In February of the ninth year of Daye, the Yellow River thawed, and the ships that had been frozen for the whole winter reappeared on the river. At Douzigang on the north bank of the Yellow River, thousands of fishing boats were ready to go, with their masts covering the sky and the shore.
Beside, hundreds of thousands of black-clad troops were loading onto boats one after another. The densely packed troops stretched as far as the eye could see. All the rebels' eyes were fixed on the other side of the Yellow River, showing expressions of excitement and anticipation. The other side of the surging Yellow River was Qijun.
The war was approaching, and the storm was coming. A group of cavalry galloped down the official road. The farmers who were taking care of the wheat seedlings in the fields on both sides of the official road stood up in surprise. Looking at the cavalry running past like lightning, an ominous premonition came over them.
It rose again in their hearts.
An hour later, the cavalry rushed into Licheng County and rushed to the front of the county government office. The cavalry dismounted their horses and shouted to the guards in front of the county government office: "Quickly report to the prefect that the bandits are attacking from the north bank of the Yellow River."
The guards turned around and rushed towards the county office. Since Zhang Xutuo led his army to defeat Wang Bo's tribe in the seventh year of Daye, the banditry in Qi County has basically subsided. Under Zhang Xutuo's governance, agricultural production began to gradually recover.
Various shops in Licheng County have opened one after another, and Qi County is gradually gaining some vitality.
However, one wave has not subsided, and another wave has arisen. At the end of last year, Emperor Yang Guang announced the launch of the second Goryeo Campaign, and levied 500,000 Xiaoguo in various counties in Henan, Shandong and Hebei, and another 2 million civilians. This
The news stirred up the sentiments of the people all over the world, and no one wanted to go
Liaodong died, and the second large-scale rebellion broke out again in various places. The banditry that had been suppressed in Qi County resurfaced, forming dozens of rebel forces, among which the Changbai Mountain Zuojunxing tribe was the largest. In just one month,
Nearly ten thousand bandits were gathered.
All this gave the governor Zhang Xutuo a headache. Now he did not care about suppressing the bandits. The tasks imposed by the court made it difficult for him to complete.
The imperial court divided the task of recruiting soldiers and civilian men into parts. When they came to Qi County, they had to recruit 50,000 Xiaoguo soldiers and 100,000 civilian men. In addition, Zhang Xutuo's 25,000 county soldiers must also be divided into 15,000 soldiers.
People went to Liaodong.
In the room, Qin Qiong, his general, said angrily: "Why did the imperial court make such a decision? Even if they become soldiers, there won't be so many brave men and civilian husbands, unless women are also recruited as civilian husbands."
Zhang Xutuo sighed and said: "I guess the imperial court will still use Daye's five-year household registration as the basis for recruiting troops. Disasters and banditry have caused the loss of nearly 60% of Qijun's population. Where are there still civilians? If we really put the last bit
After the population is collected, Qi County will become a desert."
Luo Shixin said anxiously: "Master, what should we do?"
"What should I do if there is nothing? The worst case scenario is that I, Zhang Xutuo, will be given my head to the court to plead guilty. I won't be able to complete the task."
There was silence in the room, and all the officials and generals lowered their heads. At this moment, a soldier rushed over and said, "Report to the envoy, there is an urgent military report."
Zhang Xutuo was startled and immediately ordered: "Come in and see me!"
A moment later, a team member came over and knelt down on one knee to report: "To inform the prefect, a 150,000-strong army of Douzigang bandits are boarding ships on the north bank, and more than a thousand of the vanguard have landed in the north of Zouping County."
This news shocked everyone present. Zhang Xutuo had a solemn expression and walked quickly to the map on the wall. He stared at the map for a moment, then turned back to the county magistrate and the county commander: "You two immediately organize manpower.
Move all the people near Licheng into the city, and at the same time order all counties to move people into the city, fortify the walls and clear the fields. You have to act quickly, go now!"
The two officials saluted and hurried away. Zhang Xutuo said to his general Luo Cai'er: "I'm worried that spies will sneak into the city. You lead two thousand soldiers to patrol the city. If anyone incites rebellion, kill him on the spot!"
"I humbly obey my orders!"
At this time, Qin Qiong suggested: "Your Majesty, the enemy's army of 150,000 people is crossing the Yellow River. Without large ships, it will definitely take days. It is better to defeat them in one fell swoop while they have not yet gained a stable footing across the river."
Zhang Xutuo stared at the map for a moment, then shook his head, "I hope to annihilate all the 150,000 troops. Although your suggestion is good, it is more important to lure the enemy deeper. This time, I will completely defeat them."
Zhang Xutuo turned around and said to Wang Jinjiang, the commander of the Qi army's navy: "You can lead three thousand navy troops to lurk in Luzha Bay. After all the bandits land, you can lead the navy to cut off their logistics and transport, and cut off their
Way out."
"Follow the order!"
After Zhang Xutuo gave the orders one by one, he smiled at Qin Qiong and said: "After this battle is over, maybe we will have civilian men to work with."
The generals understood and laughed together.
Thousands of fishing boats worked day and night, taking two days and two nights to send an army of 150,000 across the Yellow River. This was half of the 300,000 bandits in Douzigang. A combined army composed of four bandit armies, one
They are Wang Bo's army, one is Sun Xuanya's army, one is Shi Yaojun's army, and the other is Hao Xiaode's rebel army.
After Wang Bo's disastrous defeat in Daye Seven Years, he led hundreds of his confidants to escape across the Yellow River and entered Douzigang, the bandit headquarters. He spent more than a year annexing more than a dozen small groups of bandits, and at the same time recruited fleeing bandits.
Gradually, he made a comeback and had more than 50,000 tribesmen, but Wang Bo was always worried about the defeat of Qijun and waited for an opportunity to take revenge.
Just when the Sui Dynasty announced the second Goryeo War, Wang Bo knew that the opportunity was coming. This was a golden opportunity for him to separate the Shandong Peninsula and confront the Sui Dynasty. The Sui Dynasty would definitely fall into the Goryeo War and be unable to take care of them.
For Sun Xuanya, Hao Xiaode and others, the crisis they are facing now is a crisis of survival. The swampland of Douzigang cannot support 300,000 rebel troops. They must go out and find a living space.
To the north is Zhuojun, where Sui troops are about to gather. To the north is undoubtedly death, and to the west is Dou Jiande. There is no chance for them in Zhang Jincheng's sphere of influence. They can only go south to Shandong and occupy the entire Shandong Peninsula. This is their only chance.
choose.
Wang Bo's ambition coincided with the plans of Sun Xuanya, Hao Xiaode and others, and the four parties united an army of 150,000 to cross the Yellow River and prepare to launch an all-out attack on the Shandong Peninsula.
On the south bank of the Yellow River, 150,000 troops have been assembled. In a large tent, Wang Bo stood in front of a map and explained his battle plan to the other three people.
Wang Bo felt proud, stroking a handful of his burnt three-goat beard, his narrow eyes flashing with a cunning light. As long as he brought the army into Qijun, then he would be the one to decide. He was from Qijun.
No matter the time, place or population, he has absolute dominance.
"I have fought with Zhang Xutuo many times, and I know that he is cautious in fighting and generally will not leave Licheng County easily. Now that most of the population in Qi County is concentrated in Licheng County, Zhang Xutuo will definitely deploy heavy troops to defend Licheng County.
County, so we don’t need to attack Licheng County, but instead attack other counties first, establish a foothold first, and then turn around to deal with Zhang Xutuo. We have superior troops, and as long as we defeat Zhang Xutuo in one battle, we will be able to achieve great success."
Wang Bo was born in China and was quite intelligent. His analysis made several others nod their heads. Sun Xuanya said: "Marshal Wang, you are the landlord, so it is up to you to make the arrangements! Where should I attack first?"
Wang Bo narrowed his eyes and smiled and said: "It is best to capture Zhangqiu County first. Zhangqiu County is located in the heart of Qi County. It has a tall city, is adjacent to Jishui River in the north, is surrounded by mountains, and has fertile land. It is Qi County's main grain-producing area.
And by taking Zhangqiu County, we can break Zhang Xutuo's Jishui defense, and Licheng County will be within easy reach."
Wang Bo still had something to say. Zhangqiu County was his hometown. After his failure in the seventh year of his great cause, most of his captured tribesmen were resettled in Zhangqiu County.
"Dry!"
Hao Xiaode struck each other with his fists and palms, and said decisively: "That's it!"
Wang Bo looked at Sun Xuanya again, "What does Sun Shuai mean?"
Sun Xuanya nodded slowly, "I agree."
"Okay! Then we will send troops to Zhangqiu County."
An army of 150,000 troops was dispatched and marched toward Zhangqiu County south of Jishui.
Zhangqiu County is very close to Changbai Mountain. There are also more than a dozen small-scale bandits gathered near Zhangqiu County. The number is not large, most of them are hundreds of people. One bandit has about 400 people and makes a living by collecting water.
The leader of this bandit is Du Fuwei, and his deputy is Fu Gongyou.
A few years ago, after Du Fuwei's father was killed by officers and soldiers in Pengcheng County, Du Fuwei and Fugongyou fled back to their hometown. However, the arrest warrant from the government came to Qijun immediately. Du Fuwei and Fugongyou had no way to go.
He had no choice but to become a Jishui pirate and survive by robbing merchant ships.
As rebellions spread all over the world, Du Fuwei couldn't help but do something big. At the beginning of the year, he also pulled out a group of more than a hundred Jishui water thieves to join the rebellion.
, Du Fuwei is only sixteen years old.
There is a small fishing village on the north bank of Jishui. All the fishermen have fled long ago, and this fishing village became Du Fuwei's rebel stronghold.
At this time, Du Fuwei had received the news that Douzigang's 150,000-strong army was coming to kill him. He and Fugongyou urgently discussed countermeasures.
"The forces of Douzigang began to move south, and the battle with Zhang Xutuo is inevitable. If the Douzigang army wins, then the entire Shandong Peninsula will become their sphere of influence. If Zhang Xutuo's army wins, similarly, other rebel forces in the Shandong Peninsula will also
It will become more and more difficult, and sooner or later he will destroy him, what do you think?" Du Fuwei looked at Fu Gongyou and asked.
Fugongyou nodded. He didn't speak much, but he always got the point. "Under the overturned nest, are there any intact eggs?"
"Then let's leave Qijun and develop elsewhere."
"I agree!"
Du Fuwei became excited. He unfolded the map and said: "Actually, I have already thought about it. We can go to Jianghuai. We rely on water to survive. There are many river systems in Jianghuai, which is more suitable for us. Moreover, we have also stayed in Jianghuai area. I
I feel that we can achieve great development in JAC."
"Then how do we get there? Have you thought about it?"
Du Fuwei nodded, "We don't need to go by land, we can go directly by water. We turn into Wenshui River and enter Juyeze, then go south along Heshui River and enter Sishui, and then from Sishui into Huaihe River. We can also get supplies from the water along the way.
Totally doable.”
Fugongyou thought for a moment. They escaped along this waterway back then, so there should be no problem. At this moment, Fugongyou also made up his mind, "We can't be swallowed up by the Douzigang army, go south!"
Du Fuwei's eyes lit up. If he went to the south, he might be able to find his lost mother.