The early morning wind blew on the body like a steel knife, and it was bitterly cold. The frost on the ground was like snow, and the horses' hooves trampled on it, making a hoarse sound of the grass and trees breaking. As far as the eye can see, there is not a single figure, even birds and beasts have become extinct.

In summer, the Juma River is frozen and smooth as a mirror, with the occasional dead branches blown onto the ice by the wind.

Yelufonu exhaled and waved his big hand violently: "Cross the river!" Each ministry restricts its subordinates, and follows the established route all the way to the south! ”

The generals around him agreed, and the army went down the river bank and stepped on the ice of the Juma River. With the sound of horses' hooves, nearly 10,000 Khitan cavalry crossed the border with the Song Dynasty. Occasionally, a horse slipped and fell on the ice, causing a burst of laughter.

In the border area with the Khitan, the Song Dynasty has always forbidden the people to farm, and there is no trace of anyone in this area. The Khitan army lined up two miles in front of each other and entered the Song realm in a short time. On the other side of the river, he organized his troops, and under the leadership of Jeruphnu, he went straight south.

When the sun rose, I came across a village. Jerodhoonu commanded them to go around and ignore them. These people, I don't know if anyone will report to the government, the Khitan army can't manage so much.

In the station, Tong Yang looked at the rising sun in the sky, and said to Tao Yunran: "It's almost time, if you don't leave, I'm afraid that I will be caught up by the Khitans." ”

Tao Yunran nodded: "You immediately gather the men and horses, and I will go to fight the leader of the road repair army and let them retreat." Within half an hour, you must all go! Tell them that they don't have to bring all the salutations, that their lives matter! ”

Tong Yang agreed, ran back to his residence quickly, carried a gong in his hand, and struck it desperately. The people who had just gotten up heard the gong outside, and they went out of their residence for some reason, watching Tong Yang knock non-stop.

Tao Yunran quickly arrived at Guo Zhengchuan, the leader of the road-building army, and said: "I got the news that the Khitan soldiers and horses have crossed the Juma River and are coming to us. Zhizhou ordered us to immediately retreat south with men! You gather your subordinates, and after half an hour, you will withdraw together! Remember, don't take any salutes, your life is at stake! ”

Huang Jing, who was in charge of building roads here, heard this and said angrily: "There are thousands of people here who are building roads, and I don't know how many things are going on, how can I just leave?" Do you know how much you'll lose when you walk like this? Many good things are all wasted at once! ”

Tao Yunran said: "The lower official was ordered to defend here, and I don't know anything else!" Observe, the Khitans will arrive soon, and if they don't leave, they will not only damage things, but also lose their lives! Immediately arrange for people to evacuate, no matter what, wait until the Khitans are driven away! ”

Huang Jing shouted: "I was ordered to build roads, how can I listen to the command of a low-level general of yours!" Go and call your captain, and tell me for yourself!" ”

Tao Yunran never expected Huang Jing to object, and he was at a loss for a while. According to his official position, Huang Jing is much higher than himself, and he has thousands of people under his command, and he resolutely refuses to leave, and he really doesn't know how to deal with it. The dark monster is not meticulous in his work, so he should have informed Huang Jing as early as possible and let him obey his own dispatch. Seeing that with the sound of the Tongyang gong, more and more people gathered, I couldn't help but feel anxious.

At this moment, Huang Jing's deputy Ye Deng came over, asked what had happened, and said, "Since this is the case, we will withdraw." No matter what losses are incurred afterwards, we will only pursue Tao's instructions and make them responsible. ”

Huang Jing said: "How can a small instructive be responsible? This is the most important station for the two prefectures, and the progress is not allowed to be delayed for a moment! In such a retreat, how many places will have to be redone? How do I explain to the above? ”

Tao Yunran said: "Observation, as soon as the Khitans came, they burned, killed and looted, and even their lives were gone!" And immediately ordered someone to evacuate, and after the fact, the above will be investigated, no matter what happens, I will bear it. ”

After speaking, he ordered the two soldiers behind him to set up Huangjing and help him to the tent. He said to Ye Deng: "The information is true, and there are really Khitan soldiers and horses crossing the river in the north." It's not a small stock, it's 10,000 people, and it's not something we can resist. Please also observe and immediately order your subordinates to withdraw with me to the south. Don't bring the salute, your life matters! ”

Ye Deng looked at Tao Yunran, and said after a while: "Command, if there is a mistake in this matter, you can't afford it!" ”

Tao Yunran nodded: "Of course I know!" Observe, if it's not really urgent, how can I joke with my own life? Nearly 10,000 Khitans are cavalry, and it only takes half a day to get to us. If you don't leave at this time, you really can't leave! ”

Ye Deng looked at Tong Yang, who was still beating the gong, and nodded: "Okay, I believe you!" If there is a mistake or omission afterwards, you will not be spared! ”

After speaking, he said to the leaders on the side: "You go back and recruit your subordinates, you don't have to salute, report to me after the whole team!" ”

Tao Yunran listened, let out a sigh of relief, and thanked him again and again. These road building officials not only have high official positions, but also rare technicians, and their status in the imperial court is also high. If it wasn't for the boss's order, Tao Yunran really didn't dare to do anything with them.

After passing the gourd embankment and crossing the Bao River, it entered the territory of Xiongzhou. A red sun rose in the sky, Guo Kui Tima looked ahead, and said in a deep voice: "From here, go north, go to the Juma River!" We walked along the river and lined up at the place. Within ten miles, not a single Khitan is allowed to go north! ”

The generals agreed and took their troops and horses to the north. This is most of the cavalry in Zhang Qi's army, assembled into an army, and handed over to the deputy commander Guo Kui to command. I got the news yesterday that I set off before dawn today to block the back road of the Khitan army.

This area is vast and sparsely populated, and if it weren't for the special intelligence network, there would be no idea what was happening ten miles away. When the Khitan soldiers and horses crossed the river, Guo Kui's cavalry had already left the Ansu army. Soon after, he entered the territory of Xiongzhou. The distance of Guo Kui's march is not much different from the distance from the Khitan to the station. He moved about an hour in advance, and by the time the Khitans encountered the first village, Guo Kui's army had already entered Xiongzhou.

On the south bank of Nanyi Water, Chen Rui rushed with soldiers and horses. They came from Gaoyang, got Zhang Qi's military order, and set off before dawn, which was less than twenty miles away from Nanyishui. The sun rises in the east, sprinkling thousands of rays of light, reflecting the ice and snow.

Looking up at the sun in the sky, Chen Rui said, "How far is it from Nan Yishui here?" The captain strictly ordered that we must arrive in time to hold Nanyishui and not allow the Khitan soldiers and horses to cross the river alone. If you can't catch it, you will be held responsible. ”

Qu Anlan on the side said: "Back to Taiwei, there are still fifteen or sixteen miles, which is Nanyishui." Now that the sun is rising, the whole army is in a hurry, and it should arrive in front of the Khitans. When the Khitans cross the river, they will not be able to rush with the whole army, and they will not be earlier than us. ”

Chen Rui nodded: "The captain ordered our soldiers and horses to be stationed in Gaoyang, but it was still too careless." Although hidden, Gao Yang is really far away from Nan Yishui. I hurried all the way, and before I arrived at Nanyishui, it was already dawn. ”

Qu Anlan sighed: "Is there any way?" If you don't stay in Gaoyang and set up camp outside the city, you will inevitably be known by the Khitan. Taiwei didn't have a way to do it, so he did it. Rushing all the way, although the whole army was too tired, it was able to get in front of the Khitans after all. ”

Chen Rui said: "Order the whole army not to slack off, march at full speed!" If we arrive a moment late, the Khitans may have crossed the river and plundered the people. In this way, even if he wins afterwards, the court will punish him! This time to meet the Khitan, the order of the captain, there must be no negligence! ”

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