I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 176 Burning the Camps, Severely Damaging the Liao Army

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Unlike Yelü Yanxi, who was indecisive about war and peace and often ostriched himself to avoid reality, Zhao Yu was always very decisive. It can be said that he seized almost every opportunity and did not give the Liao army any chance to take advantage of him.

It was with this clear understanding that, shortly after the Song army captured Zhuozhou, Zhao Yu ordered his army to march directly to the walls of Yanjing, seeking a decisive battle, or even a final battle, with the Liao army.

The reason why Zhao Yu was so decisive was not only because he wanted to defeat the main force of the Liao army before the Liao reinforcements arrived, thus depriving Yelü Yanxi and his ministers of their greatest support, but also because of the weather.

It's almost September now, which is the ninth month of the lunar calendar.

From now on, it will definitely get colder every day.

If nothing unexpected happens, Yanjing will freeze over in less than a month.

At that time, it would be a great weakening for the Song army, which had many southern soldiers in its ranks. It might even lead to a situation similar to the large number of non-combat casualties caused by cold and hunger during Emperor Shenzong's five-pronged attack on Xia.

In response, Zhao Yu not only strictly ordered the rear to ensure the supply of food and fodder (he had issued the strictest imperial edict, stating that whoever delayed things would have their family and clan investigated, and there would be no leniency), but also strictly ordered the rear to rush to produce tents, cotton clothes, cotton quilts, as well as to mine coal and burn charcoal, and to transport all of these to the front line as soon as possible.

—Not only the front line here in Zhao Yu's territory, but also the northwestern front line.

For this reason, Zhao Yu even went so far as to open the sealed Chunku.

The so-called Fengchunku refers to the Fengzhuangku established during the reign of Emperor Taizu of Song.

At that time, Zhao Kuangyin was deeply troubled by the fact that the Yan-Yun region had fallen to the Khitan, but he was powerless to recover it. So he stored the surplus money from each year in the Fengchun Treasury, intending to use it to redeem the Yan-Yun region when the wealth was plentiful, or to reward the soldiers to recover the Yan-Yun region.

Zhao Kuangyin left an edict swearing that his descendants should not use these funds for anything else.

Later, the Fengchun Treasury evolved into the Inner Treasury. Emperor Zhenzong of Song composed a poem in praise of this, which reads:
"The Five Dynasties lost their way, and the Xiongnu were rampant. Emperor Taizu established a state, based on recruiting soldiers. My mother, with her extravagant heart, wanted to follow the legacy. I am overwhelmed by this, how can I achieve victory? Dragon and tiger bring prosperity, mountains and rivers protect the capital. Tortoise shells extend the precious fortune, phoenix virtues manifest divine signs. The Way flourishes, Yao consults the mountains, Yu's achievements are high, he meets on the road. The nine heavens hold the image, ten thousand miles of the world are settled."

This poem contains seventy-two characters, each of which is inscribed with the name of a warehouse, thus creating seventy-two warehouses. Each warehouse is "full and overflowing," containing gold, silver, brocade, and various other treasures accumulated over 170 years during the Song Dynasty.

Historically, during the Jingkang Incident, Zhao Huan arranged for Wu Kai and Mo Chou to lead Xiao Qing and others into the warehouse for inspection.

Xiao Qing began by examining the "Five Seasons Lost Maps" and proceeded to check each database in sequence.

After reading "Xianyun Kongchi", Xiao Qing decided to stop looking at it.

Because there were so many treasures in Feng Chun's treasury, Xiao Qing dared not look at them too much.

Xiao Qing immediately rode back and reported to Wanyan Zonghan.

Wanyan Zonghan then sent people again to seal all the warehouses in Fengchun.

Taking advantage of the situation, the Jurchens made exorbitant demands of Zhao Huan, demanding war reparations: ten million ingots of gold, ten million ingots of silver, ten million bolts of silk, and 1,500 young girls.

In the end, the Northern Song Dynasty not only handed over all ten million bolts of silk, but also owed the Jin Dynasty a large amount of debt after deducting the amount of gold and silver already paid and using 11,635 women, including imperial concubines, princesses, imperial concubines, royal concubines, imperial concubines, imperial maids, close relatives of the imperial family, clan maids, palace maids, ladies-in-waiting, clan wives, singers, noblewomen, and women of officials and commoners, to pay off the debt.

Most of these debts were settled using the valuables in the sealed treasury, especially the silk fabrics.

Even so, the Northern Song Dynasty still owed the Jin Dynasty 342,780 ingots of gold and 871,300 ingots of silver. The Northern Song Dynasty promised to pay tribute and come to the court every year to make up for the war reparations.

Even more shameful is that even though the Northern Song Dynasty accepted all the extortions of the Jin people and paid such a despicable and heavy price, Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan, Empress Dowager Zheng, Empress Zhu, Zhao Ji's concubines and children, Zhao Huan's concubines and children, and most of the Zhao clan were still captured by the Jin people and taken to the far north, never to set foot on their homeland again until their deaths.

This is the shame of Jingkang.

Zhao Yu is currently recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, which meets the conditions for activating the Fengchun Warehouse.

Furthermore, it's much better to spend this money on the war than to have it extorted by the enemy.

More importantly, Zhao Yu had already been stockpiling cotton in preparation for the reconquest of Western Xia.

—Under Zhao Yu's instructions, a large portion of the land confiscated from corrupt officials was used by the court to recruit displaced people to grow cotton.

However, it is impossible to make tents, cotton clothes, and cotton quilts with only cotton.

Given this, Zhao Yu naturally opened the Fengchun Treasury, which contained tens of millions of bolts of silk, and took out the lower-grade silk to arm the Song soldiers.

This matter was actually started last year, and a considerable number of tents, cotton-padded clothes, and cotton-padded quilts were even equipped to the Western Army last year.

To this end, Zhao Yu even set up four clothing factories on the advice of Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ye Shiyun, Ma Xiaojiao, and Yuan Qingcheng, and even introduced assembly line operations and used a large number of machines.

It is worth mentioning that this clothing factory solved the employment problem for a large number of women.

Although Zhao Yu and his ministers made ample preparations for the arrival of winter, in reality, it would be difficult to achieve any significant victories once winter actually arrived.

The key is that the northern barbarians are already accustomed to the icy and snowy landscape.

If the Liao Kingdom isn't dealt a heavy blow before winter arrives, there's no guarantee they won't launch a major counter-offensive during the winter, rendering all of Zhao Yu and his ministers' previous efforts futile.

Therefore, Emperor Zhao Yu and his ministers had reached a consensus: they must deliver a fatal blow to the Liao army before the harsh winter arrives, rendering them powerless to cause any further trouble. Otherwise, they would immediately retreat, pour water to freeze the cities of Yizhou and Zhuozhou, and disperse some of the Song army to various key cities, implementing a scorched-earth policy. If the Liao army dared to advance south, they would defend the cities, preventing the Liao army from advancing or plundering. Once the Liao army was exhausted and demoralized, the Song army would then launch a counterattack.

With a clear strategic plan, the Song army once again split into two groups and advanced separately.

That evening, the cavalry of the Eastern Route Army's vanguard arrived at Liangxiang, which was 60 miles away from Zhuozhou.

Liangxiang was an important town, located thirty miles south of Lugou River. It was a necessary passage for entering and leaving Yanjing from the southwest and also an important defensive stronghold for the Liao army.

The orders received by the vanguard were to take control of Liangxiang.

Wang Xie, the leader of the vanguard cavalry, thought this would be a tough battle and even prepared to "first scout ahead and then take Liangxiang when the main force arrives."

To Wang Xie's utter surprise, when the army arrived in Liangxiang, they found that Liangxiang had become a ghost town.

Wang Xie quickly sent someone to relay this message.

The news reached Commander-in-Chief Guo Cheng.

Guo Cheng was puzzled and asked his men, "What do you think the Liao army is trying to do? Liangxiang is the southwestern gateway to Yanjing, such an important defensive stronghold, yet the Liao army has so easily abandoned it. Could it be that they are luring the enemy deep into their territory, trying to trap us?" Wang Shan replied, "The Liao army is currently short of troops, which is why they have withdrawn from Liangxiang. I think this is a necessary measure to consolidate their defensive line. They may be concentrating their forces along the Lugou River, which is their most important line of defense for Yanjing. They definitely intend to use the river to block our advance."

Gao Yongnian said, "In my opinion, our army can cross the river directly, fight a decisive battle with him, and then bring our troops to the city gates and take Yanjing in one fell swoop."

Fan Chun, however, was more conservative, saying, "The Liao army's deployment along the river is clearly an attempt to lure our army across, intending to attack us while we are halfway across. It would be better for our army to play it safe and dig more trenches and tunnels, strengthen our defenses, and wait for the right opportunity."

Soon, the scout returned and reported: "The north bank of the river is crisscrossed with trenches, and not far to the north there is a large forest that stretches for dozens of miles from east to west. The main force of the Liao army is hiding in the forest, ready to fight."

Zhang asked, "Approximately how many soldiers are there?"

The scout replied, "It's not very clear, but there are probably no fewer than 50,000 troops. To the east, there's also a large horse ranch, estimated to have several thousand horses. All roads are blocked, and pedestrians are not allowed to proceed..."

After listening to the scout's report, Guo Cheng said, "I'll go to the front line myself to see for myself."

Soon after, Guo Cheng and his men arrived at the front line.

At this moment, the sun was setting, and the surface of the Lugou River was shimmering with golden light. The row of weeping willows on the bank was reflected in the water, creating a scene resembling a traditional Chinese ink painting.

The river flows eastward in a torrent. Not far to the east, there is a pontoon bridge connecting the two banks, but the bridge surface is old and gray, as if no one has walked on it for a long time.

On the north bank of the pontoon bridge stands a dilapidated Dragon Palace Temple, its construction date unknown. From a distance, it appears utterly ruined, bearing witness to countless storms and hardships.

Guo Cheng asked, "How deep is the river?"

Sun Xingjun, a Liao general who surrendered from Yizhou, replied: "There are deep and shallow places. The deep ones can submerge you to the top, while the shallow ones only reach your waist."

Guo Cheng solemnly surveyed his generals and commanded, “His Majesty has issued a strict order to actively seek an opportunity to cross the river, bring our troops to the city walls, and engage the enemy in battle, even a decisive one. We must not harbor any illusions; the enemy will not retreat on their own. We are bound to fight the Liao army. We, as military men, must prioritize national affairs and military orders. What we see today, though the Liao army has laid an ambush on the north bank, seemingly waiting in comfort, actually reveals their cowardice. If our army shrinks back, it will only embolden them, harming morale and offering no benefit to the overall battle.”

All the soldiers present responded, "As you command!"

After everyone had dispersed, a young officer came to see Fan Chun-cui.

This young general, surnamed Zhang and named Jun, was none other than Zhang Jun, the foremost of the four generals who revived the Southern Song Dynasty, and also one of the seven princes of the Southern Song Dynasty, Prince Xun, Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun was from Chengji County, Fengxiang Prefecture. In the first year of Hongwu, Zhao Yu sent people to Fengxiang Prefecture to recruit new soldiers. At that time, Zhang Jun, who was sixteen years old, was serving as an archer in the Sanyang Township Army. With his unparalleled archery skills, he was easily selected into the new army and quickly distinguished himself.

However, what truly propelled Zhang Jun to stardom was his capture of Yelü Wotera, a Liao general on the eastern front, during the Eastern Route Army's decisive victory over the Liao army.

This matter even alarmed Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu wanted to set an example, so he personally met with Zhang Jun.

It wasn't until they met and Zhang Jun revealed his family background that Zhao Yu realized who he had actually met.

At that moment, Zhao Yu was actually feeling a bit disgusted.

Zhao Yu thought of Yue Fei and the negative historical evaluations of Zhang Jun.

However, one's perspective is determined by one's position.

Soon, Zhao Yu recalled that after the Jingkang Incident, Liang Yangzu, the prefect of Xinde, led generals such as Zhang Jun, Miao Fu, Fan Shi, Qi Chao, and Gai Yuan to Daming Prefecture to report to the Grand Marshal's Office. Liang Yangzu brought more than 10,000 soldiers and more than 1,000 horses, which became Zhao Gou's most important force in establishing his power.

Zhao Gou was very pleased at the time and offered his utmost comfort and consolation to Liang Yangzu and the other generals. He then asked Liang Yangzu, "Which of the generals is the most capable?"

Liang Yangzu replied, "Zhang Jun is the most capable. When the Jin people came to the city of Xinde several times, Zhang Jun won every battle."

Therefore, Zhao Gou promoted Zhang Jun to the position of Commander of the Grand Marshal's Office.

Later events proved that Liang Yangzu had not misjudged him.

When Zhao Gou wanted to flee south, the loyalist troops under his command in various counties of Hebei were unwilling to go south and wanted to return north.

These soldiers who wanted to return north, upon hearing that the Grand Marshal's Office intended to head towards Jizhou, mostly did not want to follow him south. So, before dawn, they secretly set fire to two places: the north gate of the city and in front of the government office, hoping to create chaos and then escape back to Hebei in the confusion.

Upon receiving the report, Zhang Jun decisively dispatched troops to capture and annihilate them.

The treacherous plot to create chaos in the army ultimately failed.

Zhao Gou and his entourage were undisturbed and set off as planned.

On another occasion, the soldiers who wanted to return north still refused to go south. They gathered tables and chairs and placed them haphazardly across the street to restrict traffic, intending to set them on fire after dark and launch a rebellion. Fortunately, Zhang Jun discovered this plot and, taking advantage of a patrol of the stronghold, captured the rebels and beheaded them as a warning.

Two attempts to rebel within the army were thwarted by Zhang Jun as soon as they emerged. This demonstrates Zhang Jun's keen insight and decisive courage.

Historically, there were not many Song generals who had defeated the Jin army head-on, especially the elite Jin army at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, and Zhang Jun was definitely one of them.

Zhao Yu objectively analyzed that Zhang Jun started his military career as a common soldier and worked his way up from the lowest level of the army to eventually be enfeoffed as a king and even became the top military man in the Southern Song Dynasty. This was something that ordinary generals could not compare to.

Therefore, Zhao Yu put aside his prejudices and promoted Zhang Jun according to his actual merits, and prepared to find an opportunity to transfer him to the Shenji Army.

However, Zhang Jun is currently serving as a leader in the Western Auxiliary Army's vanguard.

Zhang Jun is not only capable, but also very ambitious. Given the opportunity, he will definitely climb the ranks.

This time, Zhang Jun found another opportunity to make a great contribution.

Therefore, Zhang Jun immediately went to the highest-ranking officer he could contact, Fan Chun, and said to him, "Commander, I have a plan to defeat the enemy."

Fan Chun valued Zhang Jun, whom Zhao Yu also favored, and asked, "What plan do you have?"

Zhang Jun said confidently, "Burn down the entire camp..."

……

(End of this chapter)