Standing on the city of Lingzhou, he saw that the Song army was escorting many people as if there was no one around, and slowly retreated to the south. Yuan Hao was not angry, but relaxed, unprecedentedly relaxed. The Song army marched north like a bamboo, frightening Yuan Hao. He even doubted whether the Song army had the ability to capture Lingzhou City again, and then chase it all the way to Xingqing Mansion, so that Western Xia could truly destroy the country.

Last night, he was alone in bed and secretly cried.

I was so frightened by this group of terrifying Song soldiers that I sobbed.

But the Song army did not delay much, the capture of the people was only incidental, and there were more important things to do. Swept many villages along the way, took more than 20,000 people and a large number of supplies, cattle, horses and sheep, and withdrew from the reward port. 10,000 Song troops took the captured materials and set up a large camp at Xiaoguan. The others continued south, stopping at the Smokeless Gorge.

On this day, the weather was bad, the sky was full of obscure clouds, the north wind was cold, the wilderness was yellow, and many vultures flew low in the sky, looking for the dead bodies of the Western Xia soldiers on the ground to peck and eat. Seeing the arrival of the army, it flew into the sky again and let out a terrible cry.

But before the smoke gorge, there was a lot of singing and laughter.

In the past few decades, the Song Dynasty has rarely achieved such a great victory.

Although the Battle of Fulin Road was heroic, because of the small number of troops, it did not achieve such brilliant results. Although Shimenchuan is not bad, it is not a regular army of Western Xia, and the name of victory is not right, and it is even more rare to chase it to Lingzhou City. After this battle, the vitality of Western Xia was really seriously injured, and it could not recover in a few years.

With the captured cattle and sheep, Zheng Lang ordered them to be slaughtered on the spot, and brought a lot of wine from the rear to let the soldiers enjoy the carnival.

Most of the cattle, horses, and sheep were to be transported to the rear as compensation and rewarded to the people who had suffered heavy casualties. The victory was certainly glorious, but it also suffered heavy casualties. Only more than 27,000 soldiers were sacrificed, and some were seriously disabled, as for the minor injuries, they were ignored, if calculated, at least two-thirds of the Song army carried wounded or serious wounds.

There are also ordinary people, the number of people who died in the city of Weizhou alone reached more than 8,000, several medium-sized forts were broken in a row, and some people outside Weizhou who did not have time to retreat were killed one after another, plus the archers and militia who participated in the war with the army, and the harm caused by the riots, this number reached more than 18,000 people.

Jingyuan Road has once again become a hard-hit area, and all the casualties are Jingyuan Road people, and more than half of the soldiers are Jingyuan Road soldiers. Even Han Qi rarely forgot the pre-war agreement automatically, and did not compete with Zheng Lang for material distribution.

Here the gathering was made, and then part of the army was about to withdraw.

Fan Zhongyan's troops on Huanqing Road were too empty, and he had to withdraw half of his manpower in order to protect the safety of Huanqing Road.

Wang Xin's army will not move, or Wang Xin himself will go back, according to the surname of Pang, the war will end, and his Hengshan Battle will also end, in order to stabilize the word. Then Yanyun Road does not need so many troops. Han Qi's army was also all left, could it be that the Tubo people and the Western Xia forgot their hatred for hundreds of years and joined forces with each other? Either it is to supervise some unruly local Fanzi tribes, Qin Fenglu has left some soldiers behind, which is enough to deal with. Besides, under such a great victory, which Qiang dare to move?

These troops stayed because they wanted to do a big thing.

Build a village!

Xiao Pass was rebuilt, and it was bigger than the original, enveloping the entire canyon. On the east side of the diffuse mouth that leads to Tiandu Mountain and Wuyan Gorge on the Hulu River, Shengqiang Village is set up. These are the villages that were set up one after another after the victory of the Song Dynasty against the Xixia people in the history of the future, all of which are where the terrain is dangerous, and now Zheng Lang has moved them one by one. Thirty-three miles south of Shengqiang village is set up to pass through the far village, there is a road here that leads directly to Tiandu Mountain, although it is a small road, it is also the road that can barely pass the army, and the east can reach Longquan Valley again. Shimen Fort is set up in front of Shimen River, Lingping Village is set up in front of Sanying River, Pingxia City is set up in the front gorge of Wuyan, and Dangqiang Village is set up in Wuyan Houxia.

Why leave so many armies behind?

In history, the Song Dynasty set up a Pingxia city in Wuyan Qianxia, and the Xixia people were like mad dogs to carry out crazy sieges, and set up so many walled forts?

Even if Yuan Hao suffered heavy losses, if there was no huge army stationed here, Yuan Hao would go crazy. Once so many walled forts are built, it will be difficult to invade Jingyuan Road. And as far north as Weizhou and west as Tiandu Mountain, they were all exposed to the attack of the Song army. Even joining forces with the Huanqing Road army can launch an attack on Yanzhou, because the scope of the Song Realm is truly extended to the line of Killing Niu Ling and Douling, and the entire Huanzhou will form a whole, as long as the road is opened, it can even reach the security army and threaten the Western Xia army on the southwest side of Hengshan.

It is necessary to leave behind a large army to deter and also to act as a laborer. These are all large forts, also, in the east side of Xiaoguan fifteen miles set up a knot ditch fort to respond to each other, in the north of Pingxia City set up through the gorge village, and successively set up the ancient Gaoping Fort, Huimin Fort, Donghewan Fort, Kipkou Fort, scattered in Pingxia City to Xiaoguan line, and Zhuzhai should be guarded on each other's side. This is a city, a pass, five villages and six forts in Huluchuan and Wuyan Gorge.

Jiuyang Valley set up Jiuyang Village, set up Zhenqiang Fort 25 miles to the south, and then set up Huaiyuan Village 27 miles to the south, and the south and Lang City, and the east and Zhenrong Village form an organic whole, and all the roads that attacked Jingyuan Road in Western Xia were all blocked. Then set up Chongning Village in the middle of Gaoping Village to Lingping Village to further defend the strength and take care of each other.

In order to be flexible, Zheng Lang was ready to propose to the imperial court, as in history, in addition to the division of Huaiyuan Village into the management of the Deshun Army, the rest of the army was set up again, the Huaide Army. Once this new army is established, then the second line, including the Zhenrong Army, will become the second line, and the entire Weizhou, Yuanzhou, and Jingzhou will become the rear of the rear.

There are a total of 17 medium and large forts, and the amount of work is also huge.

Building materials Zheng Lang also extravagantly prepared a large number of green bricks in advance, as well as lime, and glutinous rice for boiling glutinous rice juice. This one was already ready in the rear, as well as the baggage cart that had been transported. But it has to be transported by manpower.

Only the people can be used. The amount of work is arduous, but the construction of Zhuzhai Fort is of great significance, not only has a strategic position, but also saves surplus troops. Instead of increasing the garrison, because the defensive line is compressing, the garrison will be reduced.

More than 14,000 people were killed or seriously wounded in this battle, but Zheng Lang already planned to reorganize the army with the remaining 48,000 men. There is no need for the imperial court to increase the army. To put it mildly, when someone dies, the court has to pay a large amount of pensions, but in the long run, it saves more than 20,000 soldiers. There may not be much surplus, the cavalry increases, and the archers make some compensations, but the actual combat effectiveness of this army does not decrease but increases, and it is more flexible and mobile.

And Jingyuan Road will officially pull the defense line to the line of Xiaoguan, and Huanqing Road can really form a mutual response, and Huanqing Road can also rest assured that a large number of garrisons can be cut boldly. That alone is significant.

But the key is the amount of work, winter is coming, the construction can not be completed, this winter will be cold, must be built again next spring. Before the forts were completed, these troops must not leave, in case there is a change.

So Zheng Lang pulled the main generals, as well as Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan, into the tent and made this request to them.

We don't want your armies, but they must lend me them.

"It doesn't hurt to borrow, the courtiers will impeach Xingzhi and overstep their powers," Fan Zhongyan said.

"Xiwen, why be afraid, this is a major event for the benefit of the country and the country, and there is this great victory, are those officials blind." Han Qi said.

Fan Zhongyan couldn't speak.

are all masters who are not afraid of things, who is afraid of whom, including Zhang Fangping.

"Just say it, for the sake of the country, it can be confined to these subsections." Zheng Lang said lightly. But he said in his heart, "If you say yes, I'm afraid I won't say it." The greater the credit, the more attention must be paid to Xiao He is the head of the three heroes of the Western Han Dynasty, what has he done, competing with the people for profit, winning the people's dissatisfaction, and fighting a lawsuit to Liu Bang. Liu Bangming was reproached, but he was very happy in his heart. But later, he made a mistake and asked Liu Bang to distribute the wasteland in Shanglinyuan to the people for cultivation. Liu Bang hated Xiao He Yuemin, so he arrested Xiao He and put him in prison. Zhao Zhen is much more benevolent than Liu Bang, at least Han Xin is in the hands of Zhao Zhen, and he will definitely not end up tragically. But leaving some handles appropriately is a good thing, not a bad thing.

I even want to shout to some ministers in my heart, impeach me, I have exceeded my authority here, and use this charge to erase my credit.

Not ridiculous, that's what really wise.

Otherwise, the merit has reached its peak, with the strange system of the Song Dynasty, he is not yet thirty years old, and he is ready to retire, and he can't do anything.

Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan didn't care much at all, since Zheng Lang said that he was not informal, he would borrow it. Han Qi rolled his eyes and said, "It's okay to borrow soldiers, but Xingzhi, you have to accompany me to get drunk today." ”

"Brother Zhigui, you have bad intentions, you obviously want to see my jokes. But I'll take a break with you today. Zheng Lang said. When he came to the northwest, he was under a lot of pressure, and when he came, it was for this Dingchuan Yan. In several battles in the northwest, although the two battles of Haoshuichuan and Sanchuankou were defeated, the Song army lost too badly in the first battle of Dingchuan Village. This battle continued, and Zhao Zhen lost his self-confidence. Today, this hanging heart has come to fruition. Zheng Lang was also in a happy mood.

It was the death of many people, so that he was not satisfied. But this is helpless, if you want to achieve a big victory, but you don't want to make sacrifices, how is it possible?

Outside, the singing became louder, and from time to time the laughter of the soldiers could be heard.

In the first battle, he has lost many times before, and not only the four ministers on the edge have pressure, but also the soldiers have pressure. The court spends too much money, but has been defeated repeatedly, how can they feel that they can raise their heads and be people?

Until today, I felt like I was straightening up.

The soldier brought the whole roasted sheep into the big tent and drank a Gu wine, Han Qi said: "Xingzhi, I will revise the performance again, how about you take a look?" ”

Zheng Lang took his recital and looked at it. Almost recorded his words as they were, but they were polished and deliberately said about reform. Spring ploughing, summer and autumn harvest and winter storage, the change of the four seasons, conform to the time of the day, harmony and innovation, the so-called way of heaven, the unity of heaven and man.

It's not reform, it's the way of heaven, it's the unity of heaven and man.

is more serious than what Zheng Lang said, is the specious ancestral family law important, or is the way of heaven and the unity of heaven and man important?

"Okay, good." Zheng Lang was happy and praised him.

"Xingzhi, Zhigui, what is it?" Fan Zhongyan said.

Zheng Lang handed this recital to Fan Zhongyan, who looked at it and said, "Okay." ”

At this time, his ambition is not small, and it is in line with his heart. And he was keenly aware of the benefits of this exemption law. It is not universally implemented throughout the country, but only in the state capitals with a middle income or above, and if it is implemented, first, it can collect a part of the wealth, second, the people's grievances are not large, and there are not many contradictions, and third, it can reduce some of the van soldiers, at least hire the people to do forced labor, and can add a way of life for some poor people. After the war, it was time to recuperate, and this improved exemption law came at the right time.

It doesn't matter who advises or comes up with ideas, this is a sign of his magnanimity. Unless he can't get his approval, then his stubborn surname is also daunting.

Zhang Fangping looked at Zheng Lang with suspicious eyes, and Zheng Lang secretly made a look.

Although you and I discussed it first, but you and I are still a little weaker, besides, you have also made enough contributions in this battle, is it necessary to grab this credit?

didn't say it, but Zhang Fangping is very clever and believes he will understand.

However, more than a dozen people are gathering here today, and it can be seen that Zhang Fangping really doesn't have much to say to Fan Zhongyan or Han Qi. He also can't get used to the domineering of these gentlemen, but his attitude is different from Zheng Lang's, Zheng Lang's attitude is to cooperate as much as possible, and Zhang Fangping asked for a lonely fang to appreciate himself.

With a smile, Zheng Langsuo let go and drank several large cups of wine.

The wine gradually rushed to his head, and when he heard Fan Zhongyan suddenly sigh, Zheng Lang asked, "Xiwen, why are you sighing." ”

"Zhigui wrote to me before, saying that taking the opportunity to let Pang Yuzhi take Hengshan, coupled with this great victory, after a few years of recuperation, it is no longer only possible to take the entire Western Xia."

"When?"

Han Qi squeezed his eyes weakly, Fan Zhongyan didn't pay attention, and replied: "That's when you were in Dingchuan Village." ”

Zheng Lang was angry, looked at Han Qi, and said, "Brother Zhigui, you are not kind." ”

As soon as he finished speaking, he had a strong attack and fell to the ground.

As for what happened later, Zheng Lang didn't know. It wasn't until the next day that Zheng Lang got up from the bed holding his sore head and asked Han Qi what was going on.

Han Qi was sloppy and said, "Xingzhi, it was just an illusion at that time, so I didn't discuss it with you." ”

"Brother Zhigui, I'm not angry with you, I just want to know what happened." He still has a plan to continue to carry it out in the north, and he is afraid that Han Qi will cheat his plan.

Han Qi said it vaguely, his expression was very embarrassed, Zheng Lang gave him a chance to make meritorious contributions, gave him a chance to perform, and even took the initiative to give credit to him, and he was a little unforgiving.

"I see," Zheng Lang let out a long sigh of relief.

How do you look at this matter, if Yuan Hao is killed this time, Pang Yuan's soldiers will go out of Hengshan, and there will be no harm in it, and even before the Khitans react, they will annihilate Western Xia with lightning speed.

But Yuan Hao was not killed, and the situation was different.

Yuan Hao was hit hard, several battles in the northwest, Yuan Hao lost at least more than 200,000 soldiers, according to the calculation of 700,000 households in Western Xia, an average of three families died one ding. There is no ten years to recover.

If he recaptures Hengshan, will Yuan Hao be cornered, let go of his unruly surname, and really take refuge in the Khitan?

This is the last thing Zheng Lang wants to see. The vitality of Western Xia was greatly damaged, but there was still a breath, at least by means of forced conscription, it could gather 300,000 troops. If he took refuge in the Khitan, Li Jiqian relied on the support of the Khitan back then, and the Song army was helpless. How much territory does Li Jiqian own? Moreover, the current Western Xia.

Therefore, Zheng Lang attached more importance to the significance of the struggle between Western Xia and Khitan, and even put its status above this battle. Although Yuan Hao lost so many people, he still had a little capital to fight with the Khitan. It's really urgent, like the battle of Pingxia City, Zhang Qi wiped out nearly 300,000 people from the Empress Dowager Liang, and the Khitan sent an envoy to Western Xia and said to the Empress Dowager Liang, you drink poison bars. Empress Dowager Liang disagreed, but the Tanguts forced her to drink it. Because of its losses, it was to the point that Western Xia had to put down his frame.

This balance must be grasped well, just like Song Yu wrote about the son of the owner, an increase of one point is too long, and a decrease of one point is too short; The powder is too white, and Shi Zhu is too red. Without the lack of strategic height, at least the Zhuzhai cannot be built safely. If there is more, Yuan Hao will not have the confidence to fight against the Khitans. It's wonderful, it's just right now, thinking of this, I can't help but say, "Okay, good, it's good." ”

"Xingzhi, you can't think about it too much," Han Qi thought that Zheng Lang was saying the opposite.

"Brother Zhigui, my belly is so big? It's you who think too much. What I said was good, it was the magic of the imperial court's decree this time, but fortunately Hengshan was not occupied. ”

Han Qi was about to faint.