King of Song

Chapter 709 Three Days
In the early morning of autumn, the bright red sun appears and disappears in the mist.

On the canal outside Qingzhou City, ships came and went, bringing in grain, grass and ordnance.

The management of the Yellow River has been quite effective, especially after the demise of Xixia, large-scale afforestation activities have begun in the upper reaches of the Yellow River.Especially in the generation of the Loess Plateau, without the destruction of the war, vegetation restoration and soil and water conservation are being stepped up.

Flooding in the Yellow River has decreased, and the original canals on the Hebei Road Plain are no longer seriously affected by sediment, and have begun to recover in the past two years.It is no problem for a flat-bottomed boat with a shallower draft to be unimpeded. If this is not the case, the logistics and transportation of grain and grass in this battle against the Liao Kingdom will be enough.

Lai San used to be a boatman. Two years ago, when the Yellow River flooded, he dragged his family out to beg for a living. He was displaced and his life was very embarrassing.

At that time, he was still an official of the Ministry of Industry, and after the Yellow River was brought under control, he could finally return to his hometown.Wen Xianggong ordered the prefectures and counties to allocate dozens of acres of land to the people, and the brothers in the family and the old father, wife and children cultivated it.Because of his good water quality, Lai San ran a boat in the past, and when he saw that the canal was unimpeded, he resumed his old business, hoping to earn more money to supplement his family.

Especially when the officials went to the Liao Kingdom this time to transport a large amount of grain and grass, they, the boatmen, were also extremely busy.But no one finds it hard, let alone complains, all their current happy lives are given by the official Zhao Zhao, and one must know how to repay kindness.

They also heard that there is no flooding on Hebei Road now, and the biggest disaster is the Khitan people.As long as the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun are taken back, future troubles will be eliminated forever. For the sake of repaying the favor and the stable life of future generations, everything is worth it.

After dawn, the unloaded ship was preparing to leave, and returned to the south to continue transporting grain and grass.But just as the ship left the pier, Lai San found that the ship was shaking constantly.But there is obviously no wind, even if it is an empty ship, it will not shake so much, why...

Immediately afterwards, Lai San found that the water surface was also shaking, first there were circles of ripples, although they were waves.It's not the wind, it's the earth...

Lai San finally discovered that the whole earth was trembling slightly, was it an earthquake?In the past few years, there were several earthquakes in Hebei Road, and similar situations occurred. Lai San had seen it before.Could it be another earthquake?I still remember that after the earthquake, there were many mourners, and it was Wu Chong, the current Xuanfu envoy, who came to give relief.

Now that he has just lived a good life, there must be no more earthquake disasters, Lai San prayed silently in his heart.But he found that the ripples on the water surface became more and more obvious, and the vibration was obviously more violent. Could it be a major earthquake?No, how could the earthquake last for such a long time?

Lai San was very puzzled, and suddenly heard a shout from his companion, turned his head, looked through the gradually dispersed thick fog, and saw the smoke and dust in the distance, advancing rapidly like a flood, and gradually approaching Qingzhou City.

what happened?After a while, someone finally saw the doorway, it was cavalry, the cavalry of the brigade.Only a large number of war horses galloping fast can create such a strong vibration.

In the midst of astonishment, these cavalry had already approached Qingzhou City, and the murderous aura was overwhelming, and Lai San felt as if he was about to suffocate for a moment.

……

……

The Khitan army suddenly rushed to the city of Qingzhou, and the Song army did not expect it.

The mist covered its tracks, and when it was discovered, any other actions were meaningless, except to close the city gate and defend against the enemy.

Qingzhou's guard named Luo Jiancheng was shocked when he discovered this situation.Not for anything else, just because the big banner of the Song Emperor is flying over the city of Qingzhou, and there are only [-] defenders in Qingzhou city.Looking up, there are at least [-] Khitan cavalry outside the city, with a huge disparity in strength.

Luo Jiancheng was considered mature and prudent, and he didn't panic at first, but he was unavoidably nervous.Immediately ordered people to close the city gate, and piled stones behind it to seal the city gate tightly.

It's just that 8000 people guard a city, facing almost four times the force, it is too difficult to defend the city.For them, 8000 men had to hold the four walls.But for the Khitan people, they only need to concentrate their forces, fight one side, or even break through one point and they're done.

Once the city is broken, what will be the consequences?
Luo Jiancheng didn't dare to think too much about the possibility of the sky collapsing, and immediately sent an order to the government of Qingzhou to mobilize all the able-bodied men in the city to fight on the top of the city. Even if he is the only son in the family, he must obey the order. Now he must do whatever it takes. Guarantee the safety of the Great Song Emperor.

This can be regarded as giving the people and soldiers a little more self-confidence. The most fearful thing is to be afraid before fighting.It's just that Qingzhou is not the city closest to the border after all, and the combat preparations in all aspects are not very sufficient, and the psychological preparation is also insufficient. It seems that it is really a bit hasty.

The men who were conscripted were rushing to the top of the city when the Khitan army launched an attack. Luo Jian originally planned to take the time to meet Emperor Zhao Zhao, but now he couldn't get away at all.

The Khitan's attack was very fierce. Within half an hour, all the Song troops on the outskirts of Qingzhou had been surrendered, and they launched a tentative attack on the city.The Khitans did this probably because they wanted to take advantage of the sudden attack, and the Song army was flustered so that they would be caught off guard.

The result failed, although the Song army blocked the first wave of Khitan attack.But in just half an hour, hundreds of corpses had already been laid down on the top of the city.The Khitans are retreating now, they must be resting, and they are cutting down trees and preparing siege equipment. The real threatening formal attack has not yet begun. How many people will be killed by then?Whether it can withstand the impact of the Khitan army.

The pressure is huge!
Luo Jiancheng heaved a sigh of relief, and was about to take the time to meet Emperor Zhao Zhao, but when he turned around, he saw that the officials had already walked to the top of the city, and they were condolences to the injured soldiers.

"The final general will see the official family!"

"General Luo, you don't need to be polite. What's the situation now?" After all, he was worthy of being the king of a country. Although the situation was critical, Zhao Zhao was extremely calm and did not panic at all.

"The Khitan army has about [-] troops, all of them are elites. The last general has conscripted civilians to help guard the city." Luo Jiancheng explained the situation in a concise and concise manner.The geometry of the Qingzhou defenders and the defensive situation are well known, so there is no need to repeat them.

"Do you know who the opponent's leader is?" Zhao Zhao was expressionless, but was very interested in who the enemy's leader was.

"I don't know yet!"

Zhao Zhao ordered: "Think of a way and clarify this matter for me."

"Yes!"

Zhao Zhao turned around and left. Luo Jiancheng said in a low voice, "Wait a minute, the official. I don't know if I should say a few words at the end."

"Say!"

Walking to a secluded place under the tower, Luo Jiancheng said: "Your Majesty, Qingzhou's troops are insufficient, and the Khitans are coming aggressively. I'm afraid it may be dangerous. The official's body is rich in gold, can you move first? Guards, the minister is leading the Qingzhou garrison and escorting the officials to break out of the encirclement."

Zhao Zhao frowned and said, "Does General Luo have no confidence in himself? Or does he not have confidence in me?"

"I dare not!" Luo Jiancheng bowed and said, "I will fight desperately with Qingzhou soldiers to protect the safety of the officials. But after all, there is a huge disparity in military strength, and Qingzhou does not have high walls and deep pools. I am worried that if... Wan One, if there is a mistake... the official family maintains the country and the country of the Song Dynasty, so there must be no mistakes."

Zhao Zhao asked back: "But the question is, can you promise to escort me out safely?"

Luo Jiancheng was speechless!
"Staying in Qingzhou, at least there is still a city wall that can resist the Liao army, but if you leave the city... Da Song Daofeng is indeed elite, and your Luo Jiancheng's Qingzhou army will fight desperately. But on the plain outside the city, it could be Khitan Is it an opponent of the cavalry? The opponent's strength is several times that of ours, and they are better at cavalry combat. How difficult is it to slip away from them in a field battle?"

Luo Jiancheng was stunned, he was too anxious just now, the Khitan people suddenly killed him, and Qingzhou City was in jeopardy.In this situation, even if he is always calm, even if he is resourceful, it is difficult to remain calm.After all, it is related to the emperor's safety and the national destiny of the Song Dynasty.

Hearing what Zhao Zhao said at this moment, he quickly came to his senses. He was really not thinking carefully during the panic. Breaking through the encirclement is the real danger, and it is easier for the officials to make mistakes.That would be a sinner forever.

"General Luo, don't mention the matter of breaking out of the siege again. What should the soldiers and civilians of Qingzhou do when I'm gone? Are you going to abandon them?" Zhao Zhao said in a deep voice, "Once the idea of ​​breaking out is revealed, the confidence of the soldiers and civilians will be completely lost. It is a real danger. You should know that this battle is of great significance to the Song Dynasty, and the national prestige and morale that was finally brought up cannot be wasted because of this."

"Yes, I obey the order. I have tried my best to defend Qingzhou City." Luo Jiancheng felt that the pressure on his shoulders was heavier, but it was also of great significance.

Zhao Zhao glanced at Luo Jiancheng approvingly, and said earnestly: "General Luo, the reason why I came to Qingzhou is actually because of your loyalty and bravery. Although the Khitan people are fierce, I believe you can withstand it. Three days , you only need to stand up to me for three days, and you will be a hero of the Song Dynasty, and I will decree that you will be a loyal and brave marquis, hereditary and irreplaceable, and you will retire with the country."

Luo Jiancheng fell to his knees in front of Zhao Zhao, kowtowed and said, "I must do my duty faithfully, and I swear to defend Qingzhou to the death, and to defend Your Majesty to the death!"

"Okay, I believe you can do it!"

After Zhao Zhao finished speaking, he turned and left. Luo Jiancheng was pleasantly surprised, but felt heavy.Stick to it for three days, although it is difficult, but it must be done anyway.

Three days, why three days?
Luo Jiancheng suddenly thought of this question.The elite regiments of the Song Army have all gone to battle, at least three hundred miles away.Although the nearby Mozhou and Yingzhou also have garrisons, they are not many. Even if they intend to rescue them, they may not have a substantial effect.

Even after three days, can the reinforcements come back?By the way, the officials have always been prudent and experienced in fighting in the northwest. Why are they so reckless this time and send all the generals to attack?

No, three days... Thinking of the official three-day agreement, Luo Jiancheng smiled faintly, as if he understood something.

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(End of this chapter)