With the restoration of Datong Prefecture, which had not been owned by the Han family for more than a hundred years, a complete Taihang-Yellow River scenic spot has completely fallen into the hands of the Song army. At the same time, a total of about 40,000 Khitan and East and West Mongolian reinforcements arrived in Datong
, the remaining troops of the imperial camp will also be completely liberated, and then they will march eastward to join the main force.
This situation is of course very good, not even a small good, but a great good.
But at the same time, some hidden worries also began to appear. The army gradually became impatient, underestimated the enemy's aggressive advances, and suffered three consecutive defeats.
The Jin army did not completely lose morale due to the sudden loss of Taiyuan. Yelv Mawu still insisted on guarding Jingxing, the most important passage from Taiyuan to Hebei, and Xihe City, the city of Fenzhou in the southwest of the Taiyuan Basin, was still guarding Wanyan Sali.
Drink tightly in your hands.
But these seem to be small details. In fact, compared with the performance of the Song Army and the Jin Army before the fall of Taiyuan City, the current situation does not exceed expectations. It is just that the miraculous fall of Taiyuan City gave the Song Army a
There is a higher sense of expectation for the war, which makes it even more unbearable for some losses in the wave of great victory.
And this is only true for civil servants who don’t know how to fight and the middle and lower levels of the army.
As for the highest level of the Song Army, what they are really worried and nervous about at this time is the successful escape of the Datong defenders and the position of the two Mongolian reinforcements, especially the Eastern Mongolian reinforcements... The account is easy to calculate. Two thousand households escaped.
When we go out, there is a difference of 40,000 between the inside and the outside. Once the Eastern Mongolian reinforcements of 15,000 light cavalry are reversed, there is also a difference of 30,000 between the inside and the outside. The total difference is 70,000.
No one dares to underestimate this number.
The sun is getting more and more westward. Under the willow trees by the Fen River, Zhao Guan's family has put down their newspaper and started fishing.
As for the main planner of the Datong war, he was also the direct boss of one of the main offensive forces in the Datong direction (Guo Hao, the deputy commander of the Royal Camp Rear Army, was directly responsible for the first step). He was also the temporary chief of the Taiyuan base camp after the Chinese New Year, that is, Wu
Wu Jinqing was shocked. After he received the news in the city, he immediately fell into strong uneasiness and even panic.
After just a moment's hesitation, he realized that he still had to explain to the officials because he didn't want to lose the final stage because of something like this.
"Is that so?"
Zhao Jiu put down the fishing rod in his hand and turned around to look at each other. His face looked a little sad, which made Yang Yizhong under the tree next to him also change his color slightly.
"Yes." Wu Jie, who was standing in front, saw this scene and was already glad that he did not delay and came directly to report.
"Jin Qing." Zhao Jiu was silent for a while before speaking, but he did not directly discuss the issue of Eastern Mongolia. "Do you know why I am so confident that I can entrust you with everything in Taiyuan?"
"I'm ashamed." Wu Jie's heart tightened.
"That's not what I mean." Zhao Jiu shook his head in reply, and then simply stood up with his hands on his knees, then put up his hands and walked around under the willow tree. "I think that handling some military affairs, organizing military arrangements, and
People like you have a much better understanding of the geography of Hedong than me... I just sit here and be an official who stabilizes the morale of the military... However, even I have one thing that I can't relax about.
Consideration... What do you think, as an official, I should be concerned about when I am living in Taiyuan at this time?"
Wu Jie waited for the official to finish speaking, then said calmly and helplessly: "Think of logistics and military strength."
"Yes, just these two points!" Zhao Jiu stopped and looked at the other party with emotion. "Jin Qing, you are indeed a handsome man..."
Wu Jie sighed softly.
Let’s just say, the logic is not that complicated.
After Taiyuan, anyone with a little knowledge of military strategy knew that there was destined to be a decisive battle, and it was a decisive battle in the wild. Because comparing their feelings, the top brass of the Jin Kingdom could not take any more risks after witnessing the power of gunpowder. They simply could not
Bear the serious consequences of the sequential blasting of Zhending Mansion, Hejian Mansion, and Yanjing City.
Therefore, the main force of the Jin Army was forced into a dead end by the Song Army. The only thing they could do was to seek a decisive battle in the wild when the main force of the Song Army left Hedong and marched into Hebei.
As for the decisive battle in the wild, when the morale is already sufficient, the Song Army's main considerations are of course troop strength and logistics. The more troops, the better, and the more logistics, the better. Therefore, after Zhao Guanjia's generals have handed over all their general affairs, what will happen?
You don't need to consider anything, but you must pay attention to the amount of logistical supplies and military strength here in Taiyuan.
In comparison, the gains and losses of a city, the victory or defeat of a department, how to sweep the Hedong area, and how to advance the Great Harmony are all of little concern.
However, this is also the important reason why Wu Jie came to plead guilty this time, because compared with other things, this matter has touched upon the core issue of the balance of forces in the decisive battle.
"I... am ashamed." As soon as he thought of this, Wu Jie became even more ashamed.
"Don't be ashamed." Zhao Jiu slowly shook his head. "Jin Qing, since this kind of thing has happened, we have to have a pair of thoughts and ideas today... because our monarch and his ministers must not have differences in understanding and thinking."
Wu Jie quickly handed over his hand.
"First thing first, I said before that there is not enough gunpowder in the army." Zhao Jiu started with a message that both sides had confirmed. "I have saved hundreds of thousands of kilograms of gunpowder for several years, and I split it into two on that day.
In order to ensure that Taiyuan can be moved, Hedong has already used up all the tens of thousands of kilograms allocated to the Prince of Yan'an County. There may be some left, but they are also from Yue Pengju's place. I really don't have any here.
."
Under the slanting early spring sunshine, Wu Jie's expression remained unchanged, but as soon as Zhao Guanjia finished speaking, he immediately shook his head: "I think it's okay... because the Jurchens don't dare to gamble! Someone personally told Wanyan Wushu and Wanyan to leave.
Now that we are out of gunpowder, they don’t dare to gamble! Even if they see us using artillery carts to hit the city bit by bit, they don’t dare to gamble. They will just think that we are just like before, preparing to use gunpowder in the most critical places."
"That's the truth, but it's gone after all. We have to understand it ourselves." Zhao Jiu nodded and continued to look at the other party and said. "The second thing is that I think that this decisive battle in the wilderness may come.
It's so fast... so fast that it catches you off guard... It's very likely that as soon as we leave Hedong, we'll have to fight head-on! Because the Jin army has a vague tendency to mourn at this time, and they may not necessarily resist a decisive battle."
"It's true. Now that we have a beautiful place in the east of Hedong, we are condescending. If we wait with our bows open, the longer the delay is, the easier it will be for the Jin army to be shaken and confused." Wu Jie thought for a moment and nodded heavily: "But we must also consider the Yan army.
The problem of Beijing's reinforcements... Therefore, for the Jin Army, the best time for a decisive battle is just after the Yanjing reinforcements arrived... But on the other hand, His Majesty unexpectedly captured Taiyuan, the initiative is still with us. As long as we advance to Hebei,
They have to fight. But we have insufficient logistics and cannot delay too long, so it is best to advance to Hebei before the reinforcements from Yanjing arrive."
Zhao Jiuzan nodded, and then finally talked about today's matter: "So, the matter between Hebul and Eastern Mongolia is very serious... it must be dealt with as soon as possible without delay."
"I am willing to go to Datong in person..." Wu Jie gritted his teeth in reply. "Guan family, the matter is like this. I will take a look in person... If Eastern Mongolia is available, I will immediately bring them to Taiyuan to join them. If
If it is not available, we will immediately ask Guo Hao, the deputy capital commander (Wang De), the Khitan Yelu Yujian tribe, and the Mongolian tribe to deal with the Eastern Mongolians in Datong... Do not let them have the opportunity to rebel on the battlefield."
"Okay..." Zhao Jiu nodded. "And it is the most appropriate time for you to go, because Guo Hao is your subordinate. But there is one thing you have thought about? If you deal with the Eastern Mongolians quickly, there will be no
What will the rebellious Mongols think? Will they lose trust in us, become resentful, and then rebel in battle? They are all Mongols, and many of the tribal leaders below know each other and are so-called sworn brothers.
In general, 'An Da' tribes also have connections with each other. What's more terrible is that although Ximengu didn't cause any big trouble, he had just plundered Datong, causing Wang De and Guo Hao to conflict with them."
Wu Jie was stunned on the spot.
"If we deal with the Mongols again, will the Khitans also become frightened?" Zhao Jiu turned around and wandered under the willow tree. "Logically speaking, the Khitans dare not rebel, but Yelu Yu saw
Not Yelu Dashi, the generals below do not have the political vision from above. Once they are frightened and become defensive, what should they do? This is the so-called defensive weapon. The decisive battle is imminent. Risks must be avoided, but they cannot put this thought into the defensive weapon.
Expose it, otherwise those people will take advantage of it and save trouble for no reason."
"I would like to ask the official for advice." Wu Jie quickly asked for instructions.
"No advice." Zhao Jiu responded seriously. "If the situation is obvious, do it if you need to. If you can solve it in advance, do it in advance... But if you attack the Eastern Mongolians, you must isolate the Mongolians in the north of Yanmen Pass.
, we can’t let them affect the decisive battle! And if things are chaotic and the risk of taking action is too great, you should leave Hebule and Eastern Mongolia alone and immediately lead the Khitans and Mongolians southward to isolate the Eastern Mongols north of Yanmen Pass.
That’s it… Of course, it’s best to go south with all the reinforcements!”
"I understand." Wu Jie felt relieved. "I am willing to leave immediately."
"There's one more thing..." Zhao Jiu looked back at each other under the tree. "We haven't finished talking yet!"
"Yes." Wu Jie quickly handed over his hand again.
"In this battle, from me to you, from Wang Sheng to Chen Yanzhang, from Datong to Tokyo City, from top to bottom, from front to back, it is natural for everyone and everything to make mistakes no matter how big they are." Zhao Jiu
Stop there, stare at the other person and say seriously, "Don't have any worries."
Wu Jie raised his head without saying a word, but finally felt a little surprised from the bottom of his heart.
"Since ancient times, there has been no war of this scale." Zhao Jiu continued to answer seriously. "We are all doing things gropingly... After saving three years of logistics, we thought we could conquer in one year, but in the end we only had enough for half a year. That family
Everyone from Lin Jingmo to Lin Shangshu has worked hard for three years. Do they all have to resign and apologize? A ruling prince died in the Kingdom of Jin. We obviously took advantage of the surprise attack. As a result, as soon as the war started, there was a riot in Tokyo, which almost led to a riot.
Is it necessary to follow the old rules and Yan Xiaozhong resign and take charge? And Li Yanxian rushed forward in his pursuit of credit and was defeated at Tielingguan. Is it necessary to hand over the mainstay of Daguan to set the record straight? Of course, there is also the matter of your department Guo Zhen, and today
Things about Datong...Jin Qing..."
"I'm here."
"It's not that you don't want to be responsible, but that the big things haven't been done yet. If you are harsh on some things, you will only lose the big for the small. Besides, if you are asked to take responsibility, then all of you are resigned to my fate, right?
Who should be responsible first?" Zhao Jiu looked at the other party and frowned. "Since the war started, you Wu Jinqing, Han Liangchen, Li Shaoyan, Ma Zichong, and even Qu Da have all contributed without fault!"
Wu Jie wanted to thank him on the spot.
Unexpectedly, the Zhao Guan family simply waved their sleeves and said: "Go! Take Mei Xueshi, Ren Sheren, and Tuoli... Mei Yue is responsible for dealing with the Khitan people who love Wenhua, Ren Baozhong is responsible for mediating the conflicts between the various ministries in Datong, and Tuoli
It is the one who controls Mongolia, and you have to make a decision whether to deal with Eastern Mongolia... Go back as soon as possible, don't delay!"
Wu Jie stepped back and walked away in a hurry.
But just a moment later, after watching Wu Jie disappear, Zhao Guanjia became a little slumped, but sat back on the horse under the willow tree. Yang Yizhong did not dare to neglect, and immediately took a few steps forward, ready to support this man.
Official family.
But Zhao Guanjia just waved his hands, but then looked back: "If we go by what we said before, after we have swept away Taiyuan and Longde, the whole army will gather together and immediately leave Jingxing, how many troops are at most? How many are at least?"
"Theoretically, it's at least 200,000 and at most 240,000." Yang Yizhong blurted out. "But in fact, it's definitely not that many. There's a lot of personnel reduction, and you need to stay behind along the way... In addition, you also have to consider whether
We should leave some decent troops and horses in Longde Mansion and Taiyuan Mansion, just in case."
"Taiyuan and Longde Mansion must be kept...that means 160,000 to 200,000 to 200,000?"
"Yes." Yang Yizhong answered carefully. "But this actually does not include Yue Fei's troops... They are infantry. I am not sure how many people can come."
"Yue Fei's tribe still has some cavalry and some livestock. There should be several thousand to ten thousand troops following the Jin army." Zhao Jiu quickly said. "Is that about 170,000 to 200,000 to just over 200,000?"
"yes."
"Where's the Jin Army?"
"It's easy to calculate... 200,000 households, Wang Bolong's is gone, Gao Jingshan's is gone, Wanyan's is gone, Wen Dunsizhong's is gone, plus Wanyan Salihe who is destined not to run away,
There are still living women, and Wu Lin's two ten thousand households in Taiyue are in Yanjing... The Jin army should still have twelve or thirteen thousand households." Yang Yizhong still blurted out. "But this is the result of the Yanjing reinforcements not coming."
"How could you not come?" Zhao Jiu rubbed his left eye. "We have reached this point, and the main force of Yanjing's new army was too late to arrive. Huo Nu and Wu Lin responded to Taiyu, and even Yanjing's alliance was fierce.
They are all coming... So, if there is a quick decisive battle, and the main reinforcements of both sides are not available, then it is likely to be 178 to 212,000 vs. 156,000? The key still depends on Datong's side?"
"yes."
"If sufficient reinforcements from both sides arrive, then it will be 300,000 versus 200,000?"
"yes."
Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly: "It won't be so smooth... I just told Wu Jie that this is the first time for a war of this scale, so there must be various mistakes."
"But we have it, and the Jurchens must also have it. The advantage in military strength is always in the Song Dynasty and in the hands of the officials." Yang Yizhong sincerely comforted.
"That's true." Zhao Jiu nodded slightly.
And at this moment, just when Zhao Guanjia, who had just been somewhat comforted, was about to say something more, suddenly, another horse came galloping towards him. Zhao Jiu saw it from a distance and immediately kept silent. He even almost felt like flinching, but still didn't.
Just show it.
"Guan family, great victory!"
When he came to ride his rolling saddle and fell off his horse, he shouted from a distance: "Dong Xian and Niu Gao, the two commanders, conquered Xihe and captured ten thousand households alive, Sa Lihe!"
Zhao Jiu's spirit suddenly lifted, but it was just a boost, but he became nervous again... because this meant that his and Wu Jie's conjectures had been verified, and the decisive battle was likely to come sooner than imagined.