The prince is more stable

Chapter 665 Raid on Zhuozhou
Wang Chong and his entourage came to Hejian Prefecture to present horses to Zhao Xiaoqian.

This news greatly surprised Zhao Xiaoqian, who couldn't help but look Wang Chong up and down, a thought that popped into his mind just like that of Emperor Qianlong: "Heh, how many more surprises do you have that I don't know about?"

"Ferghana horses?" Zhao Xiaoqian murmured.

To be honest, he was genuinely tempted.

If this thing were a thousand years from now, it would be a species treasured by the whole world. Its food, clothing, shelter, and transportation would be more precious than humans. Only billionaires would have the right to covet it. How could a corporate slave like him, who works from 8 to 8, dare to even dream about it?

Now, this guy named Wang Chong is actually offering himself to me, all of him looking so fresh and beautiful.

Moreover, judging from Wang Chong's expression, it was an honor for the Akhal-Teke horse to be ridden by a prince like himself.

Wang Chong nodded: "That's right, a purebred Akhal-Teke horse. Last year when I was trading horses in Western Xia, I met a merchant from the Arab world. He had acquired an Akhal-Teke horse from the former Dayuan Kingdom, which had traveled through several countries."

"The Arab merchant originally intended to keep this horse for his own use, but I later used some means to acquire it. The horse is still young, not even four years old, and is at the perfect age to be strong and healthy, suitable for Your Highness to ride."

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes flashed. Wang Chong's words about "using some methods" were vague, but Zhao Xiaoqian could roughly guess that these methods were probably not so honorable.

Since the Han and Tang dynasties, merchants from various countries have traded with foreign countries via the Silk Road. Among them, the merchants from the Central Plains of China were the most resourceful and had the most cunning and sophisticated business methods. Foreign merchants were often fooled by the Chinese merchants, and even after being sold out, they would still be foolish enough to help the Chinese merchants count the money.

The process by which Wang Chong acquired this Ferghana horse was roughly the same.

Zhao Xiaoqian stroked his chin, looking quite interested.

What man could refuse the chance to ride the legendary Akhal-Teke horse in his lifetime?

It must be said that Wang Chong scratched his itch, which felt very comfortable.

In this era without luxury cars, who can understand the true value of owning a magnificent horse?

It's the Bugatti Veyron of this era.

“Well, I do want that BMW, but I can’t just take your things for free. If you’re willing to part with it, I’ll buy it for a thousand taels of gold, how about that?” Zhao Xiaoqian said.

Wang Chong shook his head decisively: "To be able to present Your Highness with a fine horse, which Your Highness can ride to guard the border and protect the country, is a blessing I, Wang Chong, have earned in my previous life. If Your Highness wants to give me money, you are underestimating me too much."

Seeing Wang Chong's agitated expression, as if mentioning money was a great humiliation to him, Zhao Xiaoqian didn't insist any further. But since Wang Chong was in this business, he couldn't just take it for free.

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Then let's put it another way. I'll take that fine horse, and we won't talk about money. But if you, Wang Chong, encounter any trouble in the future, whether in the Song Dynasty, Western Xia, or Liao Dynasty, just come to me, and I'll help you solve it. I won't give you any money, but I'll give you this promise."

Wang Chong opened his mouth as if to say something, but Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand and said, "Don't refuse. We are all people of the martial world. Don't act like hypocrites."

After saying that, Zhao Xiaoqian clasped his hands in a fist salute to him: "It's settled then. Qianqian (the version of Qianqian who doesn't eat cilantro) is trying his best. Please!"

Wang Chong's cheek twitched violently, but he still clasped his hands in return and forced a smile: "Qianqian, no, no... well."

Zhao Xiaoqian earnestly corrected him: "Qianqian doesn't eat cilantro, remember that. If you encounter trouble while traveling the world, use my name, but only in the Song Dynasty and certain parts of the Liao Kingdom. If you use my name in the Liao capital, you'll get beaten to a pulp. Use it with caution."

Setting down his chopsticks, Zhao Xiaoqian looked around and then asked, "Where's the BMW? Let me see it first."

Wang Chong and the other men immediately looked embarrassed: "That precious horse... was intercepted on the way."

Zhao Xiaoqian's pupils dilated sharply, then he narrowed his eyes slightly: "I feel like you're playing me, but I have no proof..."

Wang Chong's expression was a mixture of guilt and indignation as he said, "I heard that the royal army has recovered Hejian Prefecture, and Your Highness is also stationed in Hejian Prefecture. My brother and I were doing business in Laizhou in Liao Kingdom at the time. After hearing the news, we immediately led our Ferghana horses from Laizhou to Hejian Prefecture."

"Later, when we passed through Zhuozhou in Yanyun, we were stopped by Liao officials who then seized our Ferghana horses and drove us away."

Zhao Xiaoqian's tone grew colder: "Zhuozhou? Which Liao official is so audacious as to intercept my horse?"

Wang Chong sighed, “The Liao Kingdom has a special government responsible for raising cattle, sheep and horses. It is called the ‘Quanmu Shisi’ (錦牧使司). There are six Quanmu Shisi in the whole country. Under the Shisi are local Quanmu Offices. Among them, the Quanmu Office in Zhuozhou, Yanyun, belongs to the Quanmu Shisi of the Southwest Route of the Liao Kingdom.”

"The official from the Zhuozhou Pasture who intercepted that Akhal-Teke horse was the Dulinya of the Pasture. Uh... 'Linya' was an official title in the Liao Dynasty, roughly in charge of the accounts and books of the pasture under his jurisdiction, and he had considerable power."

"When we passed through Zhuozhou, the official took a liking to the Akhal-Teke horse at first glance, and brazenly ordered us to be intercepted and driven away without saying a word."

Zhao Xiaoqian rubbed his nose. As a prince of the Song Dynasty, it seemed a bit embarrassing that the Liao Dynasty's official system needed a江湖汉子 (jianghu man, a man from the martial arts world) to educate him...

"Stop talking nonsense. It's pointless for you to tell me about the background of that Liao official. I'm not going to go on a blind date with him anyway."

Zhao Xiaoqian gritted his teeth and said, "Dare to intercept my precious horse? Even if the Heavenly King himself came, I'd skin him alive! Zhuozhou... Where is Zhuozhou?"

Wang Chong hurriedly replied, "Zhuozhou is only a little over 300 li from Hejian Prefecture, and it is also one of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. It can be reached in a day by fast horse."

Zhao Xiaoqian grunted and turned to shout outside the shop, "Chen Shou, bring me the map!" Chen Shou hurriedly came in and took out a miniature sheepskin map from his pocket, which depicted the cities and routes of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

Unfolding the map, Zhao Xiaoqian examined it carefully several times before saying, "About three hundred li, that's doable. Commander Chen, which of our main forces is closest to Zhuozhou?"

Although Chen Shou was Zhao Xiaoqian's personal bodyguard, he was still someone who came into contact with military and state secrets day and night. Upon hearing this, he replied without hesitation: "The 50,000 troops led by Zong Ze are stationed 50 li northeast of Hejian Prefecture. Zong Ze is closest to Zhuozhou, about 200 li away."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "Someone stole my BMW, and it was a Liao official no less. This person is extremely rude and must be taught a lesson."

Wang Chong and the others immediately showed excitement, their eyes shining as they stared at Zhao Xiaoqian.

How fortunate I am to have witnessed His Highness the Prince issuing orders and mobilizing troops at such close range.

Zhao Xiaoqian said with a grim face, "Send a messenger on horseback to Zong Ze with an order, instructing his subordinate Zhe Keshi to personally lead 5,000 light cavalry to raid Zhuozhou. Zhuozhou, well..."

Wang Chong reminded him from the side, "The Zhuozhou Pasture, the Dulinya..."

"Yes, let Zhe Keshi lead the army to destroy this herdsman's camp, and kill that Dulinya guy to pieces. Also, bring back my Ferghana horse unharmed."

"This order is urgent. Tell Zong Ze to carry it out immediately. Go!" Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand.

Chen Shou accepted the order and hurriedly turned to leave.

Zhao Xiaoqian picked up his wine glass again and smiled at Wang Chong and the others.

"Come on, let's continue drinking. You all wait in Hejian Prefecture for a few days. There will be news within three days. No one is allowed to touch my Ferghana horse. If anyone tries, I'll chop off their hand."

Wang Chong was so excited he was shaking uncontrollably, but no one knew exactly what he was so excited about.

"I am but a commoner from the Jianghu, and I have the honor of witnessing Your Highness issuing orders in your tent and mobilizing thousands of troops. It is truly awe-inspiring and worthy of our respect."

Zhao Xiaoqian downed his drink in one gulp, then said casually, "It's a small matter, just mobilizing a few thousand soldiers for an official mission."

In fact, it wasn't just about that Akhal-Teke horse; Zhao Xiaoqian's raid on Zhuozhou with 5,000 Song soldiers also served to put pressure on the Liao Kingdom.

He wanted to show the Liao emperor and his ministers through his actions that times had changed and that the Song army could move freely in the Yan-Yun region as if it were their own territory.

Even if the Liao Kingdom wanted to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, it wouldn't be a particularly generous offer. Even if you refused, I could easily take it.

Zhao Xiaoqian enjoyed a drink with Wang Chong and others, and was quite drunk by the end of the banquet.

After bidding farewell to Wang Chong and the others, Zhao Xiaoqian was escorted back to the Hejian Prefecture by Chen Shou.

…………

Two days later, a military order was delivered to Zong Ze's tent in the Northeast Route Song Army.

Zong Ze dared not neglect the military order personally issued by Zhao Xiaoqian. He immediately summoned his subordinate general Zhe Keshi, assigned him 5,000 light cavalry, and ordered Zhe Keshi to lead his troops to set off immediately to raid Zhuozhou.

Zhe Keshi was a little confused when he received the military order. Then he heard that there were Liao officials in the Zhuozhou pasture who dared to intercept the prince's Ferghana horse. Zhe Keshi was furious and immediately mustered his troops to set off.

Five thousand well-equipped light cavalry headed straight for Zhuozhou, galloping swiftly along the way. The five thousand light cavalry were like a dark cloud, sweeping across the Hebei Plain.

In less than a day, Zhe Keshi's troops had arrived outside Zhuozhou City.

The sudden arrival of this Song army plunged Zhuozhou into chaos. Countless civilians packed up their belongings and fled the city with their families. The less than 10,000 Liao soldiers guarding Zhuozhou were also thrown into a panic. They immediately reorganized their troops, mobilized the city's defenses, and prepared for the Song army.

Zhe Keshi merely smiled contemptuously at the chaos in Zhuozhou City. He deliberately led his troops to speed past the city walls, as if to show off their military might, but made no move to attack the city. Instead, they headed north.

The pastures, located twenty miles north of Zhuozhou City, remain a peaceful and tranquil place.

The Liao Dynasty's animal husbandry industry had long since collapsed. In the early and middle periods of its founding, the Liao Dynasty did indeed attach importance to animal husbandry, especially horse administration. After all, the Liao Dynasty was originally a nomadic people, and the invincible Liao cavalry relied on a continuous supply of warhorses to the army.

However, due to the transition from nomadic to agricultural life and the corruption in the court, government, and army, the so-called animal husbandry industry gradually collapsed. The decline of the Liao Dynasty was not due to one or two reasons, but the decline of animal husbandry, especially the horse administration, was also one of the important reasons for the country's decline.

The six major pastoral administrations of the Liao Dynasty had essentially ceased to exist in name only by the time Yelü Hongji was middle-aged, but this government institution still continued to exist.

While the Song army launched a surprise attack on Zhuozhou, the people of Qunmu, outside the city, seemed very relaxed and peaceful.

Ultimately, the grazing office was just an institution that was on the verge of extinction. Who would have thought that such a small grazing office, whose presence was almost invisible, would be targeted by the Song army?

The Song army's 5,000 light cavalry raided Zhuozhou this time, specifically targeting this herding area.

(End of this chapter)