I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 539: All the Han men in Yanyun who wish to return to Song will serve as soldiers on the spot
The eighth day of February.

After the northern expedition army reached Daming Prefecture.

Liang Shi, deputy commander of the Western Army, joined forces with commander Pang Ji and headed southwest to deploy siege missions in the three states of Shuozhou, Xiangzhou and Yunzhou.

Fu Bi, the commander of the central army, led his soldiers northward to Dingzhou City.

The main army on the east route was led by Zhao Zhen himself, who, together with Su Liang and others, rushed to Xiongzhou.

……

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are divided by the Taihang Mountains into two major areas: in front of the mountains and behind the mountains.

In front of the mountain, Yunzhou is the leader; behind the mountain, Youzhou is the leader.

These two states.

They are also the two states with the largest population and the strongest combat and defense capabilities among the Sixteen States of Yanyun.

Yunzhou is located in the northwest of Taihang Mountains and has been an important military town in the north since ancient times; Youzhou is located in Yanyun and controls Yanshan and Taihang Mountains.

They are easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Taking over these two states would almost mean taking over the entire Yanyun.

The Western Route Army joined forces with 50,000 Northwestern Imperial Guards, with the mission of capturing Yunzhou.

The Eastern Army led by Zhao Zhen and Su Liang was destined to capture Youzhou.

The Central Army was responsible for attacking Weizhou, Xinzhou and Wuzhou, and flexibly coordinating with the combat plans of the Western and Eastern Armies.

This was all discussed in advance by the emperor and his ministers.

Everything is based on the battle plan of the Eastern Army, with the other two routes following closely behind.

……

February 14th, near noon.

Zhao Zhen and Su Liang led the eastern army to Xiongzhou City.

Han Qi, the pacification envoy of Hebei West Route, Yu Yue, the governor of Xiongzhou, and a group of other officials came to the city gate to welcome him in person.

It wasn't long since Zhao Zhen's last incognito tour to the north.

Zhao Zhen was quite familiar with the chief officers and generals of the Hebei Imperial Guards, so without any greetings and courtesies, he went straight into the city, temporarily using the provincial government as his camp, and arranged the next battle plan.

Noon.

After Zhao Zhen, Su Liang and others had a simple lunch, they recruited all relevant civil officials and military generals into the meeting hall of the provincial government.

The meeting room at this time.

In the front hangs a map of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, with a huge three-dimensional sand table in the middle.

Three large wooden boxes containing information about Yanyun and the Liao Kingdom were all placed aside for everyone to read at any time.

After the king and his ministers took their seats.

Zhao Zhen looked at Han Qi and asked, "Mr. Han, after the Liao people knew that we had declared war, what arrangements did they make?"

"Liao has sent troops to reinforce Yunzhou and Youzhou. Currently, Yunzhou has about 60,000 soldiers and Youzhou has about 80,000 soldiers, and they are still increasing."

"On the other side of the river, the Liao general Yelu Tiancheng's garrison still has 50,000 troops. Although no additional troops have been added, tens of thousands of Han people from Yanyun have been added."

"Shuozhou, Xiangzhou, Yingzhou and other states that are closer to us have not increased their troops, but have increased many Han people from Yanyun."

"Yelü Hongji has issued a conscription order in the Yanyun area. All males aged between 12 and 65 must enlist. However, if one can pay 300 strings of cash, one person can be exempted from enlistment. In addition, the families of these conscripted males are moving with their property to the rear of Yunzhou and Youzhou."

"The current Liao Kingdom treats the people as worthless. The purpose of Yelu Hongji's move is: on the one hand, he will continue to plunder the wealth of Yanyun, and on the other hand, he will use the families of the Han people of Yanyun as hostages and force them to fight with us to the death, so as to consume our troops, military power and time, and extend the battle line, and then start a decisive battle with us in Yunzhou and Youzhou, two cities with strong defenses and more passes."

Zhao Zhen looked sullen.

"How hateful! Yelu Hongji did this, so that even if we get Yanyun, we will get a Yanyun Sixteen Prefecture with no adult men, no property, and full of old, weak and sick people, and we will also be branded as the massacred Han people!"

This is a conspiracy.

If the Song army launched an all-out attack, these Han people in Yanyun would definitely not be their match.

But once a large-scale killing.

The wives and children of the Han people in Yanyun will hate the Song Dynasty to the core, making it extremely difficult for the Song Dynasty to manage Yanyun in the future.

The Liao Kingdom had already given up hope.

They want to destroy the people of Yanyun and seize Yanyun's wealth. Even if the Song Dynasty wins, what they will get is a destroyed Yanyun.

"How should this situation be resolved?" Zhao Zhen looked around.

Han Qi bowed and continued, "Before the emperor arrived, we had already thought of two strategies."

"First, follow the method used by Prime Minister Di Shu and Minister Su Zhong to treat the barbarians along the Yellow River the year before last. Focus on capturing captives and fight at a slow pace until Youzhou is conquered."

"Second, anyone who is in the same group as the Liao soldiers is also a Liao soldier. We don't need to show mercy and kill them all. Then we will call the people together and rebuild Yanyun."

"The former can win the hearts of the Han people in Yanyun, which will help stabilize Yanyun in the later period, but the disadvantages are also very obvious. It is too soft and too slow, and our soldiers are more likely to be hurt. Moreover, if we capture more than 100,000 Han people in Yanyun, we have to keep them and even control them, which is quite costly and time-consuming, and it is easy to cause internal strife."

"The latter is a quick and decisive strategy. Although it is cruel, it can let the Liao people see our fighting power and murderous intent. However, it will be very difficult to rebuild Yanyun in the future, and the surviving Han people in Yanyun will regard us as enemies."

"I am also wavering and unable to make a decision."

Zhao Zhen nodded.

Faced with this situation, there are really only two ways to go.
One is soft and the other is hard, there are advantages and disadvantages, and it is difficult to have a perfect solution.

He looked at Su Liang and asked, "Su Qing, what do you think?"

Su Liang thought for a while.

"There are at least 100,000 adult Han people in Yanyun. If we treat them as captives, we simply cannot afford to support them. But if we treat them as enemies and kill them, it would also violate what we said in our declaration of war."

Then, Su Liang stood up and thought for a moment.

"Sir, I think that since Yelu Hongji issued a conscription order in Yanyun, we can also issue a conscription order in Yanyun."

"Any Han man from Yanyun who wishes to return to Song will be recruited as a soldier on the spot and called the Yanyun soldiers of the Great Song."

"When we invade Yanyun, they can cooperate with us from inside and outside to destroy the Liao army, and then rescue their parents, wives and children. They don't have weapons, so we will give them weapons. They don't have armor, so we will give them armor. We will let them directly become soldiers of our Song Dynasty!"

Yu Yue, the governor of Xiongzhou, was stunned and said, "Central Minister Su, I have a question."

"Liao used the Han people of Yanyun as hostages and forced them to join the war. They had no choice but to do so. We don't have any hostages, and we can't persuade them to surrender directly. I'm afraid they won't even surrender to the Song Dynasty, so how can they be willing to directly become soldiers of the Song Dynasty?"

Su Liang smiled confidently.

"We persuade them to surrender. They may not surrender for the sake of their family's lives. But we call them soldiers of the Song Dynasty and go with them to save their parents, wives and children. They will definitely go!"

"In the past two years, the Liao court has raised taxes and robbed people of their wealth. The Han people in Yanyun have been living a miserable life. They know that if they fight, they will die, and if they surrender, their families will die. Even if their families can survive, they will still be exploited by the Khitans."

"And now, we have handed the initiative to them. If a large number of Han people in Yanyun are willing to be soldiers of the Song Dynasty, the Liao Kingdom will never dare to kill their families in the rear, because the more they kill, the more they will rebel. Letting Han people in Yanyun become soldiers of the Song Dynasty and letting them rescue their families is their only hope. Therefore, the vast majority of Han people in Yanyun will definitely choose to become soldiers of our Great Song Dynasty."

"That makes sense!" Yu Yue became excited. He didn't expect that such a difficult decision could be solved by Su Liang.

At this time.

A general said, "Central Prime Minister Su, our current combat power is fully capable of destroying the Liao army. I think it would be a disgrace to the Hebei Imperial Army to let these Han people from Yanyun participate in the war. Wouldn't it be better to let them stay in the logistics? In addition, I think it is still risky to give them armor and weapons."

On the side, Han Qi nodded and said, "Jingming, I have the same concern."

"This strategy is feasible, but I also think that the Han people of Yanyun should not be allowed to participate in the war."

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment, then continued: "As for whether they are dangerous, I don't think so."

"There are two reasons. First, the Han people of Yanyun share the same roots and ancestors as us, and belong to the same lineage. Second, the vast majority of Han people of Yanyun know that it is happier to be a Song citizen than a Liao citizen."

Zhao Zhen still has this confidence.

Su Liang smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. Not only are they not dangerous, but they can also identify the Liao soldiers hiding among them." "As for not wanting them to participate in the war, you are just treating them as ordinary people."

"But you have forgotten that the Han people living in Yanyun are almost as brave as the Khitans and have a certain fighting capacity."

"Also, let's think about ourselves. If it were us, our homeland Yanyun was destroyed and our family members were taken hostage, would we save them?"

"We definitely want to rescue them as soon as possible. If they die, it's for Yanyun, to save their families and relatives. It's a worthy death. If we don't let them join the battle, they will feel that we treat them as outsiders..."

Su Liang's words immediately made the surroundings quiet down.

That's right.

The best way to deal with this group of Han people from Yanyun is to let them charge forward as vanguards.

In Yanyun.

They are the masters, and they are more willing to take the initiative to save Yanyun.

"I agree!" Zhao Zhen said excitedly.

Su Liang's strategy instantly turned the people of Yanyun into soldiers of the Song Dynasty who were going to rescue their loved ones.

It can be said to be a stroke of genius.

In this way, all the defects just now can be ignored.

"Do you have any objections, gentlemen?" Zhao Zhen asked again.

"I have no objection!"

"I have no objection!"

"I have no objection!"

"I have no objection!"

"I have no objection!"

……

this moment.

Zhao Zhen and the civil and military officials in the hall admired Su Liang almost to the extreme.

He is worthy of being called Su Jingming by Yelu Hongji as "elite soldiers worth two hundred thousand".

This "dead knot" that everyone thought was difficult to untie was easily solved by Su Liang.

This is also the reason why Zhao Zhen brought Su Liang with him.

He understands human nature too well.

In terms of wisdom and strategy, Su Liang is undoubtedly the best in the world.

At this time.

Zhao Zhen stood up, looked around, and fixed his eyes on Su Liang.

"Mr. Su, listen to my order. Write this plan immediately and send it to the Eastern and Central Armies early tomorrow morning. Instruct them to act in unison with us."

"I obey your command!" Su Liang bowed.

"Han Qing, listen to my order. Once Su Qing finishes writing the document, you will immediately send a message to the spies in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, asking them to publicize our conscription order. When we send out the troops, the people of Yanyun will become soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty!"

"I obey your command!" Han Qi bowed.

"Everyone, listen up. Next, everyone stay at your posts. Once this policy is fully publicized, we will immediately launch an attack on Liao. We will win the first battle and capture Yanyun!"

"I obey your command!" The civil officials and military generals bowed one after another.

At this moment, everyone's fighting spirit reached its peak.

……

In this world, the only thing that can match the speed of light may be news.

February 20th.

The Song Dynasty's Yanyun conscription order gradually spread in the Yanyun area.

"The Song and Yan dynasties are of the same ancestry and are one."

"All the men of Yanyun who are willing to return to Song will serve as soldiers on the spot and be called the Yanyun soldiers of the Great Song. The government is willing to help them kill the Liao army, save their wives, children and parents, return peace to Yanyun, and make Yanyun prosperous..."

soon.

Many Han people in Yanyun heard the call from the Song Dynasty.

Near dusk.

In a military camp that housed 500 Han people from Yanyun, 200 Liao soldiers were guarding the periphery.

At this moment, it is dinner time for the Han people in Yanyun.

In front of a military tent.

A Han Chinese from Yanyun secretly informed another Han Chinese from Yanyun of the news of the Song Dynasty's conscription order.

"This...is this true?"

"Of course it's true, are you willing?"

"Yes, yes! We are of the same lineage as the Song Dynasty, and we all know how the people of the Song Dynasty are doing now. Following the Song Dynasty not only allows us to survive, but also allows us to live a good life. In Liao, we are like animals, living in fear at any moment. We rebel, and the Liao Dynasty court cannot be trusted. We will go and save our relatives ourselves."

"Okay, let's tell more brothers about this. The more powerful we are, the safer our families will be."

……

Such conversations are taking place in many places in Yanyun.

Countless Han people in Yanyun were waiting for the arrival of the Song army.

Once the latter attacks Liao, they will immediately do the opposite.

soon.

This news was also passed on by the Liao soldiers to Yelu Tiancheng, the Liao Kingdom's Baigou River defender.

"How dare they! Their wives and children are in our hands. If anyone dares to surrender to Song, he will be killed immediately!" Yelu Tiancheng said with eyes wide open.

The intelligence soldier standing below said: "General Yelu, if we kill their wives and children, will it cause more Han people in Yanyun to rebel? These people are quite capable in combat. Should we make some preparations in advance?"

Yelu Tiancheng frowned slightly.

"When the Song Dynasty attacks, anyone who rebels will be killed without mercy. As for now, how can we prepare? Kill them all? Or let them all go?"

The intelligence soldier frowned and had no answer.

Yelu Tiancheng had no way to check and balance this strategy of the Song Dynasty.

The reason why he was not in a hurry was that he was not worried.

This was because the Privy Councilor Yelu Liang had already informed him.

"Once the Song Dynasty crosses the Baigou River, his mission will be to drive the people of Yanyun to attack the Song Dynasty, and then he can lead his troops to retreat until Youzhou City!"

Yelu Tiancheng knew that the 50,000 soldiers under his command could not withstand the attack of more than 100,000 Song troops, so he had already planned to escape.

Now he is looking forward to the Song Dynasty's attack, so that he can retreat immediately.

As for whether these Han people from Yanyun will surrender to the Song Dynasty and become Song soldiers?

He didn't have time to care, and he couldn't care less. He only cared about whether his life was in danger.

(End of this chapter)