You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 104 Leading Troops into the Capital
When the northwest was blanketed in snow, Kaifeng was just beginning to get cold.

The residence of Yuwen Xuzhong, a Grand Academician of the Zizheng Hall, was located near the Nanxun Gate in Bianliang City.

The more prosperous Bianliang is today, the higher the cost of owning a residence.

When Bai Juyi visited Chang'an, he presented his poems to the scholar Gu Kuang. Upon seeing Bai's name, Gu Kuang remarked, "Rice is expensive in Chang'an; it's not easy to live here!"

Bianliang is now more prosperous than Chang'an, and the cost of living is also higher.

The area around Nanxun Gate was not a bustling part of Bianliang City; it was a mixed community and quite noisy.

Even in a place like Nanxunmen, he couldn't afford to own any property. He simply rented a three-courtyard house and settled there with his wife, children, and some relatives who had come to live off him.

Although Yuwen Xuzhong was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and Emperor Zhao Ji personally bestowed upon him the name Xuzhong, he never held any important military or civilian postings in the provinces or prefectures. Instead, he mostly served in low-level government offices.

Moreover, he had lofty ambitions and always regarded money lightly. Once he received his salary, he would hand it over to his wife to take care of the family, and he never tried to make money.

Moreover, he did not come from a prominent family; his family had simply passed down scholarship for generations.

These days, he is quite concerned about the campaign against Liao, and every day he asks his friend Wu Min for some of the daily reports from the Privy Council.

Today, I also placed a pot of wine and a few side dishes in the inner courtyard. I changed into loose and comfortable home clothes and didn't even wear a hat. I slowly flipped through the books under the shade of the trees.

He would occasionally drink a glass of wine, his brow furrowed, looking worried and troubled.

The Privy Council's recent official documents contain a lot of intelligence about Youyan. He is not supposed to read them, but the scholar-officials generally don't take the court's regulations seriously.

In their eyes, the Song Dynasty was jointly owned by officials and scholar-officials, and they had a very strong sense of ownership, not considering themselves outsiders at all.

Anyone who strictly adheres to the rules of the law will become a laughing stock.

As he was engrossed in reading through the documents, one by one,

Suddenly, soft footsteps sounded beside him. Startled, Yuwen Xu looked up and saw one of his cousins, acting as a doorman, cautiously approaching him and whispering, "Geng Zhongyun is here..."

Before the words were even finished, Geng Nanzhong strode over, followed by two of his family members who dared not stop him.

Geng Nanzhong's face was extremely unpleasant as he coldly stared at the two family members: "What kind of relationship do I have with Brother Shutong? When he comes to my house, he can just walk in without waiting for someone to announce him."

Yuwen Xu smiled knowingly. Given Geng Nanzhong's remarkable composure, he hadn't even bothered waiting outside for an announcement today, walking straight in like this. It was clear that something unacceptable had happened in court again.

Yuwen Xuzhong stood up and greeted him with a smile: "How rare! In the past, Brother Daoxi was the most difficult to invite, and he rarely visited other people's residences. I don't know what good fortune I have received today, that my humble abode is so splendid! Come, come, sit down and talk. There is still half a cup of wine and the dishes are not yet finished. It is rare to have a leisurely afternoon. How about we sit down and drink together?"

Geng Nanzhong's face was grim, but he still greeted Yuwen Xuzhong respectfully.

Then he turned around and waved for the family members to leave, saying seriously, "There's no need for repeat meals. Brother Shutong, you have quite the refined taste, still so patient... Do you know what news has been circulating in the court today?"

"I really don't know, please enlighten me, Brother Daoxi."

Geng Nanzhong took a step closer and whispered, "Tong Guan has submitted a memorial requesting a thorough investigation of the Imperial Guards."

"I already knew that."

Geng Nanzhong gritted his teeth and said, "Does Brother Shutong know who he recommended to do this?"

Yuwen Xuzhong shook his head and said, "I don't know, who is it?"

"Cai Jing!"

After listening, Yuwen Xuzhong did not show any surprise, but began to think about it seriously.

Geng Nanzhong looked at him with some surprise. Everyone knew that Yuwen Xuzhong had been getting close to Liang Shicheng recently, and with this relationship, his position in the court was very secure.

If Cai Jing is reinstated, he will definitely be in trouble.

Yuwen Xuzhong pondered for a moment and said, "Chancellor Cai is quite accomplished in financial matters, and no one in the court can match him at present. Now that the campaign against Liao is imminent, employing Chancellor Cai would not be a bad strategy."

Geng Nanzhong stared at him blankly. This time, Liang Shicheng brought down Cai Jing and appointed Wang Fu, with the cooperation of the Qingliu old party.

Yuwen Xuzhong was the one who devised the plan and made great contributions. Once Cai Jing returned, he would surely settle scores with him, but he acted as if nothing had happened.

If it weren't for the current scarcity of talent, and the fact that among his party members, only Yuwen Xuzhong was quick-witted, clear-headed, and willing to take on responsibilities and even risk offending others with his advice, Geng Nanzhong would truly not want to stay here any longer.

Anyone who considers themselves a virtuous and upright person may not have high standards for themselves, but they will certainly have exceptionally high standards for others!

He was strict with others but lenient with himself, being ten or a hundred times more critical of others. Geng Nanzhong was such a person. If it weren't for the news of Cai Jing's reinstatement, which terrified him, he would never have sought help from Yuwen Xuzhong.

Holding the official document from the Privy Council, Yuwen Xuzhong said, "Look here, Commander Tong Xuan hasn't even raised half of the expenses he reported. In that case, how can we even begin to talk about attacking Liao?"

In his heart, he still valued the campaign against Liao more than his own future.

However, Geng Nanzhong doesn't see it that way. After years of hard study and serving outside the Donghua Gate, all they wanted was power and position. Over the years, everyone has suffered terribly under Cai Jing's oppression.

He was finally removed from his post as prime minister, and everyone finally had a chance to rise up. If this happens again, won't they be suppressed again?

If we were to be suppressed like this indefinitely, that would be one thing, but once someone has the opportunity to take it away, the pain is something that only those who have experienced it can truly understand.

This is absolutely insane!

Yuwen Xuzhong's attitude only made it seem that he did not care about the country. Geng Nanzhong did not think it was his problem at all, but only felt that Yuwen Xuzhong was being high-profile.

It should be noted that during the years that the Qingliu faction was suppressed, they had been pinning their hopes on the Crown Prince.

But to say that one can rely on the Crown Prince for the future is just empty talk.

The emperor is only forty years old this year, and he is very healthy, looking no different from a young man.

Moreover, it's obvious at a glance that he's destined for a long life!
His energy was no less than that of Li Longji during the Tang Dynasty, and perhaps even greater.

The crown prince's ascension to the throne is uncertain; he may not even outlive the current emperor.

The fact that everyone gathered under the Crown Prince's patronage was a choice born of necessity; no one would have taken this step unless they had no other options.

The main reason was that Cai Jing was in power at the time, and the emperor was surrounded by sycophants and favorites, so he didn't want to give them a second glance.

Where else could people go if they didn't gather under the Crown Prince's patronage?

Moreover, the tradition of civil officials and scholars in the Song Dynasty sharing the rule of the country with the emperor had been long established, and these members of the old party who considered themselves orthodox scholars were also very dissatisfied with the heavy power of Emperor Huizong.

Their positions of power cannot be taken away by other parties, and they cannot tolerate being suppressed by the monarch.

To put it nicely, the Crown Prince is simple, calm, and steady in his words and actions. To put it bluntly, he is somewhat timid and easily influenced.

If the crown prince really succeeds to the throne in the future, he can manipulate it and put the power of the emperor back under control.

Yuwen Xuzhong was still making a final effort. He gestured and carefully analyzed the situation in Hebei and Yan based on the documents and reports he had collected that day.

He explained everything from finance to military affairs, talking until his throat was dry.

Geng Nanzhong needed Yuwen Xuzhong's help today, so he had to suppress his anger. Finally, when Yuwen Xuzhong stopped, he looked at him coldly: "Brother Shutong, what are you planning to do with this? You must know that the court is in grave danger. We upright men are about to be wiped out like in the Yuan You era! Without upright officials to lead the court, what use is it even if we conquer Yan and Hebei!"

Yuwen Xu was startled, looking bewildered. He looked at the stern face of his old friend, Geng Nanzhong, who was serious and composed, with the demeanor of a standard scholar-official and virtuous gentleman.

Yuwen Xuzhong's lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he could only shake his head and smile bitterly.

Since they couldn't agree on anything, Geng Nanzhong turned and left, leaving Yuwen Xuzhong standing silently in the courtyard.
-
In mid-September, the spies reported that Xiazhou City was deserted.

Han Shizhong dared not be negligent and sent people to spy on them one after another, and finally came to the conclusion that they had really escaped.
He immediately sent someone to report to Chen Shao, and this good news quickly spread to every city under Chen Shao's rule.

Xiazhou City held out for less time than Chen Shao had anticipated.

He always felt that in his previous life, he had heard stories of loyal ministers and famous generals defending cities for years at a time.

Even when surrounded, they can hold out for a long time, like Zhang Xun and Li Tingzhi.
However, the cities in those examples were all located in the prosperous Central Plains. For example, Zhang Xun guarded Suiyang, and Li Tingzhi guarded Yangzhou.

Xiazhou City lacks those historical foundations and rich resources, and it is far from Xingqing Prefecture, isolated in the desert.

After the loss of Youzhou and Yanzhou, the territory actually controlled by Western Xia was nearly 600 li away from Xiazhou.
They couldn't even launch a pincer attack on the Song army because the distance between them was too great, and they would be severely attacked by the Yanzhou and Youzhou troops along the way.

With the betrayal of nearby tribes, the Western Xia court realized that the situation was hopeless, so it ordered Yeli Chongshan to lead his men across the desert, detour through the grasslands, and return west to Xingqing Prefecture to preserve their strength.

In the wind and snow, Chen Shao turned his head and looked back; the army was coming in droves.

These proud and fierce soldiers were showing signs of fatigue after days of marching.

Chen Shao ordered a short rest, a meal to be prepared, and then sent out scouts to investigate.

The vanguard had already deployed their defensive formation, and then proceeded step by step to set up camp, dig trenches, erect barricades, dig stove pits, and dispatch patrols. The cooks were also ready to start fires and cook meals.

Everything was proceeding smoothly, the entire camp was in motion, but there was no noise.

Han Shizhong's training of troops was quite effective, and this was actually due to the timely distribution of provisions and pay by Chen Shao.

The Chengxuan Division controlled the supply of provisions and equipment, the appointment and dismissal of junior officers, and the rewards and pensions for meritorious soldiers, so Chen Shao's prestige was unmatched.

Commander Han was transferred to Yanzhou to defend against the Western Xia. The military commander personally came to lead the troops, and everyone was determined to show the military might and prestige of the army to the military commander.

They were all veterans of the battlefield, and when they got serious, their disciplined military bearing and the solemn, imposing aura emanating from each of them greatly satisfied Chen Shao.

Chen Shao looked into the distance; there was a hillside, and beyond that, a flat plain stretched out before him.

Although it was a snowy and gloomy day, it was still possible to vaguely see that there were no fortifications around.

Xiazhou City was indeed a good place. From there, the land stretched out flat as far as the eye could see. Even a single person could not escape the watchful eyes of the sentries, let alone a thousand troops. Suddenly, a rider galloped up and stopped his horse in front of Chen Shao. The rider did not even have time to salute and shouted loudly, "General! The Xia bandits have burned down the city! Please proceed immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shao gritted his teeth and cursed, then immediately ordered a full-speed advance.

When the army arrived at the city of Xiazhou, thick smoke billowed from the city, and many people fled in terror.

Chen Shao immediately organized people to put out the fire and evacuate the people. From a distance, they could see that almost all of them were covered in blood.

Chen Shao stopped the man and asked him what was going on. He learned that after Yeli Chongshan withdrew his troops, he left behind a group of men. Once they were far away, the men began to kill and burn.

Whether they were Dangxiang Qiang people or Han people, those who did not pack their belongings and follow them were all killed.

They were to pack up and escape together, but those without horses and unable to keep up with the group would all be slaughtered.

They did not leave their people to the Song Dynasty.

It's winter now, and the weather is dry. Although it's snowing, it's still very easy to catch fire.

Fortunately, unlike the Central Plains, there are not many wooden houses here; most are made of loess bricks.

Chen Shao's expression was somewhat grim, but there was nothing he could do but order his men to quickly enter the city to stabilize the situation and hunt down any remaining Xia bandits.
-
It's also mid-September.

The Western Army, led by Zhong Shidao, has already reached Hebei Prefecture.

The imperial court ordered Liu Yanqing to be promoted to the position of Pacification Commander-in-Chief, giving him overall command of the troops in Hebei.

Everything was as the prior reports had suggested; the Song Dynasty's military secrets had been completely leaked.

Immediately afterwards, the Emperor approved Cai Jing's reinstatement, appointing him as Secretary-General to investigate the embezzlement of the Imperial Guards.

Moreover, although he was not appointed prime minister, he was allowed to serve in the government affairs hall.

This single act caused a great stir, and tension immediately rose in Bianliang City.

Grand Tutor Cai was a man of great stature, having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for decades and held great power for nearly twenty years. He saw through everything.

His arrival to inspect the Imperial Guards meant that the Emperor had made up his mind and was determined to investigate the Song Dynasty's biggest deficit.

Everyone knows it's a bottomless pit.
After Cai Jing received this important assignment and issued the decree, there was an unusual silence.

Nothing unexpected happened because he was temporarily ill, and everyone was watching with bated breath.

The Song Dynasty enjoyed a long period of peace. After its founding, the "banquet to release military power" policy ensured that there were no more disasters caused by regional military governors.

Over time, the Song Dynasty's scholar-officials became less wary of stories from the Five Dynasties period where officials wielded military power and even threatened the central government.

In the past, they suppressed Di Qing; now they are dividing the Western Army. The civil officials have always suppressed the military generals without any mercy.

No one really thought that Di Qing would rebel using his position as Privy Councilor, or that the Western Army would establish its own independent regime in Shaanxi and eventually march on Bianliang.

They could only endure it in silence.

But the Imperial Guards were different; they were stationed right inside the capital.

At the end of September, news came from the Northwest that Chen Shao, the military commissioner of Dingnan Army, had recovered Xia Prefecture, which greatly pleased the emperor.

The imperial edict ordered Chen Shao to lead his troops to the capital to present the victory report.

Then Tong Guan led 10,000 victorious troops into the capital.

For the first time, a large contingent of troops other than the Imperial Guards appeared at the gates of the capital.

People flocked to the streets to watch this mighty army.

Xia Prefecture had just been recovered, and the common people couldn't distinguish between them clearly; they only knew that these people also came from the Northwest.

Moreover, the Chengxuan Envoy who recaptured Xia Prefecture was a general from this victorious army. Therefore, the people of Bianliang expressed all their joy and pride in the victory in the foreign war on this victorious army.

A thunderous cheer erupted, and the people of Bianliang were overjoyed and wholeheartedly welcomed the arrival.

Tong Guan has always enjoyed showing off, but he wasn't there this time.

Just kidding, showing up in the Northwest is one thing, but this is Bianliang.

Showing off like this in front of officials is simply a sign of disdain for high office and a desire for a long life.
Bianliang hadn't been this lively in a long time. After the army entered, they would head to the capital garrison.

After passing through Nanxun Gate, the old city's Zhuque Gate, and Longjin Bridge, one enters the Imperial Road.

Only after passing the Imperial Road can one reach the Capital Garrison.

They've truly shone on this long road, the stage for the entire victory over the Czech Republic.

The entire city of Bianliang was abuzz with this event. High-ranking officials and nobles, along with their friends, relatives, and servants, occupied the highest points along the main street from Nanxun Gate to Xuande Tower, setting up tables and pavilions to enjoy wine and stories of Emperor Taizong's failed campaign against Liaodong and Emperor Zhenzong's Treaty of Chanyuan. They discussed the past and present, waiting quietly for the emperor to arrive.

The idle folks in Bianliang City, who didn't have that much money in their pockets, crowded together along the street.

The family came out together, bringing their own tea and cold soup, calling to their children, and standing on tiptoe to observe the crowd.

Those homeless idlers would squeeze through the crowd, looking for a pretty young woman, and even mustering their courage to grope her.

If you get caught, you're bound to get a good beating.

The Kaifeng Prefecture, the Imperial City Guard, and the Three Imperial Guards have all mobilized personnel to be on duty today.

The Imperial Guards stood facing the street, shielding the crowds of people behind them. These soldiers had also done their best to wash and dress in their finest attire, wearing red battle robes and Fanyang hats. With swords at their sides and spears in hand, they stood from Nanxun Gate all the way to Xuande Tower.

Their position was awkward; this victorious army was on its way to attack Liao and had been stationed outside the city.

The reason for going to the city at this time is probably clear to everyone.

Commander Tong and Grand Tutor Cai have formed an alliance again.
Moreover, they should target the Imperial Guards.

This victorious army was there to intimidate the Imperial Guards of the capital and prevent them from having any desperate or reckless thoughts.

Obediently cooperate with Grand Tutor Cai's investigation.

The constables and yamen runners of Kaifeng Prefecture maintained order among the crowd, checking for any idlers causing trouble or any lowlifes who tried to pick a fight. They would approach them, lock them up, and then leave.

Usually, they don't take these people to the government office. They just drag them to a dark corner, beat them so badly they can't leave the house for ten days or half a month, and that's it.

Everyone was busy and sweating profusely.

At this moment, Tong Guan was with Zhao Ji, watching from the Zhaixing Tower.

Even after Li Shishi left, he still frequently brought his confidants here, drinking and reveling until dawn.

Looking at the magnificent Shengjie Army, Zhao Ji nodded secretly with a smile on his face.

"Tong Guan."

"Your Majesty."

"You must be diligent in this campaign against Liao. I have already made many exceptions for you in this matter."

Tong Guan quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty's great kindness is something I could never repay even if I died ten thousand times. If this campaign against Liao fails, I will never return alive to face Your Majesty."

Zhao Ji smiled and nodded. Looking at the joyful people of Bianliang, he secretly thought to himself that taking over Xia Prefecture had already brought about such a scene.

If we could take Yunzhou and Yanzhou...
I must emulate Emperor Zhenzong and perform the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai!
Mid-October.

It's freezing cold.

Chen Shao was working feverishly in Xiazhou City.

Taking over Xiazhou was extremely important to him.

No wonder people say that a skilled warrior achieves victory without making a great show of it; with the right strategy, a city can be captured quickly without the need for weapons.

Chen Shao wanted nothing more than to raise his fist and shout:

The fortress tactic is invincible; the fortress tactic is divine!

The vast land under the jurisdiction of Xia Prefecture is located in the transition zone between the Loess Plateau and the Mu Us Desert. The northern part is a wind-blown sandy grassland area with flat terrain, undulating sand dunes and ridges, and many wetlands and lakes. It is rich in water and grass, making it suitable for animal husbandry. The southern part is a loess hilly and gully area with low-lying terrain and fertile soil, suitable for cultivation, and is a major grain-producing area.

Moreover, they were suddenly connected with the Zhe family of Fugu.

On the northern grasslands, the concept of Mongolia did not yet exist. Those loose tribes all wanted to sell their cattle and sheep to the Central Plains in exchange for some necessities for survival.

Animal husbandry, agriculture, and commerce will all flourish greatly.

He was standing on the wall watching his supply train repair the city wall when Zhao Shan delivered an official document. After reading it, Chen Shao tilted his head slightly and looked into the distance.

The emperor actually insisted on going to Bianliang himself.

To go or not to go?
If I go now, will I repeat the story of Di Qing and be humiliated?

Should I resist or not?

After much deliberation, Chen Shao decided he couldn't go, but he needed to have a valid reason.

At least they can't blame them.
(End of this chapter)