Tianzhang Pavilion, Du Zhongxiao, Zhao Zi and Li Zhang stood solemnly. Zhao Zhen looked at the map on the table and looked at it carefully.

Straightening up, Zhao Zhen said: "Do you estimate that what is the chance of winning this time to intercept the invading Khitans?" ”

Du Zhongxiao praised Wat: "Zhang Qi is a famous general and has always been known for his bravery. He formed an army from his own department, and with Weichen fought all the way to the Western Regions, he won the most crucial battle against the Qarakhanid. If the front is correct, there should be a chance of winning. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded, thought for a while, and said: "According to the Shuai Si, there may be 10,000 soldiers and horses in the Khitan going south this time. If all these 10,000 soldiers and horses are annihilated, what will the Khitans think? What to do later? ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "From Weichen to Hequ Road, Tanglong Town won two big victories and forced Yelu Renxian to retreat. At that time, although the Khitans were defeated, most of them still thought that the lord of the country had died unfortunately, and the situation was pressing. At the beginning of this year, Ma Yi Jia Kui won, and many people could see that the Khitan army was no longer as strong as this dynasty at this time. However, that time it was a defense, and some people in the Khitan still had luck in their hearts, thinking that they were really fighting and were not afraid of this dynasty. If this victory is won, there will be nothing in the world to say, and the military strength of this dynasty is better than that of the Khitan. Later, many things are different. ”

Zhao Zi forked his hand and said: "The minister thinks that if he wins this time, the Khitan is very likely to increase troops to Youzhou." ”

Zhao Zhen was stunned: "This dynasty has increased the army of 150,000 on Hebei Road, and the Khitans should have increased their troops." ”

Zhao Zi said: "After five years of the Khitan Civil War, although the grassland was stable, Youzhou was hit hard. The Khitan people should recuperate and recuperate, and do not arrange heavy troops to be stationed in Youzhou. As far as Wei Chen knows, the entire Youzhou garrison is less than 50,000 people. ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Your Majesty, in the eyes of the Khitan people, they don't think that this dynasty dares to go north. Even after losing the battle in Mayi at the beginning of the year, they still think so. Therefore, at the junction of the two countries, there are not many Khitan soldiers and horses. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded and didn't speak for a while. It wasn't until the victory of Ma Yi at the beginning of this year that Zhao Zhen really realized that the military strength of the Song Dynasty had really surpassed that of the Khitan. It was also from that time that he strengthened his determination to restore Yanyun. The reorganization of the Privy Council and the Sanya, and the training of the forbidden army, were in preparation for the northward advance. Unexpectedly, the Khitans were still indifferent and did not prepare.

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Zhen said: "If the army from the south of the Khitan is completely annihilated this time, wouldn't it mean that it is not difficult to attack Youzhou?" ”

Du Zhongxiao praised the wat: "Your Majesty, it is not difficult to attack Youzhou. It has always been that the Central Plains went north, not because Youzhou was difficult to attack, but because it could not win quickly. As soon as the war started, the Khitan gathered grassland soldiers and horses and went south. There are not many soldiers and horses in Youzhou, and there are many soldiers and horses in the Khitan grassland, so they often win first and then lose. Therefore, the most important thing in attacking Youzhou is to prevent a large number of Khitan grassland soldiers and horses heading south. ”

Zhao Zhen said: "How many people are there in the Khitan to collect grassland soldiers and horses?" ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "According to conservative estimates, it should not be difficult for five or six hundred thousand horses. ”

The direct military strength of the Khitan Emperor was about 1560,000 people. With the addition of other princes, and kings from all over the world, it is not difficult to have five or six hundred thousand people. This is the real strength of the Khitan, and the Yanyun area is more of an agricultural supply area, improving the Khitan economy and providing grain and grass for nomadic herding.

Zhao Zi said: "The Khitan army, one or two hundred thousand people with the lord of the country, and three or four hundred thousand people, in the hands of the princes and kings. Now the Khitan is still a strong country, and once the country is united, it is not difficult to have five or six hundred thousand. ”

After a while, Zhao Zhen said: "In this way, without 670,000 troops, it is difficult to attack the Khitan?" ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "It's not like that, it depends on what the purpose of this dynasty is." If it is just to restore Yanyun, arrange it well, and march fast enough, there are three or four hundred thousand troops, which is enough. Quickly occupy the city, just defend, the Khitans have no way. And without Yanyun and relying only on grassland nomadism, the Khitan would not have the ability to fight for a long time. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded: "In this way, as long as you train another 120,000 troops, you can enter Youzhou in the north?" ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "In terms of military strength, there are more than 800,000 forbidden troops in this dynasty, which is enough to advance north." It's just that if the whole training is not completed, the command is inconvenient, and the large-scale operation is very likely to cause chaos. If the various armies are organized together and reorganized and trained one by one, the speed can be faster. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded: "It also makes sense." Regardless of this in advance, this battle of Xiongzhou must be foolproof. ”

Zhao Zi forked his hands: "The last general has repeatedly checked the official documents of Shuai Silai, and they are extremely well prepared. As long as the Khitans dare to come, they will definitely be told that there will be no return! After this battle, Hebei Road should be impregnable! ”

Zhao Zhen nodded, looked at the map, and couldn't make a decision for a while. After a long time, he said to Du Zhongxiao: "If you completely annihilate the Khitan soldiers and horses that came to attack, and concentrate the 150,000 troops on Hebei Road, can you capture Youzhou?" ”

Du Zhongxiao was taken aback, but he didn't expect Zhao Zhen to ask such a thing. Busy said: "Your Majesty, there are no soldiers in the rear now, only 150,000 soldiers and horses on Hebei Road." The lack of reserve forces in the rear is the most taboo thing in combat. Once there is an accident on the front line, there is no remedy! ”

Zhao Zhen said: "That means that if you march, it is still possible to capture it?" ”

Du Zhongxiao nodded: "If the attack is successful, it is possible to capture it." However, once the Khitan quickly dispatched troops, it was difficult to say. At this time, the Khitan lord was in Zhongjing, and he quickly led his troops south, which was likely to backfire! ”

Zhao Zhen was silent, and after a while, he said, "It's just talking." If you are not prepared, you will not be able to move lightly. ”

Du Zhongxiao let out a sigh, and his heart settled down. He could see that after the first battle in Shuozhou at the beginning of the year, if he won again this time, Zhao Zhen was obviously a little ready to move. The so-called beating of the water dogs, once the Khitan showed defeat, Zhao Zhen wanted to attack it.

Think about it, the Western Regions have been restored, the Khitan has been destroyed, and Yanyun who is close in front of him cannot be recovered, how can Zhao Zhen be willing. Until now, it is really because the entire forbidden army is not yet systematic, and the strength of the Khitan is too strong, so I have to endure it.

Moreover, the current Khitan, after five years of civil war, is the best time for Yelu Hongji to rectify the interior after his victory. After beheading Yelu Chongyuan, Yelu Hongji began to reconcile with the Hou clan and re-appointed the Hou clan minister. The descendants are an important force in the Khitan, and once the integration is completed, the national strength will reach a new level. If you don't take advantage of this time to go north to the Khitan, a few years later, the battle will be even more difficult to fight.

Recently, there have been no major events in the country, and there has been plenty of money and food in recent years, if it weren't for the fact that no one in the forbidden army had completed the training, the Song army would have gone north.

After returning to the case and sitting down, Zhao Zhen said: "When the Khitan soldiers and horses who come to the crime are destroyed, the railway will be repaired to Xiongzhou this year." As soon as the railway is opened, the Central Plains will be connected with Hebei Road. In the future, when the army goes north, there is no need to worry about the lack of food and grass in the rear. ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Zhongshu has concentrated its strength, spent more money and food, and built roads as quickly as possible. Once the railway reached Xiongzhou, the army of Hebei Road was connected, and many things were easy to do. And in the future, it is indeed a lot more convenient to enter the army, with the support of the railway. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded: "If this battle is won, the Khitan will inevitably react." Many things, I am afraid that they cannot be handled calmly. Now that there is no shortage of money and food, this dynasty should do something. Prepare well in advance so that you don't miss out on opportunities when things change. Restore Yanyun, the world is unified, since the founding of Taizu, he has been thinking about it, not to be taken lightly! ”