Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

德芳45岁王妃46岁长子28次子26幼子24女儿22-真宗36

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In the first year of Jingde, in November, the Liao army was defeated by the Song army in Shuozhou, and then withdrew urgently due to the shortage of food and grass, and there was a confrontation with the Song army. Liao proposed a peace treaty and asked the Song Dynasty to cede the land. Wang Jizhong sent people from the secret letter to Mozhou to deploy Shipu. He was very angry at the betrayal of his cronies for many years and the war provoked by the Liao Kingdom, and refused to negotiate peace.

The Liao army concentrated its main force under the city of Yingzhou and attacked the city day and night. The Song defender Ji Yanwo defended the city. After more than ten days of fierce fighting, the Liao army failed.

The Liao generals Xiao Talin and Xiao Guanyinnu led their troops to attack Qizhou. Empress Dowager Xiao led an army to join them and jointly attacked Jizhou and Beizhou.

At this time in the capital, Zhenzong was very concerned about the situation of the war, and would continue to discuss politics in the Chongzheng Palace every morning after the court. Defang was the supervisor of the Ministry of War at that time, and he also submitted battle reports every day to discuss the situation with Zhenzong. His anxiety did not deepen, but his physical condition was not very good. After many days of hard work, he was a little overwhelmed. When Defang entered the Chongzheng Hall, he saw Zhenzong holding his head, so he stepped forward, "Your Majesty, how are you? Go take a break"

Zhenzong looked up at Defang, "Brother Emperor, I'm fine, I'm just a little tired"

"Your Majesty, the situation is under control now, please don't worry too much," Defang comforted

"Brother Emperor, although the good news is spreading frequently, the Liao army has not yet retreated. What worries me is whether the good news on the front line is true or not," Shinzong said.

Defang thought for a while, "Your Majesty, please go to the border."

Zhenzong stood up, "Brother Emperor, why is this?"

"The minister is willing to go to the border to verify the authenticity of the victory report on behalf of His Majesty"

"Brother Huang, even so, there is no need for Brother Huang to go there in person, I will send another person to go there"

"Your Majesty, if you send someone else to go there, if your words are slightly inappropriate, I'm afraid the frontline soldiers will be dissatisfied and affect the morale of the army. As a royal family, if you can be sent by Your Majesty, it will definitely boost morale and be more beneficial to the war. Your Majesty, please give me an imperial decree," Defang said.

Zhenzong looked at Defang, "Only the emperor will work hard for me in everything"

"Your Majesty is serious. This is the duty of a courtier, and it should be so."

"Brother Huang, I promised to protect you, but now I want you to go to the front line, I feel uneasy."

"I also promised to assist Your Majesty and not let Your Majesty suffer any harm, so I will return safely, Your Majesty, please don't worry."

"Then I will send a general to accompany the emperor."

"Your Majesty, you must worry about the assignments. You can go with Jiajun, Zhou Shixiong, and Gongliang Shiguan together."

"Okay, everything is arranged by the emperor"

"Yes, I will leave tomorrow, and report the situation to Your Majesty as soon as possible." Defang withdrew, returned to the mansion, and was ready to leave, and was going to take Wei Xu Weixian with her, leaving Wei to take care of Concubine Di and Wei Ling.

In the evening, Concubine Di leaned against De Fang and asked, "My lord, why do you want to fight again?"

"Madame" Defang hugged Concubine Di, "This time the Liao army invaded the south, and [-] people entered the country, but they were defeated all the way. Even so, they are still advancing southward. The battle report said that the Liao army will soon attack Chan State, I guess they are betting on Zheng, intending to break through Chanzhou and take the capital directly."