In the land of northern Hebei, there are crisscrossing rivers and well-developed water veins. As one of the main water veins, the Hutuo River has great military and economic value. In the original history, it started from the Later Jin Dynasty, passed through the Han Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, and ended in the Zhao and Song Dynasties.
, in this water basin, too many wars took place between the Khitan and China.
The Hutuo River originates from Dai, flows back south, cuts through Taihang, and returns to Hebei. It is located in the hinterland of Hebei, and whenever there is a war, the Khitan cavalry can always drink from this river.
Looking at the Song-Liao wars that took place more than 20 years ago before the Chanyuan Alliance, we can clearly find that except for the two Northern Expeditions, the Liao army basically fought within its own country. Even after the two Northern Expeditions failed, the Liao army
When carrying out the "counterattack and reckoning", they also drove straight into the middle of Hebei Province. The enemy's cavalry broke into the hinterland, as if entering an uninhabited land, and the Song army had no choice but to be beaten passively.
The three passes in Hebei (Waqiao Pass, Yijin Pass, and Yukou Pass) were built in name only. Compared with military defense and containment of the Liao army, they seemed to play a greater role as a border pass to demarcate the national boundary. You
Yan was lost to the enemy. Without the barrier of Yanshan Pass, the pressure on the southern border defense in the north can be imagined.
The war between Khitan and Jin has clearly shown how passive the Central Plains will be when it loses the barrier of Youyan in the face of the Northern Invasion. However, even if the Jin Kingdom was destroyed, the feelings of the soldiers and civilians in Hebei in the Central Plains were still not enough.
Profoundly, in the eyes of most people, the Khitan's destruction of the Jin Dynasty was a crime caused by the emperor's ignorance and mediocre officials in power, which led to the country's weakness, and was not a crime of war.
I have not experienced the humiliation that has not changed for decades, the helplessness and bitterness of being straddled on my head and being pulled*, having my spine bent by the iron hoofs of the Liao army, being wantonly stripped of grass and grain, and plundered of property. Before the humiliation and pain are still there,
Before they were heartbroken, the people of Hebei Province in the Central Plains had not suffered from "Liaophobia" and could not imagine how heavy the words "Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures" really were.
But now, in Yingzhou, Guo Rong seemed to be aware of it. He seemed to understand why Liu Chengyou went against the norm, insisted on going his own way, and even took a gamble at all costs.
Following Liu Chengyou's order, he went to Yingzhou to inspect the labor force. Hearing is always better than seeing. Guo Rong is naturally a very strategic person. He patrolled the northeast along the lower reaches of the Hutuo River. Looking at the plains and smooth roads along the way, Guo Rong's
His brows were furrowed deeply.
According to He Fujin, this smooth road leads directly to Baigou and the Juma River area, which is only a hundred miles away from Youzhou. The enemy moved south, and I went north and south. After walking there myself, this is Guo Rong's deepest feeling.
experience.
There are several beacon towers on the waterfront. He Fujin built them all himself after he took office. Due to lack of material resources, weak manpower, and lack of time, only four towers were built thirty miles to the north. They did not ask for anything else, but only if the enemy came.
If there is an attack, you can get timely warning and respond early.
In front of a beacon tower in the north, on the bank of Zhuma, with the water rushing northward, Guo Rong suddenly sighed: "This Hutuo River water really lives up to its name, howling and turbulent!"
The water of the Hutuo River under the sun is shining with sparkling waves and is extremely fast. Wave after wave hits the tidal flat, like a ferocious beast, as if it wants to bite people. Guo Rong's state of mind seems to be affected by this, and there is a lot of worry on his serious face.
Affection.
Yingzhou defense envoy He Fujin was accompanying him at this time. The veteran general had gray hair and white beard, but he could still mount a horse, draw a bow, and was wearing armor. He sat on the horse's back and straightened his sword. Hearing Guo Rong's sigh, he agreed casually.
One sentence: "This water is famous for its rapids!"
Frowning his brows, Guo Rong's expression became more worried: "Yingzhou is like this, but what's more, it's even worse in Shenzhou. The current level of ferocity in this water is worrying!"
After the Hutuo River comes out of the mountains, it flows eastward through Zhenzhou, passing through Shenzhou. It splits once in the Raoyang area, one direction goes south to the north of the river, and the other direction goes north to the Yingzhou River. As a result, the river is turbulent, and the soil along the way is sparse.
Due to the collapse of Shanshan, there are frequent floods along the lower reaches of the river, and Shenzhou is famous for being the most serious. Therefore, after the diversion, the water was still so strong near the river, and Guo Rong subconsciously worried about Shenzhou.
state situation.
He Fujin obviously didn't have much feelings about this kind of thing. He glanced at Guo Rong and said: "The trouble caused by the water flow is only a minor trouble, but the Hulu cavalry is the big trouble!"
He couldn't help but glance at He Fujin. Although he didn't agree with what he said, Guo Rong had no intention of refuting. With the current national conditions, world peace is still a luxury, and there is no time to pay attention to floods, let alone control them. Moreover, even if he has the intention,
How powerful is it?
Putting away his thoughts, Guo Rong pointed to the north and asked: "What's the situation in Renqiu?"
Yingzhou and Mozhou both belong to the "Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun" and were under the jurisdiction of Nanjing Road in Liaoning during the period of the Liao Dynasty. Yingzhou is connected to Shenzhou in the west, Cangzhou in the east, and Mozhou in the north. Renqiu is part of Mozhou.
Zhouzhi is not far from Hejian City, only about sixty miles away. It is a close neighbor and there is no obstacle between the two cities.
He Fujin took office in Yingzhou and captured Hejian, but did not continue to the north. When he heard about it, he said to Guo Rong: "After recapturing Hejian, a Liao general from Mozhou led his troops to the south to repel me.
Observe, after the enemy drove the people southward, there are still hundreds of Xiqi in Renqiu City, who often go south to attack and harass them. Although their fighting strength is not as good as the Khitan soldiers, they are not too troublesome!"
Pointing to the beacon towers at the side and rear: "In order to build these beacon towers, Yingzhou paid the casualties of famous soldiers, and the civilian casualties were even greater!"
He Fujin spoke very calmly, but Guo Rong could hear the difficulty behind it. He looked at the veteran and solemnly saluted: "Thank you for your hard work, veteran general!"
"Why should I suffer? How can I suffer more than those dead and wounded soldiers and civilians?" the old general blew his beard and said with the sound of an urn.
He Fujin's tone was a bit harsh, and Guo Rong was annoyed, but he didn't take it seriously and smiled. Seeing He Fujin looking towards the north with cold eyes, he said softly: "Sooner or later, we can take back Mozhou and Youyan!
"
Hearing this, He Fu couldn't help laughing when he went in, sneered, and shook his head: "You young people, how can Youzhou be taken back so easily?"
Guo Rong still looked humble and did not argue. There are some things that just rely on words are useless. However, in his heart, his evaluation of He Fujin was much higher. It would be too wasteful for such a veteran to only serve as a defense officer.
.
"Marquis Guodu Yu, I have patrolled the river and looked at the city. This place is too close to Renqiu and it is not safe. You should go back!" At this time, He Fujin suddenly said.
"I'm with you, old General Lao!" Seeing this, Guo Rong still kept a low profile and said to him: "Let's go back to Hejian now!"
Hejian City, formerly known as Wuyuan, is, as its name suggests, between two rivers. The city is a big city, but unfortunately it is isolated on all sides and has no danger to rely on. It is not a place for war and defense. After He Fujin took office, most of the people moved to Leshou in the south.
The county resettled the refugees who were subsequently collected, and all the refugees who were subsequently gathered were also treated in this way, and they led their own troops to garrison for prevention.
Therefore, the Hejian City visited by Guo Rong at this time was somewhat deserted.
Not long after Fang returned to the city, smoke broke out in the north, and barbarian bandits were invading. Along with this, there was news that Yelu Ruan had proclaimed himself emperor.
