novelAbuy Chapter 98 The Crown Prince
Chapter 98 The Crown Prince
Chapter 98 The Crown Prince (4000 words)
Several days later, in the Chongyuan Hall of Kaifeng City.
The fragrant wisps of ambergris rose and drifted over the majestic palace pillars, making the court officials' robes appear even more solemn and dignified.
Zhao Kuangyin sat upright on the dragon throne, his dragon eyes sweeping over the civil and military officials on the steps, a hint of anxiety hidden between his brows.
Since Zhao Dezhao led his troops to conquer Jiangnan, there has been no news at all. This has become a huge weight on his heart, making him restless and unable to eat or sleep. He has even neglected state affairs for several days.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the palace, accompanied by a shrill roar: "Urgent dispatch! Urgent dispatch!"
The scout actually managed to ride his horse into the palace. When he reached the entrance of Chongyuan Hall, he jumped off his horse, rushed into the palace, and knelt down with a thud.
This kneeling caused Zhao Kuangyin and many court officials to feel a sudden jolt.
The urgent dispatch of messages over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers) should not be used lightly unless it is an emergency at the border!
At present, it seems that only Yangzhou is the most urgent in terms of border affairs.
Thinking of this, Zhao Kuangyin felt even more apprehensive and immediately shouted, "Bring water!!"
Zhang Dejun hurriedly handed over the water, but the scout didn't drink a drop, only wailing, "Your Majesty!! His Highness is in grave danger!!"
After saying that, he swayed and fainted to the ground.
This really frightened Zhao Kuangyin.
"Imperial Physician!! Quickly, summon the Imperial Physician!!!"
He suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, strode down the platform, grabbed the scout's philtrum, and then personally brought him water and put it in his mouth.
"Cough cough cough————"
The scout coughed a few times, slowly waking up. Upon seeing Zhao Kuangyin's dark red face, he disregarded his shock and spoke rapidly, "Your Majesty! His Highness has led ten thousand troops deep into the heart of the puppet Tang territory, and is now besieged in Runzhou, unable to advance or retreat for several days!!"
"General Shi ordered me to come and request aid from His Majesty!"
This scout was the very messenger sent by Shi Shouxin to request reinforcements.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's face instantly darkened. He abruptly stood up and directly ordered, "Count the troops! I will personally lead the expedition!"
The officials and civil servants also came to their senses at this moment. Upon hearing the order, their reactions varied.
The generals, including Murong Yanzhao, had grim expressions. It wasn't that they cared much about Zhao Dezhao, but rather that Zhao Dezhao's defeat would inevitably put the army at a disadvantage, and even if His Majesty went, it would probably be of no use.
Deploying troops or launching a surprise attack—neither of these requires time.
With only 10,000 troops defending the city, how many days could Zhao Dezhao hold out against the hundreds of thousands of troops of the pseudo-Tang dynasty?
If the false Tang regime threatens Zhao Dezhao's life after Your Majesty arrives, Your Majesty will surely have many concerns given your nature.
This would be a grave danger!
Thinking of this, these military officers' opinion of Zhao Dezhao plummeted.
That's how it is in the military.
If you are strong, people will naturally respect you. But if your virtue does not match your position, these military generals will not tolerate you. Instead, they will be less lenient with you than civil officials. Even if the emperor is incompetent, few civil officials would dare to usurp his throne.
"Your Majesty! You must not act rashly!"
Just then, Zhao Guangyi stepped forward and hurriedly advised, "Leaving aside the fact that Yangzhou is far away, the most urgent task is to send an envoy to negotiate with the pseudo-Tang dynasty. Perhaps we can temporarily save Zhao'er's life!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin, who was easily flustered by concern, forced himself to calm down. He paced back and forth in the main hall, feeling a pang of regret that he shouldn't have let Zhao Dezhao leave the palace so early.
But this was clearly not the time to dwell on that. After a moment's thought, he ordered in a deep voice, "Someone, send an urgent message—"
"Your Majesty, please don't be anxious!"
Just then, Zhao Pu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "After all, the envoy is all alone. What if he encounters some unexpected events on the road—"
At this point, Zhao Pu abruptly stopped, but Zhao Kuangyin instantly understood what he was trying to say.
As the eldest son of the Song Dynasty emperor, Zhao Dezhao was already in the eye of the storm, and now he was in deep danger. Who in the court and the country could guarantee that no one would have any disloyal intentions?
There is only one messenger, so if something happens to him, it would be extremely easy.
"Your Majesty, why don't I go instead!" Just then, Wang Shenqi, who had received a signal from Zhao Guangyi, immediately volunteered.
Zhao Pu frowned, gave Zhao Guangyi a deep look, and immediately said, "That's inappropriate!"
"Why is that inappropriate!" Wang Shenqi immediately asked, "Does Secretary Zhao not trust me?"
"I don't believe it."
Zhao Pu shook his head bluntly, which infuriated Wang Shenqi, because he saw that after Zhao Pu finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin gave him a meaningful look.
"Then tell me, what should we do?" Wang Shenqi pressed.
Zhao Pu remained expressionless, only slightly frowning. Just as he was about to speak, a hurried shout came from outside the hall: "Urgent dispatch! Urgent dispatch!!"
Come again?
The entire court, including Zhao Kuangyin, felt a sudden unease.
The previous urgent letter mentioned Zhao Dezhao being trapped in Runzhou; could this one be a death notice?
For a moment, Zhao Pu's usually expressionless face even showed a hint of ugliness, while Zhao Guangyi and others couldn't help but smile with delight, before quickly lowering their heads to hide it.
Just then, a soldier rushed into the hall again. He was covered in dust and his armor was tattered. He looked even more miserable than the previous envoy.
This made Zhao Kuangyin's heart sink into despair.
After the soldier rushed into the hall, he glanced at the messenger sent by Shi Shouxin, who was slumped on the ground, and suddenly said, "Chasing you almost made me die on the way—"
Only after speaking did he realize that he was carrying a military report delivered by express courier, and he quickly knelt on the ground: "I, Jing Si, have come on the orders of the Marquis of Wugong to report on the war in Yangzhou to Your Majesty!"
"??!!"
The entire court was instantly taken aback.
By whose orders?
"Zhao'er's military report? He—wasn't he trapped in Runzhou?" Zhao Kuangyin was also dumbfounded.
Even when trapped, they still managed to send military reports by express courier, covering 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers).
"Your Majesty, Your Highness has returned to Yangzhou and learned that General Shi had previously sent an envoy to provide assistance. That is why you specially dispatched me with urgent news to the capital."
Upon hearing Jing Si's words, Zhao Kuangyin trembled slightly, but his heart instantly settled back into his stomach. He looked at the messenger from before, then at Jing Si, and was momentarily speechless.
He had served in the military for many years and had never encountered such a coincidence.
These two urgent letters, delivered over 800 li, made people's hearts rise and fall.
"Tell me quickly!"
Upon learning that Zhao Dezhao had returned to Yangzhou, Zhao Kuangyin sat back on the dragon throne, eager to know the whole story.
All the officials and civil and military officials turned their doubtful gazes toward Jing Si.
Especially Zhao Guangyi, whose eyes, though seemingly gentle, were fixed on Jing Si like a venomous snake.
Jing Si, however, did not notice him, and instead announced loudly, "Since His Highness set out on the campaign, he has rushed to Yangzhou overnight and immediately ordered the entire army to attack the city!"
"His Highness led the charge, personally leading eight hundred guards as the vanguard, breaching the city gates and charging into the enemy ranks, 'capturing Yangzhou in a single night!'"
What the hell?
A journey to Yangzhou in one night?
After these words were spoken, many people's first reaction was disbelief.
That's Li Chongjin! He was the second most formidable man in the previous dynasty who could rival Zhao Kuangyin!
It was conquered in one night?
"Is this really true?" Not to mention others, even Zhao Kuangyin asked again with a look of surprise and doubt.
"I guarantee it with my own head!" Jing Si nodded.
"Hiss—" Several gasps of cold air suddenly came from inside the hall.
Now that Zhao Dezhao has escaped danger and captured Yangzhou, having made such a great contribution, he will surely be rewarded handsomely.
Zhao Dezhao has already been granted the title of Marquis. Now that he has made such a great contribution, is he going to become the first king since the founding of the Song Dynasty?
Zhao Kuangyin breathed a sigh of relief, all the anxiety on his face disappeared, and he couldn't help but show a smile of relief and pride.
Before the war started, he never expected that Zhao Dezhao would be able to fulfill that military order.
He even thought that as long as Zhao Dezhao could take Yangzhou, he would do everything he could to revoke the military order, not hold him accountable, and minimize its impact.
But who would have thought that Zhao Dezhao would capture Yangzhou in a single night!
All I can say is —
"Truly worthy of being my son!" Zhao Kuangyin smiled broadly, then waved his hand and said, "Continue! After the capture of Yangzhou, what were the subsequent battles like?"
Jing Si quickly responded and continued, "However, just after Yangzhou fell, the pseudo-Tang general Lin Renzhao personally led an army of 50,000 across the Yangtze River to launch a surprise attack on Yangzhou!"
Lin Renzhao?
Upon hearing this name, Zhao Kuangyin's expression suddenly hardened, as if facing a formidable enemy.
This man was brave and skilled in battle, and was the most feared general of the pseudo-Tang dynasty by Zhao Kuangyin. Historically, it was Zhao Kuangyin who used a divisive tactic to have Li Congjia poison this man, which enabled him to easily conquer the Southern Tang.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin leaned forward, his voice urgent: "What happened next? Does the eldest prince have a plan?"
"His Highness remained calm in the face of danger and immediately led ten thousand elite troops to meet the enemy, intending to delay their offensive!"
Jing Si spoke rapidly, recounting the battle situation in detail: "Then, Your Highness cleverly devised a plan, using himself as bait, feigning defeat and retreat, and actually made his way all the way to the heart of Jiangnan, luring Lin Renzhao to launch a separate attack!"
"Lin Renzhao indeed fell for the trap, dispatching 20,000 troops to pursue His Highness, while he himself led 30,000 troops to defend Jiangbei!"
At this point, the entire court of officials couldn't help but tense up, especially veteran generals like Murong Yanzhao, who naturally understood how dangerous this move was.
With an army of 10,000 deep into enemy territory, and being the eldest son of the emperor, his status was exceptionally special.
When the puppet Tang dynasty learned of this, how could it not mobilize the entire nation to capture them?
The so-called "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao" actually meant that the eldest prince had made himself the enemy of the state of Wei.
Upon realizing this, the dissatisfaction and contempt that the military officers had previously held for Zhao Dezhao vanished instantly.
"Your Highness is truly courageous!" Murong Yanzhao couldn't help but exclaim.
Jing Si smiled and continued, "His Highness then staged a feint attack at Cuiping Mountain, burning down the enemy's camps!"
"After driving Zheng Yanhua's 50,000-strong navy to the north of the Yangtze River, His Highness, without pausing, led his army straight to Jiangning, intending to destroy the stronghold of the pseudo-Tang dynasty!"
At this time, Jiangning only had five thousand garrison troops!
Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, with only the heavy breathing of the military officers remaining.
Everyone knows what this means.
Five thousand defenders!
Your Highness wouldn't actually destroy the capital of the pseudo-Tang dynasty, would you?
"What a pity," Jing Si sighed regretfully. "Just as Jiangning was about to fall, the pursuers arrived, and His Highness had no choice but to retreat to Cuiping Mountain again. After crossing the Yangtze River a second time, he was intercepted by the army led by the false Tang crown prince Li Congjia and surrounded. With no other option, he had to lead his troops in a surprise attack on Runzhou!"
Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials breathed a sigh of relief.
If they actually heard that Zhao Dezhao had led 10,000 soldiers deep into enemy territory and directly attacked the enemy's capital, they would all doubt that they were still dreaming and had not yet woken up.
After all, His Highness is only ten years old!
If a ten-year-old child could do all this, he wouldn't be a genius, but a prodigy sent from heaven!
"Use the weak against the strong, feint to the east while attacking in the west, escape unscathed, engage in conventional warfare while winning by surprise—"
Even so, Murong Yanzhao couldn't help but exclaim softly, "Your Highness's elaborate scheme is truly—"
'
For a moment, Murong Yanzhao couldn't find the words to describe it.
"A military strategist of unparalleled skill!"
Just then, a minister in the civil service line echoed Murong Yanzhao's words, causing everyone to glance at him subconsciously.
It seems some people, seeing Zhao Dezhao gain power, are already itching to act.
Zhao Guangyi's gaze turned slightly cold, and he silently made a mental note of the person.
"How did the eldest prince escape danger after capturing Runzhou?" At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin asked the question on everyone's mind.
Although Runzhou was captured, it was still within the territory of the pseudo-Tang Dynasty. How exactly did Zhao Dezhao manage to escape danger?
For a moment, everyone listened as if to a storybook, their curiosity piqued like that of a hungry cat, especially the military officers, whose gazes toward Jing Si were filled with longing.
"After capturing Runzhou, Your Highness saw through Li Congjia's strategy of leaving an opening when besieging the enemy. He deliberately used the north of the city as bait, making Li Congjia mistakenly believe that Your Highness intended to cross the Yangtze River to break through the encirclement."
Jing Si immediately said, "However, Li Congjia never expected that after His Highness captured Runzhou, he would immediately change into the armor of the puppet Tang dynasty and lead eight hundred personal guards to lie in ambush at Cuiping Mountain!"
"Until the fourth day—"
Jing Si took a deep breath, straightened his back, and declared loudly, "Your Highness, after four days of lying in wait, finally borrowed the north wind to set Cuiping Mountain ablaze!"
"Then he personally led eight hundred guards, charging through thirty thousand enemy troops as if they were nothing!"
"In one battle, 30,000 enemy troops were routed!"
"Li Congjia was terrified upon hearing of His Highness's name, abandoned his army, and fled in panic, finding a donkey cart to escape with!"
"After His Highness captured the false Tang Crown Princess Zhou Ehuang and her younger sister Zhou Nüying alive, he crossed the Yangtze River three times!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the hall fell into an instantaneous, deathly silence.
All the civil and military officials were dumbfounded and stood frozen in place. Some of the older ministers even dropped their court tablets to the ground with a "clatter" without noticing.
The military officers stared wide-eyed, their breath catching in their throats.
Zhao Guangyi's mouth dropped open.
Zhao Pu rubbed his expressionless face.
Zhao Kuangyin gripped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly, leaned forward, and stood there stunned for a long time.
After a long while, he finally came to his senses and burst into laughter: "Good! Good! This is my eldest son!"
"This is the future crown prince of my Great Song Dynasty!!"
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