[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-331":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1558497,2024,"Chapter 331: Returning Home","shao-song-chapter-331",331,"\u003Cp>On the sixth day of the sixth month in the sixth year of the Jianyan era, the alliance meeting at Jinhebo seemed extremely hasty and casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The altar was a stone one built in a single day; the proclamation was copied from historical texts to pad the word count; when enfeoffing emperors and kings, they didn't even have a seal, so they could only crown them, and even the golden crown used for the coronation was a secondhand item picked up from the Western Xia battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for territorial boundaries, trade provisions, and the like, they were mostly rough oral agreements, and it was unclear how many disputes would still need to be settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one could deny the effectiveness of this alliance, because there were still over a hundred thousand troops and the leaders of various military and political entities present—these armies and these men were enough to endow anything, no matter how casual or even absurd, with a serious or even sacred character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, after the alliance, Zheng Zhichang, a semi-passive participant and international friend, though nearly suffering heatstroke and somewhat alarmed by certain phrases in the proclamation, still hurried back to his tent and began writing furiously, hastily recording the day's experiences… He planned to compile his legendary experiences accompanying the Son of Heaven of Zhao Song into a notebook as soon as he returned to his country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn't help embellishing it a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides that, it was said that Lu Benzhong and a few other cultured men, including Yue Fei, Qu Duan, and Liu Yan, also recorded this alliance in detail in their notebooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Zhao lord surely looked down on such lowbrow expressions; he was much more high-end—he didn't record events… That night, he merely jotted down some life insights in his notebook, lamented the misery of the Khitan people leaving their homeland, and expressed his simple national sentiments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, at the very end, he lightly touched on the significance of his minor work through this alliance: slightly constructing the concept of a unified Chinese consciousness and the Chinese nation, as well as cleverly bypassing military means to deal a massive blow to the Jurchens, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough idle talk; with the alliance concluded, the next few days were unlikely to be earth-shaking. Instead, they were spent boringly and cautiously disbanding the armies while in a state of confrontation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Song army first made large-scale corresponding moves. Units began to disperse gradually under the command of various commanders, in groups of two to three thousand men. But they didn't retreat all at once; some crossed the river and headed outward, some advanced forward to the seat of Dongshengzhou, and those who went back didn't simply withdraw but established retreat routes behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, perhaps the previous alliance had severely provoked the Jurchens, so despite their own immense logistical pressure, they took this opportunity to launch several small-scale probing attacks, which were properly handled by the well-prepared Song commander-in-chief, Yue Fei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, dragging on until late June, the Jurchens finally couldn't hold out and began moving south in organized formations to forage and settle, while the main body of the allied forces also formally began a large-scale retreat along the Hetao-Xingling main road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, after years of war, the reward and punishment system of the Imperial Camp had gained considerable credibility. According to past practice, and indeed because there weren't enough supplies around the Hetao region, large-scale military merit assessments and rewards should have waited at least until returning to Chang'an. But urgent matters required flexibility. This time, as deputy commander in the attack on Xingqingfu, with merit second only to Yue Fei and Hu Hongxiu, Qu Duan received an imperial decree on the spot, becoming another general to establish a command post, following Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, Li Yanxian, Zhang Jun, Zhang Rong, Wu Jie, and Wang Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering that Wang Yan had long since transferred to a civil post, while Qu Duan was a legitimate army commander within the Imperial Camp system, it could be said that after several ups and downs, Qu the Great had finally officially become the de facto seventh military governor of the Great Song.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Wang De, he also participated in this campaign as deputy commander. Given his record and his position as deputy commander of the Imperial Camp Central Army, he would likely eventually establish a command post and become the eighth military governor… But that would probably have to wait until the imperial carriage returned to the capital, go through the Privy Council, undergo discussion by the chief councilors, and then be decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he was one step behind Qu Duan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Yue Fei was also bound to follow Han Shizhong's example and become a military governor of three towns, but whether he would be enfeoffed as a commandery prince was uncertain, because Yue Pengju was still too young, and he himself might not seek it; there might be some unspoken understanding between lord and minister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Li Master, his contributions this time were immense, and he had already become deputy commander of the Imperial Camp Cavalry at a very young age. Yet he was too young, a Tangut, and still bore the label of hereditary retainers. How he would be rewarded this time was truly something to ponder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, these were matters for later. The reason Qu Duan directly established a command post was that he would stay around the Hetao region with a considerable portion of armored cavalry and Yelu Yudu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, it was to assist in defense and establish border defenses; on the other, it was to supervise the Khitan in handing over Keduncheng to the western Mongol king, Wang Huerzhasi… Besides that, there was also the intention to coordinate with Han Shizhong and Wu Jie's subordinates to search for Li Qianshun and his son, as well as the task of trading grain for warhorses in this area and recruiting Mongol and Tangut tribal soldiers skilled in archery and horsemanship into the Imperial Camp Cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Wu Jie, who had taken over the defense zone outside the river, would cross the river directly from Jinhebo. He was to lead his main force and, together with Han Shizhong to the south, advance north and south simultaneously to take over and control the six prefectures outside the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The six prefectures outside the river were also troublesome. Three of them were former Khitan territories, and border regions at that, with quite a few remnants of the Liao state. Together with the Khitan and Xi tribes gathered from the Hengshan area, according to the treaty, they were all to be handed over to Yelu Dashi. And Zhao Jiu couldn't allow Yelu Dashi's army to stay long within his own borders… At the same time, among the other three prefectures, there was the Zhe clan, which was extremely sensitive within the Great Song's internal affairs and involved many basic political stances of the court. This had to be controlled first before any decisions could be made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, they also had to worry about the Jurchens across the river and consider that the autumn harvest was just over a month away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, the entire northwest was a tangled mess after the war—neither too slow nor too fast, neither too urgent nor too delayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in this situation, the Zhao lord neither paid attention to Zhe Keqiu's plea for an audience nor cared about Li Qianshun's life or death. Instead, he rode side by side with Yelu Dashi and the two Mongol kings, leading the main army back along the old Hetao route, preparing to return to Guanzhong from the Xingling region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arriving at Wulahai Fort in the Hetao, the two Mongol kings took their leave first. Zhao Jiu couldn't help but clasp their hands to see them off, his attitude far better than Wu Qimai's… Qu Duan and Yelu Yudu also stayed behind with part of their troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the sixth month, in the late summer and early autumn season, Zhao Jiu and Yelu Dashi turned south together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the beginning of the seventh month, after the main army turned into Keyimen, the Tangut surrendered troops had been properly divided. The Zhao lord promised a temporary Imperial Camp establishment of ten thousand men. Those with merit and the elite among them were absorbed into the Imperial Camp system by Yue Fei, Wang De, and Li Master. The rest were gradually released according to age, region, and tribe. A small number of older, literate Tangut were appointed as vice prefects or acting county magistrates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, more of those appointed as \"acting county magistrates,\" or even directly appointed by imperial decree as acting military prefects or acting prefects, were the accompanying jinshi in the army who had sufficient seniority and military merit… According to the public political promise made by the Zhao lord at Keyimen, these jinshi, who had mostly only obtained fifth-rank status in the palace examination and would otherwise never have entered a proper official career in half a lifetime, would not be demoted even if the provincial administration later merged and adjusted these small Western Xia prefectures and counties. Instead, they would be transferred to other places as officials at the same rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, a considerable number of accompanying jinshi, by accumulating military merit and seniority while following the army, had formally entered a smooth official career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, as soon as they passed Keyimen, Zhao Jiu formally issued another decree, dismissing Hu Hongxiu from his post as Vice Minister of War and appointing him as the formal Ningxia Circuit Grand Coordinator. At the same time, he immediately fulfilled the political promise made at the Wende Hall, enfeoffing this civil official, who had started as a student of the Imperial Academy, as the Marquis of Dingyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu the Staff Officer, with his hair still in a short crew cut, had leaped in just over half a year from a nearly marginalized compiler at the Privy Council holding a staff officer title to the highest-ranking local official in the empire. Moreover, because of his title, he had directly surpassed his old superior Liu Ziyu, Lin Jingmo, the foremost civil official among the former close ministers, and Wang Yan, who had once touched the threshold of being a military governor… Such an almost insane development met with no opposition from anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone knew that the achievements this young Staff Officer Hu had made this time were enough to make his name go down in history, transcending the constraints of a conventional official post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When future histories were written, the words spent on this man's almost legendary experiences this time might well exceed those spent on the biographies of some chief councilors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching mid-July, the Song-Liao allied forces arrived at Xingqingfu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, earlier, when the Zhao lord entered Keyimen, the Guanzhong region had sent all the accumulated documents, memorials, and official notes together. Upon arriving at Xingqingfu, a dense pile of memorials came flooding in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Dashi was tactful. After entering the city and sitting down, he requested to lodge outside the city and directly asked to take his leave and return west.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu naturally knew this was proper and had long prepared for it. He had Wang De stay behind to guard him, while Yue Fei led all the remaining troops to \"escort\" the Khitan out of the country via Lanzhou… There was also the intention to take over the entire Lanzhou region and sweep away the still-unsettled Western Shoubaotai Military Command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, no matter what, as he had said that day, after this parting, who knew when they would meet again. Moreover, since the other party was an emperor, the Zhao lord naturally had to personally see him off thirty li outside the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the night before, someone dared to wake the Zhao lord, who would be exerting himself the next day, from his sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\" Yang Yizhong, who had traveled through the night despite his travel-worn appearance, bowed down inside the old Western Xia palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just say it directly!\" Zhao Jiu sat up from the couch. Hearing the voice, he urged him on under the newly lit candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is incompetent!\" Yang Yizhong bowed his head before the couch. \"I am deeply ashamed. I truly could not find them, not even a single clue. A few who reported names, upon careful investigation, were all impostors. I only found some distant remnants of Zhang Yongzhen's clan, and they couldn't explain clearly either… As for Hou Dan, he had a legitimate cousin, whose family is still alive. I took the liberty of finding a child from that cousin's family to be adopted into Hou Dan's line. The rewards and hereditary privileges were all given directly according to Your Majesty's instructions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's good… Actually, it's been six or seven years, and Yan'an was swept through twice by Wushu. Not finding them is also normal. As for Hou Dan's cousin, he's a lucky one.\" Zhao Jiu was stunned for a moment, then let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Yang Yizhong quickly responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those women and children who falsely claimed to be Zhang Yongzhen's wife and children to find you—you didn't mistreat them, did you?\" Zhao Jiu suddenly remembered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. I just scolded them and sent them back. For a few where it was clearly the clan or husband who orchestrated the deception, I took the liberty of dealing with the men.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's good. You've worked hard too. Go and rest!\" Zhao Jiu urged him on, without asking for details, and not daring to ask. \"This matter can be left to the local officials in Yan'an and Longxi to search slowly and carefully in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there anything else?\" Zhao Jiu suddenly realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just before I set out, the Prince of Yan'an returned from the Jinning Army. He held a grand feast in the city for several days, seizing the spoils and stores of the Yan'an Prefecture to use as rewards for his old friends and relatives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Zhao Jiu nodded upon hearing this, his expression unchanged. \"Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The registered households in Yan'an are only two or three out of ten. The actual population is estimated to have decreased by about twenty to thirty percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yang Zheng…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's wait and see what Wu Jie reports to me about this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhe Keqiu…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll discuss this after returning to the capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there more?\" Zhao Jiu pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are always matters.\" Yang Yizhong bowed his head in reply. \"But the rest can mostly be attributed to the duties of Transport Commissioner Hu (Hu Yin), and are not enough to disturb Your Majesty's rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then go down and rest early.\" Zhao Jiu said solemnly by the candlelight. \"I've troubled Zhengfu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong bowed and withdrew, while Zhao Jiu blew out the candle and lay back on the couch. Though he did not toss and turn, he kept his eyes open for half the night, staring at the pitch-black ceiling, lost in thought for half the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu rose as usual. And because today was the day the Great Song Son of Heaven and the Khitan Emperor parted ways, Lu Benzhong, Ren Baozhong, Zheng Zhichang, and even Hu Hongxiu, Yue Fei, Wang De and others had naturally prepared early. The military officers had made their arrangements outside the city without further mention. When several close civil officials came to see the Emperor, they unexpectedly ran into Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan appearing together, and each was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren Baozhong in particular, having served for some time, had long known that Liu Yan held the pivotal position before the throne and was a figure of true power, yet he was earnest and unassuming. Moreover, he had heard early on that there was a Commander Yang who was even more capable than Liu Yan, but whose mind was several times more subtle... To suddenly see him now naturally made him even more cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And although Yang Yizhong appeared stern, his speech was gentle, making one feel like a spring breeze... But the more this was so, the more careful Ren Baozhong became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Zhao Jiu naturally would not bother with the little maneuvers of his close ministers. Outside the city, a Khitan Emperor was still waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the end of the first ten days of the seventh month, the height of crisp autumn weather. After breakfast, Zhao Jiu, without donning armor, simply wore a set of close-sleeved linen clothes with a golden belt, and led Yang Yizhong and other inner court officials out of the old Western Xia palace. Then, all mounted their horses together, first meeting Hu Hongxiu, who was waiting not far outside the palace, then picking up Wang De inside the city gate. Surrounded front and back, they exited the west gate of Xingqing Prefecture. After crossing the restored Tang Canal west of the city and arriving before the allied army camp, Yue Fei had long since prepared the majority of Song army officers and soldiers, and Yelu Dashi had prepared all the Khitan army officers and soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu first greeted Yue Fei and the others, then without stopping, went over to the Khitan army side. After meeting Yelu Dashi and the many Khitan officers below him, as well as Bilge and others, neither emperor was a vulgar sort. Yelu Dashi merely cupped his hands slightly from his horse, Zhao Jiu returned the gesture slightly, and then they rode side by side directly, leading countless officers, soldiers, and men as they set off... For the past month or more, this was how they had always marched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army was magnificent. Especially now that the autumn harvest was imminent at the foot of the Helan Mountains, the mountain range was on the right, like galloping horses racing across the sky; the great river was far off on the left, faintly visible sparkling across a golden sea of wheat. The army, still maintaining the strict discipline of when Yue Fei was commander, marched west only until they reached the foot of the Helan Mountains, then turned south along the mountain's contours. The dragon banner led the way, and various flags meandered along the mountain terrain, fluttering in the autumn wind—truly a spectacular sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By midday, Yelu Dashi urged him to turn back once, but Zhao Jiu caught his hand from his horse, insisting that after this parting, who knew when they would meet again, and he must see him off a bit further. Yelu Dashi could not resist and had to agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the two rode side by side, continuing along the Helan Mountains for a while. By afternoon, the sun had already fallen behind the towering Helan Mountains. When they reached a mountain pass, they suddenly saw the autumn sunlight filtering through the mountains, casting yellow sand into view, and they could not help but rein in their horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, both knew it was not good to see him off any further. Behind them, Yue Fei, Xiao Wulila, and all the other generals and men gathered around, waiting silently for the Song Son of Heaven and the Khitan Emperor to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Dashi, on the right side of the two, was dressed in linen clothes with a curtain hat, and a golden belt around his waist—a gift from Zhao Jiu. After gazing at the splendid western scene for a while, he suddenly turned back with a wry smile, being the first to speak. \"Fine mountains, fine waters, fine land, fine scenery!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who says otherwise?\" Zhao Jiu sat on his horse, pulling the reins with a sardonic smile. \"But in this world of great rivers and mountains, what place is not magnificent? People like us must do our utmost, and not fail these rivers and mountains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty has not failed the great Song's rivers and mountains!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Dashi Linya has not failed his own rivers and mountains!\" Zhao Jiu, with faintly bloodshot eyes, replied with a light laugh. \"I beg Dashi Linya's pardon—at the moment of parting, I've grown accustomed to this title.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter.\" Yelu Dashi sighed in response. \"Today's Khitan Lord, yesterday's Linya—how are they at odds? It's just that the past is gone. Even if I achieve something in the future, and have not failed my homeland's rivers and mountains, I fear there will still be regret in my heart!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In life, nine or ten out of ten things go against one's wishes.\" Zhao Jiu also sighed. \"Who has no regrets? One can only do one's best and leave the rest to Heaven's will!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Dashi nodded. Just as he was about to speak his farewell, he almost burst into tears for some reason. He could only bow his head and hold back. After a moment, he forced a smile: \"That day by the lake, Your Majesty said: 'Ten thousand li of Yinshan, ten thousand li of sand.' Today at the foot of the Helan Mountains, Dashi is truly about to travel ten thousand li. With Your Majesty's poetic talent, I wonder if you have a poem to gift me? Something I can show off in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment, then nodded, but also shook his head: \"I thought of an old lyric long ago, extremely fitting for the occasion. But speaking it now, I feel somewhat unworthy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\" Yelu Dashi continued with a wry smile. \"Is Dashi unworthy of this lyric?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is that you and I are both unworthy.\" Zhao Jiu replied frankly. \"The ending of this lyric is too bold in spirit, with the air of capturing dragons and binding tigers, sweeping across the world... Dashi Linya travels west to sweep the Western Regions. Though it is seeking life amidst death and founding a new enterprise, it is ultimately a partial peace. And although I have gained the upper hand this time, when I turn back to face the Jurchens, who have suffered no real loss, I cannot help but lose some confidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\" Yelu Dashi nodded in agreement. \"What Your Majesty says is very true... Dashi's westward journey need not be mentioned further. The Jurchens this time seem to have prepared to shrink back to the Two Rivers on their own, their strength actually undiminished. Your Majesty has revived the situation to this point; you must work even harder and govern with vigor. Otherwise, indeed, there is no talk of capturing dragons and binding tigers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu smiled bitterly in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Dashi finally cupped his hands: \"Since this is so, Dashi will go west. Does Your Majesty have any words to instruct me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded solemnly, and without regard for Bilge standing right behind him, he replied directly and proudly: \"The petty clowns of the Western Regions are no match for a single blow. Dashi Linya need not be intimidated by them. Go ahead and act. As it belongs to China, and I am unworthily the Son of Heaven, if there is any need, I will not shirk my duty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Dashi nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu then asked in turn: \"And Dashi Linya? Do you have any words to instruct me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beware of the Mongols!\" Yelu Dashi said solemnly. \"Since ancient times, the grasslands have risen and fallen, a hundred tribes coming and going... Whoever holds the grasslands, learns smelting, understands military strategy, and practices tactics, coupled with their inherent poverty and endurance, will naturally rise. It has nothing to do with what tribe or race they are... Therefore, the Mongols may well become another Jurchen. Your Majesty must not capture a dragon with the left hand while letting a tiger loose with the right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When these words were spoken, Zhao Jiu was certainly impressed, and all the civil and military officials behind him also became solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, the two had said their piece and were both prepared to stop lingering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, just as Zhao Jiu was about to cup his hands to Yelu Dashi and then turn his horse to return to the city, he twisted his head and saw the great army beside him continuing southward as he and Yelu Dashi spoke, dust rolling like a yellow dragon. The gap in the Helan Mountains was at his side, and one of the world's greatest heroes was right before him. Thinking also of how he had specially left men to search for months but could not find Zhang Yongzhen's wife and children, and recalling how this campaign had been like a butcher dismembering an ox—a decisive victory won through overwhelming momentum—the Emperor's mind raced with a hundred thoughts. He reined in his horse again, turned, and laughed wryly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though I have no poem, I have an empty tune to see Dashi Linya off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dashi and the others were all startled, but then they relaxed... Since this Emperor was skilled in lyrics, he naturally knew music. He was probably just afraid of gaining a reputation for being overly talented, and so was unwilling to display his skill in music and song. Although it was somewhat against ancient ritual for the ruler of one state to sing a tune for the ruler of another, since the coronation had already taken place and Yelu Dashi was about to leave, who would care about such things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, it would only be a fine story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they all sat on their horses, pricking up their ears to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu reined in his horse and stood still. Without using any instrument or singing any lyrics, he simply hummed a tune casually, like a commoner from the marketplace... As soon as the tune began, though it was clearly somewhat unfamiliar and unsteady, its boldness could not be denied. It started with a series of rapid, ascending notes, as if the Helan Mountains had turned into warhorses galloping forth. Then it turned graceful yet majestic, as if rolling yellow sand beyond a mountain pass. Further on, it twisted and turned a hundred times, with a rising spirit of heroism, gradually merging with the mountains and rivers, the wind and flags and horses, the army and soldiers and men, the family and state and life and death, the victory and defeat and gain and loss, and the experience of crossing the great desert, traversing the great river, passing through the grasslands, and journeying through the fields—all that these people had experienced in their hearts, gradually becoming one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Dashi and those below him, along with the surrounding civil and military officials, gradually became entranced, their expressions changing with the twists and turns of the tune. Who knew what thoughts of family, state, life, and death, what feelings of victory and defeat, gain and loss, arose in their minds? Each of them listened as if somewhat spellbound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as soon as the tune was hummed, it stopped abruptly. Zhao Jiu did not say much, but simply cupped his hands in reply: \"My heart was churning uncontrollably. I hope Dashi Linya will forgive my poor performance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Dashi was the first to react. He also cupped his hands and asked: \"May I ask Your Majesty, does this tune have a name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Iron Blood and True Heart.\" Zhao Jiu blurted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A fine name.\" Yelu Dashi looked up and sighed, then laughed heartily. After laughing for a while, he exclaimed loudly again. \"A fine name! And a fine tune! To receive such a tune as a gift is enough! Your Majesty, please return!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the Western Liao Emperor turned his horse's head, began humming the tune he had just heard, and without looking back, spurred his horse southward. The surrounding Khitan soldiers dared not delay and galloped after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu likewise said nothing more. He merely gave a slight nod to Yue Fei, who was to 'escort' them, then turned his horse calmly and led his men away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, it was the seventh month, the fields rolling with golden wheat. Though the sun was already low, they could slowly return from the foot of the Helan Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thank you to classmate Luo Lida for the sponsorship, this is the 144th sponsorship of this book. Thank you to classmate Little Rabbit Be Good for the sponsorship, this is the 145th sponsorship of this book.\u003C\u002Fp>",4741,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","799d560a7051c9428b8dcb649e4f1a8c7fa246cbca37f44d8b6eb2604f30c8cf","shao-song-chapter-332","shao-song-chapter-330",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]