Previously, the Yan soldiers led by Geng Chongmei totaled more than 4,000 people. After the battle, those who went out to be killed or escaped captured a total of 2,000 people. A small number were with Li Wanchao in Zezhou, and most of them were led by Liu Chengyou. Return to the party and be detained and trained.
These Yan soldiers are all Youyan warriors, strong and good at fighting, and they are all veterans who have been on the battlefield. This time, if they had not followed Geng Chongmei and been plotted by Liu Chengyou, laid out their battle array and faced the enemy head-on, it would not have been possible. Ability overwhelms it.
Seeing such power, how could Liu Chengyou not be greedy? During the period when Shangdang was resting, Liu Chengyou also tried his best to appease these "Yan soldiers". Slowly, the Yan soldiers also let go of their slight rejection of Liu Chengyou. psychology.
It just takes a period of influence (brainwashing) and bribery to make him serve.
In these troubled times, serving as a soldier and eating food is a common way to make a living. It is also normal for a soldier to move around various states and defect to the general. These Yan soldiers are no exception. They were defeated and surrendered to Liu Chengyou. What a strange thing.
However, most of them are from Youyan, and most of their relatives are under the rule of Khitan. This is not like the annexation of towns in the Central Plains. They have to take into account the safety of their families. Liu Chengyou also understood this and said he would find a way. He also launched a satellite, saying that sooner or later he would reach the north and recapture Youyan and Yunyun.
Although he said that, what Liu Chengyou wanted in his heart was to let these "Yan people" resettle in the Central Plains in the future, get married, and have children...
In this era of frequent dynasty changes and wars breaking out all year round, it is not easy for ordinary people to have a stable home, let alone these soldiers who lick blood from their swords.
...
"Invite the person into the Yamen and serve him tea. I will return later!" Liu Chengyou told the bodyguard who came to report that Wu Xingyou was visiting.
In fact, since he captured the two prefectures of Lu and Ze, Liu Chengyou has been paying attention to the situation of the surrounding Khitan forces, especially the three prefectures of Heyang. During the few days he returned to Jinyang, he participated in the strategic discussions organized by Liu Zhiyuan. After some efforts to seek common ground while reserving differences, the next strategic direction of the Hedong army has been basically determined.
Take the Central Plains first, and then Hebei; the capital is the main one, and Zhao Ye is the auxiliary.
And Heyang is the shortest and most convenient passage for the Hedong army to go south to the Central Plains. It can be said that it is the only way. Therefore, how can Liu Chengyou not care about Heyang and has always ordered Li Wanchao to monitor the situation in the south.
Wu Xingde had just made a commotion in Heyang, and the news was quickly passed to Shangdang. Three days had passed since the martial arts friend arrived. Liu Chengyou was still a little curious and surprised about this Wu Xingde who suddenly appeared. of.
It seems that this person has good courage, luck and vision, which can be seen from the fact that he chose Heyang.
Since March, the resistance against the Khitans has been in full swing in the Central Plains, Hebei and the eastern part of Hebei. They attacked Khitan skirmishers, killed officials appointed by Khitan, and occupied cities controlled by Khitan.
However, most of the rebels' activities are within the control of the Khitan army. They can occupy a temporary position, but it is difficult to maintain it for a long time. In particular, those rebels who block the Khitan's way back north will become Khitan The key target of the army's suppression. For example, Wang Qiong, who was already dead, started an uprising in Chanzhou and was forcefully eliminated by Yelu Deguang's troops.
But Heyang is different. If you control it, you can get in touch with the forces in Hedong. If you develop in Hedong, your ability to withstand risks will be much stronger. Of course, choosing the right place is only the first step. The ability to truly embody martial virtue is It was also his series of actions from killing Hu in Heyin to raising troops, then marching westward to defeat Cui Tingxun with an exhausted army, and stably holding Mengzhou.
Liu Chengyou was optimistic about the situation in Heyang, and he was also a little curious about Wu Xingde who could make a commotion in Heyang. This was a person worth winning over.
Therefore, Liu Chengyou was quite polite to Wu Xingyou, the messenger. After returning to the city, he personally received him in the middle hall with Zhang Yanwei, Guo Rong, Gao Fang, and Xiang Xun.
Especially after Wu Xingyou directly expressed his purpose of surrendering allegiance on behalf of Wu Xingde, Liu Chengyou's attitude became even better: "Brother General, risking your life to expel the evil party has done the country's justice and is admirable. Now again I am very happy to come to Hedong. I think the emperor of Jinyang will be very happy when he finds out."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Seeing Liu Chengyou's gentle attitude, Wu Xingyou breathed a sigh of relief.
"I am in Shangdang. I heard about General Wu's righteous deeds and I yearn for him. However, what I heard is all hearsay. Can I tell you about it and all the gentlemen here?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Xingyou's eyebrows flashed with a hint of amusement. It was obvious that he admired his brother very much, and he recounted the details of his righteousness in great detail. In particular, how Wu Xingde endured humiliation and endured heavy hardships to gain the trust of the Khitan people. How did they plan a mutiny with all their efforts, and how did they capture Heyang in a last-ditch battle...
It sounds like a truly legendary story.
"General Wu, you are a true hero!" Although he was calm in his heart, Liu Chengyou deliberately showed a little excitement in his tone and praised. It would be more perfect if his expression were more real. Obviously, Liu Chengyou's "hypocrisy" "The attributes have been strengthened again.
Wu Xingyou looked cheerful and spoke modestly on behalf of his brother. Then his expression gradually changed and he solemnly said: "Your Highness, my eldest brother is sending his last general north this time to ask for help."
"Oh?" Liu Chengyou looked like he was listening respectfully.
Wu Xingyou did not dare to neglect, and immediately said: "Although my eldest brother defeated Cui Tingxun, occupied Heyang, and expanded a few troops, the force is still weak. Cui Tingxun is reorganizing the troops in Wen County, and he is in Huai, and the Wei is recruiting troops. I The army only holds the city of Heyang. There are also Khitan troops in Henan. I am afraid that they are not strong enough. I also ask the army from Hedong to go south quickly. My eldest brother will lead the troops from Heyang to attack the Khitan together!"
Liu Chengyou nodded at the martial arts friend's request: "It seems that the situation in Heyang is not optimistic."
However, Liu Chengyou did not reply directly to the matter. Instead, he asked about something he was more concerned about: "You said that the Khitans asked General Wu to transport weapons and armor to the north by water?"
"Exactly." Wu Xingyou was a little puzzled.
"Khitan people, are you preparing to evacuate the Central Plains?" Liu Chengyou's voice suddenly rose and he stared at the martial arts friends closely.
After hearing the question, Wu Xingyou replied belatedly: "Back to Your Highness, I have heard from my eldest brother that the Khitans are indeed planning to evacuate the Central Plains. In the past half month, they have looted a lot of gold and silver. Wealth, armor, go north."
After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou's eyes suddenly lit up. He glanced at Guo Rong and others and saw that their expressions had changed. After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou raised his eyes and replied to Wu Xingyou: "If the Khitan people want to withdraw from the Central Plains, I’m afraid I won’t bother to send more troops to attack Heyang. As for Cui Tingxun, since he is a defeated general, I’m afraid there are many opponents of General Wu.”
"In this way, Gu sent people to escort the general north to Jinyang and personally reported to the emperor about General Wu's righteousness. As for the situation in Heyang, Gu ordered the Zezhou army to go south to provide countermeasures!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"This martial arts virtue was not famous before, but now it is famous all over the world, and it can be regarded as a hero for a while!" After the martial arts friend retired, Liu Chengyou said with emotion in the hall.
While sighing, Guo Rong spoke up at the right time and reminded him seriously: "Your Highness, all signs indicate that the Khitan is ready to withdraw north. It's time for us to be prepared for contingency!"
