Late Yuan Dynasty: I am the true emperor

Chapter 185: Marching into Anqing (Part )

Shao Yongjian called his son to tell him his last words in person, which shocked his son.

Seeing that there was no one around, Shao Yongjian continued in a low voice, "I am just taking precautions. You have been stationed in Tongcheng with me these days, and you have often sent people to inquire about the news in the north. You should also know what Lu Jin's Shengwu Army is like.

"This man is different from the Red Turbans of Xuzhou. He opened the imperial examinations, set up county magistrates and chief clerks in various places, and formed his own army with a strict organization, especially in Lujiang, where we are in front of them. They also mined and smelted iron in Lujiang and forged weapons and armor.

"In terms of civil affairs, that fellow abolished slavery and the imperial court's usury. Every time he conquered a place, he would register the people and give them land to cultivate to restore production. He did not sit back and eat up all the land like the other red turbans. He also opened the granaries to release grain, used work as relief, and took the opportunity to build city defenses in various places.

“Although this man has not yet proclaimed himself king or emperor, his headquarters has the atmosphere of a small imperial court. Do you think he is an ordinary rebel?
"Last year, when he only had four or five regiments, he dared to fight against Kang Maocai's 20,000 troops and won the battle. I don't know how many regiments he has now, but there are 11, 12, and 2 regiments stationed opposite us. Since he is determined to attack Anqing at this time, do you think he will be unprepared?"

Shao Wenzhi also knew what his father said. While Lu Jin was gathering information about the other side, the front-line generals in Anqing were not idle either. But the more they learned, the more Shao Yongjian felt that Lu Jin in the north was unusual.

In comparison, Xu Song was not taken seriously by him. It was said that Xu Shouhui had appointed Peng Yingyu, who had been rebelling more than ten years ago, as his military advisor, and had also set up a theocratic Liantai Province. Moreover, he was just a tiny place, and dared to proclaim himself emperor after conquering one or two small mountain counties. This was even more outrageous.

The most crucial thing is the rule of Xu Song. In the territories conquered by Xu Song, officials were arranged very arbitrarily. As long as anyone was willing to serve, he would be given an official position directly.

Moreover, there were no rules for doing anything, and the officials were like a mere formality, as if they had just put up a flag and declared that this was their territory, but they had not established effective rule. In other words, Xu Song could not effectively integrate various local resources, including talent, manpower, food, and so on.

This was also the case when Xu Song later attacked Hangzhou and was defeated by the counterattack of the Yuan court, and failed to gain a foothold at all.

On Lu Jin's side, except for a few meritorious people who could be directly appointed as officials, all the others were scholars who were summoned to take the exam. Although it was not named the imperial examination for the sake of keeping a low profile, it did not prevent outsiders from understanding it this way. Appointing officials based on the test scores, what else could this be if not the imperial examination?
Obviously, Lu Jin's approach made him feel more formal and more like the imperial court. Moreover, as he gathered information over the past few months, he also obtained some of Lu Jin's original exam questions, such as the criminal law question.

Lu Jin followed the example of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty's Three Articles of Law and asked each candidate to list twenty laws. Finally, he combined all the answers and compiled a total of one hundred laws as temporary laws so that officials would have a law to follow when judging cases.

This was spread by local people who had seen the new officials judge cases.
Abolishing old laws and drafting new ones is a way to establish rules and regulations, but it does not mean blindly pursuing perfection. Instead, it is more politically wise to first formulate a "three-point code of conduct" for transition based on the current situation.

This Lu Jin is by no means an ordinary rebel king who only knows how to conquer territory and become a mountain king. Instead, he is actually governing the country. In this aspect of governing the country, Lu Jin has obviously put a lot of thought into it, which further highlights his uniqueness.

Facing such an enemy with powerful troops, meticulous mind, good at using strange strategies, and good at calculating, and the enemy soldiers are also in high morale, they are a startup team, and they can really be awarded a title if they make contributions, but what do you have on your side? Even if you win, will the court give you rewards?
Even if we win this time, can we withstand the enemy's continuous attacks?

It is precisely because of these reasons that Shao Yongjian seems so anxious.

On the other hand, compared with Lu Jin's policies, the Yuan court's policies are more like tyranny. Any knowledgeable person can see the shortcomings and inhumanity of the Yuan court's policies. This also makes the "righteous people" in the Yuan court camp feel that they are going against the trend. At least that's how Shao Yongjian feels.

In addition, those cowardly Mongolian Tartars moved their families to the island in the middle of the river before the war even started and prepared a retreat in advance. How would the generals who were fighting desperately on the front line think?

"Dad, since you don't think this battle is promising, why did you agree to Uncle Ge to meet the enemy outside the city?" Shao Wenzhi asked in confusion.

"Now the army in the city is divided into three parts. Zhen Yanlong and Ge Yanling are going to go out of the city to fight. If I don't agree, it will be bad. The war is imminent, and what is more important is that the whole army is united and work together.

"Compared to going out of the city to rob the camp, it's already a good idea to line up our troops outside the city to meet the enemy." Shao Yongjian explained immediately.

Shao Wenzhi argued again after hearing this.

“Father shouldn’t have said that just now. If I really died at the hands of the enemy soldiers, but I didn’t let my son take revenge, and instead acknowledged the enemy as my father, wouldn’t that make me a laughing stock for the whole world? Even if I surrendered to the enemy, I’m afraid no one would even look at me straight in the eye.

"Besides, if it is really impossible, since father has already planned to let me surrender to the enemy, why do I have to die for the court? At that time, father can escape or surrender, and I will follow you."

Hearing his son's statement, Shao Yongjian glanced at him and then sighed again.

"Alas, the war is imminent, but our troops are few and weak, and our generals have no will to fight. If I, the leader of the army, am not willing to die, how can I defeat the strong enemy? Instead of fighting with such a mindset, it is better to plan how to surrender early."

"Dad, let's..."

"Forget it, go patrol the camp and send scouts to get information about the enemy. Don't tell anyone what I just said."

Shao Wenzhi wanted to say more but was interrupted by his father. He went out to patrol the camp with a confused look on his face. He didn't know whether his father had made up his mind or what decision he had made.

On the other side, the three armies led by Liao Yongan were still marching south separately. The Darughachi who went south from Tongcheng to Huaining to ask for help, Beilieqiebuhua, was pulling a horse-drawn carriage with his concubine and valuables, and was walking slowly. However, he was aware of the urgency of the military situation, and had already sent his trusted confidant on a fast horse to Huaining to report the news.

In Luzhou, Lu Jin was also making battle mobilizations. On the day Liao Yongan set out, Lu Jin urgently transferred Zhang Wen's troops from the Sixth Regiment of the Eastern Route Army from Hezhou to Lujiang as the second-line general reserve force for the southern battle.

At the same time, the backbone members of the artillery battalion who were in training, including Yang Huan, Liu Chuanyi, Yu Tongyuan, and Qin Jinglin, were asked to form a temporary artillery team with six 14-jin field cannons, two 12-jin (23-pound) short-barreled howitzers, and two -jin heavy howitzers, a total of ten cannons.

He also ordered Ye Sheng to take two battalions of cavalry to escort Lu Jin and the artillery team to Tongcheng.

That’s right, Lu Jin will also go to the front line to fight this time.

Firstly, gunpowder is expensive, and it is a pity to waste so much gunpowder on training. Moreover, training in the rear and simulating reloading a hundred times is not as effective as firing a real shot on the battlefield. Secondly, this march to Anqing is an unprecedented battle for the Shengwu Army. Before, they only attacked one or two cities. These cities fought independently, and the enemy did not coordinate.

The only battle of a slightly larger scale was the one with Kang Maocai. Although the main battlefield of that battle was in Chao County, there were a lot of layouts and external battles between the two sides. But even so, the complexity of the battle was still not as great as the Battle of Anqing.

Not only did Liao Yongan have no experience, even Lu Jin had no experience in a battle of this scale.

The attack on Anqing this time was not a river defense line like Heyang, but a whole road. To put it simply, although Lu Jin only attacked the three cities of Tongcheng, Qianshan and Huaining, Anqing could mobilize the strength of the entire road and transfer soldiers from Taihu, Wangjiang and Susong to participate in the battle.

After all, the core of Anqing Road is in Huaining City (Anqing City). If this place is lost, there will be no need for Anqing Road to exist.

So this time, the troops to be fought are likely to be from more than three cities, maybe six cities.
According to the intelligence collected by Bao Yu, Han Jian, the governor of Anqing Road, and Hao Rui, the manager of Wanhu Mansion, divided the troops of the entire road into three groups for defense. They used Tongcheng and Susong as the east and west fronts to guard against the Shengwu Army and Xu Song in the west respectively. Taihu, Wangjiang and Qianshan in the middle served as the second line, with Anqing as the core.

The regular army of Tongcheng and the local volunteers had a total of 5,000 troops, the Susong garrison had 6,000 troops, and there was a Lei Chi navy of more than 1,000 people to assist in defending Xu Song in the west.

The three cities of Qianshan, Wangjiang and Taihu all have a garrison of 5,000 troops, which is similar to the configuration of Tongcheng, with 2,000 regular troops and 3,000 local volunteers.

Huaining, as the capital of Anqing, is also the most core and important place, with a garrison of 6,000 troops and 2,000 naval forces, totaling 8,000 troops.

But what's funny is that the defense of Huaining City is not tight. This most important city along the river, known as "controlling Dongting and Pengli in the upper part, Shicheng and Jingkou in the lower part, locking the north and the south in the division, and breathing the east and the west in the sitting position", actually has only three walls.
Thanks to Kublai Khan's order to destroy the city, Anqing, such an important place, also had its city walls demolished. Although not all of it was demolished, only the southern side of the city wall was demolished, but this was no different from demolishing the entire wall, and the defensive function was basically lost by half.

What's even more outrageous is that from the time the Red Turban Army rebelled last year to now, Han Jian, the governor of Anqing Road, has not repaired the southern city wall. No wonder those Mongolian officials prepared a retreat in advance. There is not even a city wall here. Not to mention that there are only 8,000 defenders, even if there are twice as many, they may not be sure they can hold on.
To sum up, the entire Anqing route had a total of 101 troops, of which the three cities to the north facing the Shengwu Army had a total of troops, which was about the same as the strength of Liao Yongan's st Division.

Susong is an important frontline position for defending Xu Song. It is basically impossible to withdraw the 7,000 troops there to support the northern front. Huaining City is difficult to defend because it lacks city walls. If more troops are transferred to support the northern front, then in case of defeat, Huaining City will not have to be defended.

What's more, Huaining City is close to the river, and Han Jian also has to guard against the navy that may come from Lu Jin.

What if Lu Jin made a feint to the east and attacked the west, then mobilized the navy to attack Anqing directly from the Yangtze River? It would be funny to look back and find that the home was gone while the battle was still going on.
Qianshan is the second line of defense in the north, and it is unlikely that Han Jian will withdraw troops from here to provide support. So the place where he is most likely to mobilize reinforcements is the 10,000 troops from Taihu and Wangjiang counties to support the north line and strengthen Huaining's defense.

In this way, the force that Liao Yongan might face is 101 people, which is more than his st Division. Liao Yongan is still under great pressure.

The scale of this force and the wide range of mobilization are not comparable to the previous battle with Kang Maocai. Although Liao Yongan has formulated a plan to besiege and attack the reinforcements and gather troops to encircle and annihilate each city, Lu Jin is still worried and decides to lead troops to support in person.

Of course, the protagonist of this battle was still Liao Yongan, and Lu Jin was just here to help.

In addition to reinforcements, Lu Jin also has to deploy civil servants. After all, after the battle is over, the newly conquered territory will also need officials to manage it.

So after arranging the troops to accompany the war, Lu Jin called Feng Guoyong, Li Shanchang, and Zhu Shou over.

"The battle of Anqing is extraordinary. Taking this place will cut off the Yangtze River, blocking the enemy from advancing eastward by water, and preventing the enemy from getting involved in Jiangxi Province in advance. Therefore, we must take Anqing!

"However, the enemy has a large number of troops this time. If Han Jian mobilizes all the officers and soldiers to fight with me, he can mobilize about 30,000 troops. Our army will have about 25,000 troops this time, and not all of them will be deployed. Therefore, our army does not have an advantage in terms of manpower. Therefore, I am a little worried and I have to supervise the battle in person.

"I will only lead two battalions of cavalry and the artillery. When I'm not here, civil affairs will be handed over to Mr. Li, and military affairs will be fully responsible by Zhu Shou. You just need to continue to train them and take care of the house.

"I will lead the team first. Mr. Feng, go and pass on the message for me. Then call a few people and go to Lujiang to find me together."

Feng Guoyong was stunned when he heard this, and immediately asked, "Who should I send the order to on behalf of the Marshal, and who else should I call?"

Lu Jin took out a piece of paper with three names written on it, namely Liang County Magistrate Ou Shiheng, Hanshan Chief Clerk Hu Weiyong, and Heyang Chief Clerk Qian Guangdao.

Then he explained, "After we conquer these three cities, we will have to send officials to govern them. At the same time, we will have to build defense lines for these three cities and prepare to hold them for a long time. Therefore, I specially selected several officials who have experience in building cities.

"This Liang County is the new city we built after conquering it. County Magistrate Ou Shiheng has experience in building cities. And Hanshan is also a new city. I promised Hanshan Chief Hu Weiyong that I would promote him to County Magistrate if he built Hanshan County. This time I promised him and let him continue to build the city in the south.

"There is also Qian Guangdao, the chief clerk of Heyang. Heyang is an important port town, and so is Anqing. If he is transferred to be the magistrate, he can also manage Anqing, which is also an important port town.

"Summarize the methods of building bastions that I gave you, and then go find those officers who have experience in building cities, and bring them to Lujiang to gather. Once we take down the city, it will be Mr. Feng's turn to lead them into battle."

Feng Guoyong took the note and understood Lu Jin's intention. "The Marshal has thought it through. I will definitely get this done."

"Yes." Lu Jin nodded and looked at Li Shanchang again. "Mr. Li, I will ask you to select a few talented people from Chongwenguan later to fill the vacancies of the chief clerks transferred from various places. Also, keep an eye on Luzhou for me. If anyone sends another envoy, settle him down first and then report to me as soon as possible."

Li Shanchang also hurriedly cupped his hands and promised, "Don't worry, Marshal. I will definitely take good care of Luzhou."

"Okay, then let's get ready."

(End of this chapter)