Song Xiu

Chapter 92 Recruiting Liu Jiye

There were some survivors among the Han army in yesterday's fire.

Most of the survivors were Han generals who were at the front of the column.

Even though these Han generals managed to save their lives, the will of most of them had already been destroyed by the horrific scene of yesterday's hell.

How could you Han generals remain calm in the face of the creators of yesterday's hellish scene?

When Zhao Dexiu turned around and looked at them with a scrutinizing gaze, none of the Han generals dared to meet his eyes.

They all lowered their heads in submission.

This even included Liu Ji'en, who was always arrogant.

Despite his arrogance, Liu Ji'en was still afraid of death.

However, one Han general did not flinch from Zhao Dexiu's scrutinizing gaze, and his body remained upright on the spot.

This Han general was none other than Liu Jiye.

Liu Jiye's indomitable spirit immediately caught Zhao Dexiu's attention.

During the chaotic Five Dynasties period, people with backbone were few and far between.

"Are you Liu Jiye?"

Each Han general's face was covered with a thick layer of soot, making it impossible for Zhao Dexiu to distinguish them by their appearance.

Upon hearing Zhao Dexiu's question, Liu Jiye calmly replied:

"That's right!"

While Zhao Dexiu was observing Liu Jiye, wasn't Liu Jiye also observing him?
Although he is now Zhao Dexiu's prisoner, not long ago he had tried to capture Zhao Dexiu alive.

Interestingly, the place he intended to ambush them that day was precisely this Funiu Mountain.

This coincidence can be described as "wise men think alike".

At this point, Liu Jiye was basically certain that he would be stripped of his military power, which was undoubtedly the result of Zhao Dexiu's behind-the-scenes scheme.

Knowing this, Liu Jiye did not feel that Zhao Dexiu's victory was unfair.

Warfare is based on deception; this has always been true.

Zhao Dexiu's ability to devise a counter-espionage strategy to create an opportunity for victory demonstrates his superior strategic skills, proving that Liu Jiye was not someone who could not accept defeat.

Liu Jiye admired Zhao Dexiu's meticulous planning over the past month.

With admiration in his eyes, Liu Jiye looked at Zhao Dexiu with even more respect.

Liu Jiye's decisive admission made Zhao Dexiu nod in satisfaction.

Zhao Dexiu was satisfied; he hadn't misjudged the person.

After nodding, Zhao Dexiu ordered Liu Ji'en and the others to be taken away.

After Liu Ji'en and the others were taken away, Zhao Dexiu found an excuse to start a conversation:

"Is Wang Gui your subordinate?"

Yesterday, after accepting the surrender of tens of thousands of defeated soldiers, Wang Gui, dressed in general's attire, quickly became the focus of the Song army's investigation.

Having watched many TV series about the "Yang Family Generals" in his previous life, Zhao Dexiu was no stranger to the name Wang Gui.

However, Zhao Dexiu was unsure whether Wang Gui had become Liu Jiye's confidant at that moment.

Unsure of this, Zhao Dexiu kept the matter in mind for the time being.

Upon hearing Zhao Dexiu mention Wang Gui, Liu Jiye's lips moved slightly.

Liu Jiye was unaware of Zhao Dexiu's intention in bringing up Wang Gui at this moment.

But he thought of the possibility that best suited common sense.

Thinking of this, Liu Jiye couldn't help but speak up:

“A merciful general cannot command an army; when two armies face off, it is common for the dead and wounded to be numerous.”

"He was a defeated general, his death is not a pity."

"Now that the overall situation is settled, if the defeated soldiers have already surrendered, we hope that the general will also show mercy to Wang Gui and the others."

At such a young age, Liu Jiye was able to hold a pivotal position in the xenophobic Northern Han court despite being an outsider, demonstrating his high emotional intelligence.

Liu Jiye could tell that Zhao Dexiu keeping him behind alone was a sign that she valued him.

Knowing this, Liu Jiye would naturally assume that Zhao Dexiu wanted to use the matter of "releasing Wang Gui" to curry favor with him.

After saying this, Liu Jiye bowed slightly to Zhao Dexiu.

Liu Jiye's actions made Zhao Dexiu smile helplessly.

Zhao Dexiu never expected that his casual question would lead Liu Jiye to subconsciously think of killing surrendered soldiers.

Does he look like a bloodthirsty person?
But upon closer examination, Liu Jiye's reaction cannot be attributed to him being overly sensitive.

Who told them to live in such a chaotic era of five dynasties?
The demonstration of killing surrendered soldiers was highly effective and was a common tactic used by contemporary generals to intimidate the enemy.

Suppressing her slight frustration, Zhao Dexiu looked at Liu Jiye and continued:

"You can barely protect yourself, yet you still think of pleading for the surrendered soldiers."

I had heard that you loved your soldiers like your own children, and seeing it today, I can see that it is indeed true.

Rest assured, even without your persuasion, I would not kill surrendered soldiers without cause.

Zhao Dexiu's words brought a sigh of relief to Liu Jiye.

As the victor, Zhao Dexiu had no reason to deceive him.

"The general is benevolent."

There are few generals in this era who can restrain their bloodlust.

Zhao Dexiu did not respond to Liu Jiye's praise.

Zhao Dexiu walked ahead and gestured for Liu Jiye to follow.

Because Huyan Zan was right behind him, Zhao Dexiu was not worried about any threat from behind.

Zhao Dexiu's action reminded Hu Yanzan, who was behind her, of a past event.

That day at the Wei residence, Zhao Dexiu led Lü Duan to the pond in this manner.

The Marquis has taken a fancy to him?
Zhao Dexiu led Liu Jiye to a high slope outside Funiu Mountain.

After standing on the high slope, Zhao Dexiu asked.

"May I ask what the general's ambitions are?"

When Zhao Dexiu asked about his aspirations, Liu Jiye pondered for a moment and then replied:

"Privately, I want to repay the kindness shown to me; publicly, I want to quell the barbarians in all directions." Liu Jiye's ambition was not unexpected by Zhao Dexiu.

Historically, Liu Jiye once offered advice to the last ruler of the Northern Han Dynasty:
"The Khitan are greedy and disloyal. They will surely destroy our country one day and take over the land of Hedong to return to China, thus saving the people of Jin from suffering. Your Majesty can then enjoy your favor for a long time. Wouldn't that be better?"

This suggestion clearly shows that Liu Jiye did not oppose the Northern Han joining the Song Dynasty.

Furthermore, Liu Jiye harbored great hostility towards the Khitan.

Liu Jiye was born in Linzhou, which is located in the western border region. Since the An Lushan Rebellion, the western border region has been plagued by uprisings by non-Han peoples.

Having grown up in an environment where the Hu people caused chaos, it's normal for Liu Jiye to have a natural hostility towards them.

"To subdue the barbarians of all directions" must have been his ideal since childhood.

Liu Jiye knew that the Northern Han was weak, yet he still served the successive rulers of the Northern Han with all his heart, simply to repay Liu Min for his kindness and recognition.

"Knowing how to repay kindness, the general has a great sense of righteousness."

Even if Liu Min had shown great kindness to the general, didn't Liu Jun also feel wronged and ashamed towards the general?
Once the Battle of Funiu Mountain spreads throughout the land, everyone will know that Liu Jun's earlier suspicion that the general had ulterior motives was due to his blindness.

A debt of gratitude and a debt of guilt can be reconciled.

Zhao Dexiu's words made Liu Jiye fall into deep thought.

Liu Jiye was able to tell that what Zhao Dexiu said was true.

The 20,000 Han soldiers were safe and sound in his hands, but were completely wiped out once they fell into Liu Ji'en's hands.

Facts speak louder than words.

It is estimated that after this battle, people will compare Liu Ji'en to Zhao Kuo, and him to Lian Po, who was tricked by a counter-espionage plot.

Blind loyalty was not valued during the Five Dynasties period.

Seeing that Liu Jiye was deep in thought, Zhao Dexiu continued:

"In chaotic times, various factions frequently vie for supremacy; the strong become strong, and the weak perish."

"In today's battle, the elite troops of Hedong have been completely wiped out; their day of defeat and destruction is not far off."

“You are a talented general, like Lian Po or Li Mu of Zhao during the Warring States period. Why should you be confined to a country whose fate is about to end?”

The Northern Han state was weak and impoverished; how could it possibly support the general's lofty ambitions?

Of the four surrounding nomadic tribes, the Khitan were the most powerful.

Of all the states in China, the Song Dynasty was the strongest.

"Only our Great Song Dynasty can launch a northern expedition against the Khitan and reclaim our Yan and Yun regions!"

When Zhao Dexiu said these words, his face was full of pride.

In the past, Zhao Dexiu mostly presented a humble image.

No matter how humble he was, as a member of the Song Dynasty royal family, Zhao Dexiu had a sense of mission to serve the world.

This world has been dirty for decades; it's time for a good cleaning!

Zhao Dexiu's bold and unrestrained tone filled Liu Jiye with admiration.

If someone else had said these words, Liu Jiye would probably have scoffed at them.

But Zhao Dexiu was different.

In terms of status, Zhao Dexiu was the eldest son of the Song Emperor.

Judging from the various honors and rewards bestowed upon Zhao Dexiu by the Song Emperor in the past, it was common knowledge that the Song Emperor favored Zhao Dexiu.

Of course, based solely on this identity, Liu Jiye wouldn't be so tempted.

Among the royal family members, there are many negative examples like Liu Ji'en.

What Liu Jiye values ​​even more is Zhao Dexiu's outstanding achievements today.

When the Battle of Funiu Mountain spread throughout the world, who wouldn't marvel at the genius general that the Song Dynasty had produced?

People tend to make associations when faced with great achievements.

Both were sons of founding emperors, and both commanded troops and fought in battles at a young age.
Thinking of that man's heroic figure, Liu Jiye's heart couldn't help but surge with excitement.

As Liu Jiye's emotions surged, Zhao Dexiu turned around, looked at him quietly, and said:
"Liu Jun is not worth your service, but I am."

Would you be willing to serve in my Chanzhou military headquarters?

After a series of preparations, Zhao Dexiu extended a team invitation to conquer the world together.

With the laborers continuously moving the bodies, a large number of Han soldiers' corpses were unknowingly moved out of the valley and piled up outside the mountain.

Layer upon layer, several mountains of corpses had already risen outside Funiu Mountain.

From Liu Jiye's perspective, those mountains of corpses, exuding a chilling aura, stood right behind Zhao Dexiu.

Against the backdrop of the chilling mountain of corpses, Zhao Dexiu's martial prowess was on full display at this moment.

Watching this scene, Liu Jiye was filled with emotion—he truly deserved it.

At this moment, Liu Jiye was greatly moved, but he still had some concerns before formally worshipping the Lord.

"I have three requests. If the general can grant them, I will be willing to serve him like a dog or a horse."

To this day, many talented individuals have been recruited into Zhao Dexiu's staff.

Liu Jiye was the first, and before joining the army, he explicitly stated that he had three requests to make.

However, Zhao Dexiu was not displeased by Liu Jiye's words.

It's normal for talented people to have their own personalities.

"You said."

After receiving Zhao Dexiu's permission, Liu Jiye organized his thoughts and said:

"First: Although Liu Jun was unjust to begin with, the kindness he showed me cannot be forgotten overnight."

"If, after I join the General's staff, there is any talk of attacking the Northern Han, I will request to withdraw."

Although Liu Jiye was very familiar with the military affairs of the Northern Han, Zhao Dexiu already had Zhao Hua in the Northern Han court.

With Zhao Hua's assistance, Zhao Dexiu's help would be no less than Liu Jiye's.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Dexiu nodded.

"Second: If the Song Dynasty is to destroy the Han Dynasty in the future, I hope that the general will take good care of the Liu Han imperial family."

Zhao Dexiu knew that treating surrendered rulers of various countries with preferential treatment was a national policy implemented by Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Dexiu would not refuse this offer.

(End of this chapter)