"Yes, Your Majesty," Lu Wende dared not hide anything at this time, and he mustered up the courage to say, "The third phase is to build a food market in the south of Xiangyang City, at Xian Mountain and Hutoushan Mountain in the south."
"Really, that's great. In addition, the mountains such as Wanshanbao and Baizhang Mountain to the west of Xiangyang City can form an encirclement. It can be said that the only connection between Xiangyang and the outside world is water," I said with an angry smile. "Lu Aiqing, what benefits have you gained? Tell me and let me see if this business is a good deal."
Seeing my sudden smile, Lu Wende felt even more frightened in his heart, and stammered: "Your Majesty, according to the agreement, each phase of the agreement will be implemented. Before the implementation, I can get a hundred horses and horses from the Mongols." Ten jade belts studded with diamonds,"
"One hundred horses, ten jade belts, three-phase agreement, three hundred horses, thirty jade belts,"
"Yes, Your Majesty,"
"The Mongols exchanged 300 horses and 30 jade belts for the forging fields around Xiangyang. Is this business a good deal? I really don't know how to calculate it. Lu Aiqing, please tell me."
"Your Majesty, I, I know that I am guilty,"
"Lu Wenhuan, you also know this, right?"
"Your Majesty, I know that I am also guilty,"
"You two brothers should go into business. For such a shrewd person to serve as the commander of a war zone, in my opinion, you are wronged,"
"Your Majesty, I deserve death for my crimes. Please deal with it, Your Majesty."
I looked at the Lu brothers who were kneeling on the ground, turned to Yuan Ji behind me and said, "Sir, make a pot of tea. I'm a little thirsty now."
"Yes, Your Majesty,"
After Yuan Ji made the tea, I drank it by myself, leaving the Lu brothers kneeling on the ground. I didn't say anything, and they didn't dare to speak. There was a sudden silence in the room, and it took about another cup of tea. , I said: "Get up, I won't pursue the past, it's just this business, you have to continue it,"
Lu Wende didn't understand what I meant, so he didn't dare to get up. He still knelt on the ground and said in fear: "Your Majesty, I don't dare,"
"Why, didn't you understand what I said? I asked you to continue the agreement,"
Lu Wende and Lu Wenhuan looked at each other and said uneasily: "Your Majesty made it clear,"
"Rise up and speak,"
"Yes, Your Majesty,"
After Lu Wenhuan stood up, I looked at him carefully. Judging from the appearance, he and Lu Wende were indeed somewhat similar. They were both tall and tall men. Their skin was dark, and there was a bit of shrewdness in the black. They had thick beards and short beards, but they were A little more bookish, I said to Yuan Ji: "Sir, map,"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Yuan Ji placed a military map of Xiangyang on the table.
I pointed to Xiangyang City on the map and said, "If Xiangyang City is surrounded by the Mongolian army, how long can you hold it?"
Lu Wende said: "Your Majesty, Xiangyang City is strong. Even if the surrounding fortresses were converted into military fortresses by the Mongols and cut off from the outside world, I think there is no problem in holding on for three to five years. However, it is difficult for Fancheng to hold on like this." Long,"
"The city of Fancheng is relatively small and it is difficult to block the Mongols' return artillery. What if I provide you with a large number of firearms?"
Lu Wende asked: "Your Majesty, is this the kind of artillery we saw in the Gunpowder Department last time?"
"Well, artillery is just one type of firearm. Others include muskets, projectiles, etc.,"
Lu Wenhuan didn't know what a firearm was, and asked curiously: "Your Majesty, what is this artillery, and what is the Huihui cannon?"
"Lu Wenhuan, Lu Wende didn't tell you about our artillery after he returned."
Lu Wenhuan said: "Your Majesty, no."
Almost at the same time, Lu Wende also said: "Your Majesty won't let me tell you, how can I dare to tell others?"
"Firearms are a new type of weapon that uses gunpowder as ammunition. I call traditional swords, guns, swords and halberds cold weapons, while firearms are called hot weapons. The future war must be a world of hot weapons. Lu Wende has already seen its power. As for the trebuchet, it is a weapon used for offensive and defensive warfare. It can launch boulders weighing one hundred and fifty kilograms. This kind of trebuchet is improved on the basis of the ancient trebuchet. Innovation makes it more advanced and more powerful, but after all, it cannot escape the category of cold weapons."
According to historical records, the Huihui cannon was built by Alaowading and Yisimayin from the Western Regions. In 1271, the Mongols were unable to attack Xiangyang for a long time, so they placed the cannon at the southeast corner of Fancheng City. It weighed 150 kilograms and was machine-operated. The sound shook the heaven and the earth, and everything hit was destroyed, and it penetrated seven feet into the ground. After breaking Fan City, he moved his attacking tools towards Xiangyang, and hit the Qiao tower with one shot. The sound was like thunder, shaking the city, and the city was fierce. Many generals overran the city and surrendered. , Song Dynasty appeased Lu Wenhuan's fear and surrendered the city.
"A huge boulder weighing one hundred and fifty kilograms," Lu Wenhuan said in surprise. One of the main tools for attacking the city at that time was the trebuchet, but at most it could throw rocks weighing thirty to fifty kilograms, and stones weighing more than one hundred kilograms. Unheard of.
"That's right,"
Lu Wenhuan had been in the army for decades and had never seen the Mongolian army use such a powerful trebuchet, but he did not dare to ask more questions and said with half doubt: "Given the strength of the city of Fan City, it is indeed difficult to withstand the repeated bombardment of the return artillery. Even Xiangyang City , it’s hard to say how long it can be blocked,”
Lu Wende said disapprovingly: "Lv Wenhuan, although the Huihui cannon your Majesty mentioned is powerful, it is far inferior to the artifact of our dynasty, which is the artillery. If you have seen the power of its launch, you will find it incredible. That’s called shocking,”
"Well, Lu Wenhuan, this time I will let you experience the power of my artifact. After reading it, you will naturally understand. Moreover, the Mongolian return artillery is still under development. I estimate that it will take at least three to five years before it can be put into use. Nian, okay, let’s get back to the topic. I want you to defend for three years surrounded by the Mongolian army without external help. Can you do it?”
Lu Wende said confidently: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I promise that I will defend Xiangfan to the death."
Lu Wenhuan hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I guarantee that your Majesty's intention is to implement a counter-siege."
"Well, I want you to hold back the Mongols in Xiangfan. I will carry out counter-siege on the outside of the field, encircle the points for reinforcements, and concentrate our forces to eliminate the enemy's effective forces. Lu Wenhuan, do you have any questions?"
"Your Majesty, I understand that your Majesty is wise, and I will definitely follow your Majesty's will and do business well with the Mongols,"
"As long as you understand, you two Lu Aiqing, please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." It was only then that the two of them finally calmed down and thought in unison that this year's performance report had passed the test.
"Only you two know about this matter, so it must be kept secret. If my predictions are correct, the Mongols will choose Xiangfan as the breakthrough point to go south. The key to the Song-Mongol War lies in Xiangyang City, and the Battle of Xiangyang will become This is the turning point of the war between the two countries. If I win, I will send my troops northward to regain the lost mountains and rivers in one fell swoop. If defeated, the Mongolian army will be able to march straight in. There will be no barrier for our country. The flat land is suitable for the Mongolian cavalry, so this battle can be said to be a matter of life and death. After the war, after you return, you need to keep a low profile and continue your business with the Mongols while continuing to train troops, secretly stock up on military supplies, and prepare for a protracted war."
Lu Wenhuan said: "Yes, I have received the order. Your Majesty, according to your Majesty's opinion, when will the Mongols attack?"
"When will the third phase of your agreement with the Mongols begin?"
Lu Wende said: "Your Majesty, I will return to you in the year after tomorrow, that is, at the end of the third year of Xianchun."
"Well, there are still two years left, and the Mongolians' national strength should be restored. It's almost time for the Mongols to choose." After that, I raised my voice slightly and shouted, "Xiaoqi,"
"Here," Xiao Qi came in from outside the door.
"Go and call Fan Tianshun and Niu Fu, the guards of Fancheng, in."
After a while, Xiao Qi led Fan and Niu inside, "The last general, Fan Tianshun, and the last general, Niu Fu, will see the emperor,"
"My dear friends, please excuse me and sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty,"
I was much more polite to the two Fancheng defenders, mainly because these two generals in history would rather die than surrender, and showed a generous and heroic spirit of sacrifice, which deserves the respect of future generations like me. , to give people something to say.
"Dear dear friends, the Xiangfan Battle Area is located at the frontier of our country. Xiangyang and Fancheng are interdependent on the north and south of the Han River. They span Jingyu and control the north and the south. The terrain is very dangerous. It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times, especially for us. The DPRK resisted the Mongolian army in the important town of Bianlong. It has been a hundred years since Yue Fei regained Xiangyang, and now we are facing the war between Song and Mongolia. Do you have the confidence to defend our territory?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry, people are in the city,"
"Very good," I said with a smile, "Now I will announce the personnel appointments of the Xiangyang Military Region. Lu Wende, I will appoint you as the institutional envoy of the Xiangyang Military Region, with full responsibility for the military affairs of the entire military region. Lu Wenhuan, I will appoint you as the pacifier of the South Jingxi Road." Envoy, assist Lu Wende in guarding Xiangfan and be responsible for local government affairs. Fan Tianshun, I appoint you as the deputy envoy of the Xiangyang Military Region to garrison Fancheng. Niu Fu, I appoint you as the county magistrate of Fancheng and the garrison of Fancheng."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gift."
I nodded and said: "Well, my dear friends, the land of Xiangfan is a battleground between Song Dynasty and Mongolia, and it will definitely become the intersection point of the war between the two countries. With you four dear friends stationed there, I can sit back and relax."
"Your Majesty, please feel free to worry."
Judging from the debriefing reports of each war zone this time, all regions are actively training troops, and the morale of the soldiers has been greatly improved. According to my last instructions, the four war zones have sent several small teams to sneak into enemy lines. However, the progress is currently It is still unclear. At the same time, according to detailed reports sent from various places, the Mongolian troops at the junction are also conducting large-scale military training. The soldiers on both sides understand that a life-and-death battle between Song and Mongolia is unavoidable. Only by strengthening their own capabilities can they win. May increase chances of surviving a war.
At the end of the meeting, I talked about the importance of establishing base areas behind enemy lines and some scattered experiences in my memory.