Wu Zhongfu and Wang Congshan came by order of the court, and Di Qing brought his subordinate generals and waited outside Mingsha City early. It wasn't until noon that the team of the two came into view. Di Qing led people forward and saluted like a ritual.

Entering the city and entering the county government, Wang Congshan announced the decree and handed it over to Di Qing, and everyone sat down as guests.

Wu Zhong replied: "A few days ago, there were prisoners of war in Qinggangxia who were in turmoil, and the court was very worried when they heard it. I came here on the orders of the court to see what was going on here, and to appease the saints and the courtiers. ”

Di Qing said: "It's because my majesty is not strict, so that there is chaos." The rebel army broke through the Qingyuan army, burned the army and went away, and hid in the mountains and forests. There are two days left until the New Year, and when the New Year is over, I will send a large army south to destroy the rebels. ”

Hearing this, Wu Zhongfu was taken aback: "When I came, I only said that I ambushed Ningsu, and the court suffered a lot of losses. How did the rebel army break the Qingyuan army in a few days? It is an important place, and there must be no mistakes. ”

Di Qing said: "The chaotic army is only a few hundred people, but it is just taking advantage of the emptiness of the Qingyuan army and taking people by surprise." Before the Weizhou soldiers arrived, they had abandoned the city and fled. Now is winter, the coldest time, it is inconvenient to go into the mountains and forests to clear them, and they are allowed to be arrogant for a few days. ”

Wang Congshan said: "What the officials are most worried about is that the army is besieging Lingzhou, and the rear is unstable. Taiwei has occupied Mingsha for some days, I wonder if he has sent a large army to attack Lingzhou? When will the siege begin? Can the rebel army be wiped out before the siege? ”

Di Qing said: "The army has occupied the mouth of the gorge and Yaode City, and all the cities south of Lingzhou have been captured. It's just that Lingzhou River is inconvenient to cross the river, and the army has not yet besieged the city, so it still has to wait for a few days. In particular, the heavy artillery used in the siege of the city had to be transported from the Zhenrong army, which was not a day's work. Before that, it was not difficult to send thousands of troops south to encircle and suppress the rebel army. It's just that the New Year is approaching, so that the generals and soldiers can have a happy New Year, and then go to the New Year. ”

Wang Congshan nodded: "I see." This time, the 300,000-strong army of Taiwei Shuai attacked the party, which can be described as a soldier of the whole country, and there is no room for the slightest mistake. When I heard that there was an accident in Qinggangxia, the official family was very worried and sent me to check on it. ”

Di Qing said: "A momentary mistake or omission is not a big deal. Qinggang Gorge is surrounded by large and small Tibetan tribes, and has been enemies of the imperial court for many years, so the rebellious army has a place to live. When I have my hands freed here, I will send thousands of troops to suppress them, and all those who help the rebellious army will be wiped out. ”

Wu Zhong replied: "Taiwei, the imperial court has clearly decreed that as long as it is not dependent on the party, it is mainly Fu. Only those who are stubborn will go in. The rebel army is in the mountains, not necessarily with the support of the Tibetan army. ”

Di Qing said: "Without the support of the Fan Ministry, how can they be like fish in water in the mountains?" The Tibetan tribe in the Hengshan area did not accept the king's transformation, and for many years they have opposed the imperial court, and they should be severely punished. Only by thunderbolt can the bodhisattva's heart be revealed, and the army can be suppressed, so that they can obey the king's orders. ”

Wu Zhongfu had to say more, remembering what Du Zhongxiao told him before leaving, he finally shut up. From Di Qing's words, Wu Zhongfu could hear that after the Song army occupied this area, it was mainly pressing, and the Tibetan troops below were not very obedient.

After saying some polite words, Wu Zhong replied: "I and Pavilion Chief Wang came to the front line on the orders of the court to find out why there were prisoners of war in rebellion and whether there was any place to disobey the orders of the court. It's all a trivial matter, and the lieutenant doesn't need to worry about it, just direct the battle. ”

Di Qing nodded: "In that case, I will send He Bin to accompany you." But if there is an order, just give it to him. ”

After speaking, he called He Bin over and met Wu Zhongfu and Wang Congshan. He Bin was stationed in the Zhenrong army more than ten years ago, and he was very familiar with the situation in this area, so he happened to be a guide.

Seeing that it was not early, Di Qing said: "I have prepared a wine feast here, and the two of them will catch the wind." After using it, go to rest. ”

Wu Zhongfu and Wang Congshan said yes, followed Di Qing, and went to the back office to go to the banquet.

On the bank of the Yellow River, Han Qi, Liu Ji and Zhao Zi rode on horses, looking at the other side of the Yellow River.

When the Yellow River crosses the mouth of the gorge, it suddenly becomes wide, the flow is gentle, and the banks of the river are excellent irrigated farmland. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, many irrigation canals have been opened. However, after the late Tang Dynasty, a large number of people fled, and wasteland was everywhere. When the party was founded, many major wars were fought against Lingzhou, and the population decreased again. There is Helan Mountain in the west and Yin Mountain in the north, the cold wind is difficult to reach, the ice on the river is not solid, and the army is sad.

Pointing to the city in the distance, Liu Jidao: "There is Lingzhou, standing along the Yellow River, and the Lingzhou River flows into the Yellow River, surrounded by water on three sides, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack." These days, Captain Di's army has reached the outside of Lingzhou City, but it has not yet besieged the city. ”

Zhao Zi said: "What do you mean by the party members? He never went out of the city to fight, and when the city was broken, he walked away. Is this just like this, we will go all the way to Xingqing Mansion city by city? If you don't dare to fight in the field, the party will not be able to hold it after all. ”

Han Qi said: "What the party has strengthened over the years, the first is Shanheguan, and the second is Lingzhou. The cannons they cast were also installed in these two places. We didn't attack the mountains and rivers, it was abandoned, and the hopes of the party members were in Lingzhou. You can't take it down before the Yellow River freezes, and if the water rises there, you can only wait until winter. Otherwise, they will only attack all the way, and the party members will not be able to hold it. ”

Liu Ji sighed: "Taiwei went all the way from Xingxing Gorge to here, more than 2,000 miles, occupying the land of five states. The army that came out of the Zhenrong army only traveled a few hundred miles, and it has not been launched until now. If you want to break Lingzhou, you can only wait until the next winter. ”

Zhao Zi said: "The ice of the Yellow River here is not thick, the army cannot cross the river, and there is ice and cannot ferry, so we don't have to worry about the affairs on the other side of the river." According to the decree of the court, we will go to Shunzhou and Jingzhou, and cut off the connection between Xingqing Mansion and Lingzhou. Seeing that the Chinese New Year is coming, I will return to Hequ Road after the New Year, regardless of the party's affairs. Up to now, the party only has this area and Hengshan, how long can it be supported? ”

Liu Ji shook his head: "It's strange, although the strength of the party is not good, it shouldn't be like this." Up to now, the cities have been closed and have never been fighting. A few days ago, the prisoners of war in Qinggangxia rebelled and occupied the Qingyuan army, which shows that they are not without the strength to fight. ”

Han Qi said: "It's a pity that we don't know what is going on inside the party, and there is no reliable detail. It can only be estimated that the party must be very chaotic within the party, otherwise it would not be possible to even fight back. Now that the army is pressing the border, there is no depth, and the party can only be tied up. ”

Liu Ji and Zhao Zi nodded, thinking deeply. In this war, the party was too weak, and it is difficult to imagine the pressure caused by the party members to the Song Dynasty ten years ago. It is said that even if the strength is not good, it will not be slaughtered by others like this, and it will always have to fight a few head-on battles.

Looking up at the vast grassland in the north, Liu Jidao: "Shunzhou and Jingzhou are both new party items, and Shunzhou doesn't even have a city wall, so it shouldn't be difficult to capture." Moreover, in these two places, there is no party army, and it seems that the party has given up. ”

Zhao Zi said: "Two small cities, what is difficult to attack. The most important thing is to prevent the party from sending troops from Xingqing Mansion to rescue. Up to now, there is not much left territory for the party, and it will not be easily given up. I have sent someone to contact Yang Wenguang's headquarters in the north, and when we have conquered the two states, we will go from the west of Helan Mountain to Hezhou. After breaking these two states, only Lingzhou and Xingqing Mansion will be left in the party, and there is no need for so many large armies to crowd here. ”

Han Qi nodded, a little disappointed. After fighting for so long, there has not been a big war, and it is about to be over.