Bright Spring

All the way down, the Ming army met neither strong resistance nor guerrilla attacks, until they entered the fertile hinterland of Annan Kingdom, it was still very easy and smooth.It went so smoothly that people thought it was a trick!

At the beginning of September, Zhu Gaoxu's Wang Bin Department made another contribution, defeating the Annan Army's Hu She Department who came to stop him in a field battle.So Zhu Gaoxu led his army to approach the Baihe River on the north bank of the Red River.

...In the camp of the Chinese Army, a large and crude map was placed in front of Zhu Gaoxu.The picture is very simple, and information such as scale and terrain cannot be reflected, but important rivers, cities, and passes can be seen.

From the map, Zhu Gaoxu could also find the marching route for the past two months.

More than [-] troops from the West Route Army set off from Kunming City and went south to the north bank of Yuanjiang River.Until now, the army has almost followed the direction of the Yuan River, so there is no risk of getting lost.

When Yuanjiang arrived in Annan, it became the Red River, and people in Annan often called it Dajiang; just like the Yangtze River in Daming, it was also called Dajiang.At this time, all countries in East Asia were greatly influenced by the Central Plains culture.

The Ming army successively captured Jilingguan (Old Street), Qinzhan and other places, repaired the roads destroyed by the Annan people, and marched along the southeast direction of the river to the hinterland of Annan country.There are high mountains on both sides of this section of the road, sparsely populated, and most of the people are mountain people who migrated from various ethnic groups.

Later, Wang Bin captured Fulingguan (Xuanguang Province), and the Ming army approached the Baihe River (on the north bank of the Red River, near Yuechi).The direction of the river has become meandering, the land here is flat, the water network is increasing, the agriculture is rich, and the population is denser.

...Wang Bin returned to the Chinese army with a team of personal cavalry, a manor built among fertile fields.

The owner of the manor is not here. I don't know if he ran away or doesn't live here.The Ming army expelled the servants and tenants from the manor and requisitioned the manor.

All kinds of flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables are planted in the yard, and the pavilion on the second floor has furniture, comfortable beds, kitchen utensils and food.After the soldiers of the honor guard came in to check, Zhu Gaoxu moved in directly.

When Wang Bin walked up to the pavilion, the tea had already been brewed in the teahouse.The two talked about military affairs while looking at the sunny Annan pastoral scenery outside.

"The vanguard army can no longer continue marching southward, so the last general left Liu Ying in the army and rushed back to the central army to report the military situation to the prince." Wang Bin clasped his fists and bowed.

Zhu Gaoxu pointed to another chair next to the tea table, "Commander Wang, sit down and have a sip of tea."

Wang Bin did not write the military newspaper this time, but returned directly to the Chinese army in person.Zhu Gaoxu had guessed that the military situation that Wang Bin wanted to talk about was a bit complicated but also very important.

Sure enough, Wang Bin sat down and thought for a while before he said: "At the beginning, the general got some civil and military officials who surrendered voluntarily. Resist the enemy. The last general didn't dare to believe it all, and the scouts were sent to investigate many times, and the decisive battle of the first letter is just around the corner!"

Wang Bin continued: "The Annan army has built a defense line of a thousand miles with the Dajiang (Red River) and several big cities and towns along the river as the screen!"

"Uh..." Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu inadvertently let out a voice from his throat.

Wang Bin said: "The Hus and his sons mobilized all the troops in the country to deploy on this line of defense. It is said that 200 million civilians were recruited. Dig ditches and build walls along the river to resist the Ming army with all their strength."

Zhu Gaoxu had already found a map of An Nanguo, put it on the coffee table, picked up a brush and dipped it in ink, and held it in his hand.He nodded and said: "Since the general plan of Annan's army has gradually become clear, then I can rest assured."

Zhu Gaoxu was very surprised to hear about the thousands of miles of trench defense.It cannot be said that Hu's father and son are stupid|stupid, but Zhu Gaoxu thinks they are too avant-garde!After all, World War I dug countless trenches to fight to the death; it was just that it was very rare to use this kind of tactic in ancient times.

An Nanguo's population should be less than 1000 million. Can it mobilize 200 million strong men?Zhu Gaoxu was suspicious.Anyway, all he had to do was judge: a lot.

Wang Bin said: "Many wooden stakes and bamboo poles have been nailed into the Baihe River, and there are naval fortifications in the north and south. Along the river, the four cities of Muwan Prefecture, Duobang, Shenglong, and Manhaikou have deployed heavy troops. This is the main fortification of the Annan Army. Building east and west defenses in the Jin area..."

The places mentioned by Wang Bin are all big place names, which can be found on the map.While listening, Zhu Gaoxu drew marks on the picture.

The Baihe River is not far from the army's garrison, and flows south into Dajiang.When Zhu Gaoxu saw the location, a thought immediately flashed in his mind: the Annan army set up barriers on the Baihe River, or to prevent the Ming army from temporarily building ships, entering the river to seize the water control rights of the river.

Starting from the Baihe River, it has entered the plain area of ​​Annan Kingdom to the east and south.Located in the west of the plain, the north-south mountain range is called Xishan.Muwan Prefecture (near Yuechi) is the first city close to Xishan, located on the north bank of the river.

Duobang City (near Shanxi Province) is located in the southeast of Muwan Prefecture, on the south bank of the Great River.Thang Long (Hanoi), which is going down the river, is also in Annan, Dajiang, while Manhaikou is already far away in the south, far away from the Ming army. It should be for the integrity of the defense line of Dajiang and the role of the reserve force.

On the map of the Red River Plain, the river looks like a slanted line from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, dividing the hinterland of Annan into two.Annan Army's line of defense is mainly to defend the left area.

However, there is also a horizontal defense of "Pingtanjin" on the right side. It seems that An Nanguo still can't let go of the entire Red River Plain.The Annan Army built a defense line across the country and mobilized the whole country's manpower to defend the core area... The rich and fertile Red River Plain also realized the strategic possibility for Hu and his son.

…Under the bright sunlight, the faint water vapor outside the attic of the manor completely dissipated, the air and scenery became extra clear and clear, and the scenery became more beautiful.

The strategic fog that shrouded the land of Annan Kingdom seemed to be completely clear at this time.

After Zhu Gaoxu learned about the military situation from the forward general, he was able to make a clear judgment on the situation of the battle.An Nanguo's idea is just two words: keep and procrastinate.

Thousands of miles of defense, more than 200 million soldiers and civilians, the front line of the Red River... They want to defend the Red River Plain and the war potential with its large population and resources.And use the big cities, rivers, and fortifications as barriers to delay the war, passive defense and wait for the Ming army to change.

Zhu Gaoxu quickly made a preliminary decision and ordered Wang Bin: "The three armies stop advancing, and the forwards are deployed in the area near the Baihe River. While continuing to find out the military situation, while waiting for the arrival of General Zhu Neng, the Pingyi General, to prepare for a decisive battle!"

Annan's army had already set up a defense line. If the Ming army wanted to continue to advance, it could only attack and break through the defense line. The method of this battle was almost doomed.However, Zhu Neng's army is more powerful than Zhu Gaoxu's. Zhu Gaoxu decided to wait for the friendly army and join forces to increase their strength before deciding the outcome.

Wang Bin bid farewell and returned to the former army.At this time, the eunuch Cao Fu walked into the teahouse with a bow and came to Zhu Gaoxu. He first glanced at the men standing in the hall, then bowed his head and said in a low voice: "My lord, there is a local tyrant who has taken refuge with his servant That Hao Qiang said that he could pick a girl with good background, character, and good looks nearby..."

Zhu Gaoxu immediately understood what it meant.In the eyes of his subordinates, he is a man in his early twenties with a strong body and blood, not to mention he has long been known for his "good sex".

Zhu Gaoxu didn't think there was anything wrong with Cao Fu, nor did he have no interest in it.But he thought, it's better to exercise restraint when the battle is imminent.

"We'll talk about it after the battle." He didn't scold Cao Fu at all, but responded calmly.

Cao Fu bowed and said, "Your servant obeys."

At this time, playing with women in the camp of the Chinese Army is somewhat harmful, but of course it is not harmful to the body.First of all, it will take a lot of time. What if the general has something important to do and can't see him?Secondly distracted, he has difficulty concentrating on thinking about the situation day and night.Moreover, the lord will have sex in the army, and the soldiers will have to eat and sleep in the open and suffer. It is not good for the morale of the army to spread the word.

So Zhu Gaoxu quickly made a choice. He wanted to do his best to win the war, rather than enjoy it for a while.

Although he had the reputation of "arrogance|extravagance|lewdness|leisure" in the capital, but this time as handsome, Zhu Gaoxu was quite restrained, and he would not make a fortune until he caught a nun.

... Within a few days, Zhongjun Xingyuan received news from the Eastern Route Army.

The good news is that more than [-] troops of the Eastern Route Army left Guangxi, and after capturing Polei Pass (Zhennan Pass), they went down to Zhucheng and moved closer to Zhu Gaoxu's troops.

The bad news is that Pingyi General Zhu Neng died of illness and died in the army!

When Zhu Gaoxu saw the letter, he stood in front of the window, didn't speak for a while, and his face changed.He was not shocked, but suddenly a little sad.

A big man with a big mouth full of blood, who can say whatever he wants, and Zhu Neng, who is strong and in his prime, suddenly appeared in front of Zhu Gaoxu.Zhu Gaoxu realized that another acquaintance in this world had left forever, and he would never see him again.

Zhu Neng was born as a general guarding Yanwangfu. He has gone through countless battles and spent most of his time on the battlefield.It's been a few years since I was granted the title of Duke, and I haven't enjoyed the blessing for a long time. It's really a pity.

However, Zhu Neng has a son named Zhu Yong, who is already 15 years old, and he will definitely be able to inherit wealth and wealth due to his father's merits. The title of Daming is hereditary!

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly felt that it is better to be the second generation in life.No matter how powerful the first generation is, not to mention the hardships and hardships, most of them will be old or die when they become famous, and they will not enjoy much in the end.

Chapter 3 The whole country resists the enemy (2)

Zhu Neng died of illness in the army. According to the military law, Zhang Fu, the Marquis of Xincheng and the right deputy general of Zhengyi, immediately took command of the East Route Army with more than [-] horses, and led the army to continue marching into the territory of Annan.In mid-September, Zhang Fu captured Beijiang Fucheng and advanced to the north bank of Dajiang (Red River).

Soon after, the imperial decree arrived at the front line quickly, ordering Zhang Fu to formally command the entire Ming army of the East Route Army.

At this time, the two armies of the Ming army, a total of 30 soldiers and civilians, had fully advanced to the north bank of the river; the armies were stationed in the east and west, facing the Annan army's thousands-mile defense line.

When Zhang Fu rushed to Zhu Gaoxu's army with cavalry guards, Zhu Gaoxu was preparing to besiege Muwanzhou City.

... Muwan Prefecture is located on the north bank of the great river, where it meets the Baihe River. The city is strong and heavily defended.

So Zhu Gaoxu didn't plan to attack the city by force at first, but later several officials of the Annan Kingdom who voluntarily surrendered brought a message: the name of the general of Muwan State was Ruan Gonggui.

Only then did he change his mind.

Zhu Gaoxu immediately thought of Ruan Zhi who was sent to Hanoi as a spy.Ruan Zhi once mentioned that he had a distant uncle named Ruan Gonggui, who was a nobleman in Hanoi.Ruan Zhizhi became a military general, which is the way of relationship.