Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

It was Han Chang who came to surrender to Yue Fei.

The "Number One Warrior of the Jin Kingdom" ten years later had always been a pioneer for Jin Wushu throughout history, but in the end he died at the hands of Wan Yanliang.

After he was thrown to death by Wanyan Loushi last year, he still had more than 1,600 Liaodong and Han troops in his hands.

For fear of being dealt with by military law, they did not dare to return to the Jin territory after escaping from the battle, and at the same time they did not dare to surrender to the Ming army. So they fled into the mountains to become bandits, but the nearby mountains were full of rebels. They didn't get much food from the landlords, but they had several conflicts with the Shanxi rebels.

Today, of the more than 1,600 Han troops in Liaodong, there are only 700 or 800 left who have died of cold and starvation.

The people who are still alive are all sallow and thin, and can even be described as skinny and bones. They didn't care that their families were still in Liaodong, and they didn't care whether the Ming army would accept them. When they heard that Wutai County had been captured, they immediately ventured out of the mountains and came to seek refuge.

"General, please accept us!"

Han Chang knelt down in front of Yue Fei with a pop, and his seven or eight hundred soldiers also knelt down.

The surrounding rebels were armed with weapons and were about to surround and kill Han Chang's men as soon as Yue Fei gave the order.

A Wutai County rebel leader named Dou Lan said: "General Yue was so hungry last winter that he even robbed poor people like us. We had no food to eat in the mountains. They relied on their excellent soldiers and armor to kill them. I had nearly a hundred people under my command, and they even robbed me of winter food from one of my hiding spots!"

"This guy even fought with me twice!" another rebel leader said angrily.

Han Chang knelt in front of Yue Fei and said, "Brothers, I'm really sorry. I was really hungry at that time."

"As long as you are hungry, aren't we hungry?" Dou Lan asked.

Han Chang apologized again, kowtowed to Yue Fei and said: "General, I was originally from Yanshan Prefecture, and my family was moved to Liaodong by the Jin Kingdom. My family is also somewhat famous in Liaodong, and my father is still an official in the Jin Kingdom. Now I would like to join the Ming Dynasty as a A small soldier, and then write a letter to inform the tribe to act as an internal response. Even if the tribe cannot make great contributions to the Ming Dynasty, it is still possible to convey some military information."

Yue Fei asked the leaders of the various rebel armies: "In addition to having a quarrel with you, has this guy slaughtered people in Shanxi?"

Without waiting for the leaders of the rebel army to answer, Han Chang said quickly: "No, absolutely not! My subordinates have been stationed in Yunzhong, which used to be the land of the Liao Kingdom. It was not until last year that he followed the army southward. At first, the siege of Taiyuan failed, and then in Shou Yang hit a wall and was defeated by General Zhang in the end. How could he have the time to kill the people of Ming Dynasty?"

The leaders nodded. It was true that they only heard about this person last year and had never interacted with him before.

Yue Fei then said to the leaders of the rebel army: "The surrender of an enemy general is a big deal. Moreover, this person has relatives who are officials in the Kingdom of Jin. I must report it to Duke Zhang before he can make the decision. Don't rush to take action and temporarily imprison these people." .”

"Thank you, General!" Han Chang kowtowed repeatedly. He just wanted a bite of food.

Yue Fei stayed in Wutai County for six full days, allowing his starving soldiers to quickly replenish their supplies. At the same time, the rebels were reorganized and the young and strong were selected as three thousand rural soldiers. The old and weak who were eliminated could receive food and go home.

There were military rations left by the Jin soldiers in Wutai County, and local gentry also came to work for the army to prove that they were loyal to the Ming Dynasty. Yue Fei was not short of food in a short period of time.

Their troops rushed here from the border of Hebei. Although they did not fight many tough battles, they had great strategic significance and forced the Jin soldiers to abandon Xinzhou and Daizhou directly.

Twenty days later, Yue Fei led his troops to catch up with Zhang Guangdao's main force.

The army went all the way north to take over the counties and cities of Xinzhou and Daizhou. If they wanted to continue north, they had to break through Yanmen Pass.

Of course, there are other levels of the fortress, such as attacking Tuchang Village and killing Wuzhou (Shenchi). Another example is to attack Pingxingzhai (Pingxingguan) and kill Lingqiu.

There are seven or eight such passages.

Anyway, no matter which way you attack, you have to force your way out.

Because we have reached the border between Song and Liao countries, there are Xiongguanzhai forts on all mountain passes.

The Song and Liao Kingdoms have been fortifying them for many years. No place is easy to capture, and some passages even have several checkpoints.

For example, Yanmen Pass belongs to the pun system and is divided into Dongxing Pass and Xixing Pass. After passing Xixingguan and heading north, there is another Guancheng built by the Liao Kingdom.

If troops are sent to Yanmen, they must break through three great passes before the Ming army can advance into Shuozhou.

Zhang Guangdao solicited opinions and said: "This year I led the Northern Expedition. I originally planned to take back Xinzhou and Daizhou, and regain the former Song Dynasty's homeland in Shanxi. But I didn't expect that General Yue crossed the mountains and made a surprise attack, scaring the Jin people and fleeing back to Liaoning. The country’s land. Tell me, where should we fight next?”

The Ming army in Taiyuan had already achieved its strategic goal ahead of schedule due to Yue Fei's attack.

Li Jinyi suggested: "It is better to postpone going north, since we have already recovered our homeland. Wait until next year to stock up on more food, and then join the Hebei army. By then, Shanxi and Hebei will advance together to recapture the Sixteenth Prefecture of Youyun in one fell swoop!"

This is a very conservative but extremely safe approach.

But Yao Pingzhong said: "We can attack Tuchong Village to the northwest, kill Wuzhou, cooperate with Han Shizhong's troops from afar, and completely recapture the former Song Dynasty's Junfu County in Shanxi!"

The generals spoke one after another, saying everything.

Some people even suggested that the main force attack Yanmen Pass and hold back a large number of golden soldiers. Then send a partial army to attack Dashizhai. As long as Dashizhai is captured, you can go straight out of the mountain and take Yingzhou.

In this way, the connection between Shuozhou Jinbing and Datong can be cut off to the west, and Yunzhou can be taken back to Datong directly to the north.

No matter what, no one is willing to storm Yanmen Pass.

Even if we keep bombarding with artillery, we will have to wait until winter to capture Yanmen Pass. And to the north of Yanmen Pass, there are two great passes blocking it.

Only Pharmacist Guo and Yue Fei remained silent. Zhang Guangdao asked, "What does General Guo think?"

Compared with his previous arrogance and domineering attitude, Yaoshi Guo is very low-key now. He chuckled and said, "I can fight anywhere."

"Where is General Yue?" Zhang Guangdao asked again.

Yue Fei is a general in the Hebei War Zone, so he naturally has to take Hebei's interests into consideration: "We can storm Pingxingzhai (Pingxingguan) and kill Lingqiu and Feihu counties. When the Hebei army breaks through Yizhou next year, Shanxi and Hebei can join forces and work together." Get through Fei Huxing."

Zhang Guangdao synthesized the opinions of the generals and said: "The Shanxi garrison will be divided into ten thousand to garrison Daizhou, Guoxian and Fanji (Fanzhi). The field army and the remaining garrison will be divided into two. Go west to attack Tucheng. The stronghold echoes Han Shizhong's troops. If we go east to attack the Pingxing Stronghold, it would be best if we can advance into Lingqiu County."

Zhang Guangdao's meaning is obvious. He has never thought about capturing Datong, at least he will not fight against Datong this year.

As for Yanmen Pass, whoever wants to fight can go there. Zhang Guangdao doesn't want to go anyway. He would rather take a detour elsewhere.

Yanmen has three cities, six villages, and eighteen dangerous passes, all of which can be defended. Even if they can all be conquered, the Ming army will have to spend a long time and pay huge casualties.

By the way, how did the Jin soldiers break through Yanmen Pass?

It has been mentioned in the history books, but there is no precise information about this time and space, as if the many passes are just like paper.

…

The leader of the attack on Pingxingzhai is Yao Pingzhong. This guy has always wanted to fight hard and make meritorious deeds. Zhang Guangdao will fulfill his wish this time.

Although there are countless checkpoints in the surrounding areas, the really important ones are actually Yanmen Pass and Hexing Pass. Even if other passages are penetrated, it will be difficult for the army to pass.

Yao Pingzhong is the chief general, Guo Yaoshi and Yue Fei are deputy generals, and the following generals include Chen Ziyi, Hua Rong, Deng Xia, Wu Jie and Liu Qi.

Chen Ziyi, Deng Xia and Hua Rong, one leads the cavalry, one leads the artillery, and one leads the musketeers. They are all relatively independent troops. They are neither chief generals nor deputy generals. They are more like friendly forces cooperating with Yao Pingzhong.

Including the accompanying Shanxi garrison and the rural soldiers reorganized by the rebels, the combat force totaled more than 35,000 people.

Han Chang's eight hundred Liaodong Han soldiers also came with them, and they could shout to persuade them to surrender at critical moments.

Pingxingguan is not an independent pass. There are three places: Pingxingzhai, Maguzhai and Meihuizhai, which block three traffic arteries respectively.

During the Anti-Japanese War, the Chinese army officers and soldiers were stationed on these three roads, and the Japanese army also attacked from these three roads. However, Lin Shuai's 115th Division secretly hid in an unknown valley, and finally caught the Japanese army by surprise.

Yao Pingzhong led his troops to rest in Fanju County for two days, and then headed towards Pingxingguan to kill without stopping.

Chen Ziyi's cavalry expanded again this year, adding two thousand light cavalry. These light cavalry were sent out first to explore the battlefield ahead along the way.

There were still more than ten miles away from Pingxing Pass, and the two sides collided with each other.

After a fight, each other suffered casualties, and each ran back to report the news, leaving one behind to continue the entanglement.

Yao Pingzhong accelerated his march after receiving the news. One day later, all the light cavalry of the Ming army came back and reported: "The Jin people sent out thousands of cavalry, including many brave cavalry. We really can't stop them and have to evacuate."

Yue Fei guessed: "It seems that the Jin soldiers want to fight in the field and don't want to huddle in the pass."

Liu Qi said with a smile: "When the Jin people defended Chitang Pass, they were frightened by artillery and thunder. Moreover, Pingxiang, Magu, and Meihui Villages were built by the former Song Dynasty to defend the Liao Kingdom. The external defense is better , but the internal defense was inadequate. Also, it was a mountainous area, and it was difficult for the Jin cavalry to use it. Due to all this, the Jin people simply fought in open areas in the wild."

Wu Jie said: "Han Chang, who surrendered, said that there were initially more than 60,000 Jin soldiers in Shanxi. They suffered a series of misfortunes in Shanxi, and now there are at most more than 40,000 left. They must not only divide their troops to defend various passages, but also divide their troops to defend. There are probably only 20,000 golden soldiers in each of the Yanmen villages and the Pingxing Village. Not even 20,000, only more than 10,000."

The three famous generals of the Southern Song Dynasty served as military advisors to Yao Pingzhong. After some guessing and reasoning, it was almost like opening up the whole map.

Yao Pingzhong felt that it made sense, his thoughts suddenly became clear, and he clapped his hands and said: "Since the Jin people want to fight in the field, then use car formations to fight them. Our army has superior strength, high morale, and firearms to support us. Not to mention ten thousand If you have many gold soldiers, you won’t be afraid even if it costs 30,000 to 50,000! What do you think, Master?”

Monk Zhenbao is the leader of the rebel army. Now he is the commander of the township soldiers in Wutai County, and he also goes with everyone to kill the Jin man.

"Amitabha!"

Monk Zhenbao proclaimed the Buddha's name, clasped his hands and said, "Those golden people are evil spirits who have come to the world, and they should be sent back to hell!"

(In the previous chapter, the location of Chitang Pass was wrong by about 20 miles. Thank you for correcting me. If it were based on the normal position, it would be easier for the Jin soldiers at Shiling Pass to retreat, but Yao Pingzhong's troops would have received the news earlier.)