White Horse, Silver Spear, Grand Commandant Gao

Having captured Luziguan without a sound, Gao Huaide was both excited and dissatisfied that his father had not allowed him to participate in the operation.

He comforted himself, saying that he couldn't miss the grand spectacle of attacking Xiazhou.

"There are no more obstacles ahead, what are we waiting for? Let's attack!"

Gao Huaide didn't need to say it outright; his expression clearly showed his inner turmoil. However, Gao Xingzhou's sudden change from action to stillness, his firm defense of the pass and inaction, left Gao Huaide completely baffled.

Finally, one day, unable to resist asking tentatively, Gao Xingzhou glanced at his son and said only one sentence, which was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing his interest.

"Have you forgotten about the Khitans in the north?"

Oh yes, what if the Khitan invade from the south? How could the Zhe and Yang families send troops? How could we forget about that? We were too hasty.

Gao Huaide knew in his heart that he had acted rashly, but he refused to admit defeat: "Are we just going to wait like this if the Khitans don't come?"

"That's right, the time isn't right yet, so we must be patient."

"Wouldn't that give Li Yiyin time to recover his strength?"

"Do you think that once people and resources are lost, they can be recovered so easily?"

Gao Xingzhou taught his son: "War is not child's play. Resources cannot be conjured up with a flick of the finger. Accumulation takes years, so a few months won't make a difference."

"Moreover, Dingnan Army is surrounded on all sides, trade has been cut off, and it will only become weaker and weaker as it sits around eating away at its reserves."

Gao Xingzhou concluded: "If we wait, the advantage is in my hands."

In terms of military strategy, Gao Huaide could not argue with his father and had to suppress his thoughts.

Fortunately, another matter was resolved quickly.

May of the second year of the Qingtai era.

Zhao Siwan went to the capital to plead her case, which enraged Li Congke. He issued an imperial edict, secretly ordering the local authorities to arrest her and imprison her. He also dispatched Zhang Renyuan, the Junior Supervisor of the Palace, to set up a prison in the city for interrogation.

"It's quite interesting that the Junior Supervisor shares the same name as the famous Tang general who built the Three Surrender Cities two hundred years ago."

Gao Xingzhou told his son that when Zhang Renyuan built the city, he ordered that no barbicans or defensive structures be built.

Some people questioned: "Why is this border town, a place meant to defend against bandits, not garrisoned?"

Zhang Renyuan replied, "The essence of war lies in offense, not defense. If the enemy arrives here, we should launch a full-scale attack. Even if they look back at the city, we should still kill them. Why bother with defenses and give them the idea of ​​retreating?"

At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, the proactive style was very much in line with the youthful spirit, and Gao Huaide couldn't help but admire it.

Returning to the present matter, he said viciously, "Let's see if the White Plague God doesn't die now."

Without waiting until nightfall, the legal advisor led over a hundred constables and soldiers straight to Bai Wenshen's hideout.

"By imperial decree, arrest the wanted criminal Bai Wenshen and his gang!"

"The rest of you must remain seated and not move!"

"Anyone who resists with weapons will be killed without exception!"

Bai Wenshen was dumbfounded, only managing to stammer, "I'm not a fugitive, why are you arresting me?"

Several men went up and held him down, rubbing his shoulders and binding his arms tightly, then pushed and shoved him away.

Gao Huaide took Yang Chonggui to see the capture of Bai Wenshen. When he saw Yang Chonggui's crestfallen expression when he was caught, it was as refreshing as drinking an ice-cold drink on a hot day.

"That felt so good. Let's go back and have a refreshing iced drink my sister makes."

The interrogation quickly yielded results. Bai Wenshen confessed to the murder, but some doubts remained. He, along with twenty-eight of his accomplices, were all sent to the capital. (Note 1)

Not long after the group of villains were escorted out of the city, an imperial edict was issued to the whole country, and Gao Huaide was once again uncertain.

The twelfth day of the fifth month in the second year of the Qingtai era (1168), the day of Yisi

"All prisoners in the realm who were imprisoned before this day shall be released, except for those who committed the ten heinous crimes and five rebellious acts, arson, murder with weapons, embezzlement of public funds, forgery of official seals, conspiring to manufacture poison, or owing money to the government. All their crimes shall be released regardless of severity."

"They wouldn't have pardoned him again, would they?"

"Bai Wen is guilty of heinous crimes, including arson and murder. The imperial edict states that he is not eligible for a pardon, so you can rest assured."

When Lu Qian returned from Lingzhou and heard his explanation, Gao Huaide was half-convinced, but had no choice but to accept it for the time being.

This time, the capital sent people to interrogate him about his crimes, and Bai Wenshen confessed without hesitation. If he can still be released after this, then the conscience of those officials in the court must have been eaten by Ruhua.

However, he still overestimated the integrity of some ministers.

……

Gao Xingzhou's judgment was correct; this summer, the Khitan frequently sent troops to harass the region.

The third day of the fifth lunar month, Bing Shen year.

Xinzhou and Zhenwu played their songs, and the Khitan invaded the borders.

The first day of the sixth lunar month, Jiazi year.

Xinzhou reported that the Khitans had invaded.

The second day of the sixth lunar month, the day of Yichou.

Zhenwu announced that 20,000 Khitan cavalry were at Black Elm Forest.

The ninth day of the sixth lunar month, Renshen day.

The Khitans invaded Yingzhou again.

On that day, Yang Hanbin, the military governor of Xinzhou, was changed to the military governor of Tongzhou, and was succeeded by Zhai Zhang, the former military governor of Jinzhou.

Zhai Zhang was brave and strong, and was known as a tiger by his contemporaries, earning him the nickname "Tiger Fool." In the third year of the Tiancheng era, he was transferred to the position of acting military commissioner of Weisai Army in Xinzhou, and soon after was officially granted the imperial insignia. The transfer of this fierce general to guard the old territory was precisely to strengthen the defense of the northern border.

Gao Xingzhou closely monitored the situation in the north, while Gao Huaide was also worried about his younger brother's safety. Fortunately, Gao Huailiang sent a letter from the Yang family in Linzhou, saying that everything was fine and that the Khitan invasion had been repelled once again.

June 17th, Gengchen day.

Zhao Dejun, the Northern Expeditionary Commander and Military Governor of Youzhou, reported that Yang Tan, the Military Governor of Dingzhou and Commander of the Cavalry and Infantry, and An Shenqi, the Military Governor of Xingzhou and Commander of the Army, led their troops to Yizhou to pursue and attack the Khitan.

The Khitan army, as if injected with chicken blood, frequently invaded the south. Whenever the imperial troops arrived, they would retreat without a fight, their advance and retreat seemingly a performance.

With frequent raids from the north, a large number of troops, including the Imperial Guard, were sent to You and Bing, along with a massive amount of grain and military supplies.

Shi Jingtang, the military governor of Hedong, reported that the border troops were short of fodder and provisions, and the soldiers under An Chongrong, the border patrol commander, wanted to move to Zhenwu to obtain provisions.

Li Congke followed suit.

Shi Jingtang then submitted a memorial requesting that the taxes from Huai and Meng prefectures be paid in Xin and Dai prefectures instead.

Requests for reinforcements and grain transport came one after another. Although Li Congke felt it was inappropriate to do so in order to deal with the formidable enemy, he still tried his best to meet their needs.

Imperial edict: Households in Hedong with savings may borrow beans and millet as appropriate. Additionally, 50,000 bolts of silk shall be allocated from Zhenzhou and sent to the Hedong General Administration Office to purchase military provisions.

That month, Liu Fu, the deputy transport commissioner of the north, dispatched 1,500 carts belonging to the people of Zhenzhou to transport grain to Daizhou.

At that time, there was a drought and famine, and the people in Hebei were besieged by the smuggling of grain, with many fleeing. Envoys from the army arrived one after another to urge the transport of grain, which caused widespread resentment among the people, and the blame was placed on the emperor.

Li Congke himself also followed the example of the late emperor and advocated practicing thrift.

May 17th, Gengxu day.

An imperial edict forbade the offering of precious items adorned with dragons and phoenixes, or those with intricate carvings and embroidery.

As the situation gradually became tense and deteriorated, what did the prime ministers, whom the chopsticks had picked up, do?

On that day, the Secretariat submitted a memorial stating: "The names of the current military governors of Dingzhou, such as Yang Tan, Tanzhou, and Jintan, should be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the names of officials whose names contain characters with missing strokes or dots should also be changed."

After Li Siyuan ascended the throne, he changed his imperial name to Li Dan. His ministers contributed nothing to the overall situation, spending their time only on matters of taboo and avoidance.

Even though Li Congke had a deep affection for the late emperor, he felt it was too much of a disturbance and issued an edict to stop it, only changing one person's name.

"The radicals of characters have vastly different pronunciations, so we should avoid using the correct pronunciation and not change them entirely. Yang Tan bestowed the name Guangyuan, and the rest remains the same."

Yang Tan, who was transferred from Zhenwu Army in Shuozhou to Yiwu Army in Dingzhou, changed his name to Yang Guangyuan.

……

As autumn arrived in July, the Khitans, after a season of harassment, finally withdrew, and the time was ripe to attack and destroy the Dingnan army.

When Li Renfu passed away two years ago and Li Yichao defied orders and refused to be replaced, Liu Suining, the prefect of Xizhou, rushed to the capital to offer his advice. He said that the people of Suizhou and Yinzhou both had the intention to turn inward, and requested that the two prefects be removed in order to win them over.

Fan Yanguang, who was serving as the Privy Councilor at the time, flatly refused: "The royal army's punishment is rightfully Yi Chao's. Xia Prefecture has already fallen, so what use is Sui Yin? If Xia Prefecture is not captured, even if we obtain Sui Yin, we cannot defend it."

It must be said that Fan Yanguang had a keen eye; if he could not break the foundation of the Tangut Tuoba's fifty-year occupation, he would ultimately be unable to eliminate the Dingnan Army's forces.

The capture of Xia Prefecture was the conclusion reached by all parties in a previous agreement.

Li Yichao died from his injuries, and the court had been delaying the official bestowal of the title of General Li Yiyin upon him. Without a proper title, it would be difficult to justify the act. Furthermore, the Dingnan Army suffered a major defeat the previous year and was still recovering its strength; therefore, the opportunity to capture Xia Prefecture presented itself!

Zhang Xichong, the military governor of Lingwu, took the lead in launching an attack, and his 7,000 Lingwu troops captured Youzhou in one fell swoop, blocking Li Yiyin's western route.

Zhang Xichong then led his army for 500 li to enter Qinggang Gorge, where he pacified the local tribes and households along the way, and appointed them as guides.

The Lingwu army was well prepared, with ample supplies of fodder, grain, and livestock. The journey took five to seven days, so there was no need to trouble the local authorities with supplies. The troops and cavalry following the route were only required to carry light provisions, which was sufficient for their needs.

Leaving the Qinggang Gorge, one arrives at Fangqu Town in Qingzhou. The Lingwu Army and Fu Yanqing's Qingzhou Army join forces, with over ten thousand troops stationed at the newly built Dingbian City.

Dingbian City is located more than 200 li west of Xiazhou City and was a military post set up by Fu Yanqing;

Gao Xingzhou captured the strategic pass of Luziguan, pushing the battle line 150 li south of Xiazhou City.

Yang Hongxin even built a stronghold on Hengshan Mountain, less than a hundred miles northeast of Xiazhou City, which offered a commanding view of the city.

Compared to when the late emperor launched his campaigns, the situation has greatly improved.

In this attack on Xiazhou City, the Lingwu Army had 7,000 troops, the Zhangwu Army had 5,000 troops, the Qingzhou Army had 4,000 troops, and the Zheyang family also contributed 4,000 troops, totaling 20,000 men.

With the supply lines under the control of the allied forces, the Dingnan Army suffered heavy losses at Sanchuankou and was no longer able to organize more than 10,000 Dangxiang light cavalry to harass them as before. Li Yiyin was forced to remain trapped in the city.

The Three Heroes Locking the Dragon strategy taught by the old man Chen Tuan in the tower has shown its full power, and the annihilation of the Li family of Xia Prefecture can be accomplished in one fell swoop!

The only concern is that Xiazhou City was originally a formidable city built by Helian Bobo, and its impregnability goes without saying. If the troops are bogged down at the city walls and the battle drags on without a victory, it is hard to guarantee that it will not repeat the mistake of the imperial army's defeat of 50,000 men.

Attacking a fortified city has always been a difficult task for military strategists, let alone a famous city that was once the capital of the Great Xia Kingdom five hundred years ago. If we return empty-handed, or even defeated, it will be difficult for the army to regain its momentum, and the favorable situation will be changed again.

"Li Yiyin has five thousand soldiers, and there are nearly ten thousand able-bodied men in Xiazhou City. In addition, there are the Dangxiang barbarians who are not registered as citizens. In terms of sheer numbers, they are no less than our army. We must not underestimate them." (Note 2)

After admonishing his son not to underestimate the enemy, Gao Xingzhou smiled faintly: "Tongwan City, Tongwan City, is it really without any weaknesses?"

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Place Name Comparison

Youzhou: The southern part of present-day Etuoke Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Qinggang Gorge: now Zhaowa Village, Hongde Township, Huan County, Qingyang City, Gansu Province