The prince is more stable

Chapter 695 The Final Dignity

The Pishi Army was the elite of the Liao Dynasty's elite forces, without exception.

As a nomadic state that rose to power on horseback, cavalry was naturally a very common type of soldier. However, out of the Liao Dynasty's regular force of 500,000, the Pishi Army only had a strength of 30,000, which shows how strict the selection process was for this elite army.

In fact, the Pishi Army now exists as the personal guard of the Liao emperor, and its command is directly under the emperor, with no one having the right to mobilize it.

Xiao Chouwo, as the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, knew better than anyone the value of such an army.

This is why Xiao Chouwo felt genuinely relieved after seeing Pi Shijun.

With this Pishi army around, he and his remaining troops were spared.

It is no exaggeration to say that no matter how powerful the Song army's firearms were, they were not necessarily able to gain an advantage when facing a charge of heavily armored cavalry. Once the entire army charged and broke through the Song army's first line of defense, the outcome of this encounter was basically determined.

"General, I am willing to join forces with you to deal with the Song army. The Pishi Army, relying on its heavy armor, can charge head-on. I will lead my troops to flank from the side and break through the Song army's first line of defense. Our army will surely win!" Xiao Chouwo said impatiently.

The general of the Pishi Army had his face covered by iron armor, making it impossible to see his expression. Only two holes were left in the armor, through which sharp, blade-like eyes pierced through. Xiao Chouwo felt a chill run down his spine upon catching a glimpse of them.

After a long silence, the general of Pi Shi Army coldly said, "What right do you have to interfere in the war?"

Xiao Chouwo was taken aback and immediately felt embarrassed: "Yes, yes, I was presumptuous. My subordinates and I are here and are willing to obey your orders, General."

The general of Pishi Army ignored him and focused his attention on the 10,000 Song soldiers who had reined in their horses and were stationed in the distance.

At this moment, the Song army was two miles away from the Pishi army, and the two armies had entered a stalemate. After stopping, the Song army quickly dismounted, then formed a battle formation, with the cold muzzles of their flintlock muskets pointed at the Liao army from afar.

After a long while, Di Zi rode out of the Song army formation slowly, and only reined in his horse a few hundred paces in front of the Liao army formation.

Wearing armor, Di Zi completely ignored the heavily armored spearmen and halberds of the Liao army at the front. His gaze was fixed on Xiao Chouwo, the general of the Pi Shi army.

Xiao Chouwo was originally fearless, but when his eyes met Di Zi's from a distance, he couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart, and his heart sank.

Di Zi's eyes were as calm as a lake, but beneath the surface lay a raging whirlpool, as if it could burst forth at any moment and destroy the world.

Xiao Chouwo was a young and promising general of the Liao Dynasty. He was known for his courage and strategic acumen, which were among the best of his peers. He was also fearless, otherwise he would not have dared to defy public opinion and take the initiative to lead his troops in a surprise attack on Zhao Xiaoqian.

However, even someone as outstanding as Xiao Chouwo couldn't help but tremble from the bottom of his heart when he saw Di Zi's eyes, which were filled with murderous intent.

Di Zi did not say a word, but Xiao Chouwo clearly understood his gaze.

Today we swear to kill Xiao Chouwo, until death do us part.

Xiao Chouwo now understood the consequences of seriously injuring Zhao Xiaoqian even more deeply.

Several hundred paces away, Di Zi reined in his horse, his gaze finally falling on the general of the Pi Shi army.

After scrutinizing him for a moment, Di Zi slowly said, "The Liao Kingdom's Pi Shi Heavy Cavalry?"

The general of Pishi Army nodded.

Di Zi's tone grew colder: "Today, do you intend to protect Xiao Chouwo?"

The generals of Pishi Army remained silent and motionless, making no statement.

Di Zi suddenly laughed, his laughter as cold as a falcon's: "You had better protect him. If you protect Xiao Chouwo, then our Great Song will have ample reason to launch a northern expedition."

Zhang Rong's violent voice came from within the Song army formation not far behind him.

"All troops, prepare! Advance!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the world changed color, a gust of wind swept across the battlefield, and yellow dust filled the sky.

Yellow dust obscured the sun, banners fluttered wildly, and a murderous aura filled the fields.

Amidst the sharp whistling of the wind, the rhythmic footsteps of the Song army as they advanced slowly resonated, each step like a drumbeat, heavily striking the hearts of everyone present.

In the Liao army's ranks, the three thousand Pi Shi soldiers changed color in shock. They had not expected the Song army to be so brutal, setting up a strangulation attack formation at the slightest provocation.

Heaven help us, from the moment the two armies met, the generals of the Pishi army have not uttered a single word.

Xiao Chouwo, who had stopped his horse behind the general of Pishi Army, saw that the Song army had begun to advance slowly. Xiao Chouwo's ​​eyes turned red and his whole body trembled. Perhaps even he himself could not tell whether he was excited or afraid at this moment.

Just as the two sides were about to clash, Di Zi, who had stopped his horse in front of the two armies, suddenly shouted: "Liao Kingdom's Pi Shi Army, are you sure you want to protect Xiao Chouwo?"

Before the Pi Shi army general could speak, Xiao Chouwo revealed a crazed expression and burst into a shrill, maniacal laugh.

"You old scoundrel Di Zi, my Great Liao only has brave warriors who die in battle, not cowards who surrender! If you want to kill me, then fight!"

Dust filled the air, obscuring the view of anyone, but the sound of Di Zi's loud laughter could be heard.

"Good, good! Let's fight to the death today! Issue the order—!"

Before he could finish speaking, the Pi Shi army general, who had been silent until now, suddenly said, "Wait!"

This roar caused both sides to pause their movements. The intense killing intent that filled the battlefield, as well as the dust and sand that filled the sky, seemed to sense it and instantly subsided. A moment later, the dust had cleared, and the two armies met again.

Di Zi remained mounted on his horse, standing at the front of the formation, his gaze coldly fixed on the generals of the Pi Shi army.

The general of the Pishi Army, his face clad in iron armor, spoke in a deep, somewhat muffled voice through the armor. "By imperial decree of the Regent Grandson of the Great Liao, Xiao Chouwo, the Liao Imperial Son-in-Law and Deputy Commander of Nanjing, has privately assembled Nanjing troops without authorization, and has launched a military campaign without permission, severely injuring His Highness the Prince of Hejian of the Song Dynasty, thus creating friction and conflict between the two countries..."

"By imperial decree, His Highness the Crown Prince, Xiao Chouwo shall be regarded as a traitor. All officials, soldiers, military commanders, punitive expeditionary forces, and tribal armies of the Liao Dynasty shall execute anyone who encounters Xiao Chouwo or his remaining forces!"

After the Pi Shi army general finished speaking, Xiao Chouwo and the remaining soldiers behind him were stunned.

They never expected that Yelü Yanxi would characterize them in this way.

The surprise attack severely wounded Zhao Xiaoqian, eliminating this major threat to the Liao Dynasty. Although he was defeated, he was still honored. Even if he did not receive any reward upon returning to the Liao Dynasty, he should at least be treated as a hero in the court and among the people.

So why did the imperial court in the capital label him and his remaining troops as "traitors"?
Wasn't everything Xiao Chouwo did for the sake of the Liao Dynasty? Where exactly did he go wrong?
At this moment, Xiao Chouwo's ​​expression was filled with astonishment, confusion, and anger. The despair of his life's beliefs collapsing completely distorted his features into an extremely ferocious expression.

"Traitor? I risked my life for the Liao dynasty, eliminating scourges, and I am a traitor? Hahaha, hahaha!" Xiao Chouwo laughed maniacally.

"The Liao Dynasty has truly run its course!"

The plain was silent. Amid the howling wind, only Xiao Chouwo's ​​wild laughter, like the mournful cry of a cuckoo, could be heard.

Both armies' eyes were focused on him. There was no joy or sorrow in the Song army's ranks, but in the Liao army's ranks, there were sobs and cries. Not only were there tears streaming down the faces of Xiao Chouwo's ​​remaining soldiers, but even many of the Pi Shi soldiers' armored masks were shedding tears.

They were perhaps not crying over Xiao Chouwo's ​​fate.

After a long while, Xiao Chouwo rode his horse to the front of the Pi Shi army general and suddenly turned to look at him. At this moment, Xiao Chouwo's ​​expression had calmed down, but beneath the calm exterior was a deep sense of despondency and despair.

"Since I am a traitor, please allow me, the general, to do my part for the Liao Dynasty one last time. I am willing to die like a true Khitan warrior."

As he spoke, Xiao Chouwo slowly drew his sword, faced the Song army in front of him, raised his sword with a fierce expression, and shouted: "I, Xiao Chouwo, will charge for the last time in my life!"

However, before he could finish speaking, Xiao Chouwo suddenly felt a chill on his neck and found himself airborne. As far as he could see, he saw the headless corpse of himself on horseback, gushing blood.

In a mere instant, Xiao Chouwo was plunged into eternal darkness.

The general of Pishi Army slowly sheathed his sword. His expression was not visible, but his hand trembled slightly as he tried to sheath the sword, failing several times, indicating that he was also extremely unsettled at the moment.

He spurred his horse forward, bent down from the saddle, picked up Xiao Chouwo's ​​head, paused for a moment, stroked Xiao Chouwo's ​​unclosed eyes and closed them, sighed deeply, and then rode off towards Di Zi.

The two generals met in the middle of the battlefield, and the general of Pishi Army handed over Xiao Chouwo's ​​head.

Di Zi took the head expressionlessly, grabbed it by the hair, and examined it carefully.

The general of Pi Shi Army, mounted on horseback, actually bowed to Di Zi with his hand on his sword.

"The culprit has been eliminated, and his head is here. General, you may hand him over to His Highness the Prince of Hejian for disposal."

Di Zi nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

The Pi Shi Army general then said, "Please convey a message to His Highness the Crown Prince of the Great Liao Dynasty: Xiao Chouwo acted without authorization, not at the behest of the Liao emperor and his ministers, but purely on his own. Now that the culprit has been eliminated, we beg His Highness to restrain his generals, temporarily cease hostilities, lift the border seal, and grant our Yan Yun Khitan people a way out."

Di Zi said coldly, "I will convey this to His Highness the Prince... but it's not enough."

The general of Pi Shi Army was taken aback: "Why do you say that, General?"

Di Zi's gaze passed over him and fell upon the remnants of Xiao Chouwo's ​​army, numbering less than a thousand, in the Liao army ranks. He repeated, "Not enough."

The general of Pi Shi Army immediately understood his meaning and said in a deep voice, "Do you really want to exterminate them all?"

Di Zi nodded: "Yes, exterminate them all."

The general of Pishi Army took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress his anger. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly turned around and roared at the Liao soldiers: "Xiao Chouwo's ​​troops are all traitors and should be executed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers of Pishi Army suddenly drew their swords and brought them down hard on Xiao Chouwo's ​​remaining troops.

The remaining soldiers were shocked and furious, but they had no time to resist. Caught off guard, nearly a thousand soldiers were slaughtered by the Pi Shi army. The ground was littered with corpses, and not a single one survived.

At this point, all the Liao soldiers who participated in the raid and killing of Zhao Xiaoqian had been beheaded, and none had escaped.

The Pi Shi army general could no longer bear to look back, and said in a trembling voice, "Is that enough?"

Di Zi then nodded: "That's enough, thank you for your trouble, General."

"Can the Song and Liao armies cease hostilities?" the Pi Shi army general pressed.

Di Zi coldly replied, "Whether to fight or make peace is a decision for the Emperor of the Song Dynasty and His Highness the Prince of Hejian. Why are you asking me?"

The general of the Pishi Army, his gaze gleaming with cold hatred through his mask, said in a chilling tone, "In that case, farewell."

Turning his horse around, the general of Pishi Army clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his flesh.

What happened today is a disgrace to the Pishi army, and even more so to the Liao Dynasty!

To know shame, yet dare not wash away that shame, is the most shameful thing.

Recalling the tragic figure of Xiao Chouwo, who was abandoned by the court and was about to launch the last charge of the Khitan warriors on horseback, the Pi Shi army general's face under his mask was covered in tears.

The Khitan warriors' final act of dignity ultimately failed to be accomplished.

(End of this chapter)