Lao Fan easily guessed Li Yuanhao's strategy, but it wasn't Lao Fan Zhizhu who knew it.
But Li Yuanhao could only do this.
First, Zhao Jun has already told Fan Zhongyan that this is what Li Yuanhao did in history.
Second, through analysis and observation, we will find that Li Yuanhao actually has no extra choice at all.
In the Song-Xia War, the Song Dynasty made it clear that it was shrinking in defense and wasting its national power.
If it was the Liao Kingdom, it would have been advancing step by step, encroaching on the border of the Song Dynasty with large armies, also building city walls, and the two armies faced off.
This is to use force to suppress others, and fight against the background of both sides, and only then can the army compete with each other.
By then, the Liao Kingdom would also have cities and garrison on the border, and it would be convenient to transport food and supplies. They could continue to send cavalry to fight behind enemy lines, destroy the Song Army's logistics supplies, and achieve a national-level victory.
However, Xixia can't do it.
At its peak, Xixia's population was only three million. It has not reached its peak yet, and its population is only one or two million. How do you ask Xixia to build cities and make a living step by step? How to supply food and grass?
Therefore, the only thing Li Yuanhao could do was to make a deflection with his sword, fire a shot and change places, find the weak points of the Song army, launch a sneak attack, and retreat immediately after succeeding in the attack.
But knowing Li Yuanhao's fighting style is much simpler. Looking at the map, it's like a God's perspective. You can clearly see that first is Qinfeng Road, which is a place that Li Yuanhao can't even think of hitting with his toes.
The territory of Qinfeng Road stretched from Xining to the west and Lanzhou to the east. It was the Tianshui area of Gansu Province. The mountains here were high and the forests were dense. The road was far away and logistical supplies were difficult. It was impossible to carry out a long-distance attack.
The next option was Yan'an Prefecture on Yanyan Road. The Suide Army had not yet been established at that time, so the border was all in the Yanzhou area. But this place has been built into an iron barrel by Lao Fan. There is a beacon tower within ten miles, a fortress within twenty miles, and Yanzhou City is as solid as a rock.
The same goes for Huanqing Road. Fan Zhongyan appointed his friend Teng Zongliang to be the commander of Huanqing Road, Cao Cong to be the commander-in-chief of the horse infantry on Huanqing Road, Zhao Zhen to be the deputy commander-in-chief of Huanqing Road, and Zhong Shiheng to be the commander of Huanzhou.
These people strictly followed his orders and took precautions.
Therefore, in Lao Fan's eyes, the only choice Li Yuanhao had was the Jingyuan Road.
But Jingyuan Road is actually a trap. The periphery seems empty, with few bunkers and beacon towers. However, Lao Fan was very insidious in the Zhenrong Army, Deshun Army, and Weizhou area, almost in the Liupanshan area of Guyuan City in later generations. , built a large number of forts.
In this way, the Xixia Army will be immediately restrained by countless fortresses. At this time, the reinforcements from Huanqing Road will be able to make dumplings of the Xixia Army immediately.
Yuan Hao obviously knew this, so he attacked in the east and west, trying to sneak attack Huanqing Road, which was empty after reinforcements were sent. However, Fan Zhongyan had predicted Yuan Hao's prediction and had an insight into the other party's thoughts, so naturally he didn't have many worries.
Now that the pattern of catching turtles in an urn has emerged, Huanqing Road has become an urn, so who is the one catching the turtles?
Fan Zhongyan's eyes flickered between the many generals under his command.
He currently has Privy Councilor Wang Deyong under his command. Wang Deyong is a veteran, so there will definitely be no problem in sending him there.
But Wang Deyong is really old. He is already 60 years old this year. He is only suitable for rear command. It is not good to go to the front line in person.
Secondly, Lao Wang has a high prestige in the army. According to the Song Dynasty's system of suppressing generals, he can no longer lead the army in person.
In addition to Wang Deyong, there are only Liu Ping, the deputy general manager of Yanyan Road, Ren Fu, the deputy general manager of Ma Yan Road, Shi Yuansun, the deputy general manager of Fuyan Road, Wang Zhongbao, the military commander of Linfu Road, and the military commander of Yanyan Road. I have Xu Huaide and several other generals under my jurisdiction.
The rest of Di Qing, Guo Zun, Zhou Mei, Zhe Jimin, Zhang Qi, Wang Xin, Fan Ke and others were actually just junior officers at this time, such as inspection envoys and Du Yuhou, and did not have the ability to lead an army on their own. Ability.
In addition, Li Shibin, the supervisor of Jinming Village, Sang Yi, the supervisor of soldiers and horses of Yanzhou, Ma Huaide, the supervisor of Yanzhou soldiers and horses, and Miao Jing, the supervisor of Yanzhou soldiers and horses, are intermediate generals.
The level of generals in the Song Dynasty was chaotic, and the upper and lower commands were not clear, but generally they were classified as capital deployment (du general manager), deputy capital deployment (deputy general manager), deployment, deputy deployment, command, supervision, and capital supervision.
It is very important to lead the troops to Huanqing Road to attack Yuan Hao this time, so a general must be sent there. Liu Ping, as the transfer envoy of Fuyan Road and the deputy general manager of Fuyan Road, has the highest position, so it is up to him to do it.
But Fan Zhongyan gave up on this idea considering that Zhao Jun once told him about Liu Ping's poor command.
If Liu Ping hadn't been a Jinshi and had historically fought to the death in the Battle of Sanchuankou, preserving Yanzhou and not surrendering to the enemy, Lao Fan would have wanted to transfer him away.
Liu Ping is not suitable, nor are Ren Fu and Shi Yuansun. Historically, these two have also failed.
Wang Zhongbao and Xu Huaide are good.
However, the Huanqing Road must be protected, and the generals in Yanzhou must be there. The two of them are now responsible for the defense of the north of Yanzhou. If they are transferred away, Anlong Village and Yongping Village in the north of Yanzhou will be empty.
So Fan Zhongyan thought about it and suddenly remembered a person who was the governor of Yanzhou and deployed Zhang Kang.
Historically, this person was under the jurisdiction of the soldiers and horses of Jingyuan Road.
Zhao Jun later mentioned him when talking to Lao Fan about the Song-Xia war, saying that this man was more brave and attacked Xixia many times, so that Xixia did not dare to enter the pass.
The most important thing, aside from the factor mentioned by Zhao Jun, Zhang Kang's own resume is also relatively impressive.
He was a Jinshi in the second year of Tianxi. Although he was a Jinshi, he liked military affairs. During the Tiansheng period, he took the initiative to be a general judge for the Zhenrong Army.
When Li Deming died, he appealed to the emperor and gave early warning suggestions, telling the court that Li Yuanhao was likely to rebel and suddenly attack the Song Dynasty, hoping that the court would prepare early.
It also contains more than ten chapters of strategic advice.
This shows that Zhang Kang had foreseen the Xixia rebellion long ago and was a talented man capable of both literary and military skills and rich in strategy.
Therefore, when Fan Zhongyan took office in the northwest the year before last, he transferred Zhang Kang, the then Zhizhou of the Ansu Army. This was regarded as a smooth transfer from the Zhizhou on the Liao-Song border to the Zhizhou on the Song-Xia border, and he was granted certain military power to deploy for Yanzhou.
However, Zhang Kang did not attend the meeting at this time.
Because this month Pang Ji sent another batch of grain and grass from the rear, and Xue Xiang, the magistrate of Yanzhou, was responsible for sending it to Yanzhou. Zhang Kang, as the magistrate of Yanzhou, would definitely lead his troops to respond in person.
After feeling that Zhang Kang was suitable as the general to send troops this time, Lao Fan did not hesitate and immediately arranged for Liu Ping to provide supplies and replace Zhang Kang.
The next day.
Zhang Kang hurried back from Ganquan County in the south of Yanzhou.
Outside Yanzhou City, Fan Zhongyan was already waiting for him.
This morning, he received a letter from Huanqing Road appeasing the governor Lu Shouqin and the patrol inspector Liu Huaizhong, saying that Yuan Hao was attacking Kaolizhai.
At that time, on the other side of Huanqing Road, Zhong Shiheng was stationed in Tongyuan, which was very close to Zhenrong. Therefore, if Huanqing Road supported Jingyuan Road, Zhong Shiheng could only go there.
Teng Zongliang, Cao Cong, and Zhao Zhen, as the highest civil and military officials on Huanqing Road, were stationed in Anhua City, Qingzhou.
It was further away from the security forces than from Yanzhou, so Lu Shouqin, the guard of Jintang City, and Liu Huaizhong, the guard of Kaolizhai on the front line, naturally sent the news to Yanzhou as soon as possible.
Knowing that Li Yuanhao had arrived so quickly, Fan Zhongyan did not dare to neglect. While organizing the troops that had been prepared long ago, he waited for Zhang Kang to return.
At this moment, outside the city, the forty-year-old Zhang Kang, who was tired of work, galloped all the way to the pavilion outside the south city. He got off his horse, walked up to Fan Zhongyan and cupped his hands and said: "My lord, please call me back. Is there something urgent?"
"good."
Fan Zhongyan said: "Yuan Hao invaded the border area, pretended to attack Jingyuan Road, and actually attacked Huanqing Road. The battle situation is urgent at this moment, and you must lead the army immediately."
"Your Majesty, take your orders!"
Zhang Kang felt his eyes light up. He had been a civil servant for so many years, but his favorite thing was to be a general on horseback.
Even though he served as an official on the border many times, he never led troops to fight in person.
Now the opportunity has finally come.
Although Fan Zhongyan knew that he was a strong man in history, he did not dare to take it lightly. Instead, he warned: "Although you have served as an official on the border, this is your first time leading an army, so you should be careful."
Zhang Kang said: "Please rest assured, Sir, I will definitely live up to my trust."
"okay."
Fan Zhongyan said in a deep voice: "Yuan Hao has many insiders in our army. He must know about the large group of troops dispatched. Therefore, I can only send you eight thousand cavalry. These are the elite knights I have trained in the past two years. Here in Yanzhou Commander Di Qing, Linfu Inspector Zhang Yu, and Linfu Road Inspector Zhe Jimin are all elite men I brought from Bianliang, you can reuse them."
"yes."
"Okay, soldiers are valuable and quick, don't be lazy, set off immediately."
"yes."
After Zhang Kang agreed, he immediately headed west to Fulong Mountain according to Fan Zhongyan's instructions.
Because Li Yuanhao was too involved in the northwest frontier army, Fan Zhongyan did not dare to send the soldiers out during the day, so he could only leave the camp at night.
Now we have arrived at Fulong Mountain to the west of Yanzhou. When Zhang Kang arrives, we can immediately set off to rescue Kaolizhai and Jintang City.
Strictly speaking, Yanzhou is actually very close to the Bao'an Army. The Bao'an Army belongs to Fuyan Road and the Dingbian Army belongs to Huanqing Road. Geographically, Yanzhou's reinforcements are faster than Qingzhou's.
Not to mention the cavalry.
Zhang Kang led eight thousand cavalry. These people were all cavalry pitchers on Fan Zhongyan's patrol, and they all carried several grenades in their waists.
After so many years of preparation during the Song Dynasty, the Firearms Department cut down on the manufacturing of other firearms and concentrated on making grenades. According to Zhao Jun's instructions, Zeng Gongliang was developing artillery.
It's just that artillery is much more dangerous than grenades after all. The consequences of a single explosion may be several casualties, so progress is relatively slow.
But having grenades is already an epoch-making thing.
At this moment, the battle on the Security Army side was fierce. It was not that Li Yuanhao didn't know that Yanzhou would rush to help, so he was actually fighting the Dingbian Army. As long as Zhong Shiheng was transferred and the Dingbian Army was broken through, he could threaten Huanzhou.
However, precisely because Yanzhou would rush for reinforcements, Li Yuanhao must concentrate his main force to capture the security forces first and block Yanzhou's reinforcements, so that he could march towards Huanzhou.
When the time comes, Zhong Shiheng will definitely return to Huanzhou to defend, and Li Yuanhao will be able to surround the point for reinforcements and attack the reinforcements on Fuyan Road and Huanqing Road.
This is what he did in history. Sanchuankou, Haoshuichuan, and Dingjunzhai surrounded Yanzhou, Huaiyuan, and Liugenbao respectively, luring the Song army to come for reinforcements, setting ambushes three times, and defeating the Song Dynasty three times. The Song Dynasty was forced to sign a treaty and recognize Xixia founded the country and proclaimed himself emperor.
Castellana Village, later known as Zhidan County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, if you stand outside the city and look south, what you will see is not the endless plains or towering mountains, but undulating hills.
This is the Loess Plateau, and it is the beginning of spring. The hills and hills, which are less than a hundred meters high and only a few meters short, are like waves, like the lush branches and leaves extending from a towering tree, although they are not as clear as the plains. , but it is also magnificent and has its own spectacular scenery in the northwest.
Li Yuanhao was riding on horseback, standing on a high slope four or five miles northeast of Kaolan Village, looking to the southeast.
The howling west wind was strong, making the military flags rustle in the wind.
To the southwest of him, 30,000 Xixia troops were storming the Kaolan Village. The brave and capable Xixia army howled like wild wolves and climbed up wooden ladders. The two outer walls of the village had been lost.
However, although the garrison guard Liu Huaizhong only had 5,000 men, his fighting will was still very tenacious, and he relied on the camp to launch a desperate struggle with the Xixia army.
Li Yuanhao mobilized all his troops this time, with an army of more than 100,000. In the direction of Jingyuan Road, General Ye Li Yuqi led about 40,000 people in a feint attack, while in the direction of Jintang City, General Ye Li Wangrong led an attack of 20,000 people. He led the attack himself. 30,000 people marched directly to Kaoluo Village, and about 30,000 people remained behind to hold down the formation.
In this way, even if the Song army comes to rescue quickly, he can retreat immediately, with supporting troops at the rear. Once the Song Army's reinforcements arrive and the Kaolin Village and Jintang City are defeated, he can block Yanzhou's reinforcements in the east and the main force directly kills Huanzhou.
It has to be said that as one of the protagonists of the Song-Xia War, Li Yuanhao was indeed shrewd and capable. This whole set of tactical designs was linked together. If he encountered Fan Yong, Yanzhou would be in danger at this time.
However, there are also differences in the Fan family.
Fan Zhongyan was much stronger than Fan Yong. He had figured out Yuan Hao's plan a long time ago. Not only did he send secret troops, but he also quickly mobilized troops in the direction of Qingzhou and Yuanzhou to launch a counterattack.
By noon, Gaoluo Village was already crumbling. Starting from the day before yesterday, the Xixia Army attacked fiercely. Liu Huaizhong repeatedly fought desperately to repel the enemy's attack. However, the gate of the village gradually fell. For this reason, he had to simply use some gunpowder and grease stored in the army. They burned the gate of the front village and retreated to the back village.
Just before sunset, Kaolan Village was expected to be breached. At this moment, Li Yuanhao saw dust and smoke billowing in the southwest. There are few trees on the Loess Plateau, so it can be seen very far away from a high place. The smoke and dust are at least ten miles away, and it is estimated that it will take half an hour to arrive.
"The reinforcements from the Song Army arrived so quickly."
Li Yuanhao frowned, and then said: "Go and ask Congshun how long it will take to break through."
"yes."
The cavalry hurried over.
Congshun, whose full name is Wei Congshun, is the younger brother of Li Yuanhao.
However, this person's military ability is average, and the battle is all directed by Li Yuanhao. Currently, Li Yuanhao is watching the entire situation on the mountain and making overall plans, while Wei Mingcongshun is in charge of the front line.
Soon the soldiers came back and reported: "The general has broken through the front stronghold of the Song Army and is now attacking the back stronghold. It can be broken before dark."
"waste!"
Li Yuanhao was furious, "We have been fighting for three days and still haven't broken into this small Kaolan village!"
Cavalryman Nono dared not say anything.
However, it is useless to be angry now. At this time, the Song army is attacking, and it seems that Gaoluo stronghold is about to be breached. Naturally, withdrawing the troops now will fall short.
So after a little hesitation, Li Yuanhao immediately reined in his horse and went down the mountain, and began to gather soldiers to prepare to defend against the enemy.
At the same time, Zhang Kang led 8,000 cavalrymen galloping all the way. Yanzhou to Kaolanzhai was equivalent to Yan'an to Zhidan County in later generations. It was only more than 90 kilometers, which was not too far in the first place.
They set out in the morning and arrived in the afternoon.
Horses have poor endurance. If they travel long distances, they are almost as good as infantry, and they also need a lot of fodder and bean cakes to maintain combat effectiveness.
But short-distance running is the strength of the cavalry, especially Fan Zhongyan who made horseshoes based on Zhao Jun's description.
This secret cavalry team was trained and equipped separately. Although the Xixia people knew of their existence, they had no information about them at all. Even Li Yuanhao did not expect the Song army to support them so quickly.
However, he could tell by looking at the smoke and dust in the sky that the number of enemies coming was not large. He had 30,000 cavalry. Even if he could not fight, there would still be no problem in retreating.
So before the opponent arrived, Li Yuanhao quickly mobilized about 15,000 troops and began to form an array in the wilderness.
After half an hour, Li Yuanhao had already rearranged his team. He judged that the enemy was coming all the way for reinforcements and had no chance to rest, so the combat effectiveness was definitely not strong. It was better to strike first and attack directly to catch the opponent off guard.
Do whatever you want. After gathering the troops, Li Yuanhao took out the scimitar in his hand, looked at the dense crowd of knights behind him, and then turned his head to look at the undulating hills in the distance. He could vaguely see the opponent's vanguard. No longer hesitating, he shouted: "Get in formation and follow me to kill you!"
"Kill, kill, kill!"
The Xixia army let out a howl that pierced the sky, and many party members kept shouting all kinds of strange shouts from their mouths. Then they slapped the horse's belly with their legs and headed east to attack.
At this time, Zhang Kang had arrived on the hillside less than five miles away from Qiaozhao. The hillside where Li Yuanhao was standing just now had already seen the Song army appear. The Song army spread over the mountains and plains, forming several formations and occupying several surrounding hills.
They are indeed very tired now. Although it is only a day's journey, the horses also have horseshoes to ensure that their feet are not injured. The problem is that running like this is still very tiring for the knights and horses. Many soldiers and horses are breathing heavily, looking at the Xixia army in the distance, almost He collapsed on the ground from exhaustion.
At this time, they had already seen the mighty Xixia army swarming towards them in the distance.
This is how Liu Ping, Shi Yuansun, Ren Fu, Ge Huaimin and others were defeated in history.
So why did Zhang Kang do this even though he knew that such an attack would tire out his soldiers?
He was seen looking at the incoming Xixia army, his eyes calm, and he kept shouting at the soldiers occupying the surrounding hills and mountains, condescendingly.
Almost as the Xixia army was galloping up the gentle slope of the hill, he asked the messenger to blow the horn.
"Ohh Ohh ohh!"
The desolate horn pierced the sky. The soldiers of the Song Army took out something from their waists, sounded it, and suddenly threw it down the mountain!
Show the Xixia Army a big treasure!
(End of chapter)
