Zhao Tai stroked his beard and asked, "Why did you say this, sir?"

Wang Bin said solemnly: "The difficulty of this battle is that if our army can win quickly and win greatly, it will definitely attract the attention of Mongolia and affect the commander-in-chief's plan to seize Shandong. If our army cannot win quickly and win greatly, it will not be possible for a long time."

Fighting with the enemy will make the soldiers tired of fighting and the people will suffer. If our army is defeated, the enemy will definitely take advantage of the victory to pursue and seize the prefectures and counties in Shandong. Therefore, victory is also worrying, defeat is also worrying, and defeat is even more worrying!"

Zhao Tai nodded slightly. Zhao Tai's plan was to capture Shandong when the Mongols attacked Kaifeng.

At that time, the main Mongolian forces gathered in Kaifeng, Shandong, and Hebei. The Mongolian troops were insufficient, and there were no reinforcements on the grasslands. This was Zhao Tai's only opportunity to take over Shandong.

In order to realize this plan, Zhao Tai must now keep a low profile and not let the Mongolian army pay attention to Shandong.

Now Tasi has sent three Han armies to attack him. If he defeats the three Han armies and defeats them, Mongolia will definitely pay attention.

At that time, Mongolia will definitely send troops and horses into Shandong, which will make Zhao Tai's plan to seize Shandong unable to be implemented.

Therefore, if you defeat them quickly, you will only lose a small amount. However, if you do not defeat them, Tasi will succeed in his goal of exhausting Zhongyi Town and affecting people's production.

Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "What you said makes sense! Sir, do you have any solution to this problem?"

Wang Bin thought for a while and asked: "Commander, where does this news come from?"

Zhao Tai glanced at Wang Bin and hesitated for a moment, "It's the information provided by Li Fen of Yidu Province in Mongolia."

Wang Bin nodded, "Sure enough! In addition to doing business, do the Marshal and Li Fen have any secret agreements?"

Li Fen was Zhao Tai's key chess piece in seizing Shandong. Only a few people knew about the secret agreement signed between Zhao Tai and Li Fen.

Although many people in Zhao Tai know that Zhongyi Town is engaged in smuggling trade with Li Fen's subordinates, few people know the exact relationship between the two parties.

Wang Bin knew that there was a connection between Zhao Tai and Li Fen, but as a newcomer, he was still unclear about the relationship between the two parties.

Zhao Tai thought for a while and said, "There is a certain tacit understanding between me and Li Fen, and we agree that the water in the well will not interfere with the water in the river."

Wang Bin mused: "If the commander-in-chief feels that he can maintain a tacit understanding with Li Fen, then he is humble enough to have a plan!"

"Oh?" Zhao Tai said with a serious face, "Sir, please speak, I am all ears."

Wang Bin stroked his beard and said, "Better than Zhang Shi, but defeated by Li Fen."

Zhao Tai pondered Wang Bin's words thoughtfully, and suddenly his eyes lit up, "Sir, what you mean is, let me beat Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze, and deliberately lose to Li Fen."

Wang Bin nodded: "Since Li Fen has an agreement with the commander, he is not a threat to the commander for the time being. Shi Tianze and Zhang Rou are Hebei warlords, and the commander can take the opportunity to hit them hard again. In this way, when the commander takes Shandong,

The Mongolian army will be unable to mobilize troops and horses from Hebei for reinforcements."

After hearing this, Zhao Tai felt that this plan was good. By defeating Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze, he could continue to attack Mongolia's power in Hebei.

Losing to Li Fen can show weakness to Mongolia and make Mongolia feel that the situation in Shandong is controllable.

At this time, Wang Bin said again: "However, if the commander-in-chief wants to seize Shandong, Li Fen will always be an obstacle."

Zhao Tai smiled and waved: "Sir, come forward."

Wang Bin left his seat in confusion and walked up to Zhao Tai. Zhao Tai immediately whispered in his ear and told him his plan to force Li Fen to rebel.

After hearing this, Wang Bin looked surprised and exclaimed: "The commander's skills are really brilliant!"

~~~~~~

At the end of May, after Tasi issued orders to Zhang Rou, Shi Tianze, and Li Fen, the three major warlords successively led their armies to Jinan.

Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze had just suffered heavy losses, so they each brought 10,000 troops. Li Fen, who was in better condition, brought 15,000 troops.

The three groups of troops totaled 35,000 people, plus a thousand cavalry led by Tasi, and entered Yanzhou in a mighty manner.

At the same time, Zhao Tai contacted Wuxian and decided to keep the Mongolian army out of the territory. Wuxian led 5,000 troops and occupied Qugao first. Zhao Tai led 15,000 troops and then entered Yanzhou territory.

On the sixth day of June, about 20,000 people set up camp in Zhongyi and Wuwei towns on the south bank of the Sishui River.

At this time, Zhao Tai and Wuxian were stationed on the bank on horseback, watching the cavalry burn the outposts on the north bank, and then returned to the south bank by boat.

Wuxian rode on his horse and said coldly: "The Mongols sent Zhang Rou, Shi Tianze, and Li Fen, three of their defeated generals, to attack us. Aren't they here to deliver food?"

Zhao Tai glanced at Wu Xian and said with a smile: "Brother, please don't beat them too badly this time."

Wu Xian looked at Zhao Tai in confusion, "Why? They came here to fight, but they didn't kill them in one fell swoop?"

In Wuxian's view, the Han warlords from the three towns who came were all defeated by his men. Moreover, the elites of these three towns had suffered heavy losses and their strength had not been restored. It was the time to beat them up.

Zhao Tai explained: "If we destroy them, the Mongols will definitely send their elite troops south. Therefore, it is better to defeat them without killing them. In this way, the Mongols will not feel threatened and will continue to use them to attack us."

.Isn’t this easier to deal with than the Mongolian army coming in person?”

Wu Xian raised his eyebrows and couldn't help but smile: "Guorui, you have so many ideas. Mongolia is unlucky to have an opponent like you!"

Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze were both Han warlords. They chose to defect to Mongolia for at least two reasons.

Mongolia is too powerful, and they seek refuge in Mongolia for their own survival. Secondly, seeking refuge in Mongolia can bring them benefits.

Zhao Tai's plan in mind was to defeat Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze, beating them painfully but not killing them. It would be best to show that they were evenly matched and win by chance.

In this way, as long as they survive, the Mongols will have to rely on them to guard Hebei, and they feel that they will definitely be able to defeat Zhao Tai next time.

In this case, Zhao Tai did not have to face the Mongolian cavalry directly and could develop rapidly, while the hearts of warlords like Zhang Rou and Shi Tianze would gradually collapse.

Because Zhao Tai pretended to win by chance every time, the Mongols would wait for them to recover a little and urge them to attack again. If things go on like this, they will definitely collapse and may even abandon Mongolia, or, like Li Fen, maintain a tacit understanding with Zhao Tai.

Zhao Tai smiled slightly and suddenly saw yellow dust rising in the distance, so he said in a deep voice: "They are coming."

On the north bank of the Sishui River, Tasi came galloping on a war horse. He galloped to the Sishui River and saw that the Jin army had set up camp on the other side. He was a little surprised, "The gold thieves were actually prepared."

Zhang Rou, Shi Tianze, and Li Fen reined in their horses and looked at the Jin army camp on the south bank. They glanced at each other and Zhang Rou said: "Marshal, the gold thieves are already on guard. I think we should take a long-term approach."
Chapter completed!