"Yes. It is the Polu Army under Li Tingzhi. This time I asked the commander Jiang Cai to lead it personally."
The Yangzhou Polu Army was a brave division trained by Li Tingzhi himself. The Polu Army was originally Li Tingzhi's personal bodyguard. They were all experienced warriors. After Li Tingzhi was stationed in Yangzhou, he vowed to break the Lu army, so he guarded him. The battalion was named "Polu" and expanded to 3,000 men. It can be said that it is the elite of the Yangzhou Army and even the entire Song Dynasty army. Its reputation is even known to the Mongolian soldiers. Jiang Cai, the leader of the Polu Army, was kidnapped when he was young. He went to Hebei and later fled back to Huainan to join the army. Because of his bravery, loyalty and courage, he was deeply appreciated by Li Tingzhi and became the commander of the Polu Army. I have heard Lu Xiufu mention Jiang Cai many times, so I let him lead it personally this time. Bing assisted Xia Gui in attacking Yangjia Town so that he could see his true abilities.
"Your Majesty, with the help of General Jiang Cai and the Polu Army, I believe that the success rate can be over 80%."
"Well, Xia Aiqing, what time have you set for the attack?"
"Back to Your Majesty, I plan to launch an attack at midnight (11 o'clock) on the evening of October 28th."
"Oh. What's the significance of this?"
"Your Majesty, the 28th of next month is the Hesulide Festival that Mongolians only encounter once every 12 years. This day is the day of reincarnation advocated by shamanism. I estimate that the Mongolian soldiers in Yangjia Town who are far away from home will celebrate their traditional festival. .Their defense may be less relaxed than usual. Therefore, I have chosen this day to launch the attack. In addition, this action is a sneak attack. Please keep it secret for me."
"Well, Mongolians are good at wine. They will drink wine during festivals. There is still more than a month left. After Aiqing returns, she will start planning. This can also be used to strengthen the training of the team. As for the sneak attack that Aiqing mentioned, I will take action before taking action. I shall keep it a secret for you."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Only I and Wang Sheng. Xia Qing know the entire plan."
"I am the only one who knows Aiqing's specific plan. This time, I won't even tell the Military Academy. The Yangzhou Army will only let Li Tingzhi know."
Xia Gui said energetically: "Your Majesty, please wait for the good news from me."
I nodded and said, "Okay. I'll have tea instead of wine. I wish Xia Aiqing immediate success."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Xia Aiqing, you need to pay more attention to your health on weekdays. Just let Xia Qing, Wang Sheng and others do some small things. After all, time is not forgiving."
"I thank your Majesty. I am as incorruptible as those in ancient times. I am not happy with anything. Your Majesty, please rest assured."
"Haha. Okay. Please step back first. Xiaoqi. Pass on General Gundam."
Among the four major envoys, Xia Gui is the oldest, nearly seventy years old, followed by Lu Wende and Gao Gao, both in their sixties. Li Tingzhi is in middle age, in his forties, and is the youngest.
According to my plan, except for Li Tingzhi, none of the three old generals will participate in the Northern Expedition three years later. After all, they are too old. If something goes wrong, I also feel that I can’t bear it. So his successor should think about it. At the end of my conversation with Xia Guiyan, I consciously revealed the candidates for the future leadership of the Huainan West Army. They were the next generation of Xia Qing and Wang Sheng.
Wang Sheng had no background in the military. He was deeply loved by his soldiers because of his bravery in combat and his fearlessness of power. Since the establishment of Longya, Lu Xiufu, in the name of Minister of War, often met with middle-level generals in the Forbidden Army. After getting to know him in depth, .Absorbed Wang Sheng into the Longya Organization two months ago.
"Your Majesty, I'd like to see you."
"Gao Aiqing. No courtesy. Sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Gao Aiqing, are you still used to it in Chengdu?"
Gao Gao sat up straight: "Back to Your Majesty. I'm used to it."
"That's good. Gao Aiqing, tell me what happened after you arrived in Chengdu."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gundam collected his thoughts and said. "After Your Majesty, I, and the four others arrived, they first needed to stabilize the morale of the army. I and General Zhang Jue separately visited the forward positions to understand the local defense and the status of the soldiers. The two adults, Wanshou and Peng Daya, were responsible for the rectification of internal affairs. After returning to Chengdu, the ministers and others convened a military meeting attended by all middle-level generals and above in the war zone. They re-arranged the defense of the entire war zone and adjusted the powers of individual generals. At present, the entire war zone The situation has stabilized. After discussion with the other four, I decided that I and General Zhang Jue would be responsible for the deployment and training of the army. Master Zan and Master Peng would focus on government affairs. A few days ago, I received the military training manual transferred from His Majesty by Ouyang Jianqing. After seeing it, I and General Zhang Jue both thought that your Majesty’s method was very good. It has now been implemented.”
I nodded in approval: "Well, Gao Aiqing. The Sichuan war zone covers a vast area. Facing two Mongolian armies in the west and north, the situation is more complicated than the other three war zones. The entire war zone governs Chengdu Road, Zizhou Road, and Kuizhou Road. Tongchuanfu Road. More than half of Tongchuanfu Road was occupied by the Mongols five years ago. When I reform the provincial system, I will consider combining the four roads into one road and reuse the original name. It is Sichuan Province. .In the past three years, in addition to normal defense, training of soldiers and establishing bases in enemy-occupied areas, you also have another important task."
"Please give your Majesty's instructions."
"Five years ago, Liu Zheng surrendered to the enemy, which shocked the government and the public. Liu Zheng was well versed in water warfare and proficient in shipbuilding skills. He will definitely become a serious problem for our government in the future. Therefore, I ask you to form another navy when strengthening the navy. Marine Corps.”
"Marine Corps. What's its purpose?"
"Gao Aiqing. The purpose of this special team is to destroy the Mongolian shipbuilding base on Tongchuan Fulu Road to slow down the development of the Mongolian Navy. Because it may face a battle between water and land, I named it Navy Land The soldiers of this team are a new type of military force. They will also be responsible for the task of crossing the river and landing in the future. You can explore them as you form them."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have accepted the decree." Gao Dahe hesitated for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, I intend to send someone to assassinate Liu Zheng. I don't know if it is possible."
I shook my head and said: "Liu Zheng surrendered to the enemy. We, the people of the Song Dynasty, can destroy him. But he is protected day and night by the Mongolian Tianya people. These Tianya guards are highly skilled in martial arts and difficult to succeed. Ordinary assassins can only die in vain. .This matter is no longer necessary.”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Fang Ling's martial arts skills were called the master level by Yuan Ji, which is remarkable. However, his eldest brother once assassinated Liu Zheng, but failed, and he himself died as a result. Brother Fang Ling's martial arts skills were not inferior to Fang Ling's. He died in the hands of the Tianya guards. Ordinary people would only die in vain if they went there.
"Gao Aiqing, I am very relieved about the four of you. After the reform of the provincial system, you and General Zhang Jue focus on military affairs, leaving Zan Wanshou and Peng Daya in charge of government affairs. Military and political affairs are divided into separate families, each of which can show its strengths. Gao Aiqing, you I and General Zhang Jue are not too young either. They should enjoy their old age in peace. But there is a powerful Mongolian enemy outside. I have to rely on these two old generals. But you should also pay attention to training young people in your daily life and pass on your experience to them. .Elect your successor as soon as possible.”
"Your Majesty, I understand. I recommend someone to your Majesty."
"Oh. Who is it?"
"Your Majesty, Mr. Zan Wanshou is truly a rare man with all-round talents in both civil and military affairs."
"Zan Wanshou. Isn't he a scholar?"
"Your Majesty, I have been in the army all my life and have always looked down on literati. But after these few months of interaction, I think that Zan Wanshou is not only good at handling government affairs, but also has extraordinary insights into military affairs. Although Lord Zan himself only has the power to tie a chicken.
But he is proficient in the art of war, and he is a young man. On this point, General Zhang Jue and his ministers agree. Master Zan is a talented commander. If he can experience the influence of war, he will definitely become Commander Meng Gong.
Confucian and handsome."
"Really? Good. Very good. Gao Aiqing. After Zan Aiqing straightens out the government affairs, let him also participate in military affairs appropriately. What about Peng Daya? What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, Mr. Peng is also a very knowledgeable elder. If he had not forcibly ordered the reinforcement of Chongqing City, it is estimated that Chongqing City would not be able to withstand the attack of the Mongolian army. It is just that Mr. Peng is in poor health and is old. Otherwise, it would be better.
We can hand over the government affairs of the entire Central Sichuan War Zone to him, allowing Lord Zan to concentrate on joining the army."
I thought for a moment and said: "Gao Aiqing, after you return, you and Zhang Aiqing will try to recruit an assistant for Peng Aiqing. Try to make it less tiring for him. In addition, we will look for talented people in the local area. There are many heroes in Sichuan since ancient times. If there is a suitable candidate, then
You can ask Zan Wanshou to share more military affairs."
"Yes. I obey your order."
"Gao Aiqing. Did the Ouyang family send anyone to help you train the soldiers?"
"Back to Your Majesty. Before I set off to come to An'an, the head of the Ouyang family has sent ten direct disciples to serve as instructors in the army."
"Okay. Gao Aiqing. I will leave the Central Sichuan War Zone to the four of you. If you have any questions, please report to me at any time. We will be here today. Xiao Qi will pass the message to Li Tingzhi."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will retire."
This is the third time I have met Li Tingzhi. Li Tingzhi is the closest to me among the four major political envoys. He is also my planned candidate for the future Minister of War.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty." Li Tingzhi said after sitting down.
"Haha. Xiangfu. I didn't expect things to go so smoothly."
Li Tingzhi praised: "Your Majesty is really a man of God. Even Lu Wende supported the reform of your Majesty's army."
I smiled and said, "It's God's will. I obey the destiny. It seems to be true. Xiangfu, please take a look at the map. This is Yangjia Town on Huainan West Road. Xia Gui's next plan is to attack Yangjia Town.
.So that the Anfeng Army and Shouchun City can become the dominant force."
"Your Majesty, Yangjia Town is a nail left by the Mongols on the south bank of the Huaihe River. It should have been removed long ago."
"Well, Xiangfu Xia Gui's plan is a sneak attack, but he needs to personally lead the death squad. I plan to send out your Polu Army to help him."
"Your Majesty, just follow your orders."
"Xiangfu. Among the armies in Lianghuai, only your Polu army in Yangzhou has this ability. On the 23rd and 4th of the next month, you asked Jiang Cai to lead the troops to Shouchun. After arriving, he followed Xia Gui's command.
Your specific plan is like this. Does Xiangfu think it’s feasible?”
"Your Majesty, there is this small road that General Xia mentioned. I think it is 90% sure. Your Majesty, don't worry. The Polu Army will do its best to ensure the safety of General Xia."
"Well, Xiangfu, I plan to recruit a thousand soldiers from your Yangzhou Army to join the Imperial Guard Army. Among them are Zhang Shijie's five hundred musketeers. You will also select another five hundred loyal soldiers. I plan to build all ten thousand Imperial Guard Army into
Musketeers. And these thousand soldiers from your Yangzhou Army and Wen Zhang's thousand Young Guards will become the main backbone of the Imperial Guard Army."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I obey your order."
"For other matters, please follow the established guidelines. When you come back to report on your work at the end of the year, you and I, the king and my ministers, will talk about it again. Xiao Qi. Pass on Lu Wende."
"Yes. Official family."
After Lu Wende entered and bowed, I poured a cup of hot tea and said with a smile: "Lu Aiqing, the weather is getting colder. Sit down and drink a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."