You have truly caused me great suffering!

April is full of beauty in this world.

In the suburbs of Taiyuan, the roadsides are already covered with lush grass, and the official road has been worn smooth by the many people walking on it.

As the sun sets, clouds of dust rise up.

With the stabilization and development of the border, more and more people are crossing the river to Yunzhong Prefecture to make a living.

After all, once you settle there, you will be allocated land and will be exempt from taxes for three years.

Yunzhong Prefecture, which had once been ravaged by war, with nine out of ten houses empty, fields barren, and cities desolate, is now experiencing a surge in population migration.

With the Khitans recently defeated and the Jurchens driven to the northeast corner, this is arguably the weakest of the northern tribes.

Their weakness ensures the safety of the border.

The calls for trade with the Song Dynasty on the grasslands grew stronger, and various non-Han peoples kept sending envoys to request Chen Shao to open trade markets.

Chen Shao was very cautious about this.

You can't judge a book by its cover. These people on the grasslands are currently struggling on the verge of starvation.

But if you really feed him until he's full, he'll turn around and want to eat people.

However, the temporary trade between the two sides does indeed benefit the people living on the border.

As the number of people in Yunzhong Prefecture continues to increase, this matter can no longer be delayed.

The profits from trade between the grasslands and the border are enormous; otherwise, Hedong would not have been able to develop trade and become known as the "Jiangnan of the North."

The mixed Hu tribes of western Mongolia have been decimated by Wanyan Balisu, while those of northern Mongolia are still under the clutches of the Jurchens, serving them with their lives.

Only those areas in the southern deserts that border Yunzhong Prefecture still have a chance to survive. Their attitude is humble enough at this time, but this is based on the strong military strength of the Dingnan Army.

If the next generation is not as capable as the current generation, the relationship between the two sides will be reversed.

Standing on the city wall of Taiyuan, Chen Shaozheng, Li Tangchen, and Liu Jizu discussed plans for trade with the grasslands.

Both Li Tangchen and Liu Jizu expressed their intention to open the gates, and to open them as soon as possible, because this would allow Yunzhong Prefecture to prosper more quickly.

As for the various nomadic tribes of the grasslands, they don't yet show any strength to move south. They are eager to join them, even if it means submitting to the central government.

This was because the Tatars on the grasslands were at their weakest at that time.

"Your Majesty need not worry. We can deal with these barbarian tribes after we have completely defeated the Jurchens. Moreover, we can use them to fight those wicked tribes in the northern desert."

The southern and northern parts of the Gobi Desert have always been at odds; the further north one goes, the greater the pressure to survive, and the more savage one becomes.

Since they couldn't cross the Gobi Desert to raid the Central Plains, they could only fight their own fellow countrymen in the Gobi Desert.

Chen Shao nodded. He would make use of them first. As for the future, as long as his plan went smoothly, the Central Plains Dynasty would soon undergo a qualitative change.

The problem of the northern barbarians that has plagued the Central Plains for thousands of years can be solved more thoroughly in the face of overwhelming firepower.

Once I've finished my plan, if you don't come looking for me, I'll be the one coming to you.

Because there are minerals in the northern desert.

Chen Shao finally nodded. Li and Liu, who had been looking forward to opening the tea-horse trade in Yunzhong, were not impatient because the matter had been put on hold for so long.

On the contrary, they greatly admired Chen Shao's ability to remain calm and think things through before acting at this time.

At this point, most people will feel somewhat complacent and may become less meticulous in their work, making many decisions hastily.

But the King of Dai did not, which was a blessing for those who followed him.

As the sun sets, it casts long shadows of these travelers who have left their homes to settle in the north.

Looking at them, Chen Shao suddenly felt that he had not done anything wrong.

These people also want to live a good life.

As for whether the problem of the foreign tribes in the North can be completely resolved, that depends on our own capabilities.
-
In the Pinglu area, the morning mist is thick.

It lingered for a long time.

The sun had risen above the mountaintop, but today there was not only fog but also clouds; the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, its crimson rays appearing weak and powerless, seemingly unable to dispel the fog on the earth.

Since Zhu Lingling stationed his troops here, people have been constantly fleeing from the east bank.

As the general trend of the world becomes clearer, no one wants to become cannon fodder.

What kindness have you, Pharmacist Guo, done for us? Why should we risk our lives for you?

Speaking of which, you were the one who surrendered to the Jin, while the people of Pinglu and the Jurchens have a blood feud.

Deep in the mountains and forests, there are still many Pingzhou people who vowed never to surrender to the Jurchens.

Five years ago, Chen Shao could only stand up for Zhang Jueming in Hedong.

His men have now arrived at the place where Zhang Jue once fought to the death.

Guo the Pharmacist also knew that some people were fleeing west, so he originally did not intend to kill them.

Because you dealt with these people too harshly, their relatives and friends will also hold a grudge.

Guo Yaoshi was eager to win over the hearts of the people of Pinglu and Liaodong.

But now they couldn't care less, because they were afraid that these people fleeing west would reveal their military secrets.

Many armored soldiers of the Ever Victorious Army were lying in ambush in the nearby bushes, waiting for the day when most of the people who had fled westward under the cover of the morning mist had arrived.

Suddenly someone let out a howl, and the Ever Victorious Army charged out with sinister smiles.

They chopped down any men they saw and grabbed any women they saw; in no time, they had rounded up and captured more than thirty people.

A group of people were forced to kneel on the ground, their hands tied behind their backs, at the mercy of others.

In front of them, Chang Shengjun began to count his valuables and chatted about his day's gains.

They even argued right in front of each other about who would enjoy the youngest and prettiest woman first, showing no regard for the corpses of these male masters, who lay in the blood at their feet.

Cries for mercy could be heard from not far away. The victorious soldiers exchanged glances and grinned lewdly.

The leader of the Ever Victorious Army, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, sat on a man's corpse, holding a large knife.

His name was Dong Gu, and he had been by Guo Yaoshi's side since the Eighth Battalion of the Resentful Army was first established.

In terms of seniority, he was more senior than Zhen Wuchen, but because of his mediocre abilities and his love of killing, he had always remained a mere captain.

These days, he was ordered to arrest the people who fled west, but this only made things easier for him. He was in a good mood, killing people every day.

When the task was assigned, those silly birds refused to come, saying that the place was dangerous.

What danger is there? Do you think those Dingnan Army soldiers will swim over? They've been here for a year and haven't dared to fight, so why are they attacking now of all times?

They dared not come, so it's no wonder I get to enjoy all the benefits.

Just then, the sound of a baby crying suddenly came from the kneeling woman's arms.

Hearing the baby cry, he became irritated and gave a wink.

The men immediately understood and rushed to the woman's side, snatching the baby and preparing to throw it into the water. At this moment, the old man who had been kneeling on the ground suddenly jumped up and pounced on Zhong Donggu.

Just as he was about to raise his knife to strike, a sound suddenly came from the grass.

Soon, from the surrounding bushes, soldiers in blue battle robes emerged, their bodies soaking wet, all staring coldly at them.

Dong Gu was startled and was about to speak when a crossbow bolt pierced his throat.

Hu Yantong glanced around and was surprised to find that there were only so many people. The ones who had committed the crime in the bushes had already been eliminated by them. In total, there was only a small team of about twenty people.

Their original purpose for this trip was to gather intelligence, which was Hu Yantong's old profession.

Back in Weizhou, he made great contributions in this regard.

However, after lying in ambush for a long time and seeing that there were only so many people, Huyan Tong directly ordered them to be killed.

He waved his hand, signaling the men to continue their smuggling to the west, while Huyan Tong led his men eastward along the bushes.

The Dingnan Army's scouts were renowned for their fighting prowess, being elite warriors selected from the army. When they encountered Jurchen scouts in the valleys and wilderness, it was almost always a fight to the death.

Hu Yantong and his team disappeared into the vast morning mist.

Meanwhile, on the opposite bank of the river, the main force of the Dingnan Army also began its forced crossing.

After a year of silence, the battlefield has reopened, and Zhu Lingling's orders are to create as much momentum as possible.

He had indeed done his best. Standing on the watchtower, Old Zhu thought to himself: "Brother Qu Duan, my attack is a feint, but it's also a real attack. A real attack is the best feint. As for whether you can establish a strong presence in the center of Liaodong before we get there, that's up to you."
-
Goryeo, Gaeseong.

Li Ziqian, who wanted to find Qu Duan and win him over to his side, came up empty-handed.

He received word that the construction of Kaesong Port would be entirely handled by the caravan.

The caravan was also responsible for the construction of the encampment.

Qu Duan has led his navy on another voyage, this time heading towards Tieshan, later known as Lushun.
Li Ziqian wondered why this person had left in such a hurry.

Did they never intend to interfere in Goryeo affairs in the first place?

Or did they deceive Wang Kai and then abandon him after opening the port?
In any case, this is a rare opportunity for me.

Li Ziqian grew increasingly anxious, fearing that Qu Duan would make a comeback.

He returned to his residence, gathered his retainers, and then sent someone to contact Tuo Junjing.

This time, a change of dynasty is imminent.

In Li Ziqian's view, this is the best opportunity.

The former suzerain state, the Liao Dynasty, had already perished, and Goryeo had not submitted to the Jurchens or the Song Dynasty, so it was not nominally their vassal state.

Legally speaking, Goryeo was without the protection of any major power at this time, making it the perfect opportunity for a coup.

Goryeo's national policy is to "serve the great power." If they don't take action soon, that brat Wang Kai and his political enemies in the court will definitely seek protection from the suzerain state.

Inside the Li residence, Li Ziqian knelt beneath the ancestral tablets, quietly awaiting the arrival of his trusted confidants.
-
On the vast sea, Qu Duan remained completely at ease.

Because he was unaware that his former superior, Commander Zhu, had already begun the forced crossing of the Ji River.

The battle report he received ordered him to complete the landing within three days, and for Li Yanqi's cavalry to attack Xuanzhou within three days.

Qu Duan had been eagerly waiting for this moment, but he did not expect that Commander Zhu, who always obeyed the orders of the Prince of Dai, would follow his example this time.

The Prince of Dai ordered him to feign an attack to buy himself time, but he directly ordered a forced crossing, intending to fight a decisive battle with the Ever Victorious Army at Pinglu.

If they were to wipe out the Ever Victorious Army and the Victorious Army, even if only a large portion of them were destroyed, the credit for pacifying Liaodong would be minimal.

Zhu Lingling had no choice; his proud and fierce soldiers were all eager for military merit.

Seeing that the fighting was dwindling, Zhu Lingling ordered his men to set up platforms for others and help them gain credit.

It's hard to say whether these people will still listen to me. Some might take the risk and leave on their own.

Instead of doing that, we might as well fight freely. After all, it was just said to be a feint attack, and it didn't say that we couldn't kill anyone.
-
The Grand Marshal's Mansion.

As Chen Shao looked at the map, his thoughts had already flown to the battlefield.

The operation to crack down on Pharmacist Guo had been in preparation for a year and a half.

Chen Shao's actions at this time were different from those a few years ago, when he was a troublemaker.

Starting from Nuanquan Peak involved a great deal of gambling, namely, that the main force of the Jurchen Tartars would all be chasing after Yelü Yanxi.

In the short term, it will be impossible to return to defend Shuozhou and Yingzhou.

In the subsequent major battles, the brave prevailed in close combat. Relying on their extraordinary courage and the Dingnan Army's thirst for military glory, they withstood Wanyan Zonghan's counterattack.

However, Chen Shao's approach to military operations at this time was primarily based on stability.

Only when there is absolute certainty should one make a move, and once a move is made, it will be swift and decisive, leaving no room for error.

Because he should ideally remain undefeated, for only by remaining undefeated can he become a god, and only by remaining undefeated can he rightfully replace the Song Dynasty.

The more brilliant the military achievements, the more convincing it is, demonstrating that the Prince of Dai was ordained by Heaven.

The phrase "destined by heaven" may sound unrealistic, but in this era, it carries great appeal.

Even the intelligent and wise Cai Jing, and the loyal and brave Zhang Shuye and Zhang Kejian, believed in destiny.

That's why he devoted himself wholeheartedly to serving Chen Shao.

Since it is the will of Heaven, then victory is the only option, defeat is not an option.

Last time, when Wu Jie was sent to fight Qing Tang, it was like a lion hunting a rabbit, and they did their best. Even the Zhang family from the Qilian Mountain Ranch was mobilized.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was already extremely weak after being repeatedly attacked by the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty.

This attack on Guo Yaoshi can be seen as the last attempt to reclaim the original Chinese homeland.

After all, once you leave Gubeikou, it is not historically Chinese territory.

Thinking of this, Chen Shao pondered for a while longer, and suddenly thought of:

If we had to say where else we need to reclaim, it would probably be Jiaozhi (Vietnam).

At this time, Jiaozhi had not been separated for very long and did not harbor much hatred towards the Central Plains, making it the best time to reclaim it.

By the time Zhu Di went to reclaim the lost territories, the Han Chinese in the Central Plains were already being treated like Japanese.

In fact, this land has always been directly ruled by the Central Plains. The Qin Dynasty established "Xiang Commandery", and the Han Dynasty divided it into three commanderies: "Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen, and Rinan". During the Three Kingdoms period, the Eastern Wu changed "Jiaozhi" to "Jiaozhou", with its capital located in present-day Hanoi, Vietnam.

In the sixth year of the Yonghui era of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (655 AD), the Tang Dynasty established the "Annam Protectorate" (with its capital in present-day Hanoi, Vietnam), which governed the northern and central regions of present-day Vietnam. "Annam" became the official name of this region. In the second year of the Zhide era (757 AD), it was renamed "Zhennan Protectorate" before reverting to the name "Annam Protectorate".

During the late Tang Dynasty, regional warlords carved up the country, and after the fall of the Tang Dynasty, the Annam Protectorate fell into chaos. Ngo Quyen, a local Vietnamese nobleman, defeated the Southern Han army, expanded his territory, and declared himself king.

It was only at this point that the Annam region began to break away from the control of the Central Plains regime.

The present-day Dai Qu Yue Kingdom, also known as the 'Ly Dynasty', was nominally a vassal state of the Song Dynasty, but in reality, it frequently sent troops to attack the Song Dynasty.

In particular, in the eighth year of the Xining era of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Li Renzong of the Daqu Yue Kingdom, dissatisfied with the Northern Song's interference in his internal affairs, dispatched General Li Changjie to lead an army to invade the Northern Song. The army captured Qinzhou, Lianzhou, Yongzhou, and other places, massacring hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians. (End of Chapter)