Fenghou

"Why did Xia Shangshu say that?" Li Kan asked impatiently.

Xia Jinfeng sighed and said, "Everyone will know after looking at this."

Xia Jinfeng poured out the contents of the bag, 'Wow! With a sound, they are all bronze medals, twenty or thirty of them.

Everyone leaned forward one after another and recognized at a glance that this was the waist badge of the householder in the mansion. Basically, every mansion has its own waist badge. The imperial historian Bari Zuren suddenly exclaimed, "This is the waist badge of my mansion." Card."

He stared at Xia Jinfeng with wide eyes, "Where did Xia Shangshu get it?"

Xia Jinfeng said slowly: "My brother Xia Jintang gave it to me this afternoon. He left the belongings in his house late, and found hundreds of mutilated corpses on the road. They were all dug out from the ground by wolves. Those corpses were horrible. , He didn’t dare to touch them, so he collected these signs, turned around and ran back immediately in fright, do you understand what I mean?”

Xia Jinfeng made everyone's faces turn pale. There was no news about his belongings being transported to Montenegro. It had been more than half a month, and everyone was worried. They were afraid that the most terrible thing would happen, and they were unwilling to go to Thinking about it that way, I would rather think that it was just a long journey, and now Xia Jinfeng broke through their weakest line of defense in an instant.

Bari Zuren sat down on the ground and burst into tears. Not only was he heartbroken that he had accumulated wealth for most of his life, but also his eldest son, who was responsible for escorting the property to Montenegro, would never return.

There was chaos in the lobby, everyone was terrified, and so were they. They sent their nephews and servants to protect their belongings and go northward. If something happened, it would be unbearable for them.

"Everyone be quiet!"

Li Kan let out a loud roar, and the hall suddenly fell silent, with more than twenty pairs of eyes staring at him.

"Everyone listen to me, there is no way to be anxious now, you need to calm down."

Li Kan asked Xia Jinfeng again, "May I ask Xia Shangshu, where did your brother find these badges?"

"On the Gobi Desert about fifty miles north of Keyimen!"

Keyimen is the garrison of the Chaoshun Army Division in the right wing. There were originally 5000 troops stationed there. In order to put down Xiao Heda’s rebellion, the army was transferred back a long time ago, and the barracks were abandoned. Xingqing Mansion and the central part of Montenegro, where there is an uninhabited Gobi Desert for more than two hundred miles.

Li Kan turned his head to look at Cao Baozong, Cao Baozong immediately said with a stern face: "Don't doubt that my brother did it, he would not do such a thing that both people and gods are angry with!"

"I'm not doubting Brother Ling, I just want to ask Xiandi Cao to contact him to see how many other teams have arrived in Montenegro?"

Cao Baozong nodded, "Yes, I will send the eagle letter at dawn."

After speaking, he turned his head away, avoiding Li Kan's gaze, and tried his best to hide his uneasiness.

In fact, Cao Baozong knew the result several days ago. He received an eagle letter from his brother Cao Baohui. The team of his family had not arrived in Montenegro. Cao Baozong knew that something had happened, but he dared not say anything. After all, he proposed to go to Montenegro. plan, and his own belongings have not gone north, if he speaks out, he will become a target of public criticism.

Li Kan didn't pay too much attention to the uneasiness in Cao Baozong's eyes, his mind was still on Brother Li Cha, Li Kan turned back to Xia Jinfeng and asked, "Why did Xia Shangshu say that Brother Li Cha did it?"

Everyone looked at Xia Jinfeng, hoping that he could produce concrete evidence.

Xia Jinfeng sneered and said, "I made a special investigation this afternoon. Brother Li Cha's second son, Li Hanzhong, and the Two Thousand Heavenly Lu Army left the capital city two days before our team set off to go north. They haven't come back yet. Where did they go? They What did you do?"

The Two Thousand Heavenly Deer Army is Brother Li Cha's personal guards. The massacre of the Chu Palace was caused by this army disguised as thugs. With a loud voice, "Go to Brother Li Cha and ask for an explanation!"

More than twenty people turned around and walked outside one after another. Li Kan couldn't shout, so he had to follow.

Not long after, more than [-] dignitaries came to Brother Li Cha's mansion, but there were thousands of troops protecting the mansion, each carrying a spear, looking murderous.

The crowd didn't dare to go to thousands of people to make a scene. Li Kan stepped forward and said loudly to the guard at the door: "We have something to ask King Jin, please go and report it!"

Seeing that the other party was a high-ranking official, the two guards didn't dare to be negligent, so they hurried back to report. Not long after, Li Quanzhong, the eldest son of Brother Li Cha, came out and clasped his fists and said, "My lords, my father is currently in the military camp and not in the mansion. If there is something urgent, please go Look for him in the barracks."

Li Kan felt a little bad, actually sitting in the barracks, and there were countless soldiers standing guard around the mansion, did Brother Li Cha want to rebel?

Barry Zuren didn't care about the deep meaning of the other party's words, stepped out and said loudly: "Where is your younger brother Li Hanzhong? I have something to ask him."

Li Quanzhong shook his head, "He's not in the capital right now, and I don't know exactly where he is."

Where is Bari Zuren willing to agree? Just as he was about to speak again, Li Kan stopped him, clasped his fists and said to Li Quanzhong: "Since the prince is not in the mansion, then don't bother me."

He turned his head and said to everyone, "Let's go!"

After leaving Prince Jin's mansion, Li Kan said in a low voice: "The situation is not right. The emperor wants to dismiss King Jin's military power. I'm afraid he will fight against it. In this limelight, everyone bear it for now."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Although Bari Zuren felt resentful, he was also afraid that he would be targeted by Brother Li Cha and become the second king of Chu, so he had no choice but to keep his hatred in his heart.

In the morning of the next day, Emperor Li Qianshun temporarily canceled the military and political affairs, and at the same time decreed that brother Li Cha was removed from the position of Marshal, but he continued to retain his position as the commander of the right wing, and ordered him to lead the army to sit in Dingzhou.

On the same day, Li Cha took 20 large ships and 50 troops to the north. Inside the large ships were all his family wealth accumulated over the years. At the same time, he also took away [-] shi of grain and [-] copper coins.

Just as Brother Li Cha had just left, Emperor Li Qianshun immediately appointed Changping Wang Li Kan as the Marshal of the Army and Horses to lead the 15 troops that Brother Li Cha had withdrawn.

Two days later, Cao Baozong received an eagle letter from Montenegro, which clearly told everyone that no transport team had arrived in Montenegro.

Only then did the dignitaries of the Western Xia Manchu Dynasty realize that all their wealth was intercepted halfway by Brother Li Cha, and all the nephews and nephews they escorted were killed, leaving no one alive.

When the news spread, the entire imperial court was in a state of turmoil. Everyone in the court and the public hated Brother Li Cha very much, and wished to have him skinned and cramped, and his bones burned to ashes.

But hate turned to hate, no one could do anything about him, so he had to go home and curse him with all kinds of witchcraft.

……

At the same time that Brother Li Cha was dismissed as Generalissimo, a 3 Jurchen iron cavalry left Taiyuan and headed towards Xixia. Yanpuluhun ruled.

The Jurchen court finally agreed to assist Xixia, but the troops in Hedong were not enough. Under Wan Yanchang’s suggestion, the Jin court decided that Wanyan Wushu would send [-] cavalry to rescue Xixia, and at the same time, Hedong would send [-] soldiers to join the army and be responsible for all logistics supplies. .

Although Wanyan Wushu was very reluctant, this was the decision of the court of the Kingdom of Jin, unless he wanted to confront the court, he had to obey.

Now the person in power is Wanyan Chang, Wanyan Wushu had no choice but to agree, and sent his confidant general Wuyan Puluhun to lead [-] cavalry to support Xixia.

At the same time, Marshal Wanyan Yinkeshu of West Road ordered 30 carts and drivers to be confiscated in Taiyuan Prefecture, Fenzhou, Lanzhou, Shizhou, Xizhou and other places to transport [-] shi of grain and supplies as a logistics team. , He also ordered Han Chang to lead the [-] Xiejun army as a logistics support, and follow Uyan Puluhun to support Xixia.

The [-] army and [-] carts left Taiyuan Mansion, passed through Lanzhou, and traveled for more than [-] miles to Linzhou, preparing to enter the eastern border of Xixia from Linzhou.

Chapter 682 Encounter

After Chen Qing occupied Xiping Mansion, he immediately renamed Xiping Mansion Lingzhou and ordered Liu Cui to lead an army of [-] to settle in Lingzhou. He led [-] Han slaves and the rest of the army back to Mingsha County.

When Chen Qing just returned to Mingsha County, he happened to be in command of Lu Gui and led five thousand tiger and ben troops to escort the army rations and armored supplies, which were carried by [-] camels. At the same time, Lu Gui brought news of the yellow-headed Uighurs. Cao Changchun sent envoys to negotiate. As a result, the envoys were attacked by horse bandits at Yumen Pass. Only two escaped.

Chief Cao Changchun was deeply vigilant and did not dare to lead his troops to leave the Hexi Corridor. He was worried that the Xizhou Uighurs would take the opportunity to occupy the entire Hexi Corridor if the army left.

Chen Qing handed Cao Changchun's letter to Zhang Xiao, "Sima, let's have a look!"

After reading the letter, Zhang Xiao asked with a smile, "Is the news true? Or is it Cao Changchun's excuse for not wanting to come?"

"It shouldn't be an excuse. I asked Lu Gui. He saw the envoy who was killed with his own eyes. He was Cao Changchun's nephew. Cao Changchun mobilized an army to fight in Suzhou. Besides, Xixia is a piece of fat. I can't think of any reason for him to give up. ?”

Next to him, Yang Zaixing said, "I feel that Li Yanwu, the governor of Shazhou, is also a very powerful guy. He must have sent someone to inform the Xizhou Uyghurs, otherwise the Xizhou Uyghurs would not have come in such a timely manner."

Chen Qing shook his head, "The capital of Xizhou Uighurs is in Gaochang. It is thousands of miles away from Gaochang to Shazhou. It takes 20 days to go back and forth even on horseback. It is only a few days after Li Yanwu was transferred back to Xizhou Uighurs to occupy Shazhou. Time, time is unrealistic, I prefer that Xizhou Uighurs have already set up troops and stared at them, and there is a possibility that Xizhou Uighurs are Cao Changchun's helpers, after all, he was defeated by Li Yanwu three times, and finally led wolves into the house."

Zhang Xiao laughed and said, "The last possibility is more reasonable. Cao Changchun was so angry that he sent envoys to negotiate with the wolves into the house, but he was plotted against by the Xizhou Uighurs."

Yang Zaixing said, "If the Uyghur cavalry doesn't come, how will it affect us?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "I thought conservatively before and underestimated the decline of Xixia's national power. Now they actually have [-] white-armored troops, and the armor cannot be supplied. The reason is that Xiao Heda occupied the iron mines and The Xiazhou smelter has not been replenished for two full years, and their armaments have been completely depleted. Now even if there is no Uyghur army, I am confident to destroy Xixia. The key now is to see how strong the aid of the Jin Kingdom is."

"Will the Jin Dynasty come to aid Xixia?" Yang Zaixing asked.

Chen Qing nodded, "We will definitely come. Xixia is too important. Without the restraint of Xixia, we can march eastward with all our strength, and even send troops from Xixia and Guanzhong at the same time, and we can attack Hedong Road from north to south, and take Hedong Road and Datong Mansion. , Yanshan Mansion is in danger, Jin Guo knows this better than us, so they will definitely send troops to support Xixia."

Yang Zaixing said with a smile: "Since this is the case, I suggest that the [-] militia army be converted to a regular position to increase our strength. Once the enemy sneaks into the rear, we will also have [-] troops to fight."

Yang Zaixing was injured in his arm and had been recuperating from the rear. He was unwilling to be lonely, so he volunteered to participate in the training of the militia, that is, to recruit strong men from hundreds of thousands of rescued slaves to form a militia army, which would participate in the defense of Xixia in the future.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "What about General Cheng Huan's opinion?"

Yang Zaixing only participated in the training, but the general who actually formed the militia army was Tongzhi Cheng Huan, who had more say than Yang Zaixing.

"That's what he suggested to the humble office."

Chen Qing glanced at Zhang Xiao again, and Zhang Xiao stroked his beard and said, "Forming a regular army will help the people stay in Xixia with peace of mind. I agree!"

Chen Qing nodded, "Since everyone has this idea, then I have no objection, it can be formed!"

At this time, Hu Yanlei hurried to the door of the big tent, knelt down on one knee and saluted, "I want to report to Dutong, I have urgent news from my humble position!"

"Please come in and say!"

Hu Yanlei walked into the big tent, bowed and saluted and said: "Information transferred from Taiyuan, a Jurchen army of 3 people and an army of [-] associations have left Taiyuan and marched towards Lanzhou. carts to transport supplies.”

Chen Qing and Zhang Xiao looked at each other, and they realized at the same time that this should be the army to support Xixia. It is not a problem to have [-] Xixia troops. The key is the [-] Jurchen army. Xixia is a plain area. deal with.

"When did it happen?"

"It's information from five days ago!"

Chen Qing calculated in his mind, if five days ago, he would have entered Xixia today or tomorrow.

He immediately ordered to his soldiers: "Go and get General Tang for me!"

……

The Jin soldiers supporting Xixia crossed Hengshan from the Tumaochuan Valley in Linzhou and entered the territory of Xixia. To the west of the army is the famous Mu Us Desert. The army could not pass through the desert, but could only walk along the northern foot of Hengshan. Many states and counties in Xixia, such as Shizhou, Yinzhou, Xiazhou, Youzhou, Yanzhou and so on.

All the garrisons in this area were transferred to Xingqing Mansion, and there were only a small number of Dangxiang people living there, but most of them were Qiang people. With the support of the Qiang people, Xiao Heda was able to fight fiercely with the Xixia imperial army for two years, forcibly cutting off most of the Xixia national power.

At noon, in a forest near Xiazhou, dozens of Song army scouts were busy grilling fish for lunch in front of the creek. Since the briquettes and marching stoves, there will be no smoke, and the scouts no longer need to drink raw water. Drink water and eat cold food.

These dozens of soldiers of the Song Army were one of the ten scout teams sent by Tang Qian. The team had a total of 30 people and was led by Wang Jingyang, the deputy commander of the scouts.

Wang Jingyang made repeated military exploits when intercepting Wanyan Yinke's art, and was promoted to the deputy commander of the scouts.

Seeing the soldiers talking and laughing, he ordered: "Don't talk when you eat fish, be careful of stabbing your throat!"

The scouts stopped talking and ate the grilled fish in silence. Wang Jingyang was a little worried, got up and walked out of the woods, less than ten steps away from the woods, he was suddenly taken aback, saw their sentries hanging upside down on the branches, An arrow pierced his throat.

Wang Jingyang squatted down immediately, drew out his knife and looked around, he suddenly felt the sound of wind above his head, rolled on the spot, and a cold arrow brushed his shoulder and shot into the soil.

"There is an enemy!"

Wang Jingyang shouted and swung his saber back, "Crack!" A spear was chopped into two pieces.

He didn't even look behind. He rolled over and dodged a deadly arrow. Wang Jingyang jumped up and ran at full speed, shouting as he ran, "There is an enemy!"

Two arrows 'whoosh!Whoosh! 'He shot from above his head, but Wang Jingyang avoided them by using the terrain.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the enemy army chasing him from behind, a total of five people, three horses, chasing him closely.

Just then, a soldier shouted, "Commander, get down!"

Wang Jingyang pounced forward, dozens of arrows shot over his head, screamed several times, and the horse neighed.

Wang Jingyang turned over and saw that four people had been shot down by arrows, and another man in black was running away on his horse desperately.

"Shoot horses, catch alive ones!"

Several arrows shot out powerfully, and the horse fell to the ground, throwing the horse about a foot away, and the scouts rushed up, knocked down the man, and tied him up.

Wang Jingyang stepped forward, and only then did he see the other person's appearance clearly. He was actually a Han. He was also thrown badly, his face was covered with blood, and his eyes showed fear.

"The commander is a spy from the Congjun Army!"

The soldiers tore off an iron plate with a tiger's head from the man's waist. The Jurchen army had a wolf's head bronze medal, the Khitan and other Eastern Hu troops had a round bronze medal, the low-level generals and spies of the Han Chinese Union Army had a tiger's head iron plate, and ordinary soldiers had an iron round plate. The waist card can determine the identity of the opponent.

"Tell me! Where is the Jurchen main force now? Tell me, and I'll keep your whole body. If you don't say anything, I'll feed your body to the dogs. Take your head back and reward you!"

The spy was shocked. He raised his head and pleaded, "I didn't kill your companion. The person who killed your companion was a crossbowman with a scar on his face. Just spare my life, and I can tell you something." Important secret!"

Chapter 683 Negotiation

On the official road to the north of Xiazhou, the mighty Jurchen cavalry lined up, everyone with iron helmets and armor, carrying spears, full of murderous looks.

In the front is a rather special Jurchen cavalry, all of them are wearing heavy armor, and there are three horses in a row. Although the three horses are not connected by leather ropes, it can be seen that their equipment and formation must be the same in wartime. Connected with a leather cord.

This is the most critical information given by the other party's spies. There are [-] kidnapped horses in groups of three, a total of [-] groups. Otherwise, Wang Jingyang really wouldn't be able to see this special cavalry.

Standing on a hill two miles away, Wang Jingyang carefully observed the enemy's kidnapped horses. The number should be two thousand groups, followed by normal Jurchen cavalry. Neither the horses nor the soldiers were heavily armored, and the ranks were not so neat. Some are in a row of four, some are in a row of three, and some are even in a row of two. It is more casual, unlike the six thousand horses in front of them, the three horses are arranged neatly and in unison.

Thirty thousand Jurchen cavalry marched past, followed by carts full of grain and supplies, one after another, with an infantry escort of the Consortium sitting on the roof of each cart.

The carts could not be seen at a glance, and the spies said that there were [-] carts, but Wang Jingyang was not very interested in the carts. After all, after entering Xixia, the Xixia army's food and supplies would be integrated with the other side, so it was meaningless.

The key is how many troops there are, whether it is [-] Jurchen troops plus [-] Xie Congjun troops, and [-] cart drivers, the number of troops must be determined.

Wang Jingyang had no choice but to rely on his temper and wait for the cart to pass slowly. The distance between the cart and the cart was more than forty miles. After the cart passed, another army appeared behind it. Of the 1 soldiers escorting the carts, there were indeed [-] Xie soldiers.

Wang Jingyang finally waited until the team passed by, looked at the sky again, and waved, "Let's go!"

He and his men left Xiazhou with the spies they captured at noon, and headed towards Mingsha County...

Two days later, Chen Qing got the exact information brought by the scouts, and he sent someone to interrogate the captured Xie Congjun spies in detail. He not only wanted to know the information about Jin Bing, he also needed to know the detailed information about Xie Congjun and Hedong Road.

In the big tent, more than [-] important generals gathered together, Chen Qing asked: "Which one of you knows the situation of the golden soldiers kidnapping horses?"

At this time, Gao Ding raised his hand and said: "Xizhi participated in Liu Guangshi's crusade against Huaixi. At that time, Wanyan Zonghan led [-] cavalry to kill our [-] troops. Their forwards were [-] kidnapped horses, also known as Lianhuan. Horses, three heavy armored horses are connected by ropes, only one cavalryman rides on the middle horse, holding an extremely long spear in his hand, a thousand kidnapped horses rushed into the formation of the Song army, and galloped all the way, invincible and unstoppable. This kind of momentum is like a landslide, tens of thousands of Song troops collapsed immediately, and fled for their lives, and the humble position was quite shocked at the time."

Chen Qing frowned, "Is there only one cavalry among the three horses?"

"Exactly, I thought that three horses and three people are together, and the horses are fine, but the soldiers can't use them."