Song Xiu

Chapter 38 Using a martial spirit to pacify the masses and heroes

After following Murong Yanzhao to the outskirts of the training ground, Zhao Dexiu said to him:
"Lord Murong, you can send someone to lead me in."

Zhao Dexiu's words surprised Murong Yanzhao, and he blurted out:
"Why?"

Murong Yanzhao believed that with his prestige in the Imperial Guard, he could prevent Huyan Zan from acting recklessly in front of Zhao Dexiu.

Zhao Dexiu was well aware of Murong Yanzhao's good intentions.

After bowing to Murong Yanzhao to express his gratitude, Zhao Dexiu said:
"Huyan Zan is fierce and has the strength of a bear or tiger. If you want to win his heart, you cannot underestimate him. That is why my nephew wants to come to the training ground in person."

If the Palace Commander enters with me, Huyan Zan might act against his conscience out of fear of the Palace Commander's reputation, which is something I do not want to see.

Treat him with sincerity, and then invite him with sincerity; this is my nephew's true wish.

Zhao Dexiu's words made Lü Yuqing, who had been following silently behind, suddenly see the light in his eyes.

After listening to Zhao Dexiu's explanation, Murong Yanzhao thought for a moment and then nodded:

"I will go up to the high platform outside the training ground in a moment to take charge for you."

Then Murong Yanzhao arranged for several deputy generals to stay with Zhao Dexiu to protect his safety.

After ensuring Zhao Dexiu's safety, Murong Yanzhao left in front of Zhao Dexiu.

After Murong Yanzhao left, Zhao Dexiu, led by several deputy generals, entered the command platform in the training ground.

As Zhao Dexiu approached the command platform, he immediately spotted a burly general waving a command flag and training his soldiers.

According to what Murong Yanzhao just said, Huyan Zan was originally a lowly cavalryman in the army, and was later promoted to captain by Zhao Kuangyin.

During wartime, the head constable was responsible for commanding over a hundred soldiers, and in his spare time, he would take turns overseeing the training of new recruits.

They can be described as the most outstanding among all the military officers in the Imperial Guard.

Hu Yanzan, who was on the command platform, naturally saw Zhao Dexiu and the others approaching.

Seeing that Zhao Dexiu's clothes and appearance were quite similar to the eldest prince that his friend had just mentioned, he immediately guessed Zhao Dexiu's identity.

Although curious as to why the pampered Zhao Dexiu would come here, Huyan Zan promptly suspended the soldiers' drills, stepped down from the platform, bowed to Zhao Dexiu, and said:

"This humble general, Huyan Zan, greets Your Highness."

Huyan Zan was very polite, but there was really no genuine respect in his words.

Zhao Dexiu could tell this, but didn't take it to heart.

In the chaotic world of the army, the strong are respected. He had neither military achievements nor demonstrated bravery, so how could he have earned the sincere respect of the Imperial Guards?

Not to mention Huyan Zan, most of the Imperial Guards in the army are like this, it's just that Huyan Zan is more direct in his expression.

Zhao Dexiu reached out to help Huyan Zan up, knowing Huyan Zan's personality and not wanting to beat around the bush.

"I have come to the camp today to recruit several hundred new soldiers."

After the new recruits are recruited, I will still need a general skilled in training troops, and someone recommended you to me.

In a peaceful era, let alone a mere captain like Huyan Zan, even mid- to high-ranking officers like commanders would be overjoyed to hear that the eldest prince intended to recruit him.

But unfortunately, we live in a chaotic world.

When Huyan Zan heard that Zhao Dexiu intended to recruit him, he instinctively wanted to refuse.

"Your Highness, this humble general is unwilling!"

Huyan Zan's straightforward answer drew the attention of Lü Yuqing, who was standing behind Zhao Dexiu.

He knew before he came that Huyan Zan was straightforward, but he didn't expect him to be this direct.

Zhao Dexiu currently holds no military power, but given his status, he sometimes represents the majesty of imperial authority.

Even Murong Yanzhao, as a palace commander, dared not be disrespectful to Zhao Dexiu, lest he bring trouble upon himself, let alone Huyan Zan, a mere captain.

Lu Yuqing thought Zhao Dexiu would accuse Hu Yanzan of disrespect, but Zhao Dexiu didn't care at all.

Zhao Dexiu liked Huyan Zan's straightforward personality; once such a person was won over, he could be transformed into a loyal fighter in a short time.

"Why don't you want to?"

Knowing Huyan Zan's character, Zhao Dexiu asked him directly. Faced with Zhao Dexiu's question, Huyan Zan revealed his thoughts.

"My ambition is to fight on the battlefield and serve my country, and I do not care about wealth or honor."

Your Highness may one day reside in the inner palace or remain in Kaifeng; I do not wish to spend my days in idleness.

Since the late Tang Dynasty, dynasties have been established one after another. How many princes were willing to go to the battlefield? They were either obsessed with wealth and power or obsessed with power struggles.

Huyan Zan is actually a very insightful person.

Huyan Zan desperately needs a wise ruler, but he will not easily give his loyalty.

But Huyan Zan misjudged Zhao Dexiu.

“The Zhao family has been a military family for generations, and I am not a man without courage.”

As a prince, I enjoy all kinds of honors and privileges. If the country is in trouble, I should step forward.

This is a statement we can both attest to!

Upon hearing Zhao Dexiu's words, not only Lü Yuqing but also Huyan Zan showed surprise.

As the eldest son of the royal family, Zhao Dexiu's every word and action was related to the dignity of the royal family. His words, spoken in public, were tantamount to an oath.

Zhao Dexiu was speaking from the heart: in this era of great strife, a man of passion should naturally strive for supremacy!
His vision is not limited to the small city of Kaifeng, and his ambitions are not confined to matters of power.

After hearing Zhao Dexiu's words, Huyan Zan's attitude softened considerably, and a look of consideration appeared on his face.

Seeing that Huyan Zan's attitude had changed, Zhao Dexiu decided to put in even more effort.

Zhao Dexiu looked around and saw that this was the training ground used for practicing horsemanship and archery, and an idea popped into his mind.

"It is said that during the early Tang Dynasty, in order to demonstrate the martial prowess of the Tang Dynasty, the princes of the Tang Dynasty often held archery banquets to recruit heroes from all directions to stabilize the country."

The Song dynasty inherited the Tang dynasty's legacy. The Tang princes were skilled in martial arts, and I, as the eldest son of the Song imperial family, am willing to follow their example!

After saying this, Zhao Dexiu looked at Huyan Zan.

Since the Tang Dynasty, due to the frequent wars between the Central Plains dynasties and foreign tribes, military skills in the army have always emphasized horsemanship and archery.

For example, the Imperial Guard of the Song Dynasty had an explicit rule: anyone skilled in riding and archery would be appointed as a squad leader upon enlistment.

Zhao Dexiu wanted to use the story of Tang to tell Huyan Zan that he not only had the will, but also the ability to go to the battlefield!
Following him, there will be plenty of opportunities to make meritorious contributions.

From the conversation just now, Zhao Dexiu knew that Huyan Zan was a perceptive person, and he should be able to understand the deeper meaning in his words.

Just as Zhao Dexiu had predicted, after understanding the deeper meaning behind Zhao Dexiu's words, Huyan Zan spoke up:
"If Your Highness is so valiant, this humble general will gladly serve you!"

In Huyan Zan's opinion, if Zhao Dexiu was truly proficient in horsemanship and archery, he must also be skilled in martial arts such as boxing and spear fighting, which would certainly make him worthy of the evaluation of being heroic.

After obtaining Huyan Zan's consent, Zhao Dexiu said to Huyan Zan:
"Bring me a bow."

Soon after, a powerful bow was handed to Zhao Dexiu.

After Zhao Dexiu took the strong bow, many high-ranking generals of the Imperial Guard had already gathered on the high platform outside the training ground.

Many imperial guards generals, such as Shi Shouxin, Li Chuyun, Gao Huaide, and Wang Yansheng, did not know why Zhao Dexiu had come to the military camp today.

Upon hearing that Zhao Dexiu was at the training ground, they rushed over. They originally intended to enter the training ground, but were stopped outside by Murong Yanzhao.

They could only come to Murong Yanzhao's side.

Standing on the high platform outside the arena, they naturally witnessed Zhao Dexiu taking up his bow and mounting his horse.

Upon witnessing this scene, Li Chuyun, a cultured man among the generals, couldn't help but recall some records from historical texts:
"In the fifth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong went hunting at Kunming Pool. During the hunt, Emperor Taizong's bow never missed its mark and his arrow never hit the target, which made all the generals and the King of Gaochang respectfully submit to him."

"In the fifteenth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong bestowed upon his sons the honor of riding and archery outside Xuanwu Gate. Elite troops surged forth, showcasing the grandeur of the unified Tang Dynasty."

The early Tang dynasty was known for its strong martial spirit, often displaying its heroic demeanor through horseback archery and other martial arts, thus stabilizing the hearts of heroes throughout the land.

Is what the eldest prince wants to stabilize today merely the heart of that person in the arena?
With this thought in mind, Li Chuyun couldn't help but glance at his many comrades around him—all of them heroes.

　Starting today, updates during the new book release period will be at 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

　　I heard that readers are most active during these two time periods, let's go!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)