PDLP Chapter 145: Drive straight in
Chapter 145: Drive straight in
July 16, noon.
The army led by King Yan was on the march.
Chu Tiancheng received an urgent war report sent back from the southeast border.
At present, the fastest way to transmit information is three days.
That is, the intelligence is usually three days later than when it actually happens.
The intelligence Chu Tiancheng had in his hands showed that at noon on July 13, Xiao Yifei sent a vanguard of 20,000 troops, crossed the southeastern border, and rashly entered the eastern country.
After reading it, Chu Tiancheng immediately jumped off his horse and got on a carriage nearby.
This is a carriage specially reserved for the coach, and it is very spacious.
After a while, Zhou Zihan and Zuo Qingyun were also summoned and got on the carriage.
There was a square table in the carriage, and Chu Tiancheng looked at the map spread out on the table.
After entering the Eastern Country from the Southern Country, from south to north, the first city is Nanyang, followed by Kunyang and Dingyang.
Chu Tiancheng looked up at Zhou Zihan and Zuo Qingyun, "Now that three days have passed, where do you think the Southern Army has fought to?"
Zhou Zihan looked at the map and pointed to Nanyang City.
Zuo Qingyun pointed to Dingyang City.
Chu Tiancheng and Zhou Zihan both looked at Zuo Qingyun in confusion.
Zuo Qingyun explained without hesitation:
“Xiao Yifei is ambitious and likes to be high-profile.
His first target would definitely not be Nanyang as it is too close to the border.
As for Kunyang, the city was too small and not to his liking.
Dingyang City is larger than the previous two cities and its walls are stronger.
There are more people in the city and more supplies.
Therefore, he would definitely march straight in and choose Dingyang as the first city to be fully occupied.
That will make him appear extremely brave."
Zhou Zihan asked in confusion: "Will Xiao Yifei bypass the two cities and attack Dingyang directly?"
Zuo Qingyun said: "Yes. He must want to fire the first shot. And Dingyang City is the best choice."
Chu Tiancheng nodded and said seriously: "I agree with Mr. Zuo. Because no one knows Xiao Yifei better than him."
As he was speaking, Qin Rubing got on the carriage.
Fortunately, the carriage was spacious enough.
Zhou Zihan and Zuo Qingyun quickly made room for Qin Rubing.
Chu Tiancheng briefed Qin Rubing on the discussion that had just taken place.
Qin Rubing looked at the map, then looked at Zuo Qingyun, and nodded.
"I also agree with Mr. Zuo's opinion."
In fact, Qin Rubing had already checked the location of Xiao Yifei's vanguard troops through "Xiao Yu" before coming.
It was indeed as Zuo Qingyun had speculated, Xiao Yifei's vanguard troops had already arrived at Dingyang City.
"How are the defenders of Dingyang City?" Qin Rubing asked.
Zhou Zihan hesitated for a moment and replied, "Dingyang cannot be defended for five days."
Qin Rubing looked at Chu Tiancheng and asked, "How many days will it take for the army to reach Dingyang?"
Chu Tiancheng replied: "It will take at least seven days."
Qin Rubing said quickly: "Then let's send a team of troops over to reinforce them first?"
Before Chu Tiancheng could speak, Zuo Qingyun spoke first:
"No need. If Dingyang can only hold out for five days, the Southern Army will just have to defend the city after it occupies it.
Their goal was to make Dingyang the first stronghold to meet the following army and get supplies there.
Therefore, they should not cause any damage in the city, and the impact on the people in the city should not be significant.
What they need is a city that works.”
Chu Tiancheng agreed with Zuo Qingyun's opinion.
"We have an army of 100,000, but there are only 20,000 guarding Dingyang City. Even if we surround them without attacking them, we can still wear them down and force them to surrender."