Chapter 876 Post-war turmoil!

Under Yuan Song's gaze, Ye Tao thought for a moment and replied:

“I heard from the captured soldiers of Wang Muzhi’s personal guard camp that it seemed to be related to Yang Chongqing…”

As soon as these words came out, Yuan Song's eyes suddenly gleamed, and then he immediately instructed Ye Tao:

"Send a message to the Flying Tiger Battalion immediately and tell them to stop chasing us!"

Hearing Yuan Song's order, Ye Tao was stunned and didn't understand what Yuan Song meant. Seeing this, Yuan Song patted his shoulder and said meaningfully:
"As the Art of War says, attacking a city is inferior, attacking the heart is superior!"

"This blood letter from Wang Muzhi may help us achieve unexpected results. Do as I say!"

Ye Tao seemed to understand something after hearing this, and immediately nodded and said:

"Yes! I will send a message to the Flying Tiger Battalion now!"

After explaining to Ye Tao, Yuan Song instructed Zheng Chuang beside him:

"Report the blood letter to the Coordination Office and let them see if there is any chance to make use of it!"

"Sir, do you mean to use a counter-espionage strategy?" Zheng Chuang's expression changed and he asked in a low voice:
Zheng Chuang's brain was obviously much more flexible than Ye Tao's. He also understood the current situation. Before his death, Wang Muzhi wrote a blood letter to the Luo'an court about Yang Chongqing, which was definitely not to praise Yang Chongqing.

Yuan Song nodded slightly and said with a little melancholy:

“Since I can’t defeat Yang Chongqing in terms of strategy, I can only see if I can use some unconventional tactics…”

After saying this, Yuan Song seemed to remember something and instructed Zheng Chuang:
"Instruct the officers and soldiers entering the city to observe military discipline. When clearing out the remaining Yunbing troops in the city, they are not allowed to burn, kill, loot, or harass the civilians. Violators will be severely punished!"

"Also, there should be news from the Third Division soon. Notify me as soon as you hear any news!"

"Yes!"

Because the Pingyang area was blocked by the Imperial Guards, even though Yuan Song sent out several scout teams to contact Jinyang's Third Division when he attacked Jinyang, they always returned empty-handed. This became a thorn in Yuan Song's heart!
Although he publicly expressed his belief that Xun Ke and the Third Division would be able to hold out in Jinyang and wait for reinforcements, he was actually prepared for the worst-case scenario, that the Third Division would be completely wiped out.

Of course, although he was prepared for the worst, as the commander-in-chief of Yunbing, Yuan Song certainly did not want this situation to happen!

In the evening, under the warm hospitality of the gentry and celebrities in Jinyang City, Yuan Song moved into an antique courtyard. Originally, the other party wanted to find two young and beautiful maids to warm Yuan Song's bed, but Yuan Song politely refused. The war was not over yet, and it was not the time for him to indulge in the gentle countryside.

Just when Yuan Song was about to read a book and go to bed, Zheng Chuang walked into his room again and reported:

“Marshal, the casualties and spoils of our army in this attack on Jinyang City have basically been counted. In addition, the Third Division has also been contacted…”

Upon hearing the news about the Third Division, Yuan Song immediately ordered:
"Let's talk about the situation of the Third Division first!"

Zheng Chuang organized his words and spoke in a low voice:

"According to the Third Division's messenger, Pingyang has been lost, and the Third Division has suffered heavy casualties!"

"But fortunately, before Pingyang was surrounded by the enemy, Commander Xun of the Third Army led the cavalry of the Third Division to attack. These days, they have been trying to harass the enemy from the periphery and try to slow down the enemy's attack on Pingyang. However, because Pingyang has many hills, the cavalry harassment is not very effective!"

"Pingyang has been captured by the enemy. The three battalions of the Third Division guarding Pingyang, totaling 11,000 men, were annihilated by the enemy. In addition, the cavalry of the Third Division also suffered more than 3,000 casualties in the harassment of the enemy. Currently, the Third Division, under the leadership of Commander Xun Ke, has withdrawn to Qingshan Town, 150 miles away from Jinyang, to rest! Commander Xun, may I ask the commander-in-chief about your next battle plan!"

After hearing these words, Yuan Song fell silent. The situation of the Third Division was much better than he had imagined. Xun Ke did better than he expected. Under the encirclement of Yang Chongqing's nearly 100,000 imperial troops, he preserved the main force of the Fengwu Army's cavalry, laying a solid foundation for the Fengwu Army's next combat operation.

But even so, the price paid by the Third Division was extremely painful. Eleven thousand people from three battalions were wiped out by the enemy. This had never happened before in the history of the Fengwu Army.

If we don’t talk about the capture of Jinyang, this was undoubtedly the most tragic defeat in the history of the Fengwu Army, no doubt about it!

After thinking for a while, Yuan Song asked Zheng Chuang:

"What letter did Commander Xun send with his messenger?"

Zheng Chuang shook his head without hesitation and said:
"No! I specifically asked the messenger, and Commander Xun didn't send any letters!"

After getting this answer, Yuan Song didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly.

According to the rules of the Fengwu Army, after suffering such a defeat, it is necessary for subordinates to report the battle situation to their superiors and describe everything that happened on the battlefront. Even if they cannot report in person, they should report in writing.

That's why Yuan Song asked Xun Ke whether he had written to him. Although the result was beyond Yuan Song's expectations, he also felt it was reasonable.

It is obvious that Xun Ke is now resentful and blames himself, the commander-in-chief Yunbing, for not sending troops to support the Third Division!
Yuan Song could understand Xun Ke. If they were in the same position, it would be difficult for him to accept all this calmly. First of all, although the Third Division made sacrifices for the overall situation, 11,000 people were wiped out, which was a great shame for the Third Division and Xun Ke himself! Secondly, the Third Division was a unit rebuilt by Xun Ke. Xun Ke must have feelings for his troops and his subordinates. After suffering such a heavy blow and so many people died, Xun Ke must be very painful in his heart, blaming himself for why he did not rush to help the Third Division...

Although he could understand Xun Ke's psychology, Old Yuan Song did not regret his decision!

If he could go back to that night, he would not change his decision at all.

As the saying goes, a merciful army cannot be commanded, so I must not give Yang Chongqing a chance to fight a decisive battle that is favorable to him! Even if the price I paid was the ace main force division of the Fengwu Army!

Thinking of this, Yuan Song continued to ask Zheng Chuang:

"Tell me about our army's casualties and spoils of war in Jinyang!"

Zheng Chuang began to preach:
"In the past half month since our army attacked Jinyang, we have suffered a total of about 15,000 casualties, including 6,000 killed and more than 9,000 injured. In addition, our army has captured more than 20,000 Yunbing soldiers in Yunbing City!"

"In addition, our army also seized more than 150,000 taels of silver in cash, more than 300 gold bars, more than 130 land deeds, and more than 300 pieces of various gold and silver jewelry and ornaments. The total value of these things is conservatively estimated to be at least 300,000 taels of silver!"

After hearing this, Yuan Song also ordered:
"Take out 50,000 taels of silver and have the military officer reward the soldiers who have made contributions in this battle according to their merits. The rest of the things will be temporarily sealed up. After I report to the Marshal, he will decide whether to transport them back to Yijing!"

Zheng Chuang nodded and said:

"I understand, I'll make arrangements right away!"

After Zheng Chuang left, Yuan Song also asked the guards to light a few more kerosene lamps to brighten the light in the room. He wanted to write a letter by lamplight...

Yuan Song had to write two letters, one to be sent to Ye Mingsheng in Yijing. As the commander-in-chief of the Fengwu Army in Yunbing appointed by Ye Mingsheng, he had to report to Ye Mingsheng on the current situation in Yunbing, the development of the war in the past period of time, his own judgment on the future war situation, and what support he would need in the future.
The reason why I am writing now is because I didn’t know the situation of the Third Division before. Now that I know the situation of the Third Division, I should write a letter to Ye Mingsheng as soon as possible to report.

In addition to writing a letter to Ye Mingsheng, Yuan Song also planned to write a letter to Xun Ke.

Although he did not regret his decision, Yuan Song still felt apologetic towards Xun Ke and the Third Division. After all, he had the opportunity and ability to save the Third Division at that time, but he did not do so, causing the Third Division to make a tragic sacrifice in the capture of Jinyang.

Although as the commander-in-chief, Yuan Song only needs to be responsible to Ye Mingsheng and there is no need to explain to Xun Ke, but for the sake of the overall situation and harmonious relations among colleagues, Yuan Song still plans to explain to Xun Ke and express his apologies.

At the same time, Yuan Song also expressed to Xun Ke in the letter that he believed that the Fengwu Army was the greatest contributor in capturing the Third Division of Jinyang, and he would ask the Marshal for credit on behalf of the Third Division. As for the heavy casualties of the Third Division, he would not let Xun Ke take the blame, and as the commander-in-chief, he, Yuan Song, would take the sole responsibility of apologizing to Ye Mingsheng...

In addition, Yuan Song passed on Xun Ke's message that he was stationed in Qingshan Town and asked the messenger about the next combat action. He slightly felt that Xun Ke wanted to take revenge on Yang Chongqing immediately!

Again, Yuan Song could understand Xun Ke’s idea, but as the supreme commander of the Fengwu Army in the Yunbing area, Yuan Song could not do this!
During the siege that lasted for more than half a month, although the Fengwu Army did not suffer heavy casualties, the entire army was extremely tired and suffered heavy losses in firearms and ammunition, and urgently needed to be replenished from the rear.

Therefore, at this moment, the Fengwu Army should temporarily stop and rest for a while, consolidate the territory just captured, and launch the next round of attack after the logistics are replenished and the soldiers are full of energy.

If Pingyang was still there, Yuan Song would lead his troops to rescue the Third Division. However, now that Pingyang has been lost and the main force of the Third Division's infantry has been wiped out, there is no need to take risks!
Therefore, Yuan Song asked Xun Ke to lead the remaining 7,000 cavalrymen of the Third Division to withdraw from Qingshan Town and not be swayed by his own emotions!

Yang Chongqing is not Wang Muzhi, and the Imperial Army is not the Yun Bing Army. They are not so easy to deal with. You can’t rely on luck when fighting against them. You must concentrate all your strength to win the final victory...
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In Pingyang City, looking at the more than 1,000 prisoners of the Third Division of the Fengwu Army in front of him, Yang Chongqing looked at Tang Peng beside him with some confusion and asked:
"That's all the prisoners you captured?"

Tang Peng nodded helplessly and said:

"We should be able to capture more prisoners around Pingyang in a few days, but not too many, probably only about a thousand or so!"

Hearing what Tang Peng said, Yang Chongqing couldn't help but frown and glanced at the more than 1,000 Fengwu Army prisoners in front of him.

Feeling the hateful gazes of the captives, Yang Chongqing felt increasingly depressed.

Although Pingyang was successfully captured as planned, and more than 10,000 Fengwu troops guarding the city were almost wiped out, it created the greatest victory for the Luoan court since the war between the Luoan court and the Fengwu army!

But this did not make Yang Chongqing feel happy at all. On the contrary, he felt depressed and disappointed!

Yang Chongqing’s primary goal in this battle was not to capture Pingyang, and even capturing Pingyang was not his second goal!
His combat goal was to annihilate the 3rd Division of the Fengwu Army. If broken down further, his primary goal was to annihilate the main cavalry force of the 3rd Division!

But unfortunately, at the beginning of the battle, Xun Ke, the commander of the 3rd Army of the Fengwu Army, realized his intention, and while they had not yet completely completed the encirclement, he used the rapid mobility of the cavalry and quickly led the cavalry out of the encirclement...

As a result, Yang Chongqing's primary combat goal was almost failed. After all, he had neither the time nor the opportunity to rearrange the encirclement of the Fengwu Army cavalry.

So under the circumstances at that time, the only thing Yang Chongqing could do was to accept the reality of failure. Then, in order to avoid gaining nothing, Yang Chongqing could only continue his plan and insist on attacking Jinyang in an attempt to annihilate the more than 10,000 Fengwu troops left in Pingyang City.

Perhaps it was God's blessing that although the process was extremely difficult, Yang Chongqing finally led his troops to capture Pingyang and annihilated more than 10,000 Fengwu troops in the city. Although his own casualties exceeded 20,000 and the loss was very heavy, he also lost Jinyang, a politically significant northern city.

But at least I managed to save my underwear, so it’s not a complete loss!
During the attack on Pingyang, Yang Chongqing was deeply impressed by the tenacious fighting style of the Fengwu Army. Even though they knew that the city could not be defended, countless Fengwu Army soldiers shouted "Long live Marshal Ye" and "We will be loyal to Marshal Ye" and fought to the last moment and died bravely...

And this is why, even though more than 10,000 Fengwu troops defending the city were completely wiped out, there were only more than 1,000 prisoners!
Even among these more than a thousand prisoners, many of them were captured helplessly after being injured!
(End of this chapter)