Chapter 22: Conquering Yanshan Prefecture (Part 1)

  Spring breeze blows across all things, tender and strong little grass drills out of the mud, the moment when all things wake up also foretells the alternating evolution, humans and mountains, flowers, green trees, in order to exist, alternate between prosperity and decline, mutually killing each other, this may be accidental, but also inevitable.

  Jinlin School Stadium

  One thousand soldiers had already been deployed, holding guns and standing in formation on the school grounds. In recent days, Zhao Kun and Liang Fangxu had discussed and decided to merge the Golden Scales Army into the Imperial Forest Army, which would be referred to as the Imperial Forest Army from now on. Liang Fangxu was appointed as the commander-in-chief, while Xue Yue was appointed as the deputy commander.

  Zhao Kan as the commander, Liang Fangxu led the vanguard, set out to Yanshan Prefecture. Yanshan Prefecture is currently the military headquarters of Yongqing Army, which has been relatively valued by the Song Dynasty since its return in 1123. The Song Dynasty has built defensive city walls, prepared military supplies, stored a large amount of materials and equipment, and stationed the powerful Changsheng Army here to defend against the Jin State.

  A few days ago, Wang Xizhen led 500 imperial guards and tens of thousands of people from the mountains of Yuezhe to Qin Feng City, where the Western Army was stationed. In the mountainous suburbs, they established a stronghold and secretly formed an army. Wang Xizhen planned to select strong men from among the people to expand the Imperial Guard as soon as he arrived. Zhao Yin took out all the gold and silver of the Shengchen Gang that were deeply buried underground and had Xue Yue escort them to Wang Xizhen and Xiuer. Xiuer was reluctant to part with Zhao Yin, but she knew that this mission was crucial, so she agreed to go to Qin Feng City, where the Western Army was stationed. Wang Xizhen also made no secret of his intentions, buying large quantities of grain, weapons, and horses in Bianjing, causing prices to skyrocket in the city.

  It's already the beginning of spring, and in a few months, the Jin army will arrive at Yanshan Prefecture. The surrendered general of Liao, Guo Yao Shi, will capture the prefect Cai Jing, kill his colleagues, open the city gate to surrender to the Jin army. The Jin army will occupy all six states and twenty-four counties under Yanshan without a single soldier being killed. The 110,000 Song troops stationed in Yanshan will either be incorporated or disarmed. The Jin army will seize all their military equipment, obtaining 10,000 war horses, 50,000 armors, and 70,000 usable soldiers, as well as countless crossbows and arrows. Zhao Dun clenched his fists on horseback, determined not to let this happen even if it means death.

  Zhao Kan had long planned to control the Yan Mountain Prefecture and then lead his army to support the Hedong garrison, inflicting as much damage on the Jin army as possible. He had originally intended to support the Hedong garrison before the main army departed, but currently, the supervisor of the Hedong army, Tong Guan, was a eunuch who had held military power for over twenty years and enjoyed an extremely high status. He would not take Zhao Kan seriously, let alone listen to his commands. If Zhao Kan were to go and support them and they lost the battle, all the blame would fall on him, and he would be unable to clear his name.

  The Bianjing is over 700 kilometers away from Yanshan Prefecture, and it will take about seven days to arrive. The terrain here is mostly flat, which is conducive to the mobility and combat of cavalry. Therefore, Zhao Kui did not plan to engage in a field battle with the Jin army. Of course, the situation on the battlefield can change suddenly, and decisions can only be made based on the circumstances at the time.

  Half a month ago, Zhao Kui had already sent someone to set up a temporary stronghold in Danshan Mountain, which is one day's journey away from Yanshan Prefecture. If there were any changes in Yanshan Prefecture, the army would arrive within a day. Zhao Kui originally wanted to lead his troops directly to control Yanshan Prefecture, but after repeated discussions with Wang Xizhen, he decided to abandon this idea.

  The reason is simple: the Song Dynasty was extremely wary of generals who led armies. If Zhao Kui really controlled Yanshan Prefecture, before the Jin army arrived, it would definitely be the Song Dynasty's imperial guards who came to eliminate him.

  Yanshan Prefecture (present-day Beijing) has been known since ancient times as a place with "the northern mountains as its pillow, the western mountains as its support, the eastern mountains and seas as its connection, and the southern plains as its foundation". The terrain is treacherous and easy to defend but difficult to attack. If it were not for internal traitors, although it is not certain that it could be defended, it would definitely be possible to block the Jin army's advance for several months. And if troops were sent to cut off the Jin army's rear route, they would surely be annihilated. Unfortunately, history had Guo Zhongshi.

  Zhao Kan sent Liang Fangxu to lead 500 people with the military token into Yanshan Prefecture, and captured Guo Yao Shi when he rebelled. This was also thanks to Tong Guan not being in Bianjing, making it relatively easy to obtain the military token from the Imperial Secretariat. Who would have thought that Zhao Kan is now a favorite of Song Huizong? Zhao Kan had his soldiers rest at Dnan Mountain and occasionally sent out scouts to probe into Yanshan Prefecture's movements. His arrival had already disrupted part of history's rhythm, so Zhao Kan did not dare be blindly confident. What if the Jin State launched an early attack, with the Jin army pressing straight onto Bianjing? By then it would be too late for regrets.

  A few days later, Zhao Jiong was studying the map when a small school suddenly passed on: "Your Highness, someone wants to see you." Zhao Jiong's heart tightened, could it be that Bianjing had changed, and Yue Wang, Chen Hongda and others were all Zhao Jiong's heart disease. At this time, if there was a problem in Bianjing, he would truly be unable to reach.

  "Come quickly."

  The military tent door curtain was lifted, and a stunning beauty appeared in front of Zhao Yin. She was wearing a red and white fur-lined robe, smiling at Zhao Yin who had been thinking about her day and night. This person was none other than Wu Caiyan. Wu Caiyan came to see him, and Zhao Yin's heart was moved, but he still scolded: "You didn't go south with Brother Zhiyuan, what are you doing here? Don't you know it's dangerous here? Moreover, the road is not peaceful now, if something happens to you, let me..."

  "What's wrong with you?" Wu Caiyun asked back with a smile, delighted by Zhao Jian's concern for her.

  "Let me have two more bowls." Zhao Yan replied.

  "You, you, forget it. I'm here to have you make soup for me every day. Who let you be so close with your maid?"

  There may be women in the world who don't eat, but there are absolutely no women who don't drink vinegar. Zhao Yi has also forgotten where he heard this sentence from, but the scene in front of him made Zhao Yi realize that this saying is not false. Zhao Yi helplessly said: "My eldest sister, in the military camp, there is only plain food and water, how can I make soup for you? Let's go back, it's okay to stay here for two days, after a few days, I'll send someone to take you south."

  "I don't care, you figure out the soup situation, who let Jia Rou Gongzi's reputation spread throughout Bianjing? And I won't leave, wherever you go, I'll go." Wu Caiyan said and walked over to sit down beside the stove.

  "Alright... you can stay, but don't complain, our army needs to keep an eye on Yanshan Prefecture at all times and may march urgently at any moment, so be prepared."

  "Don't worry, I'm not a spoiled girl, I won't hold you back." Wu Caiyan said firmly.

  "Alright, I'll take you to your place later, rest for a while first." "Someone, bring some food over," Zhao Yan said.

  Wu Caiyun ate the dry and hard dry food and a small amount of not very fresh vegetables, eating with difficulty. Zhao Yan looked at her from the side and felt some heartache, "Why don't I send you down south instead? You shouldn't be suffering like this."

  Wu Caiyun didn't say a word, she just shook her head. The Wu family had already moved south, and Wu Caiyun was considering whether to go find Zhao Yan or wait for him in the south. However, the news of Zhao Yan personally making soup for the girl had spread like wildfire in Bianjing, making her feel anxious. So, she left a letter and secretly hired a horse carriage to find Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan understood Wu Caiyun's intentions, but with the war looming ahead, he couldn't indulge in personal feelings. Moreover, his own life was uncertain, so he couldn't give Wu Caiyun any guarantees. He could only maintain a proper distance from her. Thus, Wu Caiyun stayed in the military camp, enduring a hard life without complaint. Although she had been pampered since childhood and had never suffered before, Wu Caiyun still overcame her difficulties. Every day, she played the zither and painted, feeling carefree.

  Zhao Song often took soldiers to practice and maintain the high combat effectiveness of the Imperial Forest Army. Zhao Song found that there were many edible wild mushrooms and vegetables in the mountains, thinking that he could make soup for Wu Caiyun to drink. He carried a bamboo basket and searched for wild mushrooms and vegetables all over the mountain. The soldiers saw this scene and also took action. In just a few days, Zhao Song discovered that one of the tents in the camp was filled with wild mushrooms and vegetables, but what made him cry and laugh was that most of the mushrooms were colorful and looked good, and many of the wild vegetables were poisonous. It's not surprising, actually. The Golden Scales Army originally guarded Bianjing and had imperial rations, who would have eaten wild vegetables? It seems necessary to give the soldiers a supplement on outdoor survival common sense.

  Every afternoon, hundreds of soldiers would gather in a temporary camp to listen to Zhao Yun explain various wilderness survival skills. Everyone was free to ask questions and have Zhao Yun answer them. If Zhao Yun didn't know the answer, they would discuss it together. At first, the soldiers were reserved due to their identities, but later, under Zhao Yun's guidance, the atmosphere became more lively. Eventually, they couldn't help but bring up wilderness survival issues, including their views on war and other related topics.

  In this interactive mode, Zhao Yun discovered several talents. Hou Yi, a Bianjing native, was proficient in minority languages and was kept by Zhao Yun as his personal bodyguard. Zhou Fengyu, also from Bianjing, excelled at operating firearms and siege weapons, and was promoted to general by Zhao Yun, leading 50 men temporarily, and would lead an army independently after the expansion of the Imperial Guard. Seeing Zhao Yun's actions, the other generals immediately became enthusiastic, showing off their skills one after another, making the scene lively and extraordinary. Zhao Yun probably didn't know that his foresight later saved many lives.

  Wu Caiyun initially just casually listened from time to time, but later on came every day to listen seriously, and then every day pestered Zhao Kang to explain some strange questions, often even asking which came first, the chicken or the egg, leaving Zhao Kang also speechless.

  Time flies, and three months have passed. The weather has warmed up, and yesterday's heavy rain stopped this morning. Zhao Jiong was worried that Wu Caiyun would catch a cold, so he had the animal hides brought from the mountains to cover her with several layers. The gentle breeze blew the fragrance of the mud into the camp, and Zhao Jiong also increased the number of scouts, paying close attention to every move in Yan Mountain Prefecture. Even the scouts from the Imperial Guard discovered the frequent movements of the Jin army, but Yan Mountain Prefecture remained calm, only tightening the inspection at the city gate without mobilizing troops. In fact, Zhao Jiong did not know that Cai Jing had already ordered the preparation for military action, but Guo Yao Shi, Zhang Ling Hui, Liu Shun Ren and others, as generals leading the army, had early contact with the Jin people, so they secretly disobeyed Cai Jing's orders.

  Liang Fangxu delivered secret letters every week as ordered, reporting on the situation in Yanshan Prefecture. Zhao Jiong ordered all officers and soldiers of the Imperial Guard to sleep in their armor, with their guns by their pillows, preparing for an emergency situation that was just around the corner.