bookbashuk Page 1562
Page 1562
Naturally, he wouldn't challenge it again.
Han Shizhong said helplessly, "His Majesty's personal guards just came to inform us."
"We don't need to go to the border."
"why?"
The two looked at Han Shizhong in disbelief.
It looks like they're about to go to war.
Han Shizhong thought for a moment,
"The King is preparing a surprise attack on Xingqing Prefecture,"
"Once the Western Xia is wiped out, there will be no need to send heads to the border regions."
"This news must not be leaked,"
"Only those at the centurion level and above are aware of this."
Chapter 1872 Waterway
Upon hearing this, Yao Pingzhong immediately smiled and said,
"Oh, I see."
"Attack on Xingqing Prefecture would also be a good idea,"
"Catch the Western bandits off guard."
Han Shizhong said speechlessly,
"Has your unit received the order to set off?"
"No."
Yao Pingzhong immediately realized what was happening and asked, "..."
"You mean the king isn't planning to use us?"
Han Shizhong nodded and said,
"Since it's a surprise attack, they'll definitely choose elite troops,"
"It should be one of the units that have been activated in the camp."
Yao Pingzhong said urgently, "How can we miss such a great battle?"
"No, we must go see the King."
Han Shizhong nodded and said, "I was just about to go find the King."
"Is General Liu going?"
"of course."
Central command tent
Zhao Yuan was discussing the marching route with Zhong Shidao.
Upon hearing that the three men were requesting an audience, he smiled and said,
"Let them in."
"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty and Lord Zhong."
Zhao Yuan looked at the three of them and smiled.
"What business do you three generals have?"
Han Shizhong laughed and said, "These three humble generals request permission to accompany Your Majesty in a surprise attack on Xingqing Prefecture."
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "I plan to march a hundred li every day."
"We will arrive at the walls of Xingqing Prefecture in four days at the latest,"
"Are your troops capable of handling this?"
Upon hearing this, Yao Pingzhong immediately replied, "Okay."
Han Shizhong and Liu Qi, however, did not dare to say such a thing.
The troops under their command were all survivors of the Zhenrong Army's great battle.
Although they were all elite soldiers
But can they continue to march at high speed?
They weren't sure either.
Zhong Shidao observed the three people's reactions.
This also revealed the difference in skill level among the three individuals.
Han Shizhong and Liu Qi were both steady and reliable.
Thorough consideration
Yao Pingzhong, however, was somewhat rash and made exaggerated claims.
There's no need to try; even Zhong Shidao knows it won't work.
Although the Western Army was strong,
However, this does not necessarily mean strong marching ability.
In the Song Dynasty's military system, all military expeditions on the road...
Ten miles of neat rest
Thirty miles to meet dry rations,
Food and lodging within sixty li.
The Western Army was also accustomed to marching in this manner.
Occasionally, one might be able to travel a hundred miles a day.
However, they traveled continuously for four days.
It's likely that more than half will fall behind.
On the contrary, the veteran soldiers of Liangshan under Lu Junyi's command,
From the Liangshan era onwards
They often marched hundreds of miles.
It was not difficult for them to raid Xingqing Prefecture.
Yao Pingzhong saw that the two did not respond.
She blushed a little.
Zhao Yuan, knowing the three men's martial prowess, laughed.
"You may go if you wish, but you don't need to bring troops,"
"Become a personal guard under me."
Han Shizhong and his two companions, however, were going to participate in this great battle.
Whether or not they bring troops is a matter of personal choice for them.
It's not that important.
I agreed immediately.
Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "Then you may go and prepare."
"We will set off for Zhenrong Army tomorrow morning,"
"Then they went into Western Xia along the Hulu River."
Just as Han Shizhong was about to take his leave, Liu Qi said,
"The Zhenrong Army also has dozens of ships of various sizes,"
"I wonder if it will be of any use?"
Zhong Shidao exclaimed in surprise, "The Hulu River was controlled by the Western Xia people before, wasn't it?"
Where are the Zhenrong Army's ships hidden?
Liu Qi laughed and said, "It wasn't us who hid it."
"It was used by the Western Xia people to transport grain."
"When the Western Xia people retreated, they didn't have time to drive all their troops away,"
"Some of the ships were left behind,"
"Several of them are our warships."
Zhong Shidao said happily, "With ships, the surprise attack on Xingqing Prefecture will be even faster."
"It flows north along the Hulu River and joins the Yellow River,"
"Then you can go directly to Xingqing Prefecture,"
"And they're all downstream,"
"Xingqing Prefecture can be reached in two days at most."
Zhong Shidao had considered taking the waterway as well.
However, the Hulu River was previously controlled by Chage.
All the ships were seized by the Western Xia.
His immediate thought was that the Zhenrong Army had no more ships.
Building more ships wouldn't be something that could be done in a short time.
Therefore, he only considered the land route.
Zhao Yuan was delighted to hear that Xingqing Prefecture could be reached by water in two days.
How many people can the ship carry?
Liu Qi said awkwardly, "I haven't seen those ships either."
"I only heard from my soldiers that there was such a batch of ships."
Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "I left in a hurry that day,"
"I didn't even have time to carefully check what the spoils of war were."
"Only a few dozen boats,"
"It can carry at least several thousand people, which should be enough."
Zhong Shidao looked at the map and said, "We need to take the waterway."
"There are two more places to attack now."
Zhao Yuan asked, "Are there checkpoints on the water?"
Zhong Shidao shook his head and said, "There are no checkpoints on the water."
"Mainly No-Smoke Gorge and Bronze Gorge,"
"The Western Xia people established fortresses at strategic locations in these two canyons."
"The river is below the fortress,"
"The fortress garrison can use catapults to block the river,"
"That's why the Song Dynasty attacked the Western Xia,"
"They generally don't travel by water,"
"Of course, it is also related to the Western Army's lack of skill in using ships."
"General Lu's troops should be able to travel by boat, right?"