Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 138: Fame and Success Are Always Obtained Straightforwardly ( words)
"Liu Dalang, since your father knows that Linyi is empty, will he attack Linyi?"

"That's natural."

"Did the Jin bandits retreat this time because your father had achieved some victory?"

"Eighty percent possible."

The current situation is very clear. The Jin army in Yizhou is at risk of being attacked from both sides by the Zhongyi Army and the Tianping Army, so they decided to break through one route first.

Since the Jin army in Yizhou ignored the Loyalty Army which was right at their doorstep and instead traveled nearly a hundred miles to attack the Tianping Army, it meant that the Loyalty Army, which was smaller in number, was so powerful that the Jin army in Yizhou could not guarantee victory.

With such a strong army and brave and courageous generals, how could they not take the initiative to attack the empty Linyi?

This is consistent with the Jin army giving up the victory that was within their grasp.

Shi Baiju covered his thigh and asked a stupid question: "Could it be that the Jin thieves are feigning a retreat to lure our troops out of the camp and then launch a surprise attack?"

Yelu Xingge waved his hand and said, "The Jin thieves shouldn't do this. Why don't you say they are feigning surrender with their entire army?"

Seeing that the two men seemed about to quarrel again, Xin Qiji quickly interrupted, "The Jin bandits' retreat was too hasty, and their own morale will also be affected. In addition, no one got a good rest last night. We are exhausted, and they are not much better. They are still forcing their way forward. If we continue this for a whole day, and then our army catches up with them, the Jin bandits may not be a match for our army. It shows that something serious has happened in their hometown."

"Do you really want to catch up?" someone asked in a trembling voice.

Last night's battle did indeed shatter the confidence of some people, making them instinctively fear the Jin army again.

"Do you really want to chase her?"

Someone else asked in a low voice.

At this time, everyone turned their attention to Liu Huai.

Liu Huai lowered his head and thought for a moment.

He was hesitating.

This seemed to be a good opportunity to seize the command of the Tianping Army, because Geng Jing was still missing, and the Tianping Army was in panic after suffering a disastrous defeat, but they were also in awe of Liu Huai because of his previous predictions.

At this time, speaking out to win them over or starting to give orders with confidence is enough to establish a certain authority, and at least win over some people.

But the price is the inevitable division.

On the one hand, this was the loyal and righteous army represented by Liu Huai taking advantage of the situation, which was despised by the heroes;

On the other hand, Geng Jing's life or death is uncertain, and his loyal followers will definitely not be controlled by Liu Huai.

It is never excessive to use cruel means against enemies, but it would be unjust to use them against allies.

But don't underestimate the four words "open and aboveboard".

These four words can determine whether a true hero is willing to die for Liu Huai or just pretending to be submissive.

It's just like the difference in Zhao Yun's attitude towards Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei.

If you are of the same mind, I will follow you even if it means a thousand miles.

In the end, we still have to be upright in our conduct and work.

Liu Huai also has the confidence that what belongs to him will eventually be his, and no one can escape.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Huai finally made up his mind: "You are all heroes of the Tianping Army. It is inappropriate and inappropriate for me, the commander of the Zhongyi Army, to give you orders. But I have three suggestions for your consideration."

"First, we must focus on finding Chief Geng, Zhang Qilang. Since we can't find him north of the camp, it's likely that Chief Geng lost his strength while covering the rearguard and jumped into the Anzi River, hiding in the mountains for a while. We must find him now to take charge of the Tianping Army."

Zhang Anguo, whose cheeks were still red and swollen, breathed a sigh of relief, and then his heart began to lift again.

Since the Jin army did not tie up Geng Jing or use Geng Jing's head for demonstration this morning, it means that the Jin army did not capture and kill the leader of the Tianping Army, but this does not mean that Geng Jing will definitely survive.

Was it uncommon for people to die in the chaos of battle? Not to mention the Anzi River was still filled with bodies that had yet to be salvaged!
Zhang Anguo considered himself Geng Jing's most trusted confidant, but last night he abandoned the chieftain who was like his closest brother and ran away. Every time he thought about it, he felt ashamed and embarrassed. It was like a thorn stuck in his flesh. Although it was not fatal, it reminded him with pain all the time that he was not a good man.

"Second point." Liu Huai ignored the various Tianping generals' thoughts. "Someone needs to gather the troops here, count the food and fodder losses, treat the wounded, and clear the bodies. Find someone who knows clerical skills, and use this opportunity to separate the soldiers from the civilians. The soldiers will be strictly trained, and the civilians will be dispersed and properly resettled."

"Ordinarily, I shouldn't be involved in these matters, but after this incident, you've all learned that quality is more important than quantity. How can a large army filled with the elderly, the weak, women, and children fight a tough battle? My Loyal Army's vanguard of a thousand men is enough to defeat your ten thousand. So why do you still maintain ten thousand men instead of training a thousand like I did?"

At this time, only Xin Qiji, Li Tieqiang and Zhang Anguo nodded, because they had heard what Liu Huai and Geng Jing said, and knew that this was Liu Dalang bringing up old things again, promoting his theory of establishing a base and doing something that would go down in history.

As for the others, they were confused. They understood the idea of gathering the defeated soldiers, but they didn't understand the idea of separating the soldiers and the civilians. "Third point." Liu Huai paused, then finally spoke: "We still need a force to pursue the Jin army."

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene finally became a little noisy, and everyone started whispering at the same time.

"Are we still going to fight?" someone finally asked loudly. This person was Liang A'tai, the commander of the third formation on the west bank. Last night, his entire army had collapsed before the battle even started. He returned to the camp in a panic at dawn. When he heard Liu Huai say that they would continue to pursue the Jin bandits, he almost wanted to run away. His voice became trembling. "Liu Dalang, we are indeed exhausted. Why can't we rest for a day or two?"

Liu Huai held up a finger and said, "That's two different theories. One is... Xin Wulang, although I don't participate in military affairs, I guess most of the food and fodder are on the ship. The Jin thieves set fire to the ship last night and burned a lot of it. Is that right or wrong?"

Xin Qiji nodded and said, "Indeed, although some of the grain was not burned, it sank into the Anzi River along with the boats, making it difficult to salvage."

"So, it's a foregone conclusion that the Tianping Army is running low on food and fodder," Liu Huai said, pointing north. "Furthermore, Tai'an Prefecture is considered to be poor, and having already been plundered by you, it won't be able to gather much food and fodder."

This is also the reason why the peasant army can easily fall into defeat. They have no stable rear base at all, and they cannot replenish their manpower and food after failure.

Sure enough, the group of people nodded.

Especially for the former landlords and tyrants like Shi Baiju, they spent all their wealth to start a rebellion, and took out all the food, gold, silver, brocade and cloth in their homes. They really brought their entire families with them, and if they failed, they would die.

"So, the way to survive is not in the rear, but in the front. Only by seizing Fei County's treasury can we survive!"

Liang Atai no longer cared about his heroic image: "But how can our army defeat the Jin army?"

Liu Huai explained: "If the Jin bandits were allowed to retreat safely to Fei County, then with the Tianping Army's combat power, they would definitely be defeated; but if a troop can maintain a strict formation and pursue the Jin bandits, they would be much more likely to collapse on their own without even engaging in battle.

You must know that the Jin bandits hastily withdrew their troops upon hearing the bad news. This was a time of great suspicion and fear within and without. If we had missed this opportunity and allowed the Jin bandits to recover, the Tianping Army would have been truly blocked and crushed in Mengshan."

The generals were all terrified.

Many of them were already discouraged, but because Liu Huai had predicted things so accurately twice, they all believed what he said. However, because they were really afraid of fatigue, they did not dare to go out to fight.

Seeing the silence in the room, Liu Huai extended his second finger, his expression becoming ferocious. "Secondly, ever since I, Liu Huai, decided to follow my father in the Northern Expedition, I have been determined to save the people of the North from disaster. Now, the Jin thieves are slaughtering people right in front of me, treating me like nothing. I will never be at peace if I don't avenge this! If I don't resolve this hatred, I won't be able to think straight!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Yelu Xingge immediately applauded.

When the others heard Liu Huai's reasons for wanting to vent his personal anger, they all felt certain.

How can I describe this feeling?

It's like if Guanyin Bodhisattva really came to earth to save people from suffering, everyone would just be in awe. But if the Bodhisattva were to eat noodles with garlic at the village entrance one day and curse a corrupt official, saying he would suffer retribution sooner or later, others would not only feel awe but also a sense of intimacy.

This attitude is quite darkly humorous when examined closely.

Because these groups are a mixture of rural tyrants, northern farmers, and children of scholars. In this era of moral decline and deterioration, they have seen many people who "act for their own selfish interests", but they have never seen those who plead for the people, sacrifice their lives for the law, and are considered the backbone of China.

You must know that Yue Fei has been unjustly killed for twenty years!
Liu Dalang said he did it for the people, for the Taiping Army, and for the peace of Shandong. That might just be bragging, as everyone knows that. But when Liu Dalang said he did it to vent his anger and to gain clarity, it makes perfect sense.

"How many people does Dalang need?"

After a moment's silence, Xin Qiji asked loudly.

Liu Huai smiled and replied, "In this terrain, no matter how many people there are, they won't be able to dislodge us. Eight hundred infantry and two hundred cavalry will be enough. I won't be the commander-in-chief, but I will go with the army."

The generals just breathed a sigh of relief because of the number of people going on the expedition, but immediately fell speechless again.

With the abilities you, Liu Dalang, have shown at this moment, no matter who becomes the commander, can they really ignore your opinions?

"That's it. Next is the military meeting of your Tianping Army, and I won't get involved. I'll take a few people out to investigate. If you are willing to send troops, then within half an hour at the latest, prepare the troops, money and food, and set off together." After saying that, Liu Huai took Pang Rugui, who had changed into clean clothes, and Guan Chongyan and left, leaving the Tianping Army generals looking at each other in bewilderment.

This is not because Liu Huai is not anxious or unaware of the urgent military situation, but because, including Pang Rugui who just ran back, he only has three people under his command.

Four people in a battle involving tens of thousands of people is like peeing in the Anzi River.

Therefore, no matter what big move Liu Huai wanted to make, he had to mobilize the Tianping Army to accomplish it.

After a moment of silence, Xin Qiji finally stood up and said, "With Jiedu Geng away, we can't let Liu Dalang make all the decisions. If so many of us can't come up with a plan, won't the Loyalty Army underestimate us?"

Liu Huai did not hear this. After he met up with Luo Huaiyan in the military camp, the four of them each found a set of armor, rode their war horses, left the camp, put everything about the Tianping Army behind them, and began to inspect the consequences of this war along the east bank of the Anzi River.

Then, just two miles out of the camp, Liu Huai was robbed.

(End of this chapter)