In Yidu City, including the Yanwang Mansion, as well as the yamen at all levels such as the provinces, branches, left and right divisions, and Yidu Mansions, etc., are all busy. Numerous officials came in and out. Some of these officials are civilians, and some are wearing military uniforms. Tall, short, old or young, they all have different clothes and appearances, but they all have one thing in common, everyone is in a hurry.

There was a large stack of documents, just out of the door, and the person who entered the door collided head-on, but fortunately, he was clever and did not let the documents spill. Looking up at each other, both of them had the same serious expressions. But through their eyes, it can be vaguely seen that in the seriousness, there is also a little excitement.

Regardless of whether they know each other or not, at this moment, the people who meet each other will nod their heads to each other. The city was shallow, with a red face and a thick neck, as if he had hidden some kind of secret, he looked straight at the other party, and stopped talking, but in the end he swallowed the words, only lowered his head again, and passed each other.

The lives of the people in the city are still the same, and there is no difference from before. But in almost all of the yamen, there seemed to be a tense air hanging over them. Yes, nervous air. Sometimes, acquaintances bump into each other, or they will stand in the corner of the courtyard and say a few words, and each sentence is closely related to one word or two words: "Attack!" ”

"Attack!"

Just yesterday morning, a military order was issued. The military order signed Deng She's name, clearly informing the Yidu Province that the Yanwang Mansion had decided to launch an attack on Jining within ten days! The order came so suddenly, but for the high-ranking officials, it was so expected.

"You know what? Three days ago, Chahan and Polo went to war in Jining! ”

"Grapevine, at the end of last month, His Royal Highness received a secret report from Dadu. Wang Baobao made an agreement with the crown prince of the Tartars. The crown prince of the Tartars has decided to support Chahan. With the support of the capital, this battle between Chahan and Polo will certainly not end easily. His Highness means that he wants to take advantage of the situation to move westward. Take the opportunity to seize Jining Road! The status of Jining Road is very important. Laying down Jining, it is equivalent to a buffer band protruding outward. Do you know what it's called? The art of war is cloudy: 'attack is defense'! ”

"Your Highness is wise. However, have you heard that who is the person who has made a contribution to Dadu this time and obtained information for His Highness? ”

"And you say? No one knows, no one knows! Ji Youcheng's eldest son, Ji Dalang. ”

"Tsk. I really can't see it. Ji Youcheng was able to give birth to such a son! Dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, but the son of the tumbler can have such courage. It's really impressive. It's a rarity! ”

"I have an acquaintance, and now I am a messenger in the Yan Wangfu. Listening to him, at the end of last month, after Ji Dalang came back with information, His Royal Highness was very happy and personally summoned him. Ask Dalang in person, and ask him what kind of reward he wants. Dalang replied, 'I would like to join the army, and I would like to go to the front.' No, a few days ago, the Yan Wangfu issued an order to transfer him from the Mint Bureau to Dizhou as the deputy Qianhu. This son of Ji Youcheng,......。 The speaker shook his head, cocked his thumbs, and praised from the bottom of his heart, "Amazing! ”

While he was talking, someone caught a glimpse of Ji Zongzhou, raised his finger, put it to his mouth, and said, "Shhhhhhh Whispered. ”

The place where these people spoke was at the gate of the province, and Ji Zongzhou saw it from afar, and faintly heard what they said. It's just that he is in a complicated mood these days, so he pretends to ignore it and walks past everyone. Everyone saluted, and he bowed slightly. Out of the province, he summoned his entourage, ordered the sedan chair to be carried over, and bent down to get in. The attendant asked, "Master, where are you going?" Are you going home? ”

"No, go to the lord's mansion."

The attendant agreed loudly, and the sedan chair man lifted the sedan chair. Go steadily. It was about noon, the sun was just right, although there were sedan curtains separating each other, the sunlight could still penetrate into the sedan car, and Ji Zongzhou, who was sunburning, was warm. He relaxed his body, leaned back on the sedan chair, breathed in the April air, and closed his eyes slightly.

Beneath the seemingly calm exterior, his heart fluctuated. There are two reasons for the ups and downs, one is because of business and the other is because of private matters. Of course, the official matter is for the upcoming Jining offensive, and the private matter is naturally for Ji Chong. It's good to say that it is Deng She's intention to fight Jining, and he is not a military general, just a civilian position, and he will obey the order. But this private matter, this Ji Chong, really annoyed him.

Don't look at the fact that he usually treats Ji Chong harshly, he never has a good face, and he scolds and scolds him at every turn. But in comparison, among his four sons, his favorite is still Ji Chong.

Ji Chong had a vision when he was born. Clouds obscure the sun. Of course, this should just be a coincidence. However, as a father, he will inevitably be affected by this, so he thinks that Ji Chong will inevitably achieve great things when he grows up. The love is deep, and the responsibility is keen. Why does he always reprimand Ji Chong? Here's why. However, having said that, Ji Chong usually wanders and doesn't care, who knows, he was so bold that he went to Dadu without saying a word. Where are most of them? Longtan Tiger's Den!

Since hearing the news, Ji Zongzhou has not eaten well and slept well for many days. It's so easy, Ji Chong returned safe and sound, and before he could breathe a sigh of relief, this kid actually took the initiative to ask Ying again and proposed to go to the front line! What kind of family is the Ji family? Scholarly family, ploughing and reading heirlooms. When has there ever been a general?

Yes, Ji Chong knows martial arts, but is he qualified to go to the front line if he knows martial arts? Do you have what it takes to fight? The battlefield is so dangerous that if you don't get it right, there will be no bones.

Ji Zongzhou didn't dare to complain about Deng She, and inevitably scolded Ji Chong again. Ji Chong still had a heartbeat, and said something: "'Troubled times are a heavy general. 'Now, in troubled times; Second, the awarding of the military rank and other systems of the Lord is obviously the first major military achievement. Therefore, if you want my Ji family to get ahead, I will be crowned a marquis immediately and enjoy wealth and glory. It must be a battle achievement! The father can also keep the family business, and take the war merits for the children. ”

Ji Zongzhou was heartbroken: "How did Lao Tzu give birth to your son!" They all say, 'Son Xiao Father, Zi Xiao Father'. In addition to your appearance, what is your temper and personality like Lao Tzu? The son is not filial, the father is at fault! He sighed.

Ji Chong didn't talk back to Ji Zongzhou this time, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed three times. He said: "In troubled times, the family business is preserved, and the child is not as good as the father. Immediately gain fame, the father is not as good as a child. If it is said that children are not filial, children are indeed unfilial. The filial piety of the child is not only the father, but also the ancestor of my Ji family. ”

This conversation was the last conversation between their father and son after Ji Chong was appointed as the deputy Qianhu of Dizhou. The next day, Ji Chong rushed to Dizhou. Every time he thinks about this, Ji Zongzhou is always in pain, but he is also helpless. At this time, he sat in the sedan chair, remembered his conversation with Ji Chong again, sighed, and thought, "The child is older, and his wings are hard. If you want to fly, let him fly! ”

Turning his mind, he suddenly remembered the few words of conversation that he vaguely heard at the gate of the province, and a strange feeling came to mind. After discerning it for a long time, he confirmed that he couldn't believe it. This feeling is like a relief. He smiled bitterly and muttered to himself: "'Dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, but a tumbler can give birth to such a son!'" I was relieved, and my thoughts were full of thoughts.

The sedan chair was put down gently, and the entourage said outside: "Master, the Yanwang Mansion has arrived." ”

"Oh!"

Ji Zongzhou opened the sedan curtain and calmly got off the sedan chair. Except for a few people, no matter who comes to Yanwang's Mansion, they have to stop their horses and get off the sedan chair outside the door. Ji Zongzhou held his belt in his hand and went to the house. When he walked past his entourage, he suddenly stopped, asked, and said, "Ji Liu, do you think Da Lang looks like an old man?" ”

The entourage was dumbfounded, and he didn't know why Ji Zongzhou suddenly said this. There is no way to answer. Reluctantly replied: "Master is serious." Da Lang is young and full of vigor in the end. ”

"Energetic?" Ji Zongzhou smiled, patted the entourage's shoulder lightly, and said, "You answered well!" It's just that I'm afraid that the old man is not serious, but old. The attendant was frightened, and hurriedly explained, saying, "Master, that's not what the villain meant. ……。 ”

"Haha. That's it, that's it. Ji Zongzhou raised his head, glanced at the scorching sun overhead, and stood outside the gate of Yanwang's Mansion for a moment, not knowing what he was thinking. Soon, he withdrew his gaze, his expression returned to his usual grace, and he took square steps, not fast or slow, and walked into the house.

The attendant looked at him far away, felt a little, and thought, "The master seems to be a little different from usual. "But after thinking about it for a long time, I didn't find out what the difference was. simply stopped thinking about it, greeted the sedan chair man, and went to rest.

Ji Zongzhou came to enter the mansion, and someone was in front of him. Dunshe in the study. Hong Jixun, Zhao Guo, Wu Henian and others are also there. Seeing Ji Zongzhou coming, Deng She smiled and said: "Mr. Hong, Ah Guo, and Gui Ling's front foot has just arrived, Lao Ji, you will come on the back foot." But seeing that noon is approaching, do you all come to eat? ”

Because of Ji Chong's relationship,—— Ji Chong went to Dadu, successfully completed the task, and came back and took the initiative to ask to join the army and go to the front line, Deng She admired him very much, so even his attitude towards Ji Zongzhou changed. In the past, Deng She was a little distant from Ji Zongzhou in respect, and was often referred to as "adult". Now it's a lot closer. Sometimes I will call him "Lao Ji" directly like calling Wu Henian.

Ji Zongzhou didn't dare to say anything, and asked, "When you come to find the lord, you must all have something important. Wechen's affairs are not in a hurry, please continue to discuss with your lords. Wechen went out and waited for a while. ”

"It's not a big deal. The troops that should have been transferred to Tai'an had been transferred a few days earlier. The grain that should have been prepared was also prepared at the end of last month. Once the war starts, the reinforcements that need to be mobilized have already been selected. We're not talking about anything else here, we're just talking about the situation. ......, Lao Ji, what is the matter with you? ”

"It's about the people."

"How's it going?"

"In accordance with the decree of the Lord, the minister has ordered the left and right divisions to complete the roster of the people within five days. Now it is confirmed that more than 8,000 people can be requisitioned. When the roster is completed, the available manpower should be about 20,000. As long as the front line starts fighting, the baggage and grain in the rear can be transported in a steady stream. Please rest assured, the lord will definitely not delay the major event of attacking Jining. ”

"Logistics is very important. Lao Ji, don't be careless. Not only do you have to take care of the transportation of my existing baggage and grain, but you also have to take care of the part that Haidong has supported. Go to Laizhou Lilan to coordinate and strive for the materials to be transported from Haidong, not overnight, without unloading the truck, from Laizhou to Yidu, and then directly to the front line. If 20,000 people are insufficient, they can be levied again! ”

"Yes."

"One more point. All the people who are expropriated must be compensated in accordance with the regulations. Moreover, it is not only necessary to ensure that the fighting on the front line will not be delayed, but more importantly, the farm work in the countryside cannot be delayed. Cooperatives can play a role in this time. If there is a family member who has been conscripted as a husband, the work in the field can be done by another family. The autumn harvest will be in a few months, so it must be important and cannot be delayed. ”

Ji Zongzhou Gong respectfully responded, looked at everyone's faces, and asked tentatively: "The lord just said that he is talking about the situation with your lords. But has anything changed in Jinji? ”

"There is no change in Jinji. The information sent by the General Administration Department in the morning said that Chahan and Polo were fighting fiercely in Jining! ......, if you want to talk about change, it is also a bit of a change. ”

"What's changed?"

Chahan sent another 5,000 troops to reinforce Jining. Guess who the commander will be? ”

"Who?"

"Tall."

"Huh? Even the high school was sent out? ”

Deng She and Hong Jixun smiled at each other. Zhao Guo interjected and said: "Since Cha and Chahan have won the support of the Tartar crown prince from Dadu, look at the movements, this time he wants to completely solve Polo." First, he has reinforced Jining twice, and at present, the troops he has deployed in the vicinity of Jining have exceeded 15,000 troops. It is not surprising to send and send Gao Gao to be the main general. ”

"Of course, it's not surprising that he sent him high. There is only one point, but the strange thing is that Polo only sent 5,000 people to Jining, who are obviously outnumbered, but so far there is no intention of withdrawing the army. I really don't know what kind of medicine he sells in his gourd. Lord, if Polo has not sent reinforcements to Jining, then with his little men, he will definitely not be Chahan's opponent. In case of a quick victory in Chahan, what about our army to capture Jining? ”

"Even if Chahan wins quickly, Ah Guo is right, looking at his current posture, it is clear that he wants to defeat Polo in one fell swoop. After Jining's victory, he will definitely continue to go north. Our army's attack on Jining will not be interfered with by this. Besides, Polo is not a weakling, let alone a fool. He used 5,000 people to fight 15,000 people in Chahan in Jining, and he must have had his intentions. Didn't he send 5,000 men out of Datong earlier? Although it is still unclear where his army has gone, in my opinion, at a critical moment, his 5,000 men will definitely appear. ”

"What do you mean?"

"It is very likely that Polo intends to use Jining's 5,000 men to drag down the 15,000 people of Tired Chahan first. Then, with the five thousand elite soldiers who had been recuperating for a long time, they suddenly attacked, seeking a decisive battle with Chahan. ”

Everyone was thoughtful, nodded one after another, and said, "The Lord is reasonable. ”

Deng She smiled, spread out the map, looked at the area of Jining Road for a while, shook his head, and said, "In the past, I really underestimated Polo. 5,000 people went out of the west of the city, as if they had been evaporated, and so far they have not been able to find their whereabouts in Datong. It's weird. Where can you run? ”

After thinking about it for a while, I couldn't figure it out. Wu Henian said with a smile: "It doesn't matter where he goes, anyway, as the lord predicted, he will give Chahan a 'surprise' at a critical moment." He smiled and said, "The minister dares to bet that not only is the lord pondering the five thousand people of Polo, but he will also pay great attention to it when he wants to come to Nachahan." ”

Polo's 5,000 people attracted the attention of the princes of the two places.

Perhaps, as Deng She said, these 5,000 people may play a key role at a critical moment. For Dunshe, this pivotal role doesn't necessarily have to be for Polo to defeat Chahan as a result, but at least to drag Chahan out. For Chahan and Polo, this key role may be to represent who wins and who loses. Deng She smiled and said, "Gu Ling is right. Tsavhan must care more than I do! ”

Hong Jixun said: "The day before yesterday, Polo sent a document. said that after he started the war with Chahan, the lord would abide by the agreement and send troops to echo. My lord, now that the armies on my front line are ready, is it time to send him a reply? Deng She bowed his head and said, "This palindrome, please ask Mr. to draft it." ”

Ji Zongzhou said: "After several days of secret transfers, half of the military horses in Dizhou, Jinan, Yidu and other places have been transferred to Tai'an. Now, in Tai'an alone, more than 40,000 main forces of our army have been gathered. And most of them are elite. Using so many people to fight a Jining, isn't it like Mount Tai pressing the top? Ten days later, when the battle broke out, Chahan was caught off guard, and our army would be victorious! ”

That's a good point. No matter how wise Chahan is, he would never have thought that we would actually sign an agreement with Polo! Although the elephant is heavy, it can't help the ants to eat. Moreover, not long after the war in our army's Caiyidu, he would never have thought that our army would have the courage to take the initiative to launch a large-scale attack again. If there is no war, you must not hesitate any longer. Jining Road, you must be determined to win! ”