Chapter 225

Zhou Yong's words continued: "It has been five full days, and countless grain and supplies have entered; white rice is piled into mountains, and oil and salt are accumulated into rivers."

Tuoba Shuchao sighed when he heard this:

"If Taicang is not removed, my heart will not be at ease, and I will not be able to sleep at night!"

Zhou Tian unfolded the map, his gaze focused on the land of Xuzhou, the place named "Taicang."

Xuzhou is flat, so even the built Taicang is just built on flat ground, "with no danger to defend."

If it were Bozhou, there would still be crisscrossing waterways; although one could build a moat to increase defense, it would be a cumbersome matter, laborious and thankless.

These two prefectures do not have geographical advantages.

Therefore, the Northern Wind had to abandon them and retreat to the original Chongcheng in Yuezhou, which was a helpless move.

At this time, an old general pondered aloud.

"However, Lu Chen's move, easily exposing the location of grain and grass, isn't it a big doubt?"

This is a great taboo for military strategists!

What's more, after the autumn harvest, he still blatantly transported grain and grass into "Taicang."

Day and night, the grain transport team in the night, torches connected, like a fire dragon swimming.

The grain and grass for the 200,000-strong army in Bozhou also came from Taicang.

Upon hearing this, everyone knew it without saying, speculating that this was Lu Chen's move to lure the enemy out of the city.

Tuoba Shuchao also lowered his head and pondered; Lu Chen's actions over the past six months were really hard to fathom.

At first, the large army had not finished crossing the river, but they gathered in the camp, which was puzzling.

Subsequently, more than half of the Yanbei Army was sent to farm, and the land of Xuzhou had almost no defense.

These were all obvious flaws exposed!

And the original Chongcheng watched Lu Chen farm leisurely.

Plant a seed in spring, harvest ten thousand grains of rice in autumn.

To this day, Taicang grain and grass are full.

The Yanbei Army solved the grain problem, and the war continued, seemingly without end.

Although the Northern Wind had long foreseen this, there were ten thousand hectares of rice hidden in the city.

But seeing Lu Chen send troops to this day, self-sufficient, national strength not damaged, it is hard not to be unwilling.

Half a month ago, his elder brother sent a letter, saying

"Don't rush, the war is protracted; in the long run, the winner will surely be the Northern Wind."

However!

Many young generals present could no longer suppress the resentment in their hearts.

Several good opportunities were not used to send troops; for six months, the Northern Wind's fear of the Yanbei Army had quietly dissipated.

He Sheng, as Zhou Tiancheng's beloved general, asked to fight many times, but was stopped by Zhou Tiancheng.

Throughout the army, Zhou Tiancheng had great prestige; if he didn't nod, no one dared to act rashly.

At this moment, Zhou Tiancheng in the main seat was still silent.

Tuoba Shuchao spoke slowly:

"Since Taicang is the foundation of the army's grain and grass, how could Lu Chen not add heavy troops to guard it?"

Zhou Yong responded immediately, his tone revealing a bit of solemnity:

"It has been verified that Taicang currently has 80,000 Yanbei troops guarding it closely, while the rest are training in Xuzhou or busy reclaiming wasteland."

"What's more, according to secret reports from scouts, there are new troops reinforcing Taicang every month; in the past few days, the garrison may have increased to 90,000."

Tuoba Shuchao nodded secretly when he heard this.

After the autumn harvest, agricultural affairs gradually became idle, which is the time to gather troops and accumulate strength.

Taicang is a key town, and grain and grass are abundant, so it should be firmly defended. This is a normal move.

90,000 Yanbei troops are stationed in Taicang; if you want to attack, you need 200,000 troops to win.

And the end of the year is approaching, and Taicang may become a key place for the Yanbei Army.

Gathering nearly 200,000 Yanbei troops, if you attack again, I am afraid it will be difficult.

He frowned; it seems that the Yanbei Army will not withdraw this year.

Zhou Yong changed the subject and brought a new piece of news:

"Recently, there is more news from the Yanbei Army that they have begun to organize meetings frequently, once every ten days, and centurions of all levels in the army must attend. In the meeting, experienced old soldiers teach the way of marching and formation, and in the most recent one, Lu Chen personally took the stage to teach "Training Summary"."

When Zhou Tiancheng heard this news, his eyelids twitched slightly, and he looked up and asked:

"Zhou Yong, is this news true?"

Zhou Yong nodded firmly:

"It has been held twice, confirmed to be correct, and there will be another meeting in three days."

Zhou Tiancheng nodded slowly, and his gaze was cast on the map again.

Taicang is not far from the original Chongcheng, only half a day's land journey, thanks to the flat terrain of Xuzhou and rapid marching.

He pondered secretly in his heart; centurions, also called centurions, are middle-level generals in the army and key people who command the soldiers below in the military formation.

If these centurions and military lieutenants above them are not in the military camp during the meeting, then who will command the large army?

The generals in the hall were all brave people in the army, and naturally understood, understanding the importance of this intelligence.

However, how could such important intelligence be leaked so easily?

Doubts arose in everyone's hearts.

Zhou Yong seemed to see through everyone's thoughts and said unhurriedly: "This news was initially kept extremely secret, and the scouts we planted in the Yanbei Army did not know about it. Later, it is said that someone was praised by Lu Chen in the meeting and was overjoyed, and for a time everyone in the army knew."

An old general nodded when he heard this and said: "Lu Chen has a great reputation in the army; this point is indeed unquestionable. His every move can affect the morale of the army."

After hearing this, Zhou Tiancheng asked again: "How is the situation in Yancheng?"

"Everything is as usual," someone replied, "Huo Hai is experienced in using troops and has firmly fixed the Qianyuan troops in Yancheng, unable to move."

Zhou Tiancheng pondered for a moment, calculating secretly.

Using 80,000 troops to contain 200,000 Yanbei troops is undoubtedly a profitable business.

Then, the next thing they have to focus on is the 200,000-strong Lu family army led by Lu Chen.

He Sheng could no longer hold back, stood up and spoke generously: "Commander Zhou, He Sheng asks to fight; just give me 50,000 elite troops, and I will surely take Taicang!"

Taicang has 90,000 Yanbei troops stationed; with only 50,000 troops, how is it possible to take it?

This doubt arose in everyone's hearts.

He Sheng has always been arrogant; when the Lu family army marched north, they bypassed the city guarded by Zhou Tiancheng, and He Sheng once went up to provoke them, but Lu Chen ignored him. In He Sheng's view, the world-famous Lu Chen is nothing more than this.

He thought that if he could defeat Lu Chen this time, then his name, He Sheng, would surely spread in the Northern Wind.

However, Zhou Tiancheng did not respond immediately.

Every meeting, He Sheng would ask to fight, and the final result was always nothing.

After all, Zhou Tiancheng is known as a defensive general, and his actions have always been steady.

Tuoba Shuchao responded on the side:

"Regardless of Lu Chen, if he cannot take the original Chongcheng, he will naturally withdraw."

Surprisingly, He Sheng retorted today:

"Prince Qi, if Lu Chen is still farming in Xuzhou next year, what will happen in another year? We cannot always be passively defending; we must take the initiative to attack!"

"Commander Zhou, have you heard how the Qianyuan troops mock our army? Northern Wind sick men, afraid to leave the city."

Wu Long has led troops to attack many times in Yancheng and clashed with Huo Hai, even repelling the Yanbei Army twice.

Looking at the original Chongcheng, sitting on more than 500,000 defensive troops, but since June, it has never taken the initiative to leave the city to meet the enemy; how can this scene not make people feel depressed?

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the young generals in the hall became ugly; this is indeed an indisputable fact.

Although Qianyuan only had 80,000 troops, they took the initiative to attack many times and had many victories.

Among them, a young general could not help but speak: "Lu Chen has practiced Daoism on Mount Zhongnan for many years; perhaps he has long forgotten the way of marching and formation. Looking at the past six months, the Yanbei Army's marching is loose, and Lu Chen's decisions have many mistakes."

"Have we overestimated Lu Chen?"

He Sheng also spoke, his words sharp: "This general sees Lu Chen's use of troops as a person who deceives the world and steals his name."

As soon as these words were spoken, many young generals echoed, their expressions happy.

However, the older generals had unpleasant expressions; they had personally experienced being defeated by Lu Chen and fleeing north in a panic.

He Sheng's words clearly implied something.

Zhou Tiancheng was not actually defeated by Lu Chen head-on, but the front line collapsed early, forcing him to face a strong enemy and finally choose to retreat.

This decision was a helpless move.

Tuoba Shuchao also had an unpleasant expression; that battle back then was commanded by his elder brother Tuoba Shuyi, and he was also in it.

If he wanted to hold someone accountable, his elder brother would bear the brunt.

However, he did not get angry, because He Sheng was Zhou Tiancheng's confidant.

If he blamed him at this time, with He Sheng's temperament, if he made a scene, I am afraid it would cause greater contradictions.

In the current situation of being surrounded by foreign enemies, there must be no chaos inside.

Tuoba Shuchao was also slightly helpless.

His elder brother was defeated by Lu Chen back then; although he later staged a mutiny and became emperor, he also left behind many hidden dangers, especially since his direct line died in battle, and for several reasons, his prestige in the army was greatly reduced.

Speaking of which!

Elder brother, it's been so many years, and facing Lu Chen, there is still fear in his heart.

Otherwise, he would not let generals like Zhou Tiancheng have increasing power in the army.

Tuoba Shuchao sighed secretly in his heart.

Fortunately, Zhou Tiancheng finally shook his head and did not agree.

Tuoba Shuchao agreed: "Just hold this city, and Lu Chen will withdraw sooner or later. Generals don't have to worry about credit."

"The day Lu Chen withdraws is the day you will be enfeoffed as marquises and ministers."

Zhou Tiancheng also laughed appropriately: "Prince Qi is right, just remain stationary."

Then, he changed the subject.

"Everyone has worked hard, all withdraw."

As the crowd withdrew, the hall gradually became quiet.

Zhou Tiancheng watched Tuoba Shuchao's departing back, his face showing contemplation.

Only Zhou Yong and He Sheng remained in the hall one after another.

Zhou Yong seemed to see Zhou Tiancheng's thoughts and asked softly:

"Uncle, are you moved?"

Zhou Tiancheng smiled slightly and said: "Still can't hide it from Yong'er!"

He had no offspring and treated Zhou Yong as his own son, so he did not avoid discussing his thoughts with him.

Zhou Yong had never disappointed Zhou Tiancheng in his strategies.

The crisis in the city back then was entirely planned by Zhou Yong.

He Sheng remained silent on the side.

Zhou Tiancheng glanced at He Sheng and said with a smile: "Why, brother, are you still holding a grudge against me?"

He Sheng's face changed slightly, and he hurriedly responded: "Brother, you are serious; how could He Sheng dare to do so."

He knew his brother's temperament well; he was both ruthless and decisive, and he could operate a white meat business in the city, holding on for three months when supplies were exhausted; his ruthlessness to himself and even more ruthlessness to others were all awe-inspiring.

Zhou Tiancheng sighed lightly: "I am also quite hesitant in my heart; should I send troops or not?"

"Yong'er, tell me your opinion."

Zhou Tiancheng turned to ask Zhou Yong.

Zhou Yong's hand, which was disabled while saving Zhou Tiancheng, had not been put down to this day.

He pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Taicang grain storage is indeed a fact; as long as our army plunders their grain and grass, Lu Chen will surely lead the army to rescue."

"The enemy has 80,000 heavy troops, and our army needs to send 200,000 troops to win."

"Uncle, what kind of consequences do you think this battle will bring if it fails?"

Zhou Tiancheng pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Even if we lead the army out of the city, there are still 300,000 troops in the city, enough to defend this city."

Zhou Yong asked again: "Will His Majesty revoke Uncle's position?"

Zhou Tiancheng pondered for a moment and replied: "Perhaps there will be punishment, but the defense matter still needs to be handled by me personally."

When the Northern Wind decided to store and defend the original Chongcheng, Zhou Tiancheng built fortifications and organized training here, and had long known this place like the back of his hand.

Most of his subordinates were confidants; if he were rashly replaced, changing generals before the battle, I am afraid it would cause changes.

The current emperor is not a muddle-headed person.

Zhou Yong said: "Uncle, how many chances of winning do you think a battle outside the city has?"

At this time, He Sheng spoke: "There should be an 80-90% chance of winning."

Zhou Tiancheng just smiled slightly.

"Don't underestimate Lu Chen."

He Sheng disagreed.

Zhou Yong said again: "If we attack during the Yanbei Army's meeting, perhaps there is a 60% chance of winning."

Zhou Tiancheng nodded and said: "Observe for a few more days; anyway, the initiative is in our hands."

After speaking, the conversation came to an end.

He Sheng took his leave, leaving only Zhou Yong.

"It's not that Uncle is timid, but Lu Chen can have such prestige, he is definitely not an ordinary person."

Zhou Tiancheng said earnestly: "I see His Majesty is as afraid of him as a tiger or a dragon; how can I dare to underestimate him?"

Zhou Yong did not respond directly but asked:

"Uncle, how old are you this year?"

Zhou Tiancheng was stunned when he heard this, and then sighed:

"This year, I am nearly seventy years old, but I haven't even earned a marquis title."

Zhou Yong asked again: "Then His Majesty, how old is he this year?"

The white-haired old man did not answer.

The emperor of the north, Tuoba Shuyi, is even a few years older than him.

Zhou Tiancheng had already understood Zhou Yong's implication.

"After His Majesty passes away, how will it be arranged?" Zhou Yong's voice echoed in the hall.

"I remember that although my sister married the Crown Prince, she was not favored."

A heavy sigh!

It was already afternoon, and the light in the room was gradually dimming.

Zhou Tiancheng sat back in the main seat, his whole face hidden in the shadows, only a pair of eyes flashing with essence, staring tightly at the erected map.

"Next month, when the Yanbei Army holds its first meeting, convey my Marshal's order." He said in a deep voice, "I will personally lead 200,000 troops to attack Taicang."

Zhou Yong stood on the side and bowed slowly:

"Obey!"

【October 6th, the Yanbei Army held another gathering, scheduled for the time of Shen.】

【Today, the Prince of Yan personally arrived, and the army suddenly became lively. Many soldiers cast envious glances; being praised by the Prince of Yan would undoubtedly bring glory to their county.】

【For this gathering, even the 3,000 sentries monitoring the original Chongcheng on the west bank of the Zhi River were all withdrawn to Xuzhou, showing the importance of this gathering.】

【On this very day, the Yanbei Army originally stationed in Taicang City, just after the third quarter of the Shen hour, was shocked to find smoke and dust rolling outside the city.】

【The Northern Wind army surged in like a tide.】

【In less than two hours, the Northern Wind broke through Taicang City, and the speed was astonishing.】

【Looking from afar, only a monstrous fire ignited in Taicang City.】

【The fire soared into the sky, reflecting half the sky red.】

(End of chapter)