A lowly soldier becomes king, I slaughter my way through the late Tang Dynasty!

After the autumn harvest, the northern land gradually gets colder.

The weather was cool at this time, and the Central Plains dynasties had abundant food supplies, making it the most suitable time for nomadic peoples to plunder throughout history.

Furthermore, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun had already been controlled by the Khitans.

Therefore, the Khitans could plunder however they wanted.

Just over ten days later.

The Jin Dynasty then received news of the Khitan raids in the south.

The Khitan army split into three routes.

The left route, led by Yelü Jieli, consisted of 20,000 cavalrymen who marched out of Shuozhou and plundered Hedong.

The right flank, led by Zhao Yanshou, consisted of 15,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry, who marched out of Youzhou and plundered Shandong.

The central route was led by Yelü Ruan, who commanded 20,000 cavalrymen, who marched out of Yingzhou and plundered Hebei.

Shi Chonggui frowned as he watched the enemy forces arrive in droves, like pieces of paper flying in one after another.

In his anxiety, he coughed violently.

After coughing until his face turned pale, he finally managed to stop and asked.

"Gentlemen, the Khitans are advancing south. How should we respond?"

The court officials remained silent for a moment.

Feng Yu was the first to speak.

"The Khitan's division of forces is a godsend! We should concentrate our entire army on attacking their weakest link, and we will surely win in one battle!"

The voice just fell.

All the ministers present who had even a basic understanding of military affairs looked at them with disdain.

Even Shi Chonggui knew that this plan was unreliable.

Of the three Khitan attack routes, apart from the right flank led by Zhao Yanshou, the other two posed a risk to Bianliang.

If the Khitans divide their forces, the Great Jin Dynasty must also divide its forces.

Failure to defend any aspect will result in catastrophic losses.

How could they possibly gather their forces, abandon defense, and gamble on a resounding victory?

Feng Yu felt somewhat embarrassed when no one agreed with his suggestion.

At this time.

Li Song analyzed.

"Your Majesty, the Khitan's purpose in this southward invasion is plunder. The border towns only need to fortify their defenses and scorched earth, so there is naturally no need to worry."

Upon hearing this, Shi Zhonggui felt a little relieved.

"Then which route should I send reinforcements to?"

Before Li Song could answer, Feng Yu immediately replied.

"Reinforce troops towards Heng Hai and Ping Lu to resist Zhao Yanshou."

Shi Chonggui looked at Li Song.

The latter nodded slightly.

Indeed, the Shandong area, guarded by the Heng Hai Army and the Pinglu Army, is currently the weakest point in terms of military strength.

Especially the Pinglu Army.

After the previous military governor Yang Guangyuan rebelled, he was dismissed from his post and demoted to a defense commissioner.

Currently, the troop strength is less than 10,000.

The other two routes.

There is no need to worry about the Hedong region, as the Jiedushi (military governor) is Liu Zhiyuan, who is stationed in Beijing, and his army is strong and well-equipped.

Even if Yelü Jieli was a formidable general, it was unlikely that he would gain any advantage over Liu Zhiyuan.

Meanwhile, the Hebei side in the middle.

Yelü Ruan was the nephew of Emperor Yelü Deguang. He was in his prime and commanded 20,000 soldiers.

However, Hebei was guarded by the Yiwu Army, Chengde Army, and Anguo Army.

The Chengde army was a formidable force, numbering over 40,000 men, and was under the command of Du Chongwei.

The Anguo Army had 20,000 men, well-equipped, and was under the command of Xue Huairang.

The northernmost Yiwu Army, though the smallest in number.

But there's Li Rui!

With this lineup from Hebei, there are famous generals, a strong army, sufficient supplies, and good equipment...

We have everything you could want!

There shouldn't be any problem no matter how you look at it.

Seeing that none of the civil and military officials had any objections, Shi Chonggui issued an edict to transfer the Zhangde Army, Tianping Army, and Taining Army to Shandong to support the defense.

After the decree was issued.

Li Song hesitated for a moment, but still stepped forward and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I request that the Anguo Army be dispatched north to garrison Dingzhou and assist the Yiwu Army in its defense."

The terrain of Hebei, from north to south, is dominated by the Yiwu Army, Chengde Army, and Anguo Army.

Both the Yiwu Army and the Chengde Army had territories directly facing the Khitan.

Anguo Army followed both.

Li Song was worried that the Yiwu Army was too small.

Even with a renowned general like Li Rui guarding the area, the disadvantage in troop strength was undeniable.

Besides, Li Rui isn't even a military governor of a single town!

The only soldiers he can freely mobilize are probably those four thousand new recruits.

How could one remain unharmed amidst the 20,000 iron cavalry led by Yelü Ruan?

Moreover, the northward march of the Anguo Army to assist the Yiwu Army would also help to alleviate the pressure on the Chengde Army.

This will further solidify Hebei's defenses.

This suggestion is both feasible and necessary.

however.

Feng Yu immediately retorted!

"No, the Anguo Army is located in the heart of the territory and still needs to protect Bianliang."

Li Song frowned.

"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; if the Righteous Army falls, the defense will only become more difficult."

Feng Yu sneered.

"How can it be more difficult? The Righteous Army has less than 20,000 men, and compared with the armies of Seongdeok and Anguk, it is really a subordinate force."

Even if the Yiwu Army falls, it won't affect the overall situation. How can we let the capital bear the risk by transferring the Anguo Army north?

Li Song wanted to argue further.

Feng Yu didn't give him a chance to speak.

"Lord Li is so eager to seek reinforcements for the Righteous Army, probably because he wants to protect Li Rui, right?"

"Lord Li, don't forget that two of Li Rui's concubines' friends recently attempted to assassinate His Majesty!"

Upon hearing this...

Li Song was speechless!

Being in the imperial court, he had to be extremely cautious.

At this point, Feng Yu brought up the matter of Qingluan's assassination attempt on the emperor. What else could he say?

I'm afraid that if I say even one more word, Shi Chonggui will hold a grudge.

as predicted.

Shi Chonggui's eyes were fixed on Li Song.

Seeing that the latter had wisely retreated, Shi Chonggui then withdrew his gaze.

"That's settled then. The Righteous Army will not send additional troops; they will only receive a letter of condolence."

……

Late October.

The Khitan forces marched south in three routes.

Because Emperor Shi Chonggui of the Great Jin Dynasty was seriously injured not long ago, all the border garrisons adopted a defensive policy.

Let's hold out until next year!

Early November.

Two battle reports were sent back to the capital.

The hearts of the Jin emperor and his ministers sank instantly!

The first report was a battle report from Liu Zhiyuan, the military governor of Hedong.

Originally, the Jin dynasty's rulers and ministers believed that Liu Zhiyuan had a strong and well-equipped army.

As long as we fortify our defenses and maintain a scorched-earth policy, Yelü Jieli will not pose a significant threat.

however.

Yelü Jieli's Pishi army was advancing with unstoppable momentum!

The troops marched from Shuozhou and captured Lanzhou and Xianzhou along the way!

Now the army is heading straight for Bingzhou!

Taiyuan Prefecture is right in front of us!

If Taiyuan were to fall, it would mean that the two vast fertile lands of Hedong and Guanzhong would fall into enemy hands!

At that time, even Bianliang would be at risk of being captured.

This is outrageous!

Shi Chonggui was furious when he saw the battle report!

"What is Liu Zhiyuan trying to do?! He... cough cough cough! Is he plotting a rebellion? Why isn't he defending himself?"

All the officials remained silent.

No one knew what Liu Zhiyuan was doing, nor did anyone know what to say at this moment.

Shi Chonggui was furious and pointed at Feng Yudao.

"Feng Qing, tell me, what is Liu Zhiyuan planning to do?"

Feng Yu shuddered.

After stepping forward, he remained silent, only able to utter repetitive phrases.

The gist of the statement is that Liu Zhiyuan's army is strong and well-equipped, and Taiyuan Prefecture is likely to be safe, so the emperor can rest assured.

Even a ghost wouldn't be fooled by that kind of talk!

Shi Zhonggui felt a wave of dizziness and powerlessness wash over him.

He suddenly missed Sang Weihan; at least in crucial moments, Sang Weihan could always give just the right advice.

At that very moment.

Li Song sighed and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, Liu Zhiyuan allows the Khitans to plunder, and he only wants two things."

"As long as Your Majesty is satisfied, there is nothing to worry about regarding Yelü Jieli's army."