In the eleventh year of Tiance, midsummer.

Zhang Mai, the general of the Tang Dynasty, toured to the west, and the general Guo Luo met in Qiuci, and Uncle Lang reunited and had a great time.

In the same month, the Khitan suddenly invaded westward, and attacked the town from the sea, and the troops were divided into three routes: Xiao Shili led 8,000 Hu cavalry to the east to attack Luanzhou, Du Chongwei led 20,000 Han soldiers to the south to plunder Tianjin, and there were only 300 strange soldiers on the other road, led by the young Khitan general Yelu Xiuge, who went straight to Yanjing.

Du Chongwei, who went south, marched quickly, and soon approached Tianjin, and launched a night attack overnight, but the defenders of Tianjin Town were well guarded, although the troops were weak, but they still blocked Du Chongwei north of the Haihe River, but the market in Tianjin heard that the Khitan soldiers were in chaos. In addition to leaving the main force to hold on to the defenders of Tianjin, Du Chongwei also divided thousands of troops, or brigades, or squads, and indulged them to wander into Hebei and Yanjing to kill people and set fires. At the same time, many of the forces lurking in Hebei took the opportunity to make trouble, and for a while, the eastern prefectures and counties of Yanzhao were in turmoil, and the grass and trees were all soldiers.

The eastward march of Xiao Zhili was more than a lot, Luanzhou Li Yan was caught off guard, the west gate was captured, the city was in chaos, the Khitan soldiers and horses in Yuguan saw the signal, and the troops went out of the pass, and Li Yan was defeated and took Shicheng County. Yelu Lihu and Yelu Cha were overjoyed, they claimed that the army was raised to attack the Tang Dynasty, which was originally just a fake show, sending troops to cross the sea and sneak attack, originally just sending political enemies to death, but they didn't expect to make great contributions unexpectedly! When the Khitan army gathered in the western Liaoning corridor heard the news, they were all excited from the bottom up, and the call to pursue while winning resounded throughout all the military camps.

Yelu Lihu was eager to try it in his heart, and was encouraged by the middle and lower-class generals. Without hesitation, he ordered the whole army to attack, and the fake drama of the Tang Dynasty became a real thing!

Yelu was detained in the army by Yelu Lihu in the name of joining the army, in order to prevent him from causing chaos in the rear. At this time, when he heard the news, he rushed to dissuade him, thinking that this victory had come abruptly, and he should beware of being a trick of the Tang people. Yelu Cha cut thought that Yuguan was in his own hands, in case the war was not harmonious, retreating into Yuguan is, this battle was won and undefeated, why not fight?

Han Deshu also thinks that the opportunity is rare. Heaven gives Buddha to take, and it will suffer!

Jerehu and Jerehu had a heart disease, and they didn't listen to him anymore. Determined to march.

After Yelu was driven away, Han Deshu said: "The king is going to send heavy generals to march this time, or is he going to personally lead the troops?" ”

Yelu Li Hu said: "How about sending a heavy general?" How about leading the troops in person? ”

Han Deshu said: "Now the blind cat in Xiao Zhili catches the dead mouse. It turned out to be a miracle. If a heavy general is dispatched, this person must be able to overpower Xiao Shili, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the public. According to the current situation in the army, the only one on our side who can overpower the heavy generals in Xiao Shili is Marshal Chacha. ”

Yelucha hurriedly said: "This battle is won and undefeated, if I am allowed to go, it will be for nothing to let Ben Shuai make meritorious contributions, and Ben Shuai won." Afterwards, people only thought that the king had the wisdom of a person - I, the Khitan, was the one who could establish a martial artist. Ben Shuai thought that this merit king should receive it himself. In the future, only by returning to the east in triumph can we deter the Chinese people. ”

Yelu Lihu thought to himself: "Cha Che also has a heart for me, he is right, if you send a heavy general, it will be a victory, and the people will not obey me, it is better for me to go out on my own." Anyway, this battle is undefeated, and it is best to beat Yanjing, in case it can't be beaten, it is worth showing off its exploits if it is plundered and retreated. ”

Then he said: "This king has come here, so naturally he will go out in person!" ”

Han Deshu said: "If the king goes out in person, then the rear must leave a trustworthy minister to lead the army, firstly, to guard the rear for the king, and secondly, to prevent some people in the country from taking the opportunity to make trouble!" ”

As soon as Yelu Lihu heard it, he knew that the "someone" Han Deshu said meant the "remnants" of Yelu Shuogu and others.

"That's true, so who do you think you should keep?"

Jerodchac's heart was greatly moved, and his plan was carried out here, and he was one step away from the door, but he opened his mouth and was not afraid of suspicion.

But he heard Han Deshu say: "If you want to suppress the country, Yelu Shuogu will not dare to act rashly, and now there is only one marshal to cut it." ”

Yelu Cha was overjoyed when he heard this, but his face was silent, and he glanced at Han Deshu out of the corner of his eye, thinking that this man was very good at being a man.

Yelu Lihu nodded and said: "Also, only by guarding the country for me, can I have no worries." ”

Yelu Cha said: "The minister is in charge of the army for the king, and there must be someone for the king to manage the people, Prime Minister Han Cheng has always been loyal, if he is allowed to take charge of Liaoyang and deal with government affairs, then the king will be safe and sound during the expedition." ”

Since Han Deshu helped him at a critical moment, he naturally had to reciprocate courtesy.

Yelu Li Hu said: "Cha Cai's recommendation is reasonable, and the government affairs of Tokyo will be handed over to Prime Minister Han Cheng." ”

Han Deshu bowed down with great joy and said: "Your Majesty will thank the king on behalf of my father!" From now on, my Han family will definitely saddle the horse and be the king's servant and slave forever! ”

At this moment, news came from the front, but it was Xiao Zhili who continued to pursue after taking Luanzhou, and took advantage of Li Yan's unstable foothold to take Shicheng County.

Since the Khitan moved to the Yan people, the land of the swallow thistle is empty, the population growth is not a tax and commerce, it can be effective in a few years, there is no population, there is naturally no rural county set, Shicheng County, between the Khitan and Youzhou is a wilderness!

Yelu Lihu was a little anxious when he heard the news, thinking that he couldn't let Xiao Zhili take Yeyouzhou, then the momentum of the southern faction would be difficult to suppress! Immediately ordered a rapid march of troops, with Yelu Cha cutting in the rear to take charge of the army, Han Yanhui in charge of the people in Tokyo, and led 150,000 troops by himself, out of the western Liaoning corridor, directly to Youzhou!

Coming out of the big tent, Yelu Cha glanced at Han Deshu and said with a smile: "Ben Shuai didn't know that Master Han was such an interesting person before!" ”

Han Deshu smiled and said: "Thank you Marshal for recommending my father just now, no matter what happens from now on, my Han family looks forward to working hand in hand with the marshal." ”

Jerodach laughed and said, "This nature, this nature! ”

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After Han Deshu left, Yelu Chache returned to the big tent, and people overlooked the report that Yelu Wuzhi had come to visit, and Yelu Wuzhi was in the army as a member of the army. Although he was closely monitored, everyone in the Khitan tribe respected him for his devotion to the country, and Shu Luping also respected him a lot. Therefore, they still enjoy limited freedom in the army.

"Yes, please."

After the two met, Yelu asked others to retreat, and said straight to the ground: "Cha Cut!" You instigated Li Hu to usurp the throne, and now you are instigating him to invade Yanjing in the west, do you really want to destroy our Khitan century-old foundation? ”

"I don't know what you're talking about, enemy." Jerodcha said, "We were originally going to cut down Tang. What's more, now that the Tang people are empty, we are advancing and retreating freely, and this western expedition is at most futile. It can't be said that a century-old foundation has been ruined. ”

Jeruya asked, "You don't know what I'm talking about? Hey! Li Hu's talent is far from his ambition, and everyone knows about this matter of the Khitan clan except for the Queen Mother, who was blindfolded by the love of mother and son! He was out in the army. You can take power. If Li Hu Xizheng wins. With his character, he will definitely not be willing to win one or two victories, you must encourage him to fight again, until he suffers, but you come to clean up the mess for him, and then with the help of saving the dead, Li Hu will be overturned and take power alone. Am I right? ”

Jelu Chacha laughed: "Enemy, you are too exalted to me." I'm not a Buddha, so how can I expect these things to go now? I didn't expect Han Deshu to come to my refuge. As for Xiao Shili's success in crossing the sea, I didn't expect it. ”

Yeluwu asked: "In the near future, you may not expect it, but first use Li Hu to control the military and political power, and then you can set up Li Hu, this general direction will definitely be the same." ”

Jerodach smiled and said nothing.

Yeluwu said: "But there is a saying in the Tang people, the praying mantis catches the cicada, and the yellow finch is behind!" At the beginning, the Empress Dowager flattened the north and the south, and we thought that the Empress Dowager had listened to our opinions and was ready to unify the north and the south, but we didn't expect that Li Hu, the yellow finch, came. Li Hu ate the military and financial resources of the northern and southern factions, and thought he was a yellow bird, who would have thought that there was a bird catcher like you behind him! But don't forget the parable, there is a big hole under the feet of the finch catcher! ”

Yelu Cha looked alarmed: "What big pit?" What else do you know? ”

"Zhang Mai!" Yeluwu said: "The big pit dug by Zhang Mai! ”

Yelu Cha cut a look and said, "What pit is Zhang Mai digging?" ”

Yelu said: "If the situation is like today, Tang is strong and weak. Although my Da Liao was temporarily inferior, he still had the strength to fight, and he also had the victory of mountains and seas, as long as he diligently cultivated internal affairs, established Jiangnan, and stuck to Anbang, and did not show his own flaws, it would be difficult for the Tang army to take it lightly. Even if there is a distinction between strength and weakness, it will be difficult to overcome victory or defeat in twenty or thirty years, and the victory will be decided, and it will be difficult to determine survival. The longer the time drags on, the more stable our foundation in Liaodong will be, once the Han people who moved to Liaodong are accustomed to the existing life, and regard themselves as Liao, it will be more and more difficult for the Tang people to destroy our Great Liao, and there may be any variables in the past few decades, I think Zhang Mai is not a character who seeks victory in stability, and he will not tolerate us for so long, the faster he seeks it, the more stable we will be, as long as we do not show our own opportunities, he will show flaws sooner or later. ”

Jerodza said, "You also said that sooner or later he will show his flaws, isn't it his flaws now?" ”

"What a flaw now!" Yeluwu asked: "The root of Zhang Mai is the elite military power of the Tiance Tang Army. After the reorganization of the army in Youzhou, his control of the military has been further improved. The current Tiance Tang Army is almost monolithic! Whatever he wants! Although Zhang Mairen toured west, Shi Jian, Shi Ba, Guo Wei, Murong Chunhua and others who controlled the lifeblood of the military were firmly grasped by him, and Gao Xingzhou and Fu Yanqing, who had newly returned to Shun, were extremely close to him, Xue Fu took him with him, and Yang Yi had no trace of it. When Shi Jianshi died, Guo Wei was estranged, Yang Yisheng was distracted, and that was when Tang Guo showed his flaws! As for now, even if Li Hu really won a few battles in Yanjing, so what? Yanjing and Hebei are not the real foundation of Zhang Mai, even if Li Hu turns Yan Zhao over, he is just helping Zhang Mai shoot a few fleas on his scalp. ”

He didn't know how many times he had said this analysis of Yelu Wu's quality in Liaoguo, and Yelu Cha also heard it with calluses, and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, it's still those old-fashioned words. If you don't have any new espionage, you don't have to be alarmist here. ”

Yeluwu asked: "Although I still can't see what Zhang Mai is thinking, if things are abnormal, it will be a demon." Extrapolating from the general trend, it is always not wrong. Wu Desire (Yelu Ruan) has been planning in Mobei for so long, and he really hasn't revealed any news at all? Liu Zhiyuan took Sang Weihan into custody. An Chongrong took in Yao Yuanfu - even we know about such a thing, will Zhang Mai not know? And Zhang Mai has the intention to build the capital in Yanjing, so Hebei will become the hinterland of the capital. However, the gentry of Hebei are not of the same heart as him, although they are not rebellious, they are always in line with the yang and the yin, and the soft knife is consumed against him, with his character, how can he tolerate it? But he just endured it, and he was still touring the west at this time, could it be that he was crazy. Or stupid? Or crazy? There must be a murderous ambush here! ”

"What about ambushes? Even if you guessed it all right, so what? Jerodza said, "Once all the people in the world who oppose him are in trouble, it will be too late for him to deal with them separately." Can there still be three heads and six arms, and all rebellions cannot be wiped out in one fell swoop? Haha, if that's the case, then he's really a god. Enemy, you think too much. Maybe he's really crazy. The emperor of the Han people often did this kind of thing - this is called the heavens seizing the sky! Haven't you listened to what the market in Hebei and Shandong has been talking about him in the past two months? It is said that he is another Emperor Yang of Sui! ”

Seeing a hint of surprise in Yelu Chache's eyes, Yelu Chachim smiled and said, "Why, do you think that only you will be the only one who will send a fine work!" ”

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In Liaoyang Mansion, all the reprimanded ministers and generals, such as Yelu Shuogu and Xiao Miansi, originally none of them were optimistic about Yelu Li Hu and Tang. Unexpectedly, the Western Expedition had such a surprising opening, and the impression of the Khitan clan on Yelu Lihu changed greatly for a while. felt that the notoriety of the three kings in the past may have been smeared by Yeludeguang, and for a while, the reggent's prestige soared, and even Shu Luping, who originally did not support the real Tang Dynasty, also looked forward to the younger son being able to overshadow the second son and catch up with his father.

The good news for Tokyo is bad news for Yanjing!

First, Tianjin suffered a night attack, followed by Luanzhou was breached, and then the Liao army divided its troops to plunder, and the eastern counties of Yanzhao were on fire everywhere, and some people took advantage of the fire to loot, and all parts of the county directly under the jurisdiction of Yanjing to Hebei were in turmoil at once. There are even some people - I don't know if it is the Khitan Liukou or the local thieves, who actually ran to the vicinity of Youzhou City!

The Privy Council hurriedly ordered military towns and military governments to send troops to arrest thieves.

The market in Youzhou was certainly in a panic, and the various departments of the imperial court, the correction and evaluation platform were the first to be chaotic. At the beginning of the discussion of politics in the past two days, many imperial historians were full of sadness, and all the discussions were about the war situation in the east, and some gentry in Beijing saw that the war was spreading imminently, and they also urgently sent their families to scatter in all directions.

Even when the ruling Li Nuan went home, he heard his family discussing whether he wanted to send his family back to his hometown to settle down, so angry that Li Nuan beat the concubine to the end, and said angrily: "The mother and the son are still there, how can I escape alone!" Besides, the current situation has not yet eroded to this point! If you dare to say a word that is not human, no matter who it is, you will be beaten thirty times and expelled from the house immediately! ”

His wife cried: "None of us know the loyalty of the master, but these days there are rumors that Luanzhou has been lost, Tianjin has been besieged, and I heard that Huma has been killed near Youzhou - maybe when it will be killed in Youzhou!" If the marshal was still there, it would be fine, but now the marshal is not there! ”

"Women and children! Women and children! Li Nuan scolded: "How can we take care of ourselves as ministers!" As the ruling party, as long as the mother and the son are in the world, I will stick to Youzhou for a day, even if the Hu people are really killed, I will never run away! ”

His wife said, "Can that ...... Move the capital to avoid? It's not that we're disloyal, it's just that Yanjing is too close to the Hu people, and this kind of day when we might kill them when, how can people live? ”

Li Nuan scolded angrily: "Shut up! The court is a big event, and it's your turn to have more mouths! ”

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Li Nuan could not contain his family, but he could not stop the panic of the gentry group, not only the gentry, but also the merchant group. Some timid people are already starting to evacuate, but some who are not sure and those who have already settled in Youzhou are very hesitant, they move around each other, and many people walk to the door of Zheng, Nai, Shi and other families.

In the past few days, Zheng Ji's family has been visited by people, and his status is already very detached, not to mention that after Naib was deposed as a business leader, it highlights his status as a business leader. At the beginning, when the endorsement of National Taiwan University was vacant, many people were ready to nominate Zheng Ji, but he finally refused after various considerations.

Now that something is happening in the east, the threshold of the Zheng family is almost broken by his peers, but the more this is the case, the more Zheng Ji opens the door, and whenever a friend comes, he will be patiently received and take the trouble to show people his calmness.

On this day, Naib came to visit. Seeing that he had just sent away a group of representatives of small businessmen, he couldn't help but say, "Brother Zheng is too close to the people, right, such a person also met in person?" ”

Zheng Ji smiled bitterly: "It's not that I want to. But if it were not so, how could people see that I was calm without worrying about the affairs of the East! ”

After the two entered the tea room, the attendant retreated, Zheng Ji personally took the lamp, and Naiboo said: "Then Brother Zheng is really not worried, or is he not worried?" ”

Zheng Ji glanced at him and said, "Brother Nai, this is where you lost to me." It's no wonder that the position of the Hanlin Academy is not secure. You will come here and ask me this sentence, which means that you are really a little worried. ”

Naib snorted and said, "Aren't you worried at all?" ”

Zheng Ji said: "What is there to worry about! At the beginning, when the three families of Liao, Jin and Shu surrounded Qinxi. The situation is much worse than it is now, and the strength of our army is much weaker than it is now! I survived then, let alone now! ”

Naib smiled bitterly: "I also believe that in the end, our army will definitely win." But...... It's hard to say about this Youzhou. I always feel it. The marshal doesn't seem to take Youzhou too seriously. And...... And now the marshal is gone! If he were, I wouldn't be worried. ”

Zheng Jidao: "Even if the marshal is not there, I am not worried. ”

"Oh?"

Zheng Ji said: "Can you get the latest news from Tianjin?" ”

"The latest news from Tianjin? Legend has it that tens of thousands of Khitan troops besieged Tianjin! Now there are thousands of soldiers and horses flowing between Youjin, and now the roads are not safe, so the news is also confused, in short, the people's hearts are in chaos. ”

"People's hearts are in turmoil, but some people are in chaos." Zheng Ji smiled. said: "I just received news from Tianjin in the morning, what a siege! No circumference! Khitan centaurs. Not even the Haihe River has passed! However, the market was chaotic for a while, and there was a person named Guan Haoran who came out to correct the imperial history, organized merchants and coolies, stabilized the market, and impeached a few Tianjin's correctional imperial history, this person heard that he couldn't even read a few words, but he was very out of the limelight! The Khitan can't even cross the Haihe River, so I don't believe they can take Youzhou! ”

Naib said: "If this is the case, then it would be great, but why is not all the news about Tianjin that is rumored in the market now?" ”

Zheng Jidao: "In fact, it's not just the person surnamed Guan who impeached others, he was also impeached, and the person who impeached him also spread a lot of specious news, now that the war is undecided, there is naturally any news in the chaos, and the people here in Youzhou can't tell the truth from the false, I'm afraid that now even the Privy Council of the Government Council may not be able to distinguish it - but this kind of thing can't hide it from my eyes." ”

Naib said: "Even so, Luanzhou has also fallen, once the Khitan soldiers and horses pour out of Yuguan, it will not be tens of thousands of people, I am afraid that it is possible for hundreds of thousands of troops!" There is still a Haihe River in Tianjin, but there is no danger to defend here! ”

"An army of hundreds of thousands? The more people who come, the better. Zheng Ji said: "The more soldiers and horses, the slower the action, and when the army arrives under Youzhou City, the Quartet will also be dispatched, Yunzhong, Dingliao, Yedu and other Quartet contingency men and horses are still afraid of not coming?" At that time, it was the decisive battle of Tangliao and Yanjing, and at that level, there were naturally prime ministers and generals who were worried, and they had nothing to do with us. ”

Naib smiled: "Yes, yes, I don't think there's anything to worry about when you say that." ”

At this moment, a child knocked on the door and hurried in, Zheng Ji opened it and took a look, Naib asked, "What?" Zheng Ji said: "Feng Da endorsed the Privy Council's lack of response and delayed state affairs, and urged his wife to convene a court meeting to discuss the matter. ”

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Zheng Ji's heart is actually far less calm than what he said in his words and smiles, and in Youzhou City, it is far from being as peaceful as he expressed in his words. In fact, the atmosphere in Youzhou is far from being as relaxed as Zheng Ji said.

Hundreds of people gathered on the big correction platform temporarily set up in Youzhou, and all kinds of news kept coming, and people kept talking. The voices of the discussion are naturally those spokespersons who have the identity of correcting the imperial history, and what is condemned by the discussion is basically aimed at the Privy Council!

No one dared to talk about Zhang Mai, not even Piri Yangqiu!

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Feng Dao's protégé passed this qiē home, and his third son, Feng Ke, said: "The marshal is really wrong to tour the west this time!" Now Luanzhou is lost, and Yanjing and Hebei are full of smoke! The closest rogues to Youzhou, I heard that they have all burned and killed Wuqing, and there are even traces of thieves near Luxian! The towns of Youdong are surrounded and suppressed everywhere, but they are all like chasing the wind and catching shadows! ”

"Of course!" Feng Dao's second son, Feng Ji, said: "Except for Youzhou, Tianjin, Hejin and other places, the countryside is almost empty! This land of Yanyun was once occupied by the Khitan, and they must have a large number of guides who are familiar with the road. Without the village armor as a clamp, it is not easy to catch the wandering thieves! ”

Feng Dao glanced at his son and said sharply: "Just talk about this matter at home, don't talk nonsense when you go out of the house!" ”

The two sons hurried to answer.

Feng Dao said again: "There are some people who are too disagreeable. The army is still far away, at this time, what a panic! ”

Feng Ke said: "It's just that you haven't killed it yet, so you can try it, if you wait until the kill is close, it's too late!" Father, judging by you, Khitan ...... Is it possible to attack Youzhou? ”

Feng Dao groaned and said: "Whether the Khitan is attacking or not, it is not clear to the father, but the most important thing at the moment is to ensure that the country is safe, Yanjing is the center, that is, the foundation of the country, and there is no room for loss!" I have urged Niangniang to go down the mountain, hoping to come up with a countermeasure as much as possible. ”

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At this moment, another terrible news came: after the fall of Shicheng, the Khitan soldiers came out of Yuguan, and countless armies were marching towards Yanjing!

When the news came out, the entire Central Plains was shaken.

Almost at the same time, an even more terrible news came out from Mobei: Yelu Ruan had rebelled!

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If there are no accidents in the evening, there may be another chapter. (To be continued......)