Xuzhou, state government office, wing room.

There was a stack of documents on the desk. Wu Zongrui's face had no expression, but his hands were trembling slightly.

There was no brutal siege, no major losses. With an official disc and a military talisman, Sun Kewang captured the city of Huai'an without any bloodshed. What's even more interesting is that Sun Kewang actually did it in the name of the Denglai New Army.

Entering Huai'an Fucheng, taking advantage of the darkness, they launched an attack on the canal transport soldiers and Ding army camp, and completely occupied Huai'an Fucheng.

The number of canal transport soldiers who escaped from Huai'an Prefecture, as well as the sergeants from the four towns and three states in Jiangbei, were not large. The remaining sergeants were either killed by the rogue bandits, or surrendered and submitted to the rogue bandits. As for the officials of the Canal Transport Governor's Mansion and Huai'an Mansion Office,

Without a chance to escape, the man in charge of the daily affairs of the Water Transport Governor's Mansion was beheaded, as was Master Liu, the prefect of Huai'an. Most of the remaining officials were imprisoned in prison, waiting for Zhang Xianzhong to be dealt with after he entered the city of Huai'an.

Huai'an Fucheng was not damaged. The bandits occupying the Fucheng were probably waiting for the arrival of Zhang Xianzhong and his army.

The information obtained by the Intelligence Department of the New Army in Denglai is very detailed.

What is puzzling is that rogue bandits pretended to be Denglai's new army and entered Huai'an Fucheng. In Nanjing, not far away, there were rumors that Denglai's new army forcibly occupied Huai'an Fucheng and massacred water transport soldiers.

Wu Zongrui has always valued the reputation of the Denglai New Army, and he could not bear such rumors.

Liao Wenru, Luo Diianzhao and Luo Dianyong all stood aside, looking at the expressionless Wu Zongrui. No one spoke. Liu Ning, who was behind Wu Zongrui, also lowered his head.

"Wen Ru, Luo Dianchao, Luo Dianyong, the matter has come to this, you can tell us how Denglai's new army should act."

As soon as Wu Zongrui finished speaking, Liao Wenru clasped his fists and spoke.

"Sir, intelligence shows that Zhang Xianzhong and his bandits are divided into three groups. One group starts from Pizhou and Suqian and is heading to Huai'an Fucheng. The total strength is 100,000. Its commander is Zhang Xianzhong's adopted son Ai Nengqi. The other group is led by Zhang Xianzhong himself.

The leader rushed from Hong County to Huai'an Fucheng, with a total force of more than 150,000, and entrenched himself in Huai'an Fucheng all the way. They were rogue bandits led by Sun Kewang, with a total force of about 70,000. It is expected that Ai Nengqi will take about three days.

It will take Zhang Xianzhong about four days to arrive in Huai'an Fucheng..."

Wu Zongrui looked at Liao Wenru and sighed slightly.

"Wenru, I know all this information. Just tell me what the Denglai New Army should do next."

Wu Zongrui rarely spoke like this in front of Liao Wenru, which showed that Wu Zongrui was already very dissatisfied.

Liao Wenru's face turned a little pale, his expression became hesitant, and he didn't know what to say.

In fact, not only Liao Wenru, but also all the generals of the Denglai New Army were a little timid in front of Wu Zongrui. They were used to following Wu Zongrui's arrangements to do things.

Seeing that something was wrong with Liao Wenru's expression, Wu Zongrui sighed again.

"Wen Ru, you are the commander-in-chief of the army. Logically speaking, you should make decisions independently, especially when facing major changes. The rebel troops under Zhang Xianzhong were divided into three groups. When Zhang Xianzhong personally led the troops to Hong County, he completely

When defeating and capturing Ding Qirui, you should make an accurate judgment. Back then, Zhang Xianzhong also relied on military talismans and letters to capture Xiangyang Fucheng. The situation this time was exactly the same. The difference was that Zhang Xianzhong was bolder and actually

With military talismans and official discs, 50,000 soldiers were sent into Huai'an City."

"The Denglai New Army should seize the opportunity, attack decisively, bypass Hong County and head to Huai'an Fucheng, instead of waiting for me to come to Xuzhou before making a decision."

Liao Wenru's face gradually turned red.

"Sir, this is all my subordinate's fault. I have already made some arrangements, but I just heard that your Excellency came to Shandong, so I didn't take any immediate action..."

Wu Zongrui shook his head and his tone became softer.

"The arrangement you made is actually good. Luo Dianzhao led 50,000 soldiers to block Ai Nengqi and prevent him from entering Huai'an City. At the same time, he personally led 50,000 soldiers to attack Huai'an City, completely defeat Sun Kewang, and retake Huai'an City.

If you had issued the order to fight before I came to Xuzhou, the situation now would be completely different."

"You are worried about the 150,000 sergeants under Zhang Xianzhong. In fact, there is not much reason. Most of the 150,000 sergeants under Zhang Xianzhong are sergeants from the new battalion. Their combat effectiveness is not strong. All their elites have been transferred to Huai'an Fucheng.

Of course, your worries are not unreasonable. Once the Denglai New Army fails to capture Huai'an Fucheng and the 150,000-strong army led by Zhang Xianzhong arrives in Huai'an Fucheng, the 50,000 Denglai New Army will face more than 200,000

Rebel sergeants are more difficult to fight."

"Okay, that's it. There's no need to say more or explain anything else. Let's just talk about how to arrange your deployment in the next step, how to completely defeat Zhang Xianzhong and take back the city of Huai'an."

There was another moment of silence.

It was still Liao Wenru who spoke.

"Sir, my lord, I don't know how to deal with such a serious situation, so I can only follow your arrangements..."

Wu Zongrui frowned, looked at Liao Wenru, looked at Luo Diazhao and Luo Dianyong behind Liao Wenru, and suddenly understood something. Some influence and majesty are accumulated step by step. This majesty and influence are accumulated to a certain extent.

It can make the people below breathless, which is why many times, the final outcome of the emperor's personal expedition may not be very good.

After waving his hand, Wu Zongrui spoke helplessly.

"It seems that I shouldn't come to Xuzhou in person and let you conquer in southern Zhili. The situation will be much better."

"Don't think too much about it. It's not that I don't worry about you. I just feel that this expedition is of great importance, so I decided to come to Xuzhou to have a look."

"Okay, all of you, raise your heads."

Liao Wenru, Luo Diazhao, Luo Dianyong and others all raised their heads, and Liu Ning also raised his head.

Wu Zongrui pointed to the map on the desk and spoke slowly.

"The 50,000 Denglai New Army soldiers stationed in Lingbi County do not need to continue to Huai'an Fucheng. The opportunity has been lost. When they rush to Huai'an Fucheng, they may face more than 200,000 troops under Zhang Xianzhong."

"Our goal is that Ai Nengqi and the 100,000 rebel sergeants under his command must bite this rebel army to the death and strive to annihilate this rebel army in the shortest possible time."

"This time, we will take a good gamble to see if Zhang Xianzhong will rescue Ai Nengqi. If Zhang Xianzhong is determined to abandon Ai Nengqi, then after we defeat Ai Nengqi, we will go directly to Huai'an Fucheng and try to use the three

In about a month, we will completely control the four prefectures and three states in Jiangbei."

"Zhang Xianzhong has been on campaign for more than ten years, and his ability to escape is first-rate. We don't need to desperately pursue him. For us, the four prefectures and three states in Jiangbei are more important than Zhang Xianzhong's troops."

"Of course, if Zhang Xianzhong is reluctant to part with Ai Nengqi and sends a large army to help, then this will be our chance."

"In order to ensure the victory of this expedition, the Denglai New Army stationed in Shandong must also be prepared. Once we enter the comprehensive game stage with Zhang Xianzhong, Xuzhou will leave 10,000 sergeants to garrison, and Shandong will mobilize 40,000 sergeants, a total of 10

Eighty thousand soldiers launched an all-out fight with Zhang Xianzhong, leaving no chance for Zhang Xianzhong."

"Luo Dianzhao, you will lead 50,000 soldiers in a warship and set out tonight, traveling day and night. You must block Ai Nengqi so that he cannot go to Huai'an City. Wen Ru ordered the 50,000 soldiers stationed in Lingbi County to immediately

Set off and travel day and night to Qinghe, where we must block Ai Nengqi and his 100,000 troops."

"This battle will be under the overall command of Wen Ru. Unless there are particularly important matters, under normal circumstances, you will make your own decisions."

"Okay, Wenru and Liu Ning will stay, and everyone else will go prepare."

It was quiet inside the wing.

Wu Zongrui sighed heavily again.

Liao Wenru looked at Wu Zongrui and spoke with confusion.

"Sir, are there any arrangements under my command that have not been put in place..."

Wu Zongrui's hand hit Huai'an Fucheng on the map.

"Wen Ru, this time we really lost the best opportunity. According to our original deployment, while occupying the four prefectures and three states in Jiangbei, we would completely wipe out Zhang Xianzhong's tribe. However, this goal cannot be achieved now. I dare to conclude that Zhang Xianzhong

He will never rush to rescue Ai Nengqi, he will order Ai Nengqi to evacuate towards Huguang at all costs. As for whether Ai Nengqi can evacuate, Zhang Xianzhong doesn't care."

"Zhang Xianzhong doesn't want to stay in South Zhili at all. His goal is Huguang. For this goal, Zhang Xianzhong can make any decision, including abandoning Ai Nengqi."

"It's really a pity that we lost the opportunity to completely annihilate Zhang Xianzhong's troops."

Having said this, Wu Zongrui looked at Liao Wenru and Liu Ning.

"Wenru, Liu Ning, you are the people I trust the most. It can be said that no matter what kind of danger I encounter, I will trust you with my back, so you don't have to worry too much in front of me.

concerns.”

"A few months ago, I said that the moment of great change has arrived. There are too many things we need to do. Li Zicheng in the Central Plains, Zhang Xianzhong in Huai'an, Huang Taiji in Liaodong, and the emperor and the court in the capital.

Including the scholar-bureaucrat families in the south, they are all opponents we need to face directly, and I need you to take charge of them alone."

"When I was in Liaodong, I had thought carefully about it. After Denglai's new army captured the four prefectures and three states in Jiangbei, Qiao Mingjun would be responsible for the garrison. Liao Wenru would still return to Liaodong and be responsible for all matters in Liaodong, and Liu Ning would follow

Be by my side and prepare to deal with many matters in the Central Plains."

"I am considering recommending Lu Faxuan as the governor of water transportation to take charge of all people's livelihood matters in the four prefectures and three states of Jiangbei. Shi Kefa will be appointed governor of Shandong. The post of governor Denglai will be abolished and directly merged into Shandong. Wu Zongkun will be appointed governor of Liaodong. With the assistance of Mr. Zeng

Next, take charge of people’s livelihood matters in Liaodong.”
Chapter completed!