[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-377":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},1558543,2024,"Chapter 377: The Decree","shao-song-chapter-377",377,"\u003Cp>On the eighteenth day of the ninth month of the ninth year of the Jianyan era, a mere eighteen days after His Majesty had left the Eastern Capital, at dusk in the Wushan camp in Yanggu County, Dongping Prefecture, His Majesty sat high in the seat of honor, with Lu Yihao and Wang Yan seated to his left and right according to civil and military rank. Below them, countless civil and military officials, close attendants, and armored soldiers were arrayed, yet every person was solemn and waiting, the entire hall silent and without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was waiting for news of Yue Fei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Yue Fei did not make these people wait long. Around sunset, this Commander-in-Chief of the Forward Army of the Imperial Camp entered the hall directly, cupped his hands, and reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, it's really true then?\" Hearing halfway through, Lu Yihao could not help but rise and step forward to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It cannot be said to be true,\" Yue Fei narrowed his eyes, still maintaining a rigorous posture. \"It's just that news of the death of the Third Prince of the Great Jin, Prince of Jin Wanyan Eriduo, has spread across the river. From Great Ming Prefecture to Liaocheng, in the countryside and markets, everyone knows, and they all say he suddenly developed an acute abscess, suffered for two or three days, and died in Qinghe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean Eriduo might still be feigning death?\" Lu Yihao pressed, his words carrying a hint of sarcasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absurd.\" Wang Yan also rose and immediately rebuked Yue Fei. \"One of the ruling princes of a vast empire, a frontline grand marshal—how could he feign death? What need is there? It would simply be a loss outweighing any gain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\" Yue Fei was not at all angered, but instead responded calmly. \"This subordinate also believes that while it is difficult to declare truth or falsehood outright, this man indeed has no need to feign death. Moreover, for the overall situation, under the current circumstances, even if it were feigned death, it would be no different from real death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yan was momentarily stunned. Lu Yihao, who had been about to turn and say something to His Majesty, also abruptly looked back at Yue Fei, then fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when this Lord Lu withdrew his gaze from Yue Fei and met His Majesty's eyes, the latter clearly seemed somewhat caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, among those present, it was believed that not only these four—Zhao Jiu, Lu Yihao, Wang Yan, and Yue Fei—but most people had already believed the words of that Liaocheng County Magistrate's son. This was not only because those founding generals and famous princes of the Jurchens had been dying incessantly in recent years, but more importantly, as Wang Yan had said, Eriduo held a special status. He was one of the three ruling princes of the Great Jin, the current temporary frontline commander of the Jin army. For such a figure to feign death for some scheme was laughable, a loss outweighing any gain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a national war!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a national war of hundreds of thousands against hundreds of thousands, spanning a frontline of thousands of li. How mad would the Jurchens have to be to have their own ruling prince publicly feign death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not just have the whole nation publicly feign surrender?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Yue Fei's meaning went even further. He bluntly made it clear that even if such a person were feigning death, it would be a public feigning of death, and the news of feigned death would still cause severe political and military turmoil, giving the Song army a golden opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Pengju was hinting—or rather, making it clear to His Majesty—not to miss the chance for battle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Zhao Jiu took several breaths to calm his mind, then swept his gaze one by one over the three officials in the hall who truly had a say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Lu Yihao did not hesitate and directly cupped his hands in response. \"When the Grand Ancestor took the realm in the past, his elite troops numbered no more than a hundred thousand. In the first twenty years, although the Jurchens rose suddenly, established twenty wanhu, and ran rampant without restraint, leading to the disaster of the Jingkang era, after the Jianyan era began, Your Majesty governed with diligence and raised an Imperial Camp army of three hundred thousand... With three hundred thousand troops, what cannot be done? Moreover, the generals of the Imperial Camp—Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, Yue Fei, Wang Yan, Zhang Jun, Zhang Rong, Wu Jie, Qu Duan, Wang De, Li Qiong, Li Bao—since last month, have all submitted repeated memorials requesting battle. Now, with a famous northern prince struck down by Heaven's punishment, our troops are elite and our provisions ample, and our men have the will to fight. At this Heaven-sent opportunity, to not seize it would invite regret and disaster. I pray Your Majesty makes a wise and decisive judgment, resolves to march north, and does not hesitate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the chief minister stepping forward to openly propose a formal northern expedition, but Zhao Jiu still remained silent, then looked toward Wang Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yan understood in his heart and immediately rose to stand behind Lu Yihao, cupping his hands in reply: \"Your Majesty, the Imperial Camp, the Bureau of Military Affairs, and the Military Academy have long had various plans. Advancing now naturally has its contingencies. Moreover, at its root, the Yellow River has not yet reached low water or the freezing period, so there is no great military harm. Even if there were, it would not compare to this Heaven-sent opportunity. Your Majesty... according to regulations, the Third and Fourth Princes of the Great Jin were routinely responsible for the left and right divisions of Hedong and Hebei. Now that Eriduo has died in Qinghe, we might learn the news as quickly as Yanjing. Taking advantage of this opportunity to advance, though it is only the death of one man, it is enough to throw the Jurchens' east-west strategy into imbalance! Do not hesitate!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, I will still follow the original plan and go to Shaan-Luo, command the various circuits west of the Pass to advance into Hedong, and send the Forward Army and Right Army of the Imperial Camp to advance on Great Ming Prefecture?\" Zhao Jiu directly spoke the not-so-secret military plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Wang Yan was resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu's mouth was dry. He then looked toward Yue Fei. Clearly, he still needed a military reassurance, or rather, a basis for military judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Fei narrowed his mismatched eyes and also actively stepped to stand behind Lu Yihao, cupping his hands and speaking: \"Your Majesty, do not worry. Your subject has a plan to test whether the Third Prince of the Great Jin is truly dead or feigning death, or rather, to test whether Hebei is thrown into chaos and confusion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\" Zhao Jiu's spirits lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send two Commanders with five thousand troops across the river. Following that Liaocheng County Magistrate's suggestion, make a light assault on Liaocheng. Just look at the current situation—whether the Third Prince is truly dead or feigning death, we will surely succeed quickly.\" Yue Fei said unhurriedly. \"After taking Liaocheng, we will delay the main army's advance, keeping the main force on the Henan side of the river, and watch Great Ming Prefecture's reaction. If Great Ming Prefecture reacts swiftly, immediately sending elite Jurchen troops to quickly encircle Liaocheng, then Your Majesty should not hesitate and immediately permit your subject to dispatch the entire Forward Army, Right Army, and Navy of the Imperial Camp to advance into Hebei. If Great Ming Prefecture is caught off guard, with slow and chaotic support, then this matter might still have some nuance, and Your Majesty might also delay the advance slightly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, many of the accompanying close officials and local Forward Army officers had been eager to act, but upon hearing this, they were also stunned. Many who knew little of military affairs almost thought Yue Fei had said the opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, among them were those who were intelligent and sharp, and after a moment's thought, they immediately understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do it this way!\" Zhao Jiu did not wait for the ministers to begin discussing, and directly gritted his teeth and issued the decree. \"Pengju, make your own military preparations. Wang Yan, go and prepare the overall strategy. Lord Lu, Academician Fan, and others, quickly prepare the imperial edicts. Await the results from the north!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the decree issued and Lord Lu clearly supporting it, the crowd dispersed with a roar and immediately became busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening, almost the entire Wushan camp mobilized. Apart from a portion left to guard, it split into two. One group of five thousand, led by Forward Army Commanders Ma Yu and Wang Gang, crossed the river directly that night, heading toward Liaocheng directly opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining troops—the Forward Army and Central Army previously assembled at Wushan, plus the Imperial Guard accompanying the emperor, a full twenty thousand men—lit torches and marched upstream along the Yellow River embankment through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, countless messengers and scout riders shuttled back and forth on the river and the shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This day, it was not yet mid-autumn, and though the moon was not full, it was bright enough to illuminate people. Moreover, such a commotion could not be concealed. Therefore, the Jin scout riders and garrison posts on the opposite side simply witnessed a huge fire dragon advancing along the river, with boats on the river constantly ferrying. They even clearly saw the dragon banner of the Zhao Song emperor and the four-character banner of Yue Fei, Commander-in-Chief of the Forward Army of the Imperial Camp, connected front and back among them. They were already on high alert, with their own scout riders and beacon fires constantly active.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not a feint strategy, but a straightforward, dignified advance. Zhao Jiu, Yue Fei, Lu Yihao, and Wang Yan were all in the army. The main army, continuous front to back, arrived the next morning at the Imperial Camp Navy port of Zilu Sao, on the border between Dongping Prefecture and Puzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, more Forward Army units that had received the decree and military orders, plus part of the Imperial Camp Navy, also gathered here, forming a clear military concentration point. Even more Forward Army and Navy units were still on the road, having received orders to assemble at various predetermined locations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning, news came from the river first: Ma Yu and Wang Gang had captured Liaocheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first battle was victorious. Although there were inside agents, the morale of the entire force was still greatly boosted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, upon hearing the frontline news, none of the true decision-making high command showed any joy. As always, in such large-scale warfare, the gain or loss of a single city or location, the victory or defeat of a single battle or skirmish, was essentially meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the most concerning issue—the sudden death of the Third Prince of the Great Jin—it would of course give the Song army a huge opportunity, but this opportunity would only manifest in the strategic incoordination between the traditional eastern and western routes of the Jin army. It would not be reflected in the gain or loss of a single military town under Great Ming Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, as Yue Fei intended to express, if the Third Prince Eriduo had died on the fifteenth day of the ninth month in Qinghe, not far from Great Ming Prefecture, then the Jin Great Ming Prefecture Marching Command would, precisely because of his death, enter a state of full combat readiness in advance, and would instead appear swift and decisive in responding to a Song sneak attack. This was especially true since Gao Jingshan of the Great Ming Prefecture Marching Command was no mediocrity, and the tens of thousands of Jin troops assembled around Great Ming Prefecture were not lacking in experienced generals and elite units.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were feigned death, then the goal would certainly be to lure the enemy deep, encircle and annihilate a large amount of effective strength, and the reaction would appear sluggish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the Song high command was still waiting, waiting for news of a frontline defeat and encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This waiting was agonizing. During this time, Zhao Jiu and the other high command hesitated at one point, wondering whether to continue advancing upstream to join Zhang Rong and continue putting pressure on Great Ming Prefecture across the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, before dusk that day, a message arrived that was definitely a tactical bad news, but also definitely a strategic good news. On the day of the twentieth of the ninth month, facing urgently dispatched Jin reinforcements, Commander Wang Gang disobeyed military orders, abandoned the ferry position below the city, and took the initiative to engage in the open field. As a result, he encountered a far greater than expected number of elite Jurchen cavalry attacking in waves and was immediately routed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, Wang Gang fled back to Liaocheng in a sorry state. Some scattered troops, caught off guard, could only directly board the navy boats responsible for ferry support. Navy reconnaissance units then clarified that no fewer than ten thousand Jurchen cavalry had surrounded Liaocheng, and the banner of the veteran Jurchen general and old-guard wanhu Ali was conspicuously among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this battle, although there was the unexpected element of Wang Gang disobeying orders and losing troops for the sake of personal glory, this did not change the fact that the final situation essentially confirmed Yue Fei's prediction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Eriduo had indeed truly died of a sudden acute illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setting sun blazed brilliantly, reflecting on the great river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu, dressed in cotton military attire but unarmored, stood on the great embankment at Zilu Sao. He looked up, hand on his sword, and took a long breath toward the north bank of the Yellow River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he could hesitate no longer. In military matters, a sixty percent chance of victory was enough to commit the entire army to a decisive battle. Moreover, with Eriduo, whether truly dead or feigning death, the effects of his death had already manifested. The military and public opinion had already developed along the lines of his death. There was no need to delve further into truth or falsehood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, it was time to decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Transmit the decree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, His Majesty, having caught his breath, suddenly turned back. His expression was calm and serious as he directly ordered the dense crowd of civil and military officials, close attendants, and armored soldiers below the embankment. \"Decree: Commander-in-Chief of the Forward Army of the Imperial Camp Yue Fei, Commander-in-Chief of the Right Army of the Imperial Camp Zhang Jun, Commander of the Imperial Camp Navy Zhang Rong, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp Marine Corps Li Bao, combine their four armies, totaling ninety thousand, into the Hebei Front Army. Appoint Commander-in-Chief of the Forward Army of the Imperial Camp Yue Fei as Grand Guardian and Marshal of Hebei, commanding the front east of Luoyang, to advance uniformly into Hebei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the plan originally set. But as His Majesty spoke calmly now, the surrounding crowd all became solemn. Even Yue Fei swayed slightly before stepping forward to cup his hands in thanks for the grace and prepare to obey the decree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But His Majesty, standing on the river embankment, having spoken one decree and feeling relieved, did not wait for those present to react and continued issuing decrees without pause:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Left Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army of the Imperial Camp Wang De, Right Deputy Commander-in-Chief Li Qiong, and Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry Army of the Imperial Camp Qu Duan. Upon receipt of this decree, immediately dispatch your entire forces, eighty thousand in total, westward in sequence. Qu Duan departs first, Wang De second, Li Qiong following, advancing into Shaan-Luo... Tell them, speed is paramount in war. I will follow with the army immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Commander-in-Chief of the Left Army of the Imperial Camp Han Shizhong, Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army of the Imperial Camp Li Yanxian, and Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army of the Imperial Camp Wu Jie, combine their three armies, totaling one hundred and thirty thousand, into the Hedong Front Army. Appoint the Prince of Yan'an Han Shizhong as Grand Preceptor, leading as Marshal of Hedong, to advance uniformly into Hedong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Li Yanxian, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp Central Army, shall emerge from Mount Zhongtiao. Upon receipt of this order, immediately encircle Hezhong Prefecture, and coordinate with the Taihang Righteous Army to join forces with Ma Kuo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Han Shizhong, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp Left Army, shall immediately dispatch his entire force of forty thousand to cross the river, advance into Hedong, and must first seize Hezhong as the vanguard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Wu Jie, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp Rear Army, shall temporarily garrison in northern Shanbei, dispatch troops to pressure the Lüliang Mountains and the outer river region, contact the Khitan and Mongol tribes, conserve strength, and await the opportunity for battle in Hedong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Hu Shijiang, Grand Coordinator of Shaanxi Circuit; Hu Hongxiu, Grand Coordinator of Ningxia Circuit; and Zhao Kai, Grand Coordinator of Qinfeng Circuit, shall supply military resources for the Guanzhong front, conscript civilian laborers, and ensure unimpeded military communications at the front. Further decree the three to dispatch, according to the previous plan, fifty thousand Tangut auxiliary troops, and also mobilize the Qinghai barbarian tribes, assembling them at the front line, all to be commanded by Wu Jie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Grand Councilor Lü Haowen, Chief Councilor of the Capital Secretariat Zhao Ding, Vice Councilor Liu Ji, Privy Councilor Zhang Jun, and Vice Privy Councilor Chen Gui shall, according to established regulations, jointly oversee the Secret Pavilion and the Public Pavilion to manage all court affairs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Privy Councilor Zhang Jun shall oversee the overall dispatch and transport of military resources from the rear areas south of the Eastern Capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vice Privy Councilor Chen Gui shall serve as the Grand Defense Commissioner for the Four Walls of the Eastern Capital, focusing exclusively on the defense of the capital region.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Hu Yin, Minister of Works, and Liu Hongdao, Vice Minister of War concurrently Director of the Waterways Bureau, shall, as principal and deputy, oversee the dispatch, allocation, and transport of frontline military resources, as well as the conscription of civilian laborers from various regions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken all this in one breath, Zhao Jiu, looking down from his elevated position, calmly inquired of the dense crowd of officials below: \"Is there anything I have missed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mo Qixie...\" Wang Yan immediately reminded him. \"According to the backup plan, the Jingdong West and East Circuits serve as the main logistical transport route for the eastern front. It is necessary to let Censor Mo Qixie oversee the logistical transport of both Jingdong Circuits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decree: Mo Qixie, Grand Coordinator of the Jingdong West and East Circuits, shall coordinate the logistical transport of both Jingdong Circuits to ensure the logistical support for the eastern army's march... Is there anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant...\" Lü Yihao stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Councilor Lü will accompany Us to Luoyang. Commander Wang will also come. The Imperial Guard will also be fully deployed to accompany the imperial carriage.\" Zhao Jiu calmly interrupted him. \"Is there anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Goryeo, the Eastern Mongols...\" Liu Yan rarely bowed his head to speak. \"We should quickly dispatch special envoys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Eastern Mongols are the most important. Let Hu Hongxiu, Grand Coordinator of Ningxia Circuit, and Hu Shijiang, Grand Coordinator of Shaanxi Circuit, first handle the matter as they see fit. As for Goryeo, issue an edict sternly rebuking them, and tell Kim Bu-sik that counting from today, the twentieth day of the ninth month of the ninth year of Jianyan, for every day they delay in sending troops, Goryeo shall compensate Us with ten thousand strings of cash in military supplies!\" Zhao Jiu replied sternly. \"Is there anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials above and below looked at each other, all speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you have nothing to say, I still have something to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the setting sun, Zhao Jiu spoke slowly, reaching out to take hold of Yue Fei, who was already quite close, and then tried to pull him up onto the river embankment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Fei's frame, of course, could not be pulled like this by the Imperial Majesty, but under these circumstances, how could he remain motionless? He quickly followed him up onto the embankment, then cupped his hands in salute and awaited orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pengju, I will journey west to Luoyang. East of Luoyang, the entire Hebei region is entrusted to you.\" Once the other had stood before him, Zhao Jiu still held his arm with one hand, speaking calmly, his expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant, receiving such trust and favor from Your Majesty, will go through fire and water, and will not refuse even ten thousand deaths.\" Yue Fei bowed his head in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd below had no particular reaction, for this instruction was utterly ordinary and completely expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not what I meant.\" Zhao Jiu remained calm. \"It is another matter... I will journey west, and you will cross the river. Though there are ten thousand words, silence is better than speech... Only, when we are separated by a thousand li, though there are military plans in place, the changes on the battlefield cannot be predicted by human effort. As the saying goes, a general in the field may not accept the sovereign's commands. Moreover, your military strategy is ten times better than mine. So, when you make a decision, there is no need to report every single matter. You may act on your own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant understands!\" Yue Fei was momentarily invigorated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the civil and military officials below the embankment also showed some solemn expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You do not understand...\" Zhao Jiu paused for a moment before continuing, still pressing on the other's arm, speaking slowly. \"What I mean is, once you cross the river, even the advance and retreat of the great army, you may decide for yourself. Even if there is an imperial edict, you may disregard it... It is not that I have some supreme instruction to give. There is only one thing... Since you are leading the army, you must, for me and for this Great Song, wash away the shame of the Jingkang Incident.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, the Imperial Majesty, without waiting for the other to reply, directly lowered his hand and walked down the embankment. The officials below the embankment, led by Lü Yihao and Wang Yan, including Fan Zongyin, Yang Yizhong, Liu Yan, Ren Baozhong, Yu Yunwen, and countless others, caught off guard, hurriedly followed. They then mounted their horses with the Imperial Majesty, and disregarding the approaching night, they thundered westward, surrounding the dragon banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After traveling about ten li, when the moon had risen above the treetops, this Imperial Majesty had already completely cast the eastern battlefield from his mind, paying it no further heed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the new alliance leader Pingzong Xiayin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm officially paying New Year's respects to everyone. Wishing you all a new year... to be a bit vulgar, may everyone get rich!\u003C\u002Fp>",3897,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","9e1aaff90a552415a8061e5dcb176d5a2e74164c9b99a181a7eb2c3b41c9b191","shao-song-chapter-378","shao-song-chapter-376",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]