I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 549: Youyun has been captured, Japan is about to perish, and will the destruction of Liao be far behind?

May 15th, afternoon.

Youzhou City.

The Eastern Route Army of the Song Dynasty is resting.

Zhao Zhen, Su Liang and Han Qi sat in the backyard of the provincial government office and drank afternoon tea leisurely.

Youzhou has been broken, and the recovery of Yanyun is just around the corner, and the pressure on the three people has been greatly reduced.

Just then, a clear voice came from outside.

"Urgent report on the military situation of the Western Route Army! Urgent report on the military situation of the Western Route Army!"

A messenger shouted as he ran up to Zhao Zhen and his two companions.

Zhao Zhen and the other two stood up excitedly.

A eunuch took the battle report and handed it to Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen opened it and was overjoyed. He said to Han Qi and Su Liang, "Yunzhou has been conquered. Xiao Weixin, the Prime Minister of the Southern Prefecture of Liao, abandoned the city and fled. The Western Army is joining the Central Army."

Han Qi and Su Liang immediately showed bright smiles on their faces.

Of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, the Song Dynasty currently occupies eleven of them.

Only Ruzhou, Guizhou, Shunzhou, Jizhou and Danzhou remained in the northeast.

According to the current deployment of Liao's troops, it is no longer able to disperse its troops to the five states. It is highly likely that it will concentrate its troops in Danzhou and launch a final counterattack in the Yanyun area.

……

Two days later.

Just as Zhao Zhen and the other two had expected.

The Liao troops retreated to Danzhou. Although there were soldiers stationed in the other four states, their number was small and they were used to contain and disperse the Song army.

Immediately, Zhao Zhen issued three orders.

First, he ordered the Western Army to join forces with the Central Army and then march towards Youzhou to join forces with the Eastern Army.

Secondly, two vanguard armies were dispatched from the Eastern Army to Guizhou and Ruzhou, Shunzhou and Jizhou respectively, to attack the cities and rescue the people.

Third, he ordered the logistics troops to transport food, weapons, siege equipment, etc. to the northeast of Youzhou.

These three commands.

On the one hand, it was to prepare for the full recovery of Yanyun, and on the other hand, it was to plan in advance for the attack on the Liao Kingdom's headquarters.

at the same time.

After the news of the Song Dynasty's capture of Yunzhou and Youzhou spread, a large number of Han people from Yanyun who had been driven to the rear of Youzhou by the Liao army began to return.

At this moment, the Liao court had no time to care about these more than 100,000 people.

I can’t kill him, and I can’t feed him.

They could only let them run towards the territory occupied by the Song Dynasty.

The soldiers of the Yanyun Army were very excited. Their efforts were not in vain as they could finally meet their families.

After some Yanyun Army soldiers were reunited with their families, they were transformed from Song soldiers to Song citizens with the permission of Zhao Zhen.

During this period, there were also some Liao spies mixed in with the Han people in Yanyun.

Su Liang remained extremely vigilant about this. Once he confirmed the identity of a spy, he would kill him directly without mercy.

May 20th, early morning.

The main force of the Eastern Army left Youzhou City and began to move slowly towards the northeast, waiting for the Western Army and the Central Army to arrive.

During this period, at Su Liang's suggestion, Zhao Zhen issued another order.

He ordered Cao Hu, commander of the Song Dynasty's East China Sea navy, to work with the military and political leaders of Haizhou and Chuzhou to destroy Japan.

Now, the situation is very clear.

In order to avoid being harassed and blocked by the Japanese when the Song Dynasty attacked the Khitan homeland, the best approach was to destroy them.

……

Another day.

The Liao Emperor’s camp, inside the palace tent.

Yelu Hongji looked at Xiao Weixin, the Prime Minister of the Southern Prefecture, who had fled back from Yunzhou, with a dark face and glared at him, "You are good at running away, much better than that idiot Yelu Liang!"

Xiao Weixin lowered his head and dared not speak.

recently.

Yelu Hongji became more and more like his father, moody, extremely irritable, and prone to swearing at people at any time.

At this time.

Northern Prime Minister Yao Jingxing said, "Your Majesty, now is not the time to hold people accountable. The Song army is already heading northeast, intending to occupy the remaining five states of Yanyun. I suggest that Your Majesty personally write to the Song government to negotiate peace again."

Xiao Weixin quickly added: "I second your opinion. Your Majesty is familiar with the Emperor of Song. If we can exchange the remaining five states for peace, it will be worth it!"

Yelu Hongji curled his lips.

"Let me ask for peace? No way! Giving up Yanyun is even more impossible! My Pishi Army has not been dispatched yet. If we really fight with Song, it is still uncertain who will win or lose! I am ready to lead the army in person, 50,000 Pishi Army and 100,000 elite cavalry from various tribes, to Tanzhou to fight a decisive battle with Song!"

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible!"

Pfft!
Yao Jingxing knelt directly on the ground.

"Right now, the Jurchens are causing chaos in the northern border and have occupied three cities. If we fight to the death with the Song, once we lose all our elite troops, the Song army will approach us, and with the Jurchens heading south, we will be attacked from both sides and will not be able to resist at all!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, you must not lead the army in person! You should put aside your status and face at this moment. Negotiating peace is the only correct choice!"

Xiao Weixin also knelt down.

"Your Majesty, you are still young. As long as we can exchange for peace, let alone giving away the five states of Yanyun, we should also agree to the Song people asking us to cede more land and pay more money. We will still have a chance to make a comeback in the future. Only by enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens can our dynasty last long. If we devote our entire country to war, there is a danger... there is a danger... there is a danger of national destruction!"

Yelu Hongji's face was gloomy and he began to think seriously.

It's not that he doesn't listen.

He thought for a moment and said, "Stand up, everyone. I understand what you mean, but I know the Song Dynasty court better than you do."

"If I show weakness, they will become even more aggressive and will not negotiate with us at all. If we want to negotiate, we must defeat them once. Only the winner will have the right to speak!"

"I can accept peace talks and withdraw from Yanyun, but the prerequisite is that I must defeat the Song people once in Danzhou, and then we can talk after we win."

"This battle is our life-and-death battle. Each of us must give our all and we can only win and not lose."

"As for that group of Jurchens, I have decided to send 30,000 elite cavalry to wipe out all the living Jurchens. As long as they are living Jurchens, no matter how big or small, they will all be killed. I want to make them feel terrified. If they dare to go further, I don't mind exterminating their entire clan!" Yelu Hongji said with clenched fists.

As a rule, in any war, children, women and elderly people who are no taller than a wheel are not killed.

But this time, Yelu Hongji was annoyed by the Sheng Nuzhen, and he planned to send people to slaughter this group of "savages" so that they would not dare to do anything again.

Yao Jingxing and Xiao Weixin looked at each other and said in unison, "Your Majesty, I will follow your instructions!"

Yelu Hongji nodded with satisfaction.

……

Northeast of Youzhou.

In the central camp of the Eastern Army.

Su Liang presented Zhao Zhen with a list of nearly a thousand officials and clerks.

"Your Majesty, these officials are all capable officials selected by the Censorate. I recommend that they go to Yanyun immediately to restore people's livelihood and maintain stability in Yanyun!"

Currently.

The Song Dynasty occupied eleven cities in Yanyun. Although there were troops stationed there, there were no formal government offices and lacked many officials to take charge of trivial matters.

This also led to frequent burning, killing and looting in surrounding villages and towns.

The only way is to quickly establish local government departments.

Only by bringing the Song Dynasty's series of laws and strategies here can the Han people in Yanyun return to their daily lives as soon as possible.

If these people cannot restore their normal life order, they will need the court to maintain stability or even provide financial subsidies.

Therefore, maintaining stability in Yanyun people’s livelihood is a top priority.

After reading it, Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "I trust you to do your job. But isn't it too difficult to let Wang Jiefu take charge of the civil affairs of the states of Yanyun? Should we send another experienced official to cooperate with him, or let Ouyang Xiu or Zhang Fangping come?"

Su Liang smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, I suggest that Wang Jiefu alone is enough. He is young and more motivated. If Yanyun wants to quickly restore peace, it must use unusual means. Wang Jiefu will lead everything and can do it in a big way. If we send another person to work with him, I'm afraid the efficiency will be much lower."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen laughed immediately.

"Indeed, he is so stubborn and always has the final say. It would be uncomfortable to add someone with more seniority. He has experience in the reform of the Song Dynasty and is capable enough, so let him lead Yanyun!"

……

June 1st, afternoon.

The weather was very hot in Bianjing city.

However, the brothels and theaters in Bianjing City, especially the taverns, were almost packed every day.

Ever since the news that the Song soldiers had captured Yunzhou and Youzhou reached the city, the people have been singing and dancing, feeling proud.

Some people celebrated every day and often booked a pub to treat guests, which was quite generous.

this moment.

In the Sansi Yamen, Wang Anshi’s Procuratorate Hall.

Wang Anshi stood in front of a bookshelf, looking for documents.

On the side, there were two bamboo baskets, which were 70% full.

These documents include basic information about Yanyun, many letters about Sima Guang's reform in Hehuang, and some reform strategies written by Wang Anshi.

On a large table not far away, there was an official letter from the Secretariat ordering Wang Anshi to go to Yanyun that day to take charge of all affairs.

Wang Anshi felt very happy.

After Sima Guang went to Western Xia to preside over the reform, he began to prepare how Yanyun and Liao should reform in order to keep up with the pace of the Song Dynasty.

He plans to set off the day after tomorrow.

At this moment, Wang Anshi stopped what he was doing, rolled his eyes, and muttered to himself: "Junshi is in charge of the reforms in Hehuang and Xixia. He always brags about it in his letters. I will also write him a letter to tell him that Liao will be changed because of me!"

Wang Anshi stood with his hands behind his back.

He is in his thirties and is as mature and steady as a little old man.

……

At this moment, in the Secretariat, inside the Council Hall.

All the ministers gathered together, with Crown Prince Zhao Xun sitting at the top and East Palace tutor Su Zimu sitting on one side.

In the past, desks were covered with paperwork.

But today, it was served with tea, dried fruits, and snacks.

Later.

The cold drink Zisu drink that Zhao Xun specially invited you gentlemen to drink will also be delivered.

All the gentlemen had smiles on their faces.

That's why I'm so happy.

This is because the ministers have already handled the logistical matters for the next Yanyun troops.

Although the ministers were guarding the city of Bianjing, it was not at all relaxing.

In addition to maintaining internal stability in the Song Dynasty, they were also responsible for the deployment of troops in the rear, the transportation of military rations, the distribution of military equipment, and the dispatch of armor, war horses, and clothing.

Wang Yaochen, the envoy of Sansi, was so busy that he slept for half a month in Sansi.

At this moment, they felt it was particularly worthwhile.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo spoke first, "We have already conquered Yunyou, and the recovery of Yanyun is just around the corner. Next, we will destroy Liao and complete the great unification. The prosperity of our Song Dynasty is just around the corner!"

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but straighten their chests.

If they can accomplish this feat, each of them will go down in history.

aside.

Ouyang Xiu smiled and said, "I really envy Guan Jia and Jing Ming. The happiness they felt when they were at the front line and defeated the Liao army was really wonderful. If I could go, I could at least write three articles and five poems!"

Wang Yaochen rolled his eyes at him.

"Who here doesn't want to go? If I could go, the quality of my poems might not be as good as yours, but I would definitely write more than you."

Wu Yu smiled and said, "What's the use of more? Whatever Mr. Ouyang writes can be passed down to future generations. Unfortunately, he is in the Secretariat and cannot write! Not even one single poem!"

"Hahahaha..." All the men laughed out loud.

When they are not busy, they like to bicker to relieve the tiredness and boredom.

And this time.

Crown Prince Zhao Yu said: "Whether you go or not, you are all heroes in the war between Song and Liao. I will report everything you have done to my father."

Hearing this, all the husbands felt warm in their hearts.

Although at their age, they basically no longer compete for credit.

But if Crown Prince Zhao Yan had said a few more words, it would definitely have been recorded in history books.

Everyone wants the positive content related to themselves to occupy a few more lines in history books!

Seeing Ouyang Xiu being teased by the other gentlemen, Su Zimu also said, "Sir, although you can't go to Liao territory right now, I will take you there to travel after we destroy Liao. By then, you can write as many poems as you want!"

Hearing this, Ouyang Xiu puffed out his chest.

"My students still love me. My students only take me with them, not you!"

Wen Yanbo, Wu Yu, Wang Yaochen and other ministers were so angry that they gritted their teeth.

What they envied most was the master-disciple relationship between Ouyang Xiu and Su Zimu.

During this period, they lived with Zhao Xun and Su Zimu day and night.

Zhao Xun was a virtuous, kind-hearted man with good manners and a good manner, and he looked like a wise king.

Su Zimu inherited Su Liang's intelligence and wisdom. Not only can he speak well, but he also has a high level of cognition. He is likely to become a prime minister in the future. People can't help but like him.

If they could accept such a disciple, they would be very happy.

Unfortunately, Su Zimu already had two teachers, Ouyang Xiu and Sun Fu, and had completed the ceremony of becoming their apprentices.

They can no longer grab it.

Just then, cups of basil drink with ice were served.

"My dear gentlemen, the Perilla drink is very cold, please drink it slowly." Zhao Yu said.

The men all picked up the perilla drink.

In the past, they would not eat this kind of snack that only women and children liked in public.

But recently, under the leadership of Zhao Jun and Su Zimu.

They not only fell in love with various cold drinks, but also fell in love with various pastries.

Even Empress Cao knew about it, and sometimes she even made cakes for them herself.

Then, everyone continued eating, drinking and chatting.

Because of the presence of Zhao Yun and Su Zimu, the Government Affairs Hall became quite lively. The group of ministers were full of energy and sometimes felt that they were much younger.

……

June 15th, in Shunzhou.

The Eastern Army set up camp to rest, waiting for the Western Army and the Central Army to join forces.

at this time.

Zhao Zhen and others heard the news that Yelu Hongji had assembled the Pi Shi Army and the elite Liao cavalry to fight a decisive battle with the Song in Danzhou.

This news made Su Liang and others very excited.

Taking Yanyun was only equivalent to cutting off a few fingers of the Khitans.

If we could defeat the Liao's main elite forces, it would be equivalent to cutting off the Liao's arms or legs.

With its military strength greatly reduced, it will become easier to destroy Liao.

The coming battle of Danzhou is crucial.

(End of this chapter)