The prince is more stable

Chapter 553: Meeting at the Southern Camp
The chess pieces we had laid out were not meant for them to take advantage of and gain benefits for free.

High-level chess pieces like Xiao Wuna are usually not used easily, but are used in key and important places.

For the current Song-Liao war, the important thing is the strategic decision-making of the two countries' rulers and ministers on the war.

To use a high-level chess piece like Xiao Wuna, one must influence the decision-making of the Liao Kingdom, let him say the most correct words, but induce the Liao Emperor to make decisions in the wrong direction.

This is a technical job and people without brains can't do it.

For example, Xiao Guangjing, even if he had that status and position, he probably didn't know how to make false accusations to the Liao emperor.

Xiao Wuna can do it.

Although Zhao Xiaoqian had never met him, he knew Xiao Wuna's resume.

He was once the commander-in-chief of the Northeast Road and the governor of Huanglong Prefecture. The Liao Emperor specifically appointed him to suppress the henchmen of the Jurchen tribe. He could not be a fool.

What Zhao Xiaoqian needs now is for the Liao monarchs and ministers to maintain the current strategy and allow the Liao army to continue its three-pronged offensive.

This was good news for the Song army. Another way to think of the three-pronged attack was to divide the troops into three groups, which was more conducive to cutting off the front and rear of the Song army and defeating them one by one.

The worry was that Yelu Hongji would discover something was wrong, especially if the news of Zhao Xiaoqian's reinstatement leaked out, he would immediately change his strategy.

At this time, it is time to use Xiao Wuna as a chess piece.

Xiao Guangjing didn't know what Zhao Xiaoqian was thinking. He had a simple mind and couldn't think so deeply. It was even more impossible for Zhao Xiaoqian to tell him the whole story, so he just asked him to convey the message honestly.

After marching for several days, the army arrived outside Xiangzhou City and set up camp. Xiao Guangjing also left the team and rushed towards Shangjing, the capital of Liao.

Due to the urgent military situation, Zhao Xiaoqian only camped outside Xiangzhou City for one night and ordered his troops to continue their march the next day.

At the same time, far away on the south bank of the Juma River, in the former Feihu Bingmasi, now the Longweiying camp, Zhong Jianzhong also received the imperial edict from Bian Jing.

When Zhong Jianzhong heard that the Liao Kingdom was mobilizing troops and planning to invade from three directions, he was shocked.

After Zhao Xiaoqian left the camp and rushed back to Bian Jing, Zhong Jianzhong temporarily took over his position and took over as the commander of the Longwei Camp.

These days were very peaceful. Every day he just supervised the soldiers' training, worried about food and fodder, maintained guns and ammunition, etc. It seemed as if Zhong Jianzhong had returned to the leisurely days when he was in the Dragon Guard Camp in Bian Jing.

Like Zhao Xiaoqian's judgment, Zhong Jianzhong also believed that the Liao army suffered two defeats and lost 80,000 soldiers and horses, and that the Longwei Camp had always maintained an offensive posture against the Liao Kingdom. In order to rescue Su Shi, the Longwei Camp crossed the Juma River to the north and once approached the city of Xijin Prefecture.

Under such circumstances, Zhong Jianzhong and Zhao Xiaoqian both judged that for at least one or two years, the Liao Kingdom would not have the courage and confidence to invade the Song Dynasty again.

Who would have thought that after just a few months, the Liao army would take action again.

Therefore, the nomadic peoples in the north are stubborn and it is difficult to subdue them unless they are completely eliminated physically.

After receiving the transfer order from the court, Zhong Jianzhong did not dare to delay. He immediately assembled troops and prepared food and fodder, waiting for the 30,000 Bian Jing troops led by Zhao Xiaoqian to join forces before handing over the military power to Zhao Xiaoqian.

On a peaceful and harmonious day, war clouds suddenly gathered and a low, suffocating atmosphere enveloped people's hearts.

Only the soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp were delighted. When Zhong Jianzhong issued the assembly order, the soldiers were excited and eager to try.

This was probably the most special army in the entire Song Dynasty. They were happy to hear about war and everyone was vying to be the first. From generals to ordinary soldiers, they all exuded a warlike spirit.

…………

Zhao Xiaoqian's marching speed was not slow, and he understood the principle of speed being of the essence in war better than anyone else.

When the Liao army in Xijin Prefecture of the Liao Kingdom had gathered tens of thousands of troops, ten days later, when the weather gradually became cooler and the autumn air was clear and crisp, Zhao Xiaoqian's 30,000 Bian Jing troops arrived at the camp on the south bank of the Juma River.

This march was so hard that even when passing Zhending City on the way, Zhao Xiaoqian did not have time to go into the city to see the three girls, Niaoniao. He did not expect that he would be like Dayu when he controlled the flood, passing by his home without entering.

On the ninth day of the ninth month, the Double Ninth Festival, 30,000 troops entered the Feihu Army and joined forces with the 30,000 troops of the Longwei Camp.

After learning about the Liao army's mobilization, the Dragon Guard Camp sent out countless scouts to cross the Juma River to the north to gather military intelligence.

Xijin Prefecture has assembled 40,000 Liao troops. When the news reached the Longwei Camp, the soldiers were even more eager to move.

However, Zhong Jianzhong suppressed the emotions of the soldiers and did not dare to decide on any action without Zhao Xiaoqian's military order.

To be honest, Zhong Jianzhong was able to take charge of the overall situation in the Longwei Camp, including the arrangement of food and fodder, training conditions, etc. However, when a real war broke out, Zhong Jianzhong was unsure.

Commanding an army requires the commander to have a clear mind. Zhong Jianzhong was not sure whether his ideas were consistent with Zhao Xiaoqian's. If he sent the wrong troops and executed the wrong orders, it would be a disaster for the entire army.

It was not until Zhao Xiaoqian led the troops from Bian Jing to arrive that Zhong Jianzhong finally breathed a sigh of relief and felt relieved of a heavy burden.

Outside the south bank camp, the generals of the Dragon Guard Camp lined up to welcome Zhao Xiaoqian.

Looking at the densely packed army of tens of thousands, with banners fluttering in the distance, the commanders of the Dragon Guard Battalion were overjoyed. Initially, upon hearing that the Liao army had mobilized 100,000 troops for a counterattack, the commanders of the Dragon Guard Battalion were somewhat hesitant, fearing that their 30,000 men would not be able to hold their own. However, His Royal Highness the Prince of the County brought another 30,000 troops from Bianjing. It was said that these troops were carefully selected from the three armies, and every one of them was equipped with firearms.

Now the generals felt more confident and their confidence increased.

The soldiers entered the camp in a mighty procession, each busy clearing space and setting up tents.

Zhao Xiaoqian rode his horse slowly towards the generals, dismounted in front of them, and looked at them with a smile.

Zhong Jianzhong was the first to greet him, and said excitedly, "Your Highness is finally back! Are all the troubles resolved?"

After Zhao Xiaoqian killed Han Wei and other officials, he rushed back to Bian Jing without saying a word to resolve the trouble. Zhong Jianzhong also knew that the matter was of great importance and was always concerned about his safety.

Later, news came from Bian Jing that Zhao Xiaoqian was first dismissed from office and even imprisoned in the Dali Temple. Later, he was released and finally reinstated. The twists and turns of the process were simply unimaginable.

Zhao Xiaoqian patted Zhong Jianzhong on the shoulder and said with a smile, "It's solved. Luckily I got back early enough to find a way out. Otherwise, I'd probably still be sitting in the Dali Temple prison counting lice today."

Zhong Jianzhong said calmly, "It's good that it's resolved. My comrades were all worried when they heard about it, but the emperor has always favored Your Highness and will not punish you severely for such a small matter."

All the generals saluted Zhao Xiaoqian one after another. It was obvious that they were truly happy about his return. Everyone's face showed an expression of impatience, waiting for Zhao Xiaoqian to give orders.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at everyone with a smile, and his eyes fell on Zhe Keshi. He frowned and asked uncertainly, "Old Zhe?"

Zhe Keshi came out and clasped his fists and bowed: "Your Highness, it's been a long time since we last met. I've missed you so much!"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked him up and down, a little surprised. "Lao Zhe, how much have you eaten while I've been away? You've gained at least fifty pounds, right?"

Zhe Keshi said a little embarrassedly, "I stay in the camp every day, and General Zhong doesn't allow me to go into Zhending City for fun. In the camp, all I do is eat and eat. I haven't noticed that I've become a little... well, plump."

Zhao Xiaoqian twitched his lips. "What the hell, 'plump'? Is that the right word to describe you? Can you even mount a horse and kill the enemy with all that fat on you? You'll have a hard time escaping."

Zhe Keshi immediately said unconvincedly: "Your Highness, please do not underestimate me. Famous generals throughout history have all gained weight. It is true that I have gained weight, but I have also gained strength. To be honest with you, Your Highness, I can now easily lift two living people."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "You're so damn worrying! I've only been away for a few days... I'll make you a fat-reducing meal recipe. Follow it and you'll lose at least 30 pounds. Otherwise, don't blame me for giving you a nickname. I'll call you 'Fatty' every time we meet. I'll see if you have the nerve to do that."

The generals burst into laughter, and Zhe Keshi agreed with resentment.

After greeting the other generals, Zhong Jianzhong stepped aside and said, "Your Highness, please enter the general's tent."

The commander's tent is just a superficial word. The commander's tent of the Dragon Guard Camp was once the official office of the Feihu Bingmasi. The conditions there are much better than setting up a tent in the wild.

Walking into the familiar main hall of the government office, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the simple furnishings inside and felt a sense of security as if he were back home.

He naturally sat in the first seat in the main hall, and the other generals took their seats one after another.

At this time, there were not only the generals of the Dragon Guard Camp in the hall, but also the generals from Bian Jing brought by Zhao Xiaoqian, all of whom were elite members of the Bian Jing Imperial Guards.

There were many acquaintances among the four upper armies of Bianjing. After all, they all worked in Bianjing City and saw each other every day. It was also common for generals to be transferred between the four armies. Therefore, after entering the main hall, the hall instantly became a large-scale family recognition scene.

The familiar general shouted in surprise, then rushed forward to hug him, patted him on the back, laughed heartily, and then linked arms and talked, telling each other about their situations.

Zhong Jianzhong also chatted with some old acquaintances from Bianliang for a while. He glanced around and found a middle-aged general sitting quietly in the corner near the door of the hall.

The general was about forty years old, but he seemed to have no acquaintances. He just watched the other generals chatting and laughing with each other.

Zhong Jianzhong's eyes flashed, and he stepped forward to greet him, "Brother, I wonder which army you originally belonged to? Oh, right, I'm Zhong Jianzhong, the former commander of the Dragon Guard Battalion, and now a subordinate of the Prince."

The man stood up, clasped his fists, and humbly said, "I pay my respects to General Zhong. My name is Di Zi. I used to be a member of the imperial guards, deputy envoy of the West Pavilion Gate. I was temporarily summoned by His Royal Highness the Prince to accompany the army on the expedition, and now I am the commander-in-chief."

Zhong Jianzhong was a little surprised that the general of the palace guards was actually pulled into the army alone by His Royal Highness the Prince. He thought that this person must have some extraordinary qualities.

Zhong Jianzhong hurriedly clasped his fists and politely said, "So it's General Di. I've heard a lot about you... Hmm? Wait a minute, is your last name Di?"

Di Zi nodded: "Yes, General Di Zi."

Zhong Jianzhong turned around and glanced at Zhao Xiaoqian, who was sitting at the first seat. He said with a strange expression, "I heard that the Duke's wife is from the Di family. I wonder what the Di family is like to you..."

Di Zi sighed. He knew that he couldn't hide it. After all, Zhao Xiaoqian was now a celebrity. The generals and soldiers in the Song Dynasty army admired and respected him and regarded him as an idol.

Fans will naturally take the initiative to inquire about everything about their idols, so all the information about Zhao Xiaoqian, including his background, official title, wife's family, etc., cannot be hidden from those who are interested.

Di Zi sighed and then had to smile bitterly, saying, "The wife that His Royal Highness the Prince married is none other than this General's daughter."

Zhong Jianzhong's eyes widened in shock, he gasped in astonishment, and cried out, "Father-in-law?!"

Di Zi's cheek twitched, and he said slowly: "I am the father-in-law of His Royal Highness the Prince, not your father-in-law, General Zhong, please stop yelling..."

(End of this chapter)