Song Xiu

Chapter 66 Summoning the Generals by Beating the Drum

Outside Gaoping City, in the Song army camp.

Fearing that the enemy in the west might take advantage of Li Jun's rebellion to make some moves, Zhao Kuangyin left 15,000 imperial guards under the command of Xiang Gong when he left Luoyang.

After splitting his forces twice, Zhao Kuangyin eventually brought the Imperial Guards outside Gaoping City, which numbered approximately 30,000.

Although the number of imperial guards outside Gaoping City was reduced due to the two divisions of troops.

However, once the eastern and western armies joined forces, the number of imperial guards outside Gaoping City had reached around 70,000.

In terms of sheer numbers, the Song Dynasty's Imperial Guards outnumbered Li Jun's rebel army by more than double. In addition, the Song army was in high spirits, and many generals had recently volunteered to fight for Zhao Kuangyin.

Faced with the generals' eagerness to fight, Zhao Kuangyin did not rush to agree.

Besides knowing the hardships of attacking a city, Zhao Kuangyin was also waiting for news from the north.

In the heavily guarded imperial tent, Zhao Kuangyin once again asked:
"Has no military intelligence been delivered from Luzhou yet?"

Upon hearing Zhao Kuangyin's question, Shen Yilun bowed and replied:

"Not yet."

Receiving another disappointing answer, Zhao Kuangyin became somewhat anxious.

"He has been on the expedition for more than half a month!"
Five thousand elite soldiers traveled from Baixing Pass to Huguan, and traveling light, it usually took them a maximum of seven or eight days.

More than half a month has passed, how come there's still no news?

As someone who had personally led his army through the Taihang Mountains, Zhao Kuangyin's estimate of the timeframe for Zhao Dexiu should be fairly accurate.

Admittedly, when Zhao Kuangyin saw Zhao Dexiu off on his expedition, he mostly hoped that Zhao Dexiu would achieve a brilliant victory.

However, as time went on without any news from Zhao Dexiu, Zhao Kuangyin's emotions were quietly changing.

For the sake of the country, and even more so for his own sake, Zhao Kuangyin inevitably began to worry about Zhao Dexiu.

"I heard a while ago that there was a heavy rain in the Taihang Mountains."

The terrain in the Taihang Mountains is treacherous, and after a rainstorm, the potential risks are countless.

I had thought he would back down.

What Zhao Dexiu didn't know was how much effort Zhao Kuangyin had secretly put into preparing him for the expedition.

The Crane Control Army was Zhao Kuangyin's personal army. After years of training by him, its discipline and combat power were unmatched by ordinary armies.

Even the selection of Tian Chongjin's deputy general was a decision made after careful consideration by Zhao Kuangyin.

Tian Chongjin's greatest strength lies in his simple and steady nature.

The combination of a strong personal guard and a steady and reliable deputy general was given to Zhao Dexiu. This arrangement served two purposes: firstly, it gave Zhao Dexiu the opportunity to demonstrate his talents, and secondly, it ensured his safety.

Shen Yilun sensed worry in Zhao Kuangyin's words.

"Your Majesty need not worry. The Taihang Mountains are covered with dense forests and the mountain roads are unpredictable, so it is normal for the military intelligence from the prefectures to be delivered slowly."

Sometimes, no news is the best news.

Shen Yilun's timely words of comfort calmed Zhao Kuangyin down somewhat.

After calming down, Zhao Kuangyin looked at Shen Yilun, who had a composed expression, and said with some reproach:
"Your son isn't on the front lines, so you can rest easy."

"If it weren't for Jizong's young age, I would have let him accompany Yuanying on this expedition."

Shen Yilun is fifty-two years old this year. His eldest son, Shen Jizong, was born only three or four years ago.

Because he had a son late in life, Shen Yilun doted on Shen Jizong after his birth.

Among Zhao Kuangyin's former advisors in his princely residence, Shen Yilun's relationship with Zhao Kuangyin was no less close than that with Zhao Pu.

Zhao Kuangyin's words seemed to be a reprimand, but they were more of a joke.

How could Shen Yilun, who had a deep relationship with Zhao Kuangyin, not know this?

"Your Majesty, do not worry. When Jizong grows up, I will make sure he serves as the Marquis of Taiyuan."

Ji Zong will eventually become the Marquis's subordinate.

Taking advantage of Zhao Kuangyin's teasing, Shen Yilun quickly replied.

As soon as Shen Yilun finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin began to look him over.

Zhao Kuangyin sensed the probing in Shen Yilun's words. While observing him, Zhao Kuangyin considered the age difference between Shen Yilun and Shen Jizong.

Zhao Kuangyin understood Shen Yilun's good intentions:

"Prelude!"

A moment later, Zhao Kuangyin smiled and said to Shen Yilun.

Zhao Kuangyin's answer delighted Shen Yilun.

Just as the emperor and his minister were smiling at each other, Chu Zhaofu's voice suddenly came from outside the tent:
"Your Majesty, military intelligence has arrived from Luzhou!"

Chu Zhaofu's report caused the smile on Zhao Kuangyin's face to disappear, and his anxious emotions surged again.

It was Lü Duan who brought military intelligence to Zhao Dexiu.

After capturing Huguan that day, Zhao Dexiu personally wrote a military report and handed it to Lü Duan to take back.

Carrying the military report and Zhao Dexiu's seal, Lü Duan, escorted by several soldiers from Chanzhou, returned from Huguan.

After entering Zezhou, Lü Duan heard that Zhao Kuangyin's imperial carriage was outside Gaoping City, so he went straight there.

Led by Chu Zhaofu, Lü Duan slowly entered the brightly lit dragon tent.

Because he was looking down, Lü Duan could not see Zhao Kuangyin's face clearly.

He felt a dignified gaze fixed on him the moment he entered the tent.

"You are the messenger sent by the Marquis of Taiyuan?"

Zhao Kuangyin's deep voice reached Lü Duan's ears.

Upon hearing Zhao Kuangyin's question, Lü Duan bowed and replied:
"Your subject is Lü Duan, a judge under the command of the Defense Commissioner of Chanzhou."

"By order of the Defense Commissioner, I have military intelligence to present to Your Majesty."

After reporting back, Lü Duan took out the military intelligence from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

Lü Duan?

On the very first day of Zhao Dexiu's establishment, Zhao Kuangyin sent people to investigate the backgrounds of his staff members.

If he remembered correctly, Lü Duan should be Lü Yuqing's younger brother.

Knowing Zhao Kuangyin's urgency, Shen Yilun quickly stepped forward, took the military report, and handed it to Zhao Kuangyin.

After receiving the military report from Shen Yilun, Zhao Kuangyin quickly opened it and began to read.

Before reading the military report, Zhao Kuangyin's brows still carried a hint of worry that was not easily noticed.

But when the military report was unfolded, the worry on Zhao Kuangyin's face vanished instantly, like snow meeting the warm sun.

After his worries disappeared, Zhao Kuangyin's lips would always involuntarily curl up.

From the moment Zhao Kuangyin received the military report, those inside the tent secretly observed his expression.

Zhao Kuangyin did not let his emotions show on his face.

However, Shen Yilun and Chu Zhaofu were both ministers in Zhao Kuangyin's pre-imperial residence. Having followed him for many years, they were adept at observing Zhao Kuangyin's micro-expressions.

Upon noticing Zhao Kuangyin's subtle expression, Chu Zhaofu sighed inwardly, while Shen Yilun clenched his hands, which were hidden in the wide sleeves of his robe.

After reading through the military report, Zhao Kuangyin seemed still unsatisfied.

He held up Zhao Dexiu's handwritten military report and read it carefully from beginning to end.

After reading the military report twice, Zhao Kuangyin reluctantly put it down.

"The writing is terrible."

After much thought, Zhao Kuangyin finally came up with a reason to prevent himself from being overly pleased.

After criticizing Zhao Dexiu's writing style, Zhao Kuangyin "calmly" issued the following order:
"Beat the drum to summon the generals!"
"I have important military intelligence to discuss with them."

Although the military report was poorly written, wouldn't it be a waste if only he read it?

After giving the order, Zhao Kuangyin's lips curled up slightly again.

(End of this chapter)