The prince is more stable

Chapter 456: Unexpected Fortune
There was no suspense in capturing Feihu Bingmasi, and the process was very smooth, so smooth that even the Song army officers and soldiers were a little bit unbelievable.

From beginning to end, they encountered no decent resistance, with only more than a thousand Liao soldiers serving as cannon fodder. The Liao army retreated very thoroughly. Now it seems that they have indeed given up Feihu Bingmasi and the land of more than 400 miles to the south.

After everything calmed down, it was already dawn.

After a night of killing and looting, the Song army soldiers were a little tired. Under the order of the general, the soldiers set up a new camp five miles away from the south bank of the Juma River.

Next to the military training ground, Yelu Chun had indeed left behind 10,000 war horses. They were all strong and mature, and Yelu Chun had not given any discounts at all.

When something went too smoothly, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but start to have doubts.

Did the Liao army really retreat willingly?

How could the Liao army, which has always been arrogant and thinks it is invincible, have the courage to endure humiliation and quietly retreat to the north bank of the Juma River?

I don't know what the Liao people were thinking, but Zhao Xiaoqian thought he couldn't do it. Even if he had to retreat due to the general trend, he would always do some tricks before leaving. If I can't kill you, I will at least make you disgusted.

Inside the Feihu Military Affairs Division's office, Zhao Xiaoqian sat upright in the hall, looking at the furnishings inside the division.

The Liao people's aesthetic level was not really high, about the same level as Qianlong. They liked colorful and flashy things. They also used Song Dynasty porcelain, but judging from the quality of the porcelain, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was produced by a black-handled workshop.

If this thing were in the Song Dynasty, it would never enter the living rooms of wealthy families, but the Liao people placed them in the main hall of government offices. This shows that it is really easy to make money from foreigners.

There was a devastating scene outside the government office. At least half of the Liao people's houses were burned down, and it was estimated that half of the people were killed. As for the looted property, it was impossible to count it. The Song army soldiers took whatever they looted.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat in the main hall of the office and looked around. He found that the office was still well preserved and had not been damaged by the soldiers. It was obvious that the generals had issued a military order in advance, prohibiting people from entering the Bingmasi office.

Zhao Xiaoqian crossed his legs, looking relaxed. After days of marching, living in tents every day, he should be able to stay in a house tonight. This government office is nice, so he'll use it as his temporary headquarters.

There was a sound of hurried footsteps, and generals such as Zhong Jianzhong walked into the main hall and saluted.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't raise his eyebrows, but hummed calmly and said, "...the villagers haven't moved yet, right?"

Zhe Keshi, one of his subordinates, said with a smile, "If any of the villagers wanted to move away and we caught them red-handed, we wouldn't hesitate to take away their property, cattle, sheep, and belongings..."

"Don't just focus on looting. You need to keep the necessary statistics: casualties, results, and spoils..." Zhao Xiaoqian paused, then said, "There's no need to count the casualties of the Liao people. Tell the world they fled. Don't tarnish the image of the Great Song. We are a righteous army."

Zhang Rong grinned and said, "Your Highness is right. We are a righteous army. Anyone who dares to say otherwise will be chopped to pieces by me immediately."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at Zhong Jianzhong and said, "Show me the statistics after you finish them. If everything is OK, send a fast horse to Bianjing to report the victory. Our army has captured the Liao Feihu Bingma Division and is holding the south bank of the Juma River. We are currently facing the Liao army across the river."

"The area south of the Juma River, over four hundred miles in length, has become the actual area controlled by the Great Song. I request that the Bianjing Government Affairs Hall and the Ministry of Personnel select officials, demarcate the area, and establish a government office."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "This battle went so smoothly. I don't know how to report your contributions. I can't say that you were rewarded for slaughtering Liao people and looting their property."

All the generals burst into laughter.

Zhe Keshi waved his hand nonchalantly, "Your Highness, let's not talk about our achievements in this battle. Our soldiers really didn't do anything. We came all this way here and successfully took over the Feihu Army Division without encountering any resistance. We really don't have the face to mention any military achievements."

The generals nodded in agreement.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Since everyone has no objection, I won't take any credit for this battle. Don't stab me in the back later."

The generals laughed again, and judging from their expressions, they really had no objection.

At this time, Zhong Jianzhong took out a booklet from his arms and handed it to Zhao Xiaoqian with a mysterious smile.

"What?" Zhao Xiaoqian took the booklet and opened it, then his eyes lit up.

The booklet listed a series of items, such as 120 kilograms of gold, 20 hu of fine pearls and jade, tens of thousands of cattle and sheep skins, and over a hundred rare ginsengs...

There are all kinds of valuable things, and the value of all the items in the book is roughly estimated to be at least hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't believe it, his heart was beating fast, and he tried hard to maintain a calm expression.

"What does this mean?" asked Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhong Jianzhong smiled: "It's nothing special, just a token of appreciation."

"It's boring if you do this." Zhao Xiaoqian was displeased.

"It's just a small thing."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around at the generals in the hall and saw that they all had smiles on their faces. It was obvious that they had already known about this booklet.

Zhong Jianzhong explained, "These were found in the Bingmasi. Most of them were found in official residences and merchants' houses. Perhaps the Liao army retreated in a hurry, and the officials and merchants didn't have time to take them away."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes flashed with surprise, but he hesitated as he asked, "Are they all for me?"

Zhong Jianzhong smiled and said, "His Highness the Prince has ordered that the soldiers do not have to hand over any loot they have plundered. The soldiers of the Dragon Guard Battalion are grateful for your kindness, but we can't let the Prince watch us all get rich while the commander-in-chief gets nothing, right?"

"These things were all offered voluntarily by the soldiers. We hope that Your Highness will continue to lead the soldiers to expand the territory and bring honor to the country. At the same time, the soldiers will have the opportunity to make a fortune again and again." The generals in the hall echoed and advised Zhao Xiaoqian to accept them.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes reddened and he was extremely moved.

"The soldiers have finally... grown up and become sensible." Zhao Xiaoqian wiped his eyes with great relief and said, "I've been wanting to have my personal guards take action for a long time, but I was afraid that word would get out that I was greedy. I didn't expect the soldiers to be so sensible. They really... I'm crying..."

"Today I'm personally buying cattle and sheep from the surrounding area, so that all the soldiers can have a snack tonight..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhong Jianzhong grabbed him and said with a wry smile, "Your Highness, you don't have to pay for it. You forgot that we are in Liao territory. We fought last night and robbed many cattle and sheep. One is enough for each soldier. There is no need to spend money to buy it."

Zhao Xiaoqian blushed and sighed, "Someone said last night that I wasn't a good person. He was wrong... I really should have him come over now to see my character. It's a different era now, and I'm still thinking of spending money when I could have just robbed him."

Having made a fortune inexplicably, Zhao Xiaoqian now feels more deeply what it means to "lose a fortune when a cannon is fired."

No wonder so many people throughout history like to start wars. The benefits of war are really too tempting.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not dare to delay and hurriedly called Chen Shou, ordering him to send a team of 100 people to set off immediately to transport the gold, pearls, jade, furs, medicinal herbs and other things listed in the booklet back to Zhending City and hand them over to Niao Niao.

It is better to put the money in your pocket and run away. Leaving these valuable things on the front line where danger is lurking may lead to tragedy.

After Chen Shou left, Zhao Xiaoqian finally felt relieved and his expression became more friendly.

"Let's get down to business. Feihu Bingmasi has been captured by our army, and the situation between Song and Liao has changed accordingly. For now, we will hold this place for the time being. Our next move will depend on how Liao reacts."

Zhong Jianzhong hesitated and said, "Your Highness, the Feihu Army is the gateway to the Liao Kingdom. They gave up so readily. I always feel that something is wrong..."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression froze.

What Zhong Jianzhong said was actually exactly what he was worried about at the moment.

Previously, this matter was only regarded as a transaction. In order to save his life, Yelu Chun was willing to pay any price to get Yelu Yanxi back. This was logically reasonable.

So what now?
Yelu Yanxi has arrived safely on the other side. Yelu Chun no longer has any worries. Standing on the other side and looking at this military headquarters that once belonged to the Liao Kingdom, what is his mood and what plans does he have?
With the return of Yelu Yanxi, the Song and Liao countries were actually standing on the same starting line again.

It really doesn't make sense if the Liao Kingdom really gave up this important gateway.

"What do you mean, Lao Zhong? What's wrong with it?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

Zhong Jianzhong whispered, "I suspect the Liao army may launch a counterattack."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said "hmm", he had the same idea.

"It's very possible. What Lao Zhong said is absolutely right." Zhao Xiaoqian affirmed.

Zhe Keshi inside the hall asked doubtfully, "The Liao army just took a beating from us. Even if they counterattack, their chances of victory are slim. Don't they know they're courting death?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled: "The last decisive battle was a last resort for Yelu Chun. In fact, he still had a trump card that he hadn't used yet."

"What's the trump card?"

"The Liao army's heavily armored cavalry." Zhao Xiaoqian said.

Everyone's eyes widened immediately, and then they looked at each other.

After a long pause, Zhang Rong said in confusion, "But our firearms have improved and can now penetrate heavy armor!"

"Do the Liao people know about the improvements in our firearms?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the generals present smiled knowingly.

Zhe Keshi bared his teeth in a ferocious manner: "Now I am looking forward to the Liao army's counterattack. You bastards, it seems that they are not convinced after being beaten last time and want to try again. Then let's try!"

Zhao Xiaoqian said in a deep voice, "Order the scouts to leave the camp immediately and investigate the movements within a thirty-mile radius of the Military Command. My deal with Yelu Chun is complete, and it's time for them to reveal themselves."

The generals in the hall hurriedly received the order and left.

Before Yelu Yanxi was handed over to Yelu Chun, the Liao army was afraid to act rashly, so they could only withdraw their troops and stand on the opposite bank to watch the Bingmasi being occupied by the Song army.

Now that Yelu Yanxi has returned safely, if Yelu Chun wants to reduce the guilt of defeat, he is very likely to start a war.

Perhaps Yelu Chun relied on the two thousand heavily armored cavalry. This man was quite smart and could see the weaknesses of the Song army's firearms with the naked eye.

If firearms had not been improved, two thousand heavily armored cavalrymen might have easily broken through the Song army's defense line, tearing a gap, allowing the Liao army to break in and ultimately be defeated.

Unfortunately, this time Zhao Xiaoqian was one step faster than him.

(End of this chapter)