Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 583 You Have Reinforcements, I Have Allies

Wang Xian looked at the map and then said something taboo: "But can we defend it?"

Zhao Mu looked at the map and said, "It shouldn't be a problem in the short term. I have already ordered that if the Liao army attacks, the garrison troops should quickly cover the civilians and evacuate the city, then fortify the city and clear the fields, take away all the food that can be taken away, and burn the food that cannot be taken away on the spot. The Liao army often fights by fighting to support the war, and after we fortify the city and clear the fields, they will have no way to replenish their supplies. I believe the supplies we brought will soon be consumed."

Zhao Mu said to the scout, "Bring the document to me."

As they spoke, the officials handed Zhao Mu the newspaper with three chicken feathers stuck on it.

Zhao Mu looked at the newspaper, then at the map. He laughed and said, "Haha, the Liao Kingdom really made a big move this time, sending out 200,000 troops to attack Qidi."

Wang Xian said: "Two hundred thousand? We have less than 80,000 troops left in the rear, and although there are Iron Pagodas guarding the capital, the enemy is coming so aggressively, should we..."

Zhao Mu looked at the map and said, "Don't worry about him. The most urgent task now is to capture Xijing as soon as possible and reach Dongjing. The troops I left behind are enough to deal with the Liao army."

At this time, Wang Jin said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, for the sake of safety, we should send some troops back to provide assistance."

Zhao Mu looked around and saw the worried looks of the generals. After all, most of the families of the Qi generals were in Lingzhou City. Their worries were justified.

Zhao Mu then said, "Okay! Wang Jin, accept my order! I appoint you as the General of the East Route to lead the troops of Qingzhou and go out of Yingchou Gorge to rescue Xiazhou. Taiwei Wang, I will guard the eastern front myself, so you don't have to be here. I will lead the troops of Lanzhou and Xiningzhou to rescue Lingzhou City."

After hearing Zhao Mu's order, the two kings obeyed it one after another. Without further delay, they set out immediately to lead the troops to the rescue.

In fact, they were still a little too worried. Zhao Mu had planned everything out before he came out. Although the main force of the Liao army went straight to Lingzhou City, Lingzhou City had not only Zhao Mu's most brave Iron Buddha and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry composed of the old Xixia cavalry, but also reinforcements from Xiliang Prefecture and Xuanhua Prefecture had already gone in the direction of Xingqing Prefecture.

Moreover, on the Qi side, it was not only Zhao Mu's own troops.

Zhao Ji has the Liao Kingdom as his ally, but does Zhao Mu have no allies?
When the emergency message from Lingzhou City was sent to Zhao Mu, Li Qinglu also asked his father for help. Now Helian Tieshu also led 30,000 Xixia soldiers to Lingzhou City. Therefore, Zhao Mu was not panicked at all.

Instead of worrying about his base, Zhao Mu was more concerned about whether there would be any problems with his newly established Anxi Protectorate, and whether His Majesty in Bianliang City was safe.

A few days later, the envoy sent by Zhao Ji, Chai Wen, Zhao Mu's third brother-in-law, finally arrived in Chang'an City and met Zhao Mu.

However, since the envoy was not an outsider, Zhao Mu did not summon his generals to meet him, but met Chai Wen himself in the palace.

Zhao Mu sat on the throne in the palace, looking at his trembling brother-in-law. Zhao Mu smiled and said, "Haha, brother-in-law, there's no need to be like this. I'm not a man-eating tiger, why should I be so scared?"

Chai Wen also smiled awkwardly, and then said: "Your Majesty, my Lord."

Before Chai Wen finished speaking, Zhao Mu retorted, "Hmm? I am the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, personally appointed by the Emperor Retired. Where did the Qi Kingdom's Majesty come from? Who is the Lord that my brother-in-law is talking about?"

Chai Wen, who had just calmed down, was frightened by Zhao Mu's shout and fell to his knees. Seeing his appearance, Zhao Mu chuckled and didn't want to tease him anymore. Then Zhao Mu stepped down from the throne and came to Chai Wen. He helped his third brother-in-law up and said, "Haha, brother-in-law, you are frightened. It was just a joke. Although you and I didn't have any contact when we were in Bianjing, there has never been any grudge between you and me. Why are you so scared?"

Chai Wen wiped the sweat off his face and then said, "If I tell the truth, Your Majesty, will you forgive me?"

Zhao Mu said, "Brother-in-law, you can speak frankly."

Chai Wen said, "The King of Zhongshan sent an envoy to Qi before, but now there is no news. Is he safe?"

Zhao Mu shook his head and said, "No, my elder brother is dead. But I didn't kill him."

Hearing this, Chai Wen was quite surprised. He then asked, "If he was not killed by Your Majesty, then how did he die?"

Zhao Mu sighed and said, "Alas! When I was in Qi, I once secretly met with my elder brother and wanted to ask him to come back to Beijing to be my accomplice. I also told him everything about the Emperor Retired, the Golden Casket, and the throne being passed to me. And I also promised that after I take back Bianjing, I will promote my elder brother to the rank of prince. My elder brother likes to drink a little when he is happy. But once he drinks, he loses control of his mouth."

"So, after getting drunk, my eldest brother told the deputy envoy about his promotion to prince. He also wanted to win over the deputy envoy to join me. But unfortunately, the deputy envoy was loyal to the false emperor. The next day, I sent someone to ask for my eldest brother's crown and dragon robe, but the deputy envoy killed my eldest brother. After that, I killed the deputy envoy to avenge my eldest brother. My eldest brother's body is still in Lingzhou. I want to hold a funeral for him after returning to Bianjing."

Although Chai Wen did not have much contact with Zhao Mu, he was very close to Zhao Yong because of his wife's in-laws. What Zhao Mu said was reasonable and it seemed like something Zhao Yong could do. Moreover, Zhao Yong was also a person who could be easily bought by interests, and he was also a person who would do something out of turn when he was drunk.

Chai Wen recalled that Zhao Yong got drunk and had a fight with his brother over a singing girl. If Zhao Ji had not brought Zhao Mu to ask for forgiveness, the relationship between the Shang Palace and the Dongping County Palace would have been over. How could they have the marriage they have today?
Chai Wen also put his heart back in his stomach at this time. He wiped the sweat off his face and said, "I see. I thought he died at the hands of Your Majesty."

Zhao Mu looked at Chai Wen and said, "Brother-in-law, please report this matter to mother and sister-in-law as soon as possible after returning to Beijing. It is better to suffer a short pain than a long one. It will also save my family from having to... Oh~!"

Chai Wen nodded and said, "I understand. By the way, Your Majesty, why am I here today..."

Chai Wen really didn't know how to address Zhao Mu and Zhao Ji. They both claimed to be the emperor of the Song Dynasty, and accused each other of being a fake emperor. Chai Wen was really confused.

Seeing Chai Wen hesitated to speak, Zhao Mu said, "Brother-in-law, just speak directly. You must have brought the order from Prince Duan. Tell me about it."

Chai Wen shook his head and said, "No! This is not an order from Prince Duan, but an imperial decree from the Supreme Emperor."

Hearing this, Zhao Mu suddenly became alert. He said, "Oh? Your Majesty's edict? Bring it to me!"

Seeing Zhao Mu's excitement, Chai Wen simply stopped reading and handed the imperial edict directly to Zhao Mu.

Chai Wen continued, "In addition to the imperial edict, I have also brought many gifts to present to Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)