Wang Anshi and Xu Xi were both demoted because of the failure of the Northern Expedition, but the demotion was very interesting. They were both located not far from the front line. This also shows the painstaking efforts of Emperor Shenzong of Song. Although Wang Anshi and Xu Xi were demoted, they still valued the two very much and demoted them to the regiment training envoys. Although their official positions were not large, they could recruit troops in the state to defend themselves during the war.

As for whether Song Shenzong could understand the painstaking efforts, it depends on the two of them themselves. Not long after Song Shenzong demoted Wang Anshi and Xu Xi to Qizhou and Yanzhou, the Dongliao Army, temporarily stationed in Puyang, was ready to cross the river. At this time, the Dongliao Army could draw more than 50,000 troops from the main river crossing the river, and the rest were arranged by Yelu Nelugu to defend the city everywhere. The so-called main troops were actually the troops brought out by Yelu Nelugu from Nanjing Road.

In addition to being stupid or not, Yelu Nelugu also recruited many servants. The components of these people were very complicated. Some were surrendered troops of the Song Dynasty, and there were also a large number of bandits, powerful men, and civilians who were forced to be recruited by the Eastern Liao army. The servant army had more than 200,000 people inside and outside. Although this army had a large number, its combat effectiveness was extremely low. It was okay to fight a battle with the wind, but it would immediately collapse once it encountered a tough battle.

In the headquarters of Yelu Nelugu in Puyang, all the middle and senior generals of the Eastern Liao army were gathered together to discuss how to break through the Yellow River defense line of the Song army. Thanks to the repeated reconnaissance of spies, Yelu Nelugu can be said to be well aware of the Yellow River defense line of the Song army. It is precisely because of this that Yelu Nelugu was in trouble, because there were almost no loopholes in the defense line arranged by the Song army this time, and Yelu Nelugu could not think of any better way except for forcing the river to cross the river.

Yelu Nelugu said to everyone: "My generals, according to the information sent back by spies, the Song army arranged 600,000 troops on the south bank of the Yellow River to train day and night, and the Song army also arranged a large number of stone catapults and watchtowers along the Yellow River. Once our army launches rashly, it will be discovered by the Song army immediately. At that time, our army crossing the river will be within the attack range of the enemy's stone catapults. Therefore, if our army wants to break through the Song army's defense line, it can only be carried out at night, especially on dark and windy nights, it is most suitable for forcing the Yellow River to cross."

"I will obey Your Majesty's orders." The generals said in unison.

"Next, I'll arrange the task of crossing the river..." Yelu Nelugu said while bringing the generals to the map, and arranged the tasks for everyone properly.

In fact, the big reason why Yelu Nielugu wanted to cross the Yellow River is forced out by the Song army and Li Liangzuo's Xia army. Now the Song army has arranged 600,000 troops on the south bank of the Yellow River, and is building warships on a large scale, and has also collected a large number of civilian ships from the surrounding area. The Song army commander Wang Shao has only one purpose for this, that is, to prepare for a large-scale counterattack. Once the Song army's warships are built, the Song army's counterattack will begin.

Yelu Nelugu understood that when the 600,000 Song troops on the opposite side would not even use any tactics to counterattack, they would be unable to resist, because the Song army itself was a tactic "man sea tactic". The Song army could rely on the advantage of large numbers of people and press over with the power of thunder. By then, even if Yelu Nelugu's Eastern Liao army had strong combat power, it would be submerged in the boundless sea of ​​people of the Song army. In front of the 600,000 army, the number of troops in Yelu Nelugu's hands could not even be filled with a wave.

In addition to the reasons for the Song army, of course, there are also reasons for the Xia army. At this time, Li Liangzuo's Xia army was still stationed in Zhending Prefecture. Although the Xia army had only 100,000 people, no one knew the terrifying combat effectiveness of the Xia army than Yelu Nelugu. Yelu Nelugu understood that once the Song army launched an attack, Li Liangzuo's Xia army would not miss the opportunity to beat the dogs in the water. At that time, the Xia army only had to advance east along Zhending Prefecture and seize the Hejian Prefecture. The tens of thousands of Eastern Liao troops heading south would be immediately cut off from the way to the north. It would be a matter of time before the Xia and Song armies were attacked from north to south.

However, Yelu Nelugu also understood Li Liangzuo's thoughts. As long as the Eastern Liao army could cross the Yellow River to prove its combat effectiveness to the Xia army, Li Liangzuo would not rashly advance eastward, because Yelu Nelugu understood that Li Liangzuo wanted to further weaken the vitality of the Song army, and only in this way could Yelu Nelugu prove his value; of course, there was a reason why Yelu Nelugu was willing to be used by Li Liangzuo so willingly, that is, Yelu Nelugu needed to obtain enough wealth from the Song Dynasty to prepare for a comeback. Even Yelu Nelugu no longer planned to return to Nanjing, and planned to occupy a piece of territory in the Song Dynasty to continue to maintain his rule.

When the Eastern Liao army was planning to force the crossing of the Yellow River, the Song army's defense line on the south bank of the Yellow River was already on high alert. After inspecting the front line, Zhong Shidao quickly returned to the camp and reported to the Song army commander Wang Shaohui: "Report to the Grand Commander, I will go to the front line for a while and find that the situation is not very good."

Wang Shao warmly greeted his junior and said, "Nephew Zong, don't be anxious, come, come, come, sit down and talk."

After sitting down, Zhong Shidao said to Wang Shao: "Report to the Grand Marshal, when he was patrolling the defense line just now, I found dark clouds everywhere in the north. I am afraid that the Yellow River will fog will rise tonight."

Wang Shao immediately understood the meaning of Zhong Shidao, so he said to Zhong Shidao: "The nephew means that the Eastern Liao army may forcefully cross the river tonight."

Zhong Shidao said: "It is very possible that the Dongliao Army will attack tonight with the heavy fog."

"Where did the Eastern Liao Army think that where would the Eastern Liao Army land?" Wang Shao continued to ask Mr. Zong.

Zhong Shidao shook his head and said, "I don't know about this last general. There is this possibility at any location along the Yellow River."

Although Wang Shao also understood that the Eastern Liao army might launch an attack tonight, without a specific landing location of the Eastern Liao army, Wang Shao could not make a unified deployment. Once the deployment loopholes occur, the entire Yellow River defense line would be in danger. After careful consideration, Wang Shao made a decision and said: "Nephew, I will draw 50,000 troops from the camp and be under your unified command. As a mobile force, I will prepare to deal with emergencies at any time. Once I find that the Eastern Liao army is forced to cross, I will immediately stop it. I will then lead reinforcements to arrive."

"Yes, the last general will take the order." Zhong Shidao took over the military order.

Then Zhong Shidao said: "Report to the Grand Commander, the General of the Mo has a small request. The General of the Mo hopes that the 50,000 troops can choose the troops from the Super General."

Wang Shao smiled and said, "Tell me! What do you want?"

Zhong Shidao said to Wang Shao: "In the end, there will be 30,000 crossbowmen, 10,000 knives and axemen and 10,000 spearmen. In addition, these 30,000 crossbowmen will also be equipped with short blades."

Wang Shao immediately agreed: "Okay, I promised you, but you must also guard the Yellow River defense line with me. If the enemy is killed, military law will be carried out."

Zhong Shidao immediately took over the military order and said, "Yes, the last general will obey the commander's military order."

A great war along the Yellow River is inevitable. This battle is related to the life and death of the Song Dynasty and the Southern Liao Dynasty. The victory of the Song army is the last straw that overwhelms the demise of the Southern Liao Dynasty. The victory of the Eastern Liao army will give the Southern Liao Dynasty a chance to breathe here. Of course, the Song Dynasty may be in danger by then.
Chapter completed!