In the camp outside Youzhou City, two rows of Khitan men wearing fur hats and large furry earrings looked up and blew their horns with a long groan. Outside the camp, horses were galloping and the men and horses were like a tide.
Yelu Jing, holding the scepter, took two steps forward in the sound of the horn. There were three vertical lines between his brows on his ferocious face. The fur coat was very high on his shoulders, as if he was hunching his shoulders and head and rushing forward. He stared at the south, but apart from a large number of Liao cavalry, there was nothing to be seen in the endless plains to the south.
Some nobles and ministers entered the camp one after another. They were all afraid of Yelu Jing. They put their hands on their chests and bowed to Yelu Jing in silence. Some of them were wearing furs, and some were wearing robes and black gauze. At first glance, those officials looked a little similar to Han'er, but they were Khitan people. They imitated the official uniforms of the Central Plains, but they were more fancy and had more decorations. If they took off their hats and exposed their bald heads, the difference would be even greater.
Yelu Jing ignored them, looked up at the field, and then shrugged his shoulders and went into the tent. After a while, a bald man with long hair came out and said: The Khan asked Yelu Xiu'ge and Xiao Siwen to come into the tent.
The two of them followed his instructions and entered the big tent decorated with tiger claws, deer antlers and other decorations.
Yelu Jing sat on a tiger-skin chair, holding the scepter in his hand, and sat there motionless. The two men hurried forward to salute. Khitan people did not need to speak when saluting. The tent was quiet, and even the occasional crackling of firewood could be clearly heard.
The Great Khan Yelu Jing finally spoke. He looked very angry, as he always got angry for no apparent reason. He said fiercely: "Catch the blacksmith Guo. I will spread his skin on a chair and hang his skull outside the tent door."
Great Khan, calm down. Yelu Xiuguo said.
Yelu Jing turned his head and looked at him. Yelu Xiuguo was a person that the Khan trusted. When there were tribes rebelling on the grassland, Yelu Xiuguo led the troops to help the Khan suppress the rebellion. Now he was a hero of the Liao army, so he was more relaxed in front of the Khan.
At this time, Xiao Siwen also spoke up: "Great Khan, I think that it is the custom of the Han people that the southern army is always looking for an opportunity to fight. The Liao Dynasty can lure them into thinking that our army is heading south for a big battle."
Yelu Xiu'ge and Xiao Siwen didn't really get along, but this time Yelu Xiu'ge agreed with Xiao Siwen and said: If you follow my method, you can first use the main cavalry to approach Jinzhou, and when the Zhou people gather their troops and want to fight the Liao army in Jinzhou, suddenly turn around and go to Zhuozhou, making a feint to the east and attacking in the west.
We must attack Zhuozhou ruthlessly to make the Zhou people feel the danger. They will temporarily transfer troops from other cities to Zhuozhou for reinforcement. Zhuozhou is far away from other important cities. When the troops are transferred halfway, we will have a chance.
Hey, Xiao Siwen couldn't help but let out a voice of surprise. This plan is very clever.
Yelu Xiu'ge couldn't hide his pride. When Xiao Siwen praised him, he also returned the favor with his words, which were much more pleasing to the ear: "Mr. Xiao is right. The Han people probably want to have a decisive battle to decide the winner. The side that can't win will build a city and play like a turtle, unable to escape the pattern of attack and defense."
But we, the Great Liao and the Great Khitan, were born in the grasslands. Our hearts are as broad as the sky and our eyes are as far as the grasslands. How could we care about the attack and defense of a few cities
We keep our eyes on the southerners, slaughter them, trample them, make them bleed and lose their strength, make them tremble with fear, and make them feel awe of the Great Khitan.
Xiao Siwen almost wanted to agree with it with both hands and feet, and echoed: From Guo Rong to Guo the blacksmith, the Zhou State has always coveted Youzhou. It is ambitious and has the strength to fight; Guo the blacksmith even marches to the north twice a year. This time the Khan is leading the army in person to fight and weaken the Zhou army, which is a long-term plan.
Yelu Jing nodded slightly after hearing this.
The officials in Bazhou Palace were also keeping a close eye on the situation. The main force of Liao was heading south and was not far to the north. They had even come into contact with an attack on Jinzhou’s camp. The situation was tense and the clouds of war were very low.
After receiving the commendation, Dong Zunhui excitedly rushed to the Bazhou Palace.
As soon as he entered the palace front yard and walked through the lobby, he stayed in the signing room. The emperor seemed to be staying in a short period of time, and Dong Zunhui was not taken to the inner courtyard of the palace.
The eunuch Wang Zhong greeted him, asked someone to serve tea, and then came up to greet Dong Zunhui.
Wang Zhong's attitude was very polite: The emperor has praised General Dong twice, saying that General Dong is courageous and capable.
Dong Zunhui puffed out his chest and said: This is what a man should do. I will take Your Majesty's spirit as an example.
Wang Zhong laughed and said: General Dong wants to learn from Your Majesty
As soon as these words were spoken, a minor official who was busy writing in the signing room also looked up and glanced at Wang Zhong and Dong Zunhui.
Dong Zunhui was unaware of this and said excitedly: Your Majesty is the king and father of all the people in the world, and also the king and father of me. Sometimes you are my monarch in command, and sometimes you are like a father.
Oh, Wang Zhong looked at him curiously. Your Majesty is a young, promising and wise ruler. It is impossible for him to have a son this old. General Dong should be about the same age as Your Majesty.
Dong Zunhui said: To be honest, my father died early and I have no brothers. Your Majesty has been kind and caring to my family, and I always feel like a father and brother. If it weren't for Your Majesty's rescue, my mother would still be humiliated by the barbarians in Liao. Your Majesty's kindness is as great as a mountain, and I dare not not serve you wholeheartedly.
Just then, Guo Shao walked in from outside the door.
Dong Zunhui quickly stood up, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
Get up. Guo Shao glanced at him.
Thank you, Your Majesty. Dong Zun said, slowly standing up from the ground, his armor clanking. Guo Shao pointed to a chair next to the coffee table and asked him to sit.
Wang Zhong walked up to Guo Shao, bent down and said in a soft voice: General Dong's etiquette seems very decent. After all, he comes from a military family and is sensible.
Guo Shao nodded, his eyes stayed on Dong Zunhui, looking very concerned: I am very optimistic about General Dong, you have extraordinary qualifications.
Dong Zunhui was so excited that his face turned red, he was speechless, and his face was glowing.
His reaction was so great. Perhaps one of the most useful things for a young person is to be appreciated by a superior who has real power and ability. It feels great to be appreciated.
Guo Shao looked at him and said in a casual tone: "Old generals like Li Chuyun have too much responsibility and too many things to consider. They are too conservative. Shi Yanchao is too passionate. He is brave, but he doesn't know when to stop fighting. Only General Dong is smart, brave and resourceful. He is flexible in using troops and dares to fight, but he knows how to stop.
Dong Zunhui hurriedly said: I dare not, I dare not. How can I be compared with people like Li Dudianjian Shi Dushi? The difference is too great. I am far inferior to him and still need more experience.
Guo Shao shook his head and said: We are not talking about status and identity. Besides, General Dong has earned his status through real fighting. How can he be so respected
Although Dong Zunhui said, "My qualifications are too shallow," he looked thoughtful, as if he was also thinking about the feeling of being in a high position.
Guo Shao looked at it and said, "My third brother was killed by the Liao people. He was originally the commander of the Tiger Guards, and now his position is still vacant. If General Dong played a role in the war against Liao, it is natural for him to take that position."
Dong Zunhui looked up with excitement but seriousness.
Guo Shao was not in a hurry for a while, and continued: The commander of the Xiangdu is considered a real general, and he can go in and out of the Palace Front Office on a daily basis. No matter how big the matter is, the Palace Front Office has to let you participate. Although his position is lower than Li Chuyun and others, General Dong is younger. I still look forward to General Dong becoming a great man.
Dong Zunhui immediately clasped his fists and said in a sonorous voice: "I will lead the way for your majesty. As long as I can serve your majesty, I will go through fire and water and sacrifice my life."
Good Guo Shaodao, the 10,000 elite cavalrymen of the right wing of the Huben Army are in Bazhou, you will be the one to lead the troops.
Dong Zunhui hesitated a little, because he had never led so many cavalry. But he quickly said: Your Majesty has entrusted me with an important task, and I dare not refuse.
Guo Shao's eyes also flashed with a sharp color: When I tell you to go, you will lead the troops north. Kill the Khitans you see, kill all the sheep and horses, burn all the food and grass, and leave after you're done. You can't be caught by the Liao army. You must be flexible, bold, and fast.
Dong Zunhui said seriously: Which places will be the main targets
Guo Shao stood up, there was a big picture on the wall, he slapped it with his palm, and then slapped it in another place, and said in a deep voice: Food Road. If the Liao army gathers troops and horses to attack our defense line in the south, the army will fight a decisive battle. The Liao army has more than 100,000 people and at least 200,000 or 300,000 horses. There is nothing in the snow. I don’t believe that the food and grass they bring with them are enough to eat. Youzhou is the territory operated by the Liao Kingdom. This time they can’t rely on looting. After the troops are concentrated, the place they can loot is too small.
Dong Zun said: I understand
Guo Shao could not help but say: You must be alert at that time. The Liao army cavalry has a lot of mobile and fast cavalry. Timing is also very important to avoid being surrounded.
Guo Shao fell silent after he finished speaking, lowered his head and pressed the hilt of his sword, his eyes were attracted by the red satin tied on it, he seemed to see a pair of gentle jade hands. The thought flashed through his mind, and he calmed down.
Now Guo Shao no longer goes to the front line for on-site inspections, because the range that the eyes can see is too small and the battlefield is too wide. Even if he arrives at the front line, he cannot see most things and can only listen to the descriptions of people from all over the place.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, Guo Shaocheng did nothing all day and rarely left the palace. But some things had nothing to do with looking busy or not. He even thought about eating and sleeping. He couldn't help thinking that this kind of pressure and restless state of mind might be more tiring than being busy.
Guo Shao paced a few steps and thought: I have tried my best to pay attention to intelligence, but in fact, in this era, it is still difficult and slow to grasp the enemy's situation and strategy. Many things can only be guessed in advance.