Inheriting the Song Dynasty

In 1127 AD, the Northern Song Dynasty fell. Immediately, the ninth imperial prince, Zhao Gou, ascended the throne in Shangqiu amidst widespread anticipation, inheriting the Song imperial line and r...

Chapter 5: Fear

Zhao Jiu was stunned for a long time, and finally laughed again: "In the past, Wu Qi and Wei Wuhou floated down the West River, saying that the strength of mountains and rivers lies in virtue rather than danger. Isn't it just what Prime Minister Lu meant when he came to see me at night today?"

Lu Yihao shook his head and laughed: "I only have Wu Qi's harshness, but not Wu Qi's mastery of military strategy."

Zhao Jiu nodded, turned around and looked at the tent behind him: "There are several people who are as good at using troops as Wu Qi, did you understand?"

Lu Yihao looked surprised, only to see four generals, led by Han Shizhong, coming out of Emperor Zhao's tent. Under the moonlight, it was clearly visible that all four of them looked embarrassed, but they couldn't help but come to their senses and laughed again.

The four of them became increasingly embarrassed and could only bow together. They saluted Zhao Jiu, saying they understood, and saluted Lu Yihao, saying that his husband was very insightful.

Zhao Jiu didn't say much, just nodded: "Since you understand, let's sit down together and have a glass of wine... You said that you all came to see me one after another, but bumped into me one after another... How could you be as frank and calm as Mr. Lu? And the words you said were all the same, what soldiers and generals... How could you be as to-the-point as Mr. Lu? How could I care about those things?"

The four of them were simply a little embarrassed... Fortunately, Emperor Zhao didn't know that they had agreed to come together, otherwise, even if it was Han Wu who was splashing water, he would have to cover his face and leave.

There was no talk that night. On the next day, the 16th day of the first lunar month, Emperor Zhao issued an order to dispatch Generals Dong Xian and Zhang Qi as the vanguard to attack Jingxing. At the same time, he ordered Qu Duan, Wu Jie, Yelu Yudu, the two kings of the East and West Mongolia, Wang Sheng, Wang De, and Li Qiong to join forces, either return to Taiyuan, or go out of Taihang to spy, or approach Jingxing from the south and north.

After the order was issued, hundreds of thousands of troops surrounding Taiyuan to the north and south began to move again, but they clenched their fists tightly.

At one time, everyone knew that Emperor Zhao's determination to send a large army to attack Hebei was irreversible, just like the day he attacked Taiyuan.