Chapter 25 5. Borrowing the road to attack the enemy: Conspiracy in the sun

How to pass through the adaptation period smoothly is the most difficult period that every newly established dynasty has to go through. To grow a regime that is as fragile as a baby, to grow into a solid and stable rule requires extraordinary strategic wisdom to manage.This also determines that every founding monarch who can establish a long-lasting dynasty is a rare and valuable wise monarch, no matter how mediocre and incompetent their descendants are. After some extraordinary efforts, the Song Dynasty established by Zhao Kuangyin passed through its infancy smoothly in a thrilling manner, and gradually began to get on track.This process lasted for about two or three years. Although Zhao Kuangyin had always yearned to go to the battlefield on horseback, he could only stay on the land and extinguish those flames that tried to burn his achievements.After attacking these forces one by one, Zhao Kuangyin said to Zhao Pu: "What I expect is not to have a war in my own country, but to go to the frontier to show our country's prestige. Now this moment is coming."

Zhao Pu said: "Now that the world is in peace, Song's foundation has gradually stabilized. We need to start implementing the strategy we decided at the beginning and open up the blueprint. At present, various regimes in the south are constantly fighting. In their small territory, you Fight for it. As the Song Army's first expedition, we must choose the best target, first to boost morale, and second, to make a good start for the road to unification." Zhao Kuangyin nodded, and said to the generals: "Now there are regimes in the north and south that we need to conquer and unify. After deliberation, I decided to adopt the strategy of 'first south, then north', starting with the weak regimes in the south. After the national strength and military strength have been further improved, we will have a decisive battle with our northern enemy, the Liao Kingdom. Where do you think we should start?"

Wang Shenqi, Murong Yanzhao and other generals put forward their opinions one after another, and each of them wanted to take this opportunity to lead troops to the expedition, so as to establish military exploits on the battlefield where they were best at.Zhao Kuangyin thought about their proposals one by one. In fact, the strength of the southern countries is not strong, and every small kingdom can become Song's goal. After some deliberation, Zhao Kuangyin said: "For the Song Dynasty, these kingdoms must be conquered. The difference is only a matter of time. But the war is happening in Jingnan and Hunan, which are closest to us. I think it may be our opportunity."

Zhao Pu said: "Jingnan was originally the territory of Zhou Xingfeng, the governor of the later Han Dynasty. He took advantage of the troubled times and no one cared about him. He has been entrenched there for many years and built a large army. Since his death last year, he has handed over power to the In the hands of his youngest son Zhou Baoquan. In such a troubled world, how can the young master keep one side safe? So Zhang Wenbiao, the governor of Hengzhou, launched a rebellion soon." Murong Yanzhao said: "Although Zhou Baoquan was in power at a young age, when Zhou Xingfeng was alive, he also cultivated many elite soldiers and brave generals. Yang Shifan and others should not be underestimated. Now that Zhang Wenbiao launched a rebellion, we might as well stand by and watch them Wouldn't it be a good thing for two tigers to fight each other and then come out to clean up the mess?"

All the generals laughed at the words. Wang Shenqi said: "When two tigers fight, there must be a wound. What's more, Zhang Wenbiao has been planning to rebel. The strategy proposed by General Murong is very good. Let's wait and see how it changes!" Zhao Kuangyin said: "I originally thought the same about Murong Yanzhao's proposal, but today I suddenly received a new piece of news, which made me think differently." All the ministers hurriedly asked him what good strategy he had.Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile: "Zhou Xingfeng handed over power to a teenage child. Although he was protected by Yang Shifan and others, Zhou Baoquan was young after all. He would inevitably panic when encountering Zhang Wenbiao. So not long ago I Received a distress letter, Zhou Baoquan asked my Song Dynasty to send troops to support."

Zhao Pu said: "This is really a good opportunity. Originally, if we sent troops, we could only use conquest as an excuse. Now, as long as we use the name of supporting Zhou Baoquan, we can justifiably send troops to the Jingnan area." Zhao Kuangyin said: "Yes! So I don't want to let go of this opportunity, so let's regard this dispatch of troops as our first battle against the southern countries!" After discussing with the generals, Zhao Kuangyin quickly wrote to Zhou Baoquan, saying that he had always admired Zhou Xingfeng, and now that Jingnan was in trouble, how could he just sit idly by?In the name of Emperor Song Dynasty, he named Zhou Baoquan as the envoy of Wuping Jiedu, and in the first month of the fourth year of Jianlong (963 AD), he sent Murong Yanzhao and Li Chuyun to lead the army south to Jingnan in the name of fighting chaos.

Zhou Baoquan received Zhao Kuangyin's letter and said happily to his left and right: "With the help of the Song army now, Zhang Wenbiao, the rebel, will definitely not be able to support him for long." But the veteran Yang Shifan dismissed this, and said with some doubts: "We in Jingnan have always lived in the cracks. Up to now, Zhao Kuangyin has not paid much attention to Jingnan since the founding of the country, but this time he is so enthusiastic about sending troops to help, which makes people suspicious!" Zhou Baoquan said: "When my father was around, he said that Zhao Kuangyin was a benevolent person. Now that he is willing to help us, this is a happy event, so why think so much? Old General Yang, you will lead someone to cooperate with the Song Army to calm Zhang Wenbiao Bar!"

Yang Shifan has been on the battlefield for a long time, although he has doubts in his heart, he has no choice but to lead his troops into battle. After Murong Yanzhao and others arrived, Zhou Baoquan did not have the slightest doubt about the heavy army they led.Murong Yanzhao first met him, and respectfully expressed that he had been entrusted by the Emperor of Song Dynasty to come to aid Wuping Jiedu envoy.Zhou Baoquan said: "The emperor of the Song Dynasty really sent troops to help. I am grateful." But Murong Yanzhao said politely: "Jingnan is in trouble, and Song Dynasty should help. But if you want to make a move in Hengzhou, you have to borrow a road to cross Jingnan, so please forgive me."

Zhou Baoquan said: "Everything is to protect the inheritance left by my father from being seized by traitors. What can we do by borrowing the road? Old General Yang will lead you all the way to Hengzhou." Murong Yanzhao said: "Since this is the case, we must clear up Zhang Wenbiao, so as to live up to your expectations of us." After the two armies met, Yang Shifan, Murong Yanzhao, Li Chuyun and others led the army and went straight to Hengzhou.With great momentum, the Song army quickly broke through Hengzhou and captured Zhang Wenbiao.Murong Yanzhao escorted Zhang Wenbiao to Zhou Baoquan, beheaded Zhang Wenbiao in front of him, and gave Zhou Baoquan enough face.

In order to celebrate the pacification of Zhang Wenbiao's rebellion, Zhou Baoquan held a banquet to thank Murong Yanzhao and Li Chuyun and other generals of the Song Dynasty.During the banquet, the guests and hosts exchanged toasts and the atmosphere was harmonious.Zhou Baoquan said: "I have always admired the Great Song Emperor very much, and now I see how brave the Song Army is, and I admire it even more." Murong Yanzhao said with a smile: "Your Majesty is not only diligent and caring for the people, but also foresight. He has already prepared a team to support Jingnan. I didn't expect it to come in handy this time."

This sentence made Yang Shifan and other veterans deeply surprised, but it was not easy to ask, so he pretended not to know what it meant.But Zhou Baoquan didn't feel the deep meaning in the words at all, and was still pushing the cup to change the cup. After the banquet was over, Zhou Baoquan ordered someone to arrange for Song Jun to rest at the posthouse, preparing to return to the dynasty.But Murong Yanzhao and the others rested for a few days, but they didn't come to say goodbye, so he started to be surprised. He went up to the tower and saw that the flags of the Song Army were planted everywhere inside and outside the city, and the Song Army was stationed everywhere. At that time, Zhou Baoquan started to panic, and hurriedly summoned Yang Shifan, wanting to hear his opinion. As a veteran, Yang Shifan has long sensed the strangeness in the atmosphere, but Zhou Baoquan has never listened to his persuasion. Now that he came to ask, he could only say helplessly: "As the saying goes: It is easy to ask God to send God away, but now It looks like we're in that situation." Zhou Baoquan hurriedly asked: "If they don't leave, what is their intention?" Yang Shifan said: "Murong Yanzhao once said that this team was specially prepared for us. It seems that Song Ting had planned for a long time to enter Jingnan. This Zhang Wenbiao rebellion just gave them an excuse to send troops south Jin. If this is really the case, I am afraid it will not be easy to send them away now. Their ambition is not only to capture Zhang Wenbiao, but their intention may be in Jingnan!" Zhou Baoquan asked at a loss: "Then, what should we do now?" Yang Shifan said: "Since Murong Yanzhao and Li Chuyun don't want to talk about it, we can only ask them first to find out." Zhou Baoquan found Murong Yanzhao and Li Chuyun according to his words, and after thanking them, he said cautiously: "The two generals put down the rebellion after hard work, and now Jingnan is settled, so I don't know when we can farewell for the two generals? " Murong Yanzhao said with a smile: "We are about to say goodbye, but you will ask this question unexpectedly. But because His Majesty wants to see you very much, so this time back to Kaifeng, I plan to invite you to accompany us." Both Yang Shifan and Zhou Baoquan were taken aback. It seemed that Song Ting's ambitions were not only in Hengzhou, but also in Jingnan.Although Murong Yanzhao said it politely, but Song Bing who "passed by" at the beginning is now stationed in every place in Jingnan, and it is impossible to refuse. After pacifying Zhang Wenbiao, Murong Yanzhao and others followed Zhao Kuangyin's strategy and brought Zhou Baoquan back to Kaifeng without using a single soldier. They officially accepted the canonization of the Song court, which also indicated that the Song Dynasty began to rule Jingnan and Hunan. .In order to ensure the safety of one side, Zhao Kuangyin named Zhou Baoquan the general of Youqianniuwei, and let him live in the capital, and was later promoted to the commander of Youyulin. The Song court in the fourth year of Jianlong had just begun to develop. The recovery of Jingnan was the first foreign war of the Song army in the accurate sense. The victory achieved this time did not cost the Song army too much force, but achieved good results.The victory in the first battle added confidence to Zhao Kuangyin's plan for the southern expedition. From then on, the Song Army began their long-awaited recovery war and marched towards the unification of the south.