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

Lin Pingzhi smiled warmly yet with composure, his eyes flashing with a hint of amusement and relief: "Your Highness, we came here full of fervor, determined to hunt down these remnants of the Jin army who have been harassing our borders. Unexpectedly, you have beaten us to it, quietly claiming the credit. Haha, life is unpredictable, yet also quite amusing. However, I harbor no resentment whatsoever. Upon returning to camp, I will truthfully report the events to General Han Shizhong. The merits and demerits will be judged by public opinion. And I firmly believe this honor belongs to Your Highness. Your bravery and wisdom are truly a blessing to our Great Song Dynasty."

Upon hearing Han Shizhong's name, Li Zhen felt a surge of emotion: Han Shizhong was a renowned general, a figure on par with Yue Fei.

Li Zhen's words were like a gentle spring breeze, the previous chill dissipating. He gazed at the general named Lin Pingzhi below the city walls, his eyes filled with both determination and warmth: "At this time, with the Jin and Song dynasties engulfed in war, our city is not only caught in the vortex of conflict but also ravaged by plague, causing widespread panic and making it difficult to provide proper hospitality. However, it is no easy feat for you, General, to have come from afar. I have made up my mind to immediately dispatch trusted confidants to prepare some supplies for you, as a token of our city's goodwill. I hope you will take these back with you, which will be a comfort to your troops."

He paused slightly, his tone revealing an undeniable boldness: "As for those Jin soldiers outside the city, since they have already set foot on our Central Plains, they are invaders. Their heads are at your disposal, General and your soldiers. Although I do not seek empty fame, I am well aware of their importance. However, everyone in our city is concerned about our country and is determined to defend our territory. Every bit of our strength will be devoted to resisting foreign aggression. Personal honor and disgrace will be put aside for the time being."

After speaking, Li Zhen turned around, his steps steady and powerful, leaving Lin Pingzhi with a resolute back view, seemingly silently proclaiming the city's indomitable will and determination. Lin Pingzhi, watching this scene from below the city walls, couldn't help but feel a surge of respect.

Before long, the city gates opened, and Qian Dazhuang personally escorted five horse-drawn carts out of the city gates. The carts were loaded with grain and some meat.

Qian Dazhuang gazed at Lin Pingzhi, his eyes shining with sincerity and respect, and slowly said, "General Lin, this batch of essential supplies was specially prepared in accordance with my master's strict orders, just to relieve your army's urgent needs. They carry not only material goods, but also our deep respect and firm support for the General and his soldiers' heroic fight against the enemy and their dedication to protecting the country."

After speaking, he gently patted the mountain of supplies beside him, each pat seemingly containing boundless trust and expectation. "Please accept these supplies with confidence, General. May these provisions be like timely rain, adding strength to your campaign and allowing the dawn of victory to soon illuminate every inch of land shrouded in darkness."

Upon hearing this, Lin Pingzhi's solemn expression turned to one of deep emotion. He bowed respectfully, his voice steady and powerful: "Your Excellency's righteousness is deeply appreciated by all the soldiers. We will repay this kindness in the future. Please convey to Your Excellency that we will live up to your expectations, fight the Jurchens, and defend our homeland!"

To be honest, they fought their way from Shandong to here, and the supplies from the rear had been delayed due to heavy snow. These few truckloads of food and supplies just happened to solve their immediate crisis.

After his soldiers finished collecting the heads of the Jurchens outside the city, Lin Pingzhi bowed to Tangyin City, then mounted his horse and galloped towards his own camp.

As Li Zhen watched the Song cavalrymen's figures recede into the distance, a sense of relief welled up within him, as if the taut string had finally been released. He had originally harbored a sense of warmth and strategy, secretly thinking that if he could invite these valiant Song soldiers into the city to rest, it would not only be a consolation for the soldiers' bloody battles, but also an honor and glory for Tangyin City.

However, the wheels of history rolled slowly over his mind, each track clearly discernible. Li Zhen knew all too well that the young emperor in the south, Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, made decisions that were often unfathomable, yet crucial to the rise and fall of the nation. Soon, an imperial edict would arrive from afar, like a leaf falling in the cold wind, announcing that the fruits of victory must be relinquished before they are even ripe. The Song army would be ordered to withdraw from this advantageous territory they had so painstakingly seized, leaving behind unfinished warfare and lingering regrets.

At that time, the iron hooves of the Jurchens might once again trample across this land, and Tangyin City, this ancient city that has witnessed countless joys and sorrows, would inevitably become a victim of power struggles once more. Li Zhen's worries spread like a thick fog under the night sky—would Tangyin City be able to escape its fate of being purged then? This worry was not only about the future of the city, but also a deep concern for the safety of innocent people.

With this thought in mind, Li Zhen's desire to retain the Song army transformed into a deeper sigh, merging into the night that was about to return to calm. He knew that individual strength was often as insignificant as dust in the face of the torrent of history, but even so, he vowed to do everything in his power to fight for a glimmer of light and hope for this city and its people.

After all, he wanted to establish a stable base in Tangyin City, and being targeted by the Jurchens at this time was not a good thing.

Inside the Tangyin County government office, a shady old man came in to report: "Sir, as you instructed, we have made contact with the mountain stronghold and told them that we have defeated the Jin army. This will put the people in the stronghold at ease."

Li Zhen gently placed the teacup on the table, looked out the window at the still-falling snow, and asked, "How is the epidemic control in the city?"

Mr. Bad replied in a deep voice, "It's basically under control, but there are still more than two hundred people who are seriously infected. Even after taking medicine, their condition has not improved, and more than one hundred people have died."

Li Zhen's silence, like a deep shadow in the night, seemed to freeze the surrounding air.

Seeing this, Bu Liang's tone became more comforting and respectful as he slowly continued, "My lord, do you know that under the shadow of this rampant plague, we have done everything we can? Doctor Guo and his team have been working tirelessly every day, braving the elements to treat everyone. Looking back, whenever the plague struck like a ferocious beast, Tangyin City often suffered the fate of being nearly deserted. But now, the situation is quite different."

"Indeed, there are still unfortunate souls, especially the elderly and young children who could not resist the invasion of disease and passed away quietly, which is heartbreaking. But please think carefully, if you had not sent down that miraculous medicine in time, I'm afraid the people of this city would have followed in the footsteps of the past, with two-thirds of them withering away."

"Now, most people have gradually regained their former vitality after taking the elixir you bestowed upon them, and their eyes have rekindled their desire for life. This achievement is truly a height that we ordinary mortals can hardly reach. Your great deeds have truly benefited all living beings and will last for generations."

The harsh words, like a gentle spring rain, not only revealed the cruelty of reality but also expressed respect and gratitude for Li Zhen, bringing a glimmer of hope to this heavy topic.

Li Zhen: "That's true, but those are all precious human lives. Go down and make arrangements later to organize people to disinfect the entire Tangyin City to prevent the plague from resurfacing."

With natural disasters, man-made calamities, and this sudden plague, how can ordinary people possibly survive?