Guo Xu was a little embarrassed and smacked his lips and said: "I'm not trying to escape, but... Now Taiyuan Mansion has been captured by the Liao people, and the troops from the northwest cannot reinforce it. The Jurchens are about to attack the capital as soon as they speak. In case Bianliang cannot defend it. , wouldn’t it be bad then? I’m not afraid of death, it doesn’t matter if I take the lead, but I’m afraid that the morale of the army and the people will be distracted, and it will be out of control.”
Lu Zhongtian said in a deep voice: "The emperor does not need to explain. The veteran naturally knows that the emperor's safety is very important. There is indeed a lot of risk in staying in Bianliang. However, the emperor's departure from the capital at this moment is a huge blow to the morale of the military and the people. At this time, Not to mention taking the lead, the emperor must also show an attitude of sharing the same hatred with the enemy. Otherwise, how can the army and the people be willing to fight to the death? Once the emperor leaves, Bianliang will be lost. If the emperor does not leave and defends Bianliang, Bianliang can still be saved. Bianliang can be saved. The capital of our Great Zhou Dynasty is the lifeline of our Great Zhou Dynasty. How could the Emperor have such thoughts at this moment? This is too disappointing for the old minister. This bitch Shen Fang is despicable for making such a suggestion to the Emperor at this moment. Don't be lenient."
Guo Xu hurriedly said: "Grandpa, don't be angry. Since grandpa said something is wrong, I won't leave. Shen Fang also has good intentions. He is worried about my safety. But, does grandpa really think Bianliang can be defended?"
Lu Zhongtian said solemnly: "Why not? I have ordered Yuan Zhenqian to retake Taiyuan Mansion and open up the road to reinforce the capital. Yuan Zhengqian will definitely be able to do it. We only need to hold on to Bianliang. Once Yuan Zhengqian's army arrives, we will annihilate the Jurchens At this time, the emperor must not leave the capital at this moment, otherwise I, Dazhou, will be really hopeless. Not only can the emperor not leave, but he also has to show his fearlessness in front of the ministers and the people of the capital. The old minister suggested that the emperor go patrolling the streets in the afternoon. , let the people know that the emperor is with them, so as to reassure the people and the military."
Guo Xu was silent for a long time, and finally nodded and said: "Okay, I will just listen to my grandfather."
…
The Jurchen army attacked the city and plundered the territory with great momentum. Cizhou fell on the fourth day of the first lunar month, Xiangzhou fell on the sixth day of the first lunar month, Tangyin fell on the seventh day of the first lunar month, and Liyang fell on the eighth day of the first lunar month. A series of bad news reached the capital, and the officials in the imperial court were on pins and needles. They were in constant panic. To the south of Liyang was the Gyeonggi region. The Jurchen army had arrived at the northernmost tip of the Gyeonggi region, and one leg was already about to enter the Gyeonggi region.
The good news is that the Jurchen army finally stopped moving south in Liyang. This is of course not that they gave up the idea of attacking Bianliang, but that after many days of continuous fighting, the Jurchen soldiers and horses also need to rest. They naturally know that entering the capital is near They will inevitably encounter a fierce battle, and they must mobilize and prepare for it. Another reason is that south of Liyang is the Yellow River. The Jurchen army finally encountered the first terrain chasm. They must cross the Yellow River to enter the Gyeonggi area. Crossing the river For the Jurchens, this is the biggest thing at the moment.
Naturally, the imperial court of the Zhou Dynasty did not fail to respond. The Xiang troops withdrew from the border towns and came for reinforcements from around Gyeonggi Province had been fully assembled a few days ago. Although there were only less than 150,000 troops, Bai Qi, who had made great achievements in commanding the troops and horses, suggested to the imperial court: in Liyang South of the Yellow River Ferry Baima
Du led his army to prevent the opponent from crossing the river, and took advantage of the geographical advantage to hold the enemy back to the north of the Yellow River. There were not many Yellow River crossings north of the capital. The most suitable place for a large army to cross the river was the Baima Ferry with gentle water. The opponent would definitely cross the river here if they wanted to cross the river. As long as they hold the White Horse Crossing and the Jurchens cannot cross the Yellow River, they can only look at Bianliang and sigh. Although the opponent is powerful, it is not easy to cross the Yellow River under the blocking of the army.
The imperial court adopted Bai Qi's suggestion, and all 150,000 Xiang troops were deployed near Baima Ferry, and immediately began to build fortifications and arrow towers in preparation to resist the enemy. Guo Xu also personally rushed to the military camp of Baima Ferry on the tenth day of the first lunar month.
On that day, Guo Xu, wearing armor and riding a war horse, delivered an impassioned speech in front of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The emperor's personal expedition greatly boosted morale. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers roared like a tsunami, and all the generals swore an oath.
To stop the Jurchens here, they will not let the Jurchens step into the capital even to the death. Guo Xu also felt a bit of comfort from the roar of the soldiers. The confidence in his heart was also restored. Maybe he was serious this time.
Can resist the enemy to the north of the Yellow River and reverse the entire situation.
…
In Liyang City, soldiers and horses were noisy. The small Liyang City could not accommodate the 200,000 Jurchen army and a large number of supplies, chariots and horses. The entire city was crowded, and densely packed Jurchen soldiers and horses were stationed on the hillside outside the city.
The army stayed here, partly because it wanted to rest and wait for the arrival of the slow siege equipment, but also because the matter of crossing the Yellow River had not yet been decided. Wanyan Aguda personally led the people to the bank of the Yellow River.
After a round trip, we explored dozens of miles east and west, and it turned out that except for the White Horse Ferry, other places were indeed unsuitable for large armies to cross the river. The entire Yellow River stretches for more than 200 miles along this section of Hebei West Road, and the White Horse Ferry was
Because the water flow is gentle and open, it has been the best place to cross the Yellow River since ancient times. Especially in this season, the Yellow River water in the Baimadu area has frozen. Over time, the ice layer has become several feet thick. It is difficult for soldiers and war horses to
Even carts weighing thousands of kilograms can safely cross the river on the ice. This is also the reason why Wanyan Agu captured the small town of Liyang instead of continuing to the southwest to capture the large capital of Weizhou. Wanyan Agu only wanted to
The army crossed the river one day early and pointed its sword at Bianliang City.
However, when the army arrived in Liyang, the news they received immediately was discouraging. Although the Baimadu River section was also covered with ice, they were all thin ice floes and were not connected at all. In this case, only
Being able to cross the river by boat brought huge trouble. The soldiers and horses of the Zhou Dynasty also quickly gathered on the south bank of Baimadu, obviously hoping to rely on the natural danger of the Yellow River Ferry to prevent their own army from crossing the river. Although the soldiers and horses of the Zhou Dynasty
We already have some understanding of the combat effectiveness, and we know that the combat effectiveness of the Zhou soldiers and horses is incompetent, and they are no match for them. But after the opponent has such a large river as a barrier, forcing the river to cross will obviously lead to heavy losses. Wanyan Agu will never do this.
of stupid things.
For several days, the discussion on how to cross the river has not stopped, but there has been no good idea. We discussed and discussed.
The only way to go there was to cross the river by boat. The river had been explored for hundreds of miles up and down, and there was no suitable place except Baima Crossing. The river channel above and below Baima Crossing was narrow, the current was fast and fierce, and the canyon was steep. It was definitely a place for large armies to cross the river from time to time.
Everyone is at a loss as to what to do.
Five or six days have passed, and all the subsequent equipment and equipment have arrived, and the soldiers have almost rested, but the plan to cross the river has not yet been decided. Wanyan Agu was so anxious that on the night of the 13th day of the first lunar month, he sent all the soldiers to
The generals were summoned to discuss how to cross the river.
Military Advisor Li Guoqiu was rarely absent from this meeting. According to people under his account, Military Advisor Li took people to the bank of the Yellow River in the afternoon to check the terrain along the river bank to the north. He was obviously also planning to cross the river.
worry.
At the meeting, after deliberation for a long time, there was no result. Hu Lu and the others simply suggested that Wanyan Aguda give up the attack on Bianliang and instead attack Damingfu and other state capitals eastward, swallowing up all the territory north of the Yellow River. Even if they couldn't attack it,
Bianliang, swallowing up the vast territory north of Bianliang is also a victory. Moreover, the further east, the more ferries there are, and the easier it is to cross the river. A roundabout attack may be the most appropriate method at the moment.
But such a proposal was flatly rejected by Wanyan Agu. He knew very well. When fighting against a big country of the size of Zhou Dynasty, the opponent must not be able to breathe. Taking Bianliang in one fell swoop is the best solution.
. Fighting in roundabout ways, each battle resulted in huge losses in both men and materials. In the end, I lost very few troops and horses, so how could I attack Bianliang? To destroy the Zhou Dynasty, we must go straight to its vital point and directly attack it.
Occupy its capital. That situation is the outcome Wanyan Aguda wants most. Wanyan Aguda will never consider giving up Bianliang unless it is absolutely necessary. This is already in front of us, and we are less than three hundred miles apart.
The capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty must be decided by oneself.
After such a proposal was rejected, all the generals were at their wits end. Wanyan Agu had no choice. When the meeting reached the second watch, he announced the adjournment in low spirits. However, at this time, Li Guochou came back.
He arrived at the meeting place immediately.
"Military strategist, we are all ready to leave, and we can't come up with any ideas. Military strategist went to the bank of the Yellow River today? Can you come up with any good ideas?" Wanyan Aguda asked casually. He did not have high hopes. Li Guo
I'm afraid there is no good solution.
However, Li Guoqiu's answer was surprising.
"Big Chief, I seem to have found a solution." Li Guoqiu started to bake something on the stove.
Wanyan Agu was overjoyed and hurriedly poured a bowl of hot tea for Li Guoqiu and handed it over to him, saying in a deep voice: "The military advisor has found a way? How can we cross the river?"
Li Guoqiu took a few sips of tea, and Hu Lu and others shouted anxiously: "Commander, tell me quickly, what's the point? Damn it..."
Wanyan Agu shouted: "Shut up and let the military advisor drink tea before talking."
Li Guoqiu put down the tea cup and said with a smile: "Big boss, generals, I have found the reason why Baima Crossing does not freeze."
