In the fourth year of Jianwu in the Song Dynasty, on the second day of September, in Zhending Mansion, Hebei Province.
"...Since ancient times, emperors have ruled the world, and they have always lived in China to control the barbarians, and the barbarians have lived outside to serve China. It has never been heard of the barbarians living in China to control the world..."
Sitting in the lobby, holding a copy of "China Daily" in his hand, Shi Tianze read silently in his mind, staring at the newspaper, but his mind seemed to wander to the sky.
China lives inside to control the barbarians, and the barbarians live outside to serve China!
The Song army was at its peak, and this awe-inspiring statement suggested that it was about to embark on the Northern Expedition.
"...the fate of heaven circulates, the energy of the Central Plains is strong, expel the barbarians, restore China, establish principles and discipline, and relieve the people... The people are a little more peaceful, the food is a little enough, the soldiers are a little better, control the strings and arrows, and look at our Central Plains The people, who have been without a master for a long time, feel deeply guilty... Those who return to me will live in peace in China forever, while those who betray me will flee beyond the Great Wall..."
Those who return to me will be safe in China forever, and those who carry me will flee beyond the Great Wall...
What a great message for the Northern Expedition! What a way to uplift China! What a Song Emperor!
Two years ago, Wokuotai went south to attack Jin. There was a great battle in Hanzhong, and the Mongolian army on the West Route was wiped out. The Central Route Army fought fiercely with the Jin Kingdom and also suffered a lot of losses. After a national war, Mongolia's vitality was severely damaged, so that for two years, the Mongolian cavalry did not go around to conquer, and could only lie dormant and wait.
Send troops to the north to drive away the barbarians, save the people from ruin, and restore the dignity of Han officials.
Could it be said that the Northern Expedition of the Song Army was to restore the entire Lianghe River?
Shi Tianze was thinking hard when footsteps sounded. Shi Tianze looked at it and quickly stood up.
"Mom, why are you here?"
Shi Tianze helped his mother sit down, looked at his wife whose belly was slightly bulging, and nodded lightly.
"Madam, you also sit down."
His army was ruthless and he attacked the Jin Dynasty. After a few days of stability, his wife became pregnant.
"Sanlang, you are worried about what is in the newspaper."
Mother Shi asked her son with a pleasant look.
"The Song people occupied most of Shandong and stationed tens of thousands of troops. They transported grain and grass, probably not just to attack the Jin Kingdom. Lianghe is the hometown of the Song people. My son always feels that the Song people come here unkindly."
In front of his mother, Shi Tianze didn't hide anything and told the truth.
"I lost one son, and I don't want to lose another one. What happened to Zhang Rou in Baoding Prefecture cannot happen to my Shi family."
Shi's mother looked calm and spoke softly, but her words were serious and thoughtful.
Eight years ago, Shi Tianze escorted his mother back to the north. The surrendered general Wu Xian rebelled and killed Shi Tianze's eldest brother Shi Tianni. Shi Tianze inherited his brother's position as Marshal of the Military and Horse Command of Hebei West Road, and was later promoted to Ten Thousand Households of the Han Army.
As for the assassination of Zhang Rou, a member of the Han army in Baoding Prefecture, the Jin people no longer had the strength and spirit to do it, so it was most likely done by the Song people.
"Mom, the Great Khan is not kind to me. Besides, Mongolia's vitality is still there. Once it goes south again, wouldn't it be... wouldn't it be..."
Shi Tianze was still hesitant.
"It's nothing. Wo Kuotai treated you well, but my mother also lost a son for Mongolia. Our historian does not owe him anything. If Wo Kuotai had the strength, he would have gone south to use his troops long ago. If he is not of my race, others The hearts must be different. Song people are also Han people, and you are also Han people, with the same blood. You always judge the situation, don't you understand?"
Although Shi's mother has lived indoors for a long time, she has a clear family background in the outside world.
"Mom, if the Song army is heading for the Northern Expedition and the troops approach the city, how should they make a choice?"
Thinking of the Northern Expedition in the newspaper, Shi Tianze's heart moved.
"Whenever China is in crisis, there is always a saint who steps forward. Emperor Song may be that saint. I don't need to tell you how the Shi family makes decisions."
After Shi's mother finished speaking, she stood up and left with her daughter-in-law.
After sending his mother away, Shi Tianze returned to the study with a heavy heart, pacing around the room with his hands behind his back, feeling uneasy.
Several staff members knocked on the door and came in, saluting Shi Tianze together.
"Wang Jin, why are you guys here?"
Shi Tianze finally sat down.
"General, Daruhua Chimangosaer sent tens of thousands of Mongolian soldiers under his command to spread across the prefectures and counties, cutting down mulberry trees and destroying crops. The people suffered greatly and the people were resentful. The general must come up with a countermeasure!"
Wang Jin, the head of the staff, spoke first.
"I already know about this and have reported it to the Great Khan. I believe that in a few days, Gesar's tribe will be transferred to Mobei. Let the people be patient for a few more days."
When it comes to these proud Mongolian soldiers, Shi Tianze also has a headache.
During the Northern Expedition of the Song Army, Gesar led his troops to Yanjing City to attack the Song Army together. After this battle, he should be transferred back to the grassland.
"General, the harvest this year is not good. The people's "lamb interest" debt has reached more than 20,000 guan. The people have sold all their land and still can't repay it. We have to find a way."
Another aide, Wang Changling, continued to speak with a frown on his face.
"The people are so poor that they don't even have enough to eat. How can we repay it? We looted some when we went south to use the army. I think I can pay it back for the people."
Shi Tianze took the initiative to shoulder the people's debts, and several of his staff admired him and envied the Shi family's generosity.
"Temutai asked me to go to Yanjing to discuss the Song Army's Northern Expedition. What do you think?"
Several staff members looked at each other, and Wang Jin took out a newspaper and pointed at it.
"General, has the general read the news about the Song Dynasty's Northern Expedition?"
"Look, the Song army is going to expedition to the north, and everyone in the world knows about it."
Shi Tianze looked at the "Three Kings" staff and frowned.
"Do you think that during the Northern Expedition of the Song Army, should they attack the Kingdom of Jin or go straight to the two rivers?"
"General, the Song Dynasty is at its peak. Whether it is to attack the Jin Kingdom or to go straight to the two rivers, the general must make plans for the future!"
Wang Jin was serious and said it first.
"General, the two rivers are also the hometown of the Song Dynasty. Even if the Song people restore the land of Henan first, they will definitely continue to go north. Zhending Mansion has finally recovered some vitality, but it can no longer endure war."
Wang Changling's words made Shi Tianze feel nervous.
It seems that the Song Army's Northern Expedition will launch troops in Hebei sooner or later.
"General. The people are in poverty and are war-weary. Don't use weapons as a last resort. If war breaks out again, the people of Zhending Mansion will die!"
The staff member Wang Shoudao was also worried, with a look of sorrow on his face.
The "Three Kings" left, and Shi Tianze sat on the chair, silent.
"General, the two major generals from Zhigu Village are back!"
The servant's voice sounded outside the study again.
"Why are they back? Let them in quickly!"
Shi Tianze couldn't help but be stunned.
Zhigu Village is 600 miles away from Zhending Mansion. There is no military order. How come these two guys came back?
"I've met my uncle!"
Brothers Shi Quan and Shi Yi came in with tired faces and saluted Shi Tianze together. Behind the two of them, a middle-aged Confucian scholar who was tired of his career, but with a smile on his face, bowed to Shi Tianze.
"Brother, are you okay?"
Shi Tianze looked at it carefully and quickly returned the gesture with fists in his hands.
"Brother Yan, why did you come to Zhending Mansion? Why are you together?"
Yan Shi and Shi Tianze were both Hebei Han Army Ten Thousand Households, but Shi Tianze was one of the three major Han Army commanders in the Central Plains, commanding ten thousand households in the five routes of Zhending, Hejian, Daming, Dongping, and Jinan, and was much higher than Yan Shi. When Yan Shi was captured in battle, Shi Tianze also rescued Yan Shi, and the two had a good personal relationship.
The two sat down separately. Shi Tianze glanced at his two nephews, then looked at Yan Shi, who bowed again.
"Don't be surprised, dear brother! Brother Yu has already surrendered to the Song Dynasty. As for the two major generals, the Song army went to the Northern Expedition. I persuaded the two major generals to come with them. There was a fierce battle outside Yanjing City. Brother Yu and the two major generals fought non-stop, even through the night. Came straight to Zhending Mansion."
"A fierce battle outside Yanjing City?"
Shi Tianze was frightened for a while, nodded slightly, and then said:
"Brother Yan, has the Song army really made its northern expedition and reached Yanjing City?"
At this moment, he understood seven or eight points in his heart. Yan Shi surrendered to the Song Dynasty. When he appeared here, there should be three hundred taels of silver in this place.
"Uncle, the Song Army's East Route Army has more than 100,000 troops and is unstoppable. I'm afraid they are already besieging Yanjing City at this moment!"
Nephew Shi Quan couldn't wait to speak out.
"More than 100,000 troops! Siege Yanjing City!"
Yan Shi was startled and looked at Yan Shi.
"Uncle, there was a fierce battle outside Yanjing City, and 40,000 to 50,000 Mongolian cavalry returned with a great defeat. Including my Shijia cavalry, most of them were lost. Now the gates of Yanjing City are closed, and the defense of the city has begun!"
"What?"
Shi Tianze was stunned for a moment, and then became furious. He slammed the table, stood up, pointed at Yan Shi, and his eyes widened in anger.
"Yan Shi, what do you mean? Since you want me to surrender, why do you massacre my descendants of the historian first? I will not surrender to the Song Dynasty. The Song army and I are at odds with each other!"
"My dear brother, be patient and don't be impatient. Military orders are like mountains, and you can give them without even a word of warmth. Can your Shi family army not go to war?"
Yan Shi comforted the angry Shi Tianze with a smile.
"What the Major General said is true. During the Northern Expedition of the King of the Song Dynasty, three armies went north. The east route went straight to Yanjing via the sea. The west route went straight to Taiyuan, each with more than 100,000 troops. The middle route army took the south of Daming Mansion and sat on the Yellow River. Along the line. As for the foolish brother who is here now, he has received a personal letter from the Emperor of Song Dynasty, urging the wise brothers to join in the righteous deeds and make Hebei return to the rule of our Central Plains Dynasty."
After Yan Shi finished speaking, he took out a letter and handed it to Shi Tianze.
"Letter written by Emperor Song!"
Shi Tianze was taken aback, and his expression immediately became gentle. He took the letter, his fingers trembling slightly, and read on.
The Song Emperor's own handwriting made him feel flattered for a moment.
"My dear brother, you are benevolent, righteous and a dignified Chinese hero. Why do you need to run around and abuse our Han people for the sake of Wo Kuotai? A man acts for the country and the people. How can he abuse the people if he loves the people? As the Song Emperor said in his letter, if a wise brother abandons the dark and turns to the light, You can be a pacifier along the way, or you can be a commander all the way, whether in civil affairs or in the army, it all depends on my good brother!"
Yan Shi said solemnly, Shi Tianze folded the letter after reading it, put it on the table, and smiled bitterly.
"Brother Yan, I feel unworthy of the Song Emperor's great love. But I am deeply respected by the Great Khan and cannot be sorry to him. Being unfaithful and unfilial is not the foundation of a foolish brother!"
The Song army defeated the Mongolian cavalry in a field battle outside Yanjing City, and Yanjing City may be in danger. At this time, is it time to make a choice?
"My dear brother, what you said is wrong! Wokuotai re-employed you because you could sacrifice your life for him. There is only interest between the two of you. How many people have died in Hebei since Genghis Khan and Wokuotai went south to send troops. People, you know it very well. How many people did Zhending Mansion originally have? Now it’s 20% or 30%? You are a native of Hebei. You have to think about the tens of thousands of fellow villagers in Hebei. It’s not the benevolence and righteousness of you and Wokuotai.”
Yan Shi's impassioned words left Shi Tianze in a daze and speechless for a moment.
"Uncle, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty is wise and powerful, and the Song army is at its peak. Just surrender!"
"Uncle, during the Northern Expedition of the King's Army, we must obey the will of heaven and the people. Uncle, don't be stubborn and miss important events!"
Shi Tianze remained silent while brother Shi Quan turned red and shouted loudly.
"Shut up! You have no business talking!"
Shi Tianze's face was serious and he scolded his nephews. He turned around, faced Yan Shi, and smiled slightly.
"Brother Yan, you came suddenly. Brother Rong, let me think about it and give you accurate information later."
Kaicheng surrendered to the Song Dynasty?
Song Meng was a ferocious animal, and in a hurry, he really couldn't make up his mind.
"My dear brother, if you don't want to take risks, you can just sit back and wait for the Song army to pacify the two rivers. The Emperor of Song will never blame him, and he will ensure that your family will be rich and prosperous for the rest of his life. My dear brother, think twice."
Yan Shi was taken down, Shi Tianze was deep in thought, several staff members hurried back, Wang Jin's face was full of anxiety and he kept talking.
"General, what are you thinking about? Once you miss the opportunity, you will regret it!"
"Wang Jin, you also know that the Song envoy is here. Whether the Song army's Northern Expedition can succeed or not is not yet known. There is no need to rush."
Shi Tianze smiled slightly and was noncommittal.
Hebei is such a big place, and the "Three Kings" and Yan Shi are all acquaintances, so they must have communicated with each other.
"General, the military situation ahead is that the Song Army's East Route Army has surrounded Yanjing and is attacking the city. The West Route Army's Song Army has arrived in Taiyuan. The Song Army's Middle Route Army has taken Xuzhou and occupied Dongpingfu, Handan and other places in the north. The Song Army has three to four hundred thousand soldiers. Isn’t it easy for our elite to restore the two rivers and even the entire Central Plains? It would be better for the general to make a decision as soon as possible!”
Wang Shoudao, one of the "Three Kings", handed over the military report, also with sweat on his forehead and a hurried tone.
Shi Tianze took the military report, read it quickly, and remained silent for a long time.
Three to four hundred thousand elite Song troops marched northward, heading straight for the two rivers in the Central Plains!
This is too fast and too fierce!
"General, there are thousands of Han armies in the two rivers and three rivers, and the Emperor of Song Dynasty only recruits you. This opportunity cannot be missed, and it will never come back. The Song Dynasty is at its peak, and the national destiny of Mongolia is declining day by day. One rises and one falls, this is God's will, generals can no longer be indecisive! "
Another Wang Changling also tried hard to persuade him.
The Song army was powerful and the front was in full swing. They were already approaching the two rivers. If they were still sticky, they might die without a place to bury them.
God’s will cannot be violated!
Shi Tianze was stunned, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered:
"Wang Shoudao, ask my elder brother to come over at night. Then invite Yan Shi over and let's discuss it!"
The Northern Expedition of the Song Army was so fast, and it was related to the prosperity and decline of the historian's family, which made his heart beat faster and he made an immediate decision.
"General, what about the rest of Gesar's troops?"
Wang Shoudao frowned and asked cautiously.
"At this point, I can't control that much anymore!"
When he mentioned Daruhuachi Gesar's subordinates, Shi Tianze's eyes immediately turned cold and stern.
These troublemakers under Gesar are domineering and arrogant, and they seem to be just the right ones to make a memorial to the Song Dynasty.
"General, if you do this, there will be no way out."
Wang Shoudao said quietly.
"Do you think there is a way out if you don't surrender to the Song Dynasty? When the army comes to the city, everyone will be destroyed. There is really no way out!"
Shi Tianze's voice was full of disappointment.
