Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 440 Surprise!

The Hetao Plain is divided into the East and West Hetao, which is located at the "几"-shaped bend of the Yellow River. The West Hetao is in the lower half of the "丿", where the capital of Western Xia was located, which is Yinchuan in later generations.

The Dong suit is divided into front and back suits. The entire Dong suit is the upper part of the character "几", with the back suit on the left and the front suit on the right.

When Su Yun mentioned taking Hetao, he was naturally referring to Dongtao, or to be more specific, Qiantao.

Previously, Zhang Yu said that Chang'an and Hetao were thousands of miles apart, which was true. But in fact, the Jingsai Army did not need to start from Chang'an to attack Hetao, because the Suide Army bordered Xixia, and the distance from the Suide Army to Hetao was much closer.

However, this is still not that simple. After all, from Suide Army to Hetao, there is not only a desperate desert along the way, but also many cities of Western Xia. And because Hetao borders the Liao Kingdom, Western Xia also stockpiled heavy troops there to guard against the Liao Kingdom.

Therefore, attacking Hetao from the direction of the Suide Army is actually no different from attacking Xingqing Prefecture...

“…How can there be no difference!
Xingqing Prefecture is located on the west bank of the Yellow River. With the Yellow River as a natural barrier, it is difficult to be easily breached.

The city is generally a rectangle that is long from east to west and narrow from north to south, with obvious vertical and horizontal axes and a regular layout. The city is more than 18 miles in circumference, the moat is ten feet wide, and the defense facilities are extremely complete.

Its surrounding area is the political and economic center of Western Xia, with a dense population and rich resources, making it easy to organize defense and hold out for a long time.

This was also the reason why I didn't think of attacking Xingqing Mansion even though I was already at the gate of Xingqing Mansion at that time, because the guards were too strict.

The Hetao area is very large, including the Xitao Plain, the Houtao Plain and the Qiantao Plain. Precisely because of its large size, there is a wide range of choices.

Although the Hetao terrain is mainly plains, there are also some complex terrains such as mountains, rivers and deserts.

For example, there is the Yinshan Mountains in the north of Hetao, which is an important barrier to the north. The Yellow River flows through the Hetao area, forming a criss-crossing river network, which hinders the army's movements to a certain extent.

In addition, there are some deserts and Gobi in the Hetao region, such as the Ulan Buh Desert, which brings difficulties to marching and logistical supply.

However, precisely because of the vast and complex territory, the defense forces are relatively scattered and there are some weak links.

This is a great opportunity for us!”

Su Yun's eyes were burning, and he pointed at the sheepskin map on the table and said with a smile, "Xingqing Prefecture is as solid as a rock, and the defenders are ready to fight at any time. Every city gate is like a tiger's mouth, and a strong attack is just like an egg hitting a stone.

But Hetao is different - although there are heavy troops from Xixia in the Qiantao Plain, they have to divert their attention to guard against the Liao Kingdom, so their defense line will inevitably lose sight of one thing while focusing on another."

He drew out the short blade from his waist and drew an arc on the picture.

"Look, the army from Suide is heading north, crossing the edge of the Maowusu Desert, bypassing the heavily guarded Hengshan defense line of the Western Xia, and heading straight for Fengzhou!

This city controls the crossing of the Yellow River. Once captured, it will not only cut off the communication between the Western Xia and the Western Xia, but also push the front line to the foot of the Yin Mountains. "

Ping Zicheng frowned and interrupted: "But Fengzhou has high walls, and there are Woye City and Ningbianzhou nearby, so Xixia will definitely fight to the death to reinforce."

"So we have to make a feint to the east and attack in the west!" Su Yun suddenly unfolded another small map, which was densely marked with the passes of Hetao. "Send light cavalry to feint to the back of the Tao, pretending to attack the grain depot of Xixia, and then send the navy up the Yellow River to bluff.

The Xixia army will surely panic and split up, and we will then gather the elite troops of the Jingsai army and launch a surprise attack on the front line where the defenses are weak."

"Then how do we solve the problem of desert marching and food supply?" Zhang Qie asked, stroking his beard.

Su Yun took out a roll of animal skin from his sleeve, on which were painted winding streams and secret oases: "A few months ago, I sent secret agents into the desert and discovered several secret waterways.

As long as you avoid the scorching midday sun and use a raft to carry water, you can cross the desert within three days.

As for food and fodder, I have already made an agreement with the powerful people in Linzhou and Fuzhou to have them organize mule and horse teams to secretly transport them along the mountain trails."

He looked grim, "The Hetao looks like a solid block, but in reality it's like a pile of loose sand. As long as we find the gap, we can pry it open!"

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves could be heard outside the tent, and a scout covered in dust rushed in: "Report! Half of the Xixia garrison stationed in Fengzhou is being mobilized to prepare to attack Xizhou!"

Su Yun and Zhang Qie looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

Su Yun threw the command flag heavily on Fengzhou on the map: "God help me! Immediately issue an order, the Jingsai Army will assemble within three days and attack Fengzhou at night!"

As the command flag was waved, the generals came out of the tent one after another. A war that would change the situation between Song and Xia was ready to break out, just like the storm brewing at the foot of the Yin Mountains.

Su Yun rushed back to the Suide Army from Chang'an overnight. The Suide Army had already assembled 30,000 troops, and then under Su Yun's arrangement, they were divided into three routes and marched north.

First, they borrowed the road from the Jinning Army to go north, which frightened the Jinning Army so much that they quickly locked the city gates and watched the Jingsai Army going north from the city wall.

Although the Jingsai Army passed through the Song territory, it still attracted the attention of the Western Xia army. However, the Jingsai Army continued to move north to Linzhou, and then disappeared into the Mu Us Desert.

This made Xixia suddenly nervous.

The Mu Us Desert is now called the Hexi Sand Desert or the Shuofang Sand Desert, but it doesn’t matter what it is called. The key is that this desert is a forbidden zone for life. The Song army once tried to attack the Hetao area through this desert, but suffered huge losses and later no longer considered passing through here.

This desert is indeed a natural military barrier for the Hetao region, and even more so for Xingqing Prefecture. Now that 30,000 Jingsai troops have entered it, if they can really get out, no one knows which direction they will go.

This desert is located in the front of Hetao to the north, Dingnan Five Prefectures to the south, and Xingqing Prefecture to the west. If the Jingsai Army dies in this desert, it will be fine. But if they don't die, Xixia will be in big trouble!

The Zuoxiang Shenyong Army Commander who was keeping an eye on the Jingsai Army quickly passed the news back to Xingqing Prefecture. Xingqing Prefecture immediately became nervous and quickly arranged to guard the capital.

After discussion, Liang Yiwu and his generals believed that the primary goal of the Jingsai Army should be to attack the five states of Dingnan, and Xingqing Prefecture might come second. As for attacking Hetao... well, this is basically unnecessary.

Because attacking the Hetao Plain would not be of much use to the Jingsai Army, because even if they broke into the city, what could they get?
There is a vast desert and the five states of Dingnan between the Hetao Plain and the northwestern region of the Jingsai Army. Even if the Hetao Plain is captured, there is no way to complete the governance. Instead, this part of the army will be trapped to death by the Western Xia army!
As for why they thought they would attack the five states of Dingnan instead of Xingqing Prefecture, it was because Xingqing Prefecture was the heartland of Western Xia. It would be impossible to capture it with only tens of thousands of troops, and it would be easy to be besieged. Therefore, a wise man would definitely not do that.

On the contrary, attacking the Five States of Dingnan is the first choice. The Five States of Dingnan are adjacent to the Suide Army. It is a good idea to attack the Five States of Dingnan from behind.

Liang Yibu traced the boundaries of the five states of Dingnan on the map with his finger, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "The Song people have really learned their lesson, and know how to avoid their sharp edge and attack my weak spot.

Although the Right Wing Chaoshun Army is stationed in the five states of Dingnan, the troops in each city are scattered. If the Jingsai Army attacks Youzhou from the desert, it will definitely catch us off guard."

He suddenly turned to look at the old general Yeli Yuqi under his command, "You were stationed in Youzhou before, tell me, if the Song people really come, how should we deal with them?" Yeli Yuqi stroked his beard and said in a deep voice: "Youzhou City is small but strong, but if it is besieged by 30,000 troops, I am afraid it will not last more than three days.

I think we should immediately dispatch the Iron Harriers from Lingzhou to rush to the rescue, and at the same time order all the camps to fortify their walls and clear the fields, and move the food and supplies into the city, so that even if the Song army breaks through the city, they will not be able to gain anything."

"No!" The young general Wei Mingji suddenly said, "Lingzhou is the gateway to the west. If the Iron Harriers are transferred away, the Song people might make a feint and then attack Lingzhou. The consequences will be disastrous!

In my opinion, if the Jingsai Army dares to go deep into the desert, there will be consequences.

If they really went to conquer the five states, it would be nothing more than a minor problem;
But if…"

His eyes involuntarily drifted towards the east direction and his voice gradually became lower.

The tent suddenly fell into silence.

Liang Yibu's pupils shrank slightly, and his fingers pressed heavily on the location of Fengzhou in the Qiantao Plain on the map - it was only separated from the Liao Kingdom by the Yin Mountains, and was currently home to the main force of the Left Wing Divine Army of the Western Xia used to guard against the Khitan.

If the Song people really did as Wei Mingji said and launched a surprise attack on the front set through the desert, they would not only be able to cut off the communication between the east and west sets, but also bring the war to the Liao Kingdom. At that time, Western Xia would face pressure from both the Song and Liao sides.

"Impossible." Liang Yibu swung his sleeves violently, "There are two natural barriers, the Yinshan Mountain and the Yellow River, and there are 200,000 troops stationed there. The Song people can't fly over even if they have wings!
What's more..." He suddenly remembered something and raised the corner of his mouth with sneer again, "The Hexi Desert is known as the 'Sea of ​​Death'. Back then, Zong Yan led an army of 50,000 to cross the desert to attack Xiping Prefecture, but less than 30% of them returned alive.

No matter how powerful Su Yun is, can he make 30,000 troops disappear in the desert?"

Suddenly, there was the sound of hurried horse hooves outside the tent, and another scout fell off his horse: "Report! Urgent news from Youzhou, the flag of the Song army was spotted thirty miles south of the city!"

Liang Yibu slammed the table and stood up, his eyes flashing with ruthlessness: "As expected! Quickly send a message to the right wing Chaoshun Army to annihilate the invading enemy at the foot of Youzhou City! As for the eastern set..."

He glanced at Fengzhou on the map and said, "Let the Black Mountain Weifu Army strictly guard the passes of Yinshan Mountain and don't let even a mouse get into the granary!"

At the same time, deep in the Mu Us Desert, Su Yun looked at the sky gradually turning pale and raised his hand to wipe the sand off his face.

The 30,000-strong army marched slowly forward in a diamond formation. The scouts at the front had changed into Xixia military uniforms and were using captured sheepskin water bags to scoop water for their horses.

"We are ten miles away from the northern edge of the desert." Ping Zicheng handed over a piece of hard cake. "According to your instructions, the baggage train has set out three days in advance. We should be cooking at the foot of Wolf Mountain now."

Su Yun bit the biscuit into pieces and looked towards the north through the sand fog.

In the distance, the outline of the Yinshan Mountains is faintly visible, and between the mountains and the desert, a winding river is shining silver.

That is the Hunhe River, a tributary of the Yellow River, and also the first checkpoint into the Qiantao Plain.

He suddenly remembered Zhang Yu's worries before he left: "What if Xixia sees through the plan of making a feint to the east and attacking the west, and sets an ambush at the northern edge of the desert?"

At that time, he just smiled and pointed to Fengzhou on the map: "They won't, because in the eyes of the Xixia people, it is impossible for us to walk out of this sand dune alive."

As night fell, the Jingsai Army finally arrived at the Hunhe Ferry.

Looking at the dark beacon tower on the opposite bank, Su Yun drew out the short blade from his waist, cut off his hairband, and let his long hair flutter in the evening breeze.

"Pass on my order," his voice was mixed with the wind and sand, but it was clearly heard by every soldier, "Cross the river tonight, and at dawn, I will raise the flag of the Song Dynasty on the top of Fengzhou City!"

At the break of dawn.

Outside Fengzhou City, a thunderous roar suddenly erupted from behind the distant sand dunes. The 30,000 Jingsai troops descended from the sky like divine troops, and their iron hooves crushed the last layer of sand fog.

Su Yun led the way, holding a crescent-shaped sword in his hand. The cold light on the blade reflected his blood-stained face, like a Shura from hell.

"kill--!"

With this roar, the Hetao defense line, which the Western Xia had never taken seriously, was nothing more than a layer of window paper that could be broken with a single poke in the face of a real attack.

At this moment in Xingqing Prefecture, Liang Yibu was stunned by the military report that had just been delivered.

Urgent report from Fengzhou: The Song army has crossed the Hunhe River. The Heishan Wei Fu Army was caught off guard and its defense line is about to collapse.

He suddenly remembered the unfinished words of Wei Mingji, and all the strength in his body seemed to be drained away. He staggered and fell into the chair.

It turns out that from the beginning to the end, the Song people had no intention of attacking the Dingnan Five Prefectures. Their target from the beginning to the end was the heart of the Hetao Plain - Qiantao!
Outside the window, a strong wind suddenly blew up, blowing up yellow sand all over the sky.

This gust of wind from the Maowu Desert will eventually blow away the Xixia people's last hope.

However, Liang Yiwu still didn't quite believe it: Even if the Jingsai Army took over Hetao, was he confident that he could defend it?

"…We don't need to defend it. We should collect all the horses we can as soon as possible and turn all 30,000 troops into cavalry. Then we will use these 30,000 light cavalry to sweep across the entire Western Xia!"

Su Yun said this to Ping Zicheng and others after taking Fengzhou.

Su Yun indeed had not thought about taking over Hetao. His goal from the beginning to the end was to obtain enough horses for the Jingsai Army at one time!
The greatest value of Hetao to the Jingsai Army is its war horses. If we only consider its economic value, Bashu is the most suitable for Guanzhong. There is no need to conquer the entire Western Xia to obtain Hetao.

Therefore, Su Yun’s purpose is to come here and take away enough adult war horses to meet the current size of the Jingsai Army, as well as to meet the capital for the subsequent large-scale conquest of the world!
Su Yun had been secretly planning this matter for a long time, but the conditions were not ripe before. First, he had to take over Guanzhong and have a foothold before he could proceed to the next step.

Secondly, they did not want to annoy the Xixia people too much. After all, their strength was too weak before. If the Song and Xia countries besieged them together, the Su Society might suffer heavy losses.

But now the Xixia people have taken action first, and Guanzhong has been taken, so it doesn’t matter now. This trip must be made. With this trip, if we can collect tens of thousands of war horses, then the cavalry of the Jingsai Army will be enough for the next few years!

As for the future... hehe, the Song army has cavalry, and the Western Xia people also have cavalry, so we can just fight and seize the spoils!

He is my transport captain!

(End of this chapter)