From that day on, Kou Ji began to take the doctors and imperial doctors who accompanied the army. After the soldiers fell asleep, they quietly entered the soldiers' tents to check the soldiers for frostbite.
Kou Ji and his party patrolled until late at night before returning to the Chinese army's tent.
The imperial doctor wiped the sweat off his forehead and said softly: "Since the antifreeze oil was distributed, the frostbite of the soldiers has begun to decrease. Although some people are still suffering from frostbite, there is no danger of amputation."
The doctor accompanying the army took a deep breath and said in a serious tone: "It's already very good. Although there are frostbite in our army, there are no casualties."
"Can a little frostbite kill someone?"
A medicine boy whispered softly.
The doctor accompanying the army snorted coldly, "If you encounter this kind of weather, go to other armies and have a look, and you will know whether I am exaggerating. If you encounter this kind of severe cold weather and freeze to death, you are all blessed.
Those who cannot freeze to death suffer the consequences.
The pain of being eaten by thousands of ants can drive a person crazy."
The medicine boy didn't believe what the doctor said, but when he thought that he had suffered frostbite, and when he warmed up and thawed, the frostbitten area felt as painful as many ants biting him, he didn't dare to question the doctor's words.
After the group of them finished speaking, Kou Ji said solemnly: "We have anti-freeze oil in our hands. There are a lot of frostbites in the army. The soldiers and horses led by Wang Kai do not have anti-freeze oil in their hands. Some of them have anti-freeze oil in their hands."
The winter clothes are from three or four years ago, so I’m afraid they won’t be able to withstand the cold winter.”
As soon as Kou Ji said these words, the faces of the military officers and imperial doctors all changed slightly.
The Zhenbei Army led by Wang Kai was derived from the Xiang Army. After being reorganized into the Forbidden Army, although it added some armaments, it still had shortcomings.
When the Zhenbei Army was formed, it was at a critical moment when the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom were going to war. Most of the new armaments and winter clothing were sent to the land of Yanyun.
Not many were assigned to Wang Kai's Zhenbei Army.
Although Wang Kai also led another Forbidden Army, it was impossible for him to give up his winter clothes to the Zhenbei Army at a critical moment.
Therefore, the Zhenbei Army did not have much clothing for winter.
Many of them use winter clothing that was distributed three or four years ago.
I'm afraid it's already in disrepair now.
The Song Dynasty was actually not harsh on its soldiers, but rather generous.
However, armaments and military funds left Bianjing City and were withheld at every level. When they got into the hands of the soldiers, they became disgraceful.
The new weapons distributed by Bianjing City turned into scrap metal when they arrived at the border areas.
The thick clothes stuffed with strips of cloth distributed in Bianjing City were likely to be stuffed with thatch and other materials when they arrived in the border areas.
The Xiang Army is a soldier in name only.
But in fact, life is not as comfortable as ordinary people.
Some officials in the court treated them like refugees.
They are living like refugees.
During Kou Zhun's reign, the Xiang army was reduced and riots broke out in many places because many corrupt officials were afraid that such things would be exposed.
There are also many corrupt officials who are afraid that Kou Zhun will reduce the Xiang army and cut off their way of making money.
After Kou Zhun reduced the Xiang Army, the treatment of the Xiang Army soldiers was indeed greatly relieved.
But as long as those who drink the blood of soldiers are not eliminated, similar bad policies will not be eradicated.
The soldiers of the Xiang Army still had to live a hard life.
Although they now have good weapons, they can barely eat enough.
But other armaments and military supplies remain as usual.
Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji, the two people sent to dispatch supplies, are still on the way.
It's not that the two of them issued the order late.
It was the people who went to dispatch supplies. After returning to Bianjing City, they pushed each other away at various yamen and failed to get the supplies.
Zhao Zhen still sent Chen Lin to take people back to Bianjing City to get the supplies needed by the northwest frontier army.
For this reason, Zhao Zhen often added many new names to his notebook.
Some of the military supplies have been distributed, and some are still on the way.
Kou Ji rushed to where Wang Kai was this time, firstly to help Wang Kai clear away the remnants, and secondly to deliver supplies to Wang Kai.
The imperial doctor heard what Kou Ji said and said with a heavy face: "We must make some preparations as soon as possible. After arriving at Hue Crossing, I am afraid there will be many frostbitten soldiers who need our treatment."
Kou Ji nodded slowly and said: "Making some preparations in advance can indeed reduce some casualties. You go down and prepare things. I will send people to travel all night to Wang Kai's location and ask about the details of his army."
The imperial doctor nodded and hurriedly left the Chinese army tent with the accompanying military officers.
Kou Ji summoned two soldiers and sent them to Hue Crossing to find out the details of Wang Kai's army.
After the soldiers left Kou Ji's tent, Kou Ji did not fall asleep. Instead, he wrote a letter to Zhao Zhen and Xiang Yan in Bianjing City, asking them to prepare more supplies.
A night of silence.
The next day.
Kou Ji, who had not slept all night, rubbed his face with cold water. After getting dressed, he ordered his soldiers to wake up the soldiers and continue on his way.
The soldiers got up, had their meal, packed up their tents, and followed Ko Ji to Hue Crossing.
The group arrived at a place fifteen miles outside Hue Crossing and met the soldiers sent by Ko Ji to investigate the military situation.
Kou Ji summoned his soldiers to the horse and asked, "How is the situation in Wang Kai's army?"
The soldier handed over his hand and said solemnly: "General Wang's army suffered many casualties, some of which were due to frostbite, and some of which were caused by the war."
Kou Ji was stunned when he heard this and asked: "Wang Kai's troops were defeated at Hue Crossing?"
The soldier solemnly said: "The war is somewhat unfavorable... The number of soldiers and horses left by Xixia at Hue Crossing is not large, but they are very cunning. They took advantage of the cold weather and turned Hue Crossing into an ice city.
General Wang led his troops to attack several times, but failed to capture Hue Cross.
Now General Wang is leading his troops and is stationed five miles outside Hue Cross to confront the enemy."
Kou Ji frowned, nodded, and ordered: "Hurry and tell Wang Kai and order him to hold his troops. After I arrive, it won't be too late to attack Hue Cross."
The soldiers surrendered again and rushed to Hue Cross on horseback.
When Kou Ji led his troops to Hue crossing ten miles away, it was getting late.
Kou Ji ordered his troops to camp on the spot.
It was not until noon on the second day that Kou Ji and his party arrived at the place where Wang Kai was stationed.
Hundreds of thousands of troops pitched rows of tents along the sand dunes.
The soldiers hid in tents to resist the cold wind blowing around them.
Guarding around the tent was another forbidden army led by Wang Kai. They had thick fur coats to protect them from the cold winter, so they were not too afraid of the cold.
After Kou Ji led his troops to arrive, he first ordered the imperial doctor and the doctors accompanying the army to check on the injured soldiers, and then he went to Wang Kai's tent himself.
Kou Ji entered Wang Kai's tent and saw Wang Kai lying on the bed with a burning brazier beside him.
Wang Kai seemed to be injured, and his face was slightly pale.
Kou Ji stepped into the tent. Wang Kai wanted to stand up and salute, but Kou Ji stopped him.
"Injured?"
Kou Ji walked to sit next to Wang Kai and asked in a low voice.
Wang Kai gave a bitter smile and said, "I was bitten by the thief's sharpshooter. It's not a problem."
Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "Thieves in Hue Ferry?"
Wang Kai nodded slowly and said: "He is from Xixia He Company."
"Helian?"
The Helian tribe is an ancient tribe in Xixia. Going back further, we can trace back to the origin of Xixia.
In 407 AD, Helian Bobo, the leader of the Tiefu tribe of the Xiongnu, rebelled against Qin and established himself as the King of Heaven. He established Daxia. Today's Xixia is under his command.
After the fall of Daxia.
Part of the Helian tribe stayed in the land of Xixia.
After several changes, the Helian tribe had long lost its control over this land and became ministers of the Li family.
Li Deming named the country of Xixia Xia, which originated from them.
Today's Helian tribe has long lost its former majesty, but it is still a large tribe in Xixia.
The strength cannot be underestimated.
Of course, only in Xixia.
In the Song Dynasty, it was nothing.
Because the Helian tribe can now gather less than 20,000 men who dare to fight.
However, the Song Dynasty casually pulled out an army of 50,000 troops.
After Kou Ji knew the origin of his opponent, he asked Wang Kai, "I heard that the thieves turned the fortress of Hue Du into an ice city. What can you do to that ice city?"
Wang Kai gave a wry smile and said: "It's very cold now and it's very easy to freeze. If the enemy pours water inside and outside the fortress, it will soon turn into a layer of soldiers. As time goes by, the ice layer will become thicker.
Heavy crossbows and other ordnance can't do anything to the thick ice.
They are hiding inside and can't come out, and there's nothing we can do about it."
Kou Ji pondered: "Is there any way to get around it?"
Wang Kai was stunned, "Go around? That's not possible. There are nearly 20,000 traitors in the Hue Du Fortress. If we leave them alone, they will definitely appear behind us at the critical moment and give us a break."
Kou Ji asked: "Just tell me if there is a way around it."
Wang Kai hesitated and said: "After we arrived at Hue Cross and took a closer look, we found a way around it. It only requires three to five days of marching in the desert."
"Is it dangerous?"
Kou Ji questions.
Wang Kai said frankly: "Of course there is danger, but it is not great."
Kou Ji nodded slowly, "If that's the case, then take someone around."
Wang Kai looked at Kou Ji in shock.
Kou Ji said calmly: "My job is to help you clear out the remnants. For the Xixia people in Hue Crossing, you can treat them as remnants and throw them to me."
Wang Kai was stunned for a moment and asked doubtfully: "Do you have a way to defeat them?"
Kou Ji nodded slowly, "Yes! What I'm best at is dealing with this kind of ice city."
Wang Kai was doubtful, but Kou Ji didn't explain much.
Wang Kai was not seriously injured, and the sheep could move freely after two days.
Two days later.
Wang Kai led his soldiers into the desert, escorting their original military supplies and the military supplies sent by Kou Ji.
Kou Ji took his people to stay in Hue Crossing.
After Wang Kai led his troops away, Kou Ji immediately sent troops and horses to besiege Hue Crossing.
Kou Ji surrounded but refused to attack.
He just ordered the soldiers to use trebuchets to help the Xixia people in Hue Crossing to sprinkle water on the city.
The Xixia people in Hue Crossing were completely confused about Kou Ji's intention.
They did not act rashly and continued to watch Kou Ji's actions.
After a thick layer of ice formed on the fortress at Hue Ferry, Ko Ky ordered the soldiers to give up sprinkling water.
He ordered his soldiers to form a shield wall outside Hue Crossing, and began to dig a deep and wide trench outside Hue Crossing.
When the Xixia people in Hue Crossing saw the deep trench dug by Kou Ji, they finally understood what Kou Ji was going to do.
Kou Ji helped them build the city with ice, and dug a deep and wide trench outside the city, with the purpose of blocking them.
Let them stay in the fortress of Hue Du and not take a step forward.
If Kou Ji's actions were carried out in the Song Dynasty, the soldiers guarding the city in the Song Dynasty would probably be indifferent and let Kou Ji mess around.
But when it comes to Hue Crossing in Xixia, it's different.
Xixia is a power that combines pastoralism and farming.
Most of them defected to Xixia, or were Song people who were plundered by Xixia and brought to Xixia territory, and were responsible for farming.
The other tribes all make a living by herding.
The Song Dynasty plundered the territory of Xixia twice. Except for Xingqing Prefecture, all the areas that could be cultivated in Xixia were occupied by the Song Dynasty.
Kou Ji had already captured Xiazhou and other places before the autumn harvest.
Except for Xingqing Prefecture, Huaizhou and other places in Xixia, there was no food available at all.
The only thing we can rely on are cattle, sheep and horses.
The Helian tribe in Hue Du is not one of the Dangxiang tribes. Although their strength is not weak, they still belong to the group that is occasionally squeezed.
Therefore, Kou Ji dared to conclude that they did not have many cattle, sheep, and horses in their hands.
Koji blocked the Helian tribesmen in Huedu Fortress and surrounded them without attacking. He blocked all the ways for them to break out, just to starve them to death or starve them to surrender.
The strategy used by Kou Ji was not a new one.
It was the same trick that Li Yuanhao used on the Song army when they attacked Shazhou City.
Kou Ji has now copied it and used it on the Helian tribe people.
The difference is that Kou Ji's situation is far better than that of Li Yuanhao at the time.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses from the Song Dynasty poured into Xixia and attacked cities and territories in Xixia. Now they have reached the final decisive stage.
Within Xixia territory.
Except for Xingqing Mansion, Huaizhou, Dingzhou, Keyimen, Danliang City, and Shengwei City, almost all other places had been conquered by the Song Dynasty.
Hue Du is not even a city.
At present, the Song army is approaching Xingqing Mansion and other places from all sides. Kou Ji does not need to worry that Xixia can still send troops and horses to rescue the people crossing Hue under the siege of hundreds of thousands of troops.
Kou Ji spent several days in front of the Hue Crossing Fortress.
The people of the Helian tribe in Hue Crossing were a little panicked, but there was no other unnecessary reaction.
It must be the cattle and sheep in Hue Crossing, which can support the people of the Helian tribe for a period of time.
But the Xixia people in Keyi Gate, hundreds of miles south of Hue Crossing, had no time to waste.
Wang Kai led his troops and horses across the desert and met up with Zhu Neng's troops outside Keyi Gate.
The two raised an army of 250,000 men and forced them to defeat Yimen.
The Xixia general Ye Li Yuqi led the soldiers and horses of the Yeli tribe and the soldiers and horses of the Xixia Youxiang Chaoshun Military Division stationed in Keyi Gate, totaling 80,000 people, to resist the army led by Wang Kai and Zhu Neng.