A great man of the Northern Song Dynasty

The northwest wind in winter sweeps across everything, creating a desolate scene.

Standing on the top of Lingzhou City, Wang Shao ordered: "Beware of sneak attacks by Western thieves, and send more scouts out."

"Yes." The generals' contempt for the governor at the beginning turned into admiration later, and there were constant offensive and defensive battles in between.

Lingzhou is right in front of Xingqing Mansion. Once the Song Army occupies this place, it has a strategic advantage and can send troops to attack Xingqing Mansion at any time.

This is also the main reason for the internal division of the Western Bandits.

Think about it, Lingzhou is only more than a hundred miles away from Xingqing Mansion. If the Song army makes a surprise attack, it might arrive at dawn.

So from Lingzhou to Xingqing Mansion, the Western Bandits set up countless checkpoints.

Naturally, the Song Dynasty would not sit back and watch. Wang Shao often sent cavalry to clean up the opponent's checkpoints. Fights broke out between the two sides from time to time, with each other winning or losing.

Wang Shao's military ability was fully demonstrated during this period, and his subordinates admired him.

"Zhizhou, the scout is back."

A team of scouts came back despite the cold wind.

"Zhizhou, thousands of enemy troops are cruising on the left side. Our troops were driven away when they approached."

Wang Shao frowned and said, "Why do we still attack in this weather?"

"Zhizhou, could it be a trap?"

The generals made suggestions one after another and analyzed the enemy's strange behavior from various angles.

Wang Shao said in a deep voice: "We will stay behind closed doors and send out scouts intensively."

Someone asked in confusion: "Zhizhou, it's impossible for the Western thieves to come out in force in this weather, right? They don't have much food and grass, and they can't afford to spend it!"

"Last time, we conquered several of their richest places in one fell swoop. The granaries were full and we haven't even finished eating yet. The Western thieves are poor and now they may be hungry, hahahaha!"

After the last war, inventories were checked everywhere and a lot of grain and grass was found.

These grains and fodder are used by the Western thieves when preparing to attack. When the army is dispatched, grain and grass are transported nearby, which can save a lot of losses.

"No matter what their intentions are, let's ignore it for now."

So the first day passed like this.

The next day, the scouts were driven back, saying that the Western thieves were out.

More than two thousand riders boldly appeared in front.

Wang Shao had been observing and gradually understood.

"These people are like wild dogs, attack!"

The city gate opened and thousands of cavalry rushed out.

Before the two sides started to contact, the Song army was waiting for them with a barrage of crossbows and arrows as usual.

Then the two sides strangled each other.

Wang Shao did not rush to kill, but observed from the top of the city.

"The enemy is probably a bait!" A general said calmly: "Zhizhou, these two thousand cavalry refused to retreat, as if they were here to die. This is unreasonable! Maybe there will be a large army following behind, the official suggested Withdraw your troops immediately and put the whole city on alert."

The civil officials and military generals at the top of the city all nodded.

Wang Shao didn't respond, he was still observing.

"All the cavalry will attack, strangle the enemy, and order... to capture some prisoners and bring them back. The general is the best, and he will be rewarded heavily!"

Military orders were issued, and all the cavalry in the city were mobilized.

The battle turned in favor of the Song army in an instant, and the Western thieves finally couldn't hold on any longer and began to flee in all directions.

"withdraw troops!"

Wang Shao was in a good mood and even smiled rarely.

Ming Jin's voice echoed at the top of the city, and the Song army began to clean the battlefield.

"Zhizhou, the general was not captured."

Dozens of prisoners were taken, and the rest were chopped into pieces. The soldiers were so murderous that they wished they could kill all the way to Xingqing Mansion.

"Ask questions!"

Wang Shao nodded, and then someone began to torture the prisoners.

Half an hour passed, and the torture methods became increasingly cruel, and several of them were soon killed.

"Zhizhou, they don't know."

Wang Shao frowned and said: "Ordinary soldiers only know how to attack, but they don't know the reasons."

He slapped the city head, and someone asked: "Zhizhou, what do you mean by the West Thief?"

"I thought about it for a while, the Western bandits attacked with more than 2,000 people, and they refused to retreat. It was more like a grudge. So... I judged that the Xingqing Mansion was probably uneasy. The Western bandits were fighting among themselves, and some people had no choice but to do so. Come and attack Lingzhou."

"Zhizhou, someone said it."

Wang Shao was overjoyed and said, "Ask me!"

The confession came later.

"Before setting off, he saw the leader coming and talked to the general leading the army for a long time. He happened to hear something from behind and said that he wanted to show that woman, let her see our bravery and fight to the death..."

This was clearly an internal fight among the Western bandits, who sent these people to show off their bravery and die.

This kind of behavior seems stupid, but war has always served politics. This kind of seemingly stupid behavior is actually extremely politically correct.

Countless soldiers died bravely because of the disputes between the powerful. This is the complexity and ridiculousness of war and politics intertwined.

"Knowing the state is brilliant!"

Everyone raised their hands in admiration, they were really convinced.

Wang Shao felt relieved and said, "In that case, just wait and see. I will write a memorial and return it to the capital. You will be on guard."

Everyone watched him go down and couldn't help but admire him.

"Zhizhou is a civil servant. When he first arrived in Lingzhou, some people said that he was from Shen Longtu. Someone who thought that Shen Longtu was at least Tang Ren and others must be, but Zhizhou is more ruthless than Tang Ren!"

"We only know how to fight, but Zhizhou knows about important things. No wonder he is valued by Shen Longtu."

"We can take it easy if the Western bandits fight among themselves."

"Zhizhou killed an enemy last time, tsk tsk! His sword skills are clearly not the trickery of civil servants. It's amazing!"

"Snowing!"

Amid the snowflakes, a group of cavalry came from afar.

"What the hell! How did the Western Thief get here? If Brother Chun hadn't been here, we would have been raided this time. It's embarrassing!"

Shen An turned around and looked at the two captured Xixia generals, furious.

"Mr. Lang, is there something wrong with Wang Shao?" Huang Chun also felt something was wrong.

"No!" Shen An said firmly: "I believe him."

Wang Shao is a ruthless character who has traveled thousands of miles. He has no real ability. How can Zhao Xu and Wang Anshi trust him?

"Someone is coming from Lingzhou."

Lingzhou was shocked by Shen An's sudden arrival.

"I've seen Shen Longtu."

Wang Shao went out of the city to greet Shen An very respectfully.

"I encountered scattered enemy troops on the road. What happened?"

Shen An supported him and asked in a low voice.

Wang Shao smiled and said: "More than two thousand enemy troops attacked earlier and were defeated by our army."

Shen An felt relieved and immediately frowned: "At this time of year, there are only more than two thousand people to attack. If it is to lure the enemy, you will not be fooled unless you are a fool. Then what are they trying to do?"

Civil officials and generals were dumbfounded.

Shen An's eyebrows relaxed, "Since there was no ambush, Liang must have lost control of the Western Bandits, and someone attacked privately..."

Wang Shao handed over his hand.

Everyone gave up.

"Why are you so polite?" Shen An smiled.

Someone told Wang Shao's previous analysis.

"Oh! Zichun is indeed extraordinary. It shows that I was not wrong about the person at first."

Shen An was pleased and patted Wang Shao on the shoulder.

"This is your original teaching. I am deeply grateful." Wang Shao did not look proud and bowed respectfully.

Wang Shao lived in the Shen family for a while back then, and Shen An would tell him about the court situation and foreign affairs every day. Although the two were not masters and disciples, it was a fact that Wang Shao had benefited a lot.

Some people said with envy: "Did Zhizhou actually get the teachings of Shen Longtu?"

"You can also try it."

The man sneered: "What kind of person is Shen Longtu? How can ordinary people fall in his eyes?"

There was a dispute here, but someone boldly asked: "Shen Longtu, I would like to ask you for advice..."

Shen An's status is getting higher and higher now, and he has so many military achievements that people can't help but look up to him and don't dare to offend him. Seeing this man's boldness, everyone couldn't help but quiet down, wanting to see how Shen An would respond.

"Say it." Shen An smiled and nodded, so kindly that the official couldn't believe it.

"Shen Longtu, will the Western bandits have an internal dispute and eventually fall apart, allowing us to take advantage?"

This judgment came from the previous battle, but Shen An shook his head and said: "First, if there is no external interference, the Western bandits will gradually compromise internally. Liang is a smart person, and she knows that once there is civil strife, the Song Dynasty will immediately attack Xingqing Mansion, so this is impossible.

Secondly, the Liao people were deeply involved in the Western bandits. Those Western bandit dignitaries were worried about the Song Dynasty taking action, so they colluded with the Liao people. This was because they wanted to have both sides and use the Liao people to check and balance the Song Dynasty, so the internal fighting was a fight. Falling apart is impossible. "

This analysis makes people feel enlightened and all doubts are swept away.

"Thank you Shen Longtu for your advice."

"Easy to say."

Shen An and Wang Shao entered the government office. Everyone was in an excited mood. Someone said: "Shen Longtu has come to Lingzhou. It must be that the imperial court is going to take action against the Western thieves. We in Lingzhou are at the front, and the opportunity to make meritorious deeds is right in front of us!"

Everyone was excited, and some people praised: "Shen Longtu just heard about this incident, and immediately concluded that it was an internal fight among the Western bandits. If someone can learn a few things about this, he can be both civil and military."

"How about..." A civil servant's eyes flickered, "How about giving it a try?"

Later in the evening, after Shen An finished bathing and changing clothes, he convened everyone to discuss matters. Shen An sat in the main seat and listened carefully to the recent movements of the Western thieves. Finally, he said some calming words and let everyone disperse.

The news that he is going to Xixia cannot be widely publicized, otherwise he will not know how he died.

But the crowd didn't disperse, just staring at a civil servant.

Shen An smiled and said, "Do you have something to say?"

The civil servant knelt down with a bang and kowtowed, "Shen Longtu, your knowledge is known all over the world. I have admired you for a long time. I want to study under you. I sincerely ask Shen Longtu to accept you..."

Want to become a disciple?

Shen An said with a smile: "I have accepted a few disciples over the years. UU Reading www.uukanｓhu.netｔ Nowadays, there are many things to do, and the two children at home make me very annoyed..."

The civil servant was extremely disappointed, but he did not dare to ask again.

"We can communicate if there is anything we can discuss together."

Shen An really didn't want to accept any more disciples, so his attitude seemed friendly, but he was very determined.

Later, when everyone dispersed, Wang Shao said with a smile: "Xiaguan had this intention when he was in Bianliang last time, but he was worried about you..."

Shen An may seem kind, but he has a reputation for being vicious, and most people wouldn't dare to do anything wrong.

"Zichun, you have the ability, why do you need to do this?" Shen An said with a smile.

Is this agreed?

Wang Shao felt happy, knelt down and said, "I have met the teacher."

Shen An meant his words to be polite, but who would have thought that Wang Shao would climb along the pole? He couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "You, you, why are you doing this?"

Wang Shao said respectfully: "When I was in Bianliang, I benefited a lot from you. At that time, I wished I could ask for advice day and night, but then I was running around everywhere. I regret it to this day."

When he was in Bianliang, Shen An's novel knowledge and opinions made Wang Shao feel that he had met a treasure. Now this treasure was his teacher and he could ask for advice at will, which made him happy.

"I'm going to prepare bacon."

Wang Shao suddenly remembered that he hadn't given any gifts yet and couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Shen An stopped him and said, "It's not urgent. I came here this time to prepare for a trip."

Wang Shao said subconsciously: "Danger!"

Shen An said calmly: "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cub? Besides, Mrs. Liang is on pins and needles at the moment. If she dares to take action, I will let her die without a burial place!"

There was strong self-confidence in his words, as if he was preparing to go to Xingqing Mansion, and Liang was just the singer he summoned.