Zhao Hong's question made Cao Youwen frown. He thought for a moment and then said carefully:
"Going back to the principal, there have been many years of war between the Song and Jin Dynasties. The people's livelihood has been in decline, the population is sparse, and the three passes and five states are in dilapidated condition. Only Xihezhou City and Mianzhou City are still intact. It is urgent to repair and improve the defense of Shukou."
"Principal, it's in such dilapidated condition, it's a complete mess! If we don't repair it, there will be a big mess!"
Cao Youwan was not polite and exposed the truth.
Compared to his elder brother Cao Youwen who is reserved, he is much more simple and rough.
"Principal, you brought us students to the cement factory, didn't you want to strengthen the defense of Shukou?"
Yu Jie reacted quickly and asked curiously.
The surrounding students all looked at Zhao Hong.
"Dear students, our Song Dynasty's border defense is because the Jin people are concentrated south of the Yellow River and mainly defend against the invasion of the Mongolian army. Therefore, most of the wars in the next ten years will be concentrated in the Shukou area in the northwest."
Zhao Hong suddenly turned his head and looked at Cao Youwen, his eyes burning.
"Cao Youwen, if I ask you to guard the three passes and five states, will you have the confidence?"
The famous Southern Song general Wu Jie severely defeated the Jin army in the Battle of Monkshangyuan and the Battle of Raofengguan, and the Jin army gave up its attempt to enter Sichuan from Shaanxi. Therefore, the Song Army established the Shukou Defense Line in Xisai, Shaanxi Province, named "Three Passes and Five Prefectures" to protect the security of Hanzhong and Sichuan.
The first line is the three passes outside Shukou: Dashan Pass, Huangniu Fort, and Zaojiao Fort. Sanguan borders Jinrenzhixia, and the "Iron Horse Autumn Wind Disperses Pass" in Lu You's poem refers to this place.
The second line is called the five states outside the pass: Fengzhou, Jiezhou, Chengzhou, Xihezhou, and Tianshuijun.
The third line is called the three passes in Shukou: Wuxiuguan, Shanrenguan and Qifangguan.
There are three passes and five states. The three passes are the gateways and the five states are the barriers. They not only echo each other, but also serve as layers of barriers to protect Mianzhou. Mianzhou was the strategic hub of Qin and Shu. It was a strategic town in the Southern Song Dynasty that "externally hoped for relations with China and internally protected Shu from the heart".
Zhao Hong asked Cao Youwen because he was from Shukou himself and was very familiar with the three passes and five states.
"Your Majesty, I will do my best until I die!"
Cao You heard that his heart was agitated, and he cupped his fists and bowed.
Guarding the three passes and five states, he is just a student of the Jinling Martial Arts Hall. Is the emperor kidding?
He looked at the emperor and the principal, but found that the principal and the emperor had a serious face, and it seemed that he was not talking casually.
"If you save people and lose people, you will lose both people and land; if you save people and lose land, you will gain both people and land. The purpose of war is to kill the opponent on a large scale. Cao Youwen, do you understand what I mean?"
Zhao Hong raised his voice so that all the surrounding students could hear him.
"I understand your Majesty's painstaking efforts!"
Cao You heard the voice and trembled slightly, then bowed again and received the order.
It seemed that the emperor really wanted to reuse him, and told him to put people first, preserve his strength, and not to act recklessly.
However, the jump from being a white man to the head coach of thousands of troops was so huge that he couldn't believe it.
Moreover, it wasn't that he didn't believe it, all the students didn't realize that the emperor's principal would put Cao Youwen in such high regard. Judging from their expressions, they just thought that the emperor's principal was motivating them.
"Your Majesty, the border fortress at the entrance of Shu is dilapidated, with high mountains and sparsely populated areas. It is better to only build a big city and give up repairing the dilapidated fortress. Otherwise, it will waste people and money, and the enemy can also take a detour. Firstly; secondly, the frontier fortress is not populated enough, so soldiers need to be recruited from Shu. . Recruitment camps can be set up in Lizhou and Chengdu Prefecture to ensure the source of troops and the safety of Shu. The second is; the third..."
When Cao You heard this, he stopped talking, and Zhao Hong couldn't help but be startled.
"Keep talking!"
This Cao Youwen, why should he be so concerned at this time?
"Principal, the borders are different and the inner territory is different. The most taboo thing is that the military orders are different, and the houses are different. If there are battles and escapes, defenders and retreats, and the battles and defenses are inconsistent, even a strong army that has fought a hundred battles will inevitably be defeated by each one and fall short of success."
Cao Youwen hurriedly explained, and Zhao Hong nodded heavily.
When Cao You heard this, he was reminded that civil servants led the troops, while the border generals were domineering, and the generals who led the army had no power. It also happened to coincide with his thoughts.
During the Dinghai Incident in history, as well as the Mongolian army passing through Hanzhong in the following years, the two Sichuan envoys Zheng Sun and Gui Ruyuan were afraid of the enemy and committed various evil deeds, resulting in the massacre of Sichuan soldiers and civilians, resulting in casualties. a few millions.
Zheng Sun and Gui Ruyuan will never have another chance to commit stupid crimes. But it remains to be seen whether the successor will repeat the mistakes of these two men.
"The principal wants to repair the Shukou border fortress. Could it be that he wants to use troops against the Jin people?"
Yu Jie boldly asked.
The emperor wanted Cao Youwen to garrison the three passes and five states. This was the front line in the northwest. The emperor's intention was self-evident.
"Although our dynasty has a deep hatred against the Jin people, you all know the truth of the death of lips and teeth. Now that the Tatars are powerful and their troops are indestructible, they are bound to invade our country, the Song Dynasty. Precaution will lead to success, and failure to preempt will lead to failure. Yu Jie and Cao Youwen , Meng Gong, and all of you, must be prepared to share the country's worries."
Zhao Hong's words made all the students worship together, and everyone looked solemn.
"I sincerely obey your Majesty's teachings!"
The principal's book "Tatar Policy", which contains an analysis of the Tatar army, has already aroused the vigilance of the students. However, all the students were also dissatisfied. For example, Cao Youwan, Lu Wende and others were looking forward to meeting the Tatar cavalry on the battlefield as soon as possible and having a great battle.
"Wang Jian, I know that you are a strong frontier general who has been on the battlefield for many years. I want you to go to Lizhou West Road to assist Cao Youwen and Lu Wende, but you will still be the commander of the army. I wonder if you are willing?"
The northwest frontier is a carrot and a pit. For the time being, this can only be arranged.
Wang Jian was slightly startled and quickly clasped his fists in salute.
"Principal, I will obey General Cao and General Lu! I will never complain!"
The emperor was so eloquent that he valued Cao Youwen and Yu Jie, could he say no?
"Students thank the principal for his immense kindness!"
"Students thank the principal for their kindness!"
Cao Youwen and Lu Wende knelt down to express their gratitude.
The emperor's meaning was clear. Both of them were at least commanders or above. Although I don’t know what the official position is, it is an important task for the emperor. As long as he has established military exploits, there is no need to worry about being prosperous.
"Everyone, get up."
Zhao Hong said solemnly, but his tone was gentle.
"The Battle of the Northwest may break out soon. Don't care too much about your position. I will see your contributions and your bloodshed and sacrifices."
He originally wanted Cao Youwen and others to serve as deputy positions, but after thinking about it again, he decided to take a risk. Instead of being obsequious, it’s better to get it right first time.
Even if Cao Youwen happens again, he will not be weaker than those civil servants and Shukou generals who fled without fighting. The famous generals in history who could stand up to the Mongolian army would not be so embarrassed.
"Principal Tian'en, students will not give up even if they die!"
Wang Jian quickly expressed his gratitude.
The emperor himself explained that he was satisfied with this painstaking effort alone. If you want to make great achievements, all you have to do is see the real results on the battlefield.
"Principal, the defense of Shukou is of great importance and affects the safety of Sichuan. Let the students go too!"
Yu Jie accompanied her with a smile and cupped her fists to beg for help.
Since the wars in the next ten years will be in the northwest, we have to get a share of the pie no matter what.
"Principal, let me go too!"
"Principal, students are also willing to go!"
All the students rushed to ask for orders.
"The students called today, Cao Youwan and Jiang Wanzai, all of you will be sent to Shukou to prepare for the future war."
Zhao Hong nodded, feeling excited about the students' enthusiasm.
With these hot-blooded men on the northwest frontier, he feels much more at ease.
"Guarding Sichuan and Xiangyang in the upper reaches, and guarding the Huaihe River in the lower reaches, it is not enough to defend the river. This is a good theory gained over thousands of years. The people of Shu are bloody and brave, and can train the best soldiers in the world. I intend to build a branch of the Jiangwu Hall in Chengdu to organize and train the new army. , prepare for future wars."
Zhao Hong's eyes swept over several people one by one. The young, determined and enthusiastic faces made him make an immediate decision.
"Cao You heard that I have appointed you as the official of Wuyi, the governor of Gemen Xuanzanshe, and the commander of all the troops stationed in Quanquanzhou West Road. Lu Wende is the commander of Lizhou West Road, Wang Jian and Lu Yuanting are the commanders of Lizhou West Road, and they are working hard. Prepare your weapons and prepare for war!"
Lizhou West Road is surrounded by steep mountains and requires strong guards to guard it. Cao Youwen and Lu Wende have historically been the most courageous of the three armies. Together with the two violent men Wang Jian and Lu Yuanting, they should have no worries.
"Yu Jie, I appoint you to be the official of Wuyi, the governor of Gemen Xuanzanshe, and the commander of all the armies stationed in Quanquanzhou East Road. Cao Youwan is the deputy commander of Quanquanzhou East Road, and Jiang Wanzai and Cao Erxiong are Lizhou. Commander of the East Road. Yu Jie and Cao Youwen are each other's horns, and I have secured the northwest corner of Shukou!"
Lizhou East Road is the Hanzhong Plain. Yu Jie is a master of defensive warfare in history, and Diaoyu City is his handiwork. Let Yu Jie and the fierce general Cao Youwan go to Hanzhong, assisted by Jiang Wanzai and Cao Erxiong, it should be enough to defend the city.
Cao Youwen, Yu Jie and others knelt down and kowtowed to the ground.
"I obey your decree! Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!"
Lizhou West Road is the border between Song and Jin Dynasties, governing Mianzhou, including three passes and five states. Lizhou East Road governs Xingyuan Mansion and is the gateway to Sichuan for the entire Hanzhong area. Both roads are the gateway to Sichuan from the northwest.
At such a young age, he was already a prince. No wonder all the generals were flattered and frightened.
"Cao Youwen, Yu Jie, do you know why you are given power? Two years later, if you can pass the test of war, you will be the true commander-in-chief. Otherwise..."
Why two years later? Because at that time the Mongolian cavalry would invade the northwest Song Dynasty. Whether they can pass the test of the Mongolian cavalry will be the basis for their retention.
As for Yu Jie, it was a further layout a few years later, related to the passage of the Mongolian army. He would not go into details to avoid confusion.
"Principal, don't worry, if the students fail to pass the test, they will automatically resign and become ordinary soldiers in the army!"
"Students too!"
Cao Youwen and Yu Jie said one after another, both of them unwilling to be inferior to others.
"Okay! Don't be afraid, but be confident and do it with your heart."
The students were in high spirits, and Zhao Hong was also full of expectations.
The northwest military is a top priority. To prepare for a rainy day, he had to send a group of students to the northwest to build a fence first.
"Dear students, considering the military situation in the northwest, some students of the first phase of the Jinling Martial Arts Hall will graduate ahead of schedule, and they will go with you to Shukou to train and prepare for war. I will go to the weapons manufacturing branch tomorrow. I will bring all the firearms. Bring it with you. When we get to Shukou, we have to make weapons and iron smelting, including the cement we need, and we can’t just transport it all the way from Jinling."
There are infinite possibilities hidden in young people. It's up to them to decide what kind of war will happen in the future.
Besides, the Mongolian cavalry that dominated the world should have ended their Western Expedition.
"What your Majesty said is absolutely true! I obey your order!"
All the students saluted together, and everyone was smiling.
"Let me remind you again, when you arrive in the northwest, train and prepare for war, and organize the frontier army, the imaginary enemy is the Tatar cavalry, not the golden soldiers. Therefore, how to deal with the cavalry during training is also a top priority."
Zhao Hong emphasized again and breathed a sigh of relief.
The war in the northwest border is about to start, and there are some things that must be prepared for a rainy day. Otherwise, we will be in a hurry when the time comes, and we will be ashamed of our countrymen.
"Your Majesty's teachings, students should take them to heart!"
All the students replied together, but they were all secretly suspicious.
In the northwest frontier, with the Jin Dynasty in the middle, would there really be a war?
