Chapter 317: Don’t read too much about military tactics, it’s useless
"Zhe Keqiu was originally a general of the Song Dynasty. He surrendered to the Jin Kingdom not long ago. It is convincing to say that he collaborated with the enemy, but he has nearly 10,000 troops and is connected to three states. So don't make this public first. Since he is the commander-in-chief, we should wait for the commander-in-chief to deal with him."

"I can spare it."

"Oh, right." Xi Shi changed the subject and suddenly asked curiously, "I heard that you dug a grave outside the city today and made a lot of noise. Why?"

"Hey, General, you don't know. Whose grave do you think that is?"

"who?"

"Yang Chang's brother in Liangshan, I think his name is Little Overlord Zhou Tong. I just happened to pass by yesterday when I came back. You said that there was such important information, but the garrison commander didn't report it before. It's ridiculous! He dug him up in a rage."

Seeing Yidu's indignation, Xishi disagreed and asked, "Xinzhou is a small place with few people. It is just a transit point. No one paid attention to it before. Besides, the people are already dead. What can you do by digging up the graves? Are you going to exchange the bones for hostages?"

"General, you may not know that this is a Han Chinese plan that kills three birds with one stone."

"Three birds with one stone? What are the three birds? Tell me about them."

Xi Shi finished the question with a blank expression. He thought to himself, "We are a nation that conquered the world on horseback. When faced with difficulties, we bravely move forward and fight with strength and will. When did we degenerate to the point of playing tricks? Isn't this the same as the weak Song Dynasty?"
Yidu was not ashamed, but raised three fingers and said mysteriously: "One is to whip the corpse to vent anger, the second is to lure out the traitor, and the third is to irritate Yang Chang."

"What?" Xi Shi was surprised, but he didn't fully understand, so he held Yidu's hand and asked solemnly: "I understand that whipping the corpse to vent anger, but what is the meaning of bringing out the traitor and angering Yang Chang?"

"The talents that Yang Chang used were mainly from Liangshan before, that is, his companions when he was a thief. Zhou Tong was the only general under his command who died in battle. He was of great significance to Yang Chang and other Liangshan people. Digging up the grave and whipping the corpse would surely anger them, and then lead their troops to attack Xiurong."

"Wait, aren't you sure you're not sick? Yang Chang just captured Shiling Pass, and the morale of our army's soldiers is low. You took the initiative to lead them to Xiurong? What kind of traitor did this lead to? If Zhe Keqiu really has a problem, aren't you and I just waiting to die?"

"Don't worry, General."

Yidu waved his hands fiercely and explained in a serious tone, "First of all, I'm not sure who the traitor is. Since it is initially confirmed to be Zhe Keqiu, we can take precautions in secret. Secondly, deliberately luring Yang Chang to Xiurong is not for the sake of seeking punishment, but a strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain. If we disperse Yang Chang's current troops, won't we be able to defeat them one by one?"

Xi Shi did not comment, and murmured in response: "It sounds like that, but I'm afraid it won't work if you actually encounter it. Yang Chang is a very evil person. You should learn less Chinese military tactics, it's useless."

"Uh yes."

"I will write a military letter right away, but since you have provoked Yang Chang, you must work with me to guard Xiurong. No matter how difficult it is, we must wait for reinforcements from the rear. Got it?"

"If you lose your beauty, you can ask me for it."

Yidu spoke in a sonorous voice and bowed solemnly after he finished speaking.

The study room was about to send him away, but then immediately stopped him and told him, "Go and invite Zhe Keqiu over, and be careful not to let anything slip."

"General, are you going to take direct action?"

"Hit him directly? I'm asking for trouble?" Xi Shi had a speechless expression on his face, shook his head and replied: "I told you that he has to be dealt with by the Capital Marshal. I'm looking for him now because I have other things to do."

"Oh"

"Let me make it clearer. If Yang Changzhen is enraged and leads his troops to attack, Zhe Keqiu will be a threat if he stays in Xiurong. So I want him to go to guard Dingxiang. There are only a little over 2,000 soldiers guarding there, so we need to transfer a troop there as well."

"Dingxiang? Aren't you afraid that Dingxiang will be lost?" Yidu's eyes were as big as cow's.

Looking at that not-so-bright face, which was now filled with curiosity and confusion, Xi Shi thought to himself, with just this little brain of yours, how dare you play tricks on the Han people?
"Aren't you trying to lure the tiger away from the mountain? I am also trying to lure the tiger away from the mountain, and we are not afraid of losing Dingxiang."

"Why?"

"Because Dingxiang is farther away than Xiurong, Yang Chang will have to send troops to garrison after he takes it. Whether he stays in Dingxiang himself or sends a general to guard it, when the reinforcements arrive from the rear, he can eat up the troops of Dingxiang in one fell swoop. Of course, I would rather Yang Chang stay behind, so that the Marshal can directly seize Shiling Pass and then close the gate and beat the dog!"

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Yidu couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration. He now finally understood that although they both held the same military rank, Xi Shi would surpass him and become the chief general. Could it be that his brain was better than mine?
Zhe Keqiu surrendered to the Jin Dynasty only recently, and he was not as thick-skinned as the "old fox" Yelu Yudu. He "did not help" Xiurong and felt guilty all the time.

So when Xi Shi made the request, Zhe Keqiu agreed readily and led his troops to Dingxiang overnight.

On the morning of August 17, the Zhe family army had moved to Dingxiang without any setbacks along the way.

Just as Xi Shi was rejoicing over the elimination of potential enemies, Yidu came in excitedly to report that Yang Changjin had led his troops northward through Shiling Pass with a force of about 20,000 men.

"It seems that Yang Chang is really angry. He actually came to attack Xiurong so quickly. Do you have the confidence to hold on?"

"What are you talking about, General?"

Yidu grinned and responded contemptuously, "There are only 20,000 men. Counting the forces of Yelu Yudu and Yelu Yutushan, Xiurong's total force is close to 40,000. The enemy is twice as many as the defenders, and Yang Chang is in such a hurry that he has no time to prepare siege equipment. I am sure to win, okay?"

"A sure win?"

As soon as Xi Shi raised his doubts, he felt a sharp pain in his right eye, so he rubbed his temple to relieve the pain, and then reminded him earnestly: "The 50,000 defenders of Shiling Pass were lost overnight. Who said that Commander Yang didn't have siege equipment? This guy likes to use artillery shells to attack the city the most. How dare you be so optimistic?"

"Ah this."

Yidu was embarrassed by the question, and it took him a while to organize his words and defend himself: "The failure at Shiling Pass was due to Zhe Keqiu's collusion with the enemy. Now that he has been transferred to Dingxiang, the biggest threat has been eliminated. As for the artillery shells you are worried about, I guess Yang Changding was not well prepared, otherwise he would have used them at the beginning instead of trying to persuade him to surrender or challenge him to a fight."

"There is some truth in this, but Yang Chang is not an ordinary person, and we must not neglect it."

"General, don't worry. I will definitely avenge my previous humiliation this time!"

Seeing Yidu patting his chest to assure him, Xishi nodded in satisfaction and said, "You have confidence, which is a good thing. I am still seriously injured and need you to take care of the city defense. Go back to the front line to deploy. Remember to report any abnormality as soon as you find it."

"Ah."

Yidu left his study and residence and went straight to the lobby of the provincial government office, where the generals of various armies were already waiting.

After a brief briefing, Yidu quickly assigned the task of defending the city. He took over Xishi's command of the central army. Yelu Yudu and Yelu Tushan guarded the east and west respectively, and Qianhu Guolu and Qianhu Atiji guarded the north and south respectively.

Of course, Yelu Yudu and Yelu Tushan had high military ranks and were actually on par with Wanyan Xishi. Guolu and Atiji, the two thousand households, were not qualified to be assigned the same tasks. However, the two Yelu were in the Xishi defense zone at the time, and according to Jin people's custom, they had to cooperate with the requirements of the local commander.

This is similar to the periods of the Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties. Considering the unclear authority of generals or local officials of the same level, the court would grant them the title of "Chijie" or "Jiejie" to enhance regional authority. However, this authority was only a formality during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and was completely abandoned in the Song Dynasty.

Although Xishi chose Zhe Keqiu, Yidu's excavation of graves and whipping of corpses did not lead out the traitor, so the two Yelu remained suspicious. He sat in the central army to observe secretly.

At about noon, Yang Changbing arrived at Xiurong City to challenge him, and specifically asked to see the person who dug the grave and whipped the corpse.

The defending general Guo Lu did not dare to delay and immediately sent someone to report to Yidu for decision. Yidu summed up the previous experience in Xishi and replied that he would not pay any attention to the people who came if they did not come out. He planned to wear down Yang Chang's morale first. He thought he was sitting on the mountain of Tai, but someone from the east gate soon came to report the news.

This time, Yi couldn't sit still.

Although he rushed to the east gate as fast as he could, he could only see the afterimage of the mighty army going away.

After staring at the afterimages for a long time, Yidu asked Yelu Yudu, "This army is not small in number. I wonder if the general has done any statistics? Can you give me a number?"

"About fifteen thousand."

"How many?"

"Fifteen thousand!"

After Yelu Yudu repeated himself, he returned to the tower on the city wall to rest and did not continue to accompany Yidu.

Yi Du stood there in a daze for a long time before he showed a delighted expression. He thought that Yang Chang had only sent out 20,000 troops, and if most of them were sent to attack Dingxiang, wouldn't that be the same as Xi Shi's idea?

It is said that Yang Chang was cunning and treacherous, and his use of troops was often unexpected. Now it seems that he is also a fool. Xiurong only has a few thousand enemies left. What is the difference between staying and dying?

Tsk tsk, I deserve the credit.

Thinking of this, Yidu found Yelu Yudu excitedly and said, "According to my analysis, Yang Chang is greedy for merit and rushes in to attack Dingxiang. Regardless of whether Zhe Keqiu can hold it or not, the thousands of Xiurong people will be our meal. General Yudu must do his best at that time."

"Deputy General Yi wants to take the initiative to attack?"

"Captain Yang made a mistake in his deployment of troops. How can I not seize the opportunity?"

"Mistake in the use of troops? Do you think he did it on purpose? He just wanted to lure you into battle."

Yelu Yudu didn't want to remind him, but this idiot was trying to persuade him to leave the city as well, so he had no choice but to protect himself.

Yidu was really shocked by these words. After a long while, he responded with gratitude: "It has to be you. Those 15,000 people might come back to fight. If it weren't for General Yu Du's timely reminder, I would have almost been fooled by the traitor."

"It's nothing special. I just lost a lot of battles and gained experience from failure."

"You are too modest. Your team always has the lowest casualties in every battle, which shows that you are indeed cautious."

"Uh"

Yelu Yu was embarrassed after hearing this, thinking, what's the difference between praising someone and scolding someone? So he added, "Nothing is absolute in the world. The troops that just left may also go to Dingxiang. Deputy General Yi had better go to the South Gate to ask where Commander Yang is now. If he is with a large group of troops, they will definitely go to Dingxiang."

"What if he is with Xiurong?" Yidu asked with a frown.

"It's hard to say. Maybe they are trying to divert the enemy's attention, or maybe they are trying to block reinforcements?"

"Makes sense."

Yidu nodded and said, "You are worthy of being a general of the Liao Kingdom. Your analysis is very reasonable. I will go to the South Gate now. Goodbye."

"No delivery."

Yelu Yudu said this, but he didn't think so in his heart.

If Yang Chang went to Dingxiang, he would not have any pressure in his heart. If Yang Chang was really in Xiurong at this time, he would have to use various means to cooperate in breaking the city and also have to find a way to retreat safely.

It’s really annoying and difficult.

After Yidu left, Yelu Yudu also sent his general Xie Jianu to follow him to the South Gate, under the pretext of confirming his guess.

Finally, good news came. The man who challenged and shouted outside the South Gate was Liu Tang with cinnabar on his face, although he also rode a white horse. This meant that the army outside the city was a suspected force.

That afternoon, except for the cavalry patrolling outside the city, everything was peaceful until evening.

Yelu Yudu felt reassured and relaxed both physically and mentally. After deploying the defense of the East Gate at night, he was ready to go home and rest, but an uninvited guest came to the garrison.

"Brother Tushan? How come you have time to come here?"

"I was sent to be a city gate officer with nothing to do. After dinner, I took a walk and ended up in your territory, so I came to say hello to you."

"I see."

Yelu Tushan said it easily, but Yelu Yudu didn't believe it at all, so he responded very cautiously. Seeing that he was as slippery as a loach, Tushan said frankly with a smile: "To be honest, brother, I have been commanding troops in Liao for many years, and I have never seen Yang Chang use troops like this, so I am unsure."

"Brother Tushan, don't be nervous. Just guard your own city gate and don't worry about other things."

"How can I not think about it? Although I have seldom fought with Yang Chang, every battle left a deep impression on me. I didn't understand it today, so I guess it's another trick. Brother, you are a cautious person, and you can always get out of danger. Can you teach me your experience?"

"Uh"

Yelu Yudu stood there in shock, wiping his beard left and right, shaking his head and laughing, "It's nothing else, just eight words, 'Fight according to your ability, and flee when you are defeated'."

"I'll teach you. Goodbye."

Seeing Yelu Tushan leave happily, Yelu Yudu shook his head slightly with a bitter face, thinking that all experience was false, and only by making friends with the opponent could he guarantee absolute safety.

"Puda, go and prepare the horses. I want to go back."

"Pu Da?"

Yelu Yudu followed closely behind and called out to the captain of the guards outside the door to prepare the horses, but received no response.

What about people?

He walked to the door to look, and suddenly heard a faint sound of wind by his ear. He looked closely at the source of the wind, and heard a familiar voice in the darkness.

"Your man is in the way. I'll let him get some sleep."

"It's you."

"Come into the house and talk."

"it is good"

Yelu Yudu had just closed the door and turned around to see Yang Chang sitting in his seat. He was shocked beyond words.

With such ghostly skills, assassination is so easy.

"When did you come?"

"Just now."

"Which door should I go through?"

"East Gate."

Yelu Yu's eyes widened in disbelief as he asked, "The East Gate has been closed, how did you..."

"Jumped up."

"Don't be so funny, Commander. The wall of Xiurong is 25 feet high. Who can jump that high?"

"Twenty-five feet is very high? It seems even lower than Yangqu?"

As soon as Yang Chang finished speaking, Yelu Yudu was shocked again, thinking, is he joking? Is this something a human can do?
No, his name is Guangming Tianzun, maybe he is not an ordinary person.

"You Today"

"I want to capture Xiurong and give you a chance to show off. Of course, I have the ability to come and go freely, so I don't need an insider at all. But we are allies after all, and I'm afraid that if we don't communicate, we might accidentally hurt the general."

"Thank you, Commander, but I don't have time to prepare it tonight."

Seeing Yelu Yudu bowing, Yang Chang nodded with a look of satisfaction and said, "Speed ​​is of the essence in war. You have one day."

(End of this chapter)