Zhao Song: My father was Emperor Taizu of Song

Chapter 63 Upturned Lips

Outside Zezhou City, in the Song army camp.

According to the schedule, the army should have set off for Luzhou long ago, but Zhao Kuangyin remained inactive, his gaze frequently sweeping towards the northern horizon, a barely perceptible anxiety hidden in his eyes.

He was waiting, waiting for military intelligence from the front lines in Luzhou.

"Has no military intelligence arrived from the Luzhou direction yet?"

Inside the heavily guarded imperial tent, Zhao Kuangyin asked the question as usual.

Upon hearing the inquiry, Shi Shouxin quickly stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Your Majesty, no courier has arrived yet."

Receiving another disappointing answer, even Zhao Kuangyin, usually so composed, couldn't help but show a hint of anxiety on his face.

"The vanguard has been on the expedition for over half a month. Judging from the itinerary, they should have been at the gates of Shangdang by now. How come there hasn't been a single word from them?"

As a powerful emperor, Zhao Kuangyin's estimations of the speed of military campaigns were always remarkably accurate.

Initially, he allowed Zhao Dezhao to join the army, and he was indeed full of expectations, hoping that his eldest son could achieve some military exploits so that he could rightfully establish himself in the Imperial Guard in the future.

However, as time went by, there was still no news of Zhao Dezhao, and it was inevitable that the father's emotions would undergo some changes.

"Could that kid have run into an ambush by the Northern Han? Has there been any news from Murong Yanzhao's side?"

A sense of unease began to creep into Zhao Kuangyin's heart.

At this moment, he couldn't help but doubt himself, wondering if he had been too hasty, after all, Zhao'er was only a ten-year-old child.

Actually, it's not entirely Zhao Kuangyin's fault.

According to his original plan, he intended to wait until Zhao Dezhao had come of age before focusing on cultivating him.

However, since Zhao Dezhao joined the army, his series of outstanding performances have made him raise his expectations. The higher these expectations are, the deeper his worries become.

The saying "the deeper the love, the greater the worry" perfectly describes this situation.

"Your Majesty, Brother Murong has not sent any military intelligence recently. It is likely that Fan Shoutu's troops are still stationed at Taiping Post Station and should not have time to set up an ambush."

"Luzhou is mostly mountainous, so it's normal that Your Highness's military intelligence transmission is a bit slow. Like father, like son, Your Majesty need not worry."

Sometimes, no news is the best news.

Seeing his elder brother like this, Shi Shouxin couldn't help but offer a few words of comfort, which calmed Zhao Kuangyin down.

"You're quite easygoing."

After calming down, Zhao Kuangyin looked at the composed Shi Shouxin and couldn't help but remark, "That's true, it's not your son who's on the front lines."

"If it weren't for the fact that Youzhi is still young, I would have let him accompany Dezhao on this expedition, and see if you would still be so indifferent."

His words seemed like a reproach, but they were mostly a joke.

Shi Shouxin had two sons. His younger son, Shi Baoji, was very much like his father, brave and skilled in martial arts, and was a promising talent.

Among Zhao Kuangyin's former "Ten Brothers of the Righteous Society," Shi Shouxin was his closest friend. The two had faced life and death together many times, and their friendship had long surpassed that of most rulers and their subjects.

Therefore, when they were alone together, Shi Shouxin was much less reserved, and upon hearing this, he even laughed:

"Your Majesty is mistaken. Once Youzhi grows up, he will eventually become Your Highness's subordinate. Therefore, even if Youzhi goes on a campaign with Your Highness, I will not be too worried."

"To serve one's sovereign, to be loyal to one's sovereign, and to have one's life and death tied to one's sovereign—this is the duty of the Right."

As he said this, Shi Shouxin secretly glanced at Zhao Kuangyin.

"That sounds so high-sounding." Zhao Kuangyin glanced at him irritably, but a slight smile played on his lips. "Do you really think I can't see through your intentions?"

Shi Shouxin chuckled, scratched his head, and didn't argue.

His words were meant to test Zhao Kuangyin, which is why he deliberately used "Your Highness" instead of "Sovereign" and said "Life and death are tied to him," clearly indicating that he would stand firmly on Zhao Dezhao's side.

Seeing that Zhao Kuangyin was not angry, Shi Shouxin felt that he had understood the emperor's intentions and secretly made up his mind:

"I will definitely make sure that Youzhi gets to know His Highness better in the future!"

As the emperor and his minister were chatting and laughing, a messenger's voice suddenly came from outside the tent:

"Your Majesty, military intelligence has arrived from Luzhou!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's smile vanished instantly, and his anxiety surged again: "Bring it here quickly!"

The messenger lifted the curtain, quickly knelt down, and held the military report high in his hand.

Knowing Zhao Kuangyin's anxiety, Shi Shouxin quickly stepped forward, took the military report, and handed it to Zhao Kuangyin.

After receiving it, Zhao Kuangyin immediately opened it and began to read it.

Before reading the urgent report, Zhao Kuangyin's brows still held a hint of worry, but once he unfolded it, the worry on his face vanished instantly.

The corners of his mouth turned up uncontrollably.

Shi Shouxin, who had been watching Zhao Kuangyin's expression closely, was slightly taken aback when he saw the change in his expression, but then he breathed a sigh of relief.

This was the first time in all these years that he had seen such an expression on His Majesty's face.

The corners of his mouth were turned up so high, he couldn't possibly hide it, could he?

Zhao Kuangyin quickly read it once, but seemed to feel that he hadn't had enough, so he read it carefully from beginning to end again.

After reading it twice, he reluctantly put down the urgent report.

"You've lived up to my expectations."

Suppressing his joy, Zhao Kuangyin calmly ordered, "Sound the drum to summon the generals. I have important military matters to discuss with them."

This is the first battle report from the eldest son of the Song Dynasty emperor. Wouldn't it be a great pity if only he saw it?

Thinking of this, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but smile again, the corners of his mouth that he had just suppressed.

……

As the sound of drums rang out outside the tent, all the generals in the army, except for some who were in charge of defense, rushed to the main tent.

Gao Huaide, Ma Quanyi, Han Zhongyun, and others were also on the list.

After the generals entered the tent, they first bowed to Zhao Kuangyin on the throne. Only after Zhao Kuangyin raised his hand to indicate that they were exempt from the formalities did they take their seats in order of their official ranks.

At this moment, everyone had a look of doubt on their faces. What kind of important military intelligence could have summoned so many generals to discuss it?

Could it be that the pseudo-Han regime has sent reinforcements, intending to seize Luzhou?

Or is there some problem with Murong Yanzhao?

Or perhaps... the vanguard suffered a setback, and something went wrong with His Highness Zhao Dezhao?

Various speculations swirled in the minds of the generals, but none of them could guess Zhao Kuangyin's true intentions.

Zhao Kuangyin didn't beat around the bush; he immediately ordered someone to read aloud the military report that Zhao Dezhao had sent:

"Your subject, Dezhao, has something to report to Your Majesty..."

Upon hearing this opening, all the ministers in the tent perked up.

Although the people present were military officers, they were not reckless and impulsive. Upon hearing the words "your subject," they immediately understood that what was about to happen would not be simple.

Only Shi Shouxin remained calm and composed.

"Your subject, by imperial decree, together with Imperial Censor Li, led three thousand elite troops as the vanguard. We dared not slacken our efforts and marched day and night until we reached Taiping Post Station."

When the messenger read this sentence, all the generals in the tent were startled, and then their eyes lit up.

Shi Shouxin slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "What a brilliant move, directly reaching Taiping Post Station!"

"With a fortified city at our side, it's better to attack its reinforcements."

"Once reinforcements break through, the fortified city will fall on its own!"

"Your Highness is only ten years old, yet you already understand this principle and have the courage to fight against overwhelming odds. You are truly a gifted talent!"

"Such valor! Your Highness already possesses the prowess of His Majesty in his prime!"

As Zhao Kuangyin's sworn brother, Shi Shouxin never disappointed Zhao Kuangyin.

Some things are better left unsaid than kept to yourself.

The Crown Prince's exceptional talent needs to be spoken of by someone, so that everyone who speaks of it knows it, everyone in the world knows it, and everyone under heaven knows it!

And who else but Shi Shouxin could be this person?!

I, Shi Shouxin, originally spoke for His Highness the Crown Prince!