I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 492: Annihilation! The ruthless Queen Mother Mo Zang saved Xixia

On September 16, near noon, the sky was gloomy.

The Song Dynasty soldiers escorted teams of surrendered Xixia soldiers and civilian laborers disguised as fake soldiers from the north bank back to the south bank.

Side of the riverbank on the north bank of the Yellow River.

The big words "Capture Su Liang alive and cut off his tongue, capture Di Qing alive and stab his face" were smashed to pieces by the Song soldiers.

Su Liang stood on the high slope.

Looking at the slowly flowing Yellow River, waiting for news from the front.

soon.

Then a group of Song Dynasty cavalry came galloping from the north bank.

While running wildly, he shouted: Di Shuxiang completely wiped out more than 10,000 Weiming soldiers of Xixia! Di Shuxiang completely wiped out more than 10,000 Weiming soldiers of Xixia!

Hear this.

The Song Dynasty soldiers couldn't help but grin and laugh out loud.

The veterans behind Su Liang, such as Liu Sandao and One-armed Lao Qiao, were also very excited. The Western Army of the Song Dynasty had vindicated itself, and the Song Dynasty had vindicated itself!
This battle.

It was so comfortable to play.

A smile also appeared on Su Liang's face.

He said to Liu Sandao who was standing beside him, "Sandao, quickly spread the fake defeat strategy of the Weiming army and our fake peace strategy to Xixia!"

"I obey your command!" Liu Sandao bowed heavily.

Next, it was Su Liang’s ultimate move, and the plan he had set up was finally going to take effect.

Wei Ming's army knew that they could not defeat the enemy, so they captured civilians to use as numbers to resist the enemy, hoping to use the strategy of pretending to be defeated so that Mo Zang Epang could extort money and property from the Dangxiang nobles.

After Su Liang saw through the situation, he played along with the enemy by first confuse them with peace talks and compensation, and then launched a surprise attack. Afterwards, the Weiming army hastily pretended to be defeated and was chased and annihilated by the Song army.

Once this news reached the ears of the Xixia nobles.

They knew that the Weiming army would retreat when faced with a battle, and that they had captured a large number of civilians.

Combined with a series of information, including the arrogance of the Weiming brothers before the war, the Xixia Prime Minister Mo Zang Epang's eagerness to ask them for money and property, and the fact that Zhuola City was governed by generals from the Mo Zang family.

Naturally, we can infer the real reason why the Weiming army was annihilated.

Until then.

If there had not been a huge conflict between Zang Epang and the Dangxiang nobles, the latter would have destroyed itself by seven points before the Song Dynasty conquered it.

This civil strife can damage the vitality of Western Xia more than this battle.

……

September 19th, early morning.

Mo Zang Epang was only one day's journey away from Zhuola City.

He looked excited and sang as he walked.

I thought that pretending to be defeated in order to extort money and property from those old men was a good strategy.

Who would have thought that the Song soldiers would ask for peace without fighting.

This time, if the peace talks can be successful, even if the Song army only pays a compensation of 100,000 strings of cash, it will be able to raise his status in the Xixia court to a higher level.

By then, it would be easier for him to deal with those old guys.

Sudden.

A Xixia post soldier came running towards the front.

He came running wildly, shouting: "Prime Minister Mei Zang, it's bad, the Song army crossed the Yellow River at night, and the Weiming army was completely wiped out!"

"what?"

Mo Zang Epang grabbed the reins and jumped off the horse.

He pulled the post soldier down.

"Nonsense! How could tens of thousands of elite soldiers be wiped out?" Mo Zang Epang asked with eyes wide open.

The postman immediately took out the information in his arms.

Mei Zang Epang opened it and took a look.

"On the night of the 16th, the Song army forced its way across the Yellow River. Thousands of Weiming soldiers fought fiercely with civilians and Song soldiers. Weiming Xude and Weiming Aji led more than 10,000 cavalry and fled without a fight. They were attacked by the Song army 30 miles away from Zhuolao City and their entire army was wiped out..."

This information was signed and sealed by the commander of Zhuolao City, Mo Zang Duohu.

There is absolutely no way it can be fake.

Mei Zang Duo Hu also speculated that it was very likely that the Song army saw through Wei Ming Xu De's plan of feigning defeat.

Therefore, they used false peace talks to confuse the Weiming army, and then put most of their forces into chasing and blocking the Weiming army, resulting in the complete annihilation of the Weiming army.

As an insider of all matters, it was not difficult for Mei Zang Duo Hu to guess the Song Dynasty's strategy.

If the Song army had not guessed that the Weiming army would flee without a fight, it would have been impossible for them to set up an ambush, let alone annihilate them completely.

If the two sides fight head-on.

Even if the Weiming army was defeated, they still had the ability to escape.

None of them escaped back to Zhuolao City.

This only means that the Song army had already seen through the plan and set up an ambush in advance.

Mo Zang Epang's legs trembled and he fell to the ground.

He felt like the sky was falling!

If the Tangut nobles knew that he ordered the Weiming Army to flee without fighting, he would create panic and defraud the nobles of their money.

Not only would he fail to become prime minister, he might even lose his life.

At this time.

A lieutenant beside Mo Zang Epang said, "Prime Minister, should we return to Xingqing Prefecture immediately? Zhuo Luo City is very dangerous right now!"

Mo Zang Epang shook his head and looked at the post soldier.

"The information about what happened on the evening of the 15th should have been delivered to me before noon yesterday. Why did it arrive only now?"

"Prime Minister, we didn't know...we didn't know you had left Xingqing Prefecture. The information was sent directly to Xingqing Prefecture and may have arrived now."

In fact, Mei Zang Epang was able to receive the intelligence yesterday.

But Mo Zang Duohu insisted on letting Queen Mother Mo Zang know first, so the post soldiers were delayed for one day.

Hearing that the intelligence had reached Xingqing Prefecture, it was even more impossible for Mei Zang Epang to go back.

If he goes back.

That group of Tangut nobles could have torn him into pieces.

Those people's personal guards and soldiers were concentrated inside and outside Xingqing Prefecture. If he made enemies with all these Tangut nobles, he would have no chance of winning at all.

Mo Zang Epang thought for a moment and said to the guards beside him, "Get some writing brush and ink."

Mo Zang Epang was ready to write a letter to Queen Mother Mo Zang immediately, asking her to calm down the group of Dangxiang nobles and attribute all the faults of the battle to Weiming Xude and Weiming Aji, and had nothing to do with him.

Wait until his life is safe before going back.

Even if I can't go back.

With 60,000 soldiers under his command, he still has a chance to make a comeback.

At this moment, in the eyes of Mo Zang Epang, Zhuola City is the safest place in the entire Western Xia.

After Mo Zang Epang finished writing the letter.

He mounted his horse and rushed towards Zhuolao City with a group of soldiers.

……

Noon, Xingqing Prefecture.

Rows of cavalry appeared inside and outside the city of Xingqing Prefecture, and even the imperial palace was completely surrounded.

These cavalrymen were all from the nobles of the Dangxiang.

If they unite, they are powerful enough to overthrow the entire Xixia court.

Now, Mo Zang Epang is out.

They had no choice but to go to the Forbidden City to look for Empress Dowager Mo Zang and the young Emperor Li Liangzuo.

In the main hall.

The Tangut nobles were dressed in armor and were filled with rage.

"Ever since Di Qing and Su Liang expanded their borders in Hehuang, I think Mo Zang Epang and the Wei Ming brothers thought they couldn't win, so they came up with a plan of surrender and set their sights on us."

"Then, the Song people saw through their shameless idea and used their trick to deceive the Weiming brothers in the name of peace talks."

"When they learned that the Song Dynasty was seeking peace, they immediately reported it to Mo Zang Epang. That's why Mo Zang Epang dared to go to the border, make big promises, and prepare to squeeze more money and grain from us before the peace talks!"

"But they didn't expect that they were tricked by the Song people, so they surrendered again, which ultimately led to the annihilation of the entire army!"

"Stupid, stupid!"

"We Xixia people feel ashamed and sad to have such a prime minister!"

……

Based on their own information and intelligence, the Dangxiang nobles quickly figured out the ins and outs of the matter.

Everyone was furious.

When Li Yuanhao was alive, he did not dare to weaken the various ethnic groups.

However, in order to monopolize power, Mo Zang Epang was willing to weaken them regardless of the safety of the country, so they were naturally dissatisfied.

To them.

It is not difficult to appoint a new king and a new prime minister.

Just when the Dangxiang nobles were spitting and cursing Mo Zang Epang.

Mei Zang came out with the little emperor Li Liangzuo.

Although Mo Zang was placed under house arrest in the palace by Mo Zang Epang because of her affair with someone else.

But she also knew about Mei Zang Epang's strategy of false surrender.

Mo Zang walked to the front and said loudly: "All elders and seniors, please be quiet, please be quiet!"

At this time.

A Tangut nobleman shouted, "Mei Zang, we demand that the prime minister be removed immediately and all of Mo Zang Epang's personal soldiers and their families be captured. If you don't want to, we don't mind changing the ruler!"

There is no way to hide Epang's actions.

It has already touched their bottom line. They have the capital to be so arrogant.

There was no trace of fear on Mo Zang's face. She said loudly, "Everyone, please be quiet for a moment and listen to me. Listen to me!"

Wait until the hall is quiet.

Mo Zang took Li Liangzuo's hand and said slowly, "I have issued an order to the commander of Zhuolao City, Mo Zang Duohu, that if Mo Zang Epang arrives in Zhuolao City, he should be killed immediately and his head should be brought back for you to see!"

"If he hadn't gone to Zhuolao City, I would have ordered the Iron Harrier Army to leave Xingqing Prefecture and kill him!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

The Dangxiang nobles did not expect that Mo Zang would be so decisive. He did not try or arrest him, but directly wanted to kill his brother Mo Zang Epang.

The Iron Harrier Army refers to the heavy cavalry of Western Xia.

It was divided into ten teams, each with 300 people, for a total of 3,000 people, composed of the sons and confidants of the Dangxiang Qiang nobles and chiefs.

He is currently responsible for protecting the young emperor Li Liangzuo.

This was the strongest branch of the Western Xia army. Even Zang Epang had no power to transfer it away from Xingqing Prefecture.

"How can Mei Zang Duohu listen to you?" someone asked doubtfully.

In the eyes of the Dangxiang nobles.

The Mo Zang clan had a name but no power, and all the power of the Mo Zang family was in the hands of Mo Zang Epang.

Mo Zang's face was icy, and he said in a deep voice: "Mo Zang Duohu and his 60,000 soldiers are all my people. They will kill whoever I tell them to kill, including everyone in the palace!"

At this moment, there was murderous look on Mei Zang's face.

She has never been content with mediocrity.

In addition to Mei Zang Duo Hu, many other generals knelt at her feet and were willing to die for her.

Mo Zang took a break and said, "I promise you that after Mo Zang Epang's death, the imperial court will never weaken your power again. If a war breaks out, just like the previous emperor, each department will send out its own troops and manage its own money and food. How do you think?"

At this time.

An old man in brocade clothes stood up.

"Without Zang, we really cannot trust you. In the future, I'm afraid you will eliminate us one by one just like you did with Zang Epang."

Mei Zang walked towards the old man and asked, "What do you want to do? Kill the king and usurp the throne?"

"You are indeed capable of establishing a new king, but the personal soldiers I have and the 60,000 soldiers in Zhuo Luo City are enough to severely damage the vitality of Xixia, even if they cannot defeat you. This is exactly what the Song people want to see."

"If we fall into the trap, the entire Western Xia will be doomed and everyone will die!"

"Besides, if we were to appoint a new ruler, do you have a suitable candidate? Wouldn't you fight among yourselves?"

Mo Zang looked at Li Liangzuo.

"Only he, he is Li Yuanhao's offspring, only he is qualified to lead the entire Western Xia, and prevent the Western Xia from internal strife!"

this moment.

The woman's voice drowned out everyone else's voice.

The Dangxiang nobles were also moved by Mo Zang's words.

They did have the power to change the ruler of Western Xia, but they were also unwilling to accept each other. Now that the Song army had attacked the border, if Western Xia had another internal conflict, it would be completely over.

immediately.

The Tangut nobles began to whisper.

A quarter of an hour later.

The old man in brocade clothes stepped forward again and said, "Queen Mother, we will listen to you this time. Once Mo Zang Epang's head is delivered to the palace, we will send more troops to Zhuolao City and fight against the Song army with all our strength!"

Mei Zang nodded.

Soon, the Tangut nobles left.

Mei Zang let out a long sigh of relief. She looked towards the dragon throne in the center of the hall, strode forward, and sat down on it with excitement on her face.

……

Near dusk.

Mo Zang Epang led three thousand cavalrymen and finally arrived at Zhuolao City.

After he learned from Mo Zang Duohu the specific details of the annihilation of the Weiming army, he cursed the Weiming brothers.

All the blame was placed on the two of them.

Next.

He would hide here for a few days and return after the Zang family had stabilized the group of Dangxiang nobles.

……

These two days.

Di Qing and Su Liang were also busy and happy.

In addition to ordering people to clean up the battlefield and treat the wounded, the two also began to consider the regional division of the entire Hehuang.

Su Liang stood in front of the map, drawing and saying: "This area can be set as Xizhou, with Xihe Town as the center, this area can be set as Hezhou, and this area can be called Taozhou..."

Di Qing smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, yes. Since it is our territory, it must be divided into states. We can no longer use the names of the barbarians, but the counties and towns under our jurisdiction can still use the old names."

At this time.

Di Qing looked at the area of ​​Zuo Siluo and frowned slightly.

"Jingming, the Zuosilo tribe owns Qingtang City, and everyone calls them Qingtang Tubo. Qingtang Tubo is not a good name, as it has traces of Tubo and Tang. Let's change the name!"

"That's what I was thinking. This place will become the core location for the development of the western region and a major city on the Silk Road. How about calling it Xining? Xining City, what do you think?"

"Xining, Xining, peace in the west, what a good name, let's call it Xining City!"

Di Qing slapped his thigh and smiled brightly.

After the two have divided these areas, they will form text and diagrams and send them to Bianjing City.

The imperial court would basically follow their advice.

……

September 22nd, afternoon.

Zhuolao City, in the commander’s mansion.

Mo Zang Epang was having dinner when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from outside.

He hasn't stood up yet.

Then, Mei Zang Duohu rushed in with a group of soldiers wearing armor and carrying bows and crossbows.

Mei Zang Duohu was holding a shiny big knife in his hand.

Almost in the blink of an eye.

Several personal guards around Mo Zang Epang were all controlled.

There was no hidden error and huge body was horrified.

"Meizang Duohu, what are you doing? Are you going to rebel against the Meizang family?" Meizang Epang retreated to the screen behind him and looked at Meizang Duohu.

Mo Zang Duo Hu took out a memorial from his arms and threw it to Mo Zang Epang.

"The Queen Mother has ordered me to kill you immediately and send your head back to the palace!"

Mo Zang Epang looked at the memorial in disbelief.

After reading it, he instantly understood Mei Zang's thoughts.

"This woman is as vicious as a snake. She even wants to kill her own brother. She is so heartless!"

Mo Zang Epang looked at Mo Zang Duohu.

"General Duohu, I am training you to be the next patriarch of the Mo Zang family. How about we join forces? The Mo Zang family is only trying to protect itself. If I die, the power of Xixia will definitely belong to those old men, and you will definitely not have a good ending."

Mei Zang Duohu shook his head.

"I only follow the Queen Mother's wishes. Prepare to die!"

After saying that, Mo Zang Duohu waved his hand, and the two soldiers behind him pressed Mo Zang Epang to the ground.

Mo Zang Epang hadn't even waited to cry out.

Mei Zang Duo Hu swung his sword and chopped off his head.

……

Two days later.

The news that Mo Zang Epang was hacked to death by Mo Zang Duohu, and that the Mo Zang family regained power to quell the anger of the Dangxiang nobles and that Zhuolao City would increase its troops by tens of thousands reached the ears of Di Qing and Su Liang.

"This... this woman is not an ordinary person! I thought she only knew how to support men, but I didn't expect her to be so scheming. She is much more difficult to deal with than Mo Zang Epang!" Di Qing murmured.

Su Liang smiled helplessly.

"I didn't expect it! Such a huge civil strife that should have broken out was resolved by a woman. What a pity! What a pity!"

Di Qing patted Su Liang on the shoulder.

"We have done very well. We have expanded our borders by more than 2,800 miles and won such a great victory. What else is there to be dissatisfied about?"

Su Liang nodded slightly.

"Next, let's ask the court for permission to cease fire!"

"Okay, I'll write the memorial." Di Qing said.

The two had discussed it the day before.

If civil strife breaks out in Western Xia, the Song army will immediately cooperate with the Zuosilo tribe and besiege Western Xia from multiple directions until it is destroyed.

If there was no internal strife in Western Xia, the Song army would suspend its attack on Xia and wait until the weather warmed up after the New Year before launching a general attack.

The reason for doing this.

This is because the weather is gradually getting colder. If the Song army attacks Xia with all their strength, the enemy will certainly implement the strategy of building strong defenses and clearing the fields. By then, the battle line will be stretched to a very long length, and many soldiers will freeze to death due to the cold weather.

In addition, during the winter and early spring, the soldiers helped the people of Hehuang build houses and plant cotton.

Then, around March, when Western Xia was facing a food shortage, the Song army's all-out attack on Xia would surely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Su Liang and Di Qing worked in perfect harmony.

When the two men launched the battle, the first thing they considered was how to minimize the casualties among the Song soldiers if they could win.

Don't advance rashly, don't fight for military merit, and don't fight a battle without confidence.

Therefore, it is difficult to lose.

(End of this chapter)