In the southern part of Taiyuan Prefecture, Tuanbai Valley.
This place is located at the junction of Taiyuan, Fenzhou and Liaozhou, guarding the throat of southern Taiyuan. When Shi Jingtang, the founder of the Jin Dynasty, first launched his army, the Tang army gathered here for the expedition. Since then, soldiers and horses have been stationed to defend Jinyang.
Zhao Kuangyin led his people to cross the border from Luzhou. Not long after, they were "warmly" welcomed by Hedong Ya general Li Yu, who cleared the way, guided the way, and escorted them with "meticulous care".
Passing through Tuanbai Valley, we temporarily camped in villages and towns outside the valley. Night had fallen, and Zhao Kuangyin was alone in the camp of the Forbidden Army, walking in the camp, looking around and thinking.
"Du Yuhou!" Han Lingkun, dressed in military armor, ran up to him, glanced at Zhao Kuangyin's side face like a knife and an axe, and asked curiously: "What are you looking at?"
Han Lingkun and Zhao Kuangyin were young and had a close relationship. This time they were ordered to go north on an errand. Zhao Kuangyin specifically selected this general, and Liu Chengyou also agreed.
Han Lingkun originally served in the Guardian Army. After the Southern Expedition, Generals Li Chongjin and Wang Yansheng received rewards and punishments, while the commanding generals below received favorable treatment, including rewards and promotions. Han Lingkun was transferred to the Xiaodi Army in front of the palace because of his merits in the expedition, and was appointed as the left captain of the right wing.
For a long time, the military establishment has been mixed, with many titles. From top to bottom, the generals are all called commanders, which is extremely inconvenient. After returning to Beijing this time, Liu Chengyou simplified the organization through further rectification of the Forbidden Army.
Ten people have one Shi, five Shi one team, two teams one tune, five tunes one battalion, five battalions one lieutenant, two lieutenants one carriage, two carriages one army. And Han Lingkun, the left lieutenant of the Xiaodi Army, suddenly became a lieutenant general commanding five battalions and 2,500 soldiers.
Zhao Kuangyin pointed to the Tuanbai Valley not far away and said calmly: "It is said that there are silver mines in the mountains. The Taigu County government is mining here, but it has not been reported, the regulations are not complete, and there are no imperial supervisors. Here you can get money every year. Fifty thousand catties of silver, tell me, how much of this silver is donated to Tokyo, and how much is donated to Jinyang?"
Han Lingkun was stunned and couldn't understand what Zhao Kuangyin meant by this.
Zhao Kuangyin asked again: "Are the people who were recruited to work in the mines compensated for the hardship they suffered? Is slavery too much?"
Listening to Zhao Kuangyin's words, Han Lingkun couldn't help but said: "I said Du Yuhou, how can you still care about the Yinshan soldiers, we are already surrounded?"
Zhao Kuangyin glanced around and said, "Are you referring to those Hedong tooth soldiers?"
"I don't believe you haven't noticed that the Hedong Ya soldiers led by Li Yuan are called to welcome, but they are actually for surveillance. You see, there is a valley to the east, we are in the middle, and the Hedong barracks are in the north, west and south. Once they do something evil, Heart, we are in danger!" Han Lingkun pointed around and said: "I see, we have to be prepared to respond!"
"How to respond?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.
"Let the soldiers be on guard against the enemy and be ready to kill at any time!" Han Lingkun said.
"Remember, the officers and soldiers outside are all soldiers of the Han Dynasty, and they are also our comrades!" Zhao Kuangyin said seriously.
"But!" Han Lingkun pulled Zhao Kuangyin and whispered: "Du Yuhou, something is obviously wrong with the Hedong Army. I can feel the murderous intent through the fence flag! Looking at the movements of the Hedong Army, it is clear that there has been a change!"
Zhao Kuangyin glanced at Han Lingkun, patted his shoulder and said: "Don't be nervous! Don't worry too much! We just need to finish the errands assigned by your Majesty and the court and carefully select some elite soldiers!"
"Go and tell the brothers to rest peacefully and have a good sleep tonight!" Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile on his lips: "There are two thousand tooth soldiers to guard the gates. This kind of treatment is not available in the Tokyo barracks. Are you still worried that you won’t be able to sleep well?”
"This..." Han Lingkun was full of hesitation.
"Go quickly!"
When Zhao Kuangyin returned to the military tent, his expression gradually became serious. The "greeting" of the Hedong Ya soldiers made him feel a little pressure. When he first entered the country, he felt a sense of conflict and resistance. With his shrewdness, he had already seen the danger in this unusual aura.
Of course, the greater the danger, the greater the opportunity. Holding some information about the garrison in Hedong given by the emperor in his hand, Zhao Kuangyin raised his forehead and pondered, his eyes were a little bright, and he muttered: "Accept their elite soldiers and control their power..."
"Marquis Du Yu, someone broke into the camp and said they were ordered by the military commander to come to see him!"
After receiving the report, Zhao Kuangyin rose up and hurriedly ordered someone to summon him. Looking at the messenger dressed in ink in front of him, Zhao Kuangyin first asked: "Have you ever avoided the eyes and ears of the Hedong Ya soldiers?"
"Please rest assured, Marquis Du Yu! I have been wandering around for several hours, and I chose this time to ask for an audience just to avoid being heard!" the visitor replied, quickly took out a letter and handed it over: "I have a letter to entrust you with. With Du Yuhou!"
After reading it quickly, Zhao Kuangyin's expression became slightly more solemn and he said: "It's not stable in Jinyang right now!"
"The younger one is only responsible for delivering letters!" the visitor replied.
After hearing the answer, Zhao Kuangyin glanced at the envoy of Wudesi, who had an ordinary face, numb and expressionless, and was slightly surprised. With a faint smile, he ordered: "You stay in the camp and join the army tomorrow to go to Jinyang! It's been a hard journey, so go down and rest first!"
Li Shaoyou's letter only briefly explained the situation in Jinyang and urged him to go to Jinyang to select soldiers.
"There are tens of thousands of troops stationed in Jinyang. Even if it is a dragon pool and a tiger's den, I have to break into it!" Zhao Kuangyin murmured, thinking about the tooth soldiers around him, he couldn't help but said: "This tiger's tooth is stationed beside the bed. I really want to pull it out. ah!"
...
Zhao Kuangyin arrived at Jinyang City on the evening of the second day, much later than Prime Minister Fan Zhi, who was traveling in a light carriage. Upon learning of Zhao Kuangyin's arrival, Liu Chong sent an official to greet him.
"Wei Rong, the lower official, learned that Marquis Yu from the capital of Zhao had arrived in Jinyang, and came to greet him on the order of the king! Currently, the king is hosting a banquet in the palace to entertain Xianggong Fan, and has specially invited Marquis Du Yu to the table!"
"In addition, barracks have been prepared outside the city for the accompanying imperial troops to move in!"
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin frowned, pointed at Jinyang City, stared at Wei Rong, and deliberately said in a domineering manner: "I and others are all soldiers of the Forbidden Army, the emperor's personal army. Why, when we arrived in Jinyang, even the city was Not allowed in?"
"This!" Wei Rong looked weak and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am afraid that the soldiers will enter the city and disturb the people. Please forgive me. Marquis Du Yu can bring ten troops to the banquet!"
At this time, Na Ya general Li Yu rode over and looked at Zhao Kuangyin arrogantly: "Please rest assured, Marquis Zhao Yu, the barracks outside the city are not simple, and we will not treat our brothers in the imperial army lightly!"
After glancing at him, Zhao Kuangyin said: "Well, let me explain it first!"
Riding his horse to Han Lingkun's side, Zhao Kuangyin shouted loudly: "Han Duwei, you take the people with the officials to the barracks outside the city and don't cause trouble!"
As he spoke, he lowered his voice and gave quick instructions: "I'll go into the city first and explore the situation. Remember, stay in the barracks and don't move rashly without my general's orders!"
In the lobby of the palace, the banquet was in full swing, half of the wine had been drunk, and the tables were in a mess. Liu Chong looked very happy. Fan Zhi sat at the bottom, motionless, not squinting at the singing and dancing, and only raised his hand when Liu Chong invited him to drink. The cup responded, looking particularly reserved.
Zhao Kuangyin was introduced into the hall. Liu Chong seemed particularly interested in him. He looked him up and down several times before saying, "Are you Zhao Kuangyin?"
"King Qi, he is the last general!" Zhao Kuangyin responded with a normal expression.
"I heard that you were hailed by the emperor as a talented general. During the Southern Expedition, you made many military exploits. Now it seems that you are indeed very heroic and young and promising!" Liu Chong said with a smile.
"Thank you for your compliments from your Majesty, I will not be able to deserve it!" Zhao Kuangyin said.
"Come here, please take a seat with bowls and chopsticks!" Liu Chong extended his hand to signal: "Please sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Kuangyin was unfazed.
However, he still saluted Fan Zhi first, and the two of them looked at each other. Before sitting down, Zhao Kuangyin quietly observed the expressions of the people present, and could clearly feel that the expressions of the subordinate officials in Hedong were unnatural.
Liu Chong was in high spirits, turned sideways, his face flushed with alcohol, and said to Zhao Kuangyin: "I heard that you once defeated tens of thousands of Tang troops at Wokou with two thousand soldiers. And in Gaoyou, you defeated thirty thousand Tang troops with four thousand soldiers. That is to say, the less defeats the many, and the weak defeats the strong.
I just don’t know how many enemy troops can be defeated by five hundred forbidden troops in the hands of General Zhao? "
After Liu Chong said this, most of the people present changed their expressions, while Fan Zhi frowned.
Facing Liu Chong's gaze, Zhao Kuangyin responded calmly: "When marching and fighting, the victory or defeat should not be judged by the number of troops. We need to observe the weather and the favorable terrain, and act according to the situation. We also need to look at the enemy's situation, the morale of the army, and the battle." How powerful is it..."
"Well said!" Liu Chong laughed and asked with interest: "General Zhao came all the way north and passed through our Hedong Prefecture and County. He should have seen the soldiers and horses of Hedong. If he is used as an opponent, the five hundred forbidden troops can How many enemies are there?”
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin paused for a moment, cupped his hands and said, "The king is joking!"
"General Zhao, don't be nervous, I'm just a little curious!" Liu Chong looked at Zhao Kuangyin with a smile.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin held up his hands and said calmly: "If the emperor has an order to defeat a hundred thousand enemies, the last general who dares to charge into the battle will go through fire and water!"
