On the ninth day of the first lunar month of the third year of Shaoxing, invited by Wang Xiaolie, several coaches from Shaanxi and Gansu came to Shizhou to discuss Shaanxi's future defense.
Wang Xiaolie welcomed the people to the state government office and took their seats.
The soldiers served tea. Wang Xiaolie said: "I suffered from a serious illness two years ago. I have only recovered in the past few days. It is not suitable to travel far. Therefore, I invite you to come to Shizhou to discuss the future defense of Shaanxi. Please forgive me."
Wang Sidao, who succeeded Zhang Jun, said: "The Taiwei worked hard and wiped out the Jin army outside Dantou Village. The situation in Shaanxi has taken on a new look. We are not happy enough, so how can we blame the Taiwei? Now all the armies have left the Shu Road and entered Shaanxi. As long as the Lieutenant has a mission, he will not give up even if he is killed!"
Wang Xiaolie said hurriedly: "You are all under the control of Xuanfu, what do I have to do? It's just that we have established a good territory and guarded the territory."
Today, in addition to the newly appointed Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu envoy Wang Si, there are also Wu Jie, the envoy of the Lizhou Road System and the commander of the division, Liu Qi, the border pacification envoy of the Mian, Wei, Maozhou and Shiquan armies, and the Xihe Ruma Infantry Army. The general manager and commander of the Xi Qin army, Ma Guan Shigu. Wang Si is the coach of Sichuan and Shaanxi, and Wu Jie, Liu Qi, and Guan Shigu are the three generals of Sichuan and Shaanxi.
Although Wang Si succeeded Zhang Jun, he no longer had the power to "act cheaply" and his status was much worse. Liu Ziyu was demoted because of his defeat.
After the greetings, Wu Jie said: "Please tell me how the Taiwei will arrange the troops in Shaanxi. Along the way, a few of us made a bet about this. I want to win a host."
Wang Xiaolie looked at everyone and said, "Shaanxi matters still depend on how Wang Xuanfu arranges them. However, I have an idea here, and please consider it."
Wang Sidao said: "Lieutenant, please speak."
Wang Xiaolie said: "The Yanyan Road blocks the east of the river and is our flank. It affects the safety of our army and is defended by our army. The three prefectures of Hezhong, Jingzhao and Fengxiang and their surrounding states are in the Guanzhong area, far away from Xixia, and they are also protected by our army." Army defense. To the north is Huanqing Road, which connects with Xixia. Its position is very important, so Liu Qi will be stationed there. Jingyuan Road and Qinfeng Road are vast, so Wu Jie will be stationed. Xihe Road and the area to the west will be stationed by Guan Shigu. You guys What do you think?"
Wang Sidao: "Although Shaanxi was pacified by the Taiwei, Jingzhao, Fengxiang and other places are still under the control of our Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division."
Wang Xiaolie asked: "In such a big place, does Xuanfu have so many soldiers?"
Wang Si couldn't help but change his expression after hearing this, and said no more.
Wang Xiaolie said: "The areas west of Beijing and east of Hedong under my control have been ravaged by the Jin soldiers for many years, and the population has fled. It is really not enough to support a large army for combat. The prefectures in Guanzhong are rich and have a large population, which can supplement military supplies and facilitate the recruitment of troops. . If it is handed over, I really can't support it. It's not my greed for Guanzhong's territory. Now we have to deal with the Jin people with all our strength. We really need this place. And the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division has Sichuan as its backing, so it doesn't have to be here. I am here This is a neutral theory. If there is any offence, Xuanfu will not blame him. Of course, it is up to Xuanfu to decide how to deploy it."
Wang Si thought for a while and sighed: "Although the Taiwei occupied a lot of land on Shaanxi Road, it was indeed a helpless move. Now the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division has only 60,000 soldiers and horses, and it is really difficult to defend this. The matter is still decided by the imperial court, and it is difficult for the Xuanfu Division to intervene."
Wang Xiaolie nodded. Said: "Of course it is decided by the imperial court. However, I occupy these places and do not want the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division to intervene! At least during the war against the Jin people, I need money and food from these places."
Wang Si nodded and said no more.
Wu Jie clapped his hands: "I told you on the way that the Taiwei would arrange it this way. What do you think?"
Several other people smiled bitterly and shook their heads slightly.
Wang Xiaolie said to Liu Qi: "Huanqing Road is currently guarded by our army. Please hurry up and take over the defense. Zhao Bin repeatedly tried to persuade him but refused to listen, so he has been killed. Murong Wei relied on the large number of tribesmen to defect to Xixia. Now in Yanzhou, there are no enemy troops in the territory, and everything is safe and sound as usual."
Liu Qi said: "I have less than 10,000 soldiers. How can I hold the Huanqing Road in such a huge territory?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "There are still Tibetan soldiers and generals in the territory who are willing to serve the Song Dynasty. There are nearly ten thousand people in total, which should be enough."
Liu Qi did not expect that Wang Xiaolie would leave soldiers for him, so he was overjoyed and thanked him hurriedly.
Wang Xiaolie said: "Everyone, in principle, I can handle the Jin army by myself, and we can just defend Xixia. With your current strength, plus the strength of the surrendered generals, you should be able to defend it. To fight against the Jin Army, we need a stable rear area, so please take care of yourself!"
All the generals handed over their hands together: "The Taiwei has captured Shaanxi. If we can't defend it, what a shame it will be!"
Wang Si looked on with cold eyes and sighed secretly.
Since Zhang Jun took office, the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division quickly replaced the original military commanders with their own people. After Wang Si took office, he made no big moves and the generals did not obey him. On the contrary, Wang Xiaolie won consecutive battles, especially the battle at Dantou Village, which impressed all the generals. Therefore, it is not surprising that Wang Xiaolie's arrangement is more effective than Wang Si's.
After Zhang Jun was transferred back to the court, Wang Xiaolie was now the largest local powerful faction in the Song Dynasty. Although he did not have the power to depose Zhi as easily as Zhang Jun, he actually did his own thing and did not listen to the court's orders. The court had no choice but to let him go.
Zhao Gou's edict seemed to improve Wang Xiaolie's status, but Wang Xiaolie understood that it was Zhao Gou who wanted to clean up his own cause. As long as Zhao Gou's Northern Expedition succeeds, Wang Xiaolie will never be allowed to dominate. If the Northern Expedition fails, I'm afraid we will think of other ways.
Knowing his situation, Wang Xiaolie dared to let go, not letting go of things he should take care of.
Zhao Gou asked Wang Xiaolie to take back Shaanxi, but he did not say what to do after taking it back, which was also intentional. Nominally, Shaanxi should belong to the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division. In fact, Wang Xiaolie was stationed there, so how could he listen to the Sichuan-Shaanxi Xuanfu Division?
After discussing the garrison in Shaanxi, Wang Xiaolie said: "When you arrive in Shizhou, how can you not try the mutton here? The mutton in this area is delicious, and it is not fishy or smelly. It can be said to be the most delicious in the world."
Liu Qi said: "I heard that Luoyang produces a famous wine called Peony Spring, which is unmatched by other places. It is said that when the Taiwei goes to war, the army must have Peony Spring as a celebration. On the way, a few of us said, "I don't know the Taiwei." Will you use this wine to entertain me?"
Wang Xiaolie smiled and said: "A few bottles of wine are worth nothing! Tonight we will eat mutton and drink Peony Spring!"
After saying that, he said to Wang Sidao: "Xuanfu, how many days will you stay?"
Wang Sidao: "Be prepared to stay for three to five days and leave when the matter is discussed."
Wang Xiaoxing said: "That's very good. If you stay a little longer, I can fulfill my duties as a landlord. Although Shizhou is located in the mountains and is a bit remote, the food has its own characteristics. And the Yellow River flows through the canyon here. The scenery is unique. When the ice melts in a few days, you can watch its rapid flow."
Wang Sidao said: "I'm afraid I'm busy with official duties and won't be able to stay for a long time."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Well, we still have Deputy Lu as deputy minister for government affairs, so it won't be short of these days."
Although Wang Si was a little dissatisfied with Wang Xiaolie's handling of Shaanxi affairs, he still admired Wang Xiaolie and had no other thoughts and said nothing more.
Wang Xiaolie said: "Besides, Ye Shenzheng has been to Fuzhou these days and will be back in two days. Since Xuanfu has arrived in Shizhou, why doesn't he see Shenzheng?"
Ye Mengde hasn't left yet and has been in Shizhou these days. After Chi Yuping regained Fuzhou, in order to calm the situation as soon as possible, he went to see Zhe Yanqi, who was newly in charge of Fuzhou. Now that Wang seems to be here, there is no reason why he should not be seen.
(End of chapter)
