Song Xiu

Chapter 87 The whole army attacks!

As unrest spread rapidly through the army, Lu Zan led several soldiers to a tent.

Liu Jiye was being held in this very tent.

Liu Jun's imperial edict clearly stated that Liu Jiye should be escorted back to the capital.

With this imperial edict, no matter how chaotic the army's retreat was, Lu Zan would never forget Liu Jiye.

Liu Jiye could already hear the commotion coming from outside the tent from inside.

Just as Liu Jiye was filled with worry, Lu Zan happened to enter, which made Liu Jiye anxiously ask:
What happened outside?

Liu Jiye's anxious expression seemed genuine, which made Lu Zan look at him with a more complicated expression.

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The moment a few random thoughts popped into his mind, Lu Zan immediately interrupted them.

"The scouts have reported back."

As Lu Zan led Liu Jiye outside, he recounted all the information he knew.

Upon hearing the alarming military news, Liu Jiye didn't have time to think much before he arrived outside the tent and witnessed a chaotic scene in the camp.

Many soldiers rushed past him in panic, knocking down many of the camp's flags as they went.

This scene greatly surprised Liu Jiye.

If the situation becomes urgent, a full evacuation of the army is not out of the question.

Can the current state of the Han army be considered a withdrawal?

Calling it fleeing a disaster is more accurate!

An army is like a ferocious beast; once it loses its order, the consequences can be dire.

In an instant, a strong sense of crisis led Liu Jiye to ask a crucial question:

"Has Your Highness arranged for elite troops to cover the rear?"

When Liu Jiye asked about this, Lu Zan sighed heavily and shook his head.

"Those who stayed behind to cover the rear were the auxiliary soldiers."

As the main force retreated, in order to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the situation, it was necessary to leave behind elite troops to cover the rear.

This is common knowledge, and many people in the military know it.

The key issue is that the morale of the Han army is currently low, and everyone is afraid of fighting.

All the generals believed that if they had waited any longer to return to the border, they might never have been able to go back.

Who would be willing to stay behind and die to cover the retreat for Liu Ji'en, who has no authority?

None of the generals were willing, so how could Liu Ji'en dare to force the arrangement?

Lu Zan's answer elicited a bitter laugh from Liu Jiye:
"The auxiliary troops will cover the rear."

As he repeatedly chewed on those four words, which sounded like poison, Liu Jiye felt a surge of both absurdity and pathetic emotions.

Finally, he looked up to the sky and sighed in despair:
"The nation's affairs have failed today!"

The news that the Han army was preparing to withdraw quickly reached Zhao Dexiu's ears.

Upon learning of this, Zhao Dexiu burst into laughter:

"The great cause of the nation has been accomplished today!"

All the painstaking planning over the years was finally worthwhile.

Tens of thousands of Han soldiers were facing a desperate situation!

Realizing this, Zhao Dexiu beat the drums to gather his generals and troops.

The Han scouts were correct in one respect.

In order to keep the more than 3,000 Song soldiers in a state of combat readiness, Zhao Dexiu has been very lenient with their food and drink throughout the journey.

We have been training our troops for a long time, and this is the day we are here.

Before long, more than three thousand elite troops had gathered in the training ground of the camp.

Standing on the high platform, Zhao Dexiu ordered the scouts to loudly read out the military intelligence they had just received.

Upon hearing the Han army's intentions, the thousands of Crane Controlling Soldiers in the training ground all showed joy on their faces.

Closest to Zhao Dexiu were the officers and generals of the Crane Control Army, who were key to Zhao Dexiu's command of these thousands of Crane Control Army soldiers.

Staring intently at their faces, Zhao Dexiu said loudly:

"The enemy is in chaos; our army must attack!"

After issuing the military order, Zhao Dexiu, under the watchful eyes of thousands of Crane Controlling Army soldiers, leaped onto the horse beside him.

Zhao Dexiu's action startled Tian Chongjin, who rushed forward to stop her.

"The enemy has a large army; why should the magistrate personally go to this battle?"

In Tian Chongjin's view, even though the Han army's morale was in disarray, their numbers still outnumbered the Song army. How could Zhao Dexiu, of such high status, personally lead his troops in pursuit?

Zhao Dexiu was well aware of Tian Chongjin's thoughts.

Zhao Dexiu knew even better that Tian Chongjin's idea represented the views of many officers and soldiers.

Given Zhao Dexiu's current prestige within the Crane Control Army, his orders will certainly be carried out.

Being executable is one thing; to what extent it is executed is another.

No matter how much deception is used, the inferiority of one's own forces is an objective fact.

This disadvantage will prevent the fighting spirit of the Crane Control Army from reaching its peak.

This is detrimental to Zhao Dexiu's strategic intention to annihilate the Han army.

"If you gain people but lose land, you gain both; if you gain land but lose people, you lose both."

These tens of thousands of Han soldiers constitute the majority of the Northern Han's current field combat force.

If this Han army can be completely buried in Luzhou, the military strength of the Northern Han will suffer another heavy blow.

This means that, for at least the next decade, the Northern Han will no longer be able to pose a significant threat to the northern border of the Song Dynasty.

If possible, the time for the Song Dynasty to eliminate the Northern Han might even come sooner.

Strategic planning is not enough to just talk about it; it must also be put into practice.

Despite Tian Chongjin's attempts to dissuade her, Zhao Dexiu stated firmly:
"With numbers, we are no match for them; with strategy, they are no match for us."

In the past, the King of Qin defeated an army of 100,000 with only 3,000 men. Did he cherish his life?

"Now I too have three thousand men, why should I avoid them!"

When Zhao Dexiu said these words, his voice was clear and his tone was firm.

When these words reached the ears of many members of the Crane Control Army, their expressions gradually became excited.

The imperial guards of the early Song Dynasty were never short of courage.

What they often lack is a hero like Emperor Taizong.

Upon noticing the changes in the expressions of the many Crane Control Army soldiers, Tian Chongjin became extremely anxious.

Once the wolfish nature within a soldier is fully unleashed, the situation becomes irreversible.

Tian Chongjin turned his gaze to Lü Duan beside him.

He remembered that when they captured Huguan, it was Lü Duan who successfully stopped Zhao Dexiu.

Upon noticing Tian Chongjin's gaze, Lü Duan stepped forward and came to Zhao Dexiu's horse.

Under Tian Chongjin's expectant gaze, Lü Duan bowed and handed the Emperor's Sword to Zhao Dexiu.

Lü Duan's actions left Tian Chongjin completely bewildered.

After handing over the Emperor's Sword, Lü Duan mounted a fine horse.

He will go to this battle with me!
Lü Duan knew all too well how much benefit it would bring to the Song Dynasty and to his "Chanzhou Party" if they could annihilate the Han army in today's battle.

When undertaking great tasks, how can one be concerned with personal safety!

Lü Duan's support brought a smile to Zhao Dexiu's face.

Then he rode his horse and leaped down from the high platform.

When he was within arm's reach of the vanguard of the Crane Control Army, Zhao Dexiu raised his Emperor's Sword high and proclaimed once more:
"Today's battle is also for myself."

A true man should strive to achieve fame and fortune in this world.

Fame and fortune lie to the north.

Gentlemen, are you willing to join me in this endeavor?

As he spoke his last words, Zhao Dexiu had already drawn the Emperor's Sword in front of the three thousand Crane Controlling Army soldiers.

The scabbard fell off, and the Emperor's Sword gleamed in the sunlight.

At that moment, that sharp edge was pointing directly at the Han army camp.

Gazing at the Emperor's Sword, which shimmered under the blazing sun, a series of resounding shouts of challenge erupted from both inside and outside the training ground.

"willing!"

"willing!"

A series of shouts of resistance rose higher and higher, shaking open the tightly closed gates of the Song camp.

The next moment, several torrents of murderous intent poured out under Zhao Dexiu's leadership!

　Next chapter, 13 PM.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)