You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 7 Power is a Man's Courage

Despite Chen Shao's special care, the sick laborer still did not survive.

He died just two days later.

When his companion was called to get up for breakfast in the morning, he was already stiff and cold.

They already had no food to eat, and they had to do strenuous labor while eating wild vegetables. In fact, they were already exhausted.

Feeling sorry for his kind, the other laborers dug a pit and hastily buried him, wrapped in his tattered clothes.

The atmosphere in the grain transport team also became somewhat heavy.

The supply train soldiers, on the other hand, were completely unaffected, acting more like spectators.

They were used to this kind of thing, and they should have done it themselves to save some labor over two days.

In fact, the reason they did not object was because the trip went relatively smoothly.

If time is running out and the journey is about to be delayed, even if they dare not confront Chen Shao directly, they will secretly kill the laborer to avoid delaying their journey.

On both sides of the mountain road, there were many corpses that had been carelessly discarded, many of which had been eaten beyond recognition by wild animals.

As Chen Shao rode on horseback, he covered his mouth and nose with one hand. The stench that wafted over from time to time made him worry that a plague might be brewing.

Fortunately, they were almost at their destination.

Chen Shao's grain shipment was due in a month, but it arrived seven days ahead of schedule.

During this period, the Song army won a series of victories, and the battlefield shifted westward. The Hengshan area was no longer the front line, and the Western Xia scouts and cavalry had all withdrawn.

When they finally arrived at their destination, near Dingxingyuan, everyone was overjoyed.

The supply soldiers rested on their own, while only three or five of them drove the laborers to continue transporting grain to hand it over to the grain officer in the camp.

Inside the Song Dynasty's camp, the atmosphere was quite good; this was usually the reaction after a victory.

The war between Song and Xia has been going on intermittently for four or five years, and Song has indeed gained the upper hand.

The Song army successively captured Zangdihe City, Hongxia City, and Gugulong City. Li Eyi, the chieftain of Dingyuan in Huanzhou, and his son were captured and recently beheaded by order of Emperor Huizong.

His Majesty has just issued an order to reward the soldiers on the front lines, and then he wants to build three fortified villages in Dingxing Plain to strengthen the border defenses.

He personally named them: Jingxia, Fuqiang, and Zhirong.

The person who handed over the duties to Chen Shao was a military officer from the Fuyan Army, wearing a red short jacket, a blue battle skirt, and a light blue cross-legged turban.

He seemed to recognize Chen Shao, and waved and smiled from afar, "Brother Shao, come over here!"

Chen Shao quickly grabbed a soldier from the Fuyan Army who was wearing a short blue cloth jacket with a straight sash and asked in a low voice, "Who is that?"

"It's all our leaders."

"what is it call?"

"Li Yan".

Chen Shaosong released the soldier, strode over and shook hands with the military officer, calling him "brother" and "Brother Li" affectionately.

In fact, he had even forgotten the person's name.

"Young Master said you were coming and specifically asked me to take care of you. You must be tired of eating dry rations on the way here, right?"

The "young master" he was referring to was Liu Guanglie. Although Liu Guanglie did not hold a high official position, he was the son of Liu Yanqing, the general manager of Fuyan Road, and was more than qualified to be called a "young master".

Chen Shao laughed and said, "Brother, in this day and age, we should be chanting Buddhist prayers as long as we have food! If you ask me, we should all be grateful for the Emperor and Commander Tong's kindness."

Li Yan put his arm around his shoulder and laughed, "You're a lucky man. The imperial court sent some wine and meat today, which is just what you need to treat yourself."

On Dingxing Plain, makeshift shelters were everywhere, with soldiers coming and going. Ragged men were also building foundations for fortresses, and groups of people were carrying wooden stakes and driving earthen mounds. The area around the fortress had long been surrounded by trenches and wooden palisades, with guards stationed far away. Near the water source, abatis had been erected, making it seem as if the area was intended for a long-term garrison and the construction of a city.

These people included both Han and Qiang people, and not all of them were subjects of the Song Dynasty; many had been ruled by the Western Xia.

In chaotic times, no one cares what nationality you are.

Even after the Western Xia were defeated, the Xia soldiers still plundered them several times. When the Song army arrived, they gathered them together again, and if nothing unexpected happened, they would become the people in these fortresses that were about to be built.

Dong Dahu and his men led their horses closely behind Chen Shao, as there were too many people around and they were afraid of losing sight of him if they weren't careful.

Li Yan led them to a small tent, tossed the reins to the guards, and pulled Chen Shao inside.

After they were seated, Li Yan took out a piece of dried meat and said, "You've come at the right time. All the baggage train and soldiers need to stay to build the fortress. Commander Tong will come in person in a few days."

Chen Shao secretly took note; being able to see Tong Guan was undoubtedly good news.

He chewed on some jerky and asked in a low voice:
"Brother, did you really win this time?"

The Song Dynasty's border troops have always been known for reporting only good news and not bad, and Tong Guan was no exception. If their reports of victory to the court were true, the Song Dynasty would have unified the world long ago.

A hint of joy appeared on Li Yan's face. "The Xia bandits have run out of tricks. They launched a fierce attack on this place some time ago but failed to capture it. They looted the surrounding area for seven days before retreating completely to the other side. They are now building a city. The Xia bandits' pseudo-emperor personally sent people to build Ge Niu City on the other side and is constantly reinforcing his troops."

"The battle lines don't lie. We used to fight on our own doorstep, but where are we now?" Li Yan's voice grew increasingly triumphant as he gritted his teeth and said, "If we go any further, we'll be right at the Xia traitor's lair, Xingqing Prefecture!"

The Western Xia army and the Xia people have been fighting for a century, and it can be said that almost everyone in the Northwest has a blood feud with the Western Xia.

Including Chen Shao, the original owner's father and brothers also died on the Song-Xia battlefield.

Chen Shao pondered to himself, what gave Western Xia the right to hold out against the Song Dynasty?

Their national strength is undeniable; the stalemate between the two sides probably won't last long before Western Xia has to back down.

The Western Xia dynasty relied on its location on the Silk Road, a major trade route between East and West, which allowed it to collect taxes.

With the outbreak of war, trade routes were cut off, and with the loss of annual tribute from the Song Dynasty, coupled with internal conflicts within Western Xia, they were bound to fall apart.

As far as I can remember, the Western Xia dynasty didn't collapse; in fact, they even managed to kill Genghis Khan.

Could there be a twist?

I'm currently on the front lines, and it looks like I'll be building a fortified camp here. I estimate I'll be staying for quite a while.

If a collapse occurs here, it will be no laughing matter.

It's a disadvantage to be of low status and have little influence; your life and death are not in your own hands.

Chen Shao's restless spirit began to stir even more.

A real man cannot be without power even for a day!

"The Xia people have built a city on the opposite bank. Do you think our Commander Tong will continue to attack?"

Li Yan slammed his fist on the table. "Fight! Why not fight! If we don't take this opportunity to completely eliminate the Xia traitor, our children and grandchildren will have to continue living this miserable life."

After shouting, Li Yan hesitated again, "Who knows if Tong Guan still wants to fight? This man is now quite smug. Yesterday, when the imperial edict was announced, his official title was read for half an incense stick's time. If I had known, I would have cut myself off and gone to Tokyo to serve His Majesty."

Chen Shao did not respond. No matter when, it was unwise to ridicule or insult Shangguan behind his back.

Because you never know when it will reach his ears.

However, Li Yan is right; Tong Guan's current official position is indeed very long. He is:

Tong Guan, Grand Commandant, Grand Master of the Three Departments, Military Governor of Wukang Army, Wuxin Army, Wuning Army, and Huguo Army, Military Governor of Hedong, Shannan East Circuit, Jiannan West Sichuan, and Jiannan East Sichuan, Grand Tutor, Duke of Jing, Pacification Commissioner of Shaanxi, Hedong, and Hebei, and Privy Councilor!

(End of this chapter)