You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 78 Requesting Battle at Youzhou
In March, Tong Guan led his troops to a stalemate with the Western Xia army at the Han Sea, putting pressure on Western Xia and creating momentum for peace talks between the two countries.

Chen Shao, the prefect of Yanzhou, reported to the Pacification Commissioner that in order to fulfill his duty of defending the territory, he hoped that the Pacification Commissioner would allow him to recruit soldiers to defend the land.

The official document bearing Tong Guan's seal arrived the next day.

Three days after the document arrived, Chen Shao recruited 20,000 soldiers in Yanzhou, a speed that was astonishing.

These men, ready to fight on horseback, were burning with rage and eager to take revenge on the Western Xia.

Just like the Jurchens who had just emerged from the snow-capped mountains, single-mindedly focused on annihilating all the Liao people.

When the news reached Tong Guan, the Pacification Commissioner at the front, he took it as Chen Shao bluffing. Although he was displeased, he only laughed and cursed a few times.

After all, he was a trusted confidant, so a minor mistake could be laughed off. But if it were someone else, they would be prosecuted for falsely reporting military secrets.

Moreover, Chen Shao was a spy he had planted in Yanzhou. In Tong Guan's view, Chen Shao was sacrificing himself in this place to help him achieve his great cause.

Leaving aside Tong Guan's military prowess, he was quite strict in disciplining his troops.

So Tong Guan said with a smile, "Chen Shao just wants to get more military pay. Why shouldn't I grant his wish? As long as he helps us defend Yanzhou, it will be another great achievement and he deserves a reward!"

If he were to send someone to investigate, he would find that it was indeed a false report.
To avoid being too conspicuous, and also out of fear that the Western Xia might be prepared, Chen Shao and Han Shizhong discussed it and underreported the number by 15,000.

Today, Yanzhou has 40,000 mounted archers, half of whom are newly recruited Han Chinese youths from the surrounding area, and the other half are Qiang and Hu peoples who were already planning to rebel after being exploited by the Western Xia.

Seven days after recruiting soldiers, Chen Shao reported again that he would lead his troops to attack Youzhou and destroy the Jianing Military Command of Western Xia.

There was no other way; he had to fight. Firstly, having just become the nominal ruler of the Han and non-Han peoples near the salt lake, he needed to slap the Western Xia twice to establish his authority.

It also lets those in the team who have ulterior motives see if they can actually fight.

Secondly, although Tong Guan provided a lot of grain and supplies, it was still insufficient to feed an army of 40,000.

He needs to find his own way to make money and break free from his dependence on Tong Guan.

After all, you have to listen to whoever pays your bills.

The Song and Xia armies were locked in a stalemate at the front lines. Tong Guan's camp is now the location of the Northwest Pacification Commission of the Great Song Dynasty.

Tong Guan looked at the official document requesting permission to join the fight in his hand and remained silent.

Zhao Liangsi, standing to the side, asked in confusion, "Commander Xuan?"

"Gu Zhi, take a look for yourself." Tong Guan handed him the official document, which was concise and to the point, and Zhao Liangsi read it at a glance.

Zhao Liangsi, who had recently become Tong Guan's advisor, was brimming with confidence. He had correctly predicted the situation several times and felt that he was resourceful and decisive. He couldn't wait to assist Tong Guan in going to the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun to complete the great cause of conquering Liao.

Destroying Xia will be a piece of cake, but only by conquering Liao can we be recorded in history and shine for all time!

The conclusion he drew earlier, that Chen Shao wanted to take more military pay, was one he firmly believed.

In his view, Chen Shao was that kind of person—greedy and without any moral bottom line.

After reading the document, Zhao Liangsi remained silent for a moment, when suddenly a brilliant idea flashed in his mind.

"Commander Xuan, I already know Chen Shao's intentions!"

"Oh?" Tong Guan said, "Tell me about it."

Zhao Liangsi walked to the map and pointed to Jianing Military Command and Youzhou, saying, "Commander Xuan, look, this place is right next to the Zhong family's garrison. Most of the troops from Shaanxi have come with you to attack Western Xia. Only the two Zhong brothers are here to guard against the eastern troops of Western Xia, so they did not participate."

"Chen Shao's move is definitely to mobilize two forces to go north, to distract the Western Xia troops, and even to disperse the Western Xia troops in the east, so that he can rest easy in Yanzhou. Even if he can't take it completely, it will relieve the pressure on him in Yanzhou."

After Zhao Liangsi's analysis, Tong Guan's eyes lit up; it really might be true.

In their view, Chen Shao's attack on the Jianing Military Command was pure fantasy.

Tong Guan's favorite and most skillful tactic was to use the pretext of national righteousness to force the Western Army to fight for him, while he would reap the benefits and credits behind the scenes.

That's how Liu Fa died.

Judging from his own experience, he was even more convinced that Chen Shao shared the same thought, but this thought happened to be very much in his own interest. The Zhong family army was unlikely to be able to break through the eastern defense zone of Western Xia, but if they launched an attack and won, the greatest credit would go to him, and he could also take the opportunity to promote his trusted confidant Chen Shao again.

Losing the battle would weaken the Zhong family army. These two brothers are the current leaders of the Western Army. To divide and win over the Western Army, we must take action against the Zhong family army.

Tong Guan was secretly delighted. Chen Shao, indeed, is a useful talent!
Their eyes met, and they nodded slightly at the same time.

Tong Guan slammed his hand on the table and said, "Men! Order the troops of Yan'an Prefecture to immediately head north and cooperate with Yanzhou to attack the Xia bandit Jianing Military Command!"
-
Yan'an Prefecture, Yumou City.

Zhong Shidao, the old military strategist, stationed troops here to defend against the Western Xia Eastern Military Region.

At this moment, the central gate of the main camp was already open, and the old prime minister's personal guards, holding swords, stood at the entrance.

From afar, dozens of riders on fast horses swept towards them like the wind.

The rider in the lead had a flowing white beard, which he tucked behind him with a sling, probably to avoid hurting his beautiful beard.

The personal guards behind "The Bearded Gentleman" held aloft a triangular tiger-striped banner with the character "种" (zhong, meaning seed/kind).

There weren't many in the Western Army qualified to fly this tiger-striped, fanged banner; only two were surnamed Zhong. Zhong Shidao was seated in his camp; the one who came could only be his son, Young Master Zhong Shizhong!
He was over sixty years old, and although his horsemanship wasn't as agile as it used to be, it was still quite good.

Although the military families in the Northwest have been around for a long time and have had their share of flaws, almost all of them have risen through the ranks on the battlefield, and there are very few spoiled brats or good-for-nothings among them.

Zhong Shizhong rode straight to the camp gate, tightened his reins on his horse, and the horse neighed and tried to rear up, but he slapped the horse's ear: "Fool, do you want to shake this old bone of mine?"

The horse neighed twice, circled around in frustration before finally stopping. The guards behind it had already caught up, and when they saw the young master training the warhorse, they all burst into laughter.

Zhong Shizhong jumped off his horse. Since this was Zhong family territory, even the usually arrogant young Zhong relaxed and joked, "With Old Zhong here, I, the young Zhong, am no longer as imposing. You all better behave yourselves and lead your horses into the main tent! Yang Erlang, take my horse and wipe it dry!"

The personal guard general whose name he had mentioned smiled and took the reins: "Young Master Zhong, you can ride right up to the tent, and our old Master Zhong won't say anything more... But Young Master Zhong is as strong and healthy as ever, which is quite enviable. If we were to reach your age and still be alive on the battlefield, we'd probably be bedridden and unable to get up. How could we dare to talk about riding a horse?"

Zhong Shizhong laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "Don't underestimate yourself. When I was young, I also felt that I couldn't compare to my father and brothers. Have someone inform Old Zhong that Young Zhong has arrived and I'd like to see him!"

After making the arrangements, Zhong Shizhong looked at the younger generation of the Zhong family army in the camp, who all looked at him with admiration, and said with a smile: "We are old after all. We may look alright, but in reality we are old and frail. We can no longer ride inferior horses or draw strong bows... Our Western Army is counting on you young people! Do a good job and live up to our expectations! Don't disgrace our ancestors!"

The Western Army often sent its own sons to other military families for training, so there were also many sons of other military families in the Zhong family's army camp.

For example, Yang Erlang, who led his horse, was a descendant of the Yang family of Linzhou. The young generals just laughed. Yang Erlang led Zhong Shizhong's horse to dry off. Before leaving, he whispered to Zhong Shizhong, "It's news from Tong Guan's side. They say that Chen Shao is causing trouble again. When Old Master Zhong heard the news, he didn't sleep much all night. He doesn't know what kind of trouble has happened up ahead!"

Zhong Shizhong's face also darkened. Ever since Chen Shao secured Richard's position at Hengshan, Tong Guan's attitude had become increasingly unpleasant. He frequently made sarcastic remarks about the various generals of the Western Army, yet no one dared to say anything in response.

Now that they have fought together to the vicinity of Shuofang, Tong Guan's old illness has relapsed, and he still clings to his Shengjie Army, refusing to use it even once.

But he wants the Western Army to fill in the gaps while he reaps the credit behind the scenes. What kind of logic is that?

Liu Fa was an honest man, and everyone saw what happened. From then on, apart from Liu Yanqing, the rest of the Western Army basically stopped obeying Tong Guan's orders.

While the Western Xia must be destroyed, the strength of the Western Army should not be depleted too much; otherwise, the cunning rabbit will be killed and the hunting dog will be cooked, and the good bow will be put away after the birds are gone.

The destruction of the Xia dynasty marked the beginning of the imperial court's suppression of the Western Army.

Lost in thought, he walked inside, the distance from the camp gate to Zhong Shidao's tent neither too far nor too near.

Xiao Zhong was an old man in his sixties, but he walked with fast and long strides, and his bodyguards had to jog to keep up.

He kept his head down and didn't say a word the whole way. Gone was the humorous old man he had when he first entered the camp. He had reverted to the arrogant and aloof face that Tong Guan was used to seeing.

Those leading the way and the guards behind were all uneasy, knowing that the old man's temper had flared up again. The old man's health was not as good as before, and once he got angry, he couldn't eat for days. They were all of the same generation, serving under the two Zhong ministers, and they couldn't bear to see him like this.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the main tent, one finds Zhong Shidao's personal guards standing in rows outside, along with military discipline signs and imperial weapons on display.

The soldiers in red-tasseled iron helmets stood in pairs, having already spread the news of Zhong Shizhong's arrival. Zhong Shidao had barely slept all night, waiting for his younger brother. Seeing Zhong Shizhong arrive in a huff, he quickly led the way, respectfully guiding the young master into the old Zhong's tent.

Inside the large tent, the furnishings were simple. Although it was late spring, a brazier was lit. A map hung behind the general's desk, and a wooden map was set up in front of it. On both sides of the general's desk, tables were neatly arranged, but they were empty, with no military officers present.

Inside the large tent, which was about three or four zhang square, only Old Zhong, dressed in a thick cotton-padded coat, stood with his back to the tent entrance, hunched over and looking at the map of Hengshan.

(End of this chapter)