RPAGF Chapter 634 Plan
Chapter 634 Plan
In the blink of an eye, summer is almost here.
The rice fields are covered with green waves, and one can foresee the joy of a good harvest in autumn.
It seems like the years are peaceful and tranquil.
The plan for the Northern Expedition was finally decided at this time, and Liu Sanlang and Zhao Renzhi were indeed the vanguards.
Although Zhang Ping'an and Mr. Huang were civil servants, they were also busy arranging food and supplies and cooperating with the front-line operations.
The main attack direction of this Northern Expedition was the Hebei Plain, going north from Kaifeng, through Huazhou, to Damingfu, then through Xingzhou, and finally to Zhending and the capital.
Advance along the eastern foot of Taihang Mountain.
The terrain of this route is flat, which is convenient for the army to march and transport food and fodder, and the Yongyuan Canal can be relied upon to ensure logistics.
At the same time, another advantage is that it avoids the mountainous obstacles of Shanxi and drives directly to Kyoto, which can quickly cut off the north-south connection between the Tatars and Baichao.
The two flanks will advance from Huaizhou and Zezhou in the direction of Shanxi, cooperating with the main force to contain the enemy and prevent them from attacking from the flanks. If the main force on the eastern front is frustrated, it can be transferred to the second front.
This strategy can be used for attacking when advancing and for defending when retreating.
It also avoided the severe winter and summer rainstorms that were unfavorable for marching, ensuring the autumn harvest and stabilizing the food supply on the front line.
I have to say that this is indeed a very feasible strategic plan.
Yang Zhong was full of confidence in this Northern Expedition, and the recent meetings were mainly focused on making detailed strategic deployments.
As senior officials on the front line, Zhang Ping'an and Mr. Huang will naturally have to participate as they cooperate with strategic planning and logistical support.
Yang Zhong said, "Our Northern Expedition must be foolproof this time. I plan to advance in multiple echelons.
The vanguard was mainly composed of light cavalry led by Liu Meng and Zhao Renzhi, who conducted reconnaissance, harassment and assassinations.
The central army is mainly composed of heavy infantry, led by the commander himself, who uses infantry formations to fight against the enemy cavalry. In addition, there are archers, crossbow battalions, musket battalions and other soldiers to cooperate and gradually eliminate the enemy's nomadic cavalry.
Their cavalry was one of their advantages, but once it was defeated, that advantage was gone.
The rearmost team is composed of engineers, led by Deputy Commander Yan. They are responsible for building bridges and fortifications, and strengthening the defenses every time a city is captured."
At this point, Yang Zhong tapped the table and said seriously, "Everyone must remember to avoid advancing alone and to fight quickly. Our advantage lies in our defensive formation. We cannot be easily dispersed by the enemy, nor can we drag out the enemy's battle time. A prolonged confrontation will easily deplete our national strength. If we cannot capture Shandong, Hebei and other places within a year, we will retreat to Xiongzhou, Bazhou, and Kaifeng."
Seeing that everyone below was in deep thought, Yang Zhong slowed down his tone and continued, "Of course, this is the worst possible outcome. I don't want to work hard for a year only to have my efforts fall apart at the last moment. If that day comes, I will have no choice but to lead you all in committing suicide together to apologize. I will not be able to face His Majesty. As a general, this is the most shameful way to die. Instead of this, we should spend our lives fighting on the battlefield. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.
"Okay, let's stop here for today. Everyone should be prepared and practice diligently!" Yang Zhong nodded.
As everyone prepared to leave, he called out their names, "Liu Meng and Zhao Renzhi, you two stay. You are the vanguard, the first to dispatch troops, and your mission is crucial. I still have some details to discuss with you."
The others glanced at the two people who stayed behind, said nothing more, and left one after another.
Mr. Huang still followed Zhang Ping'an as usual.
He followed him to the tent naturally, poured himself a cup of tea in a familiar manner, and then whispered, "This general is so mysterious!"
"These are all core military secrets, so please be careful," Zhang Pingan didn't think it was a big deal.
If I tell all the generals below me everything in detail, the news will leak out easily, and I might end up getting lice all over myself.
"Well, I understand. I was just asking, how are your arrangements for food and fodder going?" Lord Huang stopped hesitating and changed the subject.
"Well, I already have a plan in mind," Zhang Pingan replied.
"This time, I plan to mainly use water transport for grain and fodder transportation. Water transport has a large carrying capacity and low cost. This is the best method. Starting from Kaifeng, we can go directly to Zhending, the front line in Hebei, via the Bian River, the Yellow River, and the Yongyuan Canal.
If the canal is blocked and we encounter the enemy, we can go up the Yellow River to Huazhou and then transport it overland to Damingfu. Every time we capture a city, we will set up a temporary granary."
"There are many cities on the front line, and the specific handover location must be arranged carefully," Lord Huang nodded as he listened.
"Of course, this is our job, and it concerns the future of the court, so we should do our best," Zhang Pingan said in a deep voice.
No one knows the exact day the army will set out except the commander-in-chief Yang Zhong, but it will be soon.
Zhang Ping'an thought about it, and took the time to visit the Luo family and Uncle Daqiang's house again. He delivered some food to the two families and left some silver. He didn't say anything else. After chatting about family matters for a while, he left.
With 300,000 troops, Kaifeng is still safe for the time being.
Once the armies set out one after another, the news of the war could no longer be concealed. At that time, whether the Luo family and Uncle Daqiang's families wanted to stay in Kaifeng or seek refuge elsewhere, it would always be easier if they had money and food.
Xiaohu naturally heard some rumors while walking in the military camp. When he heard that Zhang Pingan wanted to arrange him to be on duty in Nanshi, he became even more uneasy.
"Brother Ping'an, I don't want to leave. Can't I just stay with you? I know I'm stupid, but I can learn," Xiaohu grabbed Zhang Ping'an's sleeve and begged with a disappointed look on his face.
"Xiao Hu, get up and sit down," Zhang Pingan helped the man up and sit down.
Then he explained in a gentle voice: "We are from the same clan, from the same lineage. Moreover, you have been my servant, so our relationship is closer than that of ordinary people. I am not driving you away, it is for your own good.
The mayor of Nanshi owed me a favor. If you work under him, he will take care of you a little for my sake, so you will feel comfortable on duty.
Besides, the market is not as complicated as the government office, and it has plenty of money to spend. There are many convenient places to eat and drink, which can make your family more comfortable. It is a good place for you, and I have carefully considered it."
"Brother Ping'an, I know you're doing this for my own good," Xiaohu said seriously, "but I don't want to work in the market. I just want to learn skills from you. Honestly, I don't want to live my life as a coward like before. From now on, whether I fight in the battlefield or live or die, I won't regret it. Now that my brother's leg is healed, let him take the job in Nanshi!"
"Xiao Hu, Uncle Daqiang is old, Brother Dahu has just recovered from his leg injury, and the two children are still so young. How can you let them feel at ease if you follow me?" Zhang Pingan said helplessly.
"In the past, I would try my best to do whatever work I could at home. I would not hesitate to support the family and take care of my nephew. If my brother's leg injury had not healed yet, I would definitely not say this. A person should not be conscienceless. But now my brother's leg has healed, and life at home is better. I want to follow my heart and do things. I want to follow you, Brother Ping'an. I want to learn skills." Xiaohu's eyes turned red as he spoke, but his expression became more determined.
Finally, he said, "Brother Ping'an, I know this must be difficult for you. If you are concerned about my family, I will go back and tell my father and ask him to talk to you. He will definitely be willing to let me follow you. There must be someone promising in the family!"
After saying that, Xiaohu ran out without waiting for Zhang Pingan to reply.
Zhang Ping'an stood up and took two steps to chase after him, but after thinking it over, he gave up. Xiaohu would not turn back until he hit the wall.
It would be better to explain it to them in detail after Uncle Daqiang comes. No matter what, he will definitely not let Xiaohu follow him this time.
Zhang Ping'an shook his head helplessly and stopped caring about it.
After a while, Maodan came over.
Liu Sanlang has been busy training his troops recently and has no time to take care of this kid, so Maodan is living like a fish in water in the military camp and is very comfortable.
He was young and had good skills. In addition, his father and uncle were both high-ranking officials, so basically no one in the military camp bothered him.
Being able to practice with others is exactly the life he has always dreamed of.
"Uncle, I just saw Uncle Xiaohu running away?" Maodaner asked curiously after sitting down.
"Oh, something happened at your uncle Xiaohu's home, so he went back. Don't ask around," Zhang Pingan replied casually.
He glanced at his nephew again and said, "You are a fool, you never come to me for no reason. Tell me, what do you want from me?"
"Oh, uncle, can't I come to see you if I'm fine?" Maodan laughed.
He is much more outgoing and lively than his biological father Liu Sanlang, just like Daya.
Zhang Ping'an remained silent, busy drawing a circuit diagram with his head down, and didn't pay any attention to Maodan. Anyway, if he couldn't hold it in any longer, the kid would tell it himself.
As expected, after drinking a few cups of tea and eating a few snacks, Maodaner saw that Zhang Pingan ignored him, so he hesitated and said, "Uncle, my father asked me to stay with you when the time comes. Well, can you help me talk to them and let me go with them and serve as a vanguard soldier?"
"You are not old enough to join the army yet, but you really want to go to the battlefield?" Zhang Pingan put down his pen and asked.
"Yes, this is what I have longed for since I was a child," Maodaner said seriously.
"Other families are trying their best to avoid military service, but you're just rushing to join it," Zhang Ping'an shook his head. "You're such a child who doesn't know the sufferings of the world!"
"Uncle!" Maodaner shouted.
"It's no use calling me. I can't help you with this," Zhang Pingan said calmly.
Then he looked at Maodan'er with a stern look on his face, "Neither I nor your father will allow you to go. If you dare to sneak away this time, I will make your father cut off all ties with you. I mean what I say. People can't teach people, but they can learn once they are taught. Maodan'er, you can't always be so willful just because you are young!"
"But I'm serious," Maodaner said loudly.
"I believe you are serious now, but you are still too young. If you turn sixteen in two years and still want to join the army, I will not object. This is the bottom line!" Zhang Pingan said firmly.
Mao Dan'er was somewhat disappointed when he heard this, and whispered, "Wait two years, the war will be almost over."
"Haha, how is that possible? Do you think winning a battle is as easy as eating? Besides, the enemy's main force is now in the north. This is their home turf, so a battle is bound to be a fierce one. You underestimate them!
"The north is vast. Besides Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, and other places, there's also the Liaodong region outside the Great Wall, plus the small kingdoms in the Western Regions. Countless generals have fought their entire lives, yet failed to recapture all of these places and incorporate them into the imperial court. "You still think the war can be won in two years?" Zhang Pingan asked in return.
"Liaodong? Western Regions?" Maodaner murmured again, looking thoughtful.
"Since you have the determination and courage to venture forth, you can't just sit back and watch the world from afar. It's not just Liaodong and the Western Regions, but also the Middle Eastern countries beyond. The people there all have blond hair, blue eyes, and high noses. The Silk Road was traversed step by step by our predecessors. If you have time, read more. Being a general isn't just about wielding a sword or a spear; more importantly, you need to have a broad mind."
Maodaner was truly inspired after hearing this. He stood up and said, "Uncle, I understand a little now. Don't worry, I won't make a fuss about following my dad to be a striker this time."
"My uncle knows that you are a child who listens to others. Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared. Go ahead!" Zhang Ping'an secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Maodaner listened to him.
Otherwise, he was really afraid that this kid would run away. If something went wrong, he would have a hard time explaining to his elder sister.
Just after dealing with Maodaner, Xiaohu came over with his father.
When Daqiang heard from his son that Ping'an was going to arrange him to work in Nanshi, he was surprised at first, thinking that Xiaohu had done something wrong. Only after asking carefully did he understand the situation.
Everyone has selfish desires. Daqiang only has two sons left now, so naturally he doesn't want his sons to take risks.
But Xiaohu's last words touched him and made him change his mind.
Xiaohu said frankly, "Relationships can be close or distant. Although Brother Ping'an and I are from the same clan, if he moves away, we'll be stuck in the same place, unable to even see his back, let alone touch him. If anything happens at home, how can we have the nerve to always ask others for help? I've figured it out. A good blacksmith must be strong himself. Only by staying with Brother Ping'an can we learn skills and become closer, so this connection cannot be severed."
"You are right, but Ping'an also has a point. It is indeed not safe for you to stay with him now. Have you thought it through?" Daqiang asked, staring into his son's eyes.
"I've thought it through. No matter what, this is fate. If I'm destined to be in danger, there's no way to escape it. I'll follow Brother Dingpingan for the rest of my life, and I'll go through fire and water for him without hesitation!" Xiaohu said firmly.
"Okay, as long as you don't regret it, I'll go and talk to you," Daqiang nodded and stood up.
The two men came to the military camp and talked about their ideas with Zhang Pingan with a serious attitude and sincere expression.
Zhang Pingan also honestly expressed his thoughts: "Uncle Daqiang, Xiaohu, I understand your thoughts. It's right for people to strive for progress. It's a good thing. Besides, you are my people. I have no other intentions in making this arrangement this time. It is really for Xiaohu's good. It won't hurt to let him go to Nanshi to gain some experience first. When the situation stabilizes a little later, I will definitely let him come back. Is this okay with you?"