Mianchi County is no longer the boundary of Shaanzhou, but the boundary of Henan Prefecture. The reason why Chen Qing wants to capture Mianchi County is related to its important geographical location. In a sense, Mianchi County is the real entrance to the Xiaohan Ancient Road, and he can only control it.
Only when you get to Mianchi County can you truly open up the Weihan Ancient Road.
Otherwise, if the people want to defect to Sichuan and Shaanxi to make a living, the Puppet Qi State only needs to send a thousand people to guard Mianchi County, and no one can enter the Weihan Ancient Road. It is for this reason that Mianchi County became Chen Qing's choice for this battle between Shaanxi and Guohan.
The last goal.
In fact, one of Chen Qing's very important goals in launching this campaign was to open up the ancient Weihan Road and allow people from the Central Plains to come to Sichuan and Shaanxi to make a living. With a large number of people coming to Sichuan and Shaanxi, he could slowly restore the vitality of northern and central Shaanxi.
Fifty thousand troops and 10,000 supply camels marched towards Mianchi County in a mighty manner. When they were still twenty miles away from Mianchi County, Zhe Keqiu got the news.
This news shocked Zhe Keqiu. He had just received an order from Wanyan Wushu, ordering him to immediately send 10,000 troops to support Hangu Pass. Before he was ready to set off, Chen Qing led the main army to Mianchi County to kill
coming.
There are actually 50,000 to 60,000 troops. How can small Mianchi County bear it?
More importantly, has the Song army captured Hangu Pass in just two or three days? Kong Yanzhou has no news at all, so he is probably in danger.
Zhe Keqiu went up to the county seat and looked to the west. In the distance, he faintly saw the flag fluttering. Sure enough, a large army was coming towards this direction.
Several generals advised: "Commander, Mianchi County is too small to withstand the Song Army's thunderous strike. I'm afraid our entire army will be destroyed. We should retreat back to Luoyang!"
The generals were right. The city wall in Mianchi County was only two feet high and was in disrepair. The gates were also dilapidated. A single blow from a battering ram would cause the wall to collapse, and they would not be able to defend it at all.
But how could he explain to Wanyan Wushu when he retreated from Mianchi?
Lieutenant General Zhou Xingwu folded and said: "The responsibility for the fall of Shaanzhou is not the responsibility of the commander-in-chief, it is entirely Kong Yanzhou's responsibility. Shaanxi County was lost in his hands, and Hangu Pass could not be held after only two days. The commander-in-chief argued with reason,
No matter what, it’s not the commander-in-chief’s turn to take responsibility, and the Fourth Prince’s blow can’t hit the commander-in-chief!”
"I'm afraid that if Mianchi is abandoned, what should I do if Chen Qing's army continues to advance eastward?"
"There is nothing we can do. If Mianchi cannot hold it, our army will be completely destroyed, and Luoyang will be even more dangerous. It is better for us to withdraw our troops and go back to defend Luoyang. At least we still have the strength! If the army is completely destroyed, the Fourth Prince will really not spare his life.
Too handsome."
This sentence woke Zhe Keqiu up. He was really confused. If a ruined city like Mianchi was lost, it would be lost. If Luoyang was lost with an army of 20,000, Wanyan Wushu would not spare him.
He immediately concluded: "Send the order and the whole army will abandon Mianchi and retreat immediately, and return to Luoyang."
The main force of the Song army still had several miles to reach Mianchi County. Zhe Keqiu had already led an army of 20,000 people to quickly evacuate Mianchi County and ran towards Luoyang. He said it was okay to retreat or escape. At this time, he just wanted to
Keep the army and keep your own strength.
Chen Qing also didn't expect that Zhe Keqiu would run away in panic without fighting. This was not in line with the Zhe family's style of fighting to the death and never giving up. It seemed that Zhe Keqiu not only betrayed the Song Dynasty, but also betrayed the Zhe family.
tradition of.
Chen Qing immediately ordered the army to enter Mianchi County. Fifty thousand troops entered the county in a mighty manner and implemented martial law. People were not allowed to take to the streets. Only hidden dangers could be eliminated before normalcy could be restored.
Chen Qing, surrounded by generals, walked up to the top of the city to check the city's defense situation.
On the top of the city, a commander said in confusion: "Prince, Mianchi County has not blocked the Xiaohan Road. In fact, people can pass through the Xiaohan Road at night, and they should not be discovered!"
Chen Qing said calmly: "It doesn't have to be blocked by the county town to block the passage. As long as a sentry post and a checkpoint are built on the necessary road, then no one can even think about passing through."
Everyone burst out laughing, and the commander scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.
At this time, Liu Qiong was embarrassed and said: "Your Majesty, I have some ideas. If we rebuild Mianchi County and build it into a tall, solid city that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, wouldn't it be more convenient for us to become our bridgehead?"
Chen Qing shook his head, "When the enemy comes, we just need to retreat to Shaanxi County. When the enemy retreats, we will take it back. If we really need a strong city and let the enemy build it, we don't have to worry about it."
Liu Qiong continued to say, Chen Qing waved his hand and said: "Mianchi County is not a strategic location. If the enemy cannot capture Shaanxi County, they will not station troops in Mianchi County. They are more likely to rebuild Xin'an County or consolidate Luoyang City.
Don't always focus on a small city. Let me say it again, the strategic city is Shaanxi County, not Mianchi County, Lingbao County, Hucheng County and others. As long as we hold on to Shaanxian County, we will hold on to Shaanxi Province."
Liu Qiong said with shame on her face: "I understand the humble position!"
Chen Qing turned back to the generals and said: "If you want to stand alone, the key is to have a strategic vision and know how to grasp the big and let go of the small. The fundamental reason why Kong Yanzhou failed so quickly is that he has no strategic vision. He clearly has 20,000 troops."
, he should concentrate on guarding Shaanxi County, instead of spreading salt, garrisoning a little bit in each small town, and finally being defeated one by one."
Everyone bowed and said: "In this humble position, please remember the teachings of the prince!"
Chen Qing immediately left a thousand troops to guard Mianchi County, and ordered Niu Gao to lead 10,000 troops to guard Shaanxi County, and ordered him to build twenty beacons on the Xiaohan Ancient Road all the way to Tongguan.
Before leaving Shaanxi Province, Chen Qing issued a series of appointments, appointing his army staff Fu Lin as the magistrate of Shaanzhou, appointing Yang Gongdao as the magistrate of Guozhou, recommending Yang Chu as the magistrate of Shaanxi County, recommending Wang Changyi as the magistrate of Mianchi County, and the rest.
State and county officials are appointed by the Department of Civil Affairs.
This is also the division of responsibilities between Chen Qing and the Department of Internal Affairs and the Department of Personnel. He can directly appoint magistrates, but the appointment of officials below the magistrate is the responsibility of the Department of Internal Affairs and the Department of Personnel. Chen Qing can recommend individual officials at most, and it can only be a recommendation.
He cannot overstep downwards.
Similarly, for military appointments, Chen Qing can only appoint the top two levels. Currently, the top two levels are Dutong and Tongzhi.
The military positions of generals below the commander are appointed by the capital commander and the governor. For example, the governor can appoint generals below the commander, and the commander can appoint generals below the commander, but the commander has no appointment power.
In addition, in addition to military positions, military generals also have military rank officers. Military rank officers are mainly related to the salary and welfare benefits of military generals, and are also highly concerned by military generals.
After the Battle of Xixia, Chen Qing abolished the system of third-class and fifty-second-class generals established during the Huizong era of the Song Dynasty. This system was too cumbersome and unfair in civil and military positions. Chen Qing restored the military positions of the early Northern Song Dynasty within the Western Army.
The official system and the honored official system.
Therefore, in the Western Army, they are no longer called military rank officers, but are called military rank officers. Military rank officers are evaluated by the Department of Civil Affairs based on the qualifications and merits of the generals. Qualifications are especially important.
At present, Chen Qing's military position is Marshal of the Western Army, and his military officer has not yet been appointed. He only has a rank-level official title granted by the emperor, Taiwei, and the title of Lingwu County Prince.
The honorary officer system is mainly aimed at retired soldiers and gives them a social status.
When the 90,000-strong army arrived at Tongguan, Chen Qing issued military orders again, promoting Liu Qiong and Niu Gao to deputy capital commanders, Tang Qian to commander, and Wang Duo to military commander. Generally speaking, military officers above deputy commanders can be appointed as
General.
The 90,000-strong army continued to be stationed at Pujin Pass, while Chen Qingze returned to Jingzhao Mansion by boat.