Song Xiu

Chapter 115 Huaidong Shaken, Joy Forgot Tang
Li Chongjin finally experienced the feeling of fleeing in panic.

When the right wing of the Huainan army charged towards the central army, Li Chongjin realized that the defeat was irreversible.

To avoid being killed in the chaos of battle, Li Chongjin decisively fled the battlefield first.

This action saved Li Chongjin's life, but the annihilation of the Chi Ying Army dealt a huge blow to him.

With the relentless gallop of Ninghan's horse, Li Chongjin caught up with the vanguard.

However, just as the scouts of the vanguard stepped forward to protect him, Ninghan, the loyal horse that was protecting its master, suddenly lost its strength and threw Li Chongjin heavily to the ground.

The fall left Li Chongjin completely disoriented.

Li Chongjin, who had fallen to the ground, regained his senses from his confusion after hearing the mournful cry of Ninghanma.

Li Chongjin looked closely and saw that the dark-skinned horse, covered in arrow wounds, was riddled with them.

The horse, covered in sweat, collapsed to the ground, its nostrils flaring with labored breathing; it was clear it was nearing its end.

Ninghanma had followed Li Chongjin in battle for many years and had saved Li Chongjin from danger several times. Li Chongjin had a special affection for Ninghanma.

Ignoring his injuries, Li Chongjin frantically shook off the scout's support and rushed straight to the body of Ninghanma.

But by the time Li Chongjin's hand touched the horse's body, the horse's body had gradually stopped undulating.

Upon realizing the death of Ninghanma, and recalling Li Chongjin's army, which had suffered heavy losses, a chilling thought arose in his mind:
His once proud army of Chiying and Ninghan horses have all left him. How far away is his end?

"The Great Zhou Dynasty is beyond saving!"

After uttering this sorrowful cry to the heavens, Li Chongjin, who was injured, fainted right in front of the scouts.

Li Chongjin's fainting spell threw the scouts into chaos.

The news of the crushing defeat of the Chiying Army and the near-miss of Li Chongjin, the military governor of Huainan, spread like wildfire across the fertile land of Huainan.

Upon hearing this news, the powerful local families of Huaixi Prefecture all sent envoys to visit Zhao Dexiu and request that he provide grain and meat to reward the army.

Although the prefectures in Huaixi had long been under the control of the Song army, most of the local powerful families in the prefectures had been harboring treacherous intentions after the Song army's defeat at Lai'an.

The battle of Chuzhou shattered their hesitation.

If this is the case for the prefectures west of Huai, what about the prefectures east of Huai, which are under Li Chongjin's control?
In mid-September of the first year of the Jianlong era of the Song Dynasty, a major change occurred in the eastern part of Huainan.

The powerful local magnates in Haozhou, Sizhou, Chuzhou and other prefectures all killed the officials appointed by Li Chongjin and sent envoys to Zhao Dexiu to express their submission.

Within ten days, Zhao Dexiu had almost recovered the entire territory of Huainan.

Currently, among the Huainan region, only Yangzhou is still putting up a stubborn resistance.

However, Yangzhou alone could not withstand the onslaught of the Song army.

As a renowned general from Jiangnan, Lin Renzhao was well aware of this.

On the watchtower in the camp, Lin Renzhao withdrew his greedy gaze from Yangzhou.

Once upon a time, Yangzhou was part of the Southern Tang Dynasty, but now...
Lin Renzhao was originally a subordinate general of the Min Kingdom and was known as "Lin Huzi" in the southeast.

A few years ago, when Zhou Jun attacked Huainan, Li Jing recruited famous generals from the southeast to fight together, and Lin Renzhao officially joined the Tang army.

In the Battle of Huainan, Lin Renzhao was different from other Tang generals. He turned pale at the mere mention of Zhou's name and suffered a crushing defeat.

Lin Renzhao not only defied Zhou Jun's army, but also launched several offensives against them, achieving some success.

Due to his outstanding performance in the Battle of Huainan, Lin Renzhao has been promoted by Li Jing in recent years and has gradually become an important general in the Southern Tang.

This time, Lin Renzhao was ordered by Li Jing to go north to attack Yangzhou.

Lin Renzhao was quite excited when he first received the imperial edict:

"While the Song army and the Huainan army are fighting, our army can reap the benefits."

Lin Renzhao had this idea entirely for the sake of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

Unexpectedly, his suggestion was immediately opposed by Li Jing:
"Your purpose in leading the troops north this time is only to lure Li Chongjin into withdrawing his army."

The fate of Yangzhou is not something you can decide.

Li Jing was worried that Lin Renzhao's reckless actions would bring disaster to the Southern Tang Dynasty, so he appointed Huangfu Jixun as the military supervisor to keep an eye on Lin Renzhao.

With Li Jing's imperial edict pressing down on him, even if Lin Renzhao was determined to recover lost territory for the Southern Tang, he could only sigh in despair.

With a heavy sigh, Lin Renzhao stepped down from the watchtower, where Huangfu Jixun was waiting for him.

When Lin Renzhao arrived, Huangfu Jixun said:

"We have just received a report that all the prefectures in Huaidong have submitted memorials to Zhao Dexiu, expressing their willingness to submit to the Great Song Dynasty once again."

After hearing this information, Lin Renzhao nodded calmly.

He had anticipated this after learning of Li Chongjin's crushing defeat in Chuzhou.

On the contrary, Huangfu Jixun's face showed confusion.

Huangfu Jixun, who was well aware of Lin Renzhao's talent, asked:
"Although the Chiying Army was destroyed, the Huainan Army still has more than 10,000 regular soldiers."

Why did Li Chongjin's situation take such a sharp turn for the worse?

Huangfu Jixun was a famous scion of a military family in the Southern Tang Dynasty, but his fame stemmed from his dissolute lifestyle.

Seeing that Huangfu Jixun's knowledge was even less than that of a local powerful clan, Lin Renzhao could only offer an explanation:
"Chiying Army is Li Chongjin's direct force. Some of its members serve as soldiers when they go out and as colonels when they return to their posts."

The annihilation of the Chiying Army has caused irreparable damage to the morale and combat effectiveness of the Huainan Army.

More importantly, the loss of the Chiying Army significantly reduced Li Chongjin's control over the armies of Huainan.

When Lin Renzhao mentioned this point, Huangfu Jixun's face showed a look of understanding.

Having realized this, Huangfu Jixun lost interest in the matter.

Then he continued:

"The scouts reported that the vanguard of the Song army had reached a dozen miles outside Yangzhou City."

Today, General, you will accompany me to pay homage to the King of Taiyuan.

As a defeated soldier fleeing for his life, Li Chongjin was the first to return to Yangzhou City.

After Li Chongjin returned to the city, Lin Renzhao, who had been deliberately delaying, finally led his army to appear outside Yangzhou.

Hearing Huangfu Jixun, a native of the Southern Tang Dynasty, address Zhao Dexiu with such respect, Lin Renzhao instinctively felt displeased.

However, Li Congjia was still in Zhao Dexiu's hands, so Lin Renzhao had no choice but to go on the visit today.

Otherwise, when he returns to the court, some ministers who have long held reservations about him will surely use this incident to impeach him.

At Huangfu Jixun's suggestion, Lin Renzhao nodded:

"Once I have arranged the defenses, I will go with you."

As evening approached, tens of thousands of high-spirited Song soldiers arrived at the gates of Yangzhou.

As the camp was being set up, Zhao Dexiu led everyone to a place a hundred paces outside Yangzhou city, where they began to look around at this historically significant city.

With a mindset of giving a warning, Li Congjia was among the group.

Guangling and Jiangdu were both predecessors of Yangzhou.

Since the emergence of separatist forces in Jiangnan, Yangzhou, due to its advantageous geographical location, has always been a military stronghold of the Central Plains regime.

As a major military stronghold, Yangzhou's defenses should have been very strong.

However, during the Battle of Huainan, Emperor Shizong of Zhou ordered the burning of the city walls of Yangzhou.

Zhou Shizong's demonstration indirectly helped Zhao Dexiu today.

Looking at the dilapidated sections of Yangzhou's city wall, Zhao Dexiu pointed and said:
"Tomorrow we will attack the city; who will be willing to surrender for me?"

Upon hearing this, the generals behind him realized that their opportunity to make a name for themselves had arrived.

Tian Chongjin was the first to step forward and bow:

"This humble general is willing to go."

As soon as Tian Chongjin finished speaking, Li Hanqiong stepped forward and interjected:

"General Tian, ​​being a high-ranking assistant general, should accompany the Prince of Taiyuan to command the central army."

"Leave the task of leading the charge to me."

After speaking, Li Hanqiong looked at Tian Chongjin with pleading eyes.

The meaning behind that look was profound: "You gained a lot from the battle of Luzhou, but don't try to steal from Yangzhou!"

Li Hanqiong and Tian Chongjin had a close personal relationship. In the past, Tian Chongjin would never have ignored Li Hanqiong's pleading eyes.

But today, Tian Chongjin chose to turn his head away directly, pretending that the two were not familiar with each other.

Yangzhou was within easy reach; when it came to military merit, what regard was there for sentiment?

Faced with the glory of conquering Yangzhou, which general could resist the temptation?

No sooner had Li Hanqiong finished speaking than another voice volunteered to fight appeared behind Zhao Dexiu.

"This humble general, Cui Han, is willing to serve as the vanguard."

Upon hearing this voice, the generals who recognized its owner couldn't help but show a strange expression on their faces.

The person who volunteered for the battle was named Cui Han, and he came from the Cui clan of Boling.

Cui Han was one of Zhao Kuangyin's retainers during his time as a prince.

Because of his prestigious family background and Cui Han's outstanding appearance, he was always perceived as a "scholar-general".

Most of the appointments Zhao Kuangyin made to Cui Han were military and civilian positions.

Cui Han gives the impression of being taciturn and rarely speaks.

Unexpectedly, Cui Han, who is usually very sparing with words, has volunteered to fight today at the gates of Yangzhou.

The important thing is, why would a scholar-general like you risk your life for no reason?

Despite the strange looks from his colleagues, Cui Han remained calm.

With the suppression of the rebellion in Huainan nearing its end, if we don't risk our lives now, when will we ever be able to secure a good future for our wives and children?
The eagerness of Tian Chongjin, Li Hanqiong, and Cui Han to volunteer for the challenge ignited the atmosphere of defiance in the room like a spark.

The enthusiastic and noisy calls for help completely overwhelmed Zhao Dexiu.

The resounding calls to join the fight eventually took a subtle but significant turn:
Seeing that more and more people were volunteering for the battle, Li Hanqiong, in a moment of impulsiveness, directly unbuttoned his military uniform, revealing his strong muscles.

His strong muscles were covered with numerous scars.

There is a scar that extends even to his chest.

In front of all the generals, Li Hanqiong proudly pointed to the scars on his body and said:

"In the Battle of Chuzhou back then, I followed His Majesty in a bloody battle and killed countless enemies."

"Back then, I was able to help Your Majesty conquer Chuzhou; now, I can help the Prince of Taiyuan conquer Yangzhou."

When Emperor Shizong of Zhou conquered Huainan, the Zhou army fought a major battle with the Tang army in Chuzhou, and the commander of that battle was none other than Zhao Kuangyin.

Li Hanqiong spoke these words in an unusually loud voice, as he wanted Zhao Dexiu to hear them.

Upon realizing Li Hanqiong's "sinister intentions," Tian Chongjin was astonished.

I used to think that Li Hanqiong was just straightforward, but I never knew he was so shrewd!

But does Li Hanqiong think that he is the only one who has shed blood for His Majesty?
Realizing this, generals such as Tian Chongjin, Ma Renyu, and Yang Xin all began to loosen their shirts.

In terms of scars, they might not have fewer than Li Hanqiong.

Only Cui Han, after placing his hand on his shirt, helplessly let it hang down.

He didn't take off his clothes not because he was concerned about the reputation of the Cui family of Boling, but because he had no scars to show!
The sight of the Song generals baring their chests and vying for credit made Li Congjia's heart tremble.

Upon seeing the horrific wounds on the generals' bodies, Li Congjia's breathing became rapid.

At that moment, in his eyes, how could the Song generals be considered human?

They were clearly hungry, ferocious beasts!
Fortunately, this group of beasts is currently led by a beast king.

Seeing the fighting among the generals escalating, with some even reaching their hands downwards, Zhao Dexiu couldn't help but shout angrily:
"enough!"

The moment that angry shout was uttered, the room fell silent.

When Zhao Dexiu swept his gaze across the generals, all the generals whose gaze fell upon him quickly put their shirts back on.

Even Li Hanqiong, who had just made the biggest fuss, was no exception.

After they had all put on their coats, the generals looked at Zhao Dexiu with a hint of fear.

Following the great victory at Chuzhou, Zhao Dexiu's prestige in the army has risen to a new level.

After stunning the generals, Zhao Dexiu directly called upon them:
"Tomorrow we will attack the city, and Li Hanqiong will be the first to scale the walls."

Upon hearing this order, Li Hanqiong was naturally overjoyed, while the other Song generals were inevitably disappointed.

Despite their disappointment, no one harbored any doubts.

After issuing the orders, Zhao Dexiu turned and walked towards the main camp.

On the surface, Zhao Dexiu's expression remained normal.

But in reality, a sense of joy welled up inside Zhao Dexiu.

The generals' strong fighting spirit will help him with his subsequent plans.

After Zhao Dexiu led Li Congjia back to the commander's tent, a personal guard came to report that Tang generals Lin Renzhao and Huangfu Jixun were requesting an audience outside the camp.

Zhao Dexiu knew that Lin Renzhao had come to demand the person.

Although Li Congjia cannot be allowed to return to Jiangnan at present, Zhao Dexiu has no intention of avoiding him.

“Bring them here.”

Under Zhao Dexiu's orders, Lin Renzhao and Huangfu Jixun quickly arrived at the commander's tent.

As soon as Huangfu Jixun entered the headquarters, he first bowed respectfully to Zhao Dexiu, and then focused his attention on Li Congjia.

Seeing that Li Congjia was otherwise unharmed except for a slightly gloomy complexion, Huangfu Jixun couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Then Huangfu Jixun cupped his hands and pleaded with Zhao Dexiu:
"Now that our army has reached Yangzhou, the King of Wu can return!"

In the previous agreement between Zhao Dexiu and Li Jing, Zhao Dexiu did not specify a precise time for releasing Li Congjia.

Zhao Dexiu said, "After the Huainan matter is settled, the Queen of Wu will be formally conferred the title of King."

Li Chongjin is now trapped in Yangzhou, barely clinging to life, while the situation in Huainan can be stabilized in a few days.

At this juncture, it was not abrupt for him to speak out and welcome Li Congjia back.

Zhao Dexiu did not respond immediately to Huangfu Jixun's request.

Under Li Congjia's gaze, Zhao Dexiu unfastened the sword from his waist and drew out the sharp blade, carefully wiping it with a soft cloth in front of him.

Zhao Dexiu's expression gradually turned serious.

Zhao Dexiu's actions and expression immediately made Li Congjia's heart jump.

That night outside Chuzhou City, and what he had seen and heard today, led Li Congjia to a dangerous suspicion regarding Zhao Dexiu's actions of preparing to strike with his sword:

He drew his sword and looked around; was he looking for an enemy?

Many Song generals were worried that they had no merit to achieve!

The moment this thought crossed his mind, Li Congjia was suddenly jolted awake:
"Since heading north, I have met a kindred spirit, the King of Taiyuan, and I find joy in it."

The investiture ceremony has not yet taken place; how can you leave so easily?

Li Congjia forced himself to control his fear and said these words.

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Jixun was speechless—King Wu, whose side are you on?
Compared to Huangfu Jixun's speechlessness, Zhao Dexiu smiled after hearing these words.

What a delightful scene of being so happy that one forgets the Tang Dynasty!

With a "whoosh," the sharp edge in his hand returned to its sheath.

“What the King of Wu said makes sense. I will write to His Majesty again to request that an envoy be sent to Huainan to confer titles.”

It is now September; in two months at most, the King of Wu will surely return to court.

Following Li Congjia's suggestion, Zhao Dexiu immediately set the final time.

Faced with Zhao Dexiu's decision, Huangfu Jixun wanted to argue his case, but due to Li Congjia's initiative, the Southern Tang was currently in the wrong!

Helpless, Huangfu Jixun could only comply with this decision.

As for Lin Renzhao, who had remained silent, he became suspicious of Zhao Dexiu's deliberate delay.

Could it be that his ambitions extend beyond Li Chongjin?
(End of this chapter)