Do You Know?: Rule the World

"The Changqing next to me, he shouldn't be one of yours, right?"

Pei Hu chuckled, "General, you're joking. How could that stupid little servant be from the Imperial City Department?"

Zhao Han: “…”

The Western Expedition Army marched from Bian Jing to Fuzhou. According to the marching route, it had to pass through Luoyang, the Western Capital, then through Tongguan, and finally arrive at Chang'an, the Jingzhao Prefecture.

If the weather cooperates, we can reach the Fuzhou front in just over a month by galloping.

At the same time, in Xingqing Prefecture, the capital of Western Xia.

Spies on the front line reported back one after another that the Great Zhou refused to increase the annual gift, causing an uproar in the court.

Since Emperor Jingzong Li Yuanhao was assassinated in the summer of the eighth year of the Qingli period, Li Liangzuo, who was only one year old, succeeded to the throne.

The political affairs of the court were always in the hands of his mother, Queen Mother Mo Zang, and his uncle, Mo Zang Epang.

It is now the fourth year of Jiayou, Li Liangzuo is twelve years old, and three years ago, Empress Dowager Mo Zang passed away.

Li Liangzuo began to gradually seize power, but to this day the Western Xia court was still controlled by Mo Zang Epang.

This person appears to be subservient to the Great Zhou, but in fact he is always coveting the Central Plains.

"Your Majesty, the Great Zhou is so ungrateful and insists on sending troops to fight. It seems they need to learn a lesson again!"

"Although we are short of food and fodder right now, the Iron Harrier Army is ready to go at any time. We should fight quickly and decisively."

All the generals in the hall echoed.

Li Liangzuo sat upright on the dragon throne and said slowly, "My uncle is absolutely right."

"But I think it would be better to let General Manmie lead the light cavalry at the border first to test the Zhou army's strength before making any plans."

Mo Zang Epang narrowed his eyes, waved his hand, and said loudly, "No need."

"The Zhou army has always been weak and incompetent. This fact is clear to all."

"I heard that the Zhou Dynasty specially trained a cavalry battalion to deal with the Iron Harriers!"

"This time, I will personally lead the Iron Harrier Army into battle, raze their camp, and force the Zhou people to kneel and pay tribute!"

"After we get through this year, one day Xixia will be able to lead its army south and capture Guanzhong!"

Seeing this, the civil and military officials in the palace knelt down and shouted, "Uncle King, you are wise! God bless Xixia!"

Looking at his uncle's smug look and unquestionable arrogance, Li Liangzuo felt a chill in his heart and became more and more eager to control the court.

-

A few days later, in the imperial palace, Rouyi Hall, this was Princess Huirou's bedroom.

The hall was filled with the sweet aroma of pear blossoms. As the beaded curtains swayed gently, the faint laughter of young girls could be heard.

Rong Feiyan, Rong Fei's biological sister, was leaning on an embroidered cushion, pinching a candied green plum with her slender jade fingers, looking at Huirou with a smile in her eyes.

The two have always been good friends and often talk about personal matters here.

She suddenly leaned closer and asked softly, "Hui Rou, who do you think is better, the young master of the Duke of Qi's mansion or General Zhao who is accompanying the army on the expedition?"

Huirou, holding her chin with both hands and looking towards the northwest, blurted out, "Of course it's my brother..." After realizing her gaffe, she hurriedly corrected herself, "It really is Lord Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Rong Feiyan looked up to the sky and sighed deeply.

"What a pity! You were born before I was born, and I was born after you were married..."

"A daughter of a fifth-rank official is quite blessed."

"I heard that Princess Jiacheng has been thinking about Master Zhao day and night since the polo match, and even secretly asked someone to inquire about Master Zhao's birth date."

"I think it's better to give up this idea as soon as possible."

Huirou turned her head, a sly glint in her eyes, and said with a smile: "Feiyan, when you reach the age of marriage next year, you can marry Lord Zhao!"

Rong Feiyan's eyebrows immediately furrowed, "What are you talking about? My sister will never agree to me becoming someone's concubine."

"Besides, if that were the case, Princess Jiacheng would probably be laughing so hard that her mouth would split open!"

"I don't want to be laughed at by her for the rest of my life!"

Huirou grabbed her slender arm and whispered, "No!"

"And only you can marry Lord Zhao. Jiacheng absolutely cannot!"

Rong Feiyan's pretty face was full of confusion, and she reached out to touch Huirou's forehead.

"Sister Huirou, are you out of your mind today? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"In short, if you believe me, you can marry Lord Zhao, and he won't be a concubine." Huirou's eyebrows curved, and the corners of her pink lips couldn't help but rise.

Rong Feiyan became increasingly confused by these words. She rubbed her chin, thought for a moment, and exclaimed, "Ah? You're not going to force me to divorce, are you?"

"That won't do. If this gets out, where will the reputation of our Rong family be?"

"However, I think Prince Yong's family is really capable of forcing Lord Zhao to divorce."

Huirou glanced at her sideways, smiled but didn't answer, and thought to herself: If my brother's identity were to be made public, Prince Yong's family wouldn't dare to force him to divorce even if they had ten times the courage.

Chapter 90: First Battle Victory, Sheng Hong: Call Huaer back quickly

Fuzhou was the key fulcrum of the Fuyan Road defense line.

There are many military forts such as Jinmingzhai and Saimenzhai, which are garrisoned by a mixture of imperial troops and foreign soldiers all year round.

In a blink of an eye, more than a month has passed.

Outside the city of Fuzhou, the 100,000-strong Western Expedition Army was like a dark cloud pressing in, with flags fluttering and blocking out the sky and the sun.

After days of rapid marches, many soldiers had tired looks on their faces, but the 3,000 cavalry battalion under Zhao Han's command remained energetic.

"Fuzhou's Commander Chen Yong leads the Fuzhou generals to pay their respects to the General!"

A general wearing armor and with a slightly solemn expression stepped forward and saluted.

Several generals behind him also came forward to pay their respects.

Zhang Fu sat upright on his horse, glanced at everyone calmly, and said in a deep voice: "Chen Tuanlian, how is the defense of Fuzhou?"

Chen Yong bowed and replied, "General, I have already ordered the city defenses to be reinforced day and night, and sent three more teams of scouts to patrol the border in shifts. We are fully aware of the Xixia army's every move."

"only……"

"Just what?" Zhang Fu looked at him with serious eyes.

Chen Yong said, "In reply to the General, the spies ahead reported that Mo Zang Epang has volunteered to lead the Iron Harriers and the Infantry."

"The soldiers in Fuzhou lost most of their morale just by hearing the words 'Iron Harrier Army'."

"I am afraid that this battle..."

Several Fuzhou defenders sighed softly, their faces filled with worry. Many of the soldiers on the border had witnessed the power of the Iron Harriers.

Their heavy armor was invulnerable to swords and spears, and their war horses were like moving iron towers when charging into battle.

If you run a little slower without paying attention, you will be trampled into a meat patty by their horses' hooves, and not even a complete body will be found.

Zhang Fu clenched his fists and turned his head to look at Zhao Han.

Zhao Han understood and stepped forward, saying loudly, "Chen Tuanlian, generals, why don't you come forward and take a closer look at my cavalry battalion?"

"This time, I'm heading out to fight that Iron Harrier!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Yong and the guards behind him took a deep breath and hurriedly took a few steps forward.

They saw 3,000 soldiers of the Cavalry Battalion lined up in neat formations, their eyes sharp and without any fear on their faces. The powerful murderous aura around them made their hearts tremble.

"This... is indeed an elite force, but the Iron Harriers have been fighting for many years, so I'm afraid..."

Before Chen Yong could finish his words, he heard a roar from the cavalry camp: "Kill!"

Three thousand people responded in unison, the sound was like a tide, exploding in the ears like thunder.

Seeing this, Chen Yong and others couldn't help but tremble in their hearts and retreated one after another.

This momentum is even more terrifying than when the Iron Harriers charged.

The imperial guards on the right were also inspired by this momentum. They raised their halberds high and roared three times, shaking the sky: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"What do you think, Chen Tuanlian? The men of my Great Zhou Dynasty are no pushovers!"

Zhang Fu snorted coldly. If it were ten years ago, he would have killed someone like this who was cowardly before the battle and undermined the morale of the army!

Chen Yong raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, clasped his fists and said, "I am confused. I am willing to lead the young men of Fuzhou as the vanguard!"

Zhang Fu did not answer. He turned his head to look at the soldiers behind him and shouted, "All troops, listen up! Rest here!"

Inside the central army tent, a yellowed sheepskin map was spread out on a long table, with half a bronze tiger talisman pressed on the corner.

Zhang Fu, Gu Yankai, Zhao Han, and several generals were gathered here, discussing how to fight.

"Currently, there is a shortage of food and fodder in Xixia, but our army has unobstructed food routes and sufficient supplies."

"If we can hold the camp firmly and hold out for a year or two, until their food runs out and their soldiers are exhausted, we will surely win this battle." Gu Yan said while stroking his beard.

Zhang Fu shook his head, rubbing his fingertips over the map. "Mo Zang Epang personally led the Iron Harriers and Infantrymen this time, clearly intending a quick victory. How could he give our army a chance to stall?"

"The Iron Harriers charge into battle, the Infantrymen cross mountains and ridges. If our army simply defends, they will erode it step by step."

As soon as these words were spoken, the tent fell into silence.

Zhao Han spoke at the right moment, "The general is right. This man, Mo Zang Epang, is full of tricks. Our army's food supply routes must be guarded at every level and transported by multiple routes."

Sure enough, three days later, the Western Xia army arrived outside Jinming Village.

In the first year of the Kangding reign, Li Yuanhao used the tactic of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, sending a small army to feign an attack on the Bao'an army, but secretly sending elite troops to attack Jinming.

After breaking through Jinmingzhai, the Western Xia army took advantage of the victory and marched south, setting an ambush at Sanchuankou, resulting in the complete annihilation of the reinforcements from Fuyan Road and the near fall of Yanzhou City.

Inside the Western Xia camp, the emperor's brother-in-law and prime minister, Mo Zang Epang, was reclining on a tiger-skin chair, tearing into a roasted leg of lamb with great relish.

A scout hurried into the tent and said respectfully, "General, the main force of the Zhou army will reach Jinming Village in just one day!"

Mo Zang Epang paused, a fierce look flashed in his eyes, and he sneered, "Your legs are quite nimble!"

The deputy general beside him pondered for a moment and whispered, "General, the Zhou army looks very different this time than in the past. Could it be a trick?"

Mo Zang Epang snorted coldly, "Whatever his tricks are, they are nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot in front of the Iron Harrier!"