Purple Palace.

Zhao Huan was in high spirits at the morning court today. The moment for him to show his skills had finally come.

"Where is the Inspector General of Arms?"

Jiang Fan stood up and said, "I'm here!"

"How are my powerful crossbow army and infantry armor prepared?" asked Zhao Huan.

Jiang Fan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Divine Arm Crossbow is complete. It can equip 10,000 people, each with 300 arrows. The armored infantry can also equip 2,000 people, and the armored troops can resist enemy cavalry."

Zhao Huan was overjoyed: "Ten thousand strong crossbowmen, a thousand armored infantrymen. Wu Ge, Wang Zongchu!"

Wang Zongchu and Wu Ge hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty."

"Where are the soldiers I ordered you to select from the Imperial Guard?"

Wang Zongchu saluted and said, "Your Majesty, the ten thousand brave Imperial Guards have completed their training with the bow and are ready to be equipped with the Divine Arm Crossbow. Most of these soldiers are archers and are already proficient in its use."

Wu Ge also said: "Your Majesty, this time we have selected 5,000 strong men. These men can carry 50 kilograms of earth bags and run 50 miles every day."

Zhao Huan stood up and paced back and forth excitedly: "Zheng Zhonghe, I want the Privy Council to send a message to all the generals. I want these 10,000 imperial guards to be organized into a strong crossbow army. Priority is given to rationing them, three meals a day, one thin and two dry. Two thousand infantrymen, three meals a day, dry!"

Zheng Zhonghe stood up and bowed: "As you wish."

The others were not so bad, but Wang Zongchu and Wu Ge were the generals leading the troops. They looked at each other and were overjoyed when they heard this.

Soldiers only have two meals a day, porridge in the morning and only dry rice in the afternoon to fill them up.

Zhao Huan actually ordered the strong crossbow army to have three meals a day: porridge in the morning and dry food at noon and in the evening, and the infantry armor to have three hot dry meals a day.

This was a heavenly treatment in the army at that time. How could the two of them not be surprised and delighted?

Zhao Huan pointed to an urgent report on the table. "This is from Zhou Guitong's Huainan Army unit in Danzhou. It reports that hundreds of Jin cavalry have invaded Zhui County, north of Danzhou. Zhui County has no city walls, and only fewer than 700 soldiers. Yet, these few hundred soldiers annihilated 400 Jin cavalrymen and captured 371 war horses."

When the ministers heard this, they immediately burst into an uproar. When the Song Dynasty fought against the Jin people, they usually had to fight with an enemy twice or even several times their size before they dared to fight them head-on.

Even Yue Fei didn't dare to confront the Jin army head-on with a one-to-one number. And yet, the mere 700 local armed forces of Zhui County, barely a third-rate force, completely wiped out 400 Jin cavalrymen and captured over 300 war horses. Who on earth had such extraordinary power?

Li Gang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the commander who defended this battle deserves a generous reward."

He Li also said: "Your Majesty, such a talent should not be qualified to be just a garrison commander. He should be allowed to join the frontline army and serve the country."

All the ministers nodded in agreement. If such talents were not used, it would be a loss for the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Huan smiled and said, "This man is indeed extremely brave. After seeing his name, I want to use him even more. So I decided to send him to Zong Ze's army and serve as Zong Ze's deputy commander!"

The ministers were shocked again. Could it be another sudden promotion? The last time Yue Fei was promoted, it caused opposition from the ministers. But now it seems that Yue Fei is indeed brave and good at fighting, but also very unruly.

Prime Minister Zhang Bangchang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, even if this man possesses extraordinary abilities, it's inappropriate to appoint him as deputy commander of the Hebei Army's Zong Ze Division. This will undoubtedly lead to further discontent among the ministers and generals."

Zhao Huan sneered, "If I say he's capable, then he's capable. If anyone expresses dissatisfaction, the palace guards' wooden sticks are outside. You, my dear ministers, can experience the effects of these blows. As for the generals in the army, as long as you all possess exceptional talent, regardless of your social status, I will employ you equally."

This time, the ministers had learned their lesson, and no one dared to provoke this idiot emperor again. This idiot emperor was incredibly thick-skinned, and even if you were beaten with a stick, he would still do as he pleased. Fortunately, the talents promoted by this idiot emperor were indeed very capable. Yue Fei was a little difficult to control, but Dading City now belonged to the Song Dynasty.

Therefore, no one in the entire Zichen Hall dared to speak out and oppose.

Finally, another person stood up. It was Meng Gurao, the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture. Meng Gurao asked, "Your Majesty, who is this person?"

"Han Shizhong!"

…

Zhui County belongs to the northern part of Danzhou in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, bordering Jin. The county has a population of less than 10,000.

Han Shizhong was a talented general who fought several decisive battles against the Jin army during the reign of Emperor Huizong, winning each one decisively. Unfortunately, he was not highly valued by the court. After marrying Liang Hongyu, Han Shizhong served under Zhou Guitong of the Huainan Army.

After arriving at the Huainan Army, Han Shizhong did not show his talents again, so Zhou Guitong appointed him as the commander of the militia in Zhui County.

After the Sixteen Prefectures were ceded to the Song Dynasty, the post of magistrate of Zhui County became vacant and was temporarily filled by Han Shizhong.

Han Shizhong was a strong man, and although he was only a small corps commander, he had a keen eye for military strategy. He knew that the Song and Jin would eventually fight, and that Zhui County, located on the border between the Song and Jin states, would be the first to bear the brunt of the attack.

Therefore, after Han Shizhong arrived in Zhui County, he first began to train a local armed force.

"My wife, why are you bringing me food again? As a commander of the militia, I should share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers." Han Shizhong took the food handed to him by his wife and said with a smile.

Liang Hongyu smiled brightly and said, "Don't be offended, my lord. I made these things for you to share with the soldiers."

Han Shizhong was delighted: "Come on, come on, everyone come and try my wife's cooking."

What Liang Hongyu made was cage-shaped cakes, which are later called xiaolongbao, but they were a rare commodity in that era.

After tasting it, everyone exclaimed that it was delicious. One soldier said, "Sir, your sister-in-law's cooking is really good."

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!