Zhuoshui South Bank Barracks.

"Shang said, the guard Ma Bu Si Du Yu waited for Guo Shao to lead the Hujie Army to the left side of the Sixth Army to hold Zhuozhou. Chin this. A fat white eunuch read. He was accompanied by Wang Pu, the deputy privy envoy, who came to inspect military affairs.

When Guo Shao heard the word Qin, it seemed to mean that the emperor was coming in person, and he had to kneel down and accept the order with both hands. Wang Pu stepped forward to help: "After the official's meaning is finished, General Guo will get up." ”

Guo Shao really didn't want to get up, so he knelt for them!

He finally stood up and looked up at the slowly flowing water in front of him. There are two cavalry Zhou soldiers rushing from the opposite bank, and the place where the Hujie army is defended is the shallow place of the river; When the two horses reached the river, they slowed down, and then rode straight down the river, wading to the center of the river. But the horses did not know how to be sorrowful, so when they came to the river, they drank water and shook their heads, and threw the water on the surface of the river and splashed on the water.

Seeing this, Guo Shao turned back to the south, a green field...... The Juma River is in the distance, and it is not visible in sight.

"Ugh." Guo Shao sighed and had nothing to say for a while.

Seeing this, Wang Pu knew that it was not a good place to defend Zhuozhou City. The water in front of him is shallow and cannot stop the army; The Juma River behind it is deep, which brings inconvenience to reinforcements and grain and grass transportation.

Wang Pu said: "You keep it." Regardless of whether the official family will go on another northern expedition in the near future, since our dynasty is at war with the Liao State, people must be left on guard at the border. Since ancient times, when the two countries were at war, there was no reason why they were only allowed to fight others at home and not allow others to counterattack. He thought for a while, and then said, "Zhao Kuangyin said that after the army rested, he would find another fighter for the Northern Expedition; It was General Guo recommended by him to guard Zhuozhou and use this place as a stronghold on the north bank of the Juma River...... Of course, in the end, it is the official who thinks it is feasible and will make an order. ”

Guo Shao understood everything in his heart when he heard it, if Zhao Kuangyin didn't mean it, he wouldn't believe it at all!

He looked down at the river, pondered for a while, and then turned his head and said: "I have been to see the county town of Gu'an, the city wall is low, and it is across the river from Zhuozhou; I am afraid that it will be difficult to divide the troops and defend them, but they will disperse the troops......

I want to give up Gu'an, concentrate my forces to defend Zhuozhou, and keep the western front wholeheartedly; And ask Long Jiejun to garrison the left wing of Qigou Pass, and enter to respond to the trend of Zhuozhou not becoming an isolated city, and retreat to garrison the pontoon bridge grain road to ensure the supply line of our department. Such a concentration of troops to actively attack and defend the north bank of the Mahe River is safer than passively defending the city. I also hope that the deputy envoy of the king will speak well in front of the officials and support him. ”

Wang Pu pondered for a moment after hearing this, and said: "General Guo's strategy is quite a battle and defense method, and the old man will report to the official's family after he returns." ”

Wait for Wang Pu to leave the barracks. Guo Shao summoned his generals and ordered the whole army to retreat to Zhuozhou, beware of the infantry being divided and surrounded in the field...... Without waiting for the imperial court to reply, he directly gave up Gu'an; Anyway, he had already told Wang Pu, an official of the Privy Council, about his intentions, and Wang Pu also said that it made sense.

The main force of the Liao army was huge, and Guo Shao did not know how many there were; But knowing that the Zhou army used more than 60,000 elite cavalry in the decisive battle a few days ago, so the army also claimed that "there are many Liao people and horsemen", it can be guessed that the main force of the Liao army should be no less than 100,000 horsemen. 100,000 Khitan cavalry, and generally there will be the most trusted servant army of the Khitans, and the strength is very strong...... What the consequences would be if you were divided and surrounded by so many people, you can imagine what the consequences would be.

But as long as you rely on Zhuozhou City, you are not afraid. The total strength of the Zhou army on the south bank of the Juma River is estimated to reach 200,000, more than 100,000 elite forbidden troops, and many local soldiers in Jiezhen; As long as Zhuozhou is held, Chai Rong has no reason to watch Guo Shao being besieged for a long time from the other side...... In the final analysis, the elite of the Hujie Army is not Guo Shao's private; If Chai Rong really doesn't trust him, he can remove the military power with a word.

The army was stationed in Zhuozhou City, and Guo Shaozhun Zuoyou's suggestion was to first try to keep the people's hearts. So military laws were posted all over the city, and those who bullied the people were punished with severe punishment, from whipping to beheading. The army did not forcibly occupy people's houses, but stationed themselves in tents within the four gates; and the occupation of the official state capital.

Sure enough, the effect was good, not only was the Zhou army stationed in the city not disturbed, but also received the support of the Hebei Han'er, and it was easy to summon the people to build fortifications.

But how long do you have to keep it in Zhuozhou? Guo Shao remembered the advice that Empress Fu told him: After the Northern Expedition, return to Beijing "at any cost"!

He couldn't think of any good way for a while, worried that Chai Rong would keep him on the Hebei border for a long time. According to the previous practice, only the two armies of the Guards Division of the Forbidden Army would be stationed abroad from time to time; The palace front division belongs to the emperor's real guard, and unless the emperor personally recruits, it is basically in Tokyo.

There are only two armies in the Guards Division: the Tiger Jie Army and the Long Jie Army. Guo Shaobu was also stationed in Zhuozhou, so the probability of letting him stay on the border is very high.

…… I don't know if it's because I'm depressed, maybe it's also because I live in a tent and get cold; In order to show his determination to share weal and woe with the soldiers, Guo Shao also lived in a tent on the floor. Just two days after entering Zhuozhou, he fell ill.

The high fever does not go away, and he knows that he has a severe cold without Lang Zhong taking the pulse. The generals sent Langzhong to visit, and asked for warmth, but Guo Shao ignored it. He didn't care about a cold at all, and he was still worried about how to return to Beijing.

Do you want to call yourself sick now? But he was afraid that Chai Rong would let him cross the Juma River to recuperate and leave the army behind; This is the most likely scenario, and there is no need for 20,000 troops to be transferred around...... Change someone to Zhuozhou, such as Gao Huaide; Gao Huaide's military position is the commander of the guard and infantry division, and it is only appropriate to come and take over the military power of the left wing of the Hujie Army.

Therefore, Guo Shao decided not to act rashly, but just to see the situation.

The sickness exacerbated his depression, and he felt that the Northern Expedition was a terrible performance. In Tokyo, he was full of indignation and high morale, but when he arrived in Hebei, he did not make an inch, and it was useless to denounce and resentfully the foreign enemy, and everything was nonsense if he couldn't fight. And you may not be able to go back if you are stuck here!

"Damp poison invades the body, and occasionally feels the wind and evil ......" A Lang Zhong diagnosed the pulse before the collapse, and said, "The general can no longer live in a tent, he has to find a comfortable and dry house to recuperate." ”

"The state government and officials have placed a large number of wounded soldiers left behind in the past few days in their homes, and it may be difficult to recuperate after screaming and making noise every day. My lord, we can only requisition the nearest house. Zuo You said softly.

Guo Shao didn't open his mouth, this matter was left to their arrangement.

At this time, Lang Zhong said: "Alas, the main general of the Zhou Dynasty army has no place to live, which really makes my Zhuozhou people have no shame. There is a burrow room in the old decay, although it is a puffy wall, but it is also quiet, and there are only two people inside and outside; If the general doesn't like it, it's better to go to the old man's house to live. ”

Zuo You immediately said: "This is very good, just so that the old gentleman can visit the condition conveniently...... A little reward is not a tribute. Do your best to make your husband heal as quickly as possible. ”

Guo Shao was sent to a house near the barracks in a daze, and sure enough, the environment was clean and quiet, and it was a very ordinary tiled house, not a rich and noble house, but it didn't look poor.

In this era, there is no special medicine, and people with poor physical fitness may die if they catch a cold. Guo Shao is not reckless at all, and he has no objection to living in a private house, and he drinks the medicine when he is administered. is that there are relatively few rooms, so they have to take turns to take care of Luo Mengzi and Lu Chengyong, the generals of the army; The guards can only be stationed outside.

Guo Shao sweated a lot at night, and the next morning he found that his fever had subsided, and he suddenly felt that this folk Langzhong really had some ability. Fever and cold, in later life, may also have to be hospitalized, injections, hanging bottles; This Langzhong boiled a pot of herbs for him to drink, and it was actually good for a day and a night.

Immediately, he asked Luo Mengzi to find Na Langzhong and thank him, and asked, "The old gentleman has a big name?" ”

Lang Zhong bowed and said: "Don't dare, the old man's surname is Lu, the general just calls me Lu Lao'er." A smile appeared on his face, "The people of Zhuozhou often call the old decrepit Lu Shen Doctor, haha, there is a suspicion of exaltation, but to deal with some minor illnesses and pains, the old child is the medicine to get rid of the disease." ”

Guo Shao saw that his baggage was placed on the cabinet at the head of the bed, so he got up and took the baggage over, and touched a belt buckle made of gold. Immediately put it on the table in the room, and said: "I am out on the expedition, I don't have anything of value on me, thank you for a small gadget, and please smile." ”

The Lu Divine Doctor hurriedly excused himself.

Seeing this, Guo Shao picked up the buckle, pulled the old man's hand over, and slapped it on his hand: "This general is a martial artist, and there are really no polite words." Saying that I will thank you for sending something, I must give it to you, so I will accept it. ”

He got up and cleaned up, then got up and dressed. Lang Zhong said: "Although the general's condition has improved, he should raise Lisuo." You can stay here, you don't have to live in a tent. ”

Guo Shao pondered for a moment: "Does Doctor Lu have family members in his family?" ”

Old man Lu said: "The cheap one has passed away for several years, and there is only one little girl in the family. ”

"There are female dependents at home, and it is not very convenient for the soldiers to live." Guo Shaodao.

Old man Lu said: "What the general did in Zhuozhou City, you can know how he is at a glance, and the old man is not worried. Guo Shao listened and said, "I'll talk about it when I come back, now I have to go out." The third brother sent someone to call Li Chuyun to the Chinese army. ”

Guo Shao went out and rode a carriage to the Chinese army. After meeting Li Chuyun and other generals, he inquired about the city defense and the enemy's situation, and was relieved to learn that there was no movement for the time being; He also asked Li Chuyun to send the rangers under his command to inspect the north and south of Zhuoshui, and set up sentry posts everywhere.

After a short time, the general Zhang Ying asked to see him, and Guo Shao invited him in.

Zhang Ying is a new person who has not been in Guo Shao for a long time. When the Zhou army advanced northward in the early stage, the Han generals of Zhucheng surrendered when they heard the wind, and a small number of Khitan garrisons fled north in a hurry; Zhang Ying was the owner of a livestock ranch near Waqiao Pass, and when the soldiers were in turmoil, he took the opportunity to gather villagers and rob the Khitan soldiers to raise 100 military horses in the pasture to surrender. Guo Shao then rewarded those horses back to Zhang Ying, appointed him as the head of the capital, and organized dozens of brothers in his hands into a capital and gave him a generous reward.

"Meet Guo Dashuai." Zhang Ying is a stout broad-faced man in his thirties.

Guo Shao said kindly: "No courtesy." ”

Zhang Yingdao: "The last general has a friend in Gu'an, and in the morning, my friend sent someone to quietly send a letter, saying that the Liao army has entered and occupied Gu'an City, and it is Xiao Siwen, the commander of the soldiers and horses in the southern courtyard of Youzhou. The last general felt that this was a military situation, so he hurried to report to the lord. ”