Bailuyuan, Li Jingang’s camp.
The army of 300,000 people had a camp that covered the entire area and stretched for more than ten miles. Military tents and camps were one after another, like mushrooms on the vast plain.
Smoke from cooking fires rose from the sky, voices of people bustled about, and teams of soldiers came and went between the camps.
At the back end of the camp, food and supplies were piled up like a mountain.
Not everyone can become the military genius Han Xin and command a million-strong army, let alone Li Jingang, who was born as a postman.
Being able to command an army of 300,000 is already the limit for the Xiazhou entrepreneurial team of Li Jingang, Niu Desheng, and Yang Yan.
Bringing these 300,000 people from Xiazhou to Xijing was already an amazing feat.
To command these 300,000 people in battle, Li Jingang and others will have to perform exceptionally well.
However, the inherent potential of a hero in Li Jingang had been aroused, and with the assistance of Niu Desheng and Yang Yan, he was able to organize these 300,000 people to confront the army sent by the imperial court to quell the rebellion in an orderly manner.
In the central military tent, Niu Desheng and Yang Yan were already here.
Li Jingang took out a letter and gave it to Niu and Yang to circulate.
After the two of them finished reading, Li Jingang said, "Brother Ma said that cavalry from Shuozhou appeared in Hancheng. He deduced that Zhao Muyun from Shuozhou had launched a surprise attack on Xiazhou!"
"What do you think about this matter?"
Niu Desheng immediately spoke up: "Since our main forces are all in Xijing, which is five or six hundred miles away from Linzhou and Xiazhou, it takes longer to contact them."
"We have been in Bailuyuan for half a month, but the news we received from Xiazhou is that someone tried to assassinate Brother Hou, and Brother Hou killed or captured them."
"Before I know the situation in Xiazhou, I dare not jump to conclusions. However, I think Brother Ma's inference should be correct."
Yang Yan frowned, smelling a hint of danger.
As Li Jingang's military advisor, Yang Yan has to consider the overall situation.
"I also agree with Brother Ma's inference."
Seeing Li Jingang's gaze directed at him, Yang Yan thought for a moment and then slowly said, "Not only that, I suspect Xiazhou is in extreme danger."
"If it's really as Brother Yang said, Xiazhou can only wait and see how Brother Hou and Li Sheng respond."
Li Jingang said calmly, "We have brought all our families out from Xiazhou! The news of Xiazhou's crisis will have a certain impact on the army, but it will not be a big one."
"The Marshal is right. I admit that Zhao Muyun is indeed a capable fighter. He defeated both of the Tartar commanders of ten thousand cavalry."
"However, as long as we defeat the imperial army in Puyuan, we won't have to worry about Zhao Muyun. He can't possibly come to Xijing to attack us!"
Niu Desheng snorted coldly.
Li Jingang listened quietly, frowned, and then said with a look of complete determination:
"Xiazhou has 20,000 troops. Brother Hou is a highly skilled martial artist. Li Sheng and the others are also quite capable. Zhao Muyun also has to defend against the Tartars. How many troops can he mobilize?"
"Zhao Muyun launched a surprise attack. Brother Hou is no fool. He can handle it. We don't need to worry too much. You two should think about how to defeat the troops sent by the court."
"Yes, yes, yes. We should still think about how to defeat the imperial army and capture Xijing City so that we can be crowned king and proclaim our claim to the throne!"
Niu Desheng said anxiously, "I'm still waiting to boil the King of Han for revenge!"
"Brother Yang, didn't you say you would use the King of Han to help me capture the city? Why is there no movement?"
He captured Yinxuan, the Prince of Han from Dayin, and was about to cook this fair and clean fat man in public, but was stopped by Yang Yan.
Yang Yan replied, "Brother Niu, why are you so anxious? After this battle, I will definitely hand him over to you. Didn't the three of us come here today to discuss how to break into the imperial army's camp?"
In front of Li Jingang, Niu Desheng's attitude became very good: "Then what strategy did Brother Yang come up with to defeat the enemy?"
Yan walked to the sand table in the center of the tent and gently ran his fingers across the terrain model representing Bailuyuan.
The sand table was filled with small red and blue flags. The red one represented their 300,000-strong army, and the blue one represented the imperial army that was suppressing the rebellion.
"Although the imperial court boasts a force of 200,000, scouts report that only five battalions of the capital are actually capable of fighting."
Yang Yan's voice was low and calm. "Their main force is stationed on the Puyuan Plateau, with the Wei River at their backs. It's easy to defend but difficult to attack."
Niu Desheng slammed the table impatiently and stood up: "It doesn't matter if there are 100,000 or 200,000 of us. With 300,000 of us pressing forward, we can drown them with just a spit from each of us!"
Li Jingang frowned slightly and raised his hand to signal Niu Desheng to sit down: "Brother Desheng, listen to Brother Yang's words."
Yang Yan continued, "A strong attack is certainly feasible, but the casualties will be heavy. The imperial army is well-equipped and well-trained, while most of our people are farmers who have just put down their hoes."
He paused, his eyes scanning his two companions. "I suggest outsmarting them."
"Outsmart? How do you outsmart them?"
Niu Desheng scoffed, "Are you trying to borrow the east wind?"
Yang Yan calmly took out a sheepskin map from his sleeve and unfolded it next to the sand table:
"The imperial army's food and supplies are stored at the entrance to the valley west of Puyuan, guarded by a 5,000-man force. If we can..."
"Burn their food supplies!" Niu Desheng's eyes lit up and he rushed to say.
"Exactly."
Yang Yan nodded. "Once their food and supplies are cut off, the enemy will be in chaos. Then we can launch a frontal attack and achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Li Jingang stared at the map, his thick finger pointing at the entrance to the valley. "The entrance is narrow, easy to defend but difficult to attack. Five thousand defenders is a lot. Who should we send?"
"Oh my god!"
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