At noon on March 17, General Lu Wende led the main generals of the Xiangyang Military Region to the city gate. Standing on the wall of the east gate of Xiangyang City, he looked at the harvesting field of Lumen Mountain to the southeast from a distance.
As a strategic location of the Southern Song Dynasty, Xiangyang was the "west gate of the country" of the Southern Song Dynasty. It was an important support point of the Southern Song Dynasty on the Jingxiang defense line. If Xiangyang was lost, Jiangling would be in danger. If Jiangling was in danger, the danger of the Yangtze River would be insufficient.
If the natural danger of the Yangtze River is no longer a natural danger, then the large area of land after the gate is opened will be unsafe to defend. The Mongolian cavalry can gallop on horseback, directly threatening Lin'an, where the Song Dynasty lived.
In the first two Song-Mongolian wars, Xiangyang was not the main battlefield. After Meng Gong's troops took Gundam back to Xiangfan in 1251, Lu Wende operated in the Xiangfan area for more than ten years, reinforcing the city and stocking up supplies, which restored Xiangyang City to its former glory.
Known as "Iron-Strengthened Xiangyang".
Lu Wende stands in the middle. On the left is Lu Wenhuan. On the right is Lu Wenxin holding a Polu sword.
"Commander, do you want to get rid of the Arakhan tribe in Lumen Mountain first?" Lu Shikui, standing behind Lu Wende, said eagerly.
After a while, Lu Wende, who looked solemn, answered the question: "The setting up of the interrogation field is the most serious mistake I have made in my life. Xiangyang City will soon usher in an unprecedented war."
Lu Wenhuan said: "The matter has come to an end. Just carry out your Majesty's decree. Shi Kui. The castle at Lumen Mountain is ready. If our army wants to conquer the castle, it will inevitably cause huge casualties. This is contrary to your Majesty's original intention.
Already."
Lu Wende nodded and whispered to Lu Wenhuan beside him: "Your Majesty said that we should start a decisive battle with the Mongolian army in Xiangyang City. I originally thought it was feasible. But when things happened, I became uneasy in my heart. This is something that I think is feasible.
It seems like this is the first time in the decades since I joined the army."
Lu Wenhuan smiled and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, Commander. Your Majesty has made miscalculations on major events since he came to the throne. Using Xiangyang, our first stronghold city, as bait, I also think it is a completely feasible method. Moreover, our army's
The task is just to defend Xiangyang and Fancheng. With the strength of our Xiangyang Military Region, there should be no problem. And the encirclement of the point and the reinforcements are under the personal command of His Majesty. There will be no mistakes. What's more, our court still has a magical weapon."
Thinking of the power of the artifact he saw that day, Lu Wende was convinced. He smiled and said: "Yes. His Majesty predicted that Kublai Khan would place a bet on Xiangyang City two or three years ago. It was indeed wise. Besides, it only takes a hundred
The door artifacts take turns shooting. Those earth-walled buildings may be really vulnerable."
"That's natural. Otherwise, why would even Li Tingzhi, who has always regarded himself as noble, feel ashamed of himself?" Lu Wenhuan said. "The power of the artifact is indeed powerful. Besides, I also have muskets and throwing bombs. This time I will definitely let Kubi.
Those who suffered heavy losses of troops and generals."
"Yes. My second brother is right. In short, as long as you and my brother are here, the two cities of Xiangfan and Xiangfan will be there." Lu Wende looked serious. He suddenly raised his voice and said, "Shi Kui, strictly order all armies to monitor the enemy's situation and increase the number of scouts. Everyone.
General, return to the Commander's Mansion for discussion. It's almost time. The Fancheng garrison should also arrive."
In the operations hall of the commander-in-chief of the Xiangyang Military Region, all the senior generals of the military region were present. After the reform of the military system, the Xiangyang Military Region established four regular reorganization compartments. Each compartment has 12,500 officers and men, totaling 50,000 people.
There are 3,000 people in the Black Carbon Regiment, 1,000 people in the Xiangyang Navy, and 3,000 non-main force officers responsible for logistics and armaments. A total of 57,000 people. In addition, the regiment defense under the Xiangyang Military Region has about 15,000 people. Mainly
Distributed in Xiangyang and Fancheng.
Lu Wende sat down and said: "Wen Huan, please first tell us about the current distribution of our Xiangyang army."
"Yes, Marshal." Lu Wenhuan pointed at the map and said: "Everyone, please take a look. The area defended by our Xiangyang Military Region is the entire Hubei Province. Among them, the 19th Wing is stationed in Fancheng. The 17th Wing is stationed between the two cities of Xiangyang and Fan. Elsewhere, the remaining 16th Wing, 18th Wing and Black Carbon Regiment were stationed in Xiangyang. A few months ago, General Chen Yi personally led the fleet along the Yangtze River to lead his 3,000-strong navy and Zhang Shun of the Lin'an Military Region. Half of the army led by the general has arrived in the area of Yingzhou City in the south of Xiangyang. It has taken over the defense line of our Xiangyang Army. Therefore, our entire Xiangyang Army can be placed on the defense of the two cities of Xiangyang. Judging from the current situation we have Look, the Mongolian middle army has at least 150,000 people. Its base camp is located in the Nanyang area of Henan. The vanguard Achahan has arrived at Lumen Mountain. According to your Majesty's judgment, when the construction of the castle in Baihe City is completed That time is when the Mongolian army besieged Xiangyang. According to the current progress, it is expected to be in early May."
Lu Wende walked to the map and said: "Everyone, your majesty has given me the task of Xiangyang Military Region to defend. To hold back the Mongolian middle army in Xiangyang and Fancheng. The task of encircling the point and providing reinforcements will be handed over to other troops. In other words, I, Xiangyang The military region will become the decoy of this war. Whether the Battle of Xiangyang can be won depends on how long our decoy force can hold on. Everyone, Xiangyang City is so strong that it can be called the first fortified city of our dynasty. Our Xiangyang Military Region is an elite division. I believe that we will be able to complete the tasks entrusted to our military region by His Majesty."
Fancheng garrison Niu Fu said: "Commander, don't worry. Our troops are all warriors who will follow the commander in the east and west. The general will guarantee that as long as the general is here, the Mongols will not let the Mongols enter our Fancheng."
"Good. General Niu." Lu Wende praised.
Niu Fu is not tall but extremely strong. He followed Lu Wende when he was young. He is brave and good at fighting. He is loyal and righteous. He is deeply appreciated by Lu Wende.
Lu Wenhuan said: "Commander, please give orders to the armies first."
"Well, generals, regarding the Battle of Xiangyang, I have formulated the following plan in accordance with your Majesty's instructions. It has been approved by the Military Council. Next, I will announce the military defense personnel arrangements for Xiangfan."
All the generals said in unison: "Please give the order, Commander-in-Chief."
Lu Wende looked at his favorite generals and said loudly: "General Fan Tianshun, the commander of the Xiangyang Military Region and the commander of the 19th chamber, General Niu Fu, the deputy commander of the 19th chamber and Fancheng garrison, and the deputy commander of the 17th chamber Make General Wang Fu obey the order."
Fan Tianshun and other three generals stood upright: "The last general is here."
"I ordered the three of you to lead the reorganization of the troops of the 19th compartment, plus the 46th and 47th troops of the 17th compartment. A total of 17,500 people will be stationed in Fancheng. It is necessary to ensure that Fancheng is not It was captured by the Mongolian army."
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief. The general will get the order at the end."
"The commander of the sixteenth chamber, Lu Shikui, obeys the order."
Lu Shikui stood up and said: "The last general is here."
"I order you to lead all the soldiers of the 16th chamber to guard the east gate of Xiangyang City to guard against the enemy at Lumen Mountain."
"The final general honors your order."
"General Tang Yongjian, the Commander of the Seventeenth Chamber and the Commander-in-Chief of Jing'e, listens to the order."
"The end will be here."
"I order you to lead the 48th Army, the 49th Army, the 50th Army and the Xiangyang Navy of the 17th Wing, totaling 8,500 people, to station at the south gate of Xiangyang to ensure the smooth flow of the waterway between Xiangyang and Yingzhou."
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief. The last general honors your order."
"The commander of the 18th Wing of the Xiangyang Military Region, Lu Wenfu, obeys the order."
"The end will be here."
"I order you to lead all the soldiers of the 18th chamber to guard the north gate of Xiangyang City to prevent the Mongolian troops stationed in Baihe City."
"The general will receive his order at the end."
"General Wang An, the deputy commander of the 19th Wing of the Xiangyang Military Region, obeys the order."
"The end will be here."
"I am ordering you to temporarily take over the position of commander of the 19th Wing. You will lead an army to guard the west gate of Xiangyang City to prevent future enemies from Wanshan Castle."
"Yes. The last general honors your order."
Wang An was born in Luzhou. In the third year of Chunyou (1244), he recruited the rebel army to fight against Mongolia in the name of the rebel capital. Later, he participated in the Battle of Shouchun with Lu Wende. He was promoted to the deputy commander of the 19th Wing of the Xiangyang Military Region with military merit. The original commander of the Nineteenth Wing died of illness in mid-February. Therefore, the Xiangyang Military Region proposed that Wang An take over. This has been reported to the Military Administration and is awaiting approval.
"Lu Wenhuan, deputy envoy and pacification envoy of the Xiangyang Military Region, listens to the order."
"The end will be here."
"I have ordered you to be responsible for the defense of the entire Xiangyang City and to control the generals above."
"Yes. Marshal."
"Commander of the Black Carbon Regiment, Lu Wenxin, obeys the order."
"The end will be here."
"Lu Wenxin. The Black Carbon Regiment serves as a mobile force, ready to attack or respond to various emergencies at any time."
"Yes. The general will get the order at the end."
"Xiangyang Military Region Councilor Lu Shimeng."
"The end will be here."
"I want you to participate in all the planning of the Battle of Xiangyang. From now on, you will report the battle status to the Imperial Military Affairs Council every seven days."
"Yes. The last general honors your order."
"Commander Chen Wenbin of the Commander-in-Chief of the Xiangyang Military Region is listening to the order."
"My subordinate is here."
"I have ordered you to be responsible for all the wartime logistics and military supplies of the Xiangyang Military Region. There must be no mistakes."
"Yes. Your Majesty's Order."
After announcing the defense mission, Lu Wende continued: "Generals, the military orders are overwhelming. We must fight with all our strength to fight the key battle between Song Dynasty and Mongolia to live up to His Majesty's trust. If anyone escapes from the battle, those who disobey military orders will be punished according to military law. .”
All the generals said in unison: "Yes, Commander-in-Chief."
Lu Wende nodded and smiled with satisfaction. He said to Chen Wenbin, a counselor in the commander's office who was sitting behind him: "Chen Wenbin, how is the situation in the field hospitals at all levels in our Xiangyang Military Region?"
"Come back to the Commander-in-Chief. According to the order of the Military Academy, all construction has been completed. It will be put into use by the end of this month."
"Okay. I will leave for Yingzhou tomorrow to meet with General Chen Yi and General Zhang Shun. In the past few days, Lu Wenhuan will be fully responsible for all military affairs in the Xiangyang Military Region."
Lu Wenhuan said: "Yes. Commander."
"Lu Wenxin. You select a thousand Black Carbon Regiment soldiers and follow me southward. You will bring back a batch of military supplies along the way."
"Yes. Marshal."
On May 13th, Zhang Hongfan, the pioneer of the Mongolian expedition to the south, led 15,000 soldiers to Xiangyang City. They were stationed in the castle in the newly built Baihe City Forge Field. Together with Arakhan's pioneer camp, they were located around Xiangyang City. The total number of Mongolian troops has reached 30,000.