At the foot of Helan Mountain, on the bank of the Yellow River, Xingqing Mansion.
This place is located in the middle of the left side of the word "ji" on the Yellow River. It is the capital of Xixia and is known as "the fortress to the south of the Yangtze River, the land of plenty".
Tachaer has arrived with his troops and is stationed at Shizuishan, north of Xingqing Mansion.
He had an advantage in terms of military strength, but he did not want to attack Xingqing Mansion immediately. He only ordered to surround the city and make siege equipment.
Its purpose was to attract more troops from the Tang army and help Dong Wenbing rescue Zhenjin.
Of course, it would be good if we take advantage of the situation and capture Xingqing Mansion.
Regarding how to attack Xingqing Mansion, Tachaer's views were completely different from those of other generals.
"Back then, when Genghis Khan destroyed Xixia, Xixia's national power was already very weak. Look at the territory of Xixia at that time. Except for the Hexi Corridor and the Helan Mountains, there were not many places for grazing and farming. Such was the situation, Genghis Khan besieged Xingqing
The government was also attacked by force for two months but could not be captured. What did you do in the end?"
"Water attack." Sargis responded, "Genghis Khan ordered people to open up the Yellow River and let the rolling Yellow River water flow to Xingqing Mansion."
Tachaer nodded, pointed to the Yellow River in the east, and said: "If you ask me to attack Xingqing Mansion, I will attack it by water."
Saji thought: "But His Majesty ordered Zhang Wenqian to govern Xixia a few years ago and sent Guo Shoujing to repair the canal. He did not agree to flood Xingqing Mansion."
"He just became stupid by studying Chinese law and forgot how the Golden Family controlled the world."
"Your Majesty, it's better not to criticize His Majesty behind your back."
"Okay." Tachaer sighed: "Even I have to learn to be as respectful as the Han people, and the warriors on the grassland should be sincere and frank."
All in all, if he really wants to attack Xingqing Mansion, he plans to imitate Genghis Sweat and flood Xingqing Mansion, instead of fighting a tough and difficult battle.
This is the characteristic of his fighting style.
Therefore, in the past ten years or so, although he has few achievements, his strength has become stronger and stronger. Although his bloodline is far away, his status has become higher and higher.
But since Kublai Khan has not yet agreed to his approach, Tachaer plans to lead his army back to Jiuyuan City after ensuring that Zhenjin's trip to Tubo goes smoothly.
He didn't want to stay in Xingqing Mansion any longer.
The strange thing was that Dong Wenbing hadn't come yet, so he had to keep sending people to Heishui City to urge him.
The messenger over there to Blackwater City hasn't returned yet, but the Tanma from the south has arrived.
"Your Majesty, Li Xia has arrived and wants to break through our siege and enter Xingqing Mansion."
Tachaer was surprised and didn't know what to ask for a moment, so she just asked: "Really?"
"yes."
Sarges asked: "How many soldiers and horses are there?"
"Looking at the vastness of the formation, there should be more than 10,000 people, more likely more than 3,000 people, each with three riders."
Saji thought: "With Li Xia's fighting style, he must be one man and three cavalry."
It can be seen that today's Yuan army generals basically know Li Xia very well.
Tachaer spat and said: "Li Xia and these people are not enough to attack anywhere, and they don't dare to fight my army. The strength used to attract my troops is just right. Even if I defeat him, it will be difficult."
Catch up with him. He was like this when he attacked the Song Dynasty. There is not much point in fighting him."
"The king is right, he has always been so shameless, hiding like a mouse." Sajisi said: "He sent Lian Xixian to Yumen Pass, and then personally came to attract the king's troops. It must be to provide relief to the Wu in the Western Regions.
Lu Hunai came to the rescue, and there are rumors that they are in love."
"Li Xia married the youngest daughter of Uluru Hunai." Speaking of this, Tachaer couldn't help but said: "Hedan is really a waste, leaving this mess in the Western Region. The kings of the Western Region are getting more and more miserable, or
As incompetent as He Dan, or as shameless as Haidu."
Sarges thought deeply.
Looking at the current situation, only the kings of the East are the pillars of the Great Yuan.
He turned his mind back to the war, twirled his beard and thought for a while, then suddenly raised his brows and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, how about putting Li Xia in the Xingqing Mansion?"
"oh?"
Tacha'er was already distracted, thinking about how to unite the kings of the host country and gain a greater status.
He is not very willing to fight, but he is extremely astute in politics.
"Your Majesty, how about letting Li Xia enter Xingqing Mansion and then attack by water...?"
Tachaer's brows moved and he suddenly realized.
Yes, Kublai Khan did not allow water to flood Xingqing Mansion, but if it could flood Li Xia, why would he disagree?
"Thank you to Changsheng Heaven for giving me such a wise man as Wang Xiang. Let's do this."
~~
Xingqing Mansion.
As the Yuan army in the south retreated, Li Xia's dragon flag fluttered and entered Xingqing Mansion, causing cheers from the defenders in the city.
This was the first time that the officers and soldiers of the Ningxia Army had met with Li Xia after he became emperor. Moreover, they were surrounded, so they were naturally very excited when the new emperor personally came to relieve the siege.
"Long live my emperor!"
Among the cheers, only Li Zengbo, who greeted Li Xia in Nancheng, looked a little embarrassed.
In fact, Li Zengbo never expressed his position on Li Xia's proclaimed emperor. He neither congratulated nor criticized or criticized like some Song Dynasty officials. He showed an appearance of letting nature take its course, and usually only avoided it when it was really unavoidable.
Only when you are called "Your Majesty".
Li Xia was able to understand Li Zengbo's mood. After the reception ceremony, he invited him to the top of the city to chat alone, saying, "I have put Duke Jingzhai in a difficult position."
Although this sentence showed sympathy for Li Zengbo, the self-proclaimed "I" also showed his determination.
Li Zengbo sighed and said: "If we talk about difficulties, I have prided myself on my loyalty all my life, but when the time came, I still betrayed the Song Dynasty."
"Sooner or later this day will come, Lord Jingzhai, just take it easy." Li Xia said with a smile, "Being a founding hero during my lifetime, regaining my homeland and unifying the world. How can I not be so secretive and deceive the world and steal my reputation? When I became emperor,
The only thing that comes to mind is a sentence: If a man dares to do something, he will be worthy."
Li Zengbo smiled bitterly and said, "I owe the Song Dynasty."
"No, Da Song owes you."
"Your Majesty, does your Majesty know who my ancestors are?" Li Zengbo asked: "My ancestor is named Taobao Bangyan. He has a handsome appearance and a beautiful appearance. He calls himself Li Langzi. He is familiar with obscene things. He is good at joking and can play Cuju. He is similar to Jia Sidao.
... I am not filial. To be honest, my ancestor's character and talents are not as good as Jia Sidao's. My ancestor was highly valued by Emperor Huizong and promoted to prime minister. When the Jin soldiers approached Kaifeng, he advocated ceding territory and negotiating peace, which caused the shame of Jingkang."
At this point, he let out another helpless sigh.
"So I owe it to the Song Dynasty. Throughout my life, I have had ups and downs. Although I was ostracized and suppressed, I originally thought that no matter what, I would protect the country of the Song Dynasty and atone for the sins of my ancestors. Now, since I want to follow your majesty to build unparalleled achievements.
, I felt that I had once again let down the Song Dynasty, and I felt so resentful that I couldn’t sit still.”
"Does Duke Jingzhai actually see it this way?" Li Xia asked, "Without Gao Qiu, Li Bangyan, and Zhao Ji, how could Zhao Ji avoid the country's subjugation?"
Li Zengbo remained silent, of course he understood such a simple truth.
It’s just that I’m having a tough time in my heart.
Li Xia then reached into his arms, took out an old thin book and handed it to Li Zengbo, saying: "Those who have perished since ancient times, Empress Li is the most pitiful, followed by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. Destiny will do it."
Li Zengbo took it and took a look and saw that it was a genealogy.
His own genealogy was left behind by Li Bangyan after he went south. The genealogy further up was lost during the Jingkang Incident. We only know that Li Bangyan's father was a silversmith named Li Pu.
At this time, I was reading up the booklet one by one. When I saw that my ancestor turned out to be Li Yu of the Southern Tang Dynasty, my mood became strange.
"this……"
"I know what you are thinking, and I specially ordered someone to check it out."
Li Zengbo was speechless for a moment.
He had no idea whether the booklet Li Xia gave him was true or false.
In fact, it has long been impossible to verify.
But before he could distinguish it, his mind had already thought of what Zhao did to Li Yu after the fall of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and most of the guilt in his heart disappeared.
Maybe it's not important whether it's true or not, people always have to find excuses for themselves.
Li Xia learned this principle from Zhao Jin.
Ever since he told Zhao Jin that he went to rescue Zhao Yun on the night of the palace coup, Zhao Jin became a lot happier. Now he lives in Chang'an and can live a normal life.
He hoped that Li Zengbo could do the same.
The next moment, Li Zengbo bowed deeply and said: "Old minister, thank you very much, Your Majesty."
Li Xia nodded, feeling very relieved to know that this trip had convinced this old minister who was originally loyal to Zhao Song.
He stretched out his hand to support him and said, "Li Qing's words are not in vain."
"Old minister, Your Majesty has to worry about it."
"worth."
After the monarch and his ministers exchanged a few words of greetings, Li Zengbo was already moved, and he managed not to cry.
"The wind and sand on top of the city are too strong. How about your majesty going to the military council hall to meet with the troops? Your majesty, look over there. That is the former site of the Western Xia Palace..."
~~
Military Council Hall.
Many Ningxia military generals gathered together, feeling a little nervous.
But gradually, they found that it was not difficult to understand when His Majesty discussed military affairs with the commander-in-chief, and it was even somewhat easy to understand.
"Let's talk about Yang Ben first. Li Qing ordered him to break out of the city in order to contain Dong Wenbing's tribe, right?"
"Yes, the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty attacked the Western Regions with an army of 150,000, and Lian Shanfu had to transfer the troops from Gansu. If the old ministers don't support Gansu, it will be difficult."
"Well done. I met Yang Ben in Shatoupo and cooperated with him to let him try to annihilate Dong Wenbing..."
A map was spread out, and Li Xia clicked with his finger on Heishui City, and then moved further south to the Tengger Desert.
Li Zengbo looked at it for a while and then said in deep thought: "Forgive me for speaking frankly, facing a general like Dong Wenbing, it is difficult to annihilate this Yuan army with two thousand cavalry."
"Let Yang Ben try it."
"This is His Majesty's past style of play."
"Yes, but even if we lose, as long as we can hold Dong Wenbing back, the situation will be in our favor. You see, the Yuan army in Hetao has a whole chain, one link here, one link here, all the way to the Western Regions. Dong Wenbing's
If one link falls off, the entire chain is broken.”
Li Zengbo nodded with a smile and asked the generals: "What do you think will happen next?"
A general came forward and said: "Dong Wenbing's link is broken, and the Yuan army will temporarily have no support in the Western Regions. Can we concentrate Gansu forces to break the siege of the Western Regions, so that Lian Gong can directly attack Brother Manla?"
"No." Soon another general pointed at the map, "The Yuan army's chain was broken into two parts, one in the east and one in the west. The west part will be consumed by the allies in the Western Regions. We should attack the east part.
Just one length is right.”
Everyone's eyes lit up and they suddenly understood.
Li Zengbo stroked his beard and nodded, smiled at Li Xia and said: "Kublai Khan sent a young boy to build his achievements, but he turned out to be a drag. His majesty pushed him so smoothly, first dragging Dong Wenbing, and then dragging Tacha'er.
, I’m afraid it will drag down the whole situation in Hetao.”
"It can't be said that Zhenjin is a drag. It can only be said that he has not tempered himself enough in normal times, and he has taken on big responsibilities when he was just starting out, and his flaws have been exposed." Li Xia said, "The cruel thing is that in this kind of battle, if there are any flaws, we will tear them apart.
Come on."
After that, he clicked on the map to indicate where to tear it apart.
~~
Yan'an Prefecture.
Zhang Jue opened an urgent letter, immediately called in his soldiers, and shouted: "Beat the drum and tell the generals to discuss the matter."
Soon, he strode down the city wall, walked into the military meeting hall holding the handle of his sword, and glanced at the generals.
"Tacha'er has arrived at Helan Mountain, and the Yuan army in the north is isolated and helpless. Our time has finally come..."