Chapter 848 The first shot of the new year!
The current combat mode of the Fengwu Army is that Ye Mingsheng proposes combat objectives and requirements, and then the General Staff is responsible for formulating combat plans························
After the General Staff has formulated the battle plan, Ye Mingsheng will hand it over to the military commander in charge of its execution to listen to and summarize their opinions, and then return the battle plan to the General Staff for revision, so that the staff officer in charge of formulating the plan and the general in charge of its execution can reach a consensus as much as possible.

Because he knew his own strengths and weaknesses, Ye Mingsheng only put forward requirements and goals. During the process of making plans, he basically did not express his opinions and did not let his attitude influence the choices of these staff officers and generals.

Although a battle plan was formulated, Ye Mingsheng also understood that the situation on the battlefield was changing rapidly, and that following the battle plan completely would only lead to a dead end. Therefore, he also gave the front-line generals the power to make arbitrary decisions on the spot. However, Ye Mingsheng also required the front-line generals to be responsible for the power in their hands and the results of the battle on the battlefield.

After unifying the military's opinions, Ye Mingsheng would go to Cui Shao and Gu Sansi from the government affairs department to discuss various matters.

War may seem like a matter of two armies fighting against each other, but in fact it is not that simple. The transportation of logistical supplies, the construction and maintenance of fortifications, the transfer of the wounded and so on all require the cooperation of local authorities, and this requires a strong government system to coordinate and organize...

This is why Ye Mingsheng always let Cui Shaolai serve as the head of the Fengwu Army's civil service system. Although Cui Shao is selfish and has strong bureaucratic habits, Ye Mingsheng thinks he has many shortcomings.

But it must be said that this old bureaucrat is very capable. He has been an official for decades and knows very well how various government departments should operate. The reason why the Fengwu Army has been able to win victory after victory on the battlefield in recent years and occupy half of the world in a few years is that Cui Shao, who is responsible for the overall organization behind the scenes, has made an indelible contribution.

After handing over professional matters to professionals, all Ye Mingsheng needs to do is to coordinate the allocation of resources across the board, enable better cooperation between the civil service system and the military, and play a supervisory role for everyone.

Judging from the current development trend of the Fengwu Army, the power structure designed by Ye Mingsheng is still very effective, enabling everyone to perform their duties and give full play to their abilities.

Ever since Yuan Song was transferred to Yunbing and the military deployment of Yunbing was readjusted, Ye Mingsheng has been paying close attention to the battle situation on the Yunbing battlefield and asked the Fengwu Army on the Yunbing battlefield to send him a battle report every five days.

Ye Mingsheng looked very serious and solemn when looking at the battle report in his hand. Although he asked for a battle report every five days, because there were hundreds of miles from Jinzhong to Yijing, the battle report in Ye Mingsheng's hand was actually the situation of the Yunbing battlefield eight days ago...

Judging from the description of this battle report, although the Fengwu Army has not achieved much success in the Yunbing area, the two sides are still in a stalemate. Small groups of scouts are constantly fighting, but the main forces of both sides remain quiet.
However, Yuan Song has completed the reconnaissance of the situation in the areas surrounding Jinyang and is currently storing food and supplies in preparation for launching a large-scale attack on the enemy in Jinyang after the New Year.

One month after Yuan Song was ordered to go to Yunbing, he reported his opinions on the Yunbing battlefield to Ye Mingsheng.
Yuan Song believes that the situation of the Fengwu Army soldiers in the Yunbing battlefield is much better than expected. Although there are some problems, overall the Second Army and the Third Army are still in good shape. These more than 100,000 soldiers are full of fighting spirit and want to make great achievements!
Although he affirmed the situation of the Fengwu Army in the Yunbing battlefield, Yuan Song also pointed out some shortcomings.

First of all, Yuan Song believed that although the Fengwu Army had an artillery advantage over the Yunbing Army on the Yunbing battlefield, the Yunbing Army was trying hard to catch up. In addition, because the Yunbing Army had realized that fighting the Fengwu Army out of the city was a road of no return, their tactics had become to defend the city to the death.

To use Wang Muzhi's original words at the Yunbing Army meeting, every city of Yunbing should be transformed into a solid fortress and become the grave of the Fengwu Army.

So Yuan Song wanted to get more red cannons, especially heavy cannons. He wanted to use the cannonballs to smash Wang Muzhi’s turtle shell...

In addition to wanting more artillery, Yuan Song also asked Ye Mingsheng to give him more time. He believed that the Fengwu Army would be able to capture Jinyang and completely occupy the entire Yunbing this year, but if they were too eager for quick success, they would make many unnecessary sacrifices.

Ye Mingsheng did not fully agree to Yuan Song's request. He promised Yuan Song that he would draw artillery and artillery from the rear to support Yunbing's operations.

However, in response to Yuan Song’s second request, Ye Mingsheng put forward his own requirements. Ye Mingsheng required Yuan Song to capture Jinyang before July this year!

What is war?
War is the continuation of politics!

Now the probability that Shangguan Hongyuan is alive is 50-50. Even if he is still alive, he will soon die. In order to maintain the political stability of the Luoan court, Shangguan Changgong will most likely adopt the strategy of keeping the death a secret and wait until he has completely stabilized the court before announcing his father's death.

However, those people in the Luoan court were not children who could be fooled by Shangguan Changgong's tricks. Although they were defeated by Shangguan Hongyuan's luring the enemy into a trap, they dare not act rashly now. However, as long as the Fengwu Army makes a breakthrough in the Yunbing battlefield, they will definitely join forces to force the palace.

By that time, Shangguan Changgong’s strategy of keeping the death secret would face a severe backlash, and it would not be impossible to completely overthrow the Luoan court...

In addition to political considerations, Ye Mingsheng's request to Yuan Song also had economic considerations.

As the two major provinces of Qi, Lu, Hebei and Henan have been put on the right track through reform, the Fengwu Army has now accumulated some assets. However, these assets are not solid and are simply unable to support more than 100,000 soldiers to fight for too long. July has already reached its limit!
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In Jinyang City, on the second day of the Lunar New Year

Wang Muzhi was eating dumplings with a smile on his face, being served by his concubine Ziying. According to the laws of the court, a governor like him was not allowed to bring his family with him when leading troops outside, but had to leave them in Luoan.

Although the war in Yunbing took up most of Wang Muzhi's energy, as a man in his prime, Wang Muzhi also had his own needs. Being in a high position, he didn't even need to ask for help, as people would bring it to him.

Wang Muzhi only treated most of the women who came to him as tools, but he really liked Ziying and brought her to serve him.
Leaning in Wang Muzhi's arms, Ziying picked up a dumpling and fed it into Wang Muzhi's mouth, then asked expectantly:

"Master, how about the dumplings I made?"

"Wang Muzhi smiled and said:
"This is the most delicious thing I have ever eaten in my life!"

Hearing Wang Muzhi say this, Ziying was both happy and a little shy, lowering her head and speaking coyly:

"Master, you only know how to make me happy. You are a great hero who is famous all over the world. I don't know how many delicacies you have eaten. Compared with them, this plate of dumplings of mine is nothing!"

Looking at Ziying's shy look, Wang Muzhi felt better and better. As the Governor of Yunbing, he had no idea how much flattery he had heard, but all those words combined were not as pleasing to him as Ziying's call of "a hero"... While kissing Ziying's delicate face, Wang Muzhi whispered in her ear:

"I, Wang Muzhi, have eaten so many dumplings, they are nothing special, but the dumplings you make with your own hands, Ziying, are definitely the most delicious in the world, and they make me, the master, intoxicated!"

As he spoke, Wang Muzhi took Ziying's small hand with his left hand and placed it on his left chest, as if he wanted Ziying to feel the beating of his heart.

Just when Wang Muzhi and Ziying were being affectionate with each other, there was suddenly a burst of inopportune and hurried footsteps outside the door. Hearing the footsteps, Wang Muzhi couldn't help but frown slightly. The Fengwu Army had been active frequently during this period. Although it had never launched a large-scale offensive, it also made him feel deeply pressured, so he couldn't sleep well for several days in a row.

Fortunately, the Fengwu Army was also celebrating the New Year, and from the 25th onwards, its actions gradually calmed down, with only a few shots fired at Heyi County from time to time.

Wang Muzhi was relieved about this and prepared to spend a good year in the land of gentleness to wash away the fatigue of the past year, and then concentrate on dealing with the offensive of the Fengwu Army. Wang Muzhi had a premonition that the offensive of the Fengwu Army he would face next would be unprecedented········································

That's why Wang Muzhi has been indulging in the gentle arms of his wife these days and wants Ziying to stay by his side all the time. After all, when the war starts, he can't be distracted by a woman and he has to do his best to deal with the offensive of the Fengwu Army.

So in order to have a good New Year and completely relax himself in the land of gentleness, Wang Muzhi specifically instructed his men not to disturb him unless the Fengwu Army launched a large-scale attack.

Therefore, when his lieutenant general Li Zhen came in to report, Wang Muzhi asked without waiting for him to speak:
"The Fengwu Army is invading in large numbers?"

Facing Wang Muzhi's barrage of questions, Li Zhen hesitated for a moment and said:
"The Fengwu Army did not launch a large-scale attack!"

After hearing this answer from Li Zhen, Wang Muzhi, who was already dissatisfied, immediately shouted:

"Didn't I tell you before that unless the Fengwu Army attacks in large numbers, don't bother me?"

"Li Zhen, are you turning a deaf ear to my words?"

Feeling Wang Muzhi's anger, Li Zhen secretly groaned in his heart, but at this time he could only face Wang Muzhi's sharp gaze and said:

"Governor, although the Fengwu Army did not launch a large-scale attack, they have already taken over Wenshan County?"

As soon as these words came out, Wang Muzhi was shocked and asked subconsciously:
"Li Zhen, what did you say?"

“Wenshan County was occupied by the Fengwu Army, and Sun Hansheng died in the battle…”

Before Li Zhen finished speaking, Wang Muzhi interrupted him and said sternly:
"What nonsense are you talking about! There are 7,000 of our troops in Wenshan County. How could the Fengwu Army take over Wenshan County so quickly?"

Facing Wang Muzhi's question, Li Zhen spoke in fear:

"Governor, I don't know the specific situation, but this is the news sent back from Wenshan County!"

Although he instinctively didn't want to believe the news, but looking at Li Zhen's expression, Wang Muzhi understood that he didn't have the courage to lie to him on this issue.

Turning his head to look at Ziying who was trembling beside him, Wang Muzhi said in a deep voice:
"You stay at home!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Muzhi straightened his clothes, mounted his horse and rushed to the military camp. He wanted to find out what was going on as soon as possible.

Three hours later, a soldier, who was in a state of disgrace and covered in wounds, knelt before Wang Muzhi and cried bitterly:
"Governor, the fall of Wenshan County and the murder of General Sun were all caused by that bastard He Dechang!"

“After He Dechang was discovered reselling military rations privately by General Sun, in order to prevent General Sun from reporting him, he said he would take back the military rations to reassure General Sun. General Sun, for the sake of his colleagues in the army, gave him a few days to ask for the military rations back…”

"Who would have thought that this beast, He Dechang, who is worse than pigs and dogs, would actually collude with the Fengwu Army. He and the Fengwu Army had an agreement that on New Year's Eve, he would open the west city gate and let the Fengwu Army into the city. The Fengwu Army would help him get promoted and make a fortune!"

"On New Year's Eve, General Sun realized the danger and sent troops to capture him in order to retake the West City Gate, but it was too late. The Fengwu Army rushed over while we were fighting, and they opened the city gate in the chaos!"

“Although General Sun led his brothers to refuse to give up an inch of land and wanted to drive the Fengwu Army back, the number of Fengwu Army was too large. We were outnumbered and dispersed by the Fengwu Army. Even General Sun was captured by the Fengwu Army. However, General Sun vowed to never surrender. In front of the group of rebel generals, he cursed Ye Mingsheng for being a heartless traitor in the three hundred years since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He deserved to be killed by everyone in the world…”

"The rebel generals were enraged by General Sun's words. They actually tore him apart alive and hung his head on the city gate of Wenshan County!"

At this point, the soldier seemed to think of the tragic situation at that time. A trace of fear appeared in his eyes and his voice trembled.

(End of this chapter)