[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-411":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},1558577,2024,"Chapter 411","shao-song-chapter-411",411,"\u003Cp>\"Quick! Quick! Quick!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The whole army, keep up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't wait for the infantry. Bring dry rations, mount your horses, and find an extra nag to carry the armor. The whole army heads north!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Throw away those pots and ladles! Once you enter the Taihang Defile, Zezhou is vast enough—you won't miss one ladle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the afternoon of the fourth day of the first month, just a few days into the tenth year of Jianyan, with the ice and snow still unmelted and the river channels unopened, on the plain north of the Yellow River, east of Mount Wangwu, and south of the Taihang Mountains, countless cavalrymen were hastily marching eastward, the scene in utter chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wonder, in the celestial palace above, what year is this night?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid this chaotic scene, surrounded by several riders, on a slope to the north, a powerfully built armored general straddled an especially sturdy warhorse and uttered these absurd words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absurd words, indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, at this very moment, it was the height of the New Year festival; in this very scene, it was clearly a time of war and turmoil; in this very place, it was undeniably the old lands of Henei, the current borders of Mengzhou and Huaizhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how you looked at it, this lyric was utterly out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, many of the senior officers around the general seemed, every single one of them, to fully understand the deeper meaning behind their commander's poetic line... Wasn't the bulk of the Imperial Camp Cavalry right now precisely \"not knowing what year it is in the celestial palace above\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right. The one reciting this lyric was Qu Duan, the Commander of the Imperial Camp Cavalry. The many men echoing him by his side were mostly officers of the same unit. And the reason these Imperial Camp Cavalry commanders, who prided themselves on being equally skilled in civil and military arts, acknowledged this line was simply that the current predicament of the Imperial Camp Cavalry truly matched the mood of Grand Scholar Su Shi's lyric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To elaborate, earlier, to prevent the main Jin army from recklessly crossing the Yellow River southward, the heavy cavalry of the Imperial Camp Cavalry and a portion of Li Qiong's Eight-Character Army, totaling over thirty thousand men, had been dumped on both sides of the Zhi Pass Defile as a precaution, completely missing the crucial battles at Great Ming Prefecture and Taiyuan Prefecture. At that time, the entire Imperial Camp Cavalry was already deeply dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, with those two thunderous booms before the New Year, both Great Ming Prefecture and Taiyuan Prefecture had opened their gates. The situation had completely changed. In just a few days, reports of victory had been flowing in from the north like a stream, while the Imperial Camp Cavalry had only learned of the news passively, naturally fueling even greater discontent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if they had been cast aside, forgotten, or isolated from the core of the war. In any case, there was a palpable sense of being abandoned and fearful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As mentioned before, the upper echelons of the Imperial Camp Cavalry were, for the most part, unusually accomplished in both civil and military affairs. How could they not understand what the fall of Taiyuan and Great Ming Prefectures meant militarily and politically? How could they not know how those accompanying jinshi officials under the walls of Taiyuan, those \"consultants\" left on this side of the Que Mouse Valley, and the lords, secretaries, and ministers in the Eastern Capital would glorify these two great victories in the official gazettes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, this great victory had nothing to do with them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Great Ming Prefecture, it was Yue Fei who commanded single-handedly. Then Zhang Rong and Tian Shizhong were all holed up in that big stockade; their merits were unavoidable, and others couldn't horn in even if they wanted to. And when Taiyuan city fell, everyone who was anyone was there, except your Imperial Camp Cavalry, hundreds of li away, unable to get close even if you tried!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, wasn't Grand Scholar Su's lyric perfectly fitting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, no matter how much discontent they felt, they dared not voice any complaints against the arrangements of His Majesty and the central government. So they could only hint at it through poetry, then quickly change the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will we make it in time?\" After a moment of silence, Liu Qi, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Camp Cavalry, looked at the army hastily setting off at the foot of the slope, clearly uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hard to say.\" Zhang Zhongfu, the Commanding Officer, frowned in response. \"We are cavalry, that's true, but the north side got the news almost two days earlier than us. Zezhou is definitely ours, but I really can't say for sure about Longde Prefecture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that's the case, won't this campaign be a wasted trip for us?\" Hearing this, Liu Qi couldn't help but let out a long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deputy Commander, what do you mean by that?\" Zhang Zhongfu clearly misunderstood and tried to console him. \"We are cavalry, meant for field battles. Capturing cities is fine if there's merit, but even if we miss out on these empty lands, why care too much? The key is to focus on the decisive field battle north of the Yellow River!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A field battle might not even happen.\" Liu Qi quietly revealed information known only at the Commander level. \"Logistics costs are far higher than originally planned. We can hold out for at most another three months... That's why Commander Qu was willing to take a lash from His Majesty to give it a try earlier... Tell me, if the Jin retreat decisively, ceding all the territory in Hedong and Hebei, pulling back to the walls of Yanjing, then considering the spring plowing, what if His Majesty goes along with the current and calls a halt to rest? What then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhongfu's expression remained unchanged, but his heart jolted. He immediately reined his horse forward a few steps, coming to Qu Duan's side, and looked at him, clearly seeking confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was his trusted confidant. Qu Duan, sitting astride his new \"Iron Elephant,\" had no choice but to nod slightly: \"Deputy Commander Liu speaks the truth... But as I, Qu Da, see it, the decisive battle must still be fought... Because with the war at this point, His Majesty has no reason to stop. If he stops, lets the main Jin army go, and then raises troops again in two years, that would be the real waste of military funds and manpower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhongfu nodded slightly, but after a moment's thought, he spoke again with a serious expression: \"Commander, regardless, it's certainly right to advance on Longde Prefecture as quickly as possible now... With the Jin having lost Great Ming and Taiyuan Prefectures, Longde Prefecture, caught in the middle, is a dead end. They have no reason to hold it. Capturing it would always be a merit... How about I personally go ahead to supervise the troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan thought for a moment and couldn't refuse, so he immediately nodded: \"Go ahead... Be quick, but also be careful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhongfu acknowledged immediately, spurred his horse down the slope, and galloped off with a few trusted officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he was gone, only Liu Qi and a few bodyguards like Xiahou Yuan remained by Qu Da's side. He couldn't help but turn back and complain: \"Why tell the subordinates all that... It was already a mess, isn't it even more chaotic now? Besides, the Jin army hasn't lost its fighting strength just because they lost two cities. What if we run into some hothead and lose a battle? Who's going to take the blame for that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander, why blame me?\" Liu Qi shook his head repeatedly. \"Given the current state of affairs, would it not be chaotic even if I hadn't spoken? Besides...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides what?\" Qu Duan stared at the chaotic army below, responding perfunctorily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides...\" Liu Qi sighed from behind. \"Commander, let's be honest. Given your actions back in Guanxi back then, it's truly hard for you to seek a grand banner. But you can't stop the men below from wanting to advance, can you? Even I, though I don't aspire to be a Military Governor, how could I not want to establish merit, to beg His Majesty for a favor so my elder brother can have a good outcome? He's still just a pardoned commoner, feeling he's a disgrace to the family. And is it just our cavalry corps like this? I don't believe that Wang De doesn't want his eldest son to have a great future, or doesn't want his second son to return to the army and receive a hereditary privilege! You may have it hard, but we're all in the same boat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan sighed upon hearing this, knowing the other was speaking the truth, and fell silent. Below, the cavalry continued their chaotic advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside Qu Duan, who had rushed out upon receiving the news a thousand li away, let's turn to the Zhao Emperor's side in Taiyuan city. Although he had been relieved of military responsibilities with the arrival of Wu Jie, he was still incredibly busy in the days after the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he still had to attend military councils and engage in armchair strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, besides the military councils, the Zhao Emperor spent these days constantly moving about with his close ministers and the \"consultants,\" visiting and comforting the troops everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, on the morning of New Year's Day, after washing his hands, the Zhao Emperor ate with the wounded stationed in the city. Not only that, but in the afternoon, after seeing off Wang De as he led his army north to attack Dingxiang and Yanmen, he promptly vacated the inner city and returned to the camp outside the city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second day of the New Year, he ascended the city walls again, participating in the repair of the defenses, carrying earth and repairing the walls alongside Yang Yizhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the third day of the New Year, he personally inspected the laborer camps, consoling the civilian porters, and even wrote a letter home in Chinese for an old Tangut soldier, instructing the old Tangut soldier's wife to be careful with the calf in the belly of their cow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All sorts of actions, too numerous to list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, all of this was done under the watchful eyes of countless close ministers, guards, and many southeastern \"consultants\" skilled in writing stories... Wherever he went, he brought along an entourage larger than a full-strength command battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffice it to say, as long as the Zhao Emperor himself wasn't embarrassed, then it was others who were embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're going to lose a battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to the present. On the afternoon of the fourth day of the first month, after making a round of the military camps and receiving news, Zhao Jiu entered the city to attend the military council. Upon seeing Wu Jie, Han Shizhong, and the others, he blurted out, startling everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, why do you say that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a strange silence, it was the sallow-faced Wu Da who reluctantly picked up the conversation for His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taiyuan city fell too easily. The army is arrogant and restless.\" Zhao Jiu avoided the main seat and sat to the side, speaking calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is indeed a concern.\" Wu Jie smiled wryly upon hearing this. \"But please, Your Majesty, judge clearly... Arrogance and restlessness are one thing, but the fact that Taiyuan was taken so easily, and the grand strategy is in Your Majesty's hands, is also true. The arrogance has its reasons... Besides, in a war of this scale, victory and defeat are common. As long as it doesn't affect the grand strategy, some things are just what they are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu thought for a moment in his seat and found nothing to argue. Besides, he usually trusted the military judgments of commanders like Wu Jie. So he didn't dwell on the matter, but asked seriously about the military situation: \"I heard that Yelu Ma Wu still refuses to surrender even after seeing Zhehe's head?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To inform Your Majesty,\" Wang Yan stepped forward from the side and replied solemnly, \"Not only does he refuse to surrender, but he also sent back the envoy's head in place of Zhehe's.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's a Khitan. What exactly is he after?\" Zhao Jiu sneered in response. \"With the capital he has, if he went to the Western Liao, Yelu Dashi could make him a Northern Court Prince, only slightly lower than the Xiao clan, even better than Yelu Yudu! Staying with the Jin, can the Jurchens truly treat him well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's hard to say about such things. If a man holds his breath, he doesn't care about life or death.\" Li Yanxian, standing by with his hands clasped, couldn't help but interject. \"War is like a tide, with towering waves, mud and sand washing down together. What separates men is that very breath...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Makes sense.\" Zhao Jiu seemed thoughtful as well, but for some reason, he only said this and didn't elaborate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To note, Wang De had led an army of twenty thousand north to attack Dingxiang and Yanmen. Below the Prince of Yan'an Commandery, Han Shizhong, along with Li Yanxian, Ma Kuo, Wu Jie, and Wang Yan, all remained in Taiyuan city to oversee matters. They were all present before the throne. But seeing His Majesty silent, the hall, though full, fell into an awkward silence where no one dared to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, realizing he was affecting the atmosphere, Zhao Jiu shook his head, stopped his musings, and continued to inquire about the military situation: \"Yelu Ma Wu refuses to clear the path. What about Salihé, who is trapped in a dead end?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reporting to Your Majesty,\" this time it was Li Yanxian who reported... It was clear that these commanders had an unspoken understanding, each with their own responsibilities and divisions before the throne. \"Salihé remains silent, holding the city and defending stubbornly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He doesn't believe Taiyuan has fallen?\" Zhao Jiu frowned in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no reason not to believe him.\" Li Yanxian replied solemnly. \"He's been sent the heads of several *meng'an* and dozens of *mouke* from Taiyuan City, along with reinforcements dispatched to replace Deputy Commander Li's Tangut light cavalry that were besieging the city. He really shouldn't disbelieve it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then he's playing dead.\" Zhao Jiu didn't know whether to laugh or be angry. \"This type of person is common enough... plugging his ears, neither surrendering nor fighting, just sitting there waiting to die... Clearly knowing that no matter the outcome, I cannot spare him, and Wushu cannot spare him either, yet he still dares not move... That's what you mean, isn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm afraid that's exactly it.\" Li Yanxian was concise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's also a problem.\" Zhao Jiu was somewhat helpless. \"Anything else? What about east and west, south and north?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To the south, Deputy Commander Li of Longde Prefecture has already been ordered to advance cautiously...\" This time it was Ma Kuo who answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that to save face for Qu Duan and the Imperial Camp Cavalry?\" Zhao Jiu shook his head, too lazy to say more. \"What about the north?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let Your Majesty know, the garrison in Xinzhou to the north doesn't believe Taiyuan has fallen and is resisting stubbornly. However, that fellow Wang De is still a decent sort after all. After leading his troops forward, he fought five fierce battles in two days and won them all in succession. Baijing Stockade, Chitang Pass, and Shiling Pass have all been taken. He should be nearing Xinzhou's capital, Xiurong, by now. Once Xiurong is taken, Dingxiang will be right before our eyes...\" This time it was Han Shizhong who reported. \"Taking Dingxiang will allow us to advance on Yanmen and threaten Datong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it seems, progress is going smoothly.\" Zhao Jiu nodded noncommittally, but then looked at Wu Jie with some doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For no other reason than that, with Taiyuan City taken, and given the current progress, all directions were in a state of mopping-up operations, and such mopping-up couldn't be finished in a short while. As for Wanyan Salahe and Yelu Ma Wu's posture, although somewhat unexpected, it wasn't particularly strange in wartime—mentioning it once was enough. So then, why had he specifically summoned him here to this city council meeting? What did he really want to say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Da naturally understood and immediately cupped his hands and stepped forward, stating the fundamental reason for inviting His Majesty to this military council: \"Let Your Majesty know, some officers are discussing... Yanmen and Datong certainly need to be taken, but since the advance on Xinzhou is going smoothly, and Yelu Ma Wu at Jingxing is unwilling to surrender, could we dispatch an army from north of Mount Wutai, through Puyin Trail, and out of Pingxing Stockade (Pingxing Pass)... If successful, the Jin army will surely fall into chaos, and Jingxing will fall without a fight... Moreover, our army is massed at Taiyuan, with a great surplus of troops; there's no reason to waste military supplies here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment before asking in return: \"Who exactly is this 'some officers'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is Wang Sheng, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Camp Left Army.\" Wu Jie dared not conceal it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded. This man's request to fight was only natural, but he still remained noncommittal: \"And what do the rest of you think? Is this action feasible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sentence was still redundant. If these people thought it wasn't feasible, they wouldn't have called him here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After discussion, your ministers believe it is feasible.\" Sure enough, Wu Jie bowed his head in reply, as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that's the case, then let the academicians issue the decree.\" Zhao Jiu's expression didn't change as he nodded in agreement, but added a few words. \"As for whether it's Wang Sheng or someone else who goes, and how many men they lead, you can discuss that among yourselves. Wu Jie will summarize the decision and report it to me... However, just as I entrusted the rear to you gentlemen because you can set aside personal matters for the public good, you must also put military affairs first and not hinder the military strategy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words were not particularly severe, nor could they even be called a warning, but Wu Da still quickly assented, and the other Military Governors also hurried to express their agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Majesty merely smiled, unconcerned, and then, as the military council ended, he calmly left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after turning out of Taiyuan's inner city, Zhao Jiu did not head south all the way out of the city to the camp south of the city. Instead, he sent most of his close ministers and attendants back directly, while he himself, along with Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan, and some of the Imperial Guard, reined their horses and rode out of the West Gate. They arrived at the bank of the Fen River, and only then did they slowly ride south along it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now after the New Year. Logically, the freezing period should end at any time, but such things still depended on the heavens. The Fen River was, in fact, still frozen, as if waiting for a specific spring breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu rode south along the riverbank. As far as the eye could see, many soldiers were busy coming and going on the bank... fetching water, fishing, and communicating across the river, transporting supplies, and so on. When he reached the southwest corner of the city, the very spot where a gap remained from the explosion a few days prior, this sovereign dismounted and chatted briefly with the soldiers fetching water there. Learning that the ice layer had indeed thinned somewhat, he gave a few more instructions, telling them to be careful of the melting ice, and so forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to spare no effort in his concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the conversation, he rode north again, arriving at the spot where he had reined in his horse on the day he first arrived beneath Taiyuan City. Seeing the camp ahead, Zhao Jiu, for some reason, let out a slight sigh while still on his horse, and then, just like that day, he reined in his horse by the riverbank and stood motionless... Only this time, he had his back to the city, facing the frozen river and the military camp, the direction reversed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was entirely imaginable that, no matter which way he faced, there would be no Jurchen cavalry charging his position this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan understood His Majesty's temperament well, so they weren't initially concerned. They too reined in their horses and followed suit, without any superfluous words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the sun sank westward, dropping straight down until only its afterglow remained, and His Majesty still didn't move... Moreover, the two of them could see clearly that the sovereign had no intention of watching the sunset... they began to feel somewhat helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, after waiting a moment longer, Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan exchanged a glance and then divided their tasks by unspoken agreement—Liu Yan turned his horse and rode off, entering the camp to find more men for necessary preparations, while Yang Yizhong, after a moment's hesitation, took the initiative to step forward and make a tentative inquiry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's nothing... I just don't want to enter the camp.\" Zhao Jiu was quite frank. \"I don't like the atmosphere in the camp these past few days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong, who had already sensed something from the subtle details, was not surprised: \"Is Your Majesty still worried that, because the city fell too easily, the army's arrogance and restlessness are hard to conceal, and that there will be a defeat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something like that!\" Under the setting sun, Zhao Jiu finally turned his head and gave a wry smile. \"But the atmosphere in the army isn't just about arrogance and restlessness. What troubles me isn't just the defeat of an arrogant army either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong thought for a moment on his horse and spoke plainly: \"Forgive your servant's dullness. I can only see that the atmosphere in the army is not simply one of high morale. The various units, while eager for battle, mostly view the situation as excellent and have a blind, lax attitude... I can't think of anything beyond that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course you wouldn't notice.\" Zhao Jiu replied with an easy smile. \"The extra part of the bad atmosphere I'm talking about actually refers to the fact that, after the city fell that day, the men from top to bottom have developed an even more blind fear and submission towards me... This kind of atmosphere, I'm afraid, only I can perceive more clearly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the men's fear and submission towards Your Majesty not a good thing?\" Yang Yizhong hesitated for a moment before asking quietly in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't say whether it's good or bad either.\" Zhao Jiu's gaze shifted back to the military camp under the afterglow of the setting sun, and he sighed softly. \"Logically speaking, whether the Northern Expedition succeeds or fails, after the war, I will still need authority to accomplish great things. At this time, the army's fear and submission towards me is certainly a good thing. Even my behavior on the day the city fell had a bit of a calculated, half-intentional private motive to establish some authority by riding the momentum... But the fear and submission I want is not this kind of superstitious fear and submission!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is dull.\" Yang Yizhong seemed to understand a little, but didn't know what appropriate words to use to express it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What dullness?\" Zhao Jiu gave another wry smile. \"If even you don't understand my thoughts, then I truly am a lonely sovereign... What I want is for them to know it was gunpowder, but also to understand that it was gunpowder with the optimal formula obtained only after hundreds or thousands of experiments, to know that it was four or five years of accumulation and forbearance that produced this commotion—that kind of fear and submission!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, seeing Liu Yan arriving with several close ministers and a group of laborers carrying torches and the like, this sovereign paused briefly, then turned his head and added one more sentence: \"To put it plainly, I want them to fear and submit to me as a man, not as an immortal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong was suddenly enlightened... This was exactly what he had thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only for this reason, these words were hard to say... hard for a minister to say, and hard for a sovereign to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go. It's so cold; don't make so many people freeze by the riverbank.\" Zhao Jiu said briefly, then, facing Liu Yan, he spurred his horse and returned to the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the afterglow of the setting sun, Yang Yizhong quickly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffice it to say, regardless of the so-called grand situation, the ninth year of Jianyan had passed, and His Majesty did not miss it. The tenth year of Jianyan had arrived, and His Majesty was not particularly welcoming of it either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the big shot 'Salt and Watermelon' for the sponsorship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Happy May Day everyone... By the way, if the official event requires a side story, what content would you like to see?\u003C\u002Fp>",4250,"2026-06-06T07:46:32.508Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","61a3d51d9b1055d074a0a443fddd112807dd909427ee8e1f1fcd1864f47eb51c","shao-song-chapter-412","shao-song-chapter-410",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]