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

Chapter 908 The Unsolved Mysteries of the Bian River North and South

The strategic plan proposed by He Boqiu is feasible to a certain extent.

The key point is that after the death of Heshi Lieliangbi, the two Jin states had no basis for mutual trust.

Both sides are hoping the other will pull them out of the fire, rather than me taking the initiative to do something to help the other out.

Therefore, the news that Tudan Kening had given up attacking Hebei was never reported to Pusan ​​Zhongyi.

This gave the Han army a time window, allowing them to deploy troops to Henan at their leisure.

On the other hand, Liu Huai was not the only one who knew about the lack of mutual trust between the two sides; Pu Sanzhongyi was also fully aware of it.

He certainly didn't expect Tudan Kening to risk his life for Xijin.

Under these circumstances, if there is any disturbance, Pusan ​​Zhongyi is very likely to lead his troops to flee.

As long as they retreat back to the Xingyang defense line, Xijin will suffer significant losses in population and wealth, but its main force will be preserved.

Regardless of the circumstances, as the Han army gradually assembled, on the first day of the second month, Liu Huai personally led the main force of the Han army westward. After capturing Yanjin, they crossed the Yellow River at the southern fork and marched straight towards Yangwu City.

Yangwu City is already close to the outer perimeter of the Jin Kingdom's Xingyang defense line. As long as Yangwu is captured, the Han army can threaten Heyin. At that time, Pusan ​​Zhongyi's retreat route will be cut off, and even if he has thousands of troops, he will be blocked in Kaifeng Prefecture.

This is exactly what is meant by attacking where the enemy must defend.

Pu Sanzhongyi had no choice but to lead the main force of the Jin army toward Yangwu.

Now that the ice jam has passed and the weather is warming up, he really doesn't want to fight a decisive battle with the Han army, but the situation is beyond his control. At least 30,000 households of Meng'an Mouke have not yet arrived in Zhengzhou. Even for the sake of these people, Pusan ​​Zhongyi has to give it his all.

"Yangwu City in front of us has more than 2,000 garrison troops. The city walls have been reinforced and the moat has been widened. If we use ordinary methods, it can be described as easy to defend and difficult to attack."

During the Han army's pre-battle military council, Liu Huai stood before the map and spoke eloquently to the generals in the tent.

By this time, the tent was filled with brilliant generals. When Xin Qiji and Zhang Baiyu arrived, even Wang Youzhi became a junior, not to mention the others.

However, these arrogant and fierce generals still became extremely cautious in front of Liu Huai, listening carefully to his analysis of the situation.

"In the south, Pusan ​​Zhongyi is leading an army of about 15,000 cavalry. In the west, there is Zhengzhou. If I am not mistaken, Wanyan Yuanyi will not let it go. In other words, our army is very likely to face a pincer attack from both sides by the Jin invaders."

Upon hearing this, Xin Qiji finally chuckled helplessly: "Brother, no matter how fortified Yangwu City is, it is nothing in front of our army. With the assistance of artillery, we will definitely be able to take it within three days."

"As for Pusan ​​Zhongyi, he is a defeated general who has suffered repeated defeats. Even if he still has spirit and morale, how much morale does his troops still have?"
"If he dares to attack, then the area beneath Yangwu City will be his burial ground!"

Xin Qiji's words drew nods of agreement from the others.

Liu Huai shook his head and chuckled: "Xin Wulang is right, but that's the ideal situation. We should still be more lenient in our assessment of the enemy."

Liu Huai drew a line on the map: "This is Xinxiang County, north of the Yellow River, and also the place where our army's supplies are gathered. Now that the ice jam has passed, ferries can pass, and the pontoon bridge is under construction."

The planned supply route was to start from Xinxiang, cross the Yellow River, go straight to the southern branch of the Yellow River, then proceed by land to Yangwu after reaching Yanjin.

“If Pusan ​​Zhongyi isn’t stupid, he will definitely send another army to attack Yanjin.”

Zhang Baiyu frowned and said, "Yanjin is a city that was blasted open by explosives. Its defenses are weak, so we must leave a troop of soldiers behind."

Liu Huai nodded and asked, "Who will go? They can only take two thousand soldiers to distract the Jin invaders, and they must hold out for more than ten days."

Several of the main generals did not respond, but the deputy generals all volunteered to fight.

Xie Fuyao, Chen Zhongkan, and Zhang Qing stood up almost simultaneously.

"Commander Zhang, go. Remember, if the city falls in ten days, it will be my fault; if it falls within ten days, it will be your fault."

Zhang Qing stroked his bald head and said loudly, "My lord, I will not allow the Jin invaders to set foot in Yanjin!"

Liu Huai nodded, then looked at Zhang Baiyu: "Zhang Silang, after the Dongping Army split up, there are only a thousand cavalry left. I will give you another thousand Flying Tigers to work with Guan Chongyan to protect our flank."

Zhang Baiyu knew that Liu Huai wouldn't treat him unfairly, so he immediately agreed loudly and happily.

"Xin Wulang, you will remain my deputy, commanding the troops and making decisions on the battlefield!"

"Here!"

No one, including Xin Qiji, was surprised by this appointment.

As early as the Battle of Chaoxian, Xin Qiji held this niche in the Han army, equivalent to Guan Yu in the Shu Han camp or Cao Ren in the Cao Wei camp, both being capable of standing alone.

The reason why Liu Huai focused his efforts on Hebei while Xin Qiji handled important military and national affairs in Henan is precisely this.

"Does anyone else have something to add?"

Liu Huai asked the question three times in a row. Seeing that all the generals remained silent, he immediately issued a military order: "The entire army shall advance and besiege Yangwu. Be prepared to attack the city and intercept any reinforcements."

"We'll give you five days. If the Jin invaders don't come, then we'll capture Yangwu and then advance on Zhengzhou. If they dare to come, then let Pusan ​​Zhongyi die here."

"Send an order to Hebei to conscript 4,000 of Wang Shilong's troops to march south, while the remaining regular troops shall remain stationary for the time being."

"I'd like to see if Pusan ​​Zhongyi dares to throw out all of the Jin army at once!"

As orders were relayed from top to bottom, the Han army sprang into action like a sophisticated machine.

The scouts scattered to investigate the surrounding military situation.

Subsequently, the Han army, with 5,000 Chenzhou soldiers as the vanguard, was the first to arrive at the walls of Yangwu City.

However, as with all military operations, no matter how meticulous the plans formulated in the General Staff are, various situations will inevitably arise during their implementation.

On the third day of the second month, Zhang Shu had just circled Yangwu City and hadn't even had time to set up camp when he heard shouts of battle rising from the city walls. In just a moment, the large golden banner representing the Jin Kingdom was thrown down from the city walls, while the banner with newly embroidered Chinese characters was raised.

About fifteen minutes later, the city gates opened, and several generals covered in blood walked out and surrendered.

This incident caught Zhang Shu off guard, and even Liu Huai was stunned for a long time before a crazy idea popped into his head.

Could the Xingyang defense line, painstakingly built by the Jin Kingdom, be just a paper tiger?
Should we mobilize all our forces and give it a try now?
However, this thought only briefly crossed Liu Huai's mind before he forcibly suppressed it.

It is now the third day of the second lunar month, and large-scale spring plowing will begin soon. The battle must be ended this month.

The Han army had very limited resources, and after the delicate relationship with the Song state, it became difficult to purchase grain on a large scale.

Especially with the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial City Guard starting their power struggle in Lin'an, and several large grain merchants with weak connections being taken down by the Imperial City Guard, resulting in the loss of a significant portion of smuggling channels, it is even more crucial to prevent problems from arising during the spring planting season.

Sending a large-scale army at this time, even if it captures Luoyang, would only drag the people of Henan into the abyss of famine, which is completely contrary to the political program.

Therefore, Liu Huai exercised great restraint. After capturing Yangwu, he merely made a show of attacking Zhengzhou in order to force Pusan ​​Zhongyi to come and fight a major battle.

Surprisingly, not only did the main force of the Jin army remain stationary, but even the Meng'an Mouke households that were migrating simply stayed in Zhongmu County.

After waiting for two more days, and with the five-day deadline approaching, Liu Huai finally could not wait any longer and personally led four thousand Flying Tiger Army soldiers south. On the seventh day of the second month, they arrived at Wansheng Town, north of the Bian River, which was only separated from Zhongmu County by a river.

In Wansheng Town, Liu Huai raised a banner with Chinese characters and set up the ceremonial guard of the King of Han. He then gathered fishing boats and civilian boats and attempted to build a pontoon bridge.

This would inevitably attract the attention of the Jin army.

Soon, the sound of horses' hooves thundered on the not-so-wide south bank of the Bian River as countless Jin cavalrymen gathered and confronted the Han army across the river.

Then Jin soldiers approached in small boats across the Bian River, but they didn't dare get too close. They just glanced at them from a distance and immediately turned away.

Liu Huai and Zhang Baiyu sat side by side on a makeshift platform, looking down over the Bian River. They chatted and drank tea while waiting for the Jin army to make their move.

However, after drinking more than a dozen pots of tea, the two took turns going to the toilet several times, and even the charcoal for brewing tea was added several times, the Jin army still did not make a move.

"Strange." Zhang Baiyu's handsome face was full of confusion: "What are the Jin thieves up to? Our army has already arrived here. Even if the Jin thieves don't just build floating bridges to cross the river, they should at least make an attacking gesture, right?"
Why are they exposed to the elements south of the Bian River? Could it be that they're crossing the river upstream or downstream, planning a surprise attack?

Liu Huai was equally baffled, but he still denied Zhang Baiyu's statement.

"It's no use. Our scouts are spread out widely, and they all have firecrackers for communication. Their communication speed is far superior to that of the Jin bandits' horses."

"We'll definitely receive news as soon as the Jin invaders start crossing the river."

Zhang Baiyu scratched his head: "But...but the Meng'an and Mouke tribes of the Jin invaders are only separated from us by a narrow strip of water. Aren't they afraid that our army will take advantage of the night to launch a surprise attack with elite troops and cause all those Meng'an and Mouke tribes to riot?"

Liu Huai was equally puzzled.

Just as the two renowned generals were speculating, Bi Zaiyu, who was standing to the side with his sword, suddenly asked, "Young Master, Fourth Brother Zhang, is it because Pusan ​​Zhongyi is afraid of our army?"

Liu Huai and Zhang Baiyu were both taken aback, then laughed in unison, "Impossible."

"Bi Dalang, according to the calculations of the General Staff, Pusan ​​Zhongyi has at least 15,000 cavalrymen, who are certainly capable of fighting."

Our army still has roughly the same number of troops in Henan, so why should Pusan ​​Zhongyi be afraid of us?

After Zhang Baiyu explained, Bi Zaiyu nodded in understanding.

Liu Huai stood up: "Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. We're not mind readers."

We can't let the Jin invaders be idle either. If they don't cross the river to fight during the day, send some men to sail to the south bank at night to beat the drums and keep them from getting a good night's sleep.

"Bi Dalang, you will handle this matter."

Bi Zaiyu immediately nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)