You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 127 Raising an Army to Destroy Xia
In Youzhou City, Chen Shao was in the government office, selecting people to help him handle domestic affairs.

Now that the territory is bigger, there are more things to do, and it's quite troublesome and complicated to operate.

Chen Shao increasingly realized that he was finding it difficult to hold on.

He rested at home for a few days, but his bones and muscles were still weak and numb. He realized that he seemed to be going in the wrong direction. He was trying to do everything himself, and he would eventually collapse from exhaustion.

He's currently navigating politically by feeling his way across the river from Cai Jing's perspective, and militarily by feeling his way across the river from Tong Guan's perspective.
Despite their less-than-stellar reputations, these two guys actually have their merits.

Cai Jing's policies were good, but in practice, they prioritized factional strife, then corruption, and finally the people's livelihood. Even the best policies would be corrupted by the old and rotten bureaucratic system of the Song Dynasty.

Tong Guan's use of the fortified village warfare tactic invented by Zhang Jie to deal with the Western Xia was certainly the right move. However, driven by his own interests, he couldn't resist the urge to wear down the Western Xia after five years, and decided to take a desperate gamble.

In fact, his achievements during his five years of campaigns against the Xia were particularly outstanding, as he broke through the Yokoyama defense line.

It's a pity that Commander Tong Xuan was getting old. He was too eager to conquer Liao to obtain the title of king, which ultimately forced Liu Fa to his death and almost ruined all his previous efforts.

Although he had a general direction, he was a novice and often couldn't handle things.

Fortunately, although Dingnan Army's territory was large, it was not large enough to warrant further investigation. Therefore, he had room to make mistakes and opportunities to gradually learn and correct them.

Wei Li and others agreed, saying that someone of Chen Shao's position only needed to make decisions, and there was no need for him to personally handle the work.

Even when it does appear occasionally, it's likely to be largely for show, intended to inspire people.

Chen Shao was not ashamed to admit his mistakes. He was very young, and who is born a king?

So he openly summoned officials to discuss and formulate a team, with everyone recommending each other, and then Chen Shaolai made the final decision.

Looking at his subordinates, Chen Shao's eyes swept over them. The officials below had different expressions, but whether they pretended to be calm or had eager eyes, they all longed for advancement.

Chen Shao could understand it very well.

He smiled and said, "Wei Li will be in charge of our Chengxuan Division. You can then build your own team to fill the positions in the Chengxuan Division, submit suggestions and draft documents daily, and hand them over to me. If there are any major issues, I will gather everyone together to discuss them; if it is a minor matter, I will make the decision myself."

No one had any objections, since power was originally concentrated in his hands.

It is reasonable that he has now separated administrative power while still retaining decisive power.

In the early stages of such a startup, it is still necessary to have an absolute authority figure, because opportunities are fleeting, and if everything needs to be discussed, it is difficult to make a decision, which will delay important matters at crucial moments.

Chen Shao doesn't need to be good at fighting or planning. He just needs to figure out who has what abilities and who is reliable, and then put those people in the right positions.

Wei Li appeared very calm, but his face was flushed red.

Having failed in his struggle in Bianliang, he gained the same power as Cai Jing here.

However, while Zhao Ji was a hands-off manager for Cai Jing, Chen Shao was different on his side.

Nevertheless, they still held considerable power, since Chen Shao only interfered with the general direction, while the specific handling of government affairs was entirely up to them.

In this way, lower-level government offices only need to follow instructions and do not need to make any decisions.

To put it bluntly, this is the same system that the Grand Council of the Qing Dynasty was used by Chen Shao.

After Chen Shao finished speaking, he did not have a team-building activity with his subordinates, because he knew that they would be very busy tonight.

Wei Li assembled the team, selecting and appointing whoever he wanted, without interfering himself.

Let him choose!
It's rare that I got home before dark today. Chen Shao has been busy with military and political affairs lately, so he rarely has a chance to take a break like this.

It was rare for him to come home just in time for dinner, so Li Shishi asked the kitchen to prepare several dishes, which were more plentiful than usual.

Just then, the three Jin sisters came to visit the house, so he invited them to have dinner together. He also called Zhong Lingxi and Zhe Shi over. Thus, Chen Shao and his wives and concubines sat around the dining table, creating the atmosphere of a grand mansion.

Although the Zhe family is of a high generation, she doesn't look like an elder, mainly because she is too young. She is not yet thirty years old and is only one or two years older than Chen Shao.

Born into a powerful family that controlled a region, she lived a life more comfortable than a princess in Fugu. She didn't do much housework or rough work and took good care of herself. She had large, bright eyes, a small nose and mouth, and a delicate chin.

The Zhe family has always been known for producing beautiful women.

Ms. Zhe was not fat and still had a graceful figure. Her breasts filled out her top high and were very full. The exposed skin on her wrists and neck was white and smooth. The noblewoman, who was not yet thirty, showed no signs of aging at all.

Chen Shao was very fond of her innate air of wealth and nobility, and under his direction, she lowered herself to do some lewd things.

In short: contrast!
Chen Shao finished his meal in silence and then rested to the side.

Looking at the relatively peaceful inner quarters, Chen Shao was very gratified. The only regret was that he had no children.

But as long as you work hard, you will reap the rewards sooner or later.

Li Shishi said softly, "My lord, you have been traveling back and forth in all directions these past few days. The journey has taken a toll on your health. You should rest and recuperate while you still have some time left. Go home early tonight."

"it is good."

Chen Shao verbally agreed, but deep down he knew that this was not something he could control.

Moreover, the more work you do now, the more trouble you'll save in the future.

Despite being very busy lately, nothing major has actually happened.

In the past few days, his fortress has been built to the middle of the Xingling Plain, very close to Shuofang. No matter how patient the Western Xia is, they will probably be unable to hold back any longer.

If the Western Xia chooses to surrender, that's fine, but if they fight to the death, I might have to go to the front lines again.

As for Tong Guan's side, it's estimated that a battle won't break out so soon; both sides need some time to prepare.

Historically, it seems that preparations were made to start the war in November.

As for the Western Xia, they probably won't last until November.

They knew that the Western Xia would weaken with each day of delay.

Unfortunately, they were at a significant disadvantage and didn't want to engage in a decisive battle.

In the original timeline, they were almost tortured to death. It was Tong Guan's eagerness to attack Liao and Fang La's rebellion that gave Western Xia a sigh of relief and allowed them to survive.

When the Jurchens moved south, they seized the opportunity to occupy large tracts of land and, relying on timely tribute to the Jurchens, claimed the title of emperor and king.

The Western Xia controlled the Hexi Corridor, the Helan Mountains, and the natural barrier of the Yellow River. Its territory consisted mostly of deserts and mountains, which was not conducive to large-scale cavalry warfare.

Furthermore, their inability to overcome the Southern Song Dynasty meant that their efforts to concentrate on crossing the river and destroying the Southern Song allowed the Western Xia to survive.

Chen Shaoke will not give them that chance.
After leaving Tong Guan, he began to inherit Tong Guan's fortified village warfare tactics, which meant that he did not give the Western Xia any chance to breathe.

If I had been able to take down Western Xia when Youyan was in defeat, the situation would have been different.

Chen Shao breathed a long sigh of relief, his heart brimming with fighting spirit.

Now that we have plenty of manpower, it's time to speed up the construction of the fortress.

This year can be considered the most peaceful year for the Dingnan Army in recent decades.

On this vast land, with abundant water resources and favorable weather, there will be a bumper harvest of both grain and pasture.

Having conquered Western Xia, morale is soaring, the army is strong and well-equipped, and resources are plentiful, making it the perfect time to unleash our full potential.

As Chen Shao was thinking, they had all finished eating and gradually dispersed.

Li Shishi looked at Chun Tao, who was stubbornly refusing to leave, and helplessly pursed her lips. She had no way to deal with this younger sister. Even if she said some very harsh things, she would not leave.

After the three of them took a bath together, they lay down on the bed.

The weather was so hot that there was no need for blankets. All three of them were wearing white silk linings and underpants, chatting and laughing, creating a rather warm and cozy atmosphere.

As Li Shishi talked, she mentioned how hard Chen Shao had worked these past few days and then offered to teach Chun Tao some massage techniques.

Chun Tao tried to learn at first, but later she got tired and simply lay on Chen Shao and played with him.

Li Shishi was furious and slapped her on the buttocks.
-
Xingqing Prefecture, the Imperial Palace of the Xia Kingdom.

Li Qianshun's pale, thin fingers traced the sheepskin map, pressing down hard along the densely packed fortified village marks along the salt lake line.

He suddenly slammed his fist on the map and said, "Chen Shao has gone too far! He has no integrity whatsoever! After taking the gold, silver and jade, he immediately ordered Han Shizhong to destroy the farmland!"

"Their fortresses are like locusts devouring the grasslands, consuming our land! Yanzhou is lost, Yinzhou is lost, and Hengshan Pasture has become an iron wall for Han troops! Yinxia is our birthplace, and now the sons of the Tanguts ride back on horseback, their homeland is filled with the banners of the Great Song!"

Some in the crowd watched coldly, some were indignant, and some were sighing silently.

The Song army has indeed gone too far this time, ruining this year's harvest, and next year will be another year of depletion. The old minister Yeli Jun glanced at the young emperor and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down! Although the Song people's fortresses are formidable, their supply lines are long. We will hold Tiandu Mountain and wear down their morale."

Li Qianshun hated this man to the core, for it was this man who had been obstructing his reforms, otherwise he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.

Yeli Chongshan, who had rushed back from Xia Prefecture, was also a member of the Yeli tribe, but he unusually stood with the emperor and said, "Wait? What can we use to wait? Our oxen have been captured, our salt lakes have been seized! The Dangxiang children at the foot of Helan Mountain can't even lick a piece of milk residue in the winter!"

"Let alone next year, how are we going to get through this winter?"

Yeli Chongshan has troops he brought back from Xiazhou, so he has a lot of influence. During this period, his troops have also run out of food, and he is a pro-war faction who can't wait to start a war.

It wasn't that he couldn't see the difference in strength between the two sides; it was simply that if they didn't fight now, their last chance would be gone.

A mutiny is imminent.

Yeli Jun looked at this junior member of his own clan who held considerable military power, cursing inwardly. If he were willing to stand with his clansmen, he would have already overthrown this emperor who was determined to Sinicize.

Then, they can install another puppet named Li, and the power of the country will be in the hands of the Yeli people.

Currently, the two most powerful military forces in Xingqing Prefecture are the Western Xia elite troops that Richard risked his life to bring back from the Hengshan front; and the Silver Xia elite cavalry that Yeli Chongshan brought back from Xia Prefecture.

Both of them supported the emperor, and the old nobleman Yeli Jun had no choice but to say sarcastically, "If Your Majesty insists on fighting, then we will help Your Majesty to achieve a resounding victory."

Li Qianshun sneered and said, "Since we are going to send troops, we must reward the army. Now that the country is in a crisis, I hope that all the ministers can understand the national situation and generously contribute."

The main hall immediately erupted in commotion.

Richard stood before the emperor, drew his sword, and coldly surveyed the room.

"Here comes someone!"

The soldiers filed in, and the hall was soon packed with people.

Richard shouted, "Escort the ministers back to their residences to raise funds. Each household of officials of the third rank and above will receive 100,000 taels! Each household of officials below the third rank will receive 5,000 taels! In this time of national crisis, anyone who refuses to donate will be executed!"

Li Ganshun then announced the opening of the inner palace, whereby all the royal family's private treasures would be used to reward meritorious soldiers.

Those who died in battle received compensation for their families, while those who deserted their posts were executed along with their entire clan.

Inside the main hall, curses rose and fell, never ceasing.

As the saying goes, there is always a brave man when there is a big reward.

Inside Xingqing Prefecture, chaos reigned. Many nobles were killed for resisting; others, unable to produce the necessary supplies, were also severely harmed, with walls collapsing and houses crumbling.

A vast amount of treasure was piled up in the Imperial City Square, where Li Qianshun mustered his troops.

He really went all out this time.

Chen Shao, who was opposite him, did not give him the slightest chance, and Li Qianshun could not see any hope at all.

Every day you delay, your chances of winning decrease. It's better to fight back sooner rather than later!

This time, Li Qianshun has completely lost his mind, conscripting all males over the age of twelve into the army.

On the Helan Mountains, they built defensive fortifications, preparing to retreat into the Helan Mountains to continue their resistance after defeat!
-
Shuofang, outside Xiping Prefecture.

The wind on the grassland blows against your face, instantly bringing a sense of comfort.

Looking around, the Lingchuan River flows gurgling across the Xingling Plain, displaying a clear, bluish-green color under the sunlight.

A section of the pontoon bridge is laid on top of it, extending northward.

Laborers were busy managing the water levels on the surrounding farmland and dikes, their trousers rolled up. People could be seen everywhere, and wisps of smoke rose from the town's chimneys.

It was as if this place was not a chaotic world, not a gathering of two armies about to fight to the death, but a most peaceful era.

With a whoosh, a farmer who was working in the field fell to the ground, and the others were stunned for a moment.

Upon seeing the blood everywhere, they all screamed and fled.

In the distance, several scouts, holding bows and arrows, were looking towards the northwest.

In an instant, a dark mass of people surged forth from the horizon, like a tidal wave.

Before Li Qianshun even dispatched his troops, Chen Shao's spies in Xingqing Prefecture already knew about the situation there.

Such a big thing couldn't be hidden; every day, old noblemen had their homes ransacked.

On the city wall, many human heads were hanging, and soldiers and horses moved back and forth in the streets.

Even ordinary people could guess that a decisive battle was about to begin.

Chen Shao appeared calm and composed, while Han Shizhong also looked very confident.

The army set up camp outside Xiping Prefecture. Chen Shao laughed and said, "Back then, Commander Tong Xuan couldn't advance any further after reaching this point. Han Wu, do you have confidence?"

"Now that the General has managed the region so well, with well-trained troops and ample provisions, if we fail to defeat the Xia barbarians, how will Han Wu ever have the face to come see the General again!"

The Western Army soldiers, who were originally in tattered clothes, were now fully armored, their battle robes fluttering, forming an infantry square and standing in the middle.

Pang Ge puffed out his chest and said, "Following the commander, we have actually achieved our current status. This area on the border of Song and Xia has been plagued by chaos for a hundred years, yet the commander has managed to bring order to it in such a short time."

Even we barbarians can have a good life! The Xia traitors still want to resist, but none of the brothers will allow it; we'll fight them to the death!

Han Shizhong glanced sideways at his sworn brother, cursing inwardly, "The commander is asking me, Han Wu, why are you making this oath?"

He stole all my words. He had prepared something similar last night, but Brother Pang had already said it all.

Han Shizhong could only say, "That's exactly what I mean."

Chen Shao looked around and saw that his camp was very compact. Even when everyone was taking a short rest, they had set up campsites with deep moats and high walls, leaving no stone unturned.

Set up a fortified position, advance slowly, and force the enemy to come out and fight.

If they don't come out, they will burn the surrounding crops and sweep through villages and towns.

At this time, on the Xingling Plain, those fortresses and strongholds became bridgeheads for the destruction of Xia.

All supplies and reserve troops can be stored inside the fortress, ready to provide reinforcements at any time.

This is absolutely crucial.

To prevent Chen Shao's troops from falling into the common predicament of those besieging a city—that is, insufficient supplies—they were able to avoid the same predicament.

The last time the Song Dynasty besieged Xingqing Prefecture, it was because it couldn't keep up with the demand for supplies.

Chen Shao looked at his optimistic subordinates with a serious expression and said, "Xixia has shown some courage this time. We must not be complacent. Even a cornered beast will fight. We must be as cautious as a lion hunting a rabbit."

Compared to Emperor Huizong and Emperor Tianzuo, the actions of the Western Xia rulers and their ministers were like those of emperors and ministers from two completely different dimensions.

Therefore, Chen Shao did not underestimate them.

In Chen Shao's memory, Li Qianshun was a very patient emperor who always tried to satisfy his unreasonable demands.

They may have been waiting for an opportunity for the Jurchens to move south.

The more someone is like this, the more likely they are to bite you when they're in despair, and that's something you have to be wary of.

At this time, the Western Xia troops set off from Xingqing Prefecture one after another. Not only had the main force of Western Xia arrived, but also a large number of Uyghur reinforcements invited from the Hexi Corridor had arrived.

Richard did not trust these reinforcements and filled various cities with them as garrison troops.

Around Xingqing Prefecture, Western Xia also had Huai Prefecture, Ding Prefecture, Shun Prefecture, Jing Prefecture, and Xiping Prefecture.

The Silver Summer Cavalry were all deployed, sending out scouts to the east and south while remaining on guard.

The purpose was to prevent these cavalry from being confined by fortified walls and fortresses, to maintain their mobility at all times, and to launch a counterattack when the opportunity was most favorable.

That's right, the Western Xia were preparing to counterattack. Holding out was no longer meaningful; they had to fight their way out.

Break through the encirclement and give the empire its last glimmer of hope.

The troop movements on both sides were carried out in an orderly manner, and the Western Xia troops' formation did not show any signs of panic due to the difference in strength.

The morale of the army, which had been slightly wavering due to the approaching army, was quickly suppressed by the dignified command of Richard and Yeli Chongshan, as well as the emperor's occasional personal visits to boost morale.

War is imminent!
(End of this chapter)