Chapter 397 March
It is the middle of the twelfth lunar month, when the weather is freezing cold. It is the coldest time of the year. In the past, at this time of year, large-scale trade and long-distance travel had long been cut off, and everyone would stay in towns and villages to prepare for the New Year. Even the city of Tokyo was no exception.
But this year is different. Total war has changed everything. From east to west, from south to north, the atmosphere of war has covered everything.
As for Queshu Valley, which connects the Taiyuan Basin and the Linfen Basin, the situation changed further at the middle of the twelfth lunar month. For more than forty days before that, there had been constant fighting in Queshu Valley, with troops moving back and forth in succession. This was certainly understandable, because the Song and Jin dynasties were essentially engaged in a long and tedious offensive battle in the Queshu Valley. However, starting from the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, as the entire Queshu Valley was opened up, instead of calming down, the place suddenly became bustling with traffic.
Tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians poured into the valley, far exceeding the previous battle's establishment of more than a thousand people.
Queshu Valley was formed because of the Fen River, which divided the valley into two parts. A large number of combat troops advanced rapidly along the wider eastern bank of the Fen River, and the frozen Fen River itself and the frozen riverbed unexpectedly became a natural marching road for the baggage troops... The laborers and livestock all wore non-slip straw sandals, the wheels of the vehicles were also wrapped with tough hay, and some vehicles and carrying poles were simply dragged directly on the ice.
Under such circumstances, the troops moved at an astonishing speed.
However, what really ensured the speed of the advance of Fenshui and the east bank of Fenshui was actually the slightly narrow valley on the west bank of Fenshui, as well as the cols and gentle slopes... In the west bank of Fenshui, as early as when the advance war was carried out before, Emperor Zhao personally issued an order to let the governor Ma Kuo come forward, requiring that a comprehensive military station be established on the west bank for every mile of advancement.
The military station was also designed by Emperor Zhao himself, with specific requirements for every personnel configuration.
First of all, there must be enough cooks and coal reserves in the military station to ensure uninterrupted hot water and help the troops cook and melt dry food at any time.
Secondly, there must be at least three military officers in the military station, one responsible for managing the daily operation of the military station, one responsible for mediating disputes and supervising military discipline, and the last one responsible for conveying and disseminating military orders that may be issued at any time.
Third, there should be several extra warm rooms in the military depot to provide a place for the wounded caused by sudden accidents to rest and treat their injuries.
Finally, all imperial edicts, military orders, and military officers' movements, no matter how big or small, had to go through the west side of the Fen River and were not allowed to go through the east side to obstruct the advance.
In addition to the military stations, there are seven or eight valleys and gentle slopes in Queshu Valley, where formed camps have been built. These are larger military stations. In addition to the basic functions of a small military station, they can also accommodate a large number of wounded soldiers, repair vehicles, store supplies and livestock, and serve as on-site defense points.
Besides, although these things were felt to be very convenient when advancing the battle before, everyone felt that Emperor Zhao had gone a bit too far... A few camps were acceptable, and they were very good things. The troops were divided into east and west, and the baggage was transported on the river. It was not a new thing for everyone to advance in an orderly manner... Tokyo City had long been shouting to keep to the right.
But setting up a military station like that every mile we advance would be a huge waste of manpower and resources.
There were even rumors that Emperor Zhao was deliberately finding a job for Ma Kuo, who held a high position but little power, in order to prevent Ma Zongguan from losing his status.
But now, when the imperial edict suddenly came down, requiring the entire army to advance to Taiyuan at a rapid speed, and the entire army, including soldiers and civilians, totaling hundreds of thousands, plus countless baggage, needed to pass through the Queshu Valley which was dozens of miles long, the officers and ministers at the front only regretted that there could not be a military station every three hundred steps, but they finally realized it.
Emperor Zhao had definitely been planning this for a long time. He was just waiting for the moment when Queshu Valley was opened. Then he would suddenly change from slow to fast, from small to large, mobilize all his troops, and attack Taiyuan City quickly, catching the Jin defenders in the Taiyuan Basin and the main force of the Jin in Hebei off guard.
Well, let's not talk about how great the effect of this surprise attack would be, but no matter what, everyone could feel Emperor Zhao's determination.
In fact, the troops advanced so quickly and in such an orderly manner, largely because Emperor Zhao's imperial carriage was right behind them.
The imperial edict was sent to all departments overnight on the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month.
On the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month, the elite troops of Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, Wang De, Li Qiong and others stationed in Queshu Valley and outside the southern gate of Yangliang marched forward one after another... At the same time, Emperor Zhao's imperial carriage also started from Xiangling in the rear without hesitation. Under the escort of the imperial guards, he left behind the Japanese samurai who had just arrived at the imperial residence and headed directly north.
In the afternoon, Long Hu arrived at Hongdong County, which was fifty miles away from Xiangling. Then, without stopping for a moment, he marched for more than ten miles until dark, and finally stationed himself in an empty Song army camp south of Zhaocheng.
It was precisely under the threat of such speed and determination that Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, Wang De and Li Qiong, none of them dared to say a word. The fifty or sixty thousand elite soldiers in front advanced in an orderly manner, without even one trying to cut in the way. It was truly astonishing.
At noon on the seventeenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the imperial carriage, continuing to maintain an astonishing speed, also entered the Queshu Valley.
In the afternoon, the sky began to darken and light snow fell.
In the evening, in the light snow, Long Hu arrived at the foot of Lingshi City, but once again passed by the city without entering. Instead, he continued to march until the sky could no longer support him. Only then did he stop and pause for a while in a camp in a col on the west side of the valley.
As soon as the imperial carriage stopped, the guards below were naturally happy to take a break. No matter what, no matter how orderly it was, this kind of march was a very arduous task. It was just that because Emperor Zhao was also in the marching column, they could not vent their complaints.
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