If Hebei is compared to a game of chess, then Zhuo County in the north and Wei County in the south are the two most important chess eyes. Zhuo County is extremely important in military terms. It is close to Yanshan in the north and faces the vast Hebei Plain. After the Song Dynasty, Youzhou gradually became the political center of the world.

Wei County is mainly the economic center of Hebei. The Wei Ye Plain, including Ji County, has always been the richest place in Hebei. The land is flat and fertile, and the irrigation water source is sufficient. Dozens of rivers of all sizes flow north and west, and the transportation is very convenient. The widest section of the Yongji Canal is in Wei County and Ji County. You can directly enter the Yellow River from the Liyangcang Canal in Ji County.

The superior geographical location makes this place the capital of several dynasties. Until today, it is still the most concentrated place in Hebei. The two counties of Wei County and Ji County live in nearly one million people. The population is large and the agriculture is developed, so Zhang Xuan's eyes gradually began to pay attention to this place.

If Zhang Xuan was backing Qingzhou and fighting for Hebei in the early days, then as the Hebei competition gradually came to an end, Zhang Xuan would have new strategic considerations, expand his army, and fight for the Central Plains and Bingzhou, Wei County was undoubtedly the most suitable place. Pei Ju advised him to set up the General's Army in Wei County.

On the official road south of Anyang County, a cavalry with thousands of people was slowly advancing towards Anyang County along the official road. Here, after resolving the crisis in Hanoi County, Zhang Xuan came directly from Hanoi County to Wei County. Wei Wentong did not come with him. Zhang Xuan temporarily appointed him as the governor of Hanoi County and led his army to garrison Hanoi County. At the same time, he was named General Zhenwu, and was ranked as generals with Luo Shixin, Yuchi Gong and Pei Xingyan.

Du Ruhui was also in the team. He was enthusiastic about the scenery on both sides of the strait along the way. It was completely different from the desolation in central Hebei. After walking for two days, there were endless fields of millet. Countless farmers were busy in the fields. Villages with white walls and black tiles could be seen in the distance. At this time, the corn had turned green and yellow. Although the wheat harvest in summer was not very good, the autumn grain grew well. If there were no accidents, the bumper harvest of autumn grain this year would make up for the poor harvest of summer grain.

Du Ruhui sighed and said, "The harvest scenes like this can be seen everywhere during the Kaihuang period, but now they have become a rare scene. Facing this harvest scene and comparing the withering of the Central Plains, it is really touching."

Zhang Xuan said on the side: "In fact, there are three granaries in the world, one is Guanzhong, one is Bashu, and the other is the southern part of Bingzhou. Unfortunately, they are all occupied by Li Yuan. If I could own one of them, I would not have been exhausted for food. However, the Wei Ji area is also a small granary, which is better than nothing."

"Everywhere in Hebei is full of devastation. I remember that Wei County was also occupied by Lu Mingyue, so why doesn't it look like a war has happened?" Du Ruhui asked in confusion.

"This is a bit hard to describe. In fact, the reason is simple and simple. Because Wei County is the old nest of the Bohai Association. Half of the fertile fields of Wei County and Ji County are occupied by members of the Bohai Association. They are the powerful people in this area. The Bohai Association will never allow chaos here. As for Lu Mingyue, he also wants to establish the capital in Wei County. This is called rabbits not eating grass beside their nests!"

"I see!"

Du Ruhui suddenly realized, and he smiled and asked again: "Since half of the fertile land in these two counties was occupied by the Bohai Association's powerful forces, there may not be much land left for the general."

Zhang Xuan shook his head, "There are too many vacant land in Qingzhou and Hebei. I don't lack land. I just need people and soldiers."

Speaking of this, Zhang Xuan sighed, "This Hanoi County crisis made me deeply feel the pain of insufficient troops."

"The general is going to expand his army, but I think the solution to the problem in Youzhou should be before moving to Wei County!"

Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and said, "You are right. The most urgent thing is to solve Youzhou. As Mr. said yesterday, if Li Jiancheng cannot walk to the south, he will turn to the north. As long as Luo Yi is in Youzhou for a day, they will never give up!"

Soon, the team arrived outside the southern city of Anyang County. Wang Bian, the Wei County Commander, and Xu Shiji, who came from Shanggu County to participate in the defense, led a group of civil and military officials outside the city to welcome Zhang Xuan's arrival. This was also the rule set by Zhang Xuan last year. The distance to greet him should not be more than half a mile. The generals could not leave the military camp, the prefect, and the county magistrates could not leave the county town, mainly to prevent the greeting from being too long and disturbing the people.

Therefore, Wang Bian and Xu Shiji only welcomed Zhang Xuan outside the city. Despite this, thousands of people watching the fun came. Wang Bian had to send a thousand soldiers to maintain order at the city gate. This was just the city gate. If it was to be greeted ten miles away, then the road would be cleared, three steps and one post, five steps and one whistle, and quiet and avoided, which not only prevented the people from walking for a long time, but also wasted too much military strength.

When Zhang Xuan approached, everyone stepped forward and bowed and bowed: "See the Grand Marshal!"

Zhang Xuan turned over and dismounted and said to everyone with a smile: "Everyone has worked hard during this period, but the alarm has not been lifted yet. I have to ask you to continue to maintain a state of combat readiness."

"Please rest assured, the army will not slackew."

Zhang Xuan introduced Du Ruhui to everyone. When everyone heard that this thin young man was Mr. Du, who was dragging Li Jiancheng's army in Hanoi County, and now he served as the chief of the general's record room to join the army, everyone was in awe and came forward to salute Du Ruhui one by one.

Then, Zhang Xuan walked into the city surrounded by everyone. When he walked into the city gate, he asked Wang Bian with concern: "What's the situation in the other side of Yukou Xing?"

Fukou Pass is the fourth pass among the eight passes in Taihang. It is also a valley road leading to Bingzhou in the north of Wei County. The mountains are high and the valley is deep. Due to the vigorous repair of the Northern Qi Dynasty, this valley road that is hundreds of miles long can be used to carry large military supplies. It has great strategic significance. Zhang Xuan had previously ordered Wang Bian to send heavy troops to garrison.

Wang Bian nodded, "Ten days ago, an army of more than a thousand people appeared at the entrance of Gu, but after we were repelled, there was no movement. Bei Zhi released five thousand troops at the entrance of Gu."

Speaking of this, Wang Bian also asked: "General Xu believes that the Tang army will not retreat to Guanzhong, but will continue to go north and open the passage to Hebei from the north. Does the Grand Marshal think it is possible?"

Zhang Xuan had to admire Xu Shiji's gaze. He was not in a hurry to answer, and asked Xu Shiji with a smile: "General Xu thinks the Tang army will go to Jingxing or Feihuxing?"

Xu Shiji had considered this matter a long time ago. He did not hesitate and immediately bowed: "Bizhi thinks it depends on the battle situation between them and Liu Wuzhou. If Liu Wuzhou is strong and cannot be wiped out for the time being, then the Tang army will likely choose Jingxing to break through. After all, they don't have time to waste any more. Of course, they must want to go to Feihu Xing and can directly join forces with Luo Yi. It's just one thing, but reality is another."

Xu Shiji's analysis made Zhang Xuan nod his head secretly. Sure enough, he had a unique vision and a thorough view. He smiled and said, "We can see some of his mentality from Li Yuan's strategic layout. He is almost fighting on two fronts now, sending his second son Li Shimin to attack Xue Ju and Li Gui, and sending his eldest son Li Jiancheng to attack Hebei. My evaluation is only four words, "Enjoy the opportunity to make quick success and instant benefits!" Perhaps it was too easy for him to attack Guanzhong, so we thought that all parts of the world would surrender, so we must hurt Li Yuan in this battle so that he would not dare to enter Hebei again."

"Did the general want to put Li Jiancheng's army into Hebei and beat him up?" Xu Shiji asked.

Zhang Xuan shook his head, "After unifying Hebei, we will take the battlefield to Bingzhou."

"Master, when will we send troops to Bingzhou?"

Everyone was so angry that they were invaded by Li Jiancheng's army. When they heard that they were going to kill Bingzhou, they asked for a fight.
Chapter completed!