Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 786: Qinzhou Robbery

Qinzhou, formerly known as Tianshui.

Because five cities are connected here, there is a lake in the north city. The source of the lake water is entirely formed by rainfall from the sky, so it is called "water injected into the sky", and Tianshui got its name from this.

Qinzhou was established during the reign of Emperor Wen of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, and since then Tianshui was renamed Qinzhou.

It’s just that the local people and soldiers still usually call it Tianshui.

Today's Qinzhou belongs to Jin Guoxi's Qin Road.

The five cities of Qinzhou established a Qinzhou Defense Envoy and two chief and deputy military generals to manage political and military affairs respectively.

Gangu County, Qin'an County, Longchengzhai and others are the main cities and ports in Qinzhou.

The richest of them is Gangu City,

The Qinzhou Defense Commander was named Xia Hekuimu, a Qiang people, which is the ancient Quanrong people.

Xiahekuimu means a boy born in February of the Year of the Dog.

The Jin Kingdom valued Xia Hekuimu in accordance with the strategy of using barbarians to rule barbarians, and appointed the leader of the largest local ethnic group as a local official.

Wang He and Zhang Boya took away Qinzhou's soldiers, leaving only three thousand old and weak soldiers to defend the city.

However, for Xiahekuimu, it is more than enough to maintain local public security.

With the help of the natural protection of the surrounding mountains and rivers, if you want to come to Qinzhou, there are only three mountain valley roads: Baoji connecting to the Jin Kingdom in the east, Hanzhong connecting to the Song Kingdom in the southeast, and Longdao connecting to Longyou in the north.

There is only one road connecting to the Song Dynasty.

So, there has been no war here for nearly twenty years.

Now the military commander-in-chief Wang He and deputy military commander-in-chief Zhang Boya are leading a large army to launch a surprise attack on Hanzhong. Qinzhou will not be in any danger at all.

The past twenty years of peace have brought a constant flow of business and travel to Gangu City, the largest city in Qinzhou.
The man driving the donkey cart would sit on the shaft, whipping the cart and swinging his legs. Whenever he was happy, upset or bored, he would sing a few lines of Xintianyou at the top of his voice.

At this time, a man driving a cart began to sing:

Crescent Moon hid in the dark night and dived into her brother's arms.

The clouds followed the wind and their shadows followed them, and the brother and sister were inseparable from then on.

You can go anywhere you want, three times in one night is not enough for you.

The river water in the east of the village was gurgling, and I was so happy that I kept calling my mother.

Straightforward and rough, I dare to sing it so directly.

If he were in Lin'an, where people were teaching, he would probably be pulled off his donkey cart by a Taoist scholar and scolded on the spot.

There was a bell tied under the donkey's neck, which jingled when it ran.

The donkeys in Guanzhong are larger than those in other places. They are sturdy and have mostly black fur, except for the mouth, nose, eye circles and belly where there is white fur. They are quite beautiful and eye-catching.

This is the best Qinchuan donkey.

The man driving the donkey sang at the top of his lungs, his voice even louder than Qin Chuan's call to the donkey.

However, he is not a real Qinchuan man, but a soldier of the Crazy Army.

Around him, there were many Song army soldiers, who disguised themselves as small vendors buying camel hair and selling wool, or ordinary people from Qinzhou's urban and rural areas, and entered Gangu City one after another.

Yang Yuan had already found out that there were only 3,000 troops stationed in the entire Qinzhou, and most of them were old, weak, sick and disabled.

There are only 3,000 people, scattered in several counties. He can easily take this place down with brute force.

Because Qinzhou itself is surrounded by mountains, there is no need to use the city as the main defense position.

Therefore, the city walls here are not high and can be quickly attacked with very simple climbing tools.

However, as long as fewer people die, Yang Yuan will not sacrifice one more person in vain.

The local management in Qinzhou is so rough that it is outrageous.

If you want to enter the city, you just need to pay the city entry tax. No one will check or randomly test the identity of people entering the city.

The selected troops sent by Yang Yuan were thus able to enter Gangu City quickly and smoothly.

Therefore, it was easy to capture Gangu County with the help of internal and external forces.

This process was so smooth that it was hard to describe it.

This battle also made Yang Yuan clearly realize that due to the loss of the entire Northeast and the heavy losses in the Lianghuai War, the once extremely powerful Jin Empire was rapidly declining economically, politically, and militarily.

This is a total regression and decline.

The Jin Empire's control over this remote mountain city in the northwest was somewhat similar to that of the Song Dynasty's control over the semi-autonomous barbarian state of Xuzhou.

Therefore, the person who can actually influence and control the entire Qinzhou is Qinzhou Defense Commander Xia Hekuimu.

As long as we deal with him, Qinzhou can be conquered in a snap.

Xia Hekuimu was brought to Yang Yuan.

The Qinzhou defense historian was in his early forties, with a high nose and deep eyes. He was tall and handsome, with a shiny dark red face and clear features as if they were cut by a knife.

He just sobered up.

The defense envoy was eating hotpot and singing when he was suddenly captured by Yang Yuan's men.

It was not until this time that he realized that Wang He's elite army had been completely wiped out.

The nearly 20,000 war horses they brought were all captured by the Song army before they could be used in the mountains and forests.

Now, the Song army captured the first city of Qinzhou, Gangu, almost without bloodshed.

Before Yang Yuan met Xia Hekuimu, he had been thinking about how to subdue the Qinzhou Defense Commissioner of the Jin Kingdom.

This man is the leader of the local Rong people. As long as we can capture him, we can control the entire Qinzhou area through him.

Yang Yuan confronted the enemy head-on at Dasan Pass and pretended to take the Chencang Ancient Road directly to Baoji, but in fact he took a detour through Qinzhou and entered Shaanxi from the west.

It was indeed a bit far, after all, it took a big detour, and with the level of transportation at that time, it would almost delay his journey by a month.

But Yang Yuan thinks it is worth it.

Because even if he attacked from the front through Dasan Pass, he would still have to divide his troops to attack Qinzhou.

Otherwise, Qinzhou will always be a trouble behind it.

Moreover, Qinzhou is an important passage leading to Longyou. It has been the gateway and strategic point of Longyou since ancient times and a fortress on the ancient Silk Road.

Occupying this place can not only solve the problem of being attacked from both sides, but also, if necessary, it can be used to attack Longyou and respond to Wu Lin's army.

Once the news of the fall of Qinzhou reaches Western Xia, Western Xia will certainly allocate heavy troops to prevent Yang Yuan from entering Western Xia. In that case, even if he does not attack Western Xia, he can share the pressure for Wu's army.

Because the capital of Western Xia was located so far forward, whether Wu Lin entered Western Xia from Lintao or Yang Yuan entered Western Xia from Qinzhou, the Western Xia capital of Xingqing Prefecture was right in front of them.

This feeling is like New Delhi, India to the Tibetan Plateau.

The capital is so close that if a war breaks out, there will be almost no strategic depth, and the location is indeed awkward.

However, there are not many rich places in Western Xia. From a political and economic perspective, Xingqing Prefecture is already the best choice, and the military strategic flaws can only be tolerated.

Of course, Yang Yuan could also use force to suppress the various tribes in Qinzhou.

But if it cannot be subdued, it will take a long time to strengthen control step by step.

Yang Yuan simply doesn't have the time.

He needed to resolve Qinzhou as quickly as possible, then immediately march eastward to catch the Jin army in Baoji off guard.

Therefore, he needed to subdue the Qinzhou Defense Commander and use him for his own purposes.

Methods like conquering Xuzhou, Wumeng and Liangshanzhou are not applicable here.

Xuzhou and Wumeng had originally been subject to the Song Dynasty and considered themselves to be people of the Song Dynasty, but they had a very high degree of autonomy.

Liangshan Prefecture was ceded to the Song State by the Emperor of Daxingguo himself, and there was also a jointly developed gold mountain that attracted the twelve counties of Liangshan.

Therefore, if it is impossible to make friends with the summer lotus tree by offering benefits, then the only option is to use force on it.

If there is no time to suppress the entire Qinzhou, it will be fine to suppress the Qinzhou Defense Envoy and his family first.

Therefore, when Xia Hekuimu walked into the court where he used to live, Yang Yuan stood solemnly above him, wearing a large armor made of fish scales that shone brightly, like a golden god of light.

On both sides stood a large number of generals, including the commander of the Mad Army Yang Shou, the commander of the Firearms Army Gan Quan, the commander of the Cavalry Army Gao Gan, Zhou Wuyi, Liu Ruxi, Han Jinxun, Murong Qianyu...

The executioners were full of murderous intent. Xia Hekuimu, the defense commander of Qinzhou of the Jin Dynasty, was tied up and brought in from between two rows of executioners.

"I'm Yang Yuan, the governor and pacifier of Tongchuan Route of the Great Song Dynasty, and the commander-in-chief of all the imperial armies in Lizhou Central Route!" As soon as Yang Yuan saw Xia Hekuimu, he spoke in a majestic and straight-to-the-point manner.

"Qinzhou, I have taken it. This place is the homeland of our Great Song, and it will return to our Great Song from now on!"

"Snapped!"

Yang Yuan grabbed the "Tiger Gallbladder" and slammed it heavily on the table.

“I will give you two choices now.

First, submit to the Song Dynasty and be loyal to it. Immediately post a notice and order the five cities and forty-eight villages in Qinzhou to immediately change their flags and submit to the Song Dynasty.

second……"

Yang Yuan pressed the shining silver Dali sword on his waist and said, "I will kill your entire family and send you to the west, thus fulfilling your reputation of loyalty to the traitor Liang of the Jin Kingdom. What is your choice?"

Yang Shou stood to one side, holding two melon-sized hammers in his hands.

Xia Hekuimu knelt down with a "thump" without any psychological burden.

"My father was originally the Defense Commissioner of Qinzhou in the Song Dynasty. Xia Hekuimu, the guilty minister, finally saw the return of the heavenly soldiers. He cried with joy and was willing to return to the Song Dynasty to serve it."

"If you...um...what?"

Yang Yuan pressed the spring of the sword and was about to draw the sword out of the sheath with a "clang" to intimidate again, but he was stunned by Xia Hekuimu's clean and neat "betrayal" and was unable to react.

Xia Hekuimu really has no psychological burden. As the biggest leader in the local area, his family has always been like this.

This is also the usual practice of the wealthy families in the Northwest who are unable to confront the powerful regime.

If you can't win, just surrender. It's just a way of survival and it's not shameful.

"Xia Hekuimu is willing to order the five cities and forty-eight camps of Qinzhou to surrender to the general, but... the general must also agree to the two conditions of this guilty minister."

"Uh...you tell me!"

Yang Yuan's hand loosened the sword's retaining spring.

"First, I, the guilty minister, wish to order the soldiers and civilians of the five cities and forty-eight camps of Qinzhou to pledge allegiance to the Song Dynasty from now on. I also ask the general to ensure that my family is safe and prosperous."

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "Of course, I can order you to continue to serve as the Defense Commissioner of Qinzhou in the Song Dynasty for the time being.

At the same time, I will write to the court to recommend you, and you will be appointed by the court to continue to hold the power of Qinzhou."

Xia Hekuimu showed a happy expression and said, "I am willing to offer my daughter Ermi Issa to the general and conclude a marriage with him to show our sincerity to each other."

Yang Yuan looked at Xia Hekuimu, who was tall and burly with a dark red face, and said nothing for a long time.

Do I really... want to sacrifice my looks?
Have I given too much for the Song Dynasty?

The joy on Xia Hekuimu's face disappeared and turned into a suspicious and vigilant expression.

"The general is not deceiving me and trying to lure Qinzhou into surrender, right?"

"Okay... I promise you."

Looking at Xia Hekuimu's appearance, Yang Yuan could probably guess what his daughter looked like.

Looking at her father's figure and her daughter's appearance, I probably don't feel anything.

After being used to eating seafood and delicacies from other mountains, I really can't chew coarse bran.

However, this is indeed the most effective way to quickly form an alliance and gain mutual trust. Compared with the deaths of thousands or tens of thousands of people, it is not unacceptable.

Yang Yuan thought about it and realized that she was indeed a big and strong female man. At worst, he could just keep her at home. It wouldn't hurt to have a meal there.

So, that night the Qinzhou Defense Commissioner's Mansion was decorated with red and colorful decorations, and Yang Yuan was sent to the bridal chamber.

Qinzhou, as a fortress in Longyou and the pearl of the Silk Road, is still very rich in the northwest region.

From a large restaurant in the city, one can have a panoramic view of the brightly lit Qinzhou Defense Commissioner's Mansion.

By the window on the second floor of the big restaurant, Luo Chengan sat in the middle, Yan Qingyu and Yue Peiying sat on his left and right respectively.

Outside the open window in front of me are the lights of the Qinzhou Defense Mansion.

Luo Cheng'an held the cup in his hand and sighed, "I never thought Yang Yuan would have the courage to attack Qinzhou against the ancient road, and to capture Gangu City so easily."

The three people who had dressed up as a pharmacist and two male and female medicine boys in Renmeifang in Lin'an City were all filled with emotion at the same time.

Yan Qingyu said: "The terrain of Qinzhou and Hanzhou is high in the west and low in the east. It is difficult to transport food and fodder on the ancient road of Qinzhou.

As long as the Jin army in Qinzhou blocked the main road and the Song army advanced deep into the country and was trapped on the ancient road, the whole army would be wiped out.

Logically speaking, no one would dare to take such a risk."

Yue Peiying smiled bitterly and said, "But he not only took the risk, but also... succeeded easily."

The three of them looked at each other for a long time, and then Pharmacist Luo said, "This person may have divine help."

In fact, what the three of them didn’t know was that Yang Yuan dared to take such a risk because he carried a secret weapon in his army: artillery.

A cannon that has never been seen before and is more powerful than the Tiger Crouching Cannon.

However, because of the accidental "encounter on a narrow road" in the heavy rain, Yang Yuan's firearms did not appear at all.

Instead, the Crazy Legion, accustomed to jungle warfare, thrived and achieved a crucial victory.

"Uncle Luo, Yang Yuan has occupied Qinzhou. Should we continue our treasure hunt?"

Yue Peiying couldn't help but ask Luo Chengan.

Luo Chengan said: "This treasure is the key to our rebuilding of the 'Jisi Hall', so of course we have to find it."

Although Xixia is under attack now, they don't care.

They were not loyal to Ren Dejing at all.

In fact, when the Jisi Hall grew into a behemoth, and it was originally established for the five surnames and seven clans, it lost the concept of a country.

The descendants of the current Jisitang no longer even have the concept of "home".

The glory they want to restore is the huge potential power behind an empire, the supreme authority that can influence the survival of a country and depose and enthrone emperors at will.

"Yang Yuan will not stay in Qinzhou for too long. He agreed to the marriage with Xia Hekuimu just to avoid getting entangled in Qinzhou. He will leave soon and will not affect our actions."

Finally, Pharmacist Luo made the final decision.

The rear house of the Qinzhou Defense Commissioner's Mansion was taken over by Yang Yuan's personal guards.

When Yang Yuan walked into the red bridal chamber, he saw a young girl.

She was wearing a bright red wedding gown and a red veil embellished with pearls, and was sitting upright on the edge of the couch.

The girl seemed a little nervous. When she heard the sound of the door, she nervously retracted her hands into her sleeves and clenched them into fists.

When Yang Yuan saw her, he also felt like he was opening a blind box.

Yang Yuan has been in this era for some years and has gradually integrated into this era.

However, this kind of marriage form, which is common among men and women in this era, is the first time he has seen it.

They didn't know each other at all. They didn't even know each other's appearance, temperament, or personality before the veil was lifted...

In this era, too many people succeed in their marriages in this way, but for Yang Yuan, this is his first experience.

Yang Yuan waved his hand, and the four maids bowed and left.

The door closed with a click, and Yang Yuan picked up the scale from the table.

Even if she looks a little plain, I'll just have to put up with it tonight.

It's not impossible to make do with turning off the lights.

Since I will remain in this era forever, it is impossible for me to control everything.

Yang Yuan secretly comforted himself, and the scale bar moved towards the veil.

With a "swish" sound, Ermeyisa's hand moved.

A sharp knife with an ox horn handle stabbed fiercely at Yang Yuan's lower body.

Yang Yuan was lost in thought and had never expected to encounter something like this.

He unexpectedly had the same treatment as the "Emperor Wuji" Yang Liangao: the bridal chamber was attacked by a chicken!

(End of this chapter)