Chapter 1009 He Jingyun is coming!
Just when Lu Jianchao was about to make up his final decision and stand on the side of the Zhennan Army to fight against the Fengwu Army, his eldest son Lu Houde coughed lightly and stood up and said slowly:

"Dad, I think since it's a military issue, it's better to ask Brother Yun to explain it. Although Lord Zhao spoke very well, he is not a general after all..."

Lu Jianchao felt that this made sense. After all, everyone still had to see the truth on the battlefield. He immediately looked at his nephew Lu Yun and asked:
"Yun'er, what do you think of Jingchu's battle?"

As the most powerful commander of the Jiangnan Army, Lu Yun had no choice but to step forward. He organized his words and said:

"Xu Zhaojie fought very well in the past few battles. He first annihilated the main force of the Fifth Army of the Fengwu Army at Xiaowu Mountain, and then quickly captured Tanzhou and marched straight to the city of Hanyang!"

"We caught the Fengwu Army off guard and caused their situation in Jingchu to take a sharp turn for the worse. If Hanyang is lost, the Fengwu Army might be driven out of Jingchu!"

Hearing Lu Yun say this, Zhao He's face suddenly showed a hint of pride, but the next second Lu Yun changed the subject and said:
“Although Xu Zhaojie fought very well in the two battles, the Fifth Army, although nominally the Fengwu Army, is actually the surrendered Jingchu Army. It’s just a change of name but not the substance…”

"The situation of empty pay within the Jingchu Army is very serious. In addition, Xu Zhaojie also deliberately boasted. So he claimed to have annihilated 100,000 Fengwu troops, but in fact, 50,000 was very good. Moreover, these 50,000 were Jingchu troops with average combat effectiveness!"

Hearing his nephew say this, Lu Jianchao showed a trace of suspicion. He was a civilian and didn't know much about military affairs. He immediately looked at Zhao He and asked:
"Zhao He, is what Yun'er said true?"

Faced with Lu Jianchao's question, Zhao He instinctively wanted to defend himself, but at this moment Lu Houde looked at him meaningfully.

Seeing Zhao He hesitating but unable to say anything, Lu Jianchao realized that what Lu Yun said was very likely true. After a moment of hesitation, he asked Lu Yun with a serious face:

"Yun'er, just tell me, do you think the Fengwu Army can hold Hanyang?"

Because he had thought about this question a long time ago, Lu Yun did not think much about it at this time, and just shook his head and said:

"Uncle, I don't know the answer to this question either. The situation in Hanyang is indeed not optimistic. After Xu Zhaojie united with the Sichuan Army and accepted part of the Jingchu Army, the military strength in Jingchu basically doubled. They just won a great victory, and the morale of the army is high!"

“According to pre-war news, the Fengwu Army has less than 20,000 troops in Hanyang! However, the Fengwu Army’s most elite First Division is stationed in Kangyin. I believe they must be rushing to Hanyang at this time. If they can arrive in time, the possibility of defending Hanyang will be greatly increased…”

Lu Jianchao nodded slightly when he heard this. As a civil servant, he didn't understand military affairs, but now he almost understood. Although Xu Zhaojie was fighting very well, the army that won was not the real Fengwu Army!

If Xu Zhaojie really captured Hanyang, the Fengwu Army would have suffered a major defeat. Otherwise, the Fengwu Army would not have been really hurt!

Thinking of this, Lu Jianchao's heart, which had just begun to heat up under Zhao He's instigation, now cooled down a bit!
After hesitating for a while, Lu Jianchao looked at Lu Houde who was standing quietly beside him and asked:
"Hou De, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Houde said in a deep voice:

"Dad, I don't think we need to be so anxious to take sides. We can wait and see the situation in Hanyang before making a decision. If Xu Zhaojie takes over Hanyang, we might as well stand on his side and give him some financial support!"

"If the Fengwu Army finally holds Hanyang, we should keep our distance from Xu Zhaojie to avoid offending the Fengwu Army!"

After hearing this, Lu Jianchao thought about it for a while and felt that what he said made sense. Then he seemed to remember something and asked again:
"How is Zhengshan doing? Has the murderer who assassinated him been caught?"

Lu Houde preached without hesitation:
“Zhengshan has passed the critical period and is recovering now. As for the murderer, it should be the Thousand Tiger Guards of the Zhennan Army…”

Lu Jianchao was not surprised at all when he got this answer. He just nodded slightly. Although he was not good at military affairs, he had been in the officialdom for so many years and his political sense was still very good!
Therefore, after learning that Murong Zhengshan had been assassinated, even though there was no evidence yet, he immediately realized that the murderer was most likely a member of the Zhennan Army!

Seeing his father's reaction, Lu Houde asked tentatively:

"Dad, the Thousand Tiger Guards have been active in Jiangnan a lot recently. Do you want to clear them out?"

"It can be regarded as an explanation to Zhengshan and Fengwu Army?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jianchao waved his hand and said:

"Don't touch them for now! If something else happens in the future, they will be needed to take the blame!"

"You must give an explanation to the Fengwu Army. Just tell them directly that it was the Thousand Tiger Guards who did it, and it has nothing to do with Jiangnan!"

"At most you can find a few criminals to take the blame and have them beheaded and handed over to the Fengwu Army. As for the other grievances, they have their own perpetrators and debts. The Fengwu Army is powerful, so let them go to the Zhennan Army to settle the accounts!"

Lu Houde felt helpless when he heard this answer. He also understood in his heart that the Fengwu Army's aggressive attitude made his father very disgusted.

Therefore, although Lu Jianchao has not chosen a side due to interests, in his heart he has expectations for Xu Zhaojie and the Zhennan Army...

·································
·································
August 5, Anqing

Zhang Meng, commander of the 4th Army of the Fengwu Army, is paying close attention to the enemy and friendly situation on the sand table. Beside him, several staff officers of the 4th Army are changing the coordinates on the sand table based on the latest intelligence obtained by the scouts.

After about an incense stick of time, several staff officers were replaced, and then Cui Zheng, the commander of the Fourth Army, introduced Zhang Meng:
"Commander-in-chief, the main force of the enemy has begun to gather in Chizhou. There are about 30,000 of them. The general in charge is Xu Hu, who is Xu Zhaojie's family general and the person Xu Zhaojie trusts the most."

"In the direction of Xingzhou, there is also an enemy force of about 8,000 soldiers, led by Cai Shaojie. In the direction of Xingshui, there is also a Zhennan Army of more than 10,000 soldiers. The leader is not yet clear, but they are currently heading towards Quanshan!" "In addition, the enemy's scouts are very active around Wuhe County, and it is suspected that they are planning to launch a large-scale attack on Wuhe County!"

After hearing Cui Zheng's introduction, Zhang Meng nodded slightly and asked:

"Have the people at the Chief Secretary's office been arranged?"

Cui Zheng spoke with some difficulty:

"Probably not yet!"

Zhang Meng showed a hint of displeasure when he heard this and said in a deep voice:
"Five days ago I sent someone to tell the governor that the Zhennan Army might attack us soon, and asked them to prepare to clear the countryside. Why haven't they been prepared yet?"

"What are these Chief Secretaries doing? They are just sitting there doing nothing..."

Seeing Zhang Meng angrily scolding the governor, Cui Zheng said with a wry smile:

"Sir, I met with Bai Changjiu, the deputy envoy of the governor's office, yesterday. According to him, ever since he got the news from us, he has been trying his best to arrange for the people to go into the city or into the mountains!"

"But now the crops are about to mature, so many people are worried about the crops in the fields and are unwilling to leave. The Chief Secretary persuaded them to leave, but they secretly ran back, so the Chief Secretary's work is also very difficult!"

"According to Deputy Envoy Bai, it will take at least seven or eight days to complete the clearing of the countryside! So Deputy Envoy Bai wants us to think of a way to delay the time as much as possible!"

Before Cui Zheng finished speaking, Zhang Meng slammed the table and shouted angrily:
"The damn Zhennan Army is about to attack us. How can I give them seven or eight days?"

Seeing Zhang Meng's furious look, Cui Zheng also comforted him:
"Sir, please don't be too angry. After all, the locals can't compare to our army. They are definitely worse in terms of execution. It's not worth it to get yourself hurt by getting angry!"

Zhang Meng couldn’t help but sigh after listening to Cui Zheng’s words. He knew that he had no way to complain at this moment. He could only try his best to solve the problem...
Most of the Fourth Army under Zhang Meng was composed of surrendered soldiers from the Qi Army. Therefore, although it had undergone the reorganization of the Fengwu Army and many grassroots military officers were transferred from other units of the Fengwu Army, its combat effectiveness had been enhanced, but it was still lacking in the quality of its soldiers and the equipment of firearms.

Therefore, before the establishment of the Fifth Army, the Fourth Army was generally considered to be the worst fighting army in the Fengwu Army! And it was also the army with the least troops, only about 30,000 people!

In front of them at this time was a Zhennan Army of nearly 50,000 people. These people were the main elite of the Zhennan Army. Except that they were not as good as the Fengwu Army in terms of firearms, they were no worse than the Fourth Army in other aspects!
So even though Zhang Meng led his troops to capture Anqing and defeated the Zhennan Army in the previous Battle of Anqing, Zhang Meng's first solution at this moment was to defend the city and not give the Zhennan Army the opportunity to leave the city for a fight!
Therefore, Zhang Meng hoped that the Anqing Provincial Government could cooperate with his strategy of clearing the countryside and preventing the Zhennan Army from obtaining supplies on the land of Anqing. However, Zhang Meng did not expect to encounter such great resistance in this matter!

Just when Zhang Meng was thinking about whether he should send out several troops of thousands of people to block the enemy in some places with good geographical conditions.

Suddenly, a messenger came in hurriedly, then bowed to Zhang Meng and reported:

“Sir, the commander of the First Army, He Jingyun, has entered the city…”

Zhang Meng was stunned when he heard the news, then he looked at Cui Zheng. Cui Zheng frowned and asked:
"What's going on? Are you sure it's Master He Jingyun?"

The messenger preached without hesitation:
"The man is carrying the seal and document of Lord He, and is heading here!"

Cui Zheng continued to ask:

"How many people did Lord He bring with him?"

Faced with this question, the messenger thought for a moment and said:
"There are probably several hundred of them, all elite cavalry! Very tough!"

Zhang Meng was also very confused when he heard this answer. According to the regulations of the Fengwu Army, all units are not allowed to leave the base without orders. Unless friendly forces ask your unit for help at a critical moment of life and death, you can act without orders!

Although the enemy invaded Anqing this time, Zhang Meng also hoped that the First Army stationed in Hebei and Henan would receive reinforcements, but after all, it was not a matter of life and death yet!
So the necessary procedures had to be followed. Zhang Meng's request for assistance needed to be sent to Yijing, and then approved by the General Staff, and finally an order was given to the First Army. Only after receiving the order could the First Army take action!

If this process goes smoothly, it will take at least a month, so Zhang Meng doesn't expect the First Army to come to his aid!
Therefore, after hearing the news of He Jingyun's arrival, Zhang Meng was so shocked and surprised, and what made him even more confused was that He Jingyun only brought a few hundred people!

Even if the cavalry of your First Army are all first-class elite cavalry, but in a war involving tens of thousands of enemies and ours, a few hundred people will not play a big role...

With such doubt in mind, Zhang Meng led the generals of the Fourth Army to meet He Jingyun. Although everyone is now nominally the commander, Zhang Meng is very clear about the gap between him and He Jingyun!
When Zhang was the commander under Yuan Song, He Jingyun was already the second-in-command of the Fengwu Army and its chief of staff!

Although He Jingyun's popularity in the Fengwu Army has gradually been overshadowed by Yuan Song in recent years, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and He Jingyun still has considerable prestige in the army, so Zhang Meng must show enough respect and humility!
Soon Zhang Meng saw He Jingyun. At this time, He Jingyun looked very tired and exhausted. It was obvious that he had led his troops here overnight. However, He Jingyun's eyes were bright!

After seeing Zhang Meng, He Jingyun exchanged a few words with him, then he couldn't wait to take out an order and handed it to Zhang Meng, saying:

“Zhang Meng, this is the contingency plan that the Marshal placed in the General Staff Department before he went to Luoan. After unanimous agreement from Cui Shao, Gu Sansi, and Zhao Han, this plan is now in use. Take a look at it…”

(Tongming noticed everyone's voices wanting to speed up the progress, so I also planned to speed up and strive to complete the unification in the next twenty chapters. In addition, I also laid a foreshadowing for the next expedition against the barbarians!)

(End of this chapter)