The prince is more stable

Chapter 649 Taking Hejian First
The battle has not yet begun, but the strategy has already been decided.

In the battle to recapture Yan and Yun, Zhao Xiaoqian became unusually serious, knowing the importance of this war to the Song Dynasty.

The previous battles with the Liao army can only be defined as small-scale conflicts.

That's right, even though 150,000 Liao soldiers were annihilated, it is still defined as a "conflict".

The conflict was not a formal war. At that time, the Song and Liao dynasties had not completely broken off relations, nor had they formally declared war. Therefore, no matter how many casualties were on both sides, it could only be considered a conflict.

Things are different now. The Song Dynasty has officially declared war on the Liao Dynasty, and the two countries have officially entered a state of war.

Now that it was a formal state of war, Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to devote all his energy to it.

This time it wasn't as casual as before. In the past, it was always the Liao Kingdom that took the initiative to harass and provoke, and Zhao Xiaoqian would lead his troops to fight back. However, the Liao Kingdom was often humiliated.

In the past, troop movements were always temporary, and most of the time they were skirmishes between the two armies, leaving no room for strategic maneuvering.

Before this war began, Zhao Xiaoqian had already laid out plans for the Liao capital and various cities in Yanyun. In addition to the main battle, the more important thing was to activate the covert front.

Poisoning, arson, assassination, sowing discord...

This is the true face of war.

After Wanyan Aguda staggered away, Zhao Xiaoqian stretched and stood up.

“Zhong Jianzhong”.

"The end will be here."

Zhao Xiaoqian rubbed his eyes and said, "Pass down the order: three days later, we will break camp and the entire army will cross the Juma River to the north and head towards Hejian Prefecture."

"The first battle to recapture Yanyun is to take Hejian Prefecture!" Zhao Xiaoqian's tone became excited: "Tell the soldiers that I have been granted the title of 'Prince of Hejian'. Take Hejian Prefecture quickly and make my title truly deserved. After taking Hejian Prefecture, I will treat the entire army to a drink."

Zhong Jianzhong excitedly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes!"

Zhao Xiaoqian let out a soft breath.

When Zhao Xu first bestowed upon him the title of "Prince of Hejian," the deeper meaning behind it was that he would reclaim Yanyun and truly take control of Hejian Prefecture. Today, that goal is finally about to be realized.

So, after taking over Hejian Prefecture, will Zhao Xu change his title again, such as "Prince of Shangjing" or something, and continue to make empty promises to this lowly employee?
Given Zhao Xu's personality, it's probably quite possible.

Having lived two lives, he still happily indulges in the promises his boss makes. The difference is that in this life, he's finally a slightly higher-ranking servant.

…………

Military orders are absolute. When the news of the expedition in three days reached the camp, the soldiers immediately began to organize their equipment and pack their belongings.

Logistics began to tally up food, military supplies, and equipment, and loaded them onto wagons ahead of schedule, while laborers were conscripted from the vicinity of Hebei.

The artisans at the Firearms Bureau worked day and night to build firecrackers and rockets, operating around the clock.

The imperial court's logistics were also in good order. Just two days before Zhao Xiaoqian ordered the expedition to begin, the first batch of grain supplies requisitioned from the official granaries in Zhucheng, Hebei, arrived, enough for 100,000 soldiers for a month.

Everything was ready, except for the final order to set out on the expedition.

Three days later, at dawn, on the drill ground of the Juma River camp, Zhao Xiaoqian, clad in fish-scale armor, surveyed the 100,000 soldiers with piercing eyes.

Behind Zhao Xiaoqian was a huge ochre-yellow banner, embroidered with an arrogant "Zhao" character. The white side of the banner was embroidered with the words "Imperial Appointment as Pacification Commissioner of Hebei West Road, Prince of Hejian" from top to bottom.

As late spring approaches and the weather warms, a gentle breeze caresses the face, and a few thick white clouds drift across the sky, creating a bright and beautiful scene.

On the high platform erected beside the training ground, Zhao Xiaoqian stood at the front, with a group of military officers standing behind him. General Xu stood next to him, subtly taking a step back, consciously highlighting Zhao Xiaoqian's unique position in this army.

The drill ground was teeming with people, densely packed together.

One hundred thousand soldiers, clad in armor and mounted on warhorses, filled the vast plain.

The soldiers carried long flintlock muskets on their backs, with swords hanging at their waists, and some soldiers carried heavy black iron boxes on their backs.

Colorful flags fluttered across the drill ground, dividing the 100,000 soldiers into several squares. Each army, battalion, and platoon was clearly distinguished. Under the bright sunlight, young and vibrant faces were hidden in their armor, their eyes revealing a desire for military merit.

A gentle breeze swept by, and yellow dust rose up, gradually filling the once silent training ground with a chilling and murderous atmosphere.

Zhong Jianzhong stepped forward, bowed, and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Your Highness, the soldiers of the three armies are fully equipped. Please give your orders."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded and said, "Beat the drums, let's go."

Zhong Jianzhong was somewhat taken aback and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Highness, would you like to say a few words to the soldiers?"

Before a major battle, according to custom, the commander-in-chief should give a pep talk to the soldiers, saying a few words to inspire them and boost their morale.

But Zhao Xiaoqian simply disliked following the rules.

"What are you lecturing them for? Are they just children? Do they think they'll only learn to behave if they listen to me? Stop with this nonsense. Taking Hejian Prefecture right now is the only right thing to do." Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand impatiently and shouted, "All troops, march!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the thunderous war drums sounded, and the long bugle calls echoed mournfully between heaven and earth. The generals of each army and battalion shouted loudly, and the soldiers silently turned to the side and lined up to leave the camp.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood on the high platform, silently watching the soldiers' long, winding ranks emerge from the camp, his eyes gleaming with a light no one could decipher. ...

Yanyun is located twenty li outside the city of Hejian Prefecture.

Zhang Rong led 5,000 soldiers to rest in a narrow valley.

For several days in a row, Zhang Rong was ordered to lead 5,000 light cavalry across the border into Yanyun, and according to Zhao Xiaoqian's orders, he roamed and harassed the area near Hejian Prefecture.

Over the course of several days, the 5,000 troops had a significant impact on Hejian Prefecture.

Zhang Rong swept through all the villages, tribes, and towns within a hundred miles of the city.

Forced into a corner, the garrison commander of Hejian Prefecture dispatched several thousand Liao troops to besiege the city. However, they were discovered by Song scouts who were lying in ambush outside the city as soon as they left, and the scouts promptly reported the situation to Zhang Rong.

In a predictable ambush, thousands of Liao soldiers were annihilated, not a single horse returned, and they were wiped out from the world without a trace.

This also means that the already small garrison in Hejian Prefecture has been reduced by several thousand more due to the commander's rash decision.

Zhang Rong's 5,000 troops had been raiding and plundering the area within a hundred miles of Hejian Prefecture, and the soldiers were indeed somewhat exhausted. So Zhang Rong ordered the entire army to rest on the spot for half a day to replenish their rations and water.

The soldiers slumped on the damp ground in the valley, some closing their eyes to rest, others simply lying down to sleep, while their warhorses leisurely grazed on the grass beside them.

Zhang Rong dared not rest, even though he was also very tired. As the commander of this army, he had to remain highly vigilant at all times.

"Take stock of the grain and ammunition, and see how much is left," Zhang Rong ordered in a deep voice. A battalion officer following behind him hurriedly accepted the order and left.

Half an hour later, the battalion officer came to Zhang Rong and reported: "The rations can last for five days, but the ammunition is almost all gone. It can only support one major battle."

Zhang Rong scratched his head in frustration: "The food supplies are fine, we can just plunder them from the nearby villages. But the ammunition... tsk! A bunch of bastards, they don't even think about saving a little when fighting the enemy. We're deep in enemy territory, where are we going to find ammunition?"

"General, His Highness's mission was to harass Yanyun, probe the Liao army's reaction, and ascertain the troop numbers in the cities of Yanyun. I believe we have accomplished what His Highness entrusted to us. Should we now withdraw to the Juma River?"

Zhang Rong glared angrily and said, "Withdraw what? His Highness's main army has probably already broken camp and headed north. We're just waiting to meet His Highness outside Hejian Prefecture."

"Besides, we've come all this way to Hejian Prefecture. Are we going to slink back after handling such a trivial matter? His Highness has chosen me, which is a great honor. We haven't accomplished anything worthwhile, so how can we face His Highness when we return?"

The battalion officer stammered, "General, what do you intend to do..."

Zhang Rong hummed in agreement and looked toward the northern horizon.

"We've annihilated several thousand Liao troops in Hejian Prefecture. If nothing unexpected happens, the garrison commander will definitely request reinforcements from Xijin Prefecture. We'll choose a propitious spot north of Hejian Prefecture and ambush the reinforcements from Xijin Prefecture. Haha, isn't this victory a freebie?"

The battalion commander's eyes lit up: "That makes sense! We shouldn't miss out on such a golden opportunity! I also want to earn some military merit and get promoted a couple of ranks."

Zhang Rong was in a great mood and patted his shoulder, saying, "Yes, yes! I also want to be promoted to Commander-in-Chief. If I'm lucky, I might even be granted a title. His Highness said that those who make the first contribution in the three prefectures of Hejian, Datong, and Xijin will be granted titles."

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. His fatigue seemed to vanish instantly, and he was filled with energy and his spirits lifted.

Looking at the soldiers lying sprawled all over the ground, Zhang Rong, though anxious, couldn't bear to urge them on. So he said, "Rest for another hour, and we'll set off north in an hour."

…………

Liao Dynasty, Shangjing.

Xiao Fengxian walked out of the palace with a smug look on his face and got into the carriage of the Xiao residence outside the palace gate.

The carriage set off, and after a long time, it passed through the market of Shangjing, when suddenly it felt the carriage stop.

Xiao Fengxian, inside the carriage, frowned: "What is it?"

A deep voice came from outside: "Reporting to the Deputy Privy Councilor, Lord Xiao Wuna, the Privy Councilor of the Northern Court, wishes to invite you to a meal at the restaurant."

Xiao Fengxian remained silent inside the carriage for a long time before the curtain was lifted.

"Lead the way," Xiao Fengxian said calmly.

A restaurant by the roadside was empty, with only a few people sitting or standing at the entrance. Xiao Fengxian glanced at them and knew that they were the personal guards and retainers of Xiao Wuna's household. The restaurant had obviously been booked in advance.

Upon reaching the second floor, at a table by the window, Xiao Wuna, dressed in casual clothes, was leisurely drinking by himself.

Xiao Fengxian glanced at him quietly, then walked up to him and smiled.

"I am flattered and overwhelmed by the invitation from the envoy."

Xiao Wuna also stood up and smiled, gesturing for Xiao Fengxian to sit down.

"Vice Envoy Xiao just came out of the palace. I suppose His Majesty has decided to send envoys to negotiate peace with the Song Kingdom?" Xiao Wuna asked with a smile.

Xiao Fengxian was taken aback, his expression hesitant for a moment, but thinking that this matter could not be kept secret, he simply said frankly: "That's right, His Majesty has decided to negotiate peace. Tomorrow, he will send an envoy south to first meet with Zhao Xiaoqian and test his words. If he can persuade Zhao Xiaoqian to withdraw his troops, our Great Liao can agree to the conditions of the Song Dynasty as appropriate."

Xiao Wuna shook his head and laughed, "The Song emperor and Zhao Xiaoqian are both determined to obtain the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. Sending envoys to negotiate peace will probably be in vain."

(End of this chapter)