Chapter 604

Tang Yin frowned, looked at Ziying strangely, and smiled lightly: "Ziying, what do you mean?"

Ziying took a deep breath and said seriously: "Your Majesty, the casualties of our army are now close to 200,000, and after more than a month of continuous fighting, the soldiers are exhausted. In addition, most of the brothers in the army are not adapted to the climate of Hedong and are suffering from diseases. There are countless sick people, and their combat strength has been reduced sharply, while Ning’s army is waiting for work in Hexi..."

Before Ziying could finish speaking, Tang Yin waved his hand and interrupted: "Our army is tired, isn't Ning's army tired? Don't forget, Changsun Yuanhong's men rushed from the west of Ning State to Liangzhou, and from Liangzhou to Hedong. Traveling thousands of miles away is no easier than our army; our army is not adapted to the climate in Hedong, and the weather contrast between the west of Ningguo and Hedong is even greater. Could it be that the Ning army is adaptable? I know you are going to say that there will be a water war in the Zhang River again, and I am. The army doesn't know how to fight on the water, but do Ning Guo's Western Army know how to fight on the water? They don't know how to read the whole article! What are we afraid of? "

Ziying was snatched away by Tang Yin and was speechless. What Tang Yin said was exactly what he was concerned about, but it cannot be said that Tang Yin's analysis was unreasonable. Xiao Muqing and Liang Qi looked at each other again and grinned knowingly. It seemed that King Miening had made up his mind and would continue to advance westward!

At this time, Xiao Muqing took a step forward, raised his hands and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Shengming, now is the perfect opportunity to destroy Ning. You must not miss it. Our army should rush to the Zhang River immediately and prepare to cross the river!"

After hearing this, Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, then tapped Xiao Muqing with his finger and burst into laughter.

Liang Qi and Ziying's noses were almost crooked with anger. Although the three of them did not talk to each other, they all understood each other's intentions. They were all opposed to continuing to move westward. As a result, seeing Tang Yin's firm attitude, Xiao Muqing changed his mind quickly. , immediately changed from opposition to support, a typical example of being indifferent and leaning on both sides.

Xiao Muqing already supported it, and Liang Qi and Ziying couldn't say anything more. They both bowed and cupped their hands, and said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"

With the approval of the three commanders-in-chief, Xiao Muqing, Liang Qi, and Ziying, the destruction of Ning has basically become a certainty. Before anyone could discuss further, the door opened and Shangguan Yuanwu came closer. With him were Hedong County Chief Wang Kai and County Lieutenant Du Qing, as well as two servants carrying food and drinks.

"I'm glad to see that the king is safe and sound, and I feel relieved!" Wang Kai and Du Qing walked quickly to Tang Yin, knelt down and saluted.

Tang Yin lowered his eyes and looked at the two of them, nodded, and said with a smile: "Master Wang, General Du, please get up!" After a pause, he asked again: "Master Wang, how is the situation in Hedong during this period?"

Wang Kai's face straightened and he replied respectfully: "Everything is fine. The mood of the people has calmed down a lot, and the situation has gradually stabilized!" No matter how he felt about Tang Yin in his heart, be it disgust or hatred, he didn't dare to show any signs of it on the surface. After all, all of Hedong is now controlled by the Feng Army. Tang Yin can decide his life and death, as well as the life and death of millions of people in Hedong.

Tang Yin patted Wang Kai on the shoulder with a smile and said: "I, Dafeng, have just taken over Hedong County. The affairs must be complicated and require a lot of hard work from Mr. Wang."

"Your Majesty, you are too polite. I am the head of the county and I should do my best to relieve your Majesty's worries."

"Very good. That's what I said. I hope you think so in your heart." The smile on Tang Yin's face became even wider.

He was smiling, but looking at Wang Kai's eyes, he felt chills in his heart. Tang Yin was like a smiling tiger. He always had a smile on his face, but he was moody. No one knew what vicious thoughts were hidden under the surface of his smile.

"Your Majesty, the food is ready." Shangguan Yuanwu bowed and gestured to the two servants to put the trays on the table. Just as they were about to leave, Yuanwu stopped them again and divided some of the food and wine. Let the two taste it first and confirm that it is not poisonous. Then he sent them away and said to Tang Yin: "Your Majesty, please have a meal."

Tang Yin nodded in agreement, walked to the table, drank three cups of tea in a row, then picked up the bowls and chopsticks, and started eating. After taking two bites, he saw everyone standing around and watching. He waved his chopsticks and said incomprehensively: "What are you doing standing here? Come and eat together!"

As a minister, there is no reason to eat at the same table with the king. It is also not etiquette. Everyone shook their heads and said repeatedly: "Your Majesty, we are not hungry!"

Among the people, the one who knew Tang Yin best was Xiao Muqing. He was the only one who had the shamelessness to walk to the table and said, "Your Majesty, I've had dinner, but I'm a little thirsty. I want to ask for two glasses of wine." Xiao Muqing knew that Tang Yin didn't know Tang Yin at all. He doesn't pay attention to etiquette, and he doesn't have a clear understanding of the strict hierarchical relationship between monarch and ministers. If he just watches from the sidelines at this time, he will look too unfamiliar. If he comes over to really eat and drink with Tang Yin, it will look a bit excessive. Now, it would be just right to have a few glasses of wine with Tang Yin.

Sure enough, Tang Yin looked at him and smiled, pushed the wine bottle in front of him nonchalantly, and muttered: "Drink if you want, why are you so polite?!" After swallowing what was in his mouth, he asked: "Mu Qing, Tell me, what are we going to do next?"

Before Xiao Muqing could answer, Wang Kai's expression suddenly changed. He asked, "You still want to fight? Hasn't the king already defeated the eldest son, Sun Yuanhong, and occupied the entire Hedong area?"

"Hedong? Haha..." Tang Yin said with a smile: "What I want now is not just Hedong, but the complete Ningguo. I have just discussed it with everyone. Next, our army will continue to advance westward. , cross the Zhang River and destroy Ning!"

ah? Wang Kai secretly took a breath, Tang Yin's ambition was so great. He was not satisfied with occupying such a large area of ​​Hedong, and even wanted to annex the entire Ning Kingdom! He pondered for a moment and asked quickly: "When?"

Tang Yin picked up a piece of beef with soy sauce, stuffed it into his mouth, and said vaguely: "The sooner the better, it's best to start the army immediately."

"This...isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Wang Kai said cautiously.

"What's wrong?"

"I... our soldiers have many injuries and illnesses, especially in the sweltering and humid conditions east of Hedong. The soldiers came from the dry wind country, and their bodies are often infected with poisonous sores. Their skin is severely ulcerated. Five out of ten battles have injuries. I'm sick, and the officers and soldiers are also exhausted. If we march now, I'm afraid... the battle situation will be unfavorable to our army," Wang Kai pretended to analyze calmly.

After hearing this, Tang Yin suddenly felt tasteless in his mouth. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and drank a cup of tea silently. Then he looked up at Xiao Muqing, Liang Qi, Ziying, and Guyue and asked them if this was indeed the case. Xiao Muqing and the others looked embarrassed and nodded slowly. After reading it, Tang Yin knew that what Wang Kai said was true. If this was the case, the entire army really needed a good rest.

He rolled his eyes and said casually: "Master Wang, you know the situation of our army very well!"

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was intentional. Wang Kai stirred up a cold war. You must know that under the system of Feng State, the county chief has no contact with the army, and the situation in the army has nothing to do with the county chief. Now he is treated like this by Tang Yin Asked, Wang Kai was really caught off guard. However, he reacted quickly and said immediately: "The county allocates silver to buy the medicines needed by the army, but the amount is huge. I don't know if someone will enrich themselves from it, so I have to go to the army to check, so it's okay." Learn something about the situation in the military.”

When he said this, it was hard for people to find anything wrong with him. Tang Yin nodded, thought for a while, and asked, "How about our army temporarily resting in Qingyuan for three days?"

Xiao Muqing, Liang Qi, Ziying, and Guyue hurriedly raised their hands and responded: "This is the best." Let alone three days of rest, even three months will be enough. It would be great if they could rest for a year and a half. .

Seeing that none of the four of them objected, Tang Yin picked up the bowl and chopsticks again and continued to eat. He said in a straight voice: "Then let's rest for three days! But some things have to be prepared. Since the eldest son Yuanhong retreated to the west of the river, the east bank The boats on the side must have been snatched by him. Our army will explore along the river and borrow boats from the people who have boats at home. We also need to build rafts ourselves. The more the better. "

"The general will understand!"

Xiao Muqing and the four others raised their hands in response.

While eating his meal, Tang Yin warned uneasily: "Water warfare is not our army's specialty, and it is not easy to fight. We need to recruit naval forces on the spot. As long as they are good at water or know how to fight with water, no matter it is Feng people or Ning people can all be recruited into the army. If you can recruit more money, you will be rewarded with brave men!"

After hearing this, Xiao Muqing was shocked, and he raised his hands and said, "My lord, see you tomorrow! Tomorrow... no, today I will rush to the Zhang River to recruit the navy."

Tang Yin nodded and said with a smile: "Okay! You can estimate how much money you need. Once you decide, you don't need to report it to me. You can just claim it directly from Mr. Wang." As he spoke, he said to Wang Kai: "Master Wang, there is still a lot of money left in the county bank, right? You should try your best to cooperate with General Xiao."

"Yes! Your Majesty!" Wang Kai agreed bravely, and at the same time he respected and hated Tang Yin. He admired Tang Yin's intelligence and agility. Recruiting the navy army could make up for the Feng army's shortcomings in water warfare, and also make up for the combat power consumed by the Feng army's injuries. What he hated was that Tang Yin's method of using Ning people to fight Ning people was too... So vicious, no matter whether the outcome of the war is good or bad, Ning Guo will be the one who suffers in the end.

Seeing that Xiao Muqing was going to recruit naval forces near the Zhanghe River, Liang Qi, Ziying, and Guyue were unwilling to lag behind, and they all expressed their intention to go with Xiao Muqing. Tang Yin was happy to see the scene of the four armies fighting for troops. He did not object and agreed to all.

Tang Yin left all the preparations for the cross-river battle to the commander-in-chief of the Fourth Army. He was happy and ready to have a good rest in Qingyuan City for three days.

It's just that the three days he rested were not peaceful, and the subsequent battle across the river was far from as easy as he imagined. Changsun Yuanhong's serious injury did not affect his outstanding military strategy and talents. He had already fought on the Zhanghe River Xi'an laid a big net for Tang Yin, just waiting for him to attack.