Song Jing'an five years, the end of September.

The Song army, which was dominated by the Western Army of Yan Yan and Jingyuan, still did not capture the impregnable Xiazhou City, and it was more than ten days before the start of the war. Liu Ziyu, the commander-in-chief of Sichuan and Shaanxi, had already received a letter from Zhang Qing, and Liu Guangshi was unwilling to immediately send Qin Fengjun north to look after the Jingyuan army. Instead, they resorted to delaying tactics and asked the imperial court for instructions. Xu Cheng was very annoyed, he knew that Xiao Duolu should not be about to act.

And Xiao Heda in Xiazhou City had already seen the clue at this time, and the Song army did not do his best to capture the city. They are worried about their rear, and they have nothing to fear. On the night of September 28, he attacked the camp of the Yan army. There was no result, but this was the first time since the start of the war that the Liao army counterattacked.

The second day of October, Weizhou. As a prominent defense area on the northwest border of the Great Song Dynasty, Xu Cheng made corresponding arrangements before sending troops. Weizhou City and the surrounding Qingyuan City, Bole City, and Ta Cutting Village form a horn trend, echoing each other. Jingyuan Shuai Si stationed nearly 8,000 infantry troops here, Xu Cheng believes that although the troops are not many, the terrain is relatively flat, if the Liao army really does not save Xiao Heda, but raids Jingyuan, with a strong city defense, blocking the Liao army for a while, giving him time to return to the division, it is no problem.

On the second day of the first lunar month, although Weizhou secretly maintained the jǐng ring, it still seemed to be calm on the surface. In a radius of dozens of miles outside the city, a large flock of grazing sheep can be seen within a few miles. The shepherd rode his horse and let the horses graze leisurely, only when the sheep broke away from the group, and then rode forward.

When the mood came, there were shepherds singing on horseback, but in the wilderness there was no audience except the eagle hovering in the sky and the shepherd dog beside him. Probably because the owner sang this song too many times, and the dog was tired of listening to it. Squatting on the ground, his eyes half-open and half-closed, he seemed untouched.

The shepherd sang thirstily and took off the water bag and poured it out. At this moment, the shepherd dog suddenly stood up, his head facing north, and jǐng watched tirelessly. A moment later, the majestic mastiff's throat let out a low growl, as if sensing the approaching danger. The shepherd took the water bag and looked around, but found no sign of the wolf.

However, the mastiff became more and more restless, and the low growl in his throat had turned into a loud bark! The shepherd subconsciously grasped the knife stuck in his belt, and he faintly heard something in his ears. After another while, the voice became clearer and clearer, and the shepherd heard it very clearly, it was the sound of horses' hooves!

When he looked into the distance, he found that between heaven and earth, a long black belt appeared! Spread quickly in the grass! When the thunderous hoofs were deafening, and when he saw the countless horse armies approaching the field, the shepherd froze......

The city of Weizhou was boiling, the sound of trumpets and gongs rang out, and the heavily armed soldiers flocked to the city, and the officers shouted loudly, and the soldiers were dispatched to take their places. Soon, the giant crossbows on the top of the city and the artillery carts behind the walls were full of sergeants. There are also countless soldiers and civilians who carry or carry all kinds of equipment to the designated places.

However, before the defenders were all ready, the cavalry had already come like cháo, and they actually surrounded the outskirts of Weizhou tightly!

When the commander of the Jingyuan Marshal Division rushed into the city, the enemy army had already spread out, and at a glance, there was a sea of people outside the city! As soon as he saw the other party's banner, this magistrate secretly shouted that it was not good, the Liao army had really come to attack Jingyuan!

"Zhou system! The enemy army is coming too fast and is already besieging the city! ”

Zhou Tongzhi widened his eyes and looked around, the Liao army came too fast, and now even a bird can't get out! There was no other option than to give the order to fight, and it was too late to even notify the surrounding allies!

The arrows are wound, the bullets are played, and the men in the city are also mobilized, and the big war is about to break out! However, there is no preparation for the Liao army to attack the city, what is the situation?

"Wolf smoke! Wolf smoke rises! Suddenly, the shouts of the soldiers were heard from the city.

Zhou Tongzhi looked for prestige, only to see wolf smoke burning in the direction of Qingyuan City in the east! They are under attack! Seeing this, he seemed to understand the tactics of the Liao army, which was to clear the surrounding obstacles, and then attack Weizhou City together! Just as I was thinking about it, I heard a shout from the city again, and then looked, wolf smoke was also released in the direction of Bole City!

The commander's expression was solemn, and the Liao army was well-planned and prepared. The surrounding three walled cities, strong is naturally strong, but the troops are not very much, now the Liao army with superior forces, surrounded the city of Weizhou, and the detachment of troops to divide the attack, Weizhou is lonely! Once Weizhou is lost, the Liao army will drive straight in, not only Jingyuan will be robbed, but the retreat of the first two Xu Jingluo will also be cut off!

Thinking about this, the Zhou system has already understood that the city is in the people, and the city is ruined! He also understood why the young marshal was so serious when he was stunned, and repeatedly instructed! He has confidence in the city defense of Weizhou. The defenders had enough hard bows and crossbows, and more than a dozen mighty cannons, the only pity was that there were not enough firearms. However, there is no problem in dealing with the Liao army's siege, and it is not a problem to hold on for ten days and a half months. By then, the Xuanfu Division should have reacted a long time ago.

"Brothers, Weizhou is the gateway to Jingyuan, this time the Liao army is coming, and the city is in the people." Zhou Tong's voice was not loud, but all the officers around him understood the weight of this sentence.

The battle situation did not seem to be optimistic, and in the afternoon, the Liao army came from the west and gathered outside the city of Weizhou. It seems that the village is no longer guaranteed. At dusk, the city sergeant saw a fire in the east, and he didn't know whether it was Qingyuan City or Bole City......

On the second day of the new year, there was no fight in Weizhou, and the Liao army was not prepared. But neither the military nor the civilians in the city dared to take it lightly, because everyone knew that Weizhou was a must for the Liao army. That night, almost all the officers stayed up all night, and the junior officers stayed up all night in the city, for fear of the slightest mistake.

In the night wind, the neighing of the Liao army's war horses was heard, which indicated that another army was converging. The Khitans have made a bloody investment this time.

Before the dawn had time to peel off the darkness and haze, Zhou Tongzhi had already led his generals to the top of the city. At this time, only the military tent set up by the Liao army in the distance could be vaguely seen. Unlike the camps that the Western army was accustomed to, the Liao army only set up tents and did not have any other protection. They also do not need protection, a water of cavalry, enough to quickly make any response.

"Is there any movement?" Zhou Tong held the city wall with his hand and asked in a deep voice.

"At night, soldiers and horses converge here, it seems that I am afraid that Qingyuan City and the village will be ......."

Zhou Tongzhi listened, slapped the city wall and stood up straight, and said loudly: "It's okay! As long as Weizhou City is there, the Liao army will not dare to trespass into the hinterland of Jingyuan! If we resist, the young marshal can return to the division as soon as possible, and the Xuanfu Division can also be calmly arranged! ”

At this time, a commander next to him said: "Liu Xuanfu is not right with us today." ”

"It doesn't matter if it's right or not, as long as he is the governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi, it is impossible for him to sit idly by. Otherwise, he can't afford it. Zhou said.

After talking for a while, I suddenly heard a voice shouting through its teeth: "Oops! ”

Everyone looked at it urgently, and they couldn't help but gasp! Overnight, countless instruments were erected in the Liao military camp! At a cursory glance, there are goose cars, flybridges, trench cars, and of course, artillery cars! At this time, the dense crowd of soldiers were pushing these instruments in the direction of the city.

"It seems that the Khitan infantry arrived last night." A warlord whispered.

Zhou Tongzhi looked at it deeply a few times, turned around and said to the generals: "There will definitely be a battle this morning!" You are all according to yesterday's arrangement, each performing his own duties, each guarding his own area. Again, the use of firearms is strictly forbidden without my orders! "There is not enough firearms in the city, and good steel is on the blade, and this sharp weapon cannot be used until the critical moment.

All the generals took the order and left! The soldiers knew that the war was imminent, and in the midst of the tension, they had to be enthusiastic! Soldiers do not look forward to war, but they look forward to honor!

The sun pierces through the clouds, and the warm sunlight shines on the border cities of Shaanxi. Yelu Tiege held the horsewhip in his hand, blocked his brows, glanced at the rising sun, gritted his teeth, and the beard on his face also agitated.

"When I am head-on, I should break it. As soon as Weizhou is over, our army can advance and retreat freely, and Xiao Heda will also be saved. ”

Half of his face was cut off, and the Liao general, who had a hideous face, drove forward slightly, and hissed: "All deployed, we dispatched 100,000 troops, small Weizhou City, how can we stop it?" How to attack only one side? ”

Jerod shook his head, and he noticed that there was no movement in the city, indicating that the defenders were fully prepared and that there was no need for any further changes.

"Although Weizhou is not big and there are not many defenders, the Western Army has always relied on weapons. If our army is besieged on all sides and its forces are scattered, it will cause heavy casualties. Only by concentrating on one point and trying to break through it is the best strategy to take the city. Warning officers and soldiers at all levels that the Song army is mainly based on bows and crossbows, and must not hesitate to move forward. Yelu Tiege said.

"Yes, let's go ......"

"Slow!" Brother Yelu seemed to suddenly remember something. He stared at the head of the city for a long time, and then pointed ahead with his whip and said, "Behind the wall, there will be a cannon cart." Our army's cannons can't hit it, and it is necessary to advance quickly, and it is even faster to go up to the city. Every hesitation will lead to death. ”

An army of 100,000 surrounded a city that was not large in scale, and it was almost impassable. There were only more than 4,200 defenders in the city, and the disparity in strength was so different from the world? Even though the Western Army was all the survivors of the battle, the guards in the city couldn't help but tremble when they saw this scene!

Everyone was counting in their hearts, and the experienced soldiers were judging how long it would be before the war would take place according to the arrangement of the other side. The crossbowmen took aim and aim, and the "spotters" of the artillery trucks were also anticipating the direction of the enemy's advance, so as to provide information to the Weiyuan artillery in the city. And the cāo gunners watched their companions and people next to them desperately use hammers and drills to dismantle the huge stone projectiles, and they were also secretly calculating, this had to save a little bit of fighting.

When the trumpet sounded, all the defenders threw away their distractions and prepared for battle! The shouts of the Liao army shook the heavens and the earth, and the huge sound almost wanted to overturn Weizhou City! The soldiers' hearts tightened, and their breathing became shorter......

Xingyuan Mansion, Sichuan Shaanxi Xuanfu Division.

Recently, the atmosphere in the highest authority in Sichuan and Shaanxi has been very tense. Zhang Qing, Ma Kuo, and others were deeply dissatisfied with Liu Guangshi, and the contradictions had become public. And in the Shenwu Right Deputy Army directly under the Xuanfu Division, there was also an uproar because of a trivial matter such as the former Huanqing officer whipping the original Liangxing to appease the Si soldiers!

The officer of Huanqing was beaten and wounded by one of the preparation envoys of the original Liangxing Pacification Division, and almost became a mutiny. Liu Guangshi tried his best to suppress the mud, and called Wang Yan again, so that the situation was calmed down. This also made Liu Xuanfu understand that the army can be easily merged, but the military spirit is difficult to subdue, and the Western Army is no longer the Western Army when he was in power.

And the several decrees he implemented in order to demonstrate his existence have all encountered great resistance since the beginning of the Xuanfu Division, and finally all of them have failed. This also made Taiwei Liu realize that there is still a long way to go to sit firmly in the position of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu envoy and eliminate the influence of Xu Wei.

In the Xuanfu envoy's signing room, Liu Guangshi was looking at the letter from his brother Liu Guangyuan, frowning. Liu Guangyuan said in the letter that the eldest brother Liu Guangguo's health is deteriorating, and now he is acting for many things in the Huainan Xuanfu Division, and the eldest brother is already difficult to see. The emperor and empress also sent imperial doctors to diagnose and treat them many times, but the results were limited. Liu Guangyuan also vaguely mentioned that the situation may not be optimistic.

Just when he was worried, he suddenly felt someone break into the room, and when he looked up, it was Wu Gong, who was in charge. Liu Xuan furrowed his brows and shouted: "The signing room of this company is also your arbitrary entry!" ”

Wu Gong seemed to have something urgent, so he forgot the etiquette for a while, listened to his shout, and didn't go out, but stepped forward and said: "Xuanfu Xianggong, urgent report!" ”

Liu Guangshi caught a glimpse of the silver medal in his hand, and he couldn't entangle it anymore, so he reached out to take it, opened the bag and took out the military report inside. It was Huaide Zhijun who sent it to the Xuanfu Division. After a few more glances, the face sè mutated! The Liao army attacks Weizhou! It is said that the city of Qingyuan has fallen, and Weizhou is in a hurry to be besieged!

The Khitans really didn't save Xiao Heda, but instead attacked Jingyuan, following the example of encircling Wei to save Zhao! What was it like to save Zhao from Wei in history? The Wei army attacked Handan, the capital of Zhao, and Zhao asked for help from Qi, and the Qi army, led by Tian Ji and Sun Bin, took advantage of the emptiness of the capital of Wei and attacked suddenly. When the Wei army heard the news, they came to the rescue, and the Qi army took advantage of its exhaustion and was defeated halfway! This is the famous Wei Wei to save Zhao!

That is to say, if Xiao Duolu does not make this play the whole book, then after he takes Weizhou, he must suddenly turn to the east, take the border and security places, cut off the retreat of the two armies of Jingyuan and Yanyan, and attack them halfway when they return to help. If this is the case, the two uncles and nephews of the Xu family are in danger.

The expression on Liu Guangshi's face changed for a while, and Wu Gong saw him in such a shape, and asked, "Xuanfu Xianggong, how to deal with it?" ”

Liu Guangshi stared at him, didn't answer, just waved his hand. Wu Gong's heart also suddenly caught fire, the battle situation is so critical, what else do you think? Immediately ordered Qin Feng's army to go north to support! Zhang Jingluo has been gathering for a long time!

But after all, he has little qualifications and low rank, and it is not good for him to attack Liu Guangshi in person. I had to retreat temporarily. After Wu Gong left, many thoughts flashed through Liu Guangshi's mind. If you don't send troops to help, most of the second uncle and nephew will suffer a big loss, and in this way, the "Xu family soldiers" will suffer a heavy setback, which is undoubtedly what they "like to see". And I have an excuse to deal with the ensuing doubts and attacks, and I am waiting for the approval of the imperial court! I'm just a "power ambassador", not a real ambassador! Besides, aren't there still Jurchens?

But the consequences can be severe. Once Erxu is injured, and even if there is any accident, will there be a change in the two armies of Jingyuan and Yanyan? Will the two marshals of Yongxing and Qin Feng react? These four are all Xu Wei's cronies, one is prosperous and the other is lost, all tied to a rope......

Thinking of this, Liu Guangshi was a little shaken again. The power of "Xu Jiabing" in Shaanxi is too strong. If something happens, you may not be able to end it!

Another point is that this battle has been fought for more than half a month, and Xu Yong also reported that he took Jinsu and defeated the Heqing Liao army, which can ensure that the Jin army crosses the river. But why didn't the Jurchens move at all? Don't you want to wait for us to finish playing and pick up ready-made?

For a moment, his head was dizzy with thoughts, Liu Guangshi shook his head, and his heart was irritable. At this moment, Ma Kuo, Zhang Qing, and Wu Gong broke into the signing room one after another, and Liu Guangshi suddenly became angry: "Staff Officer Ma, Senator Zhang, why are you doing this?" Our signature ......"

Before he finished speaking, Ma Kuo had already said: "Xuanfu Xianggong, the Liao army is attacking Jingyuan, why hasn't the Xuanfu Division given an order?" ”

"What order?" Liu Guangshi asked knowingly.

"Qin Fengjun's 30,000 paces have been assembled for a long time, is it playing there? The Khitans are all coming to the door, and Xianggong will not send troops at this time, but when? Ma Kuo's tone was full of a strong smell of gunpowder.

"I've got my own considerations." Liu Guangshi said perfunctorily.

Ma Kuo was about to have a seizure, but Zhang Qing rushed to say: "I don't know if it is convenient for Xuanfu Xianggong to make it clear, what are the considerations?" ”

"Not enough for you." Liu Guangshi said coldly. It seems that the relationship between this Xuanfu Division is indeed very tense.

Ma Zichong stepped forward and spat at Liu Guangshi's face: "It's inconvenient for Xuan Xiang to say, I will say it for you!" Your consideration is to delay and not rescue, so that the two armies of Yan Yanjing Yuan will be intercepted by the Liao, right? ”

Liu Guangshi was exposed, and he was immediately furious!

"Ma Kuo! How dare you make such slanderous words! Since I took office, you have repeatedly contradicted each other! Don't you think that you have followed Xu Wei for many years, and it is great to be a military staff officer! The Jurchen people are not all caused by you! Sinner! How dare you bark in front of me! ”

Ma Kuo's blood rushed straight to the top of his head! Clenching fist yù hit! Wu arched his eyes quickly, grabbed it, Zhang Qingcheng went around to him to block it, and said angrily: "Liu Xuanfu!" If you don't send Qin Fengjun to the north, Jingyuan is worried, and the two Xu Jingluo and tens of thousands of horses are also uncertain! Hugh Na asked the court to prevaricate! When things get to this point, let's be open and honest! ”

Seeing that he was provocative, Liu Guangshi was silent. Under Zhang Qing's repeated questioning, he said: "You don't have to wait like this!" Xu Yong of Linfu had cleared the obstacles for the Jin army to cross the river, and in these few years, the Jurchens would definitely cross the river and march westward. When the time comes, the Liao army will retreat! ”

Ma Kuo blocked Zhang Qing and almost came to Liu Guangshi: "You can trust the Jurchens, but I can't!" It's coming, it's coming! Liu Xuanfu, if you don't give the order to send troops today, Ma Kuo will not rest with you! ”

Liu Guangshi-for-tat: "If you are not willing to give up, what will you do!" ”

"Me!" Ma Kuo's eyes were cracked, and he really wanted to swing his fist over and slap that old face to pieces! Wu Gong held on tightly!

At this time, when the other officials of the Xuanfu Department heard the noise, they all gathered outside Liu Guangshi's signing room, but no one came to persuade them. They heard the quarrel of the chiefs clearly, and knew that it was Taiwei Liu who was making trouble!

Zhang Qing said behind Ma Kuo: "Brother Zichong, and stop being angry." ”