Guo Shao returned to the left wing camp of the North Tiger Jie Army in Waqiaoguan (Xiongzhou).

He first summoned more than 40 military generals such as the commander of the military capital, the commander of the military capital, and the commander envoy to the tent to discuss the matter. The Chinese military camp tent is a felt-topped camp tent, which is built with wood and cloth around it, and covered with felt grass for clothing, and the waterproof effect is relatively good.

The generals came one after another, and they habitually put their weapons on the shelves at the door, and after a while, as if they were weapons exhibitions, all kinds of swords and swords were put away.

When everyone arrived, Guo Shao brought his personal guards into the account, and the personal soldiers did not go in, and directly put martial law around them, and did not allow irrelevant idle sergeants to approach.

"Meet Guo Dashuai (lordship)......" A group of people clasped their fists and saluted a little chaotically. There were so many people at once, there was no place to sit, and everyone had to stand.

After a while, a few of his own soldiers came up carrying a simple shelf, on which hung a large drawing, with a rough sketch of what resembled a map in very thick lines. This "picture" is made by Guo Shao himself, and the painting is a little ugly, but it is very simple.

Guo Shao took off the helmet and put it on the table, it was the middle of April, the weather was already a little hot, and the long hair was tied on his head and covered with the helmet a little stuffy. When he turned around, everyone's noise stopped one after another, and many eyes looked at Guo Shao. He's used to such scenes now.

So he pondered for a moment, then pointed to the map and said casually: "It is said that after the reinforcements of the Liao State have arrived in Yanshan, they are probably in this place; Our army is currently north and south of the Juma River......

The mobilization of the left wing of the Hujie army is that it can cross the Juma River and reach Zhuozhou and Gu'an, and the two cities will be on standby; The infantry will be handed over to Qi Tingxun, the commander of the left wing, and as soon as he arrives in Zhuozhou, Qi Tingxun will be responsible for commanding the six armies. ”

Someone suddenly asked: "Guo Dashuai wants to step down as the chief general of the left chamber?" ”

Guo Shao said: "I have new military affairs. After leading the Zhulu town soldiers with the main force, they will march towards Youzhou, and there will be Hujie Army's left wing cavalry, Dingzhou army, and tens of thousands of town soldiers. ”

He turned his head to look at the tall Qi Tingxun: "Send someone to move the dozen or so big boxes placed in Qizhou to Zhuozhou, you know what I said, right?" ”

Qi Tingxun hugged his fists and said: "My subordinates understand." ”

Guo Shao said again: "Li Chuyun, Luo Yanhuan, Dong Zunxun, Deng Fei, the four generals led the cavalry of the headquarters to follow me; The others obeyed the command of the left chamber and commanded Qi Tingxun. The commanding corps also went with the army, Zuo You, Luo Mengzi and me; Lu Chengyong served as the deputy commander and stayed with Zhou Duan in the Left Wing Shogunate. Do you know where you have gone? ”

Everyone echoed and discussed for a while, and Guo Shao immediately ordered the generals to return to the camp and prepare to leave.

Beginning early the next morning, the armies began to cross the Juma River through pontoon bridges. Most of the time the war is on the march, and everyone is used to it; It has been more than a month since the Northern Expedition began, and the people have walked hundreds of miles and occupied many places, but they have not really fought a battle.

The river is clear, and the fields on both sides are green at the turn of spring and summer, and much of the land here is barren and grassy, but it still looks vibrant. At this time, compared to the snowy winter, it is like not being in the same place.

Guo Shao rode to the riverbank and stood under a tree watching the marching army and a large number of mule and horse carriages. When looking back left and right, I saw Li Chuyun by my side, remembered Li Chuyun's words at the end of last year, and couldn't help but say: "Brother Li is really right." ”

It has been several months since those words, and the generals have almost forgotten them, and when they heard Guo Shao mention it, everyone remembered it one after another.

Li Chuyun arched his hand on the horse, laughing without saying a word.

Seeing this, Guo Shao suddenly felt that he was becoming more and more general...... Guo Shao only remembered that in history, Chai Rong fell ill during the Northern Expedition and was forced to quit the army, which caused regrets; I can't remember what the process was like at all. On the contrary, at the end of last year, Li Chuyun said something, and now I look at it, as if he only knew what was going on.

"The Zhou army fought all the way to the south of the Juma River, and there was only one skirmish, and it really went all the way." Guo Shao said, "After crossing the Juma River, the reinforcements of the Liao State are about to arrive, and the key point of this battle is really a decisive battle with the main force of the Liao State, which is consistent with what General Li said. Admire, admire! ”

After hearing this, Li Chuyun said: "Youyun and the old land of Bohai Kingdom, two important places for the Khitan people to obtain property, there is no reason not to save the Liao Kingdom. The folk relatives and brothers occasionally fight, and even fight, but which family is willing to give away half of the good land manor in their hands to outsiders? Don't be desperate yet. ”

Guo Shao asked again: "Zhou and Liao won or lost this battle, how about Brother Li predict again?" ”

Li Chuyun was a little hesitant and said quietly: "The last general feels that it is difficult to win. ”

Guo Shaozheng was pondering, and then suddenly reported that a messenger from the Daimyo's Mansion had found the army. So he ordered that someone be brought up, and when he saw a man in a hood and a robe, and several of his attendants, he sent a letter to him.

Second Sister Fu's letter. Guo Shao beckoned his entourage to receive the messenger first, quietly rode to the side to avoid it, and then opened the letter to read. Letters in this era were very difficult and costly, and people were sent to travel hundreds of miles to deliver letters. Otherwise, you can only find an acquaintance to carry it, and it may be lost.

The beginning of the letter seems to be plain, Fu Ermei narrated that there is a secretary in the gate of the palace, which is a special place to receive letters, official documents, worship posts and other things. She would send someone to ask every few days, and for the first time she realized how abrasive the wait was. If she finds her husband's letters, she will be happy for a long time, and for a long time, she can only peruse his letters to express her longing.

When Guo Shao saw this, he suddenly felt a little anxious, and wanted to win the Khitan as soon as possible and go back to Tokyo.

But he guessed that Chai Rong's body might not last long, and he wouldn't be able to live in peace when he went back, and the moment of great changes in history was faintly ahead. This made Guo Shao anxious, thinking about it, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.

The best choice is to follow the queen's arrangement.

……

The left wing army of the Hujie army arrived in Zhuozhou, and the army of the former division of the temple had gone north, and Qi Tingxun took over the defense of Zhuozhou and Gu'an. In accordance with the holy decree, Guo Shao led more than 2,000 cavalry to the north to follow the main cavalry of the Zhou army.

The water of Zhuoshui Ferry was shallow, and the troops waded through the water and easily broke through Zhuoshui. At this time, the Zhou army had no danger in front of Youzhou City, and there was no danger to rely on, and there was a flat river; Several rivers near the city are also shallow, and they can't stop the army at all...... The Youzhou Plain is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the south is a completely flat plain.

Guo Shao only had 2,000 cavalry under his command, and the Dingzhou army and the Zhenjie soldiers had not yet arrived. The forward Shi Yanchao and the leading hall of the former division of the Zhuban Zhi have approached Youzhou City, followed by the elite cavalry of the Chinese army, and Guo Shao and the horsemen of the Long Jie army are at the rear.

On the second day of the march, on the night of the camp, suddenly the Chinese army sent people, and the emperor summoned all the generals to discuss the matter. Guo Shao had no choice but to bring more than a dozen horsemen to catch up with the Chinese army.

The fire outside the big tent was bright, and it was dark when Guo Shao arrived at the place. Wang Pu and more than a dozen other generals and emperors were present, and immediately said: "Shi Yanchao reported that the Liao army has arrived near Juyong Pass and Deshengkou (northwest of Youzhou City). ”

Chai Rong spoke at this time: "How do you think you will enter the army, let's talk about it first. ”

The generals looked at each other, and Chai Rong named Zhang Yongde and said, "General Zhang, you talk to me." ”

Zhang Yongde took a step forward, bent down and said: "Since the Liao army has set out, it will save Youzhou." I don't know what to say...... Since the Great Zhou has occupied the seventeen counties of several states on the south bank of the Juma River, it is already a meritorious teacher, and there is no need to rush into Youzhou at the moment, but Xu Tuzhi can ......"

"There is no need to say anything about persuading me to quit the army." Chai Rong said categorically.

At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin stood up and said: "Since the Liao army has arrived in the northwest of Youzhou, why don't you come straight to save Youzhou City?" It may be a deliberate plan to lure our army to the city and lure the enemy deeper. Now that the Liao reinforcements have arrived, it is better for our army to wait and see in the south first, wait for the main force of the Liao army to go south, and then wait for the opportunity to fight a decisive battle. ”

Several generals immediately echoed Zhao Kuangyin's strategy, unwilling to go deep into Youzhou City.

Wang Pu also said: "After the soldiers come to the city, our dynasty will divide the troops to besiege the city and disperse the troops. ”

Another humanitarian: "The Liao army has been reinforced from afar, and when it first arrived in Youzhou, it will not attack at this time; They will not go south easily, and they will have to delay their rest. Now entering Youzhou City can force the Liao people to fight urgently. If the Liao army still retreats to the victory pass, our dynasty can take the opportunity to attack the city; Once you occupy Youzhou City, you will have a foothold. ”

"Guo Shao, where is Guo Shao?" Chai Rong suddenly shouted.

Whenever it comes to siege the city, the emperor will think of Guo Shao, who is often silent. Guo Shao hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "The minister is here." ”

Chai Rong asked, "When can you go down to Youzhou?" ”

Guo Shao stubbornly said: "The minister sent a fine disguised merchant to Youzhou to inquire about the situation, Youzhou has a commander of soldiers and horses in the Southern Courtyard, and the Southern Courtyard has 18,000 Khitan cavalry, and the Xi soldiers are unknown. It may be difficult to besiege the city with the men and horses under the command of the ministers...... Even if the city wall is blown up, it will take about a month; Tunnels must be dug around to find a suitable explosion point. Because there are some places and underground water seepage, it is impossible to place **. ”

He couldn't help but still enter the advice: "If you want to besiege Youzhou, you must also transfer the elite of the infantry army, build several layers of fortifications outside the city, and surround it with a large army." ”

Chai Rong thought about it for a long time and decided to camp in the south of the city and not attack Youzhou City for the time being. He also did not order the elite of the follow-up Zhulu Infantry Army to be transferred.

It can be seen that Chai Rong and Zhao Kuangyin have the same views on the strategy of attacking Youzhou, and they both focus on the reinforcements of the Liao State and seek opportunities to destroy the enemy in the field.

Guo Shao has participated in high-level deliberations in the imperial court many times, and has probably figured out the thinking of Chai Rong and other generals in using troops: they generally don't hope for stratagems, they just want to find an opportunity to do the opposite.

However, there are always some external conditions that affect the outcome of the fight, such as terrain, morale, physical strength, numbers, etc., so the so-called tactics are to try to lead the external conditions to the side that is beneficial to them...... In the end, it is still a fight for strength.

At present, the elite troops of the Zhou army do not enter, because they feel that the conditions for the soldiers to come to the city are not conducive to their own side.