Chapter 1088: Treasure of Stasis
Compared with the smooth advancement of the main force of the Wei army, the troops of Jinyang, Northern Qi, were not so smooth.
Although this place belonged to the home court of the Qi army, the strength of the Wei army was beyond their imagination. Although the previous concession successfully attracted the Wei army out of Qinyuan, the Qi army also lost its home advantage to a certain extent.
In particular, the vanguard division led by the pair of royal family treasures, King Wuxing and King Xiucheng, was defeated, which enabled the Wei army to quickly gain a foothold in Wusu City and quickly control the surrounding dangerous places, making it seem that this time the strategy of abandoning the city to lure the enemy was a bit self-defeating.
After all, as the active attacking party, no one knew where their appetite would end. It was a logical military route to conquer Wusu City and then follow up with the main force to continue to attack Shangdang.
It is somewhat flattering to regard this situation as a manifestation of the success of the strategy. The most basic point is that if the advance of the Wei army was caused by a trick, then the Qi army should not lose the means and ability to restrain the opponent now.
But the fact is that the current Jinyang division can hardly even get close to Wusu City. At least in terms of controlling the strategic strongholds around Wusu City, the Qi army did not achieve the expected goal, and the situation was a little out of control.
Of course, no one dared to talk about these problems in front of Qi Lord Gao Yang, but even so, the army stopped in Wuxiang City for many days without any progress, and Gao Yang's mood began to become anxious in recent days.
The sense of control over people and things created by killing brothers and sisters and leading the army all the way south was diluted with the loss of control of the battle situation, which inevitably made Gao Yang sensitive and irritable, and eager to re-establish his authority. Therefore, after executing Wuxing King Gao Pu, Gao Yang's military law became more and more severe, causing the entire Wuxiang City to become panic.
However, he used his power here to intimidate his soldiers, but the hostile Wei army was not affected by this, and still acted at its own pace, and its main force smoothly advanced to Wusu City.
"Your Majesty, the main force of the Qiang bandits has already advanced to Wusu, and Shangdang is in turmoil. Now our army is stuck in Wuxiang and it is difficult to help. Do we need to turn south and join forces with King Pingyuan to fight the bandits?"
Knowing that the main force of the enemy army has made a big step forward, the other soldiers were intimidated by the military power and did not dare to report the matter. Only the experienced King Anding Heba Ren was recommended by the masses and bit the bullet to report to Gao Yang.
Hearing Heba Ren's words, Gao Yang's face suddenly flashed a haze. The most advantageous thing for the Northern Qi in the next war is naturally that the main force of the Wei army lingers near Wusu City, and the two armies of Jinyang and Shangdang of the Northern Qi attack from the north and south, so that the main force of the Wei army is attacked from both sides.
However, the implementation of the tactics during this period was greatly hindered. Important strongholds such as Duanliang City could not be conquered for a long time, making it difficult for the Jinyang army to approach Wusu City.
Now that the enemy's main force has arrived at Wusu City, and without being threatened by the army in the north, it is natural that they will continue to move south to attack the Shangdang area. If the Jinyang Division stops here again, the Shangdang troops led by Duan Shao can only fight the enemy alone, so the Jinyang Division will go south to join forces and fight the enemy together. This is the most rational and realistic choice at the moment.
But in this way, it is tantamount to admitting that Gao Yang's previous tactical thinking was wrong. Such a mistake is naturally unwilling to be admitted by Gao Yang, who is eager to re-establish his authority and enhance his control.
"In the south and in the north, both are to attack the enemy. The king is eager to go south. Is there any winning strategy to offer?"
After listening to Heba Ren's advice, Gao Yang did not make a decision immediately, but rolled his eyelids and looked at Heba Ren and said coldly.
As a labor reform prisoner with a criminal record, Heba Ren knew that such an assignment was a bit life-threatening, but the current situation was obviously a bit unfavorable. If the stalemate continued, it would only delay the opportunity to fight.
Seeing that the emperor still couldn't bring himself to admit his previous mistakes, Heba Ren could only bite the bullet and continue: "Your Majesty used a trick to lure the enemy into the trap, and the Qiang bandits really followed the trick. However, due to the unfavorable battles of the subsequent armies and the obstruction of advancement, many dangerous places in the country were occupied by bandits, making it difficult for our army to go directly to Wusu. Although the previous plan was brilliant, the person who received the order failed to make the most of it..."
Xue Guyan, who had just returned to Wuxiang City after being frustrated in Duanliang City, was displeased when he heard that Heba Ren was going to bring disaster to them, the front-line soldiers. He hurriedly stepped aside and said loudly: "Since we have received the order, All of them fought with one heart and one mind. A few days ago, they killed thousands of bandits under Duanliang City and killed several Qiang bandit generals. Although they did not achieve their full success, they were not at a disadvantage in the battle! On the contrary, those who received the previous order in Wusu City failed to understand the emperor's intention and took advantage of all the strategic locations to the bandits, which added difficulties to the army's advance now! "
"I am wronged, I... Before I left Wusu City, I had already reported to the two kings that they should quickly seize the strategic locations around Wusu City, but King Xiucheng was rash and reckless, and King Wuxing missed the military opportunity, which caused all the places to be occupied by the bandits. It was not my fault. I beg Your Majesty to understand!"
When Wei Yu and King Wuxing were defeated and retreated, King Wuxing was beheaded but Wei Yu was not blamed. He was secretly hoping for the best, but he did not expect that he would be blamed again. Naturally, he did not dare to neglect it. He knelt down and loudly defended himself. Seeing that the emperor's face became more and more ugly, he hurriedly said: "Even if I am guilty, I beg you to stay alive and fight bravely in the future to repay the emperor's kindness!"
The generals blamed each other, and although they still could not argue who should bear the main responsibility, at least the emperor's responsibility as a decision maker seemed to be reduced, and all the problems were in the execution stage.
Gao Yang's personality was conceited and sensitive, and such a personality was never absolutely fair and rational, and he especially valued his own inner feelings.
When he felt that he could avoid the embarrassing situation of admitting his mistakes and blaming himself, he became lenient instead. He frowned at the few people and said, "When a powerful enemy approaches, we should unite to fight the enemy. You are all great generals of the country, but you don't know such a simple truth! The heroes and elders who stabilized the kingdom can be exempted from punishment. You two will each receive ten strokes of the cane, and come back to discuss matters after you calm down!"
Compared with the recent punishments of beating and killing, the punishment of only ten military strokes is really too light. The two men were afraid that the emperor would change his mind again, so they hurriedly apologized and then hurriedly stood up to receive the cane.
After dismissing the generals who were attacking each other, Gao Yang looked at Heba Ren and sighed, "What the king said, don't I understand? Li Boshan is a stubborn enemy who is cunning and not easy to deal with. Although I have just fought with him, I dare not underestimate him. If the previous plan is decided and it is changed suddenly, not only will the morale be depressed, but the enemy's subsequent plans and treacherous plots are also unpredictable!" Heba Ren heard that the emperor had regained some of his correct attitude of being willing to discuss things, and he felt a little relieved. Then he said, "The Qiang bandits are cunning, and everyone knows it. But because they are not as strong as others, they try to make up for it with treacherous plots. However, if there is a big gap between us, even if there are treacherous plots, it will be difficult to succeed..." At this point, he paused, and when he secretly peeked at the emperor's expression and saw that there was nothing wrong with him, he said again, "Now I have a huge army, and the generals and soldiers are all brave soldiers, and there are people who can defend the land. The determination to defend the country! This battle was originally provoked by the enemy. Kang Shi is old and will inevitably be difficult to continue. But we have our backs to the country and supplies nearby. We can fight with a strong army and a large number of people. We will not let the enemy's evil plan be carried out. What is there to fear about the enemy!
In the past, Emperor Taizu relied on this strong army to defeat the heroes of the time and create this great cause. No one in the world could compete with it. Although the Qiang bandits are evil, how are they compared to the Erzhu family? What they inherited is only the ruined foundation of the Black Otter in Guanxi, and the people's hearts are not in harmony. But your majesty relies on the heroic cause of your father and brother, which has been more extensive since your succession. When your majesty was looking down on the world, this beast was just a soldier under the Black Otter's tent. How difficult is it to defeat it! "
Gao Yang never liked others talking about his father and brother's cause in front of him, and therefore he was alienated from those old ministers who relied on their seniority and seniority.
But now he is fighting against a truly powerful enemy, and he is no longer as brave as he was in his early years. He was already a little worried. When he heard Heba Ren's words, the uneasiness in his heart gradually disappeared, and he became excited and confident again.
Yes, his father and brother had relied on the Jinyang army to start their careers, and he had completed the feat of usurping the Wei Kingdom with it, and later fought in various places and defeated all powerful enemies. Compared with this great feat inherited from the same lineage, Li Boshan is just a man who took advantage of the situation to rise. What is there to fear!
"Wang Liang's words are so refreshing, and they are really the treasures left to me by Taizu to set the situation. When we fight the enemy in the future, Wang will lead an army for me, be independent, and create more special achievements!"
The change in his mood made Gao Yang's eyes looking at Heba Ren become much kinder. He no longer just bullied him blindly, but showed some respect and reliance on him.
Heba Ren's expression was slightly stagnant after hearing this, but he quickly nodded and said: "As long as the king has the mission, I will not be afraid of wearing armor!"
After Heba Ren's encouragement and persuasion, Gao Yang no longer stubbornly stayed in Wuxiang and tried to launch an offensive from the north of Wusu City. Instead, he decided to go south to join forces with Duan Shao. With the powerful military force and home advantage, he destroyed the opponent through a frontal battle!