Chapter 5: The Establishment of the Imperial Forest Army

  The original song written for Emperor Song Huizong is Ma Zhiyuan's "Tian Jing Sha", "Autumn Thoughts" and Wang Shifu's "Twelfth Month Passing Yaoming Ge". The lyrics are: "Withered vines, old trees, and crows at dusk, small bridges, flowing water, and homes. Ancient roads, west wind, thin horses, sunset in the west, heartbroken people on the horizon." "After parting, distant mountains are faintly visible, how can I bear the distant waters sparkling? The fragrance of the inner court wafts through, heavy gates hide the evening rain..." Zhao Bian's evaluation of this song as "unparalleled" is because it differs greatly from the Song Dynasty's ci poetry at that time and has its own unique style. If it were to be ranked first, it would have been met with criticism, but its literary value made Emperor Song Huizong love it so much that he couldn't put it down, which led to the scene in the imperial study.

  As soon as Zhao Yan entered, Emperor Huizong of Song didn't care about his imperial dignity and hastily walked over to him, pulling him back to the desk. The draft written by Zhao Yan had already been rewritten by Emperor Huizong and placed on top. Although Zhao Yan's regular script was not bad, having often helped his neighbors write couplets for the Spring Festival in his original world, it was far inferior compared to Emperor Huizong's calligraphy.

  "Hurry up and tell me your idea, quickly." Looking at the shining eyes of Emperor Song Huizong, Zhao Cai couldn't help but smile wryly. If this emperor could devote one-tenth of his energy in poetry and painting to state affairs, the Northern Song dynasty might not have perished so early.

  "I humbly report to Your Majesty, this tune is something I, your grandson, often heard from street vendors and peddlers, and made some slight modifications. The melody is easy on the ears and flows smoothly when read aloud. Today, I specially present it for Your Majesty's critique."

  Zhao Hui Zong became serious and said to Zhao Xun: "This song's style is free and easy, sincere and unique. Compared to Song Ci, it is more flexible and changeable, but the format is very strict and not rigid at all. The thinking is quick-witted and has formed its own school. I wonder if there is a systematic name for it?"

  The meaning of Emperor Huizong was clear enough, and Zhao Yan immediately picked up the cue, saying: "This piece is still without a title, please bestow one upon it, Your Majesty."

  Song Huizong was overjoyed, but in fact he had already thought of the name and was just hesitant to mention it directly out of courtesy.

  "Since it's a song created by our Zhao family, to commemorate the festive joy of the holiday, let's call it 'Lucky Melody'! It will surely go down in history and be remembered forever, haha!"

  "Afterwards, you compose another auspicious melody, and I will grant one of your requests. What do you think?" Zhao Cen still thought that Song Huizong was going to ask Yuan Fang what he thought. Zhao Cen let out a faint sigh in his heart, as Song Huizong called him Zhao Ji, and named the melody "Ji Qu". The ancient emperors were indeed overbearing.

  "Thank Your Majesty for the bestowed name, I have no other requests, only hoping to soon spread and glorify the auspicious melody, helping it reach every corner of the land." Zhao Yin said as he bowed in gratitude.

  "What requirements do you have? Just mention them." Song Huizong said with great joy and generosity.

  Zhao Kuang took a deep breath and said loudly: "Please, Your Majesty, allow your grandson to defend the border firmly. Our Great Song will expand its territory and restore the glory of Emperor Taizu of Song."

  Emperor Song Huizong's face sank as soon as he heard it, and Zhao Dan secretly called it a disaster. But the arrow has been shot and cannot be returned. At this time, there is no chance to speak later. Zhao Dan immediately changed his words: "The grandson just thinks that being both literary and martial is the true son of the Zhao family, like Emperor Taizu, but literary talent is more important."

  When Zhao Dan said this, Song Huizong's face improved a bit. The Song Dynasty valued literature over military affairs, and it was rare to have a talented young literary figure abandon his great literary work to become a general. How could Song Huizong not be angry? If it were any other imperial son, they would probably have been banished and punished by now. Zhao Dan was special because he was the emperor's grandson (the emperors of the Song Dynasty never had grandsons, so Zhao Dan's status was quite unique). Moreover, this time the 'Lucky Tune' was a matter of great importance, so he was spared punishment. He has been living a hard life in recent years.

  "Rewards will still be given, you can ask for them now. Leaving the imperial city is not impossible, but for now, you are in charge of 'Ji Qu', a heavy responsibility. Let's set a time limit of one year. If after one year you want to leave, you can choose any place in the world." In his heart, Emperor Song Huizong had already made his calculations. One year would be enough for Zhao Tan to become infatuated with the power of Bianjing and not want to leave anymore. Even if he did leave, the dull and uninteresting life on the border would only serve to temper his curious youthful nature.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty. The ancients said that a gentleman should have the abilities of poetry, books, rites, music, archery, and strategy. Strategy requires military training, I hope Your Majesty will permit me to lead a battalion for training."

  Song Huizong turned around and pondered for a moment, saying lightly: "Alright, this camp will be your personal army, let's call it the Imperial Forest Guard. You'll have to take care of them yourself. In Bianjing, don't stir up too much trouble. If you get into trouble, I won't be able to help you either. Do you understand?"

  Zhao Cai hid the joy in his heart, and immediately thanked him. "You must hurry up with your work on Ji Qu, personnel arrangements are up to you, I'm also tired, you can withdraw." After Zhao Cai left, Song Huizong immediately threw himself into the review of Ji Qu, it has to be said that Song Huizong was not a good emperor, but he was absolutely an artistic master.

  Zhao Yan was overjoyed as he walked out of the imperial study, for he would soon have his own power. Although a single soldier was useless in battle against the strong enemies of this era, a spark could start a prairie fire. The heavens are resilient, and a gentleman should strive to be self-reliant; the earth is receptive, and a gentleman should carry virtue and bear burdens - only then can one be considered to have a sense of responsibility and ambition.

  The token of authority to mobilize troops that Zhao Dun received from Emperor Huizong of Song was different from the ordinary tiger tally, both in craftsmanship and color. Emperor Huizong also specially ordered a commander to follow him. Zhao Dun and his men arrived at the barracks of the Imperial Guard outside the imperial city, but what they saw made Zhao Dun so angry that he gritted his teeth. He had thought that he was fast enough, but the commanders who controlled the troops received news even faster, and the elite troops had already marched out tens of kilometers away for training, leaving behind only those who could be blown down by a gust of wind. But now Zhao Dun also had no way out, and he couldn't run tens of kilometers to grab people.

  Just as Zhao Yun was feeling depressed, a voice suddenly exploded behind him: "The audacious thief dares to sneak into the military camp again and steal my hard-earned radishes. This time you can't escape!"

  Zhao Yan was taken aback, turned around to look, a nine-foot-tall man with a ferocious face and Zhang Fei's roughness, wearing thin white clothes in the cold winter, his muscles bulging, at this time he was holding a pile of radish greens, staring at himself with wide eyes, looking extremely strange.

  "The Iron Tower must not be insulted." The young man hastily rebuked, knowing Zhao's identity, speaking out of turn would bring big trouble.

  Zhao Yi was not angry but delighted, this honest and simple-minded man had a resolute air about him, he would definitely not be an ordinary person in the future, thinking to himself that he must recruit this man under his command.

  "I came here to recruit excellent soldiers to join the Imperial Forest Army. Are you interested in joining? In the Imperial Forest Army, you can become a general on horseback, and your future will be bright and promising. I hope brave warriors won't refuse." Zhao Cheng said seriously.

  "No way!" The sturdy man shook his head without hesitation.

  "What? Are you sure?" Zhao Yan asked helplessly.

  "Yes, Lord Mao... General Lingjun has been kind to me and besides, I can eat my fill in the Imperial Guard, so going to be a general under you doesn't interest me."

  "Ugh...". At this point, I have no choice but to stoop to their level and take the Iron Tower under my control first.

  "You've just offended me, and your leader will also be implicated. If you follow me, I'll let bygones be bygones. What do you say?" Unbelievable that he wouldn't take the bait, Zhao Xiao thought to himself with a sneer.

  "Hey, hey, isn't it enough for me to join the Imperial Forest Army?" Iron Tower said hastily.

  "Don't regret it later."

  "Adults, I, Iron Tower, say what I mean and never regret it."

  "Then may I ask, sir, where is the Imperial Forest Army stationed?"

  "Not yet decided."

  "What's going on?"

  "Just you and me."

  ……

  Cheated Iron Tower onto the "thief boat", two people rode horses, one in front of the other, with Iron Tower hanging his head and riding behind. Zhao Yin was not very old, but he had a natural talent for horseback riding, perhaps due to inherited memories and abilities from his past life. Zhao Yin pulled the reins and came to Iron Tower's side, laughing and saying: "Why are you following me looking so unhappy? If there's anything that doesn't feel right, speak up and let's hear it."

  Tie Tower looked at Zhao Yan with a glance, and heard him say slowly.

  He originally didn't know who his parents were, and only had a jade pendant with the name "Tie Ta" on it. An old monk took him in, but after the old monk passed away, Tie Ta joined the army. He originally wanted to become a general because he thought it would be very impressive. Since childhood, Tie Ta practiced martial arts with the old monk and had innate divine power, so when he first arrived at the military camp, he was already an officer. However, he couldn't stand his superior's behavior and got into a fight, which led to him being demoted. Later, as a common soldier, he almost got kicked out because of his large appetite, but fortunately, the commander arranged for Tie Ta to be in charge of food supplies, otherwise, he would have starved to death.

  "Adults, why are many things so unfair?" Iron Tower muttered reluctantly.

  "It's precisely because of the injustice that one must become strong, to establish fair rules. Only through military power can they be convinced. Now, with foreign tribes slaughtering our Huaxia children and internal politics being corrupt, it's a time of internal and external troubles. I hope Iron Tower brothers will lend me a helping hand." Zhao Ze said, bowing deeply.

  Tie Tower, with a carefree look on his face, grabbed Zhao Jin's shoulder and said magnanimously: "We'll fight to the death." The two of them burst out laughing. Suddenly, Tie Tower said generously: "Let's eat first, I'm starving, and I declare in advance that I have no money."

  “……”。

  On the other hand, Liu Hao, an official of the Imperial Secretariat, was recruiting soldiers in Xiangzhou. The reason for recruiting soldiers is that although the Jin State is currently in a temporary alliance with the Song Dynasty, its wolfish ambitions are well-known to all, and many local military commanders are also recruiting troops in preparation for war.

  The Song Dynasty army was divided into the Imperial Guard, the Palace Guard and the Territorial Army. A young nobleman with a refined demeanor arrived at the recruitment office. He had a broad forehead, sparse eyebrows, and plump cheeks, giving off an extraordinary aura. His eyes were filled with determination. Others looked at him, thinking he was a rich family's son who came to join in on the fun. The officer in charge of recruiting didn't care about his looks, and asked indifferently: "How old are you? Are you here to enlist?"

  "Sir, I am under General Yue Fei, twenty-four years old, and have come to join the army."

  The adults have orders, the only child in the family is not allowed to join the army. "This, a great man of our country, how can I stop my heart from fighting for my country?" In fact, as long as Yue Fei lies that he is not an only child, he can join the army, but it's absolutely impossible for Yue Fei to tell a lie.

  "This is the rule, besides it's a common saying that parents are not far away, you should go back." The little school was also moved, if there were more young people like this, what would be worried about the troubles of foreign tribes in the Central Plains, so he said to Yue Fei in a warm voice.

  "Now that the country is in crisis, it is our duty as men to defend our homes and nation. Although you have good intentions, I implore you not to shake my determination to dedicate myself to the country. I hope you will support me."

  “...” Just as Xiao Xiao was in a dilemma, a voice came over: “I allow you to join the army, but having only the heart of serving the country without martial arts skills is empty talk. I want to test your martial arts skills. Are you daring enough to accept the challenge?” It was Liu Hao, who was recruiting new soldiers.

  "Let the adults consider it." Yue Fei said with a slight smile. Liu Hao nodded to the guard beside him, and the guard walked quickly in front of Yue Fei with a tiger step, expressionless.

  "Please." They said in unison.

  The commander of the guard led the charge, he was also a veteran of many battles, having killed many people from the Jin country. The baptism of the battlefield had taught him not to underestimate any opponent. A probing straight punch, powerful and heavy, but Yue Fei just smiled faintly, even closing his eyes.

  The people around couldn't help but wonder if this kid had been scared silly, and Liu Hao also furrowed his brow, preparing to stop the Imperial Guard. Just then, Yue Fei moved, dodging the straight punch with a slight shift of his body, and with a powerful knee strike from the side, the Imperial Guard was shocked and gave up on the straight punch, using his leg to block Yue Fei's attack at an angle. Suddenly, Yue Fei made a swift stop, spinning around and directly kicking the Imperial Guard in the chest with his leg. The kicked Imperial Guard retreated several steps before barely regaining his balance. In fact, Yue Fei hadn't used any force; if it were an enemy, they would have been seriously injured or killed. Yue Fei still smiled faintly and cupped his fists, saying: "Sorry."

  Apart from a few people with good martial arts skills nearby, everyone else only saw the two of them flash by and then it was over. What a narrow escape.

  The captain of the guard nodded his head in gratitude and retreated to one side.

  "Alright, Yue Fei, you wait by my side for now. After I report to the Emperor, I will arrange a position for you. Are you willing?" Liu Hao said with joy. It's easy to get an army of thousands, but hard to find a good general, no wonder he was so happy. "Thank you, sir." Yue Fei bowed and paid his respects.