"Great victory at Zhigu Village! The Jinghai Marquis Formation killed Liao General Yelu Chutai!!!"
A fast horse broke through the quiet night in Bianjing City. The horse fell headfirst in front of the imperial city. The messenger also fell off the horse. He used his last bit of strength to hand the battle report to the guards guarding the city gate.
The people from the Imperial City Department quickly sent the battle report to the palace.
Since the army set off, Zhao Zongquan has not had a good night's sleep. The emperor of the Song Dynasty had extremely complicated emotions towards the Liao Kingdom. The Liao Kingdom was like an invincible opponent, standing in front of the Song Dynasty. No matter how hard the Song Dynasty tried its best, in the end
All of them would be beaten up by the Liao Kingdom until their noses were bruised and their faces were swollen.
Tearing up the Tan Yuan Alliance this time is undoubtedly a difficult decision for Zhao Zongquan. If he was only forty years old, he would definitely wait another ten years and wait until everything was ready before taking action.
However, he had no time. He was already over fifty years old and his health was starting to fail. He knew that this was his last chance. The temptation of Mingliu Qingshi was too great for him and he could not refuse.
"Guan family, it's getting late. We have a court meeting tomorrow, why don't we rest first?" the eunuch beside him said softly.
Zhao Zongquan rubbed his swollen temples and was about to get up and go back to the palace. Suddenly, he heard someone outside the palace shouting: "Great victory!"
At first, Zhao Zongquan thought he was too nervous and misheard, but soon a eunuch ran in, knelt on the ground, and held an envelope sealed with wax in both hands.
"Send it up." Zhao Zongquan said impatiently.
When the envelope was delivered to him, Zhao Zongquan snatched it, tore off the paint on it with trembling hands, and unfolded it to take a look.
"Haha~~~"
Zhao Zongquan laughed wildly for a while, laughing and even shed tears. After a while, he regained his composure. As a result, he wiped his face with the hot towel handed over by the eunuch, rubbed his hands excitedly and laughed.
"The Marquis of Jinghai is really a fierce general in the world. He was able to kill the enemy generals when he went deep alone. Not only did he annihilate the Liao Kingdom's 20,000 cavalry, but there were also 500 Pishi troops among them!"
While they were talking, Mr. Han and others also came over after hearing the news. They had also heard about the great victory, but they didn't know the specific situation. If they didn't understand it clearly, they would definitely not be able to sleep peacefully tonight.
Zhao Zongquan was in a good mood and waved his hand: "Give me a seat."
After Xianggong Han and others thanked him, he couldn't wait to ask: "Guan, I heard that there was a report of the great victory from the front? But Zhuozhou was captured?"
Zhao Zongquan waved his hand and handed them the secret message with a smile: "It's not Zhuozhou, it's Zhigu Village. Marquis Jinghai only led 40,000 infantry and 30,000 Mingzhou navy. Not only did he capture the Bohai Port, he also captured Zhigu Village.
The Zhai formation killed the Liao general Yelu Chutai. This was an unprecedented victory!"
Grand Prime Minister Han was even more surprised when he heard this. To be honest, if it weren't for the existence of the secret letter, they would even think that Zhao Zongquan was bragging.
After all, since the founding of the Song Dynasty, there have been many defeats against the Liao Kingdom. There are occasional small-scale victories, but not much gains. What is the concept of killing 20,000 soldiers?
The key is that Qin Hao had no cavalry, but only an infantry division of 40,000 men. How did he catch up with the Liao cavalry?
I didn’t know the general process of the battle until I read the secret letter. However, classical Chinese texts are generally general, and they only mention how Qin Hao set up an ambush in the salt field. The specific battle process is not described, but Yelu Chu is mentioned.
Taiwan's head has been pickled and is on its way back.
Seeing this, Mr. Han and others were willing to believe that this was a real victory. After all, the heads of enemy generals cannot be faked, right? That would be the crime of deceiving the emperor.
"I congratulate the Song Dynasty and the officials!"
Grand Prime Minister Han and others all bowed down and kowtowed.
Zhao Zongquan Long Yan was delighted: "Haha, dear friends, since Marquis Jinghai has made such a great contribution, you still need to come up with a charter for the reward. We must not let the soldiers at the front feel cold."
All the ministers looked at each other, but Mr. Han Daxian said: "Guan, the war has just begun at this time, so it is better to write it down for now, and wait until the war is over to discuss merits and rewards."
Qin Hao's official position and title are already very high. At a young age, he is a second-rank official. In addition, he is a founding prince. If he goes up further, he is a lieutenant and a prince. The battle to seize the sixteen states of Yanyun has just started.
If he performs meritorious deeds again in the future, wouldn't he be rewarded without reward? Is it possible to make him a king?
Zhao Zongquan thought the same thing: "Then remember it first, and then reward Jinghaihou when his class returns to the court."
Prime Minister Han said calmly: "For the officials, the most important thing at this time is to send officials to the land of Youyun to assist in governance. In addition, the army also needs reinforcements outside."
The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun have been under the rule of the Liao Kingdom for nearly a hundred years. The Han people in the north were accustomed to the policies of the Liao Kingdom and were recovered by the Song Dynasty. Naturally, they needed to adapt again. This was definitely not possible with military generals.
The reason why the ministers didn't mention it before was, to put it bluntly, they didn't believe that the Song Dynasty army could defeat the Liao army. They felt that the Northern Expedition would most likely be in vain, so there was no need to do such a useless effort.
Now that they suddenly heard the news of the great victory, they changed their concept of the Liao army being invincible, and began to have more expectations for the Northern Expedition.
If they can regain the Sixteenth State of Yanyun, they who are prime ministers will naturally follow Qing Shi and leave their names in history. Who can resist such a temptation?
Afterwards, Zhao Zongquan talked with all the ministers all night long until the next morning. Although he had not slept all night, he was not tired, and everyone looked excited.
At the court meeting, when Zhao Zongquan announced the news of the victory, all the officials in the court prostrated themselves.
Empress Dowager Cao, who had been sitting behind the curtain, couldn't help but ask herself: Am I really wrong?
Soon, Zhao Zongquan ordered 200,000 border troops to reinforce King Huan, and also sent a large number of civilian officials to Youzhou to take over the land occupied by the army.
Soon the news of the great victory in Zhiguzhai spread in Bianjing City. The merchants on both sides of the street were decorated with lights and decorations. Those who didn't know the news were curious: "Shop, what day is today? Why do you keep up with the Yuan Festival like this?"
Festive?”
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The store owner said with a smile: "Haha, you don't know yet, right? The great victory of Zhigu Village, the Jinghai Marquis Formation killed the Liao general Yelu Chutai, this is unprecedented.
A great victory, isn’t it worth celebrating?”
"Is this true?"
"Can this be false? It is said that the heads of Yelu Chutai are already on their way to Bianjing."
"Haha, store owner, bring out your best wine and food. I'm going to have a drink today!"
"okay!"
The common people were also very happy. In the past, the Song Army gave the common people the feeling that they were a bunch of weaklings. From time to time, they could hear that they had lost another battle and had to pay compensation. Over time, the common people also developed a fear of the Liao Army.
Now, Qin Hao's formation killed the Liao general Yelu Chutai, breaking this curse in one fell swoop.
Jinghaihou Mansion was also decorated with lights and decorations at this time. Ever since Qin Hao left for the expedition, Yu Yanran had trouble sleeping and eating, for fear of hearing some bad news. This time it was better, and she could finally sleep peacefully.
Sister Lan kept asking: "Daddy won the battle, when will he come back?"
On the other side, the British Duke finally cracked this hard nut after besieging Zhuozhou for five days and five nights. At the same time, they also received news of Qin Hao's victory.
For a time, the morale of the Song army was greatly boosted, and the successive victories also reunited the originally depleted military morale. After two days of repairs, the army set off and marched towards Youzhou.
At the same time, the Liao army also sent 150,000 reinforcements to reinforce Youzhou. The two sides would inevitably face a bloody battle in the Youzhou area.
After a month, Qin Hao's troops finally joined the main army. The Mingzhou navy defeated the Youzhou navy at the entrance of the Gaoliang River, blocking the reinforcements on the east side of the Gaoliang River from the battlefield. The Liao army tried to find the foreshore several times.
After landing, Qin Hao discovered all of them and attacked halfway across the river. The Liao army lost thousands of cavalry and could only go up the river, preparing to bypass the Gaoliang River and enter Youzhou City. However, in this way, the Liao army would create difficulties for the army to attack Youzhou.
favorable conditions.
Zhao Yingce also took the opportunity to surround Youzhou City. More than 200,000 troops were stationed in darkness outside the city, which also brought great psychological pressure to the Liao army defending the city.
"Haha, Zihan's partial army has achieved the effect of the main force. It can be said that he uses his troops like a god!" Zhao Yingce praised Qin Hao without hesitation.
Qin Hao was not so optimistic. He looked at the towering city of Youzhou and frowned: "This city of Youzhou is so strong. It will not be easy to capture it."
The atmosphere in the Chinese army's tent became a little depressing. Youzhou has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. In recent years, the Liao Kingdom has also been well aware of the strategic value of Youzhou, so it has been strengthening the defense of Youzhou's city walls. At this time
Youzhou is like a dangerous barrier, lying in front of everyone. More importantly, they don't have much time. Once the Liao reinforcements bypass the Gaoliang River and arrive at the battlefield, they will allocate most of their energy to guard against these ten
Fifty thousand cavalry may attack at any time, and there may even be a risk of the entire army being annihilated.
Zhao Zongquan said solemnly: "When we meet on a narrow road, the brave will win. I also ask all the princes to work together with me to capture Youzhou. I will leave my name in the history of Qing Dynasty and ennoble my wife and cute son, right now!"
"The last general takes command!"
In the afternoon of the same day, the army launched its first siege. The Youzhou defenders were already well prepared, but the results of the advance were not ideal. The Youzhou defenders had already set up a large number of traps outside the city. Before the Song army could get close to the city wall, they
Hundreds of bodies have been left behind.
War is so cruel. The comrades who had dinner together in the afternoon were no longer there when they came back in the evening.
The atmosphere in the Chinese army's tent that night was also very solemn. Even though I had been mentally prepared before, it was only when the actual attack came that I realized that Youzhou City was so difficult to attack.
Youzhou's city wall is built against the mountain, which is completely different from the previous Zhuozhou city wall. Its city wall is slanted, and the city head is also designed to protrude, so that the ladder cannot be completely flat against the city wall, even if it is a hook on the ladder
Hooked on the parapet, the soldiers still felt afraid of ropes when climbing the ladder. By the time they climbed up the tower, they were already exhausted and unable to pose a threat to the defenders of the tower.
"Use thunder and fire bombs!" Zhao Yingce said solemnly.
As a secret weapon, it was not used in Zhuozhou no matter how difficult it was, just to catch the Liao Kingdom off guard.
Qin Hao thought for a while: "Your Highness, why not let Weichen's engineering team go into battle tomorrow?"
"Okay, I also want to see what kind of surprise Qin Hou's extraordinary army can bring to this king." Zhao Yingce's eyes lit up.
Qin Hao's engineering team was a team he secretly organized to study how to break down fortifications. They arrived in Youzhou all the way and demolished many cities along the way, all of which were their work.
Turning around, the sky was bright. When the defenders of Youzhou City saw that the Song army had buried pots to make rice, they all yawned with indifferent expressions. There were 100,000 defenders in Youzhou City, plus Yi Shou.
It was a difficult city to attack. Even though there were 300,000 troops besieging the city, they didn't pay attention to the Song army at all.
As soon as the reinforcements arrive, they will be able to rush out of the city and completely wipe out the Song army. Against the Song army, the Liao army has a natural confidence bonus.
The attack rhythm was the same as yesterday. The Liao army general on the top of the city disdainfully ordered to release arrows, and then leisurely watched the Song army below the city rush to die.
But just in the corner where he didn't pay attention, a small group of Song Army soldiers had already touched the ground of the city wall. The protruding city head of Youzhou City can certainly restrict the ladder, but it also creates a certain visual blind spot. As long as you enter the city head
Below, it would be difficult for bows and arrows to reach them.
"Hey, these idiots think they are so smart, let's see if I don't blow you up to death!" A Song Army soldier chuckled.
A veteran glared at him: "Stop talking nonsense and dig in quickly."
"It's your order!" After saying that, the Song soldier took out a shovel and started digging the soil under the city gate.
Almost half an hour later, this group of soldiers stuffed a cart full of iron balls into the hole they had just dug, and then carefully buried them with soil, leaving only a length of lead wire outside.
The veteran took out the fire stick, lit the fuse, and then the group of people ran quickly into the distance, shouting: "Run!"
Seeing this, the rest of the soldiers also retreated from the city like an ebbing tide. This scene made the Liao army on the tower puzzled. Why did they retreat? They didn't hear the Song army shouting for gold. Could it be that they were killed and their courage was broken? They were not afraid.
Being engaged in military law?
However, they had no time to think too much, they only heard a loud "rumbling" sound, the entire Youzhou City shook violently, and the city head shook violently.
"The earth dragon turns over!"
"The earth dragon has turned over, run!"
The soldiers of the Liao Army panicked one by one. The general of the Liao Army originally wanted to stop the panic of the soldiers, but the next moment he caught him first. A large part of the west gate wall had collapsed, and a hole was torn open in the entire Youzhou City.
"Haha, I got it, kill me, and I'll seal my wife as a cute child today!"
The soldiers of the Song Army who had originally fled immediately rushed towards the gap.
The general of the Liao army was also a strong general who had experienced hundreds of battles. When he saw this, he did not bother to shake off the dust on his body. He gritted his teeth and drew his sword to kill several fleeing soldiers. He shouted: "Follow me to block the gap! If there are any more people who escape from the battle, they will be killed."
Kill without mercy!"
A bloody fight began. Both sides fought hard for the control of this gap. Veteran generals like the British Duke personally participated in the battle. In the end, Qin Hao ordered the throwing of a full fifty thunder bombs and defeated the Liao army.
The general was bombarded to death, which completely suppressed the Liao army's counterattack.
However, the resistance of the Liao army did not stop. Both sides started fighting in the city, from the city gate to the government office. There were countless casualties and both sides were furious. It was not until nightfall that the Liao army completely gave up resistance or surrendered.
Or escape from Youzhou through other city gates.
Qin Hao, Ying Gong and Cheng Guo Gong completely cleared the city before welcoming Zhao Yingce into the city.
Zhao Yingce sat in the high hall of Youzhou Mansion and was filled with emotion: "I, the Song Dynasty finally took back Youzhou!"
Duke Yingying and Duke Cheng were in tears. They had been stabbed several times on the battlefield without even frowning. They were crying like children at this moment.
Youzhou, an existence that haunted the generals of the Song Dynasty and seemed like a nightmare, was finally taken back!
General Yeluhong of the Liao Kingdom, who was rushing to rescue Youzhou, encountered the defeated defenders of Youzhou on the road. He was shocked and grabbed the defeated soldiers: "Impossible, Youzhou City is as solid as a rock. It only lasted five days, how could it be lost?"
"
The defeated soldiers said with fear on their faces: "General, I'm telling the truth, it was the earth dragon that turned over. The earth dragon turned over and destroyed the city wall. God helps the Song Dynasty."
Yeluhong's expression changed even more when he heard this. He drew out his long sword and killed the defeated soldiers directly. He gritted his teeth and said, "Drag them out. Anyone who dares to spread rumors and disrupt the morale of the army will be shot without mercy."
However, violence could not stop the rumors, and soon a saying began to spread among the Liao soldiers that the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun originally belonged to the Song Dynasty. Now that the deadline has come, it is time to return it. God wills it, otherwise
How could it be such a coincidence that Earth Dragon turned around when the Song Dynasty was besieging Youzhou?
Ethnic minorities are actually more superstitious than those in the Central Plains, and the same goes for the Liao Kingdom. In addition to some local witchcraft religions in the Liao Kingdom, Buddhism is also very popular in the Liao Kingdom. The current emperor of the Liao Kingdom, Yelu Hongji, is a complete Buddhist believer.
His level of piety is not much different from that of Emperor Wu of Liang in history. He could preach the contents of the scriptures in person, and he was familiar with Buddhism and Sanskrit. Later, the continuation of the Fangshan Stone Sutra and the carving of the "Khitan Tibetan" were all in his hands.
Completed.
What is good for the superiors must be good for the inferiors. Buddhism among the people naturally became the largest religion in the Liao Kingdom. The soldiers were affected by this, and their morale was disorganized. Yeluhong had no choice. In addition, Youzhou was lost, and he was now sending reinforcements.
There is no point anymore, so we can only wait where we are.
Under Qin Hao's suggestion, Zhao Yingce did not rush to regain the other counties in Youzhou, but took the lead in repairing the city of Youzhou and sent Gu Tingye's cavalry to sweep away the cities that he had not had time to capture along the way to Zhuozhou.
With a strong city like Youzhou as a fortress, the advantage of the Liao cavalry is mostly limited. If the Liao army dares to attack, the Song army can take advantage of the complex mountainous terrain to devour the Liao cavalry.
Ten days later, another good news came. The 200,000 troops sent by the imperial court had arrived in Zhuozhou to join Gu Tingye's troops. What made Qin Hao even more delighted was that this time Zhao Zongquan directly emptied all the family assets of the Song Dynasty. These 20
There were actually 50,000 cavalry among the 10,000-strong army.
After capturing Zhuozhou and Youzhou, half of the entire Hebei Plain fell under the control of the Song Army. Horses were not as scarce as before. Gu Tingye's 30,000 cavalry had all been replaced by Liao war horses, and their combat effectiveness increased by more than one.
grade.
The successive defeats also made Yelu Hongji angry. He personally led an army of 300,000 and mobilized the whole country to recapture Youzhou.
