Level of Commander

Gan Quan held a bowl of mutton soup in one hand and a large cake in the other. He walked up to Zhang Cheng and sat cross-legged on the grass like the other man.

These senior generals usually don't mention it, but during wartime, they eat the same big pot of rice as ordinary soldiers. The great thing is that the foreman who distributes the food gives them more hard food in the bowl, but they don't care about this.

When the cook scoops the food into their bowls, they turn around and give it to the ordinary soldiers. These casual and careless actions are the most win-win for people's hearts and make them serve them wholeheartedly.

As a member of a family of generals, Zhang Cheng learned these things from his father since he was a child.

At this moment, there was only a bowl of clear soup in his bowl.

Looking at Gan Quan's appearance, Zhang Cheng asked with a smile: "If you have anything to ask, just ask. You and I have an unusual relationship, so why are we hiding it?"

Ganquan rolled up his tongue and rolled up a piece of meat in the bowl. While chewing, he asked: "Lieutenant, as long as those Tibetan soldiers are well trained, they can be regarded as a new force. Today you used military law and they are fighting hard. That's right."

If you have a good time to control them, why would you give it to Xiao Jing if you are not afraid that they will not do your best?"

"Because now I am the commander-in-chief of this army, which is different from my past identity!" Zhang Cheng said: "The first thing I have to consider now is whether the combat objectives of the entire army can be achieved, not whether my own strength has been reduced or whether

Growth, if this battle is won, I will naturally take the greatest credit; if it loses, I will naturally be the first person responsible."

"That's not necessarily true!" Gan Quan was a little unconvinced: "Back then, Cui Ang fought like that on Hebei Road."

Zhang Cheng's face darkened: "Do you think I am that scum-like person?"

Gan Quan looked embarrassed: "Captain, I made a mistake."

"As the commander-in-chief of the army, I need to comprehensively evaluate how the entire army can exert its strength to the maximum, even to a super level!" Zhang Cheng said: "Ganquan, what can we rely on to make these Tibetan troops obedient?"

Gan Quan pondered for a moment and said: "It depends on coercion!"

"Yes, we killed Li Chun in the midst of tens of thousands of troops and destroyed thousands of Li Chun's troops. The Tibetan army on the Qin Feng Road was frightened and had to surrender under our feet. But this is just the lowest level.

It’s just a way of uniting troops.” Zhang Cheng shook his head and sighed: “To suppress them with coercion, accept them with kindness, forge interests with them, and be ideal comrades, I have only achieved the first step!”

Seeing that Gan Quan was a little confused, Zhang Cheng explained: "It goes without saying that you can suppress it with coercion and accept it with kindness. The so-called knotting of interests means tying everyone's interests together, so that everyone can be prosperous and prosperous.

We all suffer losses, this is the third level, and the so-called ideal comrades on the fourth level are what Xiao Chongwen told me, which means that everyone comes together to overcome obstacles for a common ideal and forge ahead, despite many setbacks.

To be unyielding and unyielding even to the death is for comrades. If we achieve this, we will be victorious in every battle, and no one in the world can be our opponent! In fact, this is no longer limited to the category of leading troops, it can almost be let go

It’s the same thing all over the world.”

"Can this be done?"

"Perhaps it can be done!" Zhang Cheng said hesitantly. "At least now, I have been convinced by him and am willing to become a comrade with him. We will fight side by side to regain our homeland, conquer the shadows in the north, and unify the world."

Gan Quan nodded thoughtfully.

"Speaking of the present, I have only done the first thing with these Tibetan soldiers. Now I have killed many of them. They are afraid of me, but they are not necessarily convinced. Next, they are afraid that I will kill them.

Send them to the ground and let them perform some fatal tasks. As for me, I am worried that they will relapse into their old ways. When will I be able to give them a try? How can we play their best role if we can't be honest with each other? Generally speaking,

It is said that their combat effectiveness is quite good."

"Is it okay to stay at Xiao Jing's place?"

Zhang Cheng nodded: "At least it is much stronger than here. Don't forget, the Western Army is also dominated by Yi people. And Xiao Ding has led the troops to achieve the third point. Xiao Jing this time

These Tibetan soldiers got him. For these Tibetan soldiers, they undoubtedly saved them from my tiger's mouth. This is a kindness. And Xiao Jing is not short of money and food, and there must be brave men under the heavy rewards. Moreover, just like

Xiao Jing said before that the Tibetan people on Qinfeng Road are closely connected with the Western Army, and some are even of the same origin and species. When they get there, they will inevitably play a greater role. I don't think Xiao Jing is really right.

Lost to Xiao Ding when he was young."

"If we also have enough money and food, we can naturally make a profit!" Gan Quan took a bite of the big cake and sighed, they are still too poor!

In the past, Shaanxi Road was divided and occupied by forces such as Jin, Zhao, Xijun, and Zhangcheng. There were constant wars. On Qinfeng Road, Li Chun had high aspirations and continued to increase donations and taxes, expand the army and prepare for war. Both places were extremely poor.

ring.

With the fall of Li Chun, Zhangcheng returned to the Song Dynasty. With some support from Yizhou Road and Lianghu, life was finally a little better. But these two places only allowed Zhangcheng to gather another large army to cooperate.

The imperial court has opened up a new battlefield, but as for ordinary people, I'm sorry, they still have to fend for themselves.

Of course, without those heavy exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes, the common people have been relieved of a heavy burden and can finally breathe a sigh of relief and see the hope of living.

The influx of a large amount of military needs does have some driving effects on the local economic recovery.

The new court and the new atmosphere brought new hope to the people. Hope was sown in the spring, but it would take several months for the harvest to be harvested.

So Ganquan said they were poor.

In order to make the lives of the people under his jurisdiction more comfortable, Zhang Cheng squeezed some money and food from the army to use it to subsidize the local area.

Of course they don't have more money to make those Tibetan soldiers who are blinded by money go to great lengths.

The Song army retreated all the way.

Then military strongholds were established in Xiaozuokou, Wangjiagu, Xilinshan, Donglinshan and other places, forming a semi-encirclement of Zhending Mansion.

From the construction process of these military strongholds, it can be seen that the Song Army was preparing to fight a protracted war.

The 20,000 reinforcements that came all the way from the Liao Kingdom were stationed in Huolu and Lingshou respectively, forming an inverted shape with Zhending Mansion and confronting the Song army.

In a battle on the banks of the Hutuo River, both sides understood each other's strength. It was basically impossible to devour the other in one bite. Even if they could win quickly, they would not be able to do so.

Only in a long-term confrontation can we see who makes more mistakes.

The party that makes more mistakes will of course be the loser.

Yelu Bianji looked at the map for a long time.

Until the voice of Zhending Mansion guard Xiao Ruoshui came from behind.

"The Song Army, with Zhang Cheng as its commander, gathered together the Shaanxi Road, Qinfeng Road, and the Western Army's brave military commander Zhang Yunsheng's troops and the Shentangbao Li Yi's troops, with a total force of more than 80,000. This time, except for Li

The Yisuo tribe and other tribes have all arrived at Zhending Mansion. It seems that they want to defeat you in one fell swoop and then turn around to deal with our Zhending defenders!"

"What a good plan!" Yelu Bianji sneered. "Do you think we are also the Hedong Army?"

"Liu Quanyi is really a loser. He is sitting in the prosperous Hedong, but he was beaten by the Song army and was unable to fight back. Now he is huddled in Taiyuan Mansion, precarious and unable to help at all." Xiao Ruoshui also shook his head. "If he

If you can defeat Li Yi's troops, you might be able to help us a little bit."

"How is this guy Zhang Cheng?"

"I am Zhang Chao from a general family." Xiao Ruoshui said: "This man is resolute and experienced in military affairs. He has been against us in the Qinling Mountains for many years. Zhang Yunsheng is an experienced veteran. We expect such a person to take risks.

It's simply impossible. To deal with Zhang Cheng, we can only nibble at it bit by bit! But the shaft is now in their hands, which is extremely disadvantageous to us!"

"Now, except for Taiyuan Prefecture, the Song Army has almost completely controlled the prosperous Hedong area. They can obtain supplies, food and wages nearby. Liu Quanyi is such a waste!" Yelv Bianji said angrily.

"The root is not here, it's still in Jianghuai! If Zhennan King's side can't win, from a grand strategic point of view, we will be passive." Xiao Ruoshui frowned and said.

"If you can't win quickly, why don't you retreat and wait for later!" Yelu Bianji walked around the room and said loudly: "Liu Zheng's navy has been destroyed. In the Jianghuai area, there is no support from the navy.

There is basically no chance of victory, so why does the King of Zhennan have to put all his efforts into it? This is a joke on the lives of hundreds of thousands of troops. Even if I am not in Jianghuai, I can guess what the Song army is doing now! They must start to gather reserve forces and use water

The division has been sent to the rear to cut off the retreat and cut off our food routes. General Xiao, is it appropriate for the King of Zhennan to cater to the Queen Mother like this? He is the brother of the late Emperor Xinzhong and an important minister of Daliao!"

Xiao Ruoshui sat down, stared at Yelu Bianji, and said slowly: "General Yelu, I believe you know what the Southern Song Dynasty is like now through the information from the school affairs office, whether it is economic or military.

, the development of the Southern Song Dynasty scares me. On this point, I absolutely support the Queen Mother. If we don’t defeat the Southern Song Dynasty today, every day after that, we will walk step by step towards the abyss. Do you think the Song Dynasty became stronger?

, will you let us go?"

"So you are placing all your hopes on the final attack on Xuzhou? What if you lose? Don't forget, the Song army is not only attacking Zhending Mansion, but also has a large army coming from across the sea and landing in Dengzhou

.”

"So we must guard Zhending Mansion and our escape route!" Xiao Ruoshui lowered his head.

"Why is this so important? Who said we will definitely lose to the Southern Song Dynasty in the future?" Yelu Bianji said angrily. "If we keep the green hills, we won't be afraid of running out of firewood."

"General Yelu, you are also a man of both civil and military skills. You should understand that in the past we were able to suppress the Song people because although they were rich, their army was weak. But now they are not only rich, but their army is getting stronger as they fight. From now on, you

Do you think we still have a chance?" Xiao Ruoshui shook his head.

"Although our Majesty is young, he is wise and mighty. However, Emperor Song is obsessed with heretics and ignores political affairs. Xiao Cheng is dictatorial and overpowers Emperor Song. Sooner or later, he will arouse public anger. The reason why the Song Dynasty is united in facing the outside world is precisely because of us.

We put too much pressure on them. If we just retreat, even withdrawing from Hebei is not impossible." Yelu Bianji said: "We withdraw on our own initiative and form a brotherly state with the Song Dynasty again. In this way, the pressure will be gone.

There will inevitably be internal fighting within the Song Dynasty. When they are in internal chaos, why can't we take action again?"

"It's Yelu Longxu's trick again!" Xiao Ruoshui sneered: "What if the Song people are not in chaos? What if they maintain such a strong momentum? What should we do? Give up Youyan again? Or return to our hometown?

go?"

After a few words, the two of them were speechless.

Although Yelu Bianji led 20,000 Pishi troops from Beijing to come to support him, he was extremely dissatisfied with the current situation. He believed that since the war was not going well and there was little hope of victory, he should conserve his strength for the future. It is like this now.

Being a crazy gambler who has lost his mind is really not the way to govern a country.

Like Yelu Longxu, Yelu Bianji was also among those who wanted the Queen Mother to return to power.

In their opinion, the Queen Mother was just out of anger and using the national destiny of the Liao Kingdom to satisfy her selfish motives.

It is true that the Empress Dowager Chengtian is extremely talented. Under her leadership over the years, the Liao Kingdom has made great progress compared to the past. But when it comes to the root, the ultimate goal of the Empress Dowager trying every means to develop the Liao Kingdom is not

For the long-term support of the Liao Kingdom, the Liao Kingdom may be just a tool for the Empress Dowager.

And on this point, Yelu Bianji was really right.
To be continued...