The Jin army besieged the city, and the Song emperor’s daughter died

Chapter 39 The Ministry of War decides on the strategy

The next day, the meeting with the Ministry of War continued under the auspices of Li Gang. He felt that this matter could not be delayed like this!

In any case, the general direction must be set today.

The generals were noisy again, each talking about his own ideas and disdaining the suggestions of others.

It's no wonder, after all, their starting points are different.

A pure person like Li Gang has only one starting point, which is to protect Kaifeng and relieve the danger of Kaifeng as soon as possible.

Although other people have this ultimate goal, they have more or less other thoughts on top of this ultimate goal, such as what benefits they can get from this Kaifeng defense battle.

During the commotion, an official came to report: "Li Xiangguo is here!"

Li Gang was stunned. Ever since Kaifeng was besieged, although Li Bangyan was jumping up and down, it was only about peace negotiations. He had never asked about the affairs of the Ministry of War.

This is also what the officials have specifically explained, everyone should perform their duties!

Why today...

While he was thinking, Li Bangyan had already walked into the lobby of the Ministry of War.

Seeing Li Bangyan coming, all the generals in the hall shut up and stood up to salute.

During the hundred years of the Song Dynasty, the status of military generals was far lower than that of civilian officials, not to mention that Li Bangyan was the head of the civil officials and the majestic Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty.

Li Bangyan also bowed his hands, saluted everyone, and walked straight to Li Gang: "Li Shilang, although King Qin's soldiers are arriving one after another, the officials said a few days ago that peace talks are still the main thing. I heard the truth. Why are you preparing to start a war against Wanyan Zongwang for several days in a row?"

Li Gang bowed and said: "Li Xiangguo, although the government allows you to negotiate peace, it does not prohibit us from preparing for war. If you negotiate for peace, our military department will prepare for our military department's war. If the peace negotiation fails, we will have another option at that time. Are you prepared first-hand?"

When Li Bangyan heard this, he became a little angry: "I have spared no effort to negotiate peace in the front. If you make some changes in the middle and start the war again, isn't this dragging me down? Isn't this doing harm to me?" Did you understand the official’s strategy?”

Li Gang knew that Li Bangyan was always eloquent, and even he, the former censor, could not beat Li Bangyan with his rhetoric. To avoid conflict, he could only smile and say: "Don't worry, Mr. Li, any action taken by the Ministry of War will be made in advance." Notify the Prime Minister."

Li Bangyan nodded with satisfaction, and before leaving, he did not forget to remind Li Gang: "Although Li Shilang was appointed by the officials, Li Shilang, don't forget, I am the prime minister of the Song Dynasty. If you cause any trouble, the truth is I have enough power to remove you!"

After Li Bangyan left, the lobby of the Ministry of War finally became quiet!

Some generals muttered: "What is this? We came all the way just to see Li Xiangguo sue for peace?"

Li Gang waved his hand: "Let's not talk about him anymore. Let's continue. There are currently three strategies, surprise attack, battle and city defense."

"Surprise attack!"

The first general of King Qin who came to Kaifeng City, Ma Zhong, the commander of Luoyang in Xijing, stood up and said: "Let's not waste time here. We have been in the city for many days. No matter what kind of general, we think it is feasible, but if we want to let the last general To be honest, I still agree with Mr. Yao’s surprise attack strategy!”

As soon as Ma Zhong finished speaking, another general echoed: "Whatever, Li Xiangguo is here to question him!" Zhong Shidao, who had always opposed the surprise attack, stopped talking at this time. Since the first day he met the official, so many Tian never saw Shangguan's family again.

In the imperial study, the official said that he would hand over the full command of Kaifeng's troops and horses. After so many days, there was no movement at all. Zhong Shidao felt that the official might have hesitated and adopted the strategy of siege but not attack. , I’m afraid it won’t go on!

But no matter what, his current identity is the commander of the Jingnan Army. He is really tired of arguing and arguing. How to decide, let the Minister of War make the decision!
After a moment of silence, someone asked again: "Li Xiangguo just said that we should not destroy the peace negotiation. If there is a surprise attack..."

"Yes, if something happens, who can bear it? Being dismissed from office is a trivial matter. You might lose your head. I am not afraid of dying on the battlefield, but I don't want to die under the sword of the imperial court!"

Li Gang listened to the discussion of the generals and finally made a decision: "I will carry it!"

Seeing Li Gang speak, Yao Pingzhong stood up and said: "The strategy for the surprise attack is decided by me. If something goes wrong, I will take it with Li Shilang!"

Now that everything has been said, no one has any objections!

"Mr. Lao Zhong, now that this strategy has been decided, why don't you tell us how the other armies should cooperate?"

Li Gang still respected the way of cultivating teachers.

Zhong Shidao sighed, stood up, walked to the battle situation map, and looked at it for a moment: "Xiao Xianggong led the Yao family army in a surprise attack. The team should not be too large to avoid premature exposure. I think 6000 people are just right, and the rest are all The army cannot make any big changes, it just needs to be ready to respond."

Zhongshidao pointed at Moutuogang: "This place is surrounded by water on three sides. If the surprise attack is successful, all armies will quickly gather at the ramp and strive to annihilate them all!"

Master Dao paused and glanced at Yao Pingzhong: "If the surprise attack fails..."

Zhong Shidao did not continue because he felt that Yao Pingzhong, who was also a general of the Western Army, should know the consequences of a failed surprise attack. If it failed, he would have no chance to escape and would have to die for his country!
So there is no need to arrange support at all!
Yao Pingzhong stood up and walked to the battle map. He pointed at Moutuogang and Kaifeng City: "There is still a distance between the two. If the general's surprise attack fails, there is no need to respond. The other armies only need to defend Kaifeng." City, in case Wanyan Zongwang makes a counterattack, take the opportunity to attack the city!"

Seeing that the two generals of the Western Army, who had experienced many battles, had clearly arranged the specific details, Li Gang had nothing to say and asked, "When will Mr. Yao prepare a surprise attack?"

No one among the generals dares to decide on such an important time point!

Li Gang was brave, but he felt that he still didn't understand, so he had to shut up!
Seeing that everyone was speechless, they could only invite the alchemist from Si Tianjian.

This was the practice when Emperor Daojun was in power. Whenever there was a major military operation, especially a military operation led by the Song Army, Emperor Daojun would invite alchemists to set up an altar and ask for instructions from heaven.

The hexagrams from heaven are the imperial edicts of the Dao Lord and Emperor!
The alchemist came to the Ministry of War and was busy arranging the altar. After struggling for an hour, he walked onto the altar, lit the yellow talisman in his hand, and threw it into the air.

Watching the yellow talisman that burned to ashes slowly fall, it landed leisurely on the surrounding area that had been drawn in advance.

Na Fang opened his eyes and laughed loudly: "The sixth day of the second lunar month is an auspicious day! If we attack on this day, we will definitely defeat the Jin army!"

Yao Pingzhong looked at the cultivator next to him helplessly and said, "Old Mr. Zhong, what do you think?"

Zhong Shidao shook his head with a smile and sighed: "I hope it will be a good day!"

(End of this chapter)