[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-74":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},1558240,2024,"Chapter 74: Watching the Battle (Part 1)","shao-song-chapter-74",74,"\u003Cp>Although he had guessed as much beforehand, only moments after the battle began, Zhao Jiu understood from the most direct perspective why Han Shizhong had temporarily changed the attack time... Simply put, given the current state of the Song army, it really was insufficient to support a night raid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that once a night raid succeeds, the effects are naturally astonishing, but conversely, for a night raid to succeed, the attacking side must maintain sufficient nighttime combat effectiveness and discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the present moment, Zhao Jiu saw with his own eyes that because the Jin army camp was spacious and caught off guard, when the Song army swarmed forward at sunrise, the Jin army's outer small camps and detached units—such as the water camp guarding the water source by the Huai River, the workshop camp for storing lumber, and the artillery camp at the very front that had been smashed to pieces—fell almost instantly... But what was maddening in this process was that many of the Song armored soldiers charging at the front, after gaining one or two heads by relying on the momentum of the surprise attack, would often turn around and go back against the military formation, trying to report their merits!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, looking out from the city wall, although they had won a great victory at the start, the Song army suddenly slowed down their offensive after achieving some results, and some units even had their entire force turn around because of the returning front troops! This allowed the Jin army's core camp to begin assembling its forces in the meantime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could such an army possibly carry through to the end in a night raid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the city wall, the few important officials of the temporary court watching the battle had varied expressions. Most were dazed, still shaken by the close-quarters clash of tens of thousands of men with weapons and horses, excited by the fall of the outer small camps. Only a few, perhaps having crammed some knowledge in recent days and gained some common sense about military affairs, keenly noticed this scene and showed worried looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, Zhang Jun stole a glance and found that Zhao Jiu remained motionless, neither excited nor worried. He could only sigh inwardly at the Emperor's composure, then had the soldiers beside him wave flags to issue military orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the flags waving on the city wall, another batch of several hundred elite armored soldiers poured out from within the city. These were Grand Commandant Zhang's personal guard troops, but this unit did not participate in the attack at all. Instead, they surged forward to serve as a supervisory force, tallying military merits on the spot while driving back the troops that were trying to withdraw with the momentum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several military ruffians who tried to haggle were beheaded on the spot as a warning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Grand Commandant Zhang, as one of the two commanders on site, knew the Song army's habits better than anyone, so he had prepared in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as this move was made, the offensive resumed, and the atmosphere on and off the city wall instantly became solemn. Zhang Jun turned to steal another glance and found that Zhao Jiu still had a calm expression, even turning back with a smile: \"Minister Zhang, you've looked at me several times. What is it? Do you also think this outfit of mine is too flashy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun quickly bowed to apologize: \"I was presumptuous... I was wondering if Your Majesty had any instructions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just do your best with Minister Han,\" Zhao Jiu said lightly. \"I will sit here and watch the two of you break the enemy.\" He had the demeanor of a true royal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the civil and military officials around him, who had already fallen into a numb state due to the appearance of the supervisory force, Grand Commandant Zhang was also momentarily impressed. He responded and stood up, then focused on the battle outside the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Zhao Jiu's demeanor was not really calm composure. On the contrary, it was more like a manifestation of helplessness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Zhao Jiu had already mentally prepared himself because of Han Shizhong's last-minute change of plan;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, Zhao Jiu knew in his heart that to rectify the various shortcomings in the Song army required a stable rear, strict morale, and reasonable and lasting military discipline. It was still too early to talk about these things now... Besides, wasn't this scene still better than seeing the Jin army and jumping into the Huai River in fear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, and most importantly, compared to the many people on the city wall who felt they could sit and watch with a clear conscience, Zhao Jiu, based on some modern moral instinct, felt deep down that he had no right to comment on the soldiers who were fighting for their lives at the front... He could execute deserters to boost morale, he could sit on the city wall as a human banner, but that was the way he could maximize his role, not a capital for him to be self-righteous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the matter with Liu Guangshi was an exception. That was a time when he truly wanted to kill someone from the bottom of his heart, and he put it into practice. Just like when he faced Zhang Yongzhen's final honesty, he suddenly felt a surge of sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, no matter how much was said, no matter how great and noble the sentiments Zhao Jiu held, he could never truly feel the real mentality of the Song army soldiers below... It must be understood that this was an active siege of the Jin army's main camp. Compared to the Jingkang Incident a year ago, many people still felt they were dreaming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Jin army's mentality, Zhao Jiu felt it even less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Han dogs dare to leave the city and attack us?! Today I actually see Song dogs taking the initiative to attack us?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the tamped-earth command platform in the center of the Jin army's main camp, Jin Wushu, who had just gotten up and hadn't even put on his armor, was ranting incoherently and losing his temper. The whip in his hand cracked loudly, and countless flagpoles, weapon racks, and tent curtains suffered. The staff, clerks, and even guards around him had already retreated far away, one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, countless Song armored soldiers had already trampled flat the surrounding small camps and were surging like the dark brown waters of the Huai River, splitting into waves and rushing toward the Jin army's core camp!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no wonder the Fourth Prince was so unbalanced. Today, he wasn't just facing a fierce attack from the Song army. Rather, under the political pressure from Wanyan Talan and his third brother Wanyan Eliduo, and the military pressure of the defeat at Liangshanpo, his nearly final attempt at a plan had been completely seen through by the other side... That's right, Han Shizhong's judgment was absolutely correct. At this moment, the two Jin army Wanhu, Ali and Elubu, should be leading their troops to assemble in the north, preparing to cross the river at Kantan Town upstream of the North Fei River, then turn to attack Guangzhou via Shunchang Prefecture!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, with the Song army attacking at this perfect timing, how could Jin Wushu not understand? The other side was clearly telling him: We already guessed what you were going to do, and we were prepared! Now, we're about to cut off your hopes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a situation, looking at the armored soldiers pouring out of Xiacai City in abnormally large numbers, how could the always proud Jin Wushu not be in a bad mood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This feeling of being seen through and toyed with was simply an insult!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fourth Prince!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A horseman galloped along the wide avenue through the central camp, shouting from afar. \"Our Meng'an sent me to ask the Fourth Prince, what should be done?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Puluhun has been in the army for decades. He is my closest, most trusted, and bravest Meng'an. Doesn't he know what to do?\" Jin Wushu flew into a rage. \"Has he really been confused by the Song people's surprise attack? A mere surprise attack, and he needs my orders?! Why didn't the other four Meng'an come to ask?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fourth Prince!\" The horseman dared not approach upon seeing this and continued to shout from a distance. \"Our Meng'an means, for this battle, should we defend or attack? Should we settle it or win it?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanyan Wushu was slightly stunned, then laughed loudly on the command platform: \"I knew Puluhun was a good man, unlike the others! Go back and tell him, since he wants to earn merit so badly, I won't stop him. Transfer the thousand central cavalry to the eastern camp for him. If he can win this battle, even if I have to give up the position of Marshal I've already secured, I will promote him to Wanhu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horseman received the order and immediately rode off. The many Mook in the central camp, hearing this command, also breathed a sigh of relief and quickly assembled, heading toward Puluhun's defense area east of the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once everyone had left and the central camp was empty, Wanyan Wushu suddenly felt refreshed. He first found a stool he had kicked over on the command platform, set it upright and sat down, then called the people around him forward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come, come, set up the table. I see the dragon banner hanging on the city wall opposite. That must be the new Song Emperor sitting there drinking. Set up some wine and meat for me too, and let me watch our boys break the enemy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people around responded with a roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that in the central camp, a meal for Wanyan Wushu was never lacking. Moreover, it was early morning. If not for the sudden Song attack, they would have been having breakfast. So in a moment, a table of wine and food was set up on the command platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Jin Wushu was about to pick up his chopsticks, he suddenly felt bored. After looking around, he pointed at a cowering person nearby:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adjutant Shi, the Song Emperor opposite must have countless ministers accompanying him. Since all the officers are at the front dealing with the enemy, you come and have a few drinks with me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, in early spring, Shi Wenbin, who had only put on a cross-collared lined jacket because of the sudden attack, was shivering. But having dealt with Jin Wushu for a long time, he knew the other's temper well. How could he dare to be slow? He immediately forced a smile, stepped forward to sit carefully on the side, and took the initiative to hold the wine pot:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me pour wine for the Fourth Prince!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: There's more.\u003C\u002Fp>",1822,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0d19c6345649d4508c966fd8923703b843b5bd06503041599ba887d52fa32900","shao-song-chapter-75","shao-song-chapter-73",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]