I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 541: Zhao Zhen's speech! Sincerity for sincerity, fighting spirit rises

March 7th, near dusk.

The military camp on the north bank of the Baigou River had been destroyed, leaving not a single Liao soldier behind.

More than 23,000 Han people from Yanyun gathered in the military tents on the south bank of the Baigou River. Although they had food and water, they were anxious and clamored to join the war.

Because their families are still in the hands of the Liao people.

In order to stabilize their emotions, Su Liang selected more than 200 people from these people as captains to carry out internal management.

Then he promised them that the government would make arrangements for them tomorrow.

this morning.

Zhao Zhen sent out three more cavalry units of 10,000 people, one to Yingzhou, one to Mozhou, and one to Zhuozhou.

These three cities all have Liao troops stationed in them. The number is unknown, but it is definitely not large.

All the property in the city was transferred to Youzhou, and the only people left in the city were the elderly, the weak, and the sick, who were not even qualified to be hostages.

The purpose of the other party's move is obvious.

The goal was to force the Song Dynasty to disperse its military forces, stretch the battle line, and force it to occupy these three states, and then take care of the people.

at the same time.

The Liao Dynasty's Privy Councilor Yelu Liang had personally stationed in Youzhou, leading an army of about 100,000, and had set up his military formation in front of the Zhuo River behind Zhuozhou.

There is still some distance from Zhuohe River to Youzhou City, and there are several passes.

Yelu Liang's arrangement was naturally intended to fight with the Song army near the Zhuo River.

After all, the Liao Kingdom's greatest reliance was their cavalry.

If the cavalry cannot win, they will hold on to Youzhou City, consume the Song army, and fight a protracted war.

The Liao army was already aware of the power of Song's firearms.

The moat was widened, the fortifications were repaired, and many large stones were moved to reinforce and thicken the city walls.

……

At present, the strategies of both Song and Liao are basically laid out in the open.

In the Yanyun area, the final battle in the eastern direction will take place in Youzhou City, and the final battle in the western direction will take place in Yunzhou City.

The Liao Kingdom wanted to delay.

If they can hold on to Yun and You states for more than half a year, the Song Dynasty will inevitably run short of food and grass, and may even withdraw its troops.

The Song Dynasty wanted a quick victory.

The faster the fight, the less the Song Dynasty will consume, but the greater the damage to Liao.

After all, it's on the opponent's territory.

……

into the night.

On the south bank of Baigou River, in the main tent of the central army.

Zhao Zhen, Han Qi and Su Liang were discussing how to arrange the more than 23,000 Han people in Yanyun.

soon.

The three of them reached a consensus.

Since they had promised to join the Song Dynasty as soldiers and be named the Yanyun Army, they were assigned to the right wing of the Hebei Imperial Army and followed the army to attack Liao.

At this time.

Han Qi said, "Your Majesty, among these Han people in Yanyun, there must be some who are wavering in their determination to return to Song. I suggest that Jing Mingming go and make a speech early in the morning."

"Yes, Jingming is the best at this!" Zhao Zhen said with a smile.

Su Liang's preaching ability is recognized as the best in the entire court.

From the scholar-officials and scholars to the common people on the street and soldiers in the army, there was no one he could not stop.

Han Qi considers himself good at preaching, but he lacks Su Liang's delicate empathy.

Therefore, Su Liang was recommended.

Su Liang thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed time to give a speech to the Yanyun Army. However, I think that this time you should do it yourself, and I cannot do it."

"What's the reason?" Zhao Zhen asked.

Su Liang has never liked flattery, so there must be some reason for saying so.

"To be honest, it doesn't make much difference if we talk to these Han people in Yanyun about patriotism, recovering the Han and Tang homeland, or even about our common ancestry."

"At the moment, they don't have a strong love for Song. Their return to Song is more of a choice to seek benefits and avoid harm."

"They joined the Song Dynasty as soldiers. Because of their huge numbers, the Liao Dynasty did not dare to massacre their relatives and families in the rear. Because once they were massacred, the Han people in Yanyun behind Youzhou would definitely rebel. The shrewd Yelu Hongji would not do such a stupid thing."

"However, if we fail to capture Youzhou and Yanyun after we recruit them as soldiers, and they lose confidence in rescuing their relatives and families, they will most likely rebel."

"The people's minds are simple. Many people would rather stay with their families and serve as cattle and horses for the Liao people than be separated from their families and never see them again."

"So, the more than 20,000 Han people in Yanyun only want two things."

"First, the imperial court attaches enough importance to it."

"Second, let them know when we can capture Youzhou. Capturing Youzhou means that the Liao army will quickly retreat, and at that time they will not be able to take care of their families and relatives, and killing them will lose its meaning. Therefore, capturing Youzhou means giving them hope of family reunion. In this way, they can believe in the Song Dynasty and work hard."

"Only the emperor can do these two things. Deputy Commander Han can't do it, and neither can I. In addition, if the emperor shows enough attention, it will also let our soldiers understand that the Han people of Yanyun are their brothers, not outsiders."

Zhao Zhen and Han Qi both nodded in agreement. What Su Liang said did make sense.

"Then when should we commit to conquer Youzhou?" Han Qi asked.

There is no deadline for this matter.

However, in order to make the Yanyun Army believe in and obey the Song Dynasty, a deadline must be set.

Hear this.

Zhao Zhen and Su Liang both looked at Han Qi.

Han Qi was stunned and couldn't help but smile bitterly on his face.

He is the one who knows the current situation and military strength in the North best. If there is a deadline, he will naturally speak first.

Han Qi thought for a moment and said seriously, "Conservatively speaking, five months is enough."

The Battle of Youzhou involved hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and involved pass defenses, sieges, various deployments, and a series of issues such as whether the central and western routes needed support.

Five months is not a lot.

Zhao Zhen shook his head.

"Five months is too long! Do you have the confidence to capture Youzhou and Yunzhou within three months and recover the entire Yanyun within five months? We must push ourselves this time. The longer the war lasts, the more disadvantageous it will be for us."

If it takes half a year to capture Yanyun, then it would probably take even longer to capture the Liao mainland.

"Have confidence!" Su Liang raised his chest and spoke first.

Han Qi also became excited and said, "Yes!"

"Okay, let's make it like this. If we fail to capture Youzhou and Yunzhou within three months, and the Han people of Yanyun flee back to Liao, it will all be the responsibility of the three of us. I will be the primary one, and you two will be secondary. How do you think?"

Zhao Zhen immediately raised his voice.

"I have no objection!" Su Liang and Han Qi said at the same time.

……

The next morning.

To the west of the military camp, there is a large parade ground that can accommodate tens of thousands of people.

All the middle-level generals of the Eastern Army of the Great Song Dynasty gathered in place and stood at the bottom of a high platform.

Around the high platform, there gathered more than 20,000 Han people from Yanyun, and in front of them stood more than 200 captains who were elected by the inner circle.

Facing so many people.

The sound of the preaching cannot reach everyone's ears, but as long as these leaders hear it, it can reach the ears of all the Han people in Yanyun.

Not long after.

Some Han people in Yanyun began to whisper.

They are not from the military, so their discipline is not that strict.

"Based on this situation, is it Deputy Commander Han or Minister Su who will personally arrange the mission for us?"

"You think too much! We are in the Liao army camp. Will Yelu Tiancheng personally arrange tasks for us? We can't even see his deputy general. It is probably some commander who comes to lecture us!" "No matter what, anyone can come! As long as they can help me rescue my family!"

"It's not bad in the Song camp. We eat well and sleep well. The captains are all friendly and at least treat us as human beings. As long as my family can be rescued, I must become a Song citizen. The Khitans don't treat us as human beings at all!"

……

at this time.

A high-pitched voice came from the front.

"Eastern Army Deputy Commander Han Qi and Military Supervisor Su Liang are here!"

Then, Su Liang and Han Qi, along with a group of senior generals, strode towards the platform.

The Han people in Yanyun were all very surprised.

They didn't expect that Han Qi and Su Liang would come to lecture them at the same time. This sense of importance made them feel very comfortable.

however.

Not long after these words were spoken, another loud voice rang out.

"Commander-in-chief of the Eastern Army, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty has arrived!"

Zhao Zhen was wearing the emperor's red uniform, walking with his head held high and his chest puffed out, followed by a ceremonial guard of eunuchs.

This is a sign of valuing them.

For a while.

The Yanyun soldiers were a little stunned when they heard this. They didn't expect that the Emperor of Song Dynasty would come in person.

This way of appearance was designed by Su Liang.

Su Liang and Han Qi act as supporting roles, highlighting Zhao Zhen's respected status and showing the court's attention to the people of Yanyun.

Su Liang and Han Qi stood on both sides of the platform.

Zhao Zhen slowly walked up to the platform and looked around.

The Dragon Feather Army soldiers who were in charge of the guard had serious expressions and stood in different positions. Some held wind and fire guns, some held bows and crossbows, and they stared at the surroundings without blinking.

None of Zhao Zhen, Han Qi and Su Liang can be in any danger.

this moment.

Standing at the front, the captains of the Yanyun Army, who were accustomed to kowtow to their superiors, looked at each other and knelt down to pay their respects.

Su Liang and Han Qi looked at each other, then turned to Zhao Zhen, bowed and said loudly: "Your Highness!"

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" All the generals around bowed.

Immediately, all the captains followed suit, bowed their hands and said loudly: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Finally, the whole army shouted: "Greetings, Emperor!"

The kneeling ceremony was changed to a bowing ceremony, which made the Yanyun army more favorable towards Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen looked down and said with a smile: "I am very happy to see you all return home. I have made you suffer all these years!"

After saying that, Zhao Zhen bowed deeply toward the front.

The soldiers of the Yanyun Army were a little confused. When had they ever received such a great gift?
This also reminded them of what they had heard about the Song Dynasty officials often having fun with the people during festivals.

This would never have happened in the Liao Dynasty.

A strong sense of belonging suddenly arose in their hearts, and they felt that they were not rootless trees, floating duckweed, or second-class people in a country.

After Zhao Zhen paused, he continued, "First, I will fulfill my promise and establish a new Yanyun Army to attack Liao with the Eastern Route Army of the Song Dynasty. All of them will be treated the same as the Hebei Imperial Army!"

At this time, a cavalryman holding a Song Dynasty Yanyun flag with Zhao Zhen's handwriting on it began to circle in the parade ground.

The soldiers of the Yanyun Army were very excited.

The presence of this flag shows that the Song government trusts them and treats them as their own people.

Zhao Zhen looked around and continued, "I know that most of you are not soldiers, but civilians. You are not soldiers to kill the enemy, but to save your family."

"I will give you another choice. If anyone does not want to join the army to fight the enemy, you can inform your superiors and you will be able to return to Xiongzhou City immediately. The prefecture will temporarily take care of your life until you can reunite with your family."

After these words were spoken, there was total silence.

These people did not join the army to kill the enemy, they did it for their families.

It is obviously impossible to retreat now.

Zhao Zhen calmed down.

"At the moment, I can tell you that your family members in Youzhou are definitely safe. Because if the Liao people harm them, in addition to gaining a bad reputation, more Han people in Yanyun will defect to the Song Dynasty. And the best way to save your family members right now is to recapture Youzhou, Yunzhou, and Yanyun."

"By then, the Liao people will know that it is useless to detain your family members and relatives, and they will not be able to take them with them when they escape, so they will definitely leave them where they are..."

The leaders of the Yanyun Army in front nodded one after another.

They understand this principle.

Although the Liao army was brutal, they did not dare to massacre large numbers of the elderly, the weak, women and children.

If this is done, I am afraid some righteous Khitan people will rebel.

The Liao army detained them so that these Han people in Yanyun would have something to worry about and think about returning to Liao.

Next, whether Yanyun is Liao territory or Song territory will determine the choices of these people.

This cannot be said explicitly.

But most people think so.

Family is more important than anything else.

"You are Song people, your family is Song people, and the people of the Great Song are all my family!" Zhao Zhen gradually raised his voice.

"I swear to you here that I will conquer Youzhou and Yunzhou within three months, and recapture Yanyun within five months, so that you can reunite with your families. The people of the Song Dynasty will not tolerate foreign bullying. I will do my best. If you break this oath, you will be abandoned by both humans and gods!"

……

When Zhao Zhen said this, tears flashed in his eyes.

Every word he said was sincere, and he exchanged his sincerity for his sincerity.

this moment.

The training ground was very quiet.

Everyone raised their heads and looked at the shining figure of the Song Dynasty official on the high platform.

They were very touched!

This official not only treated them as human beings, but also as family members.

This kind of official is what the people truly need.

At this moment.

A captain raised his hand and shouted: "Recover Yanyun! Recover Yanyun! Recover Yanyun..."

As soon as this sound was heard, the entire army shouted at the top of their lungs.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen felt full of strength because he had gathered the strength of all the soldiers on the parade ground.

……

After a while.

Zhao Zhen walked down the platform amid cheers.

Han Qi and Su Liang followed closely behind.

Han Qi looked at the emperor with great aura and fixed his gaze on Su Liang's back with a touch of reverence.

He murmured, "Jingming is not only good for himself, but also makes everyone good. Minister Wen is not deceiving me!"

Jingming is not only good for oneself, but also makes everyone happy.

This is Wen Yanbo's comment on Su Liang.

If Su Liang or Han Qi were to give the speech today, perhaps the Yanyun Army would be filled with fighting spirit and full of trust in the Song Dynasty court.

But when the government said it, it had the magical effect of killing three birds with one stone.

The Yanyun Army is loyal to the Song Dynasty and is determined to fight against the Liao Dynasty with all its might. After the emperor's speech, the imperial guards of the Song Dynasty will treat the Yanyun Army as their own family. The emperor is full of blood and has the appearance of Emperor Wu who is determined to conquer the world.

This is the influence brought by Su Liang.

(End of this chapter)