Lu Zhongtian's expression changed. He stood up slowly and saluted: "Your Majesty, you'd better go back. I'm tired and want to rest. Please forgive me for not being able to see you off."
Guo Xu said in astonishment: "Why should we take a break before the matter has been settled?"
Lu Zhongtian laughed and said: "What is there to discuss? The emperor has his own calculations in his heart, so why come to discuss with the old minister? Doesn't the emperor already have a plan? The emperor is wise and powerful, strategizing, and has already made plans, so the old minister can rest in peace and recuperate.
, don’t worry about it. Your Majesty, just go and do what you want.”
Only then did Guo Xu understand that Lu Zhongtian changed his face because he had proposed an idea that was contrary to his. He indeed had a plan, but this plan needed Lu Zhongtian's nod to implement it, otherwise it would be just an empty plan. He originally thought that Lu Zhongtian
What good countermeasures could there be, but after hearing Lu Zhongtian's plan, he really couldn't accept it. According to Lu Zhongtian's plan, it was to implement a non-resistance policy, protect the capital to the death, and then negotiate peace with the Liao people and Jurchens.
This was too outrageous. Isn't this the same as luring a wolf into the house and opening the door to let the enemy in? I really couldn't understand the purpose of Lu Zhongtian's plan, so I couldn't help but express what I was thinking.
"Grandfather, my great Zhou Dynasty has reached the most dangerous time. At this time, we should put down everything and unite to resist the enemy. My grandfather is a veteran of my great Zhou Dynasty. I may disappoint my grandfather, but my grandfather certainly does not want to see it.
I am surrounded by people who are ravaging me, and the people are in ruins. Even if it is not for my face, it is for the face of my late Zhou emperor and my ancestors. I am not self-righteous, I just want to discuss the best solution with my grandfather.
It's just a strategy. I'm thinking about the country and the country. Isn't it the same with my grandfather? If I do it exactly as my grandfather said, I would rather lose the capital and be killed by the Jurchens and Liao people than set up a big movie.
I don't care about the country and the people, just for the safety of the capital. Grandfather, please understand my difficulties. I don't want to disappoint the people of the world, and I don't want to leave an eternal infamy." Guo Xu sincerely said what was in his heart, he must persist in himself.
The bottom line is that if Lu Zhongtian's plan is completely followed, it will be no different from the subjugation of the country.
Lu Zhongtian pondered for a long time, knowing that he could not push Guo Xu too much. Guo Xu's character was violent and impatient, but he has actually restrained himself to this point. If he was really pushed, this person would be elusive, but it would be more difficult for him.
Bad things happen.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhongtian finally nodded slowly and said: "Since the emperor thinks so, I can't insist too much. Let's make a compromise. The capital cannot be lost, and the emperor doesn't have to act out of emotion. If the capital is lost, then that's it.
The country is really subjugated. The imperial army cannot move, and Yuan Zhengqian's soldiers and horses need to rush to the capital at starry night to rescue them. As for the northeast, the old minister received a request from Bai Qi, asking soldiers and horses from nearby to reinforce Xiongzhou and fight a decisive battle with the Jurchen army in Xiongzhou.
.Since the emperor is unwilling to give up too much, he can agree to Bai Qi's request and fight the Jurchens in Xiongzhou. However, the old minister reminded the emperor that if this battle is lost, the consequences will be extremely serious. Because the Jurchens will drive straight into
When the army approaches the capital, the state capitals along the way will no longer be able to resist. There will also be fewer soldiers and horses guarding the capital. I am afraid that the capital will be in danger by then. The emperor must consider this consequence clearly."
Guo Xu said in a deep voice: "I am willing to accept such consequences. Even if we lose, there are still 200,000 forbidden troops in the capital. If Yuan Zhenqian's 250,000 troops arrive in time, it will be more than enough to defend the capital. I also have confidence in Bai Qi and will assemble In terms of military strength, his military strength also occupies an advantage.
The best result is that Bai Qi defeats them, then the Jurchens are completely finished, and the Liao people are also finished. I hope this is the result."
Lu Zhongtian sighed and said: "I hope so. Your Majesty, you should pay more obeisance to Buddha and burn incense. I hope Bodhisattva will bless you."
…
Under Xiongzhou City, the siege battle entered the final preparation stage. In the past three days, Wanyan Aguda had to wait for the arrival of his own siege equipment. Attacking a city like Xiongzhou cannot be taken lightly, so he must be fully prepared. .However, the heavy snow weather did bring great trouble. It took three days for all the siege equipment to arrive. Wanyan Aguda couldn't wait to order the assembly of components, open up positions, and prepare for the siege.
On the night before the siege, Wanyan Agu summoned the main generals of the army to arrange the siege for the next day in his tent. This kind of large-scale siege operation was the first time for the Jurchen army. Wanyan Agu himself actually There was also some confusion. A meeting of the generals was called to clarify the order of attack and the responsibilities of their respective troops, so as to avoid chaos during the siege.
In the middle of the meeting, the sound of flapping wings was heard outside the tent, and Haidongqing's triumphant chirping sounded. Wanyan Agu knew that it was Haidongqing who was sent out to hunt pigeons or other messenger birds. It's back. If Haidongqing flies back without success, it usually won't make a loud and proud cry. The loud and proud cry means that they must have succeeded in something.
Sure enough, the soldier who was responsible for taking care of Haidongqing entered the tent and delivered a bamboo tube to Wanyan Aguda. The bamboo tube was still stained with blood and stained with some pigeon feathers. Apparently, Haidongqing was hunting They picked up the carrier pigeon that was delivering the message and brought the bamboo tube back. The carrier pigeon was probably eaten by them.
Wanyan Aguda pulled out the cork on the bamboo tube with great expectation, took out a roll of silk cloth from inside, unfolded it and looked at it quickly, then suddenly slapped the table and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, you came at the right time. It turns out they want to fight us to the death. Okay, great."
Everyone looked at each other, wondering what news they had intercepted that made the big leader so excited.
"Big leader, what happened?" Li Guoqiu asked.
"Commander, just read it to the brothers." General Wanyan Agu handed the silk cloth to Li Guoqiu.
Li Guoqiu reached out to take it, unfolded the silk cloth and read: "Deputy Ambassador Bai, the imperial court has agreed to your request. I have ordered the commander of the fifth army in Guangxin, Ansu, Baoding, Shun'an and Yongning to immediately lead his troops to reinforce Xiongzhou. Depending on the distance, the distance Therefore, it can be arrived within a few days, but you must stick to Xiongzhou for several days and wait for reinforcements to arrive. If the reinforcements do not arrive, the city cannot be broken. If the people in the city are alive, the people in the city will die. Lu Zhongtian, the Privy Council of the Great Zhou Dynasty, said. "
The generals suddenly realized that what Hai Dongqing had intercepted was a letter written by Lu Zhongtian, the privy envoy of the Great Zhou Dynasty, to Bai Qi, the defender of Xiongzhou. The meaning of the letter was very clear. The Great Zhou court had decided to order the five armies on the northeastern border to gather at Xiongzhou is going to fight to the death with the Jurchen army. This news is not trivial. When the generals heard it, they immediately started talking.
"Big Chief, if this news is true, the soldiers and horses of the Zhou Dynasty are coming to Xiongzhou. They have a lot of soldiers and horses. It seems that we don't have to go head-to-head with them. The other side is ready to fight. Can our army
Avoid its sharp edges."
"Bah, what are you talking about? How to avoid their sharp edges? Kill as many as you come, why are you afraid of them? We are worrying about looking for them everywhere. It would be better to deliver them to our door and eat them in one pot."
To put it lightly, as far as I know, there are a lot of troops and horses in the northeastern town of the other side. There may be 300,000 people gathered together, which is more than our number. After my army is divided, the number of troops is less than 200,000.
Why is it so easy? This is a war, and it needs to be fought with real swords and guns, not just by showing off."
"In my opinion, since we have learned such news, we should capture Xiongzhou before the opponent's troops gather to avoid trouble. As mentioned above, it will take several days for the latest troops to arrive. We will do our best
Attack, by the time they arrived, it was too late."
"..."
Everyone couldn't agree on what they were talking about, their faces were red and their necks were thick, and they were noisy. Wanyan Agu frowned and slapped the table, shouting: "Brothers, stop arguing."
Everyone immediately shut up and became silent.
Wanyan Aguda looked at Li Guoqiu and said, "The military advisor didn't say a word. What advice do you have on this?"
Li Guoqiu cupped his hands and said: "Big leader, it is God's blessing to intercept the opponent's intelligence. Otherwise, we may have to continue to discuss the arrangements for attacking Xiongzhou. Once we attack, if we cannot attack for a long time and reinforcements from the opponent arrive, we will
That would be extremely bad. In view of this, my suggestion is that we can no longer attack Xiongzhou, and we have to cancel our plan to attack the city tomorrow."
"What? Cancel the siege? I'm afraid you are crazy. The arrows are on the string and you have to fire them. The siege equipment is in place and some plans have been made. Stop the siege now? Is it possible to retreat?" A group of generals were shocked.
They all shouted.
"Everyone, please be patient and listen to what I have to say, okay?" Li Guoqiu frowned.
Wanyan Agu said in a deep voice: "Shut up, everyone, and listen to what the military advisor has to say. What are you doing if you can't keep calm? Military advisor, keep talking."
Li Guoqiu bowed and agreed, and said in a deep voice: "Big leader, brothers, what I said about stopping the siege is not not not to attack Xiongzhou, but to use smarter methods. Just imagine, the opponent's reinforcements are coming, and we forcefully attack this place.
City, when the opponent's reinforcements arrive when we are exhausted, what will be the situation then? Don't underestimate the Zhou soldiers and horses. After all, they are well-armored and equipped with weapons. Their weapons will kill us if they hit our heads, so there is no need to underestimate the Zhou soldiers and horses.
It is not a wise move to show off your strength and take risks even if you know that enemy reinforcements are coming."
Wanyan Agu said in a deep voice: "What exactly does military advisor mean? What does it mean to attack and not to attack? I am confused by what you said."
Li Guoqiu said with a smile: "What I mean is that if we pretend to attack Xiongzhou, don't they have reinforcements coming? Reinforcements are arriving from all over the place. Let's intercept them halfway and defeat them one by one. This is called 'siege'
The tactics of "calling for reinforcements". The Zhou Dynasty soldiers and horses in the city will only be able to retreat, and we can deploy cavalry troops and horses to intercept the enemy troops coming for reinforcements. But the enemy still knows nothing about it until now. The Zhou Dynasty guards in the city will be
After intercepting the information, they didn't know that the Zhou Dynasty court had agreed to their plan, so they would not cooperate with the reinforcements and did not dare to act rashly. However, our army could attack flexibly and attack the reinforcements of the Zhou Dynasty one by one.
Eating them and destroying their resisting soldiers and horses is the guarantee that we can finally advance straight in. Moreover, since the Liao court has decided to fight me in Xiongzhou, it means that they have seen through Generals Hulu and Yalu Buhua.
Their actions have been seen through, and they will not be fooled. In this case, why not order General Yalu Buhua and Hulu not to go too deep, and they should turn back immediately to cooperate with our main force in attacking the reinforcements. The unknown leader and generals
