In the shop by the ferry, Ding Lingde sat in the middle and said to a few people: "It's November, and the Juma River is about to freeze." According to my estimate, the Khitans are desperate to regain the face they lost a few months ago, and they may cross the Juma River once it freezes. ”

A man pretending to be a merchant, from Zhang Qijunzhong, named Bao Tong, frowned and said: "But after these days, we have only spread some news. In the end, where the Khitans will come from and where they will attack, they are still confused, and they don't know what to do. ”

Ding Lingde drank tea and said unhurriedly: "This kind of thing can't be rushed." Only by doing everything carefully can we achieve results. As far as I know, the Khitans have sent three groups of people to scout the route. As far as Bazhou in the east and as far as Huludi in the west, people were sent. However, these three times they were not satisfied. In accordance with Shuaisi's orders, Taiwei Zhang moved away the places and people that were vulnerable to Khitan raids. ”

Wen Hao, who was from the Xiongzhou Yamen next to him, said: "What does the general mean, the Khitans haven't decided where they come from?" ”

Ding Lingde said: "How can you be sloppy when you march and fight!" If the Khitans want to cross the border, it is impossible to come over without a head or brain, stay for a day or two and leave. Thousands of soldiers and horses are dispatched, and there must be an explanation, what to do, and how to do it. Therefore, the route set by the Khitans must have signs. ”

Wen Hao said: "What signs? ”

Ding Lingde said slowly: "It must be that the route is well felt, there is a guide to lead the way, and there is a clear goal after crossing." Although this matter is difficult, how many people can come and go freely on the border between the two countries and are familiar with the border situation? Not to mention that there are few people who are familiar with the road and are willing to be used by the enemy. These days, I've got a pretty good idea of what is going on in this area. ”

Bao Tongxi said: "Every day, the general just asked us to go around to find out the news and spread the rumors, and I don't want to be of such use." ”

Ding Lingde said: "Everything has its own certain rules. As long as you follow the rules, it's always about the same. The Khitan has already found out clearly that it is Yang Ji, the governor of Zhuozhou, who is not angry and the people fled in the summer, and they are determined to cross the border in winter to gain face. In other words, the Khitan came with the soldiers and horses of Zhuozhou. And Yizhou in the west, Zhizhou Yelupo has no such intention and will not go south. In this way, the place where the Khitans may go south is from Huludi to Bazhou, which is more than 100 miles of Xiongzhou ground. ”

Wen Hao believed: "Sure enough. Our days have not been in vain, and we are looking for the right place. ”

Ding Lingde said: "This section of the Juma River is more than 100 miles, and it is not long to say that it is long, and it is not short to say that it is short. The Khitans want to cross the border, and they can come from anywhere. However, thousands of troops crossing the border are risky, and they must always be rewarded only if they have gained. In this way, there are not many suitable places. ”

Speaking of this, Ding Lingde took a sip of tea and continued: "With the Baigou Post in the middle as the boundary, the border can be divided into two sections. Originally, the most suitable place for the Khitans was Baigou Station, but it was the main transportation route between the two countries, and Zhang Taiwei arranged soldiers and horses there, and the Khitans stopped coming after checking once or twice, and obviously would not attack there. I have repeatedly confirmed this matter that Captain Zhang has arranged a lot of soldiers and horses there, so we don't have to worry. To the east of Baigouyi, there are many waters, and Nanyishui is getting closer and closer to Juma River. There were eleven villages and more than 600 households. I have already discussed with Captain Zhang to set up a barracks there, build a military village, and block the only intersection. ”

Hearing this, Bao Tong hurriedly asked: "What does the general mean, not to let the Khitans go there?" ”

Ding Lingde said: "War is a matter of life and death, and the existing gap, of course, must be plugged first." To the west of Baigou Station, the terrain is vast, and there are many people. The two losers in Xiongzhou are mostly there. There are more than 5,600 households and five military villages. ”

Wen Hao said: "Yes, west of Xiongzhou, the terrain is flat, and there are the most households. The Khitans want to loot, and it is most suitable there. ”

Ding Lingde shook his head: "It's not right either. Of the more than 5,000 households there, more than 4,000 are Khitan and Ben dynasty. Speaking of which, those are also the people under the rule of the Khitan. If the Khitans looted there, who would be willing to give them taxes and serve in the future? It's not two losers, only more than 1,000 families close to Nanyishui. In other words, the Khitans could only loot when they reached Nanyishui. ”

Several people couldn't help but be stunned when they heard this. After a while, I understood what Ding Lingde meant. As the name suggests, the two losers were under the rule of the Song Dynasty, and all administrative affairs were managed by the Song Dynasty. But their taxes were given to the Khitan, and the taxes of the Song Dynasty had long been exempted. said that it was two losers, but in fact, they were just obeying the management of the Song Dynasty and paying taxes to the Khitan at the same time. In terms of identity, they are also Khitan people, and it is impossible to say that the Khitans come to rob them.

Hearing this, the others finally understood what Ding Lingde meant.

first figured out that the Khitan was going to send troops from Zhuozhou, so he narrowed the border area. Then classify the people under his rule and find out those areas that the Khitan are likely to plunder, and the scope of defense will be greatly reduced.

Ding Lingde came here, of course, not just to release some fake news to lure the Khitans. For war, this is too unreliable. He had to sort the entire region into categories and select the most likely places for the commander to choose. And then do everything you can to make sure that the Khitans do this. Without such ability, Du Zhongxiao would not have sent him.

Bao Tongdao: "According to the general's meaning, the most valuable thing for the Khitan to enter is to go to Nanyishui." And the place where the people who fled south lived was a few miles away from Nanyishui. When the Khitans got there, how could they ignore it? ”

Ding Lingde nodded: "That's right." These days, we have spread the news that it is said that how comfortable the people who fled south are, it should also reach the ears of the Khitan nobles. It is not far from the freezing of the Juma River, and you should pay more attention to whether there are any Khitan people who come there to explore the route. Remember, when you see someone coming, you just don't know and do what you normally do. ”

Wen Hao said: "Just don't let the Khitan people see it." These days, those of us who follow the general to do things have to keep in mind the teachings, do what we should do in our own line of work with peace of mind, and never cause any other trouble. ”

Ding Lingde nodded: "That's right." Go back and tell your men, we're just asking for news. One mouth speaks, and another pair of ears listen, and other things have to be reported, and naturally someone will do it. If someone has more branches, let the Khitan people find something strange, and they will not be spared! ”

Speaking of this, Ding Lingde's face suddenly changed, and he was extremely serious. Several people have not seen it, and they were stunned for a while. When Ding Lingde's cold gaze swept over him, he hurriedly surrendered his hand: "Everything is under the orders of the general!" ”

Looking at everyone, Ding Lingde didn't speak for a while. After a long time, he nodded: "You remember, you have to be careful in everything in this business. Know what you do, what you should do and what you shouldn't. What to say and what not to say. Who dares to leak the news, the law of the imperial court, no one is tolerated! ”

Since arriving in Xiongzhou, Ding Lingde has always had a smile on his face. It wasn't until today that the solemn side was revealed, which made the hearts of everyone here beat wildly. Only then did I remember that he was a general under the Privy Council, but he was not really the head of the country tavern.

As the day became cold, Ding Lingde began to slowly collect the net he had laid down. If you want the Khitans to come and go, even if Zhang Qi has an army of 50,000, they can't cover everything. Ding Lingde wants to give him a place, at most only one or two routes, and arrange them in time.

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