You have truly caused me great suffering!

In Taiyuan, spring is in full bloom.

Chen Shao sat cross-legged on a daybed, engrossed in reviewing documents sent from various places.

A report from Li Xiaozhong caught his attention, stating that the Tartars showed signs of withdrawing their troops in Fengsheng Prefecture.

Chen Shao lowered his head in deep thought.

The retreat of the Jurchen Tartars was more like a ruse by Zongwang after he returned, combining his forces from the east and west, and then using them to lure the enemy.

He repeatedly reminded those on the front lines to be careful.

This would have further confirmed his idea, but since he wasn't on the front lines, Chen Shao didn't dare to make a hasty decision.

Qu Duan happened to be in Taiyuan, so Chen Shao sent people to gather civil and military officials to discuss the matter together.

When everyone arrived, Chen Shaozheng was holding a document in one hand and carefully examining the deployment of both sides' military forces for a long time, referring to the wooden map in the other.

"Take a look at this report first."

Chen Shao handed over the document, but Qu Duan took the lead and snatched it away.

The civil and military officials from Hedong stood beside him, also craning their necks to look.

"What does the commander think?"

Chen Shao did not answer, "I'd like to hear your opinions first."

Liu Jizu said, "Perhaps the Jurchen Tartars don't want to drag this out any longer. They plundered the Liao Dynasty's resources and fought for more than ten years. It's only natural that they would retreat and enjoy their spoils."

Many people nodded in agreement, agreeing that this made sense.

After the Battle of Chanyuan, the Khitan found themselves unable to easily advance south, so they retreated to enjoy their newfound comforts.

The habits of barbarians are all pretty much the same to them.

Chen Shao frowned slightly, somewhat unconvinced.

Qu Duan was silent for a moment, then said, "General, be careful of them heading south."

"Heading south?"

Qu Dian nodded and said, "They are on the front line in Yunnei, but they can't shake our defenses. They might even move south from Hebei again."

Chen Shao shook his head and said, "I've thought about what you said, but I don't think it's very likely. Aren't they afraid that if they go south, we'll take the opportunity to advance east and cut off their retreat?"

“If we can trap the Tartars in Hebei, even if it's just by cutting off their supplies, these people will be sitting ducks.”

Chen Shao led them to surround the wooden map and sand table, pointing to Hebei and saying, "Look, Zong Ze has already set up defenses in Zhengding Prefecture. Hebei is full of righteous armies, and after he incorporated them, it can be said that the whole country is a soldier. If we go through the Cangzhou line, we will not be able to quickly advance directly to Bianliang."

“If the Tartars go south, they are treating the Song Dynasty as their own backyard, coming and going as they please.”

Qu Duan said, "Either they are heading south, or it's a trap to lure the enemy out, but either way, they want to draw our troops out of the Yunnei defense line."

"It seems the Tartars have run out of tricks and have no way to deal with this defensive line."

The officials present all laughed. This defensive line was something that not only the Jurchens couldn't handle, but also the northern barbarians throughout history!

Why was Shi Jingtang willing to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun to the Khitan? It was because this was the only bargaining chip he could use to get the Khitans to fight for him.

At that time, the Khitans went south to help the rebellious Shi Jingtang, risking being cut off by the Youzhou troops on the Yunnei line.

Unfortunately, Zhao Dejun of Youzhou also knelt down and surrendered to the Khitan.

However, because Shi Jingtang was so "filial," the Khitans chose to make him emperor and took Zhao Dejun and his son back to be killed.

Chen Shao nodded. What Qu Duan said made some sense; the Tartars most likely wouldn't consider retreating.

There are too many ambitious people among them now.

There's no way they'll stop now. Even if most of this group dies, the next batch will still be determined to destroy the Song Dynasty.

"They're trying to lure us out!" Chen Shao asserted. "They won't withdraw their troops."

Qu Duan immediately declared, "General, rest assured, we are stationed in Henan Prefecture. At the slightest sign of trouble, we can immediately enter western Beijing! If the Tartars dare to come down from Hebei, we will attack from both sides, trap them, and make sure they never return!"

Chen Shao nodded and said, "Alright, he wants to transfer me, but I'd like to transfer him too. If the Tartars are holed up in Yanjing, Xiongzhou, and Yizhou, we don't know how many people will die if we try to take them. If they still dare to go south, hey, Qu Duan is right, close the door and beat the dog!"

If these demonic Tartars dare to march south, then our strongest forces can take the opportunity to block their way back north.

The vast army of Hebei rebels, with women and children all serving as soldiers, will slow their advance.

With their combined efforts and those of Qu Duan, they could completely surround them and would be unable to let them go back.

He had originally intended to go to the front lines in person to see what was going on and to discuss the matter with Han, Li, Zhu, and Ling, but now it seemed unnecessary.

"Alright, I'm very busy here, so I won't treat you. Qu Duan, you should also go back early and not stay in Taiyuan for too long."

"My subordinate understands."

Even after the crowd dispersed, the discussion continued, with many still believing that the Tartars were about to retreat to their stronghold.

In fact, in the eyes of the scholars in the Central Plains, the withdrawal of the Tartars was a great victory.

There will always be foreign tribes rising up in the north, and no one can stop them from raiding southwards.

After everyone left, Chen Shao made annotations on the official document.

On an official document, Chen Shao had filled the top and bottom margins with his annotations. His handwriting was swift and precise, and although it wasn't very good, it was already quite neat.

At that moment, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Li Shishi tiptoed in, so quietly that Chen Shao didn't even see her.

However, he caught a whiff of that unique fragrance, and without looking up, he said softly, "You've come."

Li Shishi nodded.

Seeing Chen Shao so exhausted, she felt a little sorry for him, but she didn't show it and just sat quietly next to him.

She looked at Chen Shao's profile. This young man was too young. As long as he didn't spend some time outdoors in the sun, his skin would become quite fair.

Although he wasn't the handsome, refined type, he had sharp features and was quite pleasing to the eye.

He used to call himself a soldier, and he had actually been on the battlefield a few times, each time leaving him on edge.

These days, she finally doesn't have to go in person anymore and can be by his side every day. Li Shishi is an easily satisfied person, so she cherishes and is content with this.

This young man, who had fought his way through the battlefield, could actually utter such sweet words of love. Li Shishi looked at him with boundless tenderness, feeling that she could never love him enough and wished she could pour all her tenderness onto him.

Chen Shao finally finished reviewing the report, stretched his waist and arms, turned around and took Shishi's slender hand.

"I learned a nourishing recipe from Madam Lin. I saw you were busy earlier, so I didn't call you. It's getting cold now, so drink it quickly." After saying that, she bent down to open the food box, took out the medicine pot inside, and her figure became even more curvaceous, forming a beautiful, flowing line.

Chen Shao mischievously poked at her buttocks with his finger, but Li Shishi didn't get angry. Her patience with Chen Shao seemed endless.

Despite the slight itch, Shishi was still able to calmly take out a bowl and spoon and feed him spoonful by spoonful.

“Every time she’s with me, I feel like Shishi is taking care of a child,” Chen Shao said with a smile. “But I’m very healthy, so I don’t think I need any tonics.”

Li Shishi put away the spoons and bowls, sat down beside him, and said, "My lord has quite a few wives and concubines, but only two children. Madam Lin said that my lord looks full of energy, so he must have suffered a serious injury and blood stasis. He needs to be slowly nourished to clear the blockage."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shao immediately realized that this female doctor was indeed quite capable.

It was most likely the serious injury that led to his time travel.

Looking at the maps, sand tables, and wooden diagrams in the room, Li Shishi couldn't help but ask, "Is my lord going to the battlefield?"

"I'm not going." Chen Shao hugged her and said, "I was originally planning to go, but now that my doubts have been resolved, there's no need to go anymore."

Chen Shao was never a selfish person. Now that he had reached this position, he felt it was his responsibility to completely crush the Jurchen Tartars.

Wearing Song Dynasty clothing without resisting Jin Dynasty clothing is no different from wearing Ming Dynasty clothing without resisting Qing Dynasty clothing; neither of those is human.

If he were truly incapable, that would be one thing, but having come this far, now that an opportunity has presented itself to completely annihilate the Jurchens, he is determined to give it a try.

Hearing that Chen Shao would not be going to the front lines, Li Shishi breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing the rise and fall of her clothes, Chen Shao couldn't help but reach inside to see what was going on.

Li Shishi's fair skin and rosy cheeks made her appear even more beautiful.
-
Weizhou, Xutuo River Valley.

Hundreds of cavalry clashed, their hooves kicking up clouds of mud.

Shouts and cries of battle mingled together, and blood splattered everywhere; a fierce battle was unfolding before their eyes.

The two sides fighting were Han Shizhong's cavalry under Wei Minglitong and the Jurchen armored cavalry.

In Han Shizhong's original calculations, the Jurchen Tartars would inevitably reinforce their troops, and the general's suggestion to lure the enemy deep into their territory was actually quite feasible.

He's definitely not in a hurry. He's been fighting for so many years, he's long since grown old and experienced.

If you take advantage of something and then stop, or even get away and leave, you will have complete control over the situation.

Accumulate small victories into a major triumph, gradually get your men used to winning, and crush the Jurchen Tartars' arrogant and overbearing morale.

But no one expected that the Jurchen Tartar garrison would be so proactive and fierce this time.

No longer luring the enemy?

As soon as they rushed out of the mountain pass from Weiminglitong, the Jurchen garrison split into small teams of dozens or even hundreds of riders, carrying banners and fiercely pressing forward.

Almost from the very beginning of the battle, they relentlessly pursued the vanguard of Toshimichi's forces, making it difficult for them to advance even a single step!

As the commander leading the vanguard marched eastward, he was immediately pursued by scouts who would occasionally spur their horses forward for a volley of arrows before quickly retreating.

Once the surrounding scouts arrived and gathered a force of over a hundred riders, with the sound of a horn, the Jurchen Tartars, with their black flags raised, charged towards this place that had been harassed along the way!
The moment the two collided, blood and flesh flew everywhere.

At this moment, Han Shizhong and his troops felt the familiar Jurchen Tartars return, and they became extremely fierce once again.

In fact, the two sides are quite similar in many ways; they both have a ruthless streak.

Upon closer examination, the reason is actually not complicated at all: both sides were on the rise and had an insatiable desire for military achievements.

Although Wei Minglitong's cavalry was known as an elite force, they were, after all, troops from the Western Xia dynasty, not the Helan Mountain troops directly under Han Shizhong.

In Han Shizhong's camp, they were not the most skilled in battle; before the Yunzhong Camp existed, they served as auxiliary troops.

The best horses in the camp were also given priority to the Helan Mountain cavalry. Han Shizhong sent them out to train the troops.

If the horsepower is insufficient, it will be unable to break through when the Jurchen cavalry catch up with it. When the armored soldiers of both sides charge into battle, if their own warhorses cannot pick up speed, how can they not suffer losses?
The two sides clashed, their weapons flying, the sound of armor tearing through metal echoing through the air, along with the cries of knights falling from their horses and the pitiful neighs of their steeds.

The two sides continued their silent hacking and slashing, scattering the Dingnan army's formation. Just as the commander was desperately urging the rear guard to join the battle, the Jurchen army, at the sound of a horn, turned and rode away, leaving the battlefield.

After a fierce battle, forty or fifty Dingnan cavalrymen fell from their horses, the wounded rolled in the mud, and the empty horses ran wildly.

The Jurchen Tartars left behind only seven or eight riders, one of whom, a wounded man, got up and, brandishing his broken spear, roared loudly in the Jurchen language.

With bloodshot eyes, the Dingnan Army cavalrymen jumped off their horses and slashed at the Jurchen Tartar from different angles with seven or eight swords, almost turning the Jurchen Tartar into mincemeat.

But looking around at the battlefield of this small-scale horse battle, the ground was littered with the dead and wounded of their own men. Both men and horses were panting heavily. What good would it do to vent their anger in the end?

Weiming Litong gripped his weapon tightly, looking around blankly.

"The Jurchens have changed." Han Shizhong frowned and said, "They must have made some big move and are about to take action."

Han Shizhong, accompanied by a dozen or so riders, arrived at the top of the valley. Looking down, he saw mountains looming in from all sides.

This long stretch of mountainous terrain is actually not conducive to cavalry raids, but it is indeed a good place to lay an ambush.

His own judgment was actually similar to Chen Shao's; they both thought that the Jurchen Tartars would definitely lure the enemy deep into their territory.

Since the Dingnan Army left the pass, they have been launching relentless and fierce attacks.

Anyone would have thought they would continue their attack, and sure enough, after establishing a foothold in Yunnei, the Dingnan Army once again sent troops into Weizhou.

But this time, they actually held back. In fact, Wanyan Zonghan and his generals initially intended to lure the enemy deep into their territory and then annihilate them.

However, they failed and, not wanting to waste any more time, resorted to Liu Yanzong's strategy.

The hundred or so Jurchen riders who had fled had retreated more than three hundred paces away and returned to the horse post they had set up. They all changed their mounts and drank water and ate dry rations on their horses to recover their strength.

Pairs of wolf-like eyes continued to hover over the ranks of the Dingnan army.

In these undulating mountains, countless small-scale battles break out every day.

In the distance, horns sounded in response, echoing the Jurchen cavalry wandering around.

These Jurchen Tartars, with their powerful horses and fierce fighting spirit, though not numerous, had only managed to create a thin defensive barrier.

As Han Shizhong and his men were on lookout duty, a personal guard rushed up to them, saying, "Commander Han, the clerk from Taiyuan."

"Bring it!"

He can read now, and after unfolding the book, Han Shizhong read it while nodding.

"The commander believed that the Tartars might move south, and those left behind would definitely be the elite troops. They should defend the passes to the death to prevent us from cutting off their retreat."

"The more they fear we'll cut off their retreat, the more ruthlessly we'll cut it off!"
-
(End of this chapter)