Zhao Liang hid in the military tent, sipping a little wine, and chatting with Yang Zongbao and several other officers, but it was also relaxed and comfortable. It's November now, and the weather in the northern realm is already very cold, so at this time, guarding the brazier and drinking spirits, the body is comfortable from the inside out.

Just as they were chatting energetically, Zhao Liang suddenly sneezed twice in a row, and Yang Zongbao hurriedly asked with concern when he saw this, whether the military advisor was suffering from the cold. Zhao Liang waved his hand and muttered to himself: "Sneezing for no reason, scolding for a while, bah, bah, I don't know which guy is talking bad about Lao Tzu behind his back." ”

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but laugh, thinking that Lin'anhou was quite funny when he spoke, and was about to talk about it, when suddenly, the tent curtain was lifted, and Zheng Luya was commanded to come in from the outside.

Yang Zongbao and other officers saw that she was coming, and hurriedly got up and saluted, but Zhao Liang sat still and didn't move, only smiled: "Yo, Commander Mu is here, come and have a drink to warm up." ”

"Master Hou, fellow comrades, you don't have time to drink and chat," Zheng Luya's expression looked very anxious: "I just received a military order from Lord Li Jilong, so that our quick aid division will set off immediately to rescue General Yang Yanzhao." ”

As soon as Yang Zongbao heard that Yang Yanzhao was going to be rescued, he was immediately not calm, and hurriedly asked Zheng Luya what happened to his father.

Xiaoya patiently explained, saying that Yang Yanzhao led his troops to meet the Liao army, but unexpectedly fell into an enemy ambush and was besieged in Nanlebao. Now His Majesty has decided to let the Quick Aid Division send supplies to Yang Yanzhao and them, and assist them in trying to break through. Time is of the essence now, and with every moment of delay, General Yang's danger intensifies.

Zhao Liang said curiously: "In addition to us, what other troops are going with us?" ”

Zheng Luya shook his head: "The Khitans are very cunning, and they clearly want to use the trick of encircling the point to send reinforcements, luring our army to reinforce on a large scale, so as to rob and kill halfway." Therefore, after consulting with all the adults, His Majesty decided to let only one team of our quick reinforcement division operate secretly to avoid repeating the mistakes of General Huyan and them. ”

"How many soldiers and horses does Yang Yanzhao have, and what is the strength of the enemy army besieging them?" Zhao Liang continued to ask.

"General Yang went out to battle this time, with the main force of the Ningbian army, probably between 10,000 and 12,000 people," Zheng Luya replied: "There are about 50,000 soldiers and horses of the Liao State surrounding them, and the commander is the famous Khitan general Xiao Guanyinu. In addition, Xiao Tzu Rin also commanded the motorized cavalry to cruise around the perimeter, looking for fighters, but the scale is unknown. ”

Zhao Liang gasped: "Damn, the Liao army has made such a big battle, with only 3,000 of us, isn't it a joke?" ”

Yang Zongbao was also a little anxious: "What Master Hou said is right! It is my duty to rescue my father, even if I don't want to risk my life, I don't have any hesitation, but ...... However, knowing that the enemy army is strong, but only sending a lone army of the rapid reinforcement division to it, isn't this tantamount to not saving my father when he sees death? ”

"Who said that your father can't be saved when he dies?" As soon as the curtain was lifted, the eight-thousand-year-old little prince appeared here and muttered, "Isn't there no way?" ”

"Your Highness is just right," Zheng Luya helplessly spread her hands: "Everyone is worried about this matter." I have similar thoughts to Deputy Envoy Yang, it's no problem to rush to help, but I'm afraid that I will be alone, but I will harm Yang Shuai. ”

The little prince found a horse to sit down, and talked to everyone in the tent about the situation at the imperial meeting, and finally said: "At present, all of us are suffering and have no good solutions, not that we are unwilling to rescue Yang Yanzhao, how can we rely on Liaoguo Iron to ride like the wind, and make a plan to raid our large army, but we really can't lose a few more people for him." Therefore, breaking through on your own is the only feasible solution at the moment, and your task is to provide maximum support. ”

Zhao Liang suddenly asked, "Hmm...... Why did General Yang get trapped in an ambush, and did you understand the reason behind it? ”

"This is also one of the reasons why I came to you," the little prince replied: "I just received the information, the reason why Yang Yanzhao took the risk to fight was not because he was greedy for merit, but because he was calculated by traitors. ”

Zhao Liang was puzzled: "The traitor calculates? What adulterer? ”

The little prince's cold gaze swept over Zhao Liang, Yang Zongbao and Zheng Luya in turn, and said in a deep voice: "Our side has carefully investigated that Chen Yaosuo's staff Shangguan Xueming defected to the Khitan, and General Yang was trapped by him. ”

I'm Nima?! Shangguan Xueming again? Did you run to Liao? Zhao Liang couldn't help but chuckle in his heart when he heard this, and fainted in anger: This bastard is so cunning, when he saw that the limelight was not right here, he immediately changed his backer!

Yang Zongbao was also taken aback: "Is the news reliable?" Won't ......"

"There will be no mistake," the little prince knew what he wanted to say, and interrupted: "We have been dealing with the Liao State for many years, and there are many high-level people over there who are in Cao Ying's heart and in Han's eyes. They have confirmed that Shangguan Xueming, a staff member of the Privy Council, defected to Xiao Tzulin, the king of the Southern Court, a few days ago, begging for the protection of the Liao State. The Khitan wolf lord was afraid that he would play a trick, so he forced him to make a contribution first to prove his sincerity. Shangguan Xueming had stayed by Chen Yaosuo's side for a long time and was very familiar with the military situation of the Great Song Dynasty, so he took advantage of this condition to send Yang Yanzhao forged information and military orders, causing more than 10,000 people of the Ningbian Army to strayed into Nanle Fort and were besieged by Xiao Guanyinnu's soldiers and horses. ”

Zheng Luya's apricot eyes widened when she heard this, and she couldn't help but say angrily: "Damn, I hate this kind of traitor and traitor the most, if I am asked to run into him, I have to pick his skin!" ”

The little prince nodded: "Yes, the betrayal of one's own people is often more terrible and difficult to prevent than the enemy's conspiracy." Shangguan Xueming knew very well that Hu Yanting and Yang Yanzhao usually cooperated most closely and would never die without help, so as soon as Nan Le's distress letter was issued, he suggested that the Khitans pay close attention to the movements of the Tongli Army, and then let Xiao Tzu Rin easily ambush General Huyan's support army. ”

Yang Zongbao also understood the difficulties of the Song army's high-level at this time. The high mobility of the Khitans who came and went without a trace, coupled with the guidance of Shangguan Xueming, a traitor, made the strategy of besieging the city and sending reinforcements completely repeatedly, turning Nanle Fort, where his father Yang Yanzhao was located, into a bottomless abyss, constantly devouring the soldiers and horses of the Song army who rushed to the rescue from all walks of life.

Rather than sacrificing in vain and fruitless, letting the trapped Yongbyon army break out on its own is indeed the wisest decision at the moment.

He pondered for a moment, bowed his head slightly, and said, "What His Highness said, Zongbao understands." We will prepare immediately and go to the rescue of Nanle. ”

Zheng Luya also agreed: "Well, since it is a quick aid division, we must save when there is a danger and help when there is a difficulty, so we will immediately set off as a whole army." ”

"Don't be busy yet, I still have a few words to ask," the little prince said, "Do you think of any feasible methods, or what strategies to consider, I want to listen to them first, and then I can play Your Majesty when I turn back." ”

Xiao Ya and Yang Zongbao glanced at each other when they heard this, and then they looked at Zhao Liang who was standing next to them. Seeing this, the little prince also looked at him in the same way.

Zhao Liang was a little uncomfortable being stared at by everyone, and said in surprise: "Damn, why are you all looking at me?" ”

"Brother Wang, you are everyone's military advisor, and you have always been resourceful, of course, you have to make up your mind." The little prince said very firmly.

Facing the eager gazes in the military tent, Zhao Liang sighed helplessly and asked, "Where is Nanle?" What is the situation of Xiao Guanyin Nu and his army of 50,000? Where did Hu Yanting fall into Xiao Tzu Rin's ambush? This is all useful information, and I have to understand it first. ”

At nightfall, a Great Song army quietly left Weicheng and disappeared into the vast night.

The mysterious-looking soldiers and horses on this road did not light torches or spread their flags, and even the armor and helmets on their bodies were carefully wrapped in cloaks and hoods so as not to reflect a faint light in the moonlight.

Zhao Liang, Zheng Luya, and Yang Zongbao rode in the middle of the procession, discussing in a low voice as they walked, only to hear Yang Zongbao say: "Nanle Fort belongs to the jurisdiction of the Daimyo Mansion on Hebei East Road, and it is a military fort that is not too large. There are about 100 households in the fort, most of whom are military households, and they have been stationed in Nanle Fort for generations. On weekdays, they cultivated the fields and guarded the fortress during the war. ”

Zheng Luya continued: "I heard from the Privy Council just now that Nanle's location is not very dangerous, and it doesn't seem to have much strategic value." ”

Yang Zongbao shook his head: "Oh, Miss Mu doesn't know, although Nanle is not the kind of place where soldiers must fight, but since the first emperor issued an order to open canals and build lakes in various parts of Hebei, and galloped across the Khitan iron cavalry with a water network, Nanle has been an important support point near the big river, which can provide a lot of convenience to the Song army." Not only did it serve as an advance base for stockpiling grain and grass supplies, but it was also a relay station that echoed the Daimyo's Mansion and the Prefecture of Shoshu, and its importance gradually became apparent if it fell into the hands of the enemy and cut off the connection between the two places. ”

"Because of this, as soon as he received the fake military order to rush to Nanle's aid, your father rushed over without hesitation," Zhao Liang sighed: "Only Shangguan Xueming, who is familiar with the situation on our side, can know where General Yang must be saved." ”

Zheng Luya bowed slightly: "Besides, the fake military order also said that the Liao army occupying Nanle seems to be Xiao Tzulin's personal guard troops, and the strength is not much, so General Yang must want to kill the enemy commander in one fell swoop, so he will fall for their trick." ”

Yang Zongbao said worriedly: "Almost all of the people who fought with my father this time are veterans who have followed him all year round, so whether it is combat strength or loyalty, it must not be said." The only thing to worry about is that they don't have many arrows and grass with them. Although there are a lot of military quarters in the fort for a long time, after all, it is an army of tens of thousands of people, and it can be emptied in a few days. ”

"Then there's the question of horses." Zheng Luya also felt worried: "Most of the Yongbian army is infantry, and the few vanguard iron armors have also been allocated to Meng Liang and Yang Paifeng, their reconnaissance troops who went deep behind enemy lines, and the cavalry battalion that Brother Yang used to play in is the only mobile force around Yang Shuai this time, it seems that it is less than two thousand, right?" ”

Yang Zongbao nodded distressedly: "One thousand eight hundred." If I hadn't joined our quick aid division, I would have been by my father's side at the moment, defending Nanle Castle. ”

Zheng Luya said: "In this way, there are nearly 10,000 soldiers who have no horse and foot strength to use, even if the breakthrough is successful, it is very unrealistic to outrun the fast Liao cavalry." ”

Yang Zongbao couldn't help but turn his head to look at the rear of the team, and sighed: "The armies smashed pots and sold iron, and squeezed out four thousand more war horses as if they were struggling with flesh, so that we can take them to Nanle to save the Ningbian army, and at most it is only enough for half of the people to ride, alas......"

"Not only am I worried about how to solve the remaining half of my foot strength," Zheng Luya frowned lightly: "And there are also grain, grass and arrows that are also a headache." More than thirty ox carts were loaded with all kinds of supplies, and the speed of movement was extremely slow, and it was particularly easy to be exposed, so it was difficult to hide from the Khitan sentinels. ”

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Zhao Liang, who had been silent, and said curiously, "Master Strategist, what are you thinking?" Why is it so silent? ”

Zhao Liang was distracted, and when he heard Xiaoya ask him, he suddenly said, "Huh? You say me? I've been wondering just now, where will Xiao Tzu Rin be at this time? ”