In the handsome camp outside the city, Wang Kai, He Bin and Hao Zhen sat around the fire. There was a sheep on the fire, and there was wine next to it, and the three of them were gossiping while eating meat and drinking. In the army, this kind of scene is a common thing, relatively simple.

Wang Kai said: "In the first battle of Youzhou, more than 500,000 people participated in the war, and there were hundreds of thousands of grain carriers. Together with the Khitan 800,000 people, nearly two million people from both sides participated in the war. I haven't seen this kind of war for hundreds of years, and I can't think about it. Captain, you're in the war, tell us about it. ”

Hao Zhen said with a smile: "Speaking of which, the number of soldiers who participated in this battle is indeed a great battle. But in fact, when the fight really started, everyone found that the Khitan was not as powerful as they thought at the beginning. In the early days of the Qianning Army, the newly reorganized forbidden army on Hebei Road still had contacts with the Khitan due to the lack of officers and experience. After more than ten days, he slowly stabilized, and he pressed the Khitan to fight. From then on, the Khitan was not our opponent at all. was surrounded in Wuqing, and easily won the battle. ”

He Bin said: "The battle of a million army, even if it is easy to win, it is not easy. ”

Hao Zhi said: "Of course it's not easy. However, in this battle, the first hero is not the generals on the front line, but Li Fugui of the Privy Council. It is not easy for us to directly participate in the war with millions of soldiers and civilians, everything is in good order and there are sufficient supplies. ”

Wang Kai and He Bin said yes together. The most difficult thing in the first battle of Youzhou was not to defeat the enemy on the front line, but to ensure that the supplies were sufficient. The Song army participated in the war with 550,000 troops, plus nearly 500,000 people who transported grain, and the supply of these million people was not an easy task. The army was commanded by officers, but all the civilians who participated in the war were under the command of Li Fugui, which was quite not easy. In addition, after the victory, the Khitan captives could not starve, and the supply of materials was a very remarkable thing. The victory of the Song army in Youzhou was not only a military victory, but an overwhelming victory of national strength.

After gossiping for a while, Hao Zhi said: "Two estimates, after the three Khitan high-ranking officials enter the city, will they sacrifice the city?" ”

Wang Kai said: "It is said that it will be offered." After the defeat of the Khitan in Youzhou, the foreign aid of Datong Mansion has been extinct, a dead city, what if you don't offer it? But it probably won't be that easy. The guard general Yelu Zong is willing to be the uncle of the Khitan emperor, and he will be prosperous and rich in his life, but he is afraid that he will want to exchange this city for some benefits. ”

He Bin said to Hao Qian: "This time, did the cardinal government say that if the Khitan guards dedicate the city, what is the benefit?" ”

Hao Zhen shook his head: "If they don't die, it's the biggest benefit." If the city is sacrificed, it will naturally ensure that they will have no worries for the rest of their lives. If you don't offer it, you will be beheaded after the city is broken. Mrs. Du said, seeing that it is spring, this battle has been fought for too long, don't delay time. If the Khitan does not offer the city, you will immediately attack the city with all your might. After breaking Datong Mansion, he cooperated with the Youzhou army to capture Fengshengzhou. ”

Wang Kai said: "Although Fengsheng Prefecture is large, there is no big city, and there is no Khitan army, so it is not difficult to capture. ”

The state of Khitan is different from that of the Song Dynasty, with many names, and there are states under the state. Just like Fengshengzhou, there are actually many military states below, which are smaller than the roads of the Song Dynasty, but larger than the states of the Song Dynasty. It was a place where the Khitan emperors often toured, and there were not many troops stationed there.

Hao Zhi said: "What Taiwei Du means is to occupy Fengsheng Prefecture in the spring. In the summer, it was completely repaired, and no major wars were organized for a year or two. After fighting year after year, the army was tired of fighting. Moreover, after this war, the army was basically formed and needed to be repaired and stabilized. ”

Wang Kai and He Bin nodded. In this battle, the Song army also did its best, and various organizations such as military academies were temporarily canceled and organized into an army. After the war, it was necessary to restart the business, and there was a lot to be done. Moreover, after destroying the Khitan, there is no strong enemy, and the Song army must also be streamlined.

Now the forbidden army of the Song army has about seven or eight hundred thousand people, which is still too much. It would be enough to streamline and maintain a standing prohibitory army of about 400,000.

The three of them ate meat and drank wine in the handsome tent, everyone had a good time, and they didn't say anything all night.

Early the next morning, Yeluren first came down from the city to see Wang Kai and the others.

When he arrived at the tent and sat down, Wang Kai said: "I don't know what the king will say when he arrives in the city?" ”

Yeluren first bowed his hand: "Last night, we talked for a long time with the guard general Yeluhou Gu, and he also knew that there were no reinforcements outside Datong Mansion, and there was almost no reserve, so it would definitely not last long. However, he was afraid that after the surrender of the city, he would treat him harshly, so he hesitated for a while. ”

Wang Kai looked at the other two and said, "Before you came, the cardinal government should have already said it. After the dedication of the city, it is impossible to reuse, and the officials of the imperial court are Song people, and it is not something that can be done casually. However, it can still be done to keep him peaceful for the rest of his life. ”

Yeluren first twisted for a while, and said: "Taiwei, Yeluhou Gu is the emperor's uncle, and he has been clothed and fed since he was a child, but he is just too peaceful, but I am afraid that it will not be enough." ”

Wang Kai said: "He has been a great king, doesn't he have savings?" As long as it is peaceful, his savings are enough. ”

Yeluren sighed first: "Taiwei, Datong Mansion is an important city. If Jeruhugu offered the city and there was no reward, he always felt that he had lost too much. The Song Kingdom was rich, so it was better to give him some rewards, which saved a lot of trouble. ”

Wang Kaiyao shook his head: "The court does things, one is one, two is two, and if you say it, you will definitely do it." If not, I promised him now, and I would wait until I entered the city, and then I would regret it. Now that the main force of the Khitan is dead, the imperial court is going to march, and no one can stop it. If there is a reward for sacrificing the city, how much money will the court reward? Being able to keep the peace is already very remarkable. ”

Yeluren saw that Wang Kai did not let go, and he was a little at a loss for a while. Now the advantage of the Song army is big enough, even in such an important place as Datong Mansion, it is unwilling to use its financial position to buy the defenders to surrender. Yeluhougu just wants benefits now, and it's a little difficult to do for a while.

After a long time, Yeluren said, "In that case, let me into the city, and I will consult with Yeluhou Gu." ”

Wang Kai said: "Okay." When you enter the city, tell Jeruhugu that we don't have much time, but only three days. After three days, if he doesn't surrender the city, he will attack it with all his might. Attacking the city again will not be as childish as a few days ago. With an army of 100,000 here, he figured out how many days he could defend. I might as well say that we are expecting the city to be broken in ten days. ”

Yeluren hurriedly surrendered his hand: "The army is powerful, and I have seen it below." Don't panic, let me discuss it again. ”

Yeluren first stayed in Youzhou, when the Song army attacked the city, heavy artillery arrived, and the city wall collapsed in one day. There is no heavy artillery outside Datong Mansion, but it is just because the road is rugged and the transportation is inconvenient. Without heavy artillery, the Song army could also block the city wall with artillery fire, and the ants attached it. Of course, after having gunpowder, there are actually many ways to break the city, but the Song army is not familiar with it.

Seeing Yelu Renxian away, Wang Kai shook his head: "Sure enough, the Khitan guards have no determination to defend the city, but just want benefits." At this time, how did the imperial court promise? gave the Datong guards, will you give the guards of other cities in the future? If it goes on like that, won't it be endless! ”

He Bin nodded: "Yes, there are no benefits." Now that Datong Mansion is a place of death, I don't believe that Yelu Hougu is willing to put his life on the line for the sake of benefit. If he refuses to surrender the city, it will be fine, for our army will attack the city. ”

Hao Zhi said: "The imperial court is also that the battle in Youzhou was too smooth, and it thinks that the Khitan strength is too weak and should not hold on." Otherwise, I will directly order you to attack. After capturing Datong Mansion, there are still many places to pick it up. ”

At this time, the forbidden army that had been trained on Hedong Road had already occupied Yingzhou, and Pang Jiqin, the envoy of Hedong Economic Strategy, led his troops and horses and was about to march into Ulzhou. There are only a thousand Khitan defenders there, and it is not difficult to capture. After occupying all the Western Military Road, the Song army would regroup its troops and horses and attack Fengshengzhou with the army from Youzhou. It's the first month of the year, and time is running out.

The sixteen states of Yanyun fought for many years, which were very dilapidated, and after the Song army occupied it, it was necessary to reorganize the place. Last year's leap month, this year's weather is very warm, and the war cannot be delayed for too long. At least, the imperial court believed that spring plowing could not be delayed.