Military camp on the south bank of Zhuo River.
The emperor said, "Let Guo Shao, the chief officer of the Imperial Guards, lead the six armies of the left wing of the Tiger and Swift Army to defend Zhuozhou. I decree this." A fat eunuch read it. Also accompanying him was Wang Pu, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, who came to inspect military affairs.
When Guo Shao heard the word "qinci", it seemed to mean that the emperor himself had come, so he had to kneel down and accept the order with both hands. Wang Pu stepped forward to help him up: "The emperor has finished speaking, General Guo, please stand up."
Guo Shao really didn't want to get up and kneel down to them.
Finally, he stood up and looked up at the slowly flowing Zhuoshui River in front of him. Two Zhou army soldiers were rushing from the opposite bank. The place where Hu Jie's army was defending was the shallow part of the river. The two riders slowed down when they rushed to the river, then rode their horses straight into the river and waded to the middle of the river. The horses did not know how to worry. When they got to the river, they drank water and shook their heads, splashing water on the river surface.
Seeing this, Guo Shao turned his head to the south. There was a green field and the Juma River in the distance, but it was out of sight.
Alas. Guo Shao sighed and was speechless for a moment.
Wang Pu saw this and knew that defending Zhuozhou City was not a good place. The shallow Zhuo River in front could not stop the army; the deep Juma River behind brought inconvenience to the transportation of reinforcements and food.
Wang Pu said: You stay here. Regardless of whether the emperor will launch another northern expedition in the near future, since our dynasty has started a war with the Liao Kingdom, we must leave people on the border to guard it. Since ancient times, when two countries are at war, there is no reason for one side to attack the other and not allow the other side to counterattack. He thought about it and said that Zhao Kuangyin suggested that after the army rested, he would find another opportunity to launch a northern expedition; it was he who recommended General Guo to guard Zhuozhou and use this place as a stronghold on the north bank of the Juma River. Of course, the emperor finally thought it was feasible and issued an order.
Guo Shao understood everything when he heard it. If Zhao Kuangyin didn't do it on purpose, he wouldn't believe it at all.
He looked down at the river and thought for a while, then turned around and said: I've been to Gu'an County. The city wall is low and separated from Zhuozhou by a river. If we divide our troops to guard it, it may not be able to form a corner, but will instead disperse our forces.
I want to abandon Gu'an and concentrate troops to defend Zhuozhou, and keep the western line. I also want to ask Longjie Army to garrison at Qigou Pass. They can help Zhuozhou not become an isolated city, and they can defend the floating bridge and grain road to protect our supply line. In this way, it is safer to concentrate troops to actively attack and defend the north bank of Juma River than to passively defend the city. I hope that Deputy Envoy Wang will speak well of this request in front of the emperor and support it.
After listening to this, Wang Pu pondered for a moment and said: General Guo’s strategy is quite good for both fighting and defending. I will report it to the emperor when I return.
After Wang Pu left the military camp, Guo Shao summoned his generals and ordered the entire army to retreat to Zhuozhou, guarding against the infantry being divided and surrounded in the wild. Without waiting for the court's reply, he directly gave up Gu'an; anyway, he had already told Wang Pu, an official of the Privy Council, about his intention, and Wang Pu also said it made sense.
The Liao army had a huge number of main forces, and Guo Shao was not sure how many there were; but he knew that the Zhou army had mobilized more than 60,000 elite cavalry in the decisive battle a few days ago, and the army also claimed that the Liao army had a large number of cavalry, so it can be guessed that the main force of the Liao army should be no less than 100,000 cavalry. 100,000 Khitan cavalry, usually also have the most trusted vassal army of the Khitans, the Xi soldiers, who are very powerful. If they are divided and surrounded by so many people, the consequences can be imagined.
However, as long as they could rely on Zhuozhou City, they would not be afraid. The total number of Zhou troops on the south bank of the Juma River was estimated to be 200,000, including more than 100,000 elite imperial guards and many local troops. As long as Zhuozhou was held, there was no reason for Chai Rong to watch Guo Shao being besieged for a long time from the other side of the river. After all, the elite Hujie Army was not Guo Shao's personal. If Chai Rong really did not trust him, he could remove his military power with just one word.
When the army entered Zhuozhou City, Guo Shao followed Zuo You's advice and tried to keep the people's hearts first. So he posted military laws everywhere in the city, and those who bullied the people were severely punished, from flogging to beheading. The army did not occupy the houses of the people, but set up tents inside the four gates; nor did they occupy the official government offices.
As expected, the effect was good. Not only was the Zhou army stationed in the city not harassed, but it also received support from the Han people in Hebei and was able to easily summon militiamen to build fortifications.
But how long should he hold on to Zhuozhou? Guo Shao remembered Empress Fu's advice to him: After the Northern Expedition, return to Beijing at all costs.
He could not think of a good solution for a while, and was worried that Chai Rong would keep him in Hebei for a long time. According to past practice, only the two armies of the Imperial Guards would be stationed abroad from time to time; the Palace Guards were the real guards of the emperor, and they were basically in Tokyo unless the emperor went on a personal expedition.
The Imperial Guards only had two armies: the Tiger Army and the Dragon Army. Guo Shao's troops were also stationed in Zhuozhou, so the probability of him staying on the border was very high.
It was not known whether it was because of his low mood or because he caught a cold in the tent; in order to show his determination to share the hardships with the soldiers, Guo Shao also slept on the floor in a tent. He fell ill within two days of entering Zhuozhou.
The high fever did not subside, and he knew he had a bad cold without the doctor taking his pulse. The generals sent doctors to visit him and asked about his health, but Guo Shao ignored them. He didn't care about the cold at all, and was still worried about how to return to Beijing.
Is he taking the opportunity to claim illness now? But I'm afraid Chai Rong will let him cross the Juma River to recuperate and leave the troops behind; this is the most likely scenario. There is no need to transfer 20,000 troops to Zhuozhou and replace one person, such as Gao Huaide; Gao Huaide's military position is the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guard Infantry Division, and it is most appropriate for him to come and take over the military power of the left wing of the Hujie Army.
Therefore, Guo Shao decided not to act rashly and just wait and see how the situation develops.
The discomfort of his illness exacerbated his low mood. He felt that he had performed very badly in this Northern Expedition. He was full of righteous indignation and fighting spirit in Tokyo, but he failed to achieve anything in Hebei. It turned out that it was useless to denounce the foreign invaders. If he couldn't defeat them, everything was nonsense. Moreover, he was stuck here and might not be able to return.
The dampness and toxins invaded the body, and the patient was occasionally affected by the wind. A doctor was taking the patient's pulse in front of the bed, muttering to himself, and then said, "General, you can't live in the tent anymore. You have to find a comfortable and dry house to recuperate."
The officials in the prefecture government have all settled a large number of wounded soldiers who were left behind a few days ago. It is difficult for them to rest peacefully with the screams and noises every day. My lord, we can only requisition the houses nearby. Zuo You said softly.
Guo Shao didn't say anything, just let them arrange the matter.
At this time, the doctor said: "Alas, the commander of the Zhou Dynasty army has no place to live, which really makes us people in Zhuozhou ashamed. I have a humble room. Although it is a thatched wall, it is quiet and there are only two people inside and outside. If the general does not mind, why not stay at my house?"
Zuo You immediately said, "That's great. It's just right for you to visit the old man. A little reward is not a big deal. Please do your best to make the master recover quickly."
Guo Shao was sent to a house near the military camp in a daze. Sure enough, the environment was clean and quiet. It was a very ordinary tile-roofed house. Although it was not a wealthy family, it did not look poor.
There were no effective medicines in this era, and a cold could kill a person with poor physical fitness. Guo Shao was not stubborn at all, and he did not object to living in a civilian house, and drank the medicine as soon as he was given. However, there were not many rooms, so the personal soldiers Luo Mengzi and Lu Chengyong had to take turns to wait and take care of him; the guards could only be stationed outside.
Guo Shao sweated a lot at night, and found that his fever had subsided the next morning. He immediately felt that this folk doctor was really capable. In later times, people with fever and colds might need to be hospitalized for injections and drips; this doctor boiled a pot of herbal medicine for him to drink, and he was cured in one day and one night.
He immediately asked Luo Mengzi to find the doctor and thanked him. He then asked: "What is your name, sir?"
The doctor bowed and said, "I dare not. My surname is Lu. General, just call me Old Man Lu." A smile appeared on his face. The people of Zhuozhou often call me Doctor Lu. Haha, it seems to be flattering, but for some minor illnesses, I can cure them with medicine.
Guo Shao saw his bag on the bedside cabinet, so he stood up and took it over, touching a gold belt buckle. He immediately put it on the table in the room and said: "I am away from home and don't have anything valuable with me. I am just giving this little thing to thank Doctor Lu. Please accept it."
Doctor Lu hastily declined.
Seeing this, Guo Shao picked up the buckle, pulled the old man's hand over, and slapped it in his hand: "I am just a warrior, and I really don't have any polite words. If I say I am giving you something to thank you, then I must give it to you, so take it."
He got up, packed up, and got dressed. The doctor said: "Although the general's condition has improved, he should recover. You can stay here and don't need to live in a tent."
Guo Shao hesitated for a moment: Does Dr. Lu have any family
Old Man Lu said: My wife has passed away for several years, and my little daughter is the only family member left.
With women at home, it is not convenient for soldiers to stay for a long time. Guo Shaodao.
Old Man Lu said: "The general's behavior in Zhuozhou City shows what kind of person he is. I am not worried." Guo Shao said: "Let's talk about it when I come back. I have to go out now. Third brother, send someone to call Li Chuyun to the central army."
Guo Shao went out and took a carriage to the central army camp. He met Li Chuyun and other generals, asked about the enemy situation in the city defense, and was relieved when he learned that there was no movement for the time being. He also asked Li Chuyun to send more rangers under his command to patrol north and south of Zhuoshui and set up sentries everywhere.
Soon, it was reported that General Zhang Ying wanted to see him, so Guo Shao invited him in.
Zhang Ying was a newcomer to Guo Shao. When the Zhou army advanced northwards, the Han generals in Zhucheng surrendered upon hearing the news, and the small number of Khitan garrisons hastily fled north. Zhang Ying was a livestock ranch owner near Waqiaoguan. When the army was in chaos, he took the opportunity to gather villagers and robbed the Khitan soldiers of a hundred horses on the ranch to surrender. Guo Shao then rewarded Zhang Ying with the horses, appointed him as a captain, organized dozens of his brothers into a captain, and gave them generous rewards.
Meet General Guo. Zhang Ying is a sturdy, broad-faced man in his thirties.
Guo Shao said politely: No need to be polite.
Zhang Ying said: I have a good friend in Gu'an. This morning, my friend sent someone to secretly deliver a letter saying that the Liao army has occupied Gu'an City. It is the troops of Xiao Siwen, the general manager of the Southern Court of Youzhou. I think this is military intelligence, so I hurried to report it to my lord.