In the land of northern Hebei, there are crisscrossing rivers and well-developed water veins. As one of the main water veins, the Hutuo River has great military and economic value. In the original history, from the Later Jin Dynasty, through the Han, Zhou, and until the Zhao and Song Dynasties, there were too many wars between the Khitan and China in this watershed.
The Hutuo River originates from Daidi, flows south, turns back, cuts through Taihang, and returns to Hebei. Located in the hinterland of Hebei, whenever there is a war, the Khitan cavalry can always drink from this river.
Looking at the Song-Liao War for more than 20 years before the Chanyuan Alliance, we can intuitively find that except for the two Northern Expeditions, the Liao army basically fought within its own country. Even after the failure of the two Northern Expeditions, when the Liao army carried out a "counterattack and reckoning", they marched straight into Jizhong. The enemy cavalry broke into the hinterland, as if entering an uninhabited land, but the Song army had no choice but to be beaten passively.
The three Hebei passes (Waqiao Pass, Yijin Pass, and Yukou Pass) built were in name only. Compared with military defense and containment of the Liao army, they seemed to play a greater role as a border pass to delineate national boundaries. Youyan was lost to the enemy. Without the barrier of Yanshan Pass, one can imagine the great pressure on the southern border defense in the north.
The war between Khitan and Jin has clearly shown how passive the Central Plains will be when facing the Northern Invasion without the barrier of Youyan. However, even if the Jin Kingdom was destroyed, the feelings of the soldiers and civilians in Hebei in the Central Plains were still not deep enough. In the eyes of most people, the Khitan's destruction of the Jin Dynasty was a result of the emperor's ignorance and mediocre officials in power, which led to the country's weakness, and was not a crime of war.
I have not experienced the humiliation that has not changed for decades, the helplessness and bitterness of being straddled on the head and pulled, having my spine bent by the iron hoofs of the Liao army, and being wantonly plundered and plundered. Before the humiliation and pain were heartbreaking, the people of Hebei Province in the Central Plains had not suffered from "Liaophobia" and could not imagine how heavy the words "Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures" were.
But now, in Yingzhou, Guo Rong seems to be aware of it. He seemed to understand why Liu Chengyou went out of his way, insisted on going his own way, and even took a gamble at all costs.
On Liu Chengyou's order, he went to Yingzhou Labor Army to inspect. Hearing is always better than seeing. Guo Rong is naturally a very strategic person. He patrolled the northeast along the lower reaches of the Hutuo River. Looking at the plains and smooth roads along the way, Guo Rong frowned deeply.
According to He Fujin, this smooth road leads directly to Baigou and Juma River, which is only a hundred miles away from Youzhou. The enemy moved south, and I went north to south. After going there personally, this was Guo Rong's deepest understanding.
There are several beacon towers on the waterfront. He Fujin built them all himself after he took office. Due to lack of material resources, weak manpower and lack of time, only four towers were built thirty miles to the north. I don't want anything else, I just want to be able to get a warning in time and respond early if there is an enemy cavalry attack.
In front of a beacon tower in the north, on the bank of Zhuma, with the water rushing northward, Guo Rong suddenly sighed: "This Hutuo River water really lives up to its name, howling and pouring, it is really turbulent!"
The water of the Hutuo River under the sun is shining with sparkling waves and extremely fast. Wave after wave hits the tidal flat, like a ferocious beast, as if it wants to bite people. Guo Rong's mood seemed to be affected by it, and there was a lot of worry on his serious face.
Yingzhou defense envoy He Fujin was accompanying him at this time. The veteran general had gray hair and a white beard, but he could still mount a horse and draw a bow. He was dressed in armor and sat on the horse's back, holding his sword straight. Hearing Guo Rong sigh with emotion, he casually echoed: "This water is famous for its rapids!"
Frowning his brows, Guo Rong's expression became more worried: "Yingzhou is like this, but it's even worse in Shenzhou. The current ferocity of this water is worrying!"
After the Hutuo River comes out of the mountains, it flows eastward through Zhenzhou, passing through Shenzhou. It splits once in the Raoyang area, with one channel going south to the north and the other going north to the Yingzhou River. Because of the turbulent nature of the river and the sparse soil along the way, there are frequent floods along the lower reaches of the river, and Shenzhou is famous for being the most serious. Therefore, after the diversion, the water was still so turbulent near the river, and Guo Rong subconsciously became worried about the situation in Shenzhou.
He Fujin obviously didn't feel much about this kind of thing. He glanced at Guo Rong and said, "The trouble caused by the water flow is only a minor trouble, but the Hulu cavalry is the big trouble!"
He couldn't help but glance at He Fujin. Although he didn't agree with his words, Guo Rong didn't mean to argue. With today's national conditions, world peace is still a luxury, and there is no time to pay attention to floods, let alone control them. Moreover, even if you have the intention, how can you have the power?
Putting away his thoughts, Guo Rong pointed to the north and asked, "What's the situation in Renqiu?"
Ying and Mo Prefectures both belong to the "Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun" and were under the jurisdiction of Nanjing Road of Liao Dynasty during the period of the Liao Dynasty. Yingzhou borders Shenzhou to the west, Cangzhou to the east, and Mozhou to the north. Renqiu is the state capital of Mozhou. It is not far from Hejian City, only about sixty miles away. It is a close neighbor and there is no obstacle between the two cities.
He Fujin took office in Yingzhou and captured Hejian, but did not continue northward. When he heard about it at this time, he said to Guo Rong: "After retaking Hejian, there were Liao generals from Mozhou who led their troops south to repel us. According to the investigation, after the enemy drove the people south, there were still hundreds of people in Renqiu City. Riding, they often go south to attack and harass, although their fighting strength is not as good as the Khitan soldiers, they are not that troublesome!"
Pointing to the beacon towers at the side and rear: "In order to build these beacon towers, Yingzhou sacrificed hundreds of soldiers and casualties, and the civilians suffered even more casualties!"
He Fujin spoke very calmly, but Guo Rong could hear the difficulty behind it. He looked at the veteran and saluted solemnly: "Thank you for your hard work, veteran general!"
"Why should I suffer? Can I suffer more than those dead and wounded soldiers and civilians?" The old general blew his beard and said with a urn sound.
He Fujin's tone was a little harsh, and Guo Rong was annoyed, but he didn't take it seriously and smiled along with him. Seeing He Fujin looking towards the north with cold eyes, he said softly: "Sooner or later, we can take back Mozhou and Youyan!"
Hearing this, He Fu couldn't help laughing when he went in, sneered, and shook his head: "You young people, how can Youzhou be taken back so easily?"
Guo Rong still looked humble and did not argue. There are some things where words alone are useless. However, in my heart, my evaluation of He Fujin was much higher. It would be too wasteful for such a veteran to only serve as a defensive officer.
"Marquis Guodu Yu, we have patrolled the river and looked at the city. This place is too close to Renqiu and it is not safe. You should go back!" At this time, He Fujin suddenly said.
"Old General Lao is with me!" Seeing this, Guo Rong still kept a low profile and said to him: "Let's go back to Hejian now!"
Hejian City, formerly known as Wuyuan, is located between two rivers as its name suggests. The city is a big city, but unfortunately it is isolated on all sides, with no danger to rely on, and it is not a place for war and defense. After He Fujin took office, he moved most of the people to Leshou County in the south. All the refugees who were subsequently gathered also did the same, and he led his own troops to garrison for prevention.
Therefore, the Hejian City visited by Guo Rong at this time was somewhat deserted.
Not long after Fang returned to the city, smoke broke out in the north and there were barbarian invaders. Accompanying this was the news that Yelu Ruan had proclaimed himself emperor.
