Fenyang Mansion in Hedong Province.
Two hundred thousand Mongolian troops went to Yangquan to fight the Qi army.
The Mongolian army's supplies were mainly provided by the prefectures east of Hedong.
Previously, Mongolia ruled the Han region under a tax farming system. It agreed with the princes of various places on how much tax they needed to pay each year, and the balance was owned by the princes of each place.
In recent years, Mongolia has been fighting wars every year, and the taxes it has levied on the Han region can be said to be extremely heavy.
Sixty-seven percent of the taxes from Hedong were given to Mongolia, and princes from various places could only take a small part of the rest.
This money was needed for daily expenses, maintenance of the army, and filial piety to Daru Huachi in the city. After a year, there was almost no balance.
Originally, the princes from all over the country could still live in such a life, but this time the Hedong War directly made it impossible for the princes in various states and counties to survive.
Now, in order to support the front line, all this year's taxes will be given to Mongolia. They also need to use their savings from previous years to buy food and send it to the front line.
The money and food that everyone has finally saved will probably be consumed by this battle.
In Fenyang Prefecture in the east of Hedong, Fan Yongji was named Fan Yongji. He was originally an official of the Jin Dynasty. After the death of Jin Dynasty, he surrendered to Mongolia and was sealed in Linfen by Wokuotai.
This time the Mongolian Big Three attacked Yangquan, Fan Yongji's elite troops were mobilized, but he was left behind to collect grain for the Mongolian army in Hedong.
Fenyang City, inside the Commander's Mansion.
Fan Yongji was worried. After the Mongolian army arrived in Yangquan, the Qi army strengthened its walls and continued to hold off without a decisive battle, which meant that he would continue to provide food for the Mongolian army.
This year, Fan Yongji didn't get a single copper from the Fenyang Prefecture's taxes, all of which were given to the Mongols.
Now that Meng Qi has not fought decisively, if it continues, he will have to use his old capital to support the Mongolian army in the battle.
Fan Yongji knew in his heart that Hedong's finances were difficult to maintain and the war could no longer be fought. However, Daru Huachi in the city came every day to urge him to transport food, which was really annoying.
At this time, Daruhua Chishu, the Mongolian spy on the Han people, broke into the festival hall and shouted, "Fan Wanhu, the Great Khan has ordered that food be transported to the front line. Are you ready?"
Fan Yongji was a little unhappy and said distractedly: "Three thousand stones of grain were transported just a few days ago. How can we get it together in such a short time?"
Sishu said with a black face: "Fan Wanhu, the situation on the front line is urgent now. You can collect next year's taxes in advance and send them to the Great Khan."
Fan Yongji secretly cursed in his heart that by collecting next year's taxes in advance, the people of Fenyang would not have to celebrate the New Year this year.
"Alas! I'll think of a solution, just wait for my news!" Fan Yongji said perfunctorily and dismissed his thoughts.
After Sishu left, Fan Yongji walked around the festival hall with a sullen face. After a while, he suddenly told his confidants: "Help me contact the people in Jinyiwei. I want to talk to them."
The confidant followed the order and quickly made an appointment.
That night, Zhao Hu brought several of his subordinates to the commander's residence. He smiled and clasped his fists, "Fan Wanhu, long time no see. How are you?"
After Zhao Tai occupied Hebei, he began to penetrate into Hedong. As the leader of the Jinyiwei, Zhao Hu had been in contact with Fan Yongji.
These princes in Hedong, based on their own interests, naturally became closer to Mongolia in order to maintain their status as princes.
However, in the face of Qi's strong rise, they did not refuse contact with Qi, leaving a way out for themselves.
Fan Yongji saw it was Zhao Hu and quickly clasped his fists, "Commander Zhao, when did you arrive?"
Fan Yongji was a little surprised, so he quickly invited Zhao Hu to take a seat and asked someone to prepare wine and food for him.
Zhao Hu got straight to the point, "Fan Wanhu, you took the initiative to contact our Jinyiwei today. You must have a clear understanding of the situation in Hedong. Now that our Qi army is approaching Hedong, Mongolia is short of food and grass, and it will not take long to fail. Now that Mongolia is gone, Fan Wanhu He is a hero from the east of the river, why would a bird choose a tree to roost in?"
Fan Yongji muttered: "Xianhan is not kind to me, and Marshal Liu and I are sworn brothers, how can we be disloyal and unjust."
Zhao Hu sneered in his heart, picked up the wine glass and said with a smile: "Fan Wanhu's words are wrong. You and I are both Han people, and Wo Kuotai is a barbarian. Besides, Wo Kuotai is dead. It's because you are ungrateful. You rebelled anyway. It cannot be considered disloyal. As for Liu Heima, he does not understand the general trend and regards thieves as his father. He is unjust first. You are loyal and righteous by raising an army to destroy Hu."
Fan Yongji said: "Commander Zhao, please let me think about it."
Zhao Hu knew that Fan Yongji had already made a decision in his mind when he asked him to come over. Now he just needed a suitable price.
Zhao Hu smiled and said: "I don't think you have anything to think about. Now, in order to resist Da Qi, Mongolia is ruthlessly raiding the east of the river. I won't hide it from you. Several princes have been overwhelmed and contacted Da Qi to raise troops anyway. If you don't rebel now and let them take the lead, you will have no chance. If you raise an army now to disrupt the morale of the Mongolian army, when the king defeats the Mongolian army and takes over the east of the river, and rewards you based on your merits, will he treat you badly?"
Fan Yongji was tempted when he heard this. He was following Mongolia now. There was no benefit at all, and he was going to back him. Moreover, judging from the current situation, Mongolia probably could not drive the Qi army out of Hedong. "Commander Zhao, I have always been loyal to Da Qi, but Anyway, I am not the one who can decide this uprising. I just want to ask what the Qi army plans to do with me and my brothers after they occupy Hedong."
Zhao Hu picked up the jug and filled it for him, and comforted him: "Zhang Rou and Yan Zhongji are both princes, and now they are both in high positions. Now Daqi has to take Guanzhong after taking Hedong, and after taking Guanzhong, it will be Destroy the Southern Song Dynasty. Isn't Fan Wanhu still worried that there is no place for him to take refuge?"
Although Zhao Hu did not promise anything, Fan Yongji made up his mind instantly after hearing this.
Qi State is a rapidly rising political power, and there is still a large area of land to conquer. It can be said that it is the right time to hire people.
The sooner he surrenders, the more opportunities he will have to make contributions in the war of Qi to dominate the world.
Fan Yongji couldn't help but pick up the wine glass and said gratefully: "Commander Zhao woke up the dreamer with his words. I, Fan Yongji, am willing to revolt anyway and serve the king."
Zhao Hu also picked up the wine glass and said, "Fan Wanhu, if you start trouble, the people in Hedong will be able to get rid of Mongolian control as soon as possible. Come, I want to toast you a drink on behalf of the people in Hedong."
The two raised their glasses and drank.
In order to force Zhao Tai to fight decisively, the Mongols sent a mission to the Southern Song Dynasty, hoping to use the Southern Song Dynasty to put pressure on Zhao Tai.
Zhao Tai then sent Jin Yiwei to go deep into Hedong, contact the princes of Hedong, and persuade them to raise troops to resist Mongolia.
If the princes of Hedong rebelled, then the Mongolian army on the front line would definitely be unstable.
At that time, the Mongolian army will be worried about the rear and is trapped in food and grass. The Mongolian army will have only two choices.
They could either launch a strong attack regardless of casualties, force Zhao Tai out of Hedong, and then turn around and put down the rebellion.
Otherwise, they can only withdraw their troops and hand over Hedong to Qi before the situation in Zhao Hedong gets out of control.
