As night fell and the wind became cooler, Liu Chengyou personally inspected the city and outside it. After days and nights of marching, fierce battles, and fighting, the officers and soldiers of all armies were very tired. As soon as they won the victory, they were very relaxed.
After walking around for a while, Liu Chengyou stood at the top of the North City of Gaoping, pointed to the military camp outside the city, and said to Guo Rong and Xiang Xun, who had summoned him to accompany him, "Don't you think there is something wrong with the atmosphere in this army?"
Guo Rong couldn't help but look at Xiang Xun, slightly surprised, Guo Rong asked: "Why did your highness say this?"
"This battle was won with the sacrifice of all our soldiers. We fought hard all the way and didn't see any rewards. Even I felt tired." Liu Chengyou explained easily and waved his hand: "The overall situation has been decided. Go ahead and reward the three armies tonight to celebrate your victory. , prepare wine and meat, temporarily lift the ban on alcohol, and make the soldiers happy."
"It's okay to celebrate, but now that the drinking ban is lifted, if you relax too much, something unexpected happens..." Guo Rong couldn't help but remind him.
"I know, so I'll leave it to you, Guo, to take precautionary measures!" Liu Chengyou replied calmly.
Seeing that Liu Chengyou was indeed not arrogant, Guo Rong took a step back, cupped his hands and said, "Yes!"
"That's right!" Liu Chengyou raised his finger and warned again, very seriously: "The dead and injured soldiers must be compiled into a book and properly compensated. This matter is left to you and Xiang Xun. The soldiers shed blood and lost their lives, and they must be treated accordingly. them!"
The two looked at each other again and said in unison: "Yes!"
"Your Highness, the high judge and the governor of Zezhou, Zhai Lingqi, have led people northward!" Liu Chengyou's order to reward the troops had just been issued. While the camps were rejoicing, some guards came to report to Liu Chengyou.
Subconsciously looking at the dim sky, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but feel a little playful. It was already this hour and Zhai Lingqi had just arrived.
From the south of Gaoping City, a team of large and small cars came from the south in the dark. The leader was none other than Judge Gao Fang. Next to him was a middle-aged man with a goatee. He was well-dressed in official robes and had a hint of reverence in his eyebrows. He was Zhai Lingqi, the governor of Zezhou.
Under the south gate, looking at the wide open city gate and the two rows of soldiers holding swords under torches, Zhai Lingqi seemed to be frightened by the battle.
However, Gao Fang quickly dismounted from his horse, stepped forward and bowed, "How can I trouble your highness to welcome you in person?"
When Zhai Lingqi heard the sound, he realized it later and followed him a little awkwardly. He said humbly: "Zhai Lingqi, the governor of Zezhou, pays homage to your highness."
Liu Chengyou stood under the city gate and personally helped Gao Fang up. His attitude was very gentle: "The high judge is exempt from courtesy. This time, you are a great hero. Don't waste every soldier, persuade Zezhou to return, cut off the Liao army's retreat, our army Only then can we annihilate all the enemy bandits.”
Gao Fang was obviously very self-aware. He bowed modestly and said with a chuckle: "His Highness planned to defeat the thieves and the enemy. The soldiers fought bloody battles. How dare I take the credit?"
Seeing that Gao Fang was still so serious, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and turned his attention to Zhai Lingqi: "Zhai Shijun!"
"Your Highness!" The governor bent even lower.
"It is admirable to see you as a sincere and loyal man who takes care of the overall interests of the family and the country, understands the righteousness of the nation, and returns home from the state!" Liu Chengyou expressed his praise.
"I don't dare to lower my rank! I'm just a countryman, and I don't want the people under my rule to fall into the cruel hands of the bandits, so I just do it from my heart..." Observing Liu Chengyou's expression, Zhai Lingqi felt a little guilty and hurriedly offered his words. Peace.
He knew in his heart that the great cause and the overall situation were all bullshit, and he was just deceived and instigated by Gao Fang. In fact, after the uprising in Jincheng yesterday, he felt a little regretful when he calmed down.
But after taking the first step, there was no way out. However, he did not dare to take high defense and lead Zezhou's soldiers and civilians to the north to help in the battle. Instead, he firmly defended the city. For high defense, it also means a bit of house arrest.
Until today, news came from the north that the Hedong Army had a great victory, the Liao Army was completely destroyed, and Geng Chongmei died. Zhai Lingqi then hurriedly arranged wine, meat and food in Jincheng, and took his people with him to escort the troops from the north to reward them.
However, Jincheng is still fifty or sixty miles away from Gaoping. It was already night after everything was arranged and escorted north.
After glancing around, Liu Chengyou said lightly: "It's been a hard work for your Majesty to come all the way north."
Probably due to his lack of confidence, Zhai Lingqi was still a little uneasy. He subconsciously raised his hand to wipe the fine sweat on his forehead and suddenly reacted, pointing to the convoy behind him and said: "Your Highness, the soldiers are fighting hard, and I have specially prepared food." Meat and vegetables are used as a reward."
"Zhai is interested, but I'm not polite anymore!" After he stopped speaking, Liu Chengyou immediately intervened, gently waved towards Xun, and ordered: "Pull the supplies into the army and distribute them among the battalions! "
"yes!"
"Gu Zheng wants to hold a celebration banquet in the city. Now that Commander Zhai is here, please join us in the banquet!" After giving the instructions, Liu Chengyou said to Zhai Lingqi.
"What an honor!" Zhai Lingqi immediately beamed with joy.
On the way into the city, Liu Chengyou "enthusiastically" consulted Zhai Lingqi about Zezhou's affairs, but his tone was too bland, which made Zhai a little flustered. He just thought he was dissatisfied with his "snake and mouse" and was very cooperative with Zhai Lingqi. The situation was explained once.
Originally, Liu Chengyou really didn't think highly of this person in his heart. His cautious and trembling behavior was too cowardly. However, when this man talked about the situation in Zezhou, including the population, taxes, acres of land, mountains and forests... the customs, national affairs and people's livelihood, he was very familiar with it, which greatly changed Liu Chengyou's mind.
"This Zhai Lingqi..." Quietly, Liu Chengyou called Gao Fang to his side and asked in an unpredictable tone.
"Your Highness, please rest assured." Probably guessing Liu Chengyou's thoughts, Gao Fang whispered: "Although Zhai Lingqi lacks courage, he is not a stupid person. Having killed the Khitan envoy and sincerely offering his surrender, there is no way he can The principle of turning back again.”
Liu Chengyou nodded, but said no more words.
That night, Liu Chengyou held a grand celebration banquet in Gaoping, and all the school officials and officials were happy.
The next day, at Guo Rong's reminder, Liu Chengyou sent Li Wanchao to lead the Surui army to the countryside to clear out the remaining Liao army soldiers scattered in the villages, and assisted with the newly expanded cavalry. I won the victory yesterday, but I ignored all the troubles.
Those scattered Yan soldiers, there were about 2,000 people in large and small groups. Although they were defeated soldiers and became rogues, causing trouble in the countryside, if they were not cleaned up, they would definitely cause serious damage to the local area. Now that he has thought of it, Liu Chengyou will naturally not let it go.
At the same time, the joy of the victory had passed, and Liu Chengyou began to calm down and sum up the gains and losses of this battle.
All in all, it’s a lot of fun.
The set target was captured effortlessly, and more than 4,000 Liao soldiers were wiped out, earning Geng Chongmei's head. The army has also expanded, its power has grown, and its reputation has been gained.
Even Zezhou, which was not planned, was like Luzhou, and the whole state surrendered.
After Zezhou, it is adjacent to the three states of Heyang, and across Heyang is Luoyang, Xijing. Liu Chengyou suddenly realized that after killing Geng Chongmei, his thousands of soldiers and horses made a big noise, which could almost directly threaten Heluo.
I just don’t know how big the impact of this battle will be, and how the Khitan people will react.
However, Liu Chengyou suddenly realized that if Yelu Deguang was provoked this time and sent an army to attack, he would not need many troops, just tens of thousands of infantry troops. What would he do?
