The night was dark, and there was not a trace of starry moonlight. The city of Tokyo is quiet, except for the occasional shouting of the groom. Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves pierced the night sky, startling the barking of the dogs. On the royal street, 6 galloping horses galloped towards the palace. Whoever jumps down immediately holds his chest high and walks steadily. Several internal attendants were guarding outside the palace gate, and after the deputy commander of the infantry military division commanded Xu Zhang to enter the palace, he thought to himself, it was the ninth child of the Xu family. It's just that Mu Huogang is more than ten miles away from the capital, and I'm afraid it will take some time. Shrinking their necks and rubbing their hands incessantly, the eyes of the eunuchs kept looking at the other side of the royal street.

The sound of hooves was hurried, and a horse galloped forward, and stopped steadily in front of the palace gate, and immediately the knight flew down, and a forbidden sergeant stepped forward to take the reins. The attendants fixed their eyes, who was Xu Wei? After verifying his identity and entering the palace, Xu Wei hurried towards the martial arts hall under the guidance of the eunuchs. After a while, I caught up with my father, who was one step ahead.

The two walked side by side. Xu Zhang looked at the attendant in front of him and whispered, "Old Jiu, I'm afraid that the big name is not guaranteed." "Daimyo, it is the land of the Xu family, no wonder he pays special attention.

Xu Wei nodded silently, just before the chamberlain conveyed the emperor's urgent summons, he had already received the news that Li Guan's subordinates had returned from Wei County, on the other side of the Yellow River, there were signs of the Jin army gathering, and the Beijing Daimyo was bound to fall! Fortunately, Li Gudu is guarded by brave generals under Xu Yuan, and he should be able to last for some time.

"Once the gold thief crosses the river, it will be difficult to keep Huazhou safe, and when the enemy army comes straight to Tokyo, you must have a number in your heart." Xu Zhang is worthy of being a veteran on the battlefield, although he has been in office for many years, his judgment of the battle situation is still very accurate. It's just that Xu Wei listened to the old man's tone, and he had a taste of discouragement and pessimism.

"Don't worry, Dad, I know." Xu Wei responded. Now what he is most worried about is that Zhao Huan suddenly summoned the military ministers, and it was forced by the situation, and the prime ministers must have objections to this, and it is still unknown what kind of results can be obtained from this summons. The situation has deteriorated like this, if the imperial court hesitates any longer, even Da Luo Jinxian will be unable to save it.

Not for a while. When the father and son went to the outside of the lecture hall, they bumped into Geng Nanzhong, Tang Ke, Zhang Bangchang and a group of people who came out in a daze. When Geng Nanzhong saw the father and son of the Xu family, he scolded fiercely in his heart, "A horseman!" Outside the hall, Xu Shao, He Guan, Yao Pingzhong and others had already arrived first. There was a person inside, less than thirty years old, more than seven feet long but thin, wearing a crimson official robe, standing solemnly. Compared with the other commanders around him, this person was a little more calm and a little less powerful. He is the son of the Western Army, with a name and a long name. Last year, he led the army to Tokyo with Seed Master Dao, Yao Gu and others. Although Zhi Yanzhi was born in Jiangmen, he was admitted to the Jinshi with his real skills, which can be described as both civil and military.

Seeing Xu Zhang, all the officials greeted him, and Zhi Yan stepped forward to greet him with the gift of his juniors, and said that he had admired him for a long time. Xu Zhangzhi knew that he was a general, and he was also very polite and dealt with a few words. Zhi Yanzhi's gaze moved to Xu Wei's face, and a smile appeared on his face: "This must be Tianfu Gong Jizi, Xu Wei and Xu Ziang." ”

Xu Wei stepped forward to salute. The other party really praised it, and Yao Pingzhong stood next to him alone, and no one talked to him, and he didn't seem to disdain it. As he was talking, the inner servant passed the edict, and the official family summoned a group of military ministers to see him. Stepping into the palace, Zhao Huan was already on top, and after the ministers performed the big ceremony, the emperor gave Xu Shao, He Guan, and Xu Zhang three seats. There was no mention of what was the matter of the urgent summons, and the temple fell silent for a while.

Zhao Huan was on top, looking at the bottom, his face expressionless. Looking at the three armies of Zhe, Yao, and Xu who stood behind, their expressions were a little slow, and they sighed before they spoke, and said in a helpless tone: "The land of the two rivers has been out of control, Taiyuan is lonely in Shanxi, I heard that the second prince of the Jin Kingdom has led the army to Beijing Daimyo, and it is very likely that he will cross the Yellow River and move his army to attack Tokyo. ”

As soon as his question came out, no one answered below, Zhao Huan saw this, thinking that the military ministers had concerns and did not dare to speak freely, so he was relieved: "When the country is in crisis, all the ministers are my trusted military ministers, so there is no need to scruple about it, it doesn't hurt to say it directly." But there is advice. Those who can stop the enemy from retreating, I will not spare any reward. ”

When the words fell, Xu Shao got up, and everyone looked at him. When Zhao Huan saw it, he recalled that he had advised himself not long ago not to transfer Qingcang's troops to help Zhending, and then persuaded him not to transfer Beijing's troops to make up for Qingcang's shortcomings. I felt a lot of emotion in my heart, and said bitterly: "I hate not to use Qing's words, so that it is like this!" Aiqing but have any suggestions, let's talk about it. ”

Xu Shao's expression was solemn, and he bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty! In the humble opinion of the ministers, the great name will not be able to protect. It was only a matter of time before the Jin army crossed the river. ”

Zhao Huan's face changed greatly! Hearing this, he lost his voice and said: "It seems that what Qing said, isn't it impossible to save?" ”

"Not so! Your Majesty, although the Jin army is separated from the army, the land of the two rivers is indeed in danger of getting out of control. However, the Taiyuan division is still stubbornly defending, and it will definitely be able to contain the western road of the Jin army. In the land of Hebei, there are still several states to hold on, which can make the Jin army's grain route impassable and the supply is not smooth. Its lone army is deep and must seek a decisive battle. As long as His Majesty can be determined to resist the war, the Great Song Dynasty has a way! "Xu Shao did not say a clear strategy to retreat from the enemy, first say the premise, as long as you are the emperor's determination to resist the war. Only those who lead the troops can have a clear direction and work hard to serve the death.

After hearing this, Zhao Huan did not make a clear statement, but asked: "If the Jin army crosses the river, how can it resist?" ”

Xu Shao seemed to have been prepared, and immediately replied: "There are tens of thousands of Jingyuan soldiers in Huazhou, and Yao Gu Xu Yuan and others are in charge. It will be able to stop the Jin army for a while. If the minister is concerned, Tokyo's defense is empty, and if slippery states are lost, Tokyo will be in danger. ”

Zhao Huan only thought of the strategy proposed by Xu Wei at this time. To gather the troops of Shaanxi, Shandong, and Beijing, the imperial court did not use all of them on the grounds that it cost too much.

Therefore, the minister suggested that the king should be diligent again. Summoned Shaanxi Fan Zhixu, Liu Guangshi and others to lead troops into Beijing. Now in the suburbs of the capital, more than 100,000 soldiers on the battlefield of Lianghe are uncontrolled, harming the people, picking quarrels and provoking troubles, and the people's grievances are great! The competent generals should be reorganized and strictly enforce military discipline in order to be prepared to resist the enemy. If the Jin army came, Tokyo should be fortified, and it could still be stationed outside the city to intimidate the enemy army and make it dare not rashly invade the emperor's palace. When Shaanxi aid arrives, the golden people will retreat! ”

After Xu Shao finished speaking, Xu Wei suddenly remembered what he said on his fiftieth birthday. Today, the official family summoned him, he obviously came prepared, maybe, this is the opportunity he was waiting for!

Zhao Huan listened to Xu Shao's words, his face was happy, he was so excited that he couldn't sit still, got up and paced back and forth at the head of the hall, for a long time, and said loudly: "The prime ministers quarrel all day long, and they haven't seen such a feasible strategy as Aiqing!" I regret not being at the beginning! If you had listened to Xu Qing's advice earlier, why would this be the case? ”

Xu Shao thanked him, Zhao Huan ordered him to sit down, and asked other people's opinions. It is called the policy of privy counsel, which is absolutely perfect and should be implemented. Yao Pingzhong even took the initiative to ask Ying to go outside the city to reorganize the defeated army. Zheyan did not fall behind, saying that if the gold thief violated the emperor's que, he would lead the troops to fight to the death to repay the country. He Guan and Xu Zhangdu made generous words and decided to fight the Jurchens to the end. Zhao Huan's heart. For a while, his confidence increased sharply, remembering the helpless scene when he usually discussed with the deacons, and thought secretly, the internal rebellion and the external defense against the strong enemy, after all, it still depends on these military ministers, the ancestral family law is important, but the state affairs are like this, it is always expedient to be flexible, is it impossible to sit back and wait for death?

While thinking about it, he saw Xu Wei standing solemnly and asked, "Doesn't Ziang have anything to say?" ”

"The words of the privy councillor are indeed the best policy, and the minister did not add to it. There are only two things to report to Your Majesty. Xu Wei pondered for a moment and replied.

Zhao Huan seemed to be greatly encouraged by such a martial minister, and his mood became excited, and he nodded again and again: "Tell me!" ”

"The minister led his troops to garrison Mu Huogang, and knew that that place was where the Tiansi prison was located. Guo rebelled and betrayed the country, knowing that I was false and real, and the minister was worried that once the Jin army came to Tokyo, the war horses raised by Mu Huogang might be obtained by thieves. "Historically, after Guo Yaoshi returned to the Great Song Dynasty, he was summoned in Tokyo, and he also accompanied Zhao Ji to play polo in Mu Huogang, and knew that the Tiansi Prison had tens of thousands of war horses herding here. When he rebelled against the gold and led troops to attack, tens of thousands of good horses in Mu Huogang, the Jurchens snatched them without much effort.

As soon as Xu Wei's words came out, all the ministers agreed, thinking that they should be transferred. Zhao Huan nodded and said, "What Ziang said is very true, and you should be ordered to deal with it as soon as possible." What about one more? ”

"The father and son were favored by His Majesty and gave the house in the West Water Gate. According to the minister's observation, the Tokyo City Wall is indeed impregnable, but the water gate is a key emptiness. Once the water gate is ......lost, Xu Wei knew that the Jin army attacked Tokyo for the second time, and repeatedly attacked the city without falling, and later observed the omission of the Tokyo West Water Gate, and broke through the Tokyo city defense from here. Strategically, the third uncle Xu Shao has already put forward the correct policy, and he doesn't have to say much, so he will improve it tactically.

Everyone heard the change! Indeed, the Bianhe River enters from the West Water Gate of the outer city of Tokyo and exits southeast through the East Water Gate of the outer city of Tokyo, which is precisely the weak and empty place of Tokyo's city defense. What Xu Jiu said hit the nail on the head!

After discussing with a group of military ministers for a long time, before I knew it, the sky had brightened. Although Zhao Huan's face was tired, his spirit was really good. actually made an exception to leave the military ministers to have breakfast in the ban, Xu Shao somehow, tried his best to refuse, saying that when the Jin army quit, it was not too late to have a celebration banquet. Zhao Huan was overjoyed, encouraged and praised, and ordered to leave the palace.

On the sixth day of November, Zhao Huan officially issued an edict, first promoting Xu Shao to the privy envoy and presiding over military affairs in an all-round way. He Guan dismissed the deputy privy envoy and took up the post of step marshal, but added the title of major to the inspection school. He appointed Xu Han as the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, and Jin Zheyan as the member of the Privy Council. Xu Chang and He Guandu worshiped the deputy envoy of the Gyeonggi system and took overall command of Tokyo's defense.

In addition, Yao Pingzhong, the Marquis of Yu of Ren Bujun, was the deputy commander of the envoy of the Gyeonggi system, and was under the control of Xu Yuan. Regarding Xu Wei's arrangement, Zhao Huan had a lot of brains. His current official public office is only one patrol envoy of the Lianghe Righteous Army, and this is still a temporary assignment, not within the establishment. Zhao Huan was then appointed as the commander of the Gyeonggi Envoy Department. And Yao Pingzhong, Zheyan and other generals reorganized the defeated division outside the city. Yao Pingzhong was very unhappy with this appointment, and said to people that Xu Wei was just a township soldier, who had neither conquered the border nor conquered Liao, but he actually reorganized the division with me, and I was ashamed to be in the company!

At the same time, Fan Zhixu, Liu Guangshi and others in Shaanxi were secretly sent to the south to help Tokyo.

Zhao Huan's series of appointment edicts came down, which immediately caused an uproar in the Song Dynasty and the opposition*! Geng Nanzhong and others knelt down outside the vertical arch hall and asked him for his life, saying that the law of the ancestors could not be violated. What Your Majesty has done today is likely to chill the world's Shilin. Ironically, in the city of Tokyo, the great Song scholars of the etheric student Chen Dongwei all ran and shouted, clapping their hands. Zhao Huan first sent an inner servant to persuade him, saying that this was just a temporary expedient measure, and the prime ministers did not have to care. Geng Nanzhong's generation still did not give up, and in the end, the emperor personally came forward, using both soft and hard, and they dispersed. There is another reason for this, it was Xu Shao who proposed the strategy of resisting the enemy, although he was originally a military minister, but later he changed to a literary rank and was an archon, so Geng Tang and his ilk had no choice but to do it. This is also why when talking about the martial arts hall, He Guan and Xu Zhang did not say anything.

On the ninth day of October, news of the fall of the Daimyo of Beijing reached Tokyo. The second prince of the Jin army conquered the daimyo almost effortlessly, and under the guidance of Guo Yaoshi, he marched to Wei County under the rule of the daimyo. There is a Yellow River crossing in the county, named Li Gudu, if the Purple Mountain pontoon bridge can not be walked, this is the main way to cross the river, and the Jin army seems to intend to cross the river from here. Zhao Huan was terrified, worried and sick, and successively issued edicts to Yao Gu, ordering him to stick to it. He also urged He Guan and Xu Zhang, complete the reorganization of the defeated division, and divide the defense area.

Xu Zhang personally sat in charge of this matter, at this time in the suburbs of Tokyo, the ownerless soldiers who retreated from the Lianghe battlefield were counted as 130,000 people, and they were all defeated by the Jin army. Someone said to the officers and soldiers who came to harass you, "We will pay taxes and food to support you, hoping that when the enemy is attacking and there are thieves who are in rebellion, you will be able to kill you for a few battles to keep me safe." Now that the enemy is strong, you don't want to serve the country, but you come to harm the people, what are you doing to support you?

Due to the urgency of the situation, the Jin army has reached the north bank of the Yellow River, and the reorganization is imminent. Xu Zhang redivided the 130,000 remnants of the army, either under the infantry marshal, or under the cavalry commander, Zhi Yanzhi commanded more than 70,000 troops as a member of the Privy Council, galloped to the front line of Huazhou, and blocked the Jin army's southern crossing. Yao Pingzhong had more than 50,000 soldiers and was stationed in eight counties in Jingdong. Although Xu Wei only had less than 10,000 soldiers, because of Li Gang's strength, Zhao Huan divided the Changjie army created by Tong Guan with 7,000 and put it under his control. The total number of people in the department is 42,000, and they are stationed in six counties in southern Beijing.

After Xu Wei received the order, he immediately led the Hujie Township Army to march from Mutuogang to the garrison. As soon as they settled down, they would inspect the terrain with a group of officers, and finally ordered Wang Yan, Zhang Xian, Wu Jie, Wu Lan, and Cheng Fang to each base one county, and he led the main force to sit in the center, and the six counties were blocked in the southeast of Tokyo in a pinching manner. In order to communicate with each other among the six counties, Xu Wei ordered that all counties should set up beacons and be ready for battle.