Next, Wen Tianxiang went out and said: "Your Majesty, the provincial reform of our dynasty has been completed. One of the key tasks of the Government Affairs Council in the next stage is to improve and amend the various laws and regulations of our dynasty. The newly joined Law Department Ms. Nina agrees with the laws of our dynasty and has added a lot of Western viewpoints. Many of them are difficult for ministers and officials of the Law Department to understand and judge whether they are feasible. I would like to invite you. Your Majesty, can you please take the time to give me instructions on the direction of legal reform?"
I nodded and said, "Yes. Wen Aiqing. After you return from Xiangyang, I will summon me to discuss with the relevant legal departments."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Nguyen Ai Khanh. What is the status of the issuance of war bonds?"
"Back to Your Majesty. The progress is going well. Currently, officials, businessmen and people in Lin'an City are becoming more and more enthusiastic. Relevant data will be reported to the minister once a month."
"Okay. All these bonds are used for war expenses. My dear friends, the Song-Mongolia war is getting more and more intense. Although the current government is mainly military affairs, the government system must not be relaxed at all. Economic development is the focus of our government this year. One of the tasks. This must be guaranteed to complete this year's tax collection. I have said many times before that after the war, it is a competition for financial resources. In addition, the construction of clean government cannot be relaxed. The integrity of the court is gradually recovering. Don't do it because The corrupt influence of a few officials has brought about a hard-won good situation. Everyone, today's meeting of the dynasty is here. Everyone performs their duties. Work hard for the rejuvenation of the Song Dynasty and withdraw from the dynasty."
Outside Xiangyang City, inside the main tent of the Mongolian Chinese Army at the Baihe City Forgery Field. Marshal A Shu, the marshal of the Southern Capital Conquest, convened the first military meeting since the Mongolian army besieged Xiangfan.
Ah Shu, who was sitting in the middle, looked at the generals. He spoke first: "Generals, our army has completed the land encirclement of the Xiangfan area in the Southern Dynasty. The next stage is to implement the encirclement and reinforcement mission mentioned by the Great Khan. At present, except for some troops of the Southern Dynasties stationed in Yingzhou, Suizhou and other places, there are no signs of other troops sending troops to assist Xiangyang. In this situation, everyone can tell us the next strategy of our army."
Ali Hague, who was sitting first on the left side of the table, said: "Commander, the reinforcements from the Southern Dynasties have not shown up yet. Although there are troops from the Southern Dynasties stationed in Yingzhou to the south of Xiangyang City and Suizhou to the east, they have not come to assist Xiangyang. .Should our army attack Xiangyang by force?"
The veteran general Shi Tianze, who was at the top on the right, said: "General Ali Hague. Siege but not attack. Siege but feign attack is the established policy of the Great Khan. This cannot be changed easily."
"Well, General Shi is right." Ah Shu agreed. "It has been several months since our army arrived in Xiangyang. Today's meeting is to invite you all to discuss how to get reinforcements from the Southern Dynasties to come to Xiangyang so that our army can encircle Xiangyang. Click to support. If you have any ideas, please tell me."
Zhang Hongfan, the young vanguard of the southern expedition, first said: "Commander, the city of Xiangyang is strong. There is a lot of food and grass in the city. The Xiangyang army is very tenacious. The general believes that the Great Khan's strategy is very correct. Next, our army's task should be to force Xiangyang Lu Wende asked the Southern Dynasty court for help."
"General Zhang, continue." Ah Shu was quite familiar with Zhang Hongfan and knew that although he was young, he was very resourceful.
Zhang Hongfan continued: "Commander, generals, I believe that Lu Wende of Xiangyang will definitely not come out of the city to fight. But our army cannot be impatient. If we attack Xiangyang by force, it will definitely cause a large number of casualties to our army. Therefore, our army should concentrate all our forces. Large siege equipment such as trebuchets and siege crossbows were used to bombard the east gate of Xiangyang City with all their strength. The siege equipment took turns to attack. It was not only the walls of Xiangyang City that were hit. The most important thing was to hit the soldiers and civilians of Xiangyang City. Confidence. Lu Wende is willing to be a tortoise. Our army will break its shell. As long as there is a gap in Xiangyang City, Lu Wende will not be able to survive. He can’t wait to ask for help from Lin’an. He will wait until General Liu Zheng’s warship is built. Blocking the Han River Basin will completely turn Xiangyang into an isolated city. At that time, the Southern Song Dynasty court in Lin'an will naturally disrupt its position and send troops to assist Xiang."
Shi Tianze praised: "Commander Hongfan's suggestion is good. The general will agree with it."
"Concentrating the attack is a way. Everyone, do you have any other suggestions?"
Ali Hague said: "Commander, according to the wishes of the general, can you give me five thousand elite soldiers while besieging Xiangyang? The general will first attack Suizhou to the east of Xiangyang."
Ah Shu said: "General Ali Hague. I have already thought about this. It cannot be done."
"Why."
"Although the journey to Suizhou is not far, it is full of rugged mountain roads. The city of Suizhou is built against the mountains. Most of its surroundings are mountainous and hilly. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is not conducive to the advancement of our cavalry. This is why 1. Second, if the Southern Dynasty army sets up an ambush on the way and cuts off the connection between Suizhou and Xiangyang, our Eastern Expedition Army will definitely become a lonely army and will be in trouble."
Although Ali Hague looks rough, he is not a reckless person. He thought about it and said: "The commander-in-chief's words make sense."
Kong Yuandao: "Commander, the battle of Xiangyang is the top priority of this southern expedition. Our army needs to be prepared for a protracted war. There are many mountains around Xiangyang, so the stone for the trebuchet can be guaranteed. At the end The general also agrees with General Zhang’s proposal. We must fight steadily and work step by step.”
Kong Yuan, one of the commanders of the Southern Capital Conquest, was a Han Chinese in his forties. He had followed Shi Tianze in attacking Jiaohu, besieging Shouchun, conquering Xibao, and conquering Anfeng. He was brave and good at fighting and had extraordinary wisdom and strategy. He was added to every battle. They all took the lead and had outstanding achievements. They were highly regarded by Kublai Khan.
"The general agrees." Atahai and Ashahan also expressed their stance.
Atahai is a leader among the younger generation of Mongolian generals. He is the grandson of Tahai, the founding hero of Mongolia, and the son of Buhua. He first joined the army and accompanied Ashu on the expedition to Dali. He took the lead and had outstanding military exploits. Ashahan also did the same. He is also a young general of the Mongolian people. The son of the Mongolian Infantry Marshal Liu Qian. He first showed his talents in Kublai Khan's battle to defeat Ali Buge.
Seeing that the other generals were silent, Liu Zheng said cautiously: "Commander, I think General Zhang's method is feasible. At the same time, I suggest increasing the number of our troops around Xiangyang City. The military strategy is clear, and we should surround it ten times." Five means to attack, and double means to fight. Our army is the main attack, and Xiangyang City is extremely strong. Therefore, as a siege party, we need at least multiples of the enemy's army to form an effective threat. As long as the number of our army reaches more than 100,000. I guess Lu Wende will have to ask Lin'an for help."
"Yes." Ashu said. "General Liu, our middle army has a total strength of 150,000. Currently, there are 85,000 under Xiangyang City. The rest are being reorganized and trained in Nanyang City. It is estimated that they will be ready before March next year. It can be completed. When the time comes, I will report to the Great Khan. At least 50,000 more troops can be mobilized. Also, before I come out, the Great Khan said that the giant artillery of our dynasty will be built before the end of next year. Hundreds of gates were deployed to Xiangyang. This giant trebuchet can throw stones weighing 150 to 200 kilograms. No matter how strong the Xiangyang city is, it cannot withstand the repeated bombardment of hundreds of kilograms of boulders. "
"One hundred and fifty pounds." Liu Zheng said in shock.
Shi Tianze smiled and said: "General Liu, this is indeed true. I also heard the Great Khan mention it. And it can also be equipped on naval warships. In this way, the attack power of our navy will be greatly increased."
"That's very good." Liu Zheng said excitedly. "The trebuchets of the Song Dynasty navy could only fire stones weighing eighty kilograms at most."
Ah Shu smiled and said: "Generals, starting from tomorrow, place all the trebuchets and siege crossbows of our army in the east of Xiangyang City. Ashan, the east gate is your battle zone. Follow General Zhang's method. Your army assists the artillery battalion officers in taking turns to bombard the east city wall, trying to break a gap in the city wall at the east gate of Xiangyang."
Azahan said: "Yes. Commander-in-Chief. The last general has taken the order."
"The rest of the army will take turns collecting stones in the mountains for two hours a day during their free time to ensure that there is enough stone for the trebuchet."
"Yes. Marshal."
"General Liu Zheng, the Great Khan has approved the construction of the shipyard in Wanshanbao last month. You and General Zhang Xi, the Navy Chief, seize the time and urge the Navy officers and the engineers of the Ministry of Works to complete it as soon as possible. At the same time, the Great Khan According to your plan, 70,000 naval troops have been recruited from various places. They are currently training in Sichuan, Shandong and other places. It is expected to be completed by the end of next year or the beginning of the next year. By then, all 70,000 naval troops will be under your command and dispatch. "
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief. I will obey your orders."
"General Atahai."
"The end will be here."
"You are responsible for the construction of the Wanzhang Mountain Fortress. You must connect the fortresses of Lumen Mountain, Baihe City and Wanzhang Mountain into one piece before next June."
"Yes. The last general takes the order."
"Ali Hague, Kong Yuan. You two continue to besiege Fancheng."
"Yes. Marshal."
"General Zhang Hongfan."
"The end will be here."
"You are responsible for the attack on the north gate of Xiangyang City. You can feign an attack with 15,000 men from your vanguard battalion. The purpose is to make the Xiangyang army tense up and maintain our army's fighting spirit."
"Yes. I will obey your orders."
"General Guo Kan."
"The end will be here."
"I command you to lead 10,000 soldiers to besiege the west gate of Xiangyang City. The method and purpose are the same as above."
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief. The last general, Guo Kan, takes command."
"General Shi. Regarding our army's strategy for the next stage, you will report it to the Great Khan."
"The last general respects his orders."
"Report." Just when Ah Shu was about to announce the end of the meeting, the commander-in-chief of the Xue Army came in and said, "Commander, the Great Khan's order."
"read."
"Yes, Commander." Huaidu thought. "A'shu loves you and all the generals. The battle of Xiangyang is a long-term and protracted war. According to the established policy, Xiangyang is trapped rather than captured. Please remember not to act too hastily. .act rashly."
Ah Shu praised: "The Great Khan is wise. Even though he is thousands of miles away, he knows the situation in Xiangyang. The meeting is over. Everyone takes their place."
Three days later, the Mongolian army, under the command of Azhan, the pioneer of Zhengyin, launched another attack on the east gate of Xiangyang City.