Beijing Daimyo's Mansion,

Staying in the yamen, several civilian and military generals discussed the military plane, and the atmosphere was very tense.

Liang Zhongshu, as the supreme official, sits on the top.

He rubbed his sore waist, and his eyes were dark.

For today's meeting, he consulted with his staff all night last night, and did not sleep until the fourth watch, and spent the night in the study.

During this period, Mrs. Cai came to visit several times, either to send supper or cold clothes, and she seemed very concerned, and the staff all praised Mrs. Cai's virtue.

Liang Zhongshu was very proud on the surface, but he knew what was going on in his heart.

Since the last time she was caught sneaking out in the middle of the night to steal fish, Mrs. Cai has watched him more closely. Even if he made an excuse to work too late and wanted to spend the night in the study, Mrs. Cai would secretly check it from time to time.

Moreover, the subordinates in the mansion didn't dare to cover him lightly, because the two little guys who helped him cover up last time were killed by Mrs. Liang with a cane.

Even the beautiful woman he raised disappeared inexplicably, and was finally fished up in the river.

Liang Zhongshu was terrified, the person next to his pillow was so ruthless!

This made him have a psychological shadow, and he became more and more afraid of Mrs. Cai, and just wanted to stay away.

But Mrs. Cai didn't let him go, and spoiled him from time to time, trying to drain his energy, lest he go out and fool around.

Recently, for some reason, he has been "pampered" more and more, and he has drunk more and more tonics, using to drink a bowl before going to bed, and now it is a bowl in the morning, noon and evening.

"My lord—"

Han Cunbao, who was sitting downwind for a meeting, shouted twice before Liang Zhongshu came back to his senses.

"Hmm, hmm, this official just remembered something and was distracted!"

"My lord was busy until late at night last night, so tired!" Han Cunbao said sympathetically, if he hadn't participated in the military discussion last night, he would have thought that Liang Zhongshu was playing too wild!

Liang Zhongshu's pale face, dark eyes, blank eyes, and vain steps would be thought by anyone to be overindulgent, but he was tired from work, which really moved Han Cunbao.

"Take care, sir! Please forgive the lower officials for their courage, if you continue like this, the lower officials will write to the emperor and Taishi Cai, saying that you don't care for your body for the sake of government affairs, and you stay up all night every day, eat and clothe at night, this is irresponsible to the imperial court, how can you do it in the long run! ”

Han Cunbao was righteous and upright, and severely criticized his immediate boss.

"What Chief Manager Han said is reasonable, but in order to repay the emperor's kindness, this official has to work hard!" Liang Zhongshu humbly accepted Han Cunbao's criticism.

Although the two have worked together for a short time, they get along very well.

Although Han Cunbao is the chief of soldiers and horses and a subordinate of Liang Zhongshu, he is a festival envoy, a high-ranking official and a low position, and more importantly, Han Cunbao's background is too strong.

He is the grandson of the famous Prime Minister Han Qi, and his uncle Han Zhongyan is also the prime minister, and he is illustrious!

With such a family background, Liang Zhongshu naturally did not dare to underestimate it, plus Han Cunbao's official eunuch son, family history, although he looks rough and arrogant, but he is very good at being a person, and he will make trouble, compared to other rude generals, he is an officialdom elite.

Sitting in the Daimyo's Mansion Metropolitan Eunuch Zhou Xin and Wang Yi,

Wang Wende, the governor of Dongchang Prefecture, Zhang Kai, the governor of Gaotang Prefecture, and Wang Huan, the governor of Lingzhou.

Liang Zhongshu looked at these fierce generals, and his heart was full of confidence, this time he will definitely break through Zhujiazhuang and avenge the last time!

Han Cunbao, Wang Huan, Wang Wende, and Zhang Kai were all famous generals in the Song army, and they were the strongest among the envoys of the Ten Sections. Zhou Xin and Wang Yi were also the governors of the Gyeonggi region, and both had the courage of ten thousand people.

In addition, there was also a civil official present, he was the new governor of Gaotang Prefecture is Zong Ze.

He was retired and rehired, his hair and beard were gray, but his body was tough, his waist was straight, and his voice was like a bell, mixed in a group of generals, not abrupt at all.

But he is indeed a real jinshi. After Yuanyou passed the provincial examination in the sixth year, he participated in the palace examination, and he wrote more than 10,000 words in a free way, vigorously expounding the disadvantages of the times, criticizing the court for being credulous and traitorous, and banishing Zhongliang, and the result was ranked last.

His character is evident.

This is also destined to make his career unsmooth, after all, not everyone has the good luck of Bao Zheng to meet a Ming Jun like Renzong.

Although he is diligent in his duties, upright as an official, sympathetic to the people's feelings, and has outstanding political achievements, he is deeply loved by the people, but he has always been a magistrate and a general judge.

It was not until after retirement that he was awarded the fictitious title of Nanjing Hongqing Temple, which could increase the salary by two levels and improve the retirement benefits, which also fully reflected that the Song Dynasty was still very humane, and the old Zhao family was still warm.

Although his ambition was not rewarded, his retirement life was still very comfortable, but he was later framed for contempt for Taoism, which angered the Daojun Emperor, and he was punished with a demerit and reduced his retirement benefits.

It wasn't until last year's empress dowager's birthday that Emperor Daojun granted amnesty to the world, and he was lifted from the punishment, and he was rehired to continue to exert his residual heat.

Originally, he was going to be sent to remote areas to continue to be the general judge, but it happened that Zhulong made a big fuss in Hebei, defeated the officers and soldiers of the four states in a row, and killed Gao Lian, so scared that no one dared to take over the position of governor of Gaotang Prefecture.

So, someone thought of Zong Ze.

Old Man Zong is not a weak scholar, he is generous and heroic, upright, familiar with military books, proficient in military books, and has practiced martial arts, more than generals.

In the face of difficulties and dangers, he did not flinch or fear, and took up his post lightly.

As soon as he arrived, he straightened out military affairs, strictly enforced military discipline, strengthened training, strengthened the defense of the eastern side, and supervised the movements of Zhujiazhuang.

Although it is not as local as Gao Lian, who spends a lot of money to buy equipment and engage in flying gods, the slippery and loose spirit in the army is gone, and he is a little more robust and iron-blooded, and his combat effectiveness has risen instead of falling.

Coupled with the assistance of the veteran Zhang Kai, in just two months, the army of Gaotang Prefecture has taken on a new look.

As a superior leader, Liang Zhongshu is very clear about Zong Ze's resume and character ability.

In this military meeting, only Zong Ze came, and the two Taishou of Dongchang Mansion and Lingzhou did not come, and it is said that they are still active in the capital, and they want to transfer away and leave this fire pit. But who wants to stand up to this thunder?

Zhizhou has the responsibility to defend the land, if the city is broken, it is a big crime.

Jiangnan rebelled, many Taishou were beheaded, the whole family was exiled, and the wife and daughter were not included in the teaching department, which was extremely miserable.

Therefore, Liang Zhongshu still admires this stubborn old man.

Liang Zhongshu said solemnly: "Gentlemen, before the meeting, this official wants to state that this meeting involves military secrets, and no one can say it out of this door, if it leaks secrets, it will be punished as a crime of collaborating with the enemy!" Did you hear me? ”

"I'll understand!" Everyone present expressed their positions.

Liang Zhongshu nodded, his face calm, his serious gaze swept over everyone's faces one by one, trying to make himself look more majestic.

"I invite you to come this time because this official has received the will of the imperial court, and I have ordered me to command the Daimyo's Mansion, Dongchang Mansion, Gaotang Prefecture, Lingzhou, and the soldiers and horses of the four prefectures to attack Zhujiazhuang."

Wang Wende, the new capital supervisor of Dongchang Mansion, frowned and said, "Isn't it Gao Taiwei who led an army of 100,000 to pacify Zhujiazhuang?" How did it become us? ”

Wang Huan, the new capital supervisor of Lingzhou, also said with a sad face: "The rebel generals Wei Dingguo and Shan Tinggui once led Lingzhou soldiers and horses to attack Zhujiazhuang, and suffered heavy losses. ”

Zhang Kai, the new capital supervisor of Gaotang Prefecture, said with a worried face: "The soldiers of Gaotang Prefecture have all been captured by Zhujiazhuang and released, and then let them fight against Zhujiazhuang, how can they have the courage to fight!" ”

Zong Ze looked at these old festival envoys all complaining, looking like they were not promising, but there was no contempt at all.

These people are all veterans with great achievements, if it weren't for their bad backgrounds and historical stains, how could they use the title of temperance envoy to do the errand of a small capital eunuch.

They are by no means people who are afraid of death and war, and the reason why they are so is just to fight for more materials, equipment, troops, and tolerance from above.

Zong Ze has been in the sea for a long time, how can he not know this?

The Great Song Dynasty treats civil officials preferentially and is harsh on military generals, and it is not easy for these generals, Zong Ze fully understands.

Liang Zhongshu waved his hand and said: "Don't worry, Captain Gao will give me 40,000 troops, and 10,000 horses in each of the four states, is that enough?" ”

Everyone was taken aback, and then showed a look of joy, if this is the case, the strength of the army is not a problem.

As long as you defeat Zhujiazhuang, you can be promoted and make a fortune again.

"Lord Liang, are we going to divide into four groups, or are we gathered together?" Zong Ze asked.

"Of course, the forces are combined, so as not to be broken by Zhujiazhuang!"

Liang Zhongshu said without hesitation that obviously he had already considered this issue.

He looked at Wang Huan, the capital eunuch of Lingzhou, and said, "Old General Wang, last time you followed Tong Shuxiang to attack Zhujiazhuang, you should know something about Zhujiazhuang, tell us about it!" ”

Wang Huan showed a look of shame on his face, and was silent for a while, as if he was recalling the scene at that time, as if he was back in the Shura field where blood flowed heavily, the army was defeated, and enemy troops rushed to kill everywhere.

"Zhujiazhuang is located on a hill, the name of the hill is Dulonggang, backed by Dulong Mountain."

"There are only two roads in the front and back that can lead to Zhujiazhuang, and on these two roads, the Guancheng camp has been built, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"Zhu Jiajun is well-trained, the formation is tight, it is an elite division, and the commander commands it, like an arm."

"Moreover, they are fierce generals in the army, and they are brave when they charge into battle."

Wang Huan's voice was low and deep, and the scene of fighting with Lin Chong, Lu Zhishen, and Guan Sheng came to mind.

"They are good at using cavalry, or 1,000, or 500, turning into more than ten cavalry, under the leadership of the fierce general, like a predatory wolf, constantly attacking the officers and soldiers phalanx, scattering our formation, driving away the officers and soldiers, and then eating them bite by bite!"

"And their horses, all of them, don't slip even in the snow, and run like flying."

……

After listening to Wang Huan's words, the hall fell silent.

"Lao Wang, you are in and out of the Zhujia army three times and three times, like entering a no-man's land! No matter how strong Zhujiazhuang is, you Lao Wang is not allowed to lie down, Lao Wang, what kind of big tonic have you drunk, you are so brave, even more so back then! Han Cunbao hurriedly stood up and gaged to ease the solemn atmosphere.

"You are all veteran generals who have been on the battlefield for a long time, do you have any good strategies to break the enemy?" Liang Zhongshu's hopeful eyes fell on the four old festival envoys.

Wang Huan, Wang Wende, and Zhang Kai all shook their heads and did not speak, and Han Cunbao also bowed his head and remained silent.

Zong Ze suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice: "Xiaguan has a proposal, I don't know if I should talk about it?" ”

"But it doesn't hurt to speak!" Liang Zhong's bibliography is delighted.

"According to the information collected by the lower officials, the thief leader Zhu Long is good at using cavalry, but he does not like to occupy the city, and has not occupied any city so far."

"We should occupy Dongping Mansion, Shouzhang County, Guyang County, and Yuncheng County, and use these four cities as fulcrums to block Zhujiazhuang from the four directions of southeast, northwest, and north."

"Then build a fortress and camp, advance to Zhujiazhuang step by step, and oppress the activity space of Zhujiajun!"

"In the end, we will force the Zhu family army to take the initiative to attack us, attack the city and the camp, and slowly consume them!"

"Lord Liang and the generals what do they think of this plan?" After Zong Ze finished speaking in one breath, he touched his beard, and was very confident in his tactics.

Wang Wende's eyes lit up and said, "This plan is wonderful!" ”

Zhang Kai also gave a thumbs up and said: "Although it takes a long time, it is better to be stable!" ”

Han Cunbao smiled and did not speak.

Liang Zhongshu smiled bitterly and said, "Master Zong's plan, Lao Cheng's serious words, are foolproof, but they are not feasible. ”

"Why?" Zong Ze was puzzled.

Liang Zhongshu shook his head helplessly, sighed, and said, "The court wants a quick victory, how can we delay for a long time?" Even Captain Gao will never agree! ”

Wang Huan said suddenly: "If Zhu Long abandons his nest and becomes a rogue, I'm afraid it will be a bigger disaster!" ”

Wang Huan's words shocked everyone, and they couldn't help but think about the Huangchao Rebellion at the end of the Tang Dynasty, which almost destroyed the entire Tang Dynasty.

Liang Zhongshu rubbed his temples and said a little dejectedly: "We still follow the meaning of Captain Gao, he attracts the main force of the Zhu family army head-on, and we take the opportunity to break the lair of Zhu Jiazhuang." Although there may be some casualties, as long as the thieves can be quelled as soon as possible, everything is worth it. ”

"When the time comes, please also ask Master Zong to sit in the rear and transport grain and grass for us!"

Zong Ze was puzzled: "How can it be the turn of the lower official to be in charge, it should be you, my lord!" ”

Liang Zhongshu said righteously: "I will personally lead the army and attack Zhujiazhuang!" ”

This is the time to pick up credit, how can he not charge ahead?

Everyone was very concerned about Liang Zhongshu's personal safety and advised him not to do it himself, but he insisted on personally leading the troops to fight.

Just when the imperial court and the Daimyo's mansion were planning to encircle and suppress Zhujiazhuang again, Zhujiazhuang was also busy.

The weather is sunny and the snow is clear, and the construction site can start again.

The three passes on the front mountain avenue are being completed at an accelerated pace, and the back mountain has also picked two steep places to build the checkpoints.

The original camp in the back mountains was relocated as a whole and moved to a flat land behind the newly built checkpoint.

If you don't move away, it will be equivalent to directly providing a ready-made camp for the invading enemy.

And moving to the back of the level, the security of the camp is greatly improved, and there is no need to worry about being sneak attacked.

Zhu Long is like a contractor, checking back and forth at several construction sites, feeling a little anxious, for fear that the enemy army will come, and this place is not ready.

On the way from Tokyo to Jeju, a number of secret guard battalions were sent to closely monitor the movements of the imperial army.

Every day, news flies like snowflakes from all over the world, and it is difficult to distinguish between true and false.

The ability of the secret guards is uneven, and some people do not identify and analyze the information, so they write it on paper and pass it to Zhu Long, as if they have completed the performance of a single order.

One day in early March, he discovered an important piece of information from many sources of information, both true and false.