When the news was received, the South Guangdong reinforcements had arrived in Yingzhou, south of Shaozhou. However, their final arrival date in Shaozhou was later than Pan Mei expected. It was not until the eighth day of October that they slowly appeared.
In the south of Qujiang City, the Cantonese army was slow along the way, marching no more than fifty miles a day. This was not due to caution, but to a lack of morale. In addition, Xu Yanzhen, who was worshiped as the envoy to the north, was "not in a hurry".
It is said that Xu Yanzhen led the army on this expedition. It was not like marching north to defend the enemy, but more like a parade or a demonstration. Along the way, he showed off his power, asked for bribes, and asked local officials and people to donate gifts. He also indulged his son.
, looting everywhere, saying that it was to supply the army to resist the Han army, but in fact most of the property went into the official pockets of their father and son. At the same time, they widely publicized that he would lead the army to the north, and he would definitely be able to defeat the Han army and invade Hunan. Sometimes,
Many people's brain circuits are unusual. They can do things no matter how absurd or stupid they are, and they are beyond the reach of human beings.
In addition, this man neither rode a horse nor rode in a car. Instead, he ordered someone to build a large sedan chair, which was carried by thirty-six strong men. He was so grand and swaggering that tens of thousands of Cantonese soldiers actually became the background of a eunuch.
foil.
A series of factors not only affected the speed of its advance, but also foreshadowed the final outcome of this army. Along the way, even the most ordinary people did not feel that such an army could win the battle and would be like a wolf.
The opponent of the tiger-like Han army. In fact, it is not surprising that the emperor sent eunuchs as commanders. After all, there is precedent. But if it was like Wu Huaien, it would be fine. The use of people by the Lord of Guangdong can be seen. Such a monarch, so
How can a country not perish? It is unnatural if it does not perish.
In Qujiang, after Pan Mei received the exact situation and status of the reinforcements, he once reflected on whether he was overestimating the enemy's army by being so cautious and calculating in the face of such an enemy.
When Xu Yanzhen led the army belatedly arrived, Pan Mei also slightly changed the battle plan. In order to give Xu Yanzhen confidence and boost his arrogance, he also sent an army to attack Qujiang City in a swaggering manner. It was also a tentative attack.
Facts have proved that when only relying on the governor Lu Guangtu and general Zhi Tingxiao to defend, the defenders of Shaozhou were able to demonstrate certain defensive capabilities, especially the will to resist.
A forceful attack could be broken with the powerful soldiers and powerful weapons of the Han army, but it was just a matter of casualties. The Qujiang River is built between two rivers, and the terrain problem also seriously restricted the deployment of the Han army's troops. This was also Pan Mei's concern.
The reason, of course, was that he looked at the overall situation and wanted to fight a completely victorious battle. After learning that the Guangdong Emperor, led by Xu Yanzhen, would go north to rescue, he had already planned a way to defeat the enemy.
After giving Xu Yanzhen enough face, after his army approached Qujiang, he withdrew the troops who were pretending to attack and returned the camp with gold. Then, what Xu Yanzhen got was that as soon as his army arrived, the Han army was afraid and gave up the attack on its own initiative.
Therefore, when the reinforcements arrived, the governor Lu Guangtu and a group of defenders opened the city to welcome him. What they faced was Xu Yanzhen's arrogant face. During an entry ceremony, Lu Guangtu and Zhi Tingxiao, a civil and military force, stood together and watched.
Seeing Xu Yanzhen's pomp, both of them looked very ugly. When they looked at each other, Lu Guangtu was worried, and Zhi Tingxiao was angry.
Among the bureaucrats of the Southern Han Dynasty, Lu Guangtu was considered a rare loyal and good minister, and he never concealed anything from the witches and officials. After Liu Yu succeeded to the throne, he was debauched, brutal, and the government was in chaos.
Zhou came to serve as governor. Because he had a virtuous reputation and won the hearts of the people, after he took office, he also managed good governance, tolerated the people, trained soldiers, strengthened defense, and resisted the Northern Army. He has been very effective.
As for Zhi Tingxiao, he was one of the few remaining generals in the Southern Han army and was quite mediocre. However, compared to Lu Guangtu, he was very dissatisfied with this Southern Guangdong and Liu Yuan, and had already resigned and returned to his hometown.
If it weren't for Lu Guangtu's persuasion, he would have been dismissed from his post long ago and would have just sat around and watched the defeat of Nanyue.
Therefore, the reason why Shaozhou was able to stop the Han army was not only because Pan Mei did not show his true character, but also because of these two things: Lu Guangtu could calm the people, Zhi Tingxiao could control the troops, and the soldiers and civilians of Shaozhou could obey his orders and serve them.
Serve his orders and deal with the Han army.
Compared with Lu Guangtu's worries, Zhi Tingxiao's attitude was clear. On the way to the government office, his voice was low but extremely angry: "How can Shaozhou be defended if Prince Xing's palace uses this eunuch as a commander? Is there any hope for Lingnan? Huh?"
Mr. Lu, if you persist, you and I will eventually be captured by the Han army!"
If it were normal, Lu Guangtu might have said words of comfort and comfort to Zhi Tingxiao's remarks, but now, his expression changed several times, and finally turned into a sigh. Lu Guangtu's eyes showed a trace of fatigue, and he said: "Eat
The emperor's salary and loyalty to the emperor are just that. If the country cannot be protected, it is not possible for us to do our best!"
In the official office of Shaozhou, Xu Yanzhen was sitting there, while other military and political officials were waiting in two rows below. In terms of showing off, perhaps no one here could compare to him. Looking around, Xu Yanzhen said: "I have been ordered by the king to lead the way.
The army is heading north to defend the Han army. I will return your service and give you all my support. To the south of Shaozhou is our great Guangdong, which is thousands of miles away. The Han army must not be allowed to cross it. Our shoulders should be like carrying a thousand and ten thousand burdens to defend the country and protect the people.
!I will encourage you all together!"
Xu Yanzhen is still very good at talking, but it obviously doesn't boost morale very much. How can he hide his performance from others? No one will take his high-sounding words seriously.
Seeing that the response was not big, Xu Yanzhen was a little unhappy. He glanced over and landed on Lu Guangtu: "Lu Shijun, how is the city defense? How is the situation of the Han army?"
"In the past two days, the Han army tried to attack the city, but was repulsed. The envoys came and led the army, and they returned the camp with gold!" Lu Guangtu responded calmly.
With a slight snort, Xu Yanzhen said: "I heard that the Han army only has 30,000 troops. How can I dare to attack again when I know that my reinforcements are coming? Otherwise, if my army launches a surprise attack, the Han army will not be able to stop it!"
"The recruiting envoy seems to have taken the Han army too lightly!" Seeing his arrogance, Zhi Tingxiao couldn't help but retort.
"General Zhi thought highly of the Han army, so he always feared the enemy like a tiger, huddled in the city and allowed the Han army to humiliate him?" Xu Yanzhen glanced at Zhi Tingxiao.
Hearing this, Zhi Tingxiao had an angry look on his face. He was about to argue, but was gently pulled back by Lu Guangtu, and then he gave up. Xu Yanzhen said: "Commander, I am here not only to defend Shaozhou, but also to find ways to defeat it."
Han army, solve the trouble in the north. Send more manpower to detect the movements of the Han army, wait for the opportunity to seize the opportunity, and attack decisively..."
Next, Xu Yanzhen almost kept talking, and no one else was allowed to interrupt. He waited until he had finished his talk before breaking up the discussion. As for Xu Zhaozhen, he was tired from the journey and needed to take a rest.
"Lang Bo, you must never offend a villain! If you offend him and slander the imperial court, it will hinder the important matter of conquering the Han Dynasty. You should put the overall situation first!" After retreating, Lu Guangtu said to the unhappy Zhi Ting.
"Mr. Lu is right, why should I care about the eunuch!" Zhi Tingxiao saluted Lu Guangtu and said, "Hey, I'll go check the city defense!"
"Thanks for your hard work!"
On the surface, Zhi Tingxiao was in a very complicated mood. Lu Gong was an upright man and was willing to die for that foolish king and for this troubled country, but Zhi Tingxiao was not willing to do so. Because Lu Guangtu was not very knowledgeable about military matters, he did not notice the danger. Zhi Ting
But Xiao heard the meaning of Xu Yanzhen's words and took the initiative to fight with the Han army? Isn't that seeking death?
Early the next morning, Xu Yanzhen received an urgent military report, and the Han army broke out of camp and retreated north. After hearing the news, Xu Yanzhen was immediately overjoyed, thinking that the Han army had learned that the soldiers in the city were afraid of his military power and did not dare to attack.
Once again, they came to the village and gathered everyone together and immediately announced that they would lead an army to pursue them.
This proposal immediately aroused opposition from many people. The defenders of Shaozhou felt that it was a risky move to go out of the city to chase the enemy because the enemy's situation was unclear. The benefits were small, but the risks were not small. This was a wise suggestion, but Xu Yanzhen criticized it as fearful.
enemy.
Following him to the north, he led the generals to see that the reinforcements had just arrived. The soldiers were tired and had not rested and recovered, so it was not appropriate to attack. Xu Yanzhen felt that the daily march was less than fifty miles before, so it was not hard work. To talk about fatigue is to fight cowardly.
During the discussion, the scouts once again conveyed the latest news. The Han army had stopped after retreating 20 miles north, stationed on the spot, and was setting up camp. After hearing the news, Xu Yanzhen was overjoyed. He bluntly said that this was a fighter opportunity, and the Han army could take advantage of it.
While setting up camp, they launched a surprise attack. Later, despite dissuasion, they decided to march.
After Xu Yanzhen decided to attack, one person in the Southern Guangdong Army breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Yanshou, the accompanying chamberlain, had a "mission." Xu Yanzhen took the initiative to attack, and he also had his influence and push behind it.
After returning from his mission to Kaifeng, Chen Yanshou became a secret spy of the Han Dynasty. Later, due to the recommendation of the eunuch Lin Yanyu, his power gradually grew, which made him want to ignore the imperial court.
However, after Liu Yun succeeded to the throne, the situation changed. In the country of witches and eunuchs, the shaman gradually became Fan Huzi, the eunuch was Gong Chengshu, and Chen Yanshou also gradually lost power. As time went by, he had to loyal to the court honestly.
, report espionage information.
Of course, there are also struggles among the eunuch groups in southern Guangdong. For example, there is a struggle for power and profit between Gong Chengshu and Xu Yanzhen. Therefore, Xu Yanzhen was sent to lead the army with his own considerations. Gong Chengshu felt that if Xu Yanzhen lost, then
This can be used to control him. Xu Yanzhen hoped to defeat the Han army, and then return to the court with the power of victory and control power...
It sounds ridiculous, but it always exists.
The role Chen Yanshou played in this was to encourage the Southern Guangdong Army to make mistakes at critical moments. This was also where Pan Mei was confident. During those years in Pan Meinan Town, Liu Chengyou specifically asked Zhang Dejun to make Pan Mei and Chen Yanshou
Get in touch to facilitate communication.
While Xu Yanzhen was urging the army to leave the city and attack the Han army, the news reached Pan Mei early. During the whole process, Lu Guangtu was worried and Zhi Tingxiao remained silent.