Chapter 166

Go south along the canal, conquering Gaoyou and Yangzhou, which are as rich as Huai'an, and pushing the front line to the edge of the Yangtze River. In this way, the territory controlled by the Huai'an army became a semi-closed place sandwiched between the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, and there was still a vast ocean to the east!

At this moment, on the west side, there were Zhao Junyong of Xuzhou, Sesame Li of Suzhou, Guo Zixing of Haozhou and Sun Deya of Dingyuan. If Meng Yuan wanted to attack from the west side, he had to walk over the territory of one of the four heroes first.

To the south of the Yangtze River is the large granary of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Even if the Huaian army was unable to cross the river to fight, the Mongolian Yuan court could no longer stop the people from selling grain to the north of the Yangtze River. What's more, there was a big pirate Fang Guozhen in Wenzhou. If he wanted to sell grain to the Huaian army, the Mongol Yuan navy could not stop it even if he wanted to stop it.

As the saying goes, a son will live in the whole world. If the Huai'an army could really do what Zhu Chongba said, the potential food crisis before would completely disappear. After the two areas under his rule were added to Gaoyou Prefecture and Yangzhou Road, the strategic depth of the Huai'an army quickly expanded three times. Even if there were occasional failures on the battlefield, they would not immediately face the embarrassing situation of not being alive or dying.

However, in this way, the original strategic deployment of the Huai'an army would be completely disrupted. The peaceful life like a paradise in front of us will definitely no longer exist. In addition, the city walls of Gaoyou and Yangzhou are higher and stronger than Huai'an. When everyone attacked Huai'an last time, everyone had drainage ditches to drill. If they wanted to attack Gaoyou and Yangzhou this time, they would probably not be able to use the same trick again. If they wanted to break into the city, they could only rely on their own strength to chew. At that time, there would probably be corpses under each city wall.

Thinking of the newly expanded new army, which had to pay at least half of the casualties for this, everyone here felt very hesitant. It was not easy to save this little family fortune. Except for the part that was distributed to Sesame Li and Zhao Jun, the rest of the money they got from Huai'an Prefecture was almost all spent on the 30,000 new army. And that was not enough, and they had to keep moving money from weapons sales and salt tax to fill it.

"Brother Zhu's plan is very good. But my Huaian Army has just been expanded for three months. If you go south now, it would be too hasty!" Immediately, Su Mingzhe, the head of the General Administration, put down the wine cup and emphasized solemnly.

"Yes, if the soldiers are not trained in place, it is equivalent to letting the brothers die on the battlefield. No matter how many troops are, they are all lambs that can be slaughtered!" Hu Dahai was also cautious about this, frowned, and whispered to Mr. Su.

He led Yan Ding to fight with the Xuzhou army, but suffered a lot of loss of training. Although he and Geng Zaicheng had outstanding martial arts skills, they rushed back and forth and blocked holes everywhere. However, their personal bravery could not recover the decline of the entire army. Zhu Bashiyi and the elite troops of the Xuzhou Left Army were defeated, and the generals could not find the generals. They were not yet able to find the soldiers. They were defeated in half a pistol of incense, and both of them were captured.

"It's relative to whether the soldiers are good or not!" As if they were prepared for everyone's reaction, Zhu Chongba smiled and explained in a low voice, "On the way here, I've seen Commander Xu's new army. Although it was not long since its establishment, more than 80% of them were new recruits. But the soldiers and horses under any heroes on both sides of the Huai River are probably more than five times stronger than the garrison troops placed by the imperial court in the local area."

This sentence is not entirely flattering the Huai'an army. Compared to the surrounding red scarf heroes recruiting refugees to join the army, they can simply stuff a bamboo pole into their hands and rush to the battlefield. The Huai'an new army, which has been training for two and a half months, is indeed much better. Compared with the Mongolian Yuan court's troops stationed in various places, they also have great advantages in morale and weapon equipment. After all, the casting cannons and cold forging armor techniques were explored by Zhu Bashiyi, the craftsmen in the Mongolian Yuan governments in Gaoyou and Yangzhou, could neither imitate cannons nor buy cold forging iron armor.

"Yeah!" Mr. Su nodded with pleasure.

"General Zhu has won the award, please continue to talk about it!" Lu Lu Zeng gave Zhu Chongba a rare smile and reached out to signal him to continue the topic of unfinished.

"The official army was newly defeated in Bianliang, and lost more than 300,000 troops and horses, and the money, grain and supplies were almost completely lost. Although the Mongolian Yuan court had many soldiers and generals, it was far from being hurt. If you want to concentrate another 300,000 troops and prepare enough money and grain for them to consume more than three months, you may have to get the winter in the early days." Seeing that everyone present was so excited by their own words, Zhu Chongba turned his eyes to Zhu Bashiyi and continued to whisper, "Before this, Gaoyou and Yangzhou had to face the military power of the chief executive alone. And the Yuan army north of the Yellow River also found it difficult to muster up the courage to cross the river!"

"Well! That's true!" Zhu Bashiyi thought about it and nodded in admiration. The suggestion that Zhu Chongba just made did not actually break away from the framework that Lu Lu Zeng and himself had originally planned in Xuzhou. However, Lu Lu Zeng and himself thought that after taking Huaian, they needed to steadily and gradually progress. They did not attack Gaoyou and Yangzhou until they were strong enough, and then crossed the river to take down the large granary of Suhang. Zhu Chongba's suggestion was more flexible. He thought that as long as the opportunity was right, he should take action immediately, regardless of whether he had sufficient preparations.

However, Zhu Chongba's proposal was based entirely on the contempt of the strength of the enemy in Gaoyou and Yangzhou and the speculation on the speed of the response of the Mongolian Yuan court. It was flexible and flexible, but the risks it took were also huge. In other words, if one of Zhu Chongba's two judgments just now made a mistake, the Huai'an army would not stop attacking Gaoyou for a long time, and the generals would be lost. Or during the Huai'an army's southward journey, the Mongolian Yuan army would cross the Yellow River in large numbers, and the current good situation would probably be lost. If it was not done well, it would be possible to throw away Huai'an City and then live under someone else's roof.

"Is the chief executive worried that his troops were too thin?" Seeing that Zhu Bashiyi just praised him, he lost the following. Zhu Zhongba made up his mind and asked loudly.

This question was a bit rude. Immediately, Xu Hongsan and others were erect. Zhu Chongba did not give everyone time to scold him, bit his teeth, and continued to ask loudly, "Are the chief executives worried that the casualties were too severe when siege the city, resulting in damage to their strength? They could not protect Huai'an, a major financial and taxation area? If so, Zhu still has a plan here. I wonder if the chief executives would like to listen?"

"presumptuous!"

“Bold!”

"A small brand head, the boss treats you with politeness, but you dare to be arrogant!" The scolding sounds around him rang out, and everyone who spoke was full of anger.

"Hey, why are you unreasonable?" The long-legged woman stood up immediately and confronted her, "You asked him to give advice? Now he was blamed for asking directly! Manager Zhu, do you usually treat her to dinner?"

"Let him say it!" Zhu Bashiyi glanced at the civil and military officials under his command, then continued to turn his eyes to Zhu Chongba, took a breath, and asked with a smile, "Zhu is willing to hear the details."

"Previously, General Liu and Yesen Timur were unable to confront each other. They once invited General Manager Li, General Manager Zhao and Guijun to help." Zhu Chongba bowed and explained calmly, "Thereafter, the four families divided the prisoners and supplies according to their efforts. Then General Manager Li retreated to Suzhou, General Manager Zhao retreated to Xuzhou, and a part of the Guijun returned to Huaidong. The territory captured at that time, including Bianliang, was handed over to General Manager Liu to govern."

"At this moment, the Grand Chief Manager wanted to go south along the canal, but his troops were not good at helping. Why not imitate General Liu and ask the friendly troops around him to come and help? As long as all parties make an appointment for the post-war distribution of interests, I believe that no friendly troops around him will refuse the invitation from the Grand Chief Manager!"

"You mean, General Manager Guo and Governor Sun are willing to come and help the boxing?" Now, Zhu Bashiyi was moved without any fear. Zhao Junyong had just swallowed Suiyang, Suizhou and Luyi, and was busy digesting the results of the war, so he would definitely not be able to send troops to help. Sesame Li was shot through his shoulder by a hard crossbow during the Battle of Bianliang. He has not recovered yet, so he probably cannot lead his troops to join the battle himself. The so-called "invitation of friendly troops around him, I am afraid that the most active reaction was Guo Zixing, Haozhou and Sun Deya, Dingyuan. First, these two were closest to the Huai'an army and could arrive at any time. Second, these two currently occupy poor land and are not well-off. However, they lack control when recruiting soldiers and horses. Now they are poor and have a problem with military rations, and it just happened to make up for it by taking Gaoyou and Yangzhou.

"Boy, when you offered advice to my governor just now, I'm afraid that this idea was in your mind, right?"

"Hey. Brother Zhu, you are so loyal to your General Manager Guo. Even when you are eating, you are always planning for him!"

Mr. Su, Hu Dahai and others also reacted, shook their heads and joking loudly.

"It is a great thing to expel the Tartars. If the Grand Chief Manager invites you, Xiaoke is willing to send a message to Guo Shuai and Governor Sun for the Grand Chief Manager!" Zhu Chongba did not directly refute everyone's words, but bowed to Zhu Bashiyi and added with great confidence.

"Just just taking a piece of money and grain, I'm afraid I can't repay General Manager Guo and Governor Sun for sending troops to help!" Zhu Bashiyi's reaction was not slow, he smiled and responded in a very gentle tone.

"Previously, Governor Sun's son tried to steal the secret art of casting artillery in the army. I hope the chief executive will not continue to pursue it!" Zhu Chongba immediately entered the role of negotiator and made a request for the Haozhou Army without hesitation.

"Yes!" Zhu Bashiyi nodded again. Everyone returned to Sun Deya. Even if he wanted to pursue the matter, he could not directly lead his troops to ask for it. So there was no difference whether he agreed or not.

"When our Haozhou army purchases artillery, please ask the chief executive to take care of it. The price is easy to say, but the delivery time must not be delayed!" Zhu Chongba was a meticulous person, quickly bit Zhu Bashiyi's words and continued to replenish.

"Okay!" Zhu Bashiyi didn't think about it and nodded with a smile. After solving the problem of rough grinding of the gun barrel today, the production and yield of Huang Laowai's artillery on the other side will definitely reach a new level. The four-pound cannon with an effective range of only 350 steps can be fully mass-produced. The five-pound cannon and six-pound cannon that are being tested have hoped to be born ahead of schedule because of the invention of the boring machine. In this way, the more the four-pound cannons are sold, the faster the funds and raw materials will be returned. The more sufficient funds and raw materials, the longer the range, and the more powerful the muskets of the body tube will be installed in several new troops as soon as possible.

"Since the Grand Chief Executive promised it so well, Xiaoke would not hide it. Gaoyou and Yangzhou are already in the bowl of the Grand Chief Executive, and our Haozhou army is unable to spy on it. But after taking Gaoyou and Yangzhou, if the Mongolian Yuan court has not yet taken the initiative to attack, Xiaoke dared to ask the Grand Chief Executive to send a side army to accompany our Haozhou army to Luzhou for a while. He dared not bother the brothers of the Huai'an army to take the lead. As long as he brought enough artillery and ammunition, he could suppress the defenders on the city!"

He wants Luzhou! Guo Zixing wants to use the hands of the Huai'an army to seize Luzhou! Whether it is Lu Luzeng, Su Mingzhe, or Hu Dahai, his eyes are wide open.

At present, Huaidong Road is located south of the Yellow River and is owned by the Huai'an Army. If other forces want to attack Gaoyou and Yangzhou, they can only use the Huai'an Army or the Haozhou Army. With the current strength of Guo Zixing and Sun Deya of Dingyuan, it is impossible to capture these two big cities. In other words, Gaoyou and Yangzhou have long been regarded as the forbidden body of the Huai'an Army. Even if other heroes are jealous and want to get these two fertile lands, they have to ask Zhu Bashiyi's attitude first.

Zhu Chongba's plan to join forces today gave the territory that the Haozhou army could not have taken down. Correspondingly, he tried to use these two cities that did not originally belong to him as bargaining chips in exchange for the cooperation of the Huaian army to seize Luzhou. This transaction was too smart! It was so smart that it was almost profitable!

Not only that, after taking Luzhou, the Haozhou army also had the opportunity to spy on the south of the Yangtze River. Because of the inadequate climate of the Jiangnan water town, almost all the elite soldiers of the Mongolian Yuan court were stationed in the north. If Guo Zixing got Luzhou and took the lead in crossing the river, the development plan of the Huai'an army would be seriously affected. Even Suhang's and Hanghe areas may be taken down by the other party.

The only person who didn't think Zhu Chongba was whimsical was Zhu Bashiyi himself. Since Zhu Dapeng's memory confirmed that the person in front of him was the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the parallel space, he could not believe that the other party would give advice on himself without any conditions. In other words, he was not surprised by what Zhu Chongba did now. If Zhu Chongba did not take the opportunity to fight for the Haozhou Army, he would really surprise him.

"This one can also agree to you!" He pressed down with both hands, signaling Lu Lu Zeng and others to stay calm, and then responded to Zhu Bashiyi very kindly, "But after taking Luzhou, if your troops spy on Jiangnan, how can both sides divide the attack range?"

"At present, most parts of the south of the Yangtze River are still in the hands of the Yuan Dynasty." Zhu Chongba smiled and responded with neither humility nor arrogantly.

Since most parts of Jiangnan are still controlled by the Yuan Dynasty, no matter which rebel army attacks, it will be legitimate for the restoration of the hometown for China. Therefore, in terms of justice, the Huai'an army has no qualifications and requires others not to take the lead.

"But since the chief executive brought it out today, Xiao Ke will definitely convey the meaning of the chief executive in front of my chief executive!" Before everyone broke out, Zhu Chongba quickly added, "Anyway, the two sides join forces to go south, and they will definitely have to make a contract. It is impossible for Xiao Ke to complete such a big thing. Therefore, it is too early to mention these things. It is better to wait for General Manager Zhu to meet with General Manager Guo, and the two sides will discuss the matter again. I wonder what the chief executive is thinking?"
Chapter completed!