Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 197, The Eve of War

Let’s talk about Fang Yong.

He didn't know what happened to Jia Huan.

At his current position, the intrigues in the gardens no longer bother him.

On Zhang Yuan's side, the encirclement had already been set up.

Since Zhai Xun's plan was somewhat risky, Fang Yong added some extra troops to Zhang Yuan just to be on the safe side.

In addition, a general is needed to feign defeat and lure the enemy.

Fang Yong chose Wei Xing.

On the one hand, Wei Xing had previously performed the task of feigning defeat when fighting Gong Yulie and Batu Xiong, and had rich experience in defeat.

Pretending to be defeated also requires skills. If the command ability is insufficient, the feigned defeat is very likely to turn into a real defeat, which would be a bad thing.

On the other hand, Wei Xing's reputation under Fang Yong was not as prominent as that of other generals, so the enemy generals would not be too vigilant if he used his words.

Therefore, Fang Yong appointed Wei Xing as the vanguard general, responsible for luring the enemy into a trap.

Fang Yong left the rest of the matters to Zhai Xun.

In this battle, Zhai Xun was the commander-in-chief and was in charge of the overall command.

After all, the strategy was his idea, and no one was more suitable to command than him.

As for Fang Yong, he is the lord.

Zhai Xun was very touched by Fang Yong's trust.

Zhai Xun was a general who surrendered from the imperial court and joined the Huaiyin Army very late, but fortunately, he was appreciated by Fang Yong and was soon regarded as Fang Yong's confidant.

In the past, when I was thirty years old, I had accomplished nothing. In order to earn a living, I married an unvirtuous wife and knelt down to be her husband. How shameful it was.

However, God has bestowed upon him a wise ruler who did not despise his humble origin and allowed him to wear the seal of the Marshal. How great is his favor!

If you treat me as a national hero, I will repay you by treating you as a national hero!

Zhai Xun secretly made up his mind and then made arrangements one after another.

Niu Jin was responsible for leading troops to support Wei Xing.

Ma Laohei led the heavy cavalry troops to attack at the critical moment and broke up the enemy formation.

Zhang Yuan entered the enemy's rear by water. He was originally planning to encircle and annihilate Hu Leleyong's troops, but now he changed his tactics from encirclement to expulsion.

When Huleleyong's troops were attacked, the grassland army would inevitably leave the capital to rescue them.

Zhou Shuan was ordered to encircle and attack the grassland reinforcements.

Li Sheng led the artillery battalion and acted as a chess piece to break the siege at the critical moment.

On the surface, the purpose of this battle was to send troops to hunt down Huleileyong's tribe, but in reality, it was to take advantage of the opportunity to occupy Fangshan and connect the east and west fronts into one. At that time, the grassland troops would be completely blocked in the capital.

The life and death of Huleleyong's tribe was not particularly important.

In this battle, Zhang Yuan and Zhou Shuan played important roles.

They needed to tie down the reinforcements from the grassland and not let the grassland troops discover their true intentions.

To this end, Zhai Xun made a triple bait in a desperate manner.

Wei Xing lured Hu Leleyong into the trap as a bait.

Zhang Yuan led his troops deep into the hinterland and was the second bait.

On the surface, Zhang Yuan was cooperating in the siege and killing of Hu Leleyong.

But in fact, the people of the grassland had long hated Fang Yong's navy. When they saw Zhang Yuan leading his troops deep into the hinterland, they would definitely send a large number of troops to attack Zhang Yuan and form a counter-encirclement in order to swallow up Zhang Yuan's navy.

At that time, the cycle will evolve into Huleleyong wanting to swallow Wei Xing, Zhang Yuan wanting to swallow Huleleyong, and the grassland reinforcements wanting to swallow Zhang Yuan, layer upon layer.

Zhai Xun then arranged for Zhou Shuan to rescue Zhang Yuan.

After Zhou Shuan joined, there was one more layer.

Zhou Shuan surrounded the enemy and attacked the reinforcements, intending to swallow up the grassland reinforcements.

In order to avoid being eaten, the grassland people had no choice but to send reinforcements, launch a counter-encirclement, and add another layer.

At this time, the grassland army became gamblers at the gambling table. Because the stakes were too high, they would follow suit no matter how many chips Zhai Xun put out.

At this time, the attention of the grassland troops will be completely attracted by Zhang Yuan and Zhou Shuan, but Zhai Xun's real intention is Fangshan.

In essence, this strategy is a huge diversion.

But it is difficult to discover from the perspective of the authorities.

Zhang Yuan and Zhou Shuan's task was very difficult. They had to hold the front line and withstand Cao Yuan's attack, that is, to delay the "tiger" and allow Zhai Xun to successfully occupy Fangshan.

For this purpose, Fang Yong sent a lot of soldiers and various powerful weapons and equipment to Zhang Yuan. Since the waterways were controlled by Fang Yong, the transportation of these materials was relatively convenient. He hoped that they could give the grassland a little bit of steel shock.

On the eve of the war, Zhai Xun was very busy.

As the commander-in-chief, he had to arrange the dispatch, allocation, and coordination of the various armies, and he was very busy. On the other hand, Xue Dagui had delivered the necessary food, fodder, and weapons early on. Although he could not command thousands of troops on the battlefield, he never failed in logistics.

Just like when Fang Yong drank and talked with him before.

He is responsible for paying the money.

And Fang Yong is responsible for the world of benevolence!

With Zhai Xun busy, Fang Yong felt a lot more relaxed.

According to the normal plan, Lord Fang Yong would not need to personally take part in this battle.

There is also a task, that is, if Zhang Yuan and Zhou Shuan cannot withstand the attack from the grassland, he, as the lord, must personally lead the troops to hold the front line!
Of course, this was not planned.

As a lord, he usually only needs to enjoy himself and appoint the right people to the right positions. As for the soldiers, there is more to consider.

What a foolish life!

Fang Yong rested his head on Xiangyun's lap and sighed softly.

At this time, a subordinate was reporting outside that someone from the Jia Mansion was asking to see him.

Soon, Jia Rui knelt down tremblingly and explained the reason.

Also traveling with them was Jin Chuan, who was dressed very seductively.

Fang Yong asked calmly:

"You mean, Jia Huan's hand was injured, so you are the one taking over?"

Fang Yong's voice was faint, but it put Jia Rui under great pressure.

That is the momentum coming from a superior.

Jia Rui's heart couldn't help but beat violently.

It’s not easy to earn these two hundred taels!

Jia Rui nodded tremblingly, not daring to look at Fang Yong.

"Then how did he get hurt?"

Fang Yong asked.

Jia Rui recounted what happened yesterday.

He did not tell a single lie, but just concealed some details, such as why Baoyu was crazy and so on.

At the same time, Jia Rui added fuel to the fire and emphasized the incident of Aunt Zhao insulting Fang Yong.

Fang Yong didn't say anything.

The air grew quieter.

Jia Rui's heart beat faster and he looked up secretly, only to see Fang Yongzheng looking at him with a smile.

"I can hear your heart is about to jump out of your chest. How much did you charge?"

Fang Yong asked with a smile.

But when these words came to Jia Rui, they were extremely chilling.

Jia Rui collapsed instantly.

"Please spare my life, General. It was Madam Wang who forced me to do it!"

Jin Chuan, who was standing aside, also had a pale face. She knelt on the ground with Jia Rui and kowtowed continuously, and the new rouge on her forehead was even broken by the knock.

Fang Yong ignored him and shouted directly:
"Li Chou!"

Soon, Li Chou came in from outside.

"General!"

After a few years, Li Chou grew up and was almost as tall as an adult.

Fang Yong said: "Take a few people and bring back Tanchun's brother!"

Li Chou accepted the order: "Yes!"

"correct."

Fang Yong stopped Li Chou who was about to leave, glanced at Jia Rui, and said:
"Let's take him along too!"

Soon, Li Chou led ten Huaiyin soldiers and rushed to the Jia family's courtyard.

When they arrived at the place, the two guards saw the Huaiyin army and immediately wanted to go in and report in a panic.

Seeing that the two men were guilty, Li Chou ordered his men to break their hands and feet.

Then Li Chou kicked the door open without hesitation.