Qiao Rui didn't ask for help with empty words, he had a gift.
There are a number of his old acquaintances in the Lujiang Army.
This is also the biggest reason why he can still survive on Liu Xun and Ji Ling's territory.
Among them, Li Feng, Lejiu, and Liang Gang had close friendship with him. They were all generals leading troops in Lujiang, either setting up defenses on the Huai River or participating in battles at Chibi.
"Young people are willing to go to the army and persuade a few people to abandon the dark side and join the bright side."
"Qiao Qing is not feeling well and it is not suitable to travel. Just send a few letters." Liu Xiang rejected his proposal. Qiao Rui's body could not withstand the trek and she would probably die on the way.
In fact, the main reason is that I can't trust him.
Who can be sure that he is not using the beauty of Xiao Qiao to confuse his own mind and perform some conspiracy?
For the sake of Lao Qiao having two beautiful daughters, Liu Xiang was willing to protect their family, but that didn't mean he would trust Qiao Rui.
The advantage of the war situation has been grasped. Whether Li Feng and others surrender or not has nothing to do with the overall situation.
With this help, victory will come faster. Without this help, he can still win, just with more twists and turns.
Why take the risk?
What if the boat capsizes in the gutter?
However, the way for others to seek refuge cannot be closed, so Qiao Rui is allowed to write a letter. If he really wants to surrender, he must take practical actions first, and the court can send troops to respond.
Anyway, Liu Xiang will not agree to some messy conditions and get into the game that others have done well.
It's definitely not possible for the imperial army to attack first and then attack from a flank depending on the situation. It's easy to fall into a trap and be plotted against.
"If Li Feng and others are willing to rebel, they can raise troops to attack the rebels, and the imperial court will send troops to support them." Liu Xiang set the tone of persuading them to surrender. It was not the imperial court begging them to join, but them fighting for their lives.
The initiative cannot be given away.
"The common people will convey His Majesty's wishes to them and advise them to abandon the darkness and turn to the light, so as to end the troubled times as soon as possible." Qiao Rui bowed and bowed before leaving.
Ignore this small episode, what should we do? Wan County is backed by the Dabie Mountains and is not a major grain-producing county. Although the new grain has just been put into the warehouse, it cannot support the military supplies of the army for a long time. After three days of repairs, the troops are ready to leave.
.
Liu Xiang assigned tasks in the Chinese army's main account:
"Zhang Ren and Wang Ping will lead five thousand Wudang flying troops to garrison Wan County. If a large army comes to attack, they can retreat into the mountains and wait for reinforcements. They only need to guard the mountain road leading to Xiling."
"Obey the order!" Zhang Ren and Wang Ping stood up to accept the order.
"Le Jin led his troops and 20,000 civilians to attack Xunyang. After occupying the city, he pulled up a cross-river iron cable across the river to prevent the Chibi navy from returning to aid. He ordered Yan Yan to lead 5,000 Wudangfei soldiers to help."
"General, take your orders!" Le Jin and Yan Yan received the military talisman and arrows and retreated to prepare their troops.
"The imperial army and ten thousand civilians will follow me to attack Shu County and seize grain and grass."
On the third day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, two armies left Wan County, heading southwest and northeast, breaking out of camp in a mighty manner.
Liu Xiang did not want to give the enemy in Chibi a chance to return reinforcements, but also needed to support Guan Yu's troops to cross the river and break the Huai River defense line, so he could only divide his troops and hope that the combat power of Anping's soldiers could accomplish all goals.
The civilian husbands who were originally selected from the prisoners of war also promised them that once the war was over, they would be released home to divide their fields, and they would fight with the army and receive rewards.
It was able to mobilize the enthusiasm of these low-level soldiers. Based on his reputation of loving the people and being trustworthy, the effect was pretty good. At least he didn't have to worry about mutiny, and he worked hard.
Not to mention how Le Jin's troops attacked Xunyang County on the north bank of the Yangtze River, 20,000 forbidden troops carried their baggage and marched northeast along the foot of the remaining mountains of the Dabie Mountains, arriving at Juchao County late the next day.
Juchao did not surrender. A bunch of people, old and young, crowded on the broken rammed earth city wall. The earthy yellow wall was pitted and cracked with large holes, dotted with a few yellowing grasses. When the breeze blew, Ashes fell down in a sputtering sound.
"Zilong, why do they think they can use such a broken wall to block my steps?"
Liu Xiang really didn't understand. Juchao was not a dangerous place in a big city. It had no geographical advantages. The dilapidated city wall wished he could tear it open with his hands. He also had a good reputation among the people. Why should he block a bunch of poor, skinny, old and weak people? he?
"I will go to the city to ask?" Zhao Yun didn't know either.
"Go ahead."
Zhao Yun led people to the city to ask questions. Dian Wei, Shi A, and Zhao Jing were all on guard. Sun Ce was not yet at a stable age. He had just made great achievements a few days ago. It was just when his blood was rising that he couldn't help but ask for a fight:
"Your Majesty, this city has no moat, the city walls are broken, and the gates are loose. With a single charge, our troops can break open the city gates, rush into the city, and seize the city for Your Majesty."
"Be on guard, cover the army and set up camp." Liu Xiang was crazy only to let his armor and riding equipment hit the city gate.
"Your Majesty, I can really break in!" Sun Ce really felt that he could break open the city gate. This kind of credit for seizing the city fell to others without even fighting for it.
"Bo Fu, the armor and riding equipment I built with gold mountains and silver seas are not used in places like this. Good steel must be used on the blade."
The cavalry is equipped with full-body cold-forged armor, two Hexi war horses, a high-quality pack horse, plus weapons and supporting equipment. Each cavalry cost more than thirty kilograms of gold. Use them to attack the city. Is Liu Xiang out of his mind?
The cost of raising one piece of armor and cavalry equipment can raise twelve soldiers. It is no better than letting the soldiers attack a city.
Sun Ce retreated in confusion. He knew that armor and riding equipment were expensive, but that was not a problem he needed to think about. With good equipment, of course he had to fight to the death to kill the enemy and make contributions. This was what he should consider.
The military camp five miles outside the city was gradually set up, and Zhao Yun had also returned.
"Your Majesty, the people in the city said that they were deserters. Seeing that the officers and soldiers were transferred away, and the big families also crossed the river south, they returned to live in the city."
"Are they refugees from the mountains?" Liu Xiang was a little surprised. This was the first time he saw refugees occupying the city. He guessed: "They should be mountain bandits, right?"
"Most of the people in the city are old and weak, and there are very few young and strong people. They are not like thieves and bandits. They replied that they did not dare to open the city for fear of being killed by the officers and soldiers." Zhao Yunting felt pity for these people and begged: "Your Majesty, can you forgive them?"
Liu Xiang frowned. He didn't have such a murderous intention, but Juchao was blocked between Wan County and Shu County. For the supply route, there was no way to go around it, unless he turned around and headed north to attack Longshu County.
But how can it be possible to change the military line that has been set at the drop of a hat? Are you kidding me?
However, he couldn't bear to raise the butcher knife to a group of old and weak people.
"Send someone to shout and tell the people in the city that I will give them one night to think about it and come out to receive relief at midnight tomorrow. Otherwise, the army will attack the city and death and casualties will be inevitable."
Compassion does not control soldiers. Liu Xiang can give them one night, which is the greatest mercy. This is a battlefield, and there is no room for so much mercy. Showing sympathy to the people must wait until after the war.
Little did he know that at this time in Juchao City, a young scribe heard the servant's reply and smiled proudly: "My plan has come true!"