Song Xiu

Chapter 74 The Matter of Li Mu (Please continue reading!)
When news of the Song army's looting of Changzi County spread, not only did the Northern Han army take action, but even Lü Qiu Zhongqing, who was stationed in Liucheng, could no longer sit still.

Clutching the intelligence sent by his clansmen tightly in his hand, Lü Qiu Zhongqing could hardly contain his excitement.

When Li Jun first raised his army, it was Lü Qiu Zhongqing who suggested the tactic of "ambushing Luoyang" to Li Jun.

What Li Jun didn't know was that the tactics he abandoned were precisely what Li Chuyun and Zhao Kuangyin were most worried about.

Although subsequent events proved that Zhao Kuangyin's worries were unfounded, this was only due to Li Yun's own incompetence, not to Lü Qiu Zhongqing's lack of talent.

With Lü Qiu Zhongqing's talent, he could certainly see the clues that Liu Jiye could see as well.

If Zhao Dexiu hadn't seen through Liu Jiye's scheme to lure the enemy, he wouldn't have dared to rashly send troops to plunder the southern counties.

Starting with the smallest details and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the whole situation—only those with this talent are worthy of being his lord.

Thinking of this, Lü Qiu Zhongqing decided to proceed according to the original plan.

After including Zhao Dexiu in his list of candidates, Lü Qiu Zhongqing decided to leave Shangdang City.

Because Lü Qiu Zhongqing concealed his true intentions very well, Li Shoujie had no suspicions about him.

Furthermore, after Lü Qiu Zhongqing's advice successfully helped him stabilize the situation in Luzhou, Li Shoujie trusted him even more.

Therefore, when Lü Qiu Zhongqing proposed to "send out to Tunliu to deal with the Northern Han" for Li Shoujie, Li Shoujie handed over the position of magistrate of Tunliu County to him without much consideration.

After waiting for several days, the roar of the dragon was finally heard!
Lu Qiu Zhongqing, who had long been waiting to curry favor with the powerful, decided on the same day to head south and serve Zhao Dexiu.

Before leaving, Lü Qiu Zhongqing handed over the county's administrative affairs to the county magistrate, and then, relying on his status as county magistrate, swaggered out of Tunliu City Gate on horseback.

After a long and arduous journey, Lü Duan returned to Huguan City.

Upon returning to the city, Lü Duan read aloud the two imperial edicts issued to him by Zhao Kuangyin in front of everyone.

Those two imperial edicts, in a legal sense, gave Zhao Dexiu a new identity—to carry the imperial insignia and punish the disloyal!

From then on, Zhao Dexiu's every word and action within Luzhou was backed by imperial authority.

Upon hearing of Zhao Kuangyin's reward to him, Zhao Dexiu was overjoyed.

In the end, it was my dad who really put in the effort.

When leading troops in the field, the reward Zhao Dexiu needed most was a nominal bonus.

After everyone else left, Lü Duan spoke to Zhao Dexiu about another private instruction from Zhao Kuangyin:

"If the Northern Han army returns, we should hold Shangdang."

As the most visionary leader of his time, Zhao Kuangyin could not possibly have overlooked what Zhao Dexiu could think of.

Although Zhao Kuangyin believed that the possibility of the Northern Han army returning was slim due to insufficient intelligence caused by being in the rear.

Just to be on the safe side, Zhao Kuangyin still reassured Zhao Dexiu.

After returning to Huguan, Lü Duan learned the latest military intelligence from Lu Duoxun.

With no one around, things become easier to discuss.

"The Northern Han army is powerful, and the Marquis has already achieved the merit of capturing Huguan. There are some things that need not be forced."

Zhao Kuangyin's decree was filled with the hope that Zhao Dexiu would make further contributions and take over Shangdang.

Tens of thousands of imperial guards and numerous civil and military officials outside Gaoping City also had high hopes.

However, this expectation was based on the premise that the Northern Han army had not yet arrived.

Now that the Northern Han army is approaching, it is understandable that Zhao Dexiu cannot take Shangdang.

How could Lü Duan not know about Zhao Dexiu?

However, Zhao Dexiu did not respond to Lü Duan immediately.

In the flickering candlelight, Zhao Dexiu's gaze remained fixed on the sword in his hand.

The sword, forged from fine steel, emitted a faint, warm glow under the candlelight, captivating Zhao Dexiu's gaze.

He was examining the Emperor's Sword, which Zhao Kuangyin had bestowed upon him.

To outsiders, Zhao Kuangyin's sword, after he became emperor, was naturally imbued with the aura of imperial power.

However, gazing at the shimmering blade, Zhao Dexiu understood another layer of meaning behind Zhao Kuangyin's bestowal of the sword upon him:
"When His Majesty was young, he was often injured every time he returned from a campaign."

Unable to bear it, I told His Majesty that when I come of age, I will take up my sword and guard him, preventing anyone from harming him.

I was young then, and I had no idea that His Majesty was a rare and fierce general who did not need my protection at all.

But His Majesty was still very pleased after hearing my words. He made a promise with me: if he ever bestowed his sword upon me, then I would become his deputy general.

When Zhao Dexiu recounted his childhood memories, Lü Duan's face turned solemn.

Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Dexiu were of different statuses, and because of this difference, the same agreement would have different meanings.

His Majesty's deputy general?
As he pondered, Lü Duan recalled the position of "Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces of the Realm," a position that had been typically held by the crown prince since the Tang Dynasty.

"The arrival of the Northern Han army is detrimental to our army, but I will not give up easily."

I have already sent men to the Northern Han; we may win this battle.”

Zhao Dexiu spoke these words with a firm tone.

Sensing Zhao Dexiu's determination, Lü Duan stopped trying to persuade him.

Two days later, a weary-looking Lü Qiu Zhongqing appeared outside Huguan City.

As soon as Lüqiu Zhongqing appeared in Huguan territory, his whereabouts were discovered by Song army scouts.

As expected, Lü Qiu Zhongqing was stopped by vigilant scouts.

Seeing that Lü Qiu Zhongqing had no intention of resisting, the scouts lowered their guard slightly, but still tied him up immediately.

Then, the Song scouts, who were in charge, found the official seal on Lü Qiu Zhongqing's body.

Realizing that Lü Qiu Zhongqing's identity was not simple, the scout captain questioned Lü Qiu Zhongqing:
"If you serve the rebels, why have you come to the outskirts of the city?"

To become a scout in an army, besides having excellent physical fitness, one also needs to be intelligent.

Lu Qiu Zhongqing's identity made the Song army scouts realize that his purpose in coming here was not simple.

As expected, when questioned, Lü Qiu Zhongqing calmly replied:

"I have intelligence that can help the Marquis of Taiyuan defeat the Northern Han army."

Lu Qiu Zhongqing's concise words left the scouts looking at each other in bewilderment.

After working as a scout for a long time, I've seen all sorts of people.

In the past, there have been many ambitious but frustrated scholars who came to the army under the guise of offering advice in order to find a job.

The person in front of us is no ordinary person; perhaps he really has important military intelligence to share?

Thinking of this, the scout dared not delay.

After confirming that Lü Qiu Zhongqing would not pose a danger, several scouts escorted Lü Qiu Zhongqing into Huguan City and headed towards the county government.

In times of emergency, scouts have the authority to report intelligence directly to the commander-in-chief.

Not long after, Zhao Dexiu learned of this matter from the scouts.

Luqiu Zhongqing?

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Dexiu still couldn't remember the name.

Since Lu Qiu Zhongqing dared to abandon the city and surrender, he probably didn't come here to die.

“Bring him in.”

Under Zhao Dexiu's orders, Lü Qiu Zhongqing was brought into the hall.

Upon entering the hall, Lü Qiu Zhongqing saw a young man sitting in the seat of honor, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Lu Qiu Zhongqing knew that this young man was Zhao Dexiu, whom he had always wanted to meet.

Therefore, after standing still, Lüqiu Zhongqing did not waste any words and went straight to asking:

"Does the Marquis of Taiyuan know anything about Li Mu's affairs?"

Because he was not far from Zhao Dexiu, Lü Qiu Zhongqing clearly noticed the change in Zhao Dexiu's gaze.

The sense of scrutiny has vanished, replaced by a glimmer of attention.

Looking at the light, Lüqiu Zhongqing knew that Zhao Dexiu had understood the hidden meaning in his words.

This kind of keen insight is what a wise ruler should possess!

As Lü Qiu Zhongqing sighed, Zhao Dexiu quickly sat up straight, and the next moment his voice resounded throughout the entire hall:
"Guards, quickly untie the virtuous man!"

(End of this chapter)