Looking back at Ezhou City, Xu Fu couldn't help but sigh heavily. He said: "Kong Yanzhou is domineering and rude, how can he act like a minister? He took away most of the gifts that Wang Xiaolie brought to the court. It was only then that I realized that a general like Wang Xiaolie is really rare."
Gao Shi nodded: "The advice is good. Compared with Kong Yanzhou, Wang Xiaolie is very decent."
The two sighed for a few words and set off on the road together, down the river. Arriving ashore at Chizhou, we hurried back to Yuezhou.
As soon as the two entered the city, Yue Gou, who got the news, ordered them to enter the palace immediately to report the matter.
Entering the main hall, he bowed politely and ordered Zhao Gou to give him a seat.
Xu Fu and Gao Shize had just sat down and didn't take a sip of tea. Zhao Gou then asked, "How is it? When will Wang Xiaolie go to the palace?"
Xu Fu held the scepter in his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Wang Xiaolie excused himself because he was busy with military affairs and could not spare time. He did not say when he would come. He only said that he would think of a solution when the military affairs were free. From the way I looked at him, I was afraid that he was just a man. It’s just an excuse.”
After hearing this, Zhao Gou suddenly raised his head, his eyes bright. It just passed by in a flash and quickly returned to its normal appearance. He asked calmly: "You have been in Xiangyang for some time. What do you think of Xiangyang?"
Xu Fu hesitated. He said: "Your Majesty, I have been an official for many years and have traveled to many places. There is no place like Xiangyang. When Gao Ducheng and I were in Xiangyang, we traveled everywhere and saw every place. Xiangyang City , merchants gathered together, people were wealthy, and even a small family had enough food and clothing. I heard from officials in Xiangyang that the annual commercial tax of a city in Xiangyang was nearly one million yuan, which was far more than Kaifeng Prefecture in the past. Nowadays everywhere In the land of vassal towns, there is no place as rich and prosperous as Xiangyang."
Zhao Gou nodded slightly. Said: "It seems that Wang Xiaolie is a good general on the battlefield and has many methods to govern the place. If such a person cannot be used by the imperial court, it will not be a blessing to the world."
Xu Fu said: "Looking at Wang Xiaolie's appearance, although he cherishes his feathers and refuses to leave his homeland, his attitude is respectful and he has no dissatisfaction with the court. He does not look like someone with a counter-intention. However, when we passed by Ezhou, we were struck by Kong Yanzhou He made things difficult in every possible way. This man had a domineering attitude, and with his large army, he demanded in every possible way, and even robbed him openly. When we came back this time, Wang Xiaolie’s tribute gift originally exceeded 15,000 guan. Anyone who wants to pass by Ezhou will have at least 10,000 guan robbed by Kong Yanzhou Go. Alas, Kong Yanzhou is unreliable."
Zhao Gou said: "Kong Yanzhou was originally a man who committed a capital crime. He joined the army and accumulated merits to get where he is today. He was a rogue, how could he keep his peace with a large army? This is expected, not surprising. A few days ago The prime minister discussed that he was afraid that if Kong Yanzhou occupied a prosperous place like Ezhou, it would be more difficult to control him in the future, so he was made the envoy of Qihuang Town. But there is no army around him, so he will not leave after occupying Ezhou."
Xu Fu said: "Li Cheng defected to the puppet Qi a few months ago, and I heard that he was highly valued. Kong Yanzhou made it clear to us that if we want to establish a festival, we must also seal the land along the way like Wang Xiaolie. Otherwise, he will go north I'm going to join Liu Yu."
After hearing this, Zhao Gou closed his eyes and thought for a while. Said: "Kong Yanzhou claimed to have 200,000 troops, but how could he actually have so many people? Wait until the imperial court frees his hands and orders Zhang Jun to go north and destroy them. In comparison, Kong Yanzhou and others are just diseases like moss, but Wang Xiaolie is not. It’s a serious problem!”
Xu Fu said: "I see that King Xiaolie has no rebellious intentions. I think he started a rebellion and suffered a lot around Kaifeng. When he went south to Xiangyang, he gathered a hundred thousand people in two or three years. He was just too cautious. As long as the court is good. With added comfort, I can protect Xiang and Deng from danger."
Zhao Gou nodded lightly: "What you said makes sense. I understand. Tell me in detail what you heard and saw when you came to Xiangyang this time."
Xu Fu and Gao Shi cheered up and told Zhao Gou how Wang Xiaolie would entertain them after they arrived in Xiangyang.
Xiangyang established the envoy's yamen, and Wang Ruohai said to Wang Xiaoxing who walked in: "Look at the end of July, it's autumn. The Jin army did not withdraw from Guanzhong this year, and has been eyeing the Sichuan and Shu regions. Now Wu Shu leads an army of 100,000 Yu Fengxiang, Wu Jie and others are under great pressure. Privy Council Zhang sent an official document asking us to march north from Shangzhou in August and hold the Jin army on its back to contain Wu Shu."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Wu Jie is defending according to the danger, and there is pressure. But we are marching north from Shangzhou. If the troops are small, the Jin army will not care. If the troops are too large, we will not be able to afford it, and this matter will be difficult to handle. Okay, in a few days I ordered Shao Ling to go to Shangzhou and look for an opportunity to act."
Wang Ruohai said: "Commander Jie, Shangzhou is advancing north, not far from Jingzhao Mansion. The Jin army cannot ignore it. As long as there are one or two thousand people, the Jin army can be lured back to support Wu Jie's army near Dashan Pass."
Wang Xiaolie said: "The road to the north of Shangzhou is rugged, so we can't march a large army, so we can only use surprise troops. As the saying goes, win by surprise, if there is no frontal battlefield cooperation, surprise soldiers are of little use. Wu Jie's army is nothing more than a single force. With more than 10,000 troops, the pressure on the Jin army is not enough. In other words, even if we send thousands of troops from Shangzhou, we will not be able to affect the frontal battlefield."
Having said this, Wang Xiaolie walked to the sand table on the table. Said: "For this road to Shangzhou to be effective, it must be either to the west, where Privy Zhang has tens of thousands of troops under his command, who can confront the Jin army. Or to the east, we can go north to Luoyang and attract the main force of the Jin army from Guanzhong. At this time , thousands of troops marched north from Shangzhou, and the Jin army was passive. Now in Fengxiang, Wu Jie can defend but cannot attack. If we go north to attract thousands of Jin troops, what is the use of the overall situation? To put it bluntly, it is just a waste of money and food. . Privy Zhang is just worried about our money and food."
Wang Ruohai nodded: "Shuai Jie makes sense."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Since the Jin army conquered Kaifeng Mansion, our dynasty has never had a unified strategy for the Jin army. It is either busy dealing with the Jin army's invasion to the south, or it is trying to come up with one thing at a time. This will not work. We do not have our own strategy, these ten The army of ten thousand will be defeated sooner or later."
Wang Ruohai said: "According to Commander-in-Chief's wishes, what should we do?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "We are stationed in Xiangdeng. There are two most suitable directions to go north. One is Luoyang, the other is Kaifeng. Going north to Luoyang will inevitably affect Guanzhong and Hedong. Going north to Kaifeng will face Hebei. and the Jin Army in the direction of Jingdong. It is not yet possible to make a conclusion as to which route is suitable. You must pay attention to both places at all times, and also ask your subordinate staff officers to draw up a battle plan. In one or two years, we may not be able to do the Northern Expedition, but the plan must be Do it first. I estimate that in two years, after our army has been reorganized, it will be time to take action."
Wang Ruohai pondered for a while and said: "Although Kaifeng is the capital city, after the Jin army looted and the people fled, it was no longer what it used to be. In addition, Du Chong's attack on the Yellow River caused all the surrounding counties and counties to suffer. Suddenly, I’m afraid it’s not a suitable place for a big war.”
Wang Xiaolie said: "That is the capital after all, and its status in the hearts of the people in the world is different. If the Central Plains can be restored, and all the officials will be in Kaifeng Mansion, it will definitely boost morale. The Jin Army also knows this very well."
Wang Ruohai nodded. Wang Xiaolie's meaning was very clear. Although he knew that Kaifeng Mansion's military status was not as good as before, its political status was still there. For the Song army, occupying Kaifeng Mansion was a great victory and could boost the morale of the army. Jin Jun also knew this very well, and of course he would not let Song Jun succeed lightly. If Wang Xiaolie makes a northern expedition to Kaifeng Prefecture, the Jin army will definitely respond with all its strength.
