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Zheng Juzhong received the second letter.

Just two days later, the situation changed drastically. The Song army failed in the Northern Expedition, and the Northern Expedition, which had been prepared for seven or eight years, was declared defeated within twelve days. This was incredible. What was particularly incredible is that the emperor and the ministers of the war-first party did not seriously summarize the reasons for the failure, but instead mobilized troops and prepared to launch a second attack.

Why not calm down and think about it carefully? Face, the emperor and the court need face. The Northern Expedition regained their hometown was the emperor's wish, and it was the national policy he insisted on. The Northern Expedition was also the reason why the ministers in charge of the war were favored by the emperor. If the Northern Expedition was stopped, then the Northern Expedition would have to be held accountable for the failure of the Northern Expedition. For them, this means losing authority and losing wealth.

Zheng Juzhong and the Lord and the Lord sent ministers to submit a joint report at the first time, demanding that the Liao Dynasty be discussed immediately, and the Liao Dynasty be joined against the Jin Dynasty, and first divide the north into two, so as not to prevent the Jurchens from rising in the north and becoming the new overlord of the north and threaten the safety of the Song Dynasty.

The emperor hesitated again, and the ministers fought again, but the situation did not wait for anyone. The failure of the Song army's northern expedition would directly lead to new changes in the situation in the north, which was very unfavorable to the changes in the Song Dynasty. For this reason, Zheng Juzhong urgently wrote to Zhang Xiaochun. No matter what method you use, you must send food and weapons to Datong within ten days, and must assemble 30,000 Hedong Imperial Guards at Ningwu Pass and Yanmen Pass within ten days, ready to support Datong at any time.

Zhang Xiaochun could see the tension in the situation in Bianjing from the letter and the anxious mood of Zheng Juzhong. He probably guessed that Zheng Juzhong's intention was that this senior minister had no choice but to do anything for the safety of the Song Dynasty.

Zhang Xiaochun thought about it again and again, invited Li Gang to Shuaisi and showed Li Gang two letters from Zheng Juzhong.

"My husband means..." Zhang Xiaochun frowned and hesitated without saying anything. He could not say this sentence, he had to say it, because Li Gang's current official position is Zuo Sima, the marching army of the Han Palace, and Li Hu's main aide. He has great power in the vassal states, and Zhang Xiaochun cannot say some words, but Li Gang can say it.

"My husband means that in ten days, if the Jurchens do not attack, we will launch an attack and tear up the Song-Jin alliance. Once this alliance is destroyed, the Jin army can enter Yanjing at any time. In this way, Youyan will lose, and Yunshuo will not be able to save it." Li Gang sighed, "In order to prevent the Jin army from entering Yanjing, the emperor and the court had to face the reality, negotiate peace with Yanjing as quickly as possible, use the Liao army to block the Jurchens, and ensure the safety of Youyan."

Zhang Xiaochun's eyes showed a look of praise. But the expression on his face was very solemn, because Li Hu's strength is now limited, and the main force of the Jin army is in Daibei. If the attack fails and retreats across the board, can the 30,000 imperial guards turn the tide and help Li Hu defend Datong?

"Do you have the ability to launch an attack?" Zhang Xiaochun asked worriedly.

"No matter whether we have the ability or not, the Jurchens will launch an attack." Li Hu sighed. "The Northern Expedition failed. In the short term, the imperial court was unable to build another Northern Expedition army. Once the Jurchens get this news, they will inevitably attack Yan Yun. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How could the Jurchens miss it?"

Zhang Xiaochun was a little surprised. "The Jurchens had the courage to tear up the covenant, attack Datong, and become enemies with the Song Dynasty?"

"Do you think the Jurchens are afraid of the Song Dynasty and dare not attack?" Li Gang smiled bitterly. It seemed that whether it was the emperor and the ministers from Bianjing, or the ministers from the border, they were immersed in the beautiful halo of self-woven beauty. They thought they were invincible in the world and looked down on the northern enemy. What kind of mentality is this? They were arrogant and arrogant. When one day they were hit hard, they would inevitably be afraid and desperate. So they were defeated like a mountain and there was no day to turn over.

"Do you think the Jurchens will attack Datong in ten days?" Zhang Xiaochun asked. Ten days were too tight. Even if he urgently mobilized the army and allocated food and weapons on the grounds that the Jurchens tore up the alliance to attack Datong. But the time was too short. I'm afraid it would be too late.

"In ten days, even if the Jurchens don't fight, we will fight. Because the Jin army is in Gubeikou and Songting Pass. Many Khitans in Yanjing are already desperate. They will surrender to the Jurchens. As long as the Jurchens are determined to enter Yanjing, they will be able to go south soon. When Zhongjing was lost, the Khitans surrendered in large numbers. The Jurchens easily took Zhongjing. This is no exception this time." Li Gang said. "So we have no time. We can only attack immediately. The Daibei War began. In order to avoid fighting on both sides, the Jin army may delay the time to go south to Yanjing. This can just give the court time to win peace with Yanjing."

Zhang Xiaochun's heartbeat was getting faster and faster. He had the urge to curse.

It would be fine if Tong Guan didn't know how to fight. Can people like Zhong Shidao, Zhong Shizhong, Liu Yanqing and others not fight? The Northern Expedition was related to the rise and fall of the country, but these generals were too disrespectful. They placed personal grievances and interests above national interests and regarded the Northern Expedition as a joke. As a result, they shot themselves in the foot, attracting the Jurchens, the big evil wolf, which now implicated Hedong.

The Northwest Army has four commander-level figures, namely Liu Zhongwu, Liu Fa, Zhong Shidao and Yao Gu. Liu Zhongwu, Liu Fa and Tong Guan have a good relationship, but three years ago, Liu Fa was killed in the battle. Two years ago, Liu Zhongwu passed away again, and Tong Guandi's right-hand man was gone. Zhong Shidao and Yao Gu have always looked down on Tong Guan, especially Zhong Shidao. Because of their military achievements, they had deep hatreds. However, Zhong Shidao can tolerate it, and Yao Guli ignored Tong Guan. Therefore, Tong Guan repeatedly weighed the pros and cons, and he still recommended Zhong Shidao. At that time, Zheng Juzhong of the Privy Council clearly opposed it, and he strongly recommended Yao Gu. Yao Gu looked down on Tong Guan, but had no hatred with Tong Guan, so he thought it was more appropriate to let Yao Gu be the commander-in-chief.

Zhang Xiaochun intuition believed that the defeat of the Northern Expedition was due to the disagreement between the generals and generals. As a result, he was suffering now. Not only did he have to take the risk to transport food, grass and weapons to Yunzhong, but he also had to take the responsibility of guarding the mountain behind the mountain. Once the mountain behind was lost, his good life would come to an end. What made him angry was that at this critical moment, his old husband Zheng Juzhong was still hiding behind and letting himself charge in front. If he had known this was unlucky, he would not have come to Hedong at the beginning.

"How many food and grass weapons can we get?" Li Gang interrupted Zhang Xiaochun's thoughts and pulled him back to reality.

Zhang Xiaochun sighed secretly. Now, the matter has to go to the same path as Li Hu. If I win this battle, I still have hard work even if I have no credit, and my merits and demerits can be countered. If I lose, I will ask for smoke from the ancestral grave. My husband, I will obey your command this time. You have to take care of me in the future, otherwise don’t blame me for turning against others. I have your letter in my hand, and I can sue you in front of the emperor, and I will take a custody before I die.

"My authority is not great, and the war can only urgently call the stock of a hundred thousand troops for half a month." Zhang Xiaochun said, "If there are more, then the emperor will issue an order."

Li Gang was overjoyed. There was enough. With this batch of food and grass weapons, the Rebel Army had the strength to fight a battle with the Jin army.

"Once this battle starts, I'm afraid the problem will not be solved for half a month." Li Gang frowned and said worriedly, "In the Dezhou War, our tens of thousands of troops fought continuously for more than ten days, and the Yehuling line had been fighting for more than twenty days, and the Beetouzhai had fought for nearly ten days. We almost emptied the Datong Grain Depot, Arsenal and other reserves. Your little thing is simply a drop in the bucket, far from enough. Zhang Xiaochun was bitter and frowning.

"Let's go back to Yi's path." Li Gang suggested, "Let's trade directly and get rid of all private businesses."

Hedong was very rich, especially in the prefectures and counties in the lower reaches of Taiyuan and Fenhe River. Not only were there many rich merchants, but there were also many workshops, and there were very sufficient grain and other materials. However, merchants from the Song Dynasty saw frequent wars in Yunzhong Road and kept raising prices and making a fortune in the country. At this time, they continued to use private business return to Yi to fill the needs of the mountain. The danger was too great, so Li Gang suggested that all the return to Yi in the two places be changed to official and business operations, and the offices of Yunzhong Road and Hedong Road were directly traded.

The Caosi and the Warehouse Department of Hedong Road have warehouses everywhere and store a large amount of materials. The two parties trade directly, and then the Caosi and Warehouse Department purchase materials from the local low price to replenish the warehouse. This price difference alone is enough for the Caosi and Warehouse Department to make a big profit.

"This is illegal." Zhang Xiaochun immediately shook his hand, "This matter cannot be done. Once the court finds out, it will be troublesome. Besides, I don't want to interfere in the affairs of Caoji and Kuraji."

Li Gang sneered, "Caosi, Kurashi has been doing this for a long time. Don't you know? Didn't you, the coach, participate?"

Zhang Xiaochun's face turned cold. Just as he was about to refute, Li Gang opened his hand to him, "If you make so much now, then after the official and business transactions directly, you can at least make so much." Li Gang gestured his open hand forward and back, "If this battle is won, we can seize a large number of camels, horses, cattle and sheep. In order to thank you for your help, the King of Han will give you rich rewards."

This sentence made Zhang Xiaochun feel excited. He thought about it for a moment and immediately smiled: "Let's do this, I'll discuss it with the others first."

In the evening, Zhang Xiaochun held a banquet in the mansion. Li Gang and several major officials of Hedong Road agreed on the details of the assistance and the Huiyi. In order to get the required food and weapons within ten days, Li Gang made a very generous move and sent all the money sent by Li Hu in one go. According to the court's requirements, Hedong Road could first provide assistance, and then make compensation in the Huiyi way. Since there was an order from the superior and Li Hu tried his best to stuff the money, of course he had to do a favor. So this difficult thing, something that Li Gang had not been able to accomplish after spending more than ten days, miraculously, was easily done in one night while drinking and chatting.

"Zhang Shuai, when will the imperial guards enter Ningwu Pass?" Li Gang suddenly asked.

Zhang Xiaochun glanced at him alertly, thinking that this person would not bring the imperial guards on Hedong Road to the battlefield.
Chapter completed!