Today is a rare good weather, the sun is shining, and there is no wind. The people in the city were elated and put up lanterns, as if they were celebrating a festival.

Zhao Zhen's train had just stopped at the platform, and Du Zhongxiao and Han Qi hurriedly stepped forward with their ministers and lined up on both sides to greet them.

got off the train with Song Zhen, Zhao Zhen looked at Du Zhongxiao and Han Qi who greeted him, and then looked at the people who greeted him not far away, and nodded. Destroy the Khitan and dominate the world, and he will have a merit no less than that of Taizu Taizong, which is enough to be regarded as a Ming Jun. has been an emperor for decades, and now should be the most proud time. The old enemy has been surrounded for many years, and his heart is so happy.

After the salute, Zhao Zhen met the father and elders of the city and returned to the yamen together. A banquet was held in the yazhong to receive the wind and wash the dust for Zhao Zhen, and at the same time entertain the hometown fathers and elders who came to congratulate. The Khitan is about to be destroyed, and these local people who originally lost both sides are very excited and very enthusiastic.

The banquet dispersed until the evening, and everyone rested in peace, and there was nothing to say all night. Early the next morning, Zhao Zhen ordered Du Zhongxiao to go to meet the driver.

Acting as a courtesy, Du Zhongxiao entered Zhao Zhen's residence. Zhao Zhen was wearing civilian clothes, saw Du Zhongxiao come in, and ordered a seat.

After serving tea, Zhao Zhen said: "This siege of Yeluhong is based on Wuqing, and Taiwei has made great contributions. These days, you've worked hard. ”

Du Zhongxiao arched his hand and said: "The minister serves the country, how dare you say that it is hard?" ”

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "This big victory depends on you. After the war, you will not be rewarded for your meritorious deeds. ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Thank you, Your Majesty." Today's achievements depend on the lives of the soldiers under them and the support of the people. Yesterday, when Han Xianggong came, the minister said, Your Majesty came to Hebei Road, and it was good to let the soldiers and the people see the reward. The three divisions can be ordered to transport more wine and meat to Hebei Road for the soldiers participating in the war to enjoy. Of course, the reward is not less. Also, Hebei Road and Youzhou, it is best to be free of money and food for a year. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded: "It's not difficult." This time, the inner treasury gave 10 million yuan, which is to reward the soldiers. After making this great achievement, the court will not be treated badly. ”

Du Zhongxiao hesitated, but thanked him. Originally, according to his original intention, he was rewarded for meritorious deeds, and the form of reward was very particular. It is necessary not only to let the soldiers get benefits, but also try not to reward them simply with money. But when I think about it, this is a big project, and at this time, it is not appropriate to put it forward. If there is an opportunity in the future, it will be done well, and there is no need now.

When the first battalions and fields were established, it was actually associated with land reclamation, etc., and a large part of the rewards for military merit were local, not in the form of money. Later, when he left the army and was reorganized, many of the systems of that year were changed to the current systems of the Song army. After a long time, Du Zhongxiao didn't bother to change it. Now there are consecutive big wins, and there is no motivation to change.

After so many years, he has been a privy envoy, and Du Zhongxiao has lost his initial enthusiasm. Many things can be changed or not, and they will not be changed again. Du Zhongxiao has changed many things in this era, and this era has also changed Du Zhongxiao.

After a few words of gossip, Zhao Zhen said: "The Khitan army is surrounded, how is it now?" When will we be able to attack and destroy them? ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "The armies of all walks of life have arrived near Wuqing and can attack at any time. However, the minister thought that there was no need to rush. The Khitan now has no military rations and has begun to kill horses to satisfy hunger. After waiting for a few days, the Khitans will have no food and grass to replenish, and their morale will inevitably be low, and it will be easier to attack at that time. ”

Zhao Zhen said: "This time, Yao Shouxin came together, and there are a lot of cannons in his Gongsheng Army, which can be used on the front line. In addition, most of the invincible thunderbolts made have been brought over, so you can save a lot of effort when attacking. ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "The minister has been taken first by thunderbolt car and went to Wuqing." Today and tomorrow, Yao Shouxin can also lead troops to Wuqing. Your Majesty should go to Youzhou first to appease the people. This time, when the Khitan came south, Youzhou was hit the hardest, and the people were very miserable. Yichen estimated that it was not enough to reduce taxes, but also needed relief from the imperial court. Otherwise, I am afraid that there is no way to do this year's spring ploughing. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded: "That's fine." The people of Youzhou have not been under the rule of the imperial court for more than 100 years, and their feelings are pitiful. The imperial court can pay for the purchase of seeds from Hebei Road and lend them to the people. It is enough to be exempted from paying taxes for one year. ”

The geography and climate of Youzhou are similar to those of Hebei Road, and seeds can be supplied by Hebei Road. This big victory is of great significance to the Song Dynasty, and spending this money is nothing to the imperial court. After destroying the main Khitan force and collecting the sixteen states of Yanyun, the Song Dynasty needed to clean up the mess as soon as possible.

In this battle of Youzhou, the consequence was not only the elimination of the main Khitan force, but also the entire Khitan was affected. With an army of more than 400,000 tribes, Ding Zhuang, a grassland tribe east of Yinshan, was evacuated. 400,000 signed troops, and Ding Zhuang in Youzhou, Yunzhou, Pingzhou, and even several states in Zhongjing Province and Tokyo Province were all emptied. Without these Ding Zhuang, the production and life of these places will be affected in the next few years, or even decades.

With the defeat of the Khitan was decided, tens of thousands of signing troops surrendered to the Song army. However, most of the soldiers have lost their lives due to excessive labor and constant food shortages. The next few years in the Youzhou area will be very difficult.

Zhao Zhen came, just in the name of the emperor, to provide some help to Youzhou and issue some preferential policies. It's not just about winning over the hearts of the people, but these places really need help, otherwise it will be very bad.

After talking about the affairs of Youzhou, Zhao Zhen said: "It's still early, let's go to the place where we command and see how you fight the last battle." ”

When he arrived at Zhao Zi's official hall, Zhao Zi hurriedly stepped forward to salute. After taking a seat, I served tea. Zhao Zhen ordered Han Qi, Song Zhen, Fu Bi, Li Fugui and Li Zhang to be summoned to discuss the war together.

After everyone arrived, Zhao Zi ordered the soldiers to hang up the huge map. Said: "Now in the Wuqing area, the Khitan has a total of about 410,000 soldiers and horses, of which 180,000 are signed. This was the last of their troops, and there were no reinforcements outside. To the south, we have 100,000 troops from Wu Song and Liu Lian, and 100,000 troops from Ma Huaide and Li Weixian. To the north are the 100,000 men of Jia Kui and Jingtai, as well as the 100,000 men of Liu Jianji and Dou Shunqing. A total of 400,000 troops, divided into two parts, the north and the south. In Wuqing City, it was Zhang Qi's 45,000 men. In addition, there are 50,000 Longwei troops, who are in Xiongzhou and can go to Wuqing at any time. If we add the 30,000 newly arrived Gong Saint Army, there are more than 500,000 in total. ”

Zhao Zhen said: "With 500,000 people versus 400,000 people, the two armies are actually about the same. ”

Du Zhongxiao said: "Your Majesty, the number of people is like this, but the combat power is not like this. The Khitan's 400,000 troops and 180,000 signed troops were actually unable to fight. Just like our army, there are more than 200,000 soldiers and horses transporting grain, which are not counted. Although there were more than 200,000 nomadic cavalry in the Khitan, most of them had been defeated, and their morale was not as good as before. Since being surrounded, the Khitan has broken through many times, without a single success. Up to now, the Khitans don't even have the courage to break through, they just die there. ”

Han Qi said: "If you don't count the signing of the army, we will have an absolute advantage with 500,000 against more than 200,000. ”

Du Zhongxiao nodded: "Yes, the soldiers and horses of this dynasty have an absolute advantage." The biggest problem now is that the Khitan soldiers and horses are all concentrated in one place, and the military camps are stretched together without being stationed separately. If you want to break each one, there is no chance. Of course, 400,000 people were crammed together, and the Khitans were ineffective. They are just there, waiting for us to attack, and they have no will to fight. ”

Song Zhen said: "This battle has an absolute advantage in this dynasty, and there should be no problem in destroying the Khitan army." Don't know how to attack? ”

Zhao Zi pointed to the map and said, "Originally, we wanted to use the 200,000 troops in the north and cooperate with the Dragon Guard Army to oppress the south. The 200,000-strong army in the south took up a position to prevent the Khitans from fleeing. After the Gong Saint Army came, there were many more artillery. Now they are preparing to use artillery, advance in unison, compress the Khitans to a width of two or three miles from north to south, and then bombard them with artillery. ”

The crowd nodded. Especially for Zhao Zhen, Han Qi and Song Zhen, who are not familiar with war, artillery is more reliable than people.