Chapter 619: Insufficient courage

Like An Lushan, Hebei, the Southern Tang also has a large number of intelligence personnel in Chang'an. What is more beneficial than An Lushan is that many middle and low-level officials consciously or unconsciously play the role of conveying intelligence. Perhaps in their opinion, the Southern Tang and the Northern Tang are just brothers who have separated, and there are many old officials and relatives in the Southern Tang, so no one will avoid revealing a little information.

Li Qing'an publicly announced the decision to march into Jiangnan at the enlarged meeting of the Political Affairs Hall. The news spread instantly throughout the court. Naturally, several doves with wings vibrating their wings sent this important information to the Southern Tang Dynasty.

On the third day after Li Qing'an made the decision to march into Jiangnan, a piece of information marked with the words "top secret" was put on Li Heng's imperial case, which was undoubtedly a major test for Li Heng, who had just stabilized his military power.

After Li Heng was forced to release Gao Xianzhi back to the Northern Tang Dynasty, the military power of the Southern Tang gradually stabilized, and most of the army was taken over by the Prince Li clan, and several of Gao Xianzhi's confidants were also divided. Jia Chongguan surrendered to Li Heng and took away 20,000 elite soldiers. Xi Yuanqing and Zhao Chongyan refused to compromise with Li Heng. Zhao Chongyan received a letter of surrender from his brother, Zhao Chongjie, the chief of the Anxi Army. The two finally led 10,000 troops from Guizhou to enter Hanzhong through Fangzhou and surrendered to the Northern Tang army.

Although Jia Chongguan surrendered to Li Heng, he was not allowed to use it. Li Heng transferred Jia Chongguan to Nanzhao as the prefect, stayed away from the important towns in Shu, and took away his 20,000 elite troops. In this way, Li Heng completely held the military power of the 180,000 Jiannan Army in his own hands.

If we add the 120,000 troops in Jiangnan, Li Heng actually has an army of 300,000, and basically has the capital to compete with the Northern Tang and An Lushan.

Just when Li Hengzhi was proud and ready to focus on internal affairs and finance, the information about Li Qing'an's attack on Jiangnan was spread to him.

For a whole day, Li Heng locked himself in the imperial study room, and no one was seen. It was not until dusk that he ordered people to invite the prince and the prime minister Cui Yuan.

Li Heng was obviously tired, his bags were swollen, his eyes were filled with blood, and his voice was a little hoarse. He sat behind the imperial desk and slowly said in his tone like boiled water: "I have thought about it for a day... I have made a decision to attack Li Qing'an in Jiangnan."

An uncontrollable excitement appeared on the face of the prince Li Shi. Yes, Li Qing'an's main force went to Hedong and Henan. Chang'an's troops were not much. He would take tens of thousands of troops to Jiangnan. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If the father decided to seize this opportunity, he would be willing to be the chief general and lead the army to Chang'an and restore their orthodox position.

The impatient Li Shi formed a sharp contrast with Li Heng's slow stamina. As soon as Li Heng finished speaking, Li Shi stepped forward and said: "Father, my son is willing to relieve his worries for his father, lead his army to attack Hanzhong, and thus seize Chang'an."

Li Heng glanced at him deeply, and still said in a slightly hoarse and boiled tone: "Did I say I want to attack Chang'an?"

Li Shi was stunned, wasn't it? He said carefully: "Father, my son-in-law thinks that attacking Chang'an is the best way to surround Wei and save Zhao. Only in this way can Li Qing'an not dare to go to Jiangnan. Father, don't hesitate."

Li Heng ignored him, but turned to ask Cui Yuan, "Supreme, what are your thoughts?"

Cui Yuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think it is important and you cannot make a decision easily. We need to know more and more detailed information, such as how many troops Li Qing'an sent, how many troops left in Chang'an, etc., in order to make a correct decision."

Cui Yuan's words were reasonable and magnificent, and they were impeccable. However, Li Shi secretly cursed the old man and said it as if he hadn't said it. He said again: "Father, no matter how many troops Li Qing'an sent, there is one thing that is the fact that he would personally lead a large army to Jiangnan, which would be equivalent to fighting on both sides at the same time. My son thought that even if we did not attack Chang'an, we would take this opportunity to take Hanzhong and target Chang'an. This was a knock on the mountain and shock the tiger. Li Qing'an also dared not go to Jiangnan again. He could save 100,000 troops in Jiangnan. Father, you can't hesitate anymore, let's decide!"

"Yes, I've decided."

Li Heng sighed, but he said to the two in a firm and irresistible tone: "I have decided to go out of Yiling, take down Jingzhou, and open a westward retreat for the Jiangnan army. This time, I will lead the imperial army in person."

Li Shi was shocked all over. He looked at his father incredibly. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't say anything. Cui Yuan sighed secretly. He thought of a sentence: "The trapped beast is still fighting, but it is not brave enough."

Three days later, Li Heng ordered the prince to supervise the country, Cui Yuan, Wang Gong and other ministers to assist him. He himself led a 100,000 army to kill Yiling. The Yiling guard Zhang Guizheng rectified the warships and built a palace, waiting for the arrival of the Southern Tang Emperor Li Heng. Twenty days later, Li Heng led a large army to Yiling.

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In Yangzhou, Li Qing'an led 30,000 elite troops of the Anxi Army for nearly a month. After the 50,000 troops of Xuzhou and Li Fei Shouyu merged, a total of 80,000 people gathered along the Caohe River and headed south. Seven days later, 80,000 troops arrived ten miles north of Jiangdu City.

After eight years, Li Qing'an came to Yangzhou again. That year, he was the general of the Central Army to train troops in Yangzhou and took away 500 elite soldiers. After many years of war, less than 20% of these five hundred elite soldiers were left. Especially in the battle of Shibao City, more than 300 elite soldiers in Yangzhou were killed or injured, and the remaining 74 people have now become pillars of the Anxi Army. Nan Jiyun is the general of Qianniu Guard, Zhao Zhiyun, the governor of Tuozhi City, Luo Sheng, the deputy governor of Tocharo, Ding Zhanzhao, and so on. These generals who could stand alone were all soldiers he brought out from Yangzhou back then.

Li Qing'an rode on his horse and looked at the bleak situation on the Jianghuai Plain in the distance. The earth was gray and the sky was gray, just like a strong wind blew, and the sky was chaotic. The river water did not freeze after crossing the Huai River. Teams of flat-bottomed boats carrying hay slowly walked on the almost dry river surface. In the distance, huge warehouses appeared faintly, and there were large transit warehouses in Yangzhou.

Li Qingan couldn't help but remember the situation when he first arrived in Yangzhou eight years ago. At that time, he was still very young, full of vitality and ideals. Now he is thirty-four years old and has begun to enter the golden age of a man.

"Shouyu, do you remember when we were ordered to come to Yangzhou to train troops?" Li Qingan's mouth showed a smile of reminiscence.

Li Fei Shouyu nodded and smiled, "Why don't you remember! For this training, we were not able to participate in the last polo competition. Fortunately, Anxi Army finally defeated Fan Yang Army, otherwise, you, the number one scorer in Anxi, wouldn't you regret it for your whole life?"

Li Qingan laughed and said, "Repentance will not last a lifetime, but it can make An Lushan not regret it for a lifetime. He can also say that I defeated Li Qingan back then, but who knows it was polo? Unfortunately, he didn't even have this chance."

When the soldiers around him heard Li Qing'an's interesting words, they couldn't help laughing. At this time, the front army several miles away stopped, and an officer rode a horse and came to report, "Report to the general, the front army has arrived at the military camp!"

The military camp is the Beidaying of Li Lin's army. It is about five miles away from Jiangdu City. It is made of brick and wood. The barracks are invisible. It is so big that the training ground can accommodate more than 10,000 cavalry galloping on horseback. It covers an area of ​​nearly a thousand acres. There is also a huge pier next to the river. Next to the pier are dozens of warehouses. This Beidaying can station at least 100,000 troops.

Li Qing'an nodded and ordered: "The army can enter the camp and defend according to the rules of the Anxi Army."

The Anxi Army usually camped in the wild, with huge camps around it, and there must be a sentry tower for each fifty steps. In addition, there are four sentry towers three hundred steps away from the front, back, left and right of the camp, with very tight defenses.

Although this Beidaying has a wall, it does not have a sentry tower, and uses canal water instead of well water. Obviously, Li Lin's army's defense awareness is still relatively weak, or he thinks that it is close to Jiangdu City, so it does not need to be so tight. However, for the Anxi Army, no matter where it is stationed, it is the same with strict defense and meticulousness.

The soldiers quickly entered the barracks and settled. More than 3,000 fortification soldiers began to build sentry towers beside the walls of the Daying, cleared the abandoned trenches outside the camp, and lured the canal water in. The gate was installed with a brigade. After an hour, the Beidaying in Jiangdu was completely renewed, strict and moderate, without the lazy and chaotic appearance of the past.

At this time, Li Baozhen, who had just arrived from Jiangyang County, rushed to the front of the camp. He dismounted a hundred steps away and shouted loudly: "Li Baozhen, the military envoy of Huainan Capital, please see the general!"

After a moment, the camp gate opened, and the on-duty patrol officer came out and said, "General Li, General Li, please invite him!"

Li Baozhen handed over the weapons and horses, and followed the patrol officer all the way to the commander's tent. Although there were ready-made barracks in the military camp, the room for the meeting was too small, and Li Qing'an's huge sand table could not be placed in. He ordered that the commander's tent and four marching tents be built to place the sand table specifically.

There were more than a thousand Hu Ben Army guards around the tent, carrying guns, shields and rings to protect their left and right, and were on high alert. The patrol officer led Li Baozhen to the tent and reported loudly: "General, General Li Baozhen has arrived!"

"Let him come in!"

Li Baozhen sorted out his military uniform and strode into the tent. There were two huge sand tables in the tent. Li Qing'an was holding a wooden stick in one hand, and was talking to Li Feishouyu, Zhao Chongjie, Tian Qianzhen, He Lou Yurun and other generals.

Li Baozhen stepped forward and half-kneeled and saluted, "Subor Li Baozhen, please see the general!"

"You're here just in time!"

Li Qingan smiled and asked him to get up, saying, "Come here! We are asking you for advice when we have something to do."

"I don't dare to do so, please give me the orders."

Li Qing'an pointed to Yangang with a wooden stick and asked, "What we care most about is Yangang Pier. Can a sea boat worth 5,000 stone?"

Li Baozhen captured Yan Port only at the order of Li Qing'an to send troops. He didn't know why he wanted to seize Yan Port. He was surprised when he heard the 5,000-stone sea ship. The largest warship in Yangzhou was only 500-stone, or the ten old ships of the Yuan Jingyao army captured. The ships of more than 500-stone were all driven to the other shore by Li Lin. Where was the 5,000-stone large ship?

Although he was surprised, he immediately replied: "Report to the general, I heard from the surrendered soldiers that Li Lin used three thousand stone sea boats to transport salt northward. The water in the harbor was extremely deep. Several large ships of more than three thousand stones could be parked at the dock at the same time. I really don't know whether they could park five thousand stone ships."

Li Qing'an nodded and said, "This question is very important. Although it seems possible, you must confirm it clearly. You can immediately send someone to clarify whether the big ship full of 5,000 stones can stop."

"Yes! I'll send someone now."

Li Baozhen turned around and was about to leave. Li Qingan called him again and said with a smile: "You don't need to go by yourself. I'll just send a famous personal soldier to pass on your orders. I have something to ask you."

Li Baozhen scratched her head embarrassedly and said, "I'm too impatient."

"I'll ask you again."

Li Qing'an pointed to the waters in Hudou Island with a wooden stick and said, "I order you not only to occupy the salt port, but also to control the waters in the northern part of Hudou Island, and not to allow the other side of the shore to enter. How have you done?"

"Report to the General, at present, the Hudou Island is stationed by Sima Li Xian in Yangzhou, led by two thousand naval troops. Twenty warships patroll the northern waters of Hudou Island every day, and there are absolutely no ships on the opposite shore entering."

Li Qing'an nodded and smiled, "Not bad! You can seize the Yan Port and collect 5,000 surrendered soldiers. I will record your first merit. If you can make another merit, you will be promoted to general. General Li, I will congratulate you first."

Li Baozhen's eyes showed expectation, and he clasped his fists and said, "Please give me another chance to make meritorious service."

Seeing that he was anxious, the generals next to him laughed together. He Lou Yurun laughed strangely and said, "General Li, it's a piece of cake to capture Jiangnan, and it's just a little credit. If you take them all away, what we eat must leave us a bite!"

Li Baozhen felt a little embarrassed and said to everyone: "I am eager to make contributions and forgot everyone, I am so sorry."

Li Fei Shouyu smiled and said, "Everyone has the opportunity to make meritorious service, otherwise the general would not bring everyone here. By the way, General Li, how about recruiting new recruits in Yangzhou?"

Li Fei Shouyu is responsible for training new recruits, so he is particularly concerned about recruiting soldiers. Li Baozhen hurriedly said: "Please rest assured General Li Fei. Local officials are very capable. In this month, 50,000 new recruits have been recruited. I have been training them for General Li Fei. At present, 50,000 troops are stationed in Jiangyang County."

"That's good, I'm going to Jiangyang County immediately."

Li Fei Shouyu bowed to Li Qing'an and said, "I am anxious, please let the general allow me to go to Jiangyang County."

Li Qing'an nodded and stared at him and said, "You can go, but I want to remind you that these 50,000 troops are the pillar forces that the imperial court will control Jiangnan in the future. We must strictly train according to the Anxi Army's training methods. I will go to inspect the troops before leaving Jiangnan. Don't let me down."

"I understand, and I will never let the general down."

Li Fei Shouyu bowed and left the commander's tent. At this time, Li Qing'an waved his hand, and more than a dozen personal soldiers brought another sand table over and connected the two sand tables into one. This was a sand table in the Jingxiang area. When Li Qing'an marched to Luoyang, he received news that Li Heng sent troops to Yiling. He immediately realized that this was Li Heng sending troops to rescue Li Lin and opening a passage for him to retreat westward. From this, Li Heng's weakness was also seen. He did not dare to send troops to Hanzhong, but instead attacked Jingzhou.

Li Qingan pondered for a while, turned around and smiled at Tian Ganzhen, "General Tian, ​​if you ask you to intercept Li Lin, what do you think?"

Tian Ganzhen knew that Li Qing'an was going to give him a task, so he stepped forward and said, "I thought if Li Lin was defeated, he would definitely go to the Yangtze River waterway and give full play to their naval army's advantages. We are indeed not as good as them on the river. It is not easy to stop his army. The key is to let them abandon the ship and go ashore. Therefore, I suggest using iron chains to lock the river in Jiangning and force them to abandon the ship...."

"inappropriate!"

Li Qing'an shook his head and said, "It's hard to make the iron chain, but it's easy to break it. It's broken after burning it for a long time. As you said, if you really compete on the water, we will suffer a loss. I will not let my Anxi elite sacrifice in vain. I still have to find a way to kill them on land. Li Lin is not worth it, but it would be a pity if his 100,000 troops were let go west."
Chapter completed!