It's already October, and the weather is gradually getting cooler.

Snow has started falling in the Northwest, and temperatures are dropping.

The grain flowed from the south to the Central Plains, then to Chang'an, and finally to Xingqing Prefecture, reaching Dunhuang in increasing quantities.

With the completion of the highway from Dunhuang to Gaochang, the Xiang Army began to transport the grain stored in Dunhuang to Gaochang.

Despite the freezing weather, Li Guang dared not stop for a moment.

He mobilized tens of thousands of people to build large granaries.

They claimed that they would continue to expand Gaochang City and relocate people from the surrounding areas.

But actually, it was for stockpiling military rations.

Overall, everyone believed this excuse.

After all, Li Guang adopted a policy of appeasement in Gaochang City, showing extreme tolerance towards the local barbarians.

They also took concrete actions to invest in the construction of Gaochang City.

Another important military stronghold for storing grain was Beifu.

The transport of military provisions was a secret, known only to Zhao Huan's court ministers.

In addition, Tang Ke, Li Guang, and Lu Zai knew about it.

Zhao Huan intended to give Yelü Dashi a surprise.

But as the cold winter months approached, an unbelievable message suddenly reached the palace: Marshal Zong Ze had fallen ill.

Zong Ze was 81 years old that year.

When Zhao Huan rushed to the Marshal's Mansion to visit him, Zong Ze was already lying in bed unable to move.

The physician who took Zong Ze's pulse was Physician Hu.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

"Physician Hu, how is the Marshal?"

Zong Ze was lying in bed when he saw Zhao Huan arrive. He tried to get up, but he couldn't move.

"Marshal, there's no need for such formalities. Lie down and rest well."

Physician Hu said, "Your Majesty, the Marshal is advanced in years and has been overworking lately. I'm afraid..."

Zhao Huan's face immediately darkened: "Find a way to cure the marshal, or I'll take your head!"

Physician Hu was so frightened that he knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost!"

Zong Ying said from the side, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your Majesty need not make things difficult for Physician Hu any further. My father had a premonition before his illness struck last night."

Zong Ze looked weak and was unable to speak in bed.

Zong Ying continued, "My father asked me to apologize to His Majesty on his behalf, saying that he cannot accompany His Majesty on the western expedition!"

At this point, Zong Ying burst into tears and sobbed uncontrollably, while the women around her also wept silently.

Looking at the old man lying on the bed, Zhao Huan felt a surge of emotion and sorrow.

Almost all of the older generation of generals in the Song Dynasty had passed away, leaving only Zhong Shizhong.

Zhong Shizhong also returned to the capital from Youzhou to retire this year, and the military power of the Yanyun War Zone has now been transferred to Xie Qian.

But upon further reflection, Zhao Huan felt a sense of relief.

At least Zong Ze didn't, like in history, tragically cry out "Cross the river, cross the river, cross the river" three times amidst the flames of war and national ruin, before leaving this world in resentment and melancholy.

"His Majesty……"

If Zong Ze's voice was barely audible, Zhao Huan walked over and put his head close to Zong Ze's ear.

"Marshal, what do you want to say to me?"

"Your Majesty... I have no regrets that I was able to follow Your Majesty in my later years... However, I have something to say that Your Majesty may not like to hear... Please forgive me..."

"Marshal, please speak freely."

Zong Ze glanced at Zong Ying, who immediately understood and told everyone to leave.

Physician Hu tactfully left.

Zong Ze seemed to have a sudden burst of energy before death, forcing himself to sit up and saying, "Yelü Dashi has just won a great victory, and his morale is high. We are on a long and arduous expedition, and we should not be too hasty..."

"Marshal, I fully understand your concerns, but I know what I'm doing."

"Your Majesty's wisdom is as vast as the ocean, far beyond my reach. My days are numbered, and I have one last thing to say." Zong Ze coughed violently a few times and said forcefully, "Establish an heir apparent as soon as possible, and merchants cannot be trusted."

Zhao Huan fell silent.

Zong Ze suddenly started vomiting large amounts of blood.

The light in front of me grew fainter and fainter, slowly turning into complete darkness.

In the final light curtain, Zong Ze saw a spirited young man.

That year, he was twenty-one years old and passed the imperial examination with flying colors.

He entered officialdom, but seeing the corruption in the bureaucracy and the repeated transgressions of the Dangxiang people in the northwest, he angrily abandoned his pen and joined the army.

However, because of his overly upright personality, he offended powerful figures in the court and was repeatedly demoted.

He was not given an important position until the first year of the Jingkang era.

That year, he was already sixty-seven years old.

Looking back on my life, before the age of sixty-seven, my official career was full of ups and downs.

After the age of sixty-seven, he followed the emperor in battles and made great contributions to the Song Dynasty.

But he never sought credit and remained very low-key and silent in any situation.

All the victories were attributed to his subordinates, while he quietly did what he was supposed to do.

Do your best.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

His breath grew weaker and weaker, and Zong Ze's eyes became unfocused: "Your Majesty... In my next life, I wish to be Your Majesty's subject again, to protect the country and bring peace to the land together with Your Majesty..."

Finally, Zong Ze's gaze was fixed on the day he passed the imperial examination with flying colors.

That was the most unforgettable day of his life.

He didn't sleep a wink that night; he finally had the chance to bring happiness to all people!

"His Majesty……"

"I am here!"

Zhao Huan brought his ear close to Zong Ze's.

Zong Ze's voice was barely audible: "Your Majesty, tell the outside world... that I was assassinated by... Yelü Dashi's assassins..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zong Ze's last breath had already disappeared.

"Doctor Hu! Doctor Hu!"

Physician Hu rushed in from outside, but it was too late; Zong Ze had already closed his eyes.

Zhao Huan called out several times, "Marshal! Marshal!"

Physician Hu was so frightened that he immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am incompetent, please forgive me!"

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