Chapter 93
The scenery of the northwestern border is very different from that of the capital. Soon after the beginning of winter, the wind is as cold as a knife and frost is flying in the sky. The mountains hold the setting sun and the sand is like snow, the wild geese are crying and the lonely city is closed.
Last winter, Western Xia seized Yongliang from Dayu, humiliated and killed its main general, and threatened to massacre the city. Today, one year later, the scenery at the border remains the same, but the people inside and outside the city have already switched positions between offense and defense. Dayu's army camped outside the city a month ago. During this month, they kept their troops in place, gathering their strength for the final battle.
The days of recuperating and gathering strength are always more boring than the days of attacking a city or capturing a stronghold. As time went by, a certain passionate young man couldn't support her anymore.
"General, we have been reorganizing our troops for a month." This was Wu Youyuan's third request for battle in ten days. "Before this, our army successively captured Guangyang, Langu, Zhuoxian and other small cities, and our morale was greatly boosted. This is a good time to make a concerted effort to capture Yongliang. If we delay any further, the soldiers will inevitably become slack, and the stored food and grass will also be in urgent need."
Gu Fuzhou folded his arms and looked at the northwest terrain on the sand table in silence.
"General Wu is wrong. The Art of War says, 'The best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans, the next best is to attack their alliances, the next best is to attack their soldiers, and the worst is to attack cities. Attacking cities is a last resort.' Yongliang is a northwestern fortress. It has been a battleground for military strategists throughout history. The city defenses are strong and easy to defend but difficult to attack. How can it be compared to small counties like Guangyang and Langgu?" The person who spoke was named Shi Pei, an old man in the Northwest Army, and was accorded the rank of General Xuanwei, a fourth-rank official.
Gu Fuzhou glanced at Shi Pei. This man was known for loving his soldiers like his own sons. Even though he had been fighting for many years, he would still feel deeply saddened by the casualties of every soldier. For Shi Pei, reducing our army's casualties is the top priority. He would rather not win so beautifully than not protect his soldiers. This is a noble character, and Gu Fuzhou admires him very much.
Wu Youyuan retorted: "It is difficult to attack a city. But if it is difficult to attack a city today, will it be easier to attack a city later? Since it is only a matter of time, why not fight and resolve it quickly?"
Gu Fuzhou pressed his brow and said, "Youyuan, hot blood is a good thing, but your blood is too hot. If a mosquito drinks your blood, its mouth will be burned."
After staying in the Northwest for a year, Gu Fuzhou was too lazy to maintain his aloof personality and just did whatever he wanted. After being shocked, Wu Youyuan and others gradually accepted General Gu’s new personality. They heard from veteran soldiers in the northwest that General Gu was poisoned and his temperament changed drastically after he was saved from the clutches of the King of Hell. General Gu was simply outrageous at that time, but he is still relatively good now, at least he doesn't sleep in all day long. Fortunately, no matter what kind of personality the general has, he will not lead them to defeat.
Wu Youyuan was still able to listen to what Gu Fuzhou said. He said: "But please give me some advice, General."
"Have you forgotten how General Zhao lost Yongliang last winter?"
"I haven't forgotten." Wu Youyuan said quickly, "Last year, General Zhao was trapped in Yongliang. Heavy snow blocked the roads and food supplies could not be delivered. When he ran out of ammunition and food, General Zhao opened the city gates and fought a desperate battle, but he was defeated and died by the elite troops of Western Xia."
Gu Fuzhou said: "Don't you understand yet?"
Wu Youyuan's talent was all in the art of war. When Gu Fuzhou said this, he understood it immediately. His eyes lit up and he said, "General, do you want to do the same as last year and deplete their food supplies so that they will have no choice but to open the gates and ask for a fight?"
Gu Fuzhou nodded and said, "Without Guangyang, Langgu, Zhuoxian and other counties, Yongliang's food supply has been blocked, and it is still an isolated city no matter how big it is. We have a continuous supply of food and grass, while the Xixia army in the city can only eat up all the food. As long as we can form a trend of attrition, our casualties can be reduced by at least half when we attack the city again."
Shi Pei agreed with what Gu Fuzhou said: "It's a good idea to give someone a taste of their own medicine. Xixia brought all the food and grass from Guangyang and other counties to Yongliang. Together with the food and grass originally stored in Yongliang City, they can only sustain them for 50 days at most. Now a month has passed. If we wait another half a month, the enemy will either starve to death or open the city to meet the enemy like General Zhao did, and the morale of the army will be in chaos. By then, our army will have been recuperating for two months. Are we still afraid that we can't take Yongliang!"
Wu Youyuan pondered for a while and also thought that attrition was the best strategy, but he still had doubts: "Western Xia needs food and grass, and we also need food and grass. The key to attrition is whether we can outlast Western Xia."
Gu Fuzhou turned to Shen Huaishi: "How many days can our food and grass last?"
Shen Huaishi said, "Less than ten days. But Doctor Lin said in the letter that a large amount of grain and grass from Jiangnan had been sent north by water at the beginning of the month, and then transferred to land in Guizhou. I think it won't take long to deliver it to the camp."
Shi Pei said excitedly: "This time is definitely enough!"
"The premise is that the grain and grass can be delivered smoothly." After considering it, Gu Fuzhou said, "Huai Shi, please go back to Guizhou and personally escort the grain and grass to Yongliang."
Shen Huaishi said: "I will leave now."
After the agreement, Gu Fuzhou and Wu Youyuan discussed the number of weapons needed for the siege. Seeing this, Shi Pei couldn't help but say, "The general has really changed a lot since returning to the northwest this time."
"Hmm? How do you say that?"
Shi Pei said: "Two years ago, when the general was in the northwest, he had a headache when it came to discussing matters. He let General Zhao make all the decisions. It was not like now, where he would ask about every detail."
"I can't help it. I want to win so badly." Gu Fuzhou laughed softly, "I can't die."
The war in the northwest has reached its final stage. Lin Qingyu has not slept for three days because of the food and fodder transported from Jiangnan to the northwest. That batch of food and fodder could at least sustain the Northwestern Army for a month. Now that everything is settled, he can finally feel a little relieved.
When he walked out of the Ministry of War, Lin Qingyu discovered that it had started snowing outside. The snow was not heavy, but it made his eyes sore. After a moment of trance, he took a step back and bumped into the Minister of War.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War was less than 30 years old and could be considered a young talent. He was also a distant relative of the Empress Dowager, so it was natural for him to stand on Lin Qingyu's side. In the past few days, Lin Qingyu worked with him to handle the food and fodder issues. Seeing Lin Qingyu's pale face, he thought that Lin Qingyu was worried about the war in the northwest, and said: "General Gu has recovered several cities around Yongliang and formed a siege. It is only a matter of time to recover Yongliang. Doctor Lin does not need to worry. Dayu will win this battle."
Lin Qingyu nodded: "I hope so."
The Minister of War smiled, very gentle and elegant: "The roads are slippery on a snowy day, shall I escort Doctor Lin out of the palace?"
Lin Qingyu said succinctly: "No need."
Although the Minister of War was a little disappointed, he did not force it: "Then Doctor Lin, be careful on your way."
Lin Qingyu had only taken a few steps when someone from Ci'an Palace came with a message saying that the Queen Mother invited him to have dinner at the palace. In this year, he had meals in Ci'an Palace more often than the "filial son" Xiao Jie. There were a lot of gossips in the palace because of this, and some even said that the empress dowager adopted Lin Qingyu as her adopted son and treated him better than the emperor.
But Lin Qingyu knew that the reason why the Queen Mother was so kind to him was only because the mentally handicapped Prince Huai would only smile at him. The Empress Dowager invited him to Ci'an Palace, often just to make Xiao Li smile.
When Lin Qingyu arrived at Ci'an Palace, he saw the emperor's sedan chair parked outside the palace. He asked Lai Fu: "Is the emperor here?"
Lai Fu said, "The Emperor has come to pay his respects to the Queen Mother. He is currently playing in the snow with the young prince in the back garden."
In the back garden, the two royal brothers were squatting in the snow and making a snowman. To be exact, Xiao Jie was the only one making the pile. Xiao Li was not capable of such a complicated task. He could only roll the snow into small balls and put them away carefully. Xiao Jie kept talking to him, but he didn't respond at all.
Nanny Xiujiao, who was standing by, saw Lin Qingyu and said with a smile, "My Lord, look who's here."
Xiao Li raised his head and saw Lin Qingyu. He was stunned and smiled instinctively.
It was the first time that Xiao Jie saw Xiao Li smile, and he couldn't help but say, "Sixth brother, you are so handsome..."
Lin Qingyu wanted to kneel down to greet Xiao Jie. Xiao Jie's eyes were a little evasive: "Doctor Lin, there's no need to be so polite."
Lin Qingyu said: "It's cold outside, don't let the prince play for too long. The prince's snow cape is already wet."
Nanny Xiujiao said hurriedly, "I will take the prince to change into a snow cape right away."
Nanny Xiujiao took Xiao Li and left. Xiao Jie looked at Lin Qingyu secretly, as if he wanted to look but didn't dare to. Lin Qingyu asked: "Your Majesty, do you have anything to ask me?"
Xiao Jie shook his head, then nodded, and mustered up the courage to ask, "Doctor Lin, will you harm me and Arong?"
Lin Qingyu looked at him and said expressionlessly: "Did Eunuch Xi say something to the emperor?"
"Arong said that you and General Gu are not sincere to me, and he wants me to stay away from you." Xiao Jie scratched his head and said hesitantly, "But I don't think you are a bad person."
Lin Qingyu sneered: "Your Majesty has been with Eunuch Xi for many years, but you don't believe what he said?"
Xiao Jie waved his hands repeatedly: "I, I don't disbelieve it. I just think you won't do this..."
Lin Qingyu interrupted: "Your Majesty, as an adult man, don't you have your own judgment? Today, if I say that I will not harm you and Eunuch Xi, will you let down your guard against me?"
Xiao Jie puffed up his cheeks, seeming to be angry: "I asked you with good intentions, why do you say that?"
"Then I'll tell the emperor that I won't - not until the general comes back." Lin Qingyu said calmly, "Believe it or not."
What Lin Qingyu said were all matters that he and Xi Rong had tacitly understood, so there was no harm in telling Xiao Jie. But Xi Rong didn't seem to tell Xiao Jie about the current situation, otherwise he wouldn't have such a terrified expression: "Then when General Gu comes back, will you, will you..."
Lin Qingyu said: "The emperor should ask Eunuch Xi what he will do to the general when he returns."
Xiao Jie was stunned for a moment and murmured, "I'll go ask him..." Then he ran out.
Xiao Jie returned to the palace and looked for Xi Rong everywhere: "A Rong! Where is A Rong?"
A eunuch said, "Eunuch Xi left the palace today, saying that he had something to do and needed to return home."
"Then I have to leave the palace too." Xiao Jie said without caring, "Go and prepare for me."
Xi Rong originally had no mansion, so he lived wherever Xiao Jie lived. Later, Xiao Jie carefully selected a large house for Xi Rong and gave it to him as his residence. This house was originally the residence of Xiao Jie's aunt, Princess Pingchang. Princess Pingchang was the late emperor's most beloved youngest sister, so her princess residence was naturally extremely luxurious. Unfortunately, Princess Pingchang died of illness at a young age, and the house remained empty until Xiao Jie ascended the throne and welcomed a new owner.
At this time, the doors and windows of the study in the Xi Mansion were closed, and Xi Rong was having a secret conversation with a mysterious visitor. The guest was wearing a cloak and a hood, and his words were clear and clear, with a slightly deliberate tone.
The visitor had bad intentions, so Xi Rong did not dare to take it lightly and asked, "Are you seeking peace or death by asking for an audience?"
The hooded man said, "I am here on behalf of the military advisor to discuss a deal with you, sir."
"Oh?" Xi Rong stared at the man. "If you have any deal, why don't you talk to the court? Come and talk to me."
"Gu Fuzhou killed our crown prince. I don't know how many heroes and heroes of Xixia died under his gun. The Xixia people wish they could eat his flesh and drink his blood." The hooded man said hatefully, "The military advisor is willing to send him back to Yongliang. I only hope that Gu Fuzhou will not die a good death."
Xi Rong's eyes were cold and grim: "Yongliang is an isolated city, it is already in Dayu's possession, why do you need to take the initiative to send it back?"
The hooded man said, "If you are willing to lend a helping hand to our military advisor, apart from Gu Fuzhou, the Dayu army will lose at most 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers. But if you insist on attacking, we will definitely defend to the death. By then, Dayu will lose at least 50,000 soldiers. What do you think of exchanging Gu Fuzhou for 20,000 soldiers and an intact Yongliang City?"
Xi Rong said calmly: "Gu Fuzhou only appears once every hundred years in Dayu. Apart from him, who else can keep the northwest peaceful? His life cannot be bought with a city."
The hooded man whispered, "But the question is, does Eunuch Xi want Gu Fuzhou to return to the capital alive?"
Xi Rong said in a dangerous tone: "How can you say that?"
"If Gu Fuzhou dies on the battlefield, the legendary beautiful doctor will be left with nothing but a shell without the help of her husband." The hooded man said ambiguously, "Our king has always been kind to women. After hearing about the deeds of the beautiful doctor in recent years, he is attracted by her and wants to see what the beauty who can fascinate Gu Fuzhou looks like. If Eunuch Xi can send the beautiful doctor to the capital of Xixia for him to enjoy, wouldn't it be a good thing for the two countries to cultivate the 'Qin-Jin friendship'?"
Xi Rong sneered, "Even if you have learned a few words from the Central Plains, it is best not to use them carelessly. The 'friendship between Qin and Jin' does not mean this."
The hooded man smiled and said, "It's OK as long as you understand what I mean, Eunuch Xi. With Gu Fuzhou's death, the feud between the two countries is over, and Xixia can be guaranteed not to invade again. Whether it is worth using Gu Fuzhou's life in exchange for peace in the northwest, Eunuch knows better than me whether this deal is worth it."
Xi Rong asked: "Since it is a business deal, what do you military advisor want to get from me?"
The hooded man smiled with confidence in the shadows: "What the military advisor wants is very simple. It's nothing more than..." The hooded man dipped his fingertips in tea and wrote the words "food route" on the table.
Xi Rong was silent for a long time, then said, "I understand."
The hooded man stood up and saluted like the people of the Central Plains: "In that case, I will wait for good news from the father-in-law."
"Go out the side door. Don't let anyone see you."
“It’s natural.”
After the hooded man left, Xi Rong sat alone in deep thought, when he suddenly heard a voice from outside: "Your Majesty?"
Xi Rong's face suddenly changed, he opened the door abruptly, and Xiao Jie's pale face came into view.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
