The prince is more stable

Chapter 694 Cross-border Pursuit
As long as there is hope and a glimmer of light ahead, the journey won't feel so tiring.

Xiao Chouwo was certain that he and his remaining troops would escape the Song army's pursuit, cross the border, and return to Liao territory.

After entering the Liao Kingdom, his life was guaranteed, and he and the remaining troops were able to survive.

Xiao Chouwo even harbored a sliver of hope that he would receive heroic treatment and glory upon returning to the Liao Kingdom.

Zhao Xiaoqian, who struck fear into the hearts of the Liao people, was almost killed by Xiao Chouwo. Even if he hadn't died, he would have been half-dead. Wasn't Xiao Chouwo a hero of the Liao Dynasty?
For the Liao Dynasty, Zhao Xiaoqian was an irreconcilable enemy of the entire Khitan Liao state. To be able to defeat his enemy to this extent, he truly deserves the title of hero.

That was exactly what Xiao Chouwo thought. As he rode his horse, looking out at the distant border between Song and Liao, a relaxed smile even appeared on his face.

A rapid sound of hooves came from behind. Xiao Chouwo and his remaining troops turned around in surprise. In the past few days, the Song army had been conducting a large-scale search and pursuit, and Xiao Chouwo's ​​troops had become like frightened birds, on edge. Any unusual movement could cause extreme tension among the soldiers.

Fortunately, the knights galloping up from behind were their own men, and the soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.

But the galloping knight did not relax; instead, his expression was one of panic.

"Commander Xiao, it's terrible! The Song army has discovered our tracks and is already catching up!" the knight said, his voice trembling.

Xiao Chouwo narrowed his eyes and looked behind him. In the distance of the vast plain, a cloud of dust was rising, and figures were moving within the dust. He didn't know how many pursuers there were, but judging from the size of the dust cloud, it was definitely much larger than Xiao Chouwo's ​​remaining troops.

"How many troops does the Song army have? Who is in command?" Xiao Chouwo asked calmly.

The knight, a Liao scout responsible for covering the rear, replied without hesitation, "The Song army is divided into two routes, each with five thousand soldiers, led by Song generals Di Zi and Zhang Rong respectively. They are encircling and outflanking us from the southwest and southeast."

Xiao Chouwo's ​​eyelids twitched. The Song army had actually sent 10,000 troops to hunt him down. Clearly, the surprise attack on Zhao Xiaoqian had seriously angered the Song army. Otherwise, they would not have mobilized so many troops for a mere thousand men.

This is giving him far too much credit. In other words, the Song army is determined to eliminate him as soon as possible and present his and the heads of his remaining troops to Zhao Xiaoqian to claim credit.

The pursuers were fast approaching, but Xiao Chouwo remained calm and even chuckled a few times.

"Once we cross that mountain, we'll be within the territory of our Great Liao. Once we're in Liao, we'll be safe. The Song army won't dare cross the border, and we can live!" Xiao Chouwo shouted, boosting morale.

The remaining soldiers responded in scattered voices. In order to escape the pursuit of the Song army, the Liao soldiers had been exhausted and hungry for the past few days. What was even more unbearable was the endless psychological pressure that tormented their hearts. Even if they could escape now, they could not express much joy.

Seeing that the morale of the remaining troops was not high, Xiao Chouwo made another statement.

"We have rendered meritorious service in killing Zhao Xiaoqian this time. After returning to the Liao Dynasty, His Majesty and the Northern Privy Council will surely reward us handsomely. Brothers, promotion is just around the corner. Let's hurry up and shake off the Song army behind us. Wealth and glory are not far away!"

It must be said that these words did indeed provoke the remaining soldiers.

A hefty reward and a promotion—who wouldn't like that? The Liao army has made great contributions. This time, they seriously injured the Song commander-in-chief and almost beheaded him. When they return to face those cowards who are afraid of the Song, they can brag about this for a lifetime. What's more, they can also be rewarded for their merits.

Immediately, the remnants of the Liao army were energized, their spirits lifted, and they roared wildly as they galloped towards the Song-Liao border.

Three or four miles behind Xiao Chouwo's ​​troops, the Song army under Di Zi and Zhang Rong had already joined forces.

In the past few days, the two men split into two groups, searching for Xiao Chouwo's ​​whereabouts from the southwest and southeast of Datong Prefecture. Today, the two groups of troops finally discovered Xiao Chouwo at the same time.

Although Xiao Chouwo had less than a thousand men left, it was still a force of over a thousand soldiers on the march. Once they started moving, it would be difficult for them to hide their tracks.

Upon hearing the news, Di Zi and Zhang Rong simultaneously pursued Xiao Chouwo from two different directions. The two armies met outside Datong Prefecture and then successfully merged into one force.

On the jolting, galloping horse, Di Zi's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the remnants of Xiao Chouwo's ​​army three or four miles ahead. He held the reins in one hand and lashed the horse's rump hard with the other.

The horse neighed in pain, but Di Zi ignored it and chased after Xiao Chouwo like a madman. He was the fastest in the group, so much so that he left his subordinates far behind.

An anxious call came from behind. Zhang Rong gritted his teeth, spurred his horse, and caught up with him, saying with a wry smile, "General Di, there's no need to rush. Now that we've discovered Xiao Chouwo, he can't escape..."

"Let's conserve some horsepower in case Xiao Chouwo is desperate and charges recklessly."

Di Zi ignored him and said coldly, "General Zhang, today I'm asking you for a favor. Let me cut off Xiao Chouwo's ​​head."

Zhang Rong's cheek twitched slightly, showing some reluctance.

His Highness the Prince was seriously injured, and the instigator was none other than Xiao Chouwo. He was the culprit. The entire army of 100,000 soldiers is now going crazy, killing Khitans everywhere and chasing after Xiao Chouwo, all for the sake of personally chopping off Xiao Chouwo's ​​dog head and avenging His Highness.

With so many generals under His Highness, what an honor and glory it would be to personally avenge His Highness! He could brag about this for the rest of his life. Afterwards, Zhang Rong could carry Xiao Chouwo's ​​dog head around Xijin Prefecture five times.

Now that Xiao Chouwo is right in front of him, Zhang Rong is asked to give this huge favor to Di Zi... To be honest, even though Di Zi is His Highness's father-in-law, Zhang Rong is still a little reluctant.

"Ah, well... General Di, swords have no eyes on the battlefield, I can't say for sure whether I can leave Xiao Chouwo's ​​dog head to you." Zhang Rong slyly tried to be clever.

Di Zi glanced at him coldly and said, "I'll give you the merits and the reputation. All I want is to personally cut off Xiao Chouwo's ​​head. That's all. General Zhang, can you give me that face? I will reward you handsomely later."

Having said all that, it would be rather unreasonable for Zhang Rong not to agree.

“Since General Di says so, this favor…” Zhang Rong pretended to hesitate for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said with a reluctant expression, “I’ll give Xiao Chouwo’s dog head to General Di!”

Di Zi's usually icy face finally managed a slight smile: "Thank you, General Zhang. I will remember this favor and repay you handsomely in the future."

Seeing Di Zi staring hatefully at Xiao Chouwo's ​​remaining troops ahead, Zhang Rong couldn't help but ask curiously, "General Di seems to hate this Xiao Chouwo very much?"

Di Zi gritted his teeth and said, "How could I not hate him! This scoundrel almost killed my good son-in-law. My daughter is the Princess Consort of the Prince, and he almost made her a widow. If I don't punish this villain, how can I face my daughter and son-in-law!"

Zhang Rong nodded in understanding. Yes, it was only natural for a father-in-law to avenge his son-in-law; it would be strange if he didn't hate him. There was another point that Di Zi didn't explicitly say: the Di family was gradually rising in status. Not only did their daughter marry into a prominent family, but Di Zi himself also benefited from their favor and began to distinguish himself on the battlefield, earning fame and merit.

It can be said that everything about the Di family now, whether in terms of feelings or interests, is deeply intertwined with the Chu Prince's Mansion and Zhao Xiaoqian; if one suffers, the other suffers.

This time, Zhao Xiaoqian was almost killed by Xiao Chouwo, which was tantamount to almost pushing the Di family into an abyss as well. Di Zi wished he could skin Xiao Chouwo alive.

"Haha, alright! We'll catch up with that scoundrel Xiao Chouwo later, and I'll have my soldiers surround him. General Di, feel free to draw your sword and chop that bastard down!" Zhang Rong laughed heartily.

Di Zi's lips twitched, and he suddenly gave his horse a hard tug, accelerating once again like a madman to catch up.

After an incense stick's time, Di Zi and Zhang Rong were getting closer and closer to Xiao Chouwo.

However, Zhang Rong frowned and shouted into the wind, "General Di, a few miles ahead we are already within the territory of the Liao Kingdom..."

Di Zi gave a cold laugh: "So what?"

Zhang Rong was silent for a moment, then burst into laughter: "That's right, so what! Times have changed. Our Great Song Dynasty is crossing borders to kill bandits, which is the righteous path. What is there to fear!"

With that, Zhang Rong turned his head and said fiercely, "Hurry up and chase after them! Xiao Chouwo won't get away today. Avenge our Prince!"

Ten thousand cavalrymen behind them roared in unison, "Revenge—!"

The sound shook the heavens and pierced the sky.

Xiao Chouwo, who was galloping desperately ahead, was so startled by the Song army's shouts filled with murderous intent that he almost fell off his horse.

With bloodshot eyes fixed ahead, Xiao Chouwo composed himself, the light of hope in his eyes growing ever brighter.

One li, eight hundred paces, six hundred paces, four hundred paces...

The borders are getting closer and closer.

Once you cross the border and return to the Liao Dynasty, you've escaped death.

Despite the swaying and bumpy vision, Xiao Chouwo, with his sharp eyes, could vaguely see a troop of soldiers appearing in the territory of the Liao Kingdom ahead. A huge banner embroidered with Khitan script fluttered in the wind beside the leading general, and behind the banner was a dark mass of heavily armored Liao cavalry, numbering about three thousand.

Xiao Chouwo was a prince consort of the Liao Dynasty and frequently entered and exited the palace. He glanced at the Liao army in front of him and burst into excited laughter.

"The Pi Shi Army! It's the Pi Shi Army from the Forbidden City!" Xiao Chouwo exclaimed with ecstasy, "Brothers, His Majesty knows we have rendered great service and has actually sent the elite Pi Shi Army of the Liao Dynasty to meet us!"

Three thousand Liao cavalrymen were stationed within the territory of the Great Liao Kingdom. The entire army stood in black armor, spears and halberds like a forest. Just by standing still, they exuded a chilling aura that made people tremble with fear.

Behind Xiao Chouwo, Di Zi and Zhang Rong, who were chasing them, also narrowed their eyes slightly.

"Could the Liao heavy cavalry be there to support Xiao Chouwo?" Di Zi murmured.

Zhang Rong turned to the Song soldiers behind him and shouted, "All troops, check your firearms and ammunition! Prepare to engage the enemy!"

Di Zi gritted his teeth and said, "Even if the Heavenly King himself is here, Xiao Chouwo must leave his life today! Kill every last Liao dog!"

In an instant, ten thousand Song soldiers galloped on horseback, raising their flintlock muskets and beginning to check their ammunition while bouncing on their backs.

At the same time, Xiao Chouwo led his remaining troops across the border between the Song and Liao dynasties. Xiao Chouwo burst into wild laughter, his laughter filled with ecstasy and provocation.

However, before the laughter could stop, the Song army, which was in hot pursuit, crossed the border and continued to charge towards Xiao Chouwo without any hesitation.

Xiao Chouwo's ​​face immediately turned ugly.

In the surprise attack on Zhao Xiaoqian, Xiao Chouwo had already experienced the power of the Song army's firearms firsthand, and they were indeed formidable.

But he did not expect the Song army to be so powerful, and to disregard the border between the two countries, swaggering across the border like that.

In the past two years, Xiao Chouwo was demoted to the command of the Wugu Dilie tribe, which was in the far north of the Liao territory. He was transferred back to Nanjing only about two months ago and has not adapted to the new situation between the Song and Liao countries at all.

Xiao Chouwo's ​​impression of the Song army was still based on the image of the Song Dynasty as cowardly and obsequious from several years ago. It was common for the Liao army to cross the border to raid other areas, but it was unheard of for the Song army to cross the Liao border.

Seeing the Song army so arrogant, Xiao Chouwo was both shocked and furious. He shouted to the three thousand Pishi soldiers in front of him, "Fellow Pishi soldiers, help me hold off the pursuers!"

Pi Shi Jun remained silent and motionless, but a contingent of soldiers broke off from their orderly ranks and blocked the path of Xiao Chouwo and his remaining troops.

Even now, Xiao Chouwo is still in a good mood.

Xiao Chouwo automatically interpreted Pi Shijun's act of stopping him and his remaining troops as the two armies joining forces to fight a powerful enemy.

He stopped his horse and stepped forward alone to bow to the general of Pi Shi Army, saying, "Thank you for your help, General."

The generals of the Pishi army were also heavily armored, and even their faces were covered by iron masks, making them unrecognizable and their names unknown.

But Xiao Chouwo was genuinely relieved.

With the assistance of three thousand heavily armored Liao cavalry, this Song army might not necessarily come out on top.

(End of this chapter)