Xia Hua is Zhang Chao's daughter and Cheng Qian's wife. Both of them are in bloody anger at this time.

When he returned to the palace, he immediately summoned all the civil and military ministers.

Both of them didn't even have the intention to eat lunch. While waiting for the ministers to arrive, they stood directly in front of the sand table and studied the combat plan.

Zhang Chao is preparing to fight Li Shimin at the estuary of the Yangtze River. If he wants to gain a home advantage, he needs to take down Yangzhou and Runzhou first. At that time, he will occupy Yangzhou in Huainan on the north bank of the Yangtze River and Runzhou on the south bank of the Yangtze River. He will occupy both sides of the straits and control the Yangtze River. He will fight Li Shimin here to be invincible.

"The troops divided into two groups, one of which was from Hangzhou along the Jiangnan River, along the canal, and headed straight to Runzhou."

The Jiangnan River, which is the southernmost section of the Grand Canal of Beijing and Hangzhou, is the section south of the Yangtze River. It is a canal that lasts 800 miles from Runzhou to Hangzhou.

Compared to walking around the coast, the canal is obviously safer and faster to navigate.

At the same time, important towns in Su Changrun Prefectures are all on the edge of the canal and are easy to capture.

"Another route marched along the coast."

Zhang Chao drew a line on the sand table with his fingers.

The Southern Army has a strong navy and many fleets, so it is not afraid of wind and waves. Starting from two routes will not delay the canal if it is blocked. At the same time, sending troops from two routes can also attack Jiangnan Road possible resistance.

"The two armies gathered in Runzhou, and then attacked Yangzhou."

Runzhou is the ancient city of Jinling, an ancient capital of several dynasties.

When the Sui Dynasty destroyed the Southern Chen Dynasty, it ordered the destruction of the capital of Southern Chen, Jinling, and later built a new Runzhou Prefecture City next to it.

Runzhou City is adjacent to Yangzhou across the river, with the Yangtze River on one side and the Jiangnan Canal on the other side, which is very important.

Occupy Runzhou is imperative.

The ministers arrived soon, and important generals and schools arrived, and intelligence officers from the Staff Office of the Privy Council attended to report to everyone the current military information of Jiangnan Road and Huainan Road.

Some inquiries.

I soon learned more about the military situation of the two roads. In the past, the 50,000 troops in Hangzhou, except for the navy, were basically all the 30,000 soldiers drawn from the four roads of Zhejiang, Jiangnan, Huainan and Jiangxi.

Four of them drew 30,000 soldiers from the palace, which was already empty.

The Southern Army captured Hangzhou too suddenly. Although it has been a few days since then, the court has not yet been able to fill the void here.

At present, only Yangzhou has a slightly larger force. The imperial court urgently dispatched a group of troops from Huaibei, Henan and other places to Yangzhou.

It is estimated that by the time they conquer Runzhou, there will be at least 20,000 to 30,000 people in Yangzhou.

There are only a few thousand people in Runzhou now. When they attack, it is estimated that there will be no more than ten thousand people, and there is no force to replenish on the spot.

However, Zhang Chao and his team are now very sufficient.

When Zhang Chao set out from Guangzhou to head north, he led an army of 80,000.

In Hangzhou, 50,000 were incorporated.

Then he captured all parts of Zhejiang Road and incorporated more than 10,000 more.

In addition, there were about 20,000 follow-up troops coming from Fujian, Liuqiu and other places.

Therefore, in fact, Zhejiang has gathered about 160,000 people.

Now, after reorganization, these troops are divided into two fleets: South China Sea and East China Sea. After reorganization, the two fleets are each reorganized, and they have their own marine troops, which is very strong.

The other 100,000 troops were reorganized into five armies, each with 20,000 troops each.

Although the army is not as well equipped and trained as the navy, it is not bad.

"Leave a group of troops to defend Hangzhou and other places, and we can also dispatch two naval fleets and three army armies. In terms of force, we are not weak, and we are not weak. If we can seize Runzhou and Yangzhou before the emperor arrives, we can completely win this decisive battle!"

"How many soldiers will the emperor bring to fight in person?" Ma Zhou asked.

"It is said that there are 200,000 troops, and 200,000 people should not be a problem. The court can draw it out." A consultant replied.

"Two hundred thousand vs. 140 thousand. If we can seize Runyang, we will have the advantage of the territory and wait for labor without fear." Ma Zhou nodded.

However, Mr. Yang was a little worried.

"Prime Minister, is there such a possibility? Your Majesty's so-called southern expedition is actually just a cover?"

"What does Dean Yang mean?"

"I'm worried that Your Majesty will attack the east and west. What if Your Majesty deliberately makes a sound and says he wants to come to Jiangnan to fight. In fact, when his flag turns, he will lead his army to the south along the Xiangjiang River or Ganjiang River, and attack Lingnan directly and raid our backyard, what should he do?"

This is not impossible.

After all, Hanjing is very far away from Yangzhou, but it is closer to Wuling.

If the emperor leads his army out of the capital at that time, walk halfway, turn around and attack the Wuling.

But Zhang Chao led his army to gather in Runyang to wait for the decisive battle. Wouldn't this be Xiu's face?

It doesn't matter if he is shown up, but if Li Shimin and Li Ji join forces to attack Wuling, it will be difficult for Zhang Zhongjian to defend it. If Wuling is broken through, Li Shimin will be able to fight to Guangzhou, Qinzhou, and Jiaozhou.

If Zhang Chao was really caught in the backyard, it would be absolutely dangerous even if he conquered Runzhou and Yangzhou.

Compared with Lingnan, there is also a natural barrier and has a more geographical advantage. The Jiangnan Road, Huainan Road, which is located at the estuary of the Yangtze River, is really safe.

"Or, or just go to Hanjing?" someone suggested.

"No!"

Zhang Chao shook his head.

It is too dangerous to lead the army to go deep.

Zhang Chao frowned and pondered.

"A group of troops was dispatched to defend Lingnan."

"Then we only have 120,000 troops, is it enough?"

One group of troops stayed in Zhejiang, and the other group of troops returned to Lingnan.

Only three armies and two naval fleets were left, with 60,000 people from sea and land each. This seemed a little small.

"120,000 people are not short. If there are too many soldiers, you may not be the advantage." Zhang Chao made up his mind.

"I inform all the generals of Qin Shancheng to cooperate with us to launch a wave of offensives and also restrain the troops of the Hanjing court."

Everyone discussed it until midnight.

Zhang Chao returned home exhausted, and brothers Zhang and others also heard about Xia Hua.

They all had red eyes and said they wanted to avenge Xia Hua.

"Dalang, you follow the Seventh Army back to Guangzhou. Erlang, you stay in Hangzhou with the Sixth Army. Sanlang, you go to Liuqiu. Silang, you take a merchant ship to Xindu and find your senior brother Wang Xuance. Wulang also goes with you. You go to Li Jiapo, Nanyang to get off the ship and stay there."

The decisive battle was about to come, and Zhang Chao suddenly felt very confused.

He thought of Xiao Shisan's tragic death, and his daughter's misfortune.

He was originally brought out to practice these five children at the beginning of the year, but who knew that these things happened later. Compared to Cui Yingying and the others who were still hiding everywhere, these five brothers were lucky.

He also looked at these children, more mature than before.

But in this final battle, Zhang Chao didn't know what the final outcome was.

After all, he challenged the Emperor of Tang Dynasty and the Emperor of Ma Shang, who has the most powerful soldiers in the world.

Li Shimin fought south and north, with few defeats and defeated more often with fewer defeats. His command was also elite soldiers and generals. Although Zhang Chao's soldiers were quite large, they were really unable to compete with the imperial court.

Especially, they were actually rebels, and he didn't know what kind of influence the emperor would have when the two armies fought and the emperor would fight in front of the formation.

"Father, I won't leave!" The boss gritted his teeth and refused.

The second son Zhang Cong refused to leave.

The pig, sheep, two dogs and the three of them said they would not leave.

"We will be with our father, and then we will go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and avenge our sister."

"You are still young, and it is not your duty to go to the battlefield. If your brothers and sisters escape, I might take you with you this time. But they are still scattered in all parts of the Central Plains. If there is a situation this time, you can leave a seed for our old Zhang family. In the future, there will be a chance to get up again."

"Dad, I won't leave."

"Get out!" Zhang Chao cursed.

The five sons retreated in grievance.

Zhang Chao leaned on the chair. The war reached this point and there were no rules at all. Li Shimin was like a mad dog, and anyone dared to kill him.

And they are actually the same.

Su Dingfang killed Li Tai and the other two.

In fact, Xiao Shisan, Xia Hua, Li Tai and others are all children.

When we reach this point, no one wants to.

But revolution is not about treating guests to dinner, and it is impossible not to shed blood.

Originally, Zhang Chao was thinking of boiling frogs in warm water, and slowly, and in the era of Li Shimin, he promoted the ban and then created a parliament.

I never even thought about giving the parliament any real power, let alone making a charter to restrain the emperor.

But Li Shimin was very keen, and he noticed it when there was a little sign.
To be continued...