Hebei Road, Xiongzhou.

This former border city now only has some ruins left. A powerful border army that was daunting to the Liao people was once stationed here - the Xin'an Army. Now it has been blown away by the rain and wind.

Ma Xing clasped his hands behind his back, looking up at the broken wall, staring at the fallen leaves picked up by the autumn wind and falling on the charred bricks and broken beams, with a look of desolation on his face.

He has been on the road to Hebei for more than half a year, and has been cleaning up the mess left behind after the great defeat. Now, he is barely able to figure things out.

But at this time, Bianliang suddenly wanted to transfer Zhang Chao back, which made Ma Xing a little angry.

Although it was the first time to work with Zhang Chao, the two still cooperated very well.

As a military general, even if he has become a lieutenant, a lieutenant, a lord, or a casual officer, Zhang Chao still consciously puts his position very low and cooperates well with Ma Xing.

Pretty good.

Ma Xing had been worried that the Bianliang Taiwei would block the Liao people's achievements and act arrogantly, but this did not happen.

The two men complemented each other in both literature and martial arts, and steadily controlled the situation at the most critical moment on Hebei Road. The Liao army made trouble many times, but was repelled by Zhang Chao without taking any advantage. As time went by

, the Song people's advantages in locality, numbers and financial resources slowly became apparent, and they gradually gained the upper hand.

And here, the Liao people's war-weariness began to rise.

The Liao army had been fighting for half a year, and this great victory made them a lot of money. Seeing that if the stalemate continued, not only would there be no profit to be made, but there was also the possibility of losing money, so they naturally wanted to return.

Home.

Ma Xing couldn't understand why the court wanted to transfer Zhang Chao back at this time.

Moreover, the Imperial Army who followed Zhang Chao out of Bianliang will also follow Zhang Chao back.

This made Ma Xing confused.

The Liao people indeed retreated, but the hostility between the two sides has not been lifted, and the original border troops in Hebei are no longer what they are. Once these forbidden troops leave, will it be possible to rely on local Xiang troops to support the situation on the Hebei road?

He originally planned to keep these Forbidden Forces and use them as the skeleton to build a new Hebei Roadside Army. As a result, the plan went bankrupt before it even started.

"Bachelor, Xiongzhou City must be rebuilt!" Zhang Chao, who was standing next to Ma Xing, raised his voice: "Xiongzhou City connects all directions and is the most important part of our fight against the Liao army. Alas, if we could have assembled a large number of troops in Xiongzhou

guard......"

Zhang Chao's words stopped abruptly here.

As a military leader who came to clean up the mess, he naturally knew that the strategy formulated by Qin Kuan, the commander of the Xin'an Army at the beginning, was to defend Xiongan City, so he contacted Guangxin, and Ansu and other border troops moved closer to him.

But Cui Ang's blind command at that time ruined everything.

What is even more irritating is that Xin Bo, who Qin Kuan asked other frontier generals to gather at Xiong'an City, later became evidence of his evil intentions.

"The past is over, it's useless to talk more!" Ma Xing shook his head. There are too many people and facts involved here, and it has developed to this point, nothing can be said. If people like Qin Kuan are still alive,

Ma Xing would definitely try his best to bring out such outstanding generals, but Cui Ang immediately and decisively killed all these frontier generals.

"I will definitely rebuild Xiongzhou City! Next year, the Taiwei will see the brand-new Xiongzhou City standing tall!" Ma Xing said solemnly.

"I want to go back to Hebei Road this time, but I'm afraid it will be difficult. Unless the imperial court decides to launch a large-scale invasion of Liao Dynasty, I will have the opportunity to lead the army!" Zhang Chao shook his head.

"When Taiwei left, Mr. Ma lost an arm." Ma Xing said with emotion: "Liuwei, why don't we fight again? The current situation in Bianliang is better than being quieter in Hebei."

Zhang Chao laughed: "Bachelor, since you know that Bianliang is complicated, why are you here to add fuel to the flames? Your memorial can make Bianliang turbulent!"

The memorial that Zhang Chao was talking about was the one that Ma Xing sent to invite King Zhao Zhe of Jing to inspect Hebei Road to boost the morale of the army and the people.

With Ma Xing's identity, making such an exaggeration basically shows his attitude above politics, which is extremely rare.

Ma Xing turned around and took a few steps forward as if leisurely. Zhang Chao also followed him willingly. Seeing this, the other entourages did not follow him and stayed behind to talk to the two senior officials.

Space for private conversations.

After a long while, Ma Xingcai said: "Zhang Taiwei, if I say that I, Ma Xing, am forced to have no choice in this matter, would you believe it?"

"You are a tough bachelor, who can push you?" Zhang Chao said with a smile. Although he only worked with Ma Xing for less than a year, Zhang Chao still understood Ma Xing's style very well.

"Yes, and I picked this person up with my own hands." Ma Xing smiled bitterly and said, "I never imagined that I, Ma, would actually raise a beautiful tiger with my own hands. Now it's spreading its teeth and claws, but I can't do anything about it!"

"Bachelor, you mean Xiao Changqing?" Zhang Chao was horrified.

Ma Xing nodded, bent down, brushed a pile of residual bricks, sat down, and looked up at Zhang Chao: "Isn't that right? It's Xiao Changqing. Captain Zhang, do you know Xiao Changqing's strength now?"

How about it?"

"I've heard a little bit about it!" Zhang Chao nodded.

"What you know is only what is on the surface." Ma Xing shook his head and said: "For example, there are 20,000 to 30,000 forbidden troops and nearly 100,000 Tibetan troops under his command, but there are more things under the water. And those who see

Those who cannot reach him are the most terrifying. Captain Zhang, we killed a Li Xu, but the current Xiao Ding is much stronger than Li Xu."

"Xiao Changqing should not rebel." Zhang Chao said: "Xiao Yu is still the finance minister of the dynasty!"

Ma Xing laughed and said, "So our general manager of the Western March wrote me a letter, asking me directly to support King Zhao Zhe of Jing. He even said that if someone else takes the position, he, the general manager, will never be convinced.

of."

Zhang Chao took a deep breath.

"You may not know that up to now, none of Lan Sixin's people have been able to cross Hengshan." Ma Xing continued: "Those who were sent by Lan Sixin to take over the state capitals north of Hengshan have all been killed in Hengshan.

The wolf took it away. The funniest thing is that Xiao Changqing warmly invited Lan Sixin to inspect Xingqing Mansion. Do you think Lan Sixin dares to go?"

"You have never mentioned these things, bachelor, and Lan Sixin has never reported them to the court!" Zhang Chao was puzzled.

"I don't dare to say it because I'm afraid that the officials will get angry and insist on recalling Xiao Changqing, and something might happen." Ma Xing said: "And I also have hope that Xiao Changqing is in the northwest. First, he can go west.

To expand territory for the country, secondly, it can pose a great threat to the Xijing Road of the Liao Kingdom. Now that the Hebei Road was defeated and the frontier army was decimated, Xiao Changqing's side is even more important. And Lan Si

Xin didn’t say anything because he wanted to hide his shame and didn’t want people to say he was incompetent.”

"But in my opinion, the official family is afraid that they have no intention of making King Jing the crown prince of the East Palace!" Zhang Chao said with certainty. As the emperor's number one confidant, Zhang Chao knew the official family very well.

Ma Xing smiled and said: "Not only does the official not want to establish King Jing, he also does not want to establish King Chu. Our official is extremely obsessed with power. He hates any decentralization of power. Otherwise, how could Russell

After being the chief minister for so long? This time Russell stepped down and Xia Jie came to Beijing, and the officials were forced to do so. Taiwei, let me tell you, it won't be long before Xia Jie and the officials will have a falling out. Because

Xia Jie will never be content with being a yes-man like Russell."

"That's not necessarily true. If that's the case, why would Xia Xianggong call me back?" Zhang Chao asked with a smile.

"Although I don't know what's going on here, there is definitely something fishy. Zhang Taiwei, you have to be careful after returning to Beijing!" Ma Xing said sincerely: "Xia Shoufu is playing tricks, that's why

It’s amazing.”

"Thank you, bachelor, for the tip!" Zhang Chao raised his hand. In his opinion, this might be Ma Xing's dissatisfaction with Xia Jie, because as far as he knew, Ma Xing also had the opportunity to return to Beijing and enter the East Palace.

Yes, but if Ma Xing goes back, Luo Song will be the first assistant. But no matter what, Ma Xing has indeed lost an opportunity.

"Actually, our official doesn't have many prejudices in his mind about who to appoint, or he may be more interested in King Jing." Ma Xing said: "But if we really have to wait until the dust settles, I'm afraid our official will be here.

Only at the last moment.”

When Zhang Chao heard this, he suddenly realized: "It is precisely because of this that the bachelor is willing to submit this memorial? To appease Xiao Changqing's heart?"

"Yes." Ma Xing said calmly: "Anyway, Your Majesty won't do anything to me. Now that I can clean up Hebei Road, I'm afraid you won't be able to find anyone more suitable than me for a while. Zhang Taiwei, these things will be discussed later."

After Beijing, you must not mention it to the officials. The officials still trust Xiao Changqing very much. Don't let this trust turn into suspicion, otherwise it will be a big trouble for the country."

Zhang Chao nodded.

"Bachelor, you said Xia Xianggong sent me back to train the Fourth Army. Did you also see this and rush to train the troops? This time, after the training of the tens of thousands of forbidden troops I brought, it is still better than before.

It's very different. In the next few years, they will return to Bianliang one after another. When the time comes, they will be used as the backbone to organize the capital's forbidden army, and it will no longer be as top-heavy as it is now."

"Strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches is a good idea." Ma Xing nodded and said: "If the imperial army in the capital is really strong enough to convince the surrounding people, it will indeed have fewer things to do."

"Bachelor, although Zheng Xiong is not well-known, he is really talented and learned, but he has always been unlucky. This time he came to Hebei Road to assist the bachelor in military affairs, it was a rare occasion for him

By chance, this person has been reused by the bachelor, so he must be grateful to the bachelor. The bachelor can be happy to be with him. With him and Wang Jun assisting the bachelor, there is nothing to worry about in terms of military matters. After all, Ye Lujun is coming.

In the short term, there will be no major friction between the two countries."

"If it weren't for your recommendation, I really wouldn't know that Zheng Xiong has such ability!" Ma Xing said with a smile, "This is because of your recommendation. I can't rob others of their beauty."

"I recommended it, but it's in vain if the bachelor doesn't use it!" Zhang Chao smiled: "Bachelor, you don't let Wang Jun take the lead, is it because he was born under Xiao Changqing?"

"There is indeed such a consideration. Moreover, Wang Jun was promoted too quickly. This is not a good thing for him. It will be easier to use it later." Ma Xing said with a smile.

"This person has been in Hebei for many years and has rich experience." Zhang Chao said: "With a bachelor in Hebei, it won't take a few years for the Hebei roads to recreate the grand scene of the past."

"It will take at least ten years to basically recover!" Ma Xing was a little sad, shaking his head repeatedly, pointing to the ponds, rice fields, and big tree piles not far ahead, and said: "The ponds can be dug again, and the fields can be cultivated.

Trees can also be moved, but the border people who were plundered by the Liao people will never come back. The tough and fighting border people that King Jing spent ten years training have now become

Slaves of the Liao people. Today, less than 30% of the people in the border areas are left. Without ten years of strength, it will be difficult for the population to restore the old outlook!"

Both of them were a little sad. Everything was difficult to build and easy to destroy.

What King Jing took ten years to accomplish was gone in just a few months.

"The Liao people are cunning. They are willing to return the territory they occupied for less than 100 yuan, but they are unwilling to release the plundered border residents. I guess that's why!" Zhang Chao said: "It's a pity that the officials care more about the territory.

, and don’t care about these border residents. If we are tougher and are willing to give more money to these border residents, it will be better for the future.”

Ma Xing was silent, just sighing in his heart.

In the eyes of the officials, the lives of these border residents were not as important as his face!
To be continued...