The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 527: Soldiers march to Hedong
"The two generals captured the heads of the enemy generals and strengthened the power of our army. I am very pleased!"

Chai Rong laughed heartily and waved to the waiter to bring him drinks.

"Come! I'll give you two a drink!"

Pan Mei and Cao Bin hurriedly knelt down on one knee to express their gratitude. They stood up and turned slightly sideways with their wine glasses in hand. The three of them raised their glasses and drank together!
Cao Bin clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, I am able to kill the enemy general this time, firstly because of Your Majesty's great blessing, and secondly because of Zhu Jun's command and careful deployment. The general only acted in accordance with military orders and did not dare to take credit!"

Pan Mei also said: "The first great contribution must be made by Zhu Jun. If it were someone else, Zhang Yuanhui and Yelu Dilu came to the door. They could chew a piece of meat no matter what! It's a pity that Liu Chong was let go. This guy has a yellow horse under his crotch. He ran fast, and the Khitan people gave him a good horse, just worried that this old guy would not be able to escape back to Taiyuan if his legs were slow!"

Pan Mei shouted, causing everyone in the tent to laugh.

Chai Rong said with a smile: "You two are very kind, and you didn't forget to put in a good word for Zhu Xiu, for fear that I would treat this boy badly."

Pan Mei said hey: "Zhu Jun made a brilliant plan and gave us two a great achievement for nothing. Of course we have to repay him in return, so as not to be resented by him. If good things happen in the future, he will not miss us!"

Pan Mei deliberately teased: "Your Majesty also knows that Zhu Jun's temperament is not very good. If you offend him, you will inevitably face difficulties!"

Zhu Xiuda rolled his eyes. The more he talked, the more excited he became.

Chai Rong laughed loudly, pointed at Zhu Xiu and said, "Did you hear that? Everyone knows that you are a bit narrow-minded!"

Zhu Xiu looked innocent: "Your Majesty has wronged me. I have always been cautious and kind to others, and I never take the initiative to cause trouble!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Kuangyin and others standing near the entrance of the imperial tent rolled their eyes.

Han Chongyun couldn't help but spat and cursed in a low voice: "You stink and are shameless!"

In their opinion, Zhu Xiu only said half of what he said. The other half was that once he was provoked, this guy would be like a leech and would never let go until he was full of blood!

Han Chongyun had the deepest experience of this. When he kicked Zhu Xiu in the butt, he was instigated by this guy to beat him up twice in the street. He was repeatedly demoted and found it difficult to lead the army in front of the palace.

If Zhao Kuangyin hadn't helped him in time, he would have been expelled from the Forbidden Army long ago.

After laughing, Chai Rong specially ordered people to move to Mazha, let Pan Mei and Cao Bin take their seats, they were ranked behind Zhu Xiu, and far ahead of Zhao Kuangyin and others crowded at the entrance of the imperial tent, to show that they had done meritorious service to them Commendation.

After thinking about it for a moment, Chai Rong glanced at Zhu Xiu and said in a deep voice: "Since I and you led the army into Zelu, our army has been invincible at every turn. In the Battle of Bagongyuan, we defeated the Northern Han soldiers. Jiangzhuling, The ambush at Diaohuang Ridge was successful, the enemy generals were beheaded, and they were defeated repeatedly. All thanks to the concerted efforts of the three armies, and the soldiers' lives, which raised the prestige of our army and made the Northern Han bandits and Khitan barbarians dare not underestimate me, the Great Zhou Dynasty!"

Everyone in the tent couldn't help but straighten their spines and hold their heads high, feeling great honor from His Majesty the Emperor's words.

Chai Rong looked around at the generals, "Therefore, I am determined to send troops to Taiyuan, pursue the victory and destroy the Northern Han Dynasty in one go!"

The generals had long guessed about this, but when Chai Rong said the decision himself, everyone still looked at each other in blank dismay.

Most people felt that it was not easy to win a big victory this time when troops were hastily sent to resist the Northern Han Dynasty Khitan coalition's southern invasion. Moreover, thanks to Zhu Xiu's clever plan, he killed Zhang Yuanhui and Yelu Di in Jiangzhuling and Diaohuangling. Lu, the results obtained have been extremely brilliant, we can just stop when we are good, there is no need to counterattack Taiyuan.

After all, from the preparation of troops and horses to the transportation of grain and grass, the Zhou army was not ready to attack and destroy the Northern Han Dynasty.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Chai Rong glared at Zhu Xiu and coughed dryly: "Zhu Xiu, you and Liu Ci, the old generals, are in charge of the rear army and escorting the grain and grass. Tell me, how much grain is left in the army?"

Zhu Xiu was helpless. Chai Rong wanted him to sing the double act to strengthen the soldiers' confidence in the Northern Expedition.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Xiu said honestly: "According to statistics, the existing food is enough to feed my [-]-strong army for a month."

Before he could finish speaking, Chai Rong immediately said: "One month is enough for our army to advance to the gates of Taiyuan City! I have confidence in our Zhou soldiers! I don't know if you are confident that you will follow me to completely win this battle to destroy the country?"

The emperor asked, who dares to say that he has no confidence? Li Chongjin was the first to stand up and said: "Our army's morale is at its peak, and one month is enough to destroy the Northern Han Dynasty!"

Shi Yanchao followed closely and said: "I am willing to lead an army as the vanguard, open the road to Taiyuan, and welcome the arrival of His Majesty's Majesty!"

Li Chongjin glared and said, "I'm telling you, General Shi, it's unethical for you to grab credit like this! I spoke first, so of course I will be the vanguard!"

Shi Yanchao snorted coldly: "General Mo will fight countless fierce battles in his life. Going to Taiyuan is unpredictable, so it's better to let Mo General be the vanguard and Duke Li help behind!"

Li Chongjin was very angry, clenched his fists and said, "You can fight evil, but I can't?"

Shi Yanchao's eyes were wide open and his tiger-backed appearance was really scary, but Li Zhongjin was also a fool who would take the easy way out but not the hard way. The two of them glared at each other and refused to give in.

Since the beginning of the war, Gao Huaide, who has not shown much prominence, is also a little restless and wants to compete to be the vanguard.

As soon as he opened his mouth, Xiang Xun, Zhao Kuangyin, Cao Han, and Cao Bin all expressed their intention to be the vanguard. In the end, even Pan Mei and Zhang Yongde also started shouting.

A scene of turbulent emotions and high fighting spirit was staged in the imperial tent. Chai Rong was very excited and felt that the general was united and his morale was ready!

Liu Ci, the old general beside Zhu Xiu, whispered: "Why don't you persuade Your Majesty to return to the court? Even if we can reach Taiyuan City in one month, what if we can't break the city and our army is short of food and grass?"

Zhu Xiu smiled bitterly and said: "I have said everything that needs to be said, but your Majesty doesn't listen, so what? Your Majesty has made up his mind, and it is difficult to change it."

"Alas~" Liu Ci sighed, his cloudy old eyes full of worry.

If Taiyuan City cannot be defeated, everything done by Zhou Jun's Northern Expedition will be in vain.

But is Taiyuan City easy to fight?That is one of the most powerful cities in the world.

Chai Rong stood up in a hurry, his shining eyes sweeping over his body one by one.

"In accordance with my decree, I ordered Tianxiong Army Jiedushi and Wei Wang Fu Yanqing to deploy the camp capital in Hedong and inform Taiyuan of government affairs. I sent Chanzhou Jiedushi Guo Chong as deputy deployment to send troops from Cizhou and marched through Junji Pass to attack Liao. state!
He ordered Wang Yanchao, the military governor of Hezhong, and Han Tong, the military governor of Shaanzhou, to leave the Yin Di Pass and advance to Fenzhou!
Li Chongjin was appointed as the governor of the camp, and Xiang Xun, the envoy of Xuanhui Nanyuan, was appointed as the military commander of the camp;

Shi Yanchao was the commander of the vanguard capital, leading [-] infantry and cavalry to set off first and rushed to Liaozhou to join Fu Yanqing's troops;

Liu Ci is the commander of the accompanying troops, Zhang Yongde and Zhu Xiu are the deputy commanders, and Bai Chongzan is the commander of the accompanying troops, Yuhou, leading the troops to protect the people around him!
Zhao Kuangyin was promoted to Yu Hou in front of the palace, and led as the governor of Yanzhou. He followed him and listened to his instructions! "

At the back of the imperial tent, Zhao Kuangyin strode forward, knelt down heavily, and the armor leaves on his body jingled: "My minister, Zhao Kuangyin, swears to die to repay your kindness!"

His lowered eyes shone with a burning light. This promotion step was crucial. From then on, he would officially enter the ranks of senior generals of the Great Zhou Forbidden Army!
Chai Rong smiled and managed a few words to get him to stand up.

Zhu Xiu glanced at Zhao Kuangyin. Everyone behind him, including Ma Renyu, Han Chongyun, Zhang Qiong, Yang Xin and others, were all excited.

Zhao Da, after all, sat in the position of a senior general of the pro-army army in front of the palace.

After a pause, Chai Rong looked at Pan Mei and Cao Bin and said with a smile: "Pan Mei was promoted to the commander of the right wing of the Tiger Wing Army and appointed as the commander of the vanguard infantry. He followed Shi Yanchao to lead the army first!

Cao Bin gave the title of eldest son to the Duke of County, who will serve as his chariot and servant! "

Pan Mei happily clasped her fists and shouted loudly, "Thank you, General!"

Cao Bin's eyebrows moved slightly, and it was obvious that he was trying his best to suppress the excitement in his heart, "Your Majesty, Cao Bin, thanks you for your great kindness!"

He also glanced at Zhu Xiu gratefully. Without the contribution of Diaohuangling in killing Yelu Dilu, he would not have been able to obtain the title of county duke all at once.

Zhu Xiu nodded with a smile. Cao Bin was a young and mature guy who had always kept his emotions and anger secret. This time he had accomplished great feats by killing the Khitan general and was directly awarded the title of County Duke, which made him feel joyful and excited.

Pan Mei and Cao Bin became the first two people to be rewarded and promoted after the Battle of Bagongyuan.

Chai Rong solemnly shouted: "I hope you will continue to work hard. I look forward to seeing you all at the gate of Taiyuan City!"

Everyone shouted in unison: "Send troops to the east of the river and wipe out Liu's thieves!" After the imperial military meeting, several edicts were sent to Cizhou and Jinzhou by Wude Inspector.

On the Luzhou side, Shi Yanchao's vanguard army stepped up its mobilization and set off northward soon.

As Zhu Xiu expected, Chai Rong did not punish Li Jun and ordered him to stay in Luzhou to appease the people's livelihood and reorganize the military.

The military goal of attacking Hedong was set, and the soldiers also initially formed a unified thinking. According to the deployment, the Zhou army would advance to Taiyuan City within a month.

This day Zhu Xiu packed up his luggage and was going to look for Shi Yanchao and Pan Mei in the vanguard army. He bumped into Zhao Kuangyin and his party at the gate of Daying.

"I've seen Zhao Du Yuhou!" Zhu Xiu laughed and got off his horse.

Zhao Kuangyin also jumped from his horse and landed. Everyone behind him dismounted to greet him, but Han Chongyun turned his head and ignored him. Yang Xin and Zhang Qiong dragged him to the ground.

Zhao Kuangyin laughed and said: "Brother Xian deliberately made fun of Brother Yu. You and I don't use these false politenesses in private!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Brother Zhao has become a general in front of the palace. Don't forget to prepare a banquet for guests when you return to Kaifeng!"

Zhao Kuangyin said cheerfully: "It's easy to talk about! I will hold a banquet at home when the time comes, and our brothers will get drunk and then rest!"

Ma Renyu interjected: "The Duke of Zhu County has made great contributions to the plan. He will definitely be rewarded when he returns to Kaifeng, and he should be treated as well!"

Zhu Xiu looked like he was scratching his head and shook his head and said: "How dare you compare with Brother Zhao for your small achievements! Brother Renyu is unkind and wants to help Brother Zhao make my family poor!"

Ma Renyu burst into laughter, and Zhao Kuangyin laughed and scolded: "Who in Kaifeng doesn't know that your family is well-off, yet you still dare to pretend to be poor and cry about poverty?"

Zhu Xiu shook his head like a rattle and sighed: "It has been difficult to do business in recent years. I have suffered serious losses, so I have to be a pawnbroker."

After joking for a while, Zhao Kuangyin said: "Honestly, do you think the army's food and grass are really enough for one month?"

Zhu Xiudao: "Military aircraft are important, so it's true!"

Zhao Kuangyin thought about it: "One month, no more, no less. If the war goes well, it is possible to hit the city of Taiyuan."

Zhu Xiu curled his lips and said, "Did Brother Zhao forget the Khitans? They will not just wait for the Zhou army to destroy the Han."

Zhao Kuangyin frowned: "Yes, the Khitans are indeed troublesome. Once they intervene, there will be many variables."

Seeing that there were no outsiders around, Zhao Kuangyin put his arms around Zhu Xiu's shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother, in your opinion, if the Khitan people rush to help the Northern Han, which way should they go?"

Zhu Xiudao: "It goes without saying that once the Zhou army goes north, Liu Chong will definitely let go of Yanmen Pass and invite the Khitan people to go south, pass Daizhou and enter Xinkou, and go to Yangqu to aid Taiyuan!"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled and said, "Are you really so sure?"

Zhu Xiu pouted, "Nine times out of ten!"

Zhao Kuangyin laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "Brother Yu has the same guess!"

Zhao Kuangyin was slightly taller than Zhu Xiu. Zhu Xiu glanced at him and said, "Why, brother Zhao is so hungry that he wants to request an order to go to war?"

Zhao Kuangyin geared up: "If the Khitans come, they will have to know how to do anything! Saying that Yelu Dilu is dead, I don't know who the Khitans will send to lead the army to rescue the Northern Han Dynasty."

Zhu Xiu spread his hands: "Brother, don't expect me to guess this! King Yelv Tallie of the Khitan South Academy is not an ordinary person. He has many powerful generals under his command. He can send anyone to fight! Even Yelu Talie personally leads the army. It’s not surprising to go south!”

Zhao Kuangyin was startled, "To save Liu Chong, the King of the South Court personally commanded the troops, isn't it impossible?"

"I can't say for sure. Anyway, I think the Northern Han Dynasty is easy to fight, Taiyuan City is difficult to break, and the Khitans are even harder to deal with!" Zhu Xiu said seriously.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded thoughtfully.

Zhu Xiu led his horse and prepared to enter the camp. He glanced at Han Chongyun and suddenly said with a smile: "I remember someone said before that if Pan Mei and Cao Bin successfully ambush, they would be willing to chop off their heads and give me a chamber pot! I'm not good at beheading. I wonder who can help? I happen to be short of a chamber pot in my tent."

Han Chongyun's face was as pale as pig liver, his teeth clenched loudly, and he glared at him with hatred in his eyes.

Zhang Qiong and Yang Xin looked at Zhao Kuangyin helplessly with wry smiles on their faces.

"Brother, please don't take your words seriously!" Zhao Kuangyin could only make peace with a wry smile. He couldn't really let Zhu Xiu chop off Han Chongyun's head.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said seriously: "Brother Zhao is naturally admirable for his character and ability. Zhang Dutou and Yang Dutou are also heroes, not to mention Brother Renyu. Even His Majesty praised him personally.

It's just that some people are not very capable and have a bad tone. They don't know how to behave with their tail between their legs when they are under the influence of others. They have to be embarrassed at every turn! "

Han Chongyun was so angry that blood rushed to the top of his head. He clenched his old fist and was about to rush forward to teach Zhu Xiu a lesson, but Zhang Qiong and Yang Xin held him down.

Zhu Xiu glanced at him contemptuously, and that look made Han Chongyun furious.

Zhao Kuangyin said helplessly: "The wise brother is showing mercy, just to show off to the foolish brother."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Brother Zhao opens his mouth, how can I not obey? But I have spoken first. If anyone dares to make bold remarks to provoke me in the future, I will definitely not let him go!"

After all, even His Majesty knows that I am not very popular. Anyone who dares to provoke me must be taught how to be powerful! "

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly, cupped his fists and said thank you.

Zhu Xiu ignored Han Chongyun and smiled at Ma Renyu: "Thank you very much, Brother Renyu, for speaking up for me! Return to Kaifeng and serve as my host. I hope Brother Renyu will reward you!"

Ma Renyu was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly cupped his fists and said, "Mr. Zhu is so polite."

Zhu Xiu bowed to Zhang Qiong and Yang Xin again, and led the horse into the camp.

Ma Renyu looked confused and didn't understand why Zhu Xiu wanted to thank him in person, and also said that he would treat him to a banquet and wine when he returned to Kaifeng.

Han Chongyun broke away from the two, and shouted angrily: "Ma Renyu, why did you tell Zhu Xiu what you and I said in private?"

Ma Renyu frowned and said, "What do you mean? What did I say to County Duke Zhu?"

Han Chongyun was furious: "You understand in your heart! Otherwise, how could that kid say such things?"

Ma Renyu looked at him coldly: "Do you suspect that I revealed your private insults to Zhu Xiu?"

Han Chongyun gritted his teeth and said with a fierce look on his face: "What, do you dare to do it but not admit it?"

Ma Renyu sneered and turned away: "Unreasonable!"

Han Chongyun wanted to catch up and curse, but Zhao Kuangyin shouted angrily: "That's enough! Shut up!"

Zhang Qiong and Yang Xin looked at each other helplessly. Now, the rift between Ma Renyu and Han Chongyun would be difficult to repair.

Zhao Kuangyin's thick eyebrows tightened, and he took a deep look at the direction Zhu Xiu left, his face gradually darkened.

(End of this chapter)