Wei Mingshan was happy to see that Cao Bin was not fooled, and was immediately disappointed.
But he had already made up his mind to die once, and if he was asked to commit suicide again, he would not be able to do it again.
Listening to the shrill screams at the foot of the mountain, the fragrant clouds behind Cao Bin hesitated to speak.
At this time, Cao Bin waved his hand and said:
"Okay, don't add more firewood!"
Seeing this, Mi Yixiangyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Even if she followed Cao Bin, she would still be from Xixia. When she saw her compatriots being killed, she would naturally feel unbearable.
It's just that when the two armies are fighting, either you die or I die. She knows that she is not qualified to ask Cao Bin for mercy.
At this time, I felt extremely grateful to see that he was able to open up a new window for me.
By the time the fire was extinguished, it was already evening.
The blood-red setting sun was crumbling, and the lingering smoke was rising from the valley, and a sense of sadness arose spontaneously.
"Uncle, I will take people down to search."
Wu Song asked for orders.
Cao Bin waved his hand and said:
"Go ahead and save him if he's still alive."
After the war, an inventory showed that there were still three to four thousand people in the Xixia remnant army, and Wei Mingshanxi also survived.
It's just that he was covered in black and gray, and he was in an extremely embarrassed state, and was protected by his subordinates in a shallow cave.
"Eighty thousand, my 80,000 Daxia men are all lost here."
When Wei Mingshanxi was captured, tears flowed down his face and he was filled with regret.
He never imagined that when he came in high spirits, he would end up with his entire army wiped out.
Cao Bin ignored him and just took him to the court to ask for merit.
The next day, after Cao Bin met with Zhong Shiheng, he went straight to the Xixia Hengshan camp without any delay.
One hundred thousand stones of grain and grass were found, as well as various kinds of soldiers and armor, and countless silver coins.
This was neither a city nor a Xixia palace, so there was no need to hand over the money, so Cao Bin made the decision and distributed it to his soldiers.
Each person had forty or fifty guans, which caused the soldiers to burst out with great enthusiasm.
Later, when he saw Cao Bin bringing all the food, Zhong Shiheng smiled bitterly and said:
"Marshal, our army has too much food. If we add this hundred thousand stones, it will be enough for us to eat for more than half a year."
However, Cao Bin firmly stated that he must bring food and grass.
It's not that he has the reputation of foresight and knows that Xixia wants to strengthen its walls and clear the country.
As a Chinese from later generations, after watching too many war dramas, the fear of insufficient firepower has been burned into his bones.
The firepower that Cao Bin understood included weapons, food and all other logistical needs.
He would never allow his soldiers to fall into the predicament of having outdated weapons and fighting on an empty stomach.
How could Zhong Shiheng understand Cao Bin's obsession? Seeing his persistence, he could only bring all the food with him...
Soon after, the Privy Council received the report of the Battle of Mizhi. Pan Renmei almost jumped up when watching the battle.
He did not dare to delay and quickly reported the good news to the emperor.
After receiving the news, not only the Political Affairs Hall and the Third Division, but also the Si Jian Yuan, who was responsible for the New Deal, gathered together.
The emperor looked at the report of annihilating 80,000 people and conquering Hengshan. He excitedly turned around three times and kept saying:
"Okay, okay!"
"I didn't expect that the first good news was sent by Cao Bin. Eighty thousand Xixia cavalry. Cao Bin is really my guard."
Pan Renmei immediately seized the opportunity and said:
"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty. This attack on Xia is expected to be complete."
Fu Bi and others were also full of excitement, feeling that the rise of the dynasty was today, which would be a life-sustaining medicine for the New Deal.
Cai Jing, however, hid back, fearing that the emperor would see him.
After all, I had used careful tactics before Cao Bin went on the expedition. If the emperor thought of him, he might get a meal.
The emperor was full of joy and waved his hand: "I want to reward you..."
Cai Jing's eyes twitched, but Pan Renmei raised her hands in agreement:
"Your Majesty is wise. If Uncle Zhongjing knows that Your Majesty is so kind, he will be even more courageous."
Fu Bi pondered for a moment and said:
"The war in the northwest is not over yet, and it is against the court's rules to award rewards at this time..."
"Bo Zhongjing's army is so good, it's better to let him act easily and no longer be controlled by the military boy from Hedong."
The emperor pondered for a long time and then nodded:
"First, give his wife Pang the title of a third-grade lady. After Xixia is defeated, she will be rewarded together!"
When the ministers heard this, they were stunned for a moment. This was equivalent to promising Cao Bin a title.
The canonization granted by the court to a woman is generally equal to the rank of her husband.
The rank of earl is the fourth rank, and the third rank corresponds to the marquis...
Seeing that the ministers had no objection, the emperor waved his hand and said: "Okay, let's draw up the decree..."
Putting aside the reaction of the court, other groups were also anxious when they heard that Cao Bin had made such a great contribution.
Since Cao Bin can defeat 80,000 with 50,000, it proves that Xixia is nothing more than that.
The credit that comes from heaven will not be taken in vain.
So they urged the army to advance bravely and diligently.
In the following more than half a month, Cao Bin defeated Yinzhou, Xiazhou, and Yanzhou. He was almost certain to win the battle, attack and capture, and was invincible.
The military front was directed at Lingzhou, the gateway to Xingqing Mansion.
It's just that there's a lot of moisture in it.
Xixia's policy of strengthening the walls and clearing the country has been issued. These cities have been emptied of food and supplies, and there are not even many defenders.
Only then did Zhong Shiheng react. He couldn't help but wiped his hands with cold sweat and said:
"Thanks to Marshal Cao for not giving up the food and grass, otherwise we would be in a dilemma if we didn't have enough food and grass!"
Looking at the heavy rain outside the window, Zhong Dalang nodded and said:
"Father is right. It's been raining heavily for days now. If we don't have food and grass, we will be trapped and die in Yanzhou."
Xixia is located in the northwest, and has experienced droughts and little rainfall in previous years.
This year, for some unknown reason, after Cao Bin captured Yanzhou, it suddenly rained heavily, making it impossible to march.
At this moment, the guard came to report:
"Deputy Commander, Mr. Gong, the Hedong Army Supervisor, would like to see you."
Zhong Shiheng was stunned for a moment, and when he was about to speak, Zhong Dalang quickly stopped him and said:
"Father, this man is the nephew of Grand Master Pan Renmei. He has a very good relationship with Concubine Pan. Don't offend him."
Zhong Shiheng nodded and smiled:
"Don't worry, Dalang. I'll still have Marshal Cao up there, so don't worry."
After a while, a handsome young man hurriedly walked in, cupped his hands and said:
"Deputy Commander Zhong, I am here to transport grain and grass on the order of Commander Tong."
Zhong Shiheng frowned and said, "What does Gong Jianjun mean?"
Gong Jianjun said:
"Your Yanyan Army is under the control of our Hedong Army. Now our army is short of food and the supply is insufficient, so I came to you to adjust the food supply."
Zhong Shiheng muttered: "This matter still needs Marshal Cao's approval."
Supervisor Gong seemed to have been suppressing it for a long time. After hearing these words, he could no longer hold back the anger in his chest:
"That fellow Cao Bin has a heavy responsibility for the imperial court. He just doesn't want to serve the country. He is sleeping at home."
"I have been waiting for half an hour, but he actually avoided seeing me. What do you want to do?"
"I advise you to prepare food for me immediately. If you dare to delay, I will impeach you and so on..."
Half a month ago, he and Tong Guan were a little jealous when they heard that Cao Bin had killed a general and made a great contribution. In order to march as quickly as possible, they only brought less than a month's worth of food and grass.
Unfortunately, not long after they entered Xixia, they got lost in Dijinze.
After finally getting out of the desert and arriving at Youzhou, he didn't get even half a grain of food. Even he himself had been hungry for several days.
That bastard Cao Bin kept him waiting for more than half an hour and didn't even give him anything to stutter...
