The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

Three thousand printed copies were posted on thirteen official bulletin boards in Bianjing (Kaifeng), and then sent to all parts of the country by post. The literate read them aloud, and the common people gathered to listen. For the first time, the corruption and malpractices that had been hidden in the shadows for a century were openly exposed to the people.

At the entrance of Sweetwater Lane, Old Liu, the pancake vendor, sighed after hearing the announcement: "From now on, my family's three mu of meager land will no longer be subject to the village head's arbitrary over-reporting of taxes by half a mu!"

Beneath the laughter and chatter of ordinary people lay the light of relief for a century of pent-up grievances, and the tangible hope for a prosperous future felt by all. From then on, public opinion was no longer a secret discussion in the imperial court or a private conversation among the powerful, but a matter of justice witnessed by all and known to all.

The second issue of the *Bianjing News* featured another major announcement, with its front page reporting on the new policy for dredging the Grand Canal in Liangzhe Road. Su Song personally inspected the canal and decided on a phased dredging approach, using labor as a form of relief, recruiting people along the river to work on the project, thus both improving the transport of grain and alleviating poverty. What shocked the court and the public most was that Emperor Zhao Zongshi personally contributed 100,000 strings of cash from the Eastern Palace's treasury to advance the construction costs, bypassing the national treasury and court discussions, directly reaching the local prefectures and counties.

Some of the ministers in the Council of State frowned and hesitated, but Han Qi calmly stated: "Your Highness used your own money to benefit the people and the country, and there is no need for criticism." With these words, the noise in the court disappeared, and the Crown Prince's selfless and public-spirited character won the hearts and minds of the ministers.

At the end of June, three official reports spread throughout the north and south, announcing the great success of sweet potato trial planting in three counties north of Huai River. The sweet potato seedlings that Zhao Zongshi introduced and improved in his early years are resistant to poor soil and drought, and are suitable for the dry land in the north, with a yield of 600 catties per mu, more than three times that of traditional millet.

The interviewee, an elderly farmer, said in his simple, unadorned words, which were published verbatim in the newspaper: "This plant doesn't pick and choose its soil; it thrives as long as it's given water, and it's plentiful."

Without embellishment or modification, it pierced through the people's deep-seated fear of famine and worry about drought year after year. In just ten months, six surrounding counties flocked to request seedlings and inquire about planting methods. Grain transport routes and post stations were constantly bustling with activity, and the people's desire for prosperity and happiness was evident to the world.

As night falls in the backyard of the Eastern Palace, a gentle breeze blows.

Zhao Zongshi smiled slightly as he looked at the vernacular proverb in the official gazette. Liu Xinyi gently reminded him while serving the meal: "Back when you were in Chenzhou, you also squatted in the marketplace and fields, listening to the old farmers talk and recording the joys and sorrows of the people, without the slightest bit of arrogance."

"The foundation of good governance lies in caring for the people." Zhao Zongshi put down his newspaper, his eyes clear. "Tomorrow I will go to the Shenji Pavilion to inspect the new, improved plowshare. Su Song has changed its angle, and Yang Huayu has added detachable iron parts, which will save more than half the effort in dryland farming. If it proves to be effective, we will immediately cast two hundred sets and distribute them to Huaibei and Jingdong to help farmers increase production and strengthen the foundation of the economy."

Liu Xinyi nodded silently and whispered, "You've become thin lately; please be moderate in everything you do."

Zhao Zongshi looked back at her gentle figure as the twilight deepened: "Go early and come back early tomorrow, and have dinner at home."

"I'll stew mutton for you." The soft, lingering sound of water is the most comforting warmth in the world, a welcome respite from the turmoil of the imperial court.

New policies from both the government and the people are being implemented at all levels, and the lives of ordinary citizens are improving step by step. At the tea stalls in Sweetwater Lane, merchants are discussing Su Xun's practical approach of surveying fields and investigating land; ordinary people are talking about how sweet potatoes are filling their stomachs, how new plows are easier to use, and how taxes are gradually being reduced. Everyone is hopeful, and every household looks up to this prosperous era.

On the first day of July, the fourth issue of "Bianjing News" opened a new chapter, featuring a simplified diagram of the new plowshare structure on its front page, highlighting its core advantages: detachable parts, single replacement for damaged parts, no need to remelt the entire plow, and the ability to cultivate 20 mu per day, doubling efficiency. The benefits of innovative craftsmanship and the practical skills of artisans were openly displayed, benefiting all trades and enriching agriculture.

An old blacksmith from the marketplace lingered for a long time after reading the article, and his heartfelt praise was picked up by the students and included in the newspaper: "The new policy understands people's livelihood and all trades; it truly benefits the world."

With reforms in people's livelihoods, innovations in systems, and the gathering of popular support, the Song Dynasty's century-long history of poverty and weakness has been completely rewritten, and the foundation for a prosperous era has been firmly laid.

While the court officials and the people were immersed in the benefits of the new policies and the new prosperity, Zhao Zongshi had already transcended immediate gains and losses, devised long-term national policies, and laid out the overall situation of the world.

He knew perfectly well that the grand literary examination of the second year of the Jiayou reign, which was about to conclude this autumn, was a monumental event that would shake the world for millennia. Wang Anshi, Su Shi, Su Zhe, Zeng Gong, Zhang Zai, the Cheng brothers, and other renowned ministers of the past were all included on the same list, gathering in Bianjing (Kaifeng). The Song Dynasty was about to usher in a golden age of literary prosperity and brilliant talent, with all the pillars of governance and literary giants now under Zhao Zongshi's command.

However, cultural prosperity requires military strength, and national wealth requires a powerful army.

From the Five Dynasties to the Song Dynasty, the Central Plains remained weak for a long time. The Liao people occupied the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, relying on the natural defenses to covet the Central Plains. For a century, the Song Dynasty was weak, and the Liao people constantly spied on its borders. The Western Xia occupied the western frontier, repeatedly invading the territory and plundering the border people. The root cause of the rampant foreign enemies was the disorganized military system, the lack of military prestige, and the weakness of the Song Dynasty's military strength.

As a time traveler, Zhao Zongshi saw things clearly: if we want to conquer Yan and Yun, secure the northern border, pacify the four seas, and establish a prosperous era for all time, we must first strengthen our military might, intimidate the enemy, and forge a strong and iron-willed army.

Just as the autumn imperial examinations were about to begin and the nation's talents were gathering in Bianjing, with the world's attention focused on the Song Dynasty, he secretly finalized a momentous event for the founding of the dynasty—the Song Dynasty's first full-scale, formalized military parade. The civil examinations would gather the nation's literary talent, while the military parade would establish the Song Dynasty's military might. With both civil and military prowess, the Song Dynasty would awe the other nations.

To ensure the success of this unprecedented grand military parade, Zhao Zongshi, after careful consideration, made an exceptional decision to promote Duan Gong, a military commander who had truly emerged from the bloodshed, was absolutely loyal, had unparalleled experience, and was capable of subduing the generals of the seven routes.

Duan Gong has followed Wang Zhonghua (Zhao Zongshi) since he was a commoner. From humble beginnings in the city to adventures in the martial world, to fighting on the frontier, and to suppressing rebellions, he has been by Wang Zhonghua's side through thick and thin, never abandoning him. He witnessed the rise of the crown prince from humble beginnings, the expansion of territory through new policies, and the reorganization of the army. He is the most senior, loyal, and trusted general in the Eastern Palace, whose seniority, loyalty, and bravery are unmatched.

Therefore, Zhao Zongshi issued a special edict from the Eastern Palace: appointing Duan Gong as the Grand Commander of the Central Military Training and the Chief Instructor of the Army Parade, in charge of all matters related to the secret training and grand parade of the new army in the capital region, in charge of the officers and soldiers of the seven major garrisons participating in the training, and in charge of the formation, military discipline, firearms coordination, and the majesty of the formation. All generals and soldiers in the camps shall obey his orders and be subject to his assessment.

Once this position was created, no one in the entire army disagreed.

Yang Wenguang, Qin Tieying (Tiedan), Zhe Kexing and other veteran generals all knew that Duan Gong had followed the Crown Prince through countless life-and-death experiences, fought bloody battles, disciplined his troops strictly, and was fair and selfless. In terms of personal followers, military achievements and experience, he was undoubtedly worthy of being the chief commander of the entire army.

At the same time, Zhao Zongshi appointed Mu Guiying as the Marshal of the Central Army to fully cooperate with Duan Gong in overseeing the practical training, discipline, and formation refinement of the main force camps in the capital region. One a strategist, the other a warrior; one a coordinator, the other a strategist—their combined strengths forged the strongest iron army since the founding of the Song Dynasty.

Once the military order was given, it was swift and decisive.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Duan Gong immediately took up residence in the central military camp in the capital region. He carried the imperial edict from the Eastern Palace, locked down the camp, imposed strict discipline, purged the atmosphere, and executed any negligence or laxity.

In the dead of night, with stars and moon hanging in the sky, the entire military camp's drill ground was ablaze with torchlight, illuminating the darkness. Thousands of elite armored soldiers from the capital stood in formation, each man standing as firm as a mountain, his breath restrained, utterly silent, even his breathing was perfectly synchronized, a far cry from his usual playful and carefree demeanor. An atmosphere of grim determination filled the air, silencing even the wind in the open field.

Duan Gong, clad in a black military uniform trimmed with gold, a battle-hardened longsword at his waist, and old, scarred iron armor covering his shoulders, stood in the center of the high platform. Unlike the other generals, who were flamboyant and sharp, his expression was as cold and steely as iron. His gaze swept over the thousands of troops, taking in every inch of the formation and every soldier. The iron-blooded aura he had cultivated through years of fighting alongside his lord did not need to be deliberately displayed; it was enough to make the entire camp of soldiers tremble with fear and dare not slacken their guard in the slightest.

Mu Guiying immediately stepped to the side, her silver armor gleaming like starlight, standing solemnly to receive orders and fully cooperating with the schedule.

Duan Gong's voice, though not loud, was deep and resonant, each word carrying like iron, echoing throughout the entire camp: "Your Highness's reforms to the military system and the reorganization of the three armies are not for show, but solely for the protection of the nation! In the past, the Song Dynasty was weak, humiliated by foreign powers, bloodshed on the borders, and the people displaced. Today, you sweat and toil to hone your skills, so that you may one day slay enemies on the battlefield! With the announcement of the imperial examination results during the Jia You era, all nations have come to pay homage. The Song Dynasty's military bearing cannot tolerate the slightest flaw!"

"From this day forward, I, the Commander-in-Chief, will oversee the secret training of the entire army. Those who disrupt the formation will be punished, those who are negligent will be flogged, those who are cowardly will be eliminated, and those who commit fraud will be executed! Before military law, there is no distinction of rank, kinship, or exceptions!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and waved the command flag, which fell decisively.

The new-style military drills commenced immediately, their tactics completely overwhelming the old dynasty's imperial guards. Infantry formed sharp, square formations, advancing and retreating with perfect uniformity; thousands of iron boots pounded the ground with a thunderous roar, raising dust and causing the earth to tremble. Spearmen advanced in layers, alternating between long and short spears, complementing each other in offense and defense, overcoming the fatal weakness of the old army's single charge. Heavy armored shield bearers formed impregnable fortresses, layer upon layer, as stable as a fortress, capable of withstanding cavalry charges and repelling a hail of arrows, combining offense and defense to be invincible.

What alarmed the veteran generals most and completely overturned the military power structure in the Central Plains was the new tactic of combining cold and hot weapons.

The newly modified short guns and improved palm-sized grenades developed by Yang Huayu's firearms R&D department were all put into service. The gunners were arranged in three ranks, firing in shifts, providing alternating cover, and maintaining continuous firepower. Flashes of fire frequently erupted, smoke filled the training ground, and the sound of gunfire reverberated throughout the fields, creating a powerful and awe-inspiring spectacle. From then on, the new Song army completely bid farewell to the shortcomings of the old army, such as its disconnect between firepower and fire control and its weak firearms, and possessed long-range firepower that could overwhelm the surrounding countries.

Duan Gong's military discipline prioritized practical combat over mere showmanship. He personally refined the advance and retreat of each formation, personally corrected the rhythm of each volley of fire, and personally inspected extreme training exercises such as midnight marches, nighttime formations in the rain, and surprise attacks in complete darkness. Anyone found to be out of step, disjointed in formation, with unfocused eyes, or lacking in combat prowess was dealt with on the spot according to military law, without any leniency.

Mu Guiying specialized in breaking through enemy lines, arranging cavalry formations, and attacking and encircling enemy strongholds. The two complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses, one stabilizing the formation and the other breaking the enemy's defenses. They honed the discipline, formations, coordination, and firearms tactics of the Song Dynasty's new army to perfection.

In just a few months, the once weak and disorganized Imperial Guards of the capital region were transformed, shedding their lethargy and becoming an iron-blooded elite force that was disciplined, fearless, well-formed, and equipped with advanced firearms.

All the officers and soldiers in the camp sighed in admiration.

The world only knows of the Crown Prince's new policies that enrich the people and promote literature through the imperial examinations, but they are unaware of the secret preparations being made in the Eastern Palace and the forging of iron will in the military. His literary achievements are about to surpass all others in history, while his military prowess has already quietly reached its zenith.

The Liao people, relying on the natural defenses of Yan and Yun, looked down on the Central Plains for a century, believing the Song Dynasty to be weak, without soldiers, and incapable of fighting. The Western Xia, occupying the perilous western frontier, repeatedly raided and plundered, arrogant and domineering, showing no respect for the Song Dynasty. All this was because the Central Plains had long lacked a strong army and the border regions had long lacked victories.

This iron army, forged through General Training by Duan Gong, Practical Training by Mu Guiying, and tempering with a brand-new military system, is Zhao Zongshi's hidden sharp blade beneath the prosperity of the era, and the absolute foundation for his future northern expedition to Yanyun, the recovery of lost territories, and the triumph of the northern frontier.

Zhao Zongshi had already meticulously planned: once the Millennium Dragon and Tiger List was officially released in the second year of the Jiayou era, and all the talented scholars in the land had returned to their posts, he would send out numerous official letters, inviting envoys from Liao, the four Western Regions, Goryeo, Japan, and other countries to gather in Bianjing. They would first witness the once-in-a-millennium grandeur of the Song Dynasty's literary examinations, and then witness the iron-blooded military review of the newly reformed Song army.

With its flourishing culture, it demonstrated the profound heritage of the Song Dynasty over a thousand years; with its iron-fisted military might, it shattered the contempt of other nations.

A single imperial examination summoned the nation's literary talents, building a prosperous imperial court; a grand military review established the might of the four navies, deterring powerful enemies from beyond the borders. The dual display of civil and military prowess, ushering in a golden age, completely shattered the Liao people's century-long arrogance of "the Song being weak and easily bullied," laying the groundwork for future military preparations and the complete recovery of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

At that time, the civil service was brilliant and the government was full of capable officials; the military was formidable and its forces were powerful and invincible. The people were prosperous, the government was efficient and efficient, the people were loyal and the world submitted to it.

As the people yearn for and the land longs for, the glorious era of the Song Dynasty begins in all its magnificent glory.