People in the Song Dynasty were lawless

Chapter 389 Xu Rulin is as anxious as fire, Fan Zhongyan makes a thunderous attack

On the second day, Lu Yijian, who was in a coma, finally died of illness in the spring at the age of sixty-nine.

Compared with himself in history, he is undoubtedly lucky today.

Not only did he live three years longer than in history, but he also took a train and witnessed a series of new changes in the Song Dynasty.

People will remember this history for a long time to come.

Not only is it an important period for the Chinese nation to transform from an agricultural feudal society to an industrial society.

At the same time, it is also the first step for the true rise of the Chinese nation, from settling in the Eastern Central Plains to entering the world stage.

As a figure between the previous era and the new era, Lu Yijian naturally had to leave his mark in the history books.

Zhao Zhen was very sad to learn about Lu Yijian's death.

Lu Yijian left a suicide note, which contains his advice to Zhao Zhen and some regrets about looking forward to the future but not being able to see the future. The words are sincere and touching.

Coupled with the strong opposition from the vested interests of powerful people who had business dealings with the Song Dynasty, this matter was abandoned.

During this period, although Kaifeng newspapers were still updating the battle situation on the front line every day, the people of Bianliang were no longer as concerned as they were at the beginning.

Qingtang used to be most concerned about paying tribute and sending envoys to celebrate, but now Qingtang has been destroyed by Li Yuanhao, and the imperial court has established Xiangzhan as a puppet. Now Xiangzhan is gathering the collapsed tribes, so naturally there is no way to send people over.

This year's annual meeting was not as lively as last year, and the number of guests was smaller.

But now this situation has been advanced. At this time, Japan's domestic economy is almost completely monopolized by the Song Dynasty. The Fujiwara family that currently controls the Japanese government has always wanted to disconnect from the Song Dynasty and tried to close the country.

As the New Year approaches, the population of Bianliang is also declining rapidly. Factories are shut down and the government is shut down. Many people who come to work in Kaifeng from other places are dragging their families and families on their way home.

During this period, three new prime ministers were on duty at the Constitutional Yuan. The only thing they had to do every day was to deal with frontline battle reports and to escort food and grass.

For this reason, Zhao Zhen ordered the court to suspend court for three days, and all officials paid their condolences. He himself put on mourning clothes in the back garden and set up a mourning hall to mourn for him.

By the end of early January, the annual leave had just been taken, and the Constitutional Yuan continued to work.

Moreover, the relationship between the Song Dynasty and Japan has become worse and worse in the past two years, and Japanese officials hate the Song Dynasty.

This situation occurred in the Southern Song Dynasty, from the end of the Heian period to the beginning of the Kamakura shogunate. Due to the frequent trade between the Southern Song Dynasty and Japan, the domestic currency was all Song coins, and all gold, silver, copper and sulfur were taken away by the Song Dynasty. The Japanese rulers were very angry.

As it gets closer to the end of the year, there are fewer and fewer people, and for a while the huge Bianliang City becomes much emptier.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year in the seventh year of the Qingli calendar, there is another grand sacrificial activity.

Only when they are widely popularized, operating costs come down, and fares come down, will the living space of trains and passenger buses gradually become smaller.

But no matter what, life must go on.

So now that there is only one train route, people often choose to walk or take a boat to travel even to counties along the train line.

Now the Arab countries are torn apart, have no oil, and are so poor that they all rely on being middlemen between the Song Dynasty and Europe to earn the price difference.

Bianliang's population mainly comes from the Gyeonggi region. Although trains are open, the fares are not affordable for ordinary people. Therefore, canal boat shipping is still the first choice for people in surrounding areas.

However, every time he had such objections, the Song troops from Mashima and Hoshidao would go to the Izumo Country area for a stroll, using powerful force to frighten Japan.

The Song Army's navy was across the river, and the two sides fell into a entanglement stage.

That is to say, the poor guys in the Middle East still remembered the New Year of the Song Dynasty and sent envoys here specially.

On New Year's Eve, Zhao Zhen held a grand celebration to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

Although the Liao Kingdom wanted to use the invasion of Goryeo to force the Song Dynasty to die and achieve their strategic goals, even if they just sent a few random troops, it was not something Goryeo could bear.

But in the past two years, there has been absolutely no movement.

As for Xixia.

The imperial court began to take the Spring Festival holiday, and the city of Bianliang was decorated with lights and colorful decorations, making it very lively.

The seventh year of Qingli arrives.

However, when trains gradually open in various places next year and the next year, when railways truly become a popular means of transportation, the situation will become different.

But as a result, the official attitude of Japan, which had a normal relationship with the Song Dynasty, became even colder. After the Song Dynasty defeated the Liao Kingdom a few years ago, it even sent envoys here several times.

Goryeo wanted to send people, but they couldn't get away. The capital was surrounded by Liao people.

Under such circumstances, the prosperity was not as good as last year, and the New Year of the Sixth Year of Qingli in the Song Dynasty came to an end.

Zhao Jun had to continue to follow Zhao Zhen to participate in ancestor worship.

At that time, the large inflow of currency from the Song Dynasty caused Japan's prices to skyrocket, causing social order to become very chaotic. The ruling Ping family once wanted to close the country and cut off trade relations with the Southern Song Dynasty, but internal rebellion disrupted the plan.

The Song Dynasty knew that the battlefield was not in Goryeo, and it was useless to send so many people to Goryeo, so it only sent a navy to support it.

Just like after the opening of high-speed rail, there is still a market for ordinary trains and passenger buses.

If we don't please the Song Dynasty and have a good relationship with the Song Dynasty, those poor guys in white robes in the Middle East will have to drink the northwest wind.

This has resulted in more than 30,000 people currently besieging Gaijing, the capital of Goryeo, and even Pyongyang, the capital of Xijing, is occupied by the Liao people.

Xixia was defeated and returned, and lost a large area of ​​territory. It was obviously unwilling to accept it. Now it is waiting for the outcome of the Liao-Song battlefield and will not come to celebrate.

Needless to say, the Liao Kingdom is currently at war with the Song Dynasty, and it is impossible to send an envoy to celebrate like in previous years.

Therefore, when there are only a few countries in the surrounding area, most of the envoys are suddenly missing.

Time rushed to the end of the year in the blink of an eye. The winter wind from Hebei finally blew to Bianliang in late December, bringing heavy snow to Bianliang that lasted for several days.

The current situation on the front line is good. Fan Zhongyan reports his gains every day. Although the Liao army has not been defeated on a large scale, it can be encroached step by step. A large area of ​​territory south of Jinjin and even east of Jinjin is occupied by the Song army.

Moreover, Fan Zhongyan has already conquered Shicheng, and is attacking Yingzhou and Luanzhou with Di Qing. I believe that it won't be long before the two Song armies can join together and attack Xijin from both sides.

Therefore, at this moment, the country of Song Dynasty is full of vitality and everything is flourishing, and the land of Youyan is also full of positivity.

On January 24, the Liao Kingdom analyzed Jin Prefecture.

After the beginning of spring, the snow melts very quickly. By late January, the sun is shining brightly and spring is blooming in Henan, Hebei and other places.

The snow in the Yanyun area has long since melted, but there is still a little bit of cold air. The temperature is about 12 or 3 degrees Celsius during the day, and occasionally drops below freezing at night.

Today, outside Xijin City, the Song army is constantly digging the soil and slowly moving towards the city.

In fact, Fan Zhongyan had already started excavation work after the snow melted. The Song Army's tunnels were densely packed, criss-crossed, and continued to extend to Xijin.

Although they are not within the range of artillery fire at the moment, it is estimated that they will be able to get closer before long.

"Report, Liao people's north city gate is open."

"Report, the Liao people are leaving Xijin City one after another."

"Report, the Yuhe and Wanping Liao people have also opened the city gates and are now preparing to break out."

Just when Fan Zhongyan was inspecting the camp every day on the high platform in the camp and looking into the distance to analyze the lake, suddenly one sudden piece of news disrupted his rhythm.

After learning these things, he quickly returned to his coach's tent and held a military meeting.

After the end of the Xixia War, Zhang Kang was sent to Hebei again. At present, except for the several chief officials from Hebei Road, the tents were all officials above the level of general manager and deputy general manager of various roads and state military and horse capital.

Ordinary middle and higher-level generals such as the military general, deputy general, and Qian Ji are not qualified to attend the meeting. The standards of the meeting are very high.

Fan Zhongyan sat on the main seat, with Zhang Kang, Wang Su, Wei Huanzhi and others sitting on both sides in sequence.

The generals are standing below.

"The Liao people suddenly abandoned the city and fled. It seems that just as Liu Liufu said, this was a strategy to risk death and survive."

Fan Zhongyan placed a map of Youyan in front of his desk. He pointed at the northern gate of Xijin and said: "They want to lure us to the north of Xijin, Shunzhou Huairou and other places, and start a desperate battle with us in the wild."

"The siege lasted for a long time, and the Liao people's grain, grass and equipment were blocked outside Yuguan by Di Qing. As long as our trenches were dug under the city, the city would be broken sooner or later. How could the Liao people not know?"

Wang Su said: "The current move to retreat is a good one. Giving up a strong city seems to be extremely foolish, but it is actually a wise move, because if it continues to delay, the Liao people will definitely lose, so it is better to rectify Soldiers and horses complete their work in one battle."

"Ah."

Fan Zhongyan nodded slightly in agreement.

Zhang Kang frowned and said, "If our army pursues us, the artillery may not be able to keep up, but they can calmly arrange artillery positions?"

"good."

Fan Zhongyan pointed out the country on the map and said: "This is why the Liao people chose to abandon the city."

Wei Huanzhi smiled and said: "Since the Liao people are so generous, why should we pursue them? They gave up Xijin. There is no need for us to rush to catch up, occupy the city, and continue to march north slowly. We will surely force the Liao people step by step. Retreat to the outside world.”

"I'm afraid that the Liao people will all be destroyed."

Fan Zhongyan sighed: "If I were from Liao, I would definitely find a way to force us to pursue."

"Fire burns the fluid."

Zhang Kang squeezed out a few words from between his teeth. There are two benefits of burning and analyzing body fluids.

First, if the Song army chose to occupy Xijin and not pursue it, then under the fire, they would not be able to occupy the city and would have to pursue it.

Second, if the Song army still does not pursue the pursuit, but puts out the fire on the spot, then the army will inevitably be in chaos and busy putting out the fire, and the Liao army can take the opportunity to counterattack.

So this is a conspiracy. Regardless of whether the Song army pursues them or not, they will fall into the trap of the Liao people who are eager for a decisive battle.

"The Liao people are really willing to spend money."

"Isn't it because they were forced by Mr. Fan and had nothing to do?"

"Fan Xianggong is truly a divine man, but the people of Liao Dynasty have fallen into such a miserable state."

The generals below were all surprised when they heard the analysis of several civilian officials, and then they all admired Fan Zhongyan's resourcefulness.

Forcing the once arrogant Liao people into this situation, I am afraid no one could have imagined the current situation more than ten years ago.

"Ms. sir, what should I do?"

When Wang Su heard that the Liao people might burn Xijin, he couldn't help being shocked and said: "If this is the case, won't Xijin be destroyed?"

Fan Zhongyan narrowed his eyes and started thinking.

In fact, a lot of information has been flowing out from the Jijin Mansion recently. Among the chaotic information, he has already noticed the movements of the Liao people.

Because there are still a group of Liao dignitaries like Liu Liufu and others who are willing to sincerely surrender to the Song Dynasty to deliver the true news.

The authenticity of the news can be judged through a series of actions of the Liao people.

Now the Liao people are indeed as the intelligence said, which undoubtedly proves the accuracy of the intelligence and also verifies his conjecture.

The current situation is that the Liao army is helpless with Fan Zhongyan's tactics of fortifying the stronghold and fighting a dull battle, and it is not fully confident of a decisive battle with the Song army.

If they were to defend the city, the Song army would slowly dig trenches, or at least attack the city by besieging the city or hiding artillery in the trenches.

If we go out for a decisive battle out of the city, there will be trenches everywhere, restricting the horses to death.

Therefore, the Liao people's move to abandon the city was actually to lure the Song army into an open area. Without the restraint of trenches, the Song army would not be able to bring heavy artillery when they pursued, causing them to lose a lot of advantages, thus increasing the Liao army's winning rate.

If nothing unexpected happened, the Liao army had already set up artillery positions in Shunzhou and Huairou, and was now waiting for the Song Dynasty to fall into its trap.

So was the Song Dynasty afraid of fighting the Liao army in the field?
Naturally not afraid.

Even if the Liao army deployed in various ways, the gap between firearms and cold weapons would be difficult to make up for through such tactical arrangements.

Therefore, the Song Dynasty might as well fall into this trap and give it a try.

The prerequisite is that it must be properly directed.

Otherwise, if there is chaos among the various armies during the pursuit, it is possible that the Liao people may use artillery to catch the Song army by surprise.

But if the order of the army is to be ensured, then the Song army must advance steadily, and Xijin will be completely destroyed.

"Since the Liao people want to complete their achievements in one battle, I will not be afraid. It just so happens that I also have this intention."

Fan Zhongyan seemed to have made up his mind, and then expressed his analysis: "The Liao people have sinister intentions and are very likely to burn Xijin. If they want to save Xijin, they can only march immediately."

"March immediately?"

Everyone looked at each other.

"Ms. sir, do you want to discuss it again? If we march immediately, wouldn't we have to abandon all our baggage and advance with light cavalry?"

Wang Zhongbao, deputy general manager of Chanzhou, said quickly.

Anyone who has traveled back in time and fought a war in ancient times knows that not only did the soldiers and horses move forward before food and grass were used, but also the troops were arranged and formed.

The formation is well arranged, just like in the Battle of Jingxing, Han Xin had 30,000 troops in good formation. Facing the 200,000 Zhao army who were pursuing them in chaos, he defeated the Zhao army in a single charge and abandoned their armor, and returned in defeat.

The same goes for the Battle of Feishui. Fu Jian actually did not attack halfway across the river. Instead, he allowed the Jin army to cross the river calmly, set up their formation, and charged, causing chaos to the former Qin army and causing heavy casualties to the 800,000-strong army.

Therefore, the deployment of troops was extremely important in ancient times.

Obviously the Liao people also understood this and knew that Fan Zhongyan had a stable character, so they abandoned the city calmly without any scruples.

By the time the Song army discovered that they were evacuating, and more than 200,000 Song troops had organized their troops and horses, formed a formation, and launched a pursuit in their own camp, I am afraid that the Liao people had already left successfully and set fire to the city.

But when they saw that the city had been burned, whether the Song army pursued it or not, they would fall into the Liao people's plot.

If they pursue, the Liao people will set up an ambush and the two sides will fight bloody battles.

If they don't chase, the Song army will definitely put out the fire, and the Liao people may even defeat the Song people with a single shot.

This strategy is already very clever.

So what would happen if Fan Zhongyan didn't rectify his troops or form a formation at this time, and just let the army charge?
More than 200,000 horses must be in a mess and cannot be arranged in a formation. If the Liao people are prepared, the Song army is likely to be defeated.

Obviously this is a bad idea.

However, Fan Zhongyan said: "Yes, it is Qingqi who is pursuing us."

"Ms. sir, this is too risky. Please think again."

Liu He, the general manager of Dingzhou's troops and horses, said hurriedly: "No matter what happens, we must send the vanguard first and wait for the front army to be reorganized before fighting."

"Then Xijin can't be saved."

Fan Zhongyan shook his head, and then said: "I think you have still not escaped from the previous tactics. Now that times have changed, you should not follow the previous tactics."

"Forehead"

When everyone heard what he said, they couldn't help but look at each other.

Wang Gui, the general manager of the army and horses of Zhending Mansion, asked: "Please, Sir, please clarify my doubts."

Fan Zhongyan said: "With the advent of muskets, we should no longer gather a large number of soldiers and horses to fight like this. Facing firearms and arranging troops is seeking death. Therefore, giving full play to the advantages of firearms, attacking everywhere, and fighting together is the true meaning."

This is confusing.

Only Zhang Kang and a few others woke up, with expressions of realization on their faces.

My husband is right.

The emergence of firearms has transformed warfare from close combat to long-range firefights.

So why do we need to form a formation?
If the musketeers line up in formation, it will be difficult for the army behind them to shoot.

Even if it is a three-stage attack, only a few thousand people are enough. The army of more than 200,000 people is even more crowded, leaving no room for the spearmen behind.

If the army is used as a unit, every five thousand people will go into the wilderness and roam around to fight the retreating Liao army.

Then you can swim and attack it.

If you encounter Liao people, shoot from a distance. If you encounter Liao artillery or large troops, harass them and evacuate at any time.

Shooting around is the best way to use firearms correctly.

"Yes, what my husband said is true."

Zhang Kang suddenly said excitedly: "Yes, this is the truth. We should attack with light cavalry, harass the Liao people's retreating team, disrupt their formation, and annihilate them everywhere. That is the best strategy."

"That's right. I also think this plan is great."

Wang Su also expressed support.

But the soldiers below still don't quite understand.

Zhang Kang explained a little, and then said: "My lord, please give me the order."

"Well, in that case, I will ask all the generals to attack with the whole army and kill the enemy with light cavalry!"

Fan Zhongyan did not hesitate too much. It would be too late for the Liao people to burn the city. Then he stood up, put his hands behind his back and said: "The world thinks that I, Fan Zhongyan, only know how to build a camp and slow down the plan, but I don't know the art of war. Xu Rulin, Ji. Like fire. There is slowness and haste, there is speed and there is slowness. The Liao people think that I can only slow down, but they don't know that if I find a good opportunity, I will definitely kill the enemy with a thunderous offensive. All officers and men, you have to show your strength. It’s time for your fighting ability, don’t let me down!”

In this battle, he designated the strategy of attacking with the entire army and fighting everywhere.

As for the specific command authority and how to fight the enemy after encountering it, that is the responsibility of the following generals.

"The last general will live up to his command!"

Many soldiers below responded in unison.

Then Fan Zhongyan waved his hand and said: "Send troops! Each battalion will make its own arrangements, the sooner the better!"

"Yes."

Everyone bowed their hands and bowed, then filed out and returned to the camp to lead their troops. Without making any arrangements, they went directly to the battle.

(End of this chapter)