Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 59 Rescue

Shangdang, the seat of Luzhou, is a strategically important and dangerous place, controlling vital passages. It has been a battleground since ancient times, and there is a saying that "whoever controls Shangdang can look towards the Central Plains."

Therefore, from the very beginning of the war, Li Jun left behind 5,000 elite troops and ordered his son Li Shoujie to guard Shangdang in order to prevent their rear from being cut off.

As dawn broke, outside Zezhou City, a force of three thousand elite soldiers, bearing the banners of the Great Song Dynasty, was marching in an orderly fashion toward Luzhou.

Zhao Dezhao, dressed in a miniature version of the Mingguang armor, with a replica of the Panlong staff at his waist, rode a magnificent chestnut horse alongside Li Chuyun, who was clad in heavy armor.

Behind him were Li Jilong and Jing Si.

This Jing Si was someone Zhao Dezhao specifically requested from Zhao Kuangyin.

Speaking of Jing Si, ordinary people may not know him, but thanks to his research on many Northern Song Dynasty materials in his previous life, Zhao Dezhao knows that there were many fierce generals in the early Northern Song Dynasty who were no less than Cao Bin and Pan Mei, but their names are not well-known in historical records.

Jing Si was one of them.

Historical records of Jing Si are brief, yet they vividly depict his remarkable achievements:

"He rose through the ranks and served in various regions, fighting 150 battles, and never boasted of his achievements."

"In the Battle of Fenhe, several thousand of Yang Ye's soldiers were killed, forcing him to defend the city."

Any one of these achievements would be a stunning feat in its time!

One hundred and fifty battles, and never a single defeat!

Throughout the early Northern Song Dynasty, who could achieve a hundred victories in every battle? Only Jing Si!

What's more, this person is capable of defeating Yang Ye!

There's no need to elaborate on who Yang Ye was. The fact that Jing Si was able to defeat Yang Ye with fewer troops in the Battle of Fen River is enough to show his unparalleled bravery!

This was when Jing Si had just joined the army.

Therefore, when Zhao Dezhao learned that the brave warrior who led the charge was Jing Si, he did not hesitate to ask his father to bring Jing Si to serve as his military attendant.

During the march, Li Chuyun suddenly reined in his horse, slowed down, and discussed strategies for defeating the enemy with Zhao Dezhao beside him:

"Your Highness, this Shangdang garrison commander, Li Shoujie, is cowardly and lacks the fierce courage of his father. He only has five thousand remnants of the Zhaoyi Army under his command."

"Although Shangdang City has high walls and is fortified, our army has just won a victory and its morale is high. Why not follow His Majesty's method of breaching Zezhou City, select some daredevils to form a suicide squad, and forcefully attack the city!"

"With our elite troops, we only need to create a breach to swarm in and surely capture Shangdang!"

After saying that, a hint of fighting spirit flashed in Li Chuyun's eyes.

During the Battle of Zezhou, he was unable to personally climb the city wall with Zhao Kuangyin, and he was already holding back his ambition. Now that he was attacking Shangdang, he naturally wanted to break through the city as quickly as possible and make a name for himself in battle.

Upon hearing his father's plan, Li Jilong, standing behind him, involuntarily frowned. Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Dezhao gently shook his head:

"Uncle Li is quite right. However, Shangdang is not Zezhou. Although such a strong attack may defeat the enemy, it is very easy for things to go wrong."

Li Chuyun was taken aback, then asked, "What makes you say that, Your Highness?"

"Father, have you forgotten that there are still 5,000 Northern Han reinforcements stationed at Taiping Post Station, north of Shangdang?"

Li Jilong, standing behind him, couldn't help but offer a reminder.

Shangdang is the last barrier of Luzhou and a vital passage connecting the Northern Han and the Central Plains. The Northern Han will certainly not give it up easily.

If a forced siege is launched, a fierce battle is inevitable, and if the conflict drags on, the Northern Han reinforcements at Taipingyi will surely arrive to help.

At that time, the enemy will attack from both sides, leaving the army vulnerable and in a precarious situation.

Li Chuyun naturally understood this principle, but he had a different opinion:

"If we launch a strong attack, we can take the city in a day. Even if the Northern Han reinforcements arrive, our army can hold the city to the death and wait for Your Majesty's army to arrive, at which point the reinforcements will retreat on their own."

To be fair, Li Chuyun's idea was not wrong.

Given the current state and combat strength of the Song army, it would indeed not take long to conquer Shangdang, perhaps not even a day.

Otherwise, Zhao Kuangyin would not have felt comfortable letting his son accompany the army.

However, Li Chuyun overlooked this very point: Zhao Kuangyin sent Zhao Dezhao on the expedition with the intention of testing and training him.

If it is necessary to rely on a large army to defend Shangdang, it will greatly diminish Zhao Dezhao's standing in his father's eyes.

If you're going to win, you have to win decisively!

Zhao Dezhao immediately expressed his opinion: "Uncle Li, my father once taught me a saying."

"With a fortified city at our side, it's better to attack its reinforcements."

"Once the reinforcements are defeated, the fortified city will fall on its own."

"If our army can shatter the hopes of the defenders in Shangdang, then Shangdang will become an isolated city, and the morale of the defenders will be low. Attacking the city then will naturally be much easier."

Upon hearing this, Li Chuyun remained silent for a moment, then sighed, "Does Your Highness intend to attack the Northern Han reinforcements first?"

Zhao Dezhao nodded noncommittally.

Upon seeing Zhao Dezhao's confirmation, Li Chuyun's face immediately showed worry, and he said in a deep voice:

"Your Highness, although the Northern Han reinforcements number only five thousand, the Northern Han has always been backed by the Liao Kingdom, and its army has many elite cavalry."

"Our army only has three thousand elite troops with us this time, which is already fewer than the enemy's forces. If we engage the Northern Han cavalry in open battle outside the city, I'm afraid we will not have the upper hand!"

Li Chuyun's concerns were not unfounded.

The Northern Han cavalry were known for their bravery and ferocity, and the plains were ideal for cavalry charges. The Song army was also outnumbered, so their chances of winning a direct confrontation were indeed slim.

Zhao Dezhao naturally understood this. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping over the people beside him, finally landing on Jing Si.

"Chief Jing, there is something I need your help with."

Jing Si dismounted, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said loudly, "Your Highness, please give your orders! This humble general will not hesitate to die for you!"

He was not a foolish man who lacked courage and strategy; he knew that Zhao Dezhao had taken him from Zhao Kuangyin with the intention of promoting him.

Moreover, on that day, Zhao Kuangyin and his son personally climbed the city wall, and he followed them the whole way, which shows that His Majesty values ​​the eldest son.

The gratitude owed to him for his kindness and support, or the merit of following him in his footsteps—any one of these reasons would be enough for Jing Si to temporarily offer his loyalty.

Zhao Dezhao helped Jing Si up, leaned close to his ear, and whispered some instructions. Jing Si's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he nodded vigorously.

"Your Highness, rest assured! This humble general will certainly not fail in his mission!"

A moment later, Jing Si led five hundred elite soldiers away from the main force and sped off towards Taipingyi, disappearing into the morning mist in an instant.

……

As night fell, a waning moon hung in the sky, casting a soft, pale glow.

Inside the Northern Han camp at Taipingyi, the lights were on full display, and patrolling soldiers moved back and forth, extremely vigilant.

The garrison commander, Fan Shoutu, was sitting in the main tent, drinking and discussing matters with several generals.

"Gentlemen, His Majesty has decreed that we hold fast to Shangdang. General Yang will soon lead a large army to its aid!"

Fan Shoutu put down his wine cup and loudly proclaimed the secret report he had received from Taiyuan during the day: "Li Jun is dead, and Shangdang should naturally be incorporated into the territory of our Great Han!"

Many Northern Han generals, who had initially intended to retreat after hearing of the fall of Zezhou, were immediately invigorated upon hearing the name "Invincible Yang," and all bowed respectfully.

"Here you go!"

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from outside the tent. Immediately afterwards, a patrolling soldier stumbled into the tent, shouting in a panic:

"General! Something terrible has happened! The Song army... the Song army has launched a night attack on our camp!"

"The general then claimed to be Zhao Dezhao, the eldest son of the Song emperor!"

"What?!"

Fan Shoutu suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light!

In a daze, he seemed to see an unparalleled military achievement right before his eyes!

……