Despite receiving assistance from the Southern Song Dynasty, in the first half of the year, Meng Jiucheng did not want to have a major military operation. He is continuing to allocate resources to the military industry and navy, and is eagerly striving to accomplish his envisioned goals within two or three years.

Liaodong will be the battlefield where the Red Turban Army gallops; Shandong, on the other hand, will be on the defensive, firmly occupied, or slowly expand the land.

This is not that Meng Jiucheng is ambitious, but that the situation in eastern Liaodong is changing rapidly, complicated, and there are many opportunities. If it weren't for the navy's inability and lack of strength, Meng Jiucheng would have intervened now.

Why not storm Shandong and advance to Hebei? This is a normal train of thought, Hebei is broken, and the Jin army almost gave up, only supporting the landlords' armed forces to confront the Mongolian army.

This was mainly because Meng Jiucheng was deeply afraid of the invincible Mongolian iron cavalry, and fighting in the Great Plain of Hebei was something he tried his best to avoid.

At least before having a large number of cavalry, although the Red Turban Army was ahead of the firearms, Meng Jiucheng felt that it was difficult to restrain the Mongol army with infantry-based tactics.

Therefore, he wanted to delay the confrontation with the Mongolian army as much as possible, and chose Liaodong, where the Mongolian army was weaker and the terrain was more favorable, as a breakthrough.

Of course, this is just his assumption. If the situation becomes favorable, he will also adjust his deployment and join the Central Plains War of Song, Jin, and Mongolia.

Meng Jiucheng said his thoughts, but it was not convincing. In the eyes of Yang Miaozhen, Han Shouzhong and others, it is somewhat far-fetched and a little too generous.

"Even if Qingzhou is given to Li Quan temporarily, he won't be able to occupy it for a long time." Meng Jiucheng had no choice but to explain again, "Money and food are the key, is he embarrassed to ask us for it?" I estimate that Song Jin is likely to start a war next year, and at that time, we recommend him to the Southern Song Dynasty, and he will definitely want to have such a backer who supplies money and grain. ”

"What does Meng Shuai mean to let Li Quan go south to Jianghuai and fight for the Song Dynasty?" Han Shouzhong guessed and asked, "Then, let's take Qingzhou?" ”

"You think it's impossible?" Meng Jiucheng smiled and said, "As long as the Song Court openly recruits the righteous army, not only Li Quan, but others will also be moved. At the end of the day, they can't feed themselves. ”

Yang Miaozhen still understands her husband and feels that he has made up his mind and it is difficult to change it. Of course, Meng Jiucheng's stubbornness is based on the strategic level, and he is still very able to listen to opinions with an open mind.

"Meng Lang has a point." Although Yang Miaozhen didn't agree very much, she still decided to do her duty as a wife and support her husband, "Although we have received assistance from the Song Dynasty, we have temporarily overcome the difficulties. But the family background is not rich, and the territory of one or two more states should be stretched thin, and it should not be able to be opened. ”

Meng Jiucheng glanced at his wife gratefully, and smiled a little flatteringly, almost amusing Yang Miaozhen.

The coach and deputy marshal all made a decision, and Han Shouzhong and Wang Xian no longer insisted, but turned to the conditions and interests.

"Mu Lingguan asked Li Quan to give it to us." Han Shouzhong pointed to the map and said, "This pass is defended by our army, so it can be regarded as impregnable. Then set up a fort and set up a fortress along the old city wall to the west, whether it is to defend the north or the west, you can sit back and relax. ”

"It's a must." Meng Jiucheng said: "With the backing of Mulingguan, it infiltrated Yiyuan County in the west, and relied on the topography in the Yimeng Mountains to form a confrontation with the Jin Army of Jinan and Laiwu, so as to provide security for the recovery of the base area." ”

"Linqu, Changle, Shouguang ......" Wang Xian was more greedy and took the counties east of Qingzhou Prefecture.

"Don't have too much territory, and don't make it look like you're using a knife against Li Quan's back." Meng Jiucheng shook his head and said: "In this battle, it doesn't matter if you suffer a little loss for the time being. ”

"Then ......," Wang Xian reluctantly retracted his fingers.

Yang Miaozhen smiled: "Take a long-term view, don't be petty." It's just a few counties, so it's good to give it to Li Quan. ”

Meng Jiucheng smiled, nodded again and again, and said: "What Miao Zhen said is extremely true, take a long-term view, and don't care about the gains and losses of one city and one place." ”

After some deliberation, it was finally decided, look at the time, and it was time to go to the banquet for Li Quan.

…………

Li Quan staggered into the bedroom, burped, pushed away Liu Qingfu, who was supporting him, walked to the window, looked at the sky, and was already drunk.

In the sky, the moon, hidden by gray-white clouds, was protruding and encircling, revealing a bright jade face.

As if defeated, the clouds dissipated powerlessly, handing over the vast blue sky to the moon, allowing it to spread the light and smile of victory towards the earth.

"Marshal-" Liu Qingfu stepped forward and called softly, surprised by Li Quan's judgment before and after.

"The clouds open and the moon rises." Li Quan stretched out his hand and pointed and said meaningfully: "A good sign!" After speaking, he turned to Liu Qingfu and said with a smile: "Old Liu, what do you think?" ”

Liu Qingfu pondered for a moment and said, "Meng Jiucheng is very generous, which is a little unexpected. It turned out that the marshal was pretending to be drunk, and the general thought it was ......"

"Is that all?" Li Quan waved his hand, interrupted the second half of Liu Qingfu's sentence, shook his head unsatisfied, and said slowly: "You didn't listen to what he said, you have secretly joined the Song family and received some money and food. ”

"This has not yet been proven, and it seems that it should not be believed prematurely." Liu Qingfu was still a little skeptical, thought for a while and said, "Does the marshal also want to vote for Song?" ”

"It's not the right time, and it's not going to be accepted!" Li Quan did not have this intention in his heart, and he was also very envious of the Red Turban Army for receiving money and food assistance, but he was still very rational.

"The Song family is cowardly and afraid of money like a tiger, and when they openly accept the rebels, I don't know what about the Year of the Monkey!" Liu Qingfu pursed his lips, but he was very disapproving, "Since the Red Turban Army has promised to help in the war, we will take Qingzhou, and then attack Zizhou or Binzhou, and we also have a territory that can supply money and grain, so what else should we vote for?" ”

Li Quan glanced at Liu Qingfu and said with a wry smile: "With the territory, can you feed our tens of thousands of horses?" It's not easy! ”

"It's not easy, let's take Qingzhou first." Liu Qingfu's mind is simpler and he doesn't think so long-term.

Li Quan nodded, the goal had been achieved, and Meng Jiucheng was surprisingly generous. It's just a Muling Pass, and it's useless to defend it, but it may be exchanged for one state, or even two or three states.

…………..

The silence of the night, the twinkling of the stars, and the brightness of the moon are the time to make people think.

Meng Jiucheng was half-lying on a chair in the garden, his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky.

Crystal stars twinkled in the vast gray sky, and night birds flapped their soft wings over the trees.

His thoughts flew far away and he thought a lot.

Yang Miaozhen walked over with light steps and handed the cloak to Meng Jiucheng, interrupting his train of thought.

When Meng Jiucheng took the cloak, he took his wife's little hand and pulled her to sit beside him.

Yang Miao's hands were a little hot, but the sweat felt good, and Meng Jiucheng felt that his wife's skin was becoming more and more tender.

"Meng Lang, I heard that you can make poems?" Yang Miaozhen looked at Meng Jiucheng with a smile and said, "Why have you never made one or two songs for the slave family?" ”

Meng Jiucheng smiled and said, "Whatever poetry you make, it's all copied." I took someone else's gift to the lady, and I felt that it was inappropriate. ”

"Whether it's done or copied, the slave family wants you to chant a song now to listen to it." Yang Miaozhen looked very serious, staring at Meng Jiucheng.

Meng Jiucheng scratched his head, thought for a while, and snapped his fingers, "Lady, I have it." No, I thought of a song to sing to you. ”

Yang Miaozhen pursed her lips and laughed, and said, "Okay, it's okay to sing." Meng Lang dares to sing, it must be very good. ”

Under the wonderful gaze of his wife, Meng Jiucheng cleared his throat, tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, beat the drum himself, and sang: "The sea is smiling, the tide on both sides of the strait, the ups and downs are remembered with the waves; The sky is smiling, and the tide is in the world, and God knows who loses and who wins...... Laa...... ......"

If it were any other song, it would definitely not have such a strong appeal and affinity.

And this song "A Laugh in the Sea" is precisely the melody of the pentatonic scale of "Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zheng, and Yu" in the ancient song, which should be translated into a simple score as 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.

Don't look simple, but Huang has captured the essence of the pentatonic scale, and the melody has a primitive attraction to Orientals.

Meng Jiucheng's voice did not sing a little majestic and thorough, but he fully expressed his chic and self-satisfaction.

Meng Jiucheng shook his head while smiling at Yang Miaozhen while singing, and pulled his little hand and kissed it.

Yang Miaozhen began to listen with a smile, and her appreciation was very strong. When Meng Jiucheng sang for the second time, the cherry mouth opened, the singing voice brightened, and the clear female voice sounded.

"The rivers and mountains are smiling, and the smoke and rain are far away; The waves are exhausted, and the red world is more delicate. The breeze laughs, but it makes me lonely; The pride is still left, and the evening photos are ...... Laa...... ......"

This song is suitable for both men and women, but it sounds unique and refreshing.

Hahahaha, after singing the song, Meng Jiucheng laughed and hugged his wife over, head to head, face to face, indescribable intimacy.

"Actually, although Meng Lang is singing, it can also be regarded as poetry." Although Yang Miaozhen can't compose poems and lyrics, poetry also has a killing effect on her.

Especially when sung by the husband's mouth, it seems natural and has a deep meaning. In those days, whose man would sing to his wife?

The moonlight poured quietly on Yang Miaozhen's face like flowing water, as if it had been washed in milk, and it seemed to be wrapped in a light veil.

The distance between the two people is very close, the touch of skin, and the exchange of breath make people have to have an ambiguous reverie.

"Lady, it's not early, let's rest in peace!" The hot breath in Meng Jiucheng's mouth sprayed on Yang Miaozhen's ears and neck, making the heart of this heroine who can charge forward on horseback itch.

…………..

An agreement was reached, each of them went back to prepare, and an appointment was made for joint operations.

Actually, it didn't take much time.

Li Quan was ready, just to ask for support and cooperation from the Red Turban Army; And Meng Jiucheng did not mobilize other troops, that is, Han Shouzhong's men and horses stationed in Weizhou, not all.

Due to the agreement to act together seven days later, Meng Jiucheng sent Han Shouzhong and Wang Xian to lead the army to the expedition as the main general and deputy general respectively, and he and Yang Miaozhen temporarily sat in Weizhou.

And Meng Jiucheng's generosity also made Li Quantou repay the favor by inviting 3,000 Red Turban troops to settle in Muling Pass in advance, familiarize themselves with the pass fortress, and take over the defense.

It can be seen from this that Li Quan is imperative to attack Qingzhou, and if he cannot get money and food supplies, he can only wait for defeat when he retreats in Mulingguan.

Therefore, Li Quan has a plan to go out.

When the appointed time came, Meng Jiucheng and Yang Miaozhen personally sent the army out.

"Meng Shuai, Vice Marshal Yang, please go back!" Han Shouzhong bowed and saluted, and said, "The last general must be cautious, even if the battle fails, he will bring the troops back safely." ”

Wang Xian also gave a salute and said: "Meng Shuai rest assured, Vice Marshal Yang rest assured, even if you don't win this battle, it will be fine." ”

Meng Jiucheng nodded and said, "Of course I'm relieved. It's okay, just send it here, two generals, please get on your horse and set off! ”

Han Shouzhong and Wang Xian saluted again, turned over on their horses, and walked away with a group of guards.

It wasn't until they couldn't see their backs that Meng Jiucheng and Yang Miaozhen turned their horses and returned to Weizhou.

In this operation, the Red Turban Army only assisted, and was mainly responsible for breaking through the city. Other tasks, such as blocking reinforcements and besieging the city, including fighting in the city, were undertaken by Li Quan's department.

That is, the combat risk of the Red Turban Army was small. Even if the Jin Army had time to rescue, there was Li Quan's department responsible for blocking and early warning. Once Li Quan's troops could not be stopped, the Red Turban Army was in the easternmost part, and there was relatively plenty of time to retreat.

"The slave family was careless, and only now did they figure out why Meng Lang wanted to reveal the matter of receiving assistance from the Southern Song Dynasty to Li Quan." Yang Miaozhen walked slowly, turned his head and said with a smile: "This is to leave a way back for Li Quan in advance, if the Song Court openly recruits the righteous army in the future, he will be very positive, right?" ”

Meng Jiucheng nodded with a smile and said, "It should be a good choice to go down to Jianghuai and join the Southern Song Dynasty." I remind him that when things are hard, he remembers it. ”

"Moreover, joining the Southern Song Dynasty is better than taking refuge in us." Yang Miaozhen pursed her lips, with a slight disdain, "If the Southern Song Dynasty openly recruited northerners, Meng Lang would definitely be awarded an official position; Li Quanneng received a reward from the Southern Song Dynasty, how could he be willing to condescend to Meng Lang? He would definitely think that with his merits, maybe he would be able to be on an equal footing with Meng Lang one day! ”

"The lady has a point." Meng Jiucheng said: "This is human nature, if it were me, I would probably think the same way." Also, if Li Quan goes south to join the Song Dynasty, I hope he can form a buffer between us and the Southern Song Dynasty. For this reason, I can even give him a truce in Haizhou and other places in the East China Sea. ”

Yang Miaozhen pondered for a long time, nodded, and said: "It's too close to the Southern Song Dynasty, so you really have to be more vigilant, and it is indeed the best policy to have a buffer so that it can not intervene directly." ”

"These are still things for later, and how they change depends on the development of the situation." Meng Jiucheng said, with a hint of arrogance on his face, "However, my judgment of the general trend is still very accurate." Lady, what do you think? ”

"Yes, Meng Lang has no last resort, it can be said that Kong Ming is reborn." Yang Miaozhen smiled and complimented her husband with a little ridicule.

"Haha." Meng Jiucheng knew that his wife loved him and deliberately said good things, but his mood was comfortable. Wear Gaulle, put on a top hat and want to be happy.

Talking and laughing, the husband and wife are very relaxed, not at all like the tension of the war years.