Everyone hurriedly asked, Li Guoqiu said: "This afternoon, I went upstream to see if there was a suitable place to cross the river, and on the way we went to a village to arrest a few local people and asked, they said that this section of the Yellow River was frozen in previous winters. This year's weather was colder than usual, but there's a reason it didn't freeze. It turned out that in previous years, the gentle surface of the river was actually full of dead trees, driftwood and various debris washed down from the upper reaches. Every year from the summer, a large amount of trees and debris drift down after the heavy rain upstream, and then all float in this area due to the gentle water in the Hakubado section. Some debris swirls with the current, but it doesn't flow away. Some of the floating aquatic plants will also take root on the debris on the river surface, forming patches of floating islands. This is the reason why the Hakuba Ferry, which is four or five miles wide and resembles a large lake, freezes in winter. ”

Wanyan Agu and the Jurchen generals were confused, they didn't understand what Li Guoqiu was talking about.

"Strategist, let's be simpler and clearer. What does it have to do with floating debris in the river if it doesn't freeze? Why do I get more confused the more I listen? ”

Li Guoqiu laughed and said, "Great leader, generals, how can the river freeze, you should know." ”

Hu Lu rolled his eyes and said, "Do you still need to ask?" When the weather is cold, it will naturally freeze? For example, in our Changbai Mountain, even the waterfall will freeze in winter, forming an icefall. It's still not cold enough here. ”

Li Guoqiu nodded and said, "If the weather is extremely cold, naturally any water surface will be frozen. But the problem is that the temperature here is not as good as the Changbai Mountain of your Jurchen tribe, so it takes a lot of conditions to freeze. In particular, the water surface of a river like Hakumado is too open, and although it is gentle, it is also a slowly flowing water, not a static pond, and the weather is not too cold, so it is not easy to freeze it. You all have common sense that a small bowl of water or a large basin of water is easy to form a whole piece of ice, so I don't need to say. ”

Yalu Buhua said: "Naturally, it is easier to have a small bowl of water." Not to mention, when you say this, you think it's very strange, who is the same, why is it more difficult to freeze the more open it is? For example, in our coastal areas around Liaodong, the weather is also extremely cold, but only the edge of the coast is frozen, and the sea surface is not completely frozen. ”

Li Guoqiu smiled and said, "You ask this, I don't know." However, I think it is probably because the ice also needs to be attached, and the more open the water, the more the ice wants to condense but there is no place to adhere, which is why the edge of the lake is thick and thin in the middle when it freezes. In short, we don't care what caused this situation, those people said that before the White Horse crossed this river, there were many miscellaneous trees and dead grass floating every year, and they could not flow downstream, and these floating things actually divided the water surface. It's like splitting a large basin of water into a small bowl of water, which naturally makes it easier to freeze. The people said that in previous winters, there were islands in the middle of the river where debris, water and weeds froze, and the locals set up tents on these small islands and dug holes in the surrounding ice to fish. ”

When everyone heard this, they were all stunned. It turns out that there is such a reason for the freezing of Hakumadu every year before. It does make sense when you think about it, it should be difficult to freeze in such a large body of water as Hakubadu, but these floating objects, weeds, dead trees, and the like divide the open water into small areas, and it is indeed easier to freeze. Although they couldn't figure out why this was the case, experience and common sense told them that the reason why the military advisor knew was reasonable.

And the people spoke. This year, Hakumadu underwent a major clean-up. The reason is that there is too much debris floating over the years, which has affected the navigation of the ferry ships over time. This fall, an official and his family crossed the river by boat to Handan to take up their duties, but they hit a piece of driftwood, and the family nearly drowned there. The official was furious and turned around and ordered the local officials to clean up the river thoroughly. So the local government organized dozens of boats and local boatmen to spend a month cleaning up all the debris floating on the water and beside the river bay. Do you remember the day when we went to the ferry to investigate the situation and saw a few hills full of dead wood and silt, and piles of water and grass? That's the floating debris they salvaged and piled up in the open space next to the ferry. However, as a result of this year's Baimadu, only the banks of the river are frozen, but the middle of the river cannot be frozen at all. We won't be able to cross the river directly. Li Guoqiu continued.

At this point, all the Jurchen generals, including Wanyan Aguda himself, also suddenly realized.

"It's strange, that day Lao Tzu didn't know what to do and piled up a few debris hills, it turned out to be these debris floating in the river. Damn, isn't this the luck of the Great Zhou people? In this way, we will not be able to cross the river directly. It's self-defeating, damn damn it. Wanyan Agu scolded angrily.

"There are indeed some coincidences, and the Great Zhou Imperial Court probably didn't expect that it would unintentionally insert willows and willows. However, this is the reason why our army was unable to cross the Yellow River. However, since the reason was known to them, it was their bad luck. We don't have to find a way to force the ferry to cross, that would be too risky. There is no need to attack elsewhere and lose a great opportunity to attack Bianliang. We can directly attack the city of Bianliang and conquer the capital of the Great Zhou. It is impossible to try in vain to block the footsteps of our army with the moat of the Yellow River. Li Guoqiu laughed deeply.

"The military advisor already has a plan to cross the river? What kind of strategy was that? Wanyan Agu asked in surprise.

Li Guoqiu's method is very simple, taking advantage of the fact that it is still the first month of the year, and the weather still has no chance to warm up, and freeze the river again. Because they could not evenly distribute it on the river, Li Guoqiu specially led thousands of soldiers to the upper canyon to artificially cut down the weeds and trees on the riverbank canyon and put them into the river, so that the flowing river water could complete its natural distribution. Many Jurchen generals were actually skeptical of this, and they felt that the method of this Han military division was a bit whimsical. So you can cross the river? I'm afraid it's a joke.

A large amount of debris and floating grass reappeared on the wide river surface of Baimadu, but because most of it floated down with the water from the upstream, the Great Zhou soldiers and horses on the opposite side of Baimadu did not notice this at all. At this moment, they were still immersed in the encouragement of the emperor's personal expedition, and they were in full swing to build fortifications and arrow towers, preparing to carry out a strict blockade of the White Horse Ferry.

After a cold night on the first day, at dawn, Wanyan Aguda, Li Guoqiu and others came to the river, and they were pleasantly surprised to find that the river ice had extended dozens of steps away from the river bank, and some driftwood and dead grass on the river surface were also frozen. It's just that the river ice is still too thin, and the water surface is not completely frozen, but it is clear that this has already worked.

In the afternoon of the next day, the north wind suddenly picked up and the weather quickly turned gloomy. Li Guoqiu was overjoyed and shouted for God's help. There was a heavy snowfall just before this year, and the weather has been sunny for more than a month, which has caused the temperature to be cold enough, which is abnormal. Didn't the Northern Lands have to experience several blizzards before the spring arrives that year? In front of us, it is clear that another snowstorm is coming, but later than in previous years. But in Li Guoqiu's view, it was the right time.

Sure enough, in the evening, it snowed heavily. It didn't stop until the early hours of the morning, and there was snow half a foot deep on the ground. When he got up early in the morning, Wanyan Aguda couldn't help but curse when he saw the thick snow. He believed that the snow was too opportune, and that the movement of the army would become very difficult, and that the supply of supplies and the movement of chariots and horses would be restricted. However, the military advisor Li Guoqiu rushed to his residence with a bright smile.

"Congratulations to the Great Chief, congratulations to the Great Chief. God help, the crossing of the river is done. Li Guoqiu shouted.

Wanyan Agu was stunned at first, but soon understood what Li Guoqiu meant. Surprised: "What? Is the river frozen? ”

Li Guoqiu said with a smile: "It's all frozen, and in the early hours of the next morning, I ordered people to touch dozens of steps along the river to the opposite bank, and the entire river surface was completely frozen." Although it is covered with snow, the river has become a smooth road. God really bless the big leader, this heavy snow and cold came at the right time. ”

After finishing the joy in Agu's heart, all the troubles were left behind. When the river freezes, the army can cross the river with its army, which is what he dreamed of.

"Is it possible to attack immediately? What are we waiting for? I can't wait any longer. Wanyan Agu said loudly.

"I would like to wait another day for the ice to freeze stronger, so as not to cause accidents. After all, there is a thin layer of snow on the ice, and the thickness of the ice is unknown. Besides, even if we attack, we can't attack it directly, the other party is waiting for it. It is better to wait after dark, and the cavalry will raid and cross the river, and kill them by surprise, leaving no armor behind. What does the Great Chief think? Li Guoqiu said in a deep voice.

"What the military advisor said is extremely true. God help me. I'm not talking about this heavy snowfall, I'm talking about the fact that a figure like a military advisor has come to my side, and this is my luck to finish Yan Aguda. The wisdom of the military advisor is comparable to Zhuge Liang, whom you Han people respect. With your help, the great cause will be accomplished. Strategist, don't worry, I won't treat you badly in the future. I'm going to make you your prime minister. Wanyan Agu laughed.

Li Guoqiu smiled and said: "Thank you to the big leader, but these are not important, I, Li Guoqiu, have only one request, that is, after the big leader is completed, the Guo royal family will be handed over to his subordinates." In the next to avenge the ancestors. If the big leader feels that he needs to be praised even more, then it is better to divide the land of my Southern Tang Dynasty homeland into me, so that I can restore the ancestral foundation and fulfill the long-cherished wish of my Li royal family for more than a hundred years. That would be the greatest compliment to you. ”

Wanyan Agu's heart moved, and he said in his heart: It turns out that this person wants to return to the country? No wonder it's so attentive. Returning to the country with his own hands is a good calculation. Hehe, you're thinking a little bit more. How can I raise a tiger legacy? If a man like you is not of use to me, can I tolerate you?

"Hehehe, it's easy to say, I can promise you now, as long as the Great Zhou is destroyed, I will make you wish to restore the country in the Southern Tang Dynasty. You and I have been friends for generations, and we are brothers. Wanyan Agu laughed.

"Thank you, Great Chief...... Fulfill! Li Guoqiu knelt and kowtowed, his eyes moistened, and his voice choked. This was the first time he had bowed to Wanyan Agu since he saw Wanyan Aguda, which showed his excitement and gratitude for the hope of restoring the country. In many cases, once people have too much delusion, they will short-circuit their IQ. With Li Guoqiu's wisdom, he will not fail to understand who Wanyan Aguda is. But his Li clan was too obsessed, so at this time, he also fainted.

……

On the dark and dreary night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, there was no light and no moon. The Jurchen army began to assemble on the north bank of Baimadu after dark, and like a ghost in the night, a large number of cavalry were assembled in two hours.

Today is the night of the Shangyuan Festival, which is the most important for the people of the Great Zhou. In the past, whether it was in towns and villages, border towns and capitals, both military and civilian, young and old, would enjoy the lanterns and guess riddles on this night. Because as soon as the Shangyuan Festival passes, the busy livelihood of the new year will begin, the shops will open for business, those who study will go to school, those who work will go to work, and those who go out will have to pack up and leave home. But tonight, the Jurchens are going to launch a sneak attack across the river on the night of Shangyuan, which is most valued by the Great Zhou people.

In the Great Zhou military camp south of Baimadu, the commander Bai Qi specially added a meal to the soldiers tonight, with more meat in the meal, and allowed each soldier to drink a small bowl of wine. In the short eight or nine days since the army was stationed in Baima Dunan, all the soldiers have worked very hard. Many of them withdrew from the north, and some were mobilized from the vicinity of Gyeonggi. Shangyuan night guarding this icy and snowy white horse ferry, the mood is naturally not very good. Bai Qi wanted the soldiers to experience some festive atmosphere and warmth, so he made an exception to let them drink a little wine and sleep well.

The current situation Bai Qi still thinks that there is no danger, although the fortifications are simple to build, as long as there is a place where you can shoot arrows to dodge, it is actually enough. The Jurchen army was now blocked on the north bank of the Yellow River, and they had to cross the river if they wanted to attack. If you want to cross the river, you have to force it by boat. His own army of 150,000 was held on the south bank, and the Jurchens wanted to force their way across to their own destruction. Bai Qi had actually noticed the freezing of the river, but he thought it was still very early to reach the point where he could walk. This is because before the heavy snowfall, there was only a sporadic freezing of the river and a large area of open water. And after this heavy snowfall, it just blocked the visual perception of the river. A thin layer of snow covers the surface of the river, making it impossible to judge what is going on under the snow.

Bai Bing believed that the Jurchens would not risk wading across the river through ice, because the water under the snow was full of dangers, and they would do so unless they were crazy. Bai Bing's thinking was related to the fact that he had been in the northeast border town for too long, and he had almost never encountered such a situation in front of him in his combat experience, so he obviously did not pay enough attention to it.

At the third watch, the soldiers of the Great Zhou who were in charge of the night vigil found a black and swaying figure on the river in the hazy night, and they thought they were dazzled, but soon they found that it was a large group of men and horses from the north bank like a tide. In order not to be noticed by the defenders on the south bank, all the Jurchen cavalry led their horses on foot, slowly stepping on the thick ice under the snow and feeling towards the opposite bank. When the soldiers of the Great Zhou spotted them in the hazy light of the sky and the light of the snow, the Jurchen cavalry had already approached a hundred paces away.

"Woooooo A frightening warning in the cold wind. The horn sounded rapidly. When all the Great Zhou soldiers woke up from their sleep and looked around in a hurry, the earth-shattering shouts of the Jurchen cavalry had already resounded across the river. They turned on their horses, urged their horses, and charged at the slightly higher embankments and fortifications on the south bank.

The reaction of the soldiers and horses of the Great Zhou was already very fast, the soldiers had not removed their armor, and they were sleeping in the tent without leaving their blades, and they had already begun to attack the shore quickly at the first time. But the Jurchen cavalry apparently came faster and more suddenly. When the iron hooves of the Jurchen cavalry stepped on the snow on the shore, the Great Zhou soldiers and horses were able to shoot the first round of dense arrow rain, and then they were forced to start hand-to-hand combat.

Batches of Jurchen cavalry rushed over from the river, and the ice on the river made a deafening roar, and the entire river seemed to be undulating and shaking, and in some places the ice broke and clicked. It seems to be about to break and collapse at any moment. But the Jurchens were no longer able to control those now, and at the urging of Wanyan Aguda, more than 100,000 Jurchen cavalry rode their horses across the opposite bank and rushed into the battle group with the soldiers and horses of the Great Zhou, regardless of the danger under their feet.

The soldiers and horses of the Great Zhou were not immediately crushed, Bai Qi had already made adjustments during this time, and he did not allow any more soldiers and horses to flee without a fight. He set up a team of supervisors, intensified rewards and punishments, and did a lot of ideological work. And Emperor Guo Xu's personal visit to inspect did boost morale, so the Great Zhou Xiang army showed the highest fighting spirit since the start of the war, even if the infantry was against the cavalry, they did not collapse quickly. The two sides fought fiercely from night to dawn, and both sides suffered extremely heavy casualties.

Originally, the Great Zhou soldiers and horses were about to collapse, but Bai Qi finally organized 50,000 cavalry to resist the Jurchen cavalry. The battle dragged on until dawn.

With cavalry to resist the opposing cavalry, the infantry has the spirit to fight. They dragged each other to the death, entangled with the Jurchens, and dragged the battle into a white-hot stage.

But the Jurchens finally sacrificed the Tiefutu heavy cavalry to fight, because Wanyan Aguda didn't want to drag it out any longer, he wanted Li Guoqiu to use the Tiefutu cavalry to crush Bai Qi's cavalry on the other side, as long as Bai Qi's cavalry was defeated, the Great Zhou infantry was actually not worth mentioning. The Three Thousand Iron Floats appeared like monsters, and this was their second appearance in front of the battle. But this time it was a frontal assault on the enemy formation, and that was what they were originally formed for. The Iron Float Heavy Cavalry soon showed that they were invincible, ignoring the ferocious strength of any opponent who stood in their way.