Chapter 361 The battle for the first general!

The gates of Shoucheng slowly opened in the early morning, and farmers and vendors from the countryside came one after another carrying freshly picked vegetables, fruits, tofu cakes and other things they had made, ready to sell into the city.

As usual, they prepared three copper coins as the entrance fee. However, just as they were reluctantly handing the hard-earned copper coins to the soldiers guarding the city,
A scene that puzzled them appeared. In the past, the city guards who had always been as ferocious as wolves and tigers to them, wishing to squeeze every last penny out of them, had changed their tempers today and even refused to give them a penny. They waved their hands and said:

"Governor Song has fled, and now Shoucheng belongs to Marshal Ye of Fengzhou!"

"Marshal Ye gave us a lecture a few days ago, saying that we should promote commercial development, narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, and ease social conflicts... In short, we are not allowed to collect city gate taxes from you poor people. In addition, some miscellaneous taxes in the city have also been reduced for you!"

Upon hearing this good news, these poorly dressed farmers' eyes suddenly lit up with surprise and gradually filled with tears. Although it was only a few copper coins less, it greatly reduced the burden of life for these poor people who had no security and lived at the bottom of society.

They can save the money and buy some meat dishes for their family to improve their meals, and make new clothes for their wives and children who haven't changed their clothes for several years...
When I thought of the people here, I couldn't help but express my deepest admiration.

"This Marshal Ye is really Ye Qingtian, why didn't he come to Shoucheng earlier!"

"Hey, Marshal Ye has finally come to our Shoucheng. Someone is here to make the decision for us ordinary people!"

"Marshal Ye is here, and our lives finally have hope"

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Amid the praises of the common people, six men in coarse linen clothes but with very strong bodies lined up at the city gate. The officers and soldiers checked the packages they carried with them as usual. After finding no knives or contraband, they asked as usual:

"Where are you guys from? What are you doing in Shoucheng?"

Hearing the soldiers' question, the middle-aged man who was leading the group nodded and smiled as he replied:
"Sir, we are farmers from Sanhe Township. Life in the countryside is hard, so we want to go to the city to make a living. Please be kind and let us in!"

The officers and soldiers glanced at the men behind him, who were silent and seemed to be taciturn. They asked:
"Why aren't you guys talking?"

Seeing that the officer's attention had shifted to the people behind him, the middle-aged man in the lead had a hint of nervousness in his eyes, but he still smiled and said:

"Officials, you are all farmers from the countryside. You have never seen the world!"

"They are so scared when they come to our big city that they even forget their own names and surnames. How can they dare to speak..."

As he spoke, he stuffed a few copper coins into the officer's pocket. Seeing that the smiling farmer was so tactful, the officer didn't think there was anything wrong with the farmer, so he waved his hand and let them in.

"Thank you very much, sir. Thank you very much, sir!"

Seeing the officer waving his hand to let them go, the middle-aged man in the lead looked a lot more relaxed. He nodded and bowed again before walking into the city with his companions behind him.

After the six people entered Shoucheng, they walked to a remote and deserted place. After observing that there was no one around, a short and strong middle-aged man with a bald head said to the leader:
"Wang Sang, thank you for bringing us in. Where are we going next?"

Although this bald man spoke the official language of the Great Zhou Dynasty, both his language and tone were very awkward and vague. It was obvious that he was not from the Great Zhou Dynasty...

"Takahashi, our next step is to go to Qian's Meat House in the west of the city! It is our Supervisory Office's base in Shoucheng. We are nominally the butchers of Qian's house!" Wang Qiu Sheng, a centurion of the Supervisory Office, whispered:
Takahashi Ikki nodded upon hearing this and also said in a low voice:
"Thank you, Wang Sang. We will follow your instructions!"

"Our heads are tied together now, Takahashi-kun, you are too polite!"

After a brief exchange, a group of six people, led by Wang Qiu Sheng, headed towards the planned Qianji Rouguan.

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Lelang Prefecture, Gucheng County.

In the Fengzhou military camp, Yuan Song was listening to the reports from his men.

"General, according to our scouts, we have found traces of Zhenwu Army scouts in Yutai County. There is a high possibility that there is a large Zhenwu Army force behind them!"

Yuan Song frowned slightly when he heard this. According to the original plan, what he needed to guard against was the Shiwei armed forces in the Lelangjizhou area. He had no plan to fight with the Zhenwu Army. The Zhenwu Army came with ill intentions, and those with good intentions would not come!

"Tell the scouts to investigate again and report back. Make sure to find out the number of Zhenwu troops!" Yuan Song thought for a moment and then ordered:

"Yes!"

The men immediately took the order and left.

After giving the order, Yuan Song once again shifted his attention to the sand table in the tent. Ever since he saw the sand table from Ye Mingsheng, Yuan Song, as the commander-in-chief, immediately fell in love with this thing.

Compared with traditional maps, sand tables can present the terrain, topography, and situation on the battlefield more intuitively and clearly. After being sent by Ye Mingsheng to take over Lelang Prefecture, Yuan Song immediately made such a sand table to assist him in combat.

Yutai County borders Dongning Prefecture and is one of the important ports in Bohai Sea. If the Zhenwu Army also wants to grab territory in Lelang Prefecture, then Yutai County is their most suitable bridgehead. From the perspective of Ye Mingsheng’s order to take over Lelang Prefecture, Yuan Song absolutely cannot sit idly by and watch the Zhenwu Army invade Yutai County...
However, Yuan Song also had some concerns about the Zhenwu Army. It was not that he was afraid of the Zhenwu Army. He, Yuan Song, had fought in wars all his life, so he really didn't know what fear was.
The reason for the concern is that Ye Mingsheng has not officially announced the separation from the Zhenwu Army. Therefore, although the Fengzhou Army under Ye Mingsheng has become an independent system, from a legal point of view, the Fengzhou Army is still a part of the Zhenwu Army, and Ye Mingsheng himself is also a general of the Zhenwu Army. Therefore, the Fengzhou Army is considered to be a rebellion if it goes to war with the Zhenwu Army, which is somewhat untenable morally!

It was precisely because of this situation that Yuan Song hesitated, fearing that taking the initiative to engage in battle with the Zhenwu Army would put Ye Mingsheng in an unjust position!
Thinking of this, Yuan Song thought about it carefully and was about to write a personal letter to Ye Mingsheng to ask Ye Mingsheng how to deal with it. At this time, his lieutenant general He Jun came over with a secret letter and reported:

"General, a letter from the commander-in-chief"

Hearing that Ye Mingsheng had a letter, Yuan Song was a little surprised but he immediately opened it and read it. After reading the contents of the letter, he immediately showed a happy smile on his face. Seeing Yuan Song so happy, He Jun couldn't help but ask with some doubts:
"General, what did the general say in the letter that made you so happy?"

Yuan Song did not hide anything from his subordinates, and raised the letter in his hand and said complacently:

"The general is so good at foresight that he has already predicted the changes in the situation in Lelang while he was in Shoucheng. He gave me the power to act first and report later!"

He Jun also said with emotion after hearing this:

"The general really has great trust in the general! This is the first time he has been granted such great power since he took command of the army!"

As soon as these words came out, Yuan Song's expression suddenly revealed a bit of pride and expectation, and the whole person became full of confidence...
Because He Jingyun has always been in the Fengzhou Army as the chief of staff, an important position, responsible for planning the overall strategy of the Fengzhou Army, training new recruits and other matters, but not specifically leading the troops.

Therefore, Yuan Song, who performed very well in the battles of annihilating Hong Min, Wang Laogunzi, and repelling the Khitans and had rich combat experience, was regarded by many people within the Fengzhou Army as the best general of the Fengzhou Army.

As the saying goes, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. As a military general, Yuan Song naturally enjoyed the title of the first general. Ye Mingsheng also valued him very much. Not only did he equip him with the best weapons, but he also gave him the most important task, asking him to garrison Xinfa County to resist the Khitans.

Although this reflected Ye Mingsheng's attention to him, it also caused Yuan Song to miss a series of battles in which the Fengzhou Army captured Posuo Prefecture. In the battle against Posuo Prefecture, Guo Zhiping, who commanded the cavalry battalion, performed very well. After the war, he was promoted by Ye Mingsheng to become one of the three generals of the Zhenwu Army, on par with Yuan Song and Lin Huaiwu.

Guo Zhiping’s outstanding performance won him praise, status and Ye Mingsheng’s reward within the Fengzhou Army, but it also sparked some discussions within the Fengzhou Army. The topic of discussion was who was stronger between him and Yuan Song, and who was the number one general of the Zhenwu Army...
Yuan Song didn't take this kind of talk seriously at first. He was a brave general who had risen to the top through military merit. He had spent most of his life fighting in the military camp. He had fought in many battles in the south and the north over the years. He had experienced countless big battles, killed countless enemies, and accumulated countless military merits. How could he be compared to those bandits who gathered in groups in the mountains and engaged in small-scale violence?
However, when this discussion began to spread in the Fengzhou army, Yuan Song gradually took it seriously. He wanted to prove his ability to his colleagues again.

As a warrior who is not good at speaking, Yuan Song thought that the way to prove himself is to use victory on the battlefield to write about his own strength!

In fact, Ye Mingsheng also saw the competition between Yuan Song and Guo Zhiping, but he also enjoyed it.

As a person in a higher position, although Ye Mingsheng does not advocate the so-called "wolf culture", he also knows that for a "startup company" like his Fengzhou Army, which was established not long ago and has a shallow foundation, it is not qualified to start judging by seniority.

Except for the position of chairman and president, which cannot be occupied by only capable people, all other positions must be competitive and cannot be like a pool of stagnant water without vitality··················

What Ye Mingsheng needs to do is to ensure that these competitions are benign and develop in a good direction, rather than vicious competition like the army and navy deer where they crush each other and hold each other back.

Therefore, Ye Mingsheng has been quietly observing the competition between Yuan Song and Guo Zhiping, and has never interfered!

Having said that, there is no doubt that for Yuan Song, who wants to consolidate his position as the number one general in the Fengzhou army, the Zhenwu Army that has appeared in Yutai County is the best opportunity. As long as he can defeat these Zhenwu Army, Guo Zhiping will no longer be qualified to compete with him!
After all, Guo Zhiping was only fighting against those bandits in Posa Mansion who were not good enough to show up on the big stage, while he, Yuan, was facing the powerful Zhenwu Army. The two were definitely not on the same level, and it was obvious who was superior and who was inferior!
Although he was very ambitious, his years of military service also taught Yuan Song a lesson, that is, even a lion will use all its strength to fight a rabbit, and you should never underestimate any opponent. There are many examples of failures in military books...
After carefully studying the situation in Yutai County, Yuan Song summoned all the generals and ordered:

"First Battalion, Third Battalion, 5,000 men and horses, immediately move forward lightly to seize Yutai County. If any resistance is encountered, destroy it on the spot!"

"The Second Battalion will capture Fengjiayu to the west of Yutai County, protect the county's flank, and provide support and protection for the county!"

"The Fourth Battalion will allocate half of its troops to stay in Gucheng County and wait for orders. The rest of the troops will follow the Fifth Battalion and carry food and supplies with me to Yutai County!"

After explaining the battle plan, Yuan Song glanced at the generals under his command and said in a serious tone:
"Brothers, we are facing the Zhenwu Army. They just annihilated the Liaoyang Army!"

"They are very strong! But this is my first battle of the year, and we must win a good start to boost our army's morale!"

"The general is watching us in Shoucheng! If anyone fails in this battle, don't blame me for my ruthless military law!"

As soon as Yuan Song finished speaking, the generals who were eager to fight took the initiative to express their opinions.

"General, don't worry! We brothers are all men with guns, and we will definitely not embarrass you!"

"Who the hell are the Zhenwu Army? I've disliked them for a long time. This is a good opportunity to teach them a lesson!"

"Yes! Fuck that son of a bitch, let these bastards know how powerful our Fengzhou Army is!"

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Seeing that the army's morale was high, Yuan Song was satisfied and ordered in a deep voice:

"Let's get started!"

(End of this chapter)