You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Early May, Yingtian Prefecture, Imperial Study.

Outside the window, pomegranate blossoms blaze like fire, the greenery is lush, and the heat of early summer begins to quietly rise.

However, the atmosphere inside the Imperial Study was as heavy as a winter's day.

A huge map of the Northern Expedition's route was hanging to the side, densely marked with mountains, passes, garrisons, and supply lines.

Minister of Revenue Li Wenyuan's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, not because of the heat, but because of the emperor's calm yet extremely oppressive questioning.

He held a thick ledger and respectfully reported:

"Your Majesty, the first batch of provisions for the Northern Expedition consists of 600,000 shi of rice and wheat, 200,000 shi of beans, and 500,000 bundles of hay."

"Salt, soy sauce, dried meat, medicinal herbs, etc., have been requisitioned from Jiangnan, Hubei and Hunan, Sichuan and other places as planned."

"By the end of April, more than 70% of the grain had been transported to the pre-arranged granaries along the Jianghuai Grand Camp, and the remaining 30% was being transported day and night, and is expected to be fully delivered by the end of May."

"The conscription of laborers was exceptionally enthusiastic. When the people of the prefectures and counties along the way heard that it was to transport grain for the royal army's northern expedition, they all said, 'Strike the Jin dogs and recover the Central Plains.' Not only was there no need for forced conscription, but strong men came to volunteer with their own carts and horses. The wages were also paid at the market price, and no one withheld any."

Lu Zuo stood in front of the map, his gaze falling on the Jianghuai, Xiangyang, and Dengzhou line. He nodded slightly upon hearing this: "The supply lines are the lifeblood of the army and must be kept unobstructed. Security must also be strengthened to guard against small groups of Jin soldiers or petty thieves harassing us."

"I have already coordinated with the Ministry of War and the Imperial City Guard to increase patrols along the way, build more forts at key locations, and have elite squads of the New Army patrol back and forth," Li Wenyuan hurriedly said.

Are there still enough civilian boats and vehicles?

"More than 3,000 boats and over 10,000 vehicles of various sizes have been requisitioned from both government and civilian sources, which is currently sufficient. In addition, a new cement road has been built to Luzhou, greatly increasing the efficiency of transportation."

Lu Zuo turned around, walked to the window, looked at the azure sky outside the palace walls, and remained silent for a moment: "Minister Li, I entrust the matter of provisions entirely to you."

"I will leave the capital in the next two days and personally go to the Jianghuai Camp."

"You must expedite the procurement and transportation of subsequent grain supplies without any delays."

"In this battle, I do not want to hear the words 'insufficient supplies'."

Li Wenyuan's heart tightened, and he bowed deeply: "Your subject will do his utmost; if anything goes wrong, I will accept the consequences of military law!"

"Your Majesty, please go to the front lines with peace of mind. I will stay here in the rear and ensure the supply lines remain uninterrupted!"

.....

Two days later, a well-trained cavalry of about three hundred men silently rode out of the side gate of the palace, kicking up dust, and headed straight for the northeast.

In the middle of the group, Lu Zuo, dressed in black armor and wearing a dark cloak, calmly gazed ahead.

There were no imperial processions or officials to see them off; only the dull, dense sound of horses' hooves striking the official road, like the prelude to war drums.

More than ten days later, at the Jianghuai camp.

As the end of May approached, the weather grew increasingly hot. Along the Huai River, the Song army's camps stretched for dozens of miles, with banners fluttering and spears and halberds like a forest.

The air was thick with the smells of sweat, leather, and cooking smoke, as well as an oppressive, restless fighting spirit.

Before the central command tent, generals such as Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, Guo Xiaotian, and Yang Tiexin, upon learning of His Majesty's arrival, were already fully armored and waiting respectfully.

As the dusty yet menacing troop galloped through the gate, Lu Zuo dismounted, and all the generals knelt on one knee in unison: "Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome Your Majesty's arrival!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"All of you, rise."

Lu Zuo's gaze swept over Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, Guo Xiaotian, and Yang Tiexin: "Let's go inside and talk."

.....

Inside the large tent, the newly created terrain on the sand table was incredibly lifelike.

Han Shizhong, as the commander-in-chief of this area, was the first to report: "Your Majesty, the Jianghuai camp now has 70,000 new troops, all of whom have practiced the Yi Jin Jing."

"And the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms and the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill."

"Their strength, endurance, and agility far surpass those of ordinary soldiers; they are skilled in archery and horsemanship, and their formations are impeccable."

"We have 50,000 auxiliary troops and laborers. Our provisions are plentiful, our weapons are complete, and our morale is high. We await Your Majesty's order to cross the river and head north!"

Yue Fei added: "Scouts report that the Jin army commander Wanyan Zongfu has mobilized about 100,000 troops and deployed them along the Suzhou and Sizhou line, relying on the high walls and deep moats to block our northward advance."

"It also has some 'elite' under its command who are suspected of having been trained in Tantric Buddhism, but details are unknown."

Lu Zuo walked to the sand table, pointed to an area representing the Jin army's defense line, and suddenly asked, "Do the soldiers know when I plan to launch the Northern Expedition?"

Han Shizhong was taken aback, and replied, "His Majesty has issued a decree throughout the land, stating that 'in the summer, we will raise an army to launch a northern expedition against the Central Plains.'"

"Now all the soldiers in the camp know that the summer heat is the perfect time for battle, and everyone is eager to fight."

"A summer campaign is underway..."

Lu Zuo's gaze swept over the generals in the tent: "That's for the Jurchens, for Wanyan Zongfu, and for the Jurchen court to see."

"I hereby issue the following order: all battalions shall immediately enter a state of combat readiness."

"Ten days later, the army will set off, cross the Huai River, and head north to capture Suzhou!"

"Ten days later?!"

Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, and others simultaneously lost their voices.

It's only the end of May, and there's still some time before summer. Moreover, His Majesty has publicly stated that it's summer. Why is it suddenly being brought forward to ten days later?

"Your Majesty, isn't this... a bit too hasty? Besides, the edict has already been issued, and the Jurchens may be on guard..." Han Shizhong said anxiously.

"Hasty?"

Lu Zuo shook his head: "The provisions have arrived, the weapons are ready, and morale is high. How can there be any rush?"

"As for the Jurchens' defenses..."

"They are guarding against the Song army during the summer."

"I'm going to attack when they think they still have a month or two to prepare!"

"The summer northern expedition is a pretext, designed to lull them into a false sense of security, to make them believe they still have time to mobilize troops, fortify city defenses, and even await possible Tantric reinforcements!"

"I will catch him off guard!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Yue Fei bowed and said, "Strike unexpectedly, attack when the enemy is unprepared!"

"Ten days from now, the time will be just right!"

"Go and prepare."

Lu Zuo said in a deep voice, "Ten days from now, I will personally lead the army to break through the Jin army's first line of defense!"

"In this battle, victory is the only option; defeat is not an option!"

"Your Majesty, we obey! We will certainly not fail in your trust!"

.....

Ten days later, on the tenth day of the fifth lunar month, at dawn.

Before dawn, thousands of boats raced across the Huai River, their sails and oars forming a forest.

The first batch of 30,000 elite new troops crossed the Huai River silently under the cover of night, like a steel torrent surging out of the darkness.

Han Shizhong and Yue Fei each commanded an army, while Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin led the vanguard. The Seven Heroes of Jiangnan and hundreds of martial arts experts they had selected were also mixed in as the spearhead. Lu Zuo, clad in black armor and a black cloak, stood at the bow of the central command ship, his eyes like cold stars, gazing towards the north bank.

The Jin army's scattered scouts on the north bank of the Huai River were almost wiped out the moment they spotted the Song army's ships.

The army landed, quickly formed ranks, and then, like a drawn sword, marched straight towards Suqian, the first major town on the north bank.

As the first rays of dawn illuminated the horizon atop Suqian city wall, General He Shilie Zhining, rubbing his sleepy eyes, climbed the city wall for his routine inspection. He was terrified by the sight before him!

Outside the city, on the plains, the Song army stood in a dark, imposing array, their swords and spears gleaming in the morning light, their menacing presence chilling to the eye.

Beneath the commander's banner, the bright yellow canopy and the figures in black armor made his legs go weak.

"Song...Song army! It's the main force of the Song army! Why are they here?"

"Didn't you say it would be summer?"

Heshilie Zhining roared at his deputy, "Hurry!"

"Close the city gates! Everyone, go up and defend the city! Quickly request reinforcements from Suzhou! The Song dogs are launching a sneak attack!"

Chaos erupted on the city wall. The horns blared mournfully, and the sleeping Jin soldiers were driven up the wall. Looking at the endless Song army outside the city, everyone turned ashen-faced.

Lu Zuo rode on the magnificent Wuyun Taxue, gazing at the not particularly tall or sturdy building, and slowly raised his right hand.

Behind him, command flags waved.

"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The earth-shaking war drums suddenly resounded, like the heartbeat of a giant beast, striking the hearts of every Song soldier and the Jin soldiers on the city walls.

"The sons and daughters of the Great Song Dynasty!"

This city before me is the first pass of my northern expedition! Behind me are my fellow countrymen, and before me lies my lost homeland!

"Today, follow me to raze this city to the ground and reclaim our lost land!"

"Long live!"

"Long live!"

"Crush Suqian! Reclaim our lost land!"

The deafening shouts rose like a tsunami, and the 50,000 new soldiers were filled with fervor, their fighting spirit burning to its peak.

"Attack the city!"

At Lu Zuo's command, Han Shizhong waved the command flag.

The shield bearers advanced like a mountain, while the archers behind them hurled arrows into the air like locusts, their sharp whistling echoing as they rained down on the walls of Suqian.

At the same time, hundreds of makeshift siege ladders, hastily made overnight, were carried by valiant soldiers and rushed towards the city walls like a moving forest.

"Fire arrows! Fire arrows! Smash the rocks! Pour the molten gold!"

He Shilie Zhining was shouting himself hoarse from the top of the city wall, but the Song army's arrow rain was too dense, suppressing the defenders so much that they could not raise their heads.

The Song soldiers who charged forward were even more valiant than imagined. Holding their shields and braving arrows and stones, they climbed the ladders at an astonishing speed. Many of those who were hit by arrows and stones continued to climb upwards while shouting angrily!

At the city gate, the giant log used to strike the gate, propelled by strongmen, began to pound against the iron-clad wooden gate with a series of deep, thunderous sounds, making the city walls seem to tremble.

However, although the city gates of Suqian were not as strong as those of larger cities, they could not be breached in a short time.

Seeing this, Heshilie Zhining breathed a slight sigh of relief. As long as they held the city gates, they could wait for reinforcements to arrive...

Before he could finish his thought, his pupils suddenly contracted!

In the midst of the Song army formation, a figure clad in black armor and cloak suddenly leaped up from under the commander's banner!

Without the aid of any equipment, his figure moved like a roc spreading its wings, and in a few leaps, he had already covered a distance of dozens of feet. The arrows that were shot down from the city wall were all deflected by his protective true qi.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

"His Majesty has personally led the attack on the city!"

The Song army erupted in even more frenzied roars, while Heshi Liezhining and the garrison on the city wall stared in horror at the figure that descended upon the city like a demon god.

Lu Zuo glanced at the city gate that blocked the royal army, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. His true energy surged forth and gathered in his right palm.

A faint golden sheen appeared on his palm, and his muscles and bones emitted a subtle hum.

The next moment, he thrust his right palm out flat, striking the center of the heavy, iron-clad city gate, which was pounding loudly.

This palm strike contained terrifying power that could overwhelm mountains and destroy everything in its path!

Wherever the edge of his palm passed, the air emitted a low, sonic boom as if it were about to collapse!

boom!

A terrifying roar, ten or even a hundred times louder than the previous impact of the giant log, as if the sky were falling and the earth were splitting apart, suddenly exploded!

Centered on the point where Lu's left palm landed, the heavy iron-clad wooden door was as if it had been struck by an invisible giant with a warhammer, instantly denting, twisting, and deforming inward!

Countless spiderweb-like cracks spread rapidly across the entire door panel at a speed visible to the naked eye!

Metal sheets flew everywhere, and wood chips shot out!

Click!

Whoosh!

It held up for only a moment before the entire city gate could no longer withstand the overwhelming force and exploded!

It turned into countless shattered pieces of wood and twisted iron bars, which splashed and collapsed inwards!

Smoke and dust billowed into the sky, mixed with the screams of terrified Jin soldiers behind the city gate.

One palm!

Just one palm strike!

The city gate of Suqian is shattered!

Lu Zuo slowly withdrew his hand, stepped over the broken wood and iron on the ground, and entered the city gate of Dongsuqian.

Immediately following was the Song army's ferocious roar, like a landslide and a tsunami:

"The city gates have opened!"

"Your Majesty's divine might!"

"Charge in! Slaughter all the Jin dogs!"

"Charge!"

Leading the charge was the vanguard battalion, commanded by Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin.

Clad in heavy armor and wielding thick-backed machetes and spears, they plunged like two red-hot iron shovels into the chaotic heart of Suqian City.

Hundreds of Jin soldiers had gathered behind the city gate, and were frantically trying to rebuild their defenses with barricades and shields, but they were smashed to pieces by the oncoming thunderous blow.

"Pfft!"

Guo Xiaotian swept his broadsword horizontally, cleaving a shield-wielding Jin soldier and his shield flying backward, knocking down several people behind him. The sound of shields shattering and bones breaking could be clearly heard.

"Those who block my way shall die!"

"Form ranks! Thrust!"

Yang Tiexin remained calm and composed, his spear swift and precise, piercing the throat of a Jin centurion. He then flicked the spear, throwing the corpse toward the surging enemy, temporarily halting the attack.

The spearmen and shieldmen behind him quickly closed in, their spears thrusting out like a forest, pinning the Jin soldiers who were trying to counterattack to the front of the formation.

"The Song dogs have entered the city! Stop them!"

More Jin soldiers poured out from both sides of the street and alleyway, many of them were noticeably more burly, with fierce eyes, and they charged forward wielding heavy weapons such as spiked clubs and iron maces.

"Well done!"

Han Baoju rode a stolen warhorse, wielding a bronze staff, and charged into the enemy ranks like a whirlwind. The staff's shadow was like a mountain, and wherever it passed, men and horses fell, and the sound of bones shattering was incessant.

"Take this from your grandpa Han!"

Although Ke Zhen'e did not ride a horse, his footwork was strange and swift. His iron staff turned into streaks of black light, targeting joints and vital points. Ordinary Jin soldiers were injured or maimed as soon as they were touched, and their screams were constant.

Zhu Cong moved swiftly, and with each opening and closing of his folding fan, hidden steel needles and flying stones accurately struck the unarmored parts of the Jin soldiers' eyes and throats.

Nan Xiren was as silent as an iron tower, yet his bare hands dared to meet the blades of the Jin soldiers head-on. His palm strikes were powerful, often causing his opponents to drop their weapons, and he would then deliver a vicious blow.

Quan Jinfa, Zhang Asheng, and Han Xiaoying each displayed their unique skills, acting like sharp knives amidst the chaos of battle, causing utter confusion in the rear of the Jin army.

However, the Jin soldiers had a numerical advantage and were fighting like cornered beasts.

The street fighting quickly escalated to a fever pitch. On the long street, close combat erupted, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.

"Clang! Clang!"

"Ah! My eyes!"

"Killing one is enough! Killing two is a bonus!"

The sharp clang of swords clashing, the muffled thud of weapons piercing flesh, the dying screams, the frenzied roars, the neighing of warhorses…

The various sounds mingled together, creating a cruel symphony of death. Blood quickly stained the bluestone path, forming small streams that flowed into the roadside ditches.

Limbs and severed bodies were scattered everywhere, and a strong stench of blood filled the air, mixed with the smell of gunpowder, dust, and burning materials.

Just when the battle lines were intertwined and the fighting was at its most intense...

On both sides of the street, many of the doors and windows that were originally closed were suddenly pushed open and smashed open from the inside!

"The royal army! The royal army has returned victorious!"

"Kill the Jin dogs! Avenge them!"

"Fellow villagers! Let's fight the Golden Dog to the death!"

Many men dressed in coarse cloth, some even shirtless, rushed out of their homes and shops, wielding kitchen knives, machetes, shovels, wooden sticks, or even just dismantled door latches and benches, their eyes red and roaring!

A burly old man rushed out of a blacksmith's shop, swung a large sledgehammer used for blacksmithing, and howled as he slammed it hard on the helmet of a Jin soldier who was confronting Song army spearmen from behind!

"Bang!"

The Jin soldier collapsed to the ground without uttering a sound, his helmet dented in a large dent.

"Father! Mother! Your son has avenged you!"

The old man, tears streaming down his face and appearing almost frantic, lunged at another Jin soldier.

A cloth shop assistant used a sharpened bamboo pole to stab a Jin soldier in the side ribs while the Jin soldier was parrying an attack from a Song army soldier with his sword!

Even worse, some elderly people and women climbed onto rooftops and walls and threw stones, tiles, and even boiling water that they had prepared beforehand at the Jin soldiers on the street below!

"I'll smash you damned gold dogs to death!"

"Give me back my son's life!"

"Long live the royal army! Long live the Great Song Dynasty!"