Fenghou

The bell rang quickly, and Yang Zaixing heard the bell, and at the same time found that the main force of the enemy cavalry was rushing here.

He immediately ordered: "The whole army retreats!"

The cavalry of the Song army also retreated, and many wounded soldiers were also pulled onto their horses by their companions, and quickly retreated to the southeast and southeast, detouring back to join the main force.

The battle lasted for an hour and a half. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but they were evenly matched. The Song army lost about 2 people, while the Xixia and Jurchen allied forces killed more than [-] people.

The Xixia and Jurchen armies had only 5000 men, while the Song army had 8 men, clearly occupying an advantage.

Wuyan Puluhun immediately ordered the whole army to retreat, and Chen Qing ordered not to pursue. The Song army watched the enemy retreat far away, and Chen Qing raised his arms and shouted: "The enemy retreats, we have won!"

The [-] troops cheered, and the excited cheers resounded through the sky.

Chapter 691

After tidying up the battlefield, Chen Qing led an army of [-] troops northward and stationed in Lingzhou.

And at this time, Liu Cui sent an express letter.

Chen Qing opened the express letter and read it carefully. In the letter, Liu Cui told Chen Qing that he used the strategy of besieging Wei and saving Zhao to attack Xingqing Mansion, and had led [-] enemy troops to the north. His army had no siege weapons and could not attack Xingqing City. At this time, he had led an army of [-] across the Yellow River, and began to attack the Xixia army who supervised the harvesting of wheat.

More than 1 Xixia troops had retreated to the north in a panic. Liu Cui was worried that the main force of the enemy army would come to grab the wheat, so he begged the commander to send troops to help them grab the wheat.

Chen Qing immediately conscripted [-] party men in the city, took their families as hostages, and ordered the [-] men to go to Hetao to harvest wheat.

At the same time, Chen Qing sent Yang Zaixing to lead [-] cavalrymen and [-] Dangxiang wheat harvesting teams to cross the river to join Liu Cui's army and assist Liu Cui in harvesting wheat.

But this number was not enough, and Chen Qing ordered to recruit another [-] peasants from the Han people to go north to participate in the wheat harvest.

Harvest season is approaching.

A big reason why Chen Qing seized Lingzhou was to grab the wheat.

Xixia is a famous wheat producing area. Wheat is mainly produced in two places. The largest wheat area is the Hetao area between the East and West Yellow River, and there are also large wheat areas distributed between several cities.

Both sides need to harvest wheat, which is related to Xixia's food and military rations for the next year, and also related to the rations of more than [-] people under the Song Army next year.

Li Ganshun, son of the Western Xia Dynasty, specially sent the censor Bari Zuren as a special envoy to visit Chen Qing in Lingzhou City, hoping that the two sides would stop the war during the wheat harvest.

The agreement was not difficult to reach. The two sides hit it off immediately. The two sides agreed to a one-month truce, with the East Yellow River as the boundary.

A few days later, [-] people arrived at the Hetao wheat field and began harvesting wheat in full swing.

Chen Qing, escorted by three thousand cavalry, went to the west of the Yellow River to inspect the wheat harvest.

The Yellow River splits in two at the mouth of the gorge, fifty miles south of Lingzhou, and splits into east and west.

Just between the two Yellow Rivers in the east and west, there is a large alluvial plain, also known as the Hetao Plain, with fertile land, convenient irrigation, abundant sunshine, and a very vast area. It has become a famous food producing area. More than a few big and small dignitaries took over, built hundreds of manors, and raised hundreds of thousands of Han serfs to farm for them.

But now all the manors have been swept away by the Song army. This alluvial plain is occupied by the Song army, depriving the Xixia dignitaries of their land ownership.

In the morning, Chen Qing came to the wheat fields in the north of the plain, where there were also endless wheat fields, with undulating golden waves, full of the joy of a good harvest.

There were clusters of human heads everywhere in the wheat field. At this moment, Chen Qing saw a few old Han people sitting beside the field ridge, and he was surprised. How could there be old people here?

Chen Qing got off his horse, stepped forward and said with a smile, "Where are the old men from?"

Several old people didn't know Chen Qing, so they all laughed and said: "We are from Taiyuan Prefecture, so we must be from Guanzhong by the general's accent!"

"I'm from Zheng County."

Chen Qing knew who they were. Those [-] coachmen came to Xixia with the carts that were forcibly confiscated, and were sent here by the Xixia court to harvest wheat. Of course, their carts also came to load the wheat.

Chen Qing sat down on a big rock, and asked with a smile, "Where is your cart?"

"Over there in the barracks!"

An old man pointed at the barracks and said worriedly: "The Xixia army has run away, and we don't know what to do. The general will help us ask, can we go back to our hometown?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly: "Actually, you can stay in Xixia, and when Xixia perishes, they can take your family to Xixia, share [-] acres of land for each person, and be tax-free for life, isn't it good?"

"How is it possible to be tax-free for life?"

Several old people shook their heads and smiled wryly, "It's just a daydream to give back a hundred acres of wheat fields."

Liu Qiong, who accompanied Chen Qing on inspection, couldn't help but said: "Do you know who he is?"

Chen Qing waved his hand to Liu Qiong, gesturing not to speak out, and continued to say to the elders, "This is not a daydream. The Hehuang Valley recruits Han immigrants, and each family is allocated a hundred acres of fertile land. If they are military families, they can share Up to 20 mu, river and valley lands are tax-free for 50 years, and military families are tax-free for life. The Sichuan-Shaanxi Propaganda Department has announced that after the destruction of Xixia, the people who immigrated to Lingzhou will be given 50 acres of Yongye land for each household, and those over 20 years old will be tax-free for life. [-] years of tax exemption for those under the age of [-]."

Several old men looked at each other in blank dismay, they had never considered this issue, they were just forced into carts and exiled in Xixia.

"Thank you General for your kind introduction. We all understand, but we must go home first. I wonder if we can go back?"

Chen Qing also knew that they wanted to return home, so he couldn't force it, so he smiled and said, "Of course you can go home. After the wheat harvest is over, you will be given two pennies and five buckets of rice, and then there will be troops to escort you out of Xixia , I believe we will meet again in Hedong soon!"

At this time, Liu Cui came galloping on horseback from a distance, and Chen Qing got up to meet him. All the elders were surprised to see the top general bowing on one knee. Who is the general?"

The soldier laughed and said, "Except for Chen Dutong, the Xuanfu envoy of Sichuan and Shanxi, who else can promise you tax exemption for life?"

"what!"

Everyone exclaimed and were stunned. It turned out that this general was the well-known Sichuan-Shaanxi King Chen Qing.

Chen Qing used to be called a monster by the people, but these years Chen Qing worked hard to govern, and the deeds of governing Xihe Road and Shaanxi Road gradually spread. The common people know that he is a ruler who truly cares about people's livelihood, and their affection for him is increasing day by day. No one calls him a human devil anymore, this nickname has gradually been forgotten, replaced by the nickname of King of Sichuan and Shaanxi.

There were mixed emotions in everyone's hearts, and they didn't know whether they were moved or scared. At this time, an old man smiled and said: "Actually, I think it would be good to bring my family here to settle down. I am a tenant in Taiyuan Prefecture, so I will have my own family here." For land, Chen Dutong just promised to be tax-free for life, everyone, I am really tempted."

At this time, everyone knew Chen Qing's identity, so everyone believed what he said just now. Everyone is poor. Faced with such good conditions, who would not be tempted?

……

Liu Cui introduced Ashali to Chen Qing, and Ashali also knelt down on one knee, clasped his fists and saluted, "The lowly Ashali sees Du Tong!"

Chen Qing quickly helped him up, and said with a smile: "Chief Jiang told me about the general, he said that the general is the number one warrior in Eastern Qiang, and his reputation is indeed well-deserved!"

"I have won the award. The great chief is my father. When a father praises his son, it is always a bit exaggerated."

Chen Qing smiled slightly, "In my opinion, you Qiang people are all warriors."

What Chen Qing said was not false. In this confrontation with the Jurchen iron cavalry, 1 of the [-] Song cavalry were Qiang cavalry. They were the forefront of the confrontation. More than a hundred people, still not defeated, is really impressive.

"Thank you for your love!"

Chen Qing met with the generals again, and then, surrounded by dozens of generals, he went to the wheat field to inspect the situation.

Liu Cui said with regret: "This time I pretended to attack Xingqing Mansion. Later I heard that there were only 5000 defenders in Xingqing Mansion. At least half of them are the emperor's guards. There are very few troops defending the city. I really regret it. If I brought a group of The siege weapons might be taken down by the Xingqing Mansion."

Chen Qing shook his head, "Even if we win the Xingqing Mansion, it doesn't mean that Xixia will perish. Brother Li Cha is still in Dingzhou, and he will succeed him as the lord of Xixia. Although Xixia is in decline, they haven't reached the end yet."

Liu Cui asked anxiously, "When can we wait until it perishes?"

Chen Qing said indifferently: "If the sky wants to destroy it, it must first make it crazy. The person who made Xixia crazy has appeared, and this day is coming soon."

Chapter 692 Cao Mansion

There is also a large wheat field in the south of Dingzhou, which belongs to the official field. In the morning, Brother Li Cha was also accompanied by officials to inspect the progress of wheat harvesting. The [-] shi of grain can only be eaten by his army for four or five months. What should we do in the future?

In addition, there are [-] people in Dingzhou City, and he doesn't care about what the people eat.

"How much land is there in this wheat field?" Brother Li Cha asked with a finger on his horsewhip.

Inspector Xiahou Qiuming hurriedly said: "Reporting to the lord, the wheat fields in Dingzhou are about [-] mu."

"How much grain can be harvested from [-] mu?"

"Each mu produces three hundred catties of grain, and 20 mu equals [-] shi of wheat."

Brother Li Cha calculated in his mind, 20 is enough wheat to feed a [-] army for eight months, plus the current [-] shi, just enough to feed for a year, he nodded, "That's enough for a [-] army."

Xiahou Qiuming said bitterly: "My lord, that's not how the accounts are calculated."

Brother Li Cha gave him a dissatisfied look, "Then what do you say?"

"Reporting to the lord, the wheat must be reserved first, twenty catties per mu of land, and then there are 20 people in the city, they also have to eat, and the soldiers' wives, children, and parents, their food also needs to be settled by us, [-] Where are the stones enough?"

Brother Li Cha suddenly asked with a gloomy face: "Then what should I do? Do you want it from the court?"

Xiahou Qiuqiu sighed: "I don't think the imperial court is enough. This year, [-]% of our wheat fields are controlled by the Song army, and we only have a little over [-]%. Now the only thing we can count on is how many cattle and sheep in each tribe? Otherwise We won't make it through next year at all."

Brother Li Cha knew in his heart that the cattle and sheep in Xixia were controlled by the Qiang people, and now there are not many party members who are still nomadic. There are only four tribes left, distributed in the eastern foot of Henan Mountain. What can be controlled is the cattle and sheep of the Black Mountain Military Division.

Thinking of Black Mountain, Brother Li Cha suddenly thought of his second son and two thousand subordinates who had been missing for a long time, whose whereabouts are still unknown, and his life and death are unknown, which really cast a shadow on his heart.

At this time, a soldier rushed over, saluted and reported: "Mr. Han is back!"

Brother Li Cha didn't want to inspect anymore, so he turned his horse and returned to the city.

Han Feng just came back from Xingqing Mansion. He was ordered by Brother Li Cha to secretly visit Wuyan Puluhun, the leader of the Kingdom of Jin, but the final outcome was not satisfactory.

At this time, Brother Li Cha walked into the lobby quickly, "Mr. is back!"

Han Feng hurriedly bowed and saluted, "Humble job just came back."

"How about it, did you get embarrassed when you entered Xingqing Mansion?" Brother Li Cha asked with concern.

Han Feng said with a smile: "Now Xingqing Mansion has been released again, and you can enter and exit normally. The humble official didn't find anyone, and he didn't receive any interrogation, so he went directly into the city."

Brother Li Cha was stunned, "Why did you let go?"

"It is estimated that the imperial court and Chen Qing signed a one-month truce agreement! In order to facilitate the entry of food into the city, I didn't bother to check."

"Bang!" Brother Li Cha slapped the table, and the teacup on the table was almost knocked over.

"It's just nonsense. I tried my best to clean up the Xingqing mansion. Once he let go, the scouts of the Song army can enter the city again."

Brother Li Cha was very annoyed and asked again: "Who gave this order?"

"It seems that Cao Baozong is responsible for the defense of the city, and it should be his decision."

"This damned dude, he didn't accomplish enough, but failed!" Brother Li Cha gritted his teeth in hatred.

After a pause, Han Feng said again: "The humble officer met Wuyan Puluhun."

"Sit down and talk!"

Brother Li Cha pointed to the chair and told him to sit down.

Han Feng sat down and said with a wry smile: "Uyan Puluhun hopes that the prince will cooperate with the court as much as possible and hand over the army to the court."

Brother Li Cha's face sank, "What does he mean?"

"What he meant was to stand on the side of the emperor and reject the prince's suggestion."

"Hmph! A Jurchen chief, do you think of yourself as the Supreme Emperor of Xixia?" Brother Li Cha's tone was extremely dissatisfied.

Han Feng said again: "But I met the deputy general Han Chang again. He is very interested in the prince. He suggested that the prince write a letter to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Jin, Wanyan Tarlan."

Brother Li Cha frowned, "I'm a little confused, which play are they singing?"

"My lord, the two of them are not a stick of incense. Wuyan Puluhun is the confidant of the fourth prince Wanyan Wushu, and Han Chang is a lazy person of Wanyan. The background conflicts between these two people are very deep. Yan Wushu dominated Xixia, so Wuyan Puluhun supported the emperor, but Wanyan Talan didn't want to send troops to Xixia, but he didn't want Xixia's power to be left behind, so he ordered Han Chang to lead the [-] Xixia army as the deputy general. I want to push the prince to Wanyan Tarlan's side."

Brother Li Cha finally understood that the two major factions of the Kingdom of Jin competed for Xixia, and Wanyan Wushu had the upper hand.

"If I take refuge in Wanyan Tarlan, what can I get?" Brother Li Cha asked.

"Han Chang didn't say it clearly, but he only said one thing, Datong Mansion is Wanyan Talan's site. I guessed that Wanyan Talan wanted to use Datong Mansion as Xixia's retreat. host."

Brother Li Cha took a few steps with his hands behind his back, and he asked, "Mr. Han said, should I write this letter?"

Han Feng said with a smile: "Writing this letter, the lord has taken the initiative, he can enter the Xingqing mansion, and retreat to the Datong mansion, but if he doesn't write this letter, the lord will really have to look at the faces of the emperor and the Jurchen. "

Brother Li Cha nodded, Han Feng was quite right, writing this letter would give him one more escape route, as to whether he chooses this escape route or not, it depends on his own wishes.

Brother Li Cha immediately wrote a letter in his own hand, and sent someone to Xingqing Mansion to deliver it to Han Chang, who then sent someone to Shangjing to deliver it to Wanyan Tarlan.

……

After signing a short-term armistice agreement with Chen Qing, Xixia has also entered the busy farming season. In the past, it was Han slaves who harvested wheat, or Qiang people, Uyghurs, etc. If the bottom-level party members had land, they themselves Also go to harvest wheat.

But most of the party members will not go to busy farm work, but this year is different, the Han slaves are almost gone, Qiang people, Uyghurs are also forcibly driven away by Brother Li Cha, no one is harvesting wheat, only the party members are mobilized to go Harvest, almost all the young men and women of the common people went out of the city to harvest wheat.

There were too many wheat harvesters coming and going at the city gate, and there was no time to check. Cao Baozong simply ordered that the control be completely relaxed, allowing the people to enter and leave the city freely.

Although Brother Li Cha scolded Cao Baozong for breaking his rules, he didn't know that Cao Baozong had no choice. 10,000+ people left the city in the morning and 10,000+ people entered the city in the evening. No, then you can only let go.

In the evening, the 10,000+ mighty wheat harvesting army began to return to the city. They led mules and donkeys loaded with wheat, and some people drove carts full of wheat.

There are rows of soldiers standing on both sides of the city gate, but as long as there is no trouble, these soldiers will not meddle in their own business.

After the grain enters the city, it is not moved back to each family, but to be sent to the warehouse before going home to rest.

Hu Yanlei and a few of his subordinates were also among the people who harvested wheat, and the Xingqing Mansion let go. How could Chen Qing not take advantage of this opportunity?

Of course, there are tens of thousands of acres of wheat fields outside Lingzhou City, and Lingzhou is also harvesting wheat, but the Song Army is harvesting wheat in Lingzhou, and the city gate is still closed, not giving Xixia people any chance.