Yue Fei's strategy couldn't be called a brilliant plan.
Yang Yizhong initially inserted into the battle from the north bank of the Ji River, and Li Cheng detoured from the Yellow River, which was essentially the same thing: outflanking, flanking attacks, one of the most common military tactics.
It's just that neither of them succeeded in their 'outflanking,' but Yue Pengju's outflanking succeeded, and it was a double outflanking, a double flanking attack, and then the distance was a little farther, the road was a little more difficult, there were more troops, the speed was a little faster, and the final results were also a little more...that's all.
Of course, it must be admitted that even though Yue Fei and his Imperial Guards Front Army ultimately completed this strategic outflanking, the others, such as Zhang Rong's real sword and real spear fighting on the front line, Yang Yizhong's bloody resistance in the Ji River, and even Xiao En, a mere county magistrate, supporting blindly at all costs, cannot be regarded as useless efforts.
On the contrary, there is never any useless effort in war. Without these people's seemingly aimless consumption and bloody courage, it would be impossible to exchange for the seemingly magical so-called fatal blow.
For example, in the previous round of the Jin army's large-scale invasion, Zhao Jiu determined that Han Shizhong and Chen Gui had the greatest military exploits, followed by Li Yanxian and Zhang Jun, while Wang Yan and Yue Fei, who ultimately played a miraculous effect, were ranked again after them... This is by no means just a political balancing act. It means that if there had been no early counterattacks, defenses, attrition, and even defeats by these people, it would have been a pipe dream to expect to drive the Jin army back in one battle later.
In the Battle of Changshe, these people also made great contributions.
However, now is not the time to discuss these issues, because the war is not over.
According to the latest intelligence, Li Cheng should have successfully abandoned the part to save the whole, escaping into the territory of Jinan Prefecture. He is now holding the important town of Changqing in Jinan Prefecture, having taken the lead in escaping the encirclement and occupying a good defensive position... This time, Hong Ya's speculation was not wrong at all.
Governor-General Li Cheng, "Double Blades," really understands Yue Fei.
At the same time, nearly 30,000 troops of Kong Yanzhou and Liu Lin were surrounded by Yue Fei and Zhang Rong, who went west out of Mount Tai, in the narrow plain north of Pingyin and south of Changqing, between the Ji River and Mount Tai, in what is called without support or reliance, almost becoming a desperate crowd... The reason why it is said to be almost, rather than directly a desperate crowd, is that they theoretically still have the possibility of reinforcements.
Maybe Governor-General Li will suddenly risk everything to come to their aid?
Maybe the Jin army across the Ji River and the Yellow River will fly over?
Maybe Liu Yu, Emperor Liu, will suddenly feel youthful in his old age, charging across the plains with thousands of cavalry, rushing from Jinan in one breath?
In comparison, correspondingly speaking, the Grand Qi Chancellor Hong Ya and the few thousand Mizhou soldiers trapped in Yanggu City are theoretically more worth considering.
First of all, Yanggu County is the only county of Dongping Prefecture north of the Ji River. It connects north, south, east, and west, and is a famous and wealthy county in the world. The county seat is also very tall and magnificent...
That's right, unlike Kong and Liu, who are plunged into despair in the wilderness, Chancellor Hong has a strong city to defend. Kong Yanzhou and Liu Lin would be envious to death.
Secondly, although the Song army outside Yanggu City has gathered many famous generals from various sides, the total number is not large, adding up to only six or seven thousand people, while Hong Ya also has four or five thousand people in his hands. Considering the issue of offense and defense, his strength is actually not at a disadvantage.
Finally, and most importantly, Yanggu County is not far behind the Yellow River. If the Jin people really come to aid, then Yanggu will be the first place to be rescued.
Thinking about it this way, the place that Li Cheng arranged for Chancellor Hong does not seem to be very bad. If Chancellor Hong really has world-class talent, transforming Yanggu into a jade wall, and then dragging the tens of thousands of Song troops to death under the city of Yanggu for a few months, maybe the Jin people can directly make him the Jin State Chancellor!
"He wants to surrender, only seeking to save his life?"
Due to the special nature of his identity, Yang Yizhong naturally became the commander of this joint force. Hearing this at this time, he couldn't help but sneer in the central army tent. "He is the Pseudo-Qi Chancellor, a so-called important pro-Jin official, a national traitor. The Emperor has long made a judgment on such figures. How can he be spared? If he is spared, wouldn't Zhang Yu have been stabbed into mincemeat for nothing?"
Speaking of which, Yang Yizhong rarely speaks when he is not in front of the Emperor Zhao. He basically maintains an imposing and arrogant posture, but at this time, it is rare for him to speak sarcastically, but no one feels that it is wrong... After all, in the past few days, the pressure suffered by this confidant of the Emperor was so great. Today, the situation is reversed, and naturally, there is a little meaning of release and venting in his heart.
It is human nature.
In fact, not only many people in the tent, but even the envoy, who is usually good at observing words and expressions, secretly complained in his heart when he heard these words and saw this situation.
That's not all. After Commander Yang reprimanded Hong Ya's wild ideas, he actually didn't forget this envoy:
"Zhang Maode, Zhang Ergou, how did you become a Pseudo-Qi envoy again? Is it okay to serve Qin in the morning and Chu in the evening, benefiting both sides?"
What kind of clever person is Zhang Maode? Under a激灵, he immediately knelt on the ground in public, earnestly saying: "Commander Yang, Magistrate Xiao abandoned us. Thousands of Pseudo-Qi soldiers suddenly came in. How could an ordinary person like me resist? Even if he is forcing me to come out as an envoy now, how can I refute it when I think about my family? However, I naturally have my heart set on the imperial court's royal army. As long as Commander Yang has something to say, I will definitely let my whole family, hundreds of people, risk their lives to repay the country today, and be sure to meet the royal army to enter..."
This is what Yang Yizhong was waiting for. Only this person is extremely dishonest, so he immediately wanted to threaten him a few more times in order to get a firm grip on him.
However, before Yang Yizhong could open his mouth, Li Kui and the two Li Baos, three commanders, did not have time to cheer, and one person preemptively spoke, it was the 'Yanggu County Magistrate' Xiao En.
"Commander Yang, please don't force him too much." Xiao En stood up and bowed his head in the tent. "If you want to fight, I am willing to be the first to climb the wall, but there is no need for this Zhang Ergou to risk his family to contribute... After all, the current situation is somewhat to blame on me. If I hadn't easily taken the county soldiers away, how could this Hong thief have easily occupied the city? Besides, I am the Yanggu County Magistrate, and I have a responsibility to defend the territory. How can I let the people below go to the battlefield before me?"
Yang Yizhong was stunned on the spot.
Moreover, not to mention Yang Yizhong, even the generals below were stunned. Li Kui, who was more careful, secretly sighed in his heart, not knowing whether he should praise Xiao En for being loyal or scold him for being too honest...
It must be known that this Zhang Ergou is a typical local tyrant and wealthy merchant at first glance, with extensive power on one hand, and a rogue temperament in the market on the other hand, as slippery as a loach. How could he really be manipulated and coaxed by these few words of his? The sentence 'Magistrate Xiao abandoned us' at the beginning was still thought to be his slip of the tongue, but now he knows that this guy has grasped Xiao En's character and deliberately did it.
To put it bluntly, based on this behavior, if it were him, Li Kui, who was the county magistrate, he might have exterminated Zhang's family, how could he have left it until now for this guy to benefit both sides?
But on second thought, this Xiao En is indeed a loyal and reasonable person. This kind of person is vaguely admired in this world, it is a pity that he did not make friends with one or two when he was under Zhang Rong that day.
In fact, not only Li Kui thought this way, the reason why the tent was silent for a while was that everyone from Yang Yizhong down, including Sick Guan Suo Li Bao and Rascal Li San Li Bao, felt that this person was both annoying and funny and secretly respected him, and were unwilling to say anything serious.
It's just that, since there is someone who can be an internal response, why bother risking your life to climb the wall?
Since ancient times, the first to ascend is brave, why?
Die fast!
And with this thought, Li Kui even wanted to pull Xiao En out of the tent and privately tell him all the details.
Of course, it must be said that Zhang Maode, Zhang Ergou, is indeed a careful person. Seeing that the situation was deadlocked, and the officers above and on the left and right were all looking at him coldly, he knew that he had to 'stand up' to share the worries of the royal army, saving the commanders from embarrassment.
However, at this awkward moment, someone suddenly spoke coldly from the side of the tent door:
"County Magistrate Xiao is right, this official also quite agrees... Not only that, the Emperor has always put the people under his rule first. If the people of the entire Yanggu County can be preserved, even if there are one or two inappropriate things, I think the Emperor will be pleased."
Zhang Maode and County Magistrate Xiao were still at a loss, but Yang Yizhong and Li Kui, the two Li Baos, all stood up together, and then Yang Yizhong, the leader, changed his previous arrogant face and smiled slightly:
"How is it that Censor Wanqi is here?"
"Commander Yang, the three Commanders Li, County Magistrate Xiao." Supervising Censor of the Palace Wanqi Xie flashed out from outside the tent, smiling at each other. "I was originally with Grand Commandant Yue in Pingyin, and then I went to Commander Zhang in Pingyin, and then I heard that a Chancellor was surrounded here, so I couldn't help but come here specifically..."
The others were fine, but Yang Yizhong's heart moved slightly when he heard this, and then he stepped forward, pulling the other person out of the tent, and only returned after a full stick of incense.
After returning, the commanders knew that the two important figures who were used in front of the Emperor had made a decision, so they each stood in awe, and Zhang Maode also knew the power, and directly knelt on the ground, not daring to look up, but Xiao En was still a little confused.
"County Magistrate Xiao, I am the Supervising Censor of the Palace, that is, the so-called Censor. I am currently inspecting and supervising the Imperial Guards Front Army of Grand Commandant Yue, and I am also regarded as the so-called supervisor of the army. I have also come from Commander Zhang Zhang Datouling and obtained his permission to handle the affairs north of the Ji River. Please take care of it." Wanqi Xie returned to the tent and did not rush to speak to Zhang Maode, but instead introduced himself to Xiao En first.
And although Xiao En didn't understand those messy things, he couldn't stand the fact that the other party spoke in a simple and easy-to-understand manner, and was both a Censor and a supervisor of the army, and had also received permission from his own leader, how could he dare to act big, so he quickly cupped his hands and saluted:
"If that's the case, I am willing to listen to the Censor's instructions."
Wanqi Xie nodded slightly, and then looked at the person on the ground, but he did not panic, and calmly instructed: "Zhang Ergou, right? You go back and tell that Chancellor Hong that Wanqi Xie, the Supervising Censor of the Palace who was granted office with him in the same palace in the past, has arrived here. Considering the past relationship, I can't say that I can't advise Commander Yang to give him a way to survive, but he must see the situation clearly and not have unrealistic ideas... If he really has the intention to live, then at the third watch tonight, he should personally climb over the city wall from your family's medicinal herb shop and come to see me under the west city wall, and only he and you, the middleman, are allowed... Apart from that, there is no other way, and if he hesitates slightly, I will not talk to him again."
When Zhang Maode heard this, he knew that he had met another powerful person, so he hurriedly kowtowed, and left without saying a word, bowing his head and hurrying back to the city.
The heat was as usual this day. When it came to the third watch at night, the summer breeze was gentle, the moonlight was half-raised, and the Milky Way was half-visible. Wanqi Xie, who had taken a nap in advance, calmly got up, washed his face and drank water, and waited for a while before taking Zhai Biao and several nimble squad members arranged by Yang Yizhong to the west city.
When he came to the area of the city wall facing Zhang's Medicinal Herb Shop, he indeed saw that there were no patrolling soldiers on this city wall, and two people were cowering in the shadows under the city.
And when the two saw Wanqi Xie coming, they cautiously stepped forward and revealed their figures. It was none other than the Grand Qi Chancellor Hong Ya and the Yanggu tyrant Zhang Maode, Zhang Ergou.
When Wanqi Xie saw the two, he simply ignored Zhang Maode, but only smiled proudly at Hong Ya with his hands behind his back: "Chancellor Hong, we were granted office in the same palace. You went out to be a county magistrate, and I stayed in the Privy Council. Who would have thought that in just one year, I only became the Supervising Censor of the Palace, but you have already been promoted to Chancellor... According to a word from the Emperor, the achievements of people depend not only on talent, but also on opportunity!"
"Brother Wanqi, don't... don't ridicule me!" When Hong Ya saw the arrival of an acquaintance, he gnashed his teeth, his words were direct, but they were slightly stammering, not knowing whether it was nervousness or timidity. "Li Kui was originally a Mizhou leader. Since Du Yan and Wu Shun are dead, his prestige among the Mizhou soldiers is second to none. He should be immediately picked up by his old subordinates to enter the city, right? And I don't care about the army, and now I have abandoned the city defense and come here alone. Isn't that...isn't that showing sincerity?"
Wanqi Xie was not surprised when he heard the other party reveal Li Kui and the matter of the internal response, but instead nodded seriously: "Indeed, it shows sincerity, and shows courage!"
"Then quickly give me paper and pen, and when I write down the conduct, quickly send me across the river!" Hearing this, Hong Ya felt as if a big stone had fallen to the ground, and he stepped forward, directly grabbing the corner of Wanqi Xie's clothes, who had the same palace relationship as him, but he still showed a slight pleading look. "Brother Wanqi, please tell the Emperor that no one in the world understands Wanyan Talan better than me! When I go north this time, whether I go to Jinan or Daming Prefecture, or to Yanjing, I will definitely be able to make a great contribution to the Emperor!"
It is straightforward to talk to someone who understands everything, so Wanqi Xie did not pretend, but instead reached out and took the other person's hand to the north, and said with emotion, shaking hands: "It is difficult for you, and it is easy for me. I hope that one day the world will be clear and I can drink with my worthy brother in front of the Emperor..."
To this, Hong Ya could only smile bitterly and say: "The Emperor's clear decree does not allow surrendered people to go back and forth. Even if there is really such a day in the future, I will only ask to be able to spend my old age in peace, how dare I ask for anything else?"
Wanqi Xie laughed softly and nodded again and again: "Worthy brother is so clear-headed, it makes me seem a little petty... Then let's go, as for the conduct, I will make the decision, there is no need to write it, we can understand each other."
Hong Ya was finally stunned.
"You are such a perceptive person, and you have experienced this matter. If the Emperor Song is prosperous, naturally we can understand each other, but if the Emperor Song's future is uncertain, what use is there even if there is conduct?" Wanqi Xie did not care. "It's better to be straightforward and seek a detached life for each other... Only don't forget the Emperor's majesty and today's events."
Hong Ya felt relieved.
But just when the two of them were under the bright moon and the Milky Way, and felt a sense of mutual understanding, a shrill scream suddenly sounded from behind, startling Chancellor Hong to turn his head in panic: "What happened?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Wanqi Xie quickly pulled the other person back and confessed frankly. "Just sharing worries for Chancellor Hong."
Hong Ya understood in his heart, and immediately stopped looking behind him, but followed the other person step by step to the north... And after the two disappeared into the night, just a moment later, a fire suddenly lit up on the south city wall, illuminating the night sky like daylight. Then, after a burst of commotion, the south gate of Yanggu County opened wide.
Next, Imperial Guards Front Army Commander Li Kui took the lead, rushing into the city, and there were countless people outside the city shouting together, shouting the name of Li Kui of Mizhou. When his old subordinates saw the flags and heard this sound, they rebelled one after another, vying to surrender.
In this way, Yanggu, which occupied a strong city and had thousands of soldiers, was actually broken in just over a day and night, which made the Dongping battle situation have no room for reversal.
Only the Pseudo-Chancellor Hong Ya took advantage of the chaos to disguise himself and escape, which was a pity.
ps: Sorry, I'm stuck in the old cycle again.