Chapter 7
Holding a shield in one hand, Liu Changzuo blocked the arrows and stones that rushed towards the sky like hail, jumped off the warship first, and knocked down a Xia soldier who rushed up with the shield.Following him, hundreds of soldiers jumped to the front of the Mohan pass, ignoring the arrows and stones flying from the two fortifications, and started fighting with the defenders who were hiding behind the simple fortifications and attacked the Song army.The Xia army guarding the pass had never seen such a fierce and fearless enemy. Seeing that more and more Song troops disembarked, and the reinforcements from their own village were delayed, these Xia troops had no intention of dying. He couldn't help but feel timid, and was killed by Song Jun so that he retreated step by step.
The Song army, who had smashed a piece of territory in blood, quickly formed several phalanxes and marched together with drums beating.Liu Changzuo grabbed a general flag, inserted it into the ground behind him, held his shield and shouted: In today's battle, there will be no retreat, and anyone who dares to retreat past this flag will be killed!
There is no retreat!
There is no retreat!
Song Jun's eyes were already red-eyed, and at this moment they shouted together, shaking the valley.
Standing under the banner of the general, Liu Changzuo saw more and more ships docking, and more and more soldiers joined him. He said sharply: "Listen, children, the card players are first, followed by the bowmen, the crossbowmen, and the horsemen last!"Fight in formation, and you will surely capture Lawosha alive today!
Captured alive, Wosha!
Captured alive, Wosha!
Wosha didn't pay attention to the noise of the Song army, but in such a short period of time, the Song army was able to line up so quickly and move forward neatly while fighting bloody battles with the defenders under the pressure of arrows flying all over the sky. Pushing forward, it surprised Meiluowosha.These Song soldiers are not only desperadoes, but also a group of desperadoes with strict discipline and military literacy!
Meiluowosha had never been so timid in his whole life.
However, he also had no way out.
Behind him is Mingsha City, which is Xiping Mansion!
Children, kill all these southern barbarians!
kill!
kill!
The two sides were entangled and fighting in the flat and convex valley of Mohan Pass.The attacking Song army and the defending Xia army were fighting in several parallel sections. Neither side could invest too much force, and neither side dared to take a step back.From Chenshi to noon, the battle was deadlocked for two full hours, with no winner.Thousands of corpses were lying on the ground. Human heads rolled around under the soldiers' feet. Broken swords, broken bows and arrows were all over the place, and blood stained every inch of the Mouman Pass.At this time, only the drums of the two sides were still loud.
Qifu Muyi is a well-known brave general in the Xixia Army, but when he saw General Song of Song who was holding a shield in one hand and a knife in the other, who was like a black demon king, he couldn't help but feel chills in his vest.He saw with his own eyes that the man shot the quiver empty. The demon king's arrow technique had already made his scalp numb. He was secretly glad that he had not become his target.But when he saw this black shadow's kung fu in close combat, he only subconsciously wanted to avoid the demon king. The blood of the enemy stained his black shirt.
But things on the battlefield are so ironic.What he didn't want to meet, but he wanted to meet.
That General Song was clearly targeting him right now.
Qi Fu Muyi grabbed a bow, put an arrow on the bow, aimed at the shadow, and shot an arrow without hesitation.
Feather arrows shot towards him, Liu Changzuo raised his left hand and shield to block the arrow, and swung the steel knife with his right hand, cutting the knife of a Xixia soldier rushing forward in two.The soldier seemed to be stunned, he didn't know how to react, he just looked at the half knife in his hand in disbelief, Liu Changzuo had no mercy, he swung the knife with his backhand, a head flew far away, blood sprayed out.
The two Xixia soldiers who rushed towards Liu Changzuo with spears in front were terrified by the scene and screamed repeatedly. Seeing that Liu Changzuo did not stop at his feet and rushed towards him like a fierce spirit, the two were slightly startled, dropped their spears, turned around and ran away.
coward!Qifu Muyi cursed fiercely, shot two arrows in succession to kill the fleeing subordinates, glared at Liu Changzuo, and shot two arrows at a time.But at this moment, something happened that stunned everyone. From nowhere, two arrows pierced through the air, and they shot down the two arrows of Qifu Muyi!
Qifu Muyi didn't look for where the other archer in the Song army was. He roared angrily, threw away his bow and arrow, wielded a saber, and rushed towards Liu Changzuo with a roar.
Liu Changzuo looked at Qifu Muyi contemptuously, and rushed forward with a knife in his hand.
go to hell!Qi Fu Muyi roared viciously, raised his saber high, and slashed at the demon king of the Song army.Liu Changzuo took two steps away, and when Qifu Muyi's blade barely cut the outside of his shield, his steel knife slashed towards Qifu Muyi's left arm.The new steel knife of the Song army was sharp enough to cut through the armor of the Xixia people, and a burst of severe pain almost made Qifu Muyi unable to stand still.
Liu Changzuo's second knife followed like flowing water, and Qi Fu Muyi hurriedly rolled on the ground, barely avoiding the knife.
Liu Changzuo was about to catch up, and when Qifu Muyi was killed with the last knife, several Xixia soldiers rushed up.Qifu Muyi staggered up and got up, he was lucky in secret, but unexpectedly a white light shot towards him, Qifu Muyi felt a chill on his forehead and fell down again.
Good archery!Liu Changzuo took a break from his busy schedule and praised loudly.Needless to say, the only one in the Zuo army who has such an arrow technique is Li Xiang, the servant.
I'm sorry, I took the credit of the adults!Sure enough, Li Xiang's sharp laughter came from behind.
There are plenty of credits.Liu Changzuo smiled and knocked down the last Xia Bing in front of him.The West Thief is at the end of his battle!He clearly felt that the Xixia people had already started to feel unsupported.
At this moment, only a few loud bangs were heard.
Boom!
Boom!
I saw bursts of flames and loud noises flashing from the deeper part of Xia Jun's formation. Immediately, blood and flesh flew everywhere, the horses neighed miserably, and the soldiers uttered screams
Liu Changzuo and Li Xiang turned their heads together, and saw rows of light ballistas neatly lined up behind the Song army.Every time a volley was fired, dozens of thunderbolt bombs were ejected, drawing black arcs in the air, and falling on the battlefield full of soldiers, ruthlessly driving the Xixia people to despair.
Finally, the stalemate battlefield quickly turned into a battlefield where the Xia army was defeated.
kill!
kill!
The cavalry of the Song Army assembled quickly, and started chasing and killing the defeated soldiers, which is the best skill of all the cavalry.
The leader of the bandit army, Meiluo Wosha, was killed on the spot by a thunderbolt bomb. Liang Gewei, the supervisor of the army, was beheaded by the pursuers, and a nephew of Liang Yibu was captured alive. In this battle, 15 major leaders and 210 minor leaders were captured. Nine people, twenty-two leaders, large and small, beheaded more than 3,000 bandits, captured more than 5,000 bandits, captured a false bronze seal of the bandit army, and captured countless flags, drums, horses, and weapons. According to the battle report of the Left Route Army, Zhong Yi and Liu Changzuo led their troops to chase the bandit army all the way.After this battle, in the direction of the Hulu River, the bandit army had no strength left to resist.
Very good.Shi Yue couldn't help but get excited too. For Shi Yue who hadn't lost his composure, this was the really happy news since the war started.The commander-in-chief rewarded him immediately.
He walked quickly to the map, found the location of the Left Route Army, looked at it for a while, and murmured: Will Zhong Yi and Liu Changzuo leave Mingsha City from the northwest to Lingzhou, or will they leave Daidailing from the north?
Pan Zhaolin, Liu Shunqing, Zhang Wei and other aides and staff officers gathered around the map after hearing the news.
Liu Shunqing looked at it for a long time, shook his head, and said: It doesn't matter if the left army goes out of Mingshachuan or Daidailing. Now I just want to know, where is Li Xian?Since Li Xian and Wang Hou divided their troops, Wang Hou and Dong Zhan had joined forces at the city of Lanzhou, but Li Xian had not reported any military information for seven days!
Pointing his finger at Tiandu Mountain, he said worriedly: If something happens to Li Xian's troops, the bandit soldiers will come down from here, and my rear will be empty. From Pingxia City to Weizhou, Longzhou, and Qinzhou, all the troops have already left. However, ten thousand people are all old and weak, and the bandit army can easily penetrate into my heart
Everyone is silent.
Liu Shunqing's worry is not without reason.
A few days ago, Liang Yongneng suddenly sent troops to counterattack the Shunning Village of the Security Army next to Yanzhou.The guards of the Security Army were too weak to defend against them. If it weren't for the bloody battle of the 3,000 soldiers in the Shunning Village, and the fact that there were still a large army stationed in the Huanqing camp at that time, if Zhong Er led the army to rescue in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
But this incident sounded the alarm for Song Jun.
The Xixia people may not be passively beaten. If the enemy's army cannot be wiped out, when the main force of the Song army penetrates into the hinterland of Xixia, the Xixia people's army will instead appear in the territory of Shaanxi Road, then the consequences will be serious.
Compared with burning, killing and looting, in any case, the Song army cannot be the opponent of the Xixia people.
Compared with the Yansui and Huanqing camps, the defense of the Qinfeng camp was even more empty.
Shi Yue tapped Shuai's case lightly with his fingers, and after a long silence, he finally said lightly: No matter what, we can only trust Li Xian right now.Wait for him for another five days. After five days, there is no news, and it is not too late to mobilize troops.
There is nothing wrong with Wang Hou and Li Xian's plan.
The strategic goal of the Western Front was clearly defined by the Headquarters of the Operations and Camps from the beginning to contain Xixia's military forces west of Tiandu Mountain, and to wait for an opportunity to directly attack Xingqing Mansion instead of Lingzhou.However, there are not many troops on the western front: except for the first army of the Shenrui Army, the second and fourth armies of the Shenrui Army transferred from the Qinfengxing Camp, and the fourth battalion of the Shenwei Battalion, a total of about 40,000 elite forbidden troops , as well as the teaching parade army, archers along the border and the Fan army in the original Xihe area with a total of about 24,000.If the Tubo coalition army of at least 40,000 promised by Dong Zhan was added, the total force would exceed 100,000.Although many experienced and outstanding officers who followed Wang Shao Kaixi River were transferred away in batches during the reorganization process of the Forbidden Army that lasted for several years, and were enriched into other Forbidden Army, at least Li Xian and Wang Hou both respected the officers they personally trained. The army is satisfied even though there have been scum like Wen Huan in the middle.
Therefore, people have reason to place high hopes on the Western Front.
Even though the supply of the Western Front Army was nothing short of a nightmare, some officials of the Headquarters of the Battalion were still very optimistic. They even believed that Li Xian would reach Xingqing Mansion before the Central Army.
After all, the opponents they faced were not strong.The main force of the Xixia people can never be on the western front.As for the Xixia side, Yuzang Huama, who nominally controls the military divisions west of Tiandu Mountain, according to various sources, this person has no intention of working for Liang Yibu.
Therefore, Wang Hou and Li Xian formulated a simple plan.Wang Hou led the First Army of the Shenrui Army and the attached Shenwei Battalion, together with Dong Zhan's Tubo allied forces, attacked Lanzhou.On the other hand, Li Xian personally led all the remaining troops to attack Huizhou, Quwu Mountain, and Tiandu Mountain to consolidate the flanks of the center line.Then, Dong Zhan's Tubo allied forces, together with a small number of Song army officers, attacked Liangzhou and even Ganzhou to the northwest, recruiting tribes along the way; while Wang Hou went north along the Yellow River, joined forces with Li Xian, directly killed Qingtongxia, and went straight to the north. Take Xingqing Mansion.
Their idea is that when the Xixia people use their main force to resist the Song army on the central and eastern fronts, they can take advantage of the vacancy and win the first victory against Xia.
Of course, it is impossible to report this idea and subsequent plans to the Chief Executive of the Camp.
The Director of the Xidou Camp Capital only knew half of this plan.
The reason is very grand. Whether Li Xian and Wang Hou first captured Lanzhou, and then made a big detour to capture Quwu Mountain, Tiandu Mountain, and Huizhou, or attacked Tiandu Mountain first, and then captured Lanzhou, they would all have to be defeated in the rugged Xihe area. In the mountains, there are countless mountain roads winding around.This is far less efficient than the two-way attack.
On paper, Li Xian and Wang Hou's plan is quite good.
However, that's only on paper.
When Wang Hou watched the generals of the Tubo coalition army walk out of the big tent, the uneasiness in his heart became more and more intense.
Although the strong and powerful Tubo army is a bit uncomfortable, Dong Zhan's loyalty to the imperial court is at least temporarily impeccable.However, that Khotan bastard Ali bone is so dazzling!The more heroic and skilled this alien coalition was, the more threatening Wang Hou felt.
It's just a veteran's instinct for danger after many years of fighting.
Ali Gu's eyes were rebellious, and there was a kind of naked ambition in his eyes.Wang Hou selected the strongest soldiers to review for the generals of the coalition forces. In the eyes of others, there was either a kind of bewilderment, or a kind of humility with flattery, or awe. A look of contempt, an undisguised contempt!
Wang Hou specially sent someone to give the coalition generals exquisite gifts from the Central Plains, including beautiful silk embroidered robes, porcelain as white as clouds, various spices from the South China Sea, and indispensable gifts for the Tubo people. Afterwards, Wang Hou sent someone to secretly inquire about how the generals handled the gifts.Almost all the Tubo generals were overjoyed at this unexpected wealth. Some of them couldn't wait to try on the gorgeous silk robes as soon as they got their money back, some of them solemnly hid it, and some used it as a gift. Aligu was the only concubine who rewarded her, and besides keeping the tea leaves, she generously distributed those gifts to the rest of the chiefs, big and small.
This Khotan bastard does not envy the life in the Central Plains, but he knows how to win over the Tubo people who are of different blood from his own!
Dong felt no son.
And Ali Gu's mother is Dong Zhan's concubine, and Ali Gu is Dong Zhan's adopted son.
In several confrontations with the Xixia army in Lanzhou, Wang Hou deliberately tried to let Aligu out.This Khotan bastard was brave in combat, superb in martial arts, and his skill in riding and shooting made the Xixia people daunting.And the most important thing is that Wang Hou could clearly see that those Tubo fighters were very convinced in their hearts when facing this Khotan bastard!It is the kind of admiration that comes from the hearts of soldiers.Wang Hou is most familiar with this kind of feeling, but I don't know how many chiefs of the Fan tribe in the Xihe area have this kind of feeling for his father.
Dong felt is old.
Otherwise, he would not not participate in such an important war.
Qingtang Tubo's attitude towards the Song Dynasty probably depended on this Khotan bastard.
However, Ali Gu is a dangerous person.
The capture of Lanzhou was just a matter of effort, and Wang Hou didn't pay attention to the Xia army in Lanzhou at all.But after taking Lanzhou, did these Tibetans really let them expand westward?
In Liangzhou, Ganzhou, and even as far as the Western Regions, let the tribes there accept the prestige of Tubo warriors, instead of directly feeling the blade of the Song Dynasty?
Wang Hou knew these alien races too well.
All tribes are essentially fearful of power but not moral.
Only when you clearly let them know that if they disobey, your blade will cut their necks and your horse will crush their tents, will they obey and respect you from the bottom of their hearts country.Destroy their will with knives and arrows and war horses, and then use American clothes and food to wear down their bodies, so that the Song Dynasty will have a stable frontier.
If the conquering army is not the Song army but Tubo, maybe it will go to Xixia and build another Xixia.
Who can guarantee that this Ali bone will not become the second Li Yuanhao?
But Wang Hou also knew clearly that it was impossible to change the plan.Li Xiancai was the highest officer of the Song Army on the Western Front. He violated the battle plan privately. Not to mention that he was only Wang Shao's son, even Han Qi's son, he might not escape death.Moreover, he did not have enough supplies to march westward.
Asked for a copy of Ali's bone file from the Zhifang Museum and immediately wrote a memorial, asking the court to continue to give the empty name Xuanzha five hundred, and the empty name to sue the body for two hundred. voice commanded.
General, when our army and Li Taiwei split up, Li Taiwei had already handed over two hundred to Xuanzha, and one hundred to sue him, which was enough for Lanzhou.One of Wang Hou's staff reminded.Although the imperial court inevitably granted some nominal official positions to tribal leaders and meritorious Tibetans in order to appease the students, but Wang Houzhang's words were a bit too big.
Lanzhou is enough, but Liangzhou, Ganzhou, Suzhou, Guazhou, Shazhou, how can it be enough?Wang Hou scolded.
The general and staff in the middle of the tent fell silent immediately, and looked at Wang Hou together.
The military officers who accompanied the Tubo people to the west would have to be selected by themselves.Wang Hou said coldly that when Ban Chao joined the army, a scholar, he went to the Western Regions alone, and he arrived in the Western Regions for the great man by himself.Today, the Song Dynasty only lacks a group of super ears!
Lanzhou City on the bank of the Yellow River has been the heroic county of Hexi since the establishment of Jincheng County in the Han Dynasty.This city controls the river as a danger, like a sharp knife, inserted between the Qiang and Rong clans in the northwest of China, and at the same time it is the gate of Hexi and Longyou. Whenever foreigners from the northwest invade He and Long, the first to light up the flames must be those living in the city. Lanzhou, the throat of the city.And once the Central Plains wants to gallop in Hehuang and enter the Western Regions, then Lanzhou must be the most important strategic base.During the Tang Dynasty, when Lanzhou fell into Tubo, Hehuang was completely lost, and even the slightest turmoil in the frontiers caused Chang'an City to be under martial law, just like a frightened bird.Therefore, since Wang Shao regained Hehuang, all the people of insight in the Song Dynasty did not want to take advantage of the trend and go straight to Lanzhou. With Lanzhou as a barrier and Hehuang as a backing, the entire Xihe area can be consolidated.The reason why he has been holding back is that Lanzhou is in the hands of the Xixia people, so it is inconvenient to act rashly.But now that war has been publicly declared, it is clear that the old land of Hetao must be regained. Lanzhou, a place that military strategists must fight for, is naturally the first to bear the brunt.
Nearly 60,000 elite soldiers from Tubo in the Song Dynasty and Qingtang Dynasty were stationed at the foot of Gaolan Mountain in the south of Lanzhou City.
At this moment, somewhere under Gaolan Mountain.
My lord, this is the place.With a humble smile, an indigenous guide pointed to a remnant stele submerged in the tall grass, and said to Wang Hou in military uniform.
Wang Hou nodded, walked to the front of the stele, leaned over to push aside the tall grass of a person, saw that the handwriting on the remnant stele had long been blurred, and could only vaguely make out a few words, he looked carefully, and finally recognized the A few words come from Han Hussar General Huo Qubing who stationed troops here!
Wang Hou stroked the inscription lightly, but his face was tense.
The order was passed on, and a monument was re-erected here. The inscription reads: General Huo Qubing of the Han Hussars stationed troops here to return to Lanzhou on a certain day in the thirteenth year of Xining.
yes!
My lord, there is also the General Huo Temple on the mountain
After the general captures Lanzhou, it will not be too late to come to pay respects.Otherwise, I will have no face to see Huo Huoqi!Wang Hou got on his horse, adjusted the horse's head, and said: "Tomorrow is just a good time to invite Huo Hussar to watch a good show, so as to comfort the heroic spirit of General Hussars!"
the next day.
Outside the south gate of Lanzhou City, the battle flags of the Song-Tibetan Allied Forces were densely covered, stretching for several miles. The soldiers' neat and bright spear points reflected the dazzling sunlight.Wang Hou is wearing an armor made of cold forged steel, riding a tall black horse, standing under the general flag, majestic and majestic.The guards around him were all in the same attire, carefully selected men from the Northwest, each with a bow and a knife, with a fierce light shining in their eyes.
The Tubo generals invited by Wang Hou and the new tribal leaders were all a bit puzzled.Although the location of Lanzhou City is important, it is no different from an isolated city at this time. Outside the city, there are heavy troops, but there is no one to save; Every day, there are at least hundreds of people sneaking to surrender. The tribes near Lanzhou are nothing but grass. Seeing the strength of the Song-Tibetan coalition forces, they can't wait to come here to swear allegiance.Everyone knows that if a few earth hills are built outside Lanzhou City, the city cannot be defended.However, Wang Hou neither made preparations for attacking the city, nor persuaded him to surrender, and he didn't even encircle the city. Concentrating all the troops outside the south gate was too big.
Is it true that by swinging the army like this, the Xia people will be scared out of the city and surrender?
Mo Zhengzun, the leader of Dong Zhan's soldiers, couldn't bear it first, and persuaded Wang Hou tactfully: Sir Wang, do you want to surround this city so that the bandits in the city don't run away?
Wang Hou said lightly: General Mo, don't worry, they can't escape.
Can't run?Mo Zhengzun and the Tubo generals looked at each other.
Wang Hou just sneaked a look at Ali Gu, but he saw that Ali Gu didn't even look at him, just sneered at the corner of his mouth.
Wang Hou snorted in his heart.He was not restrained in his words and smiles, but now he couldn't help but look more rigid, turned his face away, but saw Jun Jun Zhu Wei nodded to him, and Wang Hou also nodded.Seeing Zhu Wei turn around and leave.
Only then did Wang Hou turn pale, turned sideways, and said to Mo Zheng: later, I will invite General Mo and everyone to watch a good show together.
Good show?Mo Zhengzun was stunned again, and was asking, when he heard a loud noise that shook the earth, like hundreds of thunderclaps, the mount under his crotch had already been startled and raised its front hooves, wanting to scurry like crazy.Before he understood what happened, he instinctively reined in his mount, turned his horse's head, and looked towards Lanzhou City.
A scene that he will never forget is presented in front of him!
A piece of city wall about three feet long in the south of Lanzhou city collapsed with the earth-shattering sound, stirring up dust all over the sky.Looking around, there are horses neighing and soldiers screaming. The Tubo soldiers looked at the scene in front of them in disbelief, while trying their best to control their horses. Many horses had already jumped out of the formation in shock, regardless of direction The ground ran around, and some people simply knelt down on the ground and bowed to the sky, and the entire Tubo army formed a mess in an instant.
What shocked him even more was that the formation of the Song army was still neat and orderly, as if nothing had happened.
He turned his head to look at Wang Hou, the general known as the Little Hades, who showed a rare smile at this moment.
General Mo was startled.
This son of a bitch did it on purpose!Mo Zhengzun cursed in his heart, but when he looked back and saw the scene in Lanzhou City, he couldn't help being shocked and awed.
What a mysterious power this is!
When he went to look at other people, it was Ali Gu, who had always been fearless, with an expression of shock and awe on his face.Many timid leaders, whose faces turned pale with fright, kept touching their prayer beads and muttering words.
The allies on the same front have been frightened like this, and the Lanzhou Xixia defenders, who are the enemy, are even more distracted.
It didn't take long to see the city gates in the other three directions opened wide, and the Xixia people fled in all directions like crazy.They just want to stay away from this place cursed by the witch.If the Song people did not have the help of heavenly soldiers and generals, how did all that happen just now?
But the curse didn't end there.
On the way to escape, deadly explosions rang out frequently. Groups of Xixia soldiers were buried in the ground by Song Jun's bombing cannons, and their men and horses were blown to limbs and blood.
Wang Hou watched all this with satisfaction.
The Song Dynasty's policy on vassals has already begun a full review.Meaningless rewards have been abandoned. His Majesty the Emperor once publicly said to his courtiers: The court does things, but for real benefits, and it is not appropriate to play tricks on the name.For these vassals, he must be frightened before they can taste the benefits.Such loyalty will last forever.
Gentlemen, is today's good show still interesting?Wang Houqian asked the Tubo generals and tribal leaders with a smile.
The might of the Heavenly Soldiers is something that villains have never seen before.The villain really can't think of who and what in the whole world can be the supernatural power of the dynasty?This rebellious minister of the Xia Kingdom dared not to cultivate the virtue of a minister, but wanted to shake a big tree with a gnat. It is really ridiculous. People who flatter and flatter without knowing their race and region can be found everywhere.
Wang Hou patiently listened to these nasty flattery, and Fang said lightly: "The Son of Heaven has graced the world, he has always been benevolent and virtuous, and soldiers have to use it as a last resort."
Yes Yes
The imperial court will garrison troops in Lanzhou to protect the environment and the people. The repair of this city wall will require labor.
No matter what the adults say, this is the duty of a courtier, and he must serve his life, and he must serve his life.
East of Lanzhou City.
Qin Keyong, the commander of the fourth battalion of Shenwei Battalion, spit thick phlegm fiercely, and cursed in a low voice: Damn you, Little Hades set off a big firecracker battle, and I used up all the explosives I had once a year !How will we fight future battles!
Forget it, the military order is hard to break.Speaking of which, these western thieves in Lanzhou are stupid enough. We dug to the foot of the city wall, but they don't even know it. It seems that we really have to pay homage to Huo Qubing
Perhaps Wang Shi really has Huo Qubing's heroic spirit to protect the military supervisor Liu Weijian, the capital of the army, Liu Weijian smiled, and at this time, the atmosphere in the entire capital is very optimistic.
Shi Yue looked at Liu Weijian with a smile, because of the misconduct since the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, even though the Tianshui Dynasty was a dynasty that strictly controlled the eunuchs, there were still a lot of eunuchs active in the army.The reason why the eunuchs were not harmed in the Tianshui Dynasty was not just that the dynasty strictly restricted the power of the eunuchs, but was actually due to the power of the civil servants.Therefore, for the Song Dynasty, although some eunuchs held military power, some controlled places, and some visited water conservancy officials on behalf of the emperor, they were essentially no different from ordinary scholar-bureaucrats.In fairness, some are even more capable.This is completely different from the situation in other dynasties that Shi Yue knew. In almost all other dynasties, no matter whether the eunuchs were powerful or weak, they would form a whole that could be called the eunuchs whenever they had the opportunity.But in this era, there is no eunuch power in the strict sense.Therefore, even the servant Tong Guan who was only a pawn of Shi Yue at this time, but was once named the county king in another time and space, and commanded almost all the military power of the Song Dynasty, once the emperor decided to punish him, he only had to An edict can be easily resolved.Therefore, for eunuchs such as Liu Weijian, although Shi Yue undeniably has a psychological contempt and rejection, but on the other hand, this negative emotion is not strong for him, so it has caused great harm to him. It is true that there are incompetent and corrupt people among the eunuchs, but are there not among the scholar-bureaucrats?To a large extent, the discrimination and rejection of eunuchs by the scholar-bureaucrats in the Song Dynasty may be nothing more than a historical prejudice.Even if this kind of prejudice is more politically beneficial to the Song Dynasty than disadvantageous, but prejudice will always be just prejudice, and it will not become anything else.
Liu Weijian, the Marquis of Yu, the military supervisor, may indeed be inferior to Liu Shunqing, Zhang Yi and others in talent, and Fan Chunren in character, and even Xiang Chuanfan, but so what?As long as he kept his duty, this eunuch was still a person he could deal with.
It's a pity that Li Xian marched too slowly!The person who poured cold water with a loud voice that could be heard by everyone in the entire Metropolitan Administration Division, there would be no one else except the kind.This kind of general, since the beginning of the war, has been holding a feeling of resentment.This is understandable. Although he is the nominal direct commander of the main attacking force, the Metropolitan Commander decided to directly command the entire army of the Central Line East Route Army from the very beginning. Arrived in Gyeongju!In this way, Zhong Er was dismissed by the chief of the capital, and he was not as good as an ordinary commander of the military capital as the chief of the ring celebration camp.
Obviously, it was a good time to show off, and even I had been working hard to create the conditions to create this opportunity, but when things came to an end, I found that there was nothing wrong with me!The kind of mood can be imagined.
In the area around Mount Quwu and Mount Tiandu, there are many obstacles on the roads and numerous tribes, so it is not an easy place to march.In the past, Wang Fushu's envoy pacified Xihe, but he would suddenly lose his voice and not know where he ended up.Li Shuai was cautious in using troops, and Liu Shunqing tactfully refuted the kind words.It is true that Li Xian's department suddenly lost news in the Qu Wushan area, and stayed there for a while, but after all, relying on Li Xian's prudence and experience, it turned out to be a false alarm in the end.Li Xian not only defeated the Xixia defenders of Tiandu Mountain, but also burned the palace built by Yuan Hao in Tiandu Mountain with a big fire, and also defeated and recruited many tribes in this area, including Yuzang Yingcheng, the famous leader of the Yuzang clan. Four.On the one hand, Li Xian added officials and titles to these subordinate leaders, gave them tribal armor, and promised them the power to conquer and annex and refuse to submit to the tribe; All of them were sent to study in Bianjing Fan School, and the leaders of larger tribes were ordered to serve in the army.With these measures, the east of Tiandu Mountain can sit back and relax, which is extremely beneficial to stabilizing the war situation.To waste some time for these things, in Shi Yue's words, it is called sharpening the knife without cutting firewood by mistake.
cautious!cautious!Zhong Er ridiculed: Kong Ming was only cautious in his life, but in exchange for six out of Qi Shan, he worked in vain.If someone is Li Xian, the soldiers have already arrived at Qingtongxia!
What Zhong Er said was undoubtedly a very serious accusation against Li Xian.All the voices disappeared in an instant, and the meeting hall suddenly became silent, and the atmosphere was very awkward.Zhong Er also realized his slip of the tongue at this time, but the words had already been spoken, and with his competitive personality, he was unwilling to take them back, not to mention, even if he wanted to, he might not be able to.As soon as he gritted his teeth, straightened his neck, and straightened his heart, he was determined not to do it, but to take advantage of this opportunity to fight for a reason.Anyway, Shi Yue is just a scholar, when it comes to the principle of using soldiers, no one in this hall may be able to say that he is kind, even if he made a statement to protest, he also has his own arguments.
Kind of adults!Please be careful!Sure enough, Shi Yue was the first to attack. He lowered his face and shouted coldly.
handsome stone!Having made up his mind, Zhong Er not only did not restrain himself, but instead raised his head and stared at Shi Yue, clasped his fists and said loudly: Since the use of troops, all armies are in a state of invincibility, and the western thieves flee upon hearing the wind.Wu Anguo took Shizhou on Qingqi, and Zhonggu and Zheke joined forces under Xiazhou city. After three days of rapid attack, he conquered this famous city.The vanguard of the Second Xuan Army on this road has arrived in Lingzhou for five days; Li Xiang attacked Mingsha City at night seven days ago on the west road, and obtained nearly a million stones of food and grass from the Xia people.Advance in three ways, two ways have already achieved success, but now Li Xian and Wang Hou are the weakest thieves on the western front, but they are the last, so far they have only reached Huizhou.What could it be if the general is incompetent? !The lower officials are even more puzzled. The guest army is outside, and the advantage lies in the quick battle. Now that the Zhengxi thieves are caught off guard and the army's morale is uncertain, the Second Xuan Army has arrived in Lingzhou. And in Lingzhou, the Xuan Second Army was ordered not to underestimate the enemy and rush forward? !After Zhong Yi and Liu Changzuo took Mingsha City, it was already a smooth journey to Lingzhou. Why did Shi Shuai order the two generals to enter the army cautiously?Could it be that the commander-in-chief's mansion is ignorant of soldiers?I don't know the key to victory or defeat, so it's in the city of Lingzhou?As long as Lingzhou City is captured, the army will be safe!Can no one know this easy-to-see principle? !He gave a generous speech, emotionally excited, knelt down on one knee, and said sharply: "I ask Marshal Shi to give me 30,000 soldiers. Within fifteen days, I can't take Lingzhou City, and I am willing to accept the military law!"
Zhong Er is also a very smart person. He openly accused Li Xian, which was a slip of the tongue. Although many generals of the imperial army thought so, no one dared to respond to his offending Li Xian, a popular man in front of the emperor.But he changed the subject and focused on criticizing Shi Yue's strategy. Immediately, many generals of the Forbidden Army felt sympathetic.
It has not been a month since the war started, and the smooth progress of all roads is beyond everyone's imagination.On the eastern front, Xiao Yinjun and the Zhejia Army have already joined forces. The Yansui Army and the Zhejia Army are both capable troops in the Song Army. Liang Yongneng originally wanted to rely on Xiazhou's strong city to deal with the Song Army. The Song army stormed Xiazhou City for three days and nights, and the famous Xixia city in the Pingxia area fell.On the middle line, after Liu Changzuo smashed the Xia army through the Navel Pass, he sent Li Xiang to attack Mingsha City at night, and seized nearly a million stones of grain and grass that the Xixia people had not had time to transport away. Liu Changzuo said that the door was wide open; and the Second Xuan Army, which was mainly attacking, had already successfully arrived in Lingzhou and set up camp outside Lingzhou city.The only one that has made slower progress is the Song Army on the western front, but the recovery of Lanzhou and the burning of Tiandu Mountain are all exciting and good news.
Under such circumstances, it is difficult to understand the untimely admonitions to the troops by the General Manager to be cautious.Those old Western soldiers were fine. Although they were also full of optimism, these people had experienced battles and had a clearer understanding of the Xixia people.At this time, Xixia was like a weak wolf. Although it retreated step by step, as long as it was not completely killed, it had to be guarded against it fighting desperately!
However, those generals of the Forbidden Army and some generals of the Western Army of the Young and Strong Faction from the Dianqian Division did not think so.Especially the generals of the various armies in front of the palace. Many of these people have never fought against the Xixia people with real guns and arrows. Seeing that the friendly army has won successively and the enemy army is vulnerable, they think that the Xixia people are just dead tigers. In addition, it has been a while since I came to Shaanxi, and I have become accustomed to and familiar with Shaanxi. The feeling of freshness and awe has long since disappeared. Hurry up and fight on the front line so that you can make more achievements.Every time a good news comes, I don't know how many people's eyes are red with envy. These generals are afraid that all the credits will be taken away by their allies, and they are all eager to try!If it weren't for Shi Yue, a third-rank official who had been on duty in the Zhengshitang, Zhenfu all the way, and fought two big battles, it would be really hard to suppress him.尤其是殿前司諸軍的將領，有許多都是出身名門，甚至是開國功臣之後，平日裡結交王侯，出入公卿，自視甚高，哪裡會把別人放在眼裡？若非石越的聲望名位，在這些世家子弟之心目中還頗有分量，兼之西軍傳統一向是治軍嚴厲，讓這些人忌憚三分，還真不知道會發生什麼事情。
如此心態之下，平日裡每日都不知有多少人要來找石越請戰，此時哪裡還經得起种諤撩撥上幾句？
驍騎軍副都指揮使王師宜早已上前說道︰李大人用兵如何，末將並不敢置喙。然末將亦讀兵書，孫子云︰凡用兵之法，馳車千駟，革車千乘，帶甲十萬，千里饋糧，則內外之費，賓客之用，膠漆之材，車甲之奉，日費千金。然後十萬之師舉矣。其用戰也勝，久則鈍兵挫銳，攻城則力屈，久暴師則國用不足。夫鈍兵挫銳，屈力殫貨，則諸侯乘其弊而起，雖有智者，不能善其後矣。故兵聞拙速，未睹巧之久也。夫兵久而國利者，未之有也。今日之事，曝師於外久矣，日費何止萬金？而內則空耗國庫，外則有契丹虎視狼顧，非國家之利也！末將愚鈍，敢請石帥三思，兵貴勝，不貴久，客軍在外，當早定大計，速戰速決！師宜雖不材，願供石帥驅使！王師宜的曾祖父王審琦是開國名將、瑯琊郡王、太祖皇帝的布衣之交。王家滿門冠佩，單單在這西征的大軍中，六品一級的武官便有近十人，王師宜並不是特別出眾。但他是由內殿班的御前侍衛出身，受當今皇帝的賞識，隨章惇征討南方蠻夷，積功而升遷，在禁軍整編中又得到郭逵的青眼，不過二十六歲，便已官拜振威校尉。這個仕途可以說是一帆風順的世家子弟，此時正是心高氣傲之時，一心盼著能在西夏立下大功，不僅在眾叔伯兄弟中揚眉吐氣，也能為自己的前途壓上一枚重重的砝碼。眼見著戰爭打了大半，除了仁多瀚的部隊，驍騎軍竟連半個西夏兵都不曾遇到過，王師宜早已急得坐立不安。
王師宜一開口附和，議事廳內立刻便亂成一團，那些被憋了一肚子牢騷的禁軍將領，全都趁著這個機會發洩起來。眾人七嘴八舌的向石越請戰，表達著自己的不滿。王師宜之類的世家子弟出身的將領，肚子裡還有點兒墨水，說話倒還算文雅；其餘的將領卻有不少連字都未必識得幾個，文盲更是比比皆是，說汴京官話都不怎麼利索，一說得興起，各種土話、髒話，也不管別人聽不聽得懂，盡皆脫口而出。
事情轉瞬間發展成這樣，在議事廳內有資格坐下的幾個人，臉色都變得極其難看，但即便是劉惟簡，面對著這些牢騷滿腹的將軍們，也感覺到幾分棘手。石越親信的參軍與幕僚們，當前作戰計畫或者是親附石越的少數西軍將領們，人人面有怒容，但是這些人大都是資歷尚淺，在軍中威望不足，卻不敢輕舉妄動；還有一少部分老成持重的將領們，卻是默觀事態，不肯作聲。
所有人都等著石越的態度。
种諤得意地望著石越，目光中帶著幾分挑釁。朝廷讓一個書生來統兵，已是大錯特錯。而石越卻還不肯採納自己的意見，畏縮懼戰，更是不能容忍。絕不能讓一介腐儒毀了這場戰爭！种諤在心裡給自己打著氣。他注視著石越，他相信這個石越這個書生，已只有兩個選擇︰要麼勃然大怒，但這樣眾將口服心不服，他便可以通過樞密院來彈劾石越，讓樞密院向石越施加壓力樞府是絕不可能不在乎這麼多將領的意見的；除此之外，石越便只有讓步，只要石越妥協，讓他領軍出征，他便有絕對把握攻下靈州，從而徹底主導戰局的發展。
种諤當然也知道攻取靈州會有一定的難度，他畢竟在環慶路呆了幾年，對西夏人也非常熟悉。但是他卻更加相信自己，相信大宋的精兵絕非西夏人可以抵擋，他堅信這一點︰儘管所有的麻煩都可能存在，但是他依然能夠攻下靈州城。
但石越卻只是平靜地回視著种諤的目光。他似乎一點也不惱怒，也沒有大聲喝斥，但也絕非是想要妥協。石越用一種沉靜、冷淡、威嚴的目光，居高臨下地，緩緩地掃過廳內每個人，被他看到的人都不自禁地感覺到一種畏懼，下意識地閉上了嘴脣，垂下眼簾，似乎是想要避開他的目光。
王師宜本來還想要說幾句，但他看到石越的目光之時，便下意識地把頭低了下去。石越的眼神，便像是他小時候做錯了事情被父親發現時，他父親注視他時的眼神。眼神裡不僅僅有無言的責怪，更多的是一種威嚴與自信，這種眼神明白無誤地告訴著你尊卑高下對錯之別，即便你堅信著自己是正確的，但看到這眼神，依然不自覺的會產生一種心虛的感覺，對自己的判斷產生動搖與懷疑。這樣的感覺，王師宜在初次面對皇帝的時候曾經有過，那是一種因自小所受教育而產生的對天子的敬畏，但見多了皇帝之後，這種感覺便漸漸消退了。後來，當他每次見到樞密使文彥博的時候，或者碰到戶部尚書司馬光的時候，也會有同樣的感覺，那是一種不怒自威的威嚴，讓你覺得對他們，你只能仰視著。但他從未想過，一慣平易近人，有時幾乎讓人感覺是溫文敦厚的石越，也會有這樣的眼神。
我不曾說錯甚話語！王師宜在心裡對自己說道，堅定著自己的信念，努力克服著自己心中的彆扭，去正視石越的目光。此時，他霍然發覺，議事廳中，已經鴉雀無聲。
人們的目的未必純正，但是每個人都相信自己的判斷沒有錯。
石越此時，尤其堅信自己選擇的戰略並沒有什麼不對的。但是，對這些牢騷滿腹的將領們，僅僅用紫袍玉帶來壓迫他們是不行的，將帥不和，從來都是兵家之大忌。但石越同樣也無法與這些將領們一道來分享他的歷史經驗。他無法告訴他們，曾經有過的五路伐夏之所以失敗，是因為什麼
這不僅僅是因為這是無法讓人相信的秘密，亦是因為歷史已然改變。
要設法讓他們心服口服。
石越一把抓起放在案上的寶劍，緩緩起身，轉身用劍鋒指著他座位後面巨大的西夏地圖屏風，沉聲問道︰有哪位將軍知道，逆賊的主力在何處？
那些發著牢騷的將軍們都怔住了。
只有种諤答道︰末將以為，他們應當在興靈之間！
應當？石越反問道，种大人如此以為，可有憑據？
以目前各處所知軍情觀之，逆賊主力當集中在我軍之正面。而宣二軍只是略受阻擋，便已至靈州。據宣二軍之觀察，靈州城之賊軍不下三萬。末將相信，賊軍是將主力收縮於興靈之間，以誘我深入，在彼所熟悉之地與我決戰，以收地利。我軍正好可以將計就計，只要攻下靈州，興州便處於我兵鋒之下，賊軍幾無迴旋之地，大計可定！种諤的判斷，應當說是部分正確的。面對著咄咄逼人的宋軍，西夏人將主力集中於一處，先避敵之鋒芒，然後再依託地利以求決戰，不失為明智之舉。种諤久經沙場，號稱熙寧一朝的名將，他對敵情的判斷是非常敏銳的。
石越淡淡地注視著种諤，半晌，他手中寶劍突然指向靈州與韋州之間的廣大地區，我大軍一旦集於靈州城下，自靈州至韋州，便形成數百里之薄弱地帶。种大人以為，賊軍是依托靈州堅城與我決戰，還是會繞至吾軍之後，攻擊吾軍之糧道？又或者，其大軍根本便藏在此處，等待著戰機。這數百里糧道，吾軍無任何憑恃，將要如何護衛？
只要攻下靈州
种大人拿什麼攻下靈州？石越厲聲質問道︰將攻城之器械送至靈州城下，豈是容易之事？賊軍豈能坐視這些器械安然運抵靈州？
能對靈州這樣的大城形成威脅的攻城器械，都是極其笨重的。數量少了沒有作用，要形成作戰規模，那麼運輸就是一件難題。帶著這些攻城的輜重行軍，行軍速度是快不起來的。議事廳中的將領對這一點還是明白的，因為到目前為止，那許多攻城的器械，甚至只有一小部分被運到了韋州在崎嶇的山路上運輸這些笨重的器械，無異於噩夢，這些物什不僅僅本身是個麻煩，還經常會阻塞狹窄的山路，使得大隊運糧的隊伍無法通行。
何不帶工匠就地製造？王師宜問出了一部分將領的心聲。但他剛剛問完，便感覺到一陣後悔，因為幾位西軍老將都用奇怪的目光看著他，彷彿他問了一個愚不可及的問題。
果然，劉舜卿淡淡地替石越回答了這個愚蠢的問題︰據職方館之資料，靈州附近，沒有任何可以用來製造攻城器械之大樹。
王師宜頓時紅了臉，尷尬的移開眼睛。
攻城之法甚多，運用之妙，存乎一心。何必受攻城之器之限？种諤卻並沒有被說服，反而覺得石越甚是迂闊。但話雖如此，他卻並沒有再次質疑，因為臨敵對陣，許多謀略，一旦事先說出來，有時候反而會被人視為荒誕的奇談怪論。人們總能夠輕易地表達自己的質疑，假若敵人這樣，假若敵人那樣，那麼這樣的計畫就行不通了，他們故意忽視一點︰如果一方不犯錯誤，那麼除非實力相差過於懸殊，否則不犯錯誤的一方是不可能失敗的趙奢在談兵的時候，怎麼樣也說不過趙括，多半便是因為如此。
种諤依然相信自己有足夠的手段能夠攻下靈州城，但是，他卻並非是一個擅長於制定那種連細節也幾乎完美的作戰計畫的將領。他能夠根據戰鬥時的情勢，做出正確的反應，但是那些細節，應當由部下們去完善
种諤不知道石越對自己是否有故意的打壓，但如果一方殺了另一方的兒子，無論有什麼樣光明正大的理由，那種心中的相互猜忌總是不可避免的。种諤無論如何，也不會希望宋軍失敗，但是如果石越一意孤行，受點挫折，种諤也是非常樂意見到的。無論是前方受到什麼挫折，還是大軍在外，久不見功，樞府對石越的信任都一定會降低的
但如此全無作為，亦非良策。樞府必會催促進兵，靈州總是要打的，所謂三鼓而竭，拖得越久，士氣便會下降，鈍兵挫銳，更不堪用另外的禁軍將領繼續質疑著。
本帥自有辦法，諸公到時便知。石越自信滿滿地說道，諸公不必擔心無仗可打，無功可立，當養精蓄銳，以待與賊決戰之日
夏州。
新委任的夏州知州吳問是仁宗朝中的進士，做了二十多年地方官的循吏，此時已快五十歲，一向以寬政愛民為己任，吏部精挑細選，將他派來這個剛剛收復的地方做知州，表達的是政事堂的一種期望︰大宋是來光復平夏的，而不是來征服平夏的。
但是，軍方似乎卻有另外的意見。
小隱君與折克行商議，為了保護自延綏至夏州之糧道，不僅要重新修葺夏州城牆，而且在延綏至夏州之間，要沿途修建城寨，用一個個的堡寨，來使梁永能無機可乘。折克行根本不相信西夏的百姓，他甚至建議，要將銀夏地區的人民，盡數強行遷往內地，分割開來安置。並且強徵其丁壯為宋軍建城寨、運糧草。並且，折克行還提出一個更加狠毒的建議︰向橫山諸部族頒佈賞格，購買死活西夏人，以誘使橫山部族攻擊橫山另一面的洪州、龍州、宥州。三貫一個活人，一貫一個死人的價格，足以讓整個橫山的部族成為西夏人最兇狠的敵人。而與此同時，宋軍則可以以夏州為根據，派遣騎兵不斷騷擾攻擊宥州至鹽州一帶，焚其屋宇，擄其人民，掠其財產，以逼迫梁永能來決戰否則，平夏地區在三五十年內都無法恢復元氣！
一將功成萬骨枯！
與西夏人世代作戰，西夏人殘暴的手段折克行早已領教。現在有機會反施其身，這位河東軍名將並未感覺到有任何不妥。
戰爭唯一的目的便是勝利。
折克行是如此相信的。
於是，一隊隊西夏百姓在宋軍的驅使下，扛著石頭、木材，如同螞蟻一般來來去去，修葺著殘破的夏州城牆。許多人的眼中，都滿含著怨恨之色。但是，這不會為他們贏來憐憫，只會招來暴虐的鞭打。
當吳問去找折克行爭辯時，折克行如此反問他︰既然為了勝利可以讓成千上萬的己方士兵去死，那麼為何為了勝利就不能讓成千上萬的敵方百姓去死？然後折克行便客氣地送走了這位夏州知州。
吳問於是轉而去找東線宋軍的統帥种詁。但小隱君軍務繁忙，沒有時間見他，亦沒有時間回覆他的信件。小隱君有自己的苦衷︰雖然他心裡更贊同吳問的主張，對折克行的行為頗有腹誹，但是，夏州是折克行指揮打下來的，現在那裡是由折克行駐守。雖然名義上他是折克行的上司，但是兩軍之間的關係卻並非可以如此簡單地處理，他如果對河東軍指手劃腳，是很容易造成兩軍不睦的。為了顧全大局，在西夏滅亡之前，小隱君不願意自己與折克行有任何的對立。所以他乾脆躲開吳問。
吳問一怒之下，寫了一封彈章直送汴京，又寫了一封措辭強烈的信件送給石越。夏州之民，亦是天子之子民，大宋之臣民！在信中，吳問如此說道。他告誡朝廷，也告誡石越，當年大宋之所以沒能保有西夏之地，使得西夏得以建國，除了戰略上的失敗外，地方守吏失去民心也是重要的因素。軍隊的強大是不值得憑恃的，如果失去平夏地區的民心，便有可能重蹈歷史上的覆轍。
同時，做好被罷官準備的吳問在夏州也採取了斷然的措施。他與折克行本是平級的關係，既然折克行無法商量，吳問便下令在夏州清點戶籍，同時移文折克行，要求他按照相關的律令來徵發民夫。
立時，夏州城的文武關係，便如同一根繃緊了的弦。
同一個地方若有兩個級別相同的最高長官，果然是一定會出麻煩的。安撫住那些躍躍欲試的禁軍將領們，馬上便面臨這樣頭疼的麻煩，石越亦只能無可奈何地感嘆。
吳問去得稍早了。潘照臨話中帶著一點遺憾。對於一個新佔領的地區，首先由一個人將惡事一次性全部做完，然後再派一個好官來收拾殘局，慢慢施予恩惠，永遠都是統治良方。
折克行之策其實甚為可取，梁永能想要堅壁清野，我們便成全他，在平夏大肆擄掠。平夏乃是西夏立國之本，末將相信，梁永能絕不能坐視不顧。而橫山與平夏自唐以來，本素有仇怨，再加撩撥，則其百年之內，斷難和睦，以夷制夷，大宋可坐收其利。劉舜卿不帶感情的分析道。
石越愕然望著劉舜卿，潘照臨如此說話，他早在意料之中。但是劉舜卿竟然也支持折克行，卻在他意料之外。
強徵夏民勞役，雖看似殘暴，但為將者，終不能有婦人之仁。劉舜卿繼續說道︰孫子云︰國之貧於師者遠輸，遠輸則百姓貧，自用兵以來，雖朝廷加意撫恤，然陝西一路百姓苦於勞役者數十萬戶，終是不可避免。若能驅使西夏之民，則陝西之民總可稍得休息，亦算是不無小補。對於陝西之民而言，卻是仁慈了
下官不敢苟同。豐稷的聲音大得似乎連他自己都被嚇了一跳，他顯然有些激動，王者之師，豈能效虎狼禽獸之行！平夏之民，素受橫徵暴斂，王師至時，豈不心懷期望？一旦以暴易暴，變本加厲，是大失民望，使其反而眷戀夏國之德。以乃目光短淺，因小而失大，且不合仁義，非下官所敢聞也。
仁義不是用來征伐天下的。他話音剛落，潘照臨便語帶諷刺地說道，兵者本就是兇器，並非好物什，只是當此末世，又不能不用。橫豎總要死人，死點西夏人總比死宋人要好些；讓西夏人受苦總比讓大宋的百姓受苦要仁義些。
那我們又要如何讓我們的士兵與百姓相信我們是為了正義而戰？坐在下首的包綬忽然尖銳的問道。他是被石越特意調來負責後勤方面的事務的，這次只是偶然而忝陪末座。
眾人一時愕然，沒有明白包綬的意思。
我們要如何讓士兵與百姓相信他們是在為了正義而戰？包綬又問了一句。
士兵與百姓會相信燒殺搶掠的軍隊是正義的麼？他們會相信殘暴的役使百姓的軍隊是正義的麼？包綏站起身來，向石越欠身抱拳，朗聲道︰石帥一直在告訴士卒、百姓、士林，道王師乃是正義之師，討伐西夏之逆賊，是正君臣之綱紀，亦是替朝廷除百年之邊患，替子孫後世造一個太平盛世。陝西百姓困苦於道路而未敢有怨言者，禁軍士兵血戰於前線而不敢有貳心者，士林清議雖見耗費國帑，勞動百姓而無有異議者，皆因於此。下官願石帥莫要失天下之望！
只恐陝西百姓想要的只是少一分勞苦；前線士卒想要的只是早一日凱旋。為了這禮義道德的虛名，不知道要付出多少代價！潘照臨對包綬的話並不以為然。
下官敢問潘先生，難不成殘暴不仁，便不需要付出代價麼？包綬反脣相譏道。
石越若有所思的望著包綬。
想要成就大功業，想要打贏一場滅國之戰，雙手不沾鮮血，是不可能的。石越並非那種有道德潔癖的人。他一向相信，成大功業，大事業，要有菩薩心，魔王手。但他也並不是全然同意為了達成最高尚的目的，便可以採用最卑劣的手段。因為在大多數時候，手段與目的是無法截然分開的，大多數的時候，即便你達成了那最高尚的目的，亦無法彌補因為你採用了最卑劣的手段所帶來的惡劣影響。
包綬所說的，其實就是類似的意思。
正義也許是可笑的東西。但是如果一個國家與民族沒有正義的觀念，甚至連他們自己也無法認為自己的行為是符合道德的，是正義的之時，這個國家或民族，離瘋狂便不遠了。所以，一個國家，一個民族做事，無論如何，都有必要在大義的旗幟下進行。
忠烈祠的祠門，應當是潔淨無瑕的！
梁永能的日子越來越難受了。
夏州的迅速失陷，給他整個計畫都帶來嚴重的影響。原本就並不充足的兵力再次折損，國相梁乙埋又派人調走近萬精兵以充實興靈之間的力量，而許多部族間流傳的謠言也對夏國極為不利這些部族中，有一部分是不可以倚靠的。但他就如同一隻受傷的狼，耐心的潛伏著，等待著敵人犯錯。
但宋軍卻十分謹慎。奪下夏州之後，並不急於進兵，反而開始修築起城寨，擺出一副防守的姿態來。
這讓梁永能頗覺迷惑。難道宋軍不想從平夏地區直接攻擊興慶府麼？如果宋軍果然這樣穩紮穩打，梁永能便真要無計可施了。不過很快，梁永能便意識到宋軍意圖他們不願意孤軍深入太遠，反而是想誘自己的主力出來決戰。
宋軍的部隊不斷的向宥州一帶進行騷擾性的進攻，卻絕不肯輕率的深入一步。
很狡猾，很謹慎。
這是雙方比耐心的時刻。
我們的使者走了多少天了？眺望著東北一望無際的沙漠，梁永能向部將問道，語氣中亦不禁帶上了一絲期盼。
有十天了。部將回答道，他同樣希望使者能帶來好消息。
應該已經到了。另一個部將滿懷期望地說道。
遼國現在亦不太平，他們會願意冒著得罪南朝的危險出兵麼？患得患失的心情充斥著眾人的心間。
我們自己也能打贏！梁永能盡量地讓自己的聲音聽起來充滿自信，給部下們一點強援的希望是可以的，但是不應當過分，這樣才能夠避免萬一幻想破滅後產生絕望感。
但他的話連他自己也不太相信。
折家軍兇猛