Yang Ji was in the official office, and after reading the official document of the Nanjing Left-behind Division, he couldn't help but be overjoyed: "The left-behind is really far-sighted, not like ordinary mediocre officials!" With these thousands of cavalry, what is the difficulty? ”

After speaking, he read and looked at the official document in his hand and carefully placed it on the case. In the official document, the Nanjing garrison agreed that when the river froze in winter, they would send 5,000 cavalry to Zhuozhou, and together with the local defenders of Zhuozhou, they would march south into the Song Dynasty. The specific command was handed over to Yang Ji to discuss with the generals.

Standing up, Yang Ji walked around the room, excited. Hundreds of people fled this summer, and Ma Huaide, the pacification envoy of the Song Dynasty, negotiated several times, but there was no result, and Yang Ji has been depressed. Until today, with the support of his boss, the depressed mood was swept away.

With a wave of his hand in the air, Yang Ji said: "When the army crosses the Song Realm, capture those Diao people together!" ”

After speaking, he summoned the official of the yamen to prepare a wine feast, and he wanted to drink a few glasses of wine.

In Hejian Mansion, Liu Ji and the deputy commander Song Shouyue stood outside the yamen to greet Li Zhang and his party. After entering the yamen, they went to the official hall and sat down.

Liu Ji arched his hand and said: "Taiwei came from the capital, and there was no distant welcome, so don't blame." ”

Li Zhang said: "The Privy Council issued a decree ordering me to go to Hejian Mansion to discuss the affairs of the commander with the Taiwei. In the next talent is shallow learning, inappropriate, you can just laugh it off. This Ding Lingde is now working in the Privy Council. used to be an official on Hequ Road, and he was even valued by Du Taiwei. When I get back, General Ding will stay in Hejian Mansion for a few days. ”

Liu Ji saw that Ding Lingde's face was full of kindness, with a smile on his face, like a wine shop shopkeeper, and bowed to himself.

After returning the salute, Liu Ji thought in his memory and couldn't remember this person. It seems that after arriving at Hequ Road, Du Zhongxiao excavated it not the old people of Suizhou. With Li Zhang coming, there is no need to ask, this is the original important person in charge of the intelligence of the Hequ Road.

After saying a few polite words, Liu Ji said: "Taiwei came from afar, prepared some wine, and washed the dust for you." The prefect of the king of Hejian, I heard that the Taiwei was coming here, and he sent someone yesterday to say that if he did not avoid suspicion, he was willing to come to greet him. ”

Li Zhang said: "I'm here on business, what can I do?" It just so happens that there is something to cooperate with the commander, and he should see the prefect of the king. ”

Wang Zhen, the prefect of Hejian, is the deployment and pacification envoy of Gaoyang Guanlu, and is a handsome minister all the way. The forbidden army that has been trained is not subordinate to the original commander, so there is Liu Ji's strategy along the border. Wang Zhen was not very familiar with the affairs of the imperial court, and was a little confused about Liu Ji's establishment of the marshal, and heard that some court officials came over and hurriedly paid a visit. After the reorganization and training of the forbidden army, a new commander's division was set up, which conflicted with the original military arrangements on Hebei Road, and Li Zhang just made it clear.

When they arrived at the back office, Liu Ji ordered a wine feast to be set up, and everyone sat down. He also sent his own soldiers to invite Wang Zhen.

After a short time, Wang Zhen arrived and sat down with everyone.

After drinking two glasses of wine, Li Zhang said: "The news that the cardinal government got that hundreds of Khitan people were taken in in the summer, and the Khitan has refused to give up. When the rivers freeze this winter, there is a high chance that something will happen. You must prepare early, and don't break the spirit of the court. ”

Wang Zhen said: "I have also heard about this. In Zhuozhou on the opposite side, these few people kept sending meticulous efforts to cross the river and spy on the military situation of the dynasty. Especially when Zhang Qi's army arrived a few days ago, they were stationed in Xiongzhou, and they were most concerned. ”

Li Zhang said: "Have you caught the Khitan fine work?" Like such people, if they are caught, they will be punished canonically, and they cannot be tolerated! ”

Wang Zhen shook his head: "Those people are very slippery, they don't go into the city, they only wander in the countryside. There is a shortage of manpower in the local area, and it is difficult to capture. ”

Liu Ji sighed: "Hebei is not as good as the mainland, and many of the people here are two losers. They themselves don't know whether it's the Song or the Khitans. The more rural the place, the more ignorant of the imperial decrees, and the more unsure how to prevent them. ”

Li Zhang looked at Ding Lingde and said in a deep voice: "From Xiongzhou to Hejian Mansion, there are now more than 100,000 troops stationed, which is more than the people. Let the Khitan spy on the military situation, how to get it. Self-management is from the commander Liu Taiwei, and the local assistance can be done. ”

Liu Ji and Wang Zhen said yes together.

Li Zhang said again: "At the beginning of this year, Xiao Ge dedicated Shuozhou. Yelu Hongji, the lord of the Khitan state, personally led hundreds of thousands of troops, and fought with Jia Kui Taiwei of this dynasty in Mayi for many days, but did not gain the upper hand, and could only retreat helplessly. In this battle, the army of this dynasty really won the Khitans and boosted the morale of the soldiers. This winter, if the Khitans dare to cross the border, you have to let them come and go! ”

Liu Jidao: "In winter, the river freezes, and the Khitan soldiers and horses come and go, which is extremely difficult to prevent. If thousands of cavalry crossed the border and did not go deeper, they would retreat in a day or two, and the commander would have no choice. Captain, this matter can only depend on the will of God. ”

Li Zhang looked at Liu Ji and said in a deep voice: "Du Taiwei Junzhi, if Taiwei can't do it, Shuai Si will have to be replaced!" ”

Liu Ji was startled, and hurriedly arched his hand and said: "The last general should do his best!" Don't lose the hope of the court! ”

Looking at Liu Ji, after a long while, Li Zhang's face slowly softened, and said: "When I was leaving, the Tai Lieutenant said that in addition to commanding the army, we must also know the enemy's military situation. Although Taiwei Liu and Taiwei Du worked together in Suizhou for many years, they later had few opportunities to lead the army alone. If the Khitan can be prevented this winter, it will be considered in line with the expectations of the imperial court. ”

Seeing the serious atmosphere, Wang Zhen and Song Shouyue both held their breath and did not dare to speak. Specially sent Li Zhang, saying so seriously, it seems that the imperial court takes the possible attack of the Khitan this winter very seriously. In order to boost morale, the Khitan was never allowed to come and go freely.

Ding Lingde, who was on the side, kept smiling. When others looked at him, he laughed with him, and when he didn't look at him, he looked at a few people with a smile.

Liu Ji knew in his heart that Li Zhang and Ding Lingde must have a special intention when they came, not just to tell themselves these few words. It's late October, and it's already freezing outside, but the Juma River and other big rivers are in a hurry, and it will take a few days. The Khitan is going to cross the river to take revenge, and now there should be news. It's just that he is a new commander, and he doesn't have enough control of the Khitan military situation, so he can't help but be anxious.

Raising his glass, Liu Ji said to Wang Zhen: "If you want to know the Khitan military situation, prevent the detailed work, and ask the local government to fully cooperate." Wang Zhizhou has been in Hejian Mansion for several years, managing tens of thousands of forbidden troops, if there is something wrong with the commander, please do your best to help. ”

Wang Zhen hurriedly raised his glass and said, "If Taiwei Liu has something to order, I will do my best to help do it." ”

After drinking, Li Zhang said: "The Khitan army must come from Zhuozhou. More than 100 miles from Zhuozhou to Xiongzhou, the cavalry is in a hurry, and they can cross the border in one day. You must focus on the direction of Zhuozhou, find out the news as early as possible, and don't send people by surprise. The imperial court strictly ordered that if the Khitans crossed the border, they would have no return! But your armies must not cross the borders to avoid trouble. ”

Liu Ji looked at Wang Zhen and said, "The Khitans crossed the border, if they just looted and left, they only had one or two days. What does Taiwei mean that we must keep the Khitans in these days or two? ”

Li Zhang said: "This is Shuaisi, how you fight, the Privy Council doesn't care." However, when the Khitans came, they couldn't be allowed to go back. If the Khitans go back, Taiwei Liu will go back to Beijing to plead guilty. ”

This is categorical, and there is no negotiating meaning. Obviously, the imperial court has made up its mind to make the Khitans suffer greatly.