Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Now, however, he has volunteered.

I want to end this chaos as soon as possible.

As long as the Ming Dynasty wins two decisive matches,

Yingxuan would personally step forward to persuade them to surrender.

Try to save as many old friends' lives as possible.

Lin Chong looked towards Lujiao Town and said, "I hope Lujiao Village will surrender."

"Otherwise it will rain,"

"Or we could simply launch a land-based offensive."

The garrison commander of Lujiao Village was named Zhou Lun.

Although he surrendered to Yue Fei in history,

They surrendered only when they were forced into a corner.

Chapter 1896 Dividing Troops to Garrison

Without a fierce battle...

This person will absolutely not surrender.

Yingxuan said, "Zhou Lun's hometown is Dingzhou."

"He joined Zhong Xiang's Manichaeism a long time ago."

"He was Zhong Xiang's trusted and beloved general,"

"It's not that easy to persuade them to surrender."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a small boat came into view in the distance.

It sped towards us from the direction of Deer Horn Town.

The small boat returned to Lin Chong's flagship.

A sergeant was pulled up by a rope and reported the news:

"The bandit general Zhou Lun learned that I was sent by General Ying to persuade him to surrender,"

"There was no physical confrontation."

"It was just... just a message for me to come back..."

Lin Chong asked, "What did he say?"

The sergeant bowed his head and said, "He cursed the British general as a traitorous dog."

"He also said... he also said that General Ying should wash his neck clean and die."

Yingxuan shook his head and smiled bitterly.

The territory newly occupied by the Ming Dynasty last year

Zhong Xiang's spies were everywhere.

The movement of troops and supplies could not be concealed at all.

Prime Minister Zhong Yi, who remained in Changsha,

They have already quickly gathered their troops and headed north.

Troops were stationed in cities such as Dingzhou (Changde), Chenyang, Yuanjiang, and Xiangyin.

Then he personally led the elite troops of the pseudo-Chu,

A combined land and water convoy quickly provided support to Lujiao Village.

Wang Yuan also led tens of thousands of troops.

They marched overland to this place.

They camped more than ten miles from Lujiaozhai (northwest of Yueyang County in later times).

"Boom!"

The fifth month of the lunar calendar.

Dongting Lake finally experienced continuous torrential rain.

The lake water rose little by little.

Qingcao Lake allows large warships to pass through.

I've learned my lesson from the rainy weather in the South before.

Gunpowder is now preserved with greater care.

The place where gunpowder barrels were stored.

First, lay down a layer of straw.

Then spread another layer of lime.

The lime was slightly damp.

The straw and lime were replaced immediately.

Moreover, the gunpowder prepared this time,

They were all placed in the cabin.

You won't get wet from traveling by land.

After days of torrential rain, the sun finally came out.

Zhong Yi looked at the rising water level of Qingcao Lake.

This inevitably brings to mind last year's naval battle.

I am filled with worry and anxiety.

Zhou Lun suggested, "Prime Minister, the enemy soldiers have powerful firearms."

"Naval warfare is very difficult to win."

"Once our navy is defeated,"

"The enemy warships will definitely bombard the water fortress."

"Why not take the initiative and head north?"

"Let's fight a decisive battle against the bandit army stationed on the shores of Dongting Lake!"

Zhong Yi shook his head and said, "The enemy army is brave and fierce; I'm afraid we won't be able to win easily."

"If there is the slightest mistake, Deer Horn Village will surely fall."

Liu Heng, the general of the puppet Chu state, said, "This is a message sent back by the spy."

"The enemy's elite troops have been withdrawn,"

"What we got in return were all the tyrannical Song army."

"What are the local militia afraid of?"

"Just attack straight at them!"

"Where are the local militia?"

"That's Zhu's newly reorganized army!"

Zhong Yi was undecided.

They had a deep fear of the Ming army.

That crushing defeat two years ago,

It has left him with psychological trauma.

Wang Yuan led tens of thousands of troops,

They set up camp more than ten miles away from Lujiaozhai.

They were waiting for the navy to arrive and cooperate.

It's because most of the troops they have are new recruits.

Most of those new soldiers were from Huainan.

They were either bandits or outlaws.

They were either soldiers running transport vehicles.

Although Fang Mengqing seized Huainan

They fought a war for more than half a year.

But they were all easy wins.

Song Dynasty officials always surrendered at the mere sight of the enemy.

After reorganization

They then marched south and captured Zhejiang.

They were still winning easily.

Even with years of training, this kind of unit...

But to use it directly in a major battle involving tens of thousands of people,

Moreover, their opponents were Zhong Xiang's elite troops.

Wang Yuan really didn't have much confidence.

Zhong Yi wasn't sure either.

The two sides then faced off.

The pseudo-Chu general Gao Lai was quite impatient:

"They dare not send troops to fight,"

"If we defend, we'll be bombarded by warships,"

"Then what's the point of guarding Deer Horn Stronghold?"

"It would be better to abandon the fortress and retreat to Xiangyin,"

"With high walls and deep moats, we can definitely hold it!"

Zhong Yi said, "Lujiao Town is located in a strategic position."

"That's why a water fortress was set up,"

"How can we give up so easily?"

"We dare not fight, yet we are unwilling to abandon,"

"This is bound to end in defeat sooner or later!"

Gao Lai was outspoken and didn't give Zhong Yi any face.

To be honest, these generals of the pseudo-Chu,

They were all rather unconvinced by Zhong Yi.

A person of mediocre talent,

Just because he is Zhong Xiang's younger brother,

He was not only granted the title of king but also became prime minister.

Domestic affairs are not handled very well.

In military terms, he even had to be the commander-in-chief.

Zhong Yi said, "His Majesty will be back soon."

Upon hearing this, the generals fell silent.