The first month has not yet passed, and it will take three days to reach February, and Zheng Zhi and Tong Guan have only arrived in Hejian Mansion for two days.

Getting up early in the morning, everyone gathers in the big tent to discuss matters, which is also a daily routine in the army.

A group of knights galloped from Xiongzhou, straight into the big tent, out of breath, kneeling on the ground, shouting: "Report !! ”

Tong Guan and Zheng Zhi, who were still chatting left and right just now, immediately stood up, Zheng Zhi already had some premonitions, and hurriedly asked, "Say it quickly!" ”

"Tell Taishi Cai and Zheng Xianggong, there is news from the Liao State that the army of the Jin State is coming to the Dading Mansion in Liaozhongjing!"

Zheng Zhi was a little puzzled when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "Why did the Jurchen attack Dading Mansion when it was snowing? ”

"Back to Xianggong, I heard that it was Yelu Yujian, the general of the Liao front, who led his troops to surrender, and Jin was proud to arrive in Zhongjing so quickly."

Zheng Zhi looked at Tong Guan and said, "Enxiang, who is Yelu Yu seeing?" Listening to this surname, he must also be a member of the Khitan royal family, why would he lead a large army to surrender to the Jin people? ”

Tong Guan frowned and thought for a moment, and said: "Yelu Yujian is also an important minister of the Liao State, and his wife is the sister of the Emperor of the Liao State, Concubine Wen, which can be regarded as a relative. There is only one reason why he will surrender, and that is because of the loss of power. The domestic situation of the Liao people was unstable, and the Liao Emperor had rebelled against the Jurchens before, so the 700,000-strong army was so defeated. Today, I am afraid that it will be another power struggle, forcing Yelu Yu to surrender to the Jurchens. In this case, it is time for us to march north. ”

Tong Guan is really smart, and Tong Guan has been to Liao, and he has a little understanding of the political situation in Liao, and there have been frequent power struggles within the Liao royal family, and the rebellion is unknown.

Song Xuanhe four years, Jin Tianfu six years, the first month. Yelu Yujian, the general of the Liao front, surrendered, and the reason for the surrender was because of the dispute between King Qin, the son of the Liao Emperor's concubine, and King Jin, the son of Concubine Wen, and Yelu Yujian was framed because of this matter. Xiao Fengxian, the privy envoy of the Liao State, framed Yelu Yujian and prepared to mutiny, support the throne of King Jin, and turn Yelu Yanxi into the emperor.

Unexpectedly, Yelu Yanxi really believed it, and was so frightened that Yelu Yu turned against the Jurchens and surrendered to the Jurchens. It can be seen that the corruption of the Liao court, the current enemy, actually framed the leading general because of his own selfish interests. Since then, Yelu Yu has become the vanguard of the Jin State, captured the state capital, and made many military exploits.

Emperor Wanyan Aguta of the Jin State knew from Yelu Yu that the Liao State Zhongjing was empty, where would he miss a good opportunity, even if the snow was heavy, the Jin State had an army of less than 50,000 people who had already gathered south.

Among the Jin army, there were more than 10,000 real Jurchens, more than 10,000 mature Jurchens, thousands of Bohai people, thousands of Xi people, thousands of Liao people, and thousands of Han people in the north. is such an army, under the leadership of the birth of a girl, invincible.

Zheng Zhi listened to Tong Guan's words, and didn't think much about it, and asked the military man who reported the military situation in front of him: "Has there been a war in Zhongjing?" ”

"Returning to the prime minister, I only heard that the Jin soldiers were in Liaozhongjing, and I didn't know whether to go to war or not. It took a few days for information to come in. ”

Zheng Zhi said when he heard this: "Okay, you go back to Xiongzhou quickly, and report it immediately when there is new news, and bring a letter to the prefect of Xiongzhou, saying that the army will arrive soon, let him prepare as soon as possible and level the military camp." ”

"Yes!" The military man replied and got up to leave the account.

Zheng Zhi turned his head and said to Tong Guan again: "Enxiang, with the momentum of the Jin people, Zhongjing is afraid that it will fall soon, and we should send troops to fight as soon as possible." ”

Hearing this, Tong Guan nodded and said, "Immediately send an order to load the logistics, quickly load the grain and grass, and pull it out soon." ”

Cai You, who had been sitting on the side for a long time, finally spoke: "Master Tong, the two countries are at war, should you report to Tokyo first, let Your Majesty make a decision, promulgate the holy decree, and then go to war, so that it is considered etiquette." ”

When Tong Guan heard this, he knew that Cai You was reasonable, but he didn't take it to heart, and only said: "Well, I will ask Bachelor Cai to do it for you." ”

When Cai You heard this, his face was overjoyed, and he only felt that he had done a big thing, so he summoned a pen and paper and began to write a recital.

Tong Guan just glanced at Zheng Zhi. Zheng Zhi immediately got out of the big account.

There are too many things to prepare for the march of more than 100,000 troops, and grain and grass are the first to bear the brunt. In the era when there were no means of communication, everything could only be passed on by word of mouth, and such a large army was a simple military order, and it was also a manpower-consuming thing to spread throughout the army.

Cangzhou still has important things on the way, and Zheng Zhi has to send someone to urge him. On the way from Cangzhou to Hejian Fu, there were more than 20 cannons and more than 20 small cannons. More than 100 healthy horses and carriages, and hundreds of soldiers operating cannons, are slowly advancing in the wind and snow.

Cai You wrote a resignation, and the military man quickly rode to Tokyo.

It was only the third day that the recital had just been issued, and the big drums had already been raised in the army, and countless soldiers and soldiers had gathered, and they had already started.

Cai You seemed to be kept in the dark, until he saw the army assembled and set off, he didn't know that he was going to start today, and hurriedly rushed to Tong Guan's side, and asked urgently: "Master Tong, why do you start today, the official family's holy decree has not yet arrived, and if you don't have the holy decree, how dare you start a national war without permission?" ”

Tong Guan only said when he heard this: "Bachelor Cai is too careful, the army just went to Xiongzhou first, and went to the bank of the Juma River, not to start a war." ”

Tong Guan seems to have some courage in these things, and the last time he was in the northwest, he dared to disobey the holy decree. This time, I didn't care about these red tape etiquette, and went straight to the army. The Juma River is the Song Liaojie River, and the name of the Juma River also means this, and it is also the upstream of the Nigu River at the mouth of the sea.

When Cai You heard this, he had some doubts in his heart, but he couldn't say anything, and Tong Guan's explanation was impeccable.

Looking at Tong Guan again, he had already got up and got the frame, and in the frame, Zheng Kai had been waiting for a long time.

Xiongzhou has been a battlefield since ancient times, and during the Liao and Song dynasties, it was the place of a hundred battles, and the front line was mostly here. To the west, there is another place of fighting, which is Yanmen Pass. Xiongzhou also has a famous place in later generations, that is, the famous Baiyangdian, where the story of the little soldier Zhang Ga is located.

The army went north, but Zheng Zhi turned back frequently, still thinking about his treasure in his heart, and once again sent people to hurry back, urging the cannons to speed up and converge in Xiongzhou.

In the city of Tokyo, on the vertical arch hall.

Zhao Ji didn't wait for the following officials to speak, and opened his mouth first: "Yesterday, the Hejian came to play, the Jin soldiers came to Liaozhongjing, and the Hejian army should also go north to attack Liao, can the text be written?" ”

Cai Jing stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the text has been written according to Your Majesty's wishes." ”

Zhao Ji nodded and said, "Read it and listen to it!" ”

Cai Jing unfolded a piece of cloth full of handwriting in his hand and read aloud: "Youyan's side was originally my realm, once it fell into a few hundred years. The other is centrifuged, and the inside and outside are chaotic. Mourning the devastation of this good people, when the division obeyed the wise order, commanded the heavy army, and was close to the border.

Asking for the guilt, the matter is to save the people, not to kill, and everyone should work hard to get to the plan as soon as possible. Those who have officials will return to the old times, and those who have land will resume their businesses as before. If you can lead the heroic heroes to stand up for the effect, that is, you should be excellent and official, and you will be given a generous gold silk; If you can return from one state or one county, you can use your state or county; If there is a heroic man to Yanjing to offer, regardless of the army and the people, although the official has not been ordered to make an envoy with the festival, give 100,000 yuan, and the mansion is a district. However, in the hard work, with one heart, the joy of returning to the Han Yongbao and honor, and the Khitan Zhufan returning to obedience is also the same as the Han people.

Soldiers who have been given a precept are not allowed to kill a husband, or if they are unconscious, they should have other measures. All the restraints of the Khitan should be removed. Although the soldiers entered the border, the price of all the necessary grain and grass and carts and cattle did not make the Yan people prepared, and they were still exempted from taxes for two years. ”

Zhao Ji nodded again and again when he heard this, and said, "This is very good, and it is deeply in line with my intentions." The people of Yanyun, hearing that Wang Shi came to the north, will inevitably eat pot pulp to welcome, the text of Yanyun arrived, the old people of Yanyun know more about my heart, but also know the benevolence and righteousness of the Great Song Dynasty, and win without a fight, and the good is great. ”

The meaning of the text, as soon as it comes to the reason for the invasion of Liao, it is said that Yanyun was originally the homeland, and it fell into the hands of the Liao people for almost 200 years, and the Liao people Han and Khitan people separated from Germany, and there was turmoil inside and outside Liao, so in order to save the people from fire and water, so they raised troops to the north.

Second, it is said that the Great Song Dynasty raised troops, only to ask for guilt, not to fight, as long as those who surrendered, those who were officials were still officials, and those who had property were not plundered. The last time there was merit, someone was able to dedicate Yanjing to the Great Song Dynasty, even if he was not an official, he was also named a festival envoy, and he was given 100,000 guan and a mansion. Those who surrendered to the Khitans were treated the same as the Han Chinese.

The third is to order the Great Song army not to kill a single person, even prepare the grain and grass by themselves, and not let the people of Yanyun bear the burden, and exempt the people from taxes for two years.

It is this piece of literature in history that makes Tong Guan restrain his hands and feet. At the beginning of the Northern Expedition of the Song Army, many of them were shot by the Liao with arrows, but they did not fight back. Just because Zhao Ji stipulated in this letter, no one will be killed.

It can be seen that Zhao Ji, Cai Jing and others were naïve, and they really thought that as soon as the army arrived, the people of Yanyun would immediately open the city gate and kneel down to surrender. If Tong Guan was in Beijing, he would definitely not let Zhao Ji send such a childish letter. The two countries went to war, counting on someone else to surrender.

The Hebei army is already on the verge of the Juma River, just waiting for everything to be ready.

The Juma River is actually not a big river, the water is shallow, and it can be crossed by wading through the water. People on both sides of the strait can also move around each other, and it is normal for trade and intermarriage to be conducted. When the Xiongzhou Rongchang was not closed, the river was crowded with people, all of whom were merchants. Now, after the field was closed by Tong Guan's order, the river was deserted a lot.

Zheng Zhi and Tong Guan stood by the river.

Tong Guan's face was a little excited, this battle has begun, and the king is just around the corner. opened his mouth and said to Zheng Zhi: "If I can cross this river, I will have nothing else to ask for in this life." ”

Zheng Zhi looked at the shallow river beach in winter, and suddenly replied: "Don't be too careless, although the Liao people have been defeated repeatedly with the Jurchens, the remaining pawns are all remnants of a hundred battles." As the saying goes, the mourning soldiers will win, and the Liao people are at the time of grief and indignation, and they have reached the time of breaking the cauldron and sinking the boat, and they must have the heart to die when they go into battle. After crossing the river, there will be a bitter battle. ”

Tong Guan seemed to be a little disappreciative when he heard this, and replied: "The Liao army is all in the north to guard against the Jurchens, and the south is all defeated in battle, and the number of people who want to come is not much. ”

Tong Guan was careless after all, and there were many reasons for the defeat in this battle in history. The naivety of Emperor Zhao Ji and the princes of Tokyo, the carelessness of Tong Guan, and the century-old slackness of the soldiers of Heshuo are all reasons. When these reasons come together, they are the causes of failure.

Zheng Zhi naturally did not allow this kind of thing to happen again, and hurriedly said: "Enxiang should not underestimate the Liao people, the person who led the troops opposite is called Yelu Dashi, and he is a brave and resourceful person." Although there are not many generals under his command, they are all people who have fought and defeated the Jurchens many times, and they are used to seeing tragic battles and casualties. Although there are more than 100,000 in our army, most of them are people who have never been in battle. Among them, there are still variables, and carelessness against the enemy is really taboo. ”

Tong Guan asked suspiciously, "Yelu Dashi? I had never heard of this person when I went to Liao, and I thought he was an unknown person. However, what you said also makes sense, and the lion fights the rabbit with all his strength, but you can't be careless. ”

Tong Guan obviously hadn't heard of who Yelu Dashi was. Yelu Dashi was not born as a military general, on the contrary, he was also a Jinshi of the imperial examination of the Liao State, but this Jinshi was extremely good at riding and archery, and he was truly able to write and martial arts. There is also a name for Yelu Dashi in the history books, that is, Dashi Linya, Linya, and Hanlin of Liao.

At this time, Yelu Dashi was only in his early thirties, and when Tong Guan went to Liao, he had just been a Jinshi for a short time, and he was just a small Hanlin Chengzhi.

Zheng Zhi listened to Tong Guan's reply, and his heart was a little settled, the lion fought the rabbit, and he must go all out. This battle is bound to be tragic, and the Liao people are really not muddy, just because they encountered such a Jurchen. The Jurchens can be said to be the most legendary nomadic fishing and hunting people in Chinese history.

Even Genghis Khan Temujin was actually a little worse. When Temujin rebelled against the Jin State, he had already unified the loose grasslands, and he had been kneeling down and submitting to the Jin State in the early stage.

When the Jurchens rebelled against the Liao State, there were only 3,000 people, and the Jurchens of 3,000 people dared to go to war with the Liao State, which had an army of tens of millions, and when facing the so-called 700,000 troops of the Liao State, the Jurchen troops were less than 20,000.

From this point of view, Temujin's courage is incomparable.

At this time, Cai You suddenly came straight to the river from a distance, holding a golden scroll in his hand, and when he got closer, he said: "Master Cai, the holy decree from Tokyo has arrived, and I ordered us to make the holy decree into a list and send people to all parts of Yanyun." ”

When Cai Jing heard this, he took the holy decree, and after looking at it for a while, his face changed greatly. looked at Cai You again, with a look of hesitation and embarrassment.

Zheng Zhi took the list and looked at it again, his face was full of anger, and he asked: "Why did the official family make such a will, not to kill a husband, then what kind of war is there?" ”

When Cai You heard this, he said: "Zheng Jingluo is not ashamed, Your Majesty is benevolent, how dare you comment indiscriminately." ”

Zheng Zhifu came from it, and only said: "Bullshit, where is benevolence?" Didn't you let the soldiers under your command step forward and wait to be killed? Let the Liao people cut and kill? Is this benevolence? ”

Zheng Zhi spoke, becoming more and more unrestrained. But the words also said some things, at the beginning of the Northern Expedition in history, the soldiers died on the riverbank, the Liao people rained arrows, and there were countless casualties, but they couldn't fight back. As a result, most of the morale of the army was lost.

Cai You was furious when he heard this, and opened his mouth to scold: "Zheng Zhi, how dare you be so bold, what you said today, the envoy must have played in front of the emperor to punish you." ”

Tong Guan was very hesitant in his heart, Cai You was on the side, although Tong Guan was the supervisor, it was better to say that Cai You was the real supervisor. Hebei is not better than the northwest, and the messenger will go to Tokyo quickly, and it will arrive in a few days. Behind Cai You is Cai Jing, if Cai You gets the handle, Tong Guan in Xiongzhou at this time will definitely be speechless.

I only heard Tong Guan say: "This matter is discussed in the long run, Zheng Zhi, don't talk nonsense anymore." ”

Zheng Zhi's face was even more angry, if he didn't fight, it would be fine, but after all, he had to fight, and his naivety couldn't defeat reality after all. It is also impossible for the enemy to really come and surrender. It is even more impossible for Zheng Zhi to be beaten and not fight back, and Zheng Zhi even wants to strike first. This decree must be impossible to keep.

"Enxiang, time is not waiting for me, when everything is in order the day after tomorrow, you can send troops to cross the river, first attack Guiyi (Xincheng) as a bridgehead, and Yelu Dashi in Zhuozhou decisive battle, if Yelu Dashi does not come out, you can come to Yanjing, attack the city and win." Zheng Zhi knew that things couldn't be delayed.

Historically, the real war between the Liao and Song dynasties did not start until April. On the other side of the river, Yelu Dashi won successive battles.

Tong Guan was really a little hesitant in his heart, he wanted to be crowned king, how could he dare to resist the disrespect under Zhao Ji's nose. It's already tied. only said: "Go back to the big tent first and then discuss." ”

After Tong Guan finished speaking, he turned around and left, Cai You glanced at Zheng Zhi a few times, with a little excitement in his eyes, and seemed to have already got Zheng Zhi's handle.