Chapter 246 Estrangement
Just half a day later, in the evening of that day, Yelu Chongyuan, the commander-in-chief of the Liao Dynasty’s military and garrison in Nanjing, received the news that Zhuozhou City had been captured by the Song army.

When this information came back, all the officials in Nanjing were dumbfounded, because this was completely beyond all their expectations.

Originally they were secretly hiding the news, intending to catch the other party off guard, but how come they were the ones who were caught off guard?
“Why did the Southern Dynasty suddenly attack my Northern Dynasty?”

Yelu Chongyuan asked the people present, but how would they know?

Someone asked, “Could it be that the news that we are going to attack the Southern Dynasty has been leaked?”

Considering that before this, when Li Yuanhao was still alive, the Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia agreed to send troops together, which was also discovered by the Song Dynasty in advance.

All we can say is that this possibility cannot be ruled out.

only……

It is precisely because of the lesson from the last time that they are more careful this time.

So much so that basically no one on the front line knows about this news. So where did this news leak come from?

Yelu Chongyuan was a somewhat indecisive person. The reason why he was able to become the governor of Nanjing and control the military and political power in the southern part of the Liao Kingdom was not because of his outstanding military ability.

It was just because the other party was the royal family of the Liao Dynasty. Therefore, using the royal family of the Liao Dynasty to rule the Han people was more loyal and reliable than using Han officials or other Khitan officials to rule.

in fact……

If possible, Yelu Hongji didn’t even want to let him stay in Nanjing.

Originally, the purpose of conferring the title of Grand Marshal of the Army on the other party was to keep the other party under his own supervision, thereby weakening the other party’s power in Nanjing Xijin Prefecture.

This time, letting the other party take charge may be a consideration of finding faults in the other party and then waiting for an opportunity to weaken the other party’s influence.

How can you allow others to snore and sleep on the side of the couch?

He feels that he will not be able to sleep well until this imperial uncle is eliminated.

The one from the Southern Dynasty was so aggressive that he even invaded the Hengshan area of ​​Western Xia. He used this as an excuse and asked his uncle to attack the Southern Dynasty.

Winning the battle is good, but then we should stop and let the Southern Dynasty give up the Hengshan area.

Yelu Hongji never even thought about destroying the Southern Dynasty.

And if he lost the battle, or even died in it, then his throne would be secure.

This strategy can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

of course!

Probably even Yelu Hongji would not have thought that the first to take action would be from the Southern Dynasty.

……

Under the city of Zhuozhou.

Xiao Dieli’s men and horses were tired.

After all, he came here in a hurry, originally wanting to see if he could gain some military merit.

Unexpectedly, even the city was taken away by others.

Afterwards, they could only retreat first and then find a place to rest.

Zhao Xin didn’t send anyone to chase him at first.

Just watch the other person leave.

of course!

He also did not forget to ask the other party to help convey a message to the Nanjing garrison in Youzhou City.

“Our Crown Prince said that after he finishes his work in Zhuozhou City, he will go to your Xijin Prefecture. If the Nanjing garrison is sensible, it would be best for them to surrender while tied up, so as to avoid the use of knives and guns. That would be bad.”

Xiao Dielide was worried about how many troops the Southern Dynasty still had, so he did not dare to stay and quickly led his men back.

As for Zhao Xin…

He attacked the city in the early morning when it was dark and the enemy was unprepared.

Now that this place has been taken, you have to reassure the people.

So he called out all the elders in the city, including the wealthy businessmen and officials.

Then explain the pros and cons to them.

The Liao Dynasty was about to perish.

The Song Dynasty has made all preparations to destroy the Liao Kingdom, and Zhuozhou City is just the first battle. If you are sensible, you should know what to do.

The Song army will not take a penny of your property in Zhuozhou City, and you can continue to serve as officials in the future, but if anyone has any evil intentions,

Then don’t blame him for turning against you.

From now on, the taxation for all the conquered territories in the north will remain the same as it was before the Liao Dynasty. If any of you show activeness, Zhao Xin also said that in the future, he might hand over the business in the north to the other party.

Zhao Xin said this to everyone.

First of all, no matter what, everyone’s hearts were slightly calmed down.

If Zhao Xin wanted to rob them of their money and deprive them of their official positions, they would definitely fight with Zhao Xin to the death.

Zhao Xin finally emphasized: “I am a peace-loving person, and I don’t want to kill anyone, so please don’t force me. So next… do you have any important information that you can share? Come one by one!”

Zhao Xin had them separated, just like a police interrogation.

Then, everyone told Zhao Xin everything they knew.

after all……

I am afraid that I will become a worthless person in the future.

If Zhao Xin really wins, they will have a hard time in the future.

Anyway…

They all came one by one, and no one knew who said what or whether they said anything or not.

then……

Zhao Xin had collected information about the conditions of some cities and people in various parts of Nanjing Xijin Prefecture.

In order to avoid the possibility that what some people said might be false, Zhao Xin would ask other people about some valuable information, and then let them verify each other.

In addition to appeasing the elders in the city, the rest are the common people in the city.

And let people count the crimes of the Liao Dynasty so as to gain legitimacy for their attack on the Liao Dynasty.

Wait until these are processed.

And the troops from the rear also arrived one after another.

Zhao Xin began to discuss the next plan for attacking Youzhou City.

However, the difficulty of attacking Youzhou City is only higher than that of Zhuozhou City, and sneak attacks are only effective at the beginning, and people will not give you such an opportunity later.

and so……

I’m afraid we will have to attack the city by force next.

Moreover, there are many scattered small county towns outside Zhuozhou City.

These small counties are now being skipped by them.

Next, they have to conquer them one by one.

of course!

It is expected that the soldiers in the city would not have a strong belief in defending the city.

After all, the difference between this small county town and the state capital is definitely not that big.

Yelu Chongyuan wrote a letter to Yelu Hongji to report the situation.

Speaking of which…

Yelu Chongyuan still feels a little bit resentful.

After all, Yelu Zongzhen had agreed that after his death, he would pass the throne to himself.

In the end, he broke his promise, not only making him happy for nothing, but the key point was that his wife, as well as other relatives and friends, were all by his side and told him this.

This one says, why are you so cowardly? If it were me, I would have rebelled long ago!

I was so angry when I entered the palace today!

Didn’t she become the queen by luck? What was her basis?
It’s all because of shamelessness.

You’re actually talking about me! That person said, His Majesty said that the throne would be passed to you, what’s going on now?

You have to think about it carefully!

At the beginning, many people followed you because of this.

If you don’t speak up, others might leave you.

By the time……

Yelu Chongyuan naturally would not have thought that his brother Yelu Zongzhen would be so shameless.

If you hadn’t said you would pass the throne to me, this would never have happened.

However, in the face of the invasion from the Southern Dynasty, all these have to be put aside for the time being.

Yelu Chongyuan seriously suspected that there were spies around them, otherwise, how would the Southern Dynasty know that they were going to attack each other.

Or……

Yelu Chongyuan thought of a very bad answer.

you say……

Could it be that Yelu Hongji deliberately leaked the news to the Southern Dynasty?
Moreover, to be honest, the only ones who could get in touch with the Southern Dynasty were the envoys of Yelu Hongji who had been sent to negotiate with the Southern Dynasty many times before.

Otherwise, where did the Southern Dynasty get the news?
Moreover, it seems that the envoys here have not returned to the court yet.

The imperial concubine commander Xiao Hudu was Yelu Chongyuan’s son-in-law. Yelu Chongyuan’s son, Yelu Nerugu, and Yelu Chongyuan’s concubine’s brothers, Xiao Zhizhang and Xiao Zhixuan, also felt this the more they discussed it.

Exactly!

At this time, Yelu Nerugu’s good friend Xiao Dielide also told Zhao Xin that he wanted to go to Xijin Prefecture and let Yelu Chongyuan surrender.

No!

If the Southern Dynasty wants to say anything, it should be that Yelu Hongji surrender!
Who is the boss in Liao Kingdom?

Yelu Hongji!
But why did the Southern Dynasty only target him, Yelu Chongyuan?

Yelu Chongyuan’s concubine’s brother Xiao Zhizhang asked, “What do you think? Could this be a conspiracy?”

Xiao Dieli was completely confused because he had not heard anything before that.

It was not until I listened to everyone’s analysis that I realized that I seemed to have been plotted against as well.

However, he had a very good relationship with Yelu Chongyuan’s son Yelu Nerugu, and they were like one, sharing women with each other, so it was not surprising that they were plotted against together.

These people have always had rebellious intentions, and when they learn of this situation, they will naturally believe that this is the fact.

then……

On the one hand, he sent people to inquire whether the envoys who had been sent to the Southern Dynasty had returned.

On the other hand, we also need to defend the city and think about what to do next.

As for Zhao Xin…

It can also be vaguely learned from the mouths of wealthy businessmen and officials that it is said that the Liao Dynasty’s uncle, Yelu Chongyuan, seems to be at odds with their Liao Dynasty emperor.

But if you think about it, you will understand this kind of thing.

A Majesty who has just ascended the throne and has no achievements, and an uncle who is powerful and prestigious.

The key is that this uncle has the support of the empress dowager.

Moreover, like other kings, Yelu Chongyuan also made many friends.

After Zhao Xin learned the news, he also thought that he could take advantage of it.

He wrote directly to Yelu Chongyuan: “Don’t struggle, you are surrounded.”

The vagueness of the words makes people involuntarily think about all sorts of things.

Wang Shao, Zhang Qie, Zhang Dun, Xiong Ben and others were also pondering the intention of Zhao Xin’s words.

If Youzhou City was attacked, the Liao Kingdom would definitely send reinforcements.

Then, in Yelu Chongyuan’s view, doesn’t this mean that he is surrounded?
This was indeed the scene in Youzhou City at that time.

Yelu Hongji’s confidant Yelu Renxian was leading 50,000 troops at this time, and he was clearly distinguished from Yelu Chongyuan’s men.

After all, those around Yelu Chongyuan were all traitors, while Yelu Renxian was the kind of person who spoke frankly and was upright.

Naturally, I will not go along with these people, and even if I meet them in normal times, I am afraid they won’t have many good words to say to each other.

and……

Faced with Yelu Chongyuan’s doubts, Yelu Renxian still had to urge the other party to send troops.

This is definitely like trying to push yourself to death!
As for why Yelu Ren didn’t do it himself first, but stabbed him in the back directly in the city.

That’s naturally because it’s morally unacceptable for one’s own people to attack one’s own people.

If it was done through the Southern Dynasty, then it makes sense!

and……

Why did the Southern Dynasty dare to march straight in, even though the distance was only a hundred miles, and they captured Zhuozhou City without any effort at all? This must have been arranged long ago!
Now…Yelü Chongyuan became even more convinced that he was surrounded.

What should I do?
The key point is that the people around Yelu Chongyuan are a group of people who have long wanted to rebel. When they saw such an opportunity, they didn’t care about anything else and tried their best to urge Yelu Chongyuan to make plans early.

Otherwise, when you really reach the end of your rope, it will be too late to regret.

Then a very funny scene happened.

Yelu Chongyuan suddenly sent someone to deliver a letter to Zhao Xin, saying that he could give Zhao Xin money and then let Zhao Xin withdraw his troops.

Zhao Xin naturally didn’t expect it, but it seemed to be successful.

Zhao Xin continued, “What you gave is too little. What I want is Xijin Mansion.”

However, Xijin Prefecture was Yelu Chongyuan’s old nest, so how could it be given to Zhao Xin?

After the letter arrived.

Zhao Xin immediately assembled his troops and marched towards the enemy.

Yelu Chongyuan’s scouts learned of the situation and immediately reported it to Yelu Chongyuan.

Yelu Chongyuan understood that the other party was really determined to get rid of him.

At this moment, no matter how indecisive he is, he has to think about his own life.

At the same time…Yelü Renxian is here.

He also noticed that Yelu Chongyuan had his own troops in Xijin Prefecture, Nanjing, and seemed unwilling to go to war.

In fact…

Yelu Renxian had long suspected that Yelu Chongyuan had rebellious intentions.

At the beginning, the two worked together for a long time, and Yelu Renxian thought that the other was a cruel and vicious person.

suddenly!

That night, Yelu Chongyuan suddenly sent someone to invite him to discuss the battle plan late at night.

You know, Yelu Renxian had been on guard against the other side for a long time.

Besides, what battle plan is there to discuss in the middle of the night?
First of all, Yelu Renxian felt that the timing was wrong.

Naturally, I took precautions from the very beginning.

Immediately have everyone put on armor to be prepared.

Even if it turns out to be a misunderstanding, it won’t be a big deal.

However, based on Yelu Renxian’s ability in judging people, he basically wouldn’t make any mistakes.

You know, he is one of the few people in the Liao Kingdom who can be compared with Yelu Xiu’ge.

Who is Yelu Xiu’ge?
He was the one who made the donkey cart of Emperor Taizong of Song drift during the war against Song.

of course!

He also had defeats, but just based on the Battle of Gaoliang River, he is enough to be called a famous general.

At this time, Zhao Xin had already arrived outside Youzhou City and set up camp.

If the other party doesn’t come out, then he will come directly!

(End of this chapter)