The sorghum is ripe and ready for harvesting. But Zheng Lang didn't expect to attract a great god, Zhao Zhen heard about it, and deliberately sent Lan Yuanzhen to watch it.

Looking at Lan Yuanzhen, Zheng Lang was speechless in his heart, and said, "Lan Duzhi, Your Majesty is too bad." ”

Sorghum was his unintentional move, he was in a bad mood at the time, he only showed one side, and then Cui Xian asked a lot of times, only planted a few acres of sorghum, is it worth your big god to drive in person?

Lan Yuanzhen smiled and said, "It's worth it, it's worth it." ”

is still comfortable talking to this little minister, and he has never been repulsive to the inner servant, and he reprimanded him for his mistakes, but he also praised him for doing it right, and even promoted Wang Zhaoming. Treat them like ministers. This respect touched Lan Yuanzhen very much.

But it's not just those who come to watch the mowing, there is a purpose.

The Northwest War was a war between the Khitan and the Western Xia people, and the Song Dynasty was cheap, but in case of loss, the border of the Song Dynasty was restless from then on, and it was not what Zhao Zhen wanted to see. After all, unlike last time, this was an active provocation by the Song Dynasty.

What Zheng Lang wants is this initiative to "provoke", the Song Dynasty can no longer hold on to its previous attitude, and has to wait for others to fight back and lose the initiative. Appropriately in the case of benefiting oneself, opening some counteroffensive horns is also an inspiring performance, Han and Tang Chenguang don't want to achieve it in the Song Dynasty, but can't be too conservative.

The two kings and ministers each have their own thoughts.

Zhao Zhen was very worried, so he thought of one thing, Xie An was playing chess and singing and having fun during the Battle of Weishui, so the Jin Dynasty was Nai'an. In the alliance of Lanyuan, Kou Zhun drank and had fun in Lanzhou City, so his father was in peace. Don't expect Zheng Lang to do what Kou Zhun did and push himself to the front line. Zheng Lang also admonished, and his advice was very gentle, and he was a good minister, not a bad minister. But was the Song Dynasty still short of courtiers? How many times did you let the ministers scold you?

Therefore, let Lan Yuanzhen come to watch Zheng Lang's attitude.

I don't expect Zheng Lang to have fun, he doesn't have filial piety, and he won't be too happy, but if he is very calm. Then this battle is certain, not calm, and looks worried, and there will be many risks in this battle.

Lan Yuanzhen wouldn't say it.

But Zhao Zhen has another intention. When Zheng Lang communicated with him, he said vaguely that Zhao Zhen also understood, if you want to reform, you must win the support of most powerful people, and you have no choice but to cooperate up and down. It can come naturally. It is a good thing that the court is divided into two factions, which is convenient for constraints, but if the dispute between the two factions is too serious, then what will become of this reform is very questionable. Before leaving the capital, Lü Yijian also said that the reforms initiated by Fan Zhongyan were radical, and Zheng Lang was likely to adopt a slightly more conservative and moderate approach. Solidarity is carried out on both sides. Not easy.

Even including the eunuchs.

However, Zheng Lang has a lonely personality and does not like to socialize, including eunuchs. If they are too far away, let them come and go moderately, which is also conducive to future communication. Or this is what Zheng Lang called the mean and that degree.

But this time Zhao Zhen was very cooperative.

went to the northwest to supervise the two troops, the first Zhang Weiji, who used to be Zhao Yuanhao's official envoy, and tried his best to disagree with the public, saying that Yuanhao was arrogant and would rebel, and he must be prepared for the side. It's a pity that no one listened. Later, he proposed several side matters, all of which showed foresight. He was an outspoken eunuch.

The second is Sun Quanbin, who has dealt with Zheng Lang, who is very loyal. The Shaanxi right group of thieves killed Fengzhou for inspection, went to capture and kill, and later led troops to rescue Yanzhou.

In fact, after the two eunuchs went to Fuzhou, they did not obstruct military affairs. With Zhang Kang's actions, the subsequent plan was implemented very smoothly.

All this, Zheng Lang is far away from Jingshi and does not know.

To observe the mowing, it is also time to mature, Zheng Lang asked the tenants at home to put down a few acres of sorghum, the sorghum is crushed down with stones, dried one by one, and the miscellaneous grains are blown and weighed after the grains are deflated, and the barn field is like the New Year, crowded with people.

It is known that the yield of sorghum in these acres will be very high, but it is not known how much. …,

Fan Yue'er even gambled some small money with each other because of a dispute.

After doing the math, the result was very gratifying, the yield of one mu of land reached three stones and two buckets, and it may actually be insufficient, Zheng Lang was very suspicious and sent someone to re-measure the acres of those fields. The emperor sent people to watch the mowing, and everything must be handled in a regular manner.

After measuring it, as Zheng Lang expected, the Zheng family would not be as prosperous as it is now, but several generations of small officials came down, and they took care of it when measuring the fields, but the generations were careful, not too much, the acres were slightly larger, but they were not much, and they were a little bit out.

Lan Yuanzhen sighed and said, "Zheng Xianggong is too careful. ”

"Lan Duzhi, if you don't come, I don't have to care about this trivial matter, the bigger one is not a serious problem for my family, and the smaller one is not too big a loss. I believe that the imperial court does not account for my family's annual tax payment. ”

Lan Yuanzhen laughed.

"But Your Majesty asks about it, and if you go to heaven, you have to be careful, and if it comes to the affairs of the heavenly family, even if it is a small matter, you can't be sloppy."

Lan Yuanzhen was shocked and said, "Your Majesty often praises you for being a good minister, and I am convinced." ”

"Your Majesty treats your courtiers so favorably, how can you be ashamed of your majesty if you don't be a good minister?"

"yes. Some people are very different from Zheng Xianggong. ”

"Lan Duzhi, forgive me for one more word."

"If you dare, please advise."

"Uncle Ouyang Yong, although they are a little aggressive, their intentions are not bad, and some gentlemen's moral exercises are indeed very good."

"You mean Ouyang Xiu?" Lan Yuanzhen smiled shamefully.

"There are many doubts about Uncle Ouyang Yong's public case, but he doesn't need to doubt that the country is good, but he is too simple to think about the bookish spirit. Look at them objectively. ”

Lan Yuanzhen didn't think so, and didn't want to argue, and said, "You can calculate it again." ”

This is considered a reduction in production, only two stones and seven buckets, which is also a very high yield. Lan Yuanzhen returned to the capital with this data satisfied, Zhao Zhen first asked Zheng Lang about his attitude and reaction, and Lan Yuanzhen replied honestly: "Zheng Xianggong has never mentioned the Northwest Campaign. ”

"Oh," Zhao Zhen paced a few steps, if it was someone else, this would not be the answer, but if it was not sure, Zheng Lang would not be worried, this is a very careful courtier. This lack of reaction is a sign of self-confidence. Thinking of this, a heart was slightly relaxed. Looking at the yield, he was very curious and called Chen Zhizhong to the inner palace and asked: "Chen Qing, you have been in Qingzhou for a long time, there are many sorghums in Qingzhou, how much harvest will there be in one acre of land?" ”

Chen Zhizhong replied: "The yield of sorghum is not high, far less than wheat and rice, and the harvest of one acre of land is only one stone and five buckets. The bad ones are not even more than a stone. ”

"Will there be two stones and seven buckets of production?"

"Absolutely not."

"Take a look," handed over the Zheng family's harvest data.

"How is that possible...... Or is Zhengjiatian acre? Chen Zhizhong asked in disbelief.

It turned out that the acres were a little bigger, but Zheng Qing personally measured and checked the acres. Otherwise, the yield per mu will reach three stones and two buckets. ”

Chen Zhizhong can't believe it this time, Zheng Lang can't use this output to buy credit, his age and qualifications are a little lacking, the credit Zheng Lang has already stood too much, the garden is fragrant, and there is no need to add a nameless little wildflower in this big garden. Chen Zhizhong and Zheng Lang did not have too many conflicts, and the two did not have much contact. But I heard my son-in-law say that Zheng Lang's evaluation of himself is okay, unlike other gentlemen, who almost classify himself as a villain. So he said very objectively and said, "Your Majesty, please promote this law." ”

This is not a high-yield field in Koto, and it was obtained after many years of selective breeding. Rather, it is an advanced method of cultivation. Even if one acre of land is added with one stone and two buckets, it is terrible.

Zhao Zhen also had this intention, and sent Lan Yuanzhen to Zhengzhou. Ask Zheng Lang for his planting method.

Zheng Lang frowned when he heard this, and said, "I can give the planting method to Your Majesty, but this method must not be promoted." ”

That's not an increase in production, it's a concern for the people.

As soon as the two were talking, the capital sent a newspaper from the palace, which was about the Northwest Campaign. Originally, Zheng Lang was worried in Ding, and it had nothing to do with Zheng Lang, but this matter was initiated by Zheng Lang, so he sent the report to the palace for improvement. …,

The Northwest Campaign began.

First, Guo Kui visited the Khitan little emperor.

Liao Xingzong heard about the people of Zheng Lang's faction. Very interested, he summoned Guo Kui to the big tent in person and asked, "Why did you Zheng Xianggong think of asking me to go out of the army?" ”

"Your Majesty, Zheng Xianggong heard that His Majesty personally went on the expedition, and congratulated His Majesty in advance on his success and victory."

Liao Xingzong laughed. He raised the letter in his hand and said, "Zheng Xianggong's handwriting is getting better and better. ”

The word is still the word of the past, but the experience is different, resulting in different calligraphy, before it was only light and home, more interesting and lively, the interest is still there, but many years of officialdom, in a high position, the font has increased a luxury and solemnity. To be honest, in this way, he may not be as good as the next four masters in calligraphy. However, as a superior, it will be a little more favorable.

Guo Kui suddenly thought of Zheng Lang's evaluation of this emperor, born in a wealthy township, with deep sinicization, and has lost the sharpness of the Khitan ancestors. It's going to be a war, what fonts do you care about? But he wouldn't say it, and continued: "This minister doesn't understand. ”

The two countries are "brothers and friends", and the courtiers call themselves ministers when they see each other's lords, and the emperor's elder brother and younger brother dare not call them ministers!

In fact, Zheng Lang said in the letter, it is very vague, and it is skimmed over, and the others are all good words and bad words, but they are written in four or six pun styles, in addition to malnutrition, it is also full of flowers, and it is a very beautiful pun.

Guo Kui said again: "Zheng Xianggong took care of his ministers and brought a message to His Majesty, Your Majesty is a noble body, and it is a good thing to come to attack Western Xia and raise the prestige of the Khitan country." But Yuan Hao is quite cunning, and His Majesty must not be careless. ”

Liao Xingzong laughed, and after laughing, he said: "Zheng Qing is kind-hearted, and he is also talented, but in terms of military affairs, he may not be as good as our dynasty." The army is also the most powerful in our dynasty, as for Yuan Hao......"

Laughter again.

Guo Kui said: "It's better to be careful, and Zheng Xianggong is also worried that Your Majesty has a noble status after all, and there can't be any carelessness and danger." Therefore, he made a proposal to His Majesty and sent some generals to make arrangements. ”

"What arrangement?"

"Zheng Xianggong's meaning is the same as that of the imperial court, our dynasty and Western Xia have already negotiated peace, and Your Majesty had better not go to war. But when the war started, Zheng Xianggong had always been very worried about His Majesty, so he asked me to issue an edict to the emperor and make arrangements. I am not afraid of 10,000, I am afraid of what happens, in case of loss, I will pretend to be your team to protect the safety of Your Majesty. ”

"What are the words!" Liao Xingzong was very displeased, and before the war started, he heard a crow's mouth scraping.

"Your Majesty, forgive the ministers, this is careful, your country will almost win the war with the Western Xia, and let the ministers come to observe Guiwei, please ask Your Majesty for permission."

"Is it the order of your Song Dynasty emperor, or the order of your Zheng Xianggong."

"It was Zheng Xianggong's request, and I agreed to the emperor, so the minister came." In fact, it had nothing to do with Zheng Lang, it was Zhang Kang's idea, and later he used a fast horse to inform Zheng Lang, and Zheng Lang wrote a letter to agree and cooperate.

"I'm right." Liao Xingzong replied happily.

Zheng Lang's so-called big victory, he didn't pay attention to it at all, hundreds of thousands of Song troops gathered in Shaanxi. Only fought a dozen in the country, and did not dare to go deep into the territory of Western Xia, even if he was victorious, he hurriedly entered the country and captured it. Quickly withdraw, what kind of marching battle is this?

But what he likes is Zheng Lang's ability to accumulate money.

Compared to the affluence of the Song Dynasty, the Khitan was too poor. Not much, it can increase the Khitan's income by five million a year, which is also amazing.

Since Zheng Lang wants to see it, let his subordinates take a look at the military might of the Khitan.

He asked again: "Zheng Qing's mother died?" ”

"Zheng Xianggong has seven mothers, and the one who died is the eldest mother and the second mother. There are also five sitches. ”

"He's also a dutiful son."

"That is, but Zheng Xianggong also praised His Majesty for his benevolence, he was very filial to the two queen mothers, and he was more caring for the imperial brother, and the Confucian way of filial piety can be seen in His Majesty."

Liao Xingzong laughed happily again, and the Khitan also emphasized Confucianism, and often used Confucianism to carry out imperial examinations. And Guo Kui arrived. He was also happy, and he had to let the Song people see how powerful the Khitan .........,

Zhang Kang's first step was a success.

Want to go to war. It is necessary to seize the opportunity, but the war between the two countries is imminent, and both sides have sent a large number of scouts to patrol, and their own scouts are not allowed to enter, and they cannot grasp the situation of the war. It's not good if it's early, and it's even more so late. With Guo Kui by the side of the little emperor of Liao, he can be contacted at any time, or openly.

Then the army marched westward.

After a long delay, the Khitan not only had more troops, but was more prepared. Including a large amount of grain and grass materials.

The troops were divided into three routes, Xiao Hui's troops went out of Montenegro, led 65,000 men and horses, and marched straight into the Beihetao area, and the troops sent to Helan Mountain.

The emperor's younger brother Yelu Chongyuan led 10,000 elite cavalry out of the south road and responded with the Chinese army.

He himself led his important minister Xiao Xiaoyou and others to lead 120,000 soldiers and horses to the upper reaches of the Quye River.

Yuan Hao was uneasy.

190,000 Khitan elite troops came to crusade. The pressure in his heart can be imagined, even if he fought with the Song army, the Song army in Dingchuan Village dispatched less than 170,000 soldiers and horses. Although the Song army relied on its geographical advantages and the advantages of defending the city to achieve a great victory, in the field battle, its own army was inferior to the Khitans.

First, he ordered the people in the Beihetao area to evacuate to the south to avoid the Khitan troops. The result was very bad, many people did not have time to evacuate, and were captured by the Khitans one after another. At the same time, a large number of cattle and sheep are lost.

Yuan Hao was very annoyed in his heart, but he couldn't attack. After making a few step plans, he first sent envoys three times in a row to the Khitan Chinese army camp to ask for a meeting with Liao Xingzong, and said: "The minister is willing to return all the people of Jiashan to His Majesty, and also offer things to show the courtier's deference." ”

Liao Xingzong replied: "If you are obedient, let Yuan Hao come to explain in person." ”

Hold on to this.

The envoy left in frustration, and Guo Kui said, "Your Majesty, this is not very good. Yuan Hao is the lord of the country, how can he come to see His Majesty in person? ”

"General Guo, the Khitan is the first big country, all the countries come to the court, which one of the lords of the country has not come to enter and be cautious, what is Yuan Hao?"

"That's too." Guo Kui nodded again and again.

He is better than instigating. If you really have a good heart, no matter how you analyze it, the defeat of the Khitan is more advantageous than the defeat of the Western Xia. Send the news to his subordinates to inform Zhang Kang. At this time, the Liao army was not far from Fuzhou, and if it was not blocked, it would have arrived in two or three hours on horseback.

Zhang Kang summoned the generals again and handed the information sent by Guo Kui to everyone for circulation.

After Wang Xin saw it, he sighed: "The little emperor of Liao is so rash, how can he not be defeated?" ”

It doesn't matter if the secret is not solved, it is not very magical if it is solved, including Zhang Kang's battle in front of Jianning Village, and the generals in the northwest all know the impact of wind and sand if they fight in the northwest. But the Khitan didn't know, so they chose the time to fight in the autumn.

In autumn, there are many northwest winds, and most of them are westerly, or northwesterly, or southwesterly, and northeast winds are rare, and there are so many of them that none of the Khitan generals pointed them out. What's even more ingenious is that the Khitan Emperor in order to show his prestige, this expedition is not unfavorable to the Song Dynasty, every time he marches and fights, he will call Guo Kui and listen to the lecture next to him. Guo Kui was very clever and asked him for his opinion, but he only promised to persuade peace, and the Khitans looked down on him even more. As a result, all the Khitan movements were known to the Song army.

Sun Quanbin asked: "So, will the Khitan really be defeated?" ”

Although he was prepared, Sun Quanbin still didn't believe it, the emaciated camel was bigger than the horse, and it was a Khitan army of more than 190,000, how could it fail?

"Defeat is the majority," Di Qing said in a deep voice.

"Our Great Song army is stronger than the Khitan?" kind of questioning.

"It can't be said that the war also depends on the situation, the Battle of Weishui, the Battle of Guandu, the Battle of Chibi, the former Qin army, Yuan Shao's army and Cao's army are all stronger than each other. But because of carelessness, he was defeated in the end. Our army is actually not much weaker than the Khitan army, but it is also not stronger than the opposing army. The strength of the three teams is the weakest in the Western Xia, regardless of the cavalry advantage. But the terrain is harsh, which often gives them an advantage," Di Qing commented objectively.

"So I ...... toward the front"...,

"That's why neither our dynasty nor the Khitan fought in the desert, but they were inferior to the Tanguts. Therefore, the first emperor crusaded against Li Jiqian, which was unfavorable. The Khitan is also making such mistakes today. ”

"I understand why Zheng Xianggong evacuated quickly every time he entered enemy territory."

"It's not just that...... Let's get down to business. ”

Everyone stared at the marching battle map, Wang Xin thought for a while and said: "In my opinion, Yuan Hao is most likely to start the first battle outside Helan Mountain. ”

"I agree." Di Qing said.

The Khitan was divided into three routes, and Yuan Hao did not have much effect in eating the Khitan army on the southern route, and it was too close to the Khitan middle army, and only the northern route was the most likely. However, whether they could eat it or not, everyone deliberated for a long time, and they did not judge.

Only one is yes. Regardless of whether the Western Xia people can eat the Khitan army on the North Road, the little emperor of the Liao State will not let go, and the main battlefield of the decisive battle is still in the middle road.

After making all the arrangements, everyone sat down to wait for dinner and began to chat.

When the generals are together, what good things can they say, they are rude, but the two eunuchs are very happy, and when they talk to Wen Zou and Zou with Wenchen, sometimes they use jerky allusions. I can't even understand it. It's easier to hang out with these generals.

Sun Quanbin asked again: "General Zhang, General Di, General Wang, the Khitan will be defeated?" ”

I have to write a recital and go back to report it.

"The probability of defeat is ten," Zhang Kang said implicitly.

"Zheng Xianggong is really a god." Sun Quanbin said yearningly. Although there is an error in time, it is so big that almost all of the direction can be guessed, is it still easy?

Zhang Kang also looked yearning, and said: "Zheng Xianggong is a talented warrior and Wang Meng, and I admire him." ”

Among several people, Di Qing knows the details better, and has to admit that Zheng Lang has foresight, and he is also far behind, but in terms of the details of the war, Zheng Lang is still a little behind, but no one is perfect, and Zheng Lang's step is indeed far beyond the reach of others.

When the news was sent to the capital, the monarchs and ministers of the Manchu Dynasty were all waiting to see and see, and they were uneasy in their hearts. Zheng Lang guessed correctly in the first half, but the second half has not happened. didn't guess right, just prepared some Khitan-style armor and weapons, and the waste of money was not much, so the Song Dynasty didn't have to send troops, and there were no bad consequences. If you guess correctly, what will happen when you send troops, the monarch and the ministers do not know.

But at this time, something happened that even Zhang Kang couldn't have imagined.

Yuan Hao faced the Khitan army, did not dare to be careless, and Dingchuan Zhai lost miserably, the more miserable he was, the more fully prepared he was, and last year he was formulating various detailed plans and marching plans. However, he still didn't want to start a war with the Khitans, but he didn't fight, and in the face of the Khitan army of nearly 200,000, his heart was also cold.

Forced to be helpless, he sent an envoy to Liao Xingzong and said, I personally led the chiefs of the three party departments to come to the camp to meet Your Majesty.

After Liao Xingzong received the news, he felt very stunned, could it be that this kid really changed his ways? So he sent the right to leave Jin Xiao Di and go to the Xixia camp to check. Xiao Diyan came to the Xixia camp and saw that there were not many military horses, only twenty or thirty thousand people.

It is definitely going to send military horses, the Khitan army is coming, and it is not Yuan Hao if he does not take precautions at all. But only this bit of soldiers and horses was prepared, indicating that Yuan Hao was not ready for battle. sat in the middle seat with a big grin, reprimanded Yuan Hao fiercely, and stated the blessings and misfortunes in his name.

Yuan Hao just drooped his head and made promises.

Xiao Diyan came back to reflect the situation, and Liao Xingzong sent an envoy Xiao Ge to interrogate him about the crime of betraying the alliance, and Yuan Hao continued to be the grandson of the turtle.

The attitude was very good, and Xiao Gecai said: "You come to my Chinese army camp with me and ask my lord for guilt." ”

With Yuan Hao, he came to the camp of Liao, Zhang Kang was stunned when he heard the news, and then he was curious about what the little Khitan emperor would do.

Not only Zhang Kang, but Guo Kui was also curious.

Yuan Hao brought it in, Guo Kui looked at Yuan Hao carefully, with a black face and flying eyebrows, he was not a good person at first glance. Liao Xingzong also turned his head to look at Guo Kui, and originally he wanted to say: "This is Guo Kui, the general of the Song Dynasty." ”…,

The Song Dynasty negotiated peace with the Western Xia, but the Khitan suddenly repented and sent an envoy to the Song Dynasty to say, you can make peace if you want to, but you can't make peace now, and you must wait for our Khitan to finish fighting before you can negotiate peace. The meaning of inviting merit and rewarding is very strong. The Song Dynasty did not dare to offend this big brother, so it had to send Ding Du to the Khitan with a letter of state, and explained that it was not that we wanted to negotiate peace immediately, but that Yuan Hao's heart was quite sincere, and he sent envoys to sue for peace several times, so this dynasty allowed it to be attached, and from then on, there was no steep song in the west, and there was no grudge with the Northern Dynasty. Once again, I asked the Khitan not to worry about the happiness of the people, and not to send troops to Western Xia.

Encountering this soft brother, Liao Xingzong was also so angry that he couldn't keep his voice.

However, it was not said that what people came to do, they just watched the battle, and did not help the soldiers. will help the soldiers, that is their own defeat, and will send soldiers to protect themselves. Can you lose big? This was not considered to undermine the friendship between the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia. The main thing is to win over Zheng Lang, no matter what the battle is, the finances will be more or less tight, and he hopes that there will be a minister in the country who can manage money.

Not to mention, it is to save face for Zheng Lang.

Yuan Hao immediately knelt down after entering the tent and said, "The guilty minister respectfully sees Your Majesty. ”

Anyway, he is the lord of a country, Liao Xingzong laughed, helped him up, and after reprimanding, Yuan Hao was very obedient and obedient. The good baby has a personality attack, since he bowed his head and admitted defeat, and his face is gone, Liao Xingzong is also happy, and he lets people eat and drink.

Yuan Hao put down his body frame again, can he not let go, he entered the camp alone, the little emperor of Liao State had a ferocious attack, sent someone to arrest him, and sent him to the Khitan, and the whole Western Xia fell apart. Liao Xingzong gave him wine, and Yuan Hao made a courtesy and came to toast. With the broken arrows into an alliance.

Guo Kui was dumbfounded, the two countries are about to get back together, what should I do? (To be continued) RQ