Seeing Cao Zhiyan and An Bo coming, Zhao Ding hurriedly led Wu Jie and Liu Qi to greet them. When the two of them got off their horses, Zhao Ding cupped his hands and said, "The general is so powerful that he defeated the Jin army in one battle. Who else in the world can have such a magical soldier!"
Cao Zhiyan smiled and said: "Under Xuanfu, every army is like this, and they all have passed the inspection."
Zhao Ding said hurriedly: "Yes, yes, Wang Xuan manages the army like no one else can. He has hundreds of thousands under his command, who can stop him? Taking Taiyuan is like picking something out of a bag!"
While talking, Cao Zhiyan and An Bo were let into the city.
When they arrived at the county government office, everyone settled down and Zhao Ding ordered tea to be served.
After taking a sip of tea, Cao Zhiyan said: "Before arriving at Jiexiu, Xuanfu specifically told me not to have too many entanglements with the Jin army. Take Pingyao to the east and Xihe to the west. Take these two places and prepare the troops to quickly march into Taiyuan. The ground is important. Especially Wanyan Yinshuke from Xihe, don't let him escape. It's still early, I have ordered two regiments under my command to go to Xihe to help Guan Shigu siege the city. The rest of the troops continue to go north and occupy Pingyao."
Zhao Ding said: "Why should the commander-in-chief be in such a hurry? The whole army will celebrate today and set out again tomorrow."
Cao Zhiyan said: "On the battlefield, life or death is a matter of an hour and a half, so it's better to be earlier."
Zhao Ding nodded hurriedly: "That's right. I'll prepare some wine and meat here for the soldiers to eat on the way. It can be considered a celebration."
Cao Zhiyan said: "Thank you so much, Commander."
Wu Jie and Liu Qi looked at each other and said to Cao Zhiyan: "Liu Qi and I still have 20,000 to 30,000 troops and can still fight. Is there anyone I can help with?"
Cao Zhiyan said: "I don't have enough troops. I would be very grateful if I could get help from these two generals. According to Xuanfu's deployment, the Pingyao enemy can be spared in this battle, but Wanyan Yinshuke must be left behind. If the two generals can It would be great to lead the army to Xihe and help Guan Shigu siege the city."
Wu Jie cupped his hands and said: "We will assemble the army today and set off to Xihe tomorrow!"
Zhao Ding looked on with cold eyes, and when he saw that the two people did not ask him, he agreed to Cao Zhiyan, feeling a little unhappy in his heart. But thinking about it again, based on Cao Zhiyan's performance when fighting the Jin army just now, it doesn't matter what he did.
The road in Taiyuan Basin mainly follows the foothills on both sides. Starting from Jiexiu, one goes to Yuci via Pingyao, Qixian, Taigu, and the other is on the other side, passing through Xihe, Wenshui, Jiaocheng to Qingyuan. The reason for this is that the Fen River in the middle often floods, and the cities are located at the foot of the mountains.
Wang Xiaolie's plan was to advance in two directions and meet at the foot of Taiyuan City. Cao Zhiyan captured Pingyao and then Xihe, which just opened two channels.
Two days later, Wang Xiao hunted out of Queshu Valley and arrived at Jiexiu County.
Zhao Ding and his civil and military officials welcomed Wang Xiaolie into the county government office and took their seats.
When tea was served, Zhao Ding cupped his hands and said, "Xuanfu has had a hard journey."
Wang Xiaolie cupped his hands and said, "The governor came to Jiexiu early and fought continuously. It's really hard work."
After Zhao Ding entered Jiexiu, the battle went smoothly at first, but Zhao Ding also became hot-headed and surrounded Xihe and Pingyao at the same time. As a result, they were attacked by the Jin army in Pingyao and retreated all the way to Jiexiu City, where the Jin army also came to the city. If Cao Zhiyan hadn't arrived with his troops and repelled the Jin army, Zhao Ding would have been in a very embarrassing situation.
Hearing what Wang Xiaolie said, Zhao Ding's face turned red and he didn't speak again.
Seeing this, Qi Chongli hurriedly said: "It's already getting late. The governor has prepared some wine and food for Xuanfu to catch the wind and wash away the dust. In addition, the war is in a hurry. We didn't celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in the past two days. Let's make up for it tonight."
Wang Xiaolie did not refuse and went to Houya together.
Autumn has arrived, and there are several plates of red hotpots on the table. Next to it are grapes from Qingyuan, jujubes from Jiaocheng, walnuts from Xiaoyi, and other local specialties.
Zhao Ding said to Wang Xiaolie: "Your Majesty Xuan Fu."
Wang Xiaolie refused and asked Zhao Ding to sit down before sitting down with everyone else.
After a while, the food and wine were served, and Zhao Ding said: "In a small and remote county, the food and wine are naturally simpler, so don't blame Xuanfu."
Wang Xiaolie said: "What are you saying, Governor? It's so rich, I can only be grateful."
After that, he and Zhao Ding drank three glasses of wine in a row. The wine glass was put down, and the atmosphere on the wine table relaxed.
Zhao Ding said: "Cao Dutong has defeated Pingyao County. Now An Qian is stationed there, and Cao Dutong has arrived at the gate of Xihe City. Now, Guan Shigu, Wu Jie and Liu Qi have surrounded Xihe, and Cao Dutong is also there. With our help, the Xihe River can be said to be impenetrable. When Xuanfu reaches Jiexiu, they should attack with all their strength and capture the Xihe River!"
Wang Xiaolie said: "There are already 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers and horses outside Xihe City. It is time to break the city. I will go to Pingyao tomorrow, and Cao Zhiyan's soldiers and horses can be transferred to Xihe. There are 60,000 to 70,000 troops, and Xihe cannot be defended no matter what. living."
Zhao Ding said: "I heard from Cao Dutong that Xuanfu specifically ordered that Wanyan Yinshuke must be retained. Why, didn't Xuanfu go and watch the battle in Xihe?"
Wang Xiaolie smiled and said: "To attack a small city, why do I need to go there myself? As long as I cut off Wanyan Yinshuke's reinforcements, where will he have a way to go?"
Zhao Ding was startled: "Xuanfu thought that if Xihe was besieged, would the Jin army dare to send reinforcements?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "Wanyan Yinshu is Wanyan Yuying's direct father. No matter how difficult it is, he can still save him."
Zhao Ding asked hurriedly: "So, does Xuan Fu think Wanyan Yuying can be saved?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "Wanyan Yuying can't save herself, how can she save Xihe?"
Zhao Ding nodded, somewhat understanding and somewhat unclear. He could feel that Wang Xiaolie didn't want to discuss the war with him, and he didn't even mention the Song Army's deployment. He is the governor, and he really shouldn't end up in this situation.
Now Zhao Ding can only command the Shaanxi army, and he doesn't even know how to deploy other armies. Judging from Wang Xiaolie's attitude, he wasn't prepared to tell him. How can this be done? He is the governor and wants to control all the troops. How can he let Wang Xuanlie do this?
Zhao Ding endured it again and again, wanting to make it clear to Wang Xiaolie that he should know in advance how he would command the army. But with the current situation, how could Wang Xiaolie listen?
After drinking a few glasses of wine, Zhao Ding said to Wang Xiaolie: "Xuanfu, please tell me how to deploy the battle in Taiyuan. Wanyan Yuying only has less than 40,000 people left, and Xuanfu's hundreds of thousands of troops have arrived in Fenzhou. Will we conquer Taiyuan Mansion soon?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "How can it be so easy? From Pingyao to the north, most places have no food available and must be transported from the rear. And don't we just ignore the local people? Counting their food and clothing, the burden will be heavy. We have to stay in Pingyao for a while."
Zhao Ding was stunned: "Why is there no food north of Pingyao? It is autumn now. The weather around Taiyuan is good this year, so there is no shortage of food."
Wang Xiaolie shook his head: "When Wanyan came to rescue from the south, the autumn crops had not been harvested yet. What did they eat? Not only were the people short of food, but the horses were also short of grass and rice. The guy then ran into the farmland on his horse and took some food. Eat corn that is about to ripen. All the prefectures and counties along the road are suffering from it, and things are very difficult to handle."
Zhao Ding looked back at Qi Chongli and Fu Songqing, blaming them for not telling him.
Wang Xiaolie said: "After our army enters the Taiyuan Basin, we plan to use Jiexiu as a place to store grain and grass. I hope the governor will not blame us."
Zhao Ding could only nod: "It should be like this. There should be such a place when the army marches."
Wang Xiaolie said: "This is the best. I will go to Pingyao tomorrow, and Cao Zhiyan and his troops will also be transferred to Xihe to assist in the attack. What do you want, the governor?"
Zhao Ding was silent for a moment. What can I do? The Shaanxi Army, which can only command, has a confused future. What else can it do? He waved his hands and said, "Let's talk about it later."
(End of chapter)
