It was getting brighter, and the fire on the canal was gradually extinguished. It was not put out by the soldiers, but the ships were burned and sunk. Only 30,000 dan of grain were saved, less than 10%, and all 100,000 dans of fodder were burned.
It has to be clean.
Zhang Jun was so angry that he demanded a strict investigation of the arsonist. Lieutenant General Xiao Wanqiu hurried to the big tent. Inside the big tent, Zhang Jun was asking Yang Shi for advice.
"Your Majesty, the main reason is that we have the cancer of Jinling County behind us. Wu Gao also has fifteen thousand troops under his command. He can send troops out to cut off our grain routes at any time. We are very passive. This time the grain ship was burned, it was probably Wu Gao.
Therefore, I suggested that we retreat to the north of Jinling County, so that Wu Zhang's men would not be able to attack us from behind.
"This is possible, but there is too little food to support it for a few days. I want to use Zhenjiang County as a logistics location, and then work step by step to capture Jinling County."
At this time, the soldiers reported at the door, "Xiao Dutong wants to see you!"
"Let him in!"
Lieutenant General Xiao Wanqiu walked in quickly, saluted Zhang Jun and said: "The perpetrator has been identified and it is the commander Wang Jiong. The patrol leader Wu Asi saw him with his own eyes last night. He led thirty ships into the camp. They also
Kill Wu Shouzhi, the commander of the naval force."
"What?"
Zhang Jun couldn't believe his ears. What did Wang Jiong do? He sent him to attack the Song Army's grain ship, but he actually attacked his own grain ship and killed his boss. Wu Shouzhi died.
What to do with the warship?
"Mr. Yang, what's going on? It's incredible!"
Yang Shi knew well that the Western Army must have started to take action. At this time, he also began to show his foresight. He pondered for a long time and said: "It is indeed weird, but when such a weird thing happens, there must be external forces involved. I am now
I am very worried about the situation of the warship. Will Wu Gao fight back and fight back to Zhenjiang Mansion?"
"Impossible! I have arranged a large number of scouts to monitor Jinling. If his army leaves the city and heads north, I will definitely know."
Xiao Wanqiu whispered: "Has Wang Jiong been bribed by the imperial court? He was promised a high official and a generous salary!"
Yang Shi shook his head, "It's unlikely. The main reason is that the imperial court didn't know about Wang Jiong's existence at all. Wang Jiong led his warships to lurk in Taihu Lake. He was very hidden and the court couldn't find him."
"Is it the Western Army?" Zhang Jun finally expressed his biggest worry.
Yang Shi's face became very serious, and he said slowly: "If it is really the Western Army, the trouble will be big. Your Majesty, retreat to Zhenjiang Mansion first, and then wait and see the situation!"
Zhang Jun nodded and said to Xiao Wanqiu: "Immediately send someone to notify Zhang Ziqi and order them to withdraw to Jiangnan West Road immediately, and the army will pack up their camps and go north!"
"Follow the order!"
Xiao Wanqiu hurried to make arrangements. Zhang Jun said worriedly: "Sir, what should I do if Chen Qing turns against him?"
Yang Shi pondered for a moment and said: "No matter what, strength is the basis for speaking. The prince should try his best to preserve his strength. Even if there is no chance to attack Lin'an, he can still go back and separate Jianghuai."
"Sir, you are right, strength is king. I was a bit eager to achieve success in attacking Lin'an and did not see through Chen Qing. This was my biggest decision-making mistake. I hope there is still a chance to make up for it!"
Yang Shi suddenly felt a little pity for this confused prince and wanted a chance to make amends! If Chen Qing turned against him, he would first sweep Jianghuai. I am afraid that Zhang Jun's lair would have been completely destroyed by now, which is why the Taihu Incident happened.
News that Zhang Jun's army was withdrawing to the north soon reached the ears of Song Army General Zhang Jun. Of course, Zhang Jun also got the news that hundreds of Zhang Jun's grain ships were on fire, and he got news from spies that shortly after the fire, a
A fleet sailed into Taihu Lake from the Wangyu River in the south of Wuxi County.
Zhang Jun immediately guessed the clues. Chen Qing should have taken action. The Western Army had ambushed a surprise force in Taihu Lake.
Zhang Jun sighed in his heart and said to Liu Qi, the commander of the capital: "The key is for Your Majesty to compromise. If the officials are still unwilling to compromise, this strange Taihu army will definitely attack our grain ships. Chen Qing should be prepared for both."
Liu Qi nodded, "Xuanfu Envoy is right. In fact, Chen Qing has already made a plan. He must station troops in Jingxiang and Jiangnan West Road, either to support Zhang Jun in conquering Lin'an, or to sweep across Jianghuai and Jiangnan West Road.
Now that the Huaixi Army is withdrawing northward, I guess they will not be able to return to Jiangbei."
"It should be like this. If we start in Taihu Lake, the battle to destroy the ships on the Yangtze River will definitely end first."
At this time, the commander-in-chief Wang Jian and Yang Yizhong walked quickly into the tent, bowed and said: "See the Xuanfu Envoy!"
Zhang Jun slowly said to the three of them: "I came to you three because I want to make some principled things clear. It is not our business to exterminate Zhang Jun. It is the responsibility of the Western Army. Our responsibility is to protect the land and the people.
At the same time, we conserve our troops, do you understand?"
The three of them looked at each other in shock. They were eager to fight Zhang Jun's rebels, but the coach did not give them a chance.
Liu Qi said anxiously: "Envoy Xuanfu, our army can go north to defend the Changzhou line. If the Huaixi Army is defeated by the Western Army and withdraws from the south, can we attack?"
Zhang Jun said calmly: "If that is the case, of course it is possible, but I believe that the Western Army will not give us this opportunity, and the Western Army will definitely force the Huaixi Army to retreat westward."
Wang Jian also said: "In any case, let's go north first! Join Wu Dutong's army and then act according to the situation."
"This is also what I mean. Send an order to the army to pack up the camp and go north to Jinling County."
When Zhang Jun's army first entered Zhenjiang Prefecture, they received unfortunate news from the Zhenjiang County defenders. The ships on the Yangtze River had been swept away by the Western Army, and not even a small sampan was left for them.
This news was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for Zhang Jun. What he was most afraid of and worried about finally happened. Chen Qing and the court reached a compromise, so Chen Qing sent troops.
Needless to say, the attack on his fleet must have been carried out by the Western Army. It was most likely Wang Jiong who betrayed him and led the wolf into his house.
Zhang Jun was anxious. What he was most worried about was Jianghuai. Can the 100,000 troops he left in Jianghuai stop the sweep of the Western Army? He thought about Jiangnan West Road again. The eldest son led the army to attack Lin'an Prefecture from the southwest. Jiangnan West Road was empty. Chen Qinghui
Wouldn't they take the opportunity to send troops to fill this void?
All possibilities were against him, and Zhang Jun fell into great despair for a while.
Yang Shi found Li Yecheng and asked him urgently: "Now that the prince doesn't trust me much, what should I do?"
Li Yecheng said slowly: "You'd better hide in Zhenjiang County and find an excuse, such as counting the food. It's too dangerous to stay outside."
Yang Shi was surprised, "Has the Western Army crossed the river?"
Li Yecheng nodded slowly, "I estimate there will be a war tonight, so you must enter the city immediately!"
"I know, I'm going to count the food now!"
At this time, a soldier outside the tent said: "Mr. Yang, the prince has invited you!"
"I know, I'll come right away!"
Yang Shi immediately looked towards Li Yecheng asking for help. Li Yecheng lowered his voice and said: "You can tell him to withdraw his troops immediately to Jiangnan West Road and join Zhang Ziqi's army."
Yang Shi nodded and hurried towards the commander's tent.