Since the oath of Puyin, all the focus of Liu Chengyou's work is basically on Zhao Yanshou's "Northern Expeditionary Army", and military reports from three directions are pouring in, from the beginning of one report a day, to today's three reports a day, Liu Chengyou sent out the most elite group of scouts under his command as a pawn.

Even if I had been psychologically prepared for a long time and really implemented it, I found that the difficulties of the Northern Expedition to Youzhou were much more serious than I imagined. The reality is not as simple as planned.

From Puyin to Youzhou, the journey of three hundred miles, except for a few water veins, there are no lofty mountains and mountains, and the obstacles are considerable, Zhao Yanshou is convenient to march here, and it is equally convenient for the Liao army to contain the attack. At the same time, at least 200 miles were cleared by the Liao army, and the land was extremely sparsely populated, and there was not much war resources to replenish during this route.

And the Liao army was obviously not without a little preparation, as soon as they received the news, they came to intercept it, and not only had the intention of intercepting, but also wanted to annihilate Zhao Yanshou's army.

In this case, Liu Chengyou's two wings of the Qi and Yingerzhou factions responded to the army, and the containment effect was full, and Zhao Yanshou also tried his best to avoid the rapid advance, but was still stopped by more than 3,000 Liao troops from Xincheng and Rongcheng in the Nanyishui Valley, and the road was half stopped.

"Your Highness, the latest news from the north, Zhao Yanshou has broken through the Liao army's Yishui defense line!" Hurried footsteps sounded, Guo Rong quickly walked into the hall, and reported to Liu Chengyou, who was discussing the military situation with Xiang Xun and Wei Renpu.

"Oh? Present! Liu Chengyou suddenly came to his senses, and after saying that, he personally got up and took the military report from Guo Rong's hand, and couldn't wait to read it.

In the past two days, Liu Chengyou was also anxious about the war ahead, especially because Zhao Yanshou was blocked in Nanyishui. The previous time was still stalemate, and the news of the breakthrough suddenly came, and Liu Chengyou was quite surprised. Zhao Yanshou's breakthrough method is nothing unusual, but it is very effective. The overall quality of Yelu Ruan's soldiers left in Nanjing Road was low, and the few elites were placed in Youzhou City, and the generals who led the army were not good, so they were tricked by Zhao Yanshou.

"After Yishui, you can only rely on Zhao Yanshou yourself......" After digesting the news and putting down the military report, Liu Chengyou sat down slowly, as if relieved.

The atmosphere in the hall did not relax because of Zhao Yanshoujun's breakthrough. Xiang Xun bowed his head and watched carefully on a map of the southern states, which simply marked some cities, rivers, and routes, and studied the battle situation with a tense face, and when he heard Liu Chengyou's words, he raised his head and said in a deep voice: "After Yishui, Zhao Yanshou has no way to retreat, and he has become a lone army, and his situation will only be more dangerous!" ”

There is no need to remind Xun that Liu Chengyou himself can think of a similar situation that has been deduced before.

Xiang Xun roughly compared it and said, "The reaction of the Liao army is much faster than we imagined. Zhao Yanshou broke through the defense line, which will inevitably lead to more frantic interception by the Liao army, and there are still nearly two hundred miles away, and when he arrives in Youzhou, he will have to break through the fortified city in a short time......"

Speaking of the grim situation in a heavy tone, Xiang Xun couldn't help but gasp, as if he felt that kind of difficulty.

"It's still Youzhou!" Liu Chengyou pressed the map and stared at the location of Jicheng: "Further north, when the Yan soldiers return to their hometown, they are not alone, they are fighting in their own land and homeland, this is their greatest advantage!" ”

"I hope that Zhao Yanshou can advance into Youzhou and take Youzhou as he said!"

Hearing this, Xiang Xun was not very optimistic, and even had some doubts: "Can he do such a dangerous situation?" ”

"We still underestimate the difficulty of taking Youzhou!" Guo Rong's serious face also showed worry.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou raised his hand and gestured towards Wei Renpu: "Tell them!" ”

Understanding, Wei Renpu got up and said to the two: "Two generals, after Zhao Yanshou set off, Zhang Li, a Khitan Hanchen, sent a secret letter to the south to tell Youyan the truth. At this time, there were only more than 4,000 Khitan cavalry in Youzhou City, and the Han people were deeply resentful......"

When he received Zhang Li's letter again, Liu Chengyou finally believed it, he really wanted to do it anyway.

When these words fell, Xiang Xun and Guo Rong's eyes lit up at the same time. After a moment's condensation, Xiang Xun said: "Even so, if you want to take the strong city, it's not easy!" ”

Wei Renpu continued: "His Royal Highness's original intention is to take Youzhou, which is naturally better. If it doesn't work, Zhao Yanshou will turn to attack Zhuo and Yi, form a Han Min, and defend according to Fan Yang! At the end of the day, it will become a wedge for us to nail to Youyan, threatening Jicheng from time to time to prepare for the future. Specifically, it can only depend on Zhao Yanshou, and the choice depends on the situation! ”

Hearing Wei Renpu say this, and thinking about it again, it doesn't seem to be so difficult.

To a certain extent, Liu Chengyou even hopes that Zhao Yanshou will choose the second path.

"No matter what the situation on Zhao Yanshou's side is, on the southern front, our army will continue to attack, contain the Liao army for him, and relieve the pressure on him to enter the army!" Without revealing his careful thoughts, Liu Chengyou said solemnly: "How is the battle situation in Dingzhou and Mozhou?" ”

Mentioning this, Guo Rong immediately said: "Here in Dingzhou, Luo Yanbi and Li Yun have joined forces and are approaching Anxi; On the Yingzhou side, Murong Yanzhao also led the army to take Gaoyang and cooperated with He Fu to attack Renqiu; Han Tong led two battalions of horse troops to operate in the Baosui generation and respond to the two wings. Although the gains were not small, there were thousands of casualties among the various units. ”

After hearing this, Liu Chengyou's brows immediately furrowed. The Longqi Army, which annexed the Jin soldiers, had an army of more than 10,000 soldiers, strong soldiers and strong horses, plus the remaining Yan soldiers who were divided and garrisoned and the Chengde warriors recruited, with more than 20,000 usable pawns.

But right now, except for the first and second armies that followed Zhang Yanwei to intercept Xiao Han (already on the way back to the division), almost all of the rest moved in order to cooperate with Zhao Yanshou.

Obviously, because of the fear of Liu Chengyou's army, Yelu Ruan did not leave many troops to garrison Nanjing Road, but the total number of zeros and zeros added up to more than 20,000 people. Originally, Liu Chengyou only wanted Zhao Yanshou's army to act, and he said that he would gamble on him with that Yan soldier, but the reality was that even his Longqi army had to go all out......

Gambling is really not a good thing, addictive, once you get down, you will be trapped, and even in order to see the report, you have to continue to invest.

At this time, Liu Chengyou had a feeling that he seemed to be tied to the chariot he had launched. No result, no stop.

"There are still not enough troops!" Liu Chengyou sighed.

Seeing that the treasury that had not been filled after the summer harvest was consumed at a rate visible to the naked eye, Liu Chengyou had a headache and a little panic. Now, he is not short of weapons, he is not short of armor, and even the peasant Ding Zhuang can gather a lot in a short time, but he is short of food and cloth.

"The real soldiers and horses can't be used!" Wei Renpu gave him a good precaution in advance.

At this stage, in Zhending, only Liu Chengyou's personal guard battalion and Xiang Xun's Third Army are still there. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou shook his head: "I have no intention of moving the True Determination Army again." ”

As he spoke, he lowered his mouth a little bitterly: "Even if you want to move, you can't do it!" ”

Exhaling a breath of turbidity, Liu Chengyou commanded: "Order all the armies to continue to maintain the oppression of the Liao army on the southern front." However, since Zhao Yanshou has broken through Nan Yishui, let them all give me some beatings, give me appropriate pressure, and don't make unnecessary sacrifices. ”

"Yes!" Hearing this, Wei Renpu picked up the pen and wrote the order and polished it.

"After this battle, north of Chengde and south of Youzhou, it is estimated that it will be broken......" Liu Chengyou sighed, seemingly a little unbearable.

"If you can really take Youzhou, these costs are worth it!" Guo Rong said.

Of course it's worth it, even if it's worth paying several times more. Even, Liu Chengyou's darkest mind is to destroy the land of Youyan. With the death of a corner, he also took the peace of the northern border defense of Liujia Jiangshan for several years, and planned for the future. It's just that this kind of mind will never be revealed, never spoken.

"I wonder how the Khitan Lord will react when he learns this news?" Liu Chengyou suddenly thought of Yelu Ruan.

"That leaves less time for Zhao Yanshou!" Xiang Xun said.

This is a brainless thing to say, but Liu Chengyou probably understands. It doesn't take much, as long as Yelu Ruan sends a branch division back to the army, then it will be even more difficult for Zhao Yanshou. As for whether it will affect Yelu Ruan's march into the city to Shangjing, the conclusion is that the impact is not great.

During the conversation, Tao Gu appeared from the second hall, bent down and bowed, made a full gesture, and then entered, and said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Highness, Dingzhou is coming to report, Dingzhou handsome Sun Fangjian, hearing that His Highness sent troops to the north to attack Youyan, and led 3,000 troops from Wolf Mountain to help in the south!" ”

"Hey......" Liu Chengyou was surprised. After entering Zhending, Liu Chengyou had an investigation of the surrounding forces, and this Sun Fangjian, who had also heard of it, was a small warlord in Dingzhou, but he had never been looked at by him, and he had no clear understanding.

Look at Wei Renpu.

Wei Renpu is well-informed and knowledgeable, and has served in the Privy Council of the Later Jin Dynasty for many years, although he is a petty official, he has also been in contact with a lot of miscellaneous military news. After a little recollection, Fang Cai said: "Sun Fangjian was originally a hero in Dingzhou, who was burdened by border tax service, the people were uneasy, and they were overwhelmed, so they gathered the strong people in the township to Wolf Mountain, formed a village to defend themselves, gathered the homeless people, recruited bandits, and gradually grew stronger. ”

"When the Khitan continued to attack the Khitans, he also led his men to attack the Khitans, robbed military funds, and also entered the enemy's territory in the north and plundered goods. At that time, he was attached to the imperial court, seeking the position of moderation, and the court despised it, taking it as a wandering envoy, and Sun Fangjian was angry and took refuge in the Khitans. Last year, he also tried to be the guide of the Khitan southern invasion. ”

"This time, I sent a document to attach, and the handsome teacher helped the war, I am afraid that it is to see the reconstruction of Sheji, and I want to use the court as a backer. However, its fundamental purpose should be to expand its strength. ”

"It's a two-pronged person again, I can't believe it!" Xiang Xun smiled disdainfully.

"What you say, but you have scolded the whole world!" Liu Chengyou pointed to Xiang Xun: "When it comes to Tianzhou Town, no one is like this. Sun Fangjian, it doesn't matter if you can trust it, you can use it! ”

Liu Chengyou's words obviously showed his attitude, got up and paced a few steps, and made a decision: "Send a letter and send an envoy to Sun Fangjian, he is very happy to fight the thief with righteousness." As long as the north chases the Dingzhou Khitan, I will call him the Dingzhou Festival! ”

Liu Chengyou said to Tao Gu. Tao Gu responded to the voice, and while he was walking, Yu Guang glanced at Wei Renpu, who was being pulled by Liu Chengyou to discuss the military situation, his beard was curled, and his eyes were a little gloomy.

He is not compared with Guo Rong and Xiang Xun, who was originally Liu Chengyou's confidant. But Wei Renpu, who is also a new minister, thinks that he is better than Wei Renpu in terms of age and qualifications, and in terms of talent and knowledge, not to mention articles and poems. Why was he Wei Renpu able to counsellor the important affairs of the military aircraft, and he was inseparable from his entourage. And he Tao Gu seems to be really just a pen for drafting orders, and even this part has been thinned by Wei Renpu......

If you want to talk about military politics, he Tao Gu is also familiar with military books, why didn't Liu Chengyou consult with him. Unconsciously, Tao Gu had accumulated a lot of resentment in his heart, jealous of Wei Renpu, and a little dissatisfied with Liu Chengyou.

......

Nanjing Road, Zhuozhou, Gu'an County.

The head of the city is lit up with a black and red "swallow flag". Breaking through the blockade of the Liao army, Zhao Yanshou kept moving, urging the Yan soldiers to march hundreds of miles until Gu'an, and there were not many soldiers and horses in the city, so they were taken directly.

Stepping on the familiar land, Zhao Yanshou felt a lot more stable. And smelling the breath of the countryside, the morale of the Yan soldiers is still high and not falling, and the officers and soldiers at the bottom know the risk of the situation.

To the north of Gu'an County is the Baigou River, where many boats, sampans and improvised bamboo rafts have gathered. The upper reaches of the Baigou River are directly connected to the Sangganshui, and to the north of the Sangganshui, is Youzhou City, which is intended to take the waterway.

At this time, Zhao Yanshou left all the cavalry to contain the Liao cavalry who was played by him, and left 500 soldiers to guard Gu'an, and the rest went to Youzhou City with him lightly.

There are not enough boats, so the water and land are close.

Stepping on the deck, with the rhythm of the water, Zhao Yanshou looked up to the north: "There are less than 100 miles of waterway!" ”

"King Yan, can we really take Youzhou City?" One of his generals asked in a low voice. They are not like ordinary soldiers, even if they can't see through the overall situation, they also have a sense of crisis.

"Haha!" Zhao Yanshou laughed directly, and deliberately let go of his voice: "Youzhou is such a big city, Yelu Jieli only guards it with 4,000 soldiers, how can he defend it." What's even more ridiculous is, can the cavalry defend the city? Will Hu Bing defend the city? Youzhou City, back then, was repaired by Lone, and no one knew its weaknesses better than Lone! As long as we arrive smoothly, Youzhou City will be ours! ”

Zhao Yanshou's words were mostly foolish. However, not everyone is so easy to fool.

"However, we don't have many troops......"

"We have tens of thousands of troops, and we are afraid that we will not be able to take Youzhou City?" Zhao Yanshou immediately glared.

These words made the Yan general stunned.

"Inside and outside Youzhou City, there are more than 100,000 Han people." Seeing his foolish appearance, Zhao Yanshou explained with some confidence: "I ask myself, in the ten years of governing the secluded, there have been many graces and maintenance for the Han people, as long as they are mobilized, what are the Khitan troops afraid of?" ”

The generals were stunned, and soon, Zhao Yanshoudu's words spread, and he still maintained his morale at a high level. And Zhao Yanshou's gaze became more and more determined, he also tried his best to fool these soldiers to go on adventures with him, very positive, after all, it was the third spring of his career.

"King Yan." When they were about to go back to the warehouse to rest, the other two generals carefully found Zhao Yanshou.

Seeing that the two of them were not right, Zhao Yanshou frowned and asked, "What's the matter?" ”

"Do you really plan to go to Youzhou and make enemies of the Khitans?" One of them dodged his eyes.

Hearing the strangeness, Zhao Yanshou did not move, and said casually: "Don't hide it from the two of you, I am also a little apprehensive in my heart." ”

Hearing this, another person immediately said: "King Yan, we have already gotten rid of the control of that Liu Chengyou, with this army, why risk life and death to be the enemy of the Khitans, if you are like before, it is ...... like before."

Seeing this, Zhao Yanshou immediately stopped the two: "This is not the place to talk, you go to the warehouse and wait for me first." ”

Seeing Zhao Yanshou like this, the two seemed to have something to do, and nodded hurriedly.

After the two retreated, Zhao Yanshou's face immediately turned cold, and he beckoned a confidant and ordered in a low voice: "Take a few armorers, deal with those two, throw them into the river, and don't make a fuss." In addition, take over the two men's pawns! ”

"Yes!"

If Zhao Yanshou doesn't have a little dissent, it is impossible, but it is definitely not this time and this way. The meaning of the two is obvious, there is a sense of surrender. There are only such stupid villains, ignorant puppets......

If you send someone under the fence, how can you be the master of your own house!

Looking up to the north, Zhao Yanshou's fists clenched tightly, and he suddenly waved his hand and shouted: "Go home!" ”

Soon, there was a shout of "go home" floating on the Baigou River, full of momentum!

PS: It's really special water, I thought this paragraph could be written in a thousand words, but I wrote so much......