Tong Guan originally thought that as soon as the imperial army came out, the old people of the Central Plains, who had been ruled by the Liao people for a long time, would be happy to know that the imperial army was marching north and the king's army was marching north, and they would eat pots of pulp to welcome the king's army. Unexpectedly, Song Liao The Song people of the border generation, and even the people of the Song Dynasty in the Song realm around Xiongzhou, saw the mighty Song soldiers and horses coming. They did not cheer and jump in greetings, nor did they eat pots of pulp to welcome the king's army. They just stood up. From a distance, Xiang Lian waited and watched, paying little attention.
Tong Guan, who was riding on a tall horse, felt a lot disappointed when he saw this scene. The situation was different from what he thought, which disappointed Tong Guan.
Tong Guan secretly thought that this place is far away from the Central Plains and outside of education. It is full of ignorant and unruly people who do not know how to eat pots of pulp in order to welcome the king's elegance. In this case, this time the commander-in-chief will continue to Fight it and win a few battles, so that you and other unruly people can open their eyes and adapt to the dynasty.
Along the way, Tong Guan only led the troops forward, and still did not convene a meeting with the generals to study the battle strategy.
The closer we got to the border of Liao Kingdom, the more panicked Zhong Shidao felt.
Zhong Shidao thought that for such a large military operation, a complete battle plan must be prepared in advance so that the generals below will know how the battle will be fought and how to coordinate with each other. Now, as the head coach, Tong Guan only focuses on urging the troops to advance without communicating with his subordinates. Who knows what he is thinking? As the territory of the Liao Kingdom gradually approached, how would the court respond if the Liao Kingdom took the initiative to attack? Even if the Liao Kingdom does not take the initiative to attack, and the Song Dynasty soldiers and horses directly attack the Liao Army, how sure is it of winning?
Zhong Shidao, who was following the rear army, thought about this matter more and more, and felt something was wrong, so he said to Yang Keshi: "General Yang, we are now gradually approaching the border of Liao Kingdom. At present, the army is advancing so rashly, and there is no one." After the specific strategy has been explained, if we are attacked by the Liao army, the consequences will be disastrous. I feel that we must pay a visit to Privy Council Xia Tong and persuade him to suspend the army for discussion. Only after a detailed strategic plan is formulated can we proceed."
Yang Keshijian said, and persuaded the master: "Commander, it's not like you don't know Privy Tong's temperament. Privy Tong probably already has a plan in mind, and there will be detailed arrangements for the next step."
"What if he doesn't have a plan in mind? General Yang, war is a big deal, involving the lives of the imperial officers, how can it be a piece of cake? How can you trust someone based on feelings? Sometimes feelings are unreliable, only real subordinates , to be reliable."
Master Zhong was obviously anxious.
"Commander, you should have a good idea about your relationship with Privy Tong. In view of the general, it is better not to go. If Commander insists on going, he will definitely make fun of him this time."
Master Zhong said: "Since I am being teased by him, I have to go. After all, war is a big deal and involves the lives of soldiers. It is not a child's play."
Therefore, Zhong Shidao arranged for Yang Keshi to stabilize the rear army. He galloped forward alone and came to Tong Guan's central army.
After arriving at the Central Army, Zhong Shidao came directly to Tong Guan's horse. After bowing to Tong Guan on the horse, he walked alongside Tong Guan.
When Tong Guan saw this, he felt very unhappy.
Tong Guan thought to himself, I am the commander-in-chief and a privy envoy of the imperial court; you are a general under my command, and the official position is far different. What qualifications do you have to keep pace with me? Is there any rule left? When there is a war, military orders are like mountains. If you are like this, how will I command you? !
Zhong Shidao didn't care whether Tong Guan was happy or not, so he turned to Tong Guan and said: "My Lord Privy Council, I have been ordered to come to Baozhou to greet you, and to accompany you to the north to conquer Liao. This is my duty. I dare not be negligent; however, I have lived in northern Xinjiang for a long time and am well aware of the Khitan's habits. I have doubts about the army's strategy for the Northern Expedition and have to speak up."
Tong Guanjian said, snorting but making no comment.
Seeing this, Zhong Shidao continued: "Your Excellency, although the Khitan is currently under attack by the Jurchens, its territory is vast, its soldiers and horses are strong, and its strength cannot be underestimated. Your Excellency, this expedition to Liao must be treated with caution. You must first find out the military situation and make a decision." Strategy, and then proceed steadily. It is better for me to see your lord go there rashly, I am afraid there will be something wrong."
Tong Hao was arrogant because he had just defeated Fang La. In addition, he had many conflicts with Zhongshi Dao in the past, and he resented him in his heart. How could he listen to Zhongshi Dao's opinions? !
At this time, Tong Guan was already unhappy because he was walking alongside him as a teacher. Tong Guan thought to himself, who are you? You are my subordinate general, how can you keep pace with me? ! Are there any distinctions between superiority and inferiority? ! When a war breaks out, should I command you or you command me?
Then, after hearing Master Zhong's words, he felt even more unhappy.
The two displeasures were superimposed, and Tong Guan couldn't bear it anymore. After Yu Zhongshidao said the above words, he glared twice and reprimanded loudly: "Old Zhong! The emperor has an order, who dares to disobey it?! As a border general, you don’t want to contribute to the country. How dare you make lies and confuse the public?! How do you know that I have not considered everything? You have no boss and despise me. You should have been dealt with by military law! I miss you for a long time. At the border, although there is no merit, there is still hard work. I will spare you for the time being, why don't you step back?! You just obey the commander's orders and act according to the orders; since there is a huge problem, the commander will take responsibility for it. !Back off!”
Zhong Shidao was reprimanded by Tong Guan in public. He lost face and was extremely angry. However, there were so many military orders that he had no choice but to turn his horse's head and return to the rear army with a sigh.
In the rear army, Yang Keshi came to see Zhong Shidao frustrated. He knew that Zhong Shidao had been reprimanded by Tong Guan, so he comforted Zhong Shidao in every possible way.
Tong Guan led the three armies and looked north, gradually approaching the boundary of Xiongzhou.
Xiongzhou was a state in the Song Dynasty adjacent to Youzhou in the Liao Kingdom. After passing Xiongzhou, we arrived at the Baigou area at the junction of Song and Liao Dynasties.
Those stationed in Youzhou are the generals of the Liao Kingdom, the general manager of Youzhou's troops and horses, and the Youzhou defense envoy Yelu Dashi.
At that time, Emperor Yelu Yanxi of Tianzha escaped to a place called Jiashan in the Yin Mountains in the name of hunting. In the name of capturing Yelu Yanxi, the Jin soldiers led thousands of horsemen led by Wanyan Zongwang, and more than 10,000 infantry led by Wanyan Nianhan. They came to Youzhou City and besieged the city for more than ten days. In Youzhou City, because they could not get in touch with Emperor Yelu Yanxi of Tianzha, they established King Yelu Chun of Wei as emperor, with Xiao Qian serving as the envoy to the Northern Privy Council, and Yelu Dashi as the commander-in-chief of troops and horses to fight against the Jin soldiers.
Several days after the Jin soldiers besieged the city, they received news from spies in the city that Emperor Tianzuo Yelu Yanxi was not in the city and was hunting in the west. Wanyan Zongwang learned this information and led thousands of horse troops to pursue Emperor Tianzuo Yelu Yanxi westward. Wanyan Nianhan's more than 10,000 infantrymen continued to besiege Youzhou City.
More than ten days later, Wanyan Nianhan received an order from Wanyan Aguda. The Southern Dynasty was responsible for capturing Youzhou City, and the Jin army stopped attacking Youzhou. Wanyan Nianhan received the order and withdrew from the siege.
Seeing that the Jin soldiers withdrew the siege, Yelu Chun, Xiao Qian, Yelu Dashi and others, who had been besieged for more than ten days, just breathed a sigh of relief when they received an urgent report that Tong Guan, the privy envoy of the Song Dynasty and the inspector general, was commanding the troops. More than 200,000 people are coming to Youzhou to kill them.
Yelu Chun and Yelu Dashi were shocked when they heard that Tong Guan was leading troops to kill and that they had arrived in Xiongzhou and wanted to regain Youzhou. They hurriedly discussed countermeasures with Queen Xiao Pu Xiannu.
Yelu Chun said to Xiao Puxiannu, Xiao Qian, Yelu Dashi and others: "Our country has signed the Chanyuan Alliance with the Song Dynasty. The two countries have been good friends for more than a hundred years. For more than a hundred years, the two countries have exchanged envoys. There is nothing inconsistent in congratulating each other on the country. At present, the Jurchens invade the south, and the Liao Dynasty is in crisis. It is at the moment when our country is fighting against the Jin Dynasty. The Song Dynasty betrayed its trust and attacked our country. In fact, it helped Zhou do evil and added insult to injury. . What do you think about this situation? How should you deal with it?"
"When soldiers come, they will be blocked, and when water comes, soil will cover them." Yelu Dashi said: "Your Majesty, there is no way to do this. We have to prepare our troops and fight to the death with the Song Dynasty."
The wise woman Xiao Pu on the side said: "The Song army is not something to worry about. What should be worried about is the Jurchens."
When Yelu Chun, Xiao Qian, Yelu Dashi and others saw this, they all turned to look at Xiao Pu Xiannu.
Xiao Pu Xiannu continued: "The Song Army has never had a war in a hundred years. The only wars it engaged in were the suppression of the Liangshan bandits and the suppression of the Jiangnan civil uprising. These were just minor ailments at home, and there were no major external problems. In the current war, there is no need to worry about its strength. Under the current situation, we should first send envoys to dissuade the Song army from advancing northward, so that our country can spare its energy to fight against the Jurchens; if the Song army insists on advancing northward, we can fight it in the Baigou area. If we can’t win, we will naturally withdraw our troops and return south.”
Compared to some grown men, Queen Xiao Puxian seems to be more assertive.
Yelv Chun, Xiao Qian, Yelu Dashi and others believed that Xiao Puxiannu's opinion was correct, so they summoned Yelu Sheng, the deputy envoy of soldiers and horses in front of the palace, and ordered him to go to Xiongzhou to meet with Song Army commander Tong Guan to dissuade him from cherishing the two lives. We should maintain the friendly relations between the two countries, abide by the covenant signed by the two countries, stop their troops and return south, and do not help the Jin attack the Liao, so as not to lose both sides and let the Jurchens benefit.
Yelu Sheng was ordered by Yelv Chun and Yelu Dashi to gallop to Xiongzhou to meet Tong Guan, the commander-in-chief of the Song army.
Yelv Sheng galloped on his horse on the way to Xiongzhou, when he encountered the Song Dynasty soldiers and horses coming in force. Seeing this, Ye Lusheng felt anxious, so he jumped off his horse, stretched out his arms, stopped the Song army soldiers and horses in front, and shouted loudly: "Stop the army! Stop advancing!"
Seeing this, the former general of the Song Army stopped his horse in a hurry and shouted loudly: "Who is it? What are you going to do?"
Yelu Sheng stretched out his arms, blocked the road, and replied loudly: "I am Yelu Sheng, the deputy envoy of soldiers and horses in front of the Liao Palace and the military envoy of the Liao army. I have been ordered to send your army as an envoy. I want to see your marshal."
The former general of the Song Army asked about the situation and ordered the soldiers to take Yelu Sheng to the central army to see Privy Council Tong Guantong.
The soldiers received the order and brought the Liao army envoy Yelu Sheng to the front of Tong Guanma, the headquarters of the Chinese army.
Arriving at the front and rear of Tong Guan's horse at the headquarters of the Chinese Army, Yelv Sheng jumped off his horse, looked up at Tong Guan who was riding on the tall horse, and reported loudly: "To the Marshal of the Southern Army, I am the deputy envoy of the Liao Army in front of the Liao Palace. The military envoy Yelu Sheng has been assigned by General Yelu Dashi, the commander-in-chief of the army and horses of our country and the defense envoy of Youzhou, to come as an envoy to your army and stop the army first."
When Tong Guan saw this, he reined in his horse.
Behind Tong Guan, all the generals, soldiers and horses stopped.
