Youzhou, this big city in northern Hebei, is still so majestic and the city is still strong, but it is no longer prosperous. All prosperity is as fragile as paper in the face of war and turmoil. Since last year, it has been heading towards the abyss of decline.
Slide down quickly.
During the ten years of Khitan rule, Youzhou was at its most prosperous, with a population of nearly 200,000. However, in just one year, a series of massacres, wars, epidemics, and exiles occurred after the disasters, inside and outside the city.
, with less than 80,000 soldiers and civilians left.
It was midsummer and the weather was extremely dry. There were several clouds hanging over the city, making the entire city even more depressing.
There are many guards at the gate of the city, and the defense is very tight. Since the Yan army recaptured it, no matter what the situation is, the defense has not been relaxed. Recently, it has been especially strict. The soldiers and the people can clearly feel that the Yan army's patrols have been strengthened a lot.
There are not many people entering and exiting the city gate. In addition to a small number of business travelers and ordinary people, there are more bus convoys, officials, and military personnel. Today, Youzhou City has increasingly transformed into a military fortress. Due to the threat of Khitan cavalry,
, the King of Yan, Zhao Yanshou, had already begun to move the people under his rule to Zhuo and Yizhou in the south. It was too difficult to farm in Youzhou. And to support such a city and the army and the people, there was not enough money and food, and the pressure was even greater.
The situation in Youzhou City is somewhat similar to that of Tokyo City. Both are short of money and food, and supplies are scarce. However, Youzhou is obviously more difficult than Tokyo. After all, there is no threat of war in the hinterland of Tokyo, and there are many
More or less, there are various towns and villages that support them.
Youzhou, on the other hand, is always facing the threat of war, facing it head-on. In fact, the situation in Youzhou has not been good all this time.
Although the city of Youzhou is strong, it is actually an isolated city. When the danger of Yanshan is still in the hands of the Khitan people, they can only passively accept the attack. The Khitan cavalry can go south at any time. That is to say, the Hu people are not good at attacking the city, otherwise, Youzhou will be attacked.
The state city has long been destroyed.
The Khitan people obviously never gave up the idea of "recovering" Youzhou. They controlled the land of Tanji and supported the dangerous pass of Yanling Mountain. From time to time, they sent light cavalry southward to invade, attack the farmland of households and destroy production. The Yan army did not bother them much.
For this reason, the cavalry in the Yan army also suffered heavy losses in the strangulation and confrontation of Hu Qi.
In fact, if there is no support from the Han Dynasty, in a situation like Youzhou, the Khitan people only need to invade Youzhou in this way, and it will take less than two years to conquer Youzhou without a fight. They still have to work together in Youyan's army and people to help each other.
Down.
However, the morale of the army and the people in Youzhou has long been unstable. The people can still flee, and there are Zhuo and Yi in the south, and Hebei counties further south are ordered to absorb and resettle them. But the army is not the same, especially those military leaders, landlords and bureaucrats
We, they have suffered heavy losses this year, and many of them have regretted following Zhao Yanshou against the Khitan.
"This damn weather, it's been dry for so long, and it's finally going to rain!" Under the north gate of Youzhou City, several low-level officers gathered together, and the defenders looked up at the clouds in the sky, almost feeling overwhelmed.
He cursed at the dark clouds in the city. His mood was a little impetuous, just like the impetuous weather and the impetuous city.
"I don't know how long I'm going to have to wait for this day!" The captain, who was under his command, leaned to the side, with a hint of depression in his tone.
"How long will it take? If the Khitans really come south to attack and start a war, how long we can live is a question!" Dutou said angrily.
At the beginning of the month, reports came from the northern post that the Khitan people were moving. Thousands of barbarians came from the north of the mountain and gathered in Jizhou. Such a big movement directly made everyone in Youzhou nervous. They were afraid of another large-scale attack by the Khitan.
Come to attack. Now Youzhou City is also in a troubled period.
"I heard that the grain harvest was bad, and we missed the summer planting. If we are attacked by the Khitan again during the autumn harvest, I think we will starve this year..." Another officer said with emotion.
"Hmph, who dares to let me wait to starve?" Dutou said coldly, looked to the south, and said pointedly: "We are a barrier for the Han Dynasty, fighting bloody battles for them, resisting the Khitans, if we continue
I can't even fill my stomach, so why should I sacrifice my life for the young emperor in Kaifeng City?"
This statement was unanimously recognized by the surrounding officers, with constant echoes. At this time, there was an undercurrent surging in the Yan army in Youzhou. Under normal circumstances, how could these low-level officers understand the truth behind the Yan army's resistance to the Liao Dynasty?
Not to mention taking his grievances towards the Han court.
At this time, a cavalry force of several hundred people came from the north. The officers subconsciously stopped chatting, and the city immediately went on alert. The quality of the Yan army was still acceptable. However, looking at the "Zhao" flag that could be seen in the distance
, and couldn't help but relax a little.
"The prince is back!" Dutou muttered.
The leader of the Nanben cavalry formation was a brave young general in white robes, dressed in a noble suit. He was none other than Yuhou, the capital of Youzhou Horse Infantry Army, Lulong's observation envoy, and the prefect of guard, Zhao Kuangzan, the crown prince of King Yan. This time, he heard that
The Khitan made a sudden move and led people to patrol north to inspect the military situation.
It has been more than two months since he went north to Youzhou. After coming north, Zhao Kuangzan quickly stepped into his role. With the support of his father Zhao Yanshou, he joined the army and discussed politics. Up to now, he has taken charge of the military and political affairs of Youzhou on behalf of his father.
The most elite tooth army under his command is also under his control.
Entering the city without any hindrance, the cavalry returned to their camp, while Zhao Kuangzan rode lightly towards the inner city until he arrived in front of Prince Yan's palace. The tooth soldiers led their horses to the ground, jumped down quickly, and entered with their whips in hand.
"Your Majesty, you are finally back!" A member of the royal family hurriedly came up to greet him.
"What happened, calling me back so urgently?" Zhao Kuangzan asked, walking quickly.
"Judge Zhang is gone!" the official reported.
As mentioned before, the first and second military and political leaders in Youzhou are Zhao Yanshou and Zhang Li respectively. It is these two people who have worked hard to maintain the situation in Youzhou. In the previous episode, the two became ill one after another. It can be said that they were both tired and endured.
.
Recently, their illnesses have worsened one after another, and they are gradually unable to take care of themselves. Zhao Yanshou is holding on and looking like a brighter person because he is paving the way for his son, while Zhang Li is weak and has a weak foundation. He has persisted until now, but has not been able to survive this.
summer.
Upon hearing the news, Zhao Kuangzan's brows suddenly condensed, his expression a little heavy, but not too surprised.
"Where is the king?" Zhao Kuangzan asked.
This official was obviously a confidant, and he directly replied in a low voice: "When I heard that Judge Zhang had gone, the king was so heartbroken that he fainted on the couch. The subordinates did not dare to neglect, sealed the news, and sent someone to inform the crown prince."
"You've done a great job!" Zhao Kuang praised him and walked towards the inner courtyard with obvious urgency.
In the inner courtyard of the palace, in the hall, Zhao Yanshou was lying on the couch, having already woken up. Two maids held cattail leaf fans and gently swayed them beside him, dispelling the sultry summer heat for him. At this time, Zhao Yanshou was described as haggard.
The description is not exaggerated at all. He was seriously ill and dying, and he was not at all as high-spirited as when he was invited to the Northern Expedition last year.
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