On the way to the palace, Zhong Shidao vomited blood; when he was in the palace to see Qin Zong, he vomited blood several times, which made Li Gang very worried. Li Gang was worried, so he followed Zhongshidao's sedan chair all the way to Zhongshidao's mansion.
Master Zhongdao got off the sedan with the help of his entourage. Li Gang, who was following Zhong Shidao's sedan, also got off the sedan. He came to Zhong Shidao in a few steps and asked Zhong Shidao: "How does General Zhong feel?" Zhong Shidao struggled to take his hands away from his companion and clasped his hands in fists. , bowed to Li Gang, and replied: "Thank you, Mr. Li, for caring about me. I am in good health. Since Mr. Li is here, I respectfully invite you to come into the house, and we will discuss the policy of pursuing the Jin army."
When Li Gang saw this, he also bowed to Master Zhong and said, "Master Zhong, please!"
Master Zhong bowed his waist and made a gesture of invitation: "Master Li, please!"
The two made concessions, and Li Gang went in front, followed by Zhong Shidao, and entered Zhong Shidao's mansion.
Zhong Shidao asked Li Gang to sit in the guest seat, then sat down in the main seat, looked at Li Gang and said: "Master Li, just now, you and I entered the palace and went to the palace to see the Holy One and requested to send troops to pursue and annihilate the Jin army. The Holy One accepted it Bai and Li are coaxing you and me not to send troops to pursue the Jin army. The Jin army is a tiger and wolf army and is greedy. If we don't annihilate it now, we will leave troubles in the future. I'm afraid we will regret it in the future!"
When Li Gang heard this, he was very frustrated and sighed: "Even so, what should we do?"
Zhong Shidao thought for a while and said: "It is better to secretly send troops to the Yellow River ferry to intercept the Jin army. In my opinion, as long as we win this battle, everything will not be a problem."
Li Gang saw it and thought to himself, yes, the key is to win the battle. As long as the battle is won, it will not be a problem to resist the decree or not. Not only is it not a problem, but you can also create immortal achievements and get praise from the emperor. ! Thinking of this, Li Gang hurriedly catered to Master Zhong and said: "What General Zhong said is absolutely true. When the country is facing a crisis, if we, the ministers and generals, don't step forward, who will step forward? Even if it is a cliff thousands of feet high, it is still necessary to sacrifice one's life for the country. No hesitation. Old General Zhong, I support your idea. In the opinion of the old general, who should be sent to lead the troops to the Yellow River ferry to intercept the Jin army."
"Zhong Shizhong!" Master Zhong said: "Although Shizhong is my younger brother, he is resourceful, brave and good at fighting, and is worthy of a great responsibility. The ancients said that when promoting a virtuous person, one should not avoid relatives. I recommend my brother to be a commander, not because he is honored as a high official, but as a minister. Going to the front line in person to kill the enemy and perform meritorious service cannot be called selfish; the ancients also said: father and son go into battle, brothers fight tigers. For such an important military operation, I can only feel at ease if I send my younger brother to join the army."
Li Gang left his seat, clasped his hands in his fists, bowed his head deeply and said loudly: "The old general is upright, magnanimous and selfless, and I admire him greatly. I respectfully ask the old general to send the division general to lead the troops as soon as possible. If it is too late, the success will be lost."
Zhong Shidao immediately issued an order to his younger brother Zhong Shizhong to quickly lead the Western Army's tens of thousands of soldiers and horses to the Yellow River ferry. They ambush the soldiers and horses. When the Jin army crossed the river, they suddenly attacked and annihilated the Jin army on the bank of the Yellow River. .
The herald came out of the house, led out a fast horse, climbed on the horse's back, whipped the horse's butt, and the horse suddenly jumped up and galloped away like lightning.
At this time, the prime ministers Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan were in the palace, using their eloquent words to seduce Emperor Qinzong and not allow the imperial troops to intercept the Jin army, so as not to cause another war and cause great disaster.
Bai Shizhongwang Qinzong bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty. Just now, Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang entered the palace and coaxed the Holy One to send troops to intercept the Jin army that was about to retreat back home. Your Majesty, Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang had ulterior motives. Achieve your own eternal achievements and put the court in a dangerous situation. Your Majesty, the Jin army is a tiger and wolf army, cruel and ferocious. Over the past few days, the Jin army has besieged the city, burned, killed, looted, and committed all kinds of evil, and the people, soldiers and civilians have been in ruins. Fortunately, the army and the people were united and fought against the stubborn enemy to protect the capital. Now, the Jin army had no choice but to retreat. This is really a blessing from God for the Song Dynasty! At this time, we should send the Jin army out of the country as a gift, rather than intercept the Jin army, so that If the war breaks out again, the imperial court will be in danger!"
Li Bangyan helped from the side and said: "Zhong Shizhong and Li Gang's idea of intercepting the Jin Army is really a wishful thinking. Since they can intercept the Jin Army and win, how can the Jin Army approach the city and approach the trench? At that time, Zhong Shidao and Li Gang were there Where? Now, the imperial court has made great sacrifices and finally retreated against the Jin army. Zhong Shidao and Li Gang caused trouble again and provoked the Jin army. Isn't this ignorance of current affairs and getting into trouble? Well, they heroes want to establish eternal merits. Absolutely, the key point is that they are betting on His Majesty’s country and country! If they die, they will die. What will happen to His Majesty’s country and country? What will happen to the more than 10 million civilians, soldiers and civilians in the imperial court? My Lord, Zhongshi Dao, Li Gang’s request, tens of thousands Don’t allow it, otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous!”
Qinzong was originally a wallflower with a cowardly temperament. He was coaxed and deceived by two treacherous officials, Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan, and verbal threats were added. The original desire to intercept the Jin army disappeared without a trace.
Qinzong looked at Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan and said: "What the two ministers said is absolutely true. Lao Zhong and Li Qing tried their best to request that they send elite troops on the bank of the Yellow River. When the Jin army crosses the river, they can gather together to annihilate the Jin army in the Yellow River. On the shore, I did not give permission. Just now, the two ministers requested me, and I very much approved it. I am afraid that Li Qing, an old man, will not obey the order and sends troops privately to the bank of the Yellow River to fight the Jin army. What should I do? "
Bai Shizhong asked: "Your Majesty, please issue a decree. I and Prime Minister Li will supervise the army and horses of the country. Once any abnormality is discovered, they will stop it. Anyone who resists the decree and does not respect it will be killed without mercy. If you don't believe it, you can't control the soldiers and horses of the imperial court." I will never allow anyone to harm the Holy Land and the country."
Qin Zong said: "What you said is absolutely true. I will draw up the decree right now."
Immediately, Qinzong wrote the imperial edict in his own hand. The decree said: It is carried by heaven. The emperor issued an edict: Soldiers and horses are important weapons of the country and cannot be mobilized by private individuals. Because the defense around Bianjing is only needed, the country's troops are under the supervision of Prime Minister Bai Shizhong and Tongping Zhangshi Li Bangyan. No one is allowed to mobilize any soldiers without the permission of Prime Ministers Bai and Li. Anyone who violates this rule will be killed without mercy. No need to petition. Admire this!
After Qinzong wrote the imperial edict, the palace official delivered it to Bai Shizhong, who was standing under the dragon case. Bai Shizhong unfolded it and took a look. He was overjoyed and handed the imperial edict to Li Bangyan. Li Bangyan was also overjoyed after seeing it. Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan knelt on the ground, kowtowed and cried, "I am so grateful to the Holy One for my faithfulness. Even if I die, I will not be able to repay His grace! I will do my best and die till my death." Complete the important tasks assigned by the Holy Father.”
Immediately, Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan said goodbye and left the palace.
After Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan left the palace, they stood on the street and discussed matters.
Bai Shizhong said: "Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang have asked the Holy Emperor to send heavy troops on the bank of the Yellow River to intercept the Jin army. If this happens, the war will definitely reignite, with extremely serious consequences. The most urgent task is to stop Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang sent out heavy troops."
Li Bangyan said: "Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang are both stubborn people and cannot be controlled by you and me. As we see it, we should send troops and horses as soon as they arrive to stop Zhongshi on the way to the Yellow River ferry." The soldiers and horses sent by Dao and Li Gang; secondly, inform the Jin army Wanyan Zongwang and let them prepare in case they are attacked by Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang. The soldiers and horses sent by the imperial court can also protect the Jin army from retreating, just to avoid trouble. Seek peace."
Bai Shizhong said: "What Prime Minister Li said is absolutely true. This is an urgent matter. It must not be delayed. It should be arranged immediately."
Li Bangyan nodded and said: "Extremely yes! Absolutely yes!"
The two men hurried back to the Prime Minister's Mansion, summoned Wei Zhiyu, the commander of the imperial guards, and ordered him to lead the imperial army of 30,000 troops and set up formations more than 200 miles away from the capital. Except for the Jin army, no troops were allowed to go to the Yellow River. At the ferry, anyone who disobeys the order will be killed.
Wei Zhiyu said: "You two prime ministers, if they are imperial soldiers and horses, are you not allowed to go to the Yellow River ferry?"
Li Bangyan said: "General Wei, the purpose of sending you to lead the troops this time is to prevent the imperial troops from going to the ferry and intercept the Jin army. General Wei should also know that the Jin army is a tiger and wolf army. They are cruel and ferocious. Once angered, they will retaliate." Siege the capital, capture the city, burn, kill and loot, and the people, soldiers and civilians will suffer misfortune. General Wei, let me tell you the truth, I sent you here this time to stop the troops sent by General Zhong and Li Liushou. According to the original estimate, Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang have already taken action. You must not delay. You can send 10,000 troops and horses in advance, lightly armed, in front of Zhongshi Dao and Li Gang, and do not allow them to go to the Yellow River ferry."
Wei Zhiyu replied: "General, I will obey the order!"
Wei Zhiyu turned around and prepared to leave. Bai Shizhong shouted again: "General Wei, wait!" Wei Zhiyu stopped when he heard the words, turned around, looked at Bai Shizhong, and asked: "What other orders does Mr. Bai have?" Bai Shizhong said: "If the name is not correct, then the words will be spoken. Not going well. The Holy One has issued an imperial edict that all troops and horses in the country are under the supervision of Prime Minister Bai and Prime Minister Li. No one is allowed to mobilize a single soldier without the permission of Prime Minister Bai and Li. Anyone who violates the rule will be killed without mercy and no petition is required. Wei General, if you take this imperial edict with you, it may have some effect at a critical moment."
Immediately, Bai Shizhong handed Emperor Qinzong's imperial edict to Wei Zhiyu. Wei Zhiyu took the imperial edict and held it in his arms. He looked at Bai Shizhong and Li Yanbang and bowed to each other and said: "The matter is urgent. I will take my leave and lead my troops to set off immediately to prevent any troops other than the Jin Army from going to the Yellow River ferry."
Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan nodded and said: "That's very good! That's very good!"
Wei Zhiyu turned around and walked out of the hall with long strides.
"General Wei, please stay!"
Li Bangyan shouted again.
Wei Zhiyu stopped again, turned around, looked at Li Bangyan and said, "What are your orders, Mr. Li?"
Li Bangyan said: "General Wei, if you don't speak clearly, you may misunderstand the matter. You are blocking the imperial troops and horses this time to allow the Jin army to return home safely, so as to avoid further disasters and harming the people, soldiers and civilians. Therefore, if you encounter the imperial troops and Jin troops, The army can assist the Jin army in fighting and ensure that the Jin army can cross the river safely. Do you understand what I mean?"
Wei Zhiyu nodded and replied: "The general will understand!"
Wei Zhiyu then bid farewell to Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan, returned to the barracks, mobilized 30,000 soldiers and horses, and sent an army of 10,000 horses to set off first, rushing to 200 miles north of Bianjing to set up camp to prevent the imperial troops from heading to the Yellow River ferry. Wei Zhiyu led the remaining 20,000 infantrymen, following the cavalry army, and rushed two hundred miles north of Bianjing.
