At that time, Xiao Qian bowed to Xiao Puxian's daughter again and said: "Let's start with the Queen Mother. At present, the enemy is strong and we are weak, and the situation is very clear. If our country fights hard with the Jin and Song Dynasties, the consequences will be very serious, and it will only accelerate the development of the Liao Dynasty." The country will be destroyed. In my opinion, under the current situation, we should show weakness externally to win sympathy, seek a turning point, and then make plans; internally, we should strengthen combat readiness and enhance defensive capabilities to ensure that Youzhou is not lost."
Seeing this, Xiao Puxian's daughter asked, "How do you say this? How do you show weakness?"
Xiao Qian said: "Report to the Queen Mother. At present, envoys should be sent to the Song and Jin countries respectively to profess vassalage to the Song and Jin countries at the same time in exchange for their agreement to retain the Daliao state body and the Yanyun area until the court relaxes in the future. After gaining momentum, it will not be too late to compete with Song and Jin."
Xiao Qian finally made a petition that was in line with Xiao Puxian's wishes.
No matter how tough Xiao Puxian's previous words were, she was actually testing the intentions of the ministers. In her heart, she had long wanted to surrender to the Jin and Song Dynasties to delay this special period; but as the actual ruler of the Liao Kingdom, she could not Speak directly to avoid causing the situation to get out of control and people's hearts to be distracted. Now that Xiao Qian said this, she naturally agreed very much.
However, Xiao Puxian is the empress dowager after all, so she still needs to maintain a minimum posture. Therefore, although Xiao Pu Xiannu agreed with Xiao Qian's petition in her heart, she did not show any expression on her face, but kept her thoughts hidden. She also wanted to hear the opinions of other ministers, especially generals such as Youzhou Defense Envoy Yelu Dashi and Youzhou Deputy Defense Envoy Han Wen. Xiao Puxiannu was worried that generals such as Yelu Dashi and Han We would not agree to the simultaneous declaration of vassalage in the Jin and Song Dynasties. If a dispute broke out in the palace, the situation would be difficult to control. Besides, after all, the battle has to be fought by these generals and soldiers, and it is necessary to clearly understand their mentality.
Therefore, after listening to Xiao Qian's suggestion, Xiao Pu Xiannu did not reveal her thoughts. Instead, she looked at Yelu Dashi and asked, "What do the defense officials think?"
The current situation is obvious, and it can only be so before there is room for maneuver. After hearing the conversation between Xiao Qian and Xiao Pu Xiannu, Yelu Dashi agreed with Xiao Qian's opinion deep down in his heart, but he still had thoughts on some details. Now, seeing the wise woman Xiao Pu asking for his opinion, Yelu Dashi quickly replied: "Quizhuang, what Prime Minister Xiao said is absolutely true. This is the only feasible way under the current circumstances."
After learning about Yelu Dashi's attitude, Xiao Puxian Nu felt a little unsure, so she looked at Han O again. Seeing Lady Xiao Puxian looking at him, Han Wen hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to Lady Xiao Puxian, and said loudly: "The Empress Dowager, I fully agree with the opinions of Prime Minister Xiao and the defense envoy. I will only follow the orders of the imperial court." .”
Xiao Pu Xiannu nodded and asked the other ministers: "What do you think, sir?"
The other ministers all meant this, but no one took the lead in saying it. Since Prime Minister Xiao Qian, Yelu Dashi, Han Ao and other important ministers and generals in the court took the lead in saying it, the other ministers naturally did not disagree, and they all replied: "Prime Minister and What the defense envoy said is absolutely true, and I agree with it."
Seeing that everyone in the court had a unified understanding, Xiao Puxiannu said: "My lords, Emperor Tianxi rode Hexi to the west and handed over the country of Liao Dynasty to the hands of a woman like me. I am a woman, and I don't have much money. Many ideas are supported by the support of the ministers. Now, since all the ministers have this intention, I will follow the wishes of the ministers and declare my vassalage to the Jin and Song Dynasties at the same time. Order Prime Minister Xiao to send envoys to the Jin Dynasty The two countries of Song and Song Dynasty should implement this matter as soon as possible."
Xiao Qian bent down and replied: "I obey your order!"
Xiao Puxiannu continued: "Instruct Yelu Dashi Defense Envoy and Han Ao Deputy Defense Envoy to strengthen war preparations and do a good job in Youzhou's defense."
Yelu Dashi and Han Ao replied loudly: "I obey the decree!"
Immediately, Xiao Puxiannu announced her withdrawal from the court.
Many ministers rushed out of the hall.
In the main hall, Yelu Dashi stood still. When Xiao Qian saw this, he knew that Yelu Dashi still had something to advise Xiao Pu Xiannu, so he stood still and wanted to hear what else Yelu Dashi had to do.
Seeing this, Xiannu Xiao Pu asked Yelu Dashi, "Dashi's defense envoy seems to have something to say?"
Yelu Dashi looked at Xiao Puxian and bowed to her and said, "I'll report it to the Queen Mother. I have something to report."
Xiao Puxian said: "It's okay to talk about defense."
Yelu Dashi looked at Xiao Puxian's daughter and bowed his head and reported: "I am going to report to the Queen Mother. Just now, all the ministers are in the palace. I have something to say, which I cannot tell you. Now, all the ministers have left the palace. Only the prime minister is here. I might as well give you advice. I hope the Queen Mother will adopt it.”
Xiao Puxian said: "Say it!"
Yelu Dashi said: "This is to be reported to the Queen Mother. This minister fully agrees with our country's declaration of vassalage to the Song and Jin countries. However, I believe that while professing vassalage to the Song and Jin countries, we should make all kinds of defense preparations. In my opinion, the Queen Mother should stay If there is a way out, determine where to go now, formulate emergency response strategies, and quickly evacuate to a safe place to prevent unforeseen events in the future."
Hearing this, Xiao Puxian said: "What the defense envoy said is absolutely true, and it is for the sake of my future. However, the defense envoy also knows that in the current Liao Dynasty, where can I go? Where is a safe place?"
Yelu Dashi looked at the virtuous daughter Xiao Pu and sincerely called "Queen Mother" with a very respectful attitude.
Xiao Pu Xiannu clapped her hands and continued: "As I said just now, Jiangshan Sheji is here, and the Khitan Xi people are there; Jiangshan Sheji is gone, what else do the Khitan Xi people do? The defense envoy is the Khitan royal family, and I and Prime Minister Xiao I was born in the Xi people, and the Khitan Xi people are from the same family. Now that the Khitan is suffering from this catastrophe, I will share life and death with the country of the Khitan, and there is no reason to escape. Therefore, I will not go anywhere, and will stay in Youzhou. , As long as Youzhou is not destroyed, we will be safe; if Youzhou City is destroyed, it will be a helpless matter, let’s talk about it then.”
When Yelu Dashi heard this, he was very sad.
Xiao Qian, who was standing next to him, said: "The Queen Mother, what the defense officer said was for the Queen Mother's safety. I completely understand it. However, as long as I am here, I will protect the Queen Mother unless I die."
What Xiao Qian said made Yelu Dashi feel very uncomfortable. Yelu Dashi thought to himself, I am the envoy of Youzhou's defense, and the safety of Youzhou depends on me. You said that with you here, the Queen Mother will be safe, so why should I go? Could it be that defending Youzhou is not my business but yours? The Queen Mother is only qualified to be defended by you, so we can’t protect the Queen Mother?
At that time, Yelu Dashi felt unhappy when he saw that, so he said: "Prime Minister, I'm afraid you will have to rely on your strength to speak, so it's better to be on guard."
Xiao Qian saw this and replied unhappily: "The current situation is like this. We should work together to overcome the difficulties. How can we say anything discouraging?"
"Prime Minister, what I said is not discouraging." Yelu Dashi said: "As the defense envoy of Youzhou, I have the responsibility to ensure the safety of the Queen Mother. I think I should be prepared, just in case."
"As the prime minister, I also have the responsibility to ensure the safety of the Queen Mother! The key is that we can only be safe now if we keep Youzhou intact. If Youzhou is lost? Where is the safety?!"
"The question is whether Youzhou will be lost or not, it is not our business. It is not up to us."
Xiao Qian heard what he wanted to say. Xiao Puxiannu hurriedly said: "You two are my humerus ministers. I know what you are talking about. Okay, don't say anything anymore. Go and do your own business. , when something happens later, I will call you to come and negotiate."
When Xiao Qian and Yelu Dashi saw this, they said goodbye to Xiao Pu Xiannu and went about their own affairs.
In Zhuozhou City, while Zhang Linghui led 8,000 elite soldiers, 500 fast cavalry and some officials to the Song camp to receive the surrender, Guo Pharmacist had completely controlled Zhuozhou City. The general of Yizhou also took control of Yizhou City after receiving orders from Pharmacist Guo.
At this time, there were more than 30,000 victorious troops in Zhuo and Yizhou. Zhang Linghui took away about 10,000 troops, Yizhou stationed 10,000 troops, and there were still about 10,000 troops left in Zhuozhou city. Guo Yaoshi then ordered Zhao Heshou and Zhen Kuohai to command Zhuozhou's 10,000 troops and be responsible for the defense of Zhuozhou; he also ordered Liu Shunren and Zhen Wuchen to rush to Yizhou to command Yizhou's 10,000 troops and be responsible for the defense of Yizhou.
Liu Shunren and Zhen Wuchen received the order and rushed to Yizhou.
Pharmacist Guo was in Zhuozhou City for two days in panic, but did not see any movement from Youzhou, so he gradually calmed down and waited for news to come back from Zhang Linghui.
Zhang Linghui, commanding 8,000 elite soldiers, 500 fast cavalry and the main officials from the four counties under Zhuozhou, also arrived in Xiongzhou the day before. On the way, in order to rush for time, Zhang Linghui handed over 8,000 elite troops to the command of his adjutant. He took 500 fast cavalry and the main officials of the four counties under Zhuozhou and galloped on their horses.
In Xiongzhou City, Wang, who was acting as an agent for military affairs, heard that the deputy commander of the Changsheng Army in Zhuozhou of the Liao Kingdom led five hundred fast cavalry and the magistrates of four subordinate counties in various states, and came to surrender. After receiving this report, Wang Zhen was greatly surprised and hurriedly summoned the veteran Zhong Shidao, Xin Xingzong, Yang Keshi and others to discuss it.
After Zhong Shidao and other generals arrived, Wang Zhong told Zhong Shidao and others about the situation, and finally said: "Old Zhong, Zhang Linghui, the deputy commander of the Changsheng Army, came to surrender. Is this reliable? Is it a scam? Zhong Shidao thought for a while and then said: "You can put Zhang Linghui and others into Xiongzhou City, and send other troops and horses to the camp on the way from Zhuozhou to Xiongzhou. If there are a large number of victorious army troops coming, There must be a fraud, and when that happens, Zhang Linghui will be beheaded first."
Wang Chen heard this and said: "What Lao Zhong said is absolutely true. Order!"
Zhong Shidao and other generals quickly stood up straight.
"Instruct Xin Xingzong to lead 20,000 soldiers and horses to the camp thirty miles outside the north gate of Xiongzhou. If any victorious army comes, resolutely block it and strive to destroy it."
Xin Xingzong replied loudly: "I will obey the order!"
Xin Xingzong immediately left the palace, rushed to the military camp, ordered 20,000 troops and horses, led them personally, and went to the stronghold thirty miles outside the north gate of Xiongzhou.
