Li Er of the Tang Dynasty: Ancestor Xie is here!

Xu Xi acted very quickly and completed the construction of Yongle City in just fourteen days.

He also had an assistant who was slightly famous in the history of Chinese science, named Shen Kuo - the one who edited "Mengxi Bi Tan".

When building a city, you must follow the advice of professionals, so Xu Xi and Shen Kuo discussed building a stronghold with six forts each. The perimeter of the Dazhai is 900 steps, the smaller one is 500 steps, the big castle is 200 steps, the smaller one is 100 steps, and it employs 230,000 people. After the construction of Yongle City was completed, Xu Xi, Shen Kuo, Li Shunju and others returned to Mizhi.

The day after returning to Mizhi, Xixia's vanguard troops arrived at Yongle City. Since there were only a few thousand cavalry, they were not busy attacking the city. Instead, they inspected the surrounding terrain and terrain, as well as the walled city built by the Song army.

After Xu Xi heard about this incident, he immediately set off from Mizhi and planned to go to Yongle City to see what happened in person.

Before he set out, he was persuaded that his duty was only to build the castle, and that it was not his job to defend himself against the enemy.

But what does Xu Xi belong to? He belongs to the kind of person who wants to grasp with both hands and use both hands hard. In layman's terms... a rooster has to lay eggs, it's not his job, he has to do it.

Speaking of which, Xu Xi himself is not famous, but Xu Xi's brother-in-law is Huang Tingjian, the "Huang" among the four great calligraphers of the Song Dynasty, "Su Huang Mi Cai".

Xu Xi, who was full of meritorious service, did not listen to the opinions of others, but insisted on going his own way. He went forward with Shun Ju and Li Ji and set out for Yongle City, leaving Shen Kuo alone to garrison in Mizhi.

But before that, Zhonge believed that Yongle City was not far from the original city site of Yinzhou, with cliffs on three sides and no water source, so he strongly advised that building the city in Yongle would definitely fail.

Anyone who has read Water Margin knows this person Zhong E. When Lu Zhishen was serving as Tiha, he was under the command of Lao Zhongjinglue Xianggong.

After hearing what Zhong E said, Xu Xi changed his face angrily and said to Zhong E, "Are you, a warrior, looking for death? Do you dare to ruin my official affairs?"

Zhong E sneered and said: "The Yongle City thing will definitely fail. If you fail, you will inevitably die. If I don't obey your order, I will die; dying here is much better than losing a teacher and humiliating the country."

Xu Xi thought about it for a while. After all, he was a civil servant. It was impossible to persuade Zhong E on the war front, so he secretly submitted a memorial and copied a copy of Zhong E's epilogue. Zhao Xu then issued an edict, ordering Zhong E to guard Yanzhou. .

The words in the edict are not very nice. Anyway, they are just talking about cheating and Wang Zhongzheng. The general meaning is that the two of them cheated and cheated, did not work hard, did not cooperate with Xu Xi's actions, and both of them were demoted. . Zhonge, who was originally the commander of the four compartments of the Dragon Guard and the training envoy of the Fengzhou regiment, was demoted to the governor of Wenzhou, the observation envoy of Jinzhou, and promoted to the West Taiyi Palace; Wang Zhongzheng was demoted to the training envoy of the Jiazhou regiment.

Zhong E said, "Hengshan's strong troops are in the east. I had heard that the Western bandits were holding Mizhi and Yinchuan, Xiazhou and other places, so I met their attack and defeated them. The morale of the troops was greatly boosted, and I led the troops. No one who has traveled thousands of miles across the Xixia hinterland dares to compete with me. If we send troops from the west, even though we are close to the Western bandit's lair, but the enemy is in front and there are heavy troops behind, there is a risk of being attacked from both sides. I won't do it. Know what to do.”

Because of this, Zhong E was extremely resentful of Xu Xi.

In fact, if you think about it, you can understand it. You said that as a civil servant, you always feel that you are out of touch. You really think of yourself as Fan Zhongyan, right? You can be both civil and military. The situation in the Song Dynasty was no better than that in the Tang Dynasty. What did the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty examine? A gentleman possesses all six arts, and he is a general and prime minister. What did you examine in the imperial examination of the Song Dynasty? After reading two books, do you really think you can go into battle to defend yourself against the enemy?

After Xu Xi arrived at Yongle City, Xixia's follow-up troops also arrived on the outskirts of the city. Two hundred thousand Xia soldiers were stationed in the north of Jingyuan, preparing to launch an attack on Yongle City. More than ten waves of people reported the news, but Xu Xi did not believe it at all.

Xu Xi sat in the tent, stroking his beard and smiling contentedly: "There are many of them? It's good to have more people! That's when I make meritorious deeds and gain wealth."

Gao Yongxiang, who has been in the military all year round, suddenly felt a surge of anger rushing to the top of his head. His vision went dark, he lowered his head and complained to Gao Yongneng beside him: "Weird talk, full of farts!"

"Gao Yongxiang, what are you talking about?" Xu Xi looked at the two people who were whispering unkindly.

"I'll give you the best advice on the matter." Gao Yongxiang said with his hands in hand.

What else can be said? Even Lao Zhongjinglue Xianggong was demoted by Xu Xiyiben and left. Gao Yongxiang didn't think he could be tougher than Lao Zhongjinglue Xianggong.

Xu Xi, who was sitting at the top, stared at Gao Yongxiang with a sinister gaze for a while, and continued to explain his strategy: "We will defend the fortified city, so why worry about not being able to defend the enemy? As long as we drag the Western bandits under the city, by then the veterans of the Western bandit division will be exhausted. , when Zhong Jinglue and his army arrive, the Western thieves will be defeated!"

"Okay, what you are saying is what you need to do to plan for the country!" Everyone agreed.

Seeing that everyone else was just a yes-man, Gao Yongxiang, who was unwilling to be trapped here and died, finally couldn't stand it anymore: "Yongle City is small, there are not many people, and there is no water source nearby. How can we defend it?"

"Are you teaching me how to do things?" Xu Xi looked at Gao Yongxiang displeased. Why were all the generals teaching him how to fight? Hey, you're the only one who knows how to fight, I don't, right?

People all have a rebellious mentality. Those who can humbly accept other people's opinions are considered to be among the best. Most of them are the kind who get angry when they are opposed.

"What the general said is the truth. If the Western bandits cut off the water source of our Yongle City, how will Yongle City be defended then?" Gao Yongxiang tried to explain the truth.

However, Xu Xi didn't want to hear it at all. Firstly, he couldn't let go of his dignity. Secondly, in his eyes, Yongle City was his entry point. If he ran away without fighting now, it would be difficult for him to get promoted in the future.

"How dare you shake the morale of the army? Come here!" Xu Xi shouted.

Several guards immediately came in outside the tent. Xu Xi pointed at Gao Yongxiang and said: "Drag out this thief who has shaken the morale of the army! Execute the law on the spot! Show his head to the public!"

"It would be bad for the army to kill the general first." Gao Yongxiang's popularity in the army was not bad, so someone immediately came forward to persuade him.

"That's right. The two armies haven't fought yet. Let's kill the general first. I'm afraid the army's morale will be shaken!" People on the side were also trying to persuade Xu Xi.

Xu Xi thought for a long time and decided to forget it: "Since everyone is interceding for you, let me send you this dog's head! Wait until I defeat the Western bandits, and then I will come and get your head... Come on! Give it to me." Send me to the prison on Yanyan Road!"

Gao Yongxiang didn't say anything, with a relieved smile on his face.

It’s also good, you don’t have to die with Yongle City.

As the saying goes, a blessing in disguise is a blessing in disguise. Gao Yongxiang knew the military well, and he could completely predict that Xu Xi, a scholar who could only talk about military affairs on paper, would definitely lead Yongle City to destruction.

Since it doesn't make sense, it's better to protect yourself.

It should be said that Xu Xi's role in killing the chicken to scare the monkeys is useful. At least now, no one dares to stand up and raise objections.

Those with high official positions are afraid of ending up like Zhong Er; those with low official positions are afraid of being unlucky like Gao Yongxiang.

Early the next morning, someone came to report that the Xixia army was preparing to cross the river.

Xu Xi immediately led his troops to the top of the city and found that half of the Xixia army had crossed the Yongding River. "In the middle of the matter, the last general thinks that we should launch a surprise attack on the Western bandits before they form a formation, and take advantage of the chaos to win!" Gao Yongneng immediately stood up and suggested.

This should be their last comeback point, at least Gao Yongneng thinks so.

The Xixia army was actually about the same as the Song Dynasty, far from being elite enough to defend the enemy without forming a formation.

"What do you know? If Master Wang doesn't encourage you, you won't be able to form a line!" Xu Xi glared at Gao Yongneng.

This sentence is quite interesting. It was said by Xianggong of Song Dynasty. It probably means "Don't attack the enemy before they are lined up for battle and ready for battle."

However, in the name of benevolence and righteousness, Song Xianggong waited for the Chu army to complete their formation before launching an attack. As a result, he was defeated and became a laughing stock for all generations.

Gao Yongneng is now ready to kill Xu Xi. It’s already 2801 years ago. How can he still see abstract performance art from the Spring and Autumn Period? The fighter plane is fleeting. Are you waiting here? Are you waiting for you...

After all, Song Xianggong was a figure from the Spring and Autumn Period, and at least he was abiding by Zhou etiquette, but what about you?
He took a deep breath and wanted to remonstrate, but was stopped by the people behind him.

"You don't want your life, how dare you say it again?"

Gao Yongneng covered his face with his hands and said sadly: "I only know now that I will die without a burial place..."

Seeing that Gao Yongneng retreated from the city wall, Xu Xi smiled disdainfully. He immediately gathered more than 10,000 people and formed a formation in the city, waiting for the Xia army to completely cross the Yongding River.

After the Xixia army crossed the river, they launched a fierce attack on the Song army below the city. Qu Zhen formed a formation on the waterfront to fight against the enemy. However, his strength was exhausted again and again. His morale was completely exhausted as he waited for death. Unable to defeat Xixia's troops.

The soldiers were not fools. They all knew the principle of attacking halfway across the river. However, as a result, their literati general performed a retro performance art, which made them all feel desperate.

Knowing that morale was low, Qu Zhen immediately went up to the city wall and reported to Xu Xi: "Now everyone's fighting spirit has been shaken and they cannot fight. If we continue to fight, the entire army will be annihilated. Please give me the order to withdraw the troops into the city."

"As a general, why don't you fight when you encounter an enemy, but instead think about retreating first?" Xu Xi looked at Qu Zhen carefully.

Qu Zhen couldn't defend himself and was so angry that he could only go downstairs and return to the formation to continue facing the enemy.

The result is obvious. The Song army with low morale is no match for the Xixia army. It is almost defeated at the first touch and can only retreat into the city.

It didn't matter if they retreated, Xixia's follow-up troops arrived and surrounded Yongle City like an iron barrel.

The Xixia army was not in a hurry to attack the city, but first cut off the water source flowing through the city and tried to cut off the water first.

Xu Xi yelled in the city that Xixia did not follow martial ethics and was not a teacher of benevolence and righteousness at all. Gao Yongneng, Qu Zhen and other generals looked at him as if they were clowns.

The water source was cut off and Yongle City was short of water. Xu Xi mobilized his soldiers to dig wells in the city, but no water came out.

Look, does it look familiar? This will also be the case for Baozong in Tumubao in the future.

Maybe there is a possibility that Xu Xi is Baozong's previous life?
Trapped for several days, many of the soldiers died of thirst. Xu Xi sent his men to rush out with the news to ask for help, but there was no news.

Shen Kuo sensed something was wrong. He led his troops to Wuding River and wanted to divide his troops to rescue Yongle City and connect the food route to prevent the city from running out of food. However, he was discovered by the Xixia army and blocked in front, unable to advance at all.

Originally he wanted to attack, but the Xixia army's cavalry invaded Mizhi and Suide. After receiving the news, Shen Kuo had no choice but to return to the army to rescue. By the way, he also reported that "the army has moved to Suide City and sent troops to take care of other cities." "Zhai" is probably to throw away the blame for not rescuing.

In fact, it's not Shen Kuo's fault. It really can't be saved. If Yongle City is saved, the city behind will be lost. Shen Kuo also discussed with the generals that Suide is the gateway to the northwest. If Suide is lost, Yanzhou will be threatened by Xixia. The victory or defeat is unknown, and Guanzhong will be shaken. This is a big problem. I would rather not save Yongle. We must protect Suide.

There is nothing wrong with his strategic direction. Even if he rescues him, he may not be able to save Xu Xi, a genius like him.

Because Zhong E was resentful of Xu Xi, he didn't want to save her at all. Xu Xi carried two sesame cakes in his pocket, patrolling the city back and forth every day, and even pretended to draw his bow to fight back. When he was sleepy, he would lie on the soldier's thigh and pretend to sleep for a while. All the soldiers covered their wounds and endured hunger and thirst to resist the Xixia army.

If it hadn't been for heavy rain, more people in the Song army would have died of thirst.

The Xixia army knew that Shen Kuo had retreated to Suide and Yongle City was isolated outside the border, so the offensive became more fierce.

Heavy rain has its advantages and disadvantages. Under the erosion of continuous heavy rains, the soil of the city wall has begun to loosen.

Gao Yongneng said to Li Ji in private: "The new city has been soaked by rain for a long time and the soil is loose. It is better to spread all the money and recruit dead soldiers to break out. Ten people can survive for seven or eight years. Otherwise, we can only sit back and wait for death!"

Li Ji passed these words to Qu Zhen, and Qu Zhen told Xu Xi the exact words.

As a result, Xu Xi didn't listen at all, and even blamed Qu Zhen: "Qu Zhen can't win the battle, and now he wants to abandon the city and run away?"

After hearing this, Qu Zhen's eyes darkened and she almost fainted from anger.

What the hell are you talking about? Did someone say that?

What happened when you failed last time? You don’t have any clue in your mind? Gao Yongneng allowed you to attack halfway, but you showed kindness and righteousness, but your morale collapsed. You couldn't defeat Xixia and you blamed me; now I let you break through, you are so weird that I am incompetent, and you also accuse me of being greedy. Afraid of death? How come you are not helping me as much as you are, but why are you going to die to repay the king in danger?
After Quzhen went out, she told everyone she met that Xu Xi's mother had a great time.

In the early morning of the next day, Qu Zhen was catching up on his sleep in his tent. Last night he patrolled the city head all night. It rained heavily all night, and Xixia huddled in the tent and did not attack, so he decided to go back and take a nap to recuperate before talking.

As a result, a rumbling sound woke him up, followed by a panicked noise.

He didn't care about sleeping, so he threw on his clothes and ran out of the tent. The sight in front of him completely froze him on the spot.

After days of rain erosion, coupled with last night's heavy rain, the city wall has collapsed!

(Please vote for me. Xu Xi didn’t make up what he said. He really said that. It’s abstract...) (End of chapter)