Chapter 67: The Oath-taking Ceremony (Part 2)

  Zhao Yan did not know Wang Fen's feelings and continued to drill the troops, verifying through actual combat that a well-organized army often has a combat effectiveness three times higher than others, enough to tip the scales of victory in war. Zhao Yan also borrowed from later generations' methods for training new recruits, which cannot be considered innovative. Zhao Yan said to Wang Fen: "General Wang, half an hour later, the whole army will gather at the central drill ground, I have important matters to announce."

  "Yes, Your Highness." Wang Jin led the way. The 10,000 new soldiers received a new training method, and for a time, they were curious and excited by Zhao Dun's words, which stirred up their strong sense of pride. The military formation was initially formed but not yet perfect, it would take some time to achieve that.

  At this moment, hundreds of soldiers pulled a huge stone tablet forward, with round logs placed under it. The soldiers pulling the stone tablet were panting violently and shouting in unison as they marched forward. When the stone tablet was brought into the school field, the soldiers training on the field immediately dispersed. Although the soldiers from the original Taiyuan City were curious, they kept a safe distance and maintained their formation. However, the newly recruited soldiers rushed forward to watch the commotion, instantly infuriating Wang Zong. But Wang also knew that he couldn't be too harsh on these new recruits at this time. After training for a period of time, he could then enforce stricter discipline; otherwise, it might lead to mutiny.

  This monument, crafted this time, is almost identical to the one crafted by the Yanshan government, like a sharp sword pointing directly at the sky. The arrival of the monument broke the stagnant atmosphere on the campus, and the soldiers in Taiyuan City were all guessing its purpose. Only the soldiers of the Changsheng Army understood the purpose of this monument. For a time, the blood of the Changsheng Army boiled with excitement as they gazed at the monument with frenzy. Who would not die? But after death, if one could be remembered by others, who would not seize this opportunity? It may not be enough to leave a name in history, but being remembered is proof that one's existence had value, rather than just being cannon fodder in some battle.

  Under the gaze of tens of thousands of soldiers, the monument was slowly lifted up, and the sunlight shone on it, making it look even more solemn. Suddenly a new recruit shouted: "Everyone look quickly, there are dense names on top."

  The crowd looked in the direction of the sound, and indeed on the stone monument were densely packed names. "That's my father's name, that's my brother, look quickly, their names are all up there." For a time, the soldiers of Taiyuan City were stirred to excitement, shouting excitedly there, they finally understood the purpose of this stone monument, which was to carve the names of tens of thousands of soldiers who had fought and died in the bloody battle for Taiyuan City. This is a kind of respect and affirmation for the dead, a remembrance that will last through the ages. These new recruits would no longer feel that their loved ones' sacrifice to defend Taiyuan City would be forgotten by others, even after ten or a hundred years, when they saw the towering monument, who would not remember the bloody battle of Taiyuan City?

  Zhao Kan stood on the high platform, Yang Zaixing and Wang Bin stood on either side of him a little later. Yang Zaixing had been training cavalry for several days and was very excited, but he was suddenly pulled over by Zhao Kan and was very dissatisfied in his heart, so he stood behind Zhao Kan with a cold face.

  Zhao Kuang stepped forward and said: "This is the last thing I will do for the people of Taiyuan City. In a few days, I will leave Taiyuan City and head to Bianjing."

  Inside the barracks, new recruits and ordinary people outside heard that Zhao Jie was leaving, and their hearts were in a state of panic. These days had long been accustomed to Zhao Jie's garrison in Taiyuan City, as if everything could be quickly resolved with Zhao Jie in charge. Zhao Jie led the army to lift the siege of Taiyuan, which was a lifesaver for the people. In addition, these days were harmless to the people, helping them through difficult times. Many people had made statues of Zhao Jie and burned incense every day to pray for him. Suddenly, Zhao Jie wanted to leave, and the people of Taiyuan immediately lost their mainstay. Since the last time the governor of Taiyuan City, Zhang Xiaochun, died in battle, the people of Taiyuan were afraid that a new official would come and exploit them. After Zhao Jie left, they believed that a new official would soon take office.

  "Please think of the people of Taiyuan and don't leave." The people knelt down and begged.

  "Everyone, please get up quickly. I, Zhao Yun, although I lifted the siege of Yan Mountain Prefecture and defeated the enemy at Taiyuan City, was falsely accused by the imperial court and is now wanted. In a few days, I will lead my army to the western border to defend against the Western Xia army in Qin Feng City. I, Zhao Yun, have no regrets towards heaven and earth, but was framed by petty people. Unfortunately, I am eager to kill the enemy, but lack the power to change my fate. Those who wish to follow me to Qin Feng City can depart with the main army in two days' time. Those who wish to stay behind, I, Zhao Yun, will not force them and will even provide silver coins for their consideration. Please think carefully, I await your response."

  When the people heard that Zhao Kuang was wanted, they were immediately panicked. The hero in their minds suddenly became a wanted criminal of the imperial court. Many people had different thoughts, some did not want to leave their ancestral home, thinking it was unlucky to leave, and others heard that Zhao Kuang's big tree was about to be eradicated by the imperial court, who would dare to go? Fang La and Liangshan weren't in a mess, but in the end, they were still eradicated by Zhao Kuang. Who can guarantee that Zhao Kuang is not the second Liangshan, the second Fang La?

  There were even more who had ideas, if they reported to the imperial court now or tried to kill Zhao Yan, would the imperial court give them a high position? Exterminating rebels was a great achievement, don't blame their power and coldness, people are always greedy, when encountering things closely related to themselves, they will have some selfishness, at least no one wants to die. Of course, most of them still strongly supported Zhao Yan, and loudly debated with the people around him, several hot-tempered ones directly took action, the scene suddenly became chaotic, until the Changsheng Army came forward to stop the riot.

  Zhao Yun let out a sigh, this is human nature, and it's precisely because of this that Zhao Yun made up his mind to give up on the people who were unwilling to leave. A person's life is all about constantly making choices, if you stand on the wrong side, you'll be unlucky, but what comforted Zhao Yun was that there was no discordant voice in the army, looking at Zhao Yun still full of fervor, he believed that if he gave the order to return to Bianjing now, this army would carry it out without a doubt. The court of the Song Dynasty had already hurt the hearts of these hot-blooded men.

  In fact, Zhao Jian originally could have deceived everyone first and told them about his wanted status after the army set out. At that time, even if he wanted to leave, he would have had to consider whether he had the strength to return alive to Taiyuan City. The mountain bandits and horse thieves along the way were not so easy to talk to. But Zhao Jian did not do so.

  The people who stay in Taiyuan City will soon welcome the next attack of the Jin army. This must not be said, if the imperial court knows, it will further confirm that I have an agreement with the Jin army, and can also explain that Zhao Jiong wants to establish himself as a hero, after the Jin army retreats, he will come out and pretend to be a savior, this explanation is easy to make sense of. If it spreads, even fools will think that Zhao Jiong wants to rebel, let alone the suspicious emperor.

  "Two days later, the army will set out. I hope everyone will consider this carefully, as the road ahead is mostly treacherous mountain paths. I hope everyone will think carefully."

  Yang Zai-xing's unworthy predecessor said, "This group of royal bastards in the imperial court, don't be afraid, at worst we'll go up into the mountains and become bandits, they will definitely be killed until they cry out for their fathers and mothers."

  Zhao Yun was deeply moved, and in Cining Palace, Yang Zai's words made Zhao Yun realize that Yang Zai had completely accepted him. Originally, Yang Zai thought of Zhao Yun as a courtier, training cavalry for him but not intending to exert himself on his behalf. Now it was different; seeing Zhao Yun defeat the Jin army at Taiyuan and hearing that he had defeated them again at Yanshan Prefecture, only to be wanted by the imperial court - such ridiculous things happening before his eyes made Yang Zai both indignant and more affectionate towards Zhao Yun.

  Even if Zhao Ye orders the execution of Yang Zai now, Yang Zai will definitely be the vanguard, but Zhao Ye knows he can't do that. Now, leading the army to attack Bianjing would instantly make him infamous, and the label of a treacherous subject would stick to him, making it impossible for him to turn things around. Moreover, he would encounter Xue Ping's Qin Feng Army coming to support Bianjing, and Zhao Ye has no confidence in defeating the powerful Qin Feng Army. Adding to that, there is the famous general Zong Ze leading tens of thousands of imperial guards in Bianjing, and the various loyalist armies combined would definitely overwhelm Zhao Ye. Zhao Ye is not a fool and will not lead the Changsheng Army to their deaths.

  Zhao Kan smiled and patted Yang Zai Xing's arm, smiling with relief: "Thank you, Brother Yang."

  "Don't be so pretentious with me, inviting me for a drink is enough." Yang Zai Xing said with a hearty laugh.

  "That's natural, it's full." The two of them burst out laughing.

  At this time, Wang Zong stepped forward and said: "Your Highness, I have a request."

  "General Wang, please go ahead." Zhao Yi turned to Wang Bi.

  Wang Zong considered for a moment and said, "I still hope that Your Highness will not lead the army to attack Bianjing. Firstly, it would be an unjustified expedition, and secondly, it would confirm Your Highness's intention of rebellion. With your current strength, there is only one outcome: defeat."

  Yang Zaixing flew into a rage, saying: "This insignificant Song Ting is nothing to me, Yang Zaixing. If Zhao Kuang leads his army to Bianjing, I will surely slaughter those petty officials in the imperial court."

  Yang Zaixing originally wanted to say the emperor, but suddenly thought that the emperor was Zhao Yan's father, and changed his mouth to a childish prank. Yang Zaixing actually also knew that the possibility of success was very small, but Yang Zaixing was indeed a fearless person, otherwise he would not dare to kill into tens of thousands of people, take the opponent's main general's head, although in that battle Yang Zaixing was seriously injured, it can also be seen that his bravery is not afraid of several times the enemy.

  Zhao Kan knew that Wang Fen was doing it for his own good, and he clasped his fists in gratitude: "Thank you, General Wang. I don't know if you're willing to abandon your wealth and status to follow me to Qin Feng City in the west."

  Perhaps it was this sentence that stimulated Wang Kun, who said in a low voice: "I, Wang Kun, have never been for fame and fortune, my duty is to guard the people of Taiyuan, please don't make things difficult for me." Although Wang Kun was somewhat moved, he felt that guarding the people of Taiyuan was the most important thing.

  Zhao Kuang burst out laughing: "So, General Wang, do the people of Qin Feng City count as citizens of Great Song? They are suffering from war, but you only want to side with one faction. Isn't that abandoning great righteousness for small righteousness?"

  Wang Jin's face was unpredictable, and he repeatedly debated in his heart. He had been to Taiyuan several times and was already familiar with everything here. Suddenly leaving made him feel a little reluctant.

  Yang Zai Xing sneered: "A hot-blooded man can't even make this decision, he might as well go home and hold his children."

  "Wang Jin angrily said: 'You!!' Sighed and knelt down on one knee, saying: 'Your Highness, Wang Jin is willing to follow you.'"

  Zhao Yan smiled and stepped forward, helping Wang Fen up, saying: "Having General Wang is better than having 100,000 brave soldiers."

  The great army set out soon after, and Zhao Jiong gazed at the slowly receding walls of Taiyuan City, lost in thought.