The prince is more stable

Chapter 987 First Battle in the Northwest
Even though it was Cai Jing who came up with the idea, and Zhao Xiaoqian adopted it, he didn't reward him.

The court officials present were taken aback. After a brief silence, they all cast envious and jealous glances at Cai Jing.

Those who can serve as officials in the imperial court are all shrewd and astute; the meaning of the Emperor's words couldn't be clearer.

The Emperor is planning to give Cai Jing more responsibilities.

The court officials were quite surprised when Cai Jing suddenly entered the Hall of State Affairs, because Cai Jing's promotion was rather rapid. However, he was personally promoted by the emperor, which clearly showed that the emperor had a soft spot for Cai Jing.

Cai Jing is currently only a Vice Minister of the Chancellery. Judging from how much the Emperor values ​​him, he probably won't be in this position for long and will soon be promoted again.

The fact that the Emperor left these words today is a very clear signal.

Everyone present understood the meaning behind the Emperor's words, and Cai Jing understood even more. Upon hearing this, he was overjoyed and hurriedly stood up to bow, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your boundless grace."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Mr. Yuanchang, do a good job. What I need is not only loyal ministers, but also ministers who are of one mind with me."

Everyone was stunned; this was yet another statement packed with information.

The key point is "of one heart and one mind," which, in plain language, means, "I like obedient people; don't you dare contradict me."

Cai Jing understood immediately and hurriedly said, "I am where I am today because of Your Majesty. From now on, I am willing to be the emperor's henchman and serve Your Majesty at will."

Everyone present gave a forced smile.

Although we are all opportunists, you can still utter such words of loyalty and willingness to be the emperor's lackey. You have no shame at all.

Then everyone immediately understood why Cai Jing had suddenly been promoted and entered the Politics Hall.

With his shameless flattery skills, it's only his good fortune to be admitted to the Council of State Affairs that he deserves his position.

Zhao Xiaoqian was very satisfied with Cai Jing's statement.

I recognized him in his eyes; this was the person I was looking for.

Zhao Xiaoqian is increasingly dissatisfied with the current prime minister, Zhang Dun, and has long harbored the idea of ​​dismissing him. However, he currently lacks a suitable reason and is simply waiting for an opportunity.

Zhao Xiaoqian had laid the groundwork for Cai Jing's appointment to the Council of State Affairs.

When the opportunity arises, Zhao Xiaoqian will immediately initiate the process of removing Zhang Dun from his post and replacing him with Cai Jing.

This thing isn't a good person, but it's easy to use.

Zhao Xiaoqian is a rather autocratic person who doesn't need much interference in his decisions. Cai Jing, who knows when to advance and retreat and is good at reading people, is undoubtedly the best candidate.

…………

The world was covered in white snow. After the New Year, the heavy snow finally stopped, and the weather cleared up for once.

Zhong Jianzhong led an army of 60,000 men, making a difficult march across the vast expanse of white snow.

After crossing the Yellow River, Guo Cheng's 30,000 border troops from Youzhou joined forces with Zhong Jianzhong's troops and eventually reunited.

The two forces merged into one, with Zhong Jianzhong as the commander-in-chief and Guo Cheng as the deputy commander-in-chief. The two led 60,000 soldiers to continue their advance into the northwest.

It was said to be 60,000 soldiers, but in reality, the army numbered far more than 60,000.

In ancient times, logistics and supplies were extremely important for military expeditions. Sometimes, the number of civilian laborers carrying provisions and weapons on the march was even greater than the number of soldiers fighting.

Escorting provisions for the army was also considered a local corvée labor service. As the army moved, provisions and weapons were transported by local governments in a relay-like manner.

For example, the 60,000 troops under Zhong Jianzhong's command. The so-called "60,000" refers to the 60,000 soldiers who can go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. If the supply train and laborers are included, there are at least tens of thousands of people. In addition, there are mules, camels and donkeys not counted in the battle order.

So why couldn't the imperial court wage war?
For a fighting army of 60,000, the imperial court was responsible for feeding and providing for over 100,000 people, including soldiers' salaries, expenses beyond provisions along the way, and compensation for the families of fallen soldiers after the war.

So-called war is about economics and national strength. If the national treasury isn't solid, war simply can't break out.

After leaving Taiyuan Prefecture and crossing the Yellow River, Zhong Jianzhong led his troops to march towards Yinzhou. After Yinzhou, they continued westward until they reached Xiazhou, where they reunited with Zhang Jie, the commander of the northwest frontier.

After crossing the Yellow River and entering the Northwest, the scenery along the way changed.

The Northwest was not peaceful, especially after the Liao and Xia dynasties went to war, and the Song Dynasty was inevitably affected as well.

On the march, Zhong Jianzhong had seen several burned-down villages, and the corpses of civilians and soldiers were everywhere on the road. The corpses were covered by heavy snow, and the outlines of their dying struggles could still be vaguely seen.

The remains of ordinary people were mostly border residents of the Song Dynasty, while the remains of soldiers were more diverse, including those of Western Xia, Liao, and Han people.

After the Liao-Xia War began, the northwestern border of the Song Dynasty was obviously also drawn in.

Whether it was unintentional or deliberate, both the Liao and Xia states were trying to bring the flames of war into the territory of the Song Dynasty.

The 200,000 border troops under General Zhang Jie in the northwest were ultimately unable to take care of everyone due to the long border, and many villages and border residents of the Song Dynasty suffered as a result.

From the border of Yinzhou in the Song Dynasty to the border of Xiazhou, this territory had already fallen into war. When Zhong Jianzhong led his troops to set foot on this land, it was as if they had officially entered the battlefield and joined the Liao army in this war of annihilation.

Zhong Jianzhong is now on the right track, remembering Zhao Xiaoqian's instructions before his departure. Although the Song and Liao are allies, as the commander-in-chief of the Song army, Zhong Jianzhong must not truly regard the Liao as an ally. Once on the battlefield, both the Liao and Xia are enemies of the Song Dynasty.

The difference is that there's no need to reason with the Western Xia; if you encounter their army, just fight them.

Regarding the Liao allies, we should first observe their behavior. If the Liao army's actions do not cross the line, then we can maintain a superficial harmony and reluctantly complete this alliance.

If the Liao army crosses the line, then there's no need to be polite. Just beat them up like the Japanese. No matter how many Liao soldiers Zhong Jianzhong kills, the Song emperor and the court will acknowledge it and support him.

The 60,000-strong army marched forward, and when they were only a hundred miles from Yinzhou, the silence of their march was broken by the rapid sound of hooves.

"Report—!" The scout did not dismount, but clasped his hands on horseback and shouted, "Reporting to Commander Zhong, there is a Liao army active near Yinzhou City, about twenty miles northwest of the city. There is also a village nearby that has been burned down. The village is still engulfed in flames. It must have been done by this Liao army."

Anger immediately flashed in Zhong Jianzhong's eyes, and he asked in a deep voice, "How many men does this Liao army have?"

"There were about three thousand men, all cavalry, and their banners belonged to the Northwest Expeditionary Command of the Liao Kingdom."

Zhong Jianzhong waved his hand: "Find out the exact location of this Liao army again and report back immediately."

The scout turned his horse around and hurried away.

Zhong Jianzhong gritted his teeth. He never expected that the Song-Liao allied forces would destroy Xia, and that the first battle the Song army would fight after arriving in the Northwest would be against the allied forces.

Fighting was not an option. Zhong Jianzhong had already seen too many burned villages, murdered Song Dynasty border residents, and refugees fleeing to the Central Plains with their families in the freezing cold.

The tragic scenes along the way not only aroused Zhong Jianzhong's anger, but also stirred up the indignation of the entire army. All 60,000 soldiers were filled with resentment as they marched.

Now, the opportunity to vent your anger has arrived.

The Liao army destroyed the Xia dynasty, but deliberately spread the flames of war to the Song dynasty's territory, so it's no wonder the Song army turned against them.

The Emperor personally led the army and defeated the Liao army several times, demonstrating the prestige of the Song Dynasty. Zhong Jianzhong knew that the Emperor was very particular about this matter and would absolutely not tolerate the Liao army slaughtering and plundering the people on the Song border. There was nothing wrong with this battle; the Emperor would not blame the Liao army for annihilating them.

"Soldiers, listen to my command!" Zhong Jianzhong shouted into the biting cold wind.

With a loud bang, all the soldiers reined in their horses and stood still, watching him silently.

Zhong Jianzhong gritted his teeth and said coldly, "Guo Cheng, I order you to personally lead 10,000 troops to encircle this damned Liao army from the northwest of Yinzhou City. There is no need for negotiation or declaration of war. Once you discover any trace of the Liao army, start the battle immediately and make sure to annihilate this Liao army completely. Do not let a single one escape!"

Guo Cheng excitedly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general obeys the order!"

Zhong Jianzhong added, "The rest of the troops should immediately march to the city of Yinzhou and be ready to support Guo Cheng's forces. Scouts should be sent out thirty miles away to closely monitor the movements of the Liao and Xia armies."

As the military order was given, even the biting cold wind seemed to heat up, and the soldiers excitedly spurred their horses and galloped toward Yinzhou City.

The same army was marching quietly, but after Zhong Jianzhong issued his order, the entire army instantly changed. A sharp and murderous aura filled the air, everything was silent, and the killing intent filled the field.

More than an hour later, Guo Cheng's 10,000 troops, who had split up, discovered the movement of the Liao army.

This Liao army belonged to the Northwest Expeditionary Command of the Liao Kingdom. They probably had never fought against the Song army and were unaware that the Song Dynasty was no longer what it used to be.

They killed civilians, looted property, and set fire to villages within the territory of the Song Dynasty. They acted without any scruples and did not hide their tracks after doing so. They swaggered around and moved on without any hurry, which made it easy for them to fall into the sight of Song scouts.

Covered in snow and making the journey difficult, this Liao army of three thousand men slowly rode their horses westward.

The troops marched along the road, their morale high. They had just burned a village, looted a lot of grain and livestock, and also some loose silver coins. Their haul was quite substantial, so the Liao army was in good spirits.

They were still laughing and talking loudly, discussing how easily they had looted the village, how afraid the weak Han people were, and how wonderful the village girls and women were...

The tragic tragedies of others became topics of conversation and laughter in their mouths, showing no remorse that the tragedies of these innocent border residents were caused by their own hands.

As they walked, the group suddenly fell silent.

The Khitans were a nomadic people, and they were particularly sensitive to the slightest changes in nature. Although they did not find any enemies at this moment, they had already sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere around them.

It's too quiet, eerily quiet, very abnormal; this shouldn't be the sound of nature.

Just as they were wondering what was going on, a Khitan man suddenly pointed ahead and shouted.

On the vast white plains, several miles away from the Liao army, figures suddenly appeared.

The distance was vast, and the figures were small. Then, the figures gradually increased in number: one, two, a hundred, a thousand... In an instant, the distant horizon was filled with countless dense black figures.

The Liao army felt increasingly uneasy. They turned around and looked around, only to find that densely packed figures had appeared in all directions.

They were now completely surrounded without even realizing it.

Several miles away, Guo Cheng stared coldly at the Liao army of three thousand men, then slowly waved the command flag in his hand.

"All troops, advance!"

(End of this chapter)