Chapter 6 first quarter
There was never a break in the large number of Han people who fled back from the areas ruled by the Liao, even when the two courts maintained generally peaceful relations.These are the people who really don't want to live a life of slavery under alien rule.Since there was a state of confrontation on the front line, Liao has strengthened its border defense forces and stepped up border patrols and investigations. However, taking advantage of the dark night, thick fog, their familiar geographical environment, and the opportunity of the Liao army to guard against accidental negligence, they sneaked south and even used a little armed force. However, it is more frequent to kill a few Liao border guards and Haner who forcibly cross the river.
Among them, only a very small number of people took the flag board that the Song army launched to the past.Although the banners called them to return to the south, they had very limited opportunities to see them, because the banners were all confiscated by the Khitan army.Some of them have heard the legend about the flag list. In the Liao army, this matter was blocked and it was strictly forbidden to talk to each other.However, in an army of 100,000, it is almost impossible to keep absolute secrecy about such a large number of facts that are publicly disclosed every day.There are always some people who intentionally or unintentionally spread the news, or even the real thing.But the problem is not here.Whether people come back or not has nothing to do with the banner.Unless they are restricted by the situation and strict conditions restrict them, they will always return to the south, and flee back whenever they have the opportunity, just like the river bank has burst and the water must flow out.
One night, a large number of Han children crossed the river in several places, and then gathered together. Before dawn, they rushed to the Song army.Among this group of people, there are men, women, old and young. They are haggard and ragged.They lost all their land, houses, furniture, farm implements, and all means of subsistence and production except for their clothes and a few things they could carry.They still don't know where they can sleep tonight or what they can get to eat, but they have the firm confidence to return to their hometown and their loved ones.As soon as they met Song Jun, they enthusiastically, excitedly, and couldn't wait to tell their relatives about their adventure history.All people who have experienced hardships and hardships always talk like this when they return to their relatives, and spit out bitterness like this.They scrambled and scrambled, finally explaining clearly how they moved day and night, bypassed several patrol lines, and escaped several patrols before they could sneak across the river.Some people come to this safe place only to remember that their parents, wives and children are still staying there, and some people are separated because their relatives who came out together are separated on the way. It is likely that he was intercepted and killed by the patrolling Liao army, so he burst into tears.This sudden burst of crying, which had been suppressed for several days, made people feel particularly sad.
General Yang Kesheng, who was stationed at the front line on patrol, picked up these guests, initially arranged board and lodging for them, and began to think about it.Yang Kesheng is Yang Keshi's younger brother, but he doesn't have the irritable temper like his brother. He has to use his brain to think about things. The army gave him a nickname, "Yang Sansi", and he deserves it.
The two armies are facing each other, and suddenly a large number of people from the enemy come. First of all, we must be vigilant and consider from the bad side. Is there any conspiracy by the enemy here? Did they send a group of spies to infiltrate their team? Come?He examined them carefully, made out their relationship to each other—they were all related, and analyzed their messy but cohesive accounts.After eliminating all doubts, it was confirmed that they were indeed a group of ordinary people who had the Han family in their hearts and ventured back to the south.This group of people is large in number and has a great influence. It is different from the usual sporadic few people. This is worth reporting to the superior as an important matter.
Yang Kesheng's prudent consideration and proper arrangement were commended by the commanding department and the Xuanfu envoy himself.
Since then, the number of Han children crossing the south of the river has increased day by day, sometimes as many as one or two hundred at a time.They soon discovered that not all the Song army positions were their "musicians". The Shengjie army stationed in Fancun often abused them indecently, and even took away their only packages and clothes, let alone doing it for them. They made arrangements for board and lodging.Even so, it cannot prevent them from returning from the other side of the river in an endless stream.Because even if they are treated indecently here, they still have hopes and fantasies to some extent. Over there, they have accumulated more than a hundred years of experience since their ancestors, and they have long since uprooted the possibility of hopes and fantasies.
A situation began to take shape for the common people to "cook milk and eat food to welcome the king's teacher".Of course, the staff members of the Xuanfu Department should attribute it to Xuanxiang's recruiting policy.The bureaucrats used a well-chosen set of words to praise Xuan Xiang's meritorious deeds:
"The flag board is sent out at the morning, and the survivors return at night, and it is like a response. Propaganda and predictions are like gods, and there are no strategies left behind. How can mediocre scholars be able to fathom them?"
"A few ordinary people in the district have escaped, and it will be of great help!" Tong Guan suppressed the joy in his heart, pretending to be humble and said, "We have to wait for Yeluchun and his wife to send someone to submit a surrender form and accept the land to offer surrender, and we will all be restored." The land of Yanyun, this is considered a great success! The lords praise too much, it is a bit of a frog's opinion."
So he issued an order to reward the frontline soldiers who have made meritorious service in accepting the survivors, and at the same time reiterated that they should not cross the river to provoke and abide by the prohibition commanded by our department.
You're done, right in front of your eyes, as long as Zhang Bao and Zhao Zhong come back, the surrender will follow one after another. This seems to be only a matter of ten and a half months.
The support of people's hearts is always related to the success or failure of the battle situation. The so-called "the right time is not as good as the right place, and the right place is not as good as the harmony of people." Master Zhong understands these two old sayings, and he attaches great importance to this fact.However, he synthesized the reports from the front and found that all the people who came were Han'er, and he found no sign that Liao's army was expected to pay homage to the wind.This kind of teacher is a soldier, and the first thing in his eyes is the army. If the army does not move, a fierce battle is bound to be fought. It is impossible for him to hold the optimistic view like Tong Guan.
The way of teaching, which has always advocated prudent use of troops, now has the overall situation of the war in mind, and increasingly disbelieves in the calculation of "winning without fighting".
Although there are many examples in military history of large soldiers pressing down on the border and waiting for the enemy to collapse on their own, there are also negative lessons in which the protracted period of time weakens the morale of the army, buys the enemy time, consolidates the strategic position, and launches a counterattack.Although the experience and lessons of history can be quoted from two sides, all prejudiced people always only remember and are willing to quote one side that can support their views.During this period, what Chong Shidao thought of repeatedly in his mind was Huan Wen's Battle of Overlord.At that time, the army of the Eastern Jin Dynasty had already entered Guanzhong, directly pressing on the heart and soul of the former Qin Dynasty.Huan Wen garrisoned troops on Bashang, and stood still, hoping that the people of the former Qin Dynasty would fluctuate and be defeated without a fight. Unexpectedly, the result was just the opposite.Since Fu Qin had not yet suffered major military losses, he organized a counterattack whenever he had the opportunity, defeated the Jin army, and forced Huan Wen to flee to the south.This lesson is heavy, very consistent with the current situation, and worthy of their deep thinking.
In addition, Zhong Shidao also considered that Song and Jin's attack on Can Liao was like a race for the deer, and they had to run ahead in order to get the first whip.Our army does not move. If the Jin army suddenly launches an offensive on the northern line, occupying all the land in the north and threatening Yanjing, then our army will be in a passive position.
Since a decisive battle is unavoidable, he advocated that the way to win is to take advantage of the good situation when the common people are coming and going, and send troops across the river to challenge, put pressure on the Liao army, or wipe them out in one battle, or harass them in many ways.It is military common sense that guest troops coming from afar are conducive to urgent battles.He thinks that Xuan Fusi is just doing a fool who violates common sense and "wait for exemption".This idiot wants to persist in his mistakes, and he is very opposed to it.
Since the first military meeting, he has avoided meeting Tong Guan.The Xuanfu Division was set up in Xiongzhou City, and the Commanding Headquarters was set up outside the city to the center of the border line, twenty miles away, the two were like two stars of Shen and Shang, and they rarely met.When I met him as a last resort, I hummed and laughed for a while, trying to talk less about business, and didn't make any suggestions or requests.The relationship between Xuanfu envoy and Dutongzhi has been so bad that it can't be controlled, so that everything is in the opposite position, but they are still polite on the surface, so as not to break the surface.
It is what is wrong with the teacher's way, what is not what the teacher's way is, what is hated when he loves the teacher's way, and what is loved when he hates the way.And Dutongzhong Shidao has always been very persistent about his own likes and dislikes, and he doesn't want anyone to criticize him.Therefore, the two have to be in a completely opposite position.
There is nothing to talk about with Tong Guan, but the matter is related to the success or failure of the battle, and the interests of the court, so it is not allowed to remain silent for a long time.As a last resort, Zhong Shidao went to Liu Fan, the army staff officer, to clarify his views, and hoped that Liu Fan would turn the words to Tong Guan.
It is an obvious fact that Liu Fan is Tong Guan's confidant and is currently the number one figure in Tong Guan's think tank.However, Liu Fan had a long-term experience in the Western Army, and he had a very deep friendship with Liu Zhongwu, the former commander of the capital, and Zhong Shidao, the subsequent commander of the capital.It is an undeniable fact that Liu Fan served as a bridge between Zhong Shidao and Tong Guan more than once. Through his meticulous and euphemistic work, he eased and closed the superficial rift between the two.Therefore, whether Liu Fan is his comrade-in-arms or his political enemy, this question is always vacillating in Zhong Shidao's mind, and no clear conclusion can be drawn.
When he went to visit Liu Fan, Liu Fan hastily put down his official business and greeted him with a courteous attitude.
"After all, there is an old friend, and we can talk to him. It is no more unreasonable than Tong Guan." Zhong Shidao, who had always been coldly received in the Xuanfu Division, was moved by Liu Fan's attitude. Solicit his opinion, and please pass the word.
"What I have seen is that the way to defeat the enemy is to suppress and appease the enemy, and to succeed in defeating both are indispensable." Liu Fan paused for a while, thinking about how to use words to subtly ease the tension between the two of them. Contradictory, "Liu has the same opinion. It's just that Xuanfu has repeatedly claimed that he has a good plan. Liu doesn't know what medicine he sells in the stuffed gourd. Why don't my father wait a few days and go with Xuanfu When inspecting positions on the front line, based on the actual situation, the camera can give advice, which can be helpful."
From this answer alone, it is difficult to judge whether Liu Fan is an enemy or a friend, but when he said that he didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in Tong Guan's stuffy gourd, it was clearly an excuse.Besides, his refusal to change his words immediately may also contain a plan to delay the attack, which made the emotions of the teacher's way aroused.
"A military strategist fights for victory or defeat in the blink of an eye. Military opportunities change rapidly and are fleeting. What is beneficial to us today may not necessarily be beneficial to the enemy tomorrow. How can we tolerate delays and leisurely discussions?" He said with a little anger. Go down, "Our army has come from afar, with great vigor and enthusiasm, and we just took advantage of the situation to fight. Unexpectedly, the Xuanfu Secretary issued that order, which chilled everyone's hearts like a bucket of cold water. He was punished and killed again yesterday. The enemy's soldiers who have made meritorious service, the rewards and punishments are reversed, the hearts of the people are disobedient, and the morale is demoralized. If you continue to follow the same path for a long time, when the time comes, you will be in a dilemma, and it will be too late to regret it!"
Liu Fan didn't answer his words, but closed his eyes, shook his head, and smiled wryly.The meaning of this expression is clear. It means: even though he, Liu Fan, agrees with your views on the way of being a teacher, you and I know Tong Guan's self-willedness. You can't convince him even if you are in control. How can the staff change his opinion with just a few words?
This expression is also very familiar with the teacher's way. It reminded him that when he worked together in the Northwest in the past, Liu Fan was more inclined to his position. "The old friend also has his difficulties, so we can't blame him." At this time, Zhong Shidao had already regarded Liu Fan as a friend in his heart, and found reasons for him to defend him.At the same time, he was full of complaints and wanted to vent in front of his friends. Since he was a teacher, Zhong Shidao has never felt so weak and incompetent as he is today.He has served in the army for more than forty years as a teacher. When he was still a general, he was a general with full power within the scope of his duties. He could issue orders according to his own will without interference.Now he is in charge of all positions, and he is engaged in a war of betting on the fate of the court, but people just put him in a vain position of inaction, he has no control over everything, and he has to ask someone to convey even his words. In this situation, How not to be short of breath!
"Staff Liu, Staff Liu!" He said with a heavy heart. At this time, he no longer had any hope of getting things done, but only wanted to vent his dissatisfaction.Zhong Shidao is a kind of person who looks deep and unrevealed, but in fact he is not a dead wood. His way of expressing his feelings is sometimes unexpectedly strong: "I am so old! Fighting this old age Serving the imperial court, what worries do you have? But I can’t bear to see Tong Taiwei’s actions, spoiling the overall situation and bringing disaster to the imperial court. You, Staff Officer Liu, must look at the officials’ face, and it’s only when you turn around.”
These words were obviously too serious, Liu Fan knew that he said these words with his own feelings and strong dissatisfaction.Based on their many years of experience in getting along, he knew that it would be very difficult to mediate and bridge the gap between Tong Guan and Zhong Shidao, two headstrong officials.But fate chose to put him between the two of them. It used to be like this in the northwest, and now it's like this in Hebei.He, Liu Fan, lived to be fifty-five years old this year, and already has gray hair all over his head. He has been busy all his life, and he seems to be just trying to play the role of a mediator.He remembered his predecessor, Fan Chunren, who had been in the cracks between the two parties all his life, and was called "Fan Chunren, a white-headed mediator".It is very sad that he himself unfortunately fell into such a fate.
The embarrassment of being a mediator is that he often feels the contradiction between "right and wrong" and "interests" during the mediation process.He often admits that the opinions of Zhong Dao are correct. He is experienced, meets the requirements of common sense, and is thoughtful and can take care of all aspects.However, Tong Guan represents a power that can influence the fate of many people. Since he cooperated with Wang Fu, this power possessed by Tong Guan has reached its peak. of decisive significance.The reason and common sense represented by Zhong Shidao and the power represented by Tong Guan had a profound impact on him.If he chooses right and wrong, he will inevitably have to sacrifice his personal interests, and vice versa, it is difficult to find a way to achieve both.Therefore, whenever there is a dispute between the two of them, he needs to come forward to mediate, and sometimes he is not allowed to be ambiguous, and when he has to make a choice between the two, he has to consider these two factors at the same time and have a violent inner conflict.
Do you want to be an upright person with peace of mind, or an official who is prosperous and smooth sailing?This is also a question that Liu Fan is always swaying in his heart, and this contradiction seems to be irreconcilable.
In fact, the best way is to honestly admit the irreconcilability of the two.Cai Jing is much smarter than him, telling the truth in one sentence:
"It is necessary to be a good person and a good official. How can there be such a cheap thing in the world?"
This is a practical admission that the two cannot have both.It is much easier to make such an admission, just choose one of them. For example, Liu Fan is not as smart as Cai Jing in terms of being an official or a person, but he wants to cover up this fact. I deceive myself, thinking that I have found a way to mediate, that the contradictions between rationality and power, and between being a man and being an official can be unified, and sometimes I vaguely want to mix them up.But the stubborn Zhong Shidao refused to be vague, so he must be roasted in the stove, forcing him to make a clear statement between the two.
However, it is not true to think that Liu Fan is really a fair, reasonable and unbiased balance between Tong Guan and Zhong Shidao.The scale itself is uneven, and its so-called "fairness" only exists in Liu Fan's subjective imagination.
Liu Fan was a Jinshi in the ninth year of Yuanyou. After 28 years of ups and downs in the officialdom, he has now become a Bachelor of Shugudian, and has been valued by the court.He was a popular figure in the officialdom at that time, with a bright future, but of course he was bound by the general rules of the officialdom.That kind of regular compass generally clearly indicates that they can only obey the interests and not adhere to the standard of right and wrong in the choice of being a person and being an official.Since being a high-ranking official is his lifelong goal, he can only act according to the official compass.When he makes this choice, personal accomplishments and qualities play a minor role and always end in total rejection.But he insisted on emphasizing them in his heart and using them to distinguish himself from ordinary bureaucrats, which is a bit self-deceiving.
In the conversation with Zhong Shidao now, he unknowingly complied with the demands of power and interests, and tipped the balance to Tong Guan's side.What Zhong Shidao said was too explicit, and he personally attacked Tong Guan. If he didn't express his position clearly, Zhong Shidao might mistake him for a member of his own group, and he would unite with him to oppose Tong Guan.He can't make this kind of teacher's way have this illusion.But in the opposite situation, Tong Guan, among his cronies, and sometimes in semi-public occasions, also personally attacked Zhong Shidao, and the attacks were more vicious. Although he, Liu Fan, claimed to be just, he couldn't often stand up for him. Teacher Zhong said a few words.The reason he admitted to himself was that if Tong Guan felt his inclination, he would not be able to maintain a fair and balanced position to act as a mediator—this is his so-called fair position.
"At present, the army is pressing down on the river, and the situation is very favorable." He immediately straightened his face, using this stern expression to make Shidao Zhong feel that he must not be a fellow traveler of Shidao Zhong when he blatantly attacked Tong Guan. "Xuanfu followed the official family's imperial pen and sent instructions. Our public strength is difficult, and we are in the same boat. We will be able to achieve great success just around the corner. Even if there are minor similarities and differences in strategies, they can be discussed and resolved. Why did my public make such a despicable statement? Where Liu is used, who is Liu, how dare he not drive for my father?"
This is official language.In secret conversations among friends, one side speaks official language for the purpose of restricting the other side.Zhong Shidao immediately realized that he had made a mistake by revealing his true feelings in front of the person he should not have confided in.Now he can't rashly make a final conclusion on whether Liu Fan is his friend or enemy, but with such a deep sense of estrangement, he coldly breaks up with him and walks away.
"In the officialdom, where snobbery lies, what kind of moral acquaintance and old friendship can be talked about? It would be superfluous for me to come to talk to him now."
Although Zhong Shidao didn't understand that he himself was also bound by this law.The point of snobbery is that in some occasions, how can he talk about the friendship between teachers and teachers, the old feelings?But for Liu Fan's expression, he could see clearly.
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