Fenghou

Chen Qing looked at Weihe and smiled, "I understand the good intentions of General Wu who came to Chengji County on a special trip. You are actually doing it for my own good. You are afraid that I will be young and immature and go astray against the court, but I You can tell General Wu that I never thought of betraying the Song Dynasty, let alone the ambition of using troops to stand on my own. I just hate the civil service system, and I don’t want to become a vassal of the civil service. , was forced to leave Sichuan and Shaanxi."

"Unpaid ambition?"

Wu Jie murmured twice, and finally looked up to the sky and sighed, "Yes! I only want to take back Shaanxi, expel the Tartars, and recover the Central Plains. Now I haven't realized any of them. It's really nothing!"

Speaking of this, he couldn't help but burst into tears.

Chen Qing said calmly: "If you want to be a loyal minister, you will definitely not be able to accomplish great things. If you want to do great things, you will definitely not be able to be a loyal minister. It is destined to be impossible to have both. So I will be a minister of the Great Song Dynasty, but not necessarily a loyal minister."

……

Wu Jie left that afternoon, left Hanzhong directly, and went to Lin'an to report on his duties. He recommended his brother Wu Ling to be in charge of the [-] Hanzhong Army on his behalf.

And at this moment, Chen Qing received a copy of the Emperor's Letter from Wang Mian, the supervising army, in the form of a pigeon letter.

"The emperor asked us to send troops to Ganzhou and Liangzhou?"

Zhang Xiao and Jiang Yanxian looked at each other, and Zhang Xiao couldn't help but said: "How could the emperor think of such a ridiculous decision? Once we station troops in the Hexi Corridor, it will involve a lot of our resources and energy, and it will delay our Eastern Expedition. Combat, face the enemy."

Chen Qing smiled bitterly and said: "I'm afraid it was triggered by a letter from my family. I told Lu Xianggong about the current situation in Hexi, and I mentioned that the troops in Hexi have been exhausted. If I lead the army to capture Ganzhou and Liangzhou Easy as pie."

Jiang Yan pondered for a moment and said: "If there is no army in Ganzhou and Liangzhou, it is indeed an opportunity, but I don't know how many Han people there are? If there are a lot of Han people, then there is a foundation, and even if the civil war in Xixia is over, I'm afraid The national strength will also be greatly damaged, and they will be more worried about being invaded by the Jin Kingdom, and they will not dare to fight us easily."

The commander Zheng Ping who was sitting beside him said with a smile: "I know a merchant from Hexi who is in the liquor business. You can ask him. His liquor store is not far from the government office."

"But the shopkeeper An of the Ganzhou wine shop?"

"It's him!"

Chen Qing nodded happily, "You go and find him immediately, and I'll ask him about his situation!"

Zheng Ping got up and went, Zhang Xiao said again: "If we send troops to the Hexi Corridor, will Wanyan and Lisa think this is an opportunity to attack us?"

Chen Qing shook his head, "This kind of thing should not happen. Firstly, it is not difficult to capture Liangzhou and Ganzhou. The difficult thing is how to hold them, and it doesn't take much time; After being transferred away, Wanyan Heli Sakou might want to play Hanzhong's idea more, judging from the fact that they have started to rebuild Jiandao Pass, they are still taking a defensive position towards us, focusing on defense."

Zhang Xiao was a little embarrassed and said, "The envoy of Jinglue sees farther than I do. Wanyan Helisa should pay more attention to Hanzhong instead of Xihe Road at this time."

Just as he was speaking, Zheng Ping hurried over with a businessman, and the businessman bowed and said: "Little people, Ansheng, please refer to Master Jinglueshi!"

Chen Qing also knew the shopkeeper An, who was also the owner of An Dong, a descendant of the Sogdian people in Ganzhou, who specialized in Zhangye wines. He just came from Ganzhou to open a shop not long ago. He is very popular and has already met many people.

"Master Anton, please sit down!"

"Thank you for your envoy!" An Sheng sat down beside him.

Chen Qingxiao asked: "I heard that Xixia has taken away the troops from Ganzhou and Liangzhou. Is this true?"

An Sheng nodded quickly, "It's true. Originally Ganzhou and Liangzhou each had [-] troops. I heard that a civil war broke out in Xixia, and these [-] troops were transferred to fight. Now there are almost no soldiers in Liangzhou and Ganzhou. It was like this a few days ago, my batch of wine had just been delivered, and when they set off, they were still worried about horse bandits."

"And horse bandits?"

"Hey! Isn't the horse bandit disguised as the Xixia cavalry? They robbed merchants and have been raging in the Hexi Corridor for decades. In fact, they wanted to drive away the Uyghur herdsmen in the Hexi Corridor. The Uyghur herdsmen organized and have been fighting with the horse bandits. struggle."

"How many Han people are there in Ganzhou and Liangzhou?" Jiang Yanxian asked.

"There have always been descendants of the former Guiyi Army. They mainly live in Zhangye County in Ganzhou and Guzang County in Liangzhou. They farm around the city for a living. It is estimated that there are thousands of families and a population of 3 to [-]. .”

"Then what about outside the city?"

"Originally, the Uyghurs, Qiang people and Tubo people were the main ones, because Ganzhou and Liangzhou were originally the territories of the Ganzhou Uyghurs. After the Xixia people defeated the Uyghurs, the Ganzhou Uyghurs were driven to the south of Qilian Mountains and renamed the Yellow-headed Uyghurs. Dangxiang herdsmen migrated here and seized the pastures of the Uighurs and Qiangs. The Tubo people were all driven away, and they hated each other deeply. However, because the Han people were farming and did not involve pastures, and paid taxes honestly, they have been able to continue for a hundred years. .”

Chen Qing pondered for a long time and said: "The Xixia army has been transferred back, will the Yellow-headed Uighur also take the opportunity to make a comeback?"

"It's entirely possible. The south of the Qilian Mountains is a plateau, a place of bitter cold, and life is difficult. Where there are such fertile pastures as the Hexi Corridor, they dream of killing them."

Chen Qing nodded and asked Zheng Ping to send this An Dongzhu back.

At this time, all three of them realized that the biggest obstacle for them to seize Liangzhou and Ganzhou was not Xixia, but the yellow-headed Uighur, the former Ganzhou Uighur.

"Employee, is there such a possibility that we control the central county and give them the pasture? The two sides live in harmony?" Jiang Yanxian asked.

Chen Qing paced back and forth with his hands behind his hands, bowed his head in thought, and finally walked to the map, staring blankly at the map of the Hexi Corridor on the wall.

After a while he slowly said: "The yellow-headed Uighur must take back the old capital of Zhangye, and simply give them Zhangye City, even if they don't want it, we will force Zhangye City to them.

We only guard Liangzhou City. In this way, even after the civil war in Xixia is over, the enemy they want to face is the yellow-headed Uighur, not us. , and more importantly, the Yellow-headed Uighur can be used to weaken Xixia again. "

Zhang Xiao and Jiang Yanxian gave thumbs up at the same time, "The strategy makes you smart!"

5 chapters of advice

Chen Qing hardly hesitated, and on the third day after deciding to take Liangzhou, he set off with [-] cavalry.

Chen Qingbing divided into two groups and ordered Niu Gao to lead [-] cavalry and [-] camels to take the Lanzhou line, cross the Yellow River, and head for Liangzhou.

And Chen Qing personally led [-] cavalry and [-] camels to Xi'an Prefecture, and went to Liangzhou through Dadouba Valley.

At the same time, Chen Qing also wrote a letter and sent people to the Yellow-headed Uyghur. In fact, Chen Qing didn't have to worry about the news about the Yellow-headed Uyghur. They still had a small number of people in Ganzhou, so they would definitely get the news.

The army marched all the way west. It was midsummer at this time, the weather was very hot, and the physical strength was exhausted. The army had to travel day and night. Ten days later, the army arrived in Huangzhou.

Chen Qing ordered the army to rest in Huangzhou for two days before continuing to set off.

In the big tent, Chen Qing was fanning the cattail fan, while sitting at the table looking at the map, at this moment, a soldier outside the door said: "Report to Dutong, Xu Zhizhou's father please see me!"

Chen Qing immediately realized that it must be Xu Hongtu, the grandson of Zanpu Dongzhi, the second generation of the Qingtang Dynasty. He is half Han and half Tubo. He is a legendary figure by the lakeside of Qinghai.

"Hurry up please!"

Chen Qing greeted him out of the big tent in person. After a short while, the dark-skinned and muscular Xu Hongtu walked over quickly and bowed to salute, "Please refer to the envoy!"

He is already 60 years old, so he doesn't need to bow down to Chen Qingxing.

"Mr. Xu, we meet again."

"Yes! I also really want to go to Chengji County to meet Jinglue envoy, and visit my grandson by the way."

Xu Hongtu's grandson originally wanted to study in Chengdu, but later changed his mind and went to study in Chengji County. He was regarded as a hostage of the Xu family in Chengji County.

Xu Hongtu pointed to a big man behind him, "This is my nephew Xu Yuan. The envoy is going to pull the valley. I think a guide is needed. He is very familiar with pulling the valley."

Chen Qing was overjoyed, he arrived just in time, he was just thinking about the guide, so Xu Hongtu sent his nephew here.

Chen Qing asked the soldiers to take Xu Yuan down to rest, and then invited Xu Hongtu into the big tent, and the two sat down as guests and hosts, and ordered the soldiers to serve herbal tea.

Chen Qing said with a smile: "I thought Huangzhou would be cooler, but I didn't expect it to be as hot!"

Xu Hongtu smiled slightly, "Of course it's hot in summer, but the hot time will be shorter, but when you pass Xining Prefecture and approach Dadouba Valley, you will feel that the temperature drops suddenly. Dadouba Valley will even encounter Blizzard."

"Blizzard in midsummer?" Chen Qing felt a little unbelievable.

"When Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty was in midsummer, he encountered a blizzard and killed many people, including Yang Lihua, the eldest princess of the Sui Dynasty, who also died of cold illness."

Chen Qing nodded, "I understand, we must prepare for the cold!"

"I'm here to remind the envoy, don't forget to bring a thick sheepskin coat."

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Xu Hongtu said again: "Dadou Bagu is an extremely important strategic passage, currently controlled by the Xixia army, but now that the Xixia army has withdrawn, I suggest that the economic envoy occupy it, so that the yellow-headed Uighurs can be cut off and return to the Hexi Corridor. possibility."

Chen Qing tentatively asked, "Is the old man familiar with the yellow-headed Uighur?"

Xu Hongtu nodded, "Their current chief is Cao Changchun. I have a very good relationship with his father. His father died of illness last year, and I went to mourn him."

"What is their relationship with Xihai Tubo?" Chen Qing asked again.

Xu Hongtu said with a chuckle: "Geluoba colluded with Xixia and accepted the Xixia people's armor, and the yellow-headed Uighur was the former Ganzhou Uighur, and they were feuds with Xixia. Ganzhou Uighur was destroyed by Xixia 100 years ago. I don't know how he was killed. How many people, the remnant forces fled to the other side of the Qilian Mountains, recuperated for 100 years before slowly recovering, can their relationship with Xihai Tubo be good?

To be honest, the rest of the Tubo tribe in Xihai has been wiped out by the Jishi tribe and the Yellow-headed Uyghur. The population belongs to the Jishi tribe, the land belongs to the Yellow-headed Uighur, and the property is divided equally between the two families. "

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and said: "To be honest, Mr. Xu, I don't want to completely capture Liangzhou and Ganzhou this time, I just want to occupy a Liangzhou city, and give the rest to the yellow-headed Uighur. Is it acceptable?"

"Of course they want it, but I don't think it's too polite to use it. You don't need to give it to them for nothing if you take the land from the Xixia people, you can exchange it with them."

"In exchange for what?"

"You can exchange war horses and sheepskins for this random envoy, but I suggest exchanging land for land, and the envoy can exchange Dunhuang with them."

"Isn't Dunhuang in the hands of the Xixia people?"

"The troops in Ganzhou and Liangzhou have been withdrawn. How much Xixia troops can be left in Shazhou? The Yellow-headed Uighur can take it back. There are many Han people in Dunhuang, all descendants of the Guiyi Army. In the Song Dynasty, the Envoy of the Economic Strategy took Liangzhou and Shazhou, and he pinched the end of the Hexi Corridor. I don’t believe that the Envoy of the Economic Strategy has no idea about the Hexi Corridor?”

Xu Hongtu's suggestion completely touched Chen Qing's heart. He pondered for a while and said, "I want to talk to Cao Changchun. I wonder if senior Xu can help me?"

Xu Hongtu nodded, "If Jinglue can cooperate with the Yellow-headed Uyghur, they will definitely become a great help for the Song army to fight against Xixia in the future. In fact, it is a good thing. I am willing to serve Jinglue!"

Chen Qing was overjoyed, with Xu Hongtu helping him connect, the problem he was most worried about was easily solved.

……

Dadouba Valley is an extremely important strategic channel on the Hexi Corridor, from Hehuang directly across the Qilian Mountains to Ganzhou, without having to go around thousands of miles.

There were originally a thousand Xixia troops stationed in Dadouba Valley, and a military city was specially built in a dangerous place, but this military city is now empty, there is water in the military city, and the food can sustain 1000 people for three months.

Chen Qing left [-] troops to guard the military city, and the army continued to march deep into the Dadouba Valley.

Just like Xu Hongtu's suggestion, brothers must settle their accounts clearly. Even if they want to form an alliance with the Yellow-headed Uighurs again, they cannot easily give up the land. It is possible, but there must be conditions and a price. Being too generous will only make others look down on them. You, too, will doubt your sincerity.

Therefore, he must guard the entrance of Dadouba Valley, and he will release the Uighur army after the negotiation is settled.

Dadouba Valley is not very long, only sixty or seventy miles, but the waves are high. Although it is midsummer, at night, the temperature will drop sharply and become very cold, and the climate in the canyon is changeable, sometimes it looks like the sun is shining brightly , but in an instant, the dark clouds will close, and the storm will be violent. It is also for this reason that Emperor Sui Yang's west tour was hit by a snowstorm here, causing heavy casualties.

There are not only narrow valley roads and dangerous areas in Dadouba Valley, but also wide areas of tens of miles are diversified, which is an ideal place for hiding dragons and crouching tigers.

Xu Yuan, who led the way for Chen Qing's army, pointed out the surrounding environment all the way. He was taciturn at first, but when he entered the Dadou Valley, he seemed to be back home, a completely changed person, talking and laughing.

"The terrain in Dadouba Valley is very complicated, there are many side roads, and there are many hiding places. If he is wanted by the government and hides in Dadouba Valley, the government really can't find him."

Liu Qiong next to him whispered: "Of course I can't find it. It's in the belly of a tiger and wolf. Where can I find it?"

Everyone laughed, and Xu Yuan explained with some embarrassment: "I was just making an analogy. In fact, it is impossible for the perpetrator to hide in Dadoubagu and be isolated from the world. It is better to go far away."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a nomadic boy covered in blood running out of the woods, waving his hands and shouting.

Chapter 5 and Ten

A soldier had rescued the young man a long time ago, and Xu Yuan understood his language. After some inquiries, he hurried back and said, "Qi Dutong, he is a Uighur herdsman. Their tribe encountered horse bandits in front, and he fled here alone. , the tribe is in critical condition, please help us!"

Chen Qing frowned, and said to Zhao Xiaoyi: "Send someone to investigate ahead immediately!"

"As ordered!"

Zhao Xiaoyi personally led more than [-] scouts to the front.

Not long after, several scouts came back to report, "Report to Dutong, there is indeed a scuffle ahead. We found a lot of corpses and cattle and sheep. We found a wounded shepherd. He said that the tribe fled to the hungry wolf valley. The bandits are also chasing after him, he has taken Commander Zhao to Hungry Wolf Valley, Commander Zhao ordered us to send a letter."

Chen Qing asked Xu Yuan, and Xu Yuan nodded, "About twenty miles to the northeast from here, there is a large valley called Hungry Wolf Valley. If the herdsmen are driven there, it will be dangerous. That valley It's a dead end."

Chen Qing immediately took out a command arrow and said to Liu Qiong: "You immediately lead two thousand cavalry to rescue, if you encounter horse bandits, you will be killed without mercy!"

"Follow the order!"

Liu Qiong took the command arrow, asked Xu Yuan to lead the way, and led two thousand cavalry to the northeast.

The Hungry Wolf Valley is a deep valley inlaid in the Qilian Mountains. It is about seven or eight miles deep and becomes narrower as you go in. At this time, a Uighur tribe was hunted down by more than a thousand horse bandits all the way. in the valley.

In the sixth year of Tiansheng Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty, the Xixia army broke through the city of Ganzhou. Most of the Uighurs in Ganzhou fled to the west of Congling, some of them belonged to the Song Dynasty, some were captured by the Xixia people, and some fled to the south of Qilian Mountains, forming the Yellow Head. Uighur.

This Uyghur tribe was part of the captives of the Xixia people. They became sheep slaves for generations, specially raising sheep for the Xixia people, and were exploited just like the mine slaves of the Song people.

This time the [-] Xixia troops were taken away, and the Uyghur tribe had no surveillance, so they decided to flee and join the Yellow-headed Uyghur, but they were discovered by the grassland horse bandits. Nearly a thousand horse bandits chased them all the way, and finally blocked them in the hungry wolf Valley.

Women, children and the elderly of the Uighur tribe were arranged in the innermost part of the Hungry Wolf Valley, and more than [-] young and strong men fought desperately with the horse bandits at the entrance of the valley.

These horse bandits were all dressed up as the Xixia army. Xixia took all the troops away, but these horse bandits were not included. Without the restraint of the army, the horse bandits burned, killed, looted and raped women even more frantically in the Hexi Corridor.

In fact, these horse bandits were secretly assigned a task to monitor the tribes in the grassland and prevent them from escaping.

At this time, the Uyghur tribe wanted to flee to join the Yellow-headed tribe, how could the horse bandits allow it? They gathered from all directions to hunt down this tribe, even if they were killed, they would never be allowed to escape.

The shouts of killing in front of the entrance of the hungry wolf valley were loud, and the horse bandits organized troops to attack again and again, but the opponent resisted desperately, resulting in heavy casualties for the horse bandits.

The leader of the horse bandit is called Li Shabuckthorn, in his thirties, with a full face and a fierce appearance. He is actually a general of the Xixia Army, and his heart is as vicious and vicious as his appearance.

Seeing that the opponent was desperately resisting and couldn't attack, he snorted coldly, "Go and cut down the pine branches, and burn them with poison. Let's see how long they can last?"

The horse bandits went to cut down pine branches, and there were more than [-] people in front of the valley. At this moment, there was a scream in the pine forest to the west, and the horse bandits who felled the pine branches ran away, and then countless Song soldiers rushed out of the pine forest. The cavalry slashed with swords and stabbed with spears, and the horse bandits in black were stabbed countless times, causing heavy casualties.

"Get on the horse!"

Seeing that the situation was not good, Li Shabuckthorn actually had Song Jun come out. He didn't care about the other men, so he led 300 people on horseback and fled, but within a hundred steps, there was a storm of arrows in front of him, and the horse bandits rushed from the horses one after another. When it fell, hundreds of people died in a flurry of arrows.

'Woo--' the horn sounded.