You have truly caused me great suffering!

North of Pingshan, the mountains and plains are covered with Jurchen camps.

At night, torches were lit in the camps, stretching to the sky and looking like a fire dragon.

The Song army, holding a strategic position on the eastern mountain stronghold, looked down in a way that was truly terrifying.

This entire route was personally overseen by Lou Shi, a general under Zong Han. This force had originally made the greatest contributions to the Jin Dynasty, and even Yelü Yanxi was captured by him.

However, due to the setback in Yunnei, he was relegated to the role of the vanguard, and even Zonghan had to personally oversee the operation.

They marched triumphantly forward, but unexpectedly, they were stopped again just as they were about to approach Zhen Ding City.

This time, the one who stopped them was an unknown young soldier who was struggling to hold on by relying on the terrain.

During the day, one could see the Jurchen army galloping back and forth, plundering grain and fodder from all directions.

At night, flames also moved like dragons, shuttling back and forth to intimidate the morale of the defending troops.

But this time, they gained very little, because the area had already begun to be defended, so the scorched earth policy was implemented very quickly.

Most of the common people had fled, and those who went into the Taihang Mountains were beyond their reach. Those who escaped to Zhengding Prefecture were temporarily out of their reach.

Lou Shi was also highly skilled and daring. He used his superior numbers to spread his troops out over a wide area.

Then, they drove countless ragged and poorly equipped laborers and servants to probe the vast front, searching for a passable mountain path that could bypass the military camp.

Once a weakness is found, the Jurchen elite troops waiting in the rear camp will swarm in and tear the gap wider and wider until it can no longer be plugged.

Besides searching for weaknesses, a series of probing battles also broke out. The Jurchen army, mainly composed of auxiliary troops and tribal forces, found some seemingly isolated military camps and surrounded and attacked them.

Hebei had been prepared for the sudden arrival of the Jurchen Tartars, and even the Song court and the emperor had a premonition.

Because they failed to pay reparations and cede territory, the Jurchen Tartars were seen as irritable and easily angered barbarians who would surely return to retaliate.

Even a fierce general like Wanyan Loushi could not escape the old tricks of the Jurchen Tartars when attacking a stronghold: driving out the captives and using their lives to fill the trenches.

However, after Zong Ze and Yue Fei managed the transportation and distribution of goods in Zhen Ding Prefecture, Hebei, they also implemented a scorched-earth policy.

At this moment, there are no longer enough people around Zhen Ding Prefecture to be used by the Jurchens for plundering.

Even if they managed to capture some, they still had to use them as laborers in the camp, and their labor force was also facing a shortage.

Just like at the beginning of the war, they would often use thousands of lives to fill the military camps. It wasn't that the Jurchen Tartars were unwilling, but they simply didn't have the means.

The Song and Liao dynasties had enjoyed a century of peace, during which the people who had gathered and lived in peace were nearly wiped out by them. Many of the prisoners originally held by the Western Route Army had been sold off, and only now were they realizing the harm done to them.

Unless they invade the Central Plains as they have done in history, they will find it difficult to capture large numbers of people again.

Since brutal methods cannot be used to breach the stronghold, the only option is to use powerful bows and crossbows to provide cover.

Then, auxiliary troops, carrying shields and coverings, filled trenches and piled up earth to open an attack channel, and then used simple ladders to climb up like ants and moths.

The effectiveness of this method of attacking a stronghold is, as one can imagine, extremely low.

The Song army will then be able to fully utilize the terrain advantage.

Moreover, this defensive line was constructed extremely well, and it was carefully built by Yue Fei. First of all, let alone whether it was possible to use powerful bows and crossbows to suppress the defenders on the stockade wall, even if it cost hundreds of lives to fill the road.

Whether or not troops can be continuously deployed to occupy the stockade walls is also a huge question. The defending troops in the stockade are concentrated and are not affected by the attacking side's projectile fire. A counterattack can easily recapture the stockade walls that have been temporarily taken.

Yue Fei was indeed different from other Song soldiers. He often led his troops down the mountain to counterattack, especially when the Tartars were about to retreat.

Lou Shi was helpless. Zong Han was still behind them. If he were blocked here, even he himself would inevitably be subject to military law.

He had no choice but to abandon his usual tactics and begin a patient and meticulous earthwork operation, cutting apart the military camp he wanted to capture, and then patiently wearing down the troops, defenses, and equipment in the camp little by little.

But how could the defensive system built by Yue Fei be just a series of isolated military camps that the Jurchen Tartars could attack at will?
These military camps were all designed to support each other; if one camp was attacked, reinforcements would arrive from the other.

Moreover, the garrison was a force that dared to venture out of the village to fight in the open. Given the Jurchen Tartars' skill in attacking fortifications, it would be quite difficult for them to break through the defenses here.

Yue Fei's management of the defense of Zhen Ding Prefecture was truly blessed with perfect timing, location, and popular support.

Firstly, Hebei experienced consecutive years of torrential rains, but this year rainfall decreased, resulting in no major flooding.

Secondly, Zhen Ding Prefecture is mountainous and has abundant water resources, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack when building fortified villages on high ground or relying on river valleys.

Most importantly, the people and soldiers of Hebei were united as one, and although the imperial court was complex with factions and even controlled by regional warlords, both sides were staunch advocates of war.

Although Cai Jing was not one of them, it was precisely because of his financial management skills that they had enough supplies and provisions to mobilize laborers and recruit soldiers.

This provided Yue Fei with excellent conditions to manage and build this defensive line.

After attempting to attack several small military camps, the Jurchen Tartars lost many lives under the barrage of arrows, crossbows, and flammable bottles from the defending troops, and never even made it to the camp walls.

Someone deliberately created an opening to lure the defending troops out to fight. The defending troops did come out, but they fought in formation within their camp, giving the defenders no chance whatsoever.

With Yue Fei guarding this defensive line, it can truly be described as impregnable.

Moreover, the Song Dynasty could afford to lose as much as the Jurchens. The Jurchens lost the prefectures of Yunnei and relied entirely on Yanshan Prefecture to collect and transport supplies.

Hebei, backed by Bianliang and Kaifeng, could continuously transport military supplies and provisions up the province.

As long as the Jurchen Tartars are exhausted, Zong Ze and his men will not hesitate to launch a major counterattack!
After all, given his personality, even when the situation was at its darkest point, he was still thinking about crossing the river to launch a counterattack.

The defenses here are secure, but Yue Fei is somewhat worried about Daming Prefecture, fearing that the Tartars might take a detour.

Daming Prefecture is surrounded by no mountains; it is a vast, flat plain stretching as far as the eye can see.

There was no rain during the frost-covering period this year, allowing the cavalry to quickly maneuver and move around. It all depends on whether Du Chong and his men can rely on the formidable city of Daming to resist the Tartars.

The Jurchen Tartars thus spread out their forces on the front lines, repeatedly probing and launching small-scale attacks with auxiliary tribal troops that could be worn down.

However, this also had one advantage for them: it kept Yue Fei's troops firmly drawn to the defensive line.

In any defensive battle against an offensive one, maintaining a complete defensive line is crucial. The defending side actually expends more manpower than the attacking side because the attacking side can freely choose its priorities and concentrate its forces for a decisive assault.

The defending troops must maintain the integrity of the entire defense system, ensuring that no area is completely unprepared.

If there is even the slightest wavering, the highly mobile Jurchen cavalry might slip through and advance, potentially shaking the entire defensive line!
Fighting from a defensive line allows one to wait for the enemy to tire themselves out.

However, this also firmly tied the troops to the defensive line.

Among the many troops in Hebei, Yue Fei's force was undoubtedly the most capable. He was pinned down there, blocking Lou Shi, a key Jurchen general, but in doing so, he was essentially traded one for one.

Even after losing Lou Shi, the Jurchens still had many capable fighters, while the Hebei rebels suffered a greater loss of combat strength after losing Yue Fei.
-
After being granted the title of king, Chen Shao immediately used the power that came with it to promote his generals.

The morale of the Dingnan army was greatly boosted.

After the scouts had conducted reconnaissance, all three groups of troops began to break camp and move out.

The land of Weizhou was suddenly plunged into chaos.

The local powerful families were mostly wiped out by both sides, and the rest hid deep in the mountains, too afraid to come out.

The mighty army marched straight towards the passes and cities guarded by the Jurchens.

In fact, the pressure Wanyan Xiyin faced was far greater than that faced by Zong Ze of Hebei.

His only advantage is that the area around Weizhou is not very large, making it easier to concentrate defenses, and there are plenty of good places to set up camps.

In Taiyuan, Chen Shao looked at the military report and breathed a long sigh of relief.

He had already felt the pressure from his subordinates.

Before bestowing the title of king, Chen Shao had already conveyed the order.

According to intelligence, the Taiyuan authorities have determined that the Tartars are heading south and have issued orders to the three main forces at the front, instructing them to send out scouts to explore the route and begin their eastward advance.

But nothing much has happened yet.

Now that they have just been crowned kings, the morale at the front lines is immediately different, and they are advancing more than 30 li in a day towards Daizhou.

In the mountains of Weizhou, they conquered cities and captured strongholds, with frequent reports of victory.

Chen Shao had to remind himself that he must keep abreast of his subordinates' emotional changes and not take them lightly.

Ultimately, no one is your puppet. Even your own son can't be 100% loyal, let alone your subordinates.

Why were you able to fight so fiercely with a bunch of defeated soldiers in the early stages? It was because they believed your promise of "sharing wealth and honor."

Each subordinate is a flesh-and-blood individual with their own thoughts and desires.

If you don't take your subordinates seriously, it's not impossible that you'll get killed one day, even when you're at the height of your power.

Now that you have become the lord of so many people, you can make them risk their lives for you and obey your orders.

Then you should do what you're supposed to do and stop complaining. For example, having a child is not your private matter.

These are all heavy responsibilities, and we must work hard to fulfill them.

Not to mention those who suddenly lose their minds, have a sudden burst of saintly compassion, and are willing to sacrifice the interests of their own group to achieve some kind of reputation for loyalty and righteousness; they might end up being chopped into mincemeat.

Therefore, Chen Shao summoned the main officials of Taiyuan and his staff today.

It also included many secretaries and officials who came from the Northwest.

Inside the government office in Taiyuan Prefecture, Chen Shao sat in a chair and said, "It has been more than five years since Tong Guan led his troops out of Hengshan. In these five years, the entire army has been fearless in the face of death and has repeatedly made meritorious contributions. The reason I have summoned you here today is to tally your merits, report them to the court, and request an imperial decree for rewards."

"All my soldiers, regardless of rank or merit, must be registered and none should be omitted."

In the Dingnan Army, lower-ranking soldiers could be promoted and appointed by themselves, but they could not be promoted any higher; they could only be rewarded with money and valuables.

It was alright at first, since everyone was dirt poor, but things are different now.

They should be promoted.

Stepping out of the government office, Chen Shao felt a weight lifted from his shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon returning to his inner quarters, Chen Shao did not go to his study to handle government affairs, but instead returned to his inner quarters during the day, which was unprecedented for him.

Li Tangchen sent many things to his daughter, Li Yumei, who was instructing her maids to carry them inside. When she saw him coming, she smiled and gathered her skirts, saying, "This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Chen Shao pinched her cheek.

Looking at the smiling beauty, Chen Shao finally understood the difficulties faced by those emperors.

You sometimes have to think carefully about who you want to pamper.

Li Yumei is no longer just a simple concubine; she has the power of Hedong behind her.

You need to frequently show her your affection, and it would be best if you also had a child.

Zhai Rui and Zhang Yinghan are the same; they are needed to stabilize the hearts of the people in Hexi.

Fortunately, Chen Shao was not one to tire of the old and crave the new; he was the type to appreciate the new without being tired of the old, and he always treated his concubines very well.

"You used to be the young lady of Taiyuan Academy. You should have frequently invited the noble ladies and ladies of Hedong to visit the Prince's Mansion."

Li Yumei said with a smile, "Your Majesty has given the order, and I dare not disobey."

This little girl was very lively and lovable, and Chen Shao couldn't help but take a few more glances at her.

Having grown up in a scholarly family, she possessed a unique temperament and a beautiful, rounded figure, making her a spitting image of a young Li Shishi, which was Chen Shao's favorite type.

Seeing him staring at her bulging chest, Li Yumei blushed and whispered, "Does Your Majesty wish for me to serve you in bed?"

"Isn't it inappropriate to do this in broad daylight?" Chen Shao said deliberately.

Li Yumei inwardly cursed. Last time, Caiwei was too shy and said it wasn't good to do it during the day, so she was tied up and humiliated by you.

He even said he would only bother her during the day from now on.

Caiwei dared not tell anyone else about these things, and could only secretly confide her grievances to Li Yumei, who then gave her best friend a severe scolding.

Chen Shao looked at the busy maids and servants in the distance, some of whom were secretly glancing over from time to time. He coughed lightly and said in a low voice, "Lady Lin has been taking good care of me these past few days, so I'll reward you this time. You should try your best to get pregnant with a child."

Li Yumei's cheeks were already flushed as she asked, "Your Majesty, where should I collect my reward?"

"You tell me."

Li Yumei, her eyes sparkling with allure, whispered, "The magnolias in the front yard are in full bloom, their blossoms large and pure white. Your Majesty, please wait in the pavilion for a moment. I will go back to change and clean myself, and then I will be there shortly." (End of Chapter)