, money had to be diverted from arms sales and salt taxes to make up for it.
"Brother Zhu's plan is very clever, but our Huai'an army has just been expanded for three months.
It would be too hasty to go south now."
Immediately, the head of the palace, Shi Su Mingzhe, put down his wine cup and emphasized solemnly.
"Yes, if the soldiers are not well trained, it is equivalent to letting the brothers die on the battlefield.
No matter how many soldiers there are, they are all lambs to be slaughtered."
Hu Dahai also took a cautious attitude towards this, frowned, and whispered.
Mr.
Su helped.
He originally led the Yanding troops to fight against the Xuzhou army, but suffered the consequences of poor training.
Although he and Geng Zaicheng were both outstanding in martial arts, they went back and forth to kill each other and blocked holes everywhere.
But individual bravery could not restore the decline of the entire army.
Zhu Bayi led the elite Xuzhou left army to defeat the generals, and the generals could not find the soldiers.
In less than half a stick of incense, the entire front was defeated, and both of them were imprisoned.
"Whether a soldier is good or not, it's all relative."
As if he was prepared for everyone's reaction, Zhu Chongba smiled and explained in a low voice, "On the way here, I saw Commander Xu's new army.
Although it was formed not long ago, More than 80% of them are new soldiers, but they are probably more than five times more powerful than the troops under the command of any hero on both sides of the Huaihe River, and they are at least twice as powerful as the local garrison placed by the imperial court. " This sentence is not entirely flattering to the Huai'an army.
Compared with the surrounding red scarf heroes recruiting refugees into the army, just stuffing a bamboo pole into their hands and rushing to the battlefield, the Huai'an new army, which has been trained for two and a half months, is indeed much better.
Compared with the soldiers and horses stationed in various places by the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties, they also had great advantages in terms of morale and weapons.
After all, the technology of cannon casting and cold forging of armor was discovered by Zhu Bayi and his craftsmen.
The Mongolian and Yuan officials in Gaoyou and Yangzhou could neither imitate artillery nor buy cold-forged iron armor.
"Yeah" Mr.
Su twirled his beard and nodded with enjoyment.
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"Thank you, General Zhu.
Please continue."
Lu Zeng gave Zhu Chongba a rare smile and stretched out his hand to signal him to continue the unfinished topic.
"The official army was newly defeated in Bianliang, with more than 300,000 troops and horses lost, and all money, food and supplies.
Although the Mongolian and Yuan court had many soldiers and generals, they were far from the point of breaking out.
But if you want to concentrate again, Raise 300,000 troops and horses, and prepare enough money and food for them to last for more than three months.
I'm afraid they will also get It won't be until the beginning of winter."
Seeing that everyone here was so pleased with what he said, Zhu Chongba turned his gaze to Zhu Ba11 and continued to give advice in a low voice, "Before that, Gaoyou and Yangzhou will have to face each other alone.
It is difficult for the Yuan army on the north side of the Yellow River to muster the courage to cross the river."
"Yeah, it's true."
Zhu Bayi thought for a while and nodded in admiration.
The suggestion Zhu Chongba just put forward did not actually deviate from the framework that Lu Luzeng and himself had drawn up in Xuzhou.
It's just that both Lu Luzeng and himself believed that after taking Huai'an, they needed to be steady and gradual.
It was not until the strength was sufficient that they attacked Gaoyou and Yangzhou, and then crossed the river to capture the big granary of Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Zhu Chongba's suggestions were more flexible.
I think that as long as the opportunity is right, I should take action immediately, regardless of whether I am fully prepared.
However, Zhu Chongba's proposal was completely based on his contempt for the strength of the enemy forces in Gaoyou and Yangzhou and his speculation on the reaction speed of the Mongolian and Yuan court.
Although it was flexible, the risks he took were also very huge.
In other words, if one of Zhu Chongba's two judgments just made a mistake, the Huai'an army would be unable to attack Gaoyou for a long time and lose troops and generals.
Or during the Huai'an army's march south, the Mongolian and Yuan armies crossed the Yellow River in large numbers.
The good situation in front of them may be in vain.
If it doesn't work well, it is possible to throw away Huai'an City and live under someone else's roof.
"The chief manager is worried that the troops under his command are too thin."
Seeing that Zhu Ba11 only praised himself, there was nothing more to say.
Zhu Chongba was worried and asked loudly.
This is a bit impolite to ask.
Immediately, Xu Hongsan and others became excited.
Zhu Chongba did not give everyone time to scold him.
He gritted his teeth and continued to ask loudly, "Or maybe the general manager was worried that there would be too many casualties during the siege, which would damage his strength and prevent him from protecting Huai'an, a financial and taxation center.
If so, Zhu Chongba There is another plan here, I wonder if the chief manager would be willing to listen to it."
"presumptuous" "Bold" "Little brand boss, the chief manager treats you with courtesy, but you dare to bite your nose and face."
Then the scoldings started ringing out from all around, and everyone who spoke had an angry look on their face.
"Hey, why are you people so unreasonable?"
The long-legged girl stood up immediately, tit for tat, "You asked him to make suggestions, and now you blame him for asking directly, Manager Zhu, do you usually treat guests to dinner like this?"
"Let him tell."
Zhu Bayi gave his subordinate Wenwu a sharp look, then turned his gaze to Zhu Chongba, took a breath, and asked with a smile, "Zhu is willing to hear the details."
"Previously, Marshal Liu and Timur were in a standoff, and he invited General Manager Li, General Manager Zhao, and Guijun to come and help."
Zhu Chongba cupped his hands and explained calmly, "After that, the four families divided it up according to their contribution.
After taking away the prisoners and baggage, General Manager Li returned to Suzhou, General Manager Zhao returned to Xuzhou, and the Gui army returned to Huaidong.
The territory captured at that time, including Bianliang, was handed over to Marshal Liu
.
"
"At this moment, the General Manager wants to go south along the canal, but the troops are somewhat unavailable.
Why not follow Marshal Liu's example and ask the surrounding friendly forces to come and help.
As long as all parties have agreed in advance on the distribution of post-war benefits, I believe that no friendly forces around will refuse to do so.
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Invitation from the Steward" "You mean, Manager Guo and Governor Sun are also willing to come and help."
At this moment, Zhu Bayi couldn't help but feel horrified.
Zhao Junyong had just swallowed Suiyang, Suizhou and Luyi.
He was now busy digesting the results of the battle and would definitely not be able to send troops to help.
Zhima Li was shot through the shoulder with a crossbow during the Battle of Bianliang.
He has not recovered yet, and he probably will not be able to lead the troops in the battle himself.
The so-called inviting friendly forces around, I am afraid those who responded most positively were Guo Zixing from Haozhou and Sun Deya from Dingyuan.
For one thing, these two are the closest to the Huai'an Army and can arrive at any time.
Secondly, these two people currently occupy poor areas and have very little money.
However, they lacked restraint when recruiting troops and horses.
Now they were so poor that even military rations were a problem, so they just made up for it by taking Gaoyou and Yangzhou.
"Boy, when you offered your advice to my governor just now, I'm afraid this was the idea you had in mind."
"Hey.
Brother Zhu, you are really loyal to your manager Guo.
Even when eating, no, all the time, you are making plans for him."
Mr.
Su, Hu Dahai and others also reacted, shaking their heads and joking loudly.
"Expelling the Tartars is a matter of great justice.
If the general manager invites me, Xiao Ke is willing to send a message to Guo Shuai and Sun Dudu on behalf of the general manager."
Zhu Chongba did not directly refute everyone's words, but instead raised his hand to Zhu Ba11. , added very confidently.
"I'm afraid I can't repay General Manager Guo and Governor Sun for sending troops to help with just a piece of money and grain."
Zhu Bayi's reaction was not slow, he smiled and responded in a very gentle tone.
"Previously, the son of Governor Sun was guilty of trying to steal the secret art of cannon-making from your army.
I hope the general manager will not continue to pursue it."
Zhu Chongba immediately stepped into the role of negotiator and made demands on behalf of the Haozhou army without hesitation.
"Okay" Zhu Bayi nodded again.
Everyone has returned to Sun Deya.
Even if he wants to pursue the case, he can't directly lead his troops to ask for it.
So it doesn't make any difference whether you agree or not.
"We, the Haozhou Army, would like to ask the Chief Superintendent to take care of the purchase of artillery.
The price is easy to negotiate, but the delivery time must not be delayed any longer."
But Zhu Chongba was a subtle person, and he quickly caught on to Zhu Ba11's words.
Continue to add.
"Okay."
Zhu Bayi nodded with a smile without even thinking about it.
After solving the problem of rough grinding of gun barrels today, Huang Laowai's artillery output and yield will surely reach a new level.
At present, the four-pounder gun, which has an effective range of only more than 350 steps, is fully ready for mass production.
There is also hope that the five-pounder cannon and the six-pounder cannon, which are currently under trial production, will be born ahead of schedule due to the invention of the boring machine.
In this way, the more four-pounders are sold to the outside world, the faster the funds and raw materials will be recovered.
The more funds and raw materials are available, the easier it will be for artillery with longer ranges and muskets with stronger barrels to be installed in several new armies as soon as possible.
"Since the general manager agreed readily, Xiao Ke did not hide it.
Gaoyou and Yangzhou are already in the general manager's bowl, and our Haozhou army is unable to spy.
But after taking Gaoyou and Yangzhou, if the Meng Yuan court still returns No effort If we come to attack, please be brave and ask the general manager to send a partial division to accompany my Haozhou Army to Luzhou.
I don't dare to trouble the brothers of the Huai'an Army to lead the battle.
As long as I bring enough artillery and ammunition, I can hold down the city.
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Just the defenders” He wants Luzhou.
Guo Zixing wants to capture Luzhou with the help of our Huai'an army.
Whether it is Lu Luzeng, Su Mingzhe or Hu Dahai, their eyes are wide open.
At present, the entire territory of Huaidong Road south of the Yellow River is owned by the Huai'an Army.
If other forces want to attack Gaoyou and Yangzhou, they can only use the Huai'an Army or the Haozhou Army to borrow a way.
And with the current strength of Haozhou Guo Zixing and Dingyuan Sun Deya, it is impossible to capture these two big cities.
In other words, Gaoyou and Yangzhou have long been regarded as forbidden areas for the Huai'an Army.
Even if other heroes are greedy and want to get these two precious lands, they have to ask Zhu Bayi's attitude first.
Zhu Chongba's plan to join forces today gave the Haozhou Army a favor that would have been impossible to capture.
Correspondingly, they also tried to use these two cities that did not originally belong to them as bargaining chips in exchange for the Huai'an army to cooperate with them in capturing Luzhou.
This business was done too shrewdly, to the point where it was almost worthless.
Not only that, after taking Luzhou, the Haozhou Army also got the opportunity to spy on Jiangnan.
Because they were not adapted to the climate of the Jiangnan water town, almost all the elite soldiers of the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties were stationed in the north.
In case Guo Zixing gets to Luzhou, he will cross the river first.
The development plans of the Huai'an Army will be seriously affected.
Even Suzhou and Hangzhou may be snatched away by the opponent.
The only one who didn't think Zhu Chongba was whimsical was Zhu Bayi himself.
Ever since Zhu Dapeng's memory confirmed that the person in front of him was the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the parallel space, he could not believe that the other party would make suggestions for him without any conditions.
In other words, he was not surprised by what Zhu Chongba was doing now.
Zhu Chongba would really be surprised if he did not take the opportunity to gain benefits for the Haozhou Army.
"I can promise you this."
He pressed his hands down and signaled Lu Luzeng and others to calm down, and then responded to Zhu Bayi very kindly, "But after taking Luzhou, if your ministry spies on Jiangnan, what will happen to both parties?"
"Divide the attack scope" "At present, most of the areas south of the Yangtze River are still in the hands of the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties."
Zhu Chongba smiled and responded in a neither humble nor overbearing manner.
Since most of the areas south of the Yangtze River are still controlled by the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasty, no matter which rebel army goes to attack, it is for China to regain its homeland, and it is justified.
Therefore, in terms of justice, the Huai'an Army has no qualifications and requires others not to take action first.
"But since the General Manager brought it up today, Xiao Ke will definitely convey the General Manager's intention in front of my General Manager Guo."
Before everyone could get angry, Zhu Chongba quickly added, "Anyway, if the two sides join forces to go south, they will definitely Contracting.
It is impossible to leave such a big matter to Xiao Ke.
So, it is too early to mention this now.
It is better to wait until Manager Zhu meets with Manager Guo to discuss the matter.
What do you think?”
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