"'The white clouds are far away, and the old temple is in Luling.' The ancients do not deceive me. Zhang Shuai, congratulations on your victory in the first battle in Luling." Xiao Yu stood in the far-reaching and quiet ancient temple in Luling and looked at the white clouds in the distance.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Jin doesn't dare to take the credit. Only by his command as the last general can we easily capture Luling. Congratulations to Your Majesty for your first achievement in the Northern Expedition!" Zhang Jin's flattery was very official.

Xiao Yu felt a little uncomfortable after hearing this. The good mood of appreciating the ancient times disappeared all of a sudden. Thinking about it again, there was nothing he could do. These people were all old ministers of the Ling Dynasty, and it was difficult to change their inner ethical thinking. "Zhang Shuai, we

After a few days of renovations in Luling, we will continue our journey north. What do you think of those who are left behind?"

Zhang Jin didn’t have to flatter this person, but it was too easy to capture Luling. However, the governor of Luling surrendered in three days. From a military perspective, there is really nothing to brag about. He was able to capture Luling easily thanks to

In the management of Xianghu County, he felt that no one was more suitable than Wang Zongqing to stay in Luling. However, Xiao Yu's question probably meant that he had other candidates in mind, "The general thinks that staying in Luling is a word of 'stable'."

Knowing that Zhang Jin would not answer easily, he pushed the question back to Xiao Yu. It was not that Xiao Yu had not considered Wang Zongqing, but when he garrisoned in Xianghu, he found that Wang Zongqing could not follow the generals who were good at killing in the army, but he could not handle military affairs.

However, the logistics supply was handled with ease. It was the talent that Xiao Yu was in urgent need of. Xiao Yu had already decided to transfer Wang Zongqing to the post of Commander Shi of the Qilin Army. However, if Luling stayed behind, there would be a vacancy. Xiao Yu was not willing to let the Central Academy intervene.

Suddenly someone thought of him and said, "I really want to transfer General Wang to the army to take charge of food and grass matters. What do you think of Duanmu?"

Zhang Jin thought for a while and felt that Xiao Yu could achieve this position not only because he was the nephew of the king, but also because he was really talented. "In the end, the general will think that Duanmu Yang is a great person."

"Well, Zhang Shuai, Xiao Wang has something from the bottom of his heart. I wonder if you would like to hear it?" Xiao Yu suddenly thought of something and said a little mysteriously.

Zhang Jin's heart tightened, and he probably guessed what Xiao Yu wanted to say. Zhang Jin was a little helpless. He had experienced being demoted, and he really didn't want to participate in the party struggle anymore. Although the new party struggle in Chen Guo was still under way, it didn't mean that there was no such thing.

In the party struggle, the situation in the court was actually very delicate. With the support of Xiao Huli, three forces gradually formed. The three parties of the country's leader, Xiao Yu, and Meng Yan were actually very clear. Xiao Huli also had two factions, Lu Chongzong and Xia Houming.

Officials at all levels and generals from all over the country are actually slowly choosing their followers. I was recommended by Xia Houming. In everyone's eyes, I have made my choice. In fact, in my heart, I am more willing to agree with Meng Yan's style, but the reality is that

He was not allowed to make his own choices. It was too difficult to be a human being and an official. Now when Xiao Yu mentioned this matter, he had to bite the bullet and reply: "My lord, please speak."

Xiao Yu saw a hint of displeasure flashing through his heart when he saw Zhang Jin's hesitation, but he was quite satisfied when he saw Zhang Jin finally made his choice. "Zhang Shuai, since Luling, all the household registrations, warehouse documents, etc. of the cities collected in the north must be collected immediately.

He is included in the army and cannot be handed over to anyone. What does Zhang Shuai think?"

Zhang Jin was shocked. Xiao Yu's behavior was no longer a simple party fight, but a blatant attempt to develop his own power. Xiao Yu said this to him without any hesitation. He was clearly trying to force himself onto the ship!

Zhang Jin was confused. The team was wrong. If you don't join the team, your life may be lost. What should you do? You have already died once and don't want to be humiliated again. She sighed softly and said: "I will obey the prince's order!"

The right route army captured Luling lightly, and the left route army was naturally not to be outdone. Under the dark clouds, Yu Geng and Meng Huan walked side by side, looking at Linwu City isolated in the Shunshan Canyon. The ten consecutive days of harassment were not limited to Linwu's.

The Gu family's army was exhausted, and Yu Geng's Kaiyang camp was also approaching its limit. Yu Geng's face was covered with stubble, proving that he had not gotten a good rest in the past ten days. Yu Geng looked up and saw that the dark clouds in the sky were getting thicker and thicker.

He said excitedly: "Shiyilang, the wait is finally here. I have never looked forward to the heavy rain as much as I do now!"

"General, I wonder if Brother Seven is ready?" Meng Huan couldn't hide the joy on his face.

"Let's not worry about the Duke's affairs. The brothers are almost at the camp on the mountainside. Tell the brothers to take advantage of the heavy rain to rest and recuperate. Let the brothers in the kitchen cook more food. Alcohol is prohibited and must not be stolen.

Going down the mountain, it won't be worth it if you get injured by a stone." Yu Geng arranged everything in detail.

"General, you made arrangements before the brothers went up the mountain." Meng Huan reminded. He knew that Yu Geng was exhausted mentally and physically waiting for this day to come. No matter who it was, it would not be easy for him to fight against Gu Qufeng. His reputation was well-earned.

scholar.

Yu Geng smiled sheepishly and said: "I forgot, I'm too tired. Let's go up the mountain too. Let's take a good look at the prince's methods on the mountain!"

Meng Yan was very calm, chatting leisurely with Ye Bohuai in the main tent, but he kept looking at the sky outside, and his heart was actually worried. This time he defied all opinions and let Jin Qian be the commander of the attack on Linwu.

The general had two thoughts. One was to test Jin Qian's ability to lead a partial army on his own, and the other was to test whether Jin Qian could really do things without reservation.

"If you are worried, just ask Bai Qing to accompany you to have a look. Why can't you sit still like this?" Ye Bohuai has always been the most annoying person.

"I can't go. If I go, Commander Jin will be restrained." Meng Yan shook his head and said.

"Tch! You are telling the truth. If you are really relieved, why did you let Thirteenth Lang lead the people from Yaoguang Camp to the front? Do you think Jin Qian can't tell?" Ye Bohuai said with disdain.

"Don't force me to call you a mother-in-law with the surname Ye! If you tell the truth like this, everyone will be embarrassed." Meng Yan and Ye Bohuai had never been able to sit together and say ten sentences.

"I know you like to hold back when doing things, but what everyone sees is that it's not you holding back, but a suspicious temperament. Do you know? If you want to do something, just tell everyone directly. Don't guess. You just integrated it.

Soldiers, do you want to disband after less than two years because of mutual suspicion?!" Ye Bohuai's tone became more and more severe. This was not the first time that he reminded Meng Yan of his shortcomings.

Xiaojiazi's anger will pop up from time to time.

Meng Yan's face changed in an instant. After all, he knew that it was his problem. He sat down and reflected on himself: "You can still talk about me. People still have to grow up step by step. It is still too easy for me to reach this position.

Already."

Ye Bohuai stood up, stretched, and stretched his muscles a little, "Okay, I'll go to Tianshu Camp to explain it to Jin Qian for you, so as not to chill people's hearts." After saying this, he walked out of the building without looking back.

account.

The Tianshu camp had already camped near the entrance of the upper valley before the heavy rain came. The rain had arrived before the wind started. Jin Qian stood in the rain with his whole body covered in clothes and commanded the soldiers to pile up the rocks transported by the Tianji camp and fix the scattered stones with ropes.

, Jin Qian didn't notice it at all when Ye Bohuai escorted Meng Jin over. He only saw the two of them after being reminded by his personal guards. However, Jin Qian didn't like the arrival of the two at all. Instead, he thought that these two people were troublesome when they came here, so he gave orders while giving orders.

He said angrily: "If the Duke doesn't trust me, I'll just replace him with Jin Qian. Why bother asking the two of you to make a trip!"

"I told Lao Jin not to be so rude. I brought Thirteenth Prince here just to see General Jin's demeanor. It has nothing to do with the Duke. Please don't be so dark in your heart, okay?" Ye Bohuai pretended to be unhappy.

"Since you are here to visit, don't be idle! How many people have you brought here? The rain is okay, but if there is a wind, it will be troublesome. Come and help!" Jin Qian ignored the meaning of Ye Bohuai's words, and now he only had one thought in his heart.

The first thing is to tie up the rocks as soon as possible and dig an artificial river channel deep into the canyon.

Seeing this, Ye Bohuai realized that his goal had been achieved, so he asked Meng Jin to command the sergeants brought over to help dig ditches and move stones. He also kicked Meng Jin to vent his dissatisfaction with the work he was asked to do.

After a lot of busy work, the preparations were finally completed before the strong wind started. Jin Qian and the other three stood at the door of the camp and watched the violent storm raging. Soon they saw the signal flag on the mountain being raised. It seemed that Yu Geng's side was ready.

"This rain is expected to last for a long time. It seems that we have to change the battle plan. Inform the whole battalion to bury pots to make rice and take a rest." Jin Qian looked at the dark clouds in the sky and frowned. He was a native of the southern border and was very fond of rainy days.

Judgment is extremely sensitive. The rain is heavier than expected, but it will not last too long and will stop at midnight. It is expected that the attack time tomorrow morning may need to be changed.

"Old Jin, you are not planning to attack Linwu at night, are you?" Ye Bohuai heard his thoughts and felt that this guy is indeed very courageous. Not to mention that the night attack is more difficult, the decision to temporarily change the attack time is

He wanted to lose his head. No wonder this man had no friends. Ye Bohuai now regretted coming here to make amends for Meng Yan, and secretly decided to stay away from Jin Qian in the future.

"The battlefield is changing rapidly, and opportunities pass by in an instant. If you have to ask Daying County Duke for advice on everything, he will not let someone like me lead the partial army alone. Don't worry, Ye Shuai, this is a decision made before the battle and has nothing to do with you.

Relationship." Jin Qian thought that Ye Bohuai thought that he would let him take the blame.

"Old Jin, can you stop thinking the worst about people? I think it would be difficult to attack at night and the losses would be uncontrollable." Ye Bohuai defended with a guilty conscience.

"We have to fight even if we can't control it. After this rain, we don't know when we will have such a good opportunity. Now winning Linwu is the most important thing." Jin Qian insisted on his decision.

"Let's do this. Let Thirteenth Lang go back to the camp now and ask the Duke to transfer Tianquan. People from Yuheng Camp will come to make preparations. Don't refuse. You have to win the first battle. Otherwise, it will be difficult to make up for the loss of morale.

Yes." Ye Bohuai thought for a while and it was better to play it safe. Although Meng Yan had selfish motives, he was right to have a backup plan.

Jin Qian wanted to refuse Ye Bohuai's good intention to mobilize troops, but he held back his words. Ye Bohuai was right. His character had always been targeted since he joined the army. Even if Meng Yan recruited him to command the first battalion, he still remained.

He stubbornly believed that Meng Yan only valued his commanding ability rather than himself as a person, but after contacting Ye Bohuai and others, he found that the entire Bai Ze army was not as unbearable as he imagined. At least the generals got along harmoniously, and there were no quarrels.

It was just a strategic argument and had nothing to do with personal emotions. He could feel a change in his heart.

"Then there is General Lao Mengjin. The rainstorm mountain road is not easy to walk. I will ask a few sergeants who are familiar with the mountain roads to escort you back to the camp." Jin Qian hesitated and said, "I have to bother General Mengjin to change the time of my siege."

Let the county know the matter." This was his final bottom line.

Yes, this attitude is a good start. Ye Bohuai thought that he finally lived up to his hard work. Jin Qian is a human being after all. As a human being, he has feelings and needs to interact. He lived too lonely before, and now he must be integrated into it.

In a group, knowing how to report is a good start. The person who takes the lead must always have the ability to think and make decisions independently. Meng Yan will understand.

As expected, people who are good at accepting criticism are also tolerant. After hearing Meng Jin's report, Meng Yan immediately decided to let Meng Jin lead 5,000 troops to support Jin Qian as a guarantee. At the same time, he also gave Jin Qian the power to make temporary decisions.

"Thirteenth Lang, please remember that you are only supporting. You must obey General Jin's command in front of the battle. Don't talk nonsense. Your status is different. Every word you say will make people think it is my meaning. Do you understand?

"Meng Yan reminded with a serious look.

Seeing Meng Yan's serious expression, Meng Jin hid all his dissatisfaction with Jin Qian, thinking that if there were people like Jin Qian in Brother Xiao's army, they would already have many heads.

"Seventh Brother, Eleventh Brother's side is probably not having a good time either. Do you need to dedicate a force to support them?" Meng Jin asked tentatively.

"Yes, I have thought about it. It seems that your experience is effective. No. 11 Lang's side does not need support. They have the advantages of terrain and cavalry. Supporting them is a burden." Meng Yan said happily.

After Meng Jin left, Meng Yan did not relax easily. He stood in front of the map and thought about something. Unknowingly, it was already the You hour. The guards quietly delivered the meals to the tent. Just as they were about to leave, Meng Yan was suddenly interrupted.

Stop, "Go and ask Zhuo Hou and Nie Changshi to come over immediately!"

Gu Qufeng in Linwu City was restless. He had already determined that Meng Yan was planning to flood Linwu. Linwu was located in a canyon. With such a heavy rain, three sides of the mountains did not wash down much. This meant that someone deliberately

While storing water, he now regrets that he failed to estimate Meng Yan's thoughts. The capture of Gu Yingfeng had a great impact on his decision-making. Now it is too late to withdraw the troops. The only exit behind him has been flooded. The city

The soldiers suffered terribly.

"Chaoqun, how many boats are there in the city?" Gu Qufeng asked the deputy general beside him with a sad look on his face.

Chao Qun has been following Gu Qufeng for more than three years. As a lieutenant general in the army, he generally understood the other party's thoughts and said helplessly: "We only have a dozen small boats in the city, and their transportation capabilities are very poor. Sir, please leave quickly."

Gu Qufeng was heartbroken. Linwu City was a fishbone that he had worked hard to build. It was an excellent position to contain the enemies in the south. He was caught by Meng Yan because of his negligence. The consequences would be irreversible. Now he was faced with it.

There are only three ways. One is to stick to Linwu, and you will be loyal to the family; the other is to retreat to Lincheng, then Lingling will be in danger; the third is to return to Lingling, which is equivalent to giving up Lincheng to Meng Yan.

The calculation is so ruthless, all the strategies are placed in front of you, but you have to choose to cut off your arm to protect yourself.

"How many people can be evacuated now?" Gu Qufeng could only decide as soon as possible. Meng Yan would not leave him too much time.

Chao Qun smiled miserably and said: "A maximum of five hundred soldiers can be withdrawn in one hour. There are still five thousand people in the city. How many we can withdraw depends on how much time the other side gives us."

"Chaoqun, you and your people should evacuate first, as much as you can." Gu Qufeng suddenly became much older, and his tone was full of weakness.

"How can the eldest son have the right to cut off the queen? You can leave. If you don't leave, it will be too late." Chao Qun looked like he was ready to die.

Gu Qufeng was not pretentious, he patted Chao Qun on the shoulder and said: "When things cannot be done, you withdraw as soon as possible and prepare. I will take the Gu family's children back to Lincheng first, and then you will take the generals who lead the army."

Withdraw secretly and leave the rest to their fate!"
To be continued...