Nong Zongdan and his son came over and bowed to Chen Ke.
"The generals were not involved in this battle. Don't get me wrong. Killing fellow tribesmen is always a human tragedy." Chen Ke said calmly.
"Your Excellency, you are too worried." Nong Zongdan and his son were shocked by the sight of corpses strewn across the field. Nong Zongdan said with a trembling voice: "My father and son are now officials of the Song Dynasty, and they are at odds with the rebels."
"It seems that I have worried too much. General Nong is commendable for his loyalty." Chen Ke laughed loudly and said: "But the Song Dynasty is a country of benevolence and righteousness. Nong Bu and Nong Zhigao still need to be distinguished. Just now Mr. Yang
The general sent word back that he had captured Nong Xiaqing and his son. I would like to trouble the general to persuade them. If they can be persuaded to surrender to the court and hand over the whole Nong Zhigao family, I can make the decision to pardon Nong Bu. If Nong Xiaqing is willing
Serving the imperial court, I welcome you with both hands."
Nong Zongdan accepted the order and left. Liu Yue'e wondered: "After so much effort and so many people died, should we let them go like this?"
"What else?" Chen Ke smiled bitterly and said: "Not to mention the thirty-seven tribes in eastern Yunnan, which are intertwined and related to each other. If the Nong tribe is eradicated, I don't know how many tribes will hold a grudge. Do you think we have the strength to eradicate it? This is
After the battle, there are still tens of thousands of men in the Nongbu, and we don’t expect them to show off their chariots and horses to fight with us again. Look at these vast mountains, as long as they hide in, can we afford it?"
"Then, this battle can actually be avoided." Liu Yue'e said: "Let Nong Zongdan go to Nong Xiaqing directly, the effect may not be bad."
"Hahaha, otherwise, you have long hair and short knowledge." Chen Ke laughed loudly: "A rose in one hand, and a big stick in the other. I defeated the Nong tribe, the leader of the thirty-seven tribes of Wuman, and the rest
Only thirty-six ministries will obey us, and only the whole of Dali will obey us!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Song army won a great victory at Baoyueguan and killed two thousand Nong troops. Nong Zongdan persuaded Nong Xiaqing to hand over Nong Zhigao's mother Anong, brother Nong Zhiguang, and two sons Nong Jifeng and Nong Jiming. He led the entire clan to surrender. Once the news spread,
came out and soon shocked the whole of Dali.
The various tribes of the Wuman who had previously kept a distance from the Song army sent envoys one after another to express their willingness to submit to the imperial court. Gao Shengtai, who had been lingering in the show of power, also hurriedly rode harder and rushed to reward them. In the stone forest area, they met the soldiers who had come from afar.
The Song Dynasty army.
On the dusty road, there were tens of thousands of Song troops, who were relatively tall compared to the rational people. They had received orders yesterday. They washed their armor cleanly, sharpened their weapons and kept them in order during today's march. In addition, they had just won a battle.
A great victory. The morale was high. He was indeed so powerful that he stunned Gao Shengtai and others who came to work for the army.
Fan Zhen's illness has been cured, the army has won another great victory, and people are in high spirits at happy events. They are talking and laughing with Chen Ke, giving advice on the country.
"There is a saying that 'it is better to travel thousands of miles than to read thousands of books'. The ancients do not deceive me." Fan Zhen looked at the clusters of gray-black stone peaks and pillars rising from the ground beside the road, pointing his sword at the sky.
People feel like they are in a dark forest. They exclaim: "There is such a majestic and wonderful scene in the world!"
"Yeah, a lot of limestone..." Chen Ke was a little distracted. He found that the ground here was full of clay, and there were limestone mountains on the ground. It was really a good place for cement production.
"What limestone?" Fan Zhen asked curiously.
"Oh, I mean, if the Dali people hadn't started a civil war and didn't dare to provoke us, we wouldn't have gotten here so easily." Chen Ke turned around and said.
"Zhong Fang, don't belittle yourself." Fan Zhen did not agree with his idea of "destroying one's own prestige and boosting the ambition of others" and said with a smile: "On this road, many tribes surrendered in despair. Could it be because of the civil strife in Dali? But I want to say this.
It’s Chen Zhongfang’s contribution that is comparable to that of Lao Zhong!” Zhong Shiheng’s conquest of the Qiang people in the northwest has long been well-known.
"I was caught up in a good era. The Song Dynasty in this era exuded endless charm, which made the surrounding nations and countries awe us. I just took advantage of their awe." Chen Ke shook his head and smiled.
"I hope this kind of awe can exist forever, and I hope that the Song Dynasty can become truly powerful. At that time, this country of wonderful fragrance can truly belong to the Song Dynasty." He raised his sword eyebrows and said with pride: "In
To the south of this country, there are several richer and weaker countries, and by then, I believe they all belong to the Song Dynasty!"
"When other people say this, I will definitely laugh at them for daydreaming, but when you say this, Chen Zhongfang, I believe it!" Fan Zhen praised him enthusiastically, then changed the topic and said: "But we must also be careful of militarism. If you are warlike, you will die..."
"Don't worry, Commander, war has dragged the country into poverty because it is not an economic expense. If I want to launch a war, I will definitely consider whether it is cost-effective." Chen Ke said with a smile: "For example, our Song Dynasty is short of silver and copper.
There is still a shortage of iron, but with Dali, everything is satisfied. Such a battle will only enhance the national strength, but will not bring down the country." After a pause, he said: "Of course, it must be won."
"This is also what I'm worried about." Fan Zhen said with a worried look on his face: "I think you have also discovered that the old Western Army has been away from home for many years, fought hard for a long time, and is very war-weary. After the Battle of Baoyuguan, I am afraid that it will happen again
I won’t work so hard anymore.”
"What the commander-in-chief said is absolutely true. The old Western Army needs a major rest. Those who deserve to visit relatives will go back to their hometowns to visit relatives. Those who deserve an increase in pay will receive a raise. In short, for a year and a half, they are counting on them." Chen Ke nodded and said: "
That's why I'm anxious to train the new army, and I always have to hold on to the air first." After a pause, he said: "More importantly, Dali must cease the war as soon as possible. If it continues to fight, it will not be in the interests of the Song Dynasty."
Fan Zhen felt very helpless about Chen Ke's "interests" in opening and shutting up: "You actually want to separate the three kingdoms of Dali. Isn't this unkind?"
"Benevolence and righteousness are towards one's own people. Have the Xixia and Liao Kingdoms ever been benevolent and righteous towards our people?" Chen Ke smiled lightly and said, "If the Dali people want to enjoy the benevolence and righteousness of the Song Dynasty, they can, but they must wait until they completely surrender.
"
Fan Zhen could only respond with a wry smile, and was about to persuade Chen Ke to practice more benevolent policies and commit less murders when suddenly an officer came flying to report: "The son of the Prime Minister of Dali, Gao Shengtai, the governor of Xuanwei, led a large group of troops forward.
Come to the army!"
Hearing this, Fan Zhen and Chen Ke looked at each other and smiled: "It seems that the people of the Gao family are quite righteous."
"It won't work if you don't follow the Tao. We will dig out his corner." Chen Ke said with a smile. Since the victory of Baoyue Pass and the surrender of the Nong tribe, there have been ** large tribes that accepted the canonization of the Song Dynasty... Although
It's just in name, but it's enough to make the Gao family sleepless.
"Let Gao Shengtai come over." Fan Zhen ordered. Suddenly he remembered something, looked at Chen Ke narrowly and said, "Do you want to avoid it?"
Chen Ke knew that he was referring to the time when he pretended to be dead in Dali City and the golden cicada escaped from its shell. He shook his head and looked at the mighty army. He smiled lazily and said, "I'm just not dead. What's wrong? Bite me if you don't accept it."
"What a scoundrel..." Fan Zhen shook his head and smiled bitterly. Yes, with the so-called 60,000-strong army as his backing, Chen Ke could die if he didn't want to, and live if he wanted to live. Who dared to say a word to his face?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While he was talking, Gao Shengtai arrived. He was wearing a purple official robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a high crown on his head. He had a face like a crown of jade and was handsome.
"I, Gao Shengtai, would like to greet you two gentlemen..." Although he was extremely noble in the country of Dali, Gao Shengtai did not dare to show off in front of senior officials of the Song Dynasty, so he got off his horse and saluted obediently. He was afraid that his lack of etiquette would lead to being found out by the Song Dynasty people.
Chen Ke turned over and dismounted, laughed and supported him and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be polite. The soldiers have been out for two months, and they are already short of men and horses. Now that I see your Majesty, I have arrived home."
"That's that, that's..." Gao Shengtai said heartily, how could he say he's home when he sees me? Are we so familiar? He could only say with a smile on his face: "The army of the Celestial Dynasty is here, how dare the Han family not be polite?
Zhou? Five hundred pigs and sheep each have been prepared in this compartment, and a thousand loads of fine wine have been prepared. If it is not enough, please give me your orders."
"It's really not enough..." Chen Ke was not polite to him, and said helplessly: "To be honest with you, we didn't expect that we could walk such a small distance for two months, and the food we brought had already been eaten. The cattle, sheep, wine
Although it’s good, we can only have a full meal for a while, so we’d better borrow some military rations from the Crown Prince.”
"Borrow food?" Gao Shengtai's face turned green and he stammered: "This... the Han family cannot afford the food and grass for tens of thousands of troops."
"Young master, you just watch helplessly as our 60,000 troops starve to death in front of your house?" Chen Kepi said with a smile.
"This..." Gao Shengtai's feelings towards the officials of the Celestial Dynasty were shattered, and he said with a sad face: "The Han family should do their best."
"Also," Chen Ke said again: "Since the soldiers entered Dali, they have not had a single day's sleep and are extremely sleepy. I would also like to ask the prince to arrange a place to stay so that the sons and gentlemen can rest." He didn't wait any longer.
Gao Shengtai agreed and said loudly to the soldiers around him: "My sons, why don't you thank the Crown Prince quickly?!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the soldiers of the Forbidden Army shouted in unison.
"I don't dare to take it, I don't take it..." Gao Shengtai almost burst into tears, screaming in his heart, why are these soldiers of the Celestial Dynasty just like a bunch of bandits! Even though his father ordered him to stop the Song army and prevent them from approaching the Erhai area
, but I certainly didn’t expect what a heavy price it would pay: “But Xuanwei City is too small to accommodate the army of the Celestial Dynasty.”
"Don't worry, scholar," Chen Ke's understanding came again. He said: "Our army in the Song Dynasty is a benevolent and righteous army. It will not enter the city to disturb the people. The prince will find us a place close to mountains and rivers, where it is easy to get out."
Just stay in the village."
"That's no problem." Gao Shengtai then breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I'll find a place for you."
