At the end of April 890, a battle in the Youbei grassland completely broke the backbone of the Khitans. Wandan and Yelu Hanxiong's two troops totaled more than 300,000 and were almost wiped out here, Wandan was killed on the battlefield, his son Shateauru was captured alive, Khitan Khan Yelu Hanxiong led more than 60,000 people to escape from the encirclement, but was chased by Tahi's steppe cavalry battalion all the way for hundreds of miles, and when they arrived in Shangjing, they were scattered and half of the people who were killed and captured, and almost everyone was wounded. This scene hit Yelu Hanxiong hard again after losing Yelu Abaoji, the proud heir. To add insult to injury, there were already traces of the yellow-headed Murwei people outside Shangjing at this time, and this group of Murwei people from the northernmost wasteland all the way south over the mountains and mountains was more and more convenient, and there were almost no obstacles along the way, so they appeared in a grand manner around Shangjing, the ruling center of the Khitans.

The sudden alarm also forced Yelu Hanxiong to muster up his last remaining forces and send his remaining troops out of the city, and at the same time issued a supreme order to send new recruits to the battlefield from the tribes around Shangjing again. However, the surviving tribal exiles from the north immediately afterwards gave him a headache, and he had no choice but to select young and strong people from among these exiles to join the army again, and barely muster up an army of 100,000 to fight the Murowei people outside the city.

However, at this time, most of the Murowei people had actually returned to their own stations, and the number of people who came to the vicinity of Shangjing was not much, which could be regarded as a blessing in misfortune.

At this time, Shangjing, where the royal court was located, was in turmoil, and those princes and nobles were terrified. These nobles who have broken away from the nomadic life have basically lost the enterprising spirit of their predecessors except for those who have served in the army, and at first glance the warning information outside the capital is almost blocked outside the royal court, ready to question Yelu Hanxiong What is going on, and some of the well-informed have already guessed the defeat of the war on the southern front, and want to unite these noble elders to plot their own selfishness. But at this time, Yelu Hanxiong didn't have the time and patience to explain to these elders, in order not to delay the battle on the front line, he directly locked all the people who came to the royal court and put them in prison and waited for the people of Muwei to be repelled before dealing with them.

Although this brutal method temporarily suppressed the internal dissident forces, it buried long-term hidden dangers and accelerated the division of the Khitan royal court in the stormy weather.

After stabilizing the interior of Shangjing, Yelu Hanxiong began to use troops externally, completely blocking these Muwei people, who had robbed dozens of tribes outside Shangjing, less than 100 miles north of Shangjing, and the 100,000-strong army surrounded the opponent's less than 30,000 people. The three-day battle ended in the total annihilation of the opposing side. However, Yelu Hanxiong's troops suffered heavy losses, paying nearly 50,000 casualties, and the more than 30,000 surviving veterans who fled from the southern front with him were almost completely killed or wounded. After this battle, the Khitan people's combat strength was completely dispersed, and after the war, Yelu Hanxiong had to let the sons who were idle at home earlier because of Abaoji's presence participate in military and political affairs to make up for the lack of commanders.

After stabilizing the army, Yelu Hanxiong personally led his civil affairs officials to do their best to search for the whereabouts of the northern tribesmen, took the survivors to the Shangjing area for resettlement, and sent people to find out the news in the southern region.

While Yelu Hanxiong was busy dealing with his own internal and external troubles, the Tiance Army's Northern Front Army took advantage of Chateauroux's capture to sweep away the southern tribal alliance in one fell swoop, and Zhongjing City was successfully captured, and all the clans belonging to Banten and other tribal leaders named by Xuanyingwei earlier were raided and imprisoned, and several tribes related to the Xuanwu Army were all arrested in the name of prisoners of war and then handed over to the Logistics Department, incorporated into the construction company, and entered the Central Plains to serve hard labor. At the same time, after urgent discussions with the General Staff of Jizhou, Wu Wenlong and Li San, who were stationed in Danzhou, were asked to lead troops to take over the main force of the northern front, and they were responsible for garrisoning Zhongjing together with Taxi. The rest of the troops returned to Youzhou one by one.

"Taxi, when Li San and the others come, the infantry is responsible for guarding the city and maintaining order, you are responsible for training, cooperate with Xuanyingwei when necessary, and find a way to find out the situation of the Bohai and Shen Ya departments in the east, the lord said, if you run it well, you can feed half of the people of the Tang Dynasty." Chen Fan's words frightened Tahi in shock, and also prompted the steppe khan to devote the second half of his life to the Northeast Great Plains in later generations.

"Please rest assured, Tahi will definitely live up to his mission." After Tahi took the military order, he hesitated a little and continued: "Marshal, there is one more thing to ask for in the end?" ”

"The last general is over half a hundred years old, and the battle formation is also powerless, and I want to ask the marshal to reconsider the candidate for the chief general of the cavalry battalion." Ta Xi touched the war horse beside him, raised his head and smiled at Chen Fan: "Now all industries in the jurisdiction of the Lord's Tiance Mansion are peaceful, and the people are living and working in peace and contentment. I also want to retire early so that I can enjoy a few days of family fun. ”

Chen Fan only hesitated: "According to the retirement age of the General Staff Officer, you have at least ten years left." Moreover, Tiance Army has been in business for a short time, and basically most of the generals are underage, so I don't think the lord may agree. ”

"But I'll mention it to my lord. If you really can't do it, you can transfer to a civilian job. There is a shortage of people on the part of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The lord has already planned to let Baixin and Huanjiu and a few of them enter the front-line combat troops, and it is better for you to retreat at this time, just to avoid the regulations of father and son in the army. Chen Fan nodded and said: "But before the lord's order comes down, you still have to bring the cavalry battalion, we only have you as the main cavalry force near Zhongjing, so you can't slack off." ”

"Don't worry, Dashuai, I'm very interested in the land that Dashuai just said can feed half of the Tang Dynasty, and I plan to organize a caravan to investigate after I retire." Tahi smiled happily when he saw that Chen Fan agreed and specifically mentioned Baixin them.

"Okay, this big victory, let's reward the army outside Zhongjing City for three days, think about it, what kind of program is there? I heard from Bao Liang that you held a bonfire for them in the grassland last time, and this time you can't favor one over the other. Chen Fan pulled Tahi as he walked.

"Haha, please rest assured, this bonfire dance party is a grassland specialty, leave it to me, and I promise to make it lively and lively." Speaking of the bonfire ball, Tahi laughed, and the two walked into the tent hand in hand.

When the news of the victory in Youbei reached Jizhou and Yingzhou, it was already early May. Li Xuanqing looked at Xu Tianxiang, who sent the information, and smiled slightly: "Now I have finally solved a big problem." Your General Staff can also avoid fighting on two fronts. Let the troops gradually retreat to the territory of Youzhou for rest and recuperation, and replenish the sick. ”

"Did the lord explain to Tuoba Siji and Gao Siji before? Chen Fan mentioned this incident in his summary battle report. Xu Tianxiang stood by the map and frowned and said, "I was worried that this pair of old enemies would make some trouble on the northern front." ”

"That's just temporarily suppressing the movement of the two clans, and it's not a matter of time to resolve this kind of grudge, let's talk about it then." Speaking of the grievances between the party and the Shatuo people, Li Xuanqing was also a little helpless, and it took a long time to persuade Gao Siji to persuade him when he mobilized Gao Siji to enter the northern front, and then he specially found Tuoba Siji and asked him to do Tuoba Siji's work, which finally appeased the two cavalry.

"Do you want to transfer the party cavalry to the Western Front? Let Gao Siji follow Houchun? Xu Tianxiang said a little uncertainly.

"Gao Siji can follow Houchun, they have cooperated in Cangzhou. As for Tuoba Siji's words, let him temporarily garrison the Yellow River and Shenzhou generation. "Fortunately, the party cavalry has basically been dismantled, and Tuoba Siji has only concentrated two cavalry battalions at present, so it is not a big problem.

"Go and inform Tuoba Siji, let him go north to the grassland, and leave the affairs of the northeast to him. As for Tahi, it can be agreed that he will retire and let him serve in the National Guard, and cooperate with Tuoba Si. Li Xuanqing thought for a while and said with a smile: "You go and give Baixin a letter of appointment to them, and let them go to Xue Yang and report to the third battalion." ”

Xu Tianxiang nodded and said with a smile: "It's okay for the lord to arrange it like this, I will let the General Staff issue an order later." Anyway, my lord, how are your navy preparations? I heard that Han Xun from the Military Academy has rushed over, and this battle is a bit big. ”

"The Navy needs time, and this matter cannot be rushed." Li Xuanqing still hasn't considered the candidate for the leader of the navy, so he didn't make up his mind after thinking about it, so he changed the topic and said: "It's May, and the spring plowing in various places is almost busy, let's go to the grassland to have a look, and by the way, I'll surprise you." ”

"Xiao Si told me, can the lord's place really support so many people?" Xu Tianxiang followed Li Xuanqing out of Yingzhou's residence, and said with a smile as he walked.

"Second brother is talking about the Northeast?" The two of them just walked out, and they were greeted by Qiaoxi and Yang Fuyao. Qiaoxi naturally knew that Li Xuanqing was talking about the Beidacang in the future, and also understood that Li Xuanqing probably wanted to start the development plan of the Northeast. However, she was not very optimistic about this plan, the reason for this is the population factor, the number of Chinese in the late Tang Dynasty has gone through several turmoil, and the number of people has plummeted by several percent, and there is not enough manpower to develop the vast plain.

"Let's go, let's go to the Youbei grassland, go to see the Khitan hometown, maybe we can write a poem." I have already informed Mr. Cen to go directly to Danzhou from Taiyuan Mansion, and we will meet there. Li Xuanqing said with a smile.

"Okay, I just want to see what that empty space looks like." Qiaoxi smiled: "Big brother, Sister Fu Yao also wants to go, she is embarrassed to say." ”

Qiaoxi's words suddenly made Yang Fuyao next to him bury his head in his neck, and he didn't dare to look at the two big men in front of him. Li Xuanqing squinted at the embarrassed Xu Tianxiang beside him and said: "If she wants to go, follow Tianxiang, we have a military mission this time, except for the family members in the army, we can't bring anyone else." Qiaoxi, let's clean up and set off immediately. After speaking, he ignored these two guys, and walked straight away.

"That, Fu Yao, why don't you come with me to have a look?" As soon as the two left, Xu Tianxiang was left, this guy scratched his head and said.

"Didn't the lord say that you can't bring anyone else?" Xu Tianxiang's words made Yang Fuyao's face blush, and her voice became lower.

"Then as my family." Xu Tianxiang blurted out, but then secretly slapped himself with a brain collapse, which was even more embarrassing, Rao is extremely smart, and he couldn't find other words to make up for it at this time.

"Then I'll go find Brother Xu later." Yang Fuyao almost wanted to find a crack in the ground to get into when he said this, and couldn't help but want to walk away, but the ghost sent another sentence.

She left, leaving Xu Tianxiang alone in a daze. Today's Yang Fuyao has completely broken the pungent personality habits in the past, is it because of me? Xu Tianxiang smiled slightly and followed.

"Qiaoxi, let's go first, leave them alone." Half an hour later, after Qiaoxi explained the affairs of the shipyard, the two set off for Danzhou. Li Xuanqing hugged Qiaoxi on the back of the horse and smiled.

"Big brother, how did they twist and pinch?" Qiaoxi didn't react for a while, frowned and said, "I created such a good opportunity for them, why is it progressing so slowly?" ”

"You, don't forget, even if it is an open Datang, it can't be compared with future generations." Li Xuanqing was also secretly amused when he saw Qiaoxi's stunned appearance, turned over and got on the horse, and the jade lion roared and headed north.

Just when he was thinking about how to burn another fire between Xu Tianxiang and Yang Fuyao, the war in the Youbei grassland also spread to the base camp of the Xuanwu Army in Bianzhou. Xie Tong and Zheng Fan, who were staying behind, received the information and were silent for a long time, and sighed in unison. However, unlike Zheng Fan's disappointed expression, Xie Tong's expression was mixed with an indescribable relief.

"Lord Xie, how should I tell my lord about this?" Zheng Fan sighed and asked faintly.

"Let's play it as it is." After Xie Tong explained, he smiled bitterly and said, "Now there is basically no hope for the northern front. Let's think about how to deal with the aftermath of this incident. Now that Li Xuanqing is heading south with a great victory, our Xuanwu Army is the first to bear the brunt. Moreover, Yang Xingmi on the southern front has begun to contact other feudal towns in the Huainan region, so it is very likely that he will echo the Tiance army from afar and join forces to attack our army, and the situation will suddenly reverse. ”

Xie Tong's words were what Zheng Fan was most worried about, and now when he heard the wise man in front of him say this, he couldn't hold back anymore, stood up and arched his hand: "The matter of the northern line is that Zheng Mou has not thought it through, so he should ask the lord for his guilt." But the aftermath of the aftermath is still for more guidance from adults. ”

Zheng Fan's attitude made Xie Tong feel a little emotional, and helped him up and said, "Adults don't have to worry too much. Now that there is only the last place left in the Xuzhou area, Xuzhou City, has not yet been taken, it can be said that the Tiance army is winning the battle, and so are we. And the important thing is that the Tiance army occupies the grassland area, which can bring him little help, but Xuzhou is a rich land, and after taking it, it can be quickly transformed into the strength of our army. Li Xuanqing will not fail to see this, and at this time of increasing and decreasing, he will not easily start a war. If my guess is correct, his next step will not be my Bianliang region, but turn around and go west, starting from Bashu, as long as he takes Sichuan, then with the wealth and manpower of the country of abundance, he will be able to catch up with my Xuanwu army in a short time. After a pause, he continued: "And another is that after taking Sichuan, from a strategic point of view, it is also to win the largest strategic rear for yourself." As he spoke, Xie Tong compared the territory of Tiance Mansion on the map, nodded and said, "In this way, we can avoid the danger of being divided and cut off by the enemy because the territory is long and narrow." This is also the reason why Li Xuanqing deployed all his main forces along the banks of the Yellow River after taking Youzhou. ”

Xie Tong's words made Zheng Fan suddenly change his thinking, and he instantly understood the strategic considerations of Tiance Mansion, and at the same time, he also had a deep admiration for the person dressed as a scholar in front of him, and he was able to quickly guess Li Xuanqing's strategic direction in a short period of time, and he was also able to point out the loopholes of the other party, and he couldn't help but admire. So after Xie Tong finished speaking, he immediately bowed down and said with a smile: "Listening to your words is better than reading for ten years." The adults are far-sighted, Zheng admires and is willing to listen to the teachings. ”

"Beyond Yang Shouliang, let's also come to attack from afar." Xie Tong's burning eyes exuded an astonishing look.