In mid-November of the fifth year of Longxing, the Western Army's large-scale counteroffensive achieved initial results. Yao Pingzhong and Zhang Jun, who were in charge of attacking Dunzhou, had already broken the enemy of Luochuan County, and in the entire territory of Shanzhou, only the state city of Luojiao County remained. Han Chang was in the Jin army, known for being good at attacking and defending the city, although Yao Zhang's second general tens of thousands of troops attacked on all sides, it was still difficult to break the city, and Xu Wei on the other road, after forcing the surrender of Jintang City, had to surrender the army to lead the way to Jingde Village. The Jingde village garrison general, but also Zhang Shen's old department, the purple tiger sent the general to persuade the surrender, the Jingde defenders saw that its momentum was great, and the Jintang City had fallen, and also opened the door of the village to return to Shun. Xu Wei quickly transferred his troops to the north and approached the city of the security army.

At that time, the security army guarded the generals, in addition to Zhang Shen's confidants, there were also officials directly dispatched by Lou Su. When the Hu'er army attacked in a big way, they refused to surrender and insisted on resisting. Xu Wei ordered a fierce attack, and although the defenders fought stubbornly, the city was broken in mid-November. Once the security army was broken, the remaining fortress and military fortress in the territory had no meaning of resistance, and Xu Wei only needed to send a general, lead more than 1,000 soldiers, and surrender to the city.

At this point, the security army located in the west of Yan'an announced the recovery of the whole territory. Xu Wei had to surrender more than 6,000 troops, and there were a lot of equipment and materials. But it also begs a question. In addition to the military city, the security army also has various military fortresses, and these places must be garrisoned. Xu Wei's forces are already limited, and if he stays behind to guard the security, it will inevitably lead to the dispersion of his troops. In view of this, he rectified the security army on the one hand, and on the other hand, he flew to the North Road to recruit Si Xu Yuan and asked him to come and take over the territory. Because the security army is located in northern Shaanxi, after the recovery, it is natural to be Xuda's defense area.

After hearing the news, Xu Yuan, who was in Qingyang Mansion, was reluctant to take over this area. Because the security army is adjacent to Yan'an Mansion and Yanzhou, it is right under the nose of the Jin army. And between Qingyang Mansion, the transportation is inconvenient, if the Jin army attacks on a large scale, it will be difficult to defend. But Xu Yuan couldn't refute his cousin's face after all, and sent 5,000 troops to take over the defense. Xu Wei was very dissatisfied, the eldest brother Jingyuan army has always been strong and strong, not to mention there are 50,000 people, and later won the Huanqing soldiers and horses, I am afraid that the total strength is not far from 100,000. Yaozhou assembled, Zhang Jun and Xu Chengcheng brought 30,000 horses, now let you take over the security army, you send me 5,000 people? Excuse me? Angry, it is impossible for him to bite Xu Yuan now, and he has no choice but to leave ten thousand troops stationed. The role of the security army is very important now, and it would be good if it could successfully take Dunzhou. On the contrary, there is always a way out. If the security army loses, and Yanzhou is not taken, then Xu Wei will be surrounded by many wings, and it will be difficult to fly.

By the time all this was over, it was already the end of November, and the weather was getting colder and colder. After Xu Wei rewarded his soldiers, according to the advice of the generals that day, he did not go to Yan'an City, but Yanluo water flowed and went straight to Yanzhou! intends to join forces with Yao Pingzhong and Zhang Jun, take the city of Yanzhou in one fell swoop, and then try to Yan'an. So far, the counteroffensive of the Western Army can be said to be quite smooth.

Under the rule of Yan'an Prefecture, Ganquan County.

Ganquan is located at the corner of Luoshui, where Luoshui changes from northwest to southeast to due north to south. At the same time, Ganquan is also the southern gate of Yan'an Mansion, the last time Xu Wei wanted to go to Yanzhou, Yelu Ma Wu suspected that Zijin Tiger had ulterior motives, so he stopped the army in Ganquan County and did not move, and finally made Xu Jiu's wish fail and returned in vain.

At this time, outside Naganquan County, the company camps were scattered in the wilderness, and countless soldiers of various nationalities haunted them. In the county seat, there are capable generals of the Shaanxi Jin Army.

On top of a spacious hall, there are warriors wearing armor and carrying swords at their waists. Standing or sitting, all eyes on the same person. This man was about forty years old, more than seven feet long, wearing a leather robe and iron armor, and it was only because he did not wear a helmet that he could see his face very well. The face is thin, and a pair of knife-like eyebrows go straight into the temples. The bridge of the nose is high, and the lips are hidden in the long beard, which is extremely powerful! He is the famous Khitan general, Yelu Ma Wu.

"Now that the Song army has attacked Dunzhou for nearly a month, it has not stopped, and its military morale is bound to be exhausted. I'm waiting for the Tibetan soldiers to be in Ganquan, and I'm waiting for this time! The Song army in Dunzhou must be the main force of the Western Army, and it is even very likely that the Zijin Tiger is in command. Han Chang lived up to expectations and blocked the opponent's onslaught. Now, it's time for me to make a move! "Ma Wu's eyes are full of light! Obviously, he had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

"Ganquan has more than 50,000 elite divisions of our army, and if we go, we will be able to defeat the main force of the Western Army in one fell swoop!" He who speaketh is a drinker.

Ma Wu has always been cautious, but at this time, he couldn't help but show considerable confidence, nodded with a smile on his face: "This is natural!" As soon as the Western Army entered Yanzhou, they stormed the city, at this time it was the end of the so-called strong crossbow, I had 50,000 tigers and wolves, and with Han Chang's cooperation, I would be able to eat him in one fell swoop! If this battle is won, the vitality of the Western Army will be greatly damaged, and the situation in Shaanxi will immediately change. This time, although our Western Route Army did not have the opportunity to take the initiative to attack, but after this battle, the results will not be worse than that of the Eastern Route Army! ”

"However, if our army is all dispatched to attack Yanzhou, in case the Western Army enters the Guanzhong Plain and threatens Tongdan Erzhou, Yan'an will be dangerous!" Someone reminded.

Ma Wu sneered: "Xu Wei must have seen that on the Guanzhong Plain, we are luring the enemy deeper." He would have come a long time ago, so why wait until now? Rest assured, there will be no war on the Guanzhong Plain! The Western Army deliberately avoided the plains and chose Dunzhou as the main direction of attack, believing that the mountains were the place where they would commit murder. Hey, this time, so he knows it's awesome! ”

The military order was immediately handed down, and early tomorrow morning, the officers and men of the whole army had a full meal, and then pulled out the camp and went south, heading straight to Yanzhou!

The generals received the order, and were about to go to prepare, when a man came in from outside, and without asking any questions, he shouted: "Urgent! The whole territory of the security army has fallen! ”

The civil and military forces of all ethnic groups, who had already stood up and were about to leave the hall, were stunned all of a sudden. The fall of the security forces? That's too fast, right? I remember that a few days ago, it was said that there was an attack on the security by the Western Army, but everyone didn't care about it at the time, and they all thought that the Western Army had sent a partial division to attack and disturb it, intending to contain it. But within a few days, the security army was lost all over the territory?

To put it mildly, the security army also has more than 10,000 people from Zhang Shen's original Yan Yan army, they are the best at attacking and defending the city, why did they lose it so quickly?

When Ma Wu heard this, he was silent for a while. The entire territory of the security army has fallen, which means that Yan'an Mansion is within the scope of the attack of the Western Army! This is not a joke, Yan'an cannot afford to make a mistake, otherwise the Jin army will lose its roots in Shaanxi.

"What's going on, is there any news?" He asked the general.

"According to the investigation, from the ignition of the wolf smoke to the arrival of the Western Army under the security army, it took less than ten days! I heard that Jintangcheng and Jingdezhai both surrendered without resistance! Although the soldiers of the security army fought back, the opponent was outnumbered and the weapons were sharp, especially firearms, making it difficult for the defenders to resist. ”

A word full of surprise! Without resistance, Kaesong surrendered? Should I say that Zhang Shen's Yan Yanjun is too bad, or should I say that this Western Army is too strong?

The civil and military forces present whispered, speculating who led the army, and actually had such a big face, the two fortresses were opened and surrendered, and the security army was in danger, but they could not resist for a few days. This person can be regarded as a loophole, when the pre-war arrangement, almost everyone thought that the direction of the Western Army's attack was either Yanzhou or the Guanzhong Plain, and no one thought that anyone would choose the most difficult and difficult security army!

Ma Wu sat down, his expression uncertain. As soon as he heard the word "firearm", he thought to Xu Wei for no reason. Although the Song army fought and often used firearms, it was not unusual. can play with firearms like this, and really only see Xu Wei. It can't be him, right?

On second thought, it's unlikely. Xu Wei's defense area is in the Guanzhong Plain, no matter what he thinks, there is no reason for him to go around such a big circle and transfer troops from Huanqing to attack the security army. Northern Shaanxi is full of ditches and bumps, and loess is everywhere, which is not conducive to the advance of the army. From this point of view, since it is not Xu Wei, it must be a partial division of the Western Army.

"Don't care." As soon as Ma Wu's words came out, the hall fell silent. "This must be the Western Army, even if they take the security army, but Yan'an is fully prepared, they will not be stupid enough to attack Yan'an Mansion. The most convenient way is to walk along Luoshui, but in this way, we will inevitably be unable to bypass the Shizheng on the shore of Luoshui and the sweet spring under our feet. Reinforcements to block this Western Army! ”

"We all went to Dunzhou, what if we can't stop this Western Army?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "It's okay to get in the way." Even if it can't be stopped, by the time this Western Army comes, Yanzhou will already be in trouble. When the time comes, we will go back and deal with it again, and when the time comes, we will take back the security forces by the way. ”

After finishing speaking, I thought about it for a while, and felt that it was better to be cautious. He added: "In this way, the division of 10,000 troops, plus the original defenders of Fuzheng County, is enough to stop this western army." ”

The generals received the order and immediately resigned from the hall. Ma Wu seemed to be in high spirits, and even joked: "Everyone, hurry up and prepare, and leave for Yanzhou tomorrow!" As long as Yanzhou wins, you may be able to spend the Chinese New Year in Chang'an City! ”

The crowd laughed and walked out of the hall. Ma Wu took a deep breath, I have been waiting for this opportunity for several years, and this time I was finally able to defeat the main force of the Western Army in one fell swoop! When he was about to turn to the back hall, his feet took a step, but he retracted it, as if he was not at ease about something. Turning around, looking at the map, his eyes fell on the territory of the security army, and he didn't move away for a long time. It can't really be the Purple Golden Tiger, right? This guy has never had a discipline, and he specializes in the unexpected. After thinking about it for a while, he shook his head with a wry smile, impossible, there is no need for Zijin Tiger to go around in a big circle to northern Shaanxi.

Even if it is really him, it doesn't matter, the terrain of Shaanxi determines that the large corps cannot be expanded, and judging from the speed of the march of this Western Army, there should not be many troops, otherwise it is impossible to advance so fast. Twenty or thirty thousand people have died, and I have already increased my troops to serve the government, even if it is really Xu Wei, I can't beat him, can't I hold him back? Even if he had routed the Jin army and rushed south into Dunzhou, I would have eaten up the western army attacking Dunzhou. Even if he can fight again, he still lacks skills!

On the third day of December, Xu Wei's army advanced rapidly along the banks of the Luoshui River. The former army's stepping white went out everywhere to open his eyes for the army. I saw that on the side of the Naluo River, the dense forest was full of soldiers in armor, the battle flag fluttered in the cold wind, and the team transporting grain and grass materials stretched for several miles, which was extremely spectacular.

Under the handsome flag, Xu Wei sat proudly on horseback, and Kang Sui was introducing him to the terrain in front of him.

Twenty miles ahead, Luoshui turned a small corner, and the corner was called Fuzheng County. It is on the shore of Luoshui with Ganquan County, the southern gate of Yan'an. As long as our army advances along the water, it will not take five days to reach the city of Dunzhou. Of course, this is on the premise of not encountering resistance. ”

I'm afraid things are not so simple, the security army is sheltering the northwest of Yan'an, since the whole territory is in my hands, it is impossible for Lou Su not to react. He will definitely send troops to block him on the road. Thinking that he would go another twenty miles to the boundary of Fuzheng County, Xu Wei, for the sake of prudence, ordered more Tabai to reconnoitre.

"I don't know how Yao Pingzhong and Zhang Jun are fighting now, with 60,000 elite soldiers, it shouldn't be difficult to fight Yanzhou, right?" Yang Yan said casually.

"Not necessarily, Yanzhou is an important town along the way to Yanyan, and it has been run by the Jin people for a long time. In addition, Han Chang is known for being good at offense and defense, and the little captain has a bad battle to fight. Xu Wei said in a deep voice. There is another point that he did not say, that is, Zhang Jun may not fully cooperate with Yao Pingzhong. This is very understandable, the eldest brother is still like this to me, let him take over the security army, and only send 5,000 people. Therefore, Zhang Jun led the troops to help in the war, and before leaving, the eldest brother must be "face-to-face".

"Report!" A horse came at a gallop.

Xu Wei pulled the horse aside, grabbed the reins, and the knight rushed to the front to report: "Recruit the minister!" More than ten miles ahead, at the bend of Luoshui, a large number of troops set up a position along the river beach! Block our army's way! ”

Really! Just thinking that things are not so simple, the enemy of the blocking appeared!

"How many soldiers and horses are there?" Xu Wei asked.

"The inferior rank encountered the enemy rangers, killed for a while, the enemy cavalry was defeated and retreated, and we did not dare to chase after them, but only looked from afar. Seeing that the army was arrayed on the river beach, it was extremely tight, and it was probably not less than 10,000. Scout reports.

Xu Wei was silent for a while, and the generals all gathered around, and after a while, he said, "Bring the map!" ”

The soldiers took out the map, and all the generals got off their horses, squatted on the ground, and spread out the map to look at it carefully. This map is dedicated to the general, and the mountains and rivers along the way, the cities, villages and towns are all on the map. Xu Wei saw that Luoshui turned a small bend in the shape of a "several" in the front of Fuzheng County, and the scout said that the other party was arranging a formation on the river beach, could it be the Fuzheng defenders?

"The scout reported that it was not below 10,000, but it doesn't matter if this Fuzheng County is here, what are the Jin army doing with so many soldiers here?" Yang Yan couldn't help but be suspicious.

Zhang Xian's hand pointed on the map, stretching along the Luohe River until it reached the location of the city of Dunzhou: "See, Fuzheng, Ganquan, and Shanzhou are all in the Luoshui Basin." ”

"What does it matter? If the Jin army wants to stop our army, the best place is the boundary of Ganquan County, which Luoshui has changed towards, why bother to break through dozens or hundreds of miles and run to Fuzheng County to block the way? Yang Yan questioned.

These words attracted Xu Wei's attention, generally speaking, when a thief enters the house, the best thing to do is to close the door and beat him. But the Jin army does not do this now, but blocks the door of the house and does not let them in. What do you mean? Have a baby at home? While thinking, he looked aimlessly on the map.

In the past, Fuzheng County was Ganquan County, where Luoshui changed direction, and the city of Shanzhou was on the shore of Luoshui, and Luoshui between Ganquan and Yanzhou on the map was almost a straight line.

Xu Wei's eyes suddenly lit up, and he clapped his hands and said, "Jin Jun is afraid that we will fight to Ganquan!" ”

"Well, it's possible. The location of Ganquan is at the south gate of Yan'an, and it can respond to the city of Juzhou to the south, and to the east can gallop to the Guanzhong Plain, which is indeed a place where soldiers must fight. Zhang Xian nodded.

Xu Wei shook his head and said: "This is the first, and the second, Ganquan must have gathered the main force of the Jin Army!" ”

One word shocked everyone! The main force of the Golden Army? When I think about it, it suddenly dawns! Before the start of the war, the Jin army had already entered the defensive in an all-round way, and there was little activity on the Guanzhong Plain, and everyone speculated at that time that this was probably to lure the enemy deeper. The main force of the Jurchens must have been stationed near the entrance to the Guanzhong Plain. Now at a glance, Ganquan County is the most ideal place to hide troops, the south can respond to Juzhou, and the east can gallop to help the Guanzhong Plain.

"Last time, our army wanted to go to Dunzhou, but returned in vain, and after investigation, Ma Wu did not follow Lou Su's order to go north, but stopped his troops at Ganquan, which is directly north of Dunzhou. This Ganquan County is a place of four places, aiding Tongdan in the east, protecting Yan'an in the north, connecting Yanzhou in the south, and security in the west. This time, if I were Lou Su or Yelu Ma Wu, I would definitely have a heavy army in Ganquan County! Xu Wei analyzed.

When the generals heard this, they hesitated. In this way, if we go, isn't it possible to run into the main force of the Jin Army? Now the total army is less than 30,000, and some of them are newly surrendered rebels, and this amount of strength to compete with Allah may not be much cheaper.

"Dashuai, I'm afraid this situation is not optimistic, it's better to go back! Relying on Qingyang Mansion, stick to the security army and see how the two armies of Yao and Zhang fought. If it takes Dunzhou, our army will echo it and march into Yan'an. On the contrary, with the security army in hand, it will surely make the Jurchens like a fish in the throat! ”

Yang Yan glanced at the man and snorted, "Retreat? Not in this habit! This area is mountainous and watery, and it is exactly where our army can exert its might, so why retreat? ”

"Yes, it's already hit someone's door, and it's not easy to retreat. As soon as our army moves, if it is detected by the other party, it will definitely come after it. The combat troops are easy to retreat, but what should they do with the heavy grain and grass? In my opinion, let's fight this battle first, and see what kind of reputation Ganquan has! Zhang Xian suggested.

His suggestion was strongly supported by Yang Yan, but Xu Wei did not speak. He is now worried about one thing, and that is Yao Pingzhong and Zhang Jun. It has been more than a month since Yao Zhang attacked Juzhou, and it is estimated that it was the time when the war was tight and the two armies were tired. And if Ganquan really has the main force of the Jin army, then Yao Zhang may be in trouble.

The Jin army placed the main force on the other side of Luoshui, Yao Pingzhong and Zhang Jun were not easy to detect, and when the troops of the two of them were exhausted and demoralized, the main force of the Jin army suddenly attacked and quickly went south to help, and the consequences were worrying. In vain, it is still the lightest......