Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 186 Capture Youzhou! (Ask for a monthly ticket!!!)

"Great victory in Zhigu Village! Jinghai Houzhen defeated Liao State General Yelu Chutai!!!"

A fast horse broke through the quiet night of Bianjing City. The horse fell headlong in front of the imperial city, and the envoy also fell off the horse. With the last bit of strength, he handed the battle report to the guards guarding the city gate.

The people from the Imperial City Department hurriedly sent the battle report to the palace.

Zhao Zongquan hasn't had a good night's sleep since the army set off. The emperor of Song Dynasty has extremely complicated emotions towards the Liao Kingdom. The Liao Kingdom is like an invincible opponent, standing in front of the Song Dynasty. They would all be beaten black and blue by the Liao Kingdom.

It is undoubtedly a difficult decision for Zhao Zongquan to tear up the Tanyuan Alliance this time. If he is only 40 years old, he will definitely wait another ten years until he is fully prepared before making a move.

However, he has no time, he is more than 50 years old, and his body has begun to fail. He knows that this is his last chance, and the temptation of leaving a long history is too great for him, and he cannot refuse.

"Officials, it's getting late, there's a court meeting tomorrow, why don't you rest first?" the eunuch beside him said softly.

Zhao Zongquan rubbed his swollen temples, and was about to get up and go back to the bedroom when he heard someone shouting outside the palace: "Great victory!"

At first Zhao Zongquan thought that he was too nervous and misheard, but after a while, an eunuch ran in, knelt down on the ground, holding an envelope sealed with wax in both hands.

"Bring it up." Zhao Zongquan said impatiently.

When the envelope arrived in front of him, Zhao Zongquan snatched it, tearing off the wax on it with trembling hands, and unfolded it for a look.

"Haha~~~"

Zhao Zongquan laughed wildly, and even shed tears while laughing, and he regained his composure after a while, but the eunuch handed over a hot towel to wipe his face, rubbed his hands excitedly and laughed.

"Jinghai Hou Zhen is a powerful general in the world, and his solitary army went deep and was able to kill the enemy's general. Not only did he wipe out the [-] cavalry of the Liao Kingdom, but there were also [-] leather troops!"

While talking, Mr. Han Daxiang and others also rushed over after hearing the news. They also heard about the great victory, but they didn't know the specific situation. If they didn't find out, they would definitely not be able to sleep peacefully tonight.

Zhao Zongquan was in a good mood and waved his hand: "Give me a seat."

After Han Daxianggong and the others thanked him, they couldn't wait to ask: "Officials, I'll wait to hear that there is a great victory report from the front? But have you won Zhuozhou?"

Zhao Zongquan waved his hand and handed the secret letter to them with a smile: "It's not Zhuozhou, it's Zhigu Village. The Marquis of Jinghai only led [-] infantry and [-] Mingzhou navy. It is an unprecedented victory for the stronghold to kill Yelu Chutai, the great general of the Liao Kingdom!"

Master Han was even more surprised when he heard the words. To be honest, if it weren't for the secret letter, they would even think that Zhao Zongquan was bragging.

After all, since the establishment of the Song Dynasty, there have been many defeats against the Liao Kingdom. Occasionally, there are small-scale victories, but not many gains. What is the concept of killing [-]?
The point is, Qin Hao didn't have cavalry in his hands, but an infantry division of 40,000 people. How did he catch up with the Liao cavalry?
I didn't know the general process of the battle until I saw the secret letter, but classical Chinese texts are generally general, and only mentioned how Qin Hao set up an ambush in the salt field. The specific battle process was not described, only Yeluchu was mentioned. The head of Taiwan has been pickled and is on the way back.

Seeing this, Mr. Han Daxianggong and others are willing to believe that this time is a real victory. After all, the head of the enemy's general can't be faked, right?That is the crime of deceiving the king.

"The ministers congratulate the Song Dynasty, and congratulate the officials!"

Han Daxianggong and others bowed down and kowtowed together.

Zhao Zongquan Longyan Dayue: "Haha, everyone loves you, Jinghaihou has made such great achievements, and the rewards need to come up with a charter, and the soldiers in front must not be chilled."

All the ministers looked at each other, but Mr. Han said: "Officials, the war has just begun at this time, it is better to write it down temporarily, and wait until the end of the war to reward the meritorious deeds."

Qin Hao's official position and title are already very high. He is a second-rank official at a young age, plus the founding marquis, and if he rises further, he will be the Taiwei and the Duke. The battle to capture the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun has just begun. If he makes more contributions in the future, wouldn't there be no reward for him?Is it impossible to become a king?
Zhao Zongquan also thought about it: "Then let's remember it first, and the reward will be awarded after Jinghaihou's class teacher returns to the court."

Han Daxiang said impartially: "Officials, the most important thing at this time is to send officials to the Land of Nether Clouds to assist in governance. In addition, the army also needs reinforcements outside."

The sixteen prefectures of Yanyun have been under the rule of the Liao Kingdom for nearly a hundred years. The Han people in the north are accustomed to the policies of the Liao Kingdom, and they were taken back by the Song Dynasty. Naturally, they need to adapt again. This matter must not be done by generals.

The reason why all the ministers didn't mention it before was that, to put it bluntly, they didn't believe that the army of the Song Dynasty could defeat the Liao army.

Now they suddenly heard the news of the great victory, which made them change their concept of the invincibility of the Liao army, and began to have more expectations for the Northern Expedition.

If the Yanyun Sixteen States can be regained, the prime ministers of them will naturally leave their names in history. Who can resist such a temptation?

Afterwards, Zhao Zongquan talked with all the ministers at night by candlelight, and talked about the next morning. Although he didn't sleep all night, he didn't feel tired, and everyone's faces were full of excitement.

At the court meeting, when Zhao Zongquan announced the news of the great victory, all the officials in the court bowed down.

Empress Dowager Cao, who had been sitting behind the curtain, couldn't help asking herself: Am I really wrong?

Soon, Zhao Zongquan ordered 200,000 frontier troops to reinforce King Huan, and at the same time sent a large number of civil servants to Youzhou to receive the land occupied by the army.

Soon the news of Zhigu Village’s great victory spread in Bianjing City. The merchants on both sides of the street were decorated with lanterns and festoons. Those who didn’t know the news were curious: “Shopkeeper, what day is it today? Why is it like Shangyuan Festival? Happy?"

The shopkeeper said with a smile: "Haha, the guest officer doesn't know yet, right? The victory in Zhigu Village, Jinghai Houzhen beheaded Liao State General Yelu Chutai, this is an unprecedented victory, isn't it worth celebrating?"

"Is this true?"

"Can this be fake? It is said that the heads of Yeluchutai are already on their way to Bianjing."

"Haha, shopkeeper, bring out your best food and drink, I'm going to have a drink today!"

"okay!"

The common people were also very happy. Before the Song Army gave the common people the impression that they were a group of weak chickens. From time to time, they could hear that where they were defeated again, where they paid reparations. Over time, the common people also had fear of the Liao army in their hearts.

Now, Qin Hao's formation of beheading Yelu Chutai, the general of the Liao Kingdom, broke the curse in one fell swoop.

Jinghai Marquis Mansion was also decorated with lights and festoons at this time. Ever since Qin Hao set off on the expedition, Yu Yanran had trouble sleeping and eating, for fear of hearing some bad news. This time it was all right, and finally she was able to sleep peacefully.

Sister Lan kept asking: "Daddy won the battle, when will he come back?"

On the other side, after besieging Zhuozhou for five days and five nights, the British Duke finally gnawed down this hard bone, and at the same time they also received Qin Hao's victory report.

For a while, the morale of the Song army was greatly boosted, and the successive victories also reunited the originally worn-out army spirit. After two days of repairs, the army set off and marched into Youzhou.

At the same time, the Liao Army also dispatched 150,000 reinforcements to Youzhou, and the two sides will inevitably usher in a bloody battle in the Youzhou area.

After a month, Qin Hao's troops finally joined the army. The Mingzhou navy defeated the Youzhou navy at the entrance of the Gaoliang River, and blocked the reinforcements on the east side of the Gaoliang River from the battlefield. The Liao army tried to find the front beach several times. When they landed, they were all discovered by Qin Hao, and attacked halfway across the river. The Liao army lost thousands of cavalry, so they could only go up the river, preparing to bypass the Gaoliang River and enter Youzhou City. favorable conditions.

And Zhao Yingce also took the opportunity to surround Youzhou City, and more than 20 troops were stationed outside the city, which also brought great psychological pressure to the Liao army defending the city.

"Haha, Zihan's partial division has achieved the effect of the main force. It can be said that it uses soldiers like a god!" Zhao Yingce praised Qin Hao without hesitation.

Qin Hao was not so optimistic. Looking at the towering city of Youzhou, he frowned: "This Youzhou city is so strong, it may not be easy to take it down."

In the big tent of the Chinese army, the atmosphere has also become a bit depressing. Youzhou has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. Over the years, the Liao Kingdom has also been well aware of the strategic value of Youzhou, so it has been strengthening the defense of Youzhou's city walls. At this time Youzhou is like a dangerous pass, lying in front of everyone. More importantly, they don't have much time. Once the reinforcements from the Liao Kingdom reach the battlefield by bypassing the Gaoliang River, they will have to devote most of their energy to defending against the 150,000 soldiers. The cavalry may attack at any time, and there is even a risk of annihilation of the entire army.

Zhao Yingce said solemnly: "Meeting on a narrow road, the brave will win. I also invite you to join me in one heart and one mind, take Youzhou, leave your name in history, and seal your wife and son. Now is the time!"

"The last general takes orders!"

That afternoon, the army launched its first attack on the city. The Youzhou garrison had already been waiting for it. The result of the advance was not satisfactory. The Youzhou garrison had already set up a large number of traps outside the city. Hundreds of corpses have been left behind.

The war is so cruel, the comrades who were still eating together in the afternoon, when they came back in the evening, they were no longer there.

That night, the atmosphere in the Chinese Army's big tent was also very dignified. Even though they had made enough psychological preparations before, it was only when the real attack came that they realized that Youzhou City was so difficult to attack.

The city wall of Youzhou is built on the mountain, which is completely different from the previous city wall of Zhuozhou. Its city wall is slanted, and the top of the city is designed to protrude, so that the ladder cannot be completely flat against the city wall, even if it is a hook on the ladder. Hooked to the female wall, when the soldiers climbed the ladder, they still felt afraid of the ropes, and when they climbed the tower, they were already exhausted, and there was no way to pose a threat to the defenders of the tower.

"Let's use Thunderbolt!" Zhao Yingce said with a serious face.

As a secret weapon, it was not used in Zhuozhou no matter how difficult it was, in order to catch the Liao Kingdom by surprise.

Qin Hao thought for a while: "Your Highness, why don't you let Weichen's engineering team go into battle tomorrow."

"Okay, I also want to see what kind of surprises Qinhou's army can bring to the king." Zhao Yingce's eyes lit up.

Qin Hao's engineering team is a team he secretly organized, specializing in research on how to dismantle the fortifications. They arrived in Youzhou all the way, and demolished many cities along the way, all of which were done by them.

Turning the day, the sky was bright, and the defenders of Youzhou City saw that the Song Army had already buried the pot for cooking, and they all yawned, with indifferent expressions on their faces. There were 300,000 defenders in Youzhou City, plus Yi Shou The city is difficult to attack, even though there are [-] troops besieged outside the city, but they don't pay attention to the Song army at all.

As soon as the reinforcements arrive, they will be able to fight out of the city and completely wipe out the Song army. Against the Song army, the Liao army has a natural confidence bonus.

With the same offensive rhythm as yesterday, the general of the Liao army on the top of the city ordered to shoot arrows dismissively, and then watched leisurely as the Song army rushed to die.

But in a corner that he didn't pay attention to, a small group of soldiers from the Song Army had already touched the basement of the city wall. Protruding the city head out of Youzhou City can certainly restrict the ladders, but it also brings a certain visual blind spot. Down below, it is very difficult for bows and arrows to shoot them.

"Hey, these idiots think they are so smart, let's see if I don't blow you up!" A soldier of the Song Army laughed.

A veteran glared at him: "Stop talking nonsense and dig quickly."

"Design!" As he spoke, the soldiers of the Song Army took out a shovel and started digging the clods under the city gate.

About half an hour later, this team of soldiers stuffed the cart full of iron balls into the hole just dug, and then carefully buried it with soil, leaving only a length of lead wire outside.

The veteran took out the fire pocket, lit the fuse, and then a group of people rushed to the distance quickly, shouting: "Run!"

Seeing this, the rest of the soldiers retreated from the city as if the tide was ebbing. This scene puzzled the Liao army on the tower. Why did they retreat?They also didn't hear the song army calling for gold, could it be that they were gutted by being killed?Are they not afraid of being engaged by military law?
However, they didn't have time to think about it, they only heard a loud bang, the whole Youzhou City shook violently, and the top of the city shook even more violently.

"Earth Dragon turn over!"

"Dilong turned over, run!"

The soldiers of the Liao army panicked one by one. The general of the Liao army originally wanted to stop the panic of the soldiers, but he himself caught it the next moment. A large part of the west gate wall had collapsed, and the entire city of Youzhou was torn apart.

"Haha, I got it, kill me, and I will seal my wife Yinzi today!"

The soldiers of the Song army who were still fleeing in a hurry rushed to the gap in an instant.

The general of the Liao Army was also a battle-hardened warrior. Seeing this, he didn't bother to shake off the dust on his body. He gritted his teeth and drew his knife to kill several fleeing soldiers. Kill without mercy!"

A bloody fight ensued. Both sides struggled to control the gap. Veteran generals like Ying Yinggong went into battle in person. In the end, it was Qin Hao who ordered to throw fifty thunderbolts to defeat the Liao army. The general was bombarded to death before the Liao army's counterattack was completely restrained.

However, the resistance of the Liao army did not stop. The two sides started street fighting in the city, fighting from the gate of the city to the government office. Either escape from Youzhou through other city gates.

After Qin Hao, Ying Yinggong and Cheng Guogong completely wiped out the city, Zhao Yingce was welcomed into the city.

Zhao Yingce sat on the high hall of the government office in Youzhou, and was filled with emotion for a moment: "I, Song Dynasty finally took back Youzhou!"

British Duke and Cheng Guogong were in tears. They had been stabbed several times on the battlefield without frowning, and they were crying like children at the moment.

Youzhou, an existence that haunted the generals of the Song Dynasty and was like a nightmare, has finally been taken back!
General Yeluhong of the Liao Kingdom who was rushing to help Youzhou encountered the defeated Youzhou defenders on the road, he was shocked and grabbed the defeated soldiers: "Impossible, Youzhou City is as solid as a rock, and it is only five days now, how could it be possible to fall? "

The rout soldier said with fear on his face: "General, the villain is telling the truth. It was the earth dragon that turned over, and the earth dragon turned over and destroyed the city wall. God help Song."

Yeluhong's face changed even more when he heard the words, he drew out his long knife, and directly beheaded the rout soldiers, gritted his teeth and said: "Drag out, and anyone who dares to spread rumors and disturb the morale of the army will be killed."

However, violence cannot stop rumors, and soon there was a saying among the Liao soldiers that the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun belonged to the Song Dynasty, and now that the deadline has come, it is time to return it. How could it be such a coincidence that when Song Dynasty besieged Youzhou, Dilong turned around?
The ethnic minorities are actually more superstitious than the people of the Central Plains, and the Liao Kingdom is the same. In addition to some local witchcraft religions in the Liao Kingdom, Buddhism is also very popular in the Liao Kingdom. The current emperor of the Liao Kingdom, Yelu Hongji, is a thorough Buddhist believer.

The degree of devotion is not much different from that of Emperor Wu of Liang in history. He can personally preach the contents of the scriptures, and he is proficient in Buddhism and Sanskrit. The subsequent engravings of the Fangshan Stone Sutra and the carving of the "Khitan Collection" are all in his hands. Completed.

What is good at the top and the bottom must be the same? Folk Buddhism naturally became the largest religion in the Liao Kingdom. The soldiers were affected by this, and the morale of the army was slackened. Yeluhong had nothing to do. In addition, Youzhou was lost. It doesn't make sense anymore, so I can only stand by and wait for orders.

Under Qin Hao's suggestion, Zhao Yingce was not in a hurry to recover other counties in Youzhou, but took the lead in repairing the city of Youzhou, and sent Gu Tingye's cavalry to sweep away the cities that Zhuozhou had not had time to occupy before.

With a strong city like Youzhou as a fortress, the advantage of the Liao cavalry was limited by most. If the Liao army dared to attack, the Song army could take advantage of the complex mountainous terrain and eat up the Liao cavalry.

Ten days later, there was another good news. The 200,000 troops sent by the imperial court had arrived in Zhuozhou to join Gu Tingye's troops. What made Qin Hao even more delighted was that this time Zhao Zongquan directly emptied the Song family. There are fifty thousand cavalry.

After capturing Zhuozhou and Youzhou, half of the entire Hebei Plain fell under the control of the Song army, and horses were no longer as scarce as before. The [-] cavalry under Gu Tingye's command had all been replaced by Liao horses, and their combat effectiveness had increased by more than one grade.

The successive defeats also made Yelu Hongji furious. He personally led an army of 300,000 and used the power of the whole country to take back Youzhou.

(End of this chapter)