After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

"Pan Xiaoyan, I order you to lead 10,000 elite troops to reinforce Wolf City Stronghold. Defeat the enemy directly in front of you, then make a detour to attack Yongqing City and cut off the enemy's retreat in Bazhou!"

Gu Tingye picked up the command arrow and handed it to a young general with a fair complexion.

This person is none other than the great-grandson of Pan Renmei, the biggest villain in the story "The Yang Family Generals" passed down by word of mouth among the common people.

The villain in "The Yang's Generals" was originally named Pan Mei. He was a famous general in the founding of the Northern Song Dynasty. He had a close relationship with Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and was highly valued by him.

Although he is the most famous traitor in operas and folk tales, he is actually a famous general who is seriously underestimated.

After the failure of the Yongxi Northern Expedition, although he was on his way to escort border residents to migrate inland according to the imperial edict, due to improper command, the famous general Yang Ye was captured and killed by the enemy.

However, this kind of thing is a normal phenomenon in military warfare, and it cannot be used to criticize Pan Mei's professional ability and character.

Even after returning to the court, Pan Mei was demoted three levels by Emperor Taizong and demoted to the position of Inspector Taibao, and received the punishment he deserved.

Unfortunately, as "The Yang Family Generals" was passed down from mouth to mouth and became deeply rooted in people's hearts, this famous general was nailed to the pillar of shame in history.

Similar to him is Su Dingfang, a top general in the early Tang Dynasty. With the development of a series of Ming and Qing novels such as "Shuo Tang", he became the most notorious villain in the early Tang Dynasty.

There are countless examples of wars being lost due to command errors, so Pan Mei was certainly not an invincible general.

But it is too unfair to blame him for Yang Ye's death. In fact, there was another person who really caused the death of Yang Ye - Wang Quan.

He was the son of Wang Pu, the Privy Councilor of the Later Zhou Dynasty, and later served the Song Dynasty. In the third year of Yongxi, Emperor Taizong launched a northern expedition. His words angered Yang Ye, leading to Yang Ye's death in battle. He was expelled from the court for his crimes and exiled to Jinzhou. He was later promoted to the deputy envoy of the militia in Junzhou.

So Pan Mei was indeed dragged down by this elder brother. After all, Pan Mei was the commander of their army at that time. Therefore, it was rumored that Pan Mei was jealous of talented people and framed meritorious officials, and he was also taking the blame for others.

But these are all in the past. For the Pan family now, the only thought is to serve the country.

As the great-grandson of Pan Mei, Pan Xiaoyan inherited his great-grandfather's appearance. He was very handsome and it would be an understatement to call him a military general.

However, he also inherited the true military tactics and martial arts from his great-grandfather. At a young age, he was promoted to the rank of Du Yu Hou and led troops outside alone.

"I obey your command!" Pan Xiaoyan clasped his fists and saluted, then took the military order and retreated.

"Zhang Qiao, I order you to lead 10,000 soldiers to Baigouyi and build numerous camps and fortresses to resist the Liaozhong army's southward advance!"

Zhang Qiao is somewhat similar to his father Zhang Kang. Both of them were scholars and eventually became military commanders.

Both father and son were not just scholars who were good at talking about military affairs, but also generals who were brave and good at using troops.

Therefore, after Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne, he promoted Zhang Qiao from the military prosecutor of Xinzhou to a general of the central imperial guards.

Compared with his father's unconventional use of military tactics, Zhang Qiao prefers to fight defensive battles, which is what people call "enduring a beating"!

As for how tough it is? According to Han Ming's personal "inspection", it can be said to be extremely tough, comparable to Zhang Xun who defended Juyang during the An-Shi Rebellion, and Zhu Wenzheng who defended Hongdu.

Such a great talent for defensive warfare, isn't this just a preparation for the Song-Liao War?

Han Ming directly used the transfer documents from the Privy Council, promoted Zhang Qiao three levels in a row, and put him on the list of people accompanying Gu Tingye in the army this time.

Before the envoy left Liao, Han specifically reminded him, "Although Zhang Qiao doesn't have the ability to command troops as freely as his father, General Zhang, he is a good defender of the city."

"He's the most suitable person to handle the upcoming Song-Liao War, but remember not to give him death orders and let him foolishly fight back."

"Once he's given a hard and fast rule, he'll probably defend his position at all costs, and could easily lose himself and his army on the battlefield!"

Thinking of Han Ming's instructions, Gu Tingye immediately warned Zhang Qiao with a serious expression: "Your main task is to delay the Liao army's southward advance. Don't worry about the gains and losses of land. Pay attention to protecting the vitality of the army."

Zhang Qiao immediately understood Gu Tingye's concerns and saluted: "Please rest assured, my lord. I will proceed with caution."

"Brothers Guo Zhongliang and Guo Zhongjian, listen to my orders. I order you to lead 8,000 cavalrymen to bypass Heiluti, exit the Great Wall, and attack Yizhou City day and night."

"Cut off the Yishui River for me and block the Liao army's water supply!"

Gu Tingye quickly called out a pair of strong young generals and handed the general's order to his elder brother Guo Zhongliang.

Looking at these two brothers who were like black iron towers, Gu couldn't help but think of their father, General Guo Kui, who had conquered Peng Shixi, subdued the Ximan, and pacified Hubei!

Guo Kui, courtesy name Zhongtong, was a native of Luoyang. His ancestral home was Julu (now in Hebei). He was a famous general in the Northern Song Dynasty, as famous as Di Qing.

In his early years, Guo Kui was appointed as the Northern Palace Attendant and the Third Palace Attendant, and was highly regarded by famous officials such as Fan Zhongyan.

In the third year of Emperor Renzong's Jiayou reign (1058), he conquered Peng Shixi and pacified Hubei.

In the ninth year of Emperor Shenzong's Xining reign (1076), he led an army of to attack Li Qiande of Jiaozhi and defeated his army in the Battle of Fuliang River.

However, because more than half of the Song army died of disease and the military supplies were exhausted, he had to return to the capital, where he was convicted and demoted.

After Zhezong ascended the throne, he was reinstated for a time, and finally retired as the General of the Left Wuwei and the Supervisor of Chongfu Palace. He was successively granted the title of Baron of Wugong County.

He died in the third year of Yuanyou (1088) at the age of sixty-seven.

He was awarded the title of Jiedushi and Sikong of Xiongwu Army.

This famous military general is currently active in both the military and political circles of the Song Dynasty, and is also the main figure Han Ming has specifically named for the future Northern Expedition.

Therefore, at the beginning of the second year of Zhiping, Emperor Yingzong issued an edict to promote Guo Kui to the position of Inspector of Taibao and Co-signer of the Privy Council, and sent him to Shaanxi as the Xuanfu Envoy and the Magistrate of Weizhou.

He asked him to have a good communication with the Western Army where Han Ming was. As for his two sons, their father directly threw them into Gu Tingye's army to give them some training.

Looking at the group of generals under his command, Gu Tingye felt for the first time that it was not easy for Han Ming to lead the army.

Being able to suppress this group of big and rough guys as a mere civil official is quite a feat.

"I will obey the military order!" x2

The brothers' loud voices brought Gu Tingye's distracted thoughts back to normal.

Then came the brothers of the Geng, Duan, and Zheng families who had come with the emperor's order. Gu Tingye began to send them out one by one according to the plan discussed with Yang Wenguang.

"General Yang!"

Gu Tingye finally presented the last military order to the other party with extreme solemnity.

"You and Zhang Qiao left Baigou Post together, and were stationed at the front of the battle formation, leading the vanguard army in battle against the Liaozhong army."

"We just need to retreat from this battle. I hope the old general takes care of himself!"

Gu Tingye was extremely cautious. After all, Yang Wenguang was not young anymore. He was already 66 years old.

Among the generals of the same period, almost few are still alive. As for those with whom he had a good relationship, the only one left is Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Wenbi, who is in his early fifties.

Compared to Zhang Wenbi who returned to the court to handle literary affairs, Yang Wenguang, now 66 years old, is still fighting on the front line.

Emperor Yingzong, Duke of England Zhang Wenbi, and a group of veteran ministers all tried to persuade him, but for Yang Wenguang, at his age, there weren't many things left for him to think about.

He has enjoyed wealth and glory, and he has also won military honors. His only thought is the three generations' persistence passed down from his grandfather Yang Ye - to march north to Yanyun and unify the country!

"Every day I live is a blessing. If I could really witness the grand occasion of reclaiming Yanyun and unifying the country before I die, I would have the face to meet my grandfather and father in the underworld!"

"At least I can proudly say that the Yang family's persistence has finally borne fruit!"

As for this old minister who lived from the reign of Emperor Zhenzong to the reign of Emperor Yingzong for three generations, everyone felt deeply sorry for him and had no other choice but to accept his fate.

The reason for going north to fight against Liao was, on the one hand, that the imperial court needed a prestigious military leader to command the front line.

On the other hand, Yang Wenguang requested permission several times, hoping to be transferred to the post of garrison commander in the north to guard the Song-Liao border for the Song Dynasty.

Not knowing how many years the old man could live, they could only try their best to meet his request. Emperor Yingzong even secretly warned Gu Tingye many times not to send Yang Wenguang to the battlefield without permission.

But when the day of war really came, Gu Tingye was under unprecedented pressure, not only from the iron hoofs of the Liao army, but also from the old general's glittering eyes.

Finally, in order to give the Liao army a warning, Gu Tingye decided to send the famous "Yang Family General" of the Liao Dynasty to boost morale.

After all, his grandfather Yang Ye, the old general of the Yang family, was so famous that he intimidated all the Liao soldiers, who fled at the sight of him.

Although Yang Wenguang's level is not as good as his grandfather Yang Ye, the current Liao army is not the Liao army of decades ago.

The times are progressing, but the level is lagging behind. We should all be friends, so don’t make fun of each other!

"Don't worry, Lord Gu. I'm confident in my health. Living another ten years won't be a problem!"

"This time, I will also let the soldiers of Liao see that my grandfather was able to defeat them in the past. Today, I, Yang Wenguang, am no less capable!"

The old general accepted the order, saluted solemnly, and strode out of the tent with his cloak swinging.

Under the falling snow, only Yang Wenguang's lonely figure flickered between heaven and earth...