The next morning, Zhao Zhen received the Khitan captives at the imperial palace. All kinds of etiquette are very cumbersome.

After finishing the affairs, Du Zhongxiao returned to the left-behind mansion. As soon as he entered the official hall, a soldier came over and handed over an official document. Du Zhongxiao opened it and saw that it was Ma Huaide who wrote it. The letter said that in the past few days, there has often been turmoil in the Khitan military camp. A signing army came over, and after asking, I learned that the Khitan was close to running out of food. Now in the Khitan military camp, the signing army does not issue military rations at all, and the tribes that are far away from the royal family have very little military rations.

Put down the official document, Fu Bi happened to come in. Du Zhongxiao handed over the official document and said, "From this point of view, Wuqing can't wait. ”

Fu Bi took the official document in his hand, read it again, and said, "As long as you can't escape, why bother with them to die." ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "The Khitan is not a fool, and their main force will not be able to eat, but they are afraid that they will surrender and will not really starve to death." Until now, the surrender of the Khitans is a troublesome matter. Let them go back, the grassland forces are still there, and the follow-up will not be good. If you don't let them go back, I'm afraid that something will happen later. Hundreds of thousands of people can't really be killed. ”

After the founding of the Song Dynasty, the killing of prisoners was rare. Compared with the Han Dynasty before, when the two armies were at war and killed and surrendered troops at every turn, surrendering now will always leave a life. Even many armies will incorporate the surrendered troops.

Du Zhongxiao didn't want to incorporate the Khitan army and disrupt the Song army. Hundreds of thousands of surrendered troops, it is a headache to deal with, it is better to take prisoners.

Fu Bi nodded: "So, I can't wait." A few days ago, the Khitan killed horses to satisfy their hunger, and no matter how many horses they had, they couldn't last long. It's good that this battle will be over early and I will return to Beijing early. ”

Du Zhongxiao looked at the calendar next to him and shook his head: "Before you know it, it's going to be the New Year." This year's leap month, and after the New Year, the weather should be warmer. End the war early and prepare for next year's spring ploughing. ”

Fu Bi stepped forward and looked at the date and said, "Three days is the New Year." Why don't we set a new year to attack the Khitan? ”

Du Zhongxiao thought for a while and nodded: "Okay, it's in the New Year." Ordered Li Fugui to transport more wine and meat to the front barracks, which is a labor army and a New Year's celebration! Send a kindness once, so that these Khitan people can live for one more year! ”

At this moment, Han Qi and Song Zhen came in. Du Zhongxiao told the two of them his plans, and the two couldn't help but be surprised.

Song Zhen said: "The saint came to Youzhou, but he left in a day or two, so he was in a hurry." ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "I can't wait ahead." Once the food is cut out, the Khitans will be unable to support it very quickly. If Yeluhonki does not surrender, some of his ministers will also surrender. Now that everything is ready, there is no need to wait for them to surrender, it is better to attack! ”

Han Qi said: "This matter is very important, so I still ask the Holy Lord to adjudicate." ”

Du Zhongxiao thought for a while and said, "Okay, it's up to the Privy Council." Now that this battle has been fought, it is time for it to be over. ”

After speaking, he wrote a recital after arriving at the case and ordered someone to send it to the palace.

Outside Wuqing City, Jia Kui and Dou Shunqing stood by the Sanggan River, watching a few soldiers dig ice and fish there. It's been too boring these days, and occasionally I heard people talk about it, so the two brought their soldiers over. The fish in the river were big and fat, and they were caught and drunk to pass the time.

A fast horse galloped, and the soldiers above dismounted and stepped forward quickly. Xiang Dou Shunqing crossed his hand and said: "Captain, the announcement of the Privy Council, attack in two days." In the New Year, the Khitan soldiers and horses were eliminated, and the whole army was collected. ”

Dou Shunqing took the order and came over, and handed it over to Jia Kui. said: "Straight lady thief, after waiting for so many days, it can be regarded as a fight!" ”

After reading it, Jia Kui said: "The Holy Lord wants to go to the front line in person, and this battle is not simple. By the way, there is also Zhang Yu's Dragon Guard, who also wants to come along. Our 500,000 army attacked more than 300,000 remnants of the Khitan army, and their face is not small. ”

Dou Shunqing said with a smile: "If it was ten years ago, the 300,000 Khitan army would use 500,000 troops to meet the battle, and it would not be considered a large number of soldiers. Now it's different, we have 500,000 people, but the Khitan can fight. ”

While the two were talking, the soldiers on the other side set up the net. There were a lot of big fish in the net, and they were jumping around there.

Jia Kui said: "It looks like this fish weighs five or six catties, and it is the most delicious." Tonight we will invite a few lieutenants to come and drink together. It happened to be discussed how to fight the Khitan in two days. These days, there is constant chaos in the Khitan military camp, but I am afraid that there is no combat power. ”

Dou Shunqing said: "It's okay." The army has been here for many days, and looking at the Khitan military camp in front of them, some people are tired of seeing it. This battle was fought early, and when I returned to the capital, I could still catch up with the Shangyuan Festival. ”

As they spoke, they stepped forward to look at the fish they had caught. Most of the fish caught are carp and herring, the big ones are more than ten catties, and the small ones are two or three catties. In this era, there were a lot of fish in the river, and there were not a few catties, and generally no one ate them.

Dou Shunqing instructed people to invite Liu Jianji, Jingtai, Zhang Qi and others to drink in their handsome tent at night. Tell them that they have caught a big fish in the river today and have a good meal. There are few people who fish in winter, and eating fish is still very rare.

Back to the handsome tent, Dou Shunqing and Jia Kui sat down and drank tea there.

When it was not yet dark, Liu Jianji arrived. Dou Shunqing and Jia Kui came out to greet them, but when they saw Liu Jianji and Zhao Zi coming, they hurriedly saluted.

Dou Shunqing said: "The captain is actually here. How not to tell us, to greet early. ”

Zhao Zi said: "I got a military order from Captain Du today, saying that it will attack in two days. I came in a hurry, and I walked all the way, where can I tell you in advance. It just so happens that you invite someone to drink today and let everyone know. ”

Entered the handsome tent and served tea. Dou Shunqing invited tea and said, "Taiwei, why do you suddenly want to attack the Khitan during the Chinese New Year?" Why don't you wait for two days and let the army have a New Year. ”

Zhao Zi said: "Captain Du said, Ma Huaide reported that there have been many chaos in the Khitan military camp recently, and the military rations are insufficient. I am worried that the days of waiting are too long, and the Khitans will not be able to hold on, so it will not be good. At this time, the Khitans can support it, but they can't fight, and the offense is the best. If they are not careful, hundreds of thousands of troops will be surrendered, and it will be difficult to deal with them. ”

Jia Kui said: "What's not to deal with?" Kill them all, or you will be a hundred. ”

Zhao Zi said: "Hundreds of thousands of people, all of them were killed, how can you do it?" Kill prisoners and don't surrender, captain, this kind of thing can't be done. ”

While a few people were talking, Jingtai and Zhang Qi arrived. Salute Zhao Zi and sit down.

The soldier boiled a pot of fish soup for the fish he caught, and chose a few large ones, and roasted them on the fire in the tent. After a while, the fragrance overflows. The whole tent is filled with the aroma of grilled fish. And he brought a large pot of boiled mutton, and put it among the people.

Pouring wine, Dou Shunqing said: "Today, I caught some big fish in the Sanggan River, and I specially invited you to come and eat fish and drink together." It just so happened that Taiwei Zhao also came from Xiongzhou today, but it was a coincidence. Enjoy, everyone, we won't get drunk tonight! ”

After drinking, Zhao Zi said: "It has been many days to surround the Khitan people here in Wuqing, and you are only afraid of waiting." The Privy Council ordered that two days later, attack the Khitan and destroy it here. I came in advance to discuss this matter with you. ”