Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 742

Meanwhile, Tong Guan met Su Yi, the "Peach Blossom Gentleman," in Hejian City. After learning of Su Yi's purpose, Tong Guan asked in surprise, "Your small detachment actually captured Dacheng County in Bazhou, killed the garrison commanders Aliqi and Chu Mingyu, and then attacked Mozhou, killing Yelü Guozhen and Yelü Guobao, the Liao emperor's nephews who were guarding Renqiu?"

Su Yi said, “Reporting to the Grand Chancellor, that is exactly right. Apart from the group led by Commander Shi Wengong attacking Mozhou, we will join forces with General Wang Bing in Qingzhou to first capture Dacheng County, and then split into two groups. The other group, led by Commander Zhang Qing, the Featherless Arrow, will invade Bazhou.”

"When I arrived, I had not heard anything about how Commander Zhang Qing's journey had gone?"

Upon hearing this, General Feng Mei said, "These two, Aliqi and Chu Mingyu, were extremely skilled in martial arts, yet they were killed by Shi Wengong and Zhang Qing, who were both commanders?"

Su Yi heard Feng Mei's apparent disbelief and said, "General Shi Wengong's martial arts skills are among the best in Liang. He is currently the commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and often accompanies the king."

"General, you may not have heard of Commander Shi Wengong. Lin Chong, the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, once said that he was no match for Commander Shi."

Feng Mei gasped: "[Leopard Head] Lin Chong is no match for him?"

Tong Guandao said, "In that case, do you all think we should send troops to [Shucheng]?"

Liu Guangshi quickly said, "No."

Seeing everyone looking at him, Liu Guangshi explained, "Prime Minister, our Imperial Guards have suffered repeated defeats. At Shucheng, Wang Weizhong was only able to hold off the Liao army thanks to the fortified city. We set off from Hejian City, and we will inevitably have to fight the Liao army in the open field. Now that morale is low, I'm afraid that if we encounter the enemy in the open field, our soldiers will not dare to fight. If that happens, the army will collapse, and we will suffer heavy casualties in the open field."

Tong Guan's face darkened upon hearing this, but he knew that Liu Guangshi was telling the truth.

After thinking for a moment, Tong Guan said, "General Su, you should return to Renqiu City and have General Shi prepare to intercept the fleeing soldiers."

"In a day or two, my son-in-law will bring troops to our aid. We should be able to defeat Minister Bo Jin in one battle. At that time, I will also mobilize all the troops of Hejian City and march north with the Liang King's army."

Su Yi nodded upon hearing this and was about to take his leave when he heard someone outside shout, "Report! Great victory at Shucheng..."

The shouts of the victorious soldiers reached the yamen, and Tong Guan ordered his men to lead the messenger into the yamen.

The visitor knelt down, presented the document with both hands, and exclaimed, "Prime Minister, a great victory has been achieved at Shucheng!"

Tong Guan quickly skimmed through the victory report and laughed, "General Su, it seems you don't need to rush back. The vanguard of the Liang army has arrived at Shucheng and killed Dongxian Attendant Bojin and his two generals, Yao'er Weikang and Cao Mingji, in one battle. Ten thousand Liao soldiers were almost completely wiped out."

"Are the commanders Wang Tianba, the 'Sai Cunxiao,' and Tang Bin, the 'Mountain-Pulling Warrior,' respectively?"

Tong Guan looked at the messenger kneeling below the steps and said, "Get up and tell me in detail what happened in [Shucheng]."

Upon hearing this, the messenger first bowed in thanks, then stood up and addressed the crowd.

"It's not these two people."

"At dawn today, a force of troops attacked [Shucheng]. At first, we thought it was Liao reinforcements, but unexpectedly, this force actually formed ranks and charged towards the Liao army."

“A fat monk named Lu Zhishen, also known as the Flower Monk, challenged Cao Mingji to battle and killed him with a single blow of his staff. Yao'er Weikang, who came to his aid, was also knocked off his horse and killed with a single blow.”

"The Liao army's main formation was thrown into turmoil, and Commander Lu led his troops in a charge. In the midst of the fighting, two hundred chariots emerged from behind the Liao army, led by a man dressed as a Taoist priest. It was later said that this man was named 'Tiger-Taming Tai Sui' Wu Song. The chariots sped forward, cannons, bows, and crossbows firing in unison, with spears and grappling hooks working in tandem, instantly shattering the Liao army's formation." "The Immortal Attendant was also killed in the battle, and the Liao army suffered a crushing defeat. The chariot soldiers pursued for two hours, capturing two thousand warhorses and three thousand Liao soldiers, killing nearly six thousand."

Commander Wang Weizhong led us out of the city to assist in the battle.

Immediately afterwards, he sent a messenger to [Hejian City] to report the victory.

Su Yi said, "So it was the Wuwei Camp and the Chariot Army."

Liu Guangshi asked, "These two battalions must be the elite troops of the Liang Kingdom, right?"

Su Yi nodded, "Those who can join the Imperial Guard are all brave and valiant."

"The [Mighty Camp] is also an elite force stationed in the Liangshan County Imperial Guard Camp, and the [Chariot Army] is rarely mobilized by the King. He must have heard from [Divine Steed] Ma Ling that the Chancellor was in danger, which is why he sent the [Chariot Army] with eight thousand [Mighty Camp] soldiers to come to the rescue first."

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan laughed loudly, "It seems the Liao army is nothing special. The King of Liang's troops not only recaptured Mozhou, but also killed seven Liao generals. Recapturing Xiongzhou and Baoding Army is not far off."

"Leave two thousand troops to garrison [Hejian City], and send the rest of the troops out of the city. Liu Guangshi, you will lead five thousand troops to escort the grain supplies to [Renqiu]. Feng Mei and I will raise an army of forty thousand and head to [Shucheng] to join forces with the King of Liang. The main army will pass through Mozhou, march on Xiongzhou, and reclaim the lost territory."

Tong Guan issued a military order, and the soldiers in the city were greatly encouraged after hearing the news of the defeat of the Liao army.

The army quickly began packing up, preparing to leave the city the next day.

The next day, the army arrived at Shucheng, and Zhao Zhen also led the central army there.

That night, Tong Guan hosted a banquet for Zhao Zhen in Shucheng, and the father-in-law and son-in-law finally met.

During the banquet, Tong Guan naturally showered Zhao Zhen with praise.

Looking at Zhao Zhen's generals, who were valiant and his soldiers, Tong Guan gained a more intuitive understanding of Zhao Zhen's strength. He could see the whole picture from a single glimpse; the other soldiers of Liang, even if not as formidable as the imperial guards protecting the capital, were not far behind.

After the banquet, Tong Guan asked, "My dear son-in-law, how is Jiaoxiu?"

"Grandpa, rest assured, Jiaoxiu is doing well. She just worries about you and often mentions you to me."

Tong Guan nodded and continued, "I've heard that the Liang Kingdom you founded has been at war with the Song Kingdom?"

Zhao Zhen nodded. "The three Song emperors, Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan, and Zhao Gou, father and sons, without asking any questions, designated the Liang state as an enemy. The two sides have fought many times and annexed large swathes of Song territory. Now the enmity between them is quite deep."

Tong Guan sighed upon hearing this, “At my age, and after suffering a crushing defeat in this campaign against the Liao army, I have lost the will to lead troops into battle again. Now that I am leading troops under the Liang Kingdom, you may retain Liu Guangshi, Wang Weizhong, Feng Mei, Duan Pengju, Wang Bing, and Wang Huan, as you see fit. As for the soldiers, they are all heavily armored and armed with powerful crossbows; you may also incorporate them into the Imperial Guard. I plan to retire at Liangshan.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen quickly said, "Grandfather, you have commanded troops for many years, and it is a great pity that you are now retiring to enjoy your old age. If you are unwilling to lead troops, why not go to the Ministry of War? The position of Minister of War is still a nominal one. You are experienced in military affairs and can be in charge of military selection, maps, vehicles, armor and weapons. You can participate in political affairs. Staying in Liangshan will allow you to visit Consort De from time to time. It would be most suitable for you."

(End of this chapter)