20demayo Chapter 223: The Northern and Southern Armies Approach the City
Chapter 223: The Northern and Southern Armies Approach the City
"We can only try this." Wu Peisheng sighed. He couldn't think of any other solution for the time being, so he had to temporarily adopt You Guangwei's suggestion.
There are more than 200,000 Northern troops. As long as the troops are not separated, the Nanshan army will not engage in a decisive battle with them.
It is relatively safe to preserve the 200,000 Northern Army without revealing any flaws.
After making up their minds, the Northern Army marched towards Imjin City and at the same time sent a telegram to the Southern Army, saying that they had entered Samgang Province and explained that it took a lot of time to mobilize the troops.
After receiving the movements of the Northern and Southern armies, Fang Jian smiled bitterly and said, "This time, both the Northern and Southern armies appear to be very cautious and have not revealed any flaws at all."
"Commander, the Northern Army and the Southern Army are frightened by you and have to respond with caution." Tao Yunong started to flatter him again.
Fang Jian shook his head slightly: "Send a message to Fang Guoxuan and ask them to withdraw."
Since both sides are advancing cautiously and compressing the strategic space of the Nanshan Army, there is no point in continuing to delay in Imjin City.
Tao Yunong immediately went to convey Fang Jian's order and asked the Telecommunications Office to send a telegram to Fang Guoxuan. After receiving Fang Jian's telegram, Fang Guoxuan immediately led four divisions on trucks and returned to Changhuan.
On October 10, the Northern Army arrived at Imjin City and found it empty.
Wu Peisheng remained silent: "The Nanshan Army's actions were decisive."
"Commander, it seems that the Nanshan Army is very aware of its own weaknesses and can only retreat step by step under our power." You Guangwei said with a smile.
It was not that You Guangwei was optimistic, but the Nanshan Army was attacked from both sides. Unless it had enough troops, it would have no choice but to retreat or concentrate its forces to fight a bloody battle with one of the armies in the face of an army of more than 400,000.
If you fight hard along one route, another route will advance all the way and threaten your retreat.
Whether it is the Southern Army or the Northern Army, facing the active attack of the Nanshan Army, they would only choose to retreat and defend.
As long as they are not defeated by the Nanshan Army in a short period of time, the Nanshan Army can only retreat and guard against another attack. This is the weakness of the Nanshan Army.
Now there was no other way, Wu Peisheng could only advance into Changhuan and bide his time.
On October 10, the Northern Army arrived at the border between Changhuan Linjiang City and Changhuan and temporarily stationed there.
Wu Peisheng looked at the map and said to the staff officer beside him: "Send a telegram to the Southern Army, saying that our army has entered Changhuan and will be able to march to the city of Yanping tomorrow, and ask for the Southern Army's location."
The staff officer immediately conveyed Wu Peisheng's order and asked the communications office to send a telegram to the Southern Army.
In the Southern Army's command room, Chang Yunxian looked at the Northern Army's telegram and couldn't help but smile: "The Northern Army has finally arrived."
"These Northern troops are obviously delaying time. We have been waiting here for seven days. I don't think they are sincere at all." Xu Weigong couldn't help but complain.
Chang Yunxian didn't take it seriously: "Now that we are facing a powerful enemy, the most urgent task is to destroy the Nanshan Army."
"After we destroy the Nanshan Army, we will eventually turn against the Northern Army."
"Why don't we wait here for a few days and let the Northern Army attack Yanping first." Xu Weigong suggested after he calmed down his dissatisfaction.
Chang Yunxian shook his head slightly: "If we think this way, the Northern Army will also think so. This way, both of us will be exposed, which will not be good for us."
If he were dealing with other warlords, he would be willing to scheme against the Northern Army and consume the other side's strength.
But since he was facing the Nanshan Army, Chang Yun had to put this idea aside for the time being.
Today, the Nanshan Army is very powerful, but its exact strength is unknown. Once the Northern and Southern Armies reveal their weaknesses and are caught by them, it will be difficult to contain the Nanshan Army after they are defeated in this battle.
"Send a telegram to the Northern Army, and agree with them that before nightfall on October 10, the Southern Army must arrive at the city of Dehua County, and the Northern Army must also arrive at the city of Ping County. On October 10, the Southern Army and the Northern Army will attack the Nanshan Army on time."
Xu Weigong did not object to Chang Yunxian's final arrangement, and sent his own officers to convey the order and send a telegram to the Northern Army.
At the Northern Army's temporary headquarters, in the conference room, all officers gathered.
"There is really no loophole left." Wu Peisheng couldn't help but say after seeing the telegram.
The commander of the Eighth Army, Xie Kanghe, curled his lips and said unhappily, "These Southern Army soldiers are so rude and are ordering us around? We are just a day late on purpose, what can they do?"
"Commander Xie, this matter is not that simple." Wu Peisheng couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"This telegram from the Northern Army is considered a re-establishment of the alliance. If we do not follow the alliance, they will most likely withdraw their troops temporarily and watch us fight a decisive battle with the Nanshan Army."
"If we don't fight a decisive battle with the Nanshan Army, it will give the Nanshan Army a chance to catch their breath and develop."
"We are the ones who have joined forces with the Southern Army this time. If we are the first to break the alliance, it will not only damage the credibility of the Northern government, but will also make the warlords more divided."
The remaining commanders of the Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Armies all nodded slightly, agreeing with this statement.
The former commander of the Seventh Army, Wu Lihuang, was captured by the Southern Army, and the Seventh Army was completely wiped out. The current Seventh Army was rebuilt later, and the commander Yang Tao was promoted from other troops.
The former commander of the Ninth Army, Yuan Yuhao, was also removed from his post due to his defeat at the hands of the Nanshan Army.
The Ninth Army lost all its elite troops, and later recruited new soldiers. The new commander was named Yu Liansheng.
Glancing at the four army commanders and nine division commanders, Wu Peisheng ordered: "If we fail to destroy the Nanshan Army this time, it will be even more difficult to destroy the enemy in the future. Therefore, you must go all out."
"Don't worry, Commander. We will fully cooperate." All the army commanders and division commanders stood up and expressed their opinions.
After waving his hand to let everyone sit down, Wu Peisheng said: "We will not divide our troops when we go to war here. All our troops will gather in Yanping and attack Yanping fiercely, not giving the Nanshan Army time to react."
"Commander, our army is attacking the Nanshan Army. What if the Nanshan Army just stands by and watches?" Xie Kanghe asked.
The North and South have been fighting for many years, and it is difficult for them to trust each other in their first cooperation. This is not only Xie Kanghe's concern, but also the concern of most people present.
Wu Peisheng said indifferently: "Now we are in an alliance, we have made our position clear. If the Southern Army really wants to sit on the sidelines, then we will negotiate peace with the Nanshan Army."
The Nanshan Army is developing rapidly, and although it will affect the future situation, if the Northern Army is really defeated here, it will have to face various warlords, the Nanshan Army and the Southern New Army in a short period of time, and the situation will be very unfavorable.
The Nanshan Army will be in danger in the future. In order to ensure current interests, there is no harm in negotiating peace with the Nanshan Army.
Even if the Nanshan Army will be a big threat in the future, there is no point in talking about the future if they are gone now.
Before going on the expedition, Wu Peisheng discussed the pros and cons with Yuan Yueting and expressed his ideas, and Yuan Yueting also agreed.
After discussing the details, Wu Peisheng said, "Send a telegram to the Southern Army and tell them that we agree with their proposal and will attack Yanping the day after tomorrow morning."
Chang Yun of the Southern Army received the telegram from the Northern Army first. He couldn't help but smile and ordered all the troops to march to Dehua.
On the morning of October 10, the Southern Army arrived at the city of Dehua, and the Northern Army also arrived outside the Yanqiu position. Neither army launched an attack on the Southern Army that day, waiting for the next day to arrive.