The army walked for more than half a month before arriving near Lingzhou.
The city is backed by the Yellow River, and there are dry canals everywhere for dozens of miles to the east.
This is a water conservancy project of the Xixia people, but for the Song army, there were some obstacles.
Not far after crossing the ditch, we saw the Song army's camps connected together with an endless line of sight. The "Song" and "Yang" flags were fluttering in the wind in the village.
A middle-aged general with a big belly and many lieutenant generals greeted Cao Bin outside the camp.
Mrs. She and other female generals from the Yang family were also among them.
This middle-aged man is the general marshal of this Western Expedition, Zhang Shanfu.
He is the cousin of the late Queen Zhang and the niece-in-law of the Queen Mother.
Compared with Pang Yu and Pan Bao, two watery "uncles", he is a serious relative of the emperor.
Seeing this, Cao Bin reached out and made a stop gesture, and the long army behind him immediately stopped slowly.
Seeing him dismounting from his horse, Zhang Shanfu opened his arms and laughed loudly:
"Juncai, I've been waiting for you like rain, and now you've finally arrived!" "
"With talented people here, the destruction of Xixia is just around the corner!"
When Cao Bin saw this, his expression suddenly changed and he showed a brighter smile. He took the initiative to hug Zhang Shanfu and said modestly:
"The marshal is overly praised. I am just a stupid person. How dare I become a marshal with such a high reputation?"
"Having Marshal Zhang again is the Xixia people's nightmare!"
Zhang Shanfu was hugged by Cao Bin and looked confused.
Mad, how come this guy is more enthusiastic than me? Could it be that you have something in mind?
Thinking of this, he immediately became vigilant.
The two people were not familiar with each other before, but now they were like relatives, which made everyone feel chilled.
At this time, Zhang Shanfu suddenly said:
"Hey, I heard that the talented army is rich in food and grass, and the army is supplied..."
Before he could finish speaking, Cao Bin said with a strong force:
"Marshal, our camp is running low on food and grass. From now on, the army's supply will all depend on Marshal Zhang!"
Cao Bin was on guard from the beginning if he showed courtesy for nothing and was either a traitor or a thief.
At this time, hearing Zhang Shanfu's voice, Cao Bin knew what he was planning.
Here comes a preemptive strike!
Zhang Shanfu was hugged by him with such force that he couldn't breathe. He quickly slapped Cao Bin's armor and said:
"Let go, Juncai, let go..."
Seeing Zhang Shanfu rolling his eyes, everyone reacted and said quickly:
"Uncle Zhongjing, stop it, the marshal is about to be strangled to death by you."
After Cao Bin let go, Zhang Shanfu took a long time to catch his breath and almost died on the spot.
Without waiting for his accusation, Cao Bin quickly apologized:
"I didn't expect the marshal to be so weak. Oh, what a sin!"
Zhang Shanfu looked at Cao Bin with some fear in his eyes, and he had no intention of fighting with him, so he hurriedly arranged the camp and ran away.
Looking at Zhang Shanfu's back, Sister Yang couldn't help but smile, and said with a loud "poof":
"Deserve it!"
At this time, Mrs. She said:
"Uncle Zhongjing, you might as well come and sit in my camp."
Cao Bin wanted to know about the situation in Lingzhou, so he readily agreed.
Seeing the gloomy expressions on the faces of the female generals of the Yang family, Cao Bin asked:
"What teachings does the old lady have?"
Seeing Taijun She's signal, the articulate Sanniang of the Yang family began to narrate.
It turned out that after the Yang family borrowed grain and grass from Cao Bin, they almost destroyed every city and village, and soon arrived at Lingzhou City.
On the way, they also obtained some food and grass in Mingsha County.
When they marched in a hurry and arrived at Lingzhou City, the city's defenders were caught off guard. They didn't even have time to block the city gate, and they were about to be succeeded by the Yang family.
However, he did not expect that Zhang Shanfu sent a special envoy and strictly ordered the female generals of the Yang family not to attack the city. They must wait until he arrived to encircle Lingzhou.
The female general of the Yang family was almost angry to death.
But Mrs. She hesitated again and again, and finally did not dare to disobey Zhang Shanfu's order.
In order to gain credit, Zhang Shanfu directly crossed the Hanhai Desert and reached Lingzhou City in a few days.
Then, the female generals of the Yang family were assigned to the outskirts of Lingzhou and asked to intercept the Xixia reinforcements.
This clearly shows that they want to grab the credit.
Lingzhou is the most important gateway to Xixia, and its success in breaking the city is second only to the attack on the capital of Xixia.
What's even more outrageous is that Zhang Shanfu actually took advantage of the Yang family's female generals to move camp and used his status as generalissimo to steal more than half of their food and grass.
These days, Zhang Shanfu has been attacking the city and does not allow the female generals of the Yang family to participate.
Cao Bin couldn't help but be speechless after hearing what happened.
Can you tolerate this?
"The old lady will just let Zhang Shanfu dominate?"
The Yang family's aunt said helplessly:
"Zhang Shanfu is the head coach of this Western Expedition. If we disobey the order, wouldn't it be disloyal?"
"Once he sues the court, the officials will most likely blame my Yang family."
"What's more, he and the Xixia generals have been defeated several times. After all, we still have a chance to make a contribution..."
Mrs. She said with some embarrassment:
"So our Yang family has to borrow food from Uncle Zhongjing!"
"There is only half a month of food and grass left in the camp."
After speaking, she added: "I am willing to write another IOU."
Cao Bin: "..."
At this moment, Lu Zhishen suddenly broke in and cursed:
"My uncle is not well. Zhang Shanfu brought people to our camp to grab food."
Sister Yang said angrily:
"Zhang Shanfu has gone too far. He already has a month's supply of food and grass in his camp. If he takes away all of it, what will we do?"
When Cao Bin heard this, he was a little depressed and asked me why I had become so popular.
It turns out you are waiting for me here.
Sanniang of the Yang family said: "Cao Bin, only you can control him..."
But Taijun She waved her hand: "Sanniang, don't fight against the enemy. Let's help Cao Bin stop Zhang Shanfu."
Hearing this, Mu Guiying breathed a sigh of relief and said:
"In fact, we should have stopped giving in a long time ago. Even if we resist the order, we still have to go to the court to debate."
Cao Bin was not as scrupulous as them, he stood up and said with a curse:
"Made, he bullied me, I won't tolerate him!"
After saying that, he turned around and left.
Seeing this, Taijun She quickly advised: "Cao Bin, don't be impulsive..."
With that said, he quickly followed with the female general of the Yang family.
When he arrived at his camp, Tong Guanzheng held up an imperial edict and shouted proudly:
"If you dare to steal the food and fodder of our Yanyan Army, the imperial court has already issued a decree. We, the Yanyan Army, will not accept anyone's restraint."
Zhang Shanfu looked a little ugly and cursed:
"Tong Guan, you damn eunuch, aren't you the commander of the Hedong Army? Why did you become a dog in the Yanyan Army?"
He originally wanted to frighten Cao Bin's subordinates while Cao Bin was away, and get the food and grass first.
Unexpectedly, Tong Guan was in Cao Bin's army, which was a miscalculation.
What's even more unexpected is that Cao Bin got a special license. What a bastard court.
Tong Guan jumped on his feet and cursed:
"Uncle Cao and I are working together, can you take care of me?"
He also has a backer, and he doesn't look down on Zhang Shanfu at all. What's more, he has to rely on Cao Bin to share his merits and atone for his sins. Of course, he must express his loyalty.
Seeing Cao Bin and others arriving, Zhang Shanfu's expression changed and he said sarcastically:
"Juncai is here. I am just taking precautions. Since Juncai has this decree, I won't bother you."
"When my camp runs out of food and grass, you must lend it to me. Farewell... Farewell!"
Seeing the smile on his face, Cao Bin was speechless. Damn, he was such a smiling tiger.
Sister Yang said bitterly:
"You see, this bastard takes credit when he sees it, and takes advantage when he sees it. He is greedy and shameless."
"It takes someone like you to control him..."
Cao Bin was speechless, what kind of person am I?
