The third day of the first lunar month, the second year of the Jing Kang period.
According to news from the Privy Council, the Jin army had already crossed the Yellow River. If it had not been for the heavy snow that forced them to rest for seven days, the city of Bianliang would probably have been surrounded by the Jin army by now.
The journey to Luoyang could no longer be delayed, otherwise we would meet the Jin army at the city gate.
The escorting commander, Zong Ze, looked much better after two days of rest. On his left was the rising star Jing Chao, who had defeated Tong Guan, and on his right was Liu Zhengyan, who had also won many military exploits. This time, they would all accompany the old Marshal Zong Ze to Luoyang.
"An elder in the family is like a treasure. If the current situation were not extremely critical, I would never have let the clan elder marshal lead the troops to war. The clan elder marshal is experienced and should take command and control the overall situation. Let those impulsive young people who are too busy to rest take the lead and lead the charge!"
A management book states that management is never about everyone, but about the majority (70%). This is because the minority (15%) doesn't need to be managed; they will do their best regardless of your demands. Meanwhile, the remaining 15% are difficult to manage, finding loopholes no matter how strict your restrictions are.
One of the rules of business management (applicable only to those who are loyal to the emperor and the country) - I exchange sincerity for sincerity.
Zhao Huan had a heartfelt admiration for Marshal Zong Lao, and naturally had unconditional trust and support.
"Jing Chao! Liu Zhengyan! Come forward and listen to my orders!"
The two men knelt on the ground to receive His Majesty's oral instructions.
"Jing Chao, you have the heart of a tiger, yet you can smell the roses. You observe what others don't, and you can do what others cannot. You promptly reported the escape trick of Tong Guan's subordinates to His Majesty. You knew the importance of the matter and prioritized it. You led 800 guards to defeat Tong Guan's 30,000 men, killed Bi Sheng and Feng Mei, and successfully rescued the Grand Marshal. For your great service to the court, I appoint you as the official vanguard officer of the Northern Expedition, and you will accompany the Grand Marshal to escort the retired emperor to Luoyang. When you have made further contributions, I will reward you and bring honor to your ancestors."
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!" Jing Chao was very excited. Three days ago, he was just a small shift officer, and three days later, he was already a vanguard officer. This brought honor to his family!
Aside, Shao Chengzhang looked pleased. "This old man's vision is truly unique." "There are good horse trainers, and then there are good horses." Good horses are common, but good horse trainers are rare. Life is truly lonely, like snow.
"Liu Zhengyan!" Zhao Huan paused and patted Liu Zhengyan on the shoulder. "You are quite good too. Follow Jing Chao and work hard. You will bring honor to our family."
"..." Jing Chao wanted to cry but had no tears. That's all. Your Majesty, you could at least give me a brave and extraordinary one.
"My lord, thank you Lord for your kindness!"
"War is fought for money. I have just raided the homes of Wang Fu, Tong Guan and others. They have plenty of money. Don't be stingy. People are already confused now. I must give the soldiers good food and drink to boost their morale.
I will also urgently mobilize food and fodder from the south, so that the soldiers can have meat every day."
"At this time, the money should not be used for the soldiers. The country has been destroyed, and any remaining money will benefit the Jin Kingdom. I will tell the soldiers to make as much as they can. The more they eat, the happier I will be."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Zong Ze, Jing Chao, and Liu Zhengyan expressed their gratitude. This was the first time they had seen such a generous Majesty.
"Get ready, I'm going to go see the Emperor and the others."
In Renming Hall, Crown Prince Zhao Chen was about to go to Luoyang with the retired emperor, and five carriages were packed with items of all sizes.
Zhao Xi cried loudly in Zhu Lian's arms.
“Dad! Dad!”
As soon as Zhao Xi saw Zhao Huan, he struggled out of Zhu Lian's arms and turned around to hug Zhao Huan's thighs: "Can you please not let my brother go to Luoyang?"
"Xixi, your brother is already eight and a half years old. He's not a kid anymore. It's time for him to take on some responsibilities. He's going to be the emperor in the future, so he needs to start learning from a young age."
"Xixi is four and a half years old. She's not a kid anymore. Dad, please let me go to Luoyang too. I'll go with my brother."
"You don't want your daddy anymore!"
"Xixi is not here, but Dad and Mom are here. If I don't go, my brother will be alone, and he will be so lonely without anyone to accompany him."
Zhao Huan thought for a moment and looked at Zhu Lian: "Why don't you take Xixi with you? It won't be long anyway. Come back after the Jin army retreats."
"Let Xixi go to Luoyang too. After all, it is much safer there. I will not leave Your Majesty." Zhu Lian's attitude was very firm.
"Where's Zhao Chen? Why don't I see him?"
"She's wiping her tears in the room. Zhao Chen and her sister have the best relationship. Now they're going to be separated, how can she hold back?"
When Zhao Huan walked into the room, Zhao Chen wiped the tears from his eyes and stepped forward to greet him respectfully: "Your son Zhao Chen greets your father."
Zhao Chen, with his fair complexion and big, twinkling eyes, was very cute. The handsome gene that Zhao Huan didn't inherit was passed down to Zhao Chen, who looked exactly like Emperor Huizong of Song.
"Well, the wound on your arm is better now."
"It's much better now."
"Do you blame Father for separating you from your family and following Grandpa to Luoyang?"
"No, Zhao Chen is the crown prince of the Song Dynasty and will be the emperor in the future. He is a man who is brave enough to take responsibility. At the critical moment, Zhao Chen has the obligation to step forward."
"Teacher also taught us that when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it will first make his heart and mind suffer, his muscles and bones toil, his body hungry and empty, and his actions frustrated. This is to stimulate his heart and harden his nature, and increase his ability to do what he could not otherwise have done."
"Then why are you crying so hard? Father thought you didn't want to go?"
"No, I just can't bear to leave my sister."
"I just heard the conversation between my father and mother. Luoyang is responsible for attracting troops from both the east and west. If the enemy goes crazy, Luoyang is not 100% safe. It would be better to stay in Bianliang, where there will be people to take care of us."
"Come and talk to your sister."
Zhao Chen pulled Zhao Xi over, and the two of them went into the inner room.
Zhu Lian smiled and said, "These two little guys are quite mysterious."
After a while, Zhao Chen pulled Zhao Xi out. He looked much calmer and no longer asked to go to Luoyang with him.
Zhao Huan is jealous. Xixi, how can you like your brother more than your father?
"How did you do that?"
"Haha, keep it a secret!"
"It's not a big deal, why make it seem like we're parting forever? With this kid's ability, he can repel the Jin army in half a year at most. He can just come back then."
Song Huisong threw the apple core into the garden, bent down, and hugged Zhao Xi in her arms: "Granddaughter, remember to think of Grandpa every day, three times a day is enough. Also, as the saying goes, 'A red plum is redder than a black plum is blacker.' Stay away from your shameless father. Don't wait for Grandpa to come back, you have already turned into a sinister little girl."
"What is a black belly?"
"Ask your father."
There is no end to the wine and no end to the words, but we still have to leave.
Zhao Huan escorted the retired emperor and the crown prince out of the city.
"Boom! Boom boom! Boom boom! Boom!"
From the towering towers came the rhythmic sound of drums. Li Shishi, dressed in mourning, stood on the top of the city wall, beating the drum vigorously, just as the words in the hall said. I beat the drum to cheer the soldiers on.
"Everyone, be careful on your journey, and may you win!"
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
The mighty army of 30,000 has set off, and who knows when we will see each other again?
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