manynovel Chapter 1264 Dangxiang Point Collection
Chapter 1264 Dangxiang Point Collection
Chapter 1264 Dangxiang Point Collection
During the Song-Liao negotiations and the construction of Xiaoguan, the ministers in the court were still thinking about fighting for power.
Such matters have never been alleviated by national affairs.
Isn’t this the history of the Southern Ming Dynasty? Even at the very end, several Southern Ming regime groups were still fighting among themselves and had no intention of fighting against the Qing army.
Such things have never been different since ancient times.
In early June of the fifth year of Yuanfeng, the Song army advanced into Xiaoguan on all fronts.
When the Song army's offensive shifted from Xihe Road to Jingyuan Road, the Song army continued to advance from three directions: Huanqing Road, Xi'an Prefecture and Jingyuan Road to erode the territory of the Dangxiang people.
Haoshuichuan and the battle of Dingchuanzhai both took place in Jingyuan Road. Li Yuanhao even led his troops straight to the city of Weizhou.
But now Weizhou has become the hinterland of the Song army's Jingyuan Road, continuously transporting troops and fodder forward.
The Song army in Huanqing Road built Jintang, Baibao and Dashun cities to form a complete defense system, and also built Xingping city to keep an eye on Weizhou.
As for Zhe Keshi, he stationed his troops in the prefecture city of Xi'an, which was originally near Nanmuhui, where Zhang Yue Wang Shao burned the palace of Tiandu Mountain. After the Song army occupied Tiandu Mountain, they not only recruited the nearby foreign tribes, but also took over the development of all the salt fields of the Dangxiang people.
According to Zhe Keshi's report, he could earn 140,000 coins for salt every month.
Zhe Keshi will also send troops to cooperate in the construction.
Put comprehensive pressure on the Dangxiang from three directions.
In this way, the Dangxiang people will not know the strength of the Song army.
At the same time, the Song Dynasty promised Aligu to divide the benefits of the Liangzhou tribute route in half, and agreed to enthrone him as the King of Hexi.
Aliguze sent troops to attack the four states of Shazhou, Yizhou, Guazhou and Suzhou.
The most important thing now is to build the city from Xiaoguan.
The famous generals of the Western Army, Zhong Pu and Xu Xi, led 7,000 cavalrymen out of Pingxia City as military supervisors. There were also 20,000 civilian servants with the army. They carried all kinds of wood, weapons and food for repairing the city, loaded on mules and horses.
Zhang Gen sent Xu Xi out of Pingxia City.
Zhang Gen said, "The court originally wanted to dispatch 15,000 cavalry to build the city, but in the end they only gave them 7,000. Why didn't Uncle Xu fight with the court?"
Xu Xi smiled and said, "Since Lord Zhang established the rules for shallow attack and construction, a maximum of 5,000 cavalry is allowed to be deployed for construction along the border. This way, we can save the cost of transportation in the rear!"
Zhang Gen said: "But this time is different from the past. This time we are building Xiaoguan, not just a small fortress like in the past!"
Xu Xi glanced at the army that was slowly marching out, and then said, "Dongge, you don't have to worry so much."
"After our army captured Liangzhou, we cut off the left arm of the Tanguts. In the past, the Tanguts could mobilize twelve military supervisors, but now that the Hexi passage has been cut off, they can only muster eight military supervisors at most to attack us."
"Now that we have captured Tiandu Mountain, the Western bandits have no place to gather and store food. In the past, Nanmu was the lair of the Dangxiang. Tiandu Mountain is a fertile land for animal husbandry and farming, with strong manpower and good horses. If the Xia people can gain this land, they can establish a country. If they lose this land, they will be short of soldiers and food. These are all unprecedented achievements. Although we have not yet captured Xingling, the destruction of the Western bandits is an inevitable trend."
After hearing Xu Xi's words, Zhang Gen said, "But we are still worried about this expedition."
What Zhang Gen said was true.
The places currently captured by the Song army were all achievements made during the Yuanfu period in the late reign of Emperor Zhezong in the history of another time and space. Moreover, when the Song Dynasty was advancing to build the cities, the governor Zhang Yu had already reported to the emperor that there was a lack of financial resources and a serious shortage of manpower.
And now Shen Kuo still has a steady supply of funds from the central government.
The court still had most of the money left after conquering Liangzhou last year. After conquering Liangzhou, the Song and the Dangxiang Yanbian tribes felt that the situation was hopeless, and many of them surrendered to the Song. These people have been settled in Xihe Road to cultivate cotton fields.
But people from all walks of life in Shaanxi were worried, and even the court had many doubts, including Zhang Gen.
Xu Xi said: "When Emperor Gaozong conquered Guifang, he conquered it in three years, but he was still exhausted."
"It is the same now. When the two armies fight, the one who is sad wins. There is no greater fault than underestimating the enemy. There is no greater sin than wanting to gain."
"In times of peace, be prepared for danger. Worry breeds anxiety. Our army can avoid repeating the mistakes of the two-pronged attack on Xia. That's why the court has repeatedly warned us. In fact, the prime minister's strategy is far ahead of the ancient and modern times. Before he drew the bamboo, he had already made up his mind. I am ashamed that I always like to come up with some high-sounding and strange strategies, but I don't know the simple and easy principles."
At this point, Xu Xi said with deep emotion: "In the past, I wanted to take Hengshan, but I violated the Prime Minister's wishes many times. Now that I am here, I understand the Prime Minister's true intentions."
"Small victories accumulate to form a big victory, and the weak are the way to use. After understanding these two, I understand the true meaning of achievement."
Zhang Gen said: "Dad told me, 'There are a thousand and ten thousand principles for achieving great things in the world, but they are all useless. There is only one principle that belongs to you. So if you want to achieve great things, you have to seek truth from facts.'"
"So Uncle Xu, don't underestimate yourself."
Xu Xi sighed and said, "The Prime Minister's insight is far better than mine."
At this point, Xu Xi glanced at the mighty Pingxia City behind him and said, "The imperial court has worked hard to build this Pingxia City, thinking that with the help of the high fortress and abundant food, they could fight against the western bandits, but they didn't expect that the western bandits dared not attack it."
"Now it seems that we will have to fight a decisive battle at Xiaoguan Pass. It's a waste of a strong city."
"Dongge, if anything goes wrong for me in Xiaoguan, please report it to the Prime Minister and ask him to look after Xu's family! Forget it, even if I don't tell him, how can the Prime Minister not do it? I am judging others by my own standards."
After saying this, Xu Xi rode away on his horse. Zhang Gen wanted to chase him, but Xu Xi just went away without even looking back.
……
After Zhang Gen returned to Pingxia City, he quickly went to Zhenrong Army to look for Shen Kuo.
However, Shen Kuo had already arrived here with 3,000 cavalrymen. Shen Kuo did not lead his troops into Pingxia City, but instead set up camp in the mountains around Pingxia City.
When Zhang Gen met Shen Kuo, he saw that the Song army was divided into teams and camped in the mountains near the strong cities of Pingxia, Xiaoguan and other places of Huaide Army.
Shen Kuo met with Zhang Gen.
"Xingyuan, Xu Dezhan has already sent troops to Xiaoguan."
When asked by the other party, he said confidently: "Erlang Jun, if the enemy doesn't come, then the enemy will fall into my trap."
Seeing that Shen Kuo and Xu Xi were both so confident, Zhang Gen finally felt a little confident too.
"Xingyuan, can you really win?"
Shen Kuo said to Zhang Gen: "The Dangxiang thought that I was building Xiaoguan in order to take Lingzhou City, but the Dangxiang leader was not a man without strategy. While our army was building Xiaoguan, he took a detour and came directly to take Pingxia City!"
Zhang Gen was shocked when he heard this. This was actually a brilliant tactical idea.
The Dangxiang people learned their tactics and strategies from Li Yuanhao, which were of a type that came and went without a trace.
The direction of their attack was definitely beyond the expectations of the Song army, and this time was no exception.
Shen Kuo said: "Don't be surprised, this is the spy planted by the Privy Council in the Tangut high-level officials who risked his life to report it!"
Zhang Gen was surprised and said, "That's why the Privy Council reduced the 15,000 cavalry that were sent to build Xiaoguan Pass by 7,000."
Shen Kuo nodded and said, "That's right."
"Please have a look, Erlangjun!"
Shen Kuo picked up the map and said to Zhang Gen: "The Tanguts have assembled a large army to fight a war that will destroy the country, but the Xiaoguan Road from our Jingyuan Road is long and narrow."
"No matter how many soldiers and horses his army has, when it marches south, it can only form a long snake formation. As long as our army can attack it from the middle, the enemy will be completely wiped out!"
Zhang Gen couldn't help but said, "Great advice from the dean!"
Shen Kuo couldn't help laughing when he heard this.
At this moment, the troops of Jingyuan Road were scattered around Huaide's army like stars in the sky.
On the left and right wings of Jingyuan Road, troops from Qinfeng Road and Huanqing Road were also transferred from all directions.
At the same time, under the imperial edict, the troops from Fuyan Road, Hedong Road and Xihe Road were also prepared to be deployed together. When the main force of the Dangxiang attacked Jingyuan Road, they would each send troops to the Dangxiang.
It was originally part of the plan between Zhang Yue and the emperor.
The strategy of the Dangxiang focusing on attacking one of the six routes in Hedong, Shaanxi, while the other five routes either provide support or send troops to attack, is being realized step by step.
Now the Dangxiang want to "bloom in the center". If Pingxia City or Xiaoguan is lost, it will be a loss for the Song army!
Zhang Gen said: "I am willing to lead Zhao Long's troops to rescue near Xiaoguan!"
Shen Kuo shook his head and said, "Second Master, this battle is extremely dangerous. Although I have a 70% chance of winning, I still dare not take the risk. You stay by my side and are not allowed to go anywhere."
Zhang Gen was startled, then smiled and said, "I think the academy knows that I have been training for a long time, and I am just looking to show off my skills!"
"Just give me a chance to lead the troops!"
Seeing Zhang Gen begging him like a nephew,
Shen Kuo smiled and nodded, "You are going to save Xu Dezhan!"
Zhang Gen felt a little ashamed when his secrets were revealed.
Shen Kuo sighed and said, "I know you all laugh at me for being stupid and not good at communicating with others."
"But Shen is not a fool. You have a good relationship with Dezhan and want to protect him. But don't forget that he has repeatedly disobeyed the Prime Minister's wishes."
"Even if the Prime Minister doesn't mind, how dare I, Shen, protect him?"
Zhang Gen said anxiously, "But, sir, Uncle Xu is only concerned about state affairs! Besides, he already knows that it is impossible to capture Hengshan."
"State affairs?" Shen Kuo smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I was originally working for state affairs, otherwise why would I be demoted from the post of the Three Commissioners to serve here?"
"Don't blame me, Erlangjun!"
Zhang Gen was stunned where he stood. It turned out that Shen Kuo, who seemed not to be scheming, actually had this side of him.
……
And it is indeed as Shen Kuo said.
The Dangxiang army had assembled and was stationed near Weijing Mountain, north of Tiandu Mountain.
Because of Aligu's invasion of Shazhou, Yizhou, Guazhou, and Suzhou states in the Hexi Corridor, the four Dangxiang military supervisors were unable to participate in the rally.
Even if they were willing to come, the access to the Hexi Corridor was cut off after the loss of Liangzhou.
The troops in Hexi of the Dangxiang would have to go around in a big circle if they wanted to gather together, not to mention that the loss of Tiandu Mountain meant that the Dangxiang had lost their lair. The Dangxiang could no longer gather their troops leisurely in Tiandu Mountain and then go south to attack the Song Dynasty as they did in the past.
Even so, the Dangxiang people sent out all their might this time.
He gathered more than 200,000 soldiers and horses, claiming to have one million!
As we all know, the Dangxiang people put all their belongings on the line this time, including the Iron Harriers, the Sixth Squad of the Imperial Garden and other most elite troops.
Make a desperate attempt in this battle.
Now, a fierce quarrel broke out in the Dangxiang tent over the route to attack the Song Dynasty in the south.