Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Are the Jin soldiers withdrawing now?

The news Li Bao sent from Chen Liu made Ju Ming a little surprised.

In his opinion, Jin Bing should be very crazy. Why did he run away without much fighting?

Zhao Heshou, who suffered multiple injuries all over his body, was called by Ju Ming to ask for the latest news.

Zhao Heshou said: "Ever since...since General Guo surrendered to Marshal Lang Jun, I have not dared to leave the Changsheng Army barracks. The specific situation is really unclear. But the soldiers of all ethnic groups have complaints. When the Jin people ordered the militia to be issued, it happened to be It’s time to plant wheat in the north. They all wanted to follow the Jin people to plunder the Song Dynasty, but they didn’t grab any property along the way. They must all be thinking about their own wheat fields.”

Guo Yaoshi said: "The soldiers of all ethnic groups are not of the same mind as the Jin people. Especially the Bohai people in Liaodong, where I come from. When the Liao Kingdom was still there, the Bohai people often rebelled. If the Jin Kingdom can become big quickly, it will It was because the Bohai people rebelled and occupied more than fifty states and counties in the Liao Kingdom. Aguda took the opportunity to take over these territories. Among the Jin Kingdom's Eastern Route Army, there were 8,000 Bohai soldiers. Han generals such as Gao Jingshan and Wang Bolong also sent The Jurchen generals came to take charge, and the Bohai soldiers, not to mention not being on the same page as the Jin people, even had hatred among themselves."

"The Jin soldiers are not good at attacking cities," Zhao Heshou said. "On the way south, the Jin soldiers were completely unable to attack any city that the Song people defended. Although they invaded many prefectures and counties, it was all because the Song people did not dare to defend them. When they heard that the Jin soldiers were coming, they ran away. When the Jin people came to Kaifeng for the first time, they had no idea how tall Kaifeng's city walls were. They couldn't even figure out where to attack. General Li's elite troops had arrived at Chenliu and were about to fight with them. The marshal joined forces, and it was useless for the Jin people to stay in Henan. In addition, the internal military morale was unstable and they simply took the opportunity to withdraw. Of course, these are all my guesses. "

"Now that the Jin soldiers have withdrawn, will our army attack Kaifeng?" Zhang Guangdao's eyes flashed. He had been looking forward to this day ten years ago.

But Wang Zhen said: "The city of Tokyo is high and deep, so it is best not to attack by force."

Zhu Ming thought: "Surround them first, and then send people into the city to find out the truth. It is best to force the kings and ministers of the Song Dynasty to surrender."

Because Wanyan Zongwang sent a large number of cavalry to plunder a no-man's land around Tokyo, and often let the cavalry patrol and conduct reconnaissance, Ju Ming had already severed contact with Shi Yuangong.

After making the decision, Ju Ming did not go to Chenliu, but returned to Xianping and took the boat with his luggage to go north.

At the same time, Li Bao was asked to lead his troops north, and the two rebel armies followed the river to join forces in Tokyo.

There were not many ships on Ju Ming's side. The wounded soldiers stayed in Xianping to recuperate, and the logistics were loaded onto heavy ships for transportation. The soldiers moved along the river bank.

Ten miles into the southern suburbs of Tokyo, you can already see shantytowns by the river.

The southeast of Tokyo is more prosperous. The seven or eight miles outside the city along the river are residential areas, and there are even streets and shops. The shanty towns extend along the Bianhe River for more than ten miles.

What appeared in front of Ju Ming was the ground full of hungry people!

This is a shanty town, the lowest among the lowest in Tokyo. They live by doing odd jobs every day. If they lose their jobs, they will go hungry within two or three days.

After it turned into a battlefield, everyone who could run ran away, but at least half of them stayed and stayed in the shantytowns by the river to wait to starve to death.

Because they don't know where to escape, lying at home and not moving around, maybe they can survive for a few more days.

Even the golden soldiers didn't bother to plunder. What could they get if they were all poor?

Ju Ming ordered Bai Sheng: "Send some civilians to collect the corpses, burn them into ashes and bury them all. Then take out a thousand stones of military rations and set up pots to cook porridge for the hungry people. When receiving the porridge, compile a list and select those who are willing to farm and hand them to the rear. Civil servants will arrange fields on the spot. If there are carpenters, blacksmiths and other craftsmen, they will also be selected to take care of them."

"Yes!" Bai Sheng took the order and left.

The whole army continued to move forward for two or three miles and camped at the southern suburban campus of Taixue. Many soldiers moved directly into the student dormitories.

Zhu Ming was the grade director of Taixue University, so he returned to his old unit.

Unfortunately, not a single colleague could be seen, and they had all fled into the city long ago.

"We're reaching Tokyo now?" Zhong Yanchong felt as if he was dreaming.

Han Shizhong also felt that it was outrageous: "We are expanding our troops and training in Nanyang, Xiangyang, and Jingmen. The Song Dynasty court should also train and defend its troops in Yingchang and Ruzhou. I thought we were going to fight for a few times, but we arrived in Tokyo without even firing an arrow. .”

Zhong Yanchong said: "The imperial court must have reduced the taxes of Yingchang Prefecture and Ruzhou, leaving money and food for these prefectures and prefectures to train troops. Most of the military funds were embezzled by officials, and they randomly recruited a few young refugees to deal with them, etc. Those who were killed by the rebels as officials were surrendered or fled.”

"Do you think that after Tokyo is captured, will Prime Minister Zhu proclaim himself emperor?" Han Shizhong said excitedly, "By then, although the two of us are surrendered generals and cannot be called the heroes of Yuancong, we can still be regarded as the founding heroes of the country."

"Who can tell?" Zhong Yanchong thought carefully, "Maybe he will become king first."

Han Shizhong joked: "Your sister has become the marshal's wife. From now on, you will be a relative of the emperor. When you become rich in the future, you will support me and let me command a hundred thousand troops to attack Xixia."

"You are such a talented person, don't say such things to harm me. How can a woman from the back house interfere in military affairs?" Zhong Yanchong said with a serious expression.

Han Shizhong stretched, let out a long yawn and said, "I'm just joking. I haven't been fighting. Even the Jin people have run away. It's really boring."

While the two were chatting, Ju Ming had already sent an envoy.

The messenger had just gone a short distance and turned back again, bringing with him a piece of work from Tokyo.

It was a secret letter sent by Shi Yuangong. The content was not long but contained a huge amount of information.

First, it indicates that the latest officials of the three provinces and six ministries of the Song Dynasty, Bai Shizhong, Li Bangyan, and Huang Qianshan, were demoted.

Now Geng Nanzhong is in charge of the power alone, Li Gang is in charge of the military, He Su is in charge of Taijian, Wu Min is in charge of the staff department, and Nie Shan is in charge of the household department. Even Qin Hui was promoted to Minister of War.

Second, we received news two days ago that Zhong Shidao had led his troops to Tongguan. He was originally going to rush to Tokyo, but as Yang Zhi led the Hanzhong troops northward, Zhongshidao stopped at Tongguan again and asked the court whether he should return to Guanzhong.

Third, the Jin Kingdom's West Route Army was besieging Taiyuan, and Wanyan Zonghan led the main force to Dingzhou. The defenders of Dingzhou were at odds with each other. The generals kidnapped the civilian officials and surrendered. The city of Dingzhou was captured by the Jin soldiers. If Wanyan Zonghan captures Baozhou again, the Jin Kingdom's East Route Army's food route will be completely opened.

Fourth, Wanyan Zongwang withdrew to Chenqiao Town and is currently stationed on the north bank of the Yellow River. He also sent envoys to Tokyo to contact him.

Wanyan Zongwang’s proposal was: unite with the Song Dynasty to destroy Zhu!

After reading the secret letter, Ju Ming was amused and laughed.

Wanyan Zongwang and Song Qinzong Zhao Huan teamed up, what kind of fucking joke is this?

…

"Your Majesty, the wise and mighty Emperor of the Song Dynasty, the red thieves are your most serious concern. One hundred thousand thieves are about to surround Kaifeng. Once the city is defeated, not only will your majesty lose his throne, but he may also lose his life!"

The envoy from the Kingdom of Jin was named Wang Jun, and he came from a large Han family in Liaodong.

He threatened Zhao Huan and said: "Maybe after your Majesty takes the throne, he can be named a Duke of the new dynasty. But your Majesty has also read the history books. The emperors of the old dynasty who were Dukes will always die in an unknown way. Even if your Majesty gives up the throne, I’m afraid I won’t be able to live in peace if I go out, as a glass of poisonous wine is waiting for Your Majesty.”

Zhao Huan did have the idea of ​​abdicating his throne, but he couldn't help but tremble slightly after hearing the words of the envoy from the Kingdom of Jin.

Yes, if he takes the Zen position and lets Ju Ming become the emperor, he may be poisoned to death one day.

No matter how much Ju Ming claims to be benevolent and righteous, how can he tolerate an old emperor? When the time comes to give poisoned wine and let the imperial doctor diagnose it as a serious disease, who in the world dares to stand up and question it?

Wang Jun continued: "The second prince said that the Zhu thieves have strong soldiers and horses, and even the Jin soldiers cannot defeat him. Since ancient times, the weak have been united to resist the strong. The Jin Kingdom can join forces with the Song State to help His Majesty defeat the abominable Zhu Thief. From now on, follow the example of the Song Kingdom. The story of the Liao Kingdom, the two countries are brothers, and with another Chanyuan alliance, your Majesty's empire will be stable."

Zhao Huan was a little moved and asked, "What does the Kingdom of Jin want?"

Wang Jun said: "We don't want three towns, but only two towns, Taiyuan and Zhongshan. The annual coin will be increased by 100,000 guan, and another 100,000 dan of grain will be given."

In the north of Taiyuan, the Song Kingdom still had territory, and even occupied some of the old lands of the Liao Kingdom.

When the Jin people asked for Taiyuan, they naturally cut off the northern states and counties.

The same goes for Zhongshan. The entire Dingzhou and the counties in the north will be ceded to the Jin Kingdom.

Zhao Huan has made some progress, at least he will not expose the details in front of the foreign ministers. He replied: "This matter is quite big. I want to discuss it with all the ministers."

The envoy was arranged to rest, and Zhao Huan called all the provincial ministers.

Before he finished speaking, Li Gang objected: "Your Majesty, if the towns of Taiyuan and Zhongshan are lost, the northern territory will never have peace in the future, and the Jin soldiers can send troops south at any time!"

Seeing Li Gang's objection, Zhao Ye immediately supported him: "You also said that there will never be peace in the future. The red thieves have already reached Tokyo. If we don't use the golden army to wipe out the red thieves, how can the Song Dynasty have a future?"

"With me here, Tokyo can be protected!" Li Gang boasted about Haikou.

Zhang Shuye also said: "I will defend Tokyo to the death and not let that red thief succeed!"

Zhao Ye asked: "The Jin people said that the Zhu bandits had a large army coming along the Bianhe River, so the two Huaihe rivers must have fallen into the hands of the bandits. Zhong Shidao also said that the bandits marched north from Hanzhong in large numbers. Your Excellency can hold Tokyo, but Can we get back the Huaihe River? Can we protect Shaanxi and Guanzhong? If we don’t use the golden army to suppress the thieves, will your Majesty regard Kaifeng Mansion as the country?"

These words made everyone's hearts tremble.

Geng Nanzhong suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty, the only plan for now is to use the barbarians to destroy the bandits!"

He has been dormant in the East Palace for more than ten years, pretending that his grandson has suffered all kinds of hardships. A few days ago, he killed and beat old ministers such as Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan. Now that I have finally managed to hold the power alone, how can I be willing to hand it over?

If Xiancheng surrenders to the red thieves, what benefits can he get? I have to rely on others to live my life!

In Geng Nanzhong's eyes, the red thieves must be destroyed, and the ceded territory must also be destroyed.

He Su was shocked: "How could Dazai say such things?"

Qin Hui also objected: "Your Majesty, the Jin people have robbed countless people. If we join forces with the Jin to destroy the thieves, we may lose the hearts of the world."

Geng Nanzhong directly blamed him: "You two are both the same age as the Zhu Thieves, and we have a close personal relationship, but do you have any other ideas?"

"Absolutely not!" He Su quickly clarified.

Qin Hui was even more furious: "If I wanted to join the Zhu Thieves, I would have done so when I was a minor official. Now that I am the Minister of War, why should I join the Zhu Thieves?"

Li Gang bowed and said: "Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Zhao Huan still couldn't make up his mind, always feeling that everyone's words made sense.

Geng Nanzhong said nothing. After leaving the palace, he sent someone to find Bai Shizhong, who had been dismissed from office.

Bai Shizhong was brought down by Geng Nanzhong, and he and Li Bangyan also discussed dedicating the city to Zhu. But now that he had lost power, Geng Nanzhong extended an olive branch, and this guy immediately expressed his willingness to cooperate.

Bai Shizhong hurriedly went to visit Geng Nanzhong and said: "The former right prime minister Li Bangyan had a secret agreement with the Zhu Thief, and he also wanted to drag me into joining the Thief. Li Gang, He Su, Qin Hui, Zhang Shuye and others were all bribed by the Zhu Thief. The spies, they obstructed Lianjin just to make Zhu Thief the emperor!"

"Follow me to the palace immediately to meet the Holy Spirit!" Geng Nanzhong was overjoyed.