King of Song

Chapter 419 The game
Lin Zhao always felt that there was something wrong with Tuobashi's attitude. The focus of the peace talks in the past few days had always been to insist on getting Liang Yibu back, and he didn't seem to care much about other conditions.The five-year gift seems to be the result of bargaining, but Xixia agreed too happily, which made people suspicious...

Empress Dowager Liang cared about her younger brother, but she couldn't ignore the interests of other party aristocrats.Coupled with the previous incident in Suizhou, Lin Zhao knew very well that the Empress Dowager Liang might not give up easily.So if you want to make a few mouthfuls and stop the war, I'm afraid it will not be an easy task, and the northwest may still be difficult to stabilize...

Just in case, at the beginning of the peace talks, Lin Zhao ordered Mingyuezong to mobilize all forces to collect intelligence, so as to deal with it in advance.However, it was still rewarding.

"My lord, you really hit the spot. I'm afraid the Xixia people won't let it go!" Jiang Leiting immediately rushed to report the news to him.

Lin Zhao smiled, and it was true, but was it luck or misfortune?It is good to have a good opportunity, but in his heart he still hopes that such an opportunity will not appear. With the flames of war and the flames of war, it is inevitable that people will die.But what can be done?The matter has come to this point, we can only face it calmly and challenge it bravely.

"Tell me about the situation!" To know yourself and the enemy, you must first understand the situation of the other party.

Jiang Leiting said: "Sure enough, a large army has been mobilized in Xixia territory."

Hearing this sentence, Lin Zhao's expression suddenly became more solemn, and he asked, "Can you find out the movement and the status of the troops?" He has been in the northwest for some time, so Ming Yuezong's intelligence network along the border between Song and Xia is still very tight.The action was quick, and the effect was not bad, and a lot of news was obtained.

After all, it is very difficult to conceal things such as the transfer of the army. It only needs a little attention to detect it, and it is impossible to guard against.

"The army that ambushed General Zhe in Jingzhou last time has not moved. There are about 3 people. It is an elite team. When Tuobashi came, he brought [-] troops. Recently, Xiazhou and Yinzhou There are also many signs of troop mobilization." Jiang Leiting reported the situation in time.

"Xiazhou and Yinzhou are important military cities in the five prefectures of Dingnan, and the army is frequently mobilized. Is it possible that they are going to attack in Yanzhou?" Lin Zhao asked in a deep voice. After all, the border between Song and Xia is too long. Where will it be? It's really not easy to say.

"It looks like it is. After the young master ordered, we have also paid attention to the Qingzhou area, and there is no sign of army mobilization. It seems that the Xixia people are still focusing on the Eastern Front!" Jiang Leiting hesitated for a moment, and said: "Yes, There is news that a cavalry is approaching Suizhou, not many people say it, but it is said that it may be... it may be an iron kite!"

In the Song Dynasty, there were three cavalry that were very famous.It was the Iron Forest Army of the Liao State, the Iron Buddha of the Jin State, and the Xixia Iron Harrier. They were all famous heavy cavalry at that time.

The iron kite was founded by Emperor Jingzong Li Yuanhao of the Western Xia Dynasty. At first, there were only 3000 people. They were the personal guards of the Xixia King, and they were also used as the "front army" to charge into battle.This cavalry is well-equipped, riding on good horses, heavy armor, impenetrable to stabs, and tied with hooks and ropes, even if they die, they will not fall immediately.In case of battle, the iron cavalry will rush out first, and when the formation is disordered, attack it; the infantry will advance with the cavalry.

This cavalry was the most ferocious cavalry in the world before the appearance of the Mongolian iron cavalry that traversed the world, and only the Tielin Army of the Liao Kingdom can compete with it.In contrast, the only heavy armored cavalry Jingsai Army that could be used in the Song Dynasty was much worse.The iron kite is the elite of the Xixia elite, and it is more like a nightmare for the Song army.

"The iron kites are here, are the Xixia people going to die?" Lin Zhao was secretly startled.

Jiang Leiting said: "The Empress Dowager Liang is in Suizhou now, it's no secret, and it's reasonable to openly send iron kites to meet her. It's just that if they do something wrong after they arrive, I'm afraid there will be some Trouble!"

"Guarding the Empress Dowager? I don't think so!" Li Cheng shook his head and said, "It seems that the Empress Dowager Liang has become angry!" Lin Zhao's strange behavior in Suizhou City that day was unknown to others, but Li Cheng was aware of it.He vaguely felt that there seemed to be something special between the Young Master and Queen Mother Liang.

Lin Zhao smiled, and asked in a deep voice: "If the Xixia people really want to go to war, where will their target be? Or where will the main attack be?" This is a very critical question. Even so, it is necessary to know the direction of the flood, so that the soldiers can be arranged and prepared for defense.

"Fuzhou!"

Looking at the map showing the deployment of Xixia troops, Di Qing was silent for a long time, highlighting these two words.

"Why Fuzhou?"

Di Qing said: "The front of Suizhou is Yanzhou, and Qingjian City is the first to bear the brunt. If Suizhou's troops attack by force, we retreat to Qingjian City, what can they do? There is a kind of family army, and the ability of the kind brothers , Even if we concentrate an army of [-], we can never think of breaking through the city in a short time."

"That's true. I have already reminded Zhong Er and Zhong Yong to be careful." Lin Zhao took this very seriously.

"Look at the distribution of troops in Xixia! The troops of Xiazhou and Yinzhou seem to be moving southward, approaching Yanzhou, but they are leaning towards the southeast, and they can rush eastward to assist Jingzhou at any time." Di Qing said: "Jingzhou itself has [-] troops , go all out, take some advantage in Suizhou, and then block the road from Qingjian City to Fuzhou, can it be done?"

During the Northern Song Dynasty, the distribution of forces along the Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge was relatively complicated.Jingzhou controlled by Xixia protrudes eastward, and its sphere of influence is close to the Yellow River.However, a very narrow corridor was left, and to the north was Fuzhou and Linzhou, which belonged to the Song Dynasty, and they were a prominent stronghold of the Song Dynasty near the Yellow River.

If the narrow channel along the Yellow River were cut off, Fuzhou and Linzhou would be like an enclave.Although it is connected to Hedong Road across the Yellow River, it is very inconvenient after all, and its military strategic significance will be greatly reduced.

According to Di Qing's understanding, Xixia is likely to attack from Jingzhou, cut off the connection between the Song army and Fuzhou, and then plot Fuzhou...

Fuzhou is the territory of the elder brother Zhe Kexing, and his beloved wife Zhe Wenxin is also there. Naturally, Lin Zhao doesn't want anything to go wrong, so he is quite anxious.

"I've told Zheke to do it in Fuzhou. He'll be on his guard. It's not that easy for Xixia people to get their wish!" Lin Zhao had already said hello to this point in advance, so at least he wouldn't be caught off guard.

Di Qing looked at the map, was silent for a long time, then shook his head and said, "In other words, Xixia's target is the young master, you can also say it makes sense."

"Oh? How do you say it?" Lin Zhao hadn't paid much attention to it yet, but Jiang Leiting and Li Cheng were a little nervous. After all, Lin Zhao was their core, and they always attached great importance to it.

This is a good sign. The iron-faced suzerain was very satisfied, nodded approvingly, and said: "If the Xixia army storms the prefecture, will you be worried? Will you send troops to rescue? At that time, the Xixia people will be able to stop on the way. ambush……"

"Fuzhou should be able to handle it!"

"Master, can you be sure of reason?" Di Qing asked rhetorically, which made Lin Zhao feel a little embarrassed to answer.After all, his previous behavior in Suizhou was very risky and he had a criminal record.

Di Qing said: "Even if the young master can calm down, but on the other hand, if Suizhou and Qingjian City are hit hard, will there be any reaction from the Fuzhou side? Especially Mrs. Zhe..."

The last time Zhewenxin was captured was because he was eager for quick success and wanted to relieve himself of stress.Although the lesson has already been learned once, there is no guarantee that the same thing will not happen a second time.

"I have a feeling that the ultimate goal of Queen Mother Liang is you, son!" Di Qing thinks so, Li Cheng thinks so, and Lin Zhao himself dare not object.

"However, where will the main attack be in the end? This can only be a guess at the moment. After all, the changes on the battlefield are changing rapidly." Di Qing said: "But today I want to remind my son that you must never act on your emotions when marching and fighting!"

"Thank you Di Gong, I will remember!"

"Now we are ready. If the Western Xia army is coming, just let them. The Mingyue Sect will monitor closely." Di Qing is completely in the rhythm of a soldier coming to stop him. He is the former coach of the Western Army. Such a scene has long been strange. It's not strange, so the response is smooth and very calm.Di Qing also had a long-lost feeling. He had been away for 20 years, but the feeling at this moment was very familiar, and he was full of emotions for a while.

Seeing this, Lin Zhao smiled softly and said, "Grand Di, how about I trouble you this time and plan a plan for me?"

"Since the young master presides over the overall situation, Di Qing should just plan for the young master!" One in front of the stage and one behind the scenes, the cooperation is naturally seamless.

"Remember, try to let Zhong Shidao and Liu Changzuo make more contributions!" Other Lin Zhao didn't care at all, with Di Qing around, everything could be handled properly.

Di Qing naturally understood that it was not easy to have an opportunity, and it was a good opportunity for the young master to win people's hearts.These are all leading generals in the Western Army, and they are also talents that can be made, so he naturally knows the importance.

Lin Zhao pondered for a long time, and said, "Gong Di, it is right for the soldiers to cover the water and soil, but we must not be too passive. It seems that it is not an option to let the Xixia people lead us by the nose. Why don't we take the initiative?"

"Take the initiative?" Di Qing understood, and immediately understood what Lin Zhao meant.Naturally, it is impossible to act first, and such unreasonable things must not be done.Then it can only be anti-customer-oriented, and it is up to the own side to control the rhythm and guide the development of the battle situation. Of course, the purpose is to complete the set goal.

So what is Lin Zhao's goal?Di Qing asked in a deep voice, "What do you want, my lord?"

"Iron Harrier!"

When Lin Zhao uttered these words, even Jiang Leiting and Li Cheng were a little surprised.After all, it is the most elite army of Xixia, but the heavy armored cavalry, how dare they fight with it?There is no way to avoid it, but Lin Zhao's idea of ​​attacking the iron kite is too crazy, isn't it?

"How? Is it possible?"

Everyone else was skeptical, but Di Qing smiled: "Young Master, it's best if you have this ambition. Qing is very pleased. It's just that it's not easy to deal with the iron kite..."

"Although it's a bit whimsical, but... the solution is not completely out of the question, think of a way and then make a long-term plan!" Lin Zhao said in a deep voice: "If the iron kite can be broken in Suizhou, it will be a blow to Xixia. If you want to come to them Within a few years, we can no longer have the idea of ​​the Great Song Dynasty, and then we will be able to concentrate on running the Northwest!"

"That's true, but is there something you can do?" Li Cheng asked softly.

Lin Zhao smiled, and said softly, "It's almost June, but in midsummer, iron kites are heavy armored cavalry! Can this man stand it? Can the horse stand it? We should catch it as soon as possible! Furthermore, there are four more words: cut the cavalry up and cut the horse's legs down, you should try it, I believe Di Gong will respond to it!"

"It's good to cut the cavalry up and cut the horse's legs down!" Di Qing immediately applauded. Lin Zhao's indirectness in the military field made him very satisfied, and he also thought it was a feasible method!
Of course it works!Lin Zhao smiled, it was not because he thought of it himself, but because of Yue Wumu's experience.In the Battle of Yancheng, Jin Wushu brought the most elite Iron Buddha and Kidnap Horse of the Jin Kingdom to attack, but was defeated by Yue's army. At that time, Yue Fei used exactly this tactic.Xixia's Iron Kite and Jin Kingdom's Iron Buddha are both heavy armored cavalry, so there is not much difference in thinking.It may also be useful to follow the gourd to draw a ladle.

Li Cheng said with a smile: "So what is the chance of winning? If you win, then the young master will be famous all over the world and admired by the world!"

To be able to defeat the iron kite is definitely a very shocking thing.It is of great help to a person's reputation and achievements, and these are exactly what Lin Zhao needs now.

Lin Zhao smiled: "It's not important, it's just to minimize Xixia's threat!"

"By the way, in this situation, will Liang Yibu be released?" Li Chengdao: "How about letting him stay in Song Dynasty forever? He used to plunder on the border, and he did a lot of bad things."

Lin Zhaodao: "It's all small things. Although Liang Yibu has flaws, he is the prime minister of the Xixia Kingdom. How can we not let him go back? If he doesn't go back, this covenant cannot be signed. Although the conditions are a bit excessive, they have to Promise, otherwise, if the peace talks fail, we will give up our excuses. Bianjing is watching us, and now we can’t give anyone an excuse!"

"Not only that, Xixia people will feel at ease only if Liang Yi is buried back, and the Empress Dowager Liang will send troops!" Jiang Leiting said: "This is also the reason why Xixia begged for perfection and reluctantly agreed to the conditions. That's okay, in this way, tear up the peace talks The responsibility of the covenant is borne by them, so we can send troops to fight in a fair manner!"

"That's right, that's exactly the reason!" Lin Zhao nodded and said, "It's been hard for you recently, you better be prepared, let's fight the Xixia people well, and let them know how good we are!"

(End of this chapter)