After nearly five days of long journey, the Sui fleet carrying 50,000 troops finally arrived in Jiangling County. The river wind was strong, the banner was fluttering, and the strong east wind blew the sails into a semicircle. Yang Yuanqing stood on the ship.
He turned his head and looked at the Tang Army Water Village several miles away.
He saw more than a hundred Sui army grain transport ships docked neatly to the east of the water village. There were three rows in total, stretching for seven or eight miles. However, Yang Yuanqing's eyes were quickly attracted by the scene to the west.
The burnt blackened shipwrecks, with the skeletons of many large ships remaining, were horrific to see.
Not only Yang Yuanqing saw it, but also the guards on the ship exclaimed. Xie Yingden slowly stepped forward and whispered: "Your Highness, this should be General Wang sending people to attack the water stronghold of the Tang Army."
Yang Yuanqing was also quite surprised. Judging from the situation in front of him, all the large warships of the Tang army should have been burned. Wang Junkuo was so courageous. As far as he knew, Wang Junkuo should not have many warships in his hands. He
How can it be done?
"I don't know the specifics about this. Let's go to the shore and ask about the situation first."
"Your Highness, do you want to take the opportunity to rush into the enemy's stronghold and destroy other grain transport ships?"
Yang Yuanqing shook his head, "Don't be so impatient. Brothers have worked hard all the way here. Let's get off the boat and rest until the situation is clear. They can't escape!"
Yang Yuanqing immediately turned around and ordered: "Send my order and the ship will dock!"
“Reef sail—shore!”
The main helmsman Zhang Long shouted loudly, the sails fell, and the big ship began to turn around and sail towards the south bank. On the mast, the crew sent a docking flag to the ships behind, and the big ships began to slow down.
There is a deep water area about ten miles long on the south bank of Jiangling County, which can allow the huge sea-going ship Yang Yuanqing is riding to dock. On the shore, Wang Junkuo has led a large group of generals to wait for a long time. When Yang Yuanqing's big ship docks, everyone welcomes it.
Go up.
The ship boarded a long plank, and groups of soldiers quickly stepped down from the plank. Yang Yuanqing stepped off the plank. Wang Junkuo led dozens of generals to step forward quickly, and they all knelt down on one knee, "See Your Highness!"
Yang Yuanqing smiled and said to everyone: "The generals have made great achievements in capturing Yiling County. Everyone will remember their great achievements, and they will be rewarded after the war."
Everyone was overjoyed and said in unison: "I am willing to serve His Highness!"
"Everyone get up!"
Everyone stood up one after another, and Wang Junkuo stepped forward and said: "I thought His Highness would only arrive tomorrow, but I didn't expect to come so soon."
Yang Yuanqing laughed and said, "Although it was not smooth sailing along the way, it was smooth sailing. The wind was strong and the boat was very fast, so we arrived a day early. How about it? Is there anything important going on?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, I have captured Gong'an County and Zhijiang County to the west has also surrendered."
"Well, not bad!"
Yang Yuanqing nodded in approval. He turned back and pointed to the other side, "When I came here just now, I saw a wreckage in the water stronghold of the Tang Army. Almost all the warships were destroyed. Is this a great contribution you made?"
Wang Junkuo didn't want to say anything at first, but since Yang Yuanqing specifically asked about it, he couldn't help but bow down and said: "This is the work of a lowly subordinate general, Yuan Song, who escorted the grain ship last time. I sent him
He wanted to be an envoy, but he made a decision without authorization and hid alone in the Tang Army's water stronghold and burned the Tang Army's warships."
Yang Yuanqing heard that Wang Junkuo's tone was dissatisfied, so he glanced at the generals behind him and asked, "Where is this person? Let him come up to see me."
Wang Junkuo had no choice but to turn around and say to his soldiers: "Bring him here to see His Highness the King of Chu."
This made Yang Yuanqing slightly startled. After a while, several soldiers carried a man forward. The man was lying on a stretcher, dying. At a glance, he could tell that he looked like he had been beaten hard. He was none other than Yuan Song, who had escaped.
After returning to the camp, instead of attacking, Wang Junkuo scolded him and hit him hard with 200 military sticks, almost beating him to death.
Behind Yang Yuanqing, General Hong of the Navy quickly stepped forward to check. Yuan Song had been following Lai to protect his son. He could be said to be Lai's confidant and was naturally one of Lai Hong's men. When Lai Hong saw that he was almost beaten to death,
He couldn't help but feel furious in his heart, and turned around to glare at Wang Junkuo.
Yang Yuanqing's face sank and he asked coldly: "What's going on?"
Wang Junkuo gritted his teeth and said: "Reporting to your highness, there are many military orders. I only asked him to go to the Tang camp as an envoy, but he acted without permission and burned the Tang army's warships. Such a major action was without my permission, so I despise him and give him a heavy duty as a warning."
The whole army."
Yang Yuanqing didn't say anything for a long time. It should be said that Wang Junkuo's actions were impeccable. He did things without military orders and should indeed be held responsible, but he was not rewarded for his great achievements. This is Wang Junkuo's ruthless character. Yang Yuanqing also knew that Wang Junkuo was in the army.
His popularity is not good, he is too sinister and has no tolerance for others.
Yang Yuanqing nodded, "He who disobeys orders without authorization should be severely punished, but meritorious service should also be rewarded. Have you rewarded him?"
Yuan Song said in a low voice: "Your Highness, I am guilty of holding a low position and dare not receive reward."
Wang Junkuo bowed and said: "Reporting to Your Highness, he deserves to be executed according to military regulations. His humble position took into consideration that he had made meritorious service, so he spared his life. This is already extinguishing merit."
"Okay! You did the right thing in this matter, and I won't blame you."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Wang Junkuo secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He severely punished Yuan Song, which made many generals dissatisfied and made him very passive. If Yang Yuanqing did not support him anymore, it would be difficult for him to command the army.
Yang Yuanqing really had nothing to say. Military regulations are impersonal. One is one and two is two. There is nothing wrong with Wang Junkuo's punishment. Although it is a bit too ruthless, it can only be said that the scale is too harsh. We cannot say that he did anything wrong. More importantly,
Yes, now on the eve of the war, he couldn't let a partisan general chill the general's heart.
Yang Yuanqing quickly winked at Lai Hong, and Lai Hong quickly ordered people to carry Yuan Song on board to treat his injuries. Yuan Song was grateful and whispered: "Thank you, young general."
Lai Hong patted his shoulder and sighed softly.
Yang Yuanqing smiled again and said: "Go to Daying! I will learn about the situation on Yiling Road."
Wang Junkuo waved his hand hurriedly, "Your Highness, please!"
Yang Yuanqing, surrounded by generals, headed for the Chinese army's tent.
...
In the Chinese army's tent, Yang Yuanqing's soldiers were busy piecing together the sand table. In a moment, eight sand tables were spliced together to form a huge sand table platform three feet long and wide. This was a sand table map that included the entire Jingxiang.
Yang Yuanqing picked up the small blue flags and planted them in the four counties of Jiangling, Mianyang, Anlu, and Xiangyang. This is where the Tang army is currently stationed.
Yang Yuanqing planted the red flag again in the four counties of Jiangxia, Jiangling, Nanyang and Yiling. The situation became clear at a glance. The two sides currently have a joint garrison in Jiangling County.
Wang Junkuo couldn't help but sigh: "Your Highness, this sand table is really a good tool for fighting! You can see it clearly at a glance. Use it for deployment and there will be no big problems."
At this time Xie Yingdeng and Lai Hong also stepped forward, and Yang Yuanqing picked up the wooden pole and said to everyone: "The reason why we have to attack Jiangling County first is because it cuts off the connection between Yiling County and Jiangxia County, making our two strategic
The land cannot be connected together, and secondly, there is the only naval warship of the Tang Army. This battle must first be based on water warfare, destroying all the Tang Army's warships, and not allowing them to have the ability to transport naval troops.
, In this way, the south of the Yangtze River is basically our territory, and then by taking Jiangling County and Mianyang County, we can form a north-south pincer attack on Xiangyang."
Wang Junkuo pondered for a moment and asked: "I would like to ask Your Highness, if the Tang army feels outmatched and withdraws back to Hanzhong, they will inevitably move south from Hanzhong to Bashu. At this time, should our Yiling army rush into Bashu immediately?"
Yang Yuanqing nodded, "That's according to the plan, but Yiling's troops are too small, and it will be difficult to conquer the counties by rushing into Bashu. Once the battle in Xiangyang County comes to an end, I will increase the army of Yiling County to reach 50,000 people.
So at this time, Yiling is temporarily holding back its troops."
"But Your Highness, I heard that Bashu is empty and they are urgently recruiting troops. This is an opportunity!" Wang Junkuo said hurriedly.
Yang Yuanqing still shook his head, "Our current strength is not enough to fight on two fronts. In fact, our strength is not stronger than the Tang army. If we are careless and complacent, we will defeat Jingxiang and cause the overall situation to be passive. I hope everyone can understand this
a little."
Wang Junkuo remained silent. Although he felt that attacking Bashu at this time was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, since Yang Yuanqing did not agree, he had to obey.
Yang Yuanqing glanced at him and felt that he was not convinced, so he said seriously: "Our current army is 150,000, and one hundred thousand of the troops are the original Du Fuwei Army and Xiao Xian Army. Compared with the Tang Army, their combat effectiveness is not
We are strong, our only advantage is the warships and 20,000 cavalry, but this time the Tang army is coming fiercely, and Li Xiaogong no longer has the imperial court to restrain him. He is also a good general who leads troops harshly, especially he has 20,000 crossbow troops and is very well trained.
, The combat strength of our two armies can be said to be between equals. If I divide my troops to go to Bashu at this critical juncture, it will affect the battle of Jingzhou. The slightest difference will lead to a loss of thousands of miles. General Wang, we cannot underestimate the enemy in the slightest.
"
Wang Junkuo looked ashamed and bowed deeply, "I know I'm wrong because of my humble position."
Yang Yuanqing laughed and said, "As long as you understand, now it's up to you to tell us the story of the Battle of Yiling in detail."
.......
In the big ship, Yuan Song was lying in the cabin, sweating profusely in pain. A military doctor was carefully cleaning his wounds with high-strength alcohol and re-applying medicine and bandaging. There were two female guards beside him to help take care of him.
At this time, there was a sound of footsteps outside, and Yang Yuanqing and Lai Hong walked in. The military doctor quickly saluted and stood aside.
"How is he doing?" Yang Yuanqing asked with concern.
"Reporting to Your Highness, they are all flesh wounds. They are not serious problems. It can be seen that the sergeant was merciful when he hit with the cane."
Yang Yuanqing stepped forward and covered his body with a blanket. Yuan Song was so frightened that he quickly got up. Yang Yuanqing smiled and held his shoulders, "If you are injured, there is no need to get up."
Yuan Song didn't expect that His Highness King Chu would come to visit him in person. He burst into tears of gratitude, his eyes turned a little red, and he choked with sobs: "Thank you... Your Highness."
Yang Yuanqing nodded, "You entered the Tang camp alone, burned down the Tang Dynasty warships, and made great contributions. Although you were beaten, your merits are merits, and your mistakes are your faults. Your faults have been punished, but your merits have not been rewarded. I will reward you heavily."