Yang Hao said: "General, look, we can't see anything yet, but at this moment, based on this, looking from here, there is just an isolated city in the vast ocean. Once the flood recedes, what will happen to this city?
Can it continue to exist?"
Before Cheng Shixiong could ask questions, Yang Hao waved his hand slowly and said: "I rely on the people in the remaining states and counties of the Northern Han Dynasty. Most of those people are yellow, hungry and thin, and their families have no food. However, they seem to be no better than beggars.
divided
The common people were supplying money, food, taxes and taxes to the Northern Han Dynasty. The Northern Han Dynasty squeezed blood and sweat from the common people every penny to maintain their filial piety to the Khitan people, maintain their armaments and military pay, and maintain the luxurious and luxurious lives of those high-ranking officials.
.
The northwest region is vast and sparsely populated. It is not as densely populated and mobile as the Central Plains. If we can move the people here to other places, what else will there be in the Northern Han Dynasty? Only this city is left. Without the people
, who will support them? Without the people, where will they make up for the losses of soldiers? Without money, food and troops, what will they do to defend the Northern Han Dynasty? At that time, they could not even think about losing."
After hearing this, Cheng Shixiong was stunned for a long time, slapped his thigh, and said happily: "Wonderful, such a harmful method... ah no, such a clever method, why didn't I, Old Cheng, think of it? It is indeed a wonderful plan to kill the whole family.
Hahaha……"
Yang Hao smiled and said: "Those people who are above and beyond have never paid attention to these common people. These common people are like grass in the wind. Anyone who has soldiers can trample them when they come. But no matter who they are,
We can't live without these humble people.
Being the foundation of the country is by no means an empty talk. None of these masters can really leave these small people. Without them, these big men will have no foundation to stand on. Once they lose their use value, the Khitan people will also
I won't help them again.
However, doing so is no easier than fighting, and may even be more troublesome. It is difficult to leave their homeland. Even if the place they are moving to is rich and wealthy, these people who have never left home will still be afraid and worried about how to move.
How to arrange food and accommodation for a large population along the way, where to move to, how to allocate houses and fields, and how to appease them, these things are all very difficult..."
Cheng Shixiong was overjoyed and said: "I am only responsible for fighting. No matter how difficult these matters are, they have nothing to do with me, old Cheng. If you want to have a headache, let the officials and other ministers and civil servants deal with the headache. Hey, it can't be delayed, I will talk about it right away.
Listen to the officials."
He patted Yang Hao hard on the shoulder and praised: "You are good, you are really good, hahaha..."
Cheng Shixiong didn't have the image of a fifth-grade official. After he came up with such a good plan, he suddenly became elated and ran to Zhao Kuangyin like a big monkey.
Half of Yang Hao's arms were sore from his affectionate slap. Watching Cheng Shixiong leave in a hurry, he smiled bitterly, looked up at the sky, and thought to himself: "It's time for me to practice my sword." He belted the sword tightly,
Also walked down the hillside.
Zhao Kuangyin discussed with the civil and military ministers for a long time. Seeing that all the civil and military officials had left the tent, he sat there motionless. Now there were too many choices for him to give up. The purpose of sending troops this time was for the Northern Han Dynasty. The Northern Han Dynasty was a fertile land.
The meat was right in front of him. If he was given another month, he should be able to get it, but the Khitans finally sent troops.
The national power of the Khitan people is now superior to his, and it is too close to the Khitan people. They are riding horses and whipping, and if there are no mountains and rivers to hinder them, they will almost arrive at night. But on our side, the battle line is drawn.
It was too long. Now is not the time for a decisive battle with the Khitans. He clearly realized that in order to fight the Khitans, he must be fully prepared, solve all worries, save money and food, and prepare sufficient weapons and tactical warfare against the northern cavalry.
It is unwise to fight a tough battle at the doorstep of the Khitan people now. But if there is a small victory, there is no way to chase it. If there is a big defeat, these two legs cannot outrun the four legs of the Khitan people. Then
I'm afraid this elite division will have to be handed over here.
However, in the previous battles with the Northern Han Dynasty, the Khitans always sent troops to interfere in time, making it difficult for both sides to engage in a major war. This time, success was already in sight, so they retreated? When will the next opportunity come?
Zhao Kuangyin was weighing the pros and cons in his mind, when a young man from the Yellow Gate tiptoed into the tent, bent down and said: "Guan family, Guangyuan Defense Envoy Cheng Shixiong wants to see you."
"Oh?" Zhao Kuangyin raised his thick eyebrows and ordered: "Invite him to see you."
When Cheng Shixiong entered the tent, he saw an official dressed in military uniform and standing there waiting for him with a big smile. He quickly stepped forward to pay homage. Before he could bow down, Zhao Kuangyin stepped forward and helped him up with a smile: "Cheng Shixiong
General, there is no need to be polite. This is not the time to go to court. Come, come, sit down and talk."
The small yellow door on the side moved past Jindun. Cheng Shixiong stood with his hands folded. After Zhao Kuangyin turned back to the case, he sat down. Then he bowed and sat down with his buttocks bent.
Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile on his face: "General Cheng has left and returned, but is there anything important you want to tell me?"
Cheng Shixiong cupped his hands and said: "Yes, I have just returned to the camp and ordered my generals to make all preparations for departure tomorrow. I also told the officials' oracles to my close friends. I know that there is a soldier beside me, and I know that our army is in a dilemma now."
After the situation, I came up with a plan. The more I thought about it, the more reasonable it became, so I hurriedly came to report it to the officials."
Zhao Kuangyin liked honest and rude generals the most, and Cheng Shixiong was a general of the Zhe family. Although he was now a vassal of the Zhe family, he was actually taking orders from the Zhe family, and he even had the intention of recruiting him, so he warmly praised him after hearing this: "
Well, General Cheng is not only brave and invincible in battle, but he can also make suggestions for me. I am very happy. Tell me what kind of clever plan it is."
Cheng Shixiong repeated Yang Hao's words. Zhao Kuangyin was silent after hearing this. Cheng Shixiong couldn't help but feel uneasy and asked tentatively: "Do the officials think this plan is not feasible? Uh... I am a private soldier. I have not been in the army for a long time. I have experienced a lot."
Of course it is short-sighted. If you say it is bad, please don’t blame the officials."
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head, glanced at him and said: "You are a private soldier, hehe, it is a pity to be a private soldier."
Cheng Shixiong heard something else, and couldn't help but said happily: "Does the official think it's feasible?"
When Zhao Kuangyin was about to reply, Xiao Huangmen at the door again reported in a soft voice: "Your Majesty, Cheng Dexuan asks to see you."
Officials of the Great Song Dynasty all called the emperor Guanjia in private. This was a common name that was familiar and respectful. In formal occasions, he still had to address the emperor with respect. Cheng Shixiong was a foreign minister. In front of him, Xiaohuangmen changed the name.
Formal title.
Zhao Kuangyin didn't want Cheng Shixiong to avoid him, lest he feel that he was treating him as an outsider, so he said: "Let him come in."
When Cheng Dexuan entered the tent, he saw the official sitting behind the case, and Cheng Shixiong sitting sideways. He hurriedly approached and paid homage to the emperor. Zhao Kuangyin waited for him to finish the salute, told him to get up, and asked lightly: "It's getting late, Cheng Qing."
Come see me, what's the matter?"
Cheng Dexuan glanced at Cheng Shixiong, and seeing that the emperor had no intention of asking him to evade, he blushed and said: "Your Majesty, I have not thought carefully and created this flood. It did not really work. Instead, it delayed our army's attack on the city. I came here to
Please apologize to the Holy One."
Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand and said: "Forget it, this is not your fault. Speaking of which, I only regret that you thought of this plan too late. Alas! If our army had used this strategy instead of attacking as soon as they arrived at the gate of Beihan City, Beihan would have already
It’s in my hands.”
Cheng De was happy to hear that he did not blame himself, and he hurriedly reported: "We know that the Khitan people have already sent troops, and there is not much time left for us. We were just looking at the capital of Northern Han Dynasty, thinking hard about the solution, and suddenly
I thought of a plan and came here to offer it to Your Majesty."
"Oh?" Zhao Kuangyin was very surprised. Now Cheng Shixiong had just offered his plan, and now Cheng Dexuan came to offer his plan again. It seemed that there was still a lot to be done to conquer the Northern Han Dynasty. He asked happily: "Cheng Qing, please tell me, what clever plan do you have?"
Cheng Dexuan held his hands high and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, this plan is called a plan to draw fuel from the bottom of the cauldron."
"Ah!" Cheng Shixiong shouted and pointed at Cheng Dexuan. He was about to say: "My soldiers have already thought of going in front of you." Suddenly he realized that this was in front of the emperor, and he quickly shut his big mouth.
Zhao Kuangyin knew what he was thinking, looked at him with a half-smile, and then said: "Taking the fire under the kettle? How to pull the fire under the kettle? Please tell me in detail."
"Yes, I obey the order." Cheng Dexuan glanced curiously at Cheng Shixiong, who was twisting his big butt as if he couldn't sit still. He calmed down and said loudly: "Your Majesty, when you cut down a tree, you must first remove the branches and leaves, and then remove the branches and leaves.
The basic reason is that now that the Northern Han Dynasty has the help of the Khitan outside and the tribute of the people inside, it may be difficult for our Song Dynasty's heavenly soldiers to capture it in a short time. If we return here, the strength of the Northern Han Dynasty will recover within three to five years, and the next expedition will waste people and money.
Wei Chen thought, the northwest is vast and sparsely populated, and the most precious thing is its population. If our army has to retreat, how can we move as many people as possible from the Northern Han Dynasty to our Song Dynasty? Without the people, the Northern Han Dynasty will have to retreat.
The Han Dynasty will exist in name only and will be destroyed without attack."
Zhao Kuangyin nodded calmly and said, "Please tell me in detail."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Fortunately, Your Majesty has taken precautions. Now General Pan is at Tongtianhe and General Li is at Chaoyunling. They have deployed heavy troops to prevent the Khitans from attacking. And General Cheng is at Tuanbai Valley to support them. They will definitely be able to stop the Khitans.
For a while, if we take this opportunity, we can move as many people as possible from the Northern Han Dynasty to the Song Dynasty and cut off the tribute from the Northern Han Dynasty. In this way, the Northern Han Dynasty will be destroyed in a few years. However, how to relocate, where to resettle, and how
To appease, we must find a safe way, otherwise if a civil uprising is provoked or a large number of relocated people die, it will lose the support of the people and it will be very bad."
Cheng Dexuan was very eloquent. He explained the pros and cons of relocating people from the Northern Han Dynasty. He spoke clearly and clearly, which was more convincing than Cheng Shixiong. Zhao Kuangyin nodded repeatedly when he heard this. Cheng Dexuan saw this and was secretly happy in his heart. He only said this
It must be adopted to make up for the regrets of the previous plan. Unexpectedly, Zhao Kuangyin didn't say anything after hearing it. After he finished speaking, he just nodded and said calmly: "Cheng Qing is worried about state affairs and offered suggestions. I highly recommend it. This plan,
I will ask all the ministers to have a good time and discuss it. It is getting late and I have to take a rest. Cheng Qing, you two should leave now."
Cheng Shixiong and Cheng Dexuan had just seen him nodding frequently, and they all thought that he was willing to agree happily. However, they didn't expect to wait for such a sentence. They were both startled, and hurriedly said goodbye and left.
As soon as he came out of the tent, Cheng Dexuan raised his hands to Cheng Shixiong and said with a smile: "General Cheng, I didn't expect you to be here. I am very impressed by General Cheng's bravery in attacking the city today. In the battle formation, you can compete with There are not many tiger generals that General Cheng can match."
This was originally a compliment, but Cheng Shixiong was not as polite to this family member as he was last time. He responded without saltiness and said: "No matter how brave you are, this city still hasn't been captured? Don't mention this matter. Forget it, the Japanese general will send troops to Tuanbai Valley tomorrow, and now he has to go back to make arrangements and say goodbye." After that, he walked away.
Cheng Dexuan held up his hands in astonishment, looked at Cheng Shixiong's back and said to himself: "Where have I offended you? You can't conquer that city, so there's no need to vent your anger on me, right? You're really... a rough man." He shook his head and walked away with his sleeves.
As Cheng Shixiong walked away, he cursed in his heart: "Straight mother-in-law, I can't say anything like you. What kind of big tree are you writing and writing? What kind of wise officials are you, and you come to take the credit from my men? Officials." If I attribute this credit to you alone, then I will never give up."
Cheng Shixiong was the most protective of his shortcomings, otherwise there wouldn't be many arrogant soldiers who would fight to the death for him. Now that Cheng Dexuan was proposing a plan to the officials, he actually didn't know that he had offered it, and it couldn't be considered as taking credit. But when he saw that Cheng Dexuan was very articulate, he said He was far more convincing than him. What he said first was not as good as what he said later. He felt ashamed of his subordinates, so naturally he wanted to vent his evil fire on Cheng Dexuan.
An unknown fire broke out, and the other was inexplicable. The two people who gave advice parted on bad terms. In the big tent, the Zhao Guan family held a candle in their hands and was looking at the large map hanging in the tent. The map was very simple, with only a few important cities and Zhao Kuangyin pointed at the location of several important mountains and rivers in North Seoul, slowly drew a circle around it, then retracted his hand and looked around it.
Chaoyunling in the north, Tongtian River in the east, and Tuanbai Valley in between are all important passes. However, there are countless valleys and rivers between the three, and the Khitans and Northern Han people are more familiar with the paths here. , once there are any secret passages that can be passed through, and they break through, then all the functions of these three dangerous passes will be lost.
From the topography point of view, through this stretch of mountains, there is a flat valley to the south. There are mountains to the west and east. The entire valley is like a hunting ground surrounded by it, and in the center of the north The capital city of Han Dynasty was the prey. Once the Khitan cavalry passed through that important pass, the capital city of Northern Han Dynasty became the prey. In turn, he, the hunter who captured the prey, would become the target of hunting. Fifteen to sixty thousand A team composed mainly of infantry, exhausted physically and mentally after more than a month of fierce fighting, and lacking necessary equipment such as chariots to resist cavalry, what would happen if they faced this incoming force of tigers and wolves?
You can't have the idea of luck. You can have luck on the battlefield, but as a commander, you can't rely on luck. It's time to be ready to leave. If you leave like this, next time you come to attack the Northern Han Dynasty, It will inevitably regain its strength, but it will be different if it takes the people of the Northern Han Dynasty with it.
Zhao Kuangyin thought to himself: "Today, there are only more than 50,000 households in the Northern Han Dynasty. This includes all the people in the poor mountains and deep ravines. With such a small population, the country is no longer like a country. It is just barely supporting. If we can Move as many people as possible from the remaining prefectures and counties of the Northern Han Dynasty to the interior. Even if only one-third is moved, the Northern Han Dynasty will collapse. But... Yang Hao and Cheng Dexuan both mentioned relocation, resettlement, and obvious migration. Whether the population can succeed or not is the key.
Now I am fighting in the north and south, trying to unify the world, under the banner of benevolence and righteousness. If the relocated old, weak, women and children are poorly arranged and die violently on the way, it will have nothing to do with slaughtering the residents of the Northern Han Dynasty here. Are they two different things? Once this matter is reported, people in the world will definitely criticize it, and the gain will outweigh the loss. If I want to use this strategy, I must first think about the relocation and resettlement of these people."
Zhao Kuangyin pointed his finger at the map again, slowly drawing a circle in and around the northern Han capital, and then slowly slid eastward, towards Hebei West Road, Hebei East Road, Jingdong East Road, Jingdong East Road...
This area of Henan and Shandong is relatively stable and affluent, but to resettle more than 20,000 migrant residents at once would be too much for any local official. However, they can go all the way, resettle gradually, and disperse the Northern Han people who were taken away. Place and place them properly in these four roads.
However, from here to the east, the entire march route is almost horizontal, like a long snake, exposed to the eyes of the Khitan people at every turn. With the outstanding speed of the Khitan cavalry, if they are determined to block it, I am afraid that it will be difficult for the garrison troops everywhere to stop it, and I Even the large army cannot protect them completely.
Another way is to move these people all the way south, enter the Yongxing Military Road, and move to Fuzhou, Hezhong, and Yan'an. Going down this road, the safer you go south, especially once you cross the Yellow River, the Khitan people may not He dared to pursue them again, but this time, these people would be placed under the jurisdiction of Zhejia's local forces. By increasing their power, it might be harder for them to tame them. The Northern Han Dynasty solved it. If there is another trouble in the southwest, it would not be a gain. Another mistake after that?
Zhao Kuangyin thought about it again and again, and finally made up his mind. He turned back to the case, put down the lamp, and ordered loudly: "Go and tell me my will. Cheng Shixiong's subordinate Yang Hao has made meritorious service in admonishing. He will be promoted to Xixiang immediately." The governor of the capital was appointed the deputy envoy of the imperial envoy for immigration. He ordered Cheng Shixiong to allocate a group of people to him and immediately started the internal relocation of the people of the Northern Han Dynasty. Then he conveyed my decree and promoted the eunuch of the capital Cheng Dexuan to the deputy envoy of the imperial envoy of immigration. He was appointed the chief envoy of the imperial envoy of immigration and was fully responsible for the Northern Han Dynasty. The officials and troops stationed along the road should try their best to provide convenience for the people to move inward, and help the two angels to handle the matter of moving people inward without any mistakes."
On the side, the living man hurriedly recounted that the people in the living room were drafting the edict. When they heard that the officials promoted one of Cheng Shixiong's soldiers to the eighth rank of governor, the two of them accompanied the emperor all day long and had a well-informed attitude. Their faces could not help but show A hint of surprise.
Dujian is an official, and he is an eighth-grade official. If you follow the normal path from a pawn or a petty official to become an official, it will be no less difficult than working odd jobs in a public institution to become a full-time national civil servant. Moreover, officials in the Song Dynasty Divided into nine grades, this person was promoted from stepless to eighth grade in one step, directly skipping from ninth grade, ninth grade, and eighth grade. This was a three-level promotion in a row.
Cheng Dexuan was originally an eighth-grade governor, but now he was promoted to deputy envoy and a seventh-grade official. The honor of being promoted to two levels in a row was better than that of Yang Hao, who was promoted from a pawn to an official and was promoted to a third-level officer in a row.
It will inevitably be eclipsed when it comes.
Don't look at future generations watching operas. The seventh-rank officials on the stage are all Zhimaguan. That's because the protagonists in the play are all emperors and generals. In fact, these seventh-rank officials are not small. They are erudite and talented people who have the background of Jinshi.
Not everyone is lucky enough to be a seventh-rank official.
Nowadays, in the Song Dynasty court, most of the officials of the first and second ranks have empty posts, used to confer honors on old ministers with outstanding virtues and outstanding achievements. Most of the people who really hold power in the court are officials starting from the second and third ranks.
, officials from the fifth rank upwards are already quite high-ranking officials. How can this official be so easy? Han Shizhong, the later king of Xian'an County in the Song Dynasty, was a rogue when he was young, known as Po Han Wu. Because of his humble background, he
After joining the army, he made many military exploits, but he was just a low-ranking official. Later, he captured the rebel Fang La with his own hands. After achieving such great achievements, he was promoted to the ninth rank Chengjie Lang. Although it was not easier to be an official later than at the founding of the country.
, and more importantly, it is necessary to review the experience, which also shows that it is difficult to be promoted. Therefore, being close to Tianyan has this advantage. With the dignity of an emperor, he may not remember the official positions of those small officials, so he wrote this casually,
The rank is not low.
The people in the living room hurriedly drafted the imperial edict and gave it to Zhao Guan's family to read. Zhao Guan's family browsed it over, nodded in approval, and used the seal. Then the eunuchs and eunuchs rushed to deliver the edict. Zhao Kuangyin thought about it for a while, and then called a little Huang.
He opened the door and said in a deep voice: "Go and summon Cheng Dexuan to me. I have further instructions for him."
Following the order, Xiaohuangmen rushed to find Cheng Dexuan. Cheng Dexuan accepted the imperial edict and learned that he had become an imperial envoy and had been promoted to two levels. He couldn't help but feel happy. When he heard the summons from the Holy Emperor, he hurriedly dressed up and rushed to the official's house again.
Camp tent and thank God for his grace.
Zhao Kuangyin praised him and then said: "Cheng Dexuan, tomorrow I will allocate a group of people to you to collect residents from far and near in the Northern Han Dynasty, and use both hard and soft methods to move them all to the Song Dynasty. This plan to drain the fuel from the cauldron is between you and Cheng Shixiong
Two of my subordinates, Yang Hao, have come forward to advise me one after another. I know how to value people and know rewards and punishments clearly, so I will leave this important matter to you two. As for the government offices and garrison along the road, you two hold the emperor's festival, so you can rely on their help nearby.
"
"I will obey the Holy Orders."
"Come here," Zhao Kuangyin led him to the map, waved his finger towards Hebei West Road, Hebei East Road, and Jingxi East Road, and said, "I order you to bring these Northern Han people here and disperse them along the way.
Until Jingdong East Road. This is the first route for the inward migration of immigrants. You should try to follow this route."
"yes."
"But... the battlefield is changing rapidly. If... the Khitans come in a hurry and learn that I have moved the people of the Northern Han Dynasty and then intercept and pursue them along the way, and I can't send troops to stop them, you really can't go east..."
Zhao Kuangyin slowly moved his eyes to the southwest, pointed there heavily, and said in a deep voice: "Then go to the southwest, lead the people of the Northern Han Dynasty to Fuzhou and Yan'an, and relocate them there. This is a last resort.
You can do whatever you can to avoid doing it, but if it involves the life and death of the people, you can do it cheaply."
Cheng Dexuan understood clearly in his heart and said in a deep voice: "Yes, I will do my best to live up to the entrustment of the Holy One."
At this time, Yang Hao was practicing his sword in the military camp halfway up the mountain. His back was bare, and he had just slashed the 401st sword with sweat all over his head. When he looked up, he saw a small yellow gate guarding four tall Forbidden Army warriors.
The guard twisted his hips and entered the military camp. Yang Hao glanced at him curiously, and then concentrated on the knife in his hand. He didn't know that he had accidentally been promoted, and he was promoted to three levels in a row.