The prince is more stable

Chapter 407: Chanyuan has been broken
For the next two days, Zhao Xiaoqian patrolled and monitored the camp.

Not only did he have to personally count the food, weapons, horses, and armor, but he also had to watch the soldiers train in person.

The training of the Dragon Guard Battalion is different from that of other armies. The focus is on three-stage and four-stage formations, as well as the accuracy of firearms firing.

Before the Jurchen tribes fully rose to power, it was undeniable that the Liao cavalry was still the best in the world.

As for when this world's number one position will decline, Zhao Xiaoqian said it will be soon.

Whether a country's military is strong is closely tied to the country's political economy.

If the monarch is incompetent, the court is corrupt, and the people are living in poverty, the consequences will soon spread to the army. The quality of the army's soldiers will be affected, and the quality of related armor, weapons, war horses, etc. will also be affected.

Throughout history, no dynasty has been able to maintain a strong army and be invincible while the court is completely corrupt. It has taken all the good things, so what good things could it have?

The Song Dynasty was actually also corrupt. In an environment with developed commerce, the national treasury had a lot of annual income, so corruption was inevitable.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't care less about so many things. He could only say that within the scope of his authority, he should try his best to keep the accounts clear. It was not that corruption was not allowed, but that corruption should not be too excessive. If it exceeded the red line in his heart, he would kill people.

Fortunately, the accounts of the Dragon Guard Camp's food and supplies were relatively clear. There was a small discrepancy, but Zhao Xiaoqian pretended nothing happened and let it go.

While the army was being assembled and preparing for battle, the Dragon Guard Camp also sent out numerous spies, targeting the 10,000 Liao troops dozens of miles away from the Dragon Guard Camp.

This Liao army was a permanent border army of the Liao Kingdom and belonged to the Liao Kingdom's imperial guards.

The official system of the Liao Dynasty was very similar to that of the Song Dynasty, and it is not wrong to say that it was basically copied from the Song Dynasty.

However, the military system of the Liao Dynasty was different from that of the Song Dynasty. The Liao Dynasty also had imperial guards, wing troops and local troops. The difference was that they also had night guards, tribal troops, Han troops, and Bohai troops.

After all, it developed from a nomadic people. The Liao Dynasty itself was a dynasty formed by the union of many tribes. Each tribe had elite young and strong men, and these elite soldiers belonged to the tribal army.

These elite tribal troops are often the main force in charging into battle. After the war, the tribal troops will be sent back to their respective tribes and continue to live a life of hunting, grazing and farming, and then mount their horses to fight again in the next battle.

The 10,000 Liao troops stationed on the border of Zhending Prefecture were under the control of the Liao Kingdom's Southwest Pacification Office.

In the peaceful times of the past, this army was basically rotated every three years. Until last year, the relationship between Song and Liao suddenly became tense, and this army of 10,000 people was gradually replaced by the elite troops of Liao.

After a joyous New Year's Eve, at midnight two days later, the atmosphere in the Dragon Guard Camp suddenly became solemn. The neighing of war horses and the shouting and scolding of generals could be heard in the camp. Everyone put on their armor and counted their weapons in silence.

Inside the commander's tent in the main camp, Zhao Xiaoqian beat the drum to gather his generals, and all the generals above the rank of commander of the Dragon Guard Camp entered the tent.

Today, Zhao Xiaoqian also wore a set of fish-scale armor, and the double-winged iron helmet on his head was particularly conspicuous under the light of the torch.

At this moment, he sat silently in the main seat of the commander's tent, with his brows unraised and his face as gloomy as water, just quietly listening to the sound of drums outside the tent.

After the three drum beats, Zhong Jianzhong counted the number of generals and then reported that all of them were present.

Zhao Xiaoqian signaled, and Chen Shou spread out a huge map in the center of the tent.

"Is the break suitable?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

There was a sound of armor plates colliding, and Zhe Keshi stepped out and clasped his fists: "I am here."

Zhao Xiaoqian pointed to the garrison of 10,000 Liao troops on the map and said, "I will give you 10,000 soldiers. Set out in one hour and attack the Liao army camp directly. Launch a surprise attack and completely wipe out this army. Can you do it?"

Zhe Keshi said excitedly, "Yes! I am willing to issue a military order. If you let these ten thousand Liao soldiers escape, I will bring my head to you!"

According to the clichéd routine, when someone takes the initiative to propose a military order, Zhao Xiaoqian should comfort them gently, saying that he believes in their ability and there is no need for a military order.

But how could Zhao Xiaoqian be so melodramatic?

Since you are willing to die, I am certainly willing to bury you.

Staring at Zhe Keshi's face, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Okay, you can sign the military order later. You don't need to come to me with your head. If there is any mistake in this battle due to your command, I will punish you with fifty military sticks and serve as a groom for a year. Is that okay?"

Zhe Keshi patted his chest loudly and said, "No problem, just come and see me with your head. If I lose this favorable battle, I won't be able to come back alive to see the Duke."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said nothing. After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly asked, "Where is Zongze?"

No one said anything. Zhong Jianzhong said carefully, "Lord, Zong Ze, following your military orders, is currently at the western suburbs camp outside Zhending City, reorganizing the 10,000 imperial guards and 40,000 auxiliary troops formerly under Zhang Lan's command."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned, it seemed that he had really forgotten.

This was the first time that the Song Dynasty took the initiative to attack the Liao army. It was a matter of great importance. Zhao Xiaoqian had never counted on the original garrison in Zhending Prefecture.

After all, they had just experienced a great chaos, and Zhao Xiaoqian did not trust this army very much. In this raid, Zhao Xiaoqian had no intention of letting this army participate in the battle. He just wanted them to stay in the rear and not cause trouble for himself.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xiaoqian hesitated and said, "What was the name of the guy who spoke up last time and said that I killed that black bear with my own hands?"

The generals were stunned, but one of them was ecstatic. He rushed out, clasped his fists, and shouted, "I am Zhang Rong, the commander of the Dragon Guard Battalion. That's right! It was I who spoke up for justice and told the truth last time!"

As soon as he finished speaking, bursts of "Pooh" sounds rang out from the crowd.

Zhang Rong, however, was not ashamed at all, but rather felt very proud of it.

Don't think that all military generals are honest. Those who are capable and can seize opportunities and flatter others in a timely and appropriate manner will not do too badly no matter where they are.

Look, the Duke of the County has remembered me.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhang Rong, then turned and asked Zhong Jianzhong, "How wise and brave is this man?"

Zhong Jianzhong glanced at Zhang Rong with disdain, but still spoke the truth: "Zhang Rong is brave enough, but his strength lies in his outstanding wisdom and strategy, often coming up with unexpected ideas. He has been in command for five years and has no chance of promotion."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said, "To put it simply, this guy has a slippery personality and a lot of tricks, but his martial arts skills are a bit lacking. Is that what you mean?"

Zhang Rong's face fell, but Zhong Jianzhong smiled and said, "What the county lord said is exactly right."

Zhao Xiaoqian pondered for a moment and said, "This matter doesn't require any force. Our Dragon Guard Battalion's style is different from others, but it does require a bit of cleverness..."

"Zhang Rong."

"The end will be here."

"I will give you two thousand soldiers and horses. You will take a detour to the north of the Liao army camp. After Zhe Keshi launches a surprise attack, if the Liao army flees, you will be responsible for intercepting them on their route."

Zhang Rong clasped his fists in delight and said, "I obey your command!"

Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly: "According to the bloody process, you should now..."

Zhang Rong reacted immediately and shouted, "I hereby issue a military order!"

"You're sensible!" Zhao Xiaoqian praised with a smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian then looked at Zhong Jianzhong and said, "Old Zhong, you will lead ten thousand troops across the border and station sixty miles north. Send out scouts to closely monitor the movements of the Feihu Military Command. If any troops from the Feihu Military Command rush to the Zhending Prefecture border, attack them in battle formation."

Zhong Jianzhong said calmly, "Yes, I will obey your orders."

Zhao Xiaoqian stared at the map again. Zhe Keshi was responsible for launching a surprise attack, Zhang Rong was responsible for intercepting the fleeing army, and Zhong Jianzhong was responsible for attacking the reinforcements.

Okay, in order to deal with these 10,000 Liao troops, Zhao Xiaoqian did not dare to underestimate them at all. He faced them with the attitude of a lion fighting a rabbit, and made clear arrangements for these 10,000 Liao troops in every aspect. If he still could not defeat them, it meant that these 10,000 Liao troops were ridiculously tough.

Looking at the generals in the tent, Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly: "I'll reiterate once again..."

"This is the first time that the Great Song has taken the initiative to attack the Liao Kingdom. This means that the so-called 'Chanyuan Alliance' has been broken. Soldiers, do not hesitate to take action. That is not your concern. We will fight to the death."

"Within the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, soldiers are forbidden to harass civilians, rob or bully farmers, or destroy villages and houses. Anyone who dares to violate military discipline will be executed immediately!"

"But once you leave the borders of the Song Dynasty, you can do whatever you want. It depends on your ability to steal money, cattle, sheep, and women. I won't interfere or ask. Don't complain if you don't steal much. Who can you blame for your own cowardice?"

The generals were immediately excited, and they shouted and laughed excitedly, rubbing their hands.

This is what I've been waiting for!
(End of this chapter)