Chapter 27 second quarter
The next day, as soon as Ma Kuo and Wang Jieru woke up, they were closely "protected" by the army sent by Yelu Dashi from the front.They were "protected" so thoroughly that within three days, no one could leave the gate.
Until the evening of the twenty-ninth day, a burst of Khitan dialect was suddenly heard.Then someone shouted loudly in Chinese.
"Commander Dashi came here to pay homage to Ma Xuanzan."
As the paging continued, Yelu Dashi walked in without a single follower.
Yelu Dashi was only of medium stature, so he was not a very tall man, but he was strong both mentally and physically, and he did not become puffy because of his victory in the First World War.History is full of people who, because of a temporary achievement in a certain field, put on airs and made themselves plump and light like a balloon, so that they finally had to become short-lived heroes.Their success is offset by their vanity.Their limited capacity cannot hold the excess success, and it will overflow from their bodies.
Of course Yelu Dashi is in a high position.This high self-position does not arise from a mind dazzled by victory, but from a sense of superiority in his life practice.This is the common nature of all high-pitched vulture characters, but he has his own distinct characteristics.He was very candid, almost astonishingly candid.He treated Ma Kuo as frankly as he would a friend, colleague, or even his closest aide.On the one hand, he admired all the things Ma Kuo did in Yanjing very much, and he thought Ma Kuo was a figure who could greatly harm his court and even himself.He doesn't pay much attention to Ma Kuozhi's damage, because this kind of damage has been broken by his preemptive victory. What he values is that Ma Kuozhi can greatly harm him.Because the person who can harm Yelu Dashi must also be an extraordinary person.On the other hand, because he has such a strong self-confidence, he believes that everything he has done and is going to do, for a level like Ma Kuo (he can do the things he did in Yanjing) ) opponents must be able to understand him and appreciate him.He firmly believes that his career, from his standpoint, is necessary and must be successful. He is not afraid of leaking secrets in front of Ma Kuo, but instead tells him many confidential things, hoping to gain his sympathy and support. .
A truly eminent man, frank with whom he considered worthy of conversation, unwilling to keep his secrets.Although at the beginning of Ma Kuo's entry, he had ordered that military secrets be strictly kept, but now facing Ma Kuo himself, he unscrupulously expressed many of his ideas.This contempt for secrecy in a strategic sense is not so much out of his frankness, but rather out of his self-confidence. He does not believe that leaking secrets in front of Ma Kuo will bring him much disadvantage.
Now he tells Ma Kuo honestly: According to the arrangement between him and Xiao Qian before the war, when the Song envoy Ma Kuo and Wang Jieru and his party arrive at the front line, they will be killed immediately, completely destroying the peace agreement, so as to strengthen the desperate defeat of the Song Dynasty. Army's determination.He said that luckily the war was over victoriously before they arrived, and there was no need to kill them now.He seemed to be seeking Ma Kuo's opinion on the next decision that might be unexpected to him with a consulting eye.
His opinion is that he has now persuaded Xiao Qian to change his original proposal and asked Ma Kuo to accompany Wang Jieru to the Xuanfu Division to negotiate cooperation between the Liao and Song Dynasties and jointly defend against the Jurchen issue.They have already used these three days to go to Yanjing to exchange their credentials and come back.
"Ma Mou was ordered to come to appease the nobles and ministers of your court," Ma Kuo replied simply, "I dare not hear about other proposals."
"It's good to appease the nobles and ministers," Yelu Dashi praised with a thumbs up, "Ma Xuanzan went straight into the tiger's den alone, played with Li's father and son in the palm of his hand, seduced the saints, forced a peace treaty, was bold, and was called a hero of the moment. If I hadn't strongly advocated an attack, the Daliao clan would not have been heard of. If I were serious about calculating this account, my frontline soldiers would really feel sorry for Xuanzan. It's just that things have changed now, and this previous statement, There is no need to mention it any more."
Yelu Dashi dismissed Ma Kuo's conciliation proposal lightly, and then proceeded from reality to continue to elaborate on his peace negotiation plan.
"Thinking of our two dynasties, the military disasters were incomprehensible, and it happened to let the Jin people reap the benefits of the fisherman, which is too stupid. How about the two sides make a new plan, re-establish the old friendship, join forces to defend against the Jin invaders, and make Jurchen a little ambitious. Peace can be maintained for decades, otherwise there is only one way to return to corruption. Your dynasty may not believe in my sincerity, but my proposal is indeed for the good of the two dynasties. It is important to make a decisive decision on such a major matter. Knowing the kings and ministers of your court, with such great insight, can you make every effort to promote their success?"
When talking about the monarchs and ministers of the royal court, his tone was full of contempt, and then he paused for a while, and then continued:
"Your court is in a turmoil, with endless discussions. It's just empty talk, which is of no benefit to reality. I know this well, how can I talk about the great plan of the world? Only praise, go out and go, and have served on the Liao and Jin roads, and have insight The three dynasties are false and true, Xuan Zan has long been selected in my heart, and I want to talk in front of Xuan Zan as soon as possible. Xuan Zan wants to know if this discussion will go through?"
In the conversation between Empress Xiao and Ma Kuo, the idea of uniting the Liao Dynasty to defend against the Jin Dynasty had revealed some clues. From Ma Kuo's personal point of view, he also thought it was very valuable.However, what Ma Kuo could agree with was the Song Dynasty-based joint anti-golden front. Now that after World War I, Liao's status has been turned away from the enemy, this kind of agreement, which is close to an alliance under the city, cannot be considered by Ma Kuo anyway.
"Lin Ya's discussion," he replied solemnly, "Ma has already said it just now, and I don't want to hear about it."
This time Ma Kuo said "do not want to hear about it" instead of "dare not to hear about it", which shows that he adopted a more resolute negative attitude.Rather than a more humble and reserved attitude.This made Yelu Dashi very dissatisfied.Very disappointed.He originally hoped that this proposal would get Ma Kuo's personal approval.So he tried his best to find out from Ma Kuo's expression the reason for his negativity.
"I guessed it right. I think Xuanzan was ashamed to discuss peace with our court after the defeat of your dynasty. But didn't Xuanzan think that if your army won the first battle, I would still sit here with Xuanzan to discuss the joint imperial gold?" Is it a big deal?" Yelu Dashi thought too quickly, his first reason was not accepted by Ma Kuo, and he immediately gave a second reason, "Otherwise, I think it is inconvenient for Xuan Zan to be limited by his duties. Talk to me about this, and I can't force it. It's just that the golden man is greedy and greedy, and he will suffer from it in the future."
Although Yelu Dashi did not force Ma Kuo to express his opinion, he still believed that Ma Kuo supported his proposal in his heart.He frankly expressed this view and said: "I firmly believe that you have such great insight. When Wang Zhongmi brought the letter of credence to Tong Xuanfu, you should put the interests of the two dynasties at the top of your mind, fight hard according to reason, and promote its success. Hugh has failed to live up to my expectations. Let's not talk about it now."
Then he came back to talk about Ma Kuo's trip to Yanjing, which was a topic of conversation that interested him deeply.
"I know what Xuan Zan did in Yanjing," he said with a shrewd smile, "I heard that your Excellency got close to Li Chuwen in Beijing, and even sent people to enter the palace to collude with Li Shi. It's really bold." It's so absurd. But I don't know that the affairs of the world are not in the hands of these bastards," said the clang of his sabre, which was shaken by his waist, "but in this. Praise is not a waste of effort!"
"Wearing a sword under one foot, I think that the affairs of the world can be done as I like, but I don't think there are many people wearing swords in the world!" Ma Kuo said with a smile, "Let's not talk about anything else, just like the letter of credence brought by Wang Zhongmi, It's the concubine of the country who has repeatedly made an agreement with me. How solemn it is to break the hairpin as an oath and seal it with the king's seal! With a sword, it's like a child's play to exchange it back and forth. The king, the concubine, if Do you have any other opinions, can you also use the sword to force them to submit?"
"If it is beneficial to the country, why not do it? Don't you hear that 'the general is outside, and the emperor's fate is not accepted'. As a general, I shoulder the heavy responsibility of the society and serve the country wholeheartedly, but I don't stick to such small details. Now the country is in a terrible state Fleas, foxes and squirrels are rampant, and the two heavy burdens, both inside and outside, fall on me and the fourth army. There are many dirty villains in the court who see different ideas and change their minds, and betray Xirong. Once the front line is stable, I will raise troops to Beijing and try my best. In addition to this generation, take An Zongshe. I have already made arrangements for this matter. If they want to go south, they are really throwing themselves into a trap. If they want to go north to go to the golden captives, I have already been on guard. It is convenient for you to send a message to Li's family , advise him to stop having such delusional thoughts.”
"It's a trivial matter for Beitou Jinren," Ma Kuo smiled again, "I'm afraid they just invite Wanyan Aguda to Juyongguan. They will be hard to guard against, and it will be a big waste of time at that time."
"If the Jinlu really wants to come in, I will reject the tiger in the front and the wolf in the back. Even if I fall into a two-sided battle, I will not be afraid."
"Lin Ya said it so easily. It is a big taboo for military strategists to be attacked before and after. Just like what Lin Ya said just now, 'the front line is stable', it is really easy to do. According to what I have heard, in the territory of your dynasty, rebels are everywhere. , When disaster strikes, it is close at hand, the rear is unstable first, and you are overwhelmed with self-care, how can you talk about "stabilizing the front line"?"
"Xuan Zan said that the front line is stable. It's not easy to say. It's just a guess." Yelu Dashi nodded. Our army has continued to make progress."
When it comes to the front line, Yelu Dashi is as excited as a battle-hardened horse when it hears the sound of drums and horns.What can be more interesting to a strategist than after a victorious battle, in the presence of an enemy general, humbly and cheerfully analyzes the factors that contributed to the success or failure of the campaign ?At this time, Yelu Dashi regarded Ma Kuo as such a pleasant conversation partner, as if Ma Kuo was a distinguished guest invited to share this pleasure.He talked in detail about how on the twenty-sixth day, he painstakingly restrained Yang Keshi's elite troops on both sides of the boundary river, and even Yang Keshi's battle across the river was as he expected, and Yang Keshi himself was let across the river. It is possible to let go and launch the attack on the south bank.He admitted that Yang Keshi's onslaught had shaken his position several times, and on several occasions he had almost changed his original plan and withdrew the large troops encircling both sides to relieve the frontal siege.If this is the case, Yang Keshi's plan will be played and the overall situation will be changed.He said that when Yang Keshi attacked for the last time, he once thought he had been defeated and was ready to die for the country.At that time, he was hiding behind the formation, only a stone's throw away from Yang Keshi. Fortunately, the soldiers fought hard and persevered, so that they could withstand Yang Keshi's attack and turn the crisis into safety.When speaking, he made an appropriate evaluation of the Western Army, saying that there has never been such a fierce battle between Song and Liao for more than a hundred years, and Yang Keshi is also worthy of being a famous contemporary general.
Then he proudly said that after the first battle on the 26th, he had launched a tentative attack on the 27th and 28th. This morning, he launched another strong attack, forcing the Song army to retreat for several miles. The positions range from tens of miles.He ridiculed that the Huanqing Army didn't deserve his personal blow, so they all retreated.He didn't rush here from the Eastern Front until after the victorious battle was over, and he hadn't had time to change his dusty shirt.But he is still not completely satisfied with the situation. He believes that as of now, it cannot be said that the front line has been completely stabilized.At this time, he used the concentrated expression of the commander-in-chief and his marching staff to study the combat strategy together, dipped his fingers in the tea, and drew the general outlines of the current positions of the two armies on the table, making up for them at any time. Dry tea.One side analyzed:
"Currently, the dog's teeth are mixed, and they are all building temporary positions on the flat and rough ground. Both sides have no danger to rely on. This terrain is beneficial to the offensive side."
This is irrefutable military common sense. If this is the case, our army is indeed in dire straits, and Ma Kuo can't help worrying secretly.
"Our army has repeatedly made profits, and the offensive is vigorous." Yelu Dashi didn't take into account what Ma Kuo was thinking. "In contrast, your army's morale is low and its resistance is weak. Just like today's battle, Yang Weizhong on the Eastern Front, Xin Xingzong on the western front was defeated without a fight and gave up his position. If it weren't for Wang Teng and others fighting hard, I would have already swung my troops straight to the city of Xiongzhou. The situation is so favorable, I decided to launch another fierce attack within three days, and I will definitely win Force your army back to the front line of Xiongzhou and Bazhou, shut yourself up, and have no power to attack. Only then can we talk about the stability of the front line, and be able to control the future military and political situation freely."
Yelu Dashi talked freely, not afraid to tell Ma Kuo about an attack he was planning, because he was fully sure of the goal he wanted to fight for.Only when he said "manipulatively".Only then did he realize that Ma Kuo was an enemy, so he said with a little apology:
"What I said is the real thing. If Xuan Zan wants to be in my position, he must do the same. Don't mind Xuan Zan. After Xuan Zan goes back, he might as well pass on this word to Master Zhong, and call him He prepared in advance and waited in full force to fight me. Don't blame me for taking advantage of his unpreparedness and launching another attack."
Yelu Dashi spoke very frankly, without any intention of boasting or insulting the other party, but in his frankness, he was still full of self-confidence, which made Ma Kuo very harsh.
"Lin Ya insisted on negotiating peace and friendship," he retorted, "on the other hand, he repeatedly advocated launching an attack. Isn't it contradictory and self-contradictory? To be honest, I, Ma, can't believe your suggestion. He Jinglue trusts your family's sincerity in negotiating peace?"
"Since the two dynasties met each other with military force, what kind of benevolence, righteousness and courtesy are there?" Yelu Dashi replied eloquently, "In the matter of war and military affairs, one always bullies each other with power and subdues others with strength. Didn't I just say that, Today our army takes advantage of the victory and marches forward, chasing and fighting fiercely. Only then can Tong Xuan Fu take advantage of the time to seek profit, which will definitely destroy our dynasty's ambition. Only when their ambitions are slightly suppressed, can we talk about joint defense and joint defense between the two dynasties It’s a strategy for the golden bandits. Otherwise, it will only make me beg for surrender. What else is there to defend? I’m telling the truth, so it’s no wonder to praise me.”
"It's not easy to bully others with power and subdue others with power! Lin Ya is old in the military, don't you know that small advances and retreats are commonplace in military affairs?" Ma Kuo stabbed him suddenly and said, "At the beginning of the battle under the ancient city of Dalu , The prosperity of the Gui Dynasty is unprecedented in recent years. Lin Ya is in the middle of the line, riding alone in the formation, fighting fiercely, how high-spirited? Lin Ya knows the result most clearly."
The Battle of Dalugu was a major decisive battle between Liao and Jin.At that time, Liao assembled 70,000 infantry and 20,000 cavalry, ready to destroy Jurchen in one fell swoop.As a result of the fierce battle, the Liao army was completely wiped out, leaving only a few remnants who were defeated and returned.Since then, his vitality has been hurt, he has been devastated, and he can no longer compete with the Jin Army.When the two armies were fighting fiercely against Fang Yin, two cavalry generals from the Liao Dynasty escaped from the main force, rushed to the core position of the Jin army, and charged directly at the general Nianhan.Nianhan fled in embarrassment, and the Liao general took advantage of the momentum to chase after him. The horse's tail and horse's head joined each other, and they were only ten feet away.At this time, the gold lord Wanyan Aguda galloped up from the slanting stab, and shot an arrow hard through the breastplate of a Liao general, fell off his horse, and Wanyan Aguda's relatives also surrounded him.Another Liao general saw that the situation was not going to work, and before the Jin army encircled him, he swung his spear and shouted, and galloped back. This Liao general was Yelu Dashi.When Ma Kuo was envoy to Jin, the second prince Woli Bu told him this matter.Now Ma Kuo is using it as material for face-to-face ridicule, deliberately exposing his scars, which is of course a provocative act full of gunpowder.
"I just want to expose your scars, just to sting you and make you go crazy," Ma Kuo thought happily, "what will you do to me?"
When Ma Kuo was negotiating with Empress Xiao in the Yaoguang Palace, he was always calm, because even though Empress Xiao was a very capable negotiator who arranged a lot of ambushes in advance, she had surrendered after all and no longer existed for him. Issues of threat and oppression.Now he falls into the hands of Yelu Dashi.Yelu Dashi imprisoned him as a dignified negotiating envoy for three days without any explanation, and then appeared in front of him as a frank and humble victor.He received him as if he were a friend, and no matter how much he said something that was true despite the sharpness, he was received in a way that he could not have foreseen.But Ma Kuo is a very sensitive person, and the issues they talked about today are all issues that can arouse his sensitive reaction.He has long felt that Yelu Dashi's frankness is the frankness of a winner, and his humility is a kind of humility pretending to be high-profile to the loser.Regardless of frankness or humility, Ma Kuo was placed in a humiliating position, and Ma Kuo could not bear both.What's more, he also realized that his life was still in the hands of Yelu Dashi, as long as Yelu Dashi was angered by a word of hostility, he might bring himself a disaster of death.This aroused his resentment even more.Ma Kuo is such a kind of person, the more he can't control his own destiny, the more he must take strong and resolute actions to get rid of the hand that controls his destiny.The size of his reaction force depends on the severity of the action force he receives.
His sharp words really achieved the purpose of provocation.For a moment, a very gloomy expression appeared on Yelu Dashi's face.There is nothing he can't do behind this expression: he can kill a family member, burn several villages, destroy many counties, and destroy a country.But he controlled himself. He looked at Ma Kuo for a while, as if he wanted to reassess his courage, courage and resistance, and then he came to a conclusion:
"Ma Xuanzan, you are so bold, you are indeed a tough guy, I got to know you today."
After the military and diplomatic conversations were over, Yelu Dashi asked Ma Kuo, the state guest who was detained due to his order, about his daily life from the position of master.He said some polite words about the lack of hospitality, and then asked the congregation to offer four fresh fish with their tails up and down.
"I specially brought these four-tailed squid from the front line. This is a famous product of Juma River here, and I can't eat it in my spare time." Yelu Dashi said.He is also an expert in this area, and he persuaded graciously, "This squid is the most delicious when made into clear soup. It is also a famous dish when it is fried and stewed. There are some good cooks in the restaurant, and Xuan Zan asked them to cook it." Now, let’s savor it well, don’t disappoint the kindness that I specially brought from the front line to reciprocate with sincerity.”
"Thank you Lin Ya for that. Why don't Lin Ya just eat the carp here today before leaving?"
"Although carp is a famous product, I have been here for a long time, and I often have the opportunity to eat it." Yelu Dashi politely declined Ma Kuo's invitation, and then said frankly and sincerely, even showing great enthusiasm, "Ma Xuan praises you Look, I have talked with you so fiercely since I came here that I even forgot to go to Wang Zhongmi's place. Now that we have decided to negotiate peace with your court and join defense, why don't we discuss it clearly with him? This dinner, I will bother him I'm not afraid that he won't come up with a good medicine to eat with me. I have to talk to him about some confidential things in the evening, so I won't bother Xuanzan anymore. Xuanzan has worked hard for days, and he will go to bed early tonight. I will send iron horses to escort you early tomorrow morning A group of people are going to the front line, and Xuanzan and I will meet later."
They will walk out of the outdoors hand in hand.Yelu Dashi is still reluctant to let go of Ma Kuo, and seems to wait for Ma Kuo to say a last word to stamp a stamp of approval on their unusual friendship before he is willing to let him go.
"When I was in Huining Mansion," Ma Kuo satisfied him, partly out of diplomatic rhetoric, partly out of sincerity, "I heard that the second prince, Wuli, could not talk about Lin Ya's civil and military talents. Today in the Xincheng Hotel , unexpectedly ran into Lin Ya, prepared to listen to the suave talk, I am very admired. I am afraid that if we meet again in the future, we will inevitably have to compete with Lin Ya on the battlefield. At that time, Lin Ya will not be surprised."
"What a court!" Yelu Dashi laughed loudly, slipped out a Khitan word, and quickly corrected, "What a bosom friend, he's always so polite. I also heard the name 'Ye Li Ma Li', It's just that when we meet on the battlefield, Xuanzan must be merciful, don't forget that I came here from the front line today to give you a gift."
Notes:
Notes: