The Huai River has been a beneficial river since ancient times. It rarely floods and breaks its banks. The Huai River flows along the track and flows out of the cloud ladder. It plays an immeasurable role in irrigating both sides of the river. Therefore, both sides of the Huai River have always been warehouses of grain and rice. Those who get the Huai River will be able to control the world's granary.
The Northern Han Dynasty and the Southern Chu State were established successively, so naturally they could not let go of this fertile land. In order to capture this area, both sides fought continuously. Because of this, the originally good rice and grain warehouses became desolate. The people were unable to produce, and both sides of the Huai River became the most miserable place in the world.
A few years ago, the two countries engaged in a protracted Qinhuai War, which caused a huge drain on the national strength of both sides, and neither side was able to continue to launch an offensive against the other side. Therefore, the two sides reached an agreement to temporarily cease their troops, and the Huai River was divided into two parts. The boundaries of a country’s territory.
The Qinhuai War caused serious damage to both sides of the Taiwan Strait. During the war, people from both countries fled with their families and were displaced. When the war was over, under the arrangements of the government, the scattered people returned home in droves.
The scorched-earth hometown needed to be rebuilt, which naturally did not happen overnight. However, when the people finally settled down again, the clouds of war swept over again. Soon the Qinhuai Army began to cross the Huai River and march north to conquer the Han Dynasty. No reminder from the government was needed. When the people discovered that the Qinhuai Army had attacked, their first reaction was to drag their families and flee again.
The scenes of the Qinhuai War have not dissipated from the minds of the people. At that time, many people were in love with their hometown and were unwilling to leave. There were also some old people who were too old to bother. They stayed in their hometowns, but the result was The villages were all razed to the ground. Although the Han army looted, burned and killed them when they came over, many of them were rogue bandits who took the opportunity to cause chaos.
Therefore, when the Qinhuai Army launched its northern expedition this time, the people on the banks of the Huai River immediately evacuated to the rear to avoid further disasters.
In fact, after the Dongqi Navy took control of the Huai River, there were very few people left on both sides of the strait. Without the mobilization of the government, the banks of the Huai River were already empty.
The little emperor did not let the people suffer. He sent many officials to specially arrange a refugee shelter a hundred miles south of the Huai River. He built countless tents to accommodate the refugees who fled from the front. The defensive troops were mobilized to maintain order. Compared with the chaotic situation during the previous Qinhuai War, this time it was orderly.
Huize City is only a hundred miles away from the Huai River. During the previous Qin-Huai War, it became a shelter for refugees and was overcrowded for a time. After the war, the people returned home, and Huize City became an unimportant city as always. Small county town.
But now the small county town is once again a place of importance.
After the Qinhuai Army went north, in order to ensure the food and grass on the front line, there was an endless stream of teams transporting food and grass. The Hubu Yamen led by Dou Kui became the most stressed government during the war. Food was collected everywhere for fear of insufficient food and grass supply at the front.
Dou Kui knew very well that although he had taken refuge in Qining and kept his family and official position, he had to do something to make the Dou family truly valued by the emperor.
The Northern Expedition was the most important thing for the young emperor. As long as he led the Hubu Yamen to fully support the young emperor's Northern Expedition and showed his talents during this period, he would definitely be entrusted with important tasks by the young emperor in the future.
Dou Kui fell out with the Qi family and took refuge with the King of Huainan. Although his character was not very good, he still had talents. At least after the Qinhuai Army went north, he raised food and grain in an orderly manner and never had to worry about logistics. problem appear.
However, after the Dongqi Navy cut off the Huaihe River, the food routes to the front line were immediately cut off, and Huize City became a place to store grain.
Huize City is a hundred miles away from the Huai River, and there are Qinhuai troops stationed here. The city defense is strong. Naturally, it is impossible for the Dong Qi navy to go ashore and go a hundred miles to Huize City to grab food. But once the Huai River comes, If it is opened and the grain channel is reopened, Huize City will be able to quickly transport grain and grass forward.
Five or six large granaries were built in Huize City, specifically for storing grain, and the city gates were heavily guarded, making it impossible for ordinary people to enter the city. As an important place for grain storage, ordinary people could not even approach the city.
The Huize granary was guarded by soldiers and horses of the Qinhuai Army, so the guarding general was Han Yu, the Yixiao Zhonglang general who was transferred from the Qinhuai Army. In addition, Mo Wenchui, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was also in charge of the city.
When Qi Ning and Xuanyuan Po arrived at Huize City, it was already dusk.
When the two entered the city, they were questioned repeatedly by the soldiers who defended the city, but they still refused to let them in. When they sent someone to report, Han Yu sent someone over, and then they entered the city.
When Qi Ning was sent as an envoy to the Eastern Qi Dynasty, the defense area he passed was under the jurisdiction of Han Yu. Han Yu and several of his subordinates were familiar with Qi Ning. This time to guard Huize City, Han Yu also sent several of his subordinates with him. He sent someone over and immediately recognized Qi Ning. Naturally, he was surprised and hurriedly welcomed him into the city.
Although Qining was blocked outside the city at first, instead of being angry, he was actually pleased. Of course, the stricter the better in such an important granary.
At that time, he killed Xiao Yishui, the leader of Huize City, and fled from Huize City. After being away for nearly two years, he returned to his hometown, but he felt quite emotional in his heart.
When he left Huize City, he was just a precarious little beggar. When he came back today, he was already the protector of the Great Chu Empire.
As the current highest official in Huize City, Mo Wenchui, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, lived in Huize County Yamen. Han Yu lived in another house next to the county Yamen. However, Qining was taken directly to the county Yamen. Bian Han Yu and Mo Wenchui were already waiting outside the main entrance. When Han Yu saw Qi Ning, he hurriedly rushed forward, bowed and said: "Han Yu, humble general, please see the Duke!" He had already knelt down, and Mo Wenchui also hurriedly stepped forward. Kneel down and worship.
Qi Ning raised his hand and said: "Get up and talk!" After the two stood up, they went straight into the yamen. Han Yu and Mo Wenchui hurriedly followed.
When they arrived in the hall, Mo Wenchui invited Qi Ning and Xuanyuan Po to sit down. Qi Ning did not hide anything and introduced to the two of them: "This is the Jumen School Captain of Shenhou Mansion!"
The Shenhou Mansion does not have any contact with the officialdom, let alone the military. Although the two parties do not know each other, the Shenhou Mansion's Big Dipper is well-known. At this time, I learned that the person in front of me is the Shenhou Mansion Jumen School Captain, Han Yu He and Mo Wenchui were both a little surprised and hurriedly stood up to salute. Xuanyuan Po also stood up and returned the salute without saying much.
But before sitting down, Han Yu and Mo Wenchui looked at each other. They had strange expressions. Qining saw this and asked, "How is the situation at Huai River?"
Han Yu was about to stand up and reply when Qin Ning shook his head and said, "It's just a few of us. Don't be formal. It's convenient to sit down and talk."
"My lord, after the defeat of our Donghai Navy, the Huai River will be completely controlled by Shentu Luo's Dongqi Navy." Han Yu looked solemn: "The Dongqi Navy has four large warships and thirteen small warships. , in addition there are dozens of civilian ships converted to military use. It is estimated that the current strength of the Donghai Navy should be four to five thousand, which is not many, but these people are elite sailors who have been trained by Shen Tuluo for many years. To put it bluntly, these sailors are on the water. It is an exaggeration to say that they are one against ten, but it is absolutely true that one is against three."
"The people of Dong Qi rely on the navy. It is natural to have such an elite navy." Qi Ning also looked solemn.
Han Yu said: "The Donghai Navy was ambushed by them and almost wiped out the whole army. Shen Tuluo used his troops strangely. When General Di led his surprise troops to raid Linzi, Shen Tuluo must have expected that the Donghai Navy would block the harbor, so he took the initiative to evacuate the dock. The Grand Governor led the navy to take control of the dock and found a lot of food and equipment in the navy camp. He thought that Shen Tuluo had fled in a hurry and had no time to take them away. Naturally, these supplies could not be left with Shen Tuluo. He originally wanted to carry the supplies on the ship. Who knew that Shen Tu Luo would take advantage of that moment to launch a sudden attack...!"
Qining sneered: "Those grain and grass supplies are the bait left by Shen Tuluo."
"It's true." Han Yu sighed: "Admiral Xin broke out with a few warships. Most of the warships were damaged and suffered heavy losses. I heard that Governor Xin later appealed to the court. Although the court fined him and demoted him, he still The commander of the naval forces has committed meritorious deeds."
Qi Ning naturally understood that although Xin Ci was not as good as Shen Tuluo, looking at the Chu country, no navy general could replace Xin Ci. Although Xin Ci was defeated in the first battle, the little emperor obviously still hoped that Xin Ci could realize his shame. Then be brave.
"My lord, what I am most worried about right now is whether the Qinhuai Army can sustain its food supply." Mo Wenchui, the right servant of the Ministry of Revenue, sighed: "General Di led 20,000 soldiers and horses to raid Linzi in the Eastern Qi Dynasty. Linzi's food depot is sufficient. There is no need to worry about the situation over there, but General Yue has 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers and nearly 10,000 horses. The daily consumption is not a small amount. If this food and grass cannot be delivered, once the army is short of food, the consequences will be disastrous."
Han Yu nodded and said: "My lord, the Huai River is blocked. Logistics and heavy supplies of food and grass cannot be transported across the Huai River. Shen Tuluo divided the navy into three, and one group was cruising on the East China Sea. Beware of our East Sea navy returning from the east sea. After returning, the remaining two are swimming on the Huai River day and night, and if anyone comes near the Huai River, they will be shot immediately regardless of the crime."
Qi Ning nodded slightly and said, "Unless Shen Tuluo is removed, the food road will be difficult to pass." After a slight pause, he said, "Yes, is there any news about Prince Duan Shao of the Eastern Qi Dynasty?"
"Everyone knows that Duan Shao is not dead, but there are different opinions about where he is now." Han Yu said: "Some people say that he is currently near Linzi and is plotting to gather the remaining soldiers to retake Linzi. Others say that he is in the Dongqi Navy and Shentu. Luo was together, and some people said that he ran to Puyang and guarded Puyang City with Linghu Xu." He shook his head and said: "There are even rumors that Duan Shao has secretly gone to Luoyang to negotiate with the Northern Han Dynasty and prepare to join forces to deal with our big army. Chu."
Qi Ning thought that the possibility of the first rumor was slim. The main force of the Qi army was in Puyang, and the country was empty. Even if Duan Shao wanted to regroup his troops, he would have no troops to use. Moreover, it was naturally impossible for Chu's 20,000-strong army to control Linzi. Seeing Duan Shao regrouping his troops, it was not impossible that Duan Shao secretly went to Luoyang.
"There is one more thing, humble general... humble general...!" Han Yu suddenly hesitated and looked strange. He glanced at Xuanyuan Po, but he did not dare to say it.