The prince is more stable

Chapter 552: Going North to Fight against Liao
There was no pre-war mobilization, no inspiring slogans.

Zhao Xiaoqian's way of leading troops was simple and crude. It would be better to give real money to the soldiers than to say a thousand or ten thousand empty slogans.

In today's military, there are some who are truly willing to serve their country, but they are very few.

The Song Dynasty adopted a conscription system, and the original intention of most soldiers to join the army was to have enough food to eat, receive military pay, and support their families.

Isn't it ridiculous to tell this kind of utilitarian army to chant slogans like "serve the country and sacrifice one's life for the country"?
Thirty thousand soldiers stood on the parade ground. Zhao Xiaoqian's voice was not loud in the whistling wind. The messengers below the stage were responsible for conveying every word of Zhao Xiaoqian to the ears of everyone in the team.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around at the soldiers on the parade ground with a stern gaze, and said slowly, "You are all the elite selected from the four armies in Bianjing. I will not waste any more words on military law. If anyone violates it, they will be punished according to military law. If they deserve a beating with a military stick, they will be beaten with a military stick. If they deserve to be beheaded, they will be beheaded. Military law does not tolerate mercy."

After a pause, Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "Let's talk about welfare. I won't talk nonsense, let's be more practical."

"Under my command, there are certain rules that I believe you are familiar with. First of all, killing or looting the people of the Song Dynasty is absolutely forbidden. Violators will be executed."

"Secondly, if you cross the border of the Song Dynasty, there will be no taboos. The superiors will not take a penny of the loot."

"Third, when the general gives the order, you must also advance courageously and obey the orders. Those who fear fighting and retreat will be executed."

Zhao Xiaoqian curled his lips and said, "Okay, these three points are the most important. If you can do that, I will guarantee you food to eat and money to spend. If you kill enough enemies, you can get a promotion. If you die in battle, I will support your parents, wives, and children."

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the sky and waved his hand: "Move out!"

The 30,000 soldiers were stunned. They did not expect that this legendary commander could be so concise and clear when giving speeches to the soldiers of the three armies. What’s more, his words were very down-to-earth, without any unrealistic and empty slogans.

The soldiers were excited and looked forward to it.

Killing the enemy under such a coach might really be different.

Not to mention the ordinary soldiers, even the generals standing at the front of the team were stunned. Is it really appropriate to say these words to the soldiers?

Logically speaking, shouldn't it be all about being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, and about sacrificing one's life for the country?
Why does His Royal Highness the Prince sound so mercenary, as if leading troops to war is not for killing the enemy, but for making money. So, this time... are we going north to work?

The generals of the various armies were also selected from the three armies in Bian Jing. They had naturally heard of Zhao Xiaoqian, and they were very excited to be under his command this time. However, before they set out on the expedition today, this Prince of the County shocked the generals.

Extraordinary people do extraordinary things. Perhaps this is the fundamental reason why Zhao Xiaoqian and his Dragon Guard Battalion defeated the Liao army several times.

With Zhao Xiaoqian's order, 30,000 soldiers set out from the camp and headed north.

Zhao Xiaoqian was still standing on the high platform, watching the soldiers marching out in a line, his expression indifferent.

Turning around and looking around, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly asked, "Where is the transport supervisor?"

A middle-aged general stepped forward and clasped his fists: "I, He Yun, will be appointed as the transport officer for the baggage."

Zhao Xiaoqian asked calmly, "How's the food supply situation?"

"The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue have recently urgently recruited over 10,000 laborers from farmers near Bianjing to escort food, fodder, weapons, ammunition, and armor. The first 3,000 men set out yesterday at noon, escorting 50,000 dan of food and fodder, and are waiting in Xiangzhou."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded. "Food and fodder must not be delayed, otherwise the consequences will be serious. The emperor has already ordered that granaries in various cities along the march can be temporarily requisitioned for military use. You must communicate clearly with the local authorities about the food and fodder accounts. Anyone who dares to embezzle or withhold rations from the soldiers will be executed immediately."

"Yes!"

He Yun withdrew, and Zhao Xiaoqian waved again: "Bring me one of the new guns made by the Firearms Supervision Bureau. I'll try it out."

A general came forward and handed him a brand new flintlock rifle.

Zhao Xiaoqian is an expert at playing with this thing, after all, he invented it.

He carefully checked the parts of the flintlock, especially the quality of the barrel, then took a paper shell bullet and loaded it into the chamber. He raised the gun and randomly found a tree trunk to aim at.

A gunshot was heard and white smoke rose up.

When the smoke cleared, the tree trunk was intact, but an unlucky sparrow perched on a branch fell to the ground.

The generals behind him cheered loudly: "Your Highness, your shooting skills are excellent!"

"Hit the target from a hundred paces! Hit the target from a hundred paces!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a while, and his old face turned red. It was amazing that such a thick skin could turn red.

How can I explain to everyone that I wasn't aiming at that sparrow at all...

Of course there is no explanation. He created a sharpshooter character out of nowhere and it can’t be ruined.

Zhao Xiaoqian put away his gun, with the demeanor of a master, calmly returning it to the general and saying calmly, "The gun is good, no shoddy workmanship."

After saying this, Zhao Xiaoqian walked down the platform, mounted his horse, and set off with the team under the escort of Chen Shou and other imperial guards.

As soon as he rode out of the camp, Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and hurriedly reined in his horse.

Outside the camp, thousands of civilians stood quietly. They were dressed differently, some in silk shirts, some in cloth, and there were even many civilian women, elderly people, women and children.

The people gathered quietly outside the camp, standing on tiptoe, waiting for something.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian riding out of the camp, the sharp-eyed people recognized him and shouted, "His Royal Highness the Prince has left the camp!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thousands of people knelt down before Zhao Xiaoqian. Zhao Xiaoqian was startled and quickly dismounted, helping up the elderly people who were leading the group.

"What... is going on?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked in surprise.

The old man trembled as he grasped Zhao Xiaoqian's hand. He looked him up and down carefully with his cloudy eyes, and said, "Your Highness... I heard that the army is going to fight against the Liao. Is Your Highness leading the troops?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "I am the one leading the troops."

The old man smiled: "Your Majesty is wise and has found the right person. Your Highness is the nemesis of the Liao people. With Your Highness taking action, this battle will be victorious!"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "According to the old man's good words, let's fight the Liao people again."

The old man sighed, "When I was young, I also served in the army and fought several battles with the Liao people in Daizhou. At that time, our royal army... was defeated!"

"I thought I would never see the day when the Song Dynasty would rise to prominence, but I never expected His Highness to suddenly appear and give us Song people a great relief."

Holding Zhao Xiaoqian's hand more and more tightly, the old man's expression was miserable, and his tone became heavier: "Your Highness, in these years of Song and Liao, do you know how many good men of our Song Dynasty died at the hands of Liao dogs?"

"Your Highness, times have changed. I only hope that when Your Highness faces the Liao people, you will show no mercy. I beg Your Highness to avenge the blood debts of the past."

As he said this, the old man took two steps back and knelt down towards Zhao Xiaoqian again.

"The people of Bianjing respectfully bid farewell to His Highness and his soldiers as they march north to defeat the bandits. This battle will surely be victorious, and this humiliation will be washed away! Millions of people eagerly await news of victory, hoping for the army's triumphant return!"

The people knelt down and echoed in unison.

Zhao Xiaoqian helped the old man up and pursed his lips.

Looking around at the densely packed crowd of people, Zhao Xiaoqian bowed deeply and said slowly, "In this battle, I wish to fight for a peaceful year for all of you elders."

"Must win!"

…………

The army marched out, with flags covering the sky. Under the fluttering banners were densely packed marching troops.

The troops marched quietly and calmly, with the vanguard cavalry leading the way a hundred miles away, the civilians in the rear army transporting the baggage, and Zhao Xiaoqian riding a horse and marching slowly in the center of the army.

Chen Shou, Jia Shi and other imperial guards were guarding Zhao Xiaoqian, and there was also an acquaintance beside him.

The acquaintance was none other than Xiao Guangjing. At this moment, he was still dressed as a Hu merchant from the Western Regions, and the two curled mustaches on his lips looked even more ridiculous.

Xiao Guangjing originally planned to stay in Bianliang for a few more days, but was forcibly taken away by Zhao Xiaoqian.

At a time when the two countries were about to go to war, a playboy from the Liao Kingdom actually had the leisure to play around. No matter which side he belonged to, it was inappropriate. Keeping him in Bianliang would be a factor of social instability and he must be taken away.

At this time, Xiao Guangjing was riding on a horse, but his eyes were fixed on the flintlock rifles carried by the soldiers around him. He looked quite interested and seemed very interested in the flintlock rifles.

"The reversal of the situation between Song and Liao was actually due to this kind of firearm, right?" Xiao Guangjing couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Yes, but not entirely."

"What do you mean?"

"Weapons are indeed advanced, but what's important is the people who wield them. The Song Dynasty suffered a century of humiliation because of repeated defeats, which destroyed the spirit of the army."

"And my soldiers, thanks to their advanced weapons, have won several victories and regained their spirit. If one day their advanced weapons become ineffective, believe it or not, they can still win battles with their unyielding spirit and swords."

Xiao Guangjing understood, but it seemed as if he didn't understand.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and explained, "You Liao people have always looked down on the Song people, saying that we Song people are spineless and without blood. That's why you have frequently invaded our borders in recent years, killing and looting at will, and unscrupulously offending our Great Song."

"In fact, the blood of the Song people is just dormant. It only needs a few victories to awaken it. When it wakes up, the Liao people will find out how brutal and cruel the Song people are when they start fighting. You will slowly see it in the future."

Zhao Xiaoqian spoke in a calm tone and slowly, but Xiao Guangjing felt a chill on his back for some reason.

"Well, in a few years, I'm afraid I won't be able to be a Liao person anymore. From now on, my father, the entire Xiao family, and I will be considered Song people." Xiao Guangjing said embarrassedly.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him with a smile and said, "As long as you and the Xiao family have no evil intentions and do your own things honestly and dutifully, when you become a Song citizen in the future, I can ensure that your family will prosper for generations to come."

Xiao Guangjing heard the warning in his words and said hurriedly, "Yes, yes, Brother Zi'an, don't worry. My father and I made a mistake a while ago. I promise we won't make the same mistake again. From now on, I will work diligently for the Song Dynasty and Brother Zi'an, and I will never have second thoughts."

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed and said, "Brother Xiao, the army has arrived in Xiangzhou. You must rush back to Shangjing, the capital of Liao, and pass on a message to your father."

"Brother Zi'an, just give me your orders." Xiao Guangjing has become very well-behaved now.

"Tell your father that no matter what the Song army does next, he must firmly uphold the original strategy and tactics before the Liao Emperor. I need your father's secret support for this battle. Can you do that?"

Xiao Guangjing nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

"I don't believe it! Swear an oath that your intestines will burst and your stomach will burst."

(End of this chapter)