Chang Mingde really couldn't think of it this time, where to go west?

The Hexi Corridor occupied by Yuan Hao.

It seems that there are many problems, because the Western Xia occupation was not long, and in terms of ethnicity, it was very mixed, there were Dangxiang people, there were Uighurs, there were Qiang people, there were Han people, there were Turkic people, there were Tubo people, in fact, most of the time they were the same as the tribes in the Deshun army, even they did not know which race their ancestors came from.

The sense of belonging to Western Xia is not strong.

Is this the idea of fighting? It doesn't seem to be easy to fight.

Zheng Lang didn't say anything more, and asked Zhao Xun's subordinates to take it to the military office.

The city was small, almost a barracks, and there were people, and there were some small hotels on both sides of the street, and there were some courtyards, but apart from these two things, there was no other commercial activity.

I didn't go to Zhenrong Village, which is about the same as Cage Pole City. It was not until after the two countries negotiated peace that Zhenrongzhai became an important trading place and gradually prospered.

The military office was very simple, but Zheng Lang didn't care, found a house, put down his luggage, and went out.

When he arrived outside the city, Zhao Xun was transferring troops to order troops, Zheng Lang looked at it, and there were also some soldiers. But Zheng Lang looked at the soldiers, frowned, and asked, "General Zhao, how did you charge the archers into the army and treat them as a formal army?" ”

That's not what he meant anymore.

The archers were originally a militia surname, and they assisted the defense army in defending the city when they had no choice but to assist the officials in building the city, paving roads and bridges, and transporting supplies. Therefore, they existed in the form of forced labor, because of the war in the northwest, the imperial court exempted them from taxes, otherwise in addition to bearing forced labor, they also had to pay taxes from the imperial court. There were also a small number of archers who were on the front line, constantly participating in battles and defending the city, and the imperial court issued an edict to give these few semi-military archers arable land for cultivation and compensation for their families, which is the origin of the archer field.

and then to himself, made a second adjustment, or the militia surname, took the initiative to give weapons, some allowances. But there was no formal armor, and there were no generous salaries and benefits like those of the prohibition. The reason for this is that they took the initiative to send people to train archers in a centralized manner, so that there is a strong civilian armed force in the locality, and there is no war and no delay in agricultural production. Although the salary is not as good as that of the forbidden soldiers, it is supplemented by agricultural production. When a war comes, immediately fill the army, then there will be war exploits and rewards. The archers increased in combat effectiveness, the state was responsible for the decline, and the archers themselves did not complain.

But without war, or such small-scale operations, the archers could not be formally incorporated into the army, otherwise the income would be low, the archers' hearts would be unbalanced, and when the time came, the morale would not be high, but their combat effectiveness would be reduced.

"Most of them are Fan soldiers, brave in battle, many Fan sons have their own horses, good at riding, a little organized, is a cavalry, the border states and counties mostly put these archers into the military system." Zhao Xun replied.

"Oh." Zheng Lang pondered.

After thinking for a while, Zheng Lang said: "After this battle, you reorganize, the brave people will stay, and the others will be disbanded and returned. ”

I explained the pros and cons.

It seems that he still has to go to the book.

Those who are officially left behind must be treated as regular soldiers and treated as regular soldiers, otherwise they must be dismissed from the barracks, otherwise the army will be unstable and will bring heavy forced labor to the border people. Although with the new edict, the salary of archers has increased slightly, and the quality of surnames has changed a little, and it is not a regular army after all. We can't covet the number of soldiers and ignore the lives of the people on the border.

If nothing else, just look at the armor, they don't have a single armor, standing in the queue, I'm afraid it's not a taste in their hearts.

"Whoa."

"General Zhao, how do you plan to fight this battle?"

"A thunderous blow. Zheng Xianggong, the composition of the people of the Deshun army is complex, the proportion of the Central Plains is very small, most of them are Qiang tribes, half of which belong to the Qiang species that are really subordinated to our dynasty, and some of them are subservient to Tubo, and there are even tribes in the Zhenrong army that are subservient to the party. ”

Zheng Lang's forehead.

Ren Fu and Wang Qi, including Han Qi, made mistakes, and 100,000 horses and horses in Western Xia sneaked into Haoshuichuan without knowing it, and it was also caused by the cooperation of these tribes.

"There are also tribes that go their own way, each of them does not submit. This battle must be fast, not muddy, and the faster the better. My Song has a close relationship with the Guys, and there is usually no big evil, and it is not very easy to conquest. This is a rare opportunity, not only to be fast, but also to fight well, in order to deter these tribes. Did the last general think right? ”

"Very good," Zheng Lang patted him on the shoulder with relief.

It is difficult for ordinary generals to think of this.

It depends on the owner to beat the dog, and it also depends on the owner to beat these Qiang people.

There is no fault to crusade, all the tribes will be dissatisfied, and they are blind felt's subordinates, although they rebel, they will eventually be the sons of the. Later, when the Tangut people conquered the blind felt territory, they also extended a hand to help.

If this is not taken into account, then the campaign will be won, and the strategy will be lost.

Only asked one question.

We should not only focus on fighting, but also take into account the national policy.

Then with his men, patrol all parts of the territory of the Deshun army.

It is also necessary to know the situation in the territory, and because of his arrival, the battle of Dingchuan may not be able to start.

Probably not a big surname.

Later, some travelers analyzed the reason why the Tangut people set up an ambush in Dingchuan.

Mainly because of the water.

In the Song Dynasty, all the villages and forts took into account the problem of edible water, not only people, but also horses. However, there is an important problem that was overlooked in the construction of the village in Dingchuan, there is a small river in the south of the walled city, the flow is acceptable, but because the nitrate content is too heavy, it is inedible. There is also water in the north of the city, and the spring water hangs down the mountain, making a very loud sound of water, so this ditch is called Xiangshui ditch. The water quality is very good, the taste is sweet, and it can be easily truncated by people.

Cutting off the water source, tens of thousands of soldiers and countless war horses in the city have no water to drink, what will be the consequences, just ask a soldier to know.

But not necessarily.

Therefore, it is necessary to take a look around, including the local specialties, the living conditions of various tribes, human customs, and by the way, get along with some chiefs. After all, there are very few Han people here, most of them are Qiang people, and they need coercion and comfort, and the combination of grace and power is the royal road.

You also need to look at the terrain, and at least when you discuss countermeasures, you will have in mind where and where you are, as well as the environment.

It's impossible to understand them all, but at least you know. For example, if you plant crops, take a look at them yourself, and give them to the old farmers, but after you see them, you will listen to the correct opinions. Although it is very painful to do so, there will be few mistakes.

When Zhao Xun heard that he was traveling, he was very worried, and immediately sent several colonels who were familiar with the local environment to catch up and said, "Zheng Xianggong, General Zhao said that some villages can't go. ”

The map shows the territory of the Song Dynasty, and in fact, there are many tribes who may not necessarily submit to the Song Dynasty, and there is strong hostility.

Zheng Lang traveled with dozens of soldiers, and it would be dangerous.

"General Zhao asked you to lead the way?"

"Yes."

"Okay, you lead the way." For correct opinions, Zheng Lang has always been like a stream.

After traveling for several miles, I came to a village.

Walking in, the Song Dynasty ruled here for decades, and with the rule of the Tang Dynasty before, the Chinese language still became the mainstream.

But don't speak Mandarin, it's definitely an alien language at the moment.

The village is not big, built on the mountainside, there are dozens of families one after another, or the tents in the mouth of the Qiang people, have been scattered to most of the mountainside, the houses are all made of stone, covered with thatch. It is possible that in order to defend it, a low wall was built with stones outside the wall.

This wall also shows that the living environment here is harsh, and there is no dispute between the three kingdoms, and all ethnic groups will continue to kill each other in normal times.

At this time, it is the beginning of May, but it is a good time in the northwest, the summer flowers are brilliant, and many cows, horses and sheep are grazing quietly on the hillside.

A shepherd boy plays an unknown tune on a Qiang flute.

Zheng Lang walked over and asked, "Xiaolang, what kind of tune are you playing?" ”

The young man stared nervously at him and the soldiers behind him, too frightened to speak.

Zheng Lang plucked a bamboo leaf from the wild bamboo next to him, and he would never be able to blow the Qiang flute, which was completely different from the flute and piccolo in the Central Plains. But it did not prevent him from being proficient in the rhythm of music, picked up this bamboo leaf, and said: "Xiaolang, I'll play a song for you." ”

As he spoke, he blew a song.

The young man was blowing indiscriminately, and when he put it in Zheng Lang's mouth, it immediately looked different, and a beautiful song actually slowly flowed out from the bamboo leaves between Zheng Lang's lips.

Looking at this warm scene, dozens of soldiers behind him all glanced at each other, and they all thought in their hearts that as rumored outside, the new Jingyuan Road Commander was a good official who loved the people like a son.

After the song was blown, Zheng Lang said, "Is it good?" ”

The boy jumped up for joy and said, "That's good." ”

With such an approachable attitude, even if you are a teenager, you will not be afraid anymore. Then he raised his head and said, "Can you teach me how to blow?" ”

Zheng Lang took the Qiang flute, tried the sound, and then shook his head and said, "I can't play this flute, I'll teach you to play bamboo leaves." ”

"Okay."

After blowing a few songs, a group of people came out of the stockade.

An old man bowed down and said, "I've seen Zheng Gong." ”

can't be taken seriously, Han Qi, Fan Zhongyan, and Pang are all called dukes by the local people, but there is actually no duke. Including Zheng Lang, Zhao Zhen originally wanted to grant him a marquis, but Zheng Lang refused, and only accepted an earl.

But it is just an honorary position, and it actually has little effect except for embellishing another trumpet on the official position.

The reason why the people in the northwest call them Gong is respect.

Even Zhao Zhen laughed when he heard about it.

"Uncle, get up."

The old man was helped up by him and said very happily: "A few days ago, I heard that the Zheng Guild would come to Jingyuan Road, but I didn't expect it to come so soon. Although the small one is in the northwest and does not know the reason, the small one has heard a lot about what Zheng Gong did in Jiangnan. ”

"I've come primarily to preside over the war, and I'm afraid you'll be disappointed in some ways. But here, I'm doing my best to make your life better. ”

"Gong Zheng is the Wen Kui Star in the sky, and he will definitely make the people of Jingyuan better."

"Don't kill me, can you invite me into the village to sit down."

"Yes, yes," said the old man happily.

The Song people outside almost praised this young high-ranking official to the sky, and the old man himself was skeptical, but just now he saw his peaceful attitude with the children in the village, which still touched him. At least this attitude is very different from the previous high-minded attitude of Song Dynasty officials.

Walking in from the gate of the village, came to a hut, the old man took out a tube of tea, the quality of the tea can not be taken seriously, it is really hard to drink, I don't know how many years the old man has put it.

Zheng Lang endured the musty smell of aged tea cakes, put down the tea bowl, didn't dare to drink it anymore, and said, "How many people are in your village?" ”

If you want to understand, you have to talk.

After talking for a while, the people in the village sent Zheng Langjia out of the village.

Continue northwest.

The general sent by Zhao Xun asked, "Go to Haoshuichuan?" ”

"Yes."

The battlefield of Haoshuichuan is not far from the cage city, and it is only about ten miles.

Along the Hulu River upstream, in front of the good water and Yang River water, here will enter the Hulu River, along the river on both sides is a plain, the war has passed three months, the grass is green, the earth has regained its vitality again, but because of its tragedy, on this plain, there is not a single shepherd to come to graze.

At the end of the Haoshui River is the west foot of the main peak of Liupan Mountain, the mountain is reckless and towering into the clouds. There is a mountain nearby, called Niushou Mountain. At that time, Ren Fu was ambushed, and let his son rush to Niushou Mountain with the army, condescendingly, borrowing the mountain for defense, and waiting for reinforcements.

However, Yuan Hao had already sent ambush soldiers to be stationed on the mountain, and Ren Fuzi not only did not rush up, but was hit by an arrow and fell off the cliff. Ren Fu could only give up the idea of occupying the peak of Niushou Mountain, rushing left and right, Yuan Hao himself sat in command, constantly mobilized the army with the red flag, and always trapped Ren Fu's army with superior forces until the whole army was annihilated.

Zheng Lang climbed to Niushou Mountain, not far from the next door is Yaojiachuan, and then ahead, you can see the tall figure of Yangmu Longcheng.

Suddenly a question came to mind and said, "Go back."

returned to the barracks with the soldiers, called Zhao Xun, and said: "General Zhao, the enemy and us are fighting, have you been using the military flag to direct the army to move?" ”

"Yes, ancient and modern." Zhao Xun asked strangely, so the status of the Chinese army is very important, either use the horn to do some cooperation, blow the horn or something, or beat the drum to cheer. In the event of a war, the movement of troops still mainly relied on the flag of the Chinese army.

"General Zhao, do you feel a little inconvenient?"

"What's the inconvenience?" Zhao Xun said stunned.

"In battle, who has time to look back at the flag, except for the main generals? Unless in the case of absolute superiority, but if you think about it, our dynasty lacks cavalry and has no speed advantage, and in the future, the main battle will let Yuan Hao use more and fight less. The First World War must be a fierce battle, a tragic battle, in that case, the number of soldiers in the army is small, but there are many soldiers, how to command the transfer? ”

"It depends on the ability of the generals."

"But let me ask you again, how many really capable generals do I have?"

Zhao Xun was speechless, the new chief was purely drilling the tip of the bull's horns, and suddenly his eyes lit up, and he said, "Zheng Xianggong, do you have a good way?" ”

"I have a solution, but I don't know if it's good or not, so I'm asking you."

"What's the solution?"

"With drums, trumpets and flags."

"All the time with a drum and a trumpet flag."

"I didn't mean that, I wanted to make the drum and trumpet flag a little more complicated."

"Zheng Xianggong, it's absolutely inappropriate, the more complicated it is, the more disadvantageous."

The flag has a flag language, but for the sake of simplicity and ease, there are not many, and in conjunction with the horn, the front-line generals shouted loudly when they heard or saw it.

If it is complicated, the generals may not be able to remember it, but it will cause confusion in command and will be detrimental to the battle.

Zheng Lang said, "General Zhao, bring the drum and trumpet." ”

If you can't tell, do the demonstration yourself!