Chapter 009 Emergency Response

Your Majesty, there is still the Zhuang Shidao army in Hebei! Zhuang Shidao is the foremost figure of the Western Army, and the Zhuang family army is also the strongest in the Western Army. They may be able to hold back the Jin troops!" The Minister of War, Sun Fu, stepped forward and said

Your servant pays his respects to Your Majesty! The officials of the Privy Council and several soldiers knelt down in unison and spoke.

Wang Dedao: "Your Highness, I have indeed found such a child who bears a striking resemblance to you... But what exactly do you intend to do, Your Highness?"

"What message?" Song Qinzong asked anxiously

Several soldiers wore expressions of hesitation and shame on their faces. Upon seeing their expressions, Song Qinzong immediately sensed that something was amiss

"Zhang Aiqing, did you not say that the three northern towns would surely be able to withstand the Jurchen troops? Now, in just over a month, all three northern towns have fallen. What do you have to say for yourself?" Song Qinzong looked down at Zhang Bangchang, his face filled with anger.

The rain outside continues to fall, and they are all seated within the Eastern Palace

In fact, Zhao Chen's idea is quite simple: to use a child as his substitute. When the Jurchen troops besiege Kaifeng and the city falls, if the Jurchen allow the crown prince to leave, he only needs to hand over that child. As for whether the child lives or dies, he cannot concern himself with that.

Damn it! Zhao Chen cursed inwardly

"Alright, now is not the time to discuss sins! Everyone, speak up about how we should deal with the Jurchens!" Song Qinzong suppressed the anger and fear within him, and his voice gradually became steady as he spoke.

***

Do we still have available troops? Zhao Huan asked

The way of the seed master... the Seed Army! Song Qinzong nodded slightly

Your Highness, it is already late at night, and we cannot leave the palace! It is impossible for us to find General Wang!" A eunuch hesitated for a moment and said

The palace's internal defenses are incredibly tight! This is a place where true experts abound! Even a fly would find it difficult to enter; how could he possibly bring a child into the palace?

This Chen Er, ever since losing his memory, has undergone a drastic change in temperament, even uttering so many absurd words! He is the Crown Prince; after my hundred years, he will be the Emperor! Does reclaiming the territory still require the Emperor to personally take the field? How many guards are there around him for protection? Does he still need to practice martial arts to protect himself?

Your Majesty, should we stop the Crown Prince from continuing his martial arts training? asked Eunuch Liu

The army of the Song Dynasty is divided into the Imperial Guard and the Western Army. The combat capability of the Imperial Guard is limited, and for many years it has been the Western Army that has engaged in campaigns both east and west. The Western Army once faced off against the Western Xia for many years, experiencing both victories and defeats. During the Fang La Rebellion, it was also the Western Army that went to suppress Fang La. Within the Western Army, there are numerous factions, among which the largest is the Zhong family army.

The adult said that the Jin army is coming with great force, unlike the last time. They are no longer testing the military strength of our Song dynasty, but rather intend to destroy the nation. He urged Your Majesty to immediately flee from Kaifeng to Chang'an for refuge. Staying here would only lead to death. He stated that with the military strength of our Song dynasty, no army could withstand the Jin forces

When the Jin army first marched south, the Song Dynasty declared a state of war emergency. Emperor Qinzong of Song was in a state of panic and divided the realm into four routes: Route 1, led by Zhao Ye, the governor of Daming Prefecture, in charge of the Northern Route; Route 2, led by Wang Xiang, the governor of Henan Prefecture, in charge of the Western Route; Route 3, led by Zhang Shuye, the governor of Dengzhou, in charge of the Southern Route; and Route 4, led by Hu Zhiru, the governor of Ying Tian Prefecture, in charge of the Eastern Route. These four routes recruited troops, all reporting to the central governor's office established in Dengzhou, while King Kang Zhao Gou was appointed by Zhao Huan as the central governor, responsible for specific matters. Currently, Zhao Gou remains in Dengzhou, and the four routes have yet to be disbanded. These four routes recruited troops, all reporting to the central governor's office established in Dengzhou, while King Kang Zhao Gou was appointed by Zhao Huan as the central governor, responsible for specific matters. Currently, Zhao Gou remains in Dengzhou, and the four routes have yet to be disbanded.

Your Majesty, relying solely on the Zhe family army may not be sufficient to fend off the Jin soldiers! I hereby command the four regions of the realm to rally in support of the throne!" said the Vice Chancellor Li Bangyan

By the afternoon, after the meeting with the officials had concluded, Emperor Song Qinzong recalled Crown Prince Zhao Chen and inquired, "What has the Crown Prince been doing these days"

Your Majesty, I also... I did not expect the commanders of the three northern towns to be so incompetent! The three northern towns are as solid as a fortress; if the commanders had even a modicum of ability or integrity, they would not have fallen! Zhang Bangchang was sweating profusely. To be honest, the Jin army breaking through the three northern towns was somewhat unexpected for him. However, he did not consider that while Zhongshan and Hejian might be excusable, Taiyuan City had been besieged for over half a year, and the Song court had not sent a single soldier or provided a grain of food. How could they expect Taiyuan City to hold out indefinitely?

As the Crown Prince, Zhao Chen did not participate in the court meeting this time. Originally, Emperor Song Qinzong had intended for Zhao Chen to attend the court meeting to broaden his horizons. However, Zhao Chen repeatedly made some absurd remarks, which displeased Emperor Song Qinzong. Fearing that Zhao Chen might utter more ridiculous statements that would embarrass both himself and the ministers, he decided not to summon Zhao Chen.

"What has happened?" Song Qinzong asked anxiously

Aren't you a congenital master? Is it possible that even a congenital master cannot bring someone into the imperial palace? Zhao Chen said

The defenses within the palace are extremely tight, with no blind spots whatsoever! Even innate masters who dare to intrude into the palace would find only a dead end; it is likely that only a master at the pinnacle of innate perfection could enter the palace silently

Your Majesty, the Western Army still has over 200,000 men! Especially the defenders of Fuzhou, the father and son, Zhe Keqiu and Zhe Yanzhi, who command more than 100,000 troops of the Zhe family army currently stationed around Tongguan, ready to come to the southern bank of the Yellow River at any moment to block the Jin soldiers

On the morning of the second day, Emperor Song Qinzong once again summoned his ministers to discuss the matter of the Jin army's southern invasion

After a considerable time, Wang De shook his head and said, "I do not possess such abilities!"

The family of Zhang and the *Tu* book is a military lineage from the Northwest. For over a hundred years, from Zhang Shiheng to Zhang Shidao, the Zhang family has produced numerous renowned generals. Currently, Zhang Shidao serves as the military governor of the Northwest, overseeing the Western Army. In later Ming Dynasty novels, such as "Water Margin," Zhang Shidao is held in high esteem. Characters like Lu Zhishen and Yang Zhi in "Water Margin" are all disciples of the "Old Zhang, the Military Governor." Countless heroes often mention "Old Zhang, the Military Governor," who is indeed Zhang Shidao. After the Jin army's first southward expedition, Zhang Shidao was dispatched to Hebei as the pacification envoy, and one hundred thousand troops from the Zhang family accompanied him to Hebei to garrison the region.

Do you have any way to bring that child into the palace?" Zhao Chen did not answer Wang De's question, but instead asked.

What should be done? What should be done? How is Wang De's preparation going?

Zhao Chen felt anxious in his heart, pacing back and forth in the room. The sound of rain outside made him even more restless. Occasionally, lightning flashed, illuminating the room brightly, yet Zhao Chen felt a sense of trepidation within him

"Urgent military situation? Quickly! Announce!" Song Qinzong said anxiously

"You all speak up quickly, how is the Zong family army doing now? The Jin soldiers are advancing south; have you encountered them?" Zhang Bangchang asked loudly.

After making so many decisions, Song Qinzong finally felt a sense of relief in his heart, no longer feeling as if a giant stone was pressing down on his chest

This time, whether it is Emperor Song Qinzong or the various ministers, their anxiety has increased significantly. With the three northern towns having been captured, they also feel a tremendous pressure in their hearts

At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance of the Funing Hall, as if someone was shouting about something

***

Moments later, a court official from the Privy Council entered the Funing Hall accompanied by several ordinary soldiers of the Song Dynasty. The soldiers appeared exceptionally disheveled; their faces were covered in grime, indicating they had not been washed for an extended period. Their clothes were entirely covered in dust. Each of them bore wounds, which had already scabbed over, with some injuries visible on their faces, making them look particularly terrifying. They exhibited an expression of extreme fatigue, as if they had not rested for an indeterminate length of time.

Your Majesty, a member of the Privy Council has brought soldiers from Hebei, stating that there is an urgent military situation that requires immediate reporting to Your Majesty and the esteemed ministers

We still have the danger of the Yellow River! Yes, we still have the danger of the Yellow River! Relying on the danger of the Yellow River, we can withstand the Jin soldiers!" Zhao Huan lowered his head in thought for a moment and suddenly said.

What? Song Qinzong was taken aback

"Your Majesty is correct; we still have the peril of the Yellow River! The Jin soldiers are all cavalry. If they cross the river, we can strike them halfway across, making it difficult for them to advance!" Zhang Bangchang quickly echoed upon hearing Emperor Qinzong of Song speak

It was still the same soldier who had spoken before. He suddenly knelt down and wept, saying: "Your Majesty, we deserve to die a thousand deaths! The Jin army is exceptionally fierce, and our troops are simply no match for them! Our 100,000 troops were defeated by fewer than 10,000 Jurchens, and nearly the entire army was annihilated! Lord Zhong gathered the remnants of the army and led them in a retreat! At that time, the army was in chaos, and no one knew if we could retreat to the other side of the Yellow River or return to Kaifeng! Our 100,000 troops were defeated by fewer than 10,000 Jurchens, and nearly the entire army was annihilated! Lord Zhong gathered the remnants of the army and led them in a retreat! At that time, the army was in chaos, and no one knew if we could retreat to the other side of the Yellow River or return to Kaifeng! Lord Zhong instructed us to deliver a message to Your Majesty!"

Zhao Chen then realized that it was already night, the palace gates were tightly closed, and unless there was an imperial decree from the emperor, no one could leave the palace

"Come here, immediately proclaim the edict... Appoint Zhe Keqiu as the Governor of Shaanxi, and Zhe Yanzhi as the Defense Commander of the Yellow River. Command Zhe Keqiu and Zhe Yanzhi to lead 150,000 troops to garrison along the Yellow River in Shanzhou, ensuring that the Jin army must not cross the river!" Zhao Huan said anxiously

Brought into the palace? Wang De was stunned there

"Is it actually a form of the master-disciple relationship?" Song Qinzong was taken aback, sensing that something was amiss.

The Crown Prince and the librarian have been training diligently with the Imperial Guards under Wang De. Even during these days, they continue to practice without rest. His Highness the Crown Prince stated that only by mastering martial arts can one reclaim the territory; if one does not learn martial arts, they may not even be able to protect themselves. This was conveyed by Eunuch Liu, who had been sent previously to deliver messages to Zhao Chen.

Taking a deep breath, Song Qinzong said in a deep voice: "Have you really managed to block the Jin soldiers or not?"

At this moment, Zhao Chen is together with Wang De

We... we encountered the Jin soldiers! said the soldier

Oh? Did you indeed encounter the Jin soldiers? Were you able to fend them off?

As for what Zhong Shidao mentioned about fleeing Kaifeng and heading to Chang'an, it is almost identical to what the Crown Prince said that day regarding the "relocation of the capital"! To prevent leaving a "stain" in the historical records, Song Qinzong would never do such a thing! He is indecisive by nature, and in his view, "reputation" is of greater importance! Moreover, he does not believe that the city of Kaifeng cannot withstand the Jurchen troops!

"Very well, immediately issue the order to summon the four regions of the world to support the throne!" Song Qinzong said anxiously

Zhao Chen inquired, "How has the matter been handled?"

The Zong family army is the strongest military force of the Song Dynasty, and Zong Shidao is currently the most powerful general in the army. How could they be so utterly defeated before the Jin soldiers? A hundred thousand Zong family troops were completely annihilated by merely ten thousand Jin soldiers? He had previously heard the saying that the Jurchen could not be matched by ten thousand, and he thought it was an exaggeration, but he never expected it to be true

Your Majesty, we are the Western Army, soldiers under the command of Lord Zhong Shidao!" A soldier stepped forward and said

"There is no need for that! He is currently practicing martial arts, at least he has something to do, so he won't be talking nonsense elsewhere! After a while, when the Jurchens have retreated, I will find him a suitable teacher to continue his studies!" said Emperor Qinzong of Song.

"Which army are you sergeants from?" As soon as these individuals finished their three kneelings and nine prostrations, Song Qinzong hurriedly inquired

Recalling the teachings of his master, Emperor Qinzong of Song felt a slight sense of relief in his heart