Song Xiu

Chapter 69 The Mastermind

The unusual turn of events made Zhao Dexiu stand up.

He came to a map hanging in the hall.

As soon as Zhao Dexiu moved, Lu Duoxun and some generals in the hall followed suit.

Looking at the numerous landmarks densely packed on the map, Zhao Dexiu quickly scanned them.

As he scanned the area, Zhao Dexiu murmured to himself in thought:
"The change in attitude of the magistrates of Luzhou proves that the strategy of winning hearts and minds was effective."

Li Shoujie is still trapped in Shangdang, and our army has not yet suffered any defeats; its prestige remains.

These two points haven't changed, so why has the morale of the people in the various counties of Luzhou changed?

This was Zhao Dexiu's biggest question at that moment.

Something unusual must be going on, but what could that "monster" be?

Even though he had just won a victory, Zhao Dexiu understood the principle that pride comes before a fall.

Li Shoujie was not well-known in history, but historical records of various dynasties were very concise, and due to the perspective, his lack of fame in historical records does not necessarily mean that Li Shoujie was not talented.

Furthermore, even if Li Shoujie lacks ability, Li Jun has been rampant in the northern border for many years, and there is no guarantee that he has some strategists under his command.

Gradually, Zhao Dexiu began to put herself in others' shoes.

If he were in Li Shoujie's situation, what would be the best way to break the deadlock?
Shangdang is the foundation, so he would not easily lead his troops out.

However, if they continue to hold their ground, morale will eventually decline, and the situation in Shangdang will become even more uncontrollable.

Leaving the city is unfavorable, staying put is dangerous, and when one's own strength is insufficient to change the situation...
Thinking of this, a thought flashed through Zhao Dexiu's mind:
He will seek external help!
Only by bringing in strong reinforcements can the hearts of the people in the counties be stabilized in an instant!

The next moment, Zhao Dexiu suddenly blurted out his judgment.

Lu Duoxun, Tian Chongjin, and others stood behind him, quietly observing Zhao Dexiu's thoughts.

In their view, Zhao Dexiu had been doubtful when he first stood at the bottom of the map, but before long, he suddenly came to a conclusion.

This greatly surprised them.

After spending some time together, the imperial guards generals had begun to recognize Zhao Dexiu's military strategy.

Therefore, after hearing Zhao Dexiu's judgment, they subconsciously began to think about it as well.

After some deliberation, the generals, led by Tian Chongjin, finally gave up the struggle.

Military strategy truly relies heavily on talent.
Compared to the discouragement of the other generals, Lu Duoxun looked at Zhao Dexiu's retreating figure with great interest.

As Zhao Dexiu pondered, his gaze on the map broadened, no longer confined to Luzhou.

"He who does not plan for the long term is not fit to plan for the short term; he who does not plan for the whole is not fit to plan for a part."

As a general, one must know how to focus on the overall situation.

Zhao Dexiu's gaze first turned to the south of Luzhou.

"Normally, Li Shoujie should have sought reinforcements from Li Jun."

Even if Li Jun wanted to provide assistance, he couldn't spare any troops in the short term.

When Zhao Dexiu arrived outside Luoyang, he saw that Zhao Kuangyin had received a military report from Murong Yanzhao.

Murong Yanzhao stated in his military report that he had achieved a minor victory in his initial encounter with the rebels.

After that victory, the rebels retreated to their camp, and he led his troops to a standoff with them outside Gaoping City.

What is a standoff?

The two sides were just staring at each other, neither daring to make the first move.

This stalemate will put Li Jun in an even more passive position after Zhao Kuangyin arrives with his western army.

With the protection of fortifications and cities, it wouldn't be difficult for Li Jun to hold out for a while.

However, under this passive situation, Li Jun's army was also trapped outside Gaoping City.

Li Jun's forces were insufficient even to protect himself. If he dared to send troops back to reinforce, Zhao Kuangyin's strategy would surely seize the opportunity and annihilate the rebels in one battle.

After ruling out the option of Li Jun returning with his troops, Zhao Dexiu immediately shifted his gaze northward to a post station north of Luzhou—Taiping Post Station.

According to previous intelligence, Liu Jiye of the Northern Han Dynasty led an army of 20,000 to invade and temporarily stationed himself there.

Zhao Dexiu stared intently at that spot, pointing heavily with two fingers at Taiping Post Station on the map:
"Li Shoujie will most likely send someone to request reinforcements from the Northern Han army!"

what?
How did it come to this? Zhao Dexiu's tone was so assertive that it aroused confusion among Tian Chongjin and the others.

At this moment, Tian Chongjin and others were just like students facing "Olympiad math problems".

Although Zhao Dexiu had analyzed his "problem-solving steps" one by one while thinking,

However, Zhao Dexiu subconsciously omitted some steps.

For Zhao Dexiu, some things need no further explanation, but for Tian Chongjin and others, it's a different story.

Looking at the confident Zhao Dexiu, Tian Chongjin and other generals couldn't help but think of Zhao Kuangyin during the Battle of Gaoping.

In that battle, the Zhou army was on the verge of a major defeat. It was Zhao Kuangyin who strongly advised Emperor Shizong of Zhou on how the Zhou army should counterattack. At that time, Zhao Kuangyin gave a lot of analysis, but Tian Chongjin and others did not understand it.

But by following Zhao Kuangyin's lead, they inexplicably turned defeat into victory.

After a moment of silence, the simple and honest Tian Chongjin finally couldn't help but ask:

"Previous intelligence indicated that the Northern Han army and the rebels had clashed."

I believe the Northern Han army will not easily aid the rebels.

What Tian Chongjin said is true.

Previously, Liu Jiye had led 20,000 troops to the border of Luzhou, and Li Jun was quite pleased with the arrival of the Northern Han army.

To show his gratitude, Li Jun brought a large amount of grain to the border to reward the Northern Han army.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the border, Li Jun learned that the Northern Han only planned to send 20,000 soldiers to assist them, and Li Jun immediately expressed his dissatisfaction.

In addition, the Northern Han Dynasty had a tradition of sending military supervisors. Liu Jiye, on the orders of Liu Jun, wanted to send a military supervisor to Li Jun's army. This idea almost made Li Jun curse him out.

Although Li Jun didn't actually utter any insults, it's common knowledge that the two sides parted on bad terms.

Because of this intelligence, many people had not previously thought of the existence of the Northern Han army.

Upon hearing Tian Chongjin's question, Zhao Dexiu smiled and said:

"The world is bustling, all for profit. The world is in turmoil, all for profit."

The Northern Han army is fighting for profit. If Li Jun can offer enough incentives, it's not impossible for Liu Jiye to reconcile with him.

Zhao Dexiu also knew that there was no further intelligence to support the above inferences.

After thinking it over, Zhao Dexiu, just to be on the safe side, advised Tian Chong:
"Let the scouts continue to expand their exploration range, and no longer limit themselves to Luzhou."

If I'm not mistaken, the Northern Han army should be making moves in the next few days.

Despite still having some doubts, Tian Chongjin, after receiving Zhao Dexiu's order, still led several subordinates to obey.

After Tian Chongjin and the others left, Zhao Dexiu continued to examine the map, wondering if there were any oversights.

At that moment, a confident voice came from behind him:
"I trust the Marquis's judgment."

This resolute statement came from Ludosen, who had not yet left.

Zhao Dexiu was surprised that Lu Duoxun trusted him so much. He turned around and asked with a smile:

"Why?"

"The Marquis is destined by Heaven."

Upon hearing Lu Duoxun's reply, Zhao Dexiu remembered that Lu Duoxun was fond of "divination," so he remained silent.

It's a personal preference, let him be.

In contrast to Zhao Dexiu's indifference, Lu Duoxun was full of confidence.

He recalled the strange events of that night when "divination was performed many times, and all the tortoise shells were broken," and he also recalled the "two suns in the sky" prophecy that had caused a great stir in the city at the beginning of the year.

At that time, many people thought that one of the two days was Chai Zongxun.

Now it seems that the sky belongs to the Song Dynasty, and the sun should naturally belong to the Song Dynasty as well!

　This book is going to be featured on the cover of the book. Thank you all for your continued support.

　　I'm making my final push across the Three Rivers tomorrow and the day after. Please help me and remember to keep reading.

　　It's expected to be released the week after next; I'm currently working on a draft.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)