In the big tent, Yang Peng stood in front of the map, frowning, as if the great victory not long ago had not happened.
Footsteps came from the door and stopped a few steps behind him. Then Han Bing's voice came: "Brother, the results of the battle and the statistics of our army's casualties have been calculated." Yang Peng recovered his thoughts and turned around. Seeing Han Bing and Yang Erya, his eyes fell on Liang Hongyu and asked: "How?" Liang Hongyu said: "More than 80,000 enemy soldiers were killed and more than 200,000 were captured. In addition, the Khitan army was in Datong." In addition to the battle damage to the mansion and the losses in the attack on Yanmen Pass, the Khitan army's losses were close to 400,000! In addition, the Khitan camp was burned down, and most of the food, grass and baggage were reduced to ashes!"
Yang Peng smiled, nodded and said: "Okay! A complete victory! I am afraid that the army in the hands of Yeli Hucheng is less than 300,000. Although the number is still large, it is a frightened bird and there is nothing to be afraid of!" "The two women smiled. Yang Peng asked: "What are the casualties of our army?" Liang Hongyu frowned slightly, "It's not small. Cao Jun's casualties were more than 20,000, ours were more than 10,000, and the Junfu army's casualties were even greater, more than three Ten thousand!"
Yang Peng walked to the commander's seat and sat down. "Compared to the results of the battle, the casualties are not that big!" The two women nodded in agreement.
Han Bing said: "Brother, now it's time to think about solving the Xixia people's problem!" Yang Peng frowned and said: "I was just thinking about this matter! There has been no news in the past few days, and I am very worried!" He raised his head. Looking at Han Bing and Yang Erya, "Now that Yelihu City has suffered heavy losses, and the soldiers have no fighting spirit, they will have no fighting spirit. It should be possible to mobilize some of the troops. Hongyu, Qiongying, you stay where you are, and I will lead part of the troops to go south." Rush for help!" The two women looked at each other and nodded, feeling very worried about the situation in Yinzhou!
The states and counties to the west of Datong Prefecture saw the Yan Yun army approaching fiercely, so they all defected to Yan Yun and swore allegiance to Yan Yun. However, later, the Liao army came fiercely, as if it was unstoppable. Seeing the wind, those states and counties immediately turned to Ye Qi. Hucheng lost his faith, thinking that Yanyun's army would definitely be defeated, and Xijing Road would become the Khitan's world again. However, the changes in the world really made them unable to react. The Liao army, which was so powerful yesterday, was defeated miserably and fell thousands of miles away in the blink of an eye. After the shock of the states and counties, they quickly sent people to escort food and supplies to the Yanyun Army barracks.
Yeqi Hucheng, who had retreated to Hongzhou, learned of this situation and really wanted to cut those villains into pieces one by one to relieve his hatred. However, he could only think about it at this time. If he really wanted to cut them into pieces, he couldn't do it.
Yeqi Hucheng put these things aside for the time being and asked Han Chang: "Is there any news from Xixia yet?" Han Chang shook his head and said: "Not yet! However, our army's scouts discovered that Yang Peng's commander Yan Yun's war cavalry went south, and he must have gone to support In northern Shaanxi, the situation there should be very unfavorable for the Yanyun Army!" Ye Qi Hucheng nodded thoughtfully.
Xiao Yeqian asked: "Your Majesty, can we take advantage of the opportunity to counterattack now?" Yeqi Hucheng shook his head, but did not say the reason. Han Chang said to Xiao Yegan: "We have suffered a new defeat, suffered heavy losses, and have low morale. Even counterattacks are in vain. Unless, unless Xixia invades Shanxi and the morale of Yanyun's army is in chaos, our chance will come!" He sighed, "I didn't expect that our future would be decided by other people's results!" This unintentional remark stung everyone's heart.
An officer rushed in from outside and reported urgently: "Your Majesty, the imperial envoy is here!" Everyone was startled, and then they couldn't help but worry. They felt that the court must have made a decision after receiving the report of the defeat, and they all looked at Ye Qianhu. city. Yeqian Hucheng did not dare to neglect, and immediately stood up and led his generals to meet him. When I came outside the gate, I saw a black-covered carriage guarded by the Yulin Army. Ye Qi Hucheng took the lead and said, "Welcome to the imperial envoy!" Although Ye Qi Hucheng has a high status, the imperial envoy represents the emperor and the empress dowager, so he cannot neglect it. The generals followed and bowed: "Welcome to the Imperial Envoy!"
The car curtain opened and a man got out of the car. Ye Qian Hucheng looked up and couldn't help but be startled, and then said in surprise: "It's you!?" The generals saw that it was Prime Minister Han Derang, and they couldn't help but let go of their worries. Handerang smiled and said to Yeqianhucheng: "How is your king?" Yeqianhucheng sighed, then grabbed Handerang's arm and walked inside. As he walked, he said: "Let's talk inside!" The two of them walked After entering the gate, the generals followed.
When everyone came to the hall, Ye Qian Hucheng and Handerang sat side by side at the top, while the other generals stood on both sides below. Han Derang said: "The emperor and the empress dowager have learned about the situation here..."
Yeqi Hucheng sighed, "How ashamed!" He glanced at Han Derang, "I am ashamed of the great trust of the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty!" Han Derang frowned and asked: "Is King Yang Peng of Yan really so powerful? What about Yan Yunjun? Are you really invincible?" Yeqian Hucheng sighed and said nothing. Han Chang said: "Actually, the king has done a very good job. If he had been another opponent, he would have been defeated by us long ago! But Yang Peng is really as cunning as a fox and as fierce as a tiger. Every plan of our army fell into place at the last moment." He was defeated, but our army finally fell into the trap he carefully laid!" Then Han Chang described the main battles during this period in detail.
Han Derang listened carefully, and after Han Chang finished speaking, he couldn't help but said: "It seems that Yang Peng and his Yanyun Army are really difficult to deal with!" Ye Qihu said: "Although I don't want to admit it, I have to Admit it! To be honest, it's really painful to meet an opponent like Yan Yun!" Then he raised his eyebrows and said boldly: "But it's also very fun!" Everyone couldn't help but smile. Handerang exclaimed: "The Protector of the Country is the Protector of the Country after all, so arrogant!"
Ye Qian Hucheng waved his hand, "No way! Compared with King Yang Peng of Yan, I am nothing, I am just a defeated general!"
Handerang asked curiously: "The king doesn't hate him?" Yeli Hucheng's eyes widened, as if a beast suddenly became angry, "Hate! Of course I hate him! I wish I could tear him into pieces, skin him and remove his bones." ! But I admire him even more, he is the number one hero in the world!"
Handerang frowned and said: "This number one great hero is actually the life and death enemy of our Daliao Kingdom!" Yeli Hucheng frowned and nodded. Handerang said to Yeqi Hucheng: "I have brought the imperial edict from the Queen Mother," as he said, he took out a yellow silk scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Yeqi Hucheng. Ye Qian Hucheng quickly took the scroll, unfolded it and read it again. He looked surprised and quickly looked at Han Derang, "The Empress Dowager wants to negotiate peace with Yan Yun?" When the generals heard this, they immediately started talking, and then gradually became quiet. .
Handerang nodded, "The ministers also meant the same thing. Since the war between Daliao and Yanyun, we have suffered more defeats and fewer victories. We have continued to lose troops and lose territory. Everyone thinks that if we continue to fight, we will only lose more. Therefore, they all advocated for peace! What’s more, the threats facing our Daliao Kingdom are not only the Yanyun family, but also the Mongols in the north and the Japanese from Korea. The relationship between these two families and our Daliao Kingdom is not good, and there are frictions from time to time. , maybe one day we will have a military encounter with our Daliao Kingdom, we really don’t have the energy or strength to fight against Yan Yun anymore!”
Yeqi Hucheng was silent for a moment and asked: "What about Datong Prefecture? What about those prefectures and counties to the west of Datong Prefecture?" Han Dejian said: "A strong man has to cut off his wrist, and he must give up something when necessary!" Yeqi Hucheng's big hand Waved: "I don't agree!" Handerang was surprised, "Your Majesty,..."
Ye Qianhu said: "It's too early to say victory or defeat now!" Handerang showed a puzzled look. Ye Qianhucheng briefly explained the situation in Xixia and Tubo, and finally said: "If those two families make a breakthrough, I'm afraid the Yanyun Army will not be able to maintain its current victory! Our army will take the opportunity to counterattack, and we will definitely be able to fight Go through Yanmen Pass!"
Handerang thought: "In that case, it seems there is still a chance!" "Of course there is a chance!"
Handerang glanced at Yeqi Hucheng and said in embarrassment: "But you and I cannot disobey the Queen Mother and Her Majesty's will!" Yeqi Hucheng said: "Of course we cannot disobey, but we are just postponing this matter! The Han people have As the saying goes, 'You will not be able to accept the orders of your foreign ruler.' Are we in the Liao Kingdom not as flexible as the Han people?" Han Derang frowned and said, "You want me to put this matter aside temporarily and wait for the development of the situation?"
Ye Qian Hucheng said: "If our army can march straight in, I believe the Empress Dowager will also be happy, and she will be able to explain it to the nobles, and it will undoubtedly have countless benefits for us in the Liao Kingdom!"
Handerang nodded and looked at Yeqihucheng with firm eyes, obviously determined, "Okay, I will do as you say!" Yeqihucheng was overjoyed, "Great!" Handerang warned: " But I have something to say first. It will take up to half a month. If it takes more than that, I can't do anything." Yeqi Hucheng nodded, "There will definitely be results in half a month, no problem!" Then he smiled and said: "The Prime Minister finally came here. Come on, let's have a good drink!" Then he called the soldiers and ordered them to go to the backyard to prepare food and drinks. The soldiers agreed and ran down.
Handerang and Yeqi Hucheng stood up and prepared to leave the hall. At this moment, a soldier officer led a dusty officer and ran in. The two couldn't help but stop when they saw this. The personal officer reported anxiously: "Your Majesty, there is news about Xixia!" Everyone was startled and immediately looked at the veteran officer. The officer reported: "Your Majesty, this villain is monitoring the enemy from the front. Scout, I suddenly heard a piece of news by chance this morning, saying, saying,..." The officer's face was full of panic. Perhaps he was too anxious, and the next words were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say it for a while.
Seeing this situation, everyone felt anxious. Ye Qi Hucheng shouted angrily: "Speak quickly! What news is it?" The officer's lips trembled, he swallowed, and said: "I heard, I heard that the Xixia Army They have suffered heavy losses and have retreated!" Seeing the officer's expression, Ye Qi, Hucheng and others had already guessed that it was definitely not good news, but when they heard the news from him, they couldn't help being surprised. It felt like it was in their hearts. A hope that I had been thinking about suddenly seemed to come to nothing. Ye Qian Hucheng frowned, was silent for a moment, and asked angrily: "Where did you get this news?"
The officer said: "The villain was ordered to ambush between Yanmen Pass and Datong Mansion to monitor Yan Yun's movements. This morning, the villain led his men to ambush in the bushes beside the official road and monitor as before. It didn't take long before there was Several Yanyun messengers appeared on horseback. The villains originally wanted to attack, but seeing that the opponent was running at full speed with no chance, they had no choice but to lie down on the spot. When the few Yanyun messenger cavalry passed by, they heard a few of them The horses were talking loudly, and one said: "The Xixia people are worse than the Khitan people, and our army of 300,000 was defeated by us like that!" The other said: "Who says no! In this way, we Yanyun can be said to be the best A great victory!' After that, the messenger cavalry ran away, and there was the sound of horse hooves again, and the following words could not be heard clearly. When the villain heard these words, he knew that something was extraordinary, so he hurried back to report to the king. !”
Ye Qian Hucheng snorted coldly, "I think those Han people knew where you were hiding, so they deliberately came to you and said those words!" The officer blinked in surprise, not knowing what to say.
Han Changdao: "What the king said is absolutely true! This matter is too coincidental. How come those few Yan Yun's messenger cavalry happened to come to our scouts and say something like that? I think it is nine out of ten that they are from Yan." Yun's plot! Maybe the situation in the south is critical, and Yang Peng wants to use this method to scare us away so that he can concentrate on dealing with the Xixia people!" All the generals nodded in agreement, feeling that what Han Chang said was very true.
Handerang frowned and said: "But these are just speculations!" Looking at Yeqi Hucheng, "Your Majesty, I think we should send someone to verify this situation." Yeqi Hucheng nodded and said to Han Chang: "Han Chang, You immediately send a few smart people to Xixia to understand the situation, and report back immediately if there is any information!" Han Chang agreed and hurried down.
After such an unexpected incident, Ye Qian Hucheng no longer had the mood to drink. He walked to the map, looked at it and started to think about it. He frowned tightly and kept thinking about one thought in his heart: Could it be that Yan Yun didn't even think about it? Xixia was also defeated...?
Xijing Road is not far from Xixia. A few days later, several officers sent to Xixia to inquire about information hurried back. The several officers all looked anxious and saluted to Yeqi Hucheng together. Ye Qi Hucheng asked anxiously: "How is it, is it fake?" Several officers raised their heads and looked at Ye Qi Hucheng with horrified eyes. The leading officer said: "Yes, it is true! "Everyone was shocked when they heard this.
The officer continued: "Li Zongdao's 300,000-strong army was almost wiped out!"
Ye Qian Hucheng was very angry, "How could it be like this? Yinzhou is a flat place. Even if we can't attack it, we won't be killed by Yan Yun in an instant and almost annihilate the whole army, right?"
The officer said: "I heard that the Yanyun Army set up an ambush at Shendui Station dozens of miles northwest of Yinzhou before the Xixia army arrived. Li Zongdao was unaware and was suddenly ambushed when passing by Shendui Station. The Xixia army was defeated and suffered heavy losses, and retreated to the Blackwater River. The Yanyun army followed and launched a fierce attack. The Xixia army's morale was shaken and they only resisted for one night. As a result, the military camp was breached and the army was defeated again. Originally, the Xixia army was defeated. The Xixia army might have been annihilated, but at this moment, Xixia's right wing general Li Cunxiao actually broke through Yanyun's Changcheng Ridge and invaded northern Shaanxi, forcing the Yanyun army on the front line to turn around and counterattack Changcheng Ridge. This allowed Li Zongdao's army to escape the disaster. Later, Li Zongdao led the remaining defeated soldiers and retreated to Xiazhou. After Li Cunxiao learned that the main force of the Yanyun Army had returned, he took the initiative to retreat and abandoned Changcheng Ridge and retreated Come to Hongzhou!"
Ye Qian Hucheng was extremely angry, "Is it over like this?" The officer nodded, "Yes."
Ye Qian Hucheng only felt that he was holding back a lot of anger but had nowhere to vent it. Han Derang sighed: "Yan Yun's Tiger and Wolf Master is indeed well-deserved! Hey, it seems that negotiating peace with Yan Yun is a wise move!" Although Ye Qi Hucheng was reluctant in every possible way, when things developed to this point, he What can I say.
Han Derang said: "Your Majesty, the matter has come to an end. Don't think too much about it. I leave the defense here to your Majesty. I will follow the orders of the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty to send envoy Yan Yun to negotiate peace with him."...
After Li Qingxia left Tubo, she went all the way eastward and went straight to Bianjing with smooth winds and rivers. First, Li Qingxia went to see Wang Qinruo, because she knew that Wang Qinruo was the minister most opposed to Yan Yun in the Song court, and the emperor trusted him very much.
"I didn't know that Her Royal Highness the Princess arrived, but I didn't come from a distance to greet her. I apologize for my sin!" Wang Qinruo came out to greet her with a smile on her face. Li Qingxia, who was wearing a long Hanfu dress, nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Prime Minister, don't be surprised if Qingxia takes the liberty of visiting!" Wang Qinruo said with a smile: "Her Royal Highness the Princess is a guest that I can't even invite. Now that the light has descended on my humble abode, the humble abode is filled with radiance." Ah!" Then he stepped aside, stretched out his hand and said, "Your Highness, please!" Li Qingxia walked into the hall, followed closely by two maids.
Everyone entered the hall and the guests and hosts took their seats. Wang Qinruo asked: "I wonder if Your Highness the Princess has come to this humble residence, what advice can you give me?" Li Qingxia smiled slightly and said, "I have long heard that the Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty, Wang Qinruo, is very talented, so I came here to make friends with the Prime Minister." Then she patted him. palm. Then two guards came in from the door, each holding something in their hands. The guard on the left held a long silk bag, and the guard on the right held a wooden box about a foot square. Wang Qinruo understood it, but pretended to be puzzled: "This is..."
Li Qingxia stood up, walked to the two guards, reached out and opened the wooden box. There was no bright pearl, but a thick and simple inkstone, and the dragon and the phoenix showed an extraordinary imperial aura. When Qin Hui saw this, his heart moved. Li Qingxia turned around, pointed at the square inkstone, and said with a smile: "The Prime Minister has studied ancient and modern times, so he must be able to recognize the origin of this ancient inkstone!"
Wang Qinruo stared at the ancient inkstone, frowned slightly and said uncertainly: "Could it be the legendary 'Dragon and Phoenix Duan Inkstone' of Empress Li?" Li Qingxia praised: "The Prime Minister is indeed extraordinary, he recognized it at a glance. I admire the origin of this square inkstone!"
Wang Qinruo chuckled, his eyes falling on the square inkstone and never leaving it, his eyes clearly showing great love. With Wang Qinruo's current wealth, gold, silver, and jewelry are no longer a thing for him, and only rare treasures such as the 'Dragon and Phoenix Duan Inkstone', which are full of literati temperament, can impress him.
Li Qingxia then opened the long silk bag, revealing a scroll. Li Qingxia waved to the two maids, who immediately stepped forward, carefully picked up the scroll, and slowly opened it. Wang Qinruo suddenly looked startled, stood up in a hurry, walked quickly to the scroll, looked at it with wide eyes, full of shock, and said with trembling lips: "This, is this the authentic work of Lanting's preface!?"
Li Qingxia smiled and nodded, "Yes. The Prime Minister has such a good eye!" Wang Qinruo said in disbelief: "I heard that the original Lanting Preface was buried in Emperor Taizong's tomb long ago. I didn't expect it. I didn't expect it. He will actually see the light of day again!”
Li Qingxia smiled and gestured to the two maids. The two maids carefully rolled up the Lanting Xu, put it back in the hands of the guards, and then retreated behind Li Qingxia. Li Qingxia pointed at the two things in the guard's hands and said with a smile: "These two treasures fell into my hands because of the secret of the pearl. But the Prime Minister is different. A person with a lot of knowledge can only be as good as eight fights. These two treasures can only be in the hands of the Prime Minister." That’s what you get!”
Wang Qinruo came back to his senses and couldn't help but said gratefully: "Oh, Her Royal Highness the Princess loves you so much, how dare I take it!" Li Qingxia smiled and said: "Why do we say such unreasonable words between friends!" Wang Qinruo nodded vigorously, "Let's We are friends, we are good friends!" He waved to the two Yu Hou next to him. They understood each other, came forward, picked up two treasures, and then stepped aside.
Wang Qinruo asked Li Qingxia to sit down, and they sat down. Wang Qinruo said: "It is Wang's blessing to be able to make friends like Her Highness the Princess. But if Wang is needed, just speak up!"
Li Qingxia smiled and said, "I don't dare. Qingxia has something to ask the Prime Minister for help." Wang Qinruo said that she was all ears. Li Qingxia asked: "I believe the Prime Minister has heard about the war between our country and Yanyun?" Wang Qinruo's heart moved and nodded, "I heard. The King of Yan went on a rampage and invaded the Xijing Road of the Liao Kingdom. Great Xia violently Yu Yi was angry and raised troops to rescue, but the war is still in a stalemate."
Li Qingxia frowned, "Yan Yun is so militaristic that he is a threat to everyone in the world. If we don't wipe it out early, everyone will not have a good life in the future!" Wang Qinruo glanced at Li Qingxia, "Your Highness the Princess wants us to be great. Song also sent troops to attack Yanyun?"
Li Qingxia nodded, "Exactly!" Wang Qinruo frowned, "Actually, Her Royal Highness and I have the same idea. Forces like Yan Yun that are arrogant, rude and trample on morality must be eradicated!" He said it with awe-inspiring justice! . She glanced at Li Qingxia and said, "To be fair to the princess, before the princess came, I persuaded your majesty more than once to take advantage of this opportunity to send troops to the north to eliminate Yan Yun as a future troublemaker in one go!" When Li Qingxia heard this, she couldn't help but feel anxious. , but she, who is well versed in diplomacy, remained calm, as if she didn't care too much. Seeing her like this, Wang Qinruo thought that Xixia was confident and didn't care so much whether the Song Dynasty sent troops.
After all, what happened next will be explained later.
