The main generals of the southern expedition army are gathered here at this moment.
In the center of the meeting hall, there is a huge sand table, with every mountain range and city in Taizhou marked on it.
There are dozens of eye-catching red icons on it. Those are the important positions of the Nangong family, and they are also the places that Liu Xia and the others must seize when they attack Taizhou.
The Nangong family is different from the bandits in Wuzhou. They have been operating here for thousands of years and have continued to make incense. The people of Taizhou regard the Nangong family as gods. It is easy to break in, but it is difficult to stand firm.
Moreover, in one month, it will be the monsoon season, and then the southeast pirates will arrive as scheduled. If they collude with the Nangong family, the situation will be even more difficult.
Therefore, the Nangong family must be captured within a month, otherwise there will be endless troubles.
Liu Xia sat on the Grand Master's chair, put the tea cup in his hand to one side and said: "Everyone, I have made it very clear about the Nangong family's collusion with the Tianxuan Dynasty. We must attack Taizhou without delay. However, I want to hear your ideas.
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"Your Highness, beyond Yongle City, there are Hengzhou City and Yuanhui City. These two cities are easy to defend but difficult to attack. The Nangong family even uses these two cities as barriers. If we want to attack by force, we will probably suffer heavy losses.
Moreover, the time is so short. It is very difficult."
Liu Jie hesitated for a moment and said with a frown.
"Wei Chen has an idea. We might as well bypass Hengzhou City and Yuanhui City and enter from the Nanshan area on the West Road where the Nangong family's defense is relatively weak."
"You absolutely must not do it. The mountains around Nanshan are steep and the Nangong family will not fail to guard against it. Once we are bitten by them, we will not be able to escape. Besides, going deep alone is a taboo for military strategists. I think it is absolutely unacceptable."
After a while, all the generals expressed their opinions. Most of the methods of attack were the same, which was to enter Taizhou from Kunzhou.
This is contrary to Liu Xia's idea.
Taizhou is the territory of the Nangong family. If we attack from the front, it is not impossible. With the powerful troops in Liu Xia's hands, it is more than enough to sweep Taizhou.
However, with hundreds of thousands of troops mobilized, one month may not be enough.
Seeing Liu Xia's ecstasy, everyone fell silent.
"Your Highness, I do have an idea. I'm just worried that this method is too risky."
At this moment, Song Tianyou, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
"But it doesn't matter."
Liu Xia smiled.
"Taizhou faces the sea to the east, and the Nangong family has always regarded it as a natural barrier. After the Huangpu family's navy was defeated, the Nangong family became even more emboldened. I believe that the only way to capture Taizhou within a month is to divide the troops.
Two routes. One route enters Taizhou from Kunzhou to capture the city.
The other way is to start from the waterway, occupy the important ports of the Nangong family, and respond to the Kunzhou army from a distance to support each other. If this method is used, with the current strength of the Nangong family, it will be stretched. As expected, it will be completed in one month.
We can capture Taizhou."
Song Tianyou cupped his fists and said.
"The Song family leader's method is good. However, the Nangong family's current navy has strong ships and powerful guns. It has fought against pirates for many years and has rich experience. I am afraid that the imperial navy is no match. In case of defeat at sea, we have two forces.
.Not only does it delay the fighter plane, but it also makes it passive."
Huang Pujie immediately objected.
"Yes, Wei Chen still thinks that entering Taizhou from land is safe and secure."
"I second the proposal."
Immediately, most of the family owners agreed with Huang Pujie's point of view.
Of course they understand in their hearts that your Song Tianyou strategy is the best one, but the navy of the Tianji Dynasty is extremely weak. This is also because there has been no strong enemy at sea for a long time, and the court has never paid attention to it. Compared with the navy of the Nangong family in Huangpu, it is still weak.
Very different.
Moreover, the current Navy Commander has not fought many battles in total, so asking him to deal with the Nangong family is no different from sending him to death.
Therefore, although Song Tianyou's method is theoretically feasible, it is not practical in practice.
"Everyone seems to disagree with this view. I believe that everyone has the same concerns as me. However, the sea channel must be opened, which is related to our access to the Taizhou army to supply lifeline. Secondly, if we do not use the imperial navy, even if we
We defeated the Nangong family, and the Nangong family Yang Fanhai, there is nothing we can do. This is the real
There will be endless troubles. Thirdly, after killing the Nangong family, we will start a war with the pirates. Every year we suppress bandits, but the pirates lead us by the nose. If we cannot fight them at sea, they will inevitably resurrect. In the end, we cannot let them go.
Southern Xinjiang has been completely pacified. Therefore, I have given up my mind. No matter how difficult this matter is, I am ready to use the navy."
Liu Xia stood up and said.
"His Royal Highness has long-term considerations and plans for rainy days. He is very admired by his subordinates. However, the imperial navy has never been on an expedition. I am afraid that it will be insufficient to participate in such an important battle this time."
Huang Pujie hesitated and said.
These family heads have all heard of Liu Xia's deeds to some extent. Liu Xia's military talents from the northwest to Wuzhou in recent years are indeed impressive.
However, from today's perspective, he is nothing more than a fool who talks on paper.
After all, the navy is not comparable to the army, and naval warfare is not comparable to land warfare.
They knew the strength of the imperial navy, and several family heads were already worried.
Liu Xia never knew this, but it was imperative to activate the navy.
Originally, I was planning to find Liao Qichang to command the imperial navy. After all, Liao Qichang was the best candidate because of his rich experience and having been at sea for so many years.
However, he was taken care of by the ancient ferocious beast, and now Liu Xia can only do it on his own.
"The king is well aware of your considerations. We will act according to the original plan. I now appoint Song Tianyou as the commander-in-chief, Zhang Haotian, Liu Rong, and Dong Qichang as the deputy commander-in-chief. We will attack Hengzhou, Yuanhui, and Tai County respectively.
Three cities. Attack Taizhou from the front. Liu Jie, Murong Yingcai, Fang Qingcheng, Li Yuanrui, and Zhao Yuanqing are joining the army and obeying Song Tianyou's dispatch. This order is effective immediately."
Liu Xia suddenly said seriously.
Many generals were stunned when they heard this.
After working on it for a long time, Liu Xia already had a plan in mind.
The Song family is Liu Xia's mother's family, and Liu Xia naturally has great trust in Song Tianyou, so it is most appropriate for Song Tianyou to serve as the commander-in-chief.
Zhang Haotian and Liu Rong are the top five family heads, and Dong Qichang is the commander of the 200,000-strong army appointed by the imperial court. There is no objection to the appointment of these three people as deputy commander-in-chief.
The remaining family heads and a large army serve as the back-up of the main army, and everything is in order.
However, at this moment, everyone's eyes couldn't help but fall on Huang Pujie.
All the family heads and generals of the imperial court have been appointed, except Huangpujie. Everyone can't help but guess what Liu Xia wants to do.
"Head of the Huangpu family, I now appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the imperial navy, and I as the supervisor. Starting tomorrow, I and I will go to Jiangzhou to rectify the imperial navy. Do you have any objections?"
Liu Xia asked in a deep voice.
At this moment, everyone understood that Liu Xia seemed to have ulterior motives for Huang Pujie.
"Your Highness, I have just been defeated by the Nangong family navy. I'm afraid it's not appropriate."
Huang Pujie knew what Liu Xia was thinking. He had reached an agreement with the Nangong family a long time ago, but if he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the navy, he would have to fall out with the Nangong family.
I feel really angry.
"An ancient saying goes, one knows shame and then becomes brave. Although your Huangpu family has lost to the Nangong family, I believe in your ability. If the head of the Huangpu family repeatedly shirks, it will make me feel that there seems to be a problem with your position."
When Liu Xia said this, his eyes suddenly became extremely sharp, and Huang Pujie immediately lowered his head.
Although the Huangpu family is not weaker than the Nangong family, Huangpujie does not have the courage to rebel.
Moreover, with an army of 600,000 pressing down on the territory, it is already too late to rebel now.
"I obey my orders."
After a brief hesitation, Huang Pujie immediately knelt on the ground and said.
"Haha, Mr. Huangpu, please come up. As long as I work together, why worry about not being able to defeat Taizhou? Here, I will say a word. If one army captures Peach Blossom Island first, I can promise to take half of the Nangong family.
Use your territory to reward him."
Liu Xia smiled lightly.
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but be surprised.
They, the heads of the aristocratic families, all feel the same as Ming Jing. Half of the Nangong family's property is terrible. If they don't eat the fat on their lips, their lives will be in vain.
Although Song Tianyou was appointed as the commander-in-chief, the Song family's army had already suffered heavy losses in the battle at Yongle City. No matter what, they might not be able to capture Peach Blossom Island.
This means that everyone has a chance.
Immediately everyone clasped their fists and said, "We will do anything to ruin our lives."
"Very good, but there is an ugly saying. I want to be at the front. Marching and fighting must follow the rules of marching and fighting. Anyone who dares to disobey orders and act without authorization will be punished by the king as a collaborator. Secondly, anyone who is greedy for merit and rushes forward or escapes from the battle will be punished.
Military justice."
Liu Xia drank coldly.
"As commanded."
Suddenly, everyone clasped their fists and said.
When Liu Xia saw this, he nodded slightly and said: "Very good, let's discuss the specific attack plan now."
Immediately, Liu Xia began to discuss countermeasures with many generals.
Early the next morning, Liu Xia and Huang Pujie set out from Yongle City with 60,000 troops.
Their goal is the Jiangzhou Navy Camp.
Song Tianyou and other generals went out of the city in person to see him off.
At this moment, Yongle City is still in ruins.
However, the vehicles transporting baggage on the official road have no beginning in front and no tail in rear.
Liu Xia was walking upstream in the official road, looking at the carts of luggage, his heart couldn't help but feel heavy.
Although, the emperor did not tell Liu Xia what price the imperial court paid for this southern expedition.
However, Liu Xia knew in his heart that if he failed this time, the imperial court would be severely weakened.
At this moment, Liu Xia just wanted to end this battle as soon as possible so that the people could rest and recuperate.
If the Tianxuan Dynasty sends troops, I am afraid that the entire Tianji Dynasty will suffer heavy losses since the founding of the country.
At that time, it will only make matters worse for the people living here.