Chapter 321

A team of white-robed cavalry assembled at the border of Xiapi. This cavalry was white-horse and white-robed, equipped with knives, spears, horned bows and other weapons. The horses were expensive. Just one warhorse was equivalent to the salary of a low-level soldier for several years.

Chen Qingzhi joined the white robe army, and together with Xue Rengui and Zhao Yun, took charge of the white robe army and participated in the crusade against Huainan.

Although Chen Qingzhi's force was no match for even high-ranking soldiers, compared to Xue Rengui and Zhao Yun, they were weak, but Xue Rengui and Zhao Yun did not underestimate Chen Qingzhi. Arranging Chen Qingzhi in the white robe army can also make up for Chen Qingzhi's lack of force.

"What kind of army is that? Almost all are white horses and white robes."

The villagers in the border villages of Xiapi were shocked when they saw a large number of white-robed cavalry passing by.

The White Pao Legion has 27,000 cavalry, with 6,000 high-level cavalry and 21,000 low-level cavalry.

This time across the Shouchun area, the white robe army is the vanguard, and no one dares to fight against it!

Xu Sheng was dispatched to the Huaihe area and used the Huaihe River to transport food and grass from Xiapi Country and Guangling County to the front line of Jiujiang County to ease the pressure on the army. A large number of ships were conscripted to transport food and troops.

There are not only Hou Jing forces, but also a large number of bandits and water bandits in the Huaihe area. They heard that the army of Xuzhou animal husbandry swept across Huainan, and they all fled.

For Chutian, this crusade is not difficult like the autumn wind sweeping leaves.

More than 100,000 troops marched in two directions.

On the way to Xiapi, Chu Tian personally served as the commander in charge of the five schools of the Northern Army, the Scouting Corps, the Servant Corps, the White Pao Corps, the Invincible Corps, the Langya Defense Corps, and the East China Sea Defense Corps, with a total of about 100,000 people attacking along the Huai River.

All the way to Guangling County, Chen Deng served as the commander, with the Guangling Defense Corps as the main force, a total of about 30,000 people, and attacked along the Yangtze River.

In addition to the main force, a large number of rural braves were recruited to transport food and siege equipment.

"Is there too many soldiers and horses used by the lord..."

Chen Qingzhi was amazed by Chu Tian's generosity when he saw the army with no end in sight.

After Xuzhou has experienced many large-scale expeditions, it already has a mature troop deployment and logistics system.

Chen Qingzhi thought that Chutian only sent 40,000 to 50,000 people to attack Shouchun, but he did not expect that the number of troops that Chutian mobilized exceeded 100,000.

It seems that Chutian has the ambition to annex Jianghuai.

Chutian's offensive direction was erratic, from south to north, and used the Yi River, Huai River and other rivers to transport troops, and there were a large number of cavalry.

It will never be difficult for them to guess who Chu Zimou will attack next.

"Chu Zimou went to fight Shouchun!"

Tong Que, who was attacking Qu'e County in Wu County in the south of the Yangtze River, heard the news and fell into silence for an hour.

Guarding the Yangtze River must guard the Huaihe River, which means that to guard the Yangtze River, one must guard the Huaihe River. Shouchun and Hefei are important cities to control Huainan, occupying Shouchun and Hefei, they can attack and retreat.

For the Jiangdong forces, it is very important to have Shouchun and Hefei.

If it weren't for the lords of Jiangnan, it would be a good time to annex Jiangnan, and Tongque has now captured Shouchun.

Tong Que went to fight Jiangnan, and Chu Tian took the opportunity to ride Huainan, which was very uncomfortable for Tong Que.

Emperor Sun Quan attacked Hefei many times.

Just to get Huainan.

"Order Huan Wen and Zu Ti to lead their troops to capture Hefei. Don't compete with Chu Zimou in Shouchun."

Tongque hesitated again and again, since Chutian wanted to fight Shouchun, then he could capture Hefei. As long as they occupy Hefei, they can go north out of the Huaihe River and enter the Central Plains in the future.

Tong Que's order soon spread to the desks of Huan Wen and Zu Ti of Lujiang.

Huan Wen carefully checked the map of the Huainan area and found that Hefei is dangerous: "Send troops to take Hefei immediately, it is not too late. I will lead 20,000 Chaisang troops to capture Hefei, and you will lead Lujiang troops to follow up!"

"good!"

Zu Ti also had a strategic vision and knew the importance of Hefei, so he began to march towards Jiujiang County.

This is the action of the two princes of Xuzhou and Yangzhou to compete for the control of Huainan, and it is not just a simple crusade against Hou Jing.

A total of 40,000 soldiers from Chai Sang and Lujiang attacked Hefei.

Tongque, the prefect of Lujiang, made a decisive decision. When the main Beifu army attacked Wu County, he immediately mobilized the guarding generals to occupy Hefei.

If he occupies Hefei, Chutian's ability to control Huainan will decrease.

Chu Tian personally led the five schools of the Northern Army, Wu Anguo served as the lieutenant, Fang Xuanling and Lu Su joined the army.

Lu Su's hometown is adjacent to Jiujiang County, and he knows Jiujiang County quite well. He holds a parchment map in his hand: "Shouchun and Hefei are important towns in Huainan. To settle the fields and get a lot of military rations every year.”

"Shouchun can indeed settle fields, that's why I came to attack Huainan."

Chutian has long coveted Shouchun and Hefei. Winning two cities has a limited effect at present, but it will have a great effect in the future.

When troops were stationed in Shouchun and Hefei, the princes in the south of the Yangtze River could not go north, and Chutian could not worry about the south.

Fang Xuanling reminded: "The troops of Lujiang may go to attack Hefei."

"It is indeed possible. The Invincible Legion and the Servant Legion, go to Hefei."

Chutian decided to divide his troops into two groups, fight Shouchun all the way, and take Hefei all the way, and take all the two important cities in Huainan area.

After Yang Ye received the order, he immediately led 10,000 cavalry to the south to capture Shouchun.

In addition to cavalry and infantry, Joan of Arc's servant legion was ordered to follow Yang Ye.

This time, no one was watching her, but she led the troops to act alone.

Probably already adapted to her current identity, she did not have the idea of ​​running away, but took the servant army and followed the instructions of the map to respond to Yang Ye's invincible army to the south.

In Shouchun City, Hou Jing learned that the great princes of Xuzhou and the great princes of Yangzhou were attacking Jiujiang County, and he couldn't help regretting that he had offended Chutian and Tongque at the same time.

He led the cavalry out of the city and wanted to stop the Xuzhou army.

"The white robe army, more than tens of thousands of white robe army!"

Hou Jing had just left the city, and the cavalry scouts in front sent back more detailed news, which made Hou Jing tremble with fear.

In a short period of two months, a large number of white robe troops appeared in the Huainan area!

"Isn't Chen Qingzhi's white robe army capped at seven thousand?"

Hou Jing was terrified when he heard that there were tens of thousands of white robe troops coming.

So Hou Jing, who was just about to leave the city, retreated back into Shouchun City, strengthened the city wall, and planned to defend it.

"Xuzhou Mu came to attack Shouchun City with all his strength, and he must be fully prepared. You used to burn, kill and loot in Pengcheng Kingdom. If you were caught alive by Xuzhou Mu, you would all be executed, or even sink to the Huai River to feed the fish."

Guo Jia still did not forget to sneer.

Hou Jing's face was grim: "If Shouchun City is broken, I will kill you first! So you still have to protect Shouchun for me!"

Guo Jia changed color slightly: "I... I will try my best."

The white-robed legion advanced like a speedy advance, and wherever they went, Zhongli, Dangtu and other counties surrendered, and no county magistrate was willing to defend the city for Hou Jing.

The five schools of the Northern Army in Chutian were at the rear. When they arrived in Dangtu County, the people greeted them with food and pots.

"The people have been suffering for a long time, and Duke Ming's attack on Jiujiang really saved the people here from fire and water."

When the magistrate Tu saw the army of Xuzhou animal husbandry coming, he burst into tears, and was about to hold Chu Tian's thigh and tell Hou Jing's evil deeds.

Hou Jing condoned the soldiers under his command to burn, kill and loot everywhere in order to buy people's hearts, and Dangtu County also suffered from it.

"I thought Hou Jing would resist stubbornly, but it seems that taking Huainan this time will be easy."

People's hearts and blessings are the same. Usually they don't seem to have any effect, but sometimes they can have a miraculous effect. The people of Jiujiang County, ruled by Hou Jing, had low morale and almost looked down on the wind. The villages and counties also took the initiative to provide food and grass for the army of Xuzhou shepherds.

"After Hou Jing's arrival, the amount of food that each household needs to hand in has increased by 50%. From time to time, there are rioters looting everywhere. At least 100,000 people in Dangtu County fled to the deep mountains and forests to avoid the harsh government and the chaotic army. "

Dangtu county magistrate explained in detail the destruction of Huainan by Hou Jing's rebellion.

The entire Huainan may be affected by millions of people.

Chutian called the civilians of Dangtu County: "Hou Jing is in chaos, and the Huainan Mountain bandits are rampant. This is a punishment from God to Huainan. But God sent me to put down the chaos in Hou Jing, please help me to restore peace..."

Chutian has learned to play tricks in front of local civilians, and people's hearts have actually risen.

"Presumably the white robe army has arrived at Shouchun City at this time."

As the rear army of Chutian, when Dangtu County gathered people's hearts, the white robe army had already arrived at Shouchun City.

Hou Jing was frightened by Xuzhou's army and did not dare to go out of the city to fight against Chen Qingzhi's white robe army.

"All men above the wheel, all participate in the defense of the city!"

Hou Jing knew that Xuzhou Mu wanted to destroy him, and with Chen Qingzhi there, once he was captured alive by Xuzhou Mu, he would definitely be executed.

In order to protect himself, he drove all the men of Shouchun City to defend the city at all costs, and about 200,000 people were forced to come to the city wall.

Hou Jing's cavalry also realized that they would die if the city was broken, so they agreed with the general Hou Jing's approach and expelled the people to defend the city. With the strength of Shouchun City, coupled with the 200,000 strong men and children who were forcibly recruited, the entire city was defended. They did not believe that the army of Xuzhou Mu's army could conquer Shouchun.

"As long as they hold on for two or three months, they will be forced to withdraw when Xuzhou Mu goes to participate in the Battle of Mobei."

Hou Jing inspired the generals.

His idea is also correct, as long as he sticks to it for two months, Chutian will have to retreat.

Hou Jing brought a group of personal soldiers to the city wall and looked down at the white robe army under the city, all white robes, a large number of white horses, and the flags and flags were hidden in the air, which was awe-inspiring.

"Chen Qingzhi..."

Hou Jing saw Chen Qingzhi again. This time, Chen Qingzhi was not leading an ordinary light cavalry, but two thousand white-robed troops!

Seeing the familiar white robe army, Hou Jing's fingers trembled. After taking refuge in Xuzhou Mu, Xuzhou Mu apparently helped Chen Qingzhi recruit the white robe army regardless of the cost.

If I had known, he would have gone to Xuzhou Mu in place of Chen Qingzhi.

Hou Jing regretted being independent and becoming a party force.

Now he occupies Shouchun, but there is no room for development.

If it was still two or three years ago, when all the lords only had a few counties, he could have made a career.

Hou Jing on the city wall was looking at Chen Qingzhi below, and Chen Qingzhi was also observing the defense of Shouchun City. Chen Qingzhi sent people to call the formation, and Hou Jing was afraid of Chen Qingzhi and the Baipao Army, and did not dare to fight.

"Hou Jing is not a fool, on the contrary, he is quite shrewd. But his desire makes him eager for quick success."

Chen Qingzhi saw that Hou Jing was unwilling to go out to fight, so he could only choose to besiege the city and wait for the infantry and archers from behind to attack the city.

At the same time, Chen Qingzhi commanded the White Pao Army Corps to divide their troops to occupy dangerous places, not giving Hou Jing a chance to escape.

With no reinforcements outside Hou Jing, it was like catching a turtle in a urn.

The Guangling Defense Corps led by Chen Deng attacked Liyang County in Jiujiang County along the Yangtze River.

Tongque, the prefect of Lujiang, crossed the Yangtze River from Liyang County and arrived in the south of the Yangtze River. Occupying Liyang, you can monitor the banks of the Yangtze River.

Chen Deng's Guangling defensive corps numbered 30,000 people, and the number of people was overwhelming. After three days of standing there, Liyang county magistrate, under Chen Deng's beckoning, chose to offer the city to surrender.

Chen Deng entered Liyang County to count the population, grain, gold and silver, and at the same time to appease people's hearts and recruit talents.

"After Lord Zhou Mu captured Jiujiang County, he needs talents to guard Jiujiang County. If there are great talents, you can recommend yourself."

Chen Deng asked people to post a notice.

Less than three days after the notice was posted, a self-proclaimed Peiguo Liu Fu came to see Chen Deng on his own initiative.

Chen Deng talked with him and was surprised, so he sent someone to escort him to meet Chutian.

Chen Deng himself stayed in the area of ​​Liyang County to clean up the bandits and raise people's hearts.

"Hefei, won by my Huan Wen!"

Huan Wen led 20,000 Chai Sang soldiers and took the lead in occupying Hefei.

Hefei has been in war for a long time, the population is less than 100,000, and the city wall is damaged.

After Huan Wen's army arrived, he immediately began to repair the city wall and prepared to hold it. According to the information provided by his lord Tongque, Xuzhou Mu's army was extremely terrifying and could not go out of town to fight against it.

"You go to investigate, and the rest of the soldiers and horses will migrate to the nearby population into Hefei to enrich the city's population."

The area around Huainan is very chaotic. Mountain bandits and water bandits are rampant. Many tyrants have established their strongholds. Coupled with the perennial battles between foreign lords, the population of Huainan has suffered huge losses.

If you want to build Hefei into a military town, you must have enough population.

After Huan Wen dispatched his cavalry scouts, he concentrated on building the city wall.

Soon, the scout came back with news: "General, there is a cavalry of about 10,000 people, and the vanguard is less than five miles away from Hefei!"

"It must be Xuzhou Mu's cavalry, how can they be so fast?"

Huan Wen, as the most senior military general in Jiangbei, knew that Xuzhou Mu was competing with him for Hefei, so he immediately organized a defense and stood firm in Hefei.

A thin black line appeared on the horizon, and the thin line gradually turned into a cavalry all over the mountains and plains.

"General, we seem to be a step behind!"

Yang Ye's scout cavalry found that Hefei had been occupied by other princes.

Yang Ye looked at Hefei, who had begun to gather troops, and frowned.

If Hefei is not under the control of the great princes, 10,000 cavalry can easily capture it. Now it is almost impossible to capture Hefei with 10,000 cavalry.