Chapter 206: Swearing to Go
The armies mobilized from various places arrived in the capital one after another and were stationed in the west and north of the city. The military camps outside the capital were connected and extended for ten miles.
Various military supplies were also transported from all over the country. Under the urging of the emperor, no blind minister dared to procrastinate, and the efficiency of various departments was extremely high.
The people knew that another Northern Expedition, which required the whole country's strength, was about to begin.
The restaurants and teahouses were full of civilians who were discussing the Northern Expedition. Some of them were excited and hoped that the Song army would be invincible, recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in one fell swoop, and build a Song Dynasty comparable to the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.
Some were worried, and were quietly discussing whether this hasty Northern Expedition would fail again due to insufficient preparation and lack of strength. If so, would the foundation of the Song Dynasty be shaken? Every
citizen has a share of responsibility for the fate of a country, but ordinary civilians still prefer to live a stable life. Even if they were worried, they could only discuss it secretly. No one could influence the outcome of the war, nor could they predict the prosperity or decline of the country.
Because of the war, the court's conscription of soldiers, grain collection, and taxation were closely related to them. The people were also secretly discussing how much the taxes would increase this year and next year.
The emperor ordered an army of 200,000 to march north. The army that arrived in the capital gathered about 100,000 troops, and the remaining armies were waiting on the way to the north and at the border.
Qin Wang Zhao Defang rode his precious horse, Black Cloud Covered Snow, and returned to the city after inspecting the military camp outside the city. He made some handovers with several ministers from the Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Works, and attended the military meeting presided over by the emperor himself. He was busy until dark before returning to the Qin Wang Mansion.
Tomorrow is the day when the Northern Expedition Army swears to go to war. Qin Wang Zhao Defang knows that this trip is full of dangers. He is confident that he can return safely, but what he is worried about is his beloved.
While he was away from the capital, the Wenquan Villa was raided. Although the princess and his nephew Wu Ji were safe and sound, he was also very scared. If there is another daring prince who takes the opportunity to plot against the princess and Wu Ji who are still in the capital, he must make defensive arrangements in advance.
Leave a few more shadow guards and let the princess take Wu Ji to live in the Big Foot Women's Army Camp. It should be able to withstand the attack of several hundred strong enemies.
Qin Wang Zhao Defang secretly calculated in his heart and walked into Ning Xinyuan.
Seeing the lights in the house, Qin Wang felt a warm current in his heart. Li'er was waiting for him.
Luo Li sat in the main room, guarding a sumptuous dinner, waiting for Qin Wang to come back. The ghost-handed poison doctor, who loved food, also sat obediently at the table. His gluttonous stomach was drooling, but he restrained his desire to pick up chopsticks and eat, waiting for his nephew to come back for a reunion dinner.
Seeing the table full of rich food and the two figures waiting at the table, Qin Wang Zhao Defang's heart was once again filled with a warm current, and the feeling of being chilled by the cold wind disappeared instantly.
Luo Li's eyes were gentle and she smiled: "You're back! Are you hungry?"
Qin Wang Zhao Defang was in a trance for a moment. Under the light, the princess's beautiful face and gentle smile made her look like a virtuous wife and mother who finally waited for her husband to come back late. His mind was in turmoil, and the corners of his lips curled up unconsciously.
Seeing the figure of his nephew, the ghost-handed poison doctor urged him impatiently: "The food you have been waiting for has become cold, why are you still smiling foolishly? Come over and eat quickly." As he said that, he picked up the chopsticks and picked up a piece of spicy chicken wings that he had already picked out, and stuffed it into his mouth.
Ruhua and Yingchun served the prince and princess with rice and dishes, and poured a glass of wine for each of the three masters.
Tomorrow they will go to war, and the people who have been busy and nervous for this for a month are eating their meals in silence, without the usual light-hearted banter.
Luo Li picked up a piece of fish and put it on the plate in front of King Qin, "Eat more fish. After you leave home, you won't be able to eat the delicious steamed fish made by Tingting."
This was the first time that the princess picked up food for him. King Qin Zhao Defang picked up the white and tender fish with a smile on his face, "Li'er, after eating this piece of fish you picked up for me, I will be blessed with divine power and invincible!"
The ghost-handed poison doctor raised his eyes from the plate, gave his nephew a look of contempt, and for the first time in his life, he did not make fun of him. He lowered his head and continued to eat.
Luo Li had a faint smile on her lips, "It doesn't matter whether you win or not, as long as you can come back safely."
A flower woven with tenderness blossomed in the heart of the King of Qin, and he looked at the princess with affectionate eyes, "Okay! I will definitely come back safely."
The fish meat in his mouth was the most delicious food in the world. The King of Qin Zhao Defang slowly savored the princess's intentions, "Li'er, after I leave, you take Wu Ji and live in the Big Foot Women's Army Camp! That is the safest place at the moment."
Luo Li put down her chopsticks and stared at the King of Qin Zhao Defang, "Zhao Defang, I said I would go with you, but you still don't agree?"
: "Li'er, don't act on impulse. The two armies are at war, and killing the enemy on the front line is dangerous. It's the coldest winter in the north now. I don't want you to be in danger or suffer.
Li'er, just stay in the capital and wait for me to return safely!" The tone of the King of Qin was gentle, but he could not be questioned or discussed.
Luo Li did not argue with him anymore, picked up the chopsticks, lowered her head and continued to eat. Anyway, she had to go this time. The curiosity to experience the large-scale war scenes in ancient times was secondary. The main thing was the lives of Comrade Lao Fang and Golden Knife Linggong Yang Ye, which must be preserved. They
were going to set out after dawn. For the first time, King Qin Zhao Defang experienced the feeling of being reluctant to leave his relatives before going to the battlefield. After dinner, he chased away the shameless Ghost Hand Master Uncle, but he stayed in Ning Xin Garden, wanting to spend more time with the princess.
The man has feelings for the concubine, but she is not interested. Luo Li pushed the King of Qin out without any worries or reluctance about parting with her lover. She said, "Zhao Defang, why are you so clingy? I am sleepy and tired and want to sleep. You should go back and rest!"
Zhao Defang, the King of Qin, felt a little disappointed and had to go back to Chunfengju.
The expedition was about to start. Although he should rest early tonight, he felt like a cat scratching his heart while drinking tea. He could only feel at ease when he went back to Ning Xin Garden to listen to the princess's voice.
After returning to Ningxin Garden from the tunnel, the King of Qin waited for more than half an hour, but there was no movement in the house.
Alas! ... The princess was busy outside all day today. She took a bath before dinner and should be asleep by now.
He suppressed the strong desire to go into the house to see her and returned to Chunfengju to rest in disappointment. ... ...
With ten thousand people, there is no end. With a hundred thousand people, even if you stand on the high command platform, you can't see the edge of the army. Flags were flying, helmets and armor were shining, the soldiers stood tall and solemn, and even the horses did not neigh in such an occasion. Although the troops were drawn from various places and had not yet been well-organized, the neatly-arrayed army also had the aura of an iron-blooded military spirit.
The emperor, who personally presided over the army's oath-taking ceremony, looked at his army with satisfaction, imagining the Song army conquering cities and territories, conquering all, recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, expanding territory, and leaving a good name for the emperor of all ages!
The emperor was in a state of excitement, with a smile on his lips and a gleam in his eyes.
The commander of the left army, Pan Mei, the commander of the right army, Cao Bin, and the deputy commanders of the supervisory army were all dressed in uniform, accompanying the emperor to inspect the army.
The emperor glanced at the resolute and upright figure of the King of Qin in black armor, and an ambiguous meaning flashed across his eyes. He smiled and said, "Wang Jien, bring out the golden armor that I gave to the King of Qin, the most valiant and warlike general of our Song Dynasty."
After Wang Jien bowed and accepted the order, he waved his hand, and a guard came forward holding a golden helmet and armor. In the morning sun, the armor was shining with golden light, gorgeous and dazzling!
The emperor's kind smile was just right. "My nephew, this golden helmet and golden armor was carefully made for you by the skilled craftsmen of the Ministry of Works. I hope you will be invincible in this armor and make great achievements for me in this Northern Expedition."
Several young generals looked at the glittering golden armor with envy in their eyes. The emperor actually gave the golden armor to His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin. This is the supreme honor for military generals!
Several old generals looked at the glittering golden armor and sighed secretly. This golden helmet and golden armor is really dazzling and eye-catching! Even in a melee of millions of troops, it will be the most eye-catching one.
Qin Wang Zhao Defang knelt on one knee and clasped his fists to thank him, and a hint of sarcasm flashed in his lowered eyes. Even such a despicable trick was used. It is really unworthy of the position!
After thanking the emperor, the King of Qin immediately took off his black armor and put on the golden helmet and armor given by the emperor. The emperor even stepped forward to help him put on the armor himself. This favor is definitely unique.
The emperor held a wine cup to offer sacrifices to the sky, the earth, and the flag, and then gave a few passionate words to encourage morale. The trumpets sounded long, the flags fluttered, and the army was divided into two routes, left and right, and set off!