Zhending city.
The emperor soon received Cao Bin's letter, looked at Kou Zhun and Pan Renmei with a smile on his face and said:
"You have been worrying for a long time in vain, Juncai really has a clever plan!"
Kou Zhun nodded and said:
"Zhongjingwai's plan is extremely feasible."
"As long as Xiao Gulu is defeated, the war between Song and Liao is almost certain."
As he spoke, he hesitated for a moment and couldn't help but say:
"But by pretending to be a saint, can you deceive the people of Liao?"
"Once the enemy finds out, it will be very difficult to lure the enemy."
Hearing this, the emperor was also stunned. He glanced sideways at Kou Zhun and felt a little uncomfortable when he saw him looking at him.
This guy wants to take risks again.
To him, the emperor seemed to have become a tool that could be used repeatedly.
At this time, Pan Renmei said quickly:
"Master Kou, don't talk nonsense. How can your majesty be involved in danger? I think it's better to follow what Cao Bin said and find someone to pretend to be a holy driver."
Kou Zhun glanced at him lightly and said unceremoniously:
"Who will pretend to be Your Majesty, Lord Pan?"
As he spoke, he nodded thoughtfully and said:
"Master Pan should indeed be responsible for this matter. After all, you are the supreme commander-in-chief of our Song Dynasty."
"I often accompany you on the road, and I am most familiar with His Majesty's royal aura!"
When Pan Renmei heard this, she immediately panicked. Cao Bin had already stated in the letter that he would send Mu Guiying to lead an ambush.
Once she carries an old grudge and is a little late in rescuing her, she may very well follow in the footsteps of the Yang family in Golden Beach.
So, he quickly covered his mouth and coughed a few times, and said as if he was about to die:
"Your Majesty, I'm a humble minister... I've been feeling cold recently!"
Before he could finish speaking, Kou Zhun became serious and shouted:
"Master Pan, as the head of the state and an important minister of the imperial court, do you want to retreat from the battle?"
Seeing that the emperor was also staring at her with glaring eyes, Pan Renmei felt as if she were mourning for an heir, and secretly cursed Kou Laoxi in his heart.
Even Cao Bin did not escape his slander...
Another three or four days passed in a flash.
On the march, Pan Renmei sat alone in the royal chariot, feeling depressed:
To him, Kou Zhun was nothing, and Cao Bin was a bastard with bad ideas!
Only sending 7,000 people to accompany them to "escort" them, how could they stop the Liao army's 30,000 cavalry?
However, Cao Bin did not expect that Kou Zhun would trick Pan Renmei into going into battle in person.
On the way to Dingzhou, Pan Renmei was extremely careful. The team walked very slowly for fear of being ambushed.
At this moment, the horse's hooves suddenly sounded like thunder. Pan Renmei was startled and couldn't help but get out of the chariot and shouted:
"The enemy is attacking, prepare for battle!"
Eunuch Zhang who was serving on the side quickly pulled him off and said:
"My Lord Pan, you are not the commander of the army now, but you represent His Majesty."
"We have to wait for muddy weather to cut off the enemy's retreat!"
Seeing countless cavalry rushing towards her, Pan Renmei felt her scalp numb. She didn't care about the eunuch's advice and hurriedly ordered her soldiers to defend on the spot.
He did not dare to put his fortune and life in Mu Guiying's hands.
For a moment, swords and guns were like a forest, and crossbows and arrows were flying randomly.
After only holding on for two quarters of an hour, the Song army was rushed into the formation by the enemy's cavalry.
Pan Renmei's face turned livid and she roared:
"Why hasn't Mu Guiying arrived yet? Could it be that she wants to avenge her private revenge?"
As he spoke, he quickly waved his command flag and shouted:
"retreat!"
With that said, he didn't care about the chariot, mounted his war horse, and ran away.
Because he ran too fast, he fell off his horse and was almost trampled to death.
Mu Guiying was stunned when she received the spy's report.
Xiao Gulu attacked the "fake holy driver" but did not send all his troops. There were nearly 20,000 people watching the battle.
She didn't expect that Pan Renmei didn't trust her from the beginning and couldn't hold on for even half an hour.
But now, she can only attack in advance. Even if she can't annihilate the Liao army, she can't care about it...
at this time.
Cao Bin and others were standing on the city wall of Dingzhou, looking at the Liao army camp on the other side of the Tang River.
In the winter weather, the plains were filled with lingering fog. The Liao army's stronghold was like a giant sky-devouring beast lying quietly in front of Dingzhou City, extremely calm.
Sister Yang frowned and gritted her teeth and said:
"Yelüren is so stable, there is no movement at all."
Cao Bin shook his head and said: "It seems that this tactic of luring the enemy is not very effective."
According to the originally agreed upon plan, if the Liao army discovered that the Emperor of the Song Dynasty was moving forward, Yelvren would take action first.
It is very possible to take the opportunity to attack the city and contain the military strength of Chengzhou.
Now it seems that Mu Guiying, who went to ambush Xiao Gulu, may not go well.
Sure enough, before noon, Mu Guiying brought someone back to hand over the order:
"Xiao Gulu was very alert and only sent out 10,000 cavalry troops to test."
"As soon as I showed up, their troops retreated directly south."
Sister Yang seemed to have thought of something and said bitterly:
"I think Pan Renmei must have done it perfunctorily. Then the Holy Master is fake at first glance. How can he tempt the Liao people to be fooled?"
As she spoke, she slammed the table and said angrily:
"Such a clever plan allowed the Liao people to escape. It's really a treacherous minister."
Seeing that Mu Guiying's face was serious and she didn't speak, Cao Bin knew that Sister Yang's guess had come true.
However, he was not surprised. Judging from the appearance of the Liao army, he might have already suspected it.
Even if Pan Renmei performs perfectly, she may not be able to completely annihilate Xiao Gulu.
This became a problem.
If there were thousands of people wandering around in the rear, it wouldn't be a big deal and they wouldn't cause much harm.
As long as each place defends carefully, they can be killed even if they are exhausted.
But this time there are too many enemy troops, and Xiao Gulu is personally leading them. If they fail to lure the enemy, it will become a disaster.
After several battles, although the Liao army did not take advantage, the Song Dynasty's military strength was also somewhat stretched.
If they cause any trouble in the rear, the Song Army will be very passive...
Two days later, a soldier came to report:
"Master Marquis, the imperial edict has arrived."
Cao Bin and others looked at each other and hurried to greet him.
Mu Guiying and others' faces were ashen as water. In their opinion, it would definitely not be a good thing to send the holy edict to the front line at this time.
They are very experienced in this...
"Master Marquis, if His Majesty deposes you, we will not agree to it."
Zhong Erlang had been helping Cao Bin manage military affairs. Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, he suddenly said angrily.
Cao Bin was startled, gave him a kick and said angrily:
"If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will kill you..."
Sister Yang originally wanted to show her attitude, but when she saw Erlang Zhong being kicked, she immediately shrank her neck in fright and did not dare to say anything.
Lu Junyi shook his head and glanced at Zhong Erlang, feeling that this man was too stupid.
Yan Qing quietly pulled his sleeves and whispered:
"Outside members should interact with this person more often..."
Seeing Cao Bin and his people coming, Zhang Douzhi, the chamberlain who delivered the order, was very enthusiastic:
"Master Cao, thank you for your hard work leading the troops."
Cao Bin was stunned for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:
"Zhang Douzhi, I wonder what your Majesty's orders are."
Eunuch Zhang clapped his hands, and several young eunuchs immediately ran up to him.
Two of them brought over several wooden trays, and a young eunuch pushed out a four-wheeled cart.
"This is?"
Cao Bin was puzzled.
Eunuch Zhang chuckled and said:
"Your Majesty learned that the Marquis likes to pretend to be Zhuge, so he specially ordered someone to tailor a suit for the Marquis."
As he spoke, he waved and said:
"Hurry up and try to serve the Marquis!"
I saw the little eunuchs putting on turbans, cranes and feather fans for themselves.
Cao Bin bowed deeply, looked south and bowed, and said with tears in his eyes:
"Your Majesty's kindness can never be repaid even if I die."
Although most of his behavior was pretending, he was really moved by it.
