Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

In Li Zhen's deep eyes, the bustling scene of Vladivostok port seemed like a mere backdrop; all his attention was focused on the ancient map spread out on the table, especially the area marked Sakhalin Island. As a soul from the future, an inextinguishable flame burned within him, vowing to protect every inch of lost territory and prevent the regrets of history from repeating themselves in his time. Sakhalin Island, this land of his dreams, must be firmly embedded in the map of the Han Kingdom.

He turned his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yue Peng, his voice filled with unwavering determination: "How many troops can we mobilize right now?"

Yue Peng understood that their monarch intended to eliminate the stubborn Jin army forces on Sakhalin Island. His brow furrowed, and his tone tinged with worry, he reported to Li Zhen: “Your Majesty, our army in the Northeast has now grown to 130,000 men. However, only 7,000 infantry and five warships can be quickly assembled and flexibly deployed. The majority of the rest have already penetrated deep into various parts of the Northeast, scattered in pursuit of the fleeing Jin soldiers, and cannot be recalled immediately.”

After listening to Yue Peng's detailed report, Li Zhen remained silent, only tapping the object in his hand on the table with a dull, rhythmic sound, as if it were an externalization of his inner thoughts. After a long while, the tapping stopped abruptly, and his voice finally pierced the silence of the room, carrying an undeniable determination.

"Time waits for no one. Immediately issue the order to gather your warriors. We must conquer Sakhalin Island at once. If those 30,000 Jin soldiers escape into the vast forest when spring arrives, they will be like stones sinking into the sea, and finding them will be extremely difficult."

Although Yue Peng harbored doubts, wondering why Li Zhen was so impatient with the conquest of Sakhalin Island, since according to the original strategy, they should have proceeded steadily and cautiously, advancing step by step on the northern expedition while simultaneously building supply lines to ensure the army's rear was secure, he knew from Li Zhen's resolute gaze that questioning him now was probably futile; only execution was the best course of action.

At Commander Yue Peng's order, the Vladivostok naval port instantly came to a boil, like a precision machine suddenly starting up. Naval soldiers bustled about, methodically loading heavy crates of ammunition and supplies onto the warships, their figures silhouetted against the morning light as they painted a picture of unwavering resolve. On the warships, gunners meticulously cleaned the muzzles of each cannon, the metallic gleaming under the gentle friction, as if proclaiming their vow for the impending battle.

After countless days and nights of meticulous planning, Yue Peng and his operations staff finally devised an impeccable battle plan. Based on precise weather forecasts and ocean current analysis, they wisely selected a central area on the western side of Sakhalin Island as their landing point. There, the beach stretched out wide and gently sloping, as if nature had specially paved a path to victory for the Han army—undoubtedly the ideal location for a landing operation. On this coastline, gently caressed by the morning light, a battle concerning glory and destiny was quietly unfolding.

At the invitation of several Jin generals, Wanyan Gan walked to the hastily constructed riverside dock, where he heard an intriguing piece of news: the navy's warships had miraculously captured a colossal creature—a whale—the day before. This sea monster was undoubtedly a precious gift from heaven. Just imagine, its abundant fat, once refined, could be transformed into valuable fish oil, a rare delicacy whether used to illuminate the deep night or as a culinary delight.

The mention of whale meat filled the Jin soldiers, who had long been deprived of meat, with longing. Admittedly, they had occasionally enjoyed the bounty of the sea and rivers, with fish dishes frequently enriching their meals. But whale meat, with its unique flavor, was unmatched by ordinary fish. It seemed to carry the mysteries and vastness of the deep sea; once tasted, it could make one forget the smoke of battle and temporarily immerse oneself in this nourishing sustenance from ancient times. In this light, the appearance of whale meat undoubtedly added a rare touch of brightness to the Jin soldiers' arduous years.

As Wanyan Gan and his entourage came into view, the general commanding the Jin army beamed with joy. He shouted triumphantly, "The Regent has arrived! Brothers, perk up and get moving! We must present the finest whale meat to the Regent with utmost respect!"

"Alright!" The soldiers responded with thunderous applause, their morale soaring.

Looking at the soldiers who were once dull and depressed, seemingly soulless, now with their eyes sparkling with renewed vitality, Wanyan Gan felt a warm current welling up in his heart, bringing him a sense of comfort.

He turned to the generals beside him, who also had joyful expressions, and suggested, "Today, why don't we have a unique open-air feast of roasted whale meat right here on this vast dock, and celebrate this rare moment with all of you soldiers?"

Upon hearing Wanyan Gan's suggestion, the generals readily agreed. They had specially invited Wanyan Gan here today hoping that he could alleviate some of the burden on his heart. For some time now, Wanyan Gan had been frowning, searching for the way forward for everyone. His determination was tinged with anxiety, and as his long-time subordinates, their worries were self-evident.

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Wanyan Gan turned to the head guard and instructed, "Quickly bring over all my treasured wines. Today, I will make sure everyone has a great time."

In an instant, the air above the dock was filled with the rich aroma of roasted whale meat. Not only were the Jin generals able to drink heartily, but even the Jin soldiers busy butchering the fish on the dock received a share of the delicious meat. This sudden joy almost overwhelmed them. It should be noted that since setting foot on Sakhalin Island, time had quietly slipped away, and the surrounding fishing villages had been almost completely emptied by their ransacking. As for the taste of wine, it had become a distant and hazy memory.

Just as Wanyan Gan and his Jin soldiers were eating meat and drinking wine, a series of urgent gong sounds suddenly came from the watchtower set up on the high part of the dock.

Upon hearing the commotion, Wanyan Gan's heart tightened immediately, and he hurriedly asked, "What's going on?"

Soon, a Jin soldier ran over, panting, and reported: "Your Majesty, our observation soldiers have spotted five large ships approaching on the sea. They are too far away to see whether they are friend or foe."

"Clap!"

With a crisp sound, the wine bowl shattered on the ground, shards flying everywhere. Wanyan Gan's voice boomed like thunder: "Look at this Jin Kingdom, now only our lone army remains! Tell me, is the approaching enemy or friend? Issue the order to immediately assemble the troops and prepare for battle!"

The order was given like a landslide. On the Jin army's warships, the colossal vessel—a whale cleaved in half—was mercilessly shoved into the turbulent sea, stirring up towering waves. Soldiers moved swiftly, surging towards the warships, and the decks were instantly filled with fully armed warriors ready for battle. Meanwhile, the docks were also a hive of activity. Cavalrymen stood in formation, archers gripped their longbows tightly, arrows gleaming coldly in the sunlight, and a tense atmosphere, like the impending storm, permeated the entire dock.