The young Jin soldier walked all the way into the Song army's central camp, deeply shocked.

What he saw and heard deeply moved him.

He had only heard that the Song army was stronger than before, but he didn't know exactly where the strength lay or how strong it was.

Now he knows.

He felt an indomitable will!

This willpower is as majestic as Mount Tai.

He saw that every face was etched with fortitude.

At the same time, he also had doubts in his mind.

Every soldier in the Song army was strong, tall, and stood tall with their heads held high. Wearing armor, they exuded a confidence that the Jin army could never match.

What exactly made the Song army what it is today?

He even saw that Song soldiers had tattoos on their faces, tattoos that used to be a symbol of humiliation, but now Song soldiers took pride in their tattoos.

They have tattoos on their faces or necks.

Some are patterns of ferocious beasts, such as tigers, lions, eagles, wolves, and so on.

Some are weapons, such as battle axes, swords, or shields.

He also saw a group of Song soldiers gathered together not far away, with two of them wrestling in the middle.

One of them was nine feet tall and as strong as an ox, while the other was seven feet tall and as agile as an ape.

One side used brute force, the other used speed, and the fight was evenly matched.

On the other side, officers were shouting loudly, and some soldiers were crawling on the ground, holding long muskets and moving swiftly.

The Jin soldier entered Yue Fei's tent, where Yue Fei, Zhang Xian, and several close followers were located.

He saw a young man sitting in the middle, with sharp eyebrows and wearing a dark blue armor, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

The Jin soldier's heart tightened, and he immediately knelt on one knee: "This humble servant is Han Bin, from the Third Team of the Yanyun District of the Imperial City Division. I have been ordered to deliver important military intelligence. This humble servant greets Commander Yue!"

"What important military intelligence?"

Han Bin hurriedly presented the secret letter he had painstakingly brought out. A close attendant took the letter and spread it out on the table.

Upon looking at it, Yue Fei saw a map showing the troop deployment in Fengcheng, Wanyan Zongbi's total troop strength, and the individual strengths of each force.

It also highlighted Wanyan Zongbi's strategy of "fortification and scorched earth".

Yue Fei, his expression unchanged, said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"Everything is done to share the Emperor's burdens!"

"Someone, take Brother Han downstairs and treat him to good wine and meat."

"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief Xie Yue!"

After Han Bin left, Yue Fei said to Zhang Xian, "Go find Sima Junru immediately and confirm his existence!"

"yes!"

Zhang Xian accepted the order and led his men to Yanyun overnight.

This place is about 700 li away from Yanyun. Zhang Xian led his men and rode for a day and two nights to reach the Imperial City Command Headquarters of Youzhou Prefecture.

Upon hearing that Yue Fei's men had arrived, Sima Junru immediately went to personally receive Zhang Xian.

Sima Junru laughed and said, "Zhang Xiangdu, what brings you here?"

At this moment, Yue Fei's army and Wanyan Zongbi's army were engaged in a major battle on the western front.

Yesterday, news of victory reached Youzhou Prefecture: Yang Zaixing had decisively defeated Han Chang, a general under Wanyan Zongbi, beheading 20,000 enemy soldiers and routing the enemy army in one fell swoop.

This is the first victory of the Northern Expedition!

The news was already on its way back to the capital, and the Song army was greatly encouraged.

The news spread throughout the entire northern part of the Song Dynasty.

Yue Fei's army is now the most dazzling force on the northern front of the Song Dynasty.

As the tide rises, so does every boat; as Yue Fei's capable general, Zhang Xian naturally straightened his position as well.

Zhang Xian glanced around, and Sima Junru dismissed everyone else.

Zhang Xian then explained the whole story to Sima Junru, who said, "That's right. Han Bin is one of our men; he's Han Guifei's cousin."

Zhang Xian was slightly taken aback, not expecting that Han Bin was actually Consort Han's cousin!

"Unexpectedly, Wanyan Zongbi's intelligence was delivered at the crucial moment. This is great news for Commander Yue!"

"This is certainly good news, all thanks to Sima Shangguan."

Sima Junru said, "Hey, I'm just sitting in the backyard drinking tea. You guys fighting on the front lines are the ones who are having a hard time."

Zhang Xian chuckled twice; he had heard a little about Sima Junru.

The commander-in-chief of the Imperial City Guard in the northern part of the Great Song Dynasty was definitely the kind of person who could turn the capital upside down while sitting in his backyard drinking tea and chatting.

His men had it no easier than soldiers; those men were constantly on the edge of a knife.

"Sir Sima is too modest."

Sima Junru continued, "Please forgive Zhang Xiang for what happened to Han Bin. His identity is top secret, but now that he has completed his mission, it is alright to reveal his identity."

"Thank you, General Sima. We obtained Wanyan Zongbi's strategic plan this time entirely thanks to Han Bin. I will report this to Commander Yue." Zhang Xian bowed. "I have other important matters to attend to and will return to report first."

"Alright, since that's the case, I won't keep Zhang Xiangdu any longer. Take care on your journey!"

After confirming the news, Zhang Xian led his men on horseback to the western front at full speed.

Before leaving the city, Zhang Xian saw countless crowds thronging the streets of Youzhou.

In the roadside taverns, you can hear storytellers reciting exciting tales everywhere.

They were talking about Yang Zaixing's victory over Han Chang on the western front, and the storytellers were speaking with great enthusiasm, their saliva flying everywhere.

Those listening were thrilled and cheered.

Some people even jumped up excitedly and roared twice to vent their feelings.

Not far ahead, some other trading companies were collecting grain.

In this turbulent era, soldiers on the front lines are building a Great Wall with their blood and flesh.

To ensure victory in the war, many people in Youzhou Prefecture spontaneously donated grain.

The enthusiasm of the people was unprecedented, especially that of the businessmen.

If this victory is achieved, the trade barriers between the Jin and Song dynasties will naturally disappear.

For the merchants of the Song Dynasty, it would be a completely new and fertile land.

That was an opportunity to get rich, and everyone from the super-rich to the small business owners was eyeing it.

The ability to establish a new business world on new land will create countless millionaires.

And what about the imperial court?

They will take over the territory of Liaodong, where there are iron mines that the emperor has long coveted.

While others were unaware, Zhao Huan was preoccupied with the black soil of that place.

Zhang Xian had rarely seen such a scene, and he was filled with emotion.

Two days and one night later, Zhang Xian returned to the camp.

He relayed all the information to Yue Fei, who then placed Han Bin under strict protection, preventing anyone from approaching him.

Yue Fei did not ask Han Bin whether there were any other Imperial Guards in Fengcheng.

There definitely are; the Imperial Guard of the Imperial City Guard. Asking too many questions is clearly overstepping his bounds.

Zhao Yuanzhu had reminded him about political matters more than once.

Over the years, Yue Fei maintained excellent control, remaining indifferent to all matters except military affairs.

Yue Fei then began to formulate the siege strategy based on the strategic deployment map sent by Han Bin.