readytorunbook Chapter 198 Essence
Chapter 198 Essence
Ning Yi gathered tens of thousands of soldiers from the Beijing camp and came to prepare for a decisive battle with Duke Dingguo Fang Chengyu.
But when they arrived in Beihe County, they did not move forward and started setting up camp.
Feng Zhong is a loyal fan of the emperor and the commander of the imperial guards. Naturally, he wants to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds.
Making meritorious contributions here is not as easy as making meritorious contributions on the border.
This is the gate of the capital. If you perform well here, the emperor will be more respected and pleased.
However, the Sixth Prince was still more than a hundred miles away from the enemy army, but he did not move forward and set up camp.
How could he be happy about this?
Besides, they didn't take this prince seriously. He was just a little brat with no military achievements, but he insisted on becoming the commander-in-chief. It was obvious that he wanted to gain more military merits.
Moreover, they were very timid, otherwise they would not have set up camp here.
Ning Yi said calmly: "Huazhou City is not far away, but the city walls are strong enough to hold out for a while."
"During this period, all armies should hurry up and prepare, rest well, and be ready for a major battle. This prince does not want to see another chaotic scene."
The commanders of the Beijing camp were embarrassed, as they knew best what their army looked like.
Feng Zhong thought about it and didn't try to persuade him anymore.
Even if he wanted to make a contribution as soon as possible, it was impossible for him to fight against 100,000 rebels with only 10,000 imperial guards. That would be tantamount to seeking death. Moreover, if the imperial guards suffered too many casualties, the emperor would also be unhappy.
As for those Beijing troops, they were indeed looked down upon. It was obvious that the imperial court had no other choice but to drag them in to make up the numbers. Just look at their chaotic appearance and you will know.
However, Ning Yi gave another order: "To support Huazhou, the 3,000 cavalry of the Imperial Guard will attack tomorrow morning."
"Your Highness, no." Feng Zhong immediately refused: "Your Highness, although the Royal Guards are powerful, they only have 3,000 cavalrymen. Isn't it tantamount to seeking death?"
He was not happy about that. Most of the several thousand cavalrymen of the Royal Guard were brought by him this time. If they were all killed here, he would be finished.
They are all the emperor’s treasures.
Ning Yi smiled and said, "General Feng, I didn't say to send 3,000 cavalry to fight the rebels head-on."
In Feng Zhong's confusion, Ning Yi explained: "This prince asked them to show their support for Huazhou."
"We only need to harass the enemy from the outside to prevent them from attacking the city. This can only be done by the Royal Guards who are experienced in combat."
Feng Zhong suddenly realized and felt that it was not impossible.
Ning Yi warned: "Tell them, remember, if the enemy advances, we retreat; if the enemy stays, we harass; if the enemy tires, we attack; if the enemy retreats, we pursue. It's enough to toss around."
Feng Zhong, the veteran general, bowed in admiration and said, "I will instruct the cavalry to harass the rebels."
Watching Feng Zhong and the other generals leave, Qin Haifeng was filled with admiration: "Your Highness, this is a brilliant move."
"Just a few thousand elite cavalrymen went over and harassed continuously. These few words are enough to say that harassment followed."
Ning Yi waved his hands and didn't take it seriously. Isn't this just a strategy of using the few to defeat the many?
Next, Ning Yi only had to wait for supplies to be delivered from the capital, and then continue to reorganize the various Beijing camps.
Apart from the two Beijing camps he has already recaptured, they are definitely combat-ready, but their training time is still short.
Apart from his students serving as junior officers, the other Beijing troops had not received proper training for a long time.
A batch of second-hand weapons and equipment had just been delivered, and they were running over as soon as they saw it. The officers at all levels were also shouting about it.
Ning Yi also knew that it was useless to expect them to attack the Dingguo Duke rebels who had been preparing for a long time, and he still had to rely on the Imperial Guards.
As for the old emperor's instructions that the Imperial Guards must be cautious and provide good protection, he didn't take it seriously at all.
His own two guards from the Beijing Camp were placed in the back, saying they were reserve troops, but in fact he was reluctant to let them help the old emperor fight.
"How is the First Army preparing?"
Ning Yi asked Qin Haifeng.
Qin Haifeng looked around and saw that there were no people around. Then he whispered, "The First Army sent a message yesterday saying they have been preparing near Shanhu Pass for a long time."
Ning Yi nodded: "Yes, where is the Third Army?"
The third army is the 8,000 soldiers left by the fourth prince, led by the sixth batch of servants and some old Tiger Guards.
Although the training time is still short, most of the people in it are veterans.
Although the combat effectiveness will suffer many casualties if the rebels are forcibly attacked, it is still not as strong as the First Army.
But they are also elite, even stronger than the Second Army.
Qin Haifeng explained: "The Third Army is also ready and can storm Hushan Pass at any time."
"But the rebels are only 300 miles away from Hushan Pass, and they can come to support them at any time."
Ning Yi thought about it and wanted to take down Hushan Pass, but a strong attack was impossible because the casualties would be too great.
This is the northern gateway of the capital. The capital has always attached great importance to Hushan Pass, and it is also the place where the emperor's most trusted generals lead the charge.
Duke Dingguo was also an old general who had always been trusted by the old emperor.
But no one would have expected that this bastard would join forces with King Huai to rebel.
How could the old emperor not be angry?
Now, the old emperor was determined to capture Duke Dingguo and cut him into pieces.
Duke Dingguo is a veteran general and is not easy to deal with.
What's more, Ning Yi now has such a small number of troops, most of whom are ordinary Beijing troops, so he is no match at all.
Hushan Pass requires the internal generals to completely control their own troops and then open the city gate.
In this case, it is still necessary to defend Hushan Pass as soon as possible to prevent Duke Dingguo from coming and taking Hushan Pass again.
It would take Duke Dingguo more than two days to return after receiving the news.
After a day of rest, they began to attack Hushan Pass on the third day.
During this period of time, they can directly pursue the rebels. They believe that without Hushan Pass, Duke Dingguo's own army will not be stable and will become a turtle in a jar.
Ning Yi finally decided that the First and Third Armies would take over Hushan Pass in three days.
After letting Qin Haifeng give the order, Ning Yi took a deep breath. Success or failure depended on this one move.
Duke Dingguo relied on experience when fighting wars.
Ning Yi, on the other hand, relies on precise calculations and advance planning.
After three days of reorganization, all the Beijing camps were finally in order. Everyone was holding a weapon, and they looked more or less like an army, and were no longer so chaotic.
But Feng Zhong came running over again: "Your Highness, Huazhou is in danger and has requested assistance several times. We should go and provide support."
Ning Yi refused directly: "It's not the time yet. For now, cavalry harassment is enough."
Feng Zhong did send cavalry to harass the area a few days ago. It was indeed effective at the beginning, as it prevented the rebels who were attacking Huazhou from attacking the city with peace of mind.
These cavalrymen were so annoying. They took advantage of the army's attack and ran over to shoot arrows indiscriminately.
From time to time, he would suddenly attack and chop down some scattered infantry.
But when the enemy cavalry came chasing them, they turned their horses and fled.
Duke Dingguo was indeed worried about the Beijing camp. He sent tens of thousands of soldiers north, thinking that these cavalry were the vanguard and the rear army would arrive soon.