Chapter 1082: Peace

This is really a heavy snow, and the cold winter in the whole north has entered a new stage. It is true that the generals can't control their horn bows, and the iron armor of the generals is cold and difficult to wear.

However, the more than 100,000 troops under Wang Yan's command are not only difficult to wear, but all of them are difficult to wear. Although the position of the general, to be precise, is himself. The local boss who controls the military power and finances of the road, in the Tang Dynasty, this position was called Jiedushi.

The development of the times, the advancement of technology, and the grabbing of resources have brought down the price of armor. Of course, there are still precious armors, but ordinary soldiers are no longer lacking armor.

It snowed heavily, and the snow melted and cooled down. Although the armor was treated, lined with flannel, and thick cotton clothes were worn inside, it still couldn't stand the whole day of marching outside. Moreover, the heavy snow blocked the mountains and buried the roads, which had a serious impact on the march.

In this respect, what Xiao Dongliang said about the heavy snow saving the Khitan is true.

Because although the Khitans have reacted and are fighting desperately, the war on the western front has gone from the previous flat push to a stalemate. But overall, it is still the army led by Wang Yan that is on the offensive, and the Khitans are shrinking their defenses step by step. The heavy snow and the sudden cold weather have indeed delayed the offensive speed of the 100,000 troops led by Wang Yan, leaving the Khitans with more time to respond.

But on the other hand, it is normal to start fighting after the autumn harvest and continue until the spring of next year. Choosing to start after autumn, naturally, before the war begins, they have already prepared for the winter. The delay caused by the coming of the cold winter was originally planned. After all, they are slow, and the Khitans are slower.

Although the Khitans are slow, they are very anxious.

In the imperial capital of Shangjing, just like the imperial city of Xixia back then, they are all ants on a hot pot, doing nothing, but there is no way. From Yelu Hongji to the various ministers of the North and South Houses below, most of them are furious.

After all the discussion, there are only a few points. First, select people to lead the battle. Second, logistics, mobilizing supplies, and conscripting troops. Third, deployment issues.

In summary, what to fight with, who to fight with, and how to fight. In this way, the central court has set the rules, and then issued them step by step for each level to implement.

If we must add other procedures, considering the current situation of Khitan, there are two more. One is to suppress the rebellion and maintain stability, because the internal chaos continues. Although there is no summary data yet, there is already a trend of war smoke. The second is to negotiate peace. At the beginning of the war, there were already voices of surrender.

This used to be the patent of the Song Dynasty. After all, the Khitan had beaten the Song Dynasty before, beating out the God of Cars and the finished Zhenzong, and the shameless ones even went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices.

But now the offensive and defensive positions have changed, and the change is too fast and too sudden, so that when they heard the voice of actively seeking peace, many people did not react, and then they killed four Han officials in the South Court and two Khitan officials in the North Court.

Undoubtedly, the Khitan's system of north and south officials is an effective policy of the multi-ethnic regime, which has promoted ethnic integration. This is a matter of final conclusion. But there is no doubt that the Khitans are more noble and have more power.

The military power of the Khitans is in the North Court, and the Han officials in the South Court are only in charge of the livelihood of the Han people. The main area of ​​management is naturally the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun sent out by Shi Jingtang.

It is indeed possible that some people put their hopes on the Khitans, believing that the Khitans can enter the Central Plains in the future. They hope to transform the Khitans and strive for the status of the Han people.

But without a knife in hand, they live under the knife of others. In normal times, it may indeed affect some lifestyles and convey some culture. When it comes to the real chapter, the Khitans will not be soft when they swing their knives.

"Unfair, unfair..."

The voice of injustice was extremely shrill, and it lasted for a long time in the hall.

Sitting in the front row, a minister with a long face, long beard, wearing a Khitan official hat, with his hands in his sleeves and squinting his eyes, opened his eyes and looked at the people who were dragged out, stunned.

He turned back and looked at Yelu Hongji who had taken the throne, and met the latter's eyes.

Yelu Hongji's eyes at this moment must be sharp. He was only 25 years old this year, at the peak of his career. He had determined the position of the prince in his early years, and he did not wait too long to take the throne cautiously, and the power transition was relatively smooth.

Whether he could accomplish great things or not, whether he had the ability or not, now that he was in power, he was of course still very powerful.

Being stared at like this, the man with a long face and long beard naturally avoided his gaze, but he was a little uneasy in his heart. He stole a glance and confirmed that the contact of the eyes just now was just unintentional, not deliberately targeting him, so he was relieved.

He is Yelu Chongyuan, the younger brother of Liao Xingzong Yelu Zongzhen, who died only two years ago. In history, he was the protagonist of the famous Chongyuan Rebellion in Liao. He wanted to assassinate Yelu Hongji and usurp the throne, but committed suicide after failing.

Of course, he has not rebelled yet, but he is also unhappy. Because when Yelu Zongzhen came to power, his position was not stable. His biological mother, Concubine Yuan, Xiao Noujin, overthrew Empress Xiao Pusa Ge, the Rende Empress of Liao Shengzong, and established herself as the Regency Empress Dowager. She also conspired with her brother Xiao Xiaoxian to support Yelu Chongyuan as the emperor.

Yelu Chongyuan was not motivated and told Yelu Zongzhen the news, which enabled Yelu Zongzhen to escape this disaster, imprison his biological mother Xiao Noujin, and survive this danger. In order to thank Yelu Chongyuan, he was canonized as the Crown Prince, indicating that he would be the emperor in the future.

But Yelu Zongzhen did not abide by this verbal agreement, which may have been unintentional. After all, if he was rescued once, he would always promise a heavy reward. After thinking about it afterwards, he didn't want to admit the debt, so he had to fool him.

Yelu Zhongyuan was fooled in this way. He was honest and waiting for the death of his good brother. As a result, his good brother died, but his good nephew took over. Of course he was not happy.

In order to appease Yelu Chongyuan, a good uncle, Yelu Hongji gave him benefits when he came to power. He named Yelu Chongyuan the uncle of the emperor and the marshal of the world's troops. He was exempted from having to worship the emperor and was given gold certificates, four hats and two-color robes. He is given the highest preferential treatment in the clan and is extremely respected and pampered. He also gave his cousin Yelu Nerugu the title of Prince of Anding.

It must have appeased them, but it also made the two men even more unwilling. After all, they were the ones who granted the titles to others when they were in power, so even if they had to use charity from others, it belonged to them.

This mentality is very scary, Yelu Zhongyuan is better, after all, he is older, relatively calm, and can handle things. His son Yerunelugu was restless and wanted to be the Khitan emperor in his dreams...

After the small court meeting was over, Yelu Chongyuan and Nerugu returned home and dismissed all their servants.

Nerugu said: "Aye, we were discussing something just now, why did you peek at Chala?"

Chala is the Khitan name of Yelu Hongji. Nerugu obviously did not respect Yelu Hongji.

"When I saw his fierce eyes, I thought he had murderous intentions towards you and my father. After a few glances, I felt relieved."

"What does Aye think of the situation in Daliao?"

"Defeat is certain. There is the Song Dynasty outside and rebellion inside. How can we win with such internal and external troubles?"

"My child thinks so too."

After a moment of silence, Nerugu lowered his voice and said, "Ah, why don't we kill him? Now there are internal and external troubles, it is winter, the roads are blocked by heavy snow, and the traffic is not smooth. It is a great time. And Song Ting wants to It is a foolish dream to destroy Daliao. As long as Aye takes the throne and we secede Youyun Sixteen Prefectures and actively seek peace, the Song Dynasty will definitely stop its troops and suppress the civil strife and take it back someday. "

When it comes to clicking, Nerugu is like in movies and TV shows, making pulling movements with the knife in front of his neck.

"Nonsense! At this time, if we miss the battle, we will be in danger of ruining our country..."

"Aye, if we continue to fight like this, won't there be danger of national subjugation? The Song Dynasty is now stronger, not the Song Dynasty of the past. And Wang Yan is eyeing the tiger, has elite troops in his hands, and is capable of leading the troops. In eight days, hundreds of troops will be scored. Here, there is an army of 100,000 people. If we continue to fight and break the courage of our army, we will march straight in.

Coupled with successive years of heavy taxes, this triggered civil unrest. We can cope with it now, but if we continue the fight and impose heavy taxes, I'm afraid we won't be able to suppress it. By that time, as the Daliao royal family, you and I, father and son, will definitely be in different places.

Even if my father and son don't act, the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun will also be lost. At that time, when we all retreat outside the Great Wall, Zha La will definitely use heavy regulations to establish his authority. Aye thinks that it is possible to let my father and son live at that time?

Besides, the throne was supposed to belong to Aye, but he had no credibility, and he deceived Aye. If it weren't for Aye, he would have died long ago. Now where would it be Chara's turn to be the emperor? Aye should be sitting in that position. Now we take back our throne, what's wrong?

The Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty have been at war with us for decades, for the Sixteen States of Youyun. As long as we wait to cut it back, it is inevitable for the Song Dynasty to stop the army, and we will not waste money and food on military affairs. Wang Yan's son was foolishly loyal to the Song Dynasty. As long as the Song Emperor issued an edict, it would not be a concern.

Aye, our lives cannot be in other people's hands, and we cannot live by looking at other people's faces, Aye..."

Yelu Zhongyuan was silent. He thought about his good son's words, and the more he thought about them, the more sense they made.

"How to act?"

"Okay, Aye, my father and son will achieve great things this time."

Immediately, the father and son started to discuss...

The Khitan must be defeated. This is something that people agree on. This point is already an established fact that at the beginning of the war, Wang Yan's side fought with overwhelming force and destroyed everything.

Because this is the most direct battle of combat effectiveness of soldiers. If you can't fight head-on, there is no need to compare the rest.

Xixia has already told them this with facts. It's just that they don't want to admit it, they always want to continue the fight. In the final analysis, there is no need for them to go to the battlefield to die.

The father and son made what they thought was the right choice based on Wang Yan's terror and the recent strength of the Song Dynasty. Of course, they also had their ambitions.

To be honest, there is nothing wrong with Yelu Zhongyuan, he is right...

Now is indeed a better time. Foreign countries are being bombed, domestic turmoil is endless, and people are panicked. Most of Yelu Hongji's energy is focused on the war. The guards around him must also have random thoughts and unrest. If people's hearts are wandering, they should relax. If they relax, there will be opportunities.

After fighting for another month, the Song army's offensive was still fierce. Although the two sides were fighting back and forth on the southern battlefield, the western battlefield led by Wang Yan, although blocked by the cold, was fighting steadily and making progress step by step. If there are more troops transferred, the blocking time will be longer; if there are fewer troops transferred, the blocking time will be short.

The battlefield on the Western Front became a quagmire for the Khitan, consuming their financial, material and manpower.

However, they did greatly reduce the forward speed of Wang Yan's army. Although they were still winning on the whole, they did not reach too far in a month.

The main reason is that the Khitans have more people and more troops than Xixia. Even in winter, there is always potential to be tapped under the strong command. As long as they are not led by a fool, they can still play a role.

However, the domestic situation is becoming more and more severe, and it has really shaken the rule.

Yelu Hongji showed the courage that an emperor should have. He sent trusted ministers to suppress the rebellion, and announced tax reductions and exemptions, and no longer forced levies. He wanted to lead the army in person.

As we all know, leading the army in person is a real way to increase morale and combat effectiveness. Yelu Hongji wanted to make a last ditch effort.

But many things are not as expected, and Yelu Hongji's highlight moment as an emperor did not have a chance to be realized...

When preparing to go to war, he was caught by Yelu Chongyuan and his son, who bought a lot of people and gathered some elite palace troops. This is a pure Khitan army, belonging to the emperor's personal army, and the combat effectiveness is still very good.

Then, Yelu Hongji was killed neatly.

Yelu Chongyuan is not a waste. Khitan also needs peace now. So after some of Yelu Hongji's confidants died, Yelu Chongyuan ascended the throne smoothly without any waves.

The first thing after ascending the throne was to send envoys to seek peace. The troops had to be divided into three groups, one to the south to find Fan Zhongyan, one to Xixia to find Wang Yan, and one to the grassland to find the elusive cavalry.

We can't fight anymore, it will be over if we fight again...

"Sir, the brothers caught three bastards who took the initiative to deliver themselves to the door in front, saying that they were envoys sent by Khitan to seek peace. This is their Wendie, and there is also a document with a seal from the Khitan dog emperor."

Bastards are the unified name given by the Song army under Wang Yan to the Han people who served as officials for Khitan and Xixia. Wang Yan didn't pay attention to this. It was all spontaneous behavior of the soldiers. He didn't want to care about such trivial matters. Even if there may be some Han officials who had to do it. As for people, there are always many reasons to find.

At this time, Wang Yan was sitting with Xiao Dongliang, three little ones, several clerks and small officials, eating hot pot and drinking liquor, feeling very comfortable.

He waved his hand, indicating that the middleman did not need to leave. He took the document and took a look at it, then threw it aside, and said with a smile: "Bring the people here."

"Yes, sir."

The military officer responded respectfully and left. After a while, three people wearing brocade hats and mink furs came in. Despite the hardships along the way, despite the poor treatment on the way here, and despite being very embarrassed, these three people still maintained their elegance. They are all in their thirties and forties. Combined with their temperament, these people should have high official positions.

The leader bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord Wang. I am..."

"I don't care who you are. Just tell me the truth."

"Uh... I have heard of your name for a long time in Liao. I am lucky to meet you today. You are really extraordinary."

"Let me tell you the truth." The official sitting on the side glared and said in a low voice, very imposing.

"Uh... Yes, yes, yes. The Emperor of Liao sent us to ask for peace and cede..."

The official looked at Wang Yan, who was concentrating on eating meat and giving meat to a few children, and then frowned at the Khitan envoy and said softly, "Hmm?"

"Yes, return it. My Liao wants to return the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. I have sent envoys to the south to Bianjing. My lord is afraid that you don't know about this, so he specially sent two envoys, one to the grassland and the other to find you, to explain this to you. My Liao is sincerely seeking peace, so we should temporarily put down the swords and weapons to avoid unnecessary casualties and waste of money and food..."

"Is it over?" Wang Yan picked up a large chopstick of meat and glanced at it.

"Ah, and there is more, sir, my lord has already said that as long as you stop fighting for the time being, I will give it to you..." The Khitan envoy was nervous and his breath was not very stable, but he spoke fluently and recited a long list of gifts. If it was listed as a list, one line for each, I am afraid it would be two meters long.

Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, and the little ones were also trying to listen, Wang Yan did not interrupt until the Khitan envoy finished reciting.

Then he took a sip of wine and asked, "I just saw the document, the signature is Yelu Chongyuan, what's going on?"

"Uh..."

Wang Yan waved his hand: "Take him away and punish him."

"I'll tell you, I'll tell you, sir, I'll tell you."

The Khitan envoy glanced at the soldiers who were watching him anxiously, and said, "In fact, you will know it later. Half a month ago..."

The envoy explained the situation honestly, and Wang Yan and others also understood the great changes in the Khitan.

Although it has always been difficult for the Khitan emperor to be emperor, and there are always people who want to usurp the throne and seize power, Wang Yan did not expect that at this time, there would be someone who was so clear about the situation and decisive.

Speaking of which, Yelu Chongyuan's ability to become emperor can be regarded as Wang Yan's indirect help in making his dream come true, which is meritorious.

As for whether it is peace, this is a question that does not need to be said much, and the result can be known by thinking with your heels.

The pursuit of the Song Dynasty's rulers and ministers was to take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Now that the Khitans could no longer bear it and surrendered for peace, they were of course willing to do so. Taking back the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun and biting off a piece of meat, the Song Dynasty's rulers and ministers fell into a collective climax and were overjoyed.

"Send them to Bian Jing."

"Sir, if you stop fighting as soon as possible, it will be of great benefit to both our countries, Sir...ah..." The Khitan envoy was still shouting, and the impatient soldiers behind him slapped him in the face, shutting up the three people who were shouting.

Seeing the Khitan envoy being taken away, an official on the side asked: "Sir, should we stop fighting?"

"Is your last name Yelu?" Wang Yan looked up and continued to eat meat and drink.

If we don't receive the order from the capital, we must continue to fight. After all, the territory and wealth we have taken now are ours. If we stop fighting, it will give those nobles time to react. In the future, they will only get poor people and land. It is impossible to get rich. All the good things are gone.

We still have to fight.

Even if we negotiate peace, small-scale wars in the future will become normalized, just like the treatment of Xixia, slowly torturing until it collapses and the regime disappears...

Thank you for your strong support for voting for the monthly ticket, recommendation ticket and reading books silently!