〖In the first month of Yiyou, the eighth year of Longsheng, Emperor Yong secretly ordered Jinghai Hou Jiang to lead the Donghai Navy to the south. On the same day, Sun Ji, the commander of the Nanyang battalion, was trapped in Xiangyang.
— "Zizhi Tongjian·Yongji IV"〗
Shang Weijun put down the case file in his hand with satisfaction. This is a document from Jiaxing Prefecture. The Ministry of Punishment has approved the execution, and the palindrome is already on the way. It will only take a few days for this document to arrive in Jiaxing. This is a very small case, but an official who abandoned his job and fled and was sentenced to be executed. Originally, there was no need for the dignified Prime Minister to pay attention, but Shang Weijun believed that Lu Can would definitely obstruct or come to intercede. He was thinking about whether to resolutely refuse Lu Can to intercede and kill that Jing Changqing, or give Lu Can a favor and make him make more concessions, but no matter what, he had the upper hand. Chengye boy really is getting better and better, such a method can be thought of, but I don't know if it is Song Yu's credit.
While he was thinking about it, Ning Qian hurried in and reported, "Master Xiang, General Lu Can is out to see him."
Shang Weijun was refreshed and said, "Mr. Ning, how does Lu Can look?"
Ning Qian said worriedly, "He looked cold and solemn. Although he couldn't see any change in his mood, he was obviously very angry and dissatisfied. Master Xiang has to be careful."
Shang Weijun waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter, this time the truth holds the truth, but he beheaded Hu Cheng, who gave up his job and fled in front of the army, I just wanted to kill a Jing Changqing, and I will investigate it carefully, the man said. I don’t know how to escape, even if he is convicted of collaborating with the enemy, it is not impossible. This prime minister is very tolerant if he does not kill the Jing family. Well, you can meet the general with this blind date.” Shang Weijun got up and said to him. Going out, this time he was polite and thoughtful, and would never give Lu Can an excuse to play off the topic.
Under the steps of the study, Lu Can stood with his hands behind his back, his expression was cold, like ice that would not melt in a thousand years. Shang Weijun felt a sense of pride in his heart, the momentum suppressed by this junior a few days ago returned to him, and he lowered his steps to greet him with a smile but not a smile, and said: "I don't know what the general is doing here, but What's wrong with the army's pay, if so, the truth will definitely oblige the officials of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household to do their best."
An icy light flashed in Lu Can's eyes, he naturally knew Shang Weijun's intentions, but unfortunately he didn't have time to get involved with Shang Weijun for someone, so he said coldly: "Shang Xiang knows that Yong Jun has entered the country now. ?"
Shang Weijun was shocked and blurted out: "How is it possible, Yong Jun has just returned from a big defeat, why did he make a comeback so quickly?"
A sneering light flashed in Lu Can's eyes, and he said, "A moment ago, Lu received an espionage that the Yong army from the Nanyang camp had once again invaded Xiangyang. It's okay to guard the guard, but another military report said that the Dayong navy had already captured Dinghai, and the Yuhang water battalion was insufficient, so it could only hold the Qiantang waterway and prevent the Yong army from going deep into the interior. If the Dayong navy were to control Hangzhou Bay , then Wu County and Yue County will fail sooner or later, and what the consequences will be at that time, Xiangye can understand."
Although Shang Weijun was not well versed in the military, he also knew that the two counties of Wu and Yue on the southeast coast were the most important places for money and grain in Southern Chu. If they were invaded by the Dayong water army, the foundation of Southern Chu would float, and even if there were dangers in the Jianghuai, they would be dominated by the enemy. Thinking of this, his face was already pale, and he asked with difficulty: "Why did Yong Jun not attack Ninghai, but take Dinghai instead."
Lu Can said lightly: "Ning Haijunshan is the throat of the Yangtze River into the sea. If there is a loss here, Taizhou and Yangzhou will be in danger. If the Yong army goes upstream, Jianye will be attacked, but it is also because of this. Ning Haijunshan's navy did not dare to slack off a little, and they took advantage of the land and people, so the Yong army did not take Ninghai. Although Ding Haijunshan sheltered Hangzhou Bay, it had been without war for a long time and its armament was exhausted. No wonder the Yong army It's easier to give up."
Although Lu Can's tone was light, Shang Weijun could still hear the coldness in his words. The two military mountains in Ninghai and Dinghai were established by Emperor Wu of Southern Chu. They were originally important military towns to defend against pirates. They have always been directly under the jurisdiction of Jianye. There was no war in Wuyue. Shang Weijun felt that the two military mountains were too expensive, and he cut military expenditures several times. Although Lu Can had repeatedly remonstrated, he was still unmoved. It’s just that the two military mountains are not treated equally. The commander of Ning Haijunshan, Zhao Qun, is a royal family, so Shang Weijun just ignored it, and the food and salaries received by Ding Haijunshan are almost enough for food and clothing, even repairing the ships. Cannot proceed. Unexpectedly, now that Yong Jun has broken through Ding Haijun Mountain, wouldn't it make Shang Weijun look pale, if it is not for him to rule the government now, such guilt is enough to make him lose his position and resign from his post. He hesitated for a moment, then said: "Yong army attacked Dinghai, this is also unexpected. The general has come here, and he must have some advice. I don't know how to deal with the enemy?"
Lu Can said coldly: "Dinghai is lost, and Hangzhou Bay has become an undefended place. Only at this moment, we need to strictly guard Yuhang to prevent the Dayong water army from entering Qiantang, otherwise Wuyue will not be guaranteed, and secondly, Kuaiji, Yuyao, Zhenhai, Jiaxing. , Haining, and Pinghu all need to be divided into defenses. The Yong army who invaded this time will definitely be the Donghai Navy. They were originally pirates, and they are unmatched in naval battles. The odds of winning, just in this way, the two counties of Wu and Yue will spend countless grain and troops. Please order the tax reduction and exemption of the two places, and order the counties to organize rebel troops to defend their territories against the enemy. Only in this way can we reduce the pressure on our army in Wu and Yue counties. "
Shang Weijun felt heartache when he heard it. The land of Wuyue was rich and prosperous, even if the tax was reduced by 1%, it would also be a heart-wrenching loss, but now it is so critical, and it can only be so. If you don't form a rebel army, relying on those weak and incompetent defenders, Wu County and Yue County will not be guaranteed. If you don't want to reduce taxes, how can those people have the energy to organize the army and military? After much deliberation, most of the officials in Wuyue Land were descendants of noble families, with very few capable ones, and they needed to be brought back. Thinking of this, he could only say: "Everything is decided by the general, and the prime minister will hand over the military power of Yuhang Water Camp and Dinghaishan Mountain to the general." Despite the situation, Shang Weijun deliberately left Ning Haijun. Shan, now Ning Haijun Shan is still safe and sound, he is naturally reluctant to hand over such a navy to Lu Can. Lu Can understood what he meant, just smiled coldly, and left, leaving a regretful Shang Weijun wandering there uneasy.
Where the Hangzhou Bay of Yue County enters the sea, there are Daishan, Dinghai, and Putuo islands. Emperor Wu Zhao She set up a county in Dinghai and set up Junshan, under the jurisdiction of Daishan and Putuo Water Camp. When Dinghaishan was the most powerful, Pinghu, Haining, Yuyao , Zhenhai were once under its jurisdiction, until Shang Weijun came to power, because there was nothing in the sea, he repeatedly cut food and salaries on Ding Haijun Mountain, so that the water camp was eroded and the soldiers were exhausted. , Dinghai, although Putuo is still in the hands of the Southern Chu navy, it is already in jeopardy.
I stand on a high cliff, looking at the sky, crossing the blue sea in front of me is Yuejun Zhenhai, and crossing the sea to the northwest from here is Wujun Pinghu, the west of Pinghu is Haining, and landing from Haining, no need One day, I can reach Jiaxing, where I was born and where my mother buried her bones. I remembered that my father died of illness in Jiangxia, and I almost sold my body to bury my father. Later, I won the champion, but I didn't reconcile with the Jing family, so I didn't move the spirit. After all, the mother's cemetery is also owned by the Jing family, and my father would not want to rely on others. Thinking of the desolation of my mother's lonely grave, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss in my heart, and sighed softly.
Xiao Shunzi stepped forward and said, "Young Master, it's windy at a high place, let's go back."
I said lightly, "Is Cong'er still competent to follow Haitao?"
Seeing this, Xiao Shunzi could only sigh: "Although Ding Haijun Mountain has been abandoned for many years, all the documents and pictures are still there, but they have been buried in the dust. Young Master Cong has been with you for many years, and it is very effective to organize these documents. Jiang Hou has many depend on."
At this time, a Qingying came up, and Xiao Shunzi didn't need to look back, he smiled and said, "Young Master Cong is here, presumably the documents have been sorted out."
Before I could answer, Huo Cong arrived in a hurry, and said with a deep bow: "Sir, the disciple has sorted out all the documents, including the precise chart of Hangzhou Bay. Jiang Hou invites Mr. Jiang to discuss the next battle. "
I glanced at the blue sea again, but it was a pity that Yunshan blocked the way back, and I couldn't see my home and village. With a sigh, I turned around and walked down. All but a few of the Tiger Ben guards at the foot of the mountain are new faces. Over the years, most of the Hu Ben guards who used to follow me to Pinghan have been promoted, but these new guards are only stronger. You can't get them cheap. However, this time Huyanshou is still my personal guard commander. I think it is the emperor's arrangement, and it is enough to wrong him as a great commander.
Huo Cong followed me and said excitedly: "Sir's strategy has made the disciples obey, the north and the south have always competed for the world in Jianghuai, but I didn't expect that the master would take the opportunity to attack Wu Yue from the sea. The foundation of Southern Chu."
I said lightly: "This plan was not the first thing I thought of. This plan was originally planned by Emperor Wu of Nanchu, but I used it in turn."
Huo Cong was shocked and showed a puzzled look. Even Xiao Shunzi also showed interest and curiosity. I smiled and said, "In the past, I was ordered to sort out the imperial papers, and among them was Emperor Wu's imperial approval. Emperor Wu is very diligent. The government and imperial approval are extremely rich, and it involves many important military and political affairs. For example, he is very concerned about the two military mountains in Dinghai and Ninghai. He personally planned the water camps and fortresses, and added food and salaries many times. , I saw that he was domineering between the lines, and he was by no means a shy person, so I carefully read his imperial manuscripts over the years, and finally speculated that he had the intention to build the two military mountains into offensive and defensive weapons. Usually, it can prevent sea pirates and Dayong water troops. It can go north along the coast and erode the Qingzhou and secluded coastal areas. Since ancient times, the battle between the north and the south has often been decided in the Jianghuai, but Emperor Wu thought that the southerners were weak and not as brave as the northerners. , and then invade the inland through the river, and the length of the attack, the shortness of the attack, is better than the expedition from the land. This kind of battle strategy is unprecedented, and I am very emotional after seeing it. Haijunshan attacked Wuyue. It is a pity that Emperor Wu went too early, so that no one inherited the great cause. Later generations only know that the two army mountains protect the wings and the sea, and cannot be moved lightly, but they do not know the original purpose of its establishment. The Southern Chu court cut military expenditures so much that it was so exhausted that it was cheap for us."
At the end of the voice, we have already descended the cliff, Huyanshou made a gesture, those tiger guards have already guarded the three of us, and the Dinghai is beginning to level, it is inevitable that there will be some remnants or spies of the Southern Chu army on the island, so for my safety , Huyanshou did not dare to relax for a moment. We walked along the grassy road to the Dinghai Governor's Mansion. The Dinghai Camp has no money to renovate over the years. Even the roads on the island are covered by weeds. Now, it is still carved and painted, and it is magnificent. Seeing the luxurious mansion in the desolation, Xiao Shunzi couldn't help laughing and said, "The general here is so confused, no wonder the Dinghai army will be destroyed in a single attack and have no fighting strength." I was also concerned and nodded again and again. Even if he has the intention to embezzle some military salaries, he wouldn't spend it on the mansion. Isn't this intentional to arouse the hatred of his soldiers? It really makes me wonder if the commander of Dinghai is Dayong's secret spy.
Before reaching the gate of the mansion, Jiang Haitao and his generals have hurriedly greeted him. Now he is also in his late thirties. Since the East China Sea returned to Dayong seven years ago, the East China Sea Marquis Jiang Yong abandoned Dayong's high-ranking officials and went out to sea. Now, the East China Sea Navy will be commanded by Jiang Haitao. Although he was a bit outspoken and not very familiar with official affairs, he had a sage helper to help him, plus he was excellent in commanding the navy, and he had Emperor Yong Li Zhi and Qi King Li Xian to take care of him, so there was no trouble blocking him. This time Emperor Yong ordered him to go south to attack Wu Yue, which was no problem for him. The only thing that caused him a headache was that Jiang Zhe actually went with the boat. It's not that he doesn't want Jiang Zhe to point fingers at his side, but he is worried that if something goes wrong with Jiang Zhe, he can't afford it.
When we got close, Jiang Haitao was about to bow down and pay homage. Although he and I had the title of master and apprentice, he was still above me in terms of titles. He worshiped me as a master and apprentice. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for his generals, so I quickly Stopping: "If you want to make this big gift, let's talk about it in private, do you want all the generals under your command to make the big gift with you?"
Jiang Haitao turned his head and looked at the generals behind him. He couldn't help but bowed forward and said, "Sir, now the situation in Dinghai has been decided. I would like to hear your opinion on how we should attack Wu Yue."
I followed Jiang Haitao to the palace hall, and said as I walked, "You must already have a plan, but what do you want to do?"
Jiang Haitao said, "If we can break through the Yuhang water camp, Hangzhou Bay will be invincible. It's just that Yuhang has always been very heavy on the water camp, so I'm afraid it won't succeed. I intend to take the coastal prefecture first."
I said: "Jianye will take some measures recently, Shang Weijun has always been the most greedy and blameless, this time Dinghai was captured by our army, he will definitely hand over Ding Haijunshan to Lu Can, but he does not have the military power of Ning Haijunshan. We will let it go, so we don't have to worry that the Ninghai Water Camp will attack Dinghai, but we should beware of Lu Can's counterattack. Since the Yuhang Water Camp is not easy to capture, our army does not have to rush to attack Yuhang, Kuaiji, Yuyao, Zhenhai, Jiaxing, Haining, Pinghu is an important town for Wu and Yue, but the armament is insufficient. Our army took advantage of the fact that Lu Can has not yet arrived in Yue County, and looted the grain and salaries in these important towns. Our army also has the capital to stand on. And you can also plunder the young and strong along the coast and place them on isolated islands, so that they can be forced to farm on the island to make up for the shortage of our army's money and food. In this way, even if the Ninghai camp It is useless to prevent our army from getting supplies from Qingzhou. As long as we have a firm foothold, Wu Yue will fall into our army sooner or later."
Jiang Haitao said with a smile: "This is what we often do when we are pirates, robbing money, food and people, harming the enemy and benefiting ourselves. I didn't expect to do this today. The land of Putuo is the most suitable for detaining prisoners. Originally, I prepared some It seems that we should start sooner now. Please rest assured, sir, within ten days, all the young men along the coast of Yue County will fall into my hands. When Lu Can comes to Yue County, he can only sigh deeply. Sit back and watch the land of Wuyue be looted by me."
I shook my head and said, "That's not necessarily true. At that time, it's probably still a stalemate. He doesn't have enough troops to drive you out of Dinghai, and you don't have enough troops to occupy Wu Yue, but don't worry, Lu Can can't stay in Yue County for long. If you stay, the eldest grandson Ji will be ordered to attack Xiangyang, and this time there will be gains, and Lu Can will naturally not be able to stay in Yue County to fight against you."
Jiang Haitao said thoughtfully, "Don't worry, sir, these days, I will let Lu Can be trapped in Yue County, so as to echo the battle in Xiangyang."
I smiled slightly, this kid is very clever when it comes to marching and fighting, I showed a little bit of tone, and he knew that the main goal this time was in Xiangyang. Thinking of my insistence on going south with the navy this time, the excuse was that I wanted to see the naval battle, but in fact, I wanted to take the opportunity to go back to Jiaxing to solve Jing's problems, and pay homage to my mother by the way. I wonder if he has the guts to let it go? Thinking of this, I showed a weird smile, and Jiang Haitao, who was walking beside me, shuddered, missed his face, and had an ominous premonition in his heart.
At this time, Lu Can was going straight to Yuhang by boat. This time, he brought 10,000 soldiers from Jiujiang Water Camp and decided to enrich them to Yuhang Water Camp. There is no place to use it, and it is only possible to form a rebel army if the Yong army is forced to retreat first. I didn't want to see the scenery on both sides of the strait. Lu Can thought, just give me three years, and I can train as an elite soldier in Wuyue, retake Dinghai, and drive away the Yong army. However, there was a hidden worry in his heart. This time the Yong army was trapped in Xiangyang, was it really just a feint attack? This time, Wu Yue, a pirate from the East China Sea, had already exceeded his expectations. With a sigh, Lu Can knew that he had no choice. In Wuyue's land, Shang Weijun was never allowed to intervene. If it wasn't for this time Yongjun invaded Wuyue, Shang Weijun would not have allowed himself to take over Wuyue's military and political power. If I don't go to Wuyue in person, I'm afraid that there will be a land of capital for the enemy. As for Xiangyang, Rong Yuan was still there after all, so he should be able to support it. After comforting himself for a moment, Lu Can finally put all his thoughts on how to improve the Yuejun defense line and prevent the Yong army from entering the inland.