HLnovel Chapter 206 Pledge to go to war
Chapter 206 Pledge to go to war
The troops mobilized from various places arrived in the capital one after another and were stationed in the west and north of the city. The military camps outside the capital were connected together and extended for ten miles.
Various military supplies were also transported from all over the country. Under the emperor's urging, no blind minister dared to be perfunctory and procrastinate, and the efficiency of various departments was extremely high.
Only then did the people realize that another Northern Expedition, which involved the whole nation's efforts, was about to begin.
Restaurants and teahouses were filled with civilians discussing the Northern Expedition. Some were excitedly hoping that the Song army would be invincible, recapture the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in one fell swoop, and rebuild a Song Dynasty comparable to the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.
Some were worried and quietly discussed whether this hasty Northern Expedition would lead to another defeat due to insufficient preparation and strength. If so, would the foundation of the Song Dynasty be shaken?
Every citizen has a share of responsibility for the fate of a country, but ordinary civilians still prefer to live a stable life. Even if they are worried, they can only discuss it secretly. No one can influence the victory or defeat of a war, nor can they interfere with the prosperity or decline of a country.
Because of the war, the court's conscription, grain collection and taxation were closely related to them. The people were also secretly discussing this, wondering how much the taxes would increase this year and next year.
The emperor ordered an army of 200,000 to march north. About 100,000 troops arrived at the capital, and the remaining troops were waiting on the way to the north and at the border.
Prince of Qin Zhao Defang rode his black cloud-covered snow horse, inspected the military camp outside the city, and then returned to the city. He made some handovers with several ministers from the Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Works, and attended a military meeting presided over by the emperor himself. He was so busy that he returned to the Prince of Qin's mansion until dark.
Tomorrow is the day when the Northern Expedition Army swears to go out on the expedition. Qin Wang Zhao Defang knows that this journey is full of dangers. He is confident that he can return safely, but what he is worried about is his beloved.
While he was away from the capital, the hot spring villa was raided. Although the princess and nephew Wu Ji were safe and sound, he was still very scared. If there was another daring prince who took the opportunity to plot against the princess and Wu Ji who stayed in the capital, he must make preparations in advance.
Leave a few more shadow guards behind and let the princess take Wu Ji to live in the Big Foot Women's Army camp. They should be able to withstand the attack of hundreds of powerful enemies.
Prince Qin Zhao Defang walked into Ningxin Garden with secret calculations in his mind.
Seeing the lights in the house, King Qin felt a warm feeling in his heart. Li'er was waiting for him.
Luo Li sat in the main hall, guarding a sumptuous dinner, waiting for the King of Qin to come back. The Ghost Hand Poison Doctor, who loved to eat, also sat obediently in front of the table, drooling with greed, but forcibly restraining the desire to pick up the chopsticks and eat, waiting for the return of his nephew to have a reunion dinner.
Seeing the table full of sumptuous food and the two figures waiting at the table, Qin Wang Zhao Defang felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and the feeling of being chilled to the bone by the cold wind disappeared instantly.
Luo Li's eyes were gentle and she said with a smile: "I'm back! Are you hungry?"
Qin Wang Zhao Defang was in a trance for a moment. Under the light, the princess's beautiful face and gentle smile made her look like a good wife and mother who had finally waited for her husband to come home late. His heart was moved, and the corners of his lips gradually curved up unconsciously.
Seeing the figure of his nephew, the Ghost Hand Poison Doctor urged impatiently: "The food you've been waiting for has become cold, why are you still grinning like an idiot? Come here quickly and eat." As he said that, he picked up the chopsticks and picked up a piece of spicy chicken wings that he had already picked out and stuffed it into his mouth.
Ruhua and Yingchun served food to the prince and princess, and poured a glass of wine for each of the three masters.
They are leaving for the expedition tomorrow, and those who have been busy with this for a month are now eating their meals in silence, without the usual relaxed banter and joking.
Luo Li took a piece of fish and put it on the plate in front of King Qin. "Eat more fish. After you leave home, you won't be able to eat the delicious steamed fish made by Tingting."
This was the first time the princess picked up food for him. Qin Wang Zhao Defang picked up the white and tender fish with a smile on his face, "Li'er, after eating this piece of fish you picked up for me, I will definitely be blessed with divine power and be invincible!"
The Ghost Hand Poison Doctor raised his eyes from the dish, gave his nephew a look of disdain, and for the first time ever, he did not make a few sarcastic remarks at him. He then lowered his head and continued to eat.
Luo Li had a faint smile on her lips, "It doesn't matter whether you win or not, as long as you can come back safely."
A flower woven with tenderness blossomed in the heart of the King of Qin. He looked at the princess with affectionate eyes and said, "Okay! I will return safely."
The fish meat in his mouth was the most delicious delicacy in the world. Qin Wang Zhao Defang slowly savored the princess's intentions, "Li'er, after I leave, you take Wu Ji with you and live in the Big Foot Women's Army Camp! It is the safest place at the moment."
Luo Li put down her chopsticks and stared at Qin Wang Zhao Defang, "Zhao Defang, I said I want to go with you, but you still won't agree?"
"Li'er, don't act on impulse. The armies of the two countries are at war, and it's very dangerous to kill the enemy on the front line. It's the coldest winter in the north right now. I don't want you to take risks or suffer.
Li'er, just stay in the capital and wait for my safe return!" The King of Qin's tone was gentle, but he could not question or discuss it.
Luo Li stopped arguing with him, picked up her chopsticks, lowered her head and continued eating. Anyway, she had to go this time. The curiosity to experience the ancient large-scale war scene was secondary. The main thing was to save the lives of Comrade Lao Fang and Yang Ye, the Golden Sword Master.
It was time to go to war at dawn, and for the first time, the King of Qin, Zhao Defang, experienced the feeling of being reluctant to leave his family before going to the battlefield. After dinner, he drove away the shameless Ghost Hand Master, but he stayed in Ningxin Garden, wanting to spend more time with the princess.
The man has feelings for the woman but she has no interest in them. The warm face is put on the cold butt. Luo Li had no worries or reluctance to part with her lover. She pushed the King of Qin out and said, "Zhao Defang, why are you so clingy? I'm sleepy and tired and just want to sleep. You should go back and rest!"
Prince Qin Zhao Defang felt a little disappointed and had to return to Chunfengju.
The expedition is imminent, and although I should rest early tonight, I feel like my heart is being scratched by a cat while drinking tea. I can only feel at ease when I return to Ning Xinyuan and listen to the princess's thoughts.
Prince Qin returned to Ningxin Garden from the tunnel and waited for more than half an hour, but there was no movement in the house.
Alas! ... The princess had been busy outside all day and had taken a bath before dinner. She should be fast asleep by now.
I suppressed the strong urge to go into the house and take a look at her, and returned to Chunfengju to rest in disappointment. …………
Ten thousand men seemed endless, and a hundred thousand men could not even see the edge of the army from the high command platform. Banners fluttered, helmets and armor shone, soldiers stood tall and solemn, even horses would not neigh in such an occasion. Although they were all drawn from various places and had not yet been organized and run-in, the neatly arranged army also had the momentum of an iron-blooded military spirit.
The emperor, who came in person to preside over the oath-taking ceremony of the army to go to war, looked at his army with satisfaction. He imagined that the Song army would capture cities and territories, be invincible, recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, expand the territory, and leave a good name for the emperor for all eternity!
The emperor was excited, his blood was boiling, a smile hung on the corners of his lips, and his eyes were shining brightly.
The commander-in-chief of the left army, Pan Mei, the commander-in-chief of the right army, Cao Bin, and the deputy commanders of the army were all dressed in their uniforms and accompanied the emperor to review the army.
The emperor's eyes swept over the resolute and upright figure of the King of Qin in his black armor, and a dark meaning flashed across his eyes. He smiled and said, "Wang Jie'en, bring out the golden armor that I gave to the King of Qin, the most courageous and skilled general in our Song Dynasty."
After Wang Jie'en bowed and accepted the order, he waved his hand, and a guard came forward holding a golden helmet and golden armor. Under the shining of the morning sun, the armor was shining with golden light, luxurious and dazzling!
The emperor smiled kindly, "My nephew, I ordered the skilled craftsmen of the Ministry of Works to carefully make this golden helmet and armor for you. I hope you will be invincible when you put on this armor, and make great contributions for me in this Northern Expedition."
Several young generals looked at the glittering golden armor with envy in their eyes. The Emperor actually bestowed golden armor on His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin. This was the supreme honor for a military general!
Several old generals looked at the glittering golden armor and sighed secretly. This golden helmet and golden armor was really dazzling and eye-catching! Even in a melee of millions of troops, it would be the most conspicuous and eye-catching one.
Qin Wang Zhao Defang knelt on one knee and clasped his fists to express his gratitude, with a hint of sarcasm flashing in his lowered eyes. He even resorted to such a despicable trick, he really doesn't deserve his position!
After expressing his gratitude, the King of Qin immediately took off his black armor and put on the golden helmet and armor bestowed by the emperor himself. The emperor also stepped forward to help him put on the armor with his own hands. This kind of favor was absolutely unique.
The emperor held up a wine glass to offer sacrifices to the heaven, the earth, and the flag, and then gave a few passionate words to boost morale. The trumpets sounded, the flags fluttered, and the army was divided into two routes, the left and the right, and set out!