Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 663: Siege of Zhongdu
Mu led his team on a quick journey and arrived outside the city of Shangdu of the Liao Kingdom a few days later.

During this time, he also passed by Zhongdu of Liao, and met the team that was escorting the families and wealth of the nobles. Zhao Mu asked them to treat them well and temporarily take them to Youzhou to wait for his return.

Zhao Mu would never forget the look in the eyes of the captured Liao officials when they looked at him. They were filled with hatred and helplessness. It was as if they were asking, why don't you accept the peace talks and live in peace with each other?

However, facing the looks of these cowards, Zhao Mu didn't care.

After all, if you really have the guts, you should sacrifice your life for the country. Or you can hide and run away, and don't try to make any big plans.

Now that he is a prisoner, he is still so arrogant. It is just the last stubbornness of a coward.

Zhao Mu led his 30,000 cavalrymen and arrived at the city of Shangdu.

Outside the city of Shangdu today are stationed Wang Xian's Qi army, the reinforcements sent by Wang Jin, the Song army under General Yang, the Jin army under the Jurchens, and the Yan army under Murong Fu.

When Zhao Mu was riding on his horse and looking at the black flag with the word "Yan" on it, he laughed out loud.

Hearing Zhao Mu's laughter, Li Canghai asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Zhao Mu smiled and said, "The Murong clan is a descendant of the Xianbei people during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. However, the flag does not have a totem or Xianbei characters, but a Chinese character. How can I not laugh when I see this?"

Zhao Mu looked at the flag of the Jin Kingdom, nodded and said, "Well! This Jurchen tribe is quite decent. Although the Jurchen tribe does not have its own writing system, they still know how to use their eagle god Gypsophila totem as their flag. Alas! I can only sigh that times have changed. Even if there is a Xianbei writing system now, I am afraid that Master Murong will not be able to recognize it. Even if Master Murong can recognize it, I am afraid that his ministers will not be able to recognize it. Hahahaha."

Li Canghai said with difficulty: "I just don't know how much of our Khitan language will survive after this battle?"

Zhao Mu smiled and said, "I think it's better not to save it. Words are just for people to write and understand. Chinese characters are enough. Isn't it troublesome to leave so many words for others to read?"

Li Canghai did not argue with Zhao Mu. After all, he was the biggest winner now, and the winner had the right to decide everything. Debating with him was just a waste of his time and energy. Moreover, with Zhao Mu's eloquence, he might not be able to win the debate.

Zhao Mu stood on a high place and looked at Shangdu. At this time, Yuan Shangdu was surrounded tightly. Not only people, but even a fly could not fly out.

Moreover, the city was surrounded by corpses, most of whom were soldiers from his Qi State and officers and soldiers from the Song Dynasty.

There were very few other Jurchen and Yan soldiers.

Zhao Mu now understood what was going on.

After all, Zhao Mu had previously given Shangdu to Murong Fu, and Zhongdu was the territory of the Jurchens. If Zhongdu was not now in the hands of the Song Dynasty, the Jurchens would probably not have sent anyone to fight this war that would not benefit them in the slightest.

As for Murong Fu, he was simply trying to preserve his strength, after all, he had the least capital. If he squandered all the capital he had accumulated in this battle, he would not even be able to guarantee the most basic national defense in the future.

When Zhao Mu led his army to arrive, everyone sent out scouts to greet him, and Zhao Mu also came to Wang Xian's camp.

At this time, Wanyan Zongbi, Wanyan Zongwang, Deng Baichuan, Gongye Qian, General Yang and others were all there. After everyone greeted Zhao Mu, Zhao Mu did not say much and asked directly: "What is the situation now?"

Wang Xian reported: "Shangdu has been completely besieged by us, but Shangdu is the main city of Liao, and the city is tall and strong. We attacked it head-on and paid a heavy price in casualties."

Zhao Mu asked in return: "What about the enemy's situation?"

Wang Xian said: "The enemy's situation is the same as ours, with heavy casualties. However, there is a lot of food and grass stored in Shangdu City. They seem to want to defend for a long time. It is not a good idea for us to waste time here."

Zhao Mu continued to ask: "How many soldiers are there in the city?"

Before Wang Xian could speak, Li Canghai said, "The Imperial Guards in Shangdu usually have 50,000 soldiers on standby. If we count the various soldiers guarding the city, there should be about 100,000 soldiers. Moreover, the Khitan people are good at fighting, and strong men can also serve as soldiers. There are 200,000 people in Shangdu. If all these men are armed, the number of soldiers guarding the city will be no less than 150,000. Moreover, as the main city of the Liao Dynasty, Shangdu not only has high walls, but also a full treasury. It will not be a problem to hold out for more than half a year."

Wang Xian looked at Li Canghai who was wearing a mask and said, "Your Excellency is right. The news reported by our scouts is similar. By the way, Your Majesty, the Liao Kingdom has been sending envoys to negotiate peace with us in the past few days. I just don't know what Your Majesty thinks?"

Zhao Mu sneered and said, "The four capitals of Liao have been destroyed, leaving only Shangjing, which is surrounded by us. They are no longer qualified to negotiate peace, and we have no need to do so."

Zhao Mu drew his sword and stabbed it into the map on the table. He sneered and said, "Pass on my order! The entire army will rest here for three days. After three days, I will personally lead the army to attack the city."

Zhao Mu looked at Wanyan Zongbing and Wanyan Zongwang at this time, and said: "Two young chiefs, I think your Jurchen tribe has no intention of helping. It is better to return early than to waste food and grass here. Now that Zhongdu has been destroyed, I have collected all the things I need. You can go and receive them."

After hearing what Zhao Mu said, Wanyan Zongbi and Wanyan Zongwang were not modest. After all, they didn't need to sacrifice their compatriots' lives for Zhao Mu.

Wanyan Zongbi bowed to Zhao Mu and said, "I will obey your majesty's order. In this case, we will return to Zhongdu for the time being."

Wanyan Zongwang also said at this time: "Your Majesty, my uncle has something to tell you. The tomb of Empress Xiao has been found, and the tomb of Han Derang is also among them. We have already excavated the rest of the royal tombs of the Liao Dynasty. Only the tomb of Empress Xiao is left, and Your Majesty dares to open it in person."

Zhao Mu smiled and said, "Okay! If that's the case, I'll come find you after I conquer the city. You guys go back to Zhongdu first."

After receiving Zhao Mu's reply, Wanyan Zongmou and Wanyan Zongbing did not delay and immediately informed their messengers after leaving the central army tent, asking their Jurchen troops to set out immediately to take over Zhongdu.

The Song Dynasty also immediately ordered the three armies to launch a general attack after three days of rest.

After sending everyone away, Zhao Mu glanced at Gong Yeqian and Deng Baichuan and asked, "Do you two have anything else to say?"

Gong Yeqian replied, "Your Majesty, we are here to assist Your Majesty on the orders of our master."

Zhao Mu waved his hand and said, "You don't need to help. Mr. Murong has few soldiers now, so there is no need to shed blood for the Song Dynasty. You can watch the battle from the top of the hill. After we break into the city, count the wealth in Zhongdu, and capture the Liao royal family, you can go directly into the city and take over the city defense."

(End of this chapter)