Chapter 218: Making the Best Use of Talents (6k)

Yao Gu had good command of the army, and the imperial court urged him to send troops urgently, so the 100,000-strong army passed through the border without causing any unexpected disturbance to the common people.

When Yang Changxing arrived in Hongdong County, Yao Gu's main force had already reached Huoyi, and only a small number of troops remained in the rear to move slowly. They had to cooperate with the navy to transport supplies.

It was midsummer and the river was rising.

Yao Gu could not be completely confident in the navy of the three Ruans.

Especially in the canyon between the North and South Gates, the river channel is narrow, the water is fast, and navigation is difficult, so people had to be sent to "protect" the navy.

If there had been problems with the baggage, Yao Gu would not have had to fight this battle.

The Song Dynasty implemented a conscription system, with civil officials as commanders. Because the country's economic conditions were good, soldiers were encouraged to fight bravely by giving them immediate rewards of money and property.

This method of monetary reward gradually became a common practice in the military.

If a soldier made meritorious service in a war, he could ask for a reward openly.

Therefore, a considerable portion of the baggage carried by Yao Gu was gold, silver, and jewelry, which served as an incentive for war.

Yang Chang went to inspect the Fen River and happened to meet Ruan Xiaoqi who was dispatching boats.

As soon as he saw Yang Chang, he approached him with a mysterious look on his face and whispered, "Brother, Yao Gu brought several ships with valuables. Should I deliberately sink two of them and then let the brothers salvage them? We can't help for nothing."

"never mind."

Yang Chang frowned and replied solemnly: "The Jin army is strong at this time and needs the Song army to help consume it. It can be regarded as helping us. In addition, I disdain to be sneaky. Don't forget that our identities have changed. We are no longer the Jianghu people who take pleasure in revenge. Don't act recklessly like Liangshan."

"Yes"

"By the way, there are several sharp bends and reefs in the waters around the Nanbeiguan Pass. You need to choose a good boat operator to sail the boat smoothly into Fenzhou."

"Don't worry, brother. This isn't the first time."

Seeing Ruan Xiaoqi patting his chest, Yang Chang nodded affirmatively on the surface, but secretly he was thinking about the candidate.

He planned to send a navy to follow Yao Gu throughout the journey, which would not only help him transport money, food and supplies, but also help him gain intelligence along the way. It was a plan that killed two birds with one stone.

Ruan Xiaoqi is bold, Ruan Xiaowu is daring, but Xiaoer is the only one who is steady.

When Yang Chang rushed to the south gate of Yangliang and met Yao Gu again, Ruan Xiaoer and Zhu Tong were there too. They had followed him all the way from Linfen.

While Yao Gu was traveling through Pingbei, he discovered that the ships under the command of the three Nguyens were simple, but the sailors were all excellent.

When he saw Yang Chang again, Yao Gu just greeted him and then asked him to borrow someone.

"General Yang, your navy is very good. Can you lend me two thousand soldiers to go north with me? When we recover Taiyuan in the future, you can also be credited for your contribution."

"General Yao, most of these naval forces were fishermen in the past. Although they are good at swimming, their combat effectiveness is not good."

"Don't worry, we won't let them participate in the war, they will only be responsible for transportation."

"That's no problem."

After Yang Chang finished speaking, he looked at Ruan Xiaoer and said sternly, "Did you hear everything just now? Pick two thousand good sailors and follow General Yao north."

"Yes."

"General Yang is really straightforward. When I report to the Privy Council, I will apply for military funds for Pingzhou. Your boat is too small and too old. I'm afraid it can't withstand the strong wind and waves."

"That's great. Pingbei just went through a war, how could they have extra money to build warships? These are all captured from the Jin army and requisitioned fishing boats, right?"

Yang Chang changed the subject and reminded Yao Gu, "I have sent the Weisheng garrison to Taigu Water Gorge to conduct a feint attack and try to divert the attention of the Taiyuan garrison. The general can take Fenzhou. However, Nianhan is very experienced in using troops. The general must be careful and remember not to rush the troops forward. Zhe Keqiu suffered a great loss."

"General Yang has sent people to launch a feint attack? Remember that there are only more than 10,000 troops stationed in Weisheng. Now that you have come to Pingbei Army (Pingyang Prefecture) to see me, who is responsible for the feint attack in Weisheng?"

"I have under my command Leopard Head Lin Chong and Dragon Slayer Sun An. They are both cautious and skilled fighters. There will be no mistakes."

"I don't care much about the reputation in the martial arts world. I trust General Yang more. I don't need you to accompany me here. Go back to Weisheng and command in person. Let's win a great victory together."

Yao Gu patted Yang Chang's shoulder, his eyes full of determination.

"In that case, I will return to Weisheng immediately."

"So much the better!"

"Yang Jiedu, I'll see you off."

"Ah."

Zhu Tong escorted Yang Chang to the gate, glanced at the gate tower above, and asked, "Sanlang came here with good intentions to welcome us, but he turned the tables and drove us away. Yao Gu is so rude!"

"He is also eager to win. Since he abides by the rules in Peking, it won't hurt for me to help him. Besides, Weisheng is in urgent need of help. The wheat is ripe now. If Yao Gu can take Fenzhou, the military supplies can be obtained locally. Please tell the second brother to pay attention to preserving the navy and remember not to act rashly."

"I saved it."

"Well, the military situation is urgent, so I left."

After Yang Chang finished speaking, he turned around and walked towards Qiu Qiongying's position outside the pass.

"Let's go."

"Should we go to Huoyi to inspect them one by one, or go to Linfen to meet Jian Xiaorang?"

"No need for that, just go back to Weisheng."

"What? You're leaving now?"

Qiu Qiongying thought she could stay for a few more days, but she didn't expect to be sent back just after arriving without any inspection. So she frowned and muttered, "What's the hurry? How about staying a few more days? It's rare for us to come out alone."

"My lady, do you want to stay in Pingbei? Your husband has to go back to Weisheng to command the feint attack. Can you play for a few days and then go back?"

"Is there a war in Weisheng? Then why am I staying here? Let's go."

A few days later, just as Yang Changgang returned to Weisheng City, Wu Song brought Lin Chong a military report:

Tuhesu's army of more than 10,000 soldiers has secretly withdrawn from Pantuo in the north of the valley. It has been bluffing for the past few days. The scouts have revealed through the captured tongues that the western army is retreating northward, the Jin army seems to be ready to abandon Taiyuan, and Marshal Nianhan has been away for a long time.

After reading the military report, Yang Chang did not speak, so Wu Song reminded him in a low voice: "Wolibuyi has withdrawn his troops back to Yanjing. Since the imperial court has changed its mind and is unwilling to cede land, Nianhan will probably not fight to the death in Taiyuan. It is reasonable to return to Yunzhong at this time. It seems that Yao Gu will make a contribution."

"The Jin people have evil ambitions. How can they withdraw so easily?"

"Third brother, do you mean that Nianhan is trying to cheat?"

"do not know."

Yang Chang frowned and shook his head. He was not clear about the details of the Jingkang Incident, but he knew that the two Jin armies would meet in Bianliang, which meant that Nianhan would still return to take Taiyuan, so he was more clear-headed than anyone else.

"Should we inform Yao Gu of this information?"

"Don't tell them for now. I'm afraid Yao Gu's light troops will advance recklessly. Send out orders to expand the reconnaissance range and send cavalry across the border to test first. I don't believe Nianhan will leave."

"Ok."

Seeing Yang Chang's determination, Wu Song nodded in response and asked, "If the Jin people really withdraw, should we send troops to occupy some cities? I heard Huanzhang talk about the history of Taiyuan. This place is an important town in the Three Jins. If Sanlang declares himself king in the future, Taiyuan should be taken first. It's not a loss to fish in troubled waters and take a few cities first."

"It's a loss or not." Yang Chang said with a bitter smile: "We don't have enough strength now. Even if we take the city, we may not be able to hold it. We have to wait patiently. We must inflict heavy damage on the Jin people once before we can take the initiative to expand."

"How long we have to wait?"

“It should be soon.”

Yang Chang was not sure at first, but since potatoes could be grown from soybeans, there would be no shortage of food and he could expand his team.

After harvesting Yang De's two acres of potatoes, Yang Chang planned to use them all as seeds.

Taking advantage of the idle farming season between summer and autumn, targeted planting is carried out in Mianshang and Qinyuan counties. The second season can be harvested before winter, and the crop will be fully promoted to the two states the following year.

June is destined to be a busy month. Foreign military reconnaissance and feint attacks continue without stopping. Internally, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans are ripening in a row, and the people are harvesting under the scorching sun.

Yao Gu asked Yang Chang to take charge personally, but Yang Chang didn't take it seriously at all. His only focus was on potatoes.

In late June, when Yao Gu was fighting fiercely with the Jin army in Fenzhou, Yang Changze personally led a team of soldiers to the western suburbs of Weisheng to dig potatoes.

Because there is strength in numbers, two acres of potatoes were dug up in half a day.

Yang De was harvesting wheat in the fields at the foot of the mountain. He saw baskets of soil being carried down the mountain. He wondered how much of this stuff there was. Wasn't it just two acres of land?
Out of curiosity, he put down his sickle, walked to the roadside and was shocked to see that there were more than twenty full baskets, conservatively estimated to weigh several hundred kilograms, while the soybean yield per mu was less than a hundred kilograms.

"Sanlang, are these all dug from my field? A basket can hold 34 kilograms, you must have some here."

"About 800 to 900 kilograms."

"hiss"

Yang De was sweating profusely, but he took a deep breath and swallowed his saliva before asking, "What is this lump of earth? How can there be such a large yield? Is this thing really edible?"

"Not only is it edible, but it tastes good. Come to my house with your aunt tonight and I'll make it for you."

"Sanlang can do this? Do you know this thing?"

"Haha, recently an immortal came into my dream and told me that this thing is called potato. The immortal also told me how to grow it. I will tell Uncle Wu tonight."

Yang Chang couldn't say that he had traveled through time, so he used this excuse to fool everyone.

Yang De had no doubt at all.

"Potatoes? They're also beans? We don't need to cultivate soybeans anymore?"

"The first batch is for soybeans, but potatoes will be used as seeds later. My nephew plans to plant a large area of ​​soybeans in Weisheng, so all your potatoes must be confiscated for seeds."

"Sanlang, take them all. Since the potato yield is hundreds of kilograms per mu, if we plant it on a large scale in Weisheng, it should be able to make up for the impact of the wheat yield reduction. I, Yang De, have no choice but to accept it."

"hehe."

Yang Chang smiled mysteriously and said leisurely, "These potatoes are as big as eggs because we didn't apply fertilizer to increase the yield. If we spend more time and effort to cultivate them well, they may grow to the size of a fist."

"hiss"

Yang De was shocked again and murmured, "It's the size of a fist? How much does it yield per acre?"

"Two thousand pounds!"

Yang Chang raised two fingers and said these three words firmly, which made Yang De stay where he was.

If it were not for the limitations of ancient seeds, fertility and other conditions, it would not be uncommon for potatoes to yield 8,000 or 10,000 per mu if grown using modern technology.

Of course, two thousand kilograms had already scared Yang De. If he was told that he could produce ten thousand kilograms, he would probably faint on the spot.

At this time, Weisheng's staple food, wheat, can produce up to four to five hundred kilograms per mu with fertile land and intensive cultivation. The most critical thing is to avoid extreme weather, as it is also very easy to be affected by diseases and pests.

Potatoes like light and coolness, and are cold-resistant, drought-resistant and barren-resistant. They are definitely a magical food that can defeat famine.

New wheat, new flour, new potatoes.

Yang Chang asked someone to kill a few chickens, and then he went to the kitchen to cook the familiar clay pot chicken and pot cakes, but the ingredients were unfamiliar potatoes. Except for Yang De and his son, no one else knew it was potatoes.

Yan Qing was a meticulous person. He noticed something was wrong with the food as soon as he took a bite, so he asked curiously, "Brother, what is this? It tastes so good."

"Hmm? Isn't it taro?"

As soon as Lu Zhishen finished speaking, everyone else looked at Yang Chang.

Yang Chang glanced at everyone in the hall and said with a smile: "This thing is called potato, it can be fried, stir-fried, deep-fried or stewed."

"Is this something unique to Weisheng?"

"No."

"That"

"Saburo."

Yang De felt very full, and couldn't help but stand up to interrupt Yan Qing, looking at Yang Chang and asked: "Can this potato really yield 2,000 kilograms per mu?"

"As long as you take good care of it, it shouldn't be a problem."

"If this is true, people will no longer suffer from hunger in the future."

The conversation between Yang Chang and Yang De shocked everyone in the hall.

Although they are not farmers, they know what a yield of 2,000 kilograms per mu means.

Yan Qing swallowed and looked straight at Yang Chang.

"Where did this come from?"

"It's incredible, I helped my uncle plant soybeans in the spring, and this is what grew out of it"

Yang Chang half-truthfully told everyone the process of planting beans and his own dream, and everyone showed incredible expressions.

After the dinner, everyone found their own companions and left.

Only Yan Qing left last, and he seemed to have something to say.

"What's wrong, Xiaoyi?"

"Brother, you have obtained this miraculous food. The people under your rule will never go hungry again, but it is not recommended to plant it in full at this time."

"Why?"

"Brother, if you want to do something big, this thing can be used as a sharp weapon in your hand. It cannot be given away at will, otherwise the enemy and I will share it. Even if you have compassion for the people of the world, you should be prepared."

Yan Qing was not tall but he was very smart. Wu Song, who was standing beside him, nodded continuously. He spoke first without waiting for Yang Chang to ask any more questions.

"what to prepare?"

"My brother's nickname is Guangming Tianzun, and the potato appeared so miraculously. Maybe there is a will in the universe. Why not use it to attract people's hearts? It's best to prepare stories, legends or nursery rhymes."

"Sanlang, that makes sense."

"Indeed, I just wanted to fill my stomach. Brother Xiaoyi reminded me in time."

Yang Changxin said, "Good fellow, they're already waging a war of public opinion before the uprising?" However, he had brought potatoes to China hundreds of years in advance. Regardless of whether he could finally seize the throne, he had already done a great deed.

"Stories and legends are long and winding, but nursery rhymes are catchy, but I'm not good at that."

"My wife and I are both knowledgeable about music, maybe we can try to compose a nursery rhyme? If you can trust me, brother."

"How can I not believe it? Thank you for composing the music. Potatoes have not yet been promoted for planting. You have plenty of time and don't need to rush."

"it is good."

If Yan Qing hadn't mentioned it, Yang Chang would have almost forgotten about Li Shishi. Although this woman had made mistakes in the first half of her life, she had learned a lot of talents. Could she form an "art troupe"?
The Song army directly used money to motivate soldiers, how could it be better than the "art troupe"? By the way, it also helped the army's ideological construction?

Thinking of this, Yang Chang is full of confidence in the future.

At that moment, he suddenly understood why people like tailors, blacksmiths, horse thieves and other professions could eventually become leaders of Liangshan.

To achieve great things, you need everyone, as long as they can make the best use of their talents.

Yang Chang originally didn't want to keep idle people, and he looked down on the many idle people under Lu Junyi's command. But now he was looking forward to the trip to Lehe more and more, hoping to recruit a few more people to come back and do things, even if it was just to help spread the nursery rhymes.

However, no one expected it.

Lehe went out alone and came back alone.

In early July, Le He returned to Weisheng alone and was brought to Yang Chang by Yan Qing.

"Hmm? Just you? Where are the others?"

"Except for Ling Zhen who is returning to Beijing to visit his relatives and may bring his family to Weisheng, the rest are unwilling to leave Yongning Army, including my brother-in-law."

"fine."

Although Yang Chang felt disappointed, he thought that a forced melon would not be sweet. He then looked at Yan Qing and praised him, "As the saying goes, a scholar dies for his friend. Song Jiang was unwilling to use them before. Lu Yuanwai should treat them well. It is enough that Ling Zhen can come."

"During Brother Le's trip to Yongning, I heard a lot of rumors over there, all praising Brother and disparaging the host."

"Is this true? It's none of my business."

"I know." Yan Qing sighed and said, "I guess it was Song Gongming who did it. On the surface, he separated from his master, but secretly wanted to break up Yongning and then take back the power. He is really scheming."

Le He then added, "Although I didn't bring my brother back, the Yongning Army is closer to Yanjing after all, and there is no dangerous terrain to block the Jin army, so many brothers came to me privately, hoping to send their families to Weisheng for resettlement. I didn't dare to make the decision for my brother, so..."

"That's great. Just send it over."

Yang Chang was overjoyed when he heard this, thinking, "Isn't it just me who is here to provide support? If I take in your family, are you afraid that you won't follow me?"

"Then you take a few days' rest and then go to Yongning. The Jin army will move south sooner or later. It is normal for brothers to have some concerns."

"Oh, brother, on my way back, I heard that the troops of the Zhending Zhongshizhong were moving towards Jingjing, apparently to take back Taiyuan for the court."

"So fast?"

"Brother, how do you know it's fast? I heard that Zhong Shizhong was in a hurry and didn't bring much baggage with him. Has Yao Gu attacked Taiyuan?"

As soon as Le He finished his long speech, Yang Chang rolled his eyes and shook his head, saying, "Yao Gu just conquered Fenzhou, but it was not as smooth as expected. Why is Zhong Shizhong so anxious?"

"do not know"

The bodies of the Song army were outside, but their "heads" remained in the capital.

When Yao Gushang was gathering troops in Zezhou, the newly-elected pro-war factions in the court were eager to make achievements, so they urged the Privy Council to send people to the front line to understand the situation.

When Nianhan left Taiyuan, the main force of the Jin army in the west withdrew, and Yao Gu won a great victory in Fenzhou.
Various good news poured into the capital. The pro-war faction in the court encouraged Emperor Qinzong to issue an edict, ordering Zhong Shizhong to lead his troops through Jingjing and advance from the southeast of Taiyuan.

Zhong Shizhong crossed Jingjing, took a short rest in Pingding Army, and then slowly advanced towards Taiyuan.

The reinforcements could not be contacted and the food and fodder they brought were insufficient, so Zhong Shizhong was not in a hurry to continue.

The generals on the front line were not in a hurry, but the pro-war faction in the court was.

The new head of the Privy Council, Xu Han, was a scholar who only knew how to talk about war on paper. He was blinded by the good news and forced Yao Gu and Zhong Shizhong to speed up the attack, otherwise they would be punished for "teasing". (Teasing means cowardice)

Under the pressure of military orders, Zhong Shizhong accelerated the pace and successively recovered Shouyang and Yuci. At that time, he was less than a hundred miles away from Yangqu, the core of Taiyuan.

Just as Yangqu was about to be rescued, Yao Gu's army had not arrived yet. They were the main force to recapture Taiyuan.

After receiving the military order from the Privy Council, Yao Gu led his troops out of Fenzhou and advanced towards the heart of Taiyuan. When passing through Qi County, he was blocked by Tuhesu's more than 10,000 infantry and cavalry.

The number of Song troops was ten times that of the Jin army, but the Jin army performed very well in field combat. Not only did they not show fear when outnumbered, but they fought even more fiercely.

Just when Yao Gu was surprised, his commander Jiao Anjie came forward and reported that Nianhan had returned to Taiyuan, but the main force of the Jin army under his command had not left.

It was difficult for 100,000 to fight against 10,000, so how could Yao Gu dare to continue advancing? He immediately withdrew his troops and stationed them in Pingyao, and reported the true situation in Taiyuan to the court.

Yao Gu was frightened and dared not advance, so Zhong Shizhong had to face the Jin army alone.

Not long after, he was ambushed by a group of Jin soldiers. He commanded his troops and fought several battles before finally repelling the enemy.

Because Zhong Shizhong traveled light and did not bring enough food and fodder to Taiyuan, he was completely unaware of the danger that was coming. He was still advancing towards Yangqu as planned, but unknowingly fell into Lou Shi's trap.

Nianhan was indeed not in Taiyuan, but the main force of the Western Jin Army of 80,000 people was hiding in various places in Taiyuan at this time, commanded by the vanguard general Lou Shi.

During Yao Gu's attack on Fenzhou, Lou Shi learned from the accounts of Song prisoners that there were three Song armies that might threaten Taiyuan, including Yang Chang.

Relying on his excellent judgment, Lou Shi first ruled out the possibility that Yang Chang would not send troops. Then, between Yao Gu and Zhong Shizhong, he chose to use a strategy to stabilize Yao Gu, who had more troops, and then concentrated his forces to attack Zhong Shizhong first.

Of course, if the judgment was wrong, or if Yao Gu could not be frightened, Lou Shi would withdraw to Xinzhou and use Shiling Pass as a shield.

Although Yang Chang did not send out troops, his feint attack troops advanced northward to Tuanbai Town, and his scouts went as far as near Yuci. Lou Shi then sent the surrendered general Geng Shouzhong to station in Xu Gou to monitor the situation, while the main force still gathered around Zhong Shizhong.

When Zhong Shizhong was fighting with the Jin army in Yuci, Yang Chang had just received information from Ruan Xiaoer: Yao Gu's troops were blocked and retreated to Pingyao.

Commander Yang was worried about the feint attack troops, so he went to Tuanbai front to inspect it personally.

As soon as he arrived at Tuanbai, Sun An reported to him, "General, the Song army encountered the Jin army in Yuci, but the 10,000 Yisheng troops stationed in Xugou Town did not go to Yuci to support the Jin army. The Song army fought five times before repelling the enemy. Zhong Shizhong took a short rest after the battle and continued to advance to the northwest. Should we make a feint attack on Xugou to contain them?"

"There's something strange about this Yisheng Army. They didn't support the Jin army when they saw it was defeated. It seems like they are specifically guarding against us. And Yao Gu was forced back to Pingyao by Tuhesu. What's going on?"

Yang Chang pinched his chin and talked to himself. Halfway through his words, he suddenly opened his eyes wide and said excitedly: "This is a trap set by Nianhan. The main force of the Jin army is concentrated near Yangqu. Zhong Shizhong is alone and deep in the enemy's territory at this time. The consequences will be disastrous!"

"what?"

Hu Cheng was shocked when he heard this. He had served in the army under Zhong Shizhong and was panicked when he heard this. He hurriedly asked, "Brother-in-law, how serious will it be?"

"The Song army is mainly composed of infantry, while the Jin army has a large number of cavalry. If Nianhan uses the cavalry properly, it is not impossible to wipe out Zhong Shizhong's army."

As soon as Yang Chang finished speaking, Hu Cheng excitedly grabbed his hand and pleaded, "I once served under him. Mr. Xiao Zhong was very good to me. Can Sanlang save him?"

"Brother Hu."

Sun An was afraid that Yang Chang would not be able to answer, so he took the initiative to remind him: "If you are too concerned, you will be confused. Tuanbai only has 3,000 cavalrymen. How can we rescue them? If we want to deal with the main force of the Jin army, even if we transfer all the garrison troops in Weisheng, it may not be effective."

"Ah this. I."

Hu Cheng was blocked instantly.

"Brother, don't panic. Let me think about it."

Seeing that his elder brother-in-law looked unhappy, he remembered that Master Zhong had released the man readily, and he also wanted to help this young master Zhong, so he immediately reached out to interrupt him.

After a moment's silence, he uttered two words: "Got it!"

(End of this chapter)