June of the first year of Xuanren.Guo Shao negotiated with Privy Councilor Wang Pu and set the time for the Northern Expedition as next spring.
Most of the time when various countries started wars was chosen in spring, and almost all started in spring from the Battle of Gaoping and the Battle of Qinfeng.
Because the traditional Chinese New Year of the Han people is the most important festival, it is easier to mobilize people and the people when the Chinese New Year is over; the north is cold and it is very difficult to use troops in winter.
But then it might have been the time for the Liao people to speculate and prevent it, so it would be even more difficult to ensure the suddenness of the war.
At this time, there was still half a year before the Northern Expedition.
Soon, local officials in Hebei reported to me and captured several Khitans on the north bank of the Yellow River.
The process of arresting the spy was very simple. The inspector ran into several strange people on the road and went up to interrogate them. He found that they could not speak official words. The first instance was Khitan.
The Liao people were not surprised to find out the news. At this time, the countries did not seem to have the concept of spies. At most, they could be called scouts, the kind of person they were caught.
I'm afraid the Liao scouts didn't think they would be caught, because they were not going to Tokyo to inquire about the news, but just inquire about the situation near the Yellow River.
Because if the Zhou army wanted to fight north at this time, they would have to cross the Yellow River... there would be a large number of floating bridges.
Observing the floating bridge on the Yellow River is the fastest and most direct way for the Liao Kingdom to judge the Zhou army's large-scale northward journey.
The Liao Kingdom sent scouts deep at this time, and it was obviously alert to the intention of the Zhou army to fight the Northern Expedition; but they did not know when the Zhou army would fight the Northern Expedition.
The Great Zhou court had only a dozen people from the center who were informed of the Northern Expedition, and they only knew that the court had decided to fight the Northern Expedition, but they still didn't know the specific time; at this time, only Guo Shao and Wang Pu... and Fu Jinzhan were fully informed.
A minister's suggestion to send someone to contact Goryeo and Hebei Han generals in advance was denied.
Goryeo is too far from Tokyo and very far from Youzhou, and cannot directly affect the Youzhou battle; although Goryeo has always been ambitious in the old land of the Bohai Kingdom, it lacks offensive capabilities, and alliances only have long-term strategic benefits, no tactical benefits... The most unfavorable reason is that it is easy to reveal the approximate time of the Northern Expedition.
The same goes for contacting the Han generals in Youzhou, as it is easy to expose signs of Northern Expedition.
...Mid-Autumn Festival in the first year.Tokyo is full of lights, and the festival banquets and moon viewing are as usual.
At this time, the hot weather in summer has passed and it is getting cooler and cooler... When the temperature reaches the coldest, it is the time of the Northern Expedition.The gradually cold weather seems to be a signal that time is approaching.
Military weapon supervisor Zan Jurun reported that the first batch of newly cast dragon roar cannons have been tested.
The structure of the new gun and the old gun are almost no different. They are both mortars that are large-caliber projected stone bombs.The only difference is that it is converted from cast iron material to bronze, which military weapons supervisors believe will make the artillery more durable.
Soon after, the first batch of convex guns were also made.The barrel was still cast in bronze; the bolt had been improved several times and was replaced by a fuse.
It's just that the ignition device has been improved, which is more convenient than the open flame point lead, but the range lethality of the musket is no different from before.So I was still only equipped with the Divine Fire Capital, because it is far less practical than the crossbow.
...In September, the envoy sent by Tokyo arrived at the Xinggong Mansion of the Southern Han Kingdom (Guangzhou) and ordered the ruler of the Southern Han Kingdom to enter the capital, but was rejected. The envoy had been expelled from the Southern Han territory.
Soon after, the Privy Council established the front camp military office of the King Xing Mansion, and mobilized officials to form a complete organization from top to bottom... What they handled at this time was to communicate with envoys from the Southern Han Kingdom and collect information about the Southern Han Dynasty.
As a result, many people in the Tokyo officialdom also speculated that after the imperial court regained Hedong, the strategy would be placed in the south, and would gradually recover the Southern Han, Wu and Yue and other places to complete the major event of unifying the world.
However, the organization of the front camp military office of the Xingwang Mansion was perfect, and with just one imperial edict, it could be transformed into the staff office of the Northern Expedition.
Then the Privy Council ordered the governor of Yizhou, Sun Xingyou, to build a city in the southeast of Yizhou; and sent Fu Zhaoxu to the north to recruit a large number of foundation stones needed for Min Zhuang to open stones near Yizhou to dig the city from various prefectures in Hebei.
...In October, civilians from the northern and southern prefectures of the Yellow River were summoned to perform labor service and build the Yellow River embankment.
All actions are confusing.As a big country, there are some government orders in the Great Zhou Dynasty every year, and whether it is building a city or a dike, it is not something worth paying attention to.
Several months have passed, and there is no sign of the Northern Expedition in Tokyo, and even the officials in Beijing do not think that the court is preparing for a war.
However, the Zhou army needed a large number of stone bombs to attack the city. When the city was repaired and the stone mines were found in advance, and a large number of stonemasons were recruited. This was a matter that must be prepared in advance; the city was repaired and a large number of strong men were recruited... The logistics of the war also required the manpower to strengthen men.
When the Yellow River embankment was built, the number of people who were recruited was 100,000.
Winter has arrived and the weather is getting colder. It starts to snow on the south bank of the Yellow River this winter (November).By the twelfth lunar month, the Yellow River Basin was already cold.
……
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Tokyo is still immersed in the atmosphere of the festival. The whole city is covered with silver, with snow on the roofs and streets, but it is not deserted at all. Lanterns, flags, people's clothes, and all kinds of bright red embellishments, and the market is crowded with people.
All kinds of jokes and gongs have made the city this period the most lively.
But the weather is still too cold, and this year it's even more cold.It is still snowing in the sky as it enters the first lunar month.
There are almost no people in the suburbs except in the city and villages.
On the bank of the Yellow River closest to Tokyo, there are one or two hundred riders stationed there. In the snowy monotonous world, these people feel lonely.
Guo Shao and Privy Councilor Wang Pu are both here.The two stood there and looked at the Yellow River in front of them... a vast white plain with nothing on it.
Guo Shao kicked the snow away with his foot, squatted down again, and reached out to see.
This year is colder than in previous years.Guo Shao turned around and said to Wang Pu.
Wang Pu bowed and said quietly: You don’t need to build a floating bridge to cross the river.After saying that, he raised his hand and waved his hand.
As soon as he rode his horse, he shouted, kicked the horse in the belly, and rushed forward.Guo Shao stood up and looked at the people leaving for a long time, and saw that the shadows were getting smaller and smaller.
There is no wind in the world, and the little snowflakes fall from the sky and fall lightly on the ground, very quiet.The dull sound of horse hooves is very clear.
After a long time, the knight gradually came back on his horse.Wang Pu waved his hand again, and a row of more than twenty cavalry lined up in a row, slowly approaching, and running forward in a sparse formation.
Let's camp here today and return to Beijing tomorrow.Guo Shao said to Wang Pu.
Wang Pu pondered for a moment, but finally did not persuade Guo Shao.
This place is on the south bank of the Yellow River, very close to the capital, and is very peaceful around it; there is another elite cavalry beside the emperor, and it is impossible to have any danger if you stay for a day or two.
Wang Pu only asked the soldiers to choose camps to build tents and ordered the men who took turns to serve.
When he marched and set up a camp, Guo Shao didn't ask anything.He just waited for the tent to set up and raise the fire and went inside to avoid the cold.
Wang Pu also walked in soon after, saluted, Guo Shao asked him to sit down, and then he sat down by the fire and shook the snowflakes on his body.
Wang Pu said: The imperial guards will change their defense tomorrow, and the old minister ordered the generals of the Palace Front Office and the Guard Office not to disband the rotation of the soldiers.Gather all the troops who went to the expedition, and then send money to the battalions to reward the soldiers and ask them to say goodbye to their families.The day after tomorrow, you can gather troops to go on the battle.
Guo Shao nodded.
Seeing this, Wang Pu bowed and said: In this way, the news of the Northern Expedition will be made public tomorrow, and it will be limited to Tokyo City.The Privy Council also ordered that Tokyo martial law starts for three days tomorrow, prohibiting people except the Imperial Army soldiers from entering and leaving the city gate.Try our best to delay the spread of news of the Northern Expedition.
Guo Shao said: We have made careful plans for half a year.
Wang Pu said: That's right.The New Year has not passed yet, and martial law may affect the hearts of Tokyo people, but in the face of the war, the people do not matter.
The old minister estimated that after the Great Zhou army was dispatched, it would probably take some time for Youzhou to know the news.According to the marching speed of the imperial guards, it is very likely that the people of Youzhou and Liao were shocked.
After Wang Pu said that, he couldn't hide his excited expression on his face.
Guo Shao looked at him with a relaxed look and said: We can launch a war of such a large scale like never before?
Your Majesty is wise.Wang Pu bowed deeply.
Guo Shao waved his hand: You will be wise after winning.Conquer Youzhou...
He felt restless inside.
Desire gives people motivation, but when things come to an end, it is not necessarily a good thing, it can cause distraction.
Guo Shao took a deep breath, looking at the leisurely snowflakes and the simple white snow scene, gradually cooling down the various ambitions that surged in his heart.
This is also the reason why he stayed here.As soon as I arrived in this uninhabited place in the afternoon, I felt like I was away from the world.
Guo Shao said in front of Wang Pu: I have started to do it, it will be useless to think too much.Focus mainly on the things themselves, try to do it well, and the rewards will come naturally.
Wang Pu felt thoughtful and came back to his senses and said, "What Your Majesty said is extremely true."
Dusk gradually descends, and the sun cannot be seen setting, but you can feel the light gradually dimming.
Guo Shao looked outside the tent, and there were two riders standing on the hillside.
They were in the opposite direction, standing in the snow without moving, as if they had entered a state of meditation.
What you hold is not a sword or a gun, but a bow or arrow; under the hillside is an open snow field, which can be seen at least a few hundred steps away.
However, as long as you look carefully, you can see that the two riders have not entered into samadhi. They are facing each other with their backs, their heads are slowly turning, and they are carefully observing what is within their field of vision.
Gu... A bird's cry came, and Guo Shao was attracted by the attention, but he didn't know what kind of bird it was.The two cavalry sentries were also attracted and looked up together in the sky.
But soon returned to silence.At this moment, this scene is so lonely, without the grandeur of a war, everything seems to be deliberately hidden in the endless snow scene.
Guo Shao sat upright, closing his eyes to rest between this ethereal but open world.His breathing gradually became even and slowly, as if a Taoist was practicing inner alchemy.
After a long time, he heard the sound of the wind rising and opened his eyes suddenly.
The flag that was originally hanging outside the tent was blown up, swinging like a water dragon in the wind, the flag was unfolded, and a tiger was suddenly imprinted in front of Guo Shao's eyes with its teeth and claws.
Roar... Guo Shao seemed to hear a low and majestic roar.
The tiger, deep in his heart, stared at the earth with wide eyes.Guo Shao's eyes also widened and turned into that momentum.
Pressure, courage, confidence, and fearless.
Most of the time when various countries started wars was chosen in spring, and almost all started in spring from the Battle of Gaoping and the Battle of Qinfeng.
Because the traditional Chinese New Year of the Han people is the most important festival, it is easier to mobilize people and the people when the Chinese New Year is over; the north is cold and it is very difficult to use troops in winter.
But then it might have been the time for the Liao people to speculate and prevent it, so it would be even more difficult to ensure the suddenness of the war.
At this time, there was still half a year before the Northern Expedition.
Soon, local officials in Hebei reported to me and captured several Khitans on the north bank of the Yellow River.
The process of arresting the spy was very simple. The inspector ran into several strange people on the road and went up to interrogate them. He found that they could not speak official words. The first instance was Khitan.
The Liao people were not surprised to find out the news. At this time, the countries did not seem to have the concept of spies. At most, they could be called scouts, the kind of person they were caught.
I'm afraid the Liao scouts didn't think they would be caught, because they were not going to Tokyo to inquire about the news, but just inquire about the situation near the Yellow River.
Because if the Zhou army wanted to fight north at this time, they would have to cross the Yellow River... there would be a large number of floating bridges.
Observing the floating bridge on the Yellow River is the fastest and most direct way for the Liao Kingdom to judge the Zhou army's large-scale northward journey.
The Liao Kingdom sent scouts deep at this time, and it was obviously alert to the intention of the Zhou army to fight the Northern Expedition; but they did not know when the Zhou army would fight the Northern Expedition.
The Great Zhou court had only a dozen people from the center who were informed of the Northern Expedition, and they only knew that the court had decided to fight the Northern Expedition, but they still didn't know the specific time; at this time, only Guo Shao and Wang Pu... and Fu Jinzhan were fully informed.
A minister's suggestion to send someone to contact Goryeo and Hebei Han generals in advance was denied.
Goryeo is too far from Tokyo and very far from Youzhou, and cannot directly affect the Youzhou battle; although Goryeo has always been ambitious in the old land of the Bohai Kingdom, it lacks offensive capabilities, and alliances only have long-term strategic benefits, no tactical benefits... The most unfavorable reason is that it is easy to reveal the approximate time of the Northern Expedition.
The same goes for contacting the Han generals in Youzhou, as it is easy to expose signs of Northern Expedition.
...Mid-Autumn Festival in the first year.Tokyo is full of lights, and the festival banquets and moon viewing are as usual.
At this time, the hot weather in summer has passed and it is getting cooler and cooler... When the temperature reaches the coldest, it is the time of the Northern Expedition.The gradually cold weather seems to be a signal that time is approaching.
Military weapon supervisor Zan Jurun reported that the first batch of newly cast dragon roar cannons have been tested.
The structure of the new gun and the old gun are almost no different. They are both mortars that are large-caliber projected stone bombs.The only difference is that it is converted from cast iron material to bronze, which military weapons supervisors believe will make the artillery more durable.
Soon after, the first batch of convex guns were also made.The barrel was still cast in bronze; the bolt had been improved several times and was replaced by a fuse.
It's just that the ignition device has been improved, which is more convenient than the open flame point lead, but the range lethality of the musket is no different from before.So I was still only equipped with the Divine Fire Capital, because it is far less practical than the crossbow.
...In September, the envoy sent by Tokyo arrived at the Xinggong Mansion of the Southern Han Kingdom (Guangzhou) and ordered the ruler of the Southern Han Kingdom to enter the capital, but was rejected. The envoy had been expelled from the Southern Han territory.
Soon after, the Privy Council established the front camp military office of the King Xing Mansion, and mobilized officials to form a complete organization from top to bottom... What they handled at this time was to communicate with envoys from the Southern Han Kingdom and collect information about the Southern Han Dynasty.
As a result, many people in the Tokyo officialdom also speculated that after the imperial court regained Hedong, the strategy would be placed in the south, and would gradually recover the Southern Han, Wu and Yue and other places to complete the major event of unifying the world.
However, the organization of the front camp military office of the Xingwang Mansion was perfect, and with just one imperial edict, it could be transformed into the staff office of the Northern Expedition.
Then the Privy Council ordered the governor of Yizhou, Sun Xingyou, to build a city in the southeast of Yizhou; and sent Fu Zhaoxu to the north to recruit a large number of foundation stones needed for Min Zhuang to open stones near Yizhou to dig the city from various prefectures in Hebei.
...In October, civilians from the northern and southern prefectures of the Yellow River were summoned to perform labor service and build the Yellow River embankment.
All actions are confusing.As a big country, there are some government orders in the Great Zhou Dynasty every year, and whether it is building a city or a dike, it is not something worth paying attention to.
Several months have passed, and there is no sign of the Northern Expedition in Tokyo, and even the officials in Beijing do not think that the court is preparing for a war.
However, the Zhou army needed a large number of stone bombs to attack the city. When the city was repaired and the stone mines were found in advance, and a large number of stonemasons were recruited. This was a matter that must be prepared in advance; the city was repaired and a large number of strong men were recruited... The logistics of the war also required the manpower to strengthen men.
When the Yellow River embankment was built, the number of people who were recruited was 100,000.
Winter has arrived and the weather is getting colder. It starts to snow on the south bank of the Yellow River this winter (November).By the twelfth lunar month, the Yellow River Basin was already cold.
……
On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Tokyo is still immersed in the atmosphere of the festival. The whole city is covered with silver, with snow on the roofs and streets, but it is not deserted at all. Lanterns, flags, people's clothes, and all kinds of bright red embellishments, and the market is crowded with people.
All kinds of jokes and gongs have made the city this period the most lively.
But the weather is still too cold, and this year it's even more cold.It is still snowing in the sky as it enters the first lunar month.
There are almost no people in the suburbs except in the city and villages.
On the bank of the Yellow River closest to Tokyo, there are one or two hundred riders stationed there. In the snowy monotonous world, these people feel lonely.
Guo Shao and Privy Councilor Wang Pu are both here.The two stood there and looked at the Yellow River in front of them... a vast white plain with nothing on it.
Guo Shao kicked the snow away with his foot, squatted down again, and reached out to see.
This year is colder than in previous years.Guo Shao turned around and said to Wang Pu.
Wang Pu bowed and said quietly: You don’t need to build a floating bridge to cross the river.After saying that, he raised his hand and waved his hand.
As soon as he rode his horse, he shouted, kicked the horse in the belly, and rushed forward.Guo Shao stood up and looked at the people leaving for a long time, and saw that the shadows were getting smaller and smaller.
There is no wind in the world, and the little snowflakes fall from the sky and fall lightly on the ground, very quiet.The dull sound of horse hooves is very clear.
After a long time, the knight gradually came back on his horse.Wang Pu waved his hand again, and a row of more than twenty cavalry lined up in a row, slowly approaching, and running forward in a sparse formation.
Let's camp here today and return to Beijing tomorrow.Guo Shao said to Wang Pu.
Wang Pu pondered for a moment, but finally did not persuade Guo Shao.
This place is on the south bank of the Yellow River, very close to the capital, and is very peaceful around it; there is another elite cavalry beside the emperor, and it is impossible to have any danger if you stay for a day or two.
Wang Pu only asked the soldiers to choose camps to build tents and ordered the men who took turns to serve.
When he marched and set up a camp, Guo Shao didn't ask anything.He just waited for the tent to set up and raise the fire and went inside to avoid the cold.
Wang Pu also walked in soon after, saluted, Guo Shao asked him to sit down, and then he sat down by the fire and shook the snowflakes on his body.
Wang Pu said: The imperial guards will change their defense tomorrow, and the old minister ordered the generals of the Palace Front Office and the Guard Office not to disband the rotation of the soldiers.Gather all the troops who went to the expedition, and then send money to the battalions to reward the soldiers and ask them to say goodbye to their families.The day after tomorrow, you can gather troops to go on the battle.
Guo Shao nodded.
Seeing this, Wang Pu bowed and said: In this way, the news of the Northern Expedition will be made public tomorrow, and it will be limited to Tokyo City.The Privy Council also ordered that Tokyo martial law starts for three days tomorrow, prohibiting people except the Imperial Army soldiers from entering and leaving the city gate.Try our best to delay the spread of news of the Northern Expedition.
Guo Shao said: We have made careful plans for half a year.
Wang Pu said: That's right.The New Year has not passed yet, and martial law may affect the hearts of Tokyo people, but in the face of the war, the people do not matter.
The old minister estimated that after the Great Zhou army was dispatched, it would probably take some time for Youzhou to know the news.According to the marching speed of the imperial guards, it is very likely that the people of Youzhou and Liao were shocked.
After Wang Pu said that, he couldn't hide his excited expression on his face.
Guo Shao looked at him with a relaxed look and said: We can launch a war of such a large scale like never before?
Your Majesty is wise.Wang Pu bowed deeply.
Guo Shao waved his hand: You will be wise after winning.Conquer Youzhou...
He felt restless inside.
Desire gives people motivation, but when things come to an end, it is not necessarily a good thing, it can cause distraction.
Guo Shao took a deep breath, looking at the leisurely snowflakes and the simple white snow scene, gradually cooling down the various ambitions that surged in his heart.
This is also the reason why he stayed here.As soon as I arrived in this uninhabited place in the afternoon, I felt like I was away from the world.
Guo Shao said in front of Wang Pu: I have started to do it, it will be useless to think too much.Focus mainly on the things themselves, try to do it well, and the rewards will come naturally.
Wang Pu felt thoughtful and came back to his senses and said, "What Your Majesty said is extremely true."
Dusk gradually descends, and the sun cannot be seen setting, but you can feel the light gradually dimming.
Guo Shao looked outside the tent, and there were two riders standing on the hillside.
They were in the opposite direction, standing in the snow without moving, as if they had entered a state of meditation.
What you hold is not a sword or a gun, but a bow or arrow; under the hillside is an open snow field, which can be seen at least a few hundred steps away.
However, as long as you look carefully, you can see that the two riders have not entered into samadhi. They are facing each other with their backs, their heads are slowly turning, and they are carefully observing what is within their field of vision.
Gu... A bird's cry came, and Guo Shao was attracted by the attention, but he didn't know what kind of bird it was.The two cavalry sentries were also attracted and looked up together in the sky.
But soon returned to silence.At this moment, this scene is so lonely, without the grandeur of a war, everything seems to be deliberately hidden in the endless snow scene.
Guo Shao sat upright, closing his eyes to rest between this ethereal but open world.His breathing gradually became even and slowly, as if a Taoist was practicing inner alchemy.
After a long time, he heard the sound of the wind rising and opened his eyes suddenly.
The flag that was originally hanging outside the tent was blown up, swinging like a water dragon in the wind, the flag was unfolded, and a tiger was suddenly imprinted in front of Guo Shao's eyes with its teeth and claws.
Roar... Guo Shao seemed to hear a low and majestic roar.
The tiger, deep in his heart, stared at the earth with wide eyes.Guo Shao's eyes also widened and turned into that momentum.
Pressure, courage, confidence, and fearless.
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