"Dashuai, we ...... The news should be sent back to the capital immediately. The army held on to Zhuozhou and waited for reinforcements. Instead of burning Zhuozhou to the ground, we should give up a great opportunity. ”

Cao Fang struggled for a long time before he mustered up the courage to suggest to Li Kui.

Although he is a gentleman, he is also a gentleman who has seen the world. After knocking down Zhuozhou, he began to ponder this matter, defend Zhuozhou, and take the great credit for this day. But Li Kui's actions didn't look like he was going to defend the city, which made him anxious.

At this moment, Ruan Xiaowu, who was covered in blood, rushed over and said to Li Kui: "Young master, when will you set the fire!" ”

"Have all the people of the city been driven away?"

Zhuozhou was broken by the Song army, which was definitely a very unexpected thing. Not to mention the Liao army, even the Song army never thought that Zhuozhou City would be defeated so easily. After conquering Zhuozhou, there was a very real problem in front of Li Kui.

Guard?

Or abandoned?

Defending, insufficient troops. And very passive.

If you abandon it, it will be easy, and burning the city with fire is equivalent to completing the lesson to the Liao State.

As long as the troops can be successfully retreated to Daizhou at this time, the tentative battle between Song and Liao can already be over. After all, if the Song army can easily defeat Zhuozhou, then it should have the strength to defeat Xijin Mansion. The Xijin Mansion is the capital of Nanjing Province in the Liao State, and it is also the richest capital city in the Wujing of the Liao State.

At the same time, it is also the center of the sixteen states of Yanyun.

Once the Xijin Mansion is defeated, there is a possibility that the Great Song Dynasty will recover the sixteen states of Yanyun.

Even at this time, the Western Army and Western Xia were mixed together. The Great Song Dynasty continued to erode with the good situation in the northwest, and also took the sixteen states of Yanyun first.

Compared with the Northwest Hetao, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are not only an eternal pain in the heart of the Great Song Dynasty, but also the most important defense line of the Central Plains in the north. As long as the Yanshan defense line was in the hands of the Great Song Dynasty, the Great Song Dynasty would be able to easily free up its hands to deal with any domestic contradictions, let alone worry about the threat of the Liao State to the northern Song Dynasty. It can be said that this is an opportunity, an opportunity for the Great Song Dynasty and the Liao State to completely reverse the balance of power.

But defend the city?

This is to have the consciousness of being besieged.

Although after Zhuozhou was defeated, the mountains of materials in the city could allow the Song army to have enough supplies to hold on.

But there is a fatal problem, the Fei Lian Army is easy to handle, but what about the Praetorian Guard?

Once left in Zhuozhou and trapped, after the Praetorian Guard's ammunition was exhausted, how could this firearms unit be resupplied, especially in terms of ammunition?

It's a dead end.

How could Li Kui be willing to be so passively trapped by the Liao army?

He said to Cao Fang with a bad face: "How to keep it?" Let your Praetorian Guards guard it? ”

Cao Fang's face darkened, he hadn't thought about this problem. But with the glory of victory, the opportunity to risk his life is just around the corner, how can he not be tempted?

was asked by Li Kui, and then he became alert and found that Zhuozhou was really difficult to guard.

Li Kui didn't pay attention to Cao Fang's thoughts, but said to Li Yun: "After replenishing food, you are responsible for staying and burning Zhuozhou." The Praetorian Guards left the territory of Zhuozhou overnight. ”

Li Yun was surprised: "Wouldn't this be a pity?" ”

"There is a fate, and there is always a chance for wealth. But if your life is gone, what's the use of being rich? On the surface, these materials are worth a lot of money, but in fact, for us, we don't need anything other than food. Retreat with supplies, the possibility of being trapped is too great to take the risk. ”

Li Kui touched his chin and said leisurely: "We are now a thorn in the eye and a thorn in the flesh of the Liao Kingdom. Once the traces are discovered by the Liao, the Liaons will besiege us like crazy. At this time, if he asked for help, it is estimated that Anton would not make a move, so he simply ...... Liang Shijie immediately sent a message to Zhending Mansion with flying pigeons, and asked them to rush to pick up Zhuozhou. ”

Liang Shijie thought he had heard it wrong, and said in confusion: "Bureau, we are all ready to abandon the city and let the reinforcements from Hebei come, isn't it to deceive them?" ”

"Are we in Zhuozhou at this time?"

"Yes!"

"Has Zhuozhou been defeated by our army?"

"That's right."

"Then let me ask you, as long as the speed of Anton is fast enough, you can take the army to defend Zhuozhou?"

"Seat ......"

It's okay to say this, as long as An Dan can react faster than the Liao army, he can enter Zhuozhou, and he can make great achievements casually. There is a premise that you will arrive in Zhuozhou within at least two days. However, Zhendingfu and Zhuozhou were separated by Xiongzhou and Yi County, and Li Kui only led troops from Yi County to Zhuozhou, which took three days. An Xuan, who was far away in Zhending Mansion, said that it would take seven or eight days to bring the army to Zhuozhou.

However, according to the unreliable marching speed of the Great Song Forbidden Army, especially the Hebei Forbidden Army with eroded armaments, it is already a miracle that it can be felt within ten days.

It is much easier to pass on the book of flying pigeons, and it can be delivered in half a day.

But Liang Shijie couldn't figure it out, why did Li Kui lure out Anton's army when he was about to leave?

Li Kui wants to say this question, but can he say it clearly?

In fact, Liang Shijie already understood Li Kui's intentions in Li Kui's question and answer to him. Yes, yes, but at the same time, he secretly hated himself for asking such stupid questions from the bureau.

As a tool subordinate, the most important thing he should do is not to ask his boss about the intention of doing things.

Instead, in the shortest possible time, figure out the intention of the boss's words and actions, and react to contact the boss's worries.

Only in this way can you be a good subordinate.

The reason why Li Kui wanted to tell An Dan that Zhuozhou had been defeated was actually to let An Dan send troops.

So did Zhuozhou fight down?

The answer is yes.

As for why Antun came and found that Zhuozhou was still in the hands of the Liao?

Because it's too slow, you can't catch up with the hot, and you can't blame others.

As an untrusted friendly army, the role of the Hebei Forbidden Army is only two in Li Kui's eyes, deceived to be cannon fodder, or to take the blame.

Zhending Mansion, the government office.

He knelt in front of the Buddha statue and prayed devoutly, and he had been praying all day since the Liao army went south. In addition, he is probably most concerned about the comfort of the city.

On this day, the Liao army withdrew, which brought him a huge shock.

He thought that it was useless to hold on to the Buddha's feet temporarily, but to his surprise, after paying some tribute, the Buddha did not abandon him, a believer who had just converted to Buddhism.

So, he felt that he should be more pious, and that the sacrifices should be more abundant.

He didn't have the courage to command the army to fight against the Liao army, but he still had the courage to write a copy of the merit that the Liao people were driven out of the country by the Hebei military and civilians under his planning. In Biansai, it's as simple as that to get credit.

"Lord An, why are you ......?"

Although it was not very good-looking to be bumped into by someone worshipping the Buddha, An Dan still said cheekily: "My mother believes in the Tao, and the official is obedient to my mother's wishes." ”

It is said that praying to God and worshiping Buddha is filial piety, which is what civil officials can do.

It was the eunuch Nian Chun of Zhending Mansion who broke through Anton, who in addition to supervising the annual trade with Song Liao, also had the task of guarding the flying pigeons to deliver news.

"Year of worship, what makes you in such a hurry?" Nian Chun is an offering officer, and he belongs to a relatively high-ranking existence among the eunuchs. However, he is a eunuch sent abroad, and his status is not as high as that of a eunuch in the capital.

An Xuan, who had recovered his expression, saw that Nian Chun was the same, and in order to change the topic, he deliberately led the question to Nian Chun.

Nian Chun handed the secret letter in his hand to An Xuan, and then said happily: "My lord doesn't know, Li Xuanfu has defeated Zhuozhou yesterday. Ordered our army to immediately go north to take over Zhuozhou. ”

"Zhuozhou, how is this possible?"

It was as if he had been slapped in the face, and his brain was buzzing. Zhuozhou was brought down, can Yanzhou be easily won. In this way, wouldn't the sixteen states of Yanyun be recovered?

A strong rancid smell rises from the bottom of my heart. Li Kui is going to be crowned king, isn't it that when he sees Li Kui in the future, he will salute first?

An Kui's jealous internal organs are about to burn, why is Li Kui so good, with the most elite army of the Great Song Dynasty, he can easily take Zhuozhou. If he commands the elite of the Great Song Dynasty, he can do it too.

After jealousy, Anton fell into a dilemma, hiding in the city and his life was worry-free, but once he left the city, could he still guarantee that he was safe and sound?

Besides, Li Kui is famous for his penchant for eating alone, so will he keep the credit for himself?

Thinking of this, Antun dragged out his tone and persuaded Nian Chun: "Nian Offering, can there be any verified news about this matter?" ”

"This ...... Lord An, you also know that my Zhending Mansion and Zhuozhou are separated by a Xiongzhou, and there is also a Yi County. It also takes seven or eight days for normal business to and fro in between. In addition, the Liao army roamed in the hinterland of Hebei before. Ground messages have been cut off. ”

Nian Chun was embarrassed and said: "But there will be nothing wrong with this flying pigeon." This is the means of the Imperial City Division, and I think the flying pigeon to His Majesty in the capital will arrive within two days. No one would dare to lie about this. Now what you and I should be thinking about is how to get to Zhuozhou. If we miss out on such a great opportunity, you and I will regret it. ”

"What good chance?"

An Dan doesn't believe in heresy: "This official doesn't believe in pie in the sky, Li Kui has worked hard to defeat Zhuozhou, can give it to us so easily, there must be fraud?" ”

Anton is not easy to deceive, he is not a simple-minded young man who ignores the credit when he sees it. He is a Wenchen who has been in office for 20 years, and if you want to ask him if he hasn't framed a few unlucky people over the years, can he climb to such a high position?

An Xuan, who didn't believe Li Kui in his bones, felt that he had gone, but he was driven by Li Kui's life, and he had a calculation in his heart, and it was the best choice to stand still.

Seeing this, Nian Chun immediately became anxious, and warned An Dan: "If Your Majesty orders me to wait to go to Zhuozhou, and we wait to stay still, won't people find an opportunity to sue us and others?" ”

Eunuchs are all persecuted maniacs, and in such a sinister environment as the court, being killed is a daily routine. If you really meet good people, it is the biggest absurdity.

In case, Li Kui sued the court because the reinforcements were slow to come.

Anton may be fine, but he will probably be unlucky in the spring.

The emperor will not make the heroes of the Great Song Dynasty feel cold because he wants to keep a eunuch.

To put it bluntly, even if An Tun pretended to be and put on a posture of reinforcing Zhuozhou, it would make him feel a lot more at ease. But if you don't move, let alone the emperor is far away, after the war, you can't hide this matter at all.

Seeing that An Dan was unmoved, Nian Chun was anxious: "Lord An, why don't I take the troops?" ”

"You?"

Don't look at Anton and say a word, but the tone that came out of his nose was full of disdain for Nian Chun.

You are a eunuch, and you also know how to lead troops to fight?

Nian Chun's face was red when he was ridiculed, and Anton's identity would not be afraid of his status as a slave of the Son of Heaven at all. Even if you slander, there will be no chance in the spring. After all, the local offerings are not the offerings in front of the palace, they are all eunuchs, but he doesn't even have the opportunity to meet the emperor.

Some words are not easy to say, Nian Chunxin said: "Let you go, you dare not go." Our family risked their lives, but you looked down on people. The Great Song Dynasty let you traitors be in charge, and sooner or later it will be over. ”

"Newspaper—"

"My lord, father-in-law. Outside the city, cavalry passed by. ”

Just when the two were at a stalemate, the captain of the city gate rushed to make a report.

"Cavalry, whose cavalry?"

"It's party cavalry."

Needless to say, this must be the Renduo tribe that defected to the Great Song Dynasty. The Great Song Dynasty was not very friendly to the forbidden army, especially the ministers of the court. But if it is a foreign tribal army that has taken refuge, no matter how much you look down on it in your heart, you will be given the highest treatment in face.

An Dian suddenly became vigilant, Renduo Baozhong and Li Kui had intersections, and even the Renduo tribe defected to the Great Song Dynasty, and Li Kui also had Li Kui's matchmaking. The appearance of the Renduo tribe gave him a suspicion that Li Kui and Renduo were loyal to conspire and hide him in the dark.

"How many centaurs know?"

"10,000 people, if not more."

The lieutenant didn't dare to hide it, and eagerly wanted to show it: "The army has no intention of entering the city for repairs, but went directly to Xiongzhou, and it seems that it is in a hurry to march." ”

"Something is wrong, something is wrong."

Anton shook his head to himself, always feeling that he was missing something.

Nian Chun was puzzled and asked Anton: "Lord An, what's wrong?" ”

"This Renduo Baozhong is a personal essence, and it will immediately raise troops to the north as soon as the Liao army withdraws. Obviously, he had conspired with Li Kui for a long time, and as the head of Hedong Road, they deliberately bypassed the official, I am afraid that there is a big conspiracy. ”

Anton stubbornly believed that Li Kui could not trust him.

Well, he can't trust Li Kui either. But An Dian will not excuse Li Kui, and even put on a posture: I would rather be responsible for the people of the world than for the people of the world to bear me. After coming to Hebei, Anton found that he could not reconcile Renduo to be loyal. When Zhending Mansion was attacked by the Liao army, Renduo Baozhong didn't even pretend to rescue. It made Anton very dissatisfied.

At this moment, he even doubted Rindo's loyalty.

Nian Chun said with annoyance: "Lord An, Renduo Baozhong is ahead of us, if you don't make a decision, we won't even be able to drink the soup." ”

Nian Chun's words reminded An Dan, and he secretly thought: Renduo is a loyal and shrewd person, if he goes to Zhuozhou, there is probably no danger.

Thinking of this, Anton made a decision and said to the captain: "Let the generals come to the palace to discuss matters." ”

Seeing that An Dian seemed to have the intention of sending troops, Nian Chun breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that the oil and salt would not enter, so as to prevent the great opportunity from slipping away.

Half a day later, Anton decided to send troops to Zhuozhou.