Song Xiu

Chapter 57: The Initial Version of "Releasing Military Power with a Cup of Wine"
At the end of April in the first year of the Jianlong era of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin appointed Murong Yanzhao, the commander of the palace guards, as the commander of the eastern route army and Wang Quanbin, the military governor of Zhangde, as the deputy commander. They first led 40,000 troops northward from the eastern route to meet Li Jun's rebel army.

Forty thousand elite Imperial Guards stood arrayed outside the city, their formation as solid as a mountain, their killing intent palpable.

The overwhelming killing intent would terrify ordinary people, and even emperors are not immune.

However, when Zhao Kuangyin entered the formation of tens of thousands of imperial guards, he looked relaxed, as if he had returned home from this den of tigers and wolves.

Zhao Kuangyin was not accompanied by any personal guards, but only by two people: Zhang Qiong, his personal bodyguard, and Zhao Dexiu, who carried a tray.

As soon as Zhao Kuangyin entered the formation, Murong Yanzhao led a group of generals and officers to pay their respects.

After Murong Yanzhao and the others finished their worship, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin grasped his hand and said, "Your mission is only to halt the enemy's offensive. The ensuing battle will have to wait until we join forces. The enemy is strong, so we must not be careless."

Historically, before each general went on a campaign, Zhao Kuangyin would personally summon the general to give him a detailed briefing.

However, Zhao Kuangyin only gave instructions on strategy. As for tactics, that was entirely up to the general's pre-battle command; he wouldn't interfere.

After listening to Zhao Kuangyin's instructions, Murong Yanzhao nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not allow the rebel army to cross Zezhou even a step!"

Zhao Kuangyin had considerable trust in Murong Yanzhao's abilities.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, then gestured for Zhao Dexiu to step forward.

After understanding Zhao Kuangyin's meaning, Zhao Dexiu quickly stepped forward and held the tray in his hand towards Murong Yanzhao:

"This humble nephew wishes to offer wine and water to Uncle Murong in celebration of his resounding victory!"

When Zhao Dexiu addressed him as "little nephew," Murong Yanzhao and the officers behind him changed their expressions slightly.

"The Marquis is of such high status, how can we, your subjects, allow him to offer us wine?"

Since the Tang Dynasty, the title of imperial clansmen was the most prestigious among the "Qin and Jin" titles, and the title of Marquis of Taiyuan was the predecessor of the title of Prince of Jin.

Before Zhou Shizong officially became the crown prince, he held the title of Prince of Jin.

Zhao Dexiu felt somewhat helpless after noticing that Murong Yanzhao and the other generals were avoiding him.

Zhao Kuangyin had him serve wine so that he could show respect to Murong Yanzhao and the others.

To convey this meaning, he should not use his official title; addressing him as "little nephew" would be most appropriate.

When Murong Yanzhao politely declined Zhao Dexiu's offer, Zhao Kuangyin, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke:

“You and I are like brothers, so it is only right that Yuan Ying calls you uncle.”

You may drink this glass of wine.

After Zhao Kuangyin clearly expressed his attitude, Murong Yanzhao, seeing that he could no longer refuse, accepted the wine offered by Zhao Dexiu with a grateful expression and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhao Kuangyin ordered Zhao Dexiu to serve wine amidst the vast army, not only to demonstrate the imperial family's respect for the generals who fought for the country, but also for another reason.

Zhao Kuangyin looked at Murong Yanzhao’s eldest son, Murong Deye, and said, “Back then, you and I had a very deep relationship and made a promise that all our children would be named after ‘De’. Over the years, neither of us has forgotten this vow.”

The happiest days of my life were when I fought alongside you all.

Unfortunately, I am currently preoccupied with the affairs of the state, and I fear that I will no longer be able to lead troops into battle at will in the future. Whenever I think of this, I cannot help but feel a sense of regret.

"Yanzhao, you and I are brothers, do you have any way to help me?"

In his speech, Zhao Kuangyin never referred to himself as "朕" (the imperial "I"), thus failing to show his closeness to Murong Yanzhao.

Murong Yanzhao, having been brothers with Zhao Kuangyin for many years, was naturally able to understand the deeper meaning behind Zhao Kuangyin's words.

After glancing at Zhao Dexiu in front of him, Murong Yanzhao said:
"Since ancient times, the idea of ​​sons inheriting their fathers' will has been a fundamental principle of human relations!"

"Now that the Marquis has come of age, he possesses the same heroic bearing as His Majesty in his youth. If he were to one day serve His Majesty in conquering the four directions, it would surely be a celebrated tale!"

After hearing Murong Yanzhao's words, Zhao Kuangyin's smile grew even wider, and he glanced around at the generals behind Murong Yanzhao.

Wherever Zhao Kuangyin's gaze swept, every general and officer echoed his sentiments. Even Wang Quanbin, a confidant of Zhao Guangyi, dared not voice his opposition under the overwhelming consensus.

Watching Zhao Kuangyin pave the way for himself, Zhao Dexiu couldn't help but give his father a thumbs up in his heart.

Today, he witnessed the initial version of the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" strategy. The expedition had its auspicious time, and when it arrived, Zhao Kuangyin led Zhao Dexiu onto the city wall, overlooking the 40,000 imperial guards setting off below.

Looking down at the several long, dark dragons winding their way forward, Zhao Kuangyin's relaxed expression vanished, and he spoke in a solemn tone:

"This is all I can do for you."

Today, Zhao Kuangyin used his prestige and methods to help Zhao Dexiu gain a foothold in the Imperial Guard.

Whether Zhao Dexiu can successfully establish himself in the army by taking advantage of this opportunity depends on his own abilities.

Zhao Kuangyin's words made Zhao Dexiu's mood become more serious.

Despite the caution, having made the decision, Zhao Dexiu had to persevere no matter how difficult it was.

"Father, rest assured, your son will do his utmost."

Seeing that Zhao Dexiu did not look down on him, Zhao Kuangyin felt somewhat relieved.

Since he had already decided to give Zhao Dexiu a chance, Zhao Kuangyin, as his father, would wholeheartedly teach him.

"A military report arrived recently, saying that Liu Jun ordered Liu Jiye to lead 20,000 troops to support Li Jun."

Li Jun's rebel army numbered around 30,000. If the Northern Han army were included, the rebel army's strength would already surpass that of our army.

"The enemy outnumbers us; do you know why I am not in a hurry to launch a western expedition?"

In the original tactics set by Zhao Kuangyin, "attacking from both the east and west" was the main tactic for the Song army to quell the rebellion.

Logically speaking, when Murong Yanzhao's eastern army set off, Zhao Kuangyin's western army should also set off, so as to make it easier to form an encirclement.

But why was the Western Route Army not in a hurry to set out?
Seeing Zhao Dexiu frowning in thought, Zhao Kuangyin patiently gave him some time to think.

I recall that Zhao Guangyi also raised this question, believing that once the tactics were decided, they should not be changed easily, and should be carried out step by step.

Zhao Guangyi's rigid view prompted Zhao Kuangyin to rebuke him.

How did he scold him again?

"No soldiers."

"Military tactics are not fixed, just as water has no constant shape!"

As Zhao Kuangyin was reminiscing, a clear voice rang in his ears, expressing the thoughts in his mind.

Surprised, he looked in the direction of the sound and found that Zhao Dexiu's eyes were getting brighter and brighter.

"Previously, our army had superior strength on both the eastern and western routes, so the best strategy was to launch a swift and decisive attack on Luzhou City."

However, as the art of war says, attacking a city is the least desirable option. Luzhou is a fortified city with high walls and thick moats, and Li Jun has been building it up for many years. No matter how many siege weapons our army has, it is difficult to guarantee that we can take Luzhou in a short time.

In suppressing a rebellion, speed is of the essence.

The new dynasty has just been established, and the people of various regions have not yet fully submitted. If the attack on Luzhou is prolonged, it is inevitable that Li Chongjin in the south and other local warlords will seize the opportunity to raise troops, and at that time the situation will become increasingly difficult to control.

Since it was unknown whether the Northern Han would send troops, the safest approach was to advance from both the east and the west.

Now that it is clear that the Northern Han will lead 20,000 troops south, with such strong support, if our army reveals some "weaknesses" appropriately, it is possible that Li Jun will abandon the fortified city and take the initiative to lead his army south to fight our army in open battle!
If our army can annihilate the main force of the enemy in open battle, then even if Luzhou is well-fortified and the city is full of defeated soldiers, it will not be difficult for our army to take Luzhou.

If people are saved but land is lost, then both people and land will be preserved.

If you lose people while you retain land, you will lose both!

Finally, Zhao Dexiu summarized his thoughts with a famous quote from later generations.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Dexiu, as he explained his strategy, Zhao Kuangyin's gaze toward him was filled with delight.

Until his final summary was delivered, Zhao Kuangyin could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter on the city wall:
"You and I are the ones connected by blood!"

(End of this chapter)