The Song Dynasty has been deliberate for 16 years, only to know that it is the Water Margin

Chapter 461 Huangzhou Storm
Yao Pingzhong was sitting in the big tent drinking.

Before Xihe's army marched north, Tong Guan personally ordered generals, and his name was on the list.

He pretended to be ill and stayed away. Yao Gu had no choice but to report that he had a leg disease and was unable to travel far.

Tong Guan also issued a military order to gather the remaining forces of several states to block the east line of Xining to prepare for Xining Longyou's eastward attack.

Yao Pingzhong asked for help, and Yao Gu asked him to lead the remaining 8000 troops to line up at the intersection of Huangzhou and Xiningzhou, blocking the eastward path.

He was drinking wine and cursing at the same time: "These thieves from the Xin family in Huangzhou are working hard to garrison here. Not only did they send some food and drinks, they didn't even say a word of greeting."

The several generals next to them all had ugly expressions. One of them said: "General Yao, the Xin family is the largest in Xihe. Who doesn't know who doesn't know? Don't talk about you, general. I'm afraid even if you are the commander-in-chief..."

He paused here, and Yao Pingzhong said angrily: "What happened to Fushuai?"

The general shook his head and said, "I'm afraid even if Fushuai is here, they won't pay any attention to him."

Another general next to him hurriedly pulled him: "Brother Zhang, be careful what you say!"

Another general sneered: "There is nothing to be cautious about. It's not like the Xin family can't handle it. They have been domineering for so many years and regard Xihe as their own. No one knows."

"Do they really regard Xihe as their own?" Yao Pingzhong banged his wine bowl and cursed: "Xihe belongs to the Song Dynasty, when did it become the property of their Xin family? What do they want to do?"

The general who spoke first sighed: "The sky is high and the emperor is far away, and the Xin family is the close confidant of Privy Tong. Even the former commander-in-chief has to give some face to them and not be on the same level as them."

Yao Pingzhong slammed the table: "I just don't like them!"

Several generals shook their heads: "General, we also see that the Xin family is not happy, but unlike the general, we are behind the generals. We were in Xihe when we joined the army, and I may stay there for a long time in the future. If we don't wrap our bodies in leather, we will This is Huangshui forever. If the general was not here before, he will definitely be promoted and leave in the future, so he can just endure it."

Yao Pingzhong filled a bowl of wine for himself and poured it into his stomach. He wiped the corners of his mouth with his big hand and said, "How can I bear this? It's not like you didn't see it when I went to Xining to besiege the city a few days ago. The Xin family's descendants were so numerous that they didn't send any troops. Go test it and let me lead the troops forward alone. If I hadn't questioned Xin Xingzong, I'm afraid I would have led the troops over alone and died. This is obviously a trap for me."

The general smiled bitterly and said: "How could you not have seen this? The general's status is extraordinary. If someone else had spoken to that guy like this, he would have ordered him to be tied up and acted in accordance with military law..."

Yao Pingzhong said: "That's why it's unbearable. Now we are leading troops to protect the front line of Huangzhou, eating and sleeping in the open air, working hard, while his Xin family is eating and drinking in the city behind, rolling dice for fun, and sleeping with his wife in his arms. How can it be tolerated?" Got it!"

Another partial general said: "It's true what the general said, but what can we do? We can't just go to the city and rob his house."

Yao Pingzhong's eyes flashed: "You can't rob someone when they're dead. How can you do something that violates military regulations? But the Xin family regards Xihe as their own, isn't it suspected of rebellion?"

The general said: "General, it's easy to say other things, but you can't say this nonsense."

Yao Pingzhong said: "What do you know? We are officials of the imperial court and we are guarding the territory of the Song Dynasty. Why should the Xin family be so arrogant and domineering as to secretly occupy the Xihe River? If that is the case, the two kings' capitals will be destroyed." They are more qualified than the Xin family!"

When several generals heard that he mentioned Zhao Tong, they immediately fell silent. The Xin family dared to argue and curse behind their backs, but King Qin and the others really didn't dare to say it. After all, he was a high-ranking person, a prince of the royal family, a nobleman of Tianhuang. , the gap between them is too big, and who knows why King Qin went to Xining Prefecture. The imperial edict is vague and secretive, so how can they dare to discuss it in private.

"What, is this general wrong?" Yao Pingzhong poured another bowl of wine.

"Of course what the general said is right. How can the King of Qin be compared to the Xin family? The King of Qin is justified..." The generals responded in a low voice, and they really thought so in their hearts. No matter what happened to Zhao Tong, he is the legitimate son of His Majesty, and the Xin family It's nothing, it's just Tong Guan's dog.

Yao Pingzhong muttered: "Since you have been bullied by the Xin family for a long time, I will also be embarrassed by him. How can you be so angry?"

The generals looked at each other, raised their heads, and whispered: "General, what can you do to teach us..."

Zhao Tan sent five guards of the First Army's Tengjia soldiers to attack Huangzhou, as well as the first and second guards of the Third Army's cavalry, who were the original ninth and tenth commanders of the Dragon Guard Army.

The number was not large, only 200. After he learned that Yao Pingzhong was guarding the front line of Huangzhou, he had a plan in mind. Instead of sending heavy troops, he directly transferred Datou's team to attack Kuozhou and Jishi Army on the Yellow River. west coast.

Although the number of people going to Huangzhou was small, the momentum was very large. They marched in a mighty way, blowing trumpets and beating drums, without any intention of concealing the march.

Xining Prefecture is not far from Huangzhou, and Yao Pingzhong's team is camped in front, so before they get within a hundred miles, they already know that there are troops coming.

Originally, the two sides met outside, and Yao Pingzhong should have led his troops to meet him in advance, but he directly ordered the entire army to retreat to Huangzhou.

There are not many defenders in Huangzhou City at the moment. Originally, Yao Pingzhong's 8000 people were gathered from the garrison of each state. He gathered troops and horses here, so the states are naturally empty. Except for Xizhou, which has 3000 people guarding it, the other cities only have a thousand people. about.

Therefore, Huangzhou didn't dare not open the city gate when he saw him withdrawing. Even if he didn't, the more than a thousand defenders couldn't stop him at all.

When he arrived in the city, Yao Pingzhong immediately occupied the Zhizhou Yamen and rested inside. As for the 8000 people, he only sent a dozen to the top of the city to watch, and the rest rested on the spot near the Yamen.

Huangzhou Zhizhou was confused. He didn't know what these soldiers were doing back here when they weren't out there to prevent Xining's surprise attack.

When it got dark, news came from the city wall, saying that a large army was coming from the west, blowing and beating, with great momentum, and would soon arrive at the city.

Huangzhou Zhizhou immediately panicked and hurriedly went to Yao Pingzhong to discuss countermeasures. However, he saw that Yao Pingzhong and several generals were drunk and turned a deaf ear to his words.

He was so anxious that he stamped his feet, and finally had no choice but to go out and rush to Xin Mansion.

Now that Xin Shuxian is still alive, he is actually younger than Tong Guan. Tong Guan is 73 years old this year, but Xin Shuxian is only seventy.

However, although he is younger than Tong Guan, he does not have Tong Guan's energy and spirit. Although he has fought on the battlefield for most of his life and has martial arts skills, they are all about horseback skills. They cannot compare with Tong Guan's master level. Moreover, old injuries often reoccurred, and the past two years have been extremely painful.

When Yao Pingzhong led his army into the city, Xin Shuxian was notified. After all, Huangzhou was the headquarters of the Xin family. There were informants everywhere, and they were better informed than the magistrate of Huangzhou.

He didn't know what Yao Pingzhong wanted to do, but he didn't care too much. After all, from his point of view, the military horse was better inside the city than outside the city.

Because these more than 8000 soldiers are outside the city to block Xining Longyou's eastward advance. This eastward advance is not limited to Huangzhou. If it goes to other prefectures and counties, these more than 8000 soldiers will also block it, and there will definitely be a war. , which is safer than just guarding him in Huangzhou.

Over the years, he has really regarded Huangzhou as his own, and even worried about Xihe. After all, his second son Xin Xingzong has already reached the rank of commander of the Xihe Road Army and Horses. In the next step, as long as he accumulates more achievements, he will be able to serve in the court. He went to work, changed his literary qualifications, moved to civil service, and rushed to care for the commander all the way.

It was getting late now. After Xin Shuxian had eaten early, he began to practice swordsmanship in front of the hall. He performed the swordsmanship very slowly, just to move his muscles and bones to digest food. However, after completing the swordsmanship all the way, his strength obviously dropped, and his legs All trembled slightly.

The concubine next to him hurriedly came over to help: "Master, please come into the room and rest." Xin Shuxian nodded, and just as he was about to take a step, he saw a general coming in a hurry: "Master, Master, it's not good!"

Xin Shuxian turned around and glanced at him coldly: "What are you calling me? Have you forgotten the rules of the house?"

The general was sweating, and he knelt down on the ground when he heard the "Plop" sound: "Young man knows his mistake, he knows his mistake."

Xin Shuxian frowned and said, "I'll go to the housekeeper later to receive my punishment!"

"Yes, yes!" the general muttered.

"Tell me, why are you so worried?" Xin Shuxian was a little impatient.

The family general said: "My lord, there is a group of troops coming from outside the west city. It looks like they are from Xining Prefecture. Sun Dutou in the city sent someone to deliver a message to your lord."

"He's really here?" Xin Shuxian heard this and stroked his beard with his hand, and said to himself: "What on earth does King Qin want to do? Is he really planning to rebel?"

He was not afraid. He had been a soldier for half his life and had never seen anything. In his opinion, although Xining Prefecture and Longyou were in Zhao Tao's hands at the moment, they only had [-] soldiers at best. He had to leave people to defend the city. Even if he wanted to How many can be sent for the eastward raid?There are nearly [-] troops in Huangzhou at the moment. As long as the four gates are closed, the other side will naturally be helpless.

As for attacking by force, the opponent may not have many troops in the city, so how can we attack by force?He didn't believe that King Qin didn't even understand such a simple truth.

"Got it!" Xin Shuxian waved his hand, signaling the general to go back.

As soon as the general got up, the chief steward of the Xin Mansion led Huangzhou Zhizhou over quickly. Xin Shuxian asked doubtfully: "What kind of wind brought Mr. Zhoutai here?"

Huangzhou Zhizhou stepped forward and said with a wry smile: "Sir, it's not good!"

"What's wrong?" Uncle Xin raised his white eyebrows: "But what about the troops coming from Xining Prefecture?"

Huangzhou Zhizhou nodded: "Sir, this is exactly what happened. Now Xining soldiers are wandering around outside the city, pointing, as if they are observing the terrain and intending to attack the city."

"Attack the city?" Xin Shuxian sneered: "How many of them dare to attack the city?"

The magistrate of Huangzhou said with a sullen face: "I asked the messengers in the city, there are about 8000 or [-] people, including cavalry!"

"There are still cavalry?" Xin Shuxian said: "The cavalry can't attack the city, not to mention that the opponent only has seven or eight thousand people, which are not as many as the defenders in the city. What is Master Zhoutai panicking about? I am afraid that Xining Prefecture has already lost everything."

"Old man, can I not panic!" Huangzhou Zhizhou beat his chest and said: "It is true that the opponent does not have as many soldiers as in the city, but the soldiers in the city, but the soldiers in the city do not go to the top of the city at all. Now there are only a thousand people guarding the city. , and everyone is so tired that they don’t even dare to change their posts.”

"What?" Xin Shuxian was shocked when he heard this: "Didn't Xihe Deputy General Yao Pingzhong lead his troops into the city before?"

The magistrate of Huangzhou said: "Sir, we have indeed entered the city. All 8000 people have entered the city. However, Vice General Yao and several generals got drunk in the state government office. I ignored him when I went to discuss the matter. My tongue is too big."

Xin Shuxian frowned and said, "Where are those soldiers?"

The magistrate of Huangzhou said: "Those soldiers gathered around the streets around the yamen to make meals. Now they are all full, and they are chatting and bragging in twos and threes..."

Xin Shuxian heard this and said angrily: "How could such a soldier be like this?"

Huangzhou Zhizhou spread his hands and said: "Sir, how did I know that those soldiers are from other states, I can't manage them, and they don't listen to me. How can the Xining army outside attack the city like this?"

Xin Shuxian took a deep breath: "This Yao Pingzhong is so outrageous. The army dares to drink and cause trouble!"

The magistrate of Huangzhou said: "Sir, I don't think he knows anything about military affairs. He only has a wine bag and a rice bag. He retreated into the city this time, and he ran back because he was greedy for life and afraid of death."

Xin Shuxian thought for a moment: "How could the Yao family not understand military skills? However, they are afraid of death... it is possible."

Huangzhou Zhizhou said: "Sir, what should we do now? This man is a drunkard and is afraid of death, but there are troops approaching the city outside, so we can't wait any longer!"

Xin Shuxian muttered: "I'll write a note and give it to Yao Pingzhong. If... this person is drunk and unable to wake up, show it to the general. Anyone who is sober will immediately ask him to dispatch troops to guard the city."

Huangzhou Zhizhou hurriedly expressed his gratitude. Xin Shuxian returned to the room with the support of his concubine, and then wrote a note for Huangzhou Zhizhou to take away.

Huangzhou Zhizhou took the note and hurried back to the Yamen. When he saw Yao Pingzhong and others still drinking and eating meat, spouting nonsense, he couldn't help but stamped his feet angrily, walked forward and said: "General Yao, I have a picture of Boss Xin here. Please read this note quickly."

Yao Pingzhong said drunkenly, "Who?"

The magistrate of Huangzhou said angrily: "Uncle Xin is offering to Mr. Xin!"

Yao Pingzhong stretched out his hand, and Huangzhou Zhizhou handed him the note. Yao Pingzhong took it and glanced at Huangzhou Zhizhou: "Master Zhoutai, who is this Xin Shuxian? Why are you writing a note to this general? You want me to transfer him Soldier? Is he tired of living?"

Huangzhou Zhizhou almost fainted when he heard this. You don't know Mr. Xin?I don’t know why you took the note!
"I've never heard of this guy!" Yao Pingzhong tore the note into pieces, and then said to several generals: "Come on, keep drinking!"

Huangzhou Zhizhou couldn't bear it anymore and shouted: "General Yao, Mr. Xin is Commander Xin's father!"

"Master Yu, what are you shouting for!" Yao Pingzhong slammed the table and his wine bowl jumped up, but then he said in shock: "Ah? It's Commander Xin's father!"

Huangzhou Zhizhou was so angry that stars appeared in his eyes, and he trembled: "That's right, that's right, Master Yao, why don't you quickly dispatch troops to defend the city!"

Yao Pingzhong blinked his eyes when he heard this, and stood up suddenly with a "huh": "Move troops, mobilize troops, follow my general to mobilize troops!"

Several generals immediately got up and followed him staggeringly out the door. Huangzhou Zhizhou breathed a sigh of relief, wiped his sweat tremblingly, and sat down on a chair.

After a while, he calmed down a bit and was about to go back to the back office to rest. At this time, a soldier hurried in outside and shouted loudly when he came in: "Sir, something happened, something happened!"

"What happened?" Huangzhou Zhizhou immediately jumped up from his chair and asked nervously.

"Sir, General Yao and his men just opened the east city gate with their troops and horses, and ran out of the city towards the Yellow River..."

(End of this chapter)