"So now, eight of the twenty states in the north have been taken." Jiang Hai asked.
"Have many people fled famine during this period?"
"A lot, just as I expected. After we released grain to help the people, many people from other states heard about it and rushed here."
"Then there will be manpower for the construction of these states. There will be work assigned to them, right? We don't want them to be freeloaders."
"All of them. Except for women, children, the elderly and the young, everyone who can work has been arranged." Wu Gong nodded.
"Okay then, let's prepare for the next target. Let's finish the fight early and go home early. It's freezing cold out here."
…
Everyone discussed the next attack route, and this time they let Yuchi Zhong lead his troops to the front line to join Guo Hao in attacking the next city.
Guo Hao has been on the front line in Guhezhou during this period, guarding against the army of the northern court.
The soldiers on the front line put on down coats from Xincheng. They were very warm this winter and were eagerly waiting for the northern court to attack.
However, it was not like that. From the beginning of the year to the Chinese New Year, it was very quiet.
Qingzhou analyzed the situation and prepared to fight closer to Qingshui River, first taking Qingnanzhou, then Taihezhou, and then directly reaching the capital.
You need to cross the river once in the middle. At this time, the Qingshui River has thawed. The ice period of the Qingshui River is not long, and it does not freeze every year.
Most of Lu Laotie's fleet has been transferred to Qingshui River, ready to provide support when the time comes.
After the strategy was decided, Yuchi Zhong went to recruit 30,000 soldiers.
Jiang Hai went with the army, and Yang Hongjin also prepared to move to Guhezhou.
The army set out for Guhezhou the next day. Since they had been in a state of war readiness, they could move quickly and did not need to prepare supplies.
The marching route was all through the state capitals that had been captured by the Yuezhou Army. No more people were seen fleeing famine on the road. Instead, there was a bustling construction.
Yuchi Zhong was amazed by what he saw. It was completely different from the scene when he led troops to Donggu Pass before.
Only then did I realize how powerful Jiang Hai is. If he wants to become emperor, the Yang family will have no chance of survival.
Yuchi Zhong thought of Jiang Xiuyuan and asked,
"My dear son-in-law, what is your father doing in Southern Xinjiang now?"
Jiang Hai thought about it, looked at the sun in the sky and estimated the time.
"If nothing unexpected happens, they should be drinking tea at this time. In another half hour, they should be inviting people to play cards."
Well, Yuchi Zhong despised this salted fish in his heart, not because of envy, absolutely not.
When Yuchi Zhong was giving Jiang Xiuyuan a bad review in his heart, Jiang Hai added,
"He might also go to the resort to soak in the hot springs. He seems to like hot springs now."
"Haha, Jiang Xiuyuan is in a good mood."
There was an indescribable feeling in Yuchi Zhong's words. He no longer called them relatives, but just called them by their names.
He was running around to accompany his two sons-in-law to fight, while this old guy was just relaxing at home. It was so unfair. Yuchi Zhong shouted in his heart, after this war, I will retire and enjoy my life.
Jiang Hai didn't pay too much attention to the changes in Yuchi Zhong's expression, and talked to his father-in-law about his wife's pregnancy.
This was a happy event. Although Yuchi Zhong had heard about it when he was in Yuezhou, he was extremely happy when he talked about it with his son-in-law. He was about to become a grandfather.
It took two days for the army to march from Qingzhou to Guhezhou.
Seeing Yuchi Zhong leading the team, Guo Hao was extremely excited.
The two had a good relationship. When Yuchi Zhong was transferred to the west to take up an official post, Guo Hao complained about the old emperor in his heart.
As for the old emperor's temperament, Guo Hao knew it well and did not go to make himself bored, but he felt sorry for Yuchi Zhong.
Now that the situation in Dayong has changed like this, Guo Hao is actually quite envious of Yuchi Zhong. This father-in-law is really lucky.
This world is definitely under their control. With a son-in-law like this, Guo Hao would like to have a dozen of them.
But there is only one Guo Qianqian in his family, and the rest are just boys, so just think about it.
After a few pleasantries, the soldiers were arranged to rest in the tent.
Later, they began to discuss the plan to attack Qingnan.
The snow in the north this year was quite normal. Now, except for the northernmost areas, the ice and snow in most areas have begun to melt slowly.
Qingnan is located south of the Qingshui River. Although the temperature is not high now, there is no problem with marching and fighting.
"We just need to seize the opportunity to attack. It will be difficult for the reinforcements from the north to come over. Even if they do arrive, they will be exhausted."
Guo Hao had long wanted to take action and speak first, and he was waiting here impatiently.
The generals had no objections. After all, they had been winning battles and their morale was extremely high.
"How many defenders are there in Qingnan now?" Jiang Hai asked.
"One hundred thousand. The northern court must be worried that we will attack at the beginning of the new year, so they have stationed a lot of troops here." Guo Hao responded.
"That's a lot, eighty thousand of us combined," Jiang Hai sighed. "A lot of people will die in this battle. Oh, I really don't want to give up my free labor."
Jiang Hai felt that there were 100,000 laborers, and he really didn't want to kill too many of them in a random bombing.
The generals all knew Jiang Hai's temper. Every time they fought, he wanted to capture prisoners who could help him with construction.
They were used to it, so no one said anything. They were all waiting, waiting for him and Wu Gong to find a way to capture more prisoners.
Yuchi Zhong didn't express any opinions. He had just joined in and all he knew about the situation was hearsay. He didn't understand it as clearly as others.
Time passed by little by little, and Jiang Hai and Wu Gong were discussing beside the map. Finally, Wu Gong spoke up.
"This time we won't attack by force, we'll just trap them and refuse the investigation from the reconnaissance corps. Their food supplies won't last them for a few days.
All we need to do is cut off the Tai River and send them food."
"Eighty thousand troops are trapped in a hundred thousand, and we have to split up our forces to intercept the food supply. Isn't this a bit difficult to accomplish?" Yuchi Zhong couldn't help but ask.
"It's okay, it can be done. Let the young master give them a speech. We can cut off their food supply while winning their hearts and minds. It can be done.
Moreover, Qingnan's location is just right. There are only three roads suitable for a large army to travel, and this is the only way to get there from the Tai River."
Wu Gong pointed at the map while speaking. There were three roads on it.
"This route leads to Qingdong Province, which is too far. According to the intelligence from the reconnaissance corps, no food is being transported here.
If we cut off the grain route to the Tai River, even if Qingdong gets the news and comes to deliver grain, it will be too late. "Far water cannot quench a nearby fire."
"What if they go out of town to fight?"
"Don't let them leave the city. Point the cannons at the city gates. No matter how many come out, they will be destroyed.
The cavalry and infantry only need to cooperate with the artillery to deal with the scattered soldiers who escape."
"Artillery, the ones that fire thunder?" Yuchi Zhong had never seen an artillery formation, but he just knew that it existed.
"Yes, does anyone have anything else to add?"
After Wu Gong finished explaining his strategy, he asked for everyone's opinions.
No one had any objections, so Guo Hao began to assign tasks to the various generals.
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