Five Dynasties River Mountains Fengyue

From the trapped emperor to the common people in the city, there was no doubt that they were not overjoyed by the signs of the Zhou army withdrawing. Many people even began to burn incense and worship Buddha, begging the Bodhisattva to bless Zhou to withdraw the army quickly.

Buddhism was introduced into China from the Han Dynasty, and flourished in the Tang Dynasty. By the Five Dynasties, it had developed to the extent of flooding. The emperor of Zhou State had rectified it, but Buddhism was the state religion in the Liao Kingdom. The officials in the Liao Kingdom were selected to learn from the Central Plains. Buddhism and the official belief are all, and Taoism does not have such a position in the Central Plains.

Everyone in the city was happy, but only one family was not happy, and that was Xiao Siwen's family.

Although Zhou Jun wanted to withdraw, Xiao Siwen was still a prisoner in Zhou Jun's hands. The Xiao family mansion was full of grief and panic. The Patriarch was captured by Zhou people, and the family was extremely uneasy.

The wife of Xiao Siwen, the eldest princess of the Yan Kingdom who is in charge of the housework for the time being, has a noble status and can still maintain the Xiao mansion, but she was ill at first, and fell ill again after hearing about this incident. Tears washed their faces every day, they hated Zhou Jun and Shi Congyun to the point of gnashing their teeth, but there was nothing they could do.

They were in Nanjing, away from the mouth of the Central Plains, and they had the most news about Nanfang. They had heard more or less about the prestige of General Zhou Shi Congyun. He fought wars everywhere in the past few years, and his reputation spread all over the world, but he didn't take it to heart.

They didn't expect that this first meeting of fate would be so tragic and leave a deep impression on them.

The smartest youngest daughter, Xiao Zhuo, shed tears of fright when she heard that her father was captured by Shi Congyun's army. Later, when she heard that Shi Congyun was cruel and inhuman, and massacred the Liao army, she was even more frightened. Bloodless, everyone felt that the Patriarch was doomed if he fell into the hands of the vicious Shi Congyun.

Unexpectedly, two days later, the emperor sent his own soldiers to tell them the news in a hurry, saying that Zhou Jun was willing to exchange Xiao Siwen for hostages...

Chapter 256, Xiao Chuo

After the news of the decision to withdraw the troops was released, most of the soldiers were happy. Facing a fortified city like Youzhou without reinforcements, everyone actually didn't want to fight. The Zhou army suffered a lot of casualties in this battle.

Fortunately, a lot of armor and armor, cattle, sheep and horses were seized. During the siege, the soldiers of the Zhou army had meat to eat every day, and their lives were very comfortable.

After the defeat of the Liao army, all the luggage, cattle and horses, and armored tent weapons were all captured by the Zhou army.

However, the habit of the Liao army is not to fight protracted wars. Wars rarely last for a long time, so they don't carry much cattle and horses, but they are enough to supply the army for several months.

Several high-ranking generals in the army regretted that they had a chance to win Youzhou this time.

Their strength is indeed insufficient, but Li Chongjin's army can go north after defeating the Northern Han reinforcements in Zhenzhou, with about 3 people, and the official reserve army can also be supplemented in Chanzhou, with 2 people.

At that time, the Zhou army will be able to replenish about 10 elite forbidden troops in an instant, and gather with the northward army. The total strength will be close to [-], all of which are forbidden troops.

This was originally a deployment arranged by the commander-in-chief Shi Congyun and the officials. If there is no accident, this kind of deployment was originally very thoughtful, well-organized and well prepared, which is a good situation.

Moreover, the Yijinguan battle was crucial, and the final decision almost decided the situation, but I didn't expect that the official would suddenly fall ill.

The official family was seriously ill, and the [-] troops from Chanzhou retreated to Daliang. Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde would definitely be asked to retreat, because they were relatives of the emperor.

In this way, the [-] reinforcements they could have sent to the north disappeared in an instant.

Although the Northern Expeditionary Army defeated the main force of the Liao Army, it also suffered relatively large losses. It was impossible to continue fighting without reinforcements.

This is often the case in wars. The fight and game between the two sides is a long process. Before retreating, Guo Tingwei asked Liao to exchange hostages as ordered.

The two parties agreed to set up a pavilion for negotiations one mile in front of the south gate of Youzhou City, and the Zhou army retreated two miles.

After Zhou Jun's envoy informed the soldiers at the top of the city of the news, the other party quickly reported it.

The next day, Zhou Jun began to ram the soil and remove weeds in the open space more than a mile outside Youzhou City early in the morning, and built a pavilion with a wooden base on the side of the road, with conspicuous red flags planted at the four corners.

At noon, Guo Tingzhi sent people to the city and loudly informed the Liao people to come down.

In the past, many soldiers in the north were afraid of fighting the Liao people, but now the soldiers of the Zhou army are also arrogant under the Liao people's city, and the Liao army at the top of the city has made moves.

Considering that he did not understand the Khitan language, Guo Tingwei brought a soldier who understood the Khitan language along with Xiao Siwen, and the three of them rode towards the middle field.

It wasn't long before the autumn morning mist cleared, and dew still hung on the weeds beside the avenue. When they arrived at the center, Guo Ting said that Xiao Siwen got off his horse because he was afraid that he would suddenly try to run away.

The opponent also used a drop basket to release someone from the high city.

Three people came down from the other party, two big men with shaved heads, they looked like Liao people, but the protected person among them was beyond Guo Tingzhi's expectation, a little girl who looked only eight or nine years old.

Although she is very calm, she is trembling due to her height and nervousness, and she is not tall, so she has to work hard to keep up with the pace of adults.

Xiao Siwen, who was dressed in plain clothes and had messy hair and beard, couldn't help crying when he saw the girl, "Yanyan, why are you here! Why did they let you come!"

Guo Tingwei was very surprised. He felt that the care and distress shown by Xiao Siwen did not seem fake.

The young girl was more calm, she said to Xiao Siwen calmly: "Mother is sick, I went to see Your Majesty, but none of His Majesty's subordinates dared to come out, fearing that Shi Congyun would kill me, so I came by myself."

Hearing what the little girl said, Guo Tingwei and the guards around him all laughed. They didn't expect the people of Liao Kingdom to be so afraid of the commander-in-chief. They laughed and said, "There are really no people in your Liao country. They are all rats. They are afraid of the commander-in-chief." At this point, such a big event actually sends a little girl.”

Unexpectedly, the little girl stubbornly said to them: "Who says no, I am a hero, and I am not afraid of him!"

"Yanyan!" Xiao Siwen panicked first, and even stopped her daughter's words: "My little girl is ignorant, I hope General Guo will forgive her, she is still young, and she has never seen how powerful Marshal Shi is."

Guo Ting said that he has experienced a lot, and he has seen a lot in this half life, but this little girl from the Liao Kingdom really made him feel very moved, and he also had a good impression in his heart, but it is a pity that she is a daughter, otherwise such courage might not be able to survive in the future. Also a hero.

"You can speak Chinese very well. You are Xiao Liushou's daughter." Guo Tingwei's tone softened. Since he had already planned to withdraw troops and negotiate, there was no need to apply pressure.

The girl looked directly at him and nodded.

Guo Ting said that he was very generous, and he would not argue with a little girl, "You are indeed a hero, but you are far from being a handsome man. It is filial piety that you dare to come out to save your father at a young age.

We in the Central Plains have always paid attention to filial piety, and we admire people like you, so we won't embarrass you, go back and tell your family, use your..." Guo Tingwei said and looked at Xiao Siwen.

Xiao Siwen said repeatedly: "Fourth aunt, they want to replace fourth aunt as father."

Guo Tingwei nodded, "That's right, just follow what your father said, let him go later, and after we verify our identity, we will naturally let your father go back. I'll give you two hours, go back and prepare."

After finishing speaking, she was about to turn her head, when the very courageous little girl suddenly said, "Can I see you handsome?"

Now not only Xiao Siwen's followers, but even Guo Tingwei was stunned, he stopped and said to her, "Why do you want to see our commander?"

The little girl didn't answer, but Xiao Siwen stood next to him, handcuffing and apologizing, saying that the children in the family were ignorant and so on.

Guo Ting said that seeing her silent, he took it as a child's curiosity, so he jokingly threatened her and said, "You'd better not see him, our commander-in-chief is not easy to meet, when you really see him If you can’t leave, he will take you back to be his concubine.”

"Hahaha..." The guard next to him also laughed, but speaking of it, the commander really has such a habit.

Then he ignored them and took Xiao Siwen back to the barracks for the time being.

After lunch at noon, the Liao army again sent people to drop to the top of the city in a hanging basket, and this time they brought the person they wanted, and Gao Huaide was the one who went to pick up the person with Guo Tingwei.

Because the person the commander wants to exchange is really Gao Huaide's sister and Dong Zunhui's mother.

Double copies still want to see each other outside the city. After Gao Huaide confirmed his identity with his sister whom he hadn't seen for many years, they hugged each other and wept. Xiao Siwen was so afraid that he repeatedly assured that he had never treated Dong Shi badly.

Dong looks like a woman in her thirties or forties. Although she is old, she is still pretty and charming. It is no wonder that Xiao Siwen wants to occupy her.

Both Gao Huaide and his brother burst into tears. At the same time, Gao Huaide also thanked the commander three times in front of Guo Tingwei. He did not hesitate to exchange someone like Xiao Siwen who stayed behind in Nanjing in exchange for his sister, Dong Zunhui's mother.

Guo Tingwei also kept Xiao Siwen's promise while her daughter was anxiously waiting, and let Xiao Siwen go.

The deal between the two parties was concluded, and he didn't say anything about the commander-in-chief's request for Dong's daughter. He was afraid of embarrassing both parties. After all, Dong was in trouble and humiliated. .

Before leaving, Guo Tingwei asked Xiao Siwen's youngest daughter curiously, "What's your name?"

"Xiao Chuo!" The little girl replied seriously.

Guo Ting said jokingly: "I will return your name to the commander in chief, the entire Liao Kingdom, the entire Youzhou City is only half a hero like you."

As soon as these words came out, the guards of the Liao Kingdom, Xiao Siwen and others looked very unhappy, and felt insulted, but they had nothing to say. It was true that the emperor was hiding in the city, and the officials and generals around him even came out to face Shi Congyun. I don't even have the courage, so I can only let a little girl come.

Xiao Chuo blushed, "Why half?"

"Because you are a woman." Guo Ting said directly: "There will be a period later."

He didn't even know what to say, he turned around with the others and left. In the distance behind them was the rigorous banner of the Zhou army. It was like a silent forest in a wilderness. Anyone who saw that kind of majesty would be shocked.

.......

Xiao Chuo stared closely at their Nangui's back, bit his lower lip tightly, his big eyes were full of humiliation and unwillingness.

Her father was full of joy for the rest of her life after the catastrophe, and urged her to go back quickly.

On the way, her father who loved her carefully taught her, "Don't mention anything about Shi Congyun in the future, let alone want to see him, although you are very curious, but that is too dangerous, you almost scared my father to death.

I saw him in the army, the man was young, big and ruthless; he fought fiercely and killed without batting an eye, he ordered to kill our Khitan nobles, kill our soldiers, easier said than to kill cattle and sheep . "

The little Xiao Chuo took his father's big hand and raised his head without hesitation: "I'm not curious, I just want to remember what he looks like. If I don't know, I won't be able to avenge him in the future."

Such naive and serious words instantly stunned Xiao Siwen, and he was so shocked that he stopped in his tracks.

He looked down at his daughter and found that she was also looking at him seriously. He felt a little flustered for a moment. He knew that his daughter was very smart and well-behaved since she was a child, but he didn't expect that one day, she would say such amazing words.

However, Xiao Siwen didn't refute, and didn't warn any more. For the eagles on the grassland, it's not surprising that they have any ambitions. Someone will fly higher. He was relieved and worried at the same time.

In the end, thousands of words can only be condensed into a sentence most commonly used by the parents, "Then you have to work hard."

In autumn, the desolate atmosphere lingered over Youzhou City. The defeat of the Liao army became the biggest humiliation of the Liao state in the past 20 years, and Shi Congyun's name was imprinted in the hearts of the Liao people along with this humiliation. With the outcome of this head-to-head competition in the north, the general situation of the world began to gradually change.

The originally most powerful Liao Kingdom was defeated by Zhou Kingdom, and the balance of power in the world is slowly tilting.

Chapter 257, The Crisis of Returning to Beijing

"It's cold, let me go in to get warm."

Shi Congyun said in a low voice.

He didn't lie, Daliang was indeed getting colder and colder. The family sent people to Taicang to collect firewood and charcoal these days. The officials in Taicang didn't dare to let them pick it up by themselves, but sent them to Shifu's house respectfully. Come.

Now as long as it is a slightly well-informed official, they all know who has the most power in the court.

"Are you trying to keep warm..." Zhao Shijian whispered in his arms, his pretty face blushing.

"Why not, I swear to God." Shi Congyun said trying to squeeze in.

Zhao Shijian blushed and rejected him, "There are still big things to do these days, you can't relax, you will not be able to get up again tomorrow."

Only then did Shi Congyun calm down a bit, and he made a strong promise: "When the matter is dealt with, I will definitely show you what it means to be a real man."

"Hmph..." Zhao Shijian snorted softly, and did not refute him. There is a tacit understanding between the old couple.

Shi Congyun put his arms around her and leaned into his ear and asked, "How about I become the emperor?"

Zhao Shijian looked back at him suddenly, calmly, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Who else would I dare to tell other than you?" Shi Congyun hugged her a little more funnyly, Zhao Shijian didn't speak, as if he was thinking about the problem seriously, and after a while he whispered: "No, Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde and Li Jixun are both leading troops outside."

Shi Congyun nodded, "I'm also worried about this, but the purpose is not like this."

Zhao Shijian was curious, "What's the purpose of that?"

"Hehe, would you believe me if I told you that I can dream about things that will happen thousands of years later?" Shi Congyun asked, Zhao Shijian looked at him for a while, then nodded, "I believe it."

"I've seen a lot of history and read a lot of books."

Zhao Shijian looked at him suspiciously.

"I watched it in my dream, can't I! Laugh if you want, don't hold back, you suffocate to death, little girl..." Shi Congyun became angry from embarrassment, and Zhao Shijian lay on her chest and giggled muffledly.

Shi Congyun didn't bother to argue with her: "The ultimate answer to history is undoubtedly geography, and there is no answer to talk about people's hearts, nations, and morals alone.

The wars here are destined to be more frequent, cruel, tragic, and large-scale than anywhere else in the world, and if you don’t advance, you will retreat. There is no choice.

This is not the choice I was looking forward to, nor is it what ordinary people want, but it is determined by this land, and there is no choice; I used to go straight from the boat to the bridge, because I have no power and ability, and now what I want most is to integrate With the power of the world, there are many great things that I can't wait to do. "

Zhao Shijian looked puzzled, Shi Congyun wrapped her in a quilt, hugged her happily to the desk, sat down and put her on his lap, the little lady was used to it, obediently rubbing ink for him, his heart There are many words, many things, but no one to tell.

Fu Liu is worried, she is from the Fu family; Zhou Xian is also worried, the Zhou family is a big family in the south of the Yangtze River; only the helpless Zhao Shijian is his most trusted.

"The best way is undoubtedly to be the emperor, but..." He said and slowly wrote five names on the paper, Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde, Li Jixun, Zhao Kuangyin, and Li Yun.

Zhao Shijian is so smart, he glanced at him: "Are they difficult to deal with?"

Shi Congyun slowly crossed Zhao Kuangyin away, "I will keep Zhao Kuangyin in Beidi, but arrange for his father to be an official in the court, and his younger brother will also stay, so that I can control him."

There are still some things he didn't say, because only he knows.

Zhao Kuangyin is a person who attaches great importance to family affection. Many historians have found that in his later years, Zhao Kuangyin found that his younger brother Zhao Guangyi was very powerful and had many party members. One move wanted to move the capital, from Kaifeng to Luoyang, so that the party members trained by his younger brother in Kaifeng were useless, but Zhao Guangyi finally persuaded him.

Just a few months later, Zhao Kuangyin died inexplicably in the night of the sound of axes and candles, and his death became the biggest mystery of the Song Dynasty.

After all, Zhao Kuangyin cared too much about his family and his brothers, so he was not a very qualified emperor, and this was also his biggest weakness; if it were someone like Liu Bang or Li Shimin, Zhao Guangyi would have died eighteen times earlier.

And Shi Congyun also used this weakness. The Zhao family is a military group. Zhao Chao, Zhao Hongyin, and Zhao Kuangyin are all generals of the Forbidden Army. He deliberately asked the Privy Council to arrange Zhao Kuangyin to guard the border, and arranged for his elder Zhao Chao and his father Zhao Hongyin to stay in the capital. As a leisurely pensioner, Zhao Kuangyi (whose name has not been changed at this time, changing Zhao Guangyi is a taboo, and Zhao Kuangyin changed it for him after he ascended the throne) is going to be arranged to stay in the capital with an unimportant position.

In this way, Zhao Kuangyin can firmly control him while his family is in the capital and Zhao Kuangyin is away.

"Li Chongjin is more qualified than the officials to succeed to the throne, and the most important thing is that he leads troops outside. This is what I am most worried about." Shi Congyun stared at Li Chongjin's name closely. In fact, the Five Dynasties have long been like this, and the Great Zhou was like this.

The Privy Council has the right to mobilize troops but cannot lead them. Generals can lead troops but cannot mobilize troops. Only the emperor can both mobilize and lead troops.

Whether a general has great power or not depends on whether he leads troops outside, because in the imperial court he cannot mobilize troops, but once he leads troops outside, it will be completely different.

Zhao Kuangyin’s Mutiny at Chenqiao happened a year after Guo Rong’s death. The method was to lie about the military situation and ask the Privy Council to lower the order to transfer troops. After taking the army out of the city, they suddenly turned back and controlled the beam. If they did not lie about the military situation and let the Privy Council order, Zhao Kuangyin would not be able to transfer troops. .

In history, before the official’s death, he immediately tried to bring all the troops back to Kaifeng, and relieved the general’s military power, but this time, it may have been too smooth, and the official couldn’t bear to withdraw the army. As a result, most of the generals led troops when he was seriously ill. Outside, military power is still in the hands of various generals, which is very dangerous.

"Now I just hope that they can bring back the army. Once the military power is taken back, there is nothing to fear." The reason why Zhao Shijian said that he is still busy is because of these things.

"I can't bring all the army back. I can't sleep well all day. Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde are relatives of the emperor. Li Jixun and I have a feud, but they still have the army..." Shi Congyun said.