During the Xiande period of the later Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Shizong sent his troops northward. In just forty-two days, he captured three passes and two states in a row without a single blow.
The three passes are Waqiao Pass (Xiongzhou), Yijin Pass (Bazhou), and Yukou Pass (Xin'an Army).
Xiongzhou, Bazhou, and north of the Xin'an Defense Line, the terrain is gradually rising. The terrain is mainly mountainous, and the passes in the mountains are mostly important places for the Khitans to move south.
Before the Tang Dynasty, all dynasties used the Great Wall in the mountains as a defensive circle to prevent the barbarians from entering the northern part of the Great Wall.
However, after Shi Jingtang ceded the Yanyun Land, all the fortresses around Yanshan fell into the hands of the Khitans. Since then, the strategic initiative has also fallen into the hands of the Khitans.
Starting from Taizu of the Song Dynasty, all the emperors of the Song Dynasty hoped to regain the land of Youyun.
It is a pity that the Song War God's two Northern Expeditions failed. The tragic price also made the Song Dynasty monarchs understand that the land of Youyun is not so easy to recover.
After that, the Song Dynasty's monarchs and ministers focused their attention on the Xiongzhou, Bazhou, and Xin'an defense lines, switching from offense to defense, and built a "Great Water Wall" in the plain area at the foot of the mountain with the Juma River as the boundary.
Although the cost of building the Great Water Wall is high, we have to admit that it is indeed effective.
Relying on the danger of the pond, the mobility of the Khitan cavalry can be effectively reduced.
May 23rd.
The Khitan army approached Waqiao Pass, with flags fluttering. Looking around, one could see how vast it was and how far away it was.
On the wall of Xiongzhou City, Zhang Zhaoyuan looked at the mighty Khitan army, and couldn't help showing a bit of worry in his eyes.
The Khitan people came prepared!
Looking at the organic siege equipment shows that the Khitans were not planning to just collect a handful of wool and leave.
Zhang Zhaoyuan was the son of Zhang Ning, a general in the early Song Dynasty. Zhang Ning was one of Taizong's former ministers who had a reputation for bravery.
During the Jingde period, the Liao army went south. Zhang Ning and his son Yang Yanzhao were the vanguards, each leading elite troops to defend their respective areas. In this battle, Zhang Ning's troops defeated the Liao army and captured tens of thousands of Khitan soldiers and horses.
After the war, Zhang Ning was awarded the title of Marquis Yu of the capital in front of the palace for his meritorious service. (The commander of the army in front of the palace, second only to the capital commander and deputy capital commander)
As the son of a famous general, Zhang Zhaoyuan is also one of the well-known generals in the border areas. He is very brave and has a history of military exploits.
(PS: It is true that the Song Dynasty emphasized civility over military affairs, but the monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty were not fools. For important border defense towns like Xiongzhou, the successive magistrates were basically military ministers. From the second year of Jianlong (961) to the sixth year of Xuanhe (1124),
Among the 52 magistrates of Xiongzhou, 49 were military ministers, 2 were civil servants, and 1 was auspicious for both civil and military affairs)
"General, we have orders to enter the city!"
Just when Zhang Zhaoyuan was thinking about how to defend himself against the enemy, a soldier hurried to the tower.
"Who sent the message?"
The soldier said: "It's General Xiao Yang."
General Xiao Yang?
Among the front lines, the only one who can be called General Yang is Yang Yanzhao's son Yang Wenguang.
"Walk!"
After saying this, Zhang Zhaoyuan raised his steps and walked quickly towards the official office in the city.
After a while, he saw his old friend.
"Meet the general!"
Although the magistrate was a civil servant, Zhang Zhaoyuan still liked others to call him a general. Of course, Yang Wenguang knew this.
"What is the commander-in-chief's order?"
Zhang Zhaoyuan waved his hand, indicating that Yang Wenguang did not need to be polite.
The military situation was urgent, and at this moment he urgently wanted to know how Wang Deyong planned to defeat the enemy.
The Khitans were coming with great force. According to reports from the detective horses, there were at least 100,000 troops outside the city. Moreover, Yongqing County under Bazhou had been occupied by the Khitans.
Although Yongqing is not a strategic location, occupying Yongqing means cutting off the connection between Bazhou and Xiongzhou.
If another Khitan army crosses the Yuhe River, the consequences will be unimaginable.
"The commander-in-chief has an order, and the general is ordered to lead his troops out of the city to raid the Khitan camp at the end of the afternoon (three o'clock in the afternoon)!"
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Zhaoyuan was shocked.
If the person who sent the message was not Yang Wenguang, he would probably get mad on the spot and directly order his own soldiers to capture him.
Could it be that the hundreds of thousands of Khitan troops outside the city were just a display?
The total number of troops stationed in the city is only about 40,000.
40,000 troops are already a bit stretched to defend the city, so why should we take the initiative to attack?
Forty thousand versus hundreds of thousands, what to fight?
Hit him on the head?
The next second, Zhang Zhaoyuan's face darkened and he glanced sharply at Yang Wenguang.
What exactly does the commander-in-chief want to do?
Avenging a private vendetta?
The inside of the general door is not monolithic.
During the Jingde period, when the Khitan army went south, Wang Deyong's father, Wang Chao, wanted to recruit troops for his own use. However, the generals headed by Yang Yanzhao and Zhang Ning believed that gathering troops in one place was not a good strategy.
In the end, Wang Chao's plan failed. Yang Yanzhao, Zhang Ning and others each led 5,000 troops and were stationed in Baozhou, Suicheng and other places.
In that battle, Wang Chao's suggestion was rejected first, and then Yang Yanzhao and Zhang Ning made military exploits. After that, the relationship between the Wang family and the Zhang family gradually became estranged.
It is precisely because of this that Zhang Zhaoyuan felt that Wang De's order was intentional?
Deliberately letting him die!
"General, time is pressing, so please make preparations early."
Hearing this, Zhang Zhaoyuan suddenly became furious and stared at Yang Wenguang fiercely.
On the other side, Yang Wenguang saw Zhang Zhaoyuan's movements and stared at him without taking a step back.
Although he understood Zhang Zhaoyuan's mentality and changed places, if it were him, he would probably not be able to accept such an order.
But this order does not mean that Zhang Zhaoyuan will die.
But to make meritorious deeds!
At this moment, the advance troops are already in position carrying thunder and fire bombs. When the time comes, the Khitan army will receive the baptism of thunder and fire bombs.
Yang Wenguang has experienced the power of thunder and fire bombs.
At that time, the Khitan army will be in chaos!
Once the military formation is in chaos, no matter how large the Khitan army is outside the city, they are just lambs to be slaughtered.
certainly.
I understand, but Yang Wenguang really can't tell you the specific information one by one.
However, the subtle reminders are deliberate.
"General, Zhong Rong swears in the name of the Yang family that this battle will never be a desperate battle."
"Before leaving, the commander-in-chief asked Zhong Rong to bring a message to the general."
"When the sky thunders, it's time for the decisive battle!"
Thunder rumbling?
Hearing this, Zhang Zhaoyuan looked at Yang Wenguang with confusion, hoping that the other party could give him an explanation.
However, he did not wait to explain.
"General, please forgive me. There are secrets here. Zhong Rong can't tell them all at the moment."
"good."
After thinking for a long time, Zhang Zhaoyuan nodded.
"I will believe you once."
It is difficult to disobey military orders. Wang Deyong is the commander-in-chief of the front line. As a subordinate, how can Zhang Zhaoyuan disobey orders?
If he really disobeys the order, not only will he be punished, but the family will also be implicated.
In Zhang Zhaoyuan's heart, family honor and disgrace are far more important than personal life and death.
Besides, Yang Wenguang has blocked the Yang family's reputation, so what's the harm in trusting him once?
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PS: I really can’t write enough about the war scenes. Sorry, there is only one update today.