Three days later, Chen Qing arrived at the Juma River. The Juma River has always been the boundary river between Song and Liao. During the long confrontation era, states along the Juma River built a large number of military facilities, including military cities, military villages, trenches, etc.
, most of them are still usable.
The states along the route include Cangzhou, Xiongzhou, Bazhou, Baozhou, Dingzhou, as well as Xin'an Army, Ansu Army, Guangxin Army, etc.
Chen Qing has appointed Niu Gao as the defense envoy of Hebei, leading an army of 100,000 to garrison along the Juma River.
On the south bank of the Juma River in Xiongzhou, Niu Gao accompanied Chen Qing to inspect the defenses. Chen Qing boarded a military city, one mile long and one mile wide, with a thousand soldiers stationed. The city walls were thick and strong, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Niu Gao introduced to Chen Qing: "This was built during the reign of Emperor Taizong. Successive emperors have repaired it and rebuilt it during the Zhenghe period, so it is very strong. When we stationed, the military city was just overgrown with weeds. After cleaning it,
It is found that it is still extremely strong. Each of our military cities is equipped with a large amount of fire oil. Unless we use iron fire mines, it will be difficult to capture it."
Chen Qing stood at the top of the city, looking at the vast white Juma River a mile away, and asked: "How many military cities are there in total?"
"There is a military city every twenty or thirty miles apart. There are about fifty of them along the Juma River. There are also military fortresses in the mountainous areas to the west."
At this time, a fleet of dozens of ships appeared in the distance, sailing on the river. Chen Qing asked: "Is that our navy?"
"Exactly, the Jin Kingdom did not have a naval force on the Juma River. They usually built pontoon bridges. With the navy, they could block the Juma River and not give the Jin soldiers a chance to cross the river, but..."
"But what?" Chen Qingxiao asked.
"I want to say that I am humble, but now we are on the offensive and the opponent is on the defensive. Isn't it a bit exaggerated for us to attach so much importance to defense?"
Chen Qing shook his head and said calmly: "I believe that Wanyan Helisa will never attack Hebei Road, but the Emperor of Jin may not."
At this time, a soldier rushed over and reported loudly: "Your Highness, Niu Dutong, the scouts have returned from the other side!"
Niu Gao was overjoyed and said to Chen Qing: "I sent a team of scouts to the other side to investigate the situation a few days ago. Now they are back. Your Highness is here just in time!"
"Bring them to see you!"
Not long after, a young general entered the military city with several of his men. The general's name was Huang Dong, who was the fastest-promoted scout in the Western Army. He was still a soldier when he attacked the Central Plains, and shot the general Zhe at the top of Luoyang City.
Keqiu was promoted to Dutou. Later, he made many military exploits and was promoted to deputy commander by Yang Zaixing. He then found the hiding place of the Jin navy during the attack on Shandong Road, and was promoted to commander for further meritorious service.
This time he was favored by Niu Gao and sent to the other side to explore the enemy's situation. He had been there for several days and had just returned when he met Chen Qing to inspect the defenses.
Huang Dong stepped forward and knelt down on one knee, clasped his fists and performed a military salute, "For your humble position, please see Your Highness, and please see the Commander-in-Chief!"
"Please get up!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Chen Qingxiao asked: "Tell me about your investigation!"
"The humble job drew a map."
Huang Dong took out a map from his arms and handed it to Chen Qing. Chen Qing took the map and gave it to Niu Gao.
Studying the map requires time and patience. Chen Qing just wanted to hear the general situation at the moment, so he nodded and said with a smile: "Just give it a rough outline, no need to go into too much detail."
"Follow the order!"
Huang Dong thought for a while and said: "I heard that Yanshan Prefecture has about 80,000 troops..."
Eighty thousand? Chen Qing was stunned for a moment. Didn't he say fifty thousand? He interrupted Huang Dong and asked: "In addition to the fifty thousand Jurchen army, are there thirty thousand other armies?"
"Exactly! There are still 30,000 miscellaneous troops, including Khitans, Xiren and Han people from Yanshan Prefecture. They were originally stationed in Pingzhou and were not under the jurisdiction of Wanyanhelisa. They were soon handed over to Wanyanheli
spread."
"Keep talking!"
"Currently, Wanyan Helisa has deployed 80,000 troops on the north bank of the Juma River. They are mainly concentrated in seven counties, Daxing County, Yixian, Rongcheng County, Xincheng County, Fanyang County, Yongqing County and Wuqing County.
, I don’t know how the specific force is distributed. I only know that they are very strict. Everyone who enters the city must be carefully interrogated to prevent our intelligence scouts."
"Thank you for your hard work, let's go down and rest first!"
Huang Dong bowed and retreated. Niu Gao said with a smile: "Wanyan and Lisa actually divided his troops into seven counties. Isn't he afraid that we will concentrate our forces and defeat them one by one?"
Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "Wanyanhelisa is our old rival. He is very cautious and will withdraw his troops at the slightest sign of trouble. So despite the fact that he has divided his troops into seven counties now, he is the only one who has us crossing the Juma River.
, he will definitely shrink his troops to Daxing Mansion immediately."
"What Your Highness said makes sense, but considering my humble position, can we regain the remaining power in Hebei and then take over Yanshan Mansion in one go?"
Chen Qing shook his head and smiled: "Of course I know very well that it is easy for an army of 300,000 to take down Yanshan Mansion in one go. Why don't I take it? Has Niu Dutong thought about this problem?"
"I'm humble and stupid, please tell me, Your Highness!"
Chen Qing nodded secretly, this Niu Gao is indeed mature and knows how to advance and retreat. He should be silent when he shouldn't be talking, and he will become dull when he shouldn't understand. In contrast, Yang Zaixing only knows military affairs, but
I don't understand officialdom.
Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "Our target is not Yanshan Mansion, but the Kingdom of Jin. The biggest problem of the Kingdom of Jin is the lack of population. He has to recruit manpower from all over the world to put into the battlefield. This will consume a lot of national power. I will use everything
The opportunity will eliminate the effective forces of the Jin State and consume the national power of the Jin State. Now I am waiting for the deployment of the Jin State to see how they will invest their troops in Yanshan Mansion?"
Niu Gao nodded, "I understand, I understand. In the eyes of His Highness, Yanshan Mansion is just a millstone, used to grind away the military and national power of the Jin Kingdom!"
"Well said, that's what I mean!"
Chen Qing added: "You will lead a hundred thousand troops to defend here, and at the same time, you must strengthen intelligence collection. Once you discover that the Jurchens have increased their troops in Yanshan Prefecture in large numbers, you must notify me immediately!"
"I humbly obey orders!"
Chen Qing smiled and said: "Go to the county seat! Send someone to find Tang Huai for me."
Chen Qing left Military City and went to Ba County to rest.
........
At dusk, Chen Qing was studying the sand table and map in the lobby. At this time, Tang Huai hurried over, knelt down on one knee in front of the hall and saluted, "I, Tang Huai, of my humble duty, see you, Your Highness!"
"General Tang, please come in!"
Chen Qing then ordered his soldiers, "Go and invite Niu Dutong!"
The soldiers rushed away.
Chen Qing smiled at Tang Huai and said, "I just found some omissions on the sand table!"
Tang Huai quickly walked to the sand table. Chen Qing pointed at the Bohai Sea with a wooden pole and said: "General Tang, have you noticed that there is no island in the Bohai Sea? Isn't it a bit strange?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, I actually discovered that there should be a string of Penglai Islands above Dengzhou, but there are none on the sand table. I guess the surveying and mapping soldiers were unable to go into the sea to look for the islands. It would be too time-consuming, and I don't know if Your Highness has discovered it.
, the whole sand table production is very rough, the main reason is that this is the territory of Liao and Jin Dynasties, and it is inconvenient for scouts to explore."
"What you said makes sense! It should be for this reason."
At this time, Niu Gao also hurried over and came to the sand table. Chen Qing gave him a general explanation.
Niu Gao smiled and said: "If there is an island in the Bohai Sea, it will become the second East China Sea island!"
"There happens to be an island!"
Chen Qing pointed with a wooden pole to the northwest of the Bohai Sea, close to the Liaoxi Corridor, and said to the two of them: "There should be an island here, called Huludao. The navy can occupy this island, both to detect intelligence and as a surprise attack.
ambush."
Niu Gao nodded, "This is a good idea. Once the enemy's main force passes through the Liaoxi Corridor, the scouts will find it and send an eagle message through Huludao!"
Tang Huai immediately understood King Yong's intention, bowed and said: "I understand, I will make arrangements immediately!"
