Li Jiqian defeated Linzhou and withdrew his troops back to Dangxiang. This is indeed great news for Guo Da. Without Li Jiqian's deterrence, Guo Da could invade Fengzhou without any scruples. Wild beggars are also a threat in Guo Da's heart. However, Yeqi Ganbo is now being taken care of by Yang Dezheng. Guo Da led his troops to invade Fengzhou, and there would be almost no obstruction.
Even if they cannot capture the entire territory of Fengzhou, they only need to capture the two counties to the east of Fengzhou, plus three iron mines. Guo Dahui's status among the vassal forces of the Xiao family has skyrocketed. It is a well-known fact that the Liao people are short of iron. Having made up his mind, Guo Da immediately summoned his troops and began to assemble the army and set off.
Not to be missed. Guo Da deeply understands this truth. Thirty thousand Liao troops, plus 20,000 servants of Liao Han people, led by Guo Da, invaded the territory of Fengzhou. At the junction of Fengzhou, Shengzhou, and Daizhou, Yang Yanzhao, who was always concerned about the war situation, was scratching his head.
His hands were really itchy. The newly integrated Datong Army under his command basically consists of 80% recruits. If he wants to quickly hone his recruits into elites, he must go through continuous war training. Only an elite soldier who has been tempered by the flames of war will become a sharp sword. Yang Yanzhao is already over fifty years old. He has no time to carve out the rough jade in his hands one by one. He can only speed up the process of training elite soldiers through constant battles.
However, he rushed to the junction of the three states to ask for a chance to fight, but no one gave him a chance. Both Guo Da from Shengzhou and Yeqi Ganbo from Fengzhou seemed to have subconsciously forgotten the existence of Daizhou. Even the soldiers under their command chose to stay away from Daizhou and did not give Lao Yang a chance to attack.
"Sir, I think you should go back with the Datong Army." Lao Ge said dryly with his toothless mouth. Since Yang Yanzhao seized power from his son and took charge of the Datong Army, Lao Ge has become Yang Yanzhao's personal soldier and has been responsible for serving Yang Yanzhao.
Yang Yanzhao sat in the makeshift military tent with a golden sword, his face as black as stone, "I have been in the battlefield for many years, when should I send troops, when should I withdraw my troops, I have freedom in mind, and it is not your turn to teach me a lesson."
Lao Ge smiled bitterly and said: "Sir, everything is different from the past. In the past, you led the troops and horses of the imperial court. When you went on an expedition, the imperial court was responsible for all the supplies. Now you lead the Datong Army, which is just a side branch. Although the army also received food and wages from the imperial court, the wages and silver distributed by the imperial court were simply not enough to feed so many people.
We have been spending more than half a month here, and there is no progress at all. If we continue to spend more, we will not have enough food and grass. "Lao Yang said with a dark face, "If we don't have enough food and grass, we can collect food from Daizhou. Hearing this, Lao Ge's face became more and more distressed, "Sir, the young master is in charge of Daizhou now, and the young master has handed over the affairs of Daizhou to Sun Ji, a guy who has no access to oil and salt." We can't speak in front of Sun Ji. It is impossible for Sun Ji to allow us to collect grain in Daizhou. "
"Bang!" Yang Yanzhao slammed the table and said angrily: "I rebelled against him. I just asked him for it, can he still give it to me?"
Lao Ge couldn't laugh or cry and said: "Sir, it's just after the spring plowing and it's not yet time for the autumn harvest to collect grain. Even if you ask him for food, he has a reason to shirk. Can you still force him to grab food from the people? Even if you ask him for food. Even if he robs it, the Datong Army soldiers may not be able to eat it." The Datong Army soldiers are all local young people in Daizhou. If they really rob food from the local people in Daizhou, I'm afraid they will rebel immediately. .
Of course, that's what Lao Ge said. He was just explaining to Yang Yanzhao the difficulty of collecting food. Yang Yanzhao blew his beard and roared with eyes wide open: "He is a government office in the state capital. Now he is building private schools, repairing bridges and repairing roads. He spends tens of thousands of taels of money every day. Let him use some for supply. The army is so difficult?”
Lao Ge said helplessly: "Master, my subordinates are still saying the same thing. Now it is the eldest young master who takes care of things in Daizhou. The money and food of Daizhou are all controlled by the eldest young master. If the seventh master doesn't let go, no one will get the money." "
Yang Yanzhao suddenly stood up, glared and shouted: "What a outrage, he is a little brat, and he is riding on my head? Send someone to find him now, and tell him to prepare the Datong Army's three months' food supply, otherwise we won't I blame me for enforcing the family law." Lao Ge was stunned for a moment, shook his head and said: "Sir, the eldest young master has been missing for almost ten months since he left the house that day."
Yang Yanzhao said angrily: "A living person disappeared for no reason like this?" Wang Gui, who had just entered the tent, heard the conversation between Yang Yanzhao and Lao Ge, coughed slightly, and whispered: "Perhaps my subordinates Know the whereabouts of the eldest young master." Yang Yanzhao and Wang Gui were not so polite. The two had been fighting together for decades, and their relationship was deeper than that of brothers.
After hearing what Wang Gui said, the eldest young master immediately asked: "Where is it?" Wang Gui cupped his hands and said with a strange expression: "According to the reports from his spies, the eldest young master is very likely to be with that group in Linzhou and Feng." The Fuxing Army, which was causing trouble in the state, got together.
According to the latest news, a few days ago, the second master had contact with the eldest master at the southwest intersection of Daizhou and Fengzhou. The eldest young master handed over 60,000 war horses to Erlang, and also entrusted them with a large amount of property. After Erlang took over the war horse, he seemed to have no intention of returning to Daizhou. Instead, they brought their war horses to cover the areas along Fengzhou and Daizhou and were gathering the refugees who had escaped from Fengzhou.
According to the inference of his subordinates, this revival army is likely to have been controlled by the eldest young master. "Wang Gui couldn't help but have a weird look on his face. As far as he knew, when the eldest young master left Daizhou, he left alone. Then, relying on him alone, in just one month, he stirred up the situation in the northwest. Yes. He said that the current chaotic situation in the northwest was entirely caused by the young master alone.
In this way, the eldest young master not only did not suffer any losses, but judging from the horses and property he sent back, he also gained a lot. He even controlled an increasingly powerful army. These are all unheard of things for Wang Gui. He has never encountered a person who can make such a big noise by relying on his own strength. Thinking back to when he first met the eldest young master, the eldest young master was just a fledgling little guy.
You have to ask him for help with even the smallest of things, and even at the end, you need his help with the finishing touches. Now, in just a few years, the eldest young master has become so terrifying. His methods are no weaker than those of the big guys in the court. To describe it in four words, it was like a storm. After hearing Wang Gui's words, the anger on Yang Yanzhao's face froze, and he glanced at Lao Ge.
Lao Ge understood and hurried to the tent door to guard the door to prevent others from eavesdropping. After confirming that the tent was safe, Yang Yanzhao solemnly asked Wang Gui, "Brother, are what you just said true?" Wang Gui solemnly nodded and said, "It's true." Yang Yanzhao frowned and said in a deep voice, "Brother. , tell me, what on earth do I, my son, want to do?" Wang Gui was stunned and hesitated to speak.
After all, some things are just speculation for him and have not been confirmed, so it is not easy to talk nonsense.
Yang Yanzhao seemed to see Wang Gui's thoughts, and he said solemnly: "Brother, you and I have known each other for many years. We are not brothers, but we are better than brothers. In front of me, what do you have to hide? Just say whatever comes to mind." Wang Gui hesitated for a moment and then said cautiously: "As far as I know, during this war in the northwest, the Zhe family won Linzhou." Yang Yanzhao raised his eyebrows and said angrily: "Did that little bastard get involved with the Zhe family? "
"Brother!" Wang Gui roared and said solemnly: "The grievances between the Yang family and the Zhe family are no longer the point. The point is that the Zhe family won Linzhou." "Hiss~" After Wang Gui's reminder, Yang Yanzhao understood I understood the meaning of Wang Gui’s words. Now that the war situation in the northwest is in chaos, the Zhe family took the opportunity to occupy Linzhou. So how could Yang Dezheng, who was most likely the instigator, be satisfied with a single army or tens of thousands of horses?
Yang Yanzhao was shocked and said: "Brother, you mean... the eldest young master wants to take Fengzhou?!" For Yang Yanzhao, this was something that he couldn't even think about. Yang Yanzhao has always lived within the rules throughout his life. Those who used to live according to the rules of the Northern Han Dynasty, but after surrendering to the Song Dynasty, lived according to the rules of the Song Dynasty. But whether it is the rules of the Northern Han Dynasty or the rules of the Song Dynasty, one thing remains unchanged.
That is, with the permission of the imperial court, you have conquered territory that does not belong to the imperial court. That is called opening up territory. However, without the permission of the imperial court, it is a serious crime to conquer territory that does not belong to the imperial court. Among them, he was involved in many serious crimes such as mobilizing troops without authorization and provoking diplomatic discord between the two countries. Wang Gui nodded solemnly, indicating that what Yang Yanzhao said was exactly what he had guessed. Yang Yanzhao was shocked and said: "This is not a good thing. If this matter reaches the court, it will be a serious crime..."
Yang Yanzhao was shocked and yelled: "No, I have to find a way to call that traitor back. If he really captures Fengzhou, it will be over." "Brother." Wang Gui suddenly said He opened his mouth, stared blankly at Yang Yanzhao, and said in a deep voice: "This may be an opportunity for the Yang family. Moreover, as far as I know, the eldest young master is not a reckless person. Since he dares to do this, he must have I’ve thought about how to end it.”
Yang Yanzhao said angrily: "How can this matter end? Once Fengzhou is captured, the label of trying to be self-reliant and having evil intentions will be pinned on the Yang family. Even if they jump into the Yellow River, they will not be able to wash it away. They may even be annihilated by the imperial court.
If someone is not good, you and I, and even our family members, will be buried with him. "The words fell. Yang Yanzhao was about to recruit people to capture the eldest young master. Wang Gui took a step forward and grabbed Yang Yanzhao's arm. Yang Yanzhao was stunned, frowned and shouted: "Brother, what are you doing? "
Wang Gui solemnly said: "Brother, listen to me first." Yang Yanzhao said coldly: "What is there to say now? Do you also want to go crazy with that kid?"
Wang Gui let go of Yang Yanzhao's arm and bowed: "Brother, do you think the Yang family has a way out now that it's reached this point? In Bianjing, brother, you didn't hesitate to offend the powerful people in the dynasty, and made the ministers feel like lonely ministers. However, he was still framed and suppressed.
You retreat again and again, but the enemy presses you step by step. By now, Yang Yanzhao's eight thousand volcano army had been exhausted, and the Yang family's title was gone. Do you still want to withdraw? If we retreat again, the Yang family will die. "Yang Yanzhao stared at Wang Gui with complex eyes, as if he was meeting Wang Gui for the first time.
He said in a gloomy voice: "So what if I don't retreat? Should I learn from Wang Mang or Huang Chao? I can do anything, even if it means losing the lives of my whole family. But I must not be a Han traitor. The Yang family's My reputation cannot be ended in my hands. I cannot let my descendants in the future be able to hold their heads high."
"Hey~" Wang Gui sighed and said: "Well, I can't persuade you, old brother. But I want to ask old brother. If the eldest young master retreats, can the cavalry of the Yeqi tribe stop Guo Da's attack? Liao soldiers?" Yang Yanzhao said proudly: "If you can't stop it, what do you have to do with me?" Wang Gui said coldly: "Once the Yeqi tribe defeats Fengzhou, Guo Da will station in Fengzhou. Your Yang family and my Wang family , will become a sinner through the ages."
Yang Yanzhao frowned, he had heard Wang Gui's meaning from Wang Gui's words. However, he still refused to admit defeat. He stiffened his neck and said, "Even if the Liao people enter Fengzhou, I will try my best to prevent the Liao people from taking a step forward." "Hehehe~" Wang Gui shook his head and smiled and said: "Brother, you are deceiving yourself. Back then, when we were guarding Yanmen Pass, we were too weak to face the Liao people.
Once the Liao people bypassed Yanmen Pass and entered Fengzhou directly. By then, there will be no danger in the northern border of Daizhou. The Liao people are marching south in large numbers. How many of them can you and I stop? At that time, you can only let go of Daizhou and allow the imperial army to enter. Once the Imperial Army enters Daizhou, how will your Yang family gain a foothold? Even if you don't care about these.
But when the infantry of the Forbidden Army faced off against the Liao cavalry, especially on the plains of Daizhou and Fengzhou, who was stronger and who was weaker? By that time, if we want to stop the Liao people's southern invasion, nearly 200,000 forbidden troops must be stationed in Daizhou. Do you think that given the special status of our dynasty, His Majesty will allow 200,000 imperial troops to be stationed in Daizhou?
Will Your Majesty allow the Imperial Guard to be in the hands of others? As long as the Forbidden Army makes the slightest mistake, the Liao people can invade the south in a large scale. By then, the land of the Central Plains will surely be plunged into the flames of war. We, the Han people, will also fall into dire straits. Don't you see this? "
Yang Yanzhao stared, breathing rapidly, but couldn't say a word. He had to admit that everything Wang Gui said made sense. Wang Gui sighed and said: "Whether he becomes a thief of his family or a big thief of the entire nation, it all depends on my thought."
Wang Gui's description is easy to understand. The so-called thief of the family means that he betrayed the Zhao family and became a family thief in the eyes of the Zhao family. The so-called thief of the nation means betraying the entire nation and becoming a thief of the nation. However, these two choices were placed in front of Yang Yanzhao, which made Yang Yanzhao very embarrassed. The Yang family's taking Fengzhou and guarding it undoubtedly betrayed Zhao Heng, but it was a great thing for the nation.
Yang Yanzhao did not dare to say anything else. In terms of guarding Fengzhou, Yang Yanzhao could definitely prevent the Liao people from invading. Even Yang Yanzhao could guarantee that it would be impossible for the Liao people to enter the Central Plains through Fengzhou until all the men of the Yang family were dead. However, as a loyal minister, and an upright loyal minister.
Doing so would violate his moral principles as a minister. On the other hand, let Fengzhou remain on its own and let the Liao people capture Fengzhou. This undoubtedly saw the Liao people opening the door to the Central Plains and giving the Liao people an opportunity to invade south. This is a huge disaster for the nation.
It would have been fine if Lao Yang had not encountered this matter, but now that he had encountered it, how could he ignore it? Do you really want him to watch the people fall into dire straits? To put it bluntly, it is also because Fengzhou, Daizhou, and Shengzhou formed a special terrain that led to today's situation.
On the northeastern border of Shengzhou and Daizhou, a large mountain stretches past, forming a natural barrier. Yanmen Pass guards the mountain pass on the Daizhou side, blocking the Liao people from invading southward. Shengshu became another big mountain pass. Moreover, the mountain pass is also shaped like a pot mouth. It was difficult for the Liao people to break through Shengzhou and invaded the Song Dynasty southward.
Because once the Liao army wanted to break through Shengzhou, they had no choice but to borrow a route from Fengzhou. The first to bear the brunt were the party members. If the Liao people want to deal with the Dangxiang people, they have to use some means. By the time they eliminated the Dangxiang people and invaded the Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty had already set up a defense line in Daizhou.
Therefore, the invasion from Shengzhou was tantamount to provoking a war between the Song Dynasty and Dangxiang at the same time, which was a bit outweighing the gains. However, it was different after Guo Da captured Fengzhou. Toyosu has a flat terrain. Once the Liao people captured Fengzhou, it would be equivalent to having a place to station troops, and it would also be equivalent to having a buffer place. The Liao people could not only continuously station troops in Fengzhou, but also use Fengzhou to continuously invade the territory of the Song Dynasty and cause damage to the Song Dynasty.
Once they find an opportunity, the Liao soldiers in Fengzhou will march straight into the Song Dynasty. It can be said that in the northwest, Fengzhou is a place that must be fought over by military strategists. But now, the dilemma of whether to go to Fengzhou or not is before Lao Yang. Yang Yanzhao was very hesitant. He neither wanted to become a family thief nor a national thief. Yang Yanzhao, who was in hesitation, frowned and sat down on the chair.
Wang Gui couldn't bear to see Yang Yanzhao so worried and confused. Wang Gui said: "Brother, you can't take advantage of others. Taking Fengzhou will be of great benefit to the Song Dynasty. This does not affect the fact that you are still a minister of the Song Dynasty.
Although the Yang family cannot be a pure general like before. But the Yang family can become Fan soldiers like the Zhe family. "Wang Gui's words woke up Yang Yanzhao. Yang Yanzhao slowly stood up, nodded solemnly, and said: "What you said makes sense. I've really hit the mark. Regardless of whether His Majesty will be held accountable, Fengzhou will be captured first. Just hold Toyosu in your hand. I can be considered worthy of the people of the world.
If His Majesty really wants to hold them accountable, I can hand over Daizhou and Fengzhou and let others take charge. As long as these two places are in my hands, Da Song. I am worthy of the people of the world and worthy of Your Majesty. "Wang Gui twitched the corner of his mouth. He felt that his old brother had a good idea. Once he captured Fengzhou, he would have to hand it over to Yang Yanzhao.
After all, Fengzhou was conquered by the eldest young master, and the only person who can really decide whether to stay in Fengzhou is Yang Dezheng. Moreover, Yang Dezheng is now full-fledged and seems to have 30,000 soldiers and horses in his hands. In addition, Yang Dezheng seems to have become involved with Yang Peng of Youzhou. With Youzhou's help, Yang Dezheng could control the entire Fengzhou without using the weak Datong army in Yang Yanzhao's hands.
At that time, Fengzhou will be controlled from top to bottom by Yang Dezheng. Only Yang Dezheng can decide whether to stay in Fengzhou. Just like the current Daizhou government affairs. Wang Gui was a bystander and could see clearly, but he did not tell the truth about the matter. Vaguely, Wang Gui guessed that Youzhou was setting up a big situation.
Obviously, this overall situation is extremely beneficial to the Yang family. The Wang family and the Yang family are both prosperous and devastated. Naturally, they also yearn for the Yang family to develop in a better way. Now, Wang Gui can't do anything to help Yang Dezheng. He can only try his best to persuade the stubborn Yang Yanzhao not to cause trouble for Yang Dezheng.
Under Wang Gui's persuasion, Yang Yanzhao figured out the 'joints' and the confusion in his heart was no longer so deep. Immediately, he straightened his face and said loudly: "Send people to pay close attention to Fengzhou's movements. Once a fighter plane is found, I will lead the Datong Army into Fengzhou and give them a head-on blow."
Wang Gui decisively accepted the order and retreated. If word spread about what happened in Yang Yanzhao's tent today, I'm afraid many people would wonder why Yang Yanzhao, such a powerful figure, could not see through it as well as his deputy Wang Gui?
In fact, this matter is easy to explain. Yang Yanzhao is an authority figure and Wang Gui is a bystander. The so-called authorities are confused, but bystanders know clearly. The most important link in this matter is Yang Dezheng. Yang Yanzhao has always viewed Yang Dezheng from the perspective of a feudal family patriarch. In his eyes, Yang Dezheng is Monkey King, and he is Tathagata Buddha. No matter how powerful Yang Dezheng is, he can't escape from his grasp.
Of course, Yang Yanzhao is not the only one who has this idea. In almost feudal families, most of the parents have this mentality. Wang Gui is different. Although Wang Gui is Lao Yang's deputy general and has a different relationship with the Yang family, his surname is not Yang. Therefore, Wang Gui will understand Yang Dezheng from different perspectives.
From the first contact to now. The feeling that Yang Dezheng gave Wang Gui was changing every day, and every time they met, Yang Dezheng would be more powerful than before. Even, Wang Gui felt. Yang Dezheng, this monkey, has become a monkey fighting against the victorious Buddha, and Yang Yanzhao, the Tathagata Buddha, may not be able to suppress him.
Moreover, Yang Yanzhao currently only has a Datong army that has not yet taken shape. And Yang Dezheng not only has a well-tempered Renaissance Army, but also has a natural ally in Youzhou. Therefore, Yang Dezheng in the future is destined not to be suppressed by Yang Yanzhao. Therefore, personal wisdom is not involved in this matter.
Just because the location is different, the scenery seen is different. Since Yang Yanzhao has decided to participate in the war in Fengzhou at any time, he has no intention of backing down. In order to allow the Datong Army to continue to be stationed outside.
What happened after all? Let’s see the breakdown next time.
