Prime Minister

Chapter 1360 Lingzhou City

Chapter 1360 Lingzhou City

In the spring of the first year of the Yuan You era, the north wind whipped up the withered grass beside the boundary marker. Su Zhe, dressed in a red robe, stood beside the carriage shaft, gazing at the distant beacon towers of the Song territory.

The hustle and bustle of the market faded into the distance with the flow of the Baigou River, and the entourage of the Liao envoy had arrived outside the Sanliting Pavilion.

“Please look, Your Excellency,” the deputy envoy said in a low voice, pointing to the dust raised by the Liao cavalry, “the Khitans even have gilded and jade-inlaid stirrups, compared to the simplicity of our envoys.”

Su Zhe's mission to negotiate with the Liao Dynasty was ordered by Zhang Yue.

Firstly, Su Zhe was determined to purge Lü Huiqing from the court and exterminate the New Party.

Secondly, it also gave Su Zhe something to do and allowed him to shoulder important responsibilities. Generally speaking, returning from an envoy to Liao would inevitably lead to a promotion.

To become a Hanlin Academician in the Song Dynasty, one basically needed to have experience as an envoy to the Liao Dynasty.

Therefore, Zhang Yue appointed Su Zhe as the Vice Minister of Rites and sent him as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom.

This negotiation was not entirely fruitless, as Liao envoy Xiao Xi was also present. While not entirely without results—the Liao emperor agreed to release Tong Guan, the deputy envoy who had been detained while accompanying Han Zhongyan on a previous mission—he even ceased insisting on extraditing Yelü Yixin.

However, due to years of diplomatic relations, the Song Dynasty had been humble while the Liao Dynasty had been esteemed, so Su Zhe was still somewhat reluctant to go on a diplomatic mission to the Liao Dynasty.

Upon hearing this, Su Shi wrote a poem for Su Zhe, who was about to embark on a long journey.

Gazing at the sea of ​​clouds, I entrust my body to this place; why should I weep over this distant journey? I will brave wind and snow on my post horse, to let the proud princes recognize my phoenix and unicorn. Looking back at the clear moon over the desert, I dream of the martial world's spring amidst the lakes and mountains. If the Xiongnu chieftain asks about your lineage, do not say you are the foremost figure in the Central Court.

It was humiliating for the Song Dynasty to represent the Liao Dynasty as an envoy.

Su Shi also kindly advised Su Zhe to act cautiously.

Before them, at the Liao Dynasty's pass, a group of Khitan merchants were arguing with Song Dynasty brokers.

"Ten strings of cash! This horse requires a payment of thirty strings of cash in Song Dynasty currency or thirty strings of salt notes."

The Liao merchant slapped his horse's neck and shouted, the veins on the back of his hand revealing his inner anxiety.

The Song Dynasty broker calmly pulled out a stack of banknotes from his pocket and said, "I have three hundred strings of Da'an Baochao!"

Su Zhe shook his head and chuckled upon hearing this. The Liao merchant immediately blushed and angrily said, "Everything in the border market is measured in Bianliang copper coins. Who doesn't know that even herdsmen don't want the tin and iron coins minted by our dynasty, let alone paper money?"

The Da'an Baochao was a paper currency established by Yelü Hongji after he changed the era name to Da'an last year, modeled after the salt paper money of the Song Dynasty.

Yelü Hongji also wanted to learn from Zhang Yue of the Song Dynasty's economic reforms and return the right to mint coins to the central government. This would provide a steady stream of minting tax revenue every year, eliminate the burning of gold, silver and copper coins, eradicate the private minting of inferior coins, and save on transportation and storage costs.

Yelü Hongji greatly admired the salt certificate system, believing it to be the key to the Song Dynasty's growing national strength.

He also believed that paper money was nothing special, and frankly, it was just a way for the government to get something for nothing from the people.

Therefore, after the Battle of Yongle City, he made a firm decision to reform the Liao Dynasty.

First, he emulated the Song Dynasty by establishing a currency system. Of course, he also learned from past mistakes and followed the advice of Han Chinese Confucian officials, establishing the Pingzhun Treasury in Nanjing and Shangjingdu, using the annual tribute of silver and silk from the Song Dynasty as reserves to avoid the repeated mistakes of excessive issuance of paper money.

The denominations range from one kan to twenty kan.

After setting it up, Yelü Hongji was full of confidence. It is said that he felt that the name "Da'an Baochao" set up by Han Confucian scholars was not pleasant to hear, so he directly named it "Shengchao".

However, the 'holy note' was a disaster in its second year of issuance.

Yelü Hongji initially followed the advice of Han Chinese Confucian officials, constantly guarding against the central government's unrestrained and excessive issuance of paper money.

That's right, sheep should be fattened up before slaughtering. Yelü Hongji thought so too.

However, unexpectedly, the issuance of the 'holy banknotes' immediately resulted in another serious consequence.

That's counterfeit money!

During the Song Dynasty, Zhang Yue later ordered Shen Kuo, during his tenure as the Minister of the Three Departments, to conduct a thorough investigation into the anti-counterfeiting measures related to salt certificates and paper money.

In order to produce the salt paper money and paper money for the Song Dynasty, Shen Kuo made a special trip to Huai and Si Rivers to investigate and used a special type of ash tree in the area to make coins that were different from others.

Therefore, Shen Kuo ordered local officials to cut down all the other trees of this species, leaving only one county to plant them. He also sent troops to protect them and strictly prohibited anyone from entering the mountains to cut them down, specifically for the production of Song Dynasty salt certificates and paper money.

Shen Kuo also designed a special anti-counterfeiting program to prevent forgery.

Yelü Hongji did not think that deeply about this matter.

The only difference was that the "Da'an Baochao" paper money contained both Chinese and Khitan characters, and the exchange fee for old paper money for new paper money was only fifty coins (while it cost one hundred coins in the Song Dynasty).

He believed that the Da'an Baochao would definitely surpass the Song Dynasty's salt paper and paper money.

However, Yelü Hongji clearly made a mistake. The Da'an Baochao was issued before the change of the era name to Da'an, but a large number of counterfeit banknotes appeared in the first year of Da'an.

By the second year of the Da'an era, which was also the first year of the Yuanyou era, the counterfeit currency production technology in Da'an was so advanced that even the official minting craftsmen of the Liao Dynasty could no longer distinguish it from the counterfeit currency.

Yelü Hongji issued an urgent order prohibiting the exchange of Da'an Baochao (a type of paper money) for silk and silver in the Pingzhun Treasury.

As a result, the value of the Da'an Treasure Note plummeted instantly, depreciating even faster than the Jiaozi of yesteryear. It was no longer worth ten to one, not even twenty to one.

Looking at the Da'an Treasure Notes, which were like worthless pieces of paper, Su Zhe chuckled inwardly, while the Liao envoy accompanying him felt utterly humiliated.

One can tell the coming of autumn from a single leaf; the Liao Dynasty's economy was on the verge of collapse.

……

When Su Zhe and his entourage arrived at the outskirts of Nanjing, they saw the Liao army's camps stretching for dozens of miles, with banners fluttering and armor gleaming in the sun. Iron cavalry shuttled back and forth between the tents, and the shouts and commands of their drills resounded through the sky.

He couldn't help but conclude that the number of horses was countless and the number of soldiers unpredictable. It seemed that the Liao army's training in Youzhou and their constant intention to march south were not unfounded.

He was secretly alarmed, but showed no sign of it on his face. He was only thinking to himself: If the Liao people are so arrogant and domineering, they must be either really going to invade the south or deliberately trying to intimidate me.

Upon arriving at the inn, Tong Guan was already waiting at the steps. Although the eunuch, who had been detained by the Liao Kingdom for many days, looked haggard, his eyes were still bright and piercing. Upon seeing Su Zhe, he bowed deeply and said, "This humble official greets the Vice Minister!"

Although Su Zhe disliked eunuchs like Tong Guan, he admired Tong Guan's loyalty and integrity, and still offered a helping hand, saying, "You've worked hard, Attendant Tong."

Tong Guan immediately said to Su Zhe, "Young Scholar Su, come this way."

Su Zhe followed Tong Guan to a wall in the post station, where he saw Su Shi's poem "The Old Man's Journey" inscribed on the wall.

There was an old man who had no teeth, and no one asked him his age. His white hair hung down like silk, and his eyes were as blue as water.

Su Zhe's eyes reddened upon seeing this, and he said, "Even in foreign lands, people know of my brother's poems and writings."

Tong Guan laughed and said, "It's not just the people of Liao who can recite the articles of the Grand Secretary and the Great Scholar Su."

The attendant beside him smiled and said, "Even children in this dynasty know the articles by the two Su brothers and one chapter."

At this moment, the postmaster of the post station laughed and said, "Why don't you print more of the collected works of Zhang Shizhong and the Imperial Academician? That way, they can be respected in our Liao Kingdom."

Su Zhe smiled but remained silent. Zhang Yue was always low-key and rarely showed his calligraphy to others. After becoming an official, he never wrote a single poem or essay except for official documents.

Su Shi, however, refused to change this habit. Now that he has been appointed as a Hanlin Academician, he has resumed his habit of writing poetry.

Before Su Zhe could answer, a seemingly shrewd servant said, "The writings of Zhang Shizhong and the Imperial Academician are treasures of this dynasty; how can they be shown to others so easily?"

Su Zhe smiled slightly, but said sternly, "Gao Qiu, you mustn't be rude."

He turned to his attendant, cupped his hands in apology, and said, "This humble servant has been unruly; I hope you will forgive me."

Tong Guan, who was standing to the side, thought to himself as he looked at the servant boy, "This man is quite eloquent."

Seeing that Su Zhe had reprimanded Gao Qiu, the envoy said nothing more, only saying, "Young Scholar Su, please rest well."

Su Zhe nodded, and the other person left.

Looking at his elder brother's poems on the wall of the pavilion, Su Zhe couldn't help but say: "Who will send a letter from home to Youdu, and meet a barbarian to ask about the great Su? Do not let your writings offend the barbarians, lest it hinder your laughter and conversation in the rivers and lakes."

Gao Qiu, standing to the side, said, "Scholar Su is right."

But Su Zhe said seriously, "Stop flattering me."

"You know about Li Kui's matter. My brother repeatedly warned me not to be arrogant. How can you say that?"

Gao Qiu was extremely embarrassed when he realized that his flattery had backfired.

Tong Guan chuckled to himself upon seeing this, and only after questioning one of the detained envoys who was knowledgeable in classical texts did he learn of the story.

Li Kui was a handsome and talented man, skilled in responding to imperial edicts.

Emperor Suzong of Tang praised him, saying, "Your family background, your character, and your literary talent are all the best in this era. Do you truly deserve to be the esteemed leader of the court?"

Li Kui had three unique talents.

Emperor Dezong of Tang appointed him as an envoy to Tibet to participate in the alliance.

Upon arriving in Tibet, the local chieftain asked, "I've heard that Tang had a first-rate man named Li Kui. Is that you?"

Fearing detention, Li Kui replied, "How could Li Kui have come here!"

Su Shi was worried that his fame was too great, so he gave Su Zhe this advice.

Tong Guan burst into laughter upon hearing this, realizing that Gao Qiu had truly flattered Gao Qiu to no avail.

However, the two found they shared similar interests and chatted quite a bit along the way.

……

The next day, the group went to the capital of the Liao Dynasty to pay homage to Yelü Hongji.

Along the way, they were entertained by the Liao envoys. The Liao generals and nobles were very fond of Song porcelain, cotton cloth, silk and other luxury goods, and openly asked Su Zhe and others for them at the banquet.

Su Zhe sneered inwardly. The Liao Kingdom was truly corrupt, openly demanding money from the Song envoy.

The ambassador standing to the side also looked troubled.

However, the eunuch who was appointed as Su Zhe's deputy envoy this time was well prepared and presented some gifts, but in order to avoid making things too difficult for the other party.

When Su Zhe passed by a Confucian academy on his journey, he suggested that they go and take a look.

The Liao envoy agreed.

The teacher at the Confucian academy, dressed in tattered clothes, was overwhelmed with excitement upon hearing Su Zhe's name. He immediately went inside, retrieved some classic texts, and said to the two men, "Please, Your Excellency, convey a message to Mr. Zizhan! The literary tradition of the Liao Kingdom is entirely influenced by the Song style!"

"I copied all of these!"

Su Zhe was deeply moved and asked, "Why not buy some classic texts?"

"But what can a commoner like me do when I have no money?"

"These scriptures would cost no more than five thousand coins in the Song Dynasty."

The schoolteacher took out a few rusty Liao coins and said with a wry smile, "The government is forcibly collecting Song silk to pay taxes, and my old school... is about to run out of food!"

This was the scene Su Zhe saw before he arrived in the capital.

The Liao Dynasty was large but not strong, its army numerous but not skilled, and its people simple but not wealthy.

But even a centipede with a hundred legs doesn't die easily, and a lean camel is still bigger than a horse.

Along the way, he saw the Xi people cutting down mountains to build chariots. It should be noted that all the chariots of the Khitan were made by the Xi people. Such a large-scale chariot production suggests that the Liao Dynasty indeed had the intention to move south.

Su Zhe thought to himself, "I have long since disregarded life and death when I was sent on a mission to a foreign land. I will certainly not fail in my mission this time."

……

When Su Zhe and his entourage arrived at Linhuang Prefecture, the capital of the Liao Kingdom, what they saw and heard deeply impressed him. The magnificent palaces with their chimeras and flying eaves were clearly modeled after the Xiangguo Temple in Bianjing, fully demonstrating the Liao people's admiration for the civilization of the Central Plains.

However, just ten miles outside the city, a completely different scene unfolds—grayish-white felt tents stretch to the horizon like moss, Khitan nobles ride through them on horseback, and herdsmen line up to exchange furs for millet, creating a picture of nomadic and agricultural life intertwined.

Su Zhe remarked that it was no easy feat for the Liao Kingdom to integrate two systems into one.

Before entering the city, the envoy Yelü Song specifically reminded Su Zheng, "When you meet His Majesty, you must remember to be mindful of etiquette. The incident where Han Zhongyan publicly mocked His Majesty must never be repeated." His words, now using a more formal form of address, clearly showed that the Liao people still held a grudge about the matter.

Su Zhe rode his horse into the capital city.

Inside the teahouse, nobles were seen drinking Jianzhou tea powder with gusto, while in the tavern, silver pots bore the seal of the Song Dynasty's Imperial Treasury.

He deliberately asked, "Does your Liao Kingdom even have to send silver pots as tribute from our dynasty?"

“Indeed, the Southern Dynasty is rich in resources and treasures, which our country admires.” Yelü Song smiled humbly, but his eyes were sharp. “Therefore, the more silver tribute the Southern Dynasty pays, the better. For example, even our Empress Dowager can recite the articles of your country’s Su Neihan… But such exquisite articles are also supported by silver and silk.”

"Haha."

Su Zhe stroked his beard without answering, just as he noticed a group of starving people nearby who looked extremely hungry.

Su Zhe smiled slightly and immediately tossed a bag of Song coins. Where the coins rolled, starving people swarmed and grabbed them like ants.

Su Zhe, ignoring the other party's expression, said, "Money is still somewhat useful."

Yelü Song urgently ordered the expulsion of these starving people.

Upon arriving at the post station in the capital city, Gao Qiu said, "I just heard the Dangxiang language."

Su Zhe thought to himself, "A secret report from the front lines says that the Western Xia princess, Yelü Nan, a princess of the Liao dynasty, is tearfully pleading for help from the Liao. They've even designated an infant as the future crown prince of the Tangut people."

It is unclear what the Liao Kingdom's stance is.

Based on what Su Zhe saw and heard along the way, it was inevitable that the Liao Dynasty would intervene in the Song Dynasty's attack on Lingzhou.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xi's claim of attacking Dingzhou was likely just a diversionary tactic. The Liao dynasty's ambitions extended far beyond Dingzhou.

Su Zhe was first led into a white-covered tent to meet Xiao Wuna, the prime minister of the Northern Court of the Liao Kingdom.

In order to advance against the Liao Dynasty, the Song Dynasty, on the advice of Zhang Yue, established the Ministry of War's Bureau of Military Affairs in addition to the Imperial City Guard to spy on the military situation of the Dangxiang and Liao Dynasties.

Su Zhe had long been aware that the Zhifang Division, which independently gathered military intelligence, was efficient in its work.

Xiao Wuna is now not only the prime minister of the Northern Court, but also a very popular figure in the Liao Kingdom.

This is related to the political situation in the Liao Dynasty.

After Yelü Yixin, the prime minister of the Liao Dynasty, fled to the Song Dynasty, Yelü Yanxi, the son of the former crown prince who was killed by Yelü Yixin, was promoted to Prince of Liang, given the title of Grand Commandant, and concurrently served as Chancellor.

This undoubtedly confirms the identity of the other party's crown prince.

Xiao Wuna has protected Yelü Yanxi from assassination attempts by Yelü Yixin on multiple occasions. Now, he has not only risen to the position of Prime Minister of the Northern Court, but has also been entrusted with the important task of being entrusted with the care of the young emperor.

……

"Please forgive me, Envoy Su," Xiao Wuna raised his cup. "Your country's Zhang Jie intends to attack Lingzhou, and our cavalry originally intended to march south..."

However, he changed the subject, saying, "But the Xiongzhou border market is short of 100,000 shi of rice and grain—the soldiers can't fight on empty stomachs."

Laughter erupted during the meal.

If the Liao Dynasty wanted to send troops to attack the Song Dynasty, it also required the Song Dynasty to provide grain and purchase it with the annual tribute from the Song Dynasty.

Although Xiao Wuna was smiling, the pattern on the brocade he wore was clearly the new spring design from the "Liu Family Silk Tapestry Workshop" in Tokyo.

Su Zhe also caught a glimpse of Xiao Wuna's attendant secretly stuffing a half-eaten lamb leg from a Song envoy into his pocket.

Su Zhe's expression was stern, but he still composed himself and said, "Prime Minister of the Northern Court is mistaken. Since the Treaty of Chanyuan between our dynasty and the Liao Dynasty, the annual tribute has never been lacking. On the contrary, your country has repeatedly broken the treaty to aid the Xia Dynasty, and now you are demanding grain supplies. Is this the behavior of a gentleman?"

"If we're talking about obsequiousness, it's your country's officials who are all dressed in our dynasty's silk, and even your servants secretly hoard Song food."

Xiao Wuna's face darkened, and he was about to erupt when Su Zhe changed the subject: "However, considering the century-long friendship between our two countries, our dynasty is willing to offer an additional 200,000 strings of copper coins as a congratulatory gift." He emphasized the words "copper coins," adding, "Cartloads of brand-new Bianliang official-minted coins are far more valuable than pearls and fine horses."

Xiao Wuna was slightly surprised. The ministers were all tempted, and greed flashed in their eyes.

Xiao Wuna said, "Your country is aware that the Dangxiang have sent envoys with pearls from beyond the Great Wall and fine horses from Hexi to request assistance."

"Then this mere two hundred thousand strings of cash is far too little? Unless it is increased by two hundred thousand strings of cash every year."

"When will the Tanguts be able to deliver it?" Su Zhe asked. "I've heard that the Tanguts have been plundering the country thoroughly, but they haven't been able to squeeze anything out of it."

Even so, the current dynasty has not stopped the monopoly on trade with the Tanguts.

Xiao Wuna remained silent for a moment. It was true that the Liao Dynasty and the Tangut people were now economically dependent on the Song Dynasty.

Su Zhe said, "Prime Minister of the Northern Court, all of my 200,000 strings of cash are in copper coins. Cartloads of copper coins. And silk cloth as well."

"If your country insists on using force, our dynasty will have no choice but to close all border markets. You will not even receive a single coin of tribute."

"I've heard that your country's 'Da'an Treasure Notes' are now worth twenty to one, yet no one is interested? Our dynasty has two hundred thousand strings of copper coins, and they are all genuine."

Some of the Liao officials in the tent couldn't help but whisper among themselves. Xiao Wuna finally said in a deep voice, "This matter will be discussed later!" But anyone could see that the Northern Chancellor's momentum had weakened by three points.

Yelü Hongji issued the "Da'an Treasure Notes," which ruthlessly plundered the wealth of the people, causing widespread suffering within the Liao Kingdom.

What the Liao Kingdom lacks most right now is real gold and silver, and Song Dynasty coins. Currently, both the Liao government and the common people use Song Dynasty coins, and even salt certificates and paper money are acceptable because the Song Dynasty guarantees their original value. However, the people completely reject the coins and paper money minted by the Liao Kingdom itself.

Xiao Wuna remained silent.

……

The next day, Su Zhe was unable to meet with the Liao emperor, Yelü Hongji.

Just as the Jurchen people from five kingdoms came to Shangjing to offer their congratulations, Xiao Wuna asked Su Zhe to accompany them.

Xiao Wuna's intention was to humiliate Su Zhe, and to show him the power of the Liao Dynasty by having the Song Dynasty envoy and the Jurchen tribes come together, so that so many tribes would submit to him.

However, Su Zhe was overjoyed because the Song Dynasty had always intended to establish contact with the Jurchen tribes.

The Song Dynasty's envoys to Goryeo (Korea) had been trying to establish contact with the Jurchens through Goryeo, but Goryeo refused, unwilling to risk offending the Liao Dynasty. At the same time, Goryeo considered the Jurchens its vassal and did not want the Song Dynasty to associate with it.

Goryeo preferred to act as a middleman in trade between the Song Dynasty and the Jurchens, acting as an intermediary to prevent buyers and sellers from meeting.

Su Zhe was well aware that Goryeo was culturally close to the Song Dynasty, but in diplomacy, it acted only when it mattered most.

Before the Song Dynasty conquered Liangzhou and opened up the Western Regions, the Tanguts were in a similar situation.

But this time, Su Zhe was able to meet with the Jurchen tribe, which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

It was late April or early May, but the capital was still quite cold for people like Su Zhe who came from the south.

Inside the tent, Su Zhe, dressed in a Song-style brocade robe, sat on a folding chair, enjoying tea and discussing philosophy with Yelü Song, the Liao envoy. Although he was allowed to participate in the Jurchen tribes' audience with Yelü Hongji, Su Zhe was only permitted to bring Gao Qiu and Tong Guan with him, while Liao officials accompanied him on all sides to keep watch.

Suddenly, a commotion was heard outside the tent.

Yelü Song laughed and lifted the tent flap to come out. Su Zhe also stepped out, only to see a young Jurchen man with a tattooed face and forehead playing backgammon with a Liao nobleman.

Su Zhe listened to the reason for the argument between the two.

It turned out that this Liao nobleman had made a mistake and wanted to take it back, but the tattooed Jurchen young man resolutely refused.

This powerful figure, relying on his authority, tried to forcefully take back his move.

Upon seeing Su Zhe standing nearby, Yelü Song immediately rebuked him in Liao language: "You lowly subject dares to be so presumptuous!"

After saying this, he ordered his men to whip him.

The other party was furious and immediately reached for his sword at his waist.

Su Zhe was taken aback; these Jurchens were surprisingly courageous. As a result, a teenage boy standing next to the tattooed Jurchen man immediately grabbed his sword, preventing him from drawing it.

Yelü Song's expression changed as he saw the other party being stopped and was about to reprimand him.

But the Jurchen envoy was relentless. Unable to draw his sword, he used the hilt of the sword to violently strike the Liao nobleman.

The Liao nobleman was knocked to the ground, clutching his chest and glaring angrily.

"What courage!" Su Zhe secretly admired him and felt a sense of kinship with the Jurchen youth.

Yelü Song shouted, and the Liao soldiers on both sides stepped forward and pointed their spears at him.

The young man next to the Jurchen youth immediately stepped forward and spoke to Yelü Song in the Khitan manner.

Su Zhe asked the Khitan translator beside him, who told him in Chinese that the boy's name was Wanyan Loushi and the young man's name was Wanyan Aguda, and that they were both envoys sent by the Jurchen Wanyan tribe to pay homage to Yelü Hongji.

Wanyan Hanpu, the ancestor of the Wanyan tribe, migrated from Goryeo to the Jurchen.

The most respected member of the Wanyan clan was a descendant of Wanyan Hanpu, similar to a member of the imperial clan. Wanyan Aguda and Wanyan Loushi were both direct descendants of Wanyan Hanpu.

The next level consists of the descendants of Wanyan Hanpu's two brothers.

The outer layer consisted of Jurchens from the same Wanyan tribe, who shared the surname Wanyan, but were not descended from the Wanyan Hanpu branch. The royal Wanyans, the lesser Wanyans, and the Wanyans of different surnames all operated in the area around the Chuhu River.

Su Zhe was overjoyed upon hearing the translation, as the Ministry of War of the Song Dynasty had long been aware of the Wanyan tribe of the Jurchens.

Previously, the Wanyan tribe had no written language or official government, so they didn't even know their own age and referred to themselves by their own names. However, the Wanyan tribe truly grew powerful after Wanyan Hanpu and Wanyan Wugunai. Under the pretext of fighting for the Liao Dynasty, they not only unified the Wanyan tribe among the Jurchen people but also conquered the five other tribes. At the same time, they became the Jurchen Jiedushi (military governor) appointed by the Liao Dynasty.

The Liao Dynasty, under the guise of demanding tribute of gyrfalcons from the five tribes and the Jurchens, has been relentlessly exploiting the various tribes, causing widespread resentment. Meanwhile, the Wanyan tribe, acting as accomplices to the Liao, outwardly submits to the Liao under the pretense of protecting the Liao's eagle route, using Liao's protection to develop and annex other tribes, collect weapons and armor, and expand its power.

This level of strength could cause trouble for the Liao Kingdom.

This was something Su Zhe knew; when he was sent as an envoy to the Liao Dynasty, Zhang Yue personally instructed him to pay special attention to the situation of the Wanyan tribe.

Su Zhe looked at the other person and felt that what seemed like a meaningless conflict was actually a test.

Why did the conflict have to happen in front of his own tent, the tent of a Song Dynasty envoy, instead of somewhere else?

Looking at the two Jurchens' aggressive gazes, the fierceness that emanated from their very bones was something that could only be seen in the warriors of the Five Dynasties or the early Liao Dynasty.

Su Zhe said, "I have heard that the Liao people are known for their integrity, but I did not expect that they would also take back their moves."

Upon hearing this, Yelü Song paused, realizing that it was indeed the Liao envoy who had broken his promise first.

The Jurchens valued integrity and regarded promises as paramount, even at the cost of their lives, to fulfill their commitments. This act of reneging on a promise was indeed wrong by the Liao Dynasty.

Yelü Song said, "His Majesty will handle this matter. Let's take these two men into custody first."

"Envoy Su, let's go and pay our respects to His Majesty together."

"Don't forget what I said before."

Su Zhe was immediately led by Yelü Song to meet Yelü Hongji.

After Han Zhongyan's last mission to the Liao Dynasty, although the two countries fought each other, they still maintained the etiquette of sending envoys on New Year's Day and exchanging condolences.

After Yelü Yixin fled, Yelü Hongji appointed Yelü Yanxi as the King of Yan. Although he did not yet have the official title of Crown Prince, Yelü Hongji gradually established his status as Crown Prince by means of means, much like how the Song Dynasty appointed the future Crown Prince as the Prefect of Kaifeng.

This move also further won over the hearts and minds of the Liao people.

Today, when Su Zhe met with the Song Dynasty envoy, he saw a child of about ten years old sitting next to the Liao emperor Yelü Hongji.

That's how diplomacy works.

The Song Dynasty sent future high-ranking officials to the Liao Dynasty to hone their diplomatic skills and learn how to deal with Liao in the future. Similarly, Yelü Hongji, who was grooming his heir, also wanted to bring him along to meet with envoys from various countries.

Su Zhe still bowed respectfully according to etiquette. As long as the word "tribute" could not be removed from the annual tribute, the Song Dynasty would never be able to hold its head high in front of the Liao Dynasty.

Yelü Hongji pointed to the child beside him and said to Su Zhe, "This is the Duke of Yan, my grandson. I heard he is about the same age as your Emperor of Song."

"Shouldn't you address me as Uncle? Why didn't the official documents say so?"

During the Treaty of Chanyuan, Emperor Zhenzong of Song recognized Emperor Shengzong of Liao as his younger brother. According to etiquette, Yelü Hongji was the uncle of the current emperor.

Su Zhe said, "The Liao Dynasty has deployed a million troops on the Song-Liao border. I don't know of any uncle who treats his nephew like this."

Yelü Hongji said, "I married my daughter to the Xia Kingdom, and she gave birth to a son as the Xia King's consort. Your Great Song Dynasty wants to attack the Dangxiang, and I cannot sit idly by."

"If we want to avoid war between the two countries, that's fine."

“If your Great Song returns Mizhi and Pingxia villages to the Dangxiang and returns the Huangwei Mountain land in Hedong to my Great Liao, then we can renew our old friendship.”

……

After a pause, Yelü Hongji said, "As for money... no amount of money can buy peace for my Great Liao."

At this point, Yelü Hongji glanced at Xiao Wuna and the Khitan officials below. Before meeting Su Zhe, the Liao ministers had all advised Yelü Hongji to accept the gifts from the Song Dynasty and let the Song Dynasty attack Lingzhou.

Yelü Hongji defied the objections of the majority.

Upon hearing this, Su Zhe realized that the Liao Kingdom had indeed greatly relaxed its conditions, and he made certain compromises.

Previously, the demand was for the Song Dynasty to return Liangzhou to the Dangxiang people. Now, the offer has been extended to include Pingxia and Mizhi villages. Of course, the Liao Dynasty is not forgetting to seek its own benefits. The Huangwei Mountain area in Hedong was part of the negotiations between the Song and Liao Dynasties in the seventh year of the Xining era. At that time, under the advocacy of Zhang Yue, the Song Dynasty resolutely refused to cede it to the Liao Dynasty.

"My mind is made up!"

The hall fell silent. Su Zhe raised his head slightly upon hearing this, only to see Yelü Yanxi, the Duke of Yan, standing beside the Liao emperor, staring at him with curious eyes.

"Your Majesty is wise," Su Zhe straightened his clothes, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Have you ever heard the saying, 'How can one tolerate another's snoring beside one's bed?' The Dangxiang have been rampant for a century. The two hundred li north of Pingxia City are all land cultivated by our dynasty..."

“If Pingxia won’t give it to us, then we’ll take Liangzhou! I have no objections.” Yelü Hongji interrupted Su Zhe without any politeness.

The Liao ministers all cursed and rebuked Su Zhe, believing that he was too ungrateful.

An uproar erupted in the hall. Xiao Wuna immediately stepped forward and rebuked, "Your Majesty is magnanimous. The Southern Dynasty envoys must not push their luck!" Dozens of Khitan ministers clamored, some even clutching the swords at their waists.

Before Su Zhe went on his mission, Zhang Yue had already given instructions that if the Song Dynasty was not going to agree to something, then everyone would just drag it out.

It must be acknowledged that the Liao Dynasty's national strength was indeed superior to that of the Song Dynasty.

But things will be resolved if things are done slowly, and people will find peace if they are patient.

Don't be aggressive; ignore the Liao Kingdom's strategy of demanding exorbitant prices and then negotiating everything.

If a war between the Song and Liao dynasties is unavoidable this time, it will not be Su Zhe's responsibility.

Su Zhe said, "This matter is beyond my control."

Yelü Hongji sneered, then suddenly turned to Yelü Yanxi beside him: "Grandson, remember this, this is how the Southern Dynasty behaves." He then stared at Su Zhe, saying slowly and deliberately, "I'll leave it at that—if a single Song soldier appears beneath the walls of Lingzhou, that will be the day the Song and Liao dynasties go to war!"

Su Zhe continued to argue logically, saying, "Your Majesty, the rise and fall of a nation has its own reasons."

"The Tanguts have lost the Hexi Corridor and a third of their territory; their demise is inevitable. Aligu has now proclaimed himself King of Wuwei, defending the Hexi Corridor, and is heading north to attack the Yan Army Commandery at Heishui Town. The Uyghurs are also eyeing them covetously."

"If Your Majesty insists on protecting the Dangxiang, it is meaningless. Rather than letting the land benefit Aligu and the Uyghurs, it would be better to distribute it to our dynasty. From now on, 200,000 Dangxiang will be given to the Liao dynasty annually."

The Liao courtiers below were intrigued.

The 200,000 taels of silver bestowed by the Song Dynasty were originally intended for the Tangut people, but in order to stabilize the Liao Dynasty, they have now been transferred to the Liao Dynasty.

Even though they knew the Song Dynasty had ill intentions, the powerful and wealthy in the Liao Dynasty still relied heavily on the 700,000 taels of silver paid by the Song Dynasty.

Just imagine, once troops are sent to Hebei, this 700,000 taels of silver will be gone.

The hearts of the people of Liao are still aching.

It's better to have something handed to you than to go and steal it yourself.

This matter remains unresolved.

Yelü Hongji put the matter aside, and Su Zhe drank three cups of wine before leaving.

……

Afterwards, Yelü Song reported Wanyan Aguda's matter to Yelü Hongji.

"How dare you, you brat!" Yelü Hongji was furious upon hearing this. Xiao Wuna stood up and said, "The matter of the Southern Dynasty has not been resolved, so it is not appropriate to punish the Wanyan tribe."

Yelü Hongji thought to himself, if we are to launch a major military campaign against the Song Dynasty this year, then we must stabilize the Jurchens and the Five Kingdoms tribes on the Eagle Road in the rear. In recent years, the Wanyan tribe has managed the affairs of the Eagle Road for the Liao Dynasty and has been quite obedient.

Xiao Wuna said, "Your Majesty is nothing but a few scoundrels."

"Give birth to a daughter is nothing more than a few savages who eat raw meat and drink blood. Besides, the Wanyan tribe has been quite obedient in managing the Eagle Road over the years."

A Liao official stood up and said, “Your Majesty, Wanyan Aguda is not to be underestimated. When I was serving as an eagle envoy to the Jurchen tribe, I met Wanyan Aguda and was amazed by his archery skills. A flock of birds flew by in the sky, and he hit them all with three arrows.”

"Such archery skills are probably unmatched by any of my Khitan warriors."

A sneer suddenly came from the corner of the hall: "Just bragging!"

A silver-plated envoy sneered, "When I was sent as an envoy to the Jurchens, I personally witnessed him shoot through a willow branch 320 paces away. Such strength..." He glanced at the generals in the hall, "Which of you generals can match him?"

"This man has been fighting alongside Wanyan Xi since childhood and is extremely brave. If we don't kill him, he will likely become a future threat."

Yelü Hongji hesitated upon hearing this, thinking, "He seems like a ruthless hero, but attacking the Song Dynasty is a major undertaking. It wouldn't be too late to kill him next year."

Yelü Hongji said, "I am about to demonstrate my credibility to win over distant lands, and I cannot kill him yet."

All the ministers agreed upon hearing this.

"It's not too late to deal with these Jurchen savages after we've conquered Hebei," Yelü Hongji thought to himself.

……

Fuyan Road.

The Tangut army of 100,000 besieged Mizhi Village.

Xu Xi, the military commissioner of Fuyan Road, led his troops into Suide City.

Xu Xi attempted to relieve the siege of Mizhi Village twice, but had to retreat both times due to insufficient troops.

When Xu Xi led his army to Suide City for the third time, he said to his generals, "After the defeat of the Dangxiang at Pingxia City, we were unable to rebuild our army. Now, the last elite troops under Li Bingchang's command are at the foot of Mizhi Village. They are all veterans who have followed us in battle for many years."

"Most of them are from the Hengshan tribe, who have been through many battles and are not comparable to the loosely organized large army of the past."

The generals nodded in agreement after hearing Xu Xi's words.

The Tanguts claimed that the entire population was a soldier, but the number of truly brave and willing warriors was only a little over 100,000, and even during Li Yuanhao's time, it did not exceed that number.

In Lanzhou, Liangzhou, and especially in the battle of Pingxia City, these elite troops were almost completely wiped out.

At that time, the Tangut people were almost wiped out. In the Battle of Yongle City, the entire army of the country could hardly withstand the troops from the Fuyan Road and some of the reinforcements from the Jingyuan Road.

Two years have passed, and Li Bingchang has worked diligently, saving every penny to reorganize his troops. Although he is far inferior to Li Yuanhao's forces and even more so than before Pingxia City, he can no longer defeat Xu Xi's troops along the Fuyan Road.

The generals said, "Right now, the commander-in-chief is determined to build a road from Mingsha to the city of Lingzhou along the Jingyuan Road."

“Going north along the Yellow River from Mingsha City can bypass the danger of the vast desert, but this hundred-mile journey is not easy.”

"If the commander insists on going his own way, and Mizhi Village is lost, not only will Suide be hard to defend, but Yan'an Prefecture may also be easily captured."

Xu Xi sighed upon hearing this.

However, in Mizhi City, a different debate has taken place.

Aligu led his army to attack Yanjunsi in Heishui Town, causing panic among the chieftains near Yanjunsi in Heishui Town among the Dangxiang army, who all wanted to disperse and regroup their troops.

Li Bingchang also secretly resented Aligu for his fickle nature.

Aligu originally remained neutral between the Tanguts and the Song Dynasty. Previously, Li Bingchang had married two daughters of the Tangut royal family to Aligu, along with a large dowry.

As a result, Aligu continued to harass Qingtang.

After Zhang Yue came to power, Aligu immediately turned his guns on the Tanguts and launched an invasion, while Zhang Yue tacitly approved the Tanguts' status as the King of Wuwei.

Now the chieftains of Yanjun Division in Heishan Town are clamoring to leave. Li Bingchang's face is ashen. In the past, he would never have acted like this. He would have made these chieftains the first to risk their lives. But now he cannot kill them.

Killing these chiefs will lead to rebellion.

The chieftains each had their own selfish motives and were not of one mind, which was what angered Li Bingchang. Once these people withdrew their troops, Mizhi Village would likely be unable to suppress Xu Xi's counterattack.

Once the siege of Mizhi Village is lifted, the Song Dynasty can march straight to Lingzhou City without any worries.

His goal was to attack Mizhi Village, forcing the Song army to retreat from Lingzhou City and fight him on the Fuyan Road.

In the direction of Jingyuan Road, the Song Dynasty was a gathering place for many famous generals.

Guo Cheng was stationed at Beixiaoguan, Zhe Keshi at Weizhou, and Peng Sun at Mingsha City. In addition, Zhang Jie led 60,000 elite troops from Qinfeng Road, Jingyuan Road, and Huanqing Road, who had arrived at Pingxia City in succession.

The transport of supplies from Guanzhong to Jingyuan Road never stopped for a single day.

The Dangxiang army under the jurisdiction of Lingzhou City numbered only seventy to eighty thousand troops, but this was a crucial moment for them to seize power.

Zhang Jie ignored Xu Xi's repeated requests for reinforcements from Fuyan Road, and did not even allocate a single soldier. Instead, he ordered Peng Sun to continue leading his army towards Lingzhou City.

Just as the Song army reached the walls of Mingsha City, Wang Hou suddenly led 100,000 troops from Xihe Road out of Huizhou to attack Weijing Mountain.

However, 50,000 people are permanently stationed here in Jingshan to prepare for the Huanqing Road.

Back then, Zhang Yue suggested building ships in Huizhou to sail south along the Yellow River to Mingsha City, and then attacking Lingzhou downstream.

However, after on-site investigation, it was found that the Yellow River was not suitable for water transport. At the same time, the Western Xia garrison at Weijing Mountain continuously placed fences and iron stakes on the river to prevent the Song army from advancing south along the Yellow River.

Therefore, this argument is abandoned.

However, Weijing Mountain remains the location of the Dangxiang garrison. Once the time is right, the Dangxiang troops can cross the river from here to attack Beixiaoguan and threaten the Song army's supply lines.

Therefore, in order to ensure a complete victory, Zhang Jie ordered Wang Hou to send troops to capture Weijing Mountain.

……

As the fourth watch drew to a close, the mountain wind in the Jingshan Valley was like a knife, cutting painfully into people's faces.

The mountain wind was extremely cold, seeping straight down one's neck. The armor reflected the cold light of the fading stars, but the soldiers were working with great enthusiasm.

Wang Hou reined in his horse before the battle, his heavy armor adorned with morning dew, his Qinghai horse neighing proudly, its breath forming white mist.

Behind him, his personal guards held aloft the banner that read "Xihe Road Military Commissioner," and the scarlet flags fluttered in the wind.

Countless soldiers and horses galloped forward, and the crossbowmen on the carts breathed out white smoke as they repeatedly checked the strings of their crossbows. The soldiers and civilians drove the mule carts, which were fully loaded with siege equipment, creaking and swaying on the rugged mountain road, with continuous mountain ranges on both sides.

Suddenly, a guard behind him whispered, "Commander, the scouts have returned!"

Three riders galloped up, and the leader, a scout from the tribe, dismounted and said, "Reporting to the commander, the seven villages on the southern slope of Jing Mountain have already hung white banners!"

He panted heavily and pulled a charred flatbread from his pocket: "This is grain offered by the surrendered tribe. They said the Tanguts looted all their stored grain last month, even slaughtering their breeding sheep to pay their army."

Wang Hou smiled as he gripped the hard, pebble-like pancake.

When the army arrived at the tribes of Weijing Mountain, they surrendered without a fight.

However, Jingshan and Tiandushan are separated by the Yellow River, and now the tribes of Tiandushan have all surrendered to the Song Dynasty.

These days, the Song Dynasty has been sending the barbarian tribes from Tiandu Mountain to Weijing Mountain to recruit people. These tribes have learned about the treatment of the Song people, so before the army even arrived, some surrendered and others led the way.

As soon as Wang Hou's army arrived, the people of the Weijing Mountain tribes moved to Huizhou with their families.

These people carried almost everything they could.

The Tanguts suffered repeated famines. After losing the Western Regions, they cut off their source of income and resorted to ruthless exploitation of the people.

However, the people of Jingshan suffered greatly, so when the Song army arrived, they fled in droves.

When Wang Hou marched forward, he saw that these people were poorly clothed, and the ragged barbarians huddled in rock crevices to avoid the cold. Men and women alike were emaciated and looked like they had been terribly ravaged by the Tanguts.

Wang Hou couldn't help but think that if the Song Dynasty hadn't captured Liangzhou, perhaps these people wouldn't have ended up in such a dire situation.

Throughout history, when two countries have fought, it is the ordinary people who suffer the most.

A boy with a bone whistle tucked into his waistband spoke to Wang Hou in Mandarin: "Just give me a bowl of hot soup, and I'll give you my life!"

Some of these brave people wanted to join the Song army as soldiers to earn a living, even if they died the next day.

However, Wang Hou had ample troops and did not need them. Although his deputy general Miao Lu said, "Back then, when the Dangxiang attacked Lanzhou, they used these people to fill the trenches. Now we can use the same trick again."

Wang Hou was unwilling to accept this.

Wang Hou frowned and said to the boy, "Go to the back and get a bowl of mutton soup. After you finish it... cross the river!"

The boy's longing gaze vanished in an instant. Wang Hou said to Miao Lü, "Prime Minister Zhang has been promoting 'following customs and laws' in Hexi for so many years, not so that we would become like the Tanguts and act like wolves—issue an order to the three armies that any tribe that surrenders will be provided with three days' rations according to the old practice of Xihe Road!"

"Order! The vanguard must clear the official road for the migrating tribes!"

As dawn broke in the east, smoke suddenly rose from the beacon tower atop Weijing Mountain—not the black of a warning, but the bluish-white of surrender.

Wang Hou gazed at the endless migrating processions along the mountain path. Old men carried pottery jars, women held lambs, and a white-haired Tibetan woman even gave a stiff Han salute to the Song army's banners.

Wang Hou nodded slowly and personally said in the foreign language from his horse: "Everyone go to the back to collect three days' worth of food."

"Let's just live our lives peacefully and avoid getting lost!"

The people bowed down before Wang Hou.

As the army advanced, beacon fires lit up one after another on the newly built beacon towers in the direction of Huizhou, signaling to Jingyuan Road that Xihe Road had already dispatched troops.

This is a beacon fire designed by Wang Hou, specifically for transmitting messages over long distances.

……

At the foot of Weijing Mountain, Wang Hou reined in his horse on the high slope, his scarlet banner fluttering behind him.

His gaze sharpened as he looked northeast and addressed his soldiers: "My lords! That is the unfinished battlefield in my late father's 'Strategy for Pacifying the Barbarians'—today, let us use the blood of the Tanguts to fulfill my father's twenty-year-long wish in Xihe!"

"Beat the drums!" Wang Hou cracked his whip, pointing northeast. Instantly, twelve cowhide war drums reverberated through the valley.

The Han army's heavy cavalry, with their spears and lances, clashed like a forest, their hooves trampling the wild grass as their 100,000-strong army surged toward Weijing Mountain.

In a daze, Wang Hou seemed to see his father, Wang Shao, leading the way on horseback ahead—the territory that the strategy to pacify the Rong tribes had not yet been completed, he would finally take back with his own hands today!

The vanguard of the Song army, led by Dang Xiangzhi, was the first to sound the mournful and rugged ox horn.

Throughout history, surrendered soldiers have been used as vanguards in warfare, such as Zhang Liao during the Cao Wei period.

The fierce Qiang cavalry of the Dangxiang tribesmen charged out from the flanks like arrows released from a bow, their hooves flying and kicking up dry grass and stones, leading the charge towards the Dangxiang troops arrayed in front of the city below the mountain.

The Iron Falcons, led by the surrendered Tangut general Yeli Xinyi, were modeled after the elite Tangut troops. Both men and horses were covered in iron armor, with only their menacing gazes visible.

The Tangut troops wanted to deploy their forces in front of the fortress, but they were taken aback by the Song army's cavalry rushing in.

Moreover, these Song soldiers spoke the same Tangut language as them, which was truly alarming.

As soon as the two sides clashed, the Tangut troops were routed by the Song army and could not hold their ground.

The Tangut troops also set up a series of fortified camps like the Song army, but they could not withstand the fierceness of the Song army. Wang Hou immediately ordered his soldiers to release the "Divine Fire Flying Crows".

In recent years, under the administration of Shen Kuo and Su Song, the Ordnance Bureau employed outstanding skilled craftsmen as officials, which immediately elevated the quality of the Ordnance Bureau's weapons.

Not only were there fewer poorly made products, but firearms and other equipment were also greatly improved.

The gunpowder that Peng Sun used to blast open the walls of Mingsha City was developed by the Military Equipment Bureau in recent years and was devised by craftsmen for use in blasting city walls. This advanced the technology by several hundred years.

This Divine Fire Flying Crow displayed its prowess in the last Battle of Yongle City.

In an instant, twenty catapults launched simultaneously. The specially made double-powder slingshots of the military arsenal pierced the sky, their trails of flame leaving crimson streaks in the dawn light. A burst of fire erupted, and the wooden palisades of the Tangut rear army's chain of fortified villages exploded with a deafening roar, burning debris raining down on the fleeing soldiers like a meteor shower.

Amidst the smoke and dust, Wang Hou personally led his infantry forward. Heavily armored elite soldiers used mace to cleave through the palisades, while archers took turns firing volleys to suppress the arrow towers, and engineers carried long ladders.

A mountain breeze carrying the stench of burning flesh swept over him. Wang Hou licked his chapped lips, as if recalling the experience of crossing Lugu Mountain with Wang Shaozhang back then.

"Prime Minister, Father!"

Wang Hou muttered to himself.

"Report—!" A soldier, his face covered in blood, rushed in. "Ye Lirong has breached the central army's gate!"

As the black armor shone in the sun, a barrage of arrows erupted from the Song army ranks—the arrows from the divine crossbows blotted out the sky, and the giant arrows from the crossbows whistled through the air. Before the Tangut cavalry could even charge, they were shot down and fell to the ground.

The Song infantry's offensive was like a raging wave crashing against the shore. But before the Tangut archers, the vanguard swordsmen fell one after another, their blood soaking the frozen earth in front of the camp.

Seeing the infantry formation gradually break down, Wang Hou immediately waved his command flag: "Liangzhou generals—mount your horses!"

The rotten wooden fence was torn to pieces under the iron hooves.

He always reserved this elite force for launching the final blow.

Immediately, dust and blood splattered at the foot of Weijing Mountain as cavalrymen clashed in a fierce battle.

As the setting sun bleeds like blood, the Tangut wolf-head banner atop the fortress crashes to the ground. Now, finally, the banners of the Great Song Dynasty are raised upon it.

"Report the victory!" He unfastened his blood-stained sword and tossed it to his personal guard. "Tell Chancellor Zhang Shu—Weijing Mountain has been captured!"

"The flank of Lingzhou is now unimpeded."

Wang Hou looked up to the sky and said, "Prime Minister, Father, our long-cherished wish of twenty years has come true!"

After saying this, Wang Hou closed his eyes, squatted down, and silently shed tears.

……

In the summer of the first year of the Yuan You era, yellow sand swirled outside Lingzhou City, and the scorching sun burned the Gobi Desert.

Peng Sun stood on the high platform of the newly built camp, gazing at the Dangxiang wolf-head banner fluttering above the city of Lingzhou.

Three thousand elite soldiers from Jingyuan had been stationed here for three days, and they had returned to the city of Lingzhou.

Looking at the patrolling Tangut cavalry, Peng Sun sneered and said, "Order all the camps to dig another horse trap!"

Moments later, Song soldiers came out of the camp with shovels and dug the earth. The efficiency of the Song army was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, they dug another trench. The Dangxiang soldiers on the city wall of Lingzhou looked on with great helplessness.

From yesterday to today, the Song army camp has advanced another three hundred paces.

On the newly built earthen wall, archers are setting up crossbows with a range that can reach the city tower of Lingzhou.

"General Peng!" The commander pointed to the commotion on the city wall, "The Tanguts are demolishing houses!"

Peng Sun squinted and saw dust rising outside the city. He sneered, "The garrison is only now thinking of using stones from their houses to make ramming logs? Too late!"

Five days later, Guo Cheng led 5,000 troops to the city of Lingzhou, only to find that Peng Sun had already built three interconnected stockades under the city walls.

It acts like a lock, binding the east, west, and south gates of Lingzhou.

The village was crisscrossed by passageways, with a constant stream of grain carts and horses, while a spiderweb-like network of irrigation canals was dug around the perimeter of the camp, quietly diverting a tributary of the Yellow River.

When Guo Cheng arrived, he saw Peng Sun stomp his foot on the ground beneath the camp and asked, "What's wrong?"

Peng Sun said, "Last time, the Dangxiang breached the Yellow River and flooded Lingzhou City. We must be careful when setting up our camp this time."

Guo Cheng nodded and said, "Yes, so many years have passed. Back then, under the walls of Lingzhou City... back then, the brothers who were soaking in the Yellow River..."

Both of them sighed deeply.

Peng Sun looked at the wolf-head banner on the city wall—fifteen years ago, it was under this very banner that the turbid waves of the Yellow River, which had breached its banks, swallowed up countless Song soldiers.

"Now we start anew, determined to avenge our past humiliations. Our brothers from back then are watching us from heaven!"

Peng Sun kicked the rammed earth of the camp, then turned and roared at his soldiers, "Order! At dawn tomorrow, set up the Thunderclap Cannons—first, bombard the corner tower of Lingzhou, and offer a sacrifice to our comrades who drowned back then!"

Guo Cheng nodded and said, "Go ahead and fight with peace of mind. Prime Minister Zhang Shu has personally led his troops and moved to Beixiao Pass!"

"With him behind us, we wouldn't be afraid of even a thousand Tangut troops!"

Compared to the campaign against the Tanguts during the Yuanfeng era, the Song army had no worries about logistical supplies this time. Although there were only about 10,000 Song troops under Lingzhou City, there were more than 200,000 troops surrounding Lingzhou City on Xihe Road, Huanqing Road, and Qinfeng Road. It was as if a huge urn had been set up, just waiting for the Tanguts to come in.

Peng Sun nodded; such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had been placed right in front of him.

Behind him, Zhang Jie was wearing thick clothes. Although it was summer, he felt cold all over. His constant overwork had made him feel unwell, and he coughed up blood every night.

However, Zhang Jie still stubbornly stayed at the front, his gaze passing through the map.

Despite being repeatedly berated by Xu Xi in letters for being a "stupid chess player who doesn't care about his family" and disregarding even the safety of Mizhi Village, Zhang Jie still kept his eyes firmly fixed on Lingzhou City.

(End of this chapter)