Yanjing, Tongzhou, August, early autumn.
Tongzhou, which means "Water Transport and Tongji", is the northern terminus of the canal and the east gate of Yanjing, only fifty or sixty miles away from the city of Yanjing.
On the surface of the canal, the sound of artillery fire continued one after another. Hundreds of Mongolian and Song Dynasty warships were engaged in a not fierce battle.
On the river, the Song Navy's artillery fire was intensive, the Mongolian warships were beaten to pieces, and the Mongolian navy suffered heavy casualties. The warships of both sides approached, and the Song Navy's warship was smashed like a thunderstorm, and there were screams and cries from the Mongolian Navy's warship.
The sparse feather arrows on the Mongolian warships had no lethality at all. At a distance of several hundred steps, they were directly stunned by the Song Army's artillery.
"You don't even have artillery, how dare you call us a navy?"
Liu Zheng snorted coldly and directed the Song army's sailors to row forward vigorously to attack the Mongolian army warships that were stubbornly resisting.
On the river, warships were constantly being broken and blown up, and the river water poured in. The Mongolian sailors panicked and jumped into the rolling river to escape. The river was full of Mongolian soldiers swimming to escape. However, the Mongolian warships blocked the river and also affected the progress of the Song warships.
Feather arrows kept coming from the Mongolian warships, and the Mongolian troops on the shore also added fuel to the fire, taking the opportunity to shoot the Song troops. The two sides came and went, and the battlefield entered a stalemate.
"Artillery, shoot!"
"Zhentian Lei, prepare!"
Liu Zheng shouted angrily, and the Song army raised their shields to protect him. The artillery on the warships fired continuously, and the river was filled with smoke. The Mongolian navy was beaten and fell down one after another. Both those on the shore and on the ship were suppressed by the Song army's artillery fire and could not lift their heads.
The Song Navy took the opportunity to light thunderbolts and hit the Mongolian army.
Throwing like thunderstorms, the Mongolian army suffered countless casualties, and followed the Song army's spearmen to rush onto the opponent's warship. The Mongolian troops couldn't stand the bloody fighting scene and fled back one after another.
"Escaped...!"
Liu Zheng cried out in surprise.
"If you were bombarded indiscriminately by artillery and thunder, you would flee like them."
At some point, Wu Qian, the commander of the navy, got on the deck and directed the navy officers to clean the battlefield and clear the river.
In the future, we will rely on this waterway to provide food, grass and baggage to the Northern Expeditionary Army, so it must be kept open.
The river was quickly cleared, and the warships entered the river section from Tongzhou to Yanjing City. Yanjing City was already within easy reach.
On the south bank of the canal, smoke and dust billowed, and soon thousands of horses galloped and rolled in.
Lu Wende saw the Song Army's cavalry formation clearly. He put down his telescope, rode forward, and shouted loudly.
"Brother Cao, you are finally here!"
"Lu Wende, we meet again!"
When they arrived, both of them reined in their horses. Cao Youwan was full of excitement and screamed loudly.
A man remains a boy until he dies, and this is clearly reflected in these two men.
"Brother Cao, I heard that you escorted the troops south and killed some shit in Shandong. The brothers are very envious!"
Lu Wende burst out laughing.
When he joined the army in the northwest, Brother Cao Youwen treated him with all his heart, and he also ate Mrs. Cao's food.
"It's not worth mentioning! But, let's meet up and fight side by side again!"
Cao Youwan also laughed.
The two of them rode horses together by the canal, talking as they walked.
"Brother Cao, let's compete this time to see who is stronger, your Cao Family Army or my Lu Family Army!"
"Okay! Let's compete this time to see who can kill more Tatar soldiers?"
"Okay! A gentleman's word!"
"It's hard to chase a horse!"
The two of them were very proud, and glanced at the warships on the canal. They were both stunned, and then they all dismounted and saluted.
"Lu Wende (Cao Youwan) has met Chief Zhou."
It turned out that standing on the deck of the warship was Zhou Ping, the head of the Intelligence Department.
In the Intelligence Department, the lieutenants of the army, whether they are the commander-in-chief of the army or the low-level sergeants, are all in a state of disbelief towards the omniscient Intelligence Department, and everyone is in danger.
Spying on officials has repeatedly led to large prisons, from the ruling minister Hu Ju, to the Xixia Road pacifier Shi Songzhi, from the censor Zhongcheng Chen Duanchang, to the senior officials in Sichuan and Jiangxi, no matter what their official position or family status, everything is in front of the Intelligence Department. no.
For example, the Cao Youwan in front of me was demoted three levels in a row even though he had been in control all the way two years ago. The emperor was merciful.
"The two generals are exempt from courtesy. The two generals have worked hard for the country and have gone through life and death. I admire you."
The warship stopped, and Zhou Ping bowed on the deck.
"Don't dare! Don't dare!"
Cao Youwan and Lu Wende both gave in humbly.
Zhou Ping looked at the two of them, returned to Cao Youwan, hesitated for a moment, and continued:
"General Cao, you violated military regulations two years ago. I just acted impartially and did not dare to deceive His Majesty. Your Majesty is also arbitrary in dealing with General Cao. I treat the matter not the person, so please don't take it personally. Your Majesty treats Cao General Cao should be able to appreciate the painstaking efforts of the general."
"What Chief Zhou said is absolutely true! The general has failed to live up to His Majesty's high expectations and often has trouble sleeping and eating. If it hadn't been for His Majesty and Chief Zhou's blow to the head, perhaps the general would have died. In this Northern Expedition, with the help of His Majesty, the general will not let go. Your Majesty is disappointed."
Cao Youwan said solemnly, cupping his fists and saluting.
Isn't it true that the emperor's grace is so great that he can make a comeback even though he is facing sin?
How many people in the world have such an opportunity?
"General Cao, please!"
"Master Zhou, I don't dare!"
Cao Youwan was respectful and somewhat at a loss.
"General Cao, General Lu, I'll leave it to you to decide whether you can become the envoy of the Hebei Road System and whether you can sit firmly in this chair!"
Zhou Ping said sternly and bowed.
"Hebei Road System Envoy?"
Cao Youwan and Lu Wende were both stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, they clasped their fists together and became impassioned.
"The last general (below) will definitely live up to his command!"
Zhou Ping's warship left. Lu Wende looked at Cao Youwan who was sweating profusely and joked:
"Brother Cao, why are you more nervous when meeting Chief Zhou than when meeting His Majesty?"
"Once bitten by a snake, you will be afraid of well ropes for ten years. Lu Wende, brother reminds you, never do something wrong, otherwise it will be too late to regret!"
Cao Youwan was touched and reminded Lu Wende seriously.
"Second Brother Cao, don't worry, I know this brother of course. You don't have to worry about the past. When we get to Yanjing City, let's have a good fight and let His Majesty take a good look!"
Lu Wende understood and nodded in agreement.
"That's natural! I'm afraid you can't compare to me!"
"Brother Cao, that's not necessarily the case! Who knows whether your sword is still old? Or whether you are old and premature?"
"Aging prematurely? I'm less than thirty years old, how did I get old? Lu Wende, let's have a good competition!"
"Have a good comparison!"
Cao Youwan and Lu Wende were very passionate, and Zhang Jin and Zhou Ping on the warship were also talking.
"There is an army from the Cao family on the left and an army from the Lu family on the right. Is this okay? Chief Zhou, do you want to report this to your majesty?"
Zhou Ping is about to step down as head of the Intelligence Department. Zhang Jin will take over and be careful in everything.
"What are you reporting? Do you have nothing to do?"
Zhou Ping glanced at Zhang Jin dissatisfied.
"The army is full of generals from the martial arts hall, and there are also military police pickets. Where did the Cao family's army and the Lu family's army come from? They are just making trouble with their words. Do you really think they can do whatever they want? Also, from now on, you will be in charge of everything. You should have a clear idea of your priorities."
If you report this kind of thing to the emperor, why don't you get scolded?
"Yes, yes! I remember!"
Zhang Jin quickly nodded in agreement.
"Zhang Jin, you have to remember! His Majesty thinks highly of the students of the Jiangwu Hall, especially Meng Gong, Yu Jie, and Cao Youwen. He once said that no one will be allowed to impeach them for ten years. There is no conclusive evidence. Evidence, please do not make your own claims. As for Wang Jian, Lu Wende, Cao Youwan, and Du Gao, His Majesty's favorite generals, there is no need to report small things. Only things that are important should be reported to His Majesty."
Zhou Ping told his father seriously.
If you just nitpick, you will most likely be kicked on the steel plate and you will die without even knowing how.
"Master Zhou, thank you for your advice!"
Zhang Jin said calmly and bowed respectfully.
"Between you and me, there is no need for these polite formalities."
Zhou Ping looked ahead and gave instructions.
"Anyway, remember, your Majesty doesn't like vain things. Just do things with your heart. Even if you make a mistake, your Majesty will not blame you. But if you commit crimes, commit corruption and accept bribes, especially if you bully the people, no one can save you. I can’t help you!”
"Don't worry, I naturally know this!"
Zhang Jin nodded repeatedly. In terms of personal ethics, he is still somewhat self-restrained.
"Chief Zhou, I heard that Your Majesty particularly admires Yelu Chucai, so why did he ask you to serve as the envoy to Hebei instead of recruiting Yelu Chucai to take up this position? Chief Zhou can definitely serve as the pacification envoy of Shandong Road. , or envoys established in the Central Plains, they are all officials in the border areas."
The emperor's heart was big enough to place his brother-in-law in a major frontier town.
"How do I know what your Majesty is thinking? I guess that Hebei Road is a frontier fortress, and Yelu Chucai has an irreversible friendship with the Mongolian Khan Wokuotai. His Majesty is probably worried about putting him here. If Yelu Chucai surrenders, he will probably He will be transferred to a place south of the Yellow River, but it will definitely not be Lianghe."
"What Chief Zhou said is absolutely true! I think so too."
Zhang Jin looked around and lowered his voice, as quiet as a mosquito.
"Mr. Zhou, since we want to capture Yanjing as soon as possible, why did you let them contact the Eastern Liao Army later? Wouldn't it be easy to cause accidental damage?"
"Whether it's Shi Tianze, Dong Liao, or Zhang Hongyan, all of them have strong soldiers and horses. If they don't weaken them, they will be defeated and frightened. Can I, the Hebei envoy, sit peacefully? Your Majesty, can you rest assured?"
Zhou Ping looked at Fa Xiao with a shocked face and patted him on the shoulder.
"Your Majesty once said something that I quote as a wise saying. The truth lies within the shooting range of artillery. Without strong force, how can we restore the two rivers and control the world?"
"It's just that this will make Yanjing City's offensive and defensive battle more difficult to fight."
Zhang Jin said with fear.
"Hard to beat?"
Zhou Ping shook his head and sneered:
"If you can't even capture the city of Yanjing, how can you talk about conquering the world? If so, even if these arrogant generals temporarily surrender, they will rebel again in the future when the Mongolian cavalry goes south. Therefore, you must believe in your own soldiers , Only by applying kindness and power together can we achieve success once and for all.”
Zhang Jin was sweating profusely and nodded unconsciously.
It seems that in many things, I still have a lot to learn.
Zhang Jin was about to speak when Zhou Ping looked ahead and said leisurely.
"Yanjing, Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures, we are here!"
Zhang Jin couldn't help being startled. He looked forward and saw many soldiers standing at the top of the city. The front was hazy, and the tall city wall seemed to be in sight.
Yanjing City, which only appears in dreams, has finally arrived!
Surrounded by thousands of troops, Meng Gong stepped onto the solid land on the shore. He looked at the Yanjing city wall that looked like a crouching dragon, at the silent mountains and the rushing river. They seemed to be staring at him too.
There are so many beauties in the country, attracting countless heroes to bow down!
The city of Yanjing, which made countless Song people dream about it, and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, which made countless Song people heartbroken, finally appeared before their eyes.
The next thing to do is to conquer and put the land of Youyan under the rule of the Song Dynasty.
