The prince is more stable

Chapter 459 An unexpected encounter
In the quiet night, war clouds gather.

The Song and Liao armies faced each other across the river. Tonight was originally calm and both sides could see the lights of each other's camps, and the camps were as peaceful as usual.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't sleep, so he put on his clothes, got up and walked out of the office.

Chen Shouying, who had been on duty outside the bedroom, stepped forward and asked, "Does the prince have any instructions?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and shook his head: "Nothing, I just suddenly wanted to take a walk around Bingmasi."

Chen Shou didn't ask why and immediately called hundreds of imperial guards to follow him.

Now that Bingmasifu has been established, although many Liao people have been killed and women and children have been detained, safety cannot be guaranteed. To this day, Feihu Bingmasi is still a very sensitive area.

The spring night was a little chilly, so Chen Shou put a bearskin cloak on Zhao Xiaoqian's shoulders.

After leaving the office, Zhao Xiaoqian strolled around the nearby markets and residential areas.

The war had caused such destructive effects on this place that the once bustling markets and residential areas were now deserted, with charred ruins everywhere, making it a dead town. Walking on the streets late at night, one even felt as if one was in a ghost town.

It is very easy to destroy and can be burned to ashes overnight.

However, it will take at least several years or even more than ten years to rebuild it and restore it to its former prosperity.

Zhao Xiaoqian became increasingly unhappy as he walked. He sighed and muttered, "I told these killers a long time ago to take it easy, take it easy. Killing people is fine, but why burn down houses? Those are all Song Dynasty houses..."

"Now, they've had their fill of burning it, but the court is still sending craftsmen to rebuild it, and that's all for the materials and labor. Tsk!"

Zhao Xiaoqian cursed as he walked.

Walking out of the market, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the lights of the Liao camp on the opposite bank in the distance. He suddenly stopped and stared at the endless camp, frowning, wondering what he was thinking about.

Chen Shou whispered behind him, "Prince, we can't go any further. This place is very far from the government office, and there's no one around. We might get into trouble."

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "I feel relieved with your protection."

Chen Shou smiled bitterly and said, "We only have about a hundred people. If we encounter an enemy attack, I'm afraid it will be difficult to protect the prince."

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't bother to pay attention. He was silent for a long time, then suddenly said, "Chen Shou, do you think Yelu Chun on the other side of the river is also unable to sleep right now? What is he thinking about now?"

"I really don't know. Maybe he's snoring loudly right now."

Zhao Xiaoqian murmured, "Is this Old Deng really that patient?"

Thinking that I was suffering from insomnia while Yelu Chun on the other side of the river was probably sleeping soundly, the more I thought about it, the more upset I became.

Finally, Zhao Xiaoqian raised his hands like trumpets and suddenly shouted towards the other side: "Hey, Yelu Chun, if you don't come and fight me, I'm going to fight you--!"

In the silence of the night, the roar was really abrupt. Chen Shou and the imperial guards behind him were frightened. They nervously held the hilts of their swords at their waists and looked around. At the same time, torches were lit in the camp next to them, and a team of patrolling Song army soldiers hurried towards Zhao Xiaoqian.

After roaring, Zhao Xiaoqian finally felt refreshed and laughed heartily.

"Okay, I'm sleepy now. Send the patrolling soldiers away and let's go back to the office. I want to sleep!"

Patting his butt, Zhao Xiaoqian turned around and left.

Unexpectedly, just as he turned around, a scout came running towards him.

"Your Highness, the scouts on the other side of the river have reported that around midnight tonight, there was an unusual movement of troops from the Liao army camp on the other side. A Liao army of approximately 20,000 soldiers left the camp from the north, and their destination is unknown."

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and quickly looked towards the other side: "Did they really do it?"

Then he looked at Chen Shou and asked, "Where are Zhe Keshi's 10,000 soldiers and horses?"

Chen Shou said without hesitation, "Last night, Zhe Keshi's 10,000 troops were ambushed 30 miles west of Bingmasi."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled delightedly, "Yelü Chun actually took action... Now it all depends on whether he and I are on the same page. If he chooses to launch a surprise attack from the west of Bingmasi, then we'll have some fun."

Chen Shou also smiled: "If this is true, the Liao army will definitely encounter Zhe Keshi's 10,000 troops."

"Let's go back to the office. Chen Shou, send someone to summon all the generals and commanders in the army and have them rush to the office to discuss this matter."

Late at night, a large area of ​​lights suddenly lit up in the Feihu Bingmasi office.

The generals of the Dragon Guard Camp gathered in the main hall of the government office, all of them looking trembling and wearing armor and helmets.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat in the first seat with his legs crossed, squinting his eyes at the map and smiling, but no one knew what he was laughing at.

The generals looked puzzled and looked at Zhong Jianzhong.

Zhong Jianzhong was also confused. After receiving the looks from the generals, he pursed his lips and shook his head slightly.

After a long pause, Zhong Jianzhong tentatively asked, "Your Highness, are you gathering your generals late at night? Is there a war going on?"

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed and said, "Wait a little longer."

"What are you waiting for?"

"Wait for the scouts sent by Zhe Keshi."

Zhong Jianzhong was startled, then said happily, "The Liao army is really coming from the west?"

"Not necessarily, but the probability is high. Bingmasi is located south of the Juma River. To our east is the Yishui River, and to our north is the Juma River. If the Liao army wants to counterattack, they can only choose to cross the Yishui River from the east, or cross the Juma River upstream from the west. It is unlikely to cross from the north, as the target is too obvious."

Zhong Jianzhong asked excitedly, "Did the Liao army move tonight?" "Scouts report that there were unusual troop movements in the Liao army camp tonight. A 20,000-man Liao army has left the camp."

Zhong Jianzhong and the other generals discussed this quietly for a long time. After a while, Zhong Jianzhong said, "If that's the case, then the possibility of a Liao army surprise attack from the west is indeed very high. This is great. Zhe Keshi's 10,000 troops are waiting for them thirty miles to the west."

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed and said, "Now we just have to wait for Zhe Keshi's military report. If the report confirms that the 20,000 Liao troops did encounter Zhe Keshi's troops, then..."

After a quick glance, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Zhang Rong."

Zhang Rong stood up and said, "I am here."

"When the military report arrives, you will lead 10,000 soldiers across the Yishui River from the east and attack the Liao army camp on the other side."

Zhang Rong said excitedly: "Yes, sir!"

Zhong Jianzhong asked in surprise, "Shall we raid the Liao army camp on the other side?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed: "Yelü Chun can surprise attack us, why can't we surprise attack them in return? We can't let Yelü Chun take all the advantages in the world, right? Why?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's face darkened as he spoke. "This time, I will completely crush the morale of the Liao army. With this result, the Liao army will be terrified of our Song Dynasty. From now on, the Liao people will hold their heads high when speaking to us Song people!"

The generals in the hall were trembling with excitement.

Last time, 50,000 Liao troops were wiped out. This time, the Liao army totaled more than 30,000. If they were wiped out again, the Liao Kingdom would be seriously injured, and the concept of the Song army's invincibility would be deeply rooted in the minds of the Liao monarchs, ministers, and army.

From now on, not only will the Song and Liao dynasties redraw their borders, but they will also force the Liao to sit down and talk to the Song dynasty calmly.

"Zhong Jianzhong." Zhao Xiaoqian shouted again.

"The end will be here."

"When the military report arrives, you will lead another 10,000 troops and march quickly from the west to encircle the 20,000 Liao troops and provide support to Zhe Keshi's troops from the flank."

"The general will obey the order."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "As for the Feihu Army, leave me 5,000 men and horses. I will personally guard our lair. Tonight I will be a mountain eagle, haha."

As soon as he finished speaking, a scout hurried into the main hall and shouted excitedly, "Report—!"

"Your Highness, thirty miles to the west, Zhe Keshi's troops have reported that a large number of Liao troops, approximately 10,000 to 20,000 men, have been spotted on the north bank of the Juma River. Zhe Keshi has ordered his men to form a battle array and ensure their complete annihilation!"

There was a sudden commotion in the main hall, and all the generals suddenly burst into laughter.

In this battle, His Royal Highness the Prince was ahead of Yelu Chun, so how could the Liao army not be defeated?
Zhao Xiaoqian also smiled and waved to the generals, "According to my previous deployment, everyone should return to the main camp to check the troops and set out. Keep quiet and do not light any lights to avoid noticing the Liao army camp on the other side."

"Go ahead and do what you need to do."

Zhao Xiaoqian yawned profusely and said, "It's time for me to go to sleep. I hope to hear good news from you all when I wake up. Your names are waiting to be mentioned in the book of merit."

All the generals stood up, clasped their fists and saluted with joy, and shouted in unison: "We obey your orders!"

…………

At the hour of Chou, the moon is dark and the stars are sparse, and the air is filled with murderous intent.

Thirty miles west of Feihu Bingmasi, the two armies inevitably encountered each other.

At this time, the 10,000 Song soldiers had already formed up, each holding a flintlock rifle, and a heavy leather bag was hung on the waist of each soldier. The torches held high in the front emitted a faint light in the wilderness. In the dim light, a flag with the word "Zhe" on it fluttered slightly in the wind.

Two miles away, the Liao army's 20,000 soldiers were also lined up in silence.

Not long ago, they were defeated by the Song army and 50,000 of their men were wiped out. However, this Liao army was not discouraged or panicked at all. Under the command of their generals, they rode their horses and quickly adjusted themselves in the chaos, turning the chaos into order. Finally, when the formation was neat, the movement of the entire army slowed down.

Zhe Keshi was in the center of the army, riding on his horse and looking at the opposing formation in the dim light, his eyes gradually narrowed.

A cavalry suddenly appeared in front of the Liao army. The number of cavalrymen could not be seen clearly in the darkness, but it could be vaguely seen that the Liao army's formation was mainly based on this cavalry.

The entire army's formation was at a distance from this cavalry, and this cavalry stood in the center, while the rest of the army was on the left and right, seemingly in a flanking position.

With just one glance, Zhe Keshi roughly figured out the clues, and a mysterious smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

If nothing unexpected happens, this cavalry should be the Liao army's heavy cavalry, and the number of people is no more than 3,000.

If it had happened a month ago, the outcome of this battle would have been unpredictable.

But now, Zhe Keshi is full of confidence. He is sure that even if the enemy is really heavily armored cavalry, the elite royal army of the Song Dynasty can beat them to a pulp.

This kind of confidence is not blind, but comes from strength and truth in hand.

At this time, both armies had discovered each other's existence and had formed their battle formations, but no one launched an attack.

Both the enemy and us are waiting.

They are waiting for daybreak.

The night is not suitable for offensive and defensive operations, and is actually disadvantageous to both sides.

When daybreak comes, a bloody battle between the two sides will begin.

Zhe Keshi looked up at the direction of the Big Dipper and murmured, "It's already the Yin hour..."

(End of this chapter)