After dealing with Song Jiang and Lu Junyi, Tong Guan stopped worrying and began to concentrate on the Northern Expedition to Khitan and the recovery of the homeland of the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun. After careful analysis and research, Tong Guan felt that the reason why the previous Northern Expedition failed was because it was carried out too hastily, the war was advanced too hastily, and no effort was made in coercion and siege. While the Khitan military strength still existed, they risked The attack was carried out, but the result was a stalemate. In the next second campaign to conquer the Khitan, conquer the Khitan, and regain the homeland of Yanyun, the imperial army will adopt the strategy of encircling but not attacking, attacking but not fighting, forming a high-pressure situation against the Khitan, promoting its internal division, and recruiting and surrendering The enemy generals in order to weaken their defense strength and finally regain Yanyun's homeland.
After Tong Guan made a detailed study and judgment on this strategy, he felt that it was feasible, so he went to Wang Fu, Cai Jing, Gao Qiu and others to ask for their opinions on the Northern Expedition to Khitan.
After hearing what Tong Guan said, Wang Fu felt that he was too cautious and should attack forcefully to consume the Khitan's strength and not give the Khitan a chance to breathe. Finally, he captured Youzhou and Yunzhou and recovered the lost territory of Yanyun. Cai Jing and Gao Qiu agreed with Tong Guan's approach and felt that it was better to siege rather than attack, attack rather than fight, and focus on siege and attack both ways. The best strategy was to divide the Khitan from within. After all, the Khitan was now facing the Jurchens and the Song Dynasty at the same time. The pincer attack from two sides will inevitably collapse. What the imperial army should do is to wait for this opportunity.
Seeing that Cai Jing and Gao Qiu strongly agreed with Tong Guan's strategic plan, Wang Fu also agreed. Finally, several people agreed and came together to meet Emperor Huizong.
Tong Guan first reported: "I am going to report to Your Majesty. Previously, Your Majesty arranged for Na and Academician Cai to study the Northern Expedition to Khitan and the recovery of Yanyun's homeland. After discussing with Academician Cai, I also consulted Grand Master Cai, Prime Minister Wang, Taiwei Gao, etc. People’s opinions are now reported to the Holy One regarding the relevant situation.”
Emperor Huizong was overjoyed when he saw this and said hurriedly: "Hurry up and play."
Therefore, Tong Guan reported his strategy for the Northern Expedition to Khitan to Emperor Huizong.
After hearing this, Emperor Huizong turned to Cai Jing and asked, "Has Grand Master Cai considered Privy Tong's strategy in detail? Is it feasible?"
Cai Jing responded: "Your Majesty, I have discussed Privy Tong's strategy in detail with Privy Tong. I believe that the Khitan will collapse when faced with the attack from the imperial court and the Jurchens at the same time. The imperial army's northern expedition will Advancing in order to retreat, besieging rather than attacking, attacking rather than fighting, focusing on encirclement and both in siege and siege will definitely cause internal divisions in the Khitan, and the Khitan enemy generals can be recruited and surrendered, weakening the Khitan's defense capabilities. At that time, Yanyun's homeland can Restoration."
Emperor Huizong was overjoyed when he heard the report, and immediately said: "My lords, since this is the case, there is nothing better. I think that in the northern expedition to Khitan, we should only besiege but not attack, and attack but not attack. We should focus on siege, and use both siege and siege to promote it." In addition to internal divisions, we must also be prepared for a must-win battle. After all, the Khitan may not be what I want. In the previous campaign, Song Jiang and Lu Junyi conquered Fangla. They were sure to win every battle and were invincible. They had strong combat capabilities. I think, Should Song Jiang, Lu Junyi and others also be transferred to the army to participate in the war together to ensure the success of the military operation of the Northern Expedition to Khitan?"
When Cai Jing, Wang Fu, Tong Guan, Gao Qiu and others heard what Emperor Huizong said, they were all surprised and looked at each other.
At this time, Gao Qiu took a step forward and reported: "Your Majesty, how can you use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? Although the previous Northern Expedition failed, the imperial army was not defeated, and the Liao army did not win. It was just a stalemate between the two sides. Today Under the circumstances, the situation is favorable to me, and the Khitan is already at its wits end! It is only a matter of time and timing for the Northern Expedition army to defeat the Khitan and regain Yanyun's homeland. Huguang is the granary of the imperial court and is responsible for material supply. The stability of Huguang is crucial; Song Jiang and Lu Junyi are loyal to the emperor and serve the country, and they will definitely be able to take on this important responsibility. It is better to stay where they are."
Huizong loved listening to Gao Qiu's words. As soon as Gao Qiu finished speaking, Emperor Huizong expressed his position: "What you said is absolutely true. Song Jiang and Lu Junyi will stay in their posts and be responsible for the supply of strategic materials. Privy Tong and Academician Cai are very interested. This expedition to Liao will replenish the frontline troops to the second level." One hundred thousand, let Privy Tong be the commander, Academician Cai be the supervisor, and Liu Yanqing be the general vanguard."
Cai Jing, Wang Fu, Tong Guan, Gao Qiu and others looked at each other again. Seeing that Huizong no longer called Song Jiang and Lu Junyi, they put their hearts in their stomachs and replied loudly: "I will obey the imperial edict!"
After the court dispersed that day, several treacherous ministers and traitors went about their own affairs. Emperor Huizong came to Li Shishi again, and it was inevitable to drink and have fun.
I think about it every day and dream about it at night. That day, Huizong had just had a few drinks when he felt sleepy. The lighted lamp suddenly dimmed, and then a cold wind blew up in the hall.
Emperor Huizong looked closely and saw a man wearing a yellow vest standing in front of him. Emperor Huizong was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Who are you? How did you come here? Didn't you see me and Concubine Ming drinking wine?"
The man in the yellow vest leaned to the ground, kowtowed to Emperor Huizong three times, and cried: "Your Majesty, I am Dai Zongye, the divine protector of Song Jiang's subordinate in Liangshan Bo."
When Huizong saw this, he was curious and said: "Don't cry. You are a hero from Liangshan, loyal to the emperor and patriotic, accepted by the court, went south to attack Fangla, and won a great victory. I have ennobled you and you, and you have all taken office. You Why are you here? Do you have anything to report?"
Dai Zongzou said: "Your Majesty, I dare not disturb the Emperor for no reason. However, my brother Song Jiang is only on the left and right. I am eager to see the Emperor. Therefore, I have been sent to invite you. I invite you to come with me and drive with you."
Huizong heard the memorial and said, "Since Song Aiqing is here with us, why not meet me in person?"
Dai Zongdao said: "As a reminder to the Emperor, it is inconvenient for my brother Song Jiang to come to see you, so I have only been appointed to come here. I respectfully ask for an audience with you, Your Majesty."
When Emperor Huizong heard the memorial, he was very confused and thought to himself, throughout the ages, only ministers have come to see their lords, how can any lord go up to see his ministers? However, Song Jiang was not someone else. Song Jiang was an upright person, loyal to the emperor and the country, a benevolent and righteous person, and could not stick to routine. With this in mind, Emperor Huizong said to Dai Zong: "If it were anyone else, I would definitely not be willing to go there in my car. Song Aiqing has worked hard and accomplished a lot, so she should be an exception. I should go in person."
Immediately, Emperor Huizong followed Dai Zong out of the backyard and saw that the horses were ready.
Dai Zong asked Emperor Huizong to ride on horseback.
Huizong then rode on the horse. The horse immediately soared into the sky like clouds and mist. A flying swallow had no time to dodge and was trampled under the horse's hooves.
Huizong, who was riding on the horse, felt as if he were in heaven. He could hear the sound of wind and rain in his ears, which made him feel very comfortable. In the blink of an eye, he arrived at a destination. But see:
The long smoke and water, the faint clouds and mountains. Not looking at the brightness of the sun and moon, only the water and sky can be seen. The eyes are covered with red polygonum flowers, and a continent of green reed leaves. Two pairs of mandarin ducks, playing in Shazhujitou; pairs of mandarin ducks, sleeping by the side of Baihe Ting. The frosty leaves in the forest are covered with thousands of fire dragon scales; the dew flowers on the embankment are clustered with thousands of pairs of golden beast eyes. The light moon, sparse stars and long night scene, the cool breeze and cold dew in autumn.
At that moment, Huizong was riding on his horse. He was attracted by the scene in front of him and could not see enough. He asked Dai Zong, who was following him in his vest: "Let me ask you, where is this? There are mountains and rivers here, with mountains and rivers alternating with each other, and the sky is blue. The clouds are white, the springs are clear, and the scenery is much better than my Long Live Mountain."
When Dai Zong asked, he pointed to the pass on the mountain and said, "Sage, please go there and you will know when you get there."
When Huizong heard this, he rode up the mountain and walked through the three passes.
When Huizong passed the third pass, he saw more than a hundred people lying on the ground, all generals wearing robes and armor, uniforms and leather belts, and golden helmets and armor.
Huizong was shocked and secretly said, I am fighting with the Liao State in the north to recapture the sixteen states of Yunyan; the Jurchens in the small country of Waner in the northeast are rising, and they are watching with eager eyes; the Xixia party is in rebellion in the northwest; at this moment, it is the time to employ people, how can I I wonder if there are so many mighty people in this place? If I had known earlier, I would have reused them all, and I was afraid that the Liao Kingdom, the Jurchens, and the Dangxiang would be the worst offenders!
Huizong was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Who are you, sir? Why are you gathered here? What kind of place is this?"
The leader of the crowd knelt forward and said with tears: "Your Majesty, it is clear that I am the pioneer officer Song Jiang who went through life and death and charged into the battle to annihilate Fang La. The person kneeling behind me is Liangshan One Hundred and Seventh from Shangying Tianxing. He is also a great general. Your Majesty is currently in Liangshan Village."
Huizong was even more surprised when he heard this and said hurriedly: "Song Aiqing, I have granted you the title of pacifier in Chuzhou. All other generals, except those who died for the country, have also been granted the title. Why are you here?"
Song Jiang said: "I and others, Jin, please invite the Holy Spirit to the Loyalty Hall, and let me and others express their true feelings in detail and complain about their unjust death."
Immediately, Huizong, surrounded by Song Jiang and others, came to Zhongyi Hall and sat on the first chair in Zhongyi Hall. He looked down and saw many people kneeling in the smoke, all with sad faces.
Huizong also felt sad in his heart and asked: "Why are you crying? What's wrong with you? Just tell me and I will make the decision for you."
Song Jiang stepped forward and said with tears: "Your Majesty, please listen to what I have to say. To tell the truth, in the past, I and others roared in the mountains and forests to resist the heavenly soldiers. They committed serious crimes and deserved heavy punishment. However, I and others were originally good people and were loyal and righteous. The soldiers had no choice but to go to Liangshan. They were loyal and righteous in their hearts and had no different intentions. Thanks to the grace of the Holy One, the ministers ignored their safety and obeyed the Holy One's order to cross the river to fight against the thieves. All the brothers and sisters were destroyed, and only seventy-eight of them were left. Not much. I am reporting to the Holy One that I am not complaining like this. It is actually the traitorous ministers in the imperial court who have deceived the saints, harmed the country and the people, and caused endless harm. I have been greatly favored by the Holy One and ordered to guard Chuzhou. Since I took office, I have not dared to do anything. I am not lax at all, I am honest and dedicated to my duties, I have no friendship with the army and the people, and the heaven and the earth know it. I have an ice-hearted heart, and I am honest and upright. I am worthy of heaven, worthy of the earth, and worthy of the Holy One. I have something to say to the Holy One, and I have something that I cannot think of. To find out the explanation, I first cried and cried and asked, begging the Holy One to give an explanation."
When Huizong heard this, he was very confused and said hurriedly: "What do you want to ask? Just ask."
Song Jiang knocked his head three times on the ground, causing his forehead to be damaged and bleeding profusely.
When Huizong saw this, he was really frightened and panicked.
