Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Liaoyang City.

"Brother, news from the border: earlier this morning, a prince from the Wanyan family arrived with three thousand elite cavalry to harass our border, causing considerable casualties among the border guards."

"Go on."

Ren paused slightly as he reviewed the official documents. He had anticipated that his family would clash with the Jin Kingdom, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

"After the border garrison was ambushed, they immediately released beacon fires and signal flares. The Shi brothers of the Du'e Army arrived in time, led their troops in pursuit, and encountered the enemy's vanguard. The Shi brothers killed the enemy's vanguard general and surrounded the local vanguard troops."

Shi Qian continued.

"Brother Shi Xiu did a good job."

Upon hearing this news, Ren Yuan put down his pen.

Shi Xiu joined the mountain early in this life and has been assisting Deng Yuanjue ever since. Before that, the Du'e Army fought mostly overseas, so he couldn't appear in front of everyone very often.

However, Ren Yuan still paid close attention to Shi Xiu, after all, among the deputy generals of various armies, Shi Xiu's martial arts skills were among the best.

"Brother, it's not over yet."

Shi Qian's expression was unusually serious.

"What happened?"

Ren Yuan was somewhat surprised; were there still variables?

"Just after the Shi brothers killed the Jin vanguard general, the Jin prince returned with his main force to provide support and surrounded the Shi brothers. In the battle between the two, the Shi brothers were no match for him and were seriously injured."

"Is the person alright?"

Wei Dingguo was seriously injured in the previous battle of Liaozhou, and now when Ren Yuan heard that Shi Xiu was also seriously injured, his heart skipped a beat.

"Fortunately, the commander of the Du'e Army, Master Deng Yuanjue, arrived in time to rescue the Shi Xiu brothers, and once again counter-encircled the Jin army, finally capturing the Jin prince. According to the results, the entire Du'e Army, both cavalry and infantry, annihilated more than 1,500 enemy soldiers and captured more than 900 Jin soldiers. Most importantly, they discovered that this group of people were the son-in-law of the Jin emperor, oh, that is, Zeng Sheng."

"Does Wanyan Aguda think so highly of Zeng Sheng? He even sent someone to pick him up?"

Ren Yuan expressed disbelief, saying there was no reason for Zeng Sheng to be treated like a treasure.

“Brother, I think it’s the opposite. Maybe Wanyan Aguda wants to use us to kill someone else, to provoke us and let us kill Zeng Sheng.”

Shi Qian said that this time, it didn't seem like they were genuinely there to pick up Zeng Sheng.

"Once they bring the person back, interrogate them thoroughly, and make sure to interrogate them properly!"

Ren Yuan emphasized the word "good" in particular.

"No problem. Oh, by the way, brother, there's another piece of news that I'm sure you'll find very interesting."

Shi Qian then pulled out another piece of information.

"Which country?"

It can now be described as a four-way battle for supremacy, and Ren Yuan's opponents are not one, but three.

"The Song dynasty's Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) has gone on a northern tour."

Shi Qian's words were concise and to the point.

"Really here?"

Ren Yuan looked surprised.

He always thought that Zhao Ji was just talking and wouldn't take it seriously. Who would have thought that he would actually do it!

"Zhao Ji has mobilized 250,000 troops from across the country, plus 50,000 border guards from Hebei East and West, totaling 300,000. In the court, they are said to number 800,000, and they are already preparing to march north."

"How much is it supposedly?"

Ren Yuan picked at his ear. What did he hear?

Zhao 800,000?

"Eight hundred thousand... Hahaha, I can't take it anymore, brother, let me laugh for a while."

As Shi Qian spoke, he started laughing at himself.

"How did the Liao people react when he mobilized this so-called 800,000-strong army?"

After Shi Qian had finished laughing,

"The Yelü family hasn't reacted yet, but according to previous intelligence, after Wuyan Guang occupied Xijing and separated Xiliao, Xiliao had at least 400,000 troops, most of whom were Wuyan Guang's former subordinates."

"Although Yelü Chun still controls Shangjing, Zhongjing, and Nanjing, the Liao royal family has retreated to Zhongjing for security reasons because Shangjing is relatively close to the Jurchens. They have gathered cavalry from all over Liao to support Yelü Chun nearby, numbering approximately... 200,000."

"Then why would Zhao Ji dare to fart?"

Ren Yuan rolled his eyes. Those were 200,000 cavalrymen, while Zhao Ji had 300,000 troops. Wasn't this just courting death?

"Brother, Zhao Ji has brought quite a few elite troops with him this time."

Shi Qian continued.

"Who is it? Li Gang? Zong Ze? Or Liu Fa?"

Upon hearing about the elite troops and powerful generals, Ren Yuan assumed that these experts had emerged from seclusion.

"None of them, but Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and Yang Jian all went."

"You call them elite troops?"

Ren Yuan shook his head helplessly. "Shi Qian, you're really being cheeky now."

"By the way, Shi Qian, why hasn't the Liao Kingdom noticed that Zhao Ji is going on a northern tour yet? Even if their Yelü family is having some internal strife right now, it shouldn't be this serious."

Ren Yuan still found it somewhat unbelievable.

"Brother, this is intelligence from Bianjing. Du Fei has made a significant contribution this time."

"Let me see, is this Ma Zhi, an official of the Liao Kingdom? Oh, it's him!"

Ren Yuan glanced at the intelligence report and instantly understood why Zhao Ji dared to personally lead the attack.

So, this guy really thought Ma Zhi's plan could go through!

Indeed, Ma Zhi worked very hard. He endured hardship and bided his time in the Liao Kingdom for so many years. It is truly remarkable that he was able to achieve this level all by himself.

The problem is that the success of his plan largely depended on the fact that the Liao emperor was named Yelü Yanxi. After all, that guy was also a bit dim-witted.

But now, Yelü Yanxi is being held captive in his residence, and the person currently in charge of all affairs of the Liao Kingdom is named Yelü Chun.

Ma Zhi's plan might fool Yelü Yanxi, but if he fooled Yelü Chun, he'd probably lose his head.

Under such circumstances, Emperor Huizong of Tang actually dared to lead 300,000 men on a northern tour... I really don't know what to say about him!

Zhao, you're really brave!

"Brother, since they're going to fight, then... well, maybe we should..."

Shi Qian made a gesture as if he wanted to cause trouble in the chaos.

"Trying to profit from troubled waters?"

"Brother is wise."

After hearing this, Ren Yuan frowned slightly, looking at the map while stroking his chin.

Among the five capitals of the Liao Dynasty, Shangjing was always superior to the other four, and it had the best city defenses and the most complete military force.

However, now that Huanglongfu has been lost, the Liao capital is in a state of being somewhat indefensible.

Yelü Chun's decisive decision to abandon Shangjing and move the court to Zhongjing demonstrates a courage that few emperors possess.

So, it seems that the place where this battle could break out is Nanjing, the capital of the Liao Dynasty!

However, Nanjing in Liao was Yelü Chun's former fiefdom and garrison, and Ren Yuan did not think that Zhao Ji could gain any advantage there.

Especially this time, with all his "talents" like Cai Jing and Yang Jian coming, it's hard to believe they can win!

Since that's the case, why don't we take this opportunity to make a move ourselves?

"Shi Qian, do you think if we join in this fun, we can take Nanjing too?"

After looking at it for a while, Ren Yuan suddenly grinned. Just now, he had a bold idea!

Upon hearing this, Shi Qian knew that his older brother was up to something.

"Brother, I'll call the strategists over right away..."