(The fourth update is delivered, 15,000 words have been updated today, ask for a monthly pass and ask for a subscription!) ）

The time has entered December 15th, and heavy snow has fallen in the east of the river, and the snow has accumulated two feet deep, and the sky and the earth have become a white expanse.

As soon as the main battalion of the Zhenguo Army arrived at midnight, the horn of getting up was sounded on time, and then the instructors of each battalion blew the whistle. It was only a quarter of an hour from the time I got up to the assembly, and when the time came, the drums began to beat.

After the drum sounds, those who do not arrive will be severely punished. After counting according to the roster, each battalion began its morning exercise, first running 10 kilometers with weights, then returning to the battalion for phalanx drills, and then training on various weapons. And then it's almost time for breakfast, and it's time to eat.

The 60,000 troops of the three divisions of the eight towns were stationed in front of the Tianmen Pass, and the large camp stretched for 20 miles. Although Li Jing's Zhenguo army only had 5,000 people here, there were another 19,000 soldiers and horses, which were also directly subordinate to Li Jing. For these soldiers and horses, Li Jing did not let them go, but the same strict requirements, all managed according to the model of the Zhenguo Army.

In the morning, you have to strictly abide by it.

As soon as the wake-up call rang, Li Jing got up immediately on time, dressed and freshened up, and also led a war horse to the school field for a review. At first, some of Gao Wenshun's Yunzhou soldiers were reluctant to go out on time, and Li Jing first asked Du Yuhou to announce the military regulations to them, the first time was just a verbal warning, and a written record was made. When it was the third time, Li Jing directly escorted those people to the point platform, and personally drew his sword and beheaded the eleven Yunzhou soldiers. and spread the head of the whole battalion, and for a while the armies were shaken, and they no longer dared to ignore Li Jing's military regulations.

Although the generals of these men and horses have been awarded the history of the state assassins. But now. They are still in the army. is still Li Jing's subordinate.

With Li Jing's Zhenguo Army as an example, Zheng Congyan and Yu Xuan also asked Li Jing for a copy of the Zhenguo Army's training regulations to follow. From then on, every morning the wake-up sentry of the Zhenguo army thought about it, and the rest of the armies began to sound the wake-up sentry together, and then the drill was pointed. Yu Xuan and Zheng Congyan even simply took the content of Li Jing's morning exercises, running with weights, military drills, and then personal martial arts exercises.

When Li Jing arrived at the school field, he was on the stage. The first drum beat was just remembering that the snow on the school field had already been cleaned by the soldiers on duty. When the second drum sounded, the soldiers and horses of the Zhenguo Army had basically arrived.

The 24,000 soldiers and horses were divided into several divisions, and the 5,000 people on the Zhenguo army side were separated, and the other departments were also divided according to the soldiers and horses of each general. On the school field of the Zhenguo Army, there was not a shortage of 5,000 soldiers, and all of them were there. On the vast snow, the soldiers of the Zhenguo Army had all changed into brand new winter clothes a month ago. Although at this time, cotton had spread to Hexi and Guanzhong in the Western Regions, but it was like the Central Plains. Cotton is still only an ornamental plant. Although Li Jing has already started to grow cotton in Liaodong, it is only in the initial stage. Cotton harvest and use are still far away.

To avoid the cold, the people are still just wearing jackets, the ordinary people who have no money stuff some hay in their clothes, those who have money get some bird feathers and duck feathers, and the richest ones wear all kinds of furs. The winter clothes of the soldiers of the Zhenguo Army, Li Jing put a lot of money. Each person has three sets of winter military uniforms, each set includes underwear, shirts, jackets, robes, and the warmest thing is that each person is issued a leather jacket, and a large cape, and each person is also issued with leather gloves and a leather hat. It can be said that it is armed to the teeth, and in the same way, these three sets of equipment also cost a lot of money. However, Li Jing was not stingy, not only did everyone have it, but also prepared three sets for each person.

On such a snowy day, each of the Zhenguo soldiers also issued a set of blankets sewn from fur. No matter how cold the weather is, the sergeants below are not afraid. And because of the supply of meat and canned vegetables, although this winter was spent in the wilderness, no one froze to death and frostbite.

However, the other armies did not have such a good treatment, and the military towns were sent out, and the logistics and supply transportation were inconvenient. Everyone is counting on Zheng Congyan to supply everyone, but although Hedong is said to be rich, but there has been a mutiny over the years, you kill me, I will kill you, and finally under the leadership of Zheng Congyan now, the situation is better, but with so many soldiers and horses stationed here, it is a bottomless pit of dissatisfaction. Not only do people eat horses and chew, but they also have to be paid, and those who can't move every now and then have to be rewarded.

Zheng Congyan's hair is now half white, but fortunately, after Li Jing's Zhenguo army arrived, more than 20,000 people did not ask him to supply grain and grass, which helped him reduce a lot of burdens.

However, up to now, many of the soldiers and horses of various armies have not had enough winter clothes, and the soldiers can't even get out of the camp gate in such weather.

Li Jing had just come back from walking his horse, and Zhang Hong had already come to the door.

Zhang Hong wore a mink robe, a bearskin coat on the outside, a pair of thick tiger skin boots on his feet, a pair of large leather gloves hanging from his neck, and a bearskin hat on his head. The whole person was bloated in a big circle, and it looked like a big bear that came out to forage for food.

As soon as he saw Li Jing, Zhang Hong couldn't help sighing: "Why is it so cold in Hedong, but it's not so cold in Dengzhou." ”

Dengzhou is on the coast, naturally it will not be so cold, but here is close to the outside of the plug, and the wind on the plug keeps blowing here, so it is naturally cold.

"Zheng Xianggong came to me today, which means that now the soldiers and horses in Zhuzhen are here, and the winter clothes are not prepared, and he wants us to help solve it." Zhang Hong said with a frown.

Li Jing asked the guards to raise the iron briquette stove, the coal was dug in Hedong, and the iron coal stove was also built directly in Hedong with the captured Hu people to build a workshop. Although the smell of burning briquettes is not good, it is much cheaper and more cost-effective than burning charcoal.

Li Jing rubbed his hands and sighed: "Teacher Yu Gong also found me yesterday, hoping that we can help the Zhenwu Army under his command solve the problem of winter clothes." In addition, the 19,000 men and horses that are now under our command are also waiting for us to help solve them. ”

Zhang Hong frowned and jumped to his feet, "It's all up to us, we are not immortals, how can we not become." In addition to our 5,000 men and horses, there are still 40,000 soldiers and horses here. ”

"Who called these armies. Just our Zhendong Army has meat to eat every day. It's all brand new winter clothes. Li Jing also sighed. Since the confluence of the towns. Zheng Congyan didn't seem to have the intention of attacking, and Chang'an came to urge him to attack several times, but Zheng Congyan kept shirking that the money, food, and materials were not complete, and refused to send troops. Li Jing also talked to Zheng Congyan a few times, but Zheng Congyan thought that in the current situation, the best way to deal with Li Ke and those people was to besiege and not attack.

Their days are sad, and the days of the Shatuo people are even more sad. This winter survived. The Shatuo people must be reduced by more than 20%.

Although Li Jing also agrees with this plan, Li Jing is unwilling to spend time here with them all the time. Li Jing even thought about it, anyway, the rewards had already come down, and the next battle seemed to be nothing, but in fact, the last battle was the most difficult battle, should he directly lead his troops back to Dengzhou.

As soon as Li Jing warmed his cold hands, Zheng Congyan sent someone to summon Li Jing to the Chinese army camp to discuss matters.

rushed to the camp, only to see that the generals of the towns were all there. As soon as Zheng Congyan saw Li Jing, he smiled very kindly and came over and took his hand to the upper seat.

"This is the position of Zheng Xianggong, what virtue does I, Li Jing, have. How can you live in it, you must not do it. ”

"This seat is now only for you to sit. General Ji Yu must do everyone a favor this time. Zheng Congyan smiled a little helplessly.

Li Jing insisted on refusing: "If you have anything to say, the handsome can say it directly." ”

Seeing Li Jing's insistence, Zheng Congyan just went back, sighed, and said slowly: "It's not a matter of food and the winter clothes of the soldiers." Now in this weather, the heavy snow has closed the city, the roads are blocked, and now the winter clothes of the soldiers cannot be solved, even our food and grass are about to run out. Zheng Congyan knew that when Li Jing swept the four states of Ulzhou before, he collected and hoarded a lot of grain. But it is not easy to snatch food from Li Jing's mouth. Although Li Jing is a deputy envoy, he has strong soldiers and horses in his hands, and he has nothing to do as a chief envoy.

Li Jing was a little embarrassed, he also expected that it would be difficult to transport grain from Dengzhou to Jinzhong, so he extorted and robbed a batch of grain in Youzhou, and plundered and hoarded a batch in Daibei. If you want him to take out these grains, Li Jing is unwilling. As for winter clothes, it's even more impossible.

Zheng Congyan saw that Li Jing refused to speak, and frowned and felt embarrassed. Looking at Yu Xuan as if asking for help, Yu Xuan said: "It is indeed difficult to rush in front of you, Ji Yu, if you can help, please help." ”

After finishing speaking, Yu Xuan said again: "Of course, it is not in vain to ask for your food and clothing, you can price it according to the goods, and the army can pay directly." ”

Hearing this, Li Jing's eyes lit up: "Can everyone take the money?" ”

Zheng Congyan smiled awkwardly: "Now everyone naturally doesn't have much money in their hands, but everyone can make up for it first, and if there is any shortage, you can make an IOU first." After we sweep away the rebels in Shuozhou, all the captures can be converted into you to offset them. ”

Hearing that this was the original method, Li Jing smiled. After thinking for a while, Li Jing finally agreed. In fact, he can't help but agree, otherwise, the soldiers and horses of the seven towns will all be offended. "I can promise that I can immediately transfer a batch of grain, including canned food, corn and sorghum, etc., which can barely cope with the past. However, winter clothes will take some time. ”

Li Jing's 20,000 Zhen Guojun each issued three sets, and if each person took out two sets first to save the emergency, the problem of winter clothing for the 40,000 coalition troops could be barely solved.

"Dashuai, I still say the same thing, if we continue to consume like this, we will be the first to be unbearable. I thought that when the winter clothes arrived, we could brave the wind and rain to encircle and suppress Shuozhou. Otherwise, if we hold on for a while, I'm afraid we won't be able to last long. At the very least, if the battle cannot be ended before the beginning of spring, the national army of our town will have to return to Shidengzhou. Liaonan sent urgent reports several times, saying that the Khitan had defeated the Goguryeo people in Jili Prefecture, and that they had threatened the territory of the Zhenguo army, and we had to go back. ”

Hearing Li Jing's words that were almost threatening, Zheng Congyan was a little dissatisfied, but the most reluctant words came to his lips and swallowed them back. The generals have been sending troops for half a year, and it has dragged on for too long, not to mention that Li Jing is leaving, and other towns may also have to leave. As soon as they left, when they arrived at the two lines of soldiers and horses in Hedong and Zhenwu, they dealt with the Shatuo people very well.

"Okay, Li Zhenguo will first solve the problem of food and winter clothing, and then, we will join forces to attack and destroy the Shatuo rebels in one fell swoop!" Zheng Congyan stared straight at Li Jingdao.

Li Jing knew that he meant that he would not be willing to send troops until he had solved the problem of food and winter clothing first, and Li Jing just smiled at this, "Then it's decided!" ”

This battle must be fought, Li Jing doesn't want to drag it out here all the time, and what he said about the Khitan and Goguryeo in Liaodong is also true. On the other hand, in the latest letter he just received from his teacher Cui Yunyan, Cui Yunqing mentioned to him that Wang Jingwu had joined forces with the grass thieves, Wang Jingwu was based in Qizhou, Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao were in Jeju, and their momentum was greatly boosted. Now that Song Wei can't sit still, Cui Yunqing has proposed to Song Wei to transfer Li Jing's Zhenguo Army to quell the chaos. Cui Yunqing didn't know that Li Jing had been promoted to the envoy of the Zhenguo Army, and Dengzhou had also been carved out of Ziqing Town.

No matter what, no matter how much Li Jing tosses in Daibei now, this territory can't be swallowed, rather than this, it is better to take advantage of the fact that the goal is basically achieved now, and return to Dengzhou and southern Liaoning as soon as possible. As for Zheng Congyan's request, Li Jing didn't feel that he was completely at a loss. The debts owed by the various armies can be recovered as long as Li Keyong's father and son are defeated.

After the meeting ended, Li Jing immediately asked Zhang Hong to be responsible for mobilizing the grain and grass they had hoarded to Taiyuan, and gathered the other two sets of winter clothes of the soldiers and distributed them to the soldiers and horses of other towns.

"The longer this battle drags on, the less cost-effective it will be for us, now we are suffering a little loss for the time being, and we can recover it when we turn back, and my goal is to end this battle and return home before the beginning of spring."

After receiving Li Jing's instructions, Zhang Hong stopped talking about anything else and began to mobilize these food and clothing with all his might.

By the end of December, Zheng Congyan had received the clothes and food transferred by Li Jing, and the clothing and food problems of the coalition forces had been solved.

In the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, the whole army had a lively year in the barracks, and wine and meat were rewarded.

Early the next morning, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zheng Congyan finally ordered the whole army to take advantage of this time of the New Year to march towards Shuozhou.

This time, the soldiers and horses of the eight towns were divided into two roads at Li Jing's suggestion. The first road, led by Zheng Congyan himself, was led by the Hedong Army, the Zhenwu Army, the Tiande Army, the Xia Sui Army, the Heyang Army, the Zhongwu Army, and the Yicheng Army, with a total of 40,000 soldiers and horses from Xinzhou to attack the military city on the Shuolan border, and then enter Shuozhou from Loufu Pass to attack the new city.

On the other hand, Li Jing led the 5,000 cavalry of the headquarters, plus the 9,000 cavalry of the three Fan Army, plus the 10,000 infantry of the Gao brothers and the Fu brothers, and then entered Daizhou and took Yanmen Pass.

In addition, Li Jing's other troops and horses went south from Yunzhou and attacked Huanghuagang on the border of Shuoyun and Yunzhou.

The army of 80,000 soldiers and horses on the three routes is the Jincheng of Shuozhou. The three armies converged in Jincheng and annihilated Li Guochang and his son in one fell swoop. (To be continued......)