Zhonghetao is the Hetao Plain east of today's Wuliangsuhai, the Yellow River is divided into two strands here when turning north from the Ningxia Plain, one south and one north flow to the east, the two Yellow Rivers flow thousands of miles and then merge into one, continue to flow eastward, these two Yellow Rivers are like a rope sleeve, and the name of the Hetao Plain also comes from this. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

The East Hetao is Yulin County, the Middle Hetao is Wuyuan County, and the West Hetao is Lingwu County, which is the greatest contribution of the Yellow River to the northwest region, the surging Yellow River water nourishes this vast land, fertile land, rich irrigation water sources and sufficient sunshine, so that this area became a famous irrigated agricultural area in the Han Dynasty, but with the arrival of the chaotic period of the two Jin and Northern Dynasties, the vigorous Hetao area has been barren since then, and has gradually become a grazing land for nomads.

Decades ago, the Northern Zhou Dynasty and Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty Yang Jian also successively relocated some of the people in Guanzhong and Guannei to the Hetao area for reclamation, and established the Fengzhou Governor's Office here, garrisoning 20,000 troops to protect the people in the Hetao area, after more than 30 years of population reproduction and land reclamation, the population of Wuyuan County has gradually increased to more than 100,000 people, half of whom are the families of soldiers, and they form military households.

Zhang Wenxun was the last Fengzhou governor of the Sui army in the Hetao region, commanding the two counties of Wuyuan and Yulin, after the news of Yang Guang's death in Jiangdu, in order to protect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Wuyuan County and Yulin County, Zhang Changxun surrendered to the Turks, and was named Chuilitler by the Turks.

But soon after the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Changxun secretly surrendered to Li Yuan, and was named the Taishou of Wuyuan County by Li Yuan, but Zhang Changxun was afraid that the Turkic Khan would be angry and led a large army to attack the Hetao, so he did not change the flag, and the Turkic white wolf head banner was still planted on the head of the city.

This time, Luo Khan led the army to the south, and Zhang Changxun was also paying close attention to the progress of the war, but how could he not have imagined that after the Sui army exterminated the Turkic army in Mayi County, Li Jing led an army of 50,000 to start the westward expedition and captured Dingxiang County and Yulin County in one fell swoop.

It is also unrealistic to ask for help from the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty army has just been defeated by Song Jingang, and if the Tang army can go north to the Hetao, why can't it destroy the Liang Shidu first?

After Zhang Changxun found that he was helpless, he could only save himself, he ordered his son Zhang Wu to lead 5,000 troops to defend Jiuyuan County, and he himself led 15,000 troops to Yongfeng Town.

Yongfeng Town is the east gate of Jiuyuan County, and it is also the most convenient place to cross the Yellow River, the Yellow River water in this section is the most gentle, and the riverbed is not wide, and the Yellow River can be easily crossed with a raft, so Yongfeng Town is also a famous Yellow River ferry, and the town is thriving.

When Zhang Changxun learned that the Sui army was still on the south bank of the Yellow River, a glimmer of hope was ignited in his heart, and he had received information that the Sui army did not carry ships from Yulin County, and the scouts did not find any signs that the Sui army was carrying rafts.

You must know that there are no trees on the south bank of the Yellow River, and the Sui army has no way to cut down and build ships, maybe they can really keep the Sui army south of the Yellow River.

Perhaps just in the summer, the south bank of the Yellow River is also the edge of the desert, the poisonous sun is in the sky, the sky is so hot that it seems to have dried everything, but at night the temperature becomes very cold, which makes the Sui army march very slowly, day and night, only forty or fifty miles a day, just dawn, the Sui army is stationed to rest, it is dark before the camp marches, and it is a full ten days before entering Wuyuan County, but there are at least three hundred miles away from Jiuyuan County.

Although Li Jing walked leisurely like a trip, his generals were a little anxious, when would they be able to reach Jiuyuan County like this? However, the Sui army was strictly hierarchical, and subordinates must not question the decision of the commander, so in desperation, everyone had to recommend Cao Sining to talk to the commander on their behalf.

As early as when Zhang Xuan participated in the Third Eastern Expedition Goguryeo Campaign, Cao Sining was a captain under Zhang Xuan, and he was also promoted to Hu Benlang General step by step, but because of his own ability limitations, he could not become a general in charge of the party like Pei Xingyan, but that's it, he was also one of the highest titles among the Tiger Benlang generals, and was named the Duke of Zhuyang County.

At noon, the sun was like fire, 50,000 Sui soldiers were stationed under a mountain cliff, the steep and straight mountain cliff covered the scorching sun like fire, bringing a little shade to the Sui soldiers under the rock wall, the soldiers who had just eaten lunch covered their faces with bamboo hats, and lay down under the cliff to sleep, but there were more than 100 cavalry scouts patrolling on the cliff, vigilantly monitoring the surrounding situation to prevent being attacked by the enemy.

Li Jing's marching tent was also under the cliff, Cao Sining walked quickly to the big tent, and said to the soldiers outside the tent: "I have something important to discuss with the main general, please report it for me!" ”

The soldiers entered the tent, and after a while, they came out and said, "General, please come in!" ”

Cao Sining walked into the big tent, only to see Li Jing standing in front of the map with his hands in contemplation, he bowed and saluted: "See the main general!" ”

"What is the important thing about General Cao?" Li Jing asked with a smile.

"There is a suggestion to cross the river, and I hope the general will take it."

"Tell me about it!"

"We didn't have rafts, we didn't have ferries, and we brought countless baggage, and crossing the Yellow River would be a big problem, if we could bring the boats from Yulin County to ...... at that time."

Without waiting for him to finish, Li Jing decisively interrupted him, "I understand what General Cao meant, but now there is no point in saying these words, please ask General Cao to directly say good advice!" ”

Of course, Cao Sining can't say that the generals questioned the marching strategy of the main general, and specially recommended him to oppose it, which was absolutely not allowed by the Northern Sui army, so he could only persuade tactfully, and it was better to use crossing the river as an excuse.

"I heard that Yongfeng Town is the largest ferry port in the Hetao area, and there must be many ferries there, so I am willing to lead a cavalry to rush to the ferry and seize the ferry."

Li Jing smiled and said: "General Cao's idea is very good, but it is a little late, Zhang Changxun has led a large army into Yongfeng Town a few days ago, all the ferries are on the north bank of the river, and there is not a single ferry on the bank of the Yellow River." ”

Cao Sining was stunned, he was in a hurry, and stammered: "We walked hundreds of miles, and we couldn't see a single tree along the way, and there would be no trees when we went west, and we didn't carry a raft, so we.... How do we cross the Yellow River? ”

Facing Cao Sining's questioning tone, Li Jing was not angry, and explained with a smile: "Why should the general be in a hurry, it is also my business as the chief general to be anxious, but I am not in a hurry, I am confident, what does this mean, can't General Cao see it?" ”

Li Jing's words made Cao Si a little puzzled, it's right to think about it, if he can't cross the Yellow River, Li Jing, as the main general, is not in a hurry to jump to his feet, but he is very calm, has he already secretly arranged it?

"Doesn't the Lord have other arrangements?"

Li Jing smiled slightly, "It's boring to say it thoroughly, the answer will be revealed in these two days, but General Cao reminded me, I gave General Cao 3,000 cavalry, just like General Cao's suggestion just now, and immediately rushed to Yongfeng Town to seize the ferry." ”

"But the lord said that the ferries were all on the north bank of the river."

"It's not bad to pretend!"

Cao Sining nodded and said, "Obey the order!" ”

At the beginning of night that night, Cao Sining led 3,000 cavalry to the west, Li Jing was still not in a hurry, and did not order the soldiers to get up and set off until after dark, and the army continued to march westward unhurriedly.

......

As soon as the day dawned, Zhang Changxun went to the Yellow River wharf surrounded by hundreds of guards to inspect in front of the wharf, Zhang Changxun was about 50 years old, a native of Yongxian County, Fufeng County, Guanzhong, born in a family, he looked burly, his face was like copper, and he made a seventy pound tiger tooth knife, and his martial arts were very strong.

Although he sat in Hetao for many years, he was not ambitious, and did not have the idea of establishing himself as the emperor like Liang Shidu and Liu Wuzhou.

Perhaps because of the Hetao for many years, he is very fond of this piece and treats the people very well, never levies a penny of taxes, strict military discipline, and does not allow soldiers to disturb the people, so he is deeply loved by the people of Hetao, but he is a native of Guanzhong, and has a deep relationship with the Dugu family, he served as the governor of Fengzhou, which is the recommendation of Dugu Shun, and the Dugu family is his backstage, so when Li Yuan established the Tang Dynasty, he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty as a matter of course.

Just as Zhang Changxun was looking at the opposite bank, a scout cavalry rushed from a distance, rushed to Zhang Changxun and hugged his fists and reported: "General Qiqi, the scout on the other side has just sent an eagle letter, and a Sui cavalry of about 3,000 people is rushing towards this side. ”

Zhang Changxun smiled coldly, and sure enough, as he expected, the army deliberately marched slowly, but sent cavalry to rush over, didn't he just want to snatch the ferry? The idea is good, but it's a pity that Sui Jun miscalculated......... (To be continued.) )