Chapter 229 Chapter Eleven Strategizing

One month after Mr. Changping and Li Si came to the ranch to meet Xiang Shaolong, Xiang Shaolong's ominous premonition finally came true. Li Mu's army suddenly arrived and defeated the Qin army outside Tunliu. Wang Ling and Huanju retreated in a hurry to the Changzi City at the end of the Lushui River about a hundred miles southwest of Tunliu, losing nearly 30,000 people. Wang Ling was full of anxiety and anger, and was overworked. Two days after arriving in the eldest son city, he fell ill and died. When the black dragon was born, the four generals, apart from Wang Jian, Meng Ao, Wang Lu and Wang Ling all passed away within two years, which dealt an unprecedented blow to the people of Qin.

Now the famous Qin generals are only Xiang Shaolong and Wang Jian.Others such as Huanju, Mengwu, Mengtian, Yang Duanhe, and Guan Zhongxie have not yet reached the point of being alone. So far, Qin's plan to advance eastward has been completely shattered for the time being. If it hadn't been for Xiang Shaolong's defeat of the joint vertical armies of the Five Kingdoms, and the suppression of the Chengyu and Du Bi rebellion, the Qin family might have to move their capital to avoid disaster like the people of Chu. Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi were called back to Xianyang.They did not want their wives and children to be busy, and urged them to stay in the pasture.Ji Yanran and the others have begun to get used to their life away from home, but because this time's opponent may be the most difficult and unrivaled general of this era, Li Mu, they were urged to rush back to Xianyang.

Xiang Shaolong went directly to the palace to meet Xiao Pan as usual, while Teng Yi went to find his fifth younger brother Jing Jun whom he hadn't seen for a long time. Xiao Pan met him alone in the palace, with a solemn expression, and said straight to him: "Lv Buwei killed the king's tomb today." Xiang Shaolong was stunned and said, "There is such a thing?" On the small pan holding the hand hall, the dragon's eyes flickered with cold lightning, and when Xiang Shaolong felt chills in his heart, the future Qin Shihuang snorted coldly: "I have already worried that the Zhao people will go to relieve the siege of Tunliu, so I ordered Guan Zhongxie Go to attack the Zhao people and contain Li Mu. Unexpectedly, Lu Buwei stopped him unreasonably, and got the support of Lai Ai. After many delays, he finally lost the settlement. The widow will definitely settle this account with them in the future."

Xiang Shaolong frowned and said, "Can these matters be handled by them?" Xiaopan said angrily: "Of course they don't care. I only hate that the widow promised the Queen Mother that any transfer of more than 100,000 people must be stamped and approved by her. According to Mao Jiao, the letter sent by the widow to the Queen Mother was intentional. It was delayed for ten days before it was delivered to the queen mother, and it was delayed for another half a month when it was sent back. All the military planes were delayed due to the thieves. The widow wanted to investigate the responsibility afterwards, but the queen mother tried her best to protect Lai Ai. General Wang died unjustly."

Xiang Shaolong smiled wryly: "It turns out that the Empress Dowager listened to my persuasion and moved to Yongdu, but there will be this kind of ill." Xiao Pan shook his head and said: "This has nothing to do with the master. The problem lies with Lu Buwei and Lao Ai. With these two people around for a day, we can never imagine that we can rule the world. Since ancient times, we must first secure the inside before we can fight the outside. Jing, how can we pacify the six kingdoms and achieve a great cause through the ages." After a pause, he continued: "Now we are facing Li Mu, and we lose almost every battle. If we don't get rid of this man for a day, we don't even think about entering Handan."

Xiang Shaolong said: "Is the power of the Zhao Kingdom still in the hands of the Empress Dowager Han Jing?" Xiaopan replied: "The present King Zhao is even worse than King Xiaocheng. He is addicted to wine and sex, and he is suspicious and jealous. Hmph, no one knows him better than me. One day he will die on a woman's belly, and It won't be far away. Although Han Jing is smart and powerful, she is always a woman, she only knows how to be infatuated with Guo Kai, let this villain control the government and interfere with military affairs, otherwise Li Mu might have come here long ago."

Xiang Shaolong was surprised: "Isn't there a rumor that Pang Nuan is Han Jing's face?" Xiao Pan hated Zhao Ren very much, and said with disdain: "Han Jing is promiscuous, so it's so strange to find more men." Then he sighed and said, "I really don't want Master to send troops to stay, but there is no more suitable candidate. And this is what Lu Buwei and Lao Ai most desire." Xiang Shaolong was puzzled, "Why did Chu Jun say that?" Xiaopan turned to him as if not daring, walked to the window, looked at Yuyuan, which was sprinkled with snow powder, and said slowly behind his back: "Because I understand the relationship between Master and Li Mu, so unless Master promises, I will never If there is any personal relationship, otherwise I would not let Master go to war. Because Li Mufei is like Pang Nuan and Han Chuang, if you are soft-hearted, Master, you will definitely lose."

Xiang Shaolong shook violently and couldn't speak. Just as he knows Xiao Pan very well, Xiao Pan also knows him very clearly. The last person he wants to face on the battlefield is Li Mu, but this mentality already makes it difficult for him to sway freely. But the fact before him was that he had to fight Li Mu to the death.Otherwise, not only would Huanju not be able to come back alive, but even Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe might fall into the hands of Li Mu along with the eastern counties. Can he beat Li Mu?This is something that even Wang Jian is not sure about. Xiao Pan's breathing became heavy.

Xiang Shaolong gritted his teeth fiercely, and said decisively: "Okay, I, Xiang Shaolong, and Li Mu will meet each other on the battlefield. No matter who survives and who dies, just treat it as a soldier's natural end." Xiaopan turned around like a whirlwind, and said with great joy: "With these few words from the master, I am relieved enough." Xiang Shaolong said: "How many troops can Chu Jun give me?" Xiaopan's mood improved, and he thought to himself: "Why can't the master set out until spring? Recently, Lu Buwei has deliberately mobilized a large number of soldiers to build the Zhengguo Canal, so there are not many people who can use it. Fortunately, what the master wants is only well-trained Warrior, uh..."

Xiang Shaolong frowned upon hearing this. Li Mu's Zhao soldiers are the most famous in the East, with 20,000 iron cavalry under his banner, even the Huns who are proficient in cavalry and archery are willing to bow down, and his own Wujia elite regiment now has only 2,000 people left. Winning Li Mu is even easier said than done. After a round of calculations, Xiaopan said with certainty: "I can give master 20,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry, both of which are soldiers who are used to fighting. The army strength can reach 120,000, it should be able to compete with Li Mu's estimated 100,000 troops."

The two talked for a while, Xiao Pan summoned Mr. Changping, and after the discussion was settled, Xiang Shaolong and Mr. Changping left hand in hand. Xiang Shaolong couldn't help asking: "Is the construction of Zheng Guoqu really a drag on us so much?" Lord Changping sighed: "Zhengguoqu certainly consumed a lot of our manpower and material resources, but the main reason is that Lu Buwei wanted to use the local government to fight against the central government, and to manipulate the military and political affairs of our Great Qin in another way. Especially now that he and Lai Ai are using each other to become The Empress Dowager will often stand on their side. The Crown Prince has no choice but to die like Wang Ling." Xiang Shaolong thought of Wang Lu and Wang Ling, old hatred and new hatred rushed into his heart.In two more years, he will be able to kill his vengeance. Lord Changping stepped out of the palace gate with him, and said in a low voice: "There is news from Maojiao that, with the secret support of Lu Buwei, Lai Ai is secretly organizing a buddy, and even the Queen Mother is hiding this matter." Xiang Shaolong was stunned and said, "What buddy?" Changping Jundao: "It is a very strict organization. Those who join the party must swear a poisonous oath, only to be loyal to Lai Ai, and then Lai Ai will try to insert them into various military and political positions, so that they can serve as a substitute for rebellion in the future. He made waves." After a pause, he continued: "According to the prince's prediction, the conspiracy between Lao Ai and Lu Buwei will be launched during the coronation ceremony of the prince, because according to etiquette, the prince must go to the Taimiao of Yongdu for the coronation, and Lai Ai You can arrange everything according to your normal status. Since Yongdu is all their people, it is a thousand times easier to rebel than in Xianyang, but we have already guessed that they have such a trick, so naturally we cannot teach them to succeed." Xiang Shaolong smiled wryly and said: "Their conspiracy has been launched long ago, first it was Wang Yan, and then Wang Ling. If it wasn't for Huan Jue being also a good general, I'm afraid he wouldn't be spared. Lu Buwei is always a master strategist. They can wipe out our people one by one without bloodshed." Now it's finally my little brother's turn." Lord Changping said in astonishment: "Shaolong, don't say such ominous words. Now, except for Shaolong and Wang Jian, there is no one in our Great Qin who is a match for Li Mu. Shaolong must muster his will and make contributions to the prince." Thinking of Li Mu, Xiang Shaolong said dejectedly, "Do your best." Mr. Changping suggested: "Why don't we go to Li Si to discuss it?" Xiang Shaolong shook his head, bid farewell and went back to the Duqi officer's office. ◇◇◇◇◇◇ After Teng Yi and Jing Jun heard him report the situation, Teng Yi said: "Chu Jun is right, there is absolutely no place for personal affairs on the battlefield. Because it is not a matter between two people, but involves tens of thousands of generals. lives, their wives and children, and the fate of the country.” Xiang Shaolong was startled and said, "I didn't think that much." Teng Yi pondered for a while, then said solemnly: "I have a proposal, that is, to select elite soldiers immediately, and then gather them to the ranch, and train them as strictly as our elite regiment, and our junior soldiers such as Jing Shan, Wu Yanzhu, etc. As military marquises, each marquis leads five thousand soldiers, then we can use our arms and fingers to exert the greatest combat capability." Xiang Shaolong lifted his spirits, recalled the training methods of the special forces in the 21st century, and happily agreed. In the following ten days, Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi personally selected 45,000 people from the garrison in the capital, divided into quick aid divisions, Duqi, Duwei and imperial guards, and divided them into nine parts. The eight iron guards acted as chief and deputy military officers, and then formed an army every two times.With Jing Jun, Wu Guo, and Zhao Da three as the commanders of the army, and the remaining 2,000 Wu family elite troops as personal guards, he was the commander in chief, with Teng Yi as his deputy. Of course Zhou Liang became the leader of the spy team. Most of this group of people went out twice with Xiang Shaolong, and they heard that Xiang Shaolong led the army, and they were all as powerful as a rainbow, and they were willing to die. Lu Buwei and Lao Ai cooperated surprisingly, and he wished that he would die early and never return to Xianyang. So Xiang Shaolong asked Xiao Pan to move the whole army to the ranch, using various facilities to train the army day and night, hoping to take advantage of the three months of severe cold before spring to train into another huge and elite army. Due to the heavy snow that day, the soldiers all avoided to go to the pasture, when Xiang Shaolong had dinner with his wife and children.Ji Cainv said: "In the final analysis, the art of war is the art of deception, so the first is to attack the enemy, the second is to attack the enemy, and the next is to attack the city. It can show it but not, and it can show it is far away. Sun Tzu even made it clear that soldiers never tire of deceit, Now Yanran sees the methods of the Maharaja's military training, all of them are ingenious and amazing, especially the way of concealing combat, which is second to none in the world. But I have never heard of the master's unique strategy to control the enemy." Qin Qing said softly and affectionately: "Yan Ran is not aimless. Pu Ji has great influence in the eastern counties, and he has built the Tunliu many times. The city is high and the river is wide. Now he doesn't worry about us attacking him. Quiet braking. Judging from Wangling Huanju's deep understanding of the art of war, and the great Qin's elite soldiers in hand, he was still defeated. It can be seen that Pu Ji is not Zhao Kuo's idiot, and there will be no mistakes in Changping. With Li Mu on the side Looking at it like a tiger, the young dragon must not only show off the bravery of a man." Xiang Shaolong was sweating profusely when he heard it.This tactic is not only to attack the fortified city, but also to deal with Li Mu's surprise attack. It is delusional to think that it can be won by routine.The biggest problem is that Huan Yu is now commanding a newly defeated army, and he thinks that there are not enough troops, so he can't deal with the two fronts at the same time and fight separately.What's more, Pu Ji has always been unpredictable, and Li Mu is a genius with unparalleled experience in using troops. He can almost know the outcome of this battle without fighting. " Wu Tingfang suggested: "Can we send people to sneak into Tunliu City first?" Ji Yanran said: "How could the enemy not guard against this trick, and the camp is originally Zhao's land, so it is even more difficult for Qin people to get away with it." Xiang Shaolong searched through the memory of the siege battle for more than a thousand years in his head, and almost wanted to explode his head, but he couldn't think of any clever plan for a while, so he had to give up. After the meal, Xiang Shaolong lay on the mat with his head resting on Wu Tingfang's jade legs, thinking again. Ji Yanran and the others didn't dare to interrupt his train of thought, and silently stayed by the side. Xiang Baoer was sent to the couch by sister Tian. There were raging fires burning in the four corners, so that they didn't feel the cold and snow outside invading their bodies. Xiang Shaolong remembered the saying in "Mo's Addendum" that "the way to attack a city is to surround it on all sides, and a corner must be opened to show the way of life and lure the enemy to break through".But obviously it doesn't apply to Tunliu City.Because Li Mu was by his side, he was not qualified to trap the city to death. In the final analysis, the siege is nothing more than four parts: crossing the river trenches, attacking the city gates and walls, climbing the city and finally pursuing the street fighting. And because the enemy is protected by the moat, and has the advantage of condescending, and can turn from defense to attack at any time, the mountain city raids and robs the village, so if one's own side follows the routine, it will inevitably incur heavy casualties.If he were Li Mu, he would lead the army to attack when the Qin army was exhausted. At that time, the entire army would not be wiped out, and thank heaven. How can this passive situation be changed? I only hate that Pu Ji doesn't love Trojan horses, otherwise, the story of the Trojan Horse Massacre in the West can be repeated. Suddenly, with a flash of inspiration, Daxi sat up, raised his arms and shouted: "I thought of it." The map is spread out on the mat.Teng Yi, Jing Jun and the others watched with all their attention, but they still didn't know what kind of medicine Xiang Shaolong was selling in the gourd. Xiang Shaolong pointed to a big city named Zhongmou in the Zhao territory and said: "This city is an important town in the southern border of the Zhao people. Handan, the capital of Zhao, is 120 miles to the north, and Tunliu is 130 miles to the northwest, so no matter where you come from, The journey from Zhongmu to either of the two is almost the same distance. However, the official road leading to Handan is to the east of Zhongmu, and it takes only three days to reach Handan. If we can capture this city, you say that the Zhao royal court will What's the reaction?" Teng Yi slapped the case and exclaimed: "Of course it was frightened. I was afraid that we would attack the capital. We all know what material Guo Kai is." Qin Qing frowned and said, "Zhongmou is located at the junction of Zhao and Wei, and has always been well-defended. How could it be easily captured by you? Besides, there is the Great Wall of the Protectorate that stretches for hundreds of miles to the south of Handan. The Zhao people have been stationed for a long time. If your 40,000 people It is very dangerous to go deep alone." Ji Yanran smiled and said: "Your Majesty must have another clever plan, sister Qing, please listen carefully." Xiang Shaolong smiled at Qin Qing: "Let's listen to the husband's advice." Seeing that he regarded himself as a husband, Qin Qing was both ashamed and happy, and gave him a hard look. " Xiang Shaolong said: "This time we will not stop doing one thing, but now the Xuanshi City, which is in charge of Zhongxie and Chen Bing Koreans, is only eighty miles away from Tunliu, and more than a hundred miles away from Zhongmou. We will simply ask the prince to get the secret The imperial edict, go to the Xuan family to deprive Guan Zhongxie of military power, and take his 130,000 soldiers as his own. It will be very powerful, and the best thing is that the people of Zhao will still think that we are going north to the eldest son city to join forces with Huanyu , and then go north to attack Tunliu. Therefore, we will definitely concentrate our forces on Shangdang to deal with us.” Jing Jun said harshly, "It's best to kill Guan Zhongxie by the way." Qin Qing said: "Then if you want to force Lu Buwei to rebel immediately, don't forget that Guan Zhongxie is now Lu Buwei's beloved son-in-law." Xiang Shaolong said: "After we arrived at the Xuan family, we marched in two ways, the light and the dark, so that Zhao people thought we were going to the eldest son city, but in fact we crossed the river and dived to Zhongmou, attacking those who were not prepared, and using our Wu family's elite soldiers to climb the wall in the dark Entering the city, as long as you can control one of the city gates, you can take Zhongmou over." Teng Yi nodded and said: "It's best to get people to sneak into Handan first, then spread rumors and make people panic. The Zhao people had no choice but to call Li Mu back to defend the capital. Then Tunliu will no longer have anything to do with it." Ji Yanran excitedly said: "At the same time, we need to teach Xiao Ben and Duan and the two armies to fight back together. If Pang Nuan and Sima Shang's two armies are restrained, then Li Mu's summoning to leave the village should be a foregone conclusion." Xiang Shaolong said: "The most critical part of this matter is how to march thousands of miles from Xuanshi to Zhongmu without being noticed by the enemy, otherwise it will just end up in another protracted siege battle." Ji Yanran carefully inspected the map and said: "You can pretend to go to the eldest son city first, and then divide your troops into two groups when you reach the south bank of Lushui River. From then on to Zhongmou, there are no mountains and plains. As long as you march quickly, even if people see you, you will not be able to catch up. Go and inform the city guards of Zhongmu, so there should not be too many people, and the streamlined light cavalry must go first, followed by the infantry, and Zhou Liang's Eagle King should be able to play the most effective role in this situation." Everyone up to this point is full of confidence, wishing they could attack Zhongmou immediately. Teng Yi said: "If we can send 50,000 people to the Changzi City to join forces with Huanju, the number will reach 120,000, but it may not be possible to capture Tunliu in a month or two. I am afraid that at that time Zhao people will find out our reality and send troops to attack, and we will be attacked by the enemy, we will still be hard to be optimistic." Xiang Shaolong said: "Pu Ji has always been a big businessman, and he only rose up to resist by relying on the people of Zhao, and if he was captured, he would end up ransacking his family and destroying his family. They also intentionally left a way out to ensure that Tunliu City would collapse without a fight, making it difficult to defend to the death." Zhao Zhidao: "The first panic is naturally that the Zhao people will abandon them, but then what can we do to scare them?" Xiang Shaolong smiled and said: "The method is very simple, adopt the strategy of encircling the city from the countryside. Occupy all the nearby villages, remove the residents, and cut off the supply of food and grass in Tunliu. Then build a fort outside Tunliu city, build a All kinds of siege equipment, set up a long-term siege pattern, guarantee that in less than ten and a half months, Pu Ji will try to slip away." Jing Jun smiled and said, "If you don't slip away, then just attack his mother." Wu Tingfang scolded: "Xiao Jun, can you be more careful with your tongue?" Seeing everyone's eyes looking at her, Qin Qing shrugged her shoulders and said, "I'm used to it!" Everyone smiled at him. Xiang Shaolong said: "Let's think more clearly about the whole plan, and then send someone to inform Xiaoju, Xiao Ben and Duanhe immediately. This matter must be strictly kept secret, otherwise it will not work if it is revealed." Although it was already late at night, Xiang Shaolong's three brothers couldn't sleep, after the girls rested, they continued to study over and over again, and at dawn they ordered Jin to withdraw and went off to work separately.