The prince is more stable

Chapter 1043 Encirclement from Three Sides
Beating up the emperor's father-in-law might have been just a simple dispute for Zhao Xiaoqian, but for the court officials, it was a serious matter, a bolt from the blue.

What is a speck of dust in the eyes of the emperor is a mountain on the heads of the court officials.

Zhao Xiaoqian had guessed that beating his father-in-law might have some consequences, such as the rich kids getting a beating when they got home.

But he didn't expect the spoiled brats to be beaten so badly, almost to the point of disability.

Especially the one lying on the stretcher, barely alive, whose appearance was somewhat unfamiliar, as if he had been hit by a disfigured kick, beaten so badly that even his own mother wouldn't recognize him.

Led by Zhao Zongsheng, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, more than a dozen court officials apologized to Zhao Xiaoqian with expressions of fear and trepidation.

The court officials gritted their teeth. Zhao Zongsheng, the most senior and the most impolite, still felt unsatisfied after apologizing. In front of Zhao Xiaoqian, he slapped Zhao Zhongyu hard on the back of the head.

The slap made Zhao Zhongyu see stars and lose his bearings. He turned around in a daze and bowed to the empty palace gate to apologize, which angered Zhao Zongsheng so much that he slapped him hard again.

Zhao Xiaoqian said with a heavy heart, "Alright, alright, what's the big deal? Is it necessary to be so ruthless? To be honest, I didn't take it to heart. It was my two fathers-in-law who made a mistake, but your sons did nothing wrong."

Zhao Zongsheng sighed, “This old minister has been loyal all his life and has been in charge of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs for decades. Now that I am old and about to enter my coffin, I almost lost my integrity in my later years. Before Your Majesty, this old minister has no place to hide his shame.”

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "It's not that bad, it's not that bad. Your Excellency, please don't blame yourself. The matter is over. Brother Zhongyu was beaten, wasn't he? I feel very relieved. That's enough."

Zhao Zhongyu struggled to open one eye, looking at him with a pitiful expression: "…………"

The government is good at comforting people.

After appeasing the officials, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Judging from the Emperor's appearance, he didn't seem to be saying things against his conscience. It seemed that this storm had really passed and he would not be held accountable in the future.

Zhao Xiaoqian was also hoarse from talking, so he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

After a long silence, Cai Jing cautiously said, "Your Majesty, yesterday I heard my son say that Your Majesty intends to send promising young men from Bianjing across the ocean to Japan to restore order among the people?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "That's right. There are some things that are inconvenient for the government to do, and inconvenient for the garrison to do, but these scourges of Bianjing... well, they are just right for promising young men. What do you all think?"

Cai Jing pondered for a moment and said, "His Majesty's intention is to completely eliminate the power of the Japanese feudal lords and not allow them to make a comeback. Therefore, the cities, lands, and local forces of Japan will be taken over by the people of our Great Song Dynasty to completely erase the influence of the feudal lords?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "That's right. Nowadays, everyone's attention is focused on the Northwest, waiting for the news of the royal army's victory over Western Xia. But few people know that Japan is also about to be destroyed by our Great Song Dynasty."

"As you all should know, the most troublesome thing after a country is destroyed is the cleanup and disposal. How to completely occupy and assimilate the destroyed country and make it forever part of the territory of our Great Song Dynasty is not something that can be solved by the army conquering cities and seizing land."

"To fully integrate this land, I must take a multi-pronged approach. The government and the garrison are one aspect, but it is also important to establish a force and rules belonging to the Song Dynasty among the people. I believe it is more appropriate to let the young and promising youths of Bianjing handle this matter."

As he spoke, Zhao Xiaoqian looked around at everyone and said with a smile, "Now it depends on whether you all are willing to send my sons to an island thousands of miles away."

"If you are reluctant, bring it up now, and I will not force you. The scourge of Bianjing... well, there are still quite a few young men like that."

Before the officials in the hall could speak, Cai Jing immediately said, "Your Majesty, I request that you allow my son, Cai You, to go to Japan to share the burden and make contributions for the Song Dynasty!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback and said, "I remember, Cai You is your eldest son, right? This... there's no need. He has a bright future in Bianjing and doesn't need to go through this ordeal. Life in Japan is not as good as in Bianjing; it's too bitter."

Cai Jing decisively replied, "This is not only my idea, but also my son's. He has grown up and does not want to rely on his father's legacy for the rest of his life. He wants to make his own way in the future. I agree with this. A true man should do so. So I have already agreed to his request. Please grant me permission, Your Majesty."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Cai You in surprise, and Cai You also looked up and grinned at Zhao Xiaoqian.

Cai You's eyes were very clear today, as is often the case after being beaten by his own father, but there was a resolute light in them.

After a long silence, Zhao Xiaoqian decided to respect the fate of others.

Zhao Xiaoqian then stepped forward, grasped Cai You's hand, shook it vigorously, and said deeply, "Welcome, Brother Ju'an, to tomorrow!"

Cai Jing made his stance clear, and the other court officials naturally followed suit. These纨绔 (wan ku, spoiled brats) had already become a scourge to Bianjing, destined to be good for nothing. It would be better to make use of them and throw them far away, who knows, they might actually make a name for themselves in the future.

Zhao Zongsheng was the only one who remained silent, probably because he was reluctant to send Zhao Zhongyu so far away. After all, he was a son born late in life, and also the legitimate son. The old emperor's love for him was evident, and he placed high hopes on his legitimate son, who would inherit the title and family business in the future. Naturally, he could not let him go easily.

Zhao Xiaoqian certainly didn't mind. Bianjing was so big; whether there was one more or one less troublemaker wouldn't have much of an impact.

Stepping forward and patting Zhao Zhongyu on the shoulder, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "The old Zongzheng is getting old and often finds it difficult to handle the affairs of the Zongzheng Temple. You should follow the old Zongzheng and learn more from him."

"I am quite at ease entrusting the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs to your family. I hope you can take over this responsibility as soon as possible so that the old Minister of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs can enjoy his old age in peace and happiness." Zhao Zhongyu lowered his head and said, "I will remember Your Majesty's words. From today onwards, I will follow my father closely and learn from him, so as not to disappoint Your Majesty's high expectations."

…………

Northwest battlefield, beneath the walls of Xingqing.

Amidst the Song army's encirclement on three sides, a thousand-strong Liao cavalry unit launched another breakout charge against the Song army.

However, the result was as expected. The Liao cavalry charged within a hundred paces of the Song army's front line and were almost completely wiped out.

Round after round of flintlock volleys, like a merciless meat grinder, tore the charging Liao army to shreds.

The last Liao soldier was about fifty paces from the Song army's front line when a burst of gunfire rang out. The Liao knight was riddled with bullets in the chest and, amidst the mournful neighing of his warhorse, he fell to the ground in despair.

The Liao knight, covered in blood, lay in the dust, struggling to raise his sword. Even with his last breath, he still pointed his blade at the Song army fifty paces away, meticulously carrying out his general's final orders.

Fifty paces away, the Song soldiers at the front line stared expressionlessly at the last Liao knight who had fallen to the ground. Their gazes met in mid-air, both equally cold and indifferent.

Both sides' soldiers were simply faithfully carrying out their commanders' orders; the final result was nothing more than "success or failure."

The light in the eyes of the fallen Liao knight gradually dimmed. He was only fifty paces away from the Song army's front line, but this distance seemed like a chasm drawn by an immortal, a chasm that mortals could never cross in their lifetime.

It was only fifty steps away.

The Liao knights' faces were filled with hatred and resentment, but the light in their eyes eventually faded away.

Outside Xingqing Prefecture, the thunderous war drums resounded, and the stirring bugle calls sounded even more mournful.

"All troops advance! Attack!" Zhong Jianzhong rode his horse to the rear of the army, drew his sword, glared, and shouted fiercely.

Surrounded on three sides, the Liao army had lost its morale and fighting spirit. Round after round of reckless charges had no effect. The Song army's encirclement tightened, like an enormous sack that was gradually being sealed shut, and the Liao soldiers inside felt increasingly suffocated.

The Song army formed ranks and advanced on foot. Yellow dust filled the sky, obscuring the figures of both armies. However, the Song soldiers were oblivious and continued to advance while firing volleys into the yellow dust.

Amidst the billowing dust that obscured human figures, the mournful screams of Liao soldiers echoed through the air, their shouts and the neighing of horses adding to the growing chaos of the ranks.

Standing on horseback under the central command flag, Yelü Chun's face was deathly pale. The bizarre war of 50,000 surrounding 100,000, the unprecedented tactical arrangements, and the helplessness of being unable to break through the enemy lines despite being only a hundred paces away, all deeply overwhelmed Yelü Chun's mind at this moment.

An hour ago, two Song armies suddenly appeared from the east and west sides outside the city, with a total strength of about 30,000. At the same time, more than 20,000 Song soldiers in Xingqing City also came out of the city. The Song army on three sides formed an encirclement of the Liao army outside the city.

Yelü Chun knew that the tide of battle had turned against the Liao army, but he was still unwilling to accept defeat.

During the siege, 20,000 Liao soldiers had already been lost, and the remaining 80,000 were surrounded by Song troops. If they were to retreat north in haste, Yelü Chun would have no way to explain himself to the capital.

This war was related to the future and even the life and death of Yelü Chun and his family.

One hundred thousand Liao soldiers traveled thousands of miles to Western Xia, hoping to share Western Xia with the Song Dynasty. However, the Song Dynasty chose to turn its back and take it all for itself. The Liao army gained nothing and suffered heavy losses. When they returned to Shangjing, how could Yelü Yanxi let them off the hook?

Yelü Chun had fought against the Song army many times. Although victory and defeat are common in war, Yelü Chun's record was basically zero.

Every time he fought against the Song army, he was utterly defeated. It was unusual to only lose and never win. It was somewhat unlucky. If he lost again this time and slunk back, Yelü Chun's future would probably be over. He might even lose his title.

So after being surrounded by the Song army outside the city, Yelü Chun struggled several times, but finally gritted his teeth and decided to hold on.

If resistance is not met and the army is defeated and forced to retreat, it is a matter of ability. But if there is no resistance at all and the army flees in panic without hesitation, it is a matter of attitude. The army will certainly not have a good ending when it returns to the capital.

Therefore, even though Yelü Chun knew he was no match for them, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and order the Liao army to charge.

The 80,000 Liao troops set their sights on a direction: Guo Cheng's forces to the west.

If Yelü Chun could break out from this direction and continue westward with his troops, capturing Xiliang Prefecture of Western Xia, then Yelü Chun could at least achieve a balanced outcome in this war.

(End of this chapter)