Chapter 142 Gunpowder won MVP
Let's start with Su Shi. Because the government system in Yunzhou was paralyzed for a long time due to a rebellion, the newly appointed officials worked overtime for a long time to deal with the historical issues when they arrived in their fiefdoms.
Fortunately, the arrival of the new officials coincided with spring, the busy season for farming. Every household in Yunzhou was working in the fields, significantly reducing the workload of the criminal justice system. Otherwise, they would likely have faced an even more dreadful hell of overtime.
Under such circumstances, what brilliant ideas or inventions could one expect from Su Shi? He gripped his pen, racking his brains, but still couldn't figure out what to write. Finally, he simply stopped thinking and pulled out his old specialty—food writing!
The first article Su Shi wrote was about lychees; the dried lychees were even sent to him by Fusu. After he finished writing it, he showed it to Yang Anguo, who was furious about the subject matter but loved the content.
From that time on, Su Shi knew he had a talent for writing about food, and he was quite proud of it for a time. However, later, he followed in the footsteps of his friend Zhao Xiaolang and participated in the imperial examinations, writing mostly policy essays and official documents. He did have some space at the Qiuzhi Bao (Seeking Knowledge Newspaper), but unfortunately, the editor-in-chief and superior was Wang Anshi, who didn't give him a chance to showcase his abilities.
But Yunzhou offered many more opportunities, with so many delicacies unheard of in the Song Dynasty. It wasn't enough to just entertain Fusu alone; how could we not write something to let everyone know?
I've heard that in the seven prefectures further north, nestled in the mountains, there are even more delicious foods. In the Youzhou and Jizhou regions, there's even a custom of eating donkey meat. They chop the donkey meat into thin, fine pieces, deep-fry it, and then sandwich it in a white flour pancake, letting the pancake absorb the aroma of the meat. One bite, and it's soft yet chewy—the texture is simply amazing!
Su Shi almost drooled as he wrote, and his hand moved even faster as he wrote—isn't the essence of writing about food to make yourself drool while making others drool too? This article of his was sure to make a lot of people drool, so that everyone's determination to recover the two prefectures of You and Ji would be even stronger, hehe.
Filled with anticipation, Su Shi sent his manuscript back to the editorial office of the "Seeking Knowledge" newspaper in Bianjing. After all, he was the former editor who had served for four years; surely he still had some standing?
When I got the next issue of the newspaper, I glanced at the cover but didn't find my name. I looked at it again carefully, but still nothing.
Su Shi: "!?"
The sky is falling! What happened? Did I lose the election?
Shen Kuo, you are far too heartless!
Su Shi and Shen Kuo had some personal relationship. The moment he discovered he had failed the selection, he had already drafted a letter in his mind to condemn Shen Kuo. Filled with resentment and wanting to see what kind of brilliant essay had squeezed him out, he was then met with the news of Di Qing's resounding victory.
Su Shi: "...Oh."
Losing to it is truly infuriating.
Yunzhou, located at the northernmost tip of the Song Dynasty, was practically the front line of the reconquest. Su Shi naturally had a copy of the military intelligence sent to Bianjing and published there. He had to admit that if this was the news, his culinary writings were indeed no match.
Even when future history books are compiled, this matter will have to be given a separate page, becoming a significant part of the emperor's reign.
Alas, it was all thanks to Di Qing's extraordinary bravery. Not only did he decisively defeat and scatter the Liao army's cavalry, but he also launched a full-scale attack on Shuozhou, Yingzhou, and Wuzhou, and took the opportunity to send troops to Mozhou, Zhuozhou, Yingzhou, and several other places.
The latter three prefectures are located in the flat North China Plain, lacking natural defenses. They were also the Liao Dynasty's most important agricultural area, making them of extraordinary strategic significance.
If they can successfully capture it, together with Yunzhou which they already hold, they will have taken seven of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, nearly half of them.
Moreover, these were seven states rich in mineral resources and with developed agriculture. Once incorporated into the territory of the Song Dynasty, it would be a major blow to the Liao Dynasty.
When the military intelligence appeared in the newspapers, many people were still in a daze: No way? Did I see fake news? Are the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun so easy to conquer? What were we doing for the past hundred years?
Emperor Taizu, Emperor Taizong, and Emperor Zhenzong of Song: I'm innocent!
The previous emperors were both wronged and not wronged; their repeated defeats were simply due to their inability to break through the Liao cavalry. At that time, the Liao's fighting power was arguably the strongest on earth, capable of sweeping across Europe or Australia with ease.
But even the best engine needs fuel, and even the most valiant army needs to eat. Thanks to the continuous supply of blood from the crown prince and the local population, the Song army had no worries about food and drink.
But the Liao Kingdom was different. Spring was the time when food was scarce, and as the days of encampment dragged on, military supplies couldn't keep up. The soldiers were so hungry that they could only eat one meal a day, and the wild vegetables and tree roots within a radius of several miles around their army were all dug up.
Even soldiers who secretly disguised themselves as civilians to buy salt have been coming less often lately, or haven't come at all. There's no way around it; the general's family, who wanted to smuggle salt, had no surplus grain.
Six days after the Liao army, disguised as salt buyers, disappeared, Di Qing made a decision: it was time to launch a general offensive. This time, they not only wanted to win the battle, but also to push the front line forward. The Song army had been stationed there for nearly a month, consuming countless amounts of grain. If they only captured three prefectures, not counting the unexpected bonus from the Crown Prince's side, the cost-effectiveness would not be satisfactory.
Di Qing wanted to be even more greedy.
In order to secure the continued support of the court officials, he planned to take a few more states.
But even greed has its basis. Di Qing still had many newly made gunpowder balls in his hands—he had obtained them by writing to His Highness the Crown Prince. If when Di Qing first saw them on the outskirts of Bianjing, he viewed them as a monstrous flood, then at this moment, he felt a deep longing and dependence, like a lover in the throes of passion.
Because it was the Song army's greatest asset in defeating the Liao cavalry.
Gunpowder balls first appeared in the Song Dynasty's counterattack against the Western Xia. Although they were also used in battles such as the attacks on Shuozhou and Wuzhou, these were only small-scale operations. The main Liao army's understanding of them was still quite vague. The surviving soldiers' descriptions of them were quite abstract and full of mythological elements.
Even today, Liao army generals are still skeptical about whether such a thing exists.
Di Qing intended to show him the true power of the gunpowder ball this time—ideally, to witness firsthand its destructive force, capable of crushing mountains and creating waves, so that he could fully understand the Song Dynasty's determination and methods in recovering the Sixteen Prefectures.
He did it.
As the familiar boom rang out, the Song soldiers, like predators smelling their prey, instantly became excited, shouting as they charged into the billowing smoke billowing from the gunpowder balls. But the Liao soldiers and their horses, starved for a whole month and collectively emaciated, were no match. Even their attempts to flee were sluggisher than usual. Many were still in a daze when they felt a sharp pain and became victims of the blade.
The once-proud cavalry suffered a crushing defeat, leaving the infantry defending the city even more vulnerable. They surrendered before Di Qing could even unleash another round of gunpowder balls—the city's inhabitants were already starving from feeding the Liao army. They just wanted something to eat. If the Song Dynasty could afford it, what harm was there in surrendering?
This was exactly what Di Qing wanted.
There was no other way; we had to bomb the city during the siege. The city gate, which had been blasted open with a big hole, became our shield, and we had to painstakingly repair it ourselves. Avoiding this step saved us a lot of trouble, so it was just right.
So Di Qing led his elite troops openly through the main gate, passing through one city gate after another. They marched all the way to the heart of the Sixteen Prefectures, including Weizhou and other areas. Here, the Song Dynasty's influence diminished considerably. After all, this region didn't border the Song Dynasty, and goods like cotton-padded clothes and honeycomb briquettes weren't sold that far.
The people living in these areas had only one impression of the Song army: they seemed rather weak, right? If they entered the city, they should be a little better than the fierce and ruthless Liao people who plundered the land.
God knows how desperate the local villagers were when they discovered that all the seedlings they had painstakingly planted in the spring had ended up in the bellies of people and horses. But could they really ask the soldiers for an explanation? Even if they ate them, what could they do? The villagers could only grit their teeth and, before spring ended, empty their pockets and plant again.
Even if there's a possibility of them being eaten again, they'll starve to death in the fall if they don't plant them.
All the villagers wanted was a spring when they could farm in peace and tranquility.
They had seen the Song army from afar. Shorter than the Liao, but all looked well-fed, even the horses were sleek and shiny. This both reassured and worried them. Since they were well-fed, surely they wouldn't cause trouble?
But what if?
What if Hu Zuowei has even more energy after eating his fill?
Fortunately, they encountered the Song army, and specifically, the Song army that had been forcibly indoctrinated with the *Seeking Knowledge* newspaper for four years. They were the Song army that had been constantly instructed by the top students of the Imperial Academy on classical Chinese phrases and the concepts of "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness" for four years. While they weren't all moral paragons, their moral standards far exceeded the average.
At least it was much better than the bandits who had been recruited into the army everywhere at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Such people, provided they have enough to eat and wear, rarely resort to robbing ordinary people. Of course, they also have their own sense of superiority—no matter how delicious the grain in your villager's rice bin is, it's still brown rice mixed with wheat bran, that's what I ate when I was a child. Can it compare to the mashed potatoes I have now, steamed until soft and fluffy, and served with sauce?
If you're not eating as well as me, why would I steal from you?
Thus, after the Liao army was defeated and forced to retreat, the common people, with a "what's the use" attitude, reached a strange balance with the Song army, maintaining a state of non-aggression and establishing initial trust.
Of course, after Di Qing opened the granaries and distributed cheap salt and honeycomb briquettes to win people's hearts, the relationship between the Song army and the Liao people became harmonious again.
Where does salt come from?
Of course, it was transported from Lingzhou, which was under the jurisdiction of Fusu. While Di Qing fought bravely, he took advantage of this time and the favorable conditions brought by the ashes and salt to completely subdue Lingzhou and open up the main road between Lingzhou, Yunzhou, and Bianjing.
Lingzhou, located in what is now Gansu Province, was fortified by the natural barriers of the Yinshan and Hengshan Mountains, making it nearly impossible for people to traverse on foot. Only cavalry could carve a path through these mountains and rivers. The Western Xia dynasty also relied on these two mountain ranges, taking full advantage of the natural defenses, and firmly established itself in the northwest, making it difficult for both the Song and Liao dynasties to subdue them.
But with gunpowder balls, everything was no longer a problem. Blastling the mountain was too risky; a single misstep could cause a landslide, and Fusu, not being a geology expert, dared not attempt it lightly. However, removing the fortified villages built by the Western Xia along the way was much easier.
Light it up, catapult, bang—
At times like these, Fusu would marvel at how timely his brilliant idea had been. Without the gunpowder balls, how many more people would have been lost if they had controlled this narrow passage?
Now things are much better. By capturing the entire Western Xia fortress along the straight-line distance between Lingzhou and Bianjing and Yunzhou, the road between the two countries can be opened. Even though Gansu and Hebei are separated by the Yellow River and the Taihang Mountains, which are two natural barriers, they can still pass through Yunzhou, making the transportation of supplies easy. This will allow Di Qing to win over the hearts and minds of the people more smoothly.
The people of Bianjing even enjoyed a whole month of low-priced, high-quality bluish-white salt. Even those who weren't lucky enough to get in line at the beginning managed to board the train later and stock up on salt for at least half a year at home. Life was so good it felt like a dream.
Moreover, whether it was just a feeling or not, ever since His Highness the Crown Prince's article about wood ash was published, the quality of the salt they received had improved significantly. Even the last trace of bitterness had almost disappeared, leaving only pure saltiness. Was it the wonderful effect of the wood ash water?
At this time, it was already mid-spring.
In mid-spring, the busy farming season was over, and the Song Dynasty enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests. Good news kept arriving from the northern front, and the entire court fell into a state of complacent lethargy. The Emperor walked briskly to court, for the entire court was filled with praise for him and his son. He left court full of anticipation, for perhaps new reports of victory would arrive.
Even his wife, Empress Cao, whom he had disliked for over a decade, would greet him with a gentle smile and share the good news about Su'er whenever they met. As for the Emperor himself, even if he were to abdicate now, he wouldn't have any regrets, would he?
He has already captured seven of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, and his martial prowess has surpassed that of his own father and grandfather, approaching that of the founding emperor. In terms of civil administration, the court is filled with virtuous ministers, and the country is peaceful and prosperous. In his final days, he will surely receive a very flattering posthumous title.
Of course, the Emperor knew even better that all of this wasn't due to his own abilities, but rather largely thanks to his eldest son. Therefore, he was even more reluctant to claim credit for his son's achievements. Otherwise, what if his son, after ascending the throne, found himself with nothing to accomplish, and his accomplishments during his reign were less than those of the Crown Prince, thus failing to receive the highest possible posthumous title?
Once the idea took hold, it grew wildly like weeds, impossible to suppress. Even the Emperor dreamt of it: he lived freely in the Funing Palace, doting on his grandchildren, while several senior officials occasionally visited him, showering him with praise. Of course, they weren't praising the current Emperor, but rather the little grandson in his arms.
It turns out that Su'er's son is another unparalleled genius!
The dream was so beautiful that when Emperor Renzong woke up, his eyes were glazed over, and he seemed lost in thought. During court, he saw the officials he had seen in his dream, and even appeared somewhat dazed. His officials, mistaking him for being ill, subtly inquired about his condition.
Ordinary concern would not have caught the emperor's attention. But Fan Zhongyan's words resonated deeply with him: "You must take care of your health. If anything were to happen to you, what would become of His Highness the Crown Prince at the front?"
One sentence made the official straighten up.
Yes, yes, he must take good care of his health and absolutely cannot let any illness ruin the excellent situation on the front lines. Even if he secretly hopes that his son will "disobey orders from the front lines," once the label of being unfilial is attached to him by someone with ulterior motives, it will be a stain on his reputation for life.
To tarnish Su'er's reputation? Absolutely not!
The government will absolutely not accept this.
A mental illness is also an illness; if not handled carefully, it can develop into a serious physical ailment. The emperor understood this well and resolved to find someone to confide in to ease his mind.
He considered who he could confide in. First, the ministers were probably out of the question. A new emperor brings a new court, and the officials he had promoted were not happy about the crown prince's ascension. Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi… they wouldn't do either; they would surely say that His Highness the Crown Prince was too young, and that he, as the emperor, should shoulder the responsibilities.
The official couldn't help but smile bitterly. Where was he taking responsibility? He was more like profiting immensely!
Similarly, it is not advisable to use concubines.
That leaves only the Empress. Being an Empress and being an Empress Dowager shouldn't be that different, and Su'er is her son after all. Why not listen to her thoughts?
Having made up his mind, the emperor headed towards Kunning Palace.
He confided his thoughts to Empress Cao, and to everyone's surprise, Empress Cao's first reaction was to burst out laughing.
"One did not want to be the crown prince, and the other did not want to be the emperor. Today I realize that you two, father and son, are connected by blood and have such similar temperaments!"
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