Zhao Chen of Taiyuan City has made preparations to personally lead an expedition south. His goal is to capture Bianjing within two months and become the ruler of the world.
The 500,000-strong army surged southward like a flood.
He boasted, "My soldiers could throw their whips into the Yellow River and cause it to stop flowing."
Not long after those words were spoken, the intelligence unit at the front brought news that completely baffled everyone: the Holy Martial Emperor had returned.
Next, the proclamation to punish the traitor spread like wildfire across the Central Plains, with every prefecture and city responding to the call.
Two days later, Zhao Huan led 50,000 Imperial Guards and 100,000 Northwest Army soldiers across the Yellow River and advanced all the way to Handan.
In Handan, Zhao Huan summoned Lu You, the youngest commander at the front.
Lu You was tanned dark, and at only seventeen years old, his skin was already very rough, and his brows showed a maturity beyond his years.
His arrogance was undisguised.
He wiped the blood off his face with his hand, and then used his cloak to wipe the blood off his armor. He dismounted and strode over to the emperor's carriage.
"Your humble servant Lu You greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
Zhao Huan dismounted and personally helped Lu You up, laughing, "Lord Lu has raised a fine son, well done!"
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty. I will not take off this armor until the traitor is destroyed!"
"Excellent! I see the future of the Song Dynasty in you!"
Zhao Shen, standing to the side, bowed and said, "This student greets Your Majesty."
Zhao Shen's eyes were a little red. He hadn't seen the emperor for over a year, and he looked much more haggard. It seemed the western expedition had been very arduous.
"You brat, I've heard about it. You suggested that the Privy Council should be responsible for the infantry defense of the Hedong and Hebei lines, and that military supplies should be prepared in advance, although they didn't listen to you."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I have overstepped my bounds."
"It's alright. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary people. I think you and Lu You are a good match, and you've done a great job with the scorched earth policy."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am unworthy of such praise."
Next, Zhao Huan overstepped the bounds of all the soldiers on the front line of defense.
The armor of each of these soldiers was stained with blood, and each of them had a resolute expression.
The emperor rode his steed at breakneck speed, his red cloak billowing in the wind.
A thunderous roar echoed across the plains: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Song Dynasty!"
What Zhao Huan felt was power, the most basic and unadorned power.
"My comrades, I know that the blood of our own people is stained on your bodies, but peace is bought with blood. Countless people have paved the way to victory with their blood, and we will follow their path. This prosperous age needs us to protect it!"
The emperor's voice was loud, but not everyone could hear it.
However, seeing the emperor and being infected by the excitement of those around them brought tears to their eyes.
Next, Zhao Huan personally led a large army northward, marching in a grand and imposing manner.
Soon, they took a detour and arrived at the south side of the Fen River.
Back when Zhao Huan first transmigrated, he made a desperate gamble by launching a northern expedition, leading the Song army and, with their overwhelming fighting spirit, forcing the Jin army back to the north.
This time, he never expected to be at war with his own son.
News of the emperor's personal campaign also reached the rebel army.
The rebels were immediately shaken.
The reason why the Iron Forest Army and the Yanyun Army were willing to support the King of Liao was because the emperor died in battle in the Western Regions and there were treacherous officials in the court who were causing trouble for the country.
This is the biggest reason.
Therefore, the soldiers of the Iron Forest Army and the Yanyun Army did not believe that they were plotting a rebellion; they called it "rectifying the foundation of the country and safeguarding the state."
But now that the emperor has returned, this argument no longer holds water.
In addition, a few days ago, the Yan Yun Army suddenly turned around and fought with the Tie Lin Army, inflicting heavy casualties on the Tie Lin Army.
Many Iron Forest Army soldiers were scattered throughout various prefectures and cities, and they were driven out by the local people.
Some were even wounded and on the verge of death, crying out for help in despair, but when they learned that they were soldiers of the Iron Forest Army, no one was willing to save them.
They said painfully, "Back then, we followed Emperor Shengwu in the northern expedition against the Jin invaders and made great contributions to the Song Dynasty. The people have forgotten us."
Another colleague said, "We were also forced to rebel. Our parents and children are in Kaifeng Prefecture. We want to go home!"
Some people died on the road due to their severe injuries, and their bodies were left unclaimed.
Some people, upon learning that they were plotting a rebellion, committed suicide in despair, crying out in anguish before their deaths: "I am no longer worthy to enter the Martyrs' Shrine. I have failed the Emperor and the people."
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Huan was filled with grief. The Iron Forest Army had followed him in his campaign against Shangjing; they were all passionate men who had shed blood for the Song Dynasty.
Tie Lin's designation is that of a hero, worthy of being recorded in history.
But in the past year, their swords have been turned against the people of the Song Dynasty.
Hebei is bleeding, Donghe is bleeding.
Similarly, the men of the Iron Forest Army were also bleeding!
In the emperor's proclamation to punish the rebels, the Prince of Liao was captured alive, and the rebel leaders Li Chongguang, Lu Wanqing, and Han Xun were executed. All the soldiers were exonerated, but this still could not stop more people from committing suicide.
The Liao army north of the Fen River was already demoralized, and more and more people were deserting overnight.
State capitals across the country began to close their city gates.
This is a war that does not require bloodshed, because the emperor himself represents absolute legitimacy and legitimacy.
The Liao King's actions have been classified as treason.
Zhao Huan ordered someone to send a message to Xie Qian, the deputy commander of the Yan Yun Army, to come to the emperor for an audience.
Two days later, Zhao Huan was met with a tragic outcome: the main force of the Iron Forest Army had been defeated by the Yan Yun Army, Li Chongguang was missing, and the commander of the Yan Yun Army, Xie Qian, was too ashamed to face the emperor and committed suicide on the way to atone for his sins.
Only one letter written in blood was delivered to Zhao Huan: "Your Majesty, I have failed to live up to your trust."
Five days later, Zhao Chen was in his own military camp, completely despairing.
He searched everywhere for his beloved concubine, only to find that Lu Wanqing had already disappeared without a trace.
The group of civil officials who had come to surrender earlier also scattered like birds and beasts.
Just over ten days ago, he was making grand preparations for a 500,000-strong army to march south.
Only then did he understand a truth: scenery without a solid foundation is nothing but a mirage.
They came and went in a hurry.
For the first time, Zhao Chen experienced the despicable and ugly nature of those people. They hid in the shadows and took advantage of the changing situation to try to profit from the situation and find someone to support.
If things don't work out, they'll scatter like birds and beasts.
This is what they mean by being outwardly strong but inwardly weak.
However, there were still people willing to stay by Zhao Chen's side, including his queen, Zhu Qing's daughter, who was the wife Zhao Huan had chosen for him.
Five days later, Lu You surrounded Zhao Chen in Fencheng.
Three days later, Zhao Chen opened the gates and surrendered.
The Liao King's Rebellion officially ended in June of the fifteenth year of the Jingkang era.
Next, Zhao Huan listened to Tang Ke's advice and adopted a conciliatory approach, forgiving all the rank-and-file soldiers for their past transgressions.
The focus of the search is on key officials involved in this rebellion.
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