"What a pity. What a pity." Fang Ling sighed while looking at it. "Such a huge palace has become a ruin. Alas."
Yuan Ji also sighed: "Your Majesty, judging from the scale of the ruins, the palace in Bianliang seemed to be slightly larger than the palace in Lin'an."
I checked it visually and said, "Yes."
Jiang Wanzai took us for a walk around the ruins. After we came out, he said: "Your Majesty, we will arrange the manpower at the end. Let's rebuild it another day."
"Reconstruction." I thought about it and shook my head. "Since it has become history, let it pass."
Jiang Wanzai was stunned for a moment, but quickly replied: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Perhaps, in Jiang Wanzai's view, my return to the ruins of the Bianliang Palace this time can be regarded as a return to my hometown in glory. There is no reason not to carry out extensive construction and repair the foundation of the ancestors.
"Jiang Aiqing sent someone to make a stone tablet to commemorate the late emperor's palace. It was erected in the center of the site. I want to regard this stone tablet as a 'warning monument'. On the front of the stone tablet, it is written: Site of the late emperor's palace of the Song Dynasty. Later it will be The two major events of the 'Jingkang Incident' and the Northern Expedition's recovery of Bianliang must be recorded in it. Also, write the last sentence in "Afanggong Fu" written by the former poet Du Mu at the end. Let me. Let me. All the officials of the imperial court should keep this in mind. 'Future generations will grieve and ignore it, which will also make future generations grieve for future generations again.' This is a classic saying."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I took advantage of the topic and said: "Dear dear friends, as people who come later, you should reflect on it all the time and learn lessons from history so as not to make the same mistakes again. Back then, the military and political strength of our dynasty were all superior to the Jin people. But in the end, we failed They were defeated by the backward and barbaric Jin people. As a result, Emperor Gaozong crossed south and lost a large area of mountains and rivers. Why is this? Although everyone has their own answer, I think that in the final analysis, it lies in the inaction of the court at that time. The late emperor listened to the slander and reused it. Villain, unable to listen and understand at the same time, so that the government does not carry out the agenda and traitors are in power. A few days ago, I talked to everyone about setting up a Senate in the government. The purpose is to find a practical way to supervise the hand. The powerful Government Affairs Council, Military Affairs Council, and even supervise the emperor himself."
When Jiang Wanzai and others heard me say that the Senate could still supervise the emperor, they were all shocked. However, no one showed it. They just said in unison: "Your Majesty, you will eventually learn from me."
"Well, everyone, you must be thinking, how can the Senate supervise the emperor? How can it supervise the emperor?" I paused. "Although this is a very sensitive topic, it will eventually be brought to the table one day. Everyone is Generals who lead troops in war should be clear about what kind of general there is, what kind of soldiers there will be. If the general is not powerful, he can be replaced. But if the emperor is not powerful, what should I do? Replace it. Can it be replaced? I have said it many times. History is a mirror. If the emperor is wise, the world will prosper. If the emperor is mediocre, the world will perish. Therefore, it is most important to ensure that the foundation of our dynasty can last for thousands of years. Of course, this matter is quite unbelievable. I will discuss it later. We slowly discussed it."
After leaving the palace ruins, I went to visit Daxiangguo Temple. The reason why I went to Daxiangguo Temple was because of the influence of "Water Margin". The story of "Lu Zhishen uprooting a weeping willow" has always been fresh in my mind.
On the way, Fan Liangfu, who was familiar with the Daxiangguo Temple, introduced: "Your Majesty, this Daxiangguo Temple in Bianliang is said to have been the former residence of Wei Gongzi Xinlingjun during the Warring States Period. In the sixth year of Tianbao in the Northern Qi Dynasty (555), the temple was founded here. It was named 'Jianguo Temple'. In the first year of Yanhe, Emperor Ruizong of the previous dynasty, it was renamed Xiangguo Temple by Tang Ruiwan's edict, and was given a plaque of "Da Xiangguo Temple". It was commonly called Xiangguo Temple. In our dynasty, Xiangguo Temple became a part of Bianliang City. The largest Buddhist temple. The two scenic spots in the temple, the 'Zi Sheng Xunfeng' and the 'Xiangguo Bell', were also listed as two of the 'Eight Scenes of Bianjing' by the people of Bianliang at that time. They are famous far and wide."
"General Fan, let me ask you whether there was a monk named Master Zhishen in the Daxiangguo Temple more than a hundred years ago. He had infinite manpower and could uproot willows."
Fan Liangfu thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, there is a master named Zhishen. But I have never heard of the incident of 'uprooting willows'."
I said "Oh" and thought to myself, "It seems like the author made it up again."
On March 12, I received a battle report from Li Tingzhi on the East Route regarding the battle on the outskirts of Xuzhou. In this battle, the East Route Army defeated the 30,000 yuan army that besieged the front of Xuzhou in one fell swoop, killing about 9,000 enemy troops. Our army 2,542 soldiers were killed and more than 3,600 wounded. After the battle, the main generals of the Eastern Route Army held careful discussions and followed His Majesty's orders. They suspended the plan to march into Shandong and waited for the arrival of firearms before attacking.
"This is Li Tingzhi." I smiled and continued reading. The general process is as follows:
On March 1st, the Northern Expeditionary Army on the Eastern Route launched an attack at Foxiao.
The Polu Army, who acted as the vanguard, led by General Jiang Cai, took the lead in rushing into the enemy's formation. The three thousand Polu Army were like tigers, and immediately disrupted the Yuan army's position. The flag bearer in the army was holding the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Route Northern Expeditionary Army. Li Tingzhi's banner made the Yuan army think that Li Tingzhi was coming in person, so they attacked with a large army.
Under the command of the frontline general Dong Wenyong, the Yuan army quickly stabilized its position and surrounded the Polu army. This Dong Wenyong was the younger brother of Dong Wenbing, the commander of the Yuan army's East Route Army. He was brave and good at fighting. Brave and resourceful. Although the Polu army was brave, they could not defeat the Yuan army's cavalry, which was several times their own. They were about to be surrounded by the Yuan army. At this juncture, General Jiang Cai issued an order to throw grenades.
Thousands of grenades exploded for the first time in the enemy formation on the east road. Although they were prepared in advance, the Yuan army that besieged the Polu army was still blown away. For a moment, they were at a loss what to do. The explosion of the grenades This was the agreed call for a joint attack. After the Polu army attracted a large number of Yuan troops, Li Tingzhi and Xia Gui respectively led 15,000 elite Song troops and personally launched a general attack from both wings.
Although the Yuan army resisted desperately, the Polu army broke through the encirclement and rushed from the inside to the outside. The formation was in chaos. General Dong Wenyong saw that he was defeated before his eyes. He did not know how many missiles the Song army had, so he immediately ordered the withdrawal of troops. command.
After the Yuan army on the front of Xuzhou retreated, the Yuan army that besieged other gates in Xuzhou also retreated north one after another.
"With Li Tingzhi's plan, Xia Gui's bravery, and the power of the ruthless army, the casualties of our soldiers reached more than 6,000. It can be seen that the enemy was killed by 1,000, and the self-inflicted damage was 800. But after using firearms, the situation became worse. It’s very different.” I sighed after reading it.
In the past, my words would have definitely aroused opposition from the generals. In the offensive battle, our army's casualties were lower than those of the Yuan army. This would have been a miracle. However, the generals of the Northern Expeditionary Army in the center no longer doubt it. After personally participating in the Battle of Xiangyang, the Battle of Dengzhou and other battles where firearms were used, I completely agree with my point of view. The casualties of Li Tingzhi's troops were indeed a bit high.
In the next few days, the Central Route Army divided its forces and gradually recovered most of the cities in Henan. By late March, only Xiangzhou (Anyang) and Yingtianfu (Shangqiu) were still in the hands of the Yuan army.
On March 22nd, General Gundam in central Sichuan reported that our army successfully recovered the land in western Sichuan. At present, the army is resting and recuperating. After sufficient firearms are available, the Northern Expedition will be launched.
On the 24th, I decided to send troops to attack Yingtian Mansion.
"After the Mongolian Middle Route Army retreated, its 50,000 troops were stationed in Xiangzhou and Yingtianfu. Among them, Yingtianfu's troops were the largest, with about 40,000 people. Today, these two cities are the only ones left in Henan. .I have decided to send troops to respond to Tianfu. I wonder which general is willing to be the vanguard."
"Your Majesty, the last general is willing to go." A white-robed young man emerged from among the generals and said.
I took a closer look and saw that it was Meng Tianxiang. Then he smiled and said, "General Meng has great martial arts skills. He must be worthy of it."
"Your Majesty, I am familiar with the terrain of Yingtian Mansion. I am willing to go there." Another young general, Fan Liangfu, continued.
"General Fan is young and promising. You can go there." I looked at the two young generals and said in a good mood. "You two generals, listen to your orders."
"The general is here. Please give orders from the emperor."
"General Fan Liangfu. You are familiar with the terrain. I order you to be the left vanguard of the front guard. You will lead a thousand cavalry troops to set out early tomorrow morning. They will open roads when encountering mountains and build bridges when encountering water. General Meng Tianxiang. I order you to be the right vanguard of the front guard. Lead the Zhongshun Army to clear out scattered Yuan troops along the road. There must be no mistakes."
"Yes. Your Majesty. Your Majesty. Your Majesty. Your Majesty."
"Generals, listen to the order. The 1st and 2nd divisions of the Yulin Army. Wu Songhan's troops in the second wing of Lin'an Military Region. Lu Shikui's troops in the 19th Wing of Xiangyang Military Region. A total of 43,000 people. Four artillery battalion teams totaling 40 units Artillery, Black Carbon Regiment, and Xingfu Army totaling 4,000 people will serve as the Chinese army's escort. A total of 50,000 troops will set out early the next morning to attack Yingtian Mansion."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Marshal Lu Wenhuan of the Central Route Army and Yin Yinglei, the envoy of the Lin'an Military Region, accompanied me on the expedition."
"Yes. I will obey the order."
"Jiang Aiqing, you guard Bianliang and are responsible for military affairs in various places in Henan."
"Yes. The last general honors your order."
"General Zhang Shun, you are responsible for supervising the transportation of grain, grass and military supplies."
"Yes. I will obey the order."
A few days later, more than a thousand Song Army vanguards, led by Meng Tianxiang and Fan Liangfu, arrived fifty miles west of Yingtian Mansion.
After setting up camp, Meng Tianxiang said: "Brother Fan, it's still early. You and I will go to Yingtian Mansion for a walk."
Fan Liangfu was young and energetic. He immediately asked, "Why not?"
The two skilled men were brave and did not lead any troops. They just ordered their lieutenants to strictly guard the camp and wait for the arrival of the follow-up army.
Fan Liangfu was familiar with most of the roads in Henan. He left the camp and took Meng Tianxiang straight east. After a while, the two of them had arrived at Yingtianfu City.
"Meng Tianxiang." A Shu, who was standing on the city gate, had a good eye. He saw Meng and Fan from a distance.
"These two people dare to come and challenge you, Commander-in-Chief. When the generals leave the city at the end, capture them. This will strengthen our army's momentum." Ali Hague said bitterly.