Anti-War Game: Starting from Normandy Campaign-Chapter 714 - 344: [Song Dynasty: I Conquered Five Nations] (4.4k)_2

As the Battle of Gaoping came to an end.

Zhao Kuangyin's reputation as 'the bravest among the army' became known to all, and due to his bravery and ability to turn the tide, he was heavily relied upon by Chai Rong.

At this time, the Blue Star netizens learned from the narrative.

The general Zhao Kuangyin defeated in battle was actually Zhang Yuanhui, a major general of Northern Han.

His position was commander-in-chief of the imperial guards.

According to current Blue Star titles, it's roughly equivalent to the commander of the capital garrison district of Northern Han.

A very high position indeed.

No wonder Chai Rong valued him so highly.

Afterwards.

Zhao Kuangyin's life seemed to be on a winning streak.

The following year.

Later Zhou marched on Southern Tang.

Southern Tang occupied the prosperous lands of Jianghuai, which were the primary obstacles for Later Zhou to unify the south.

Seizing Huainan could cut off Southern Tang's ties with Qidan.

Zhao Kuangyin was appointed as the vanguard commander, repeatedly breaking through Southern Tang's defenses, even disguising himself for reconnaissance on numerous occasions, fearlessly leading charges amidst the exchange of arrows.

[Battle of Liuhe]

Liuhe was the critical gateway for Southern Tang reinforcements heading north.

Zhao Kuangyin led 2,000 troops to guard Liuhe, while 20,000 Southern Tang troops besieged the area. Zhao Kuangyin, with 2,000 troops, secretly set up a dyke to lure the Southern Tang army into a trap.

When they were near the dyke, it was breached.

Simultaneously, ambush troops were set at the crossing.

Under the rush of the raging floodwaters, numerous Southern Tang soldiers drowned, over 5,000 were ambushed and killed at the crossing, and the captured armors and weapons piled high.

That same year.

[Battle of Qingliuguan]

Qingliuguan was situated in the western suburbs of Chuzhou, where narrow mountain roads made it easy to defend and hard to attack.

Southern Tang occupied the area.

They could hold off a thousand soldiers with a single one.

Zhao Kuangyin used a large sum to bribe local woodcutters to learn of secret paths, sending scouts to ascertain the enemy's patrol shift times.

Then, on a snowy night.

He ordered his cavalry to wrap their hooves in cloth, holding wood chips in their mouths.

Each carrying only three days' worth of dry food, they moved swiftly.

During the pre-dawn hours when the enemy was most relaxed, they launched a surprise attack, burning the camps and causing panic.

A complete victory.

Capturing Southern Tang generals Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng alive.

The Huainan campaign lasted four years, Zhao Kuangyin commanding troops to conquer eight states, capturing over thirty Southern Tang generals.

The merits were so great that honors were beyond measure.

However, a sudden change disrupted the steady rise of Later Zhou.

In the sixth year of Xiande (959 AD).

Chai Rong, while leading a campaign north against Qidan, suddenly fell ill and had to retreat to Bianjing.

Upon returning to Bianjing.

Chai Rong's illness did not improve; instead, it worsened, and he soon passed away.

Before his death.

He elevated Zhao Kuangyin to the position of Commander of Palace Guards (the highest position in the imperial guards).

Chai Rong acted with consideration; firstly, Zhao Kuangyin was brave and skilled in battle, and secondly, he showed exceptional loyalty, surviving multiple arrows from Northern Han cavalry while continuing to charge.

Turning the tide and reversing a dire situation.

Otherwise, it was uncertain if Later Zhou would still exist today, as Chai Rong nearly got caught by the Northern Han cavalry.

So, in Chai Rong's mind, Zhao Kuangyin was a trustworthy loyal subject.

Furthermore.

The regional governors needed a powerful general to intimidate them.

Looking across Later Zhou.

Only Zhao Kuangyin could rise to this level.

Thus, before dying, Chai Rong appointed Zhao Kuangyin as Commander of Palace Guards and then passed the throne to his seven-year-old son Chai Zongxun, before his illness worsened and he died.

Witnessing this.

The Blue Star netizens in the live broadcast were lamenting that while the Later Zhou emperors were commendable.

They had very short reigns.

Whether it was Guo Wei or Chai Rong, both reigned only four or five years before passing away.

Meanwhile, those Blue Star netizens who were previously unaware were curious about how Zhao Kuangyin established the Song dynasty.

After all, he was still serving as the commander of the imperial guards.

However.

What all Blue Star netizens in the broadcast never expected was.

Zhao Kuangyin's path to establishing his empire was so fast.

So quick that they didn't even have time to respond.

The previous scene was still [959] with Chai Rong passing the throne to Chai Zongxun.

The next scene.

Turned into the first day of the first lunar month of [960].

Zhao Kuangyin hurriedly led troops out to resist the Qidan and Northern Han allied invasion.

Two days later.

On the third day of the first lunar month, Zhao Kuangyin headed north with his troops to 'fend off the enemy', spending the night at Chenqiao.

The following day.

Before dawn.

A large gathering of soldiers and generals amassed outside Zhao Kuangyin's tent.

The soldiers wielded long spears, donned armor, and appeared visibly excited, while Zhao Kuangyin's aides Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi stood at the forefront, followed by generals Shi Shouxin and Gao Huaide.

Seemingly hearing movements from within Zhao Kuangyin's tent.

Zhao Pu shouted loudly from outside:

"General, the soldiers have something they want to say to you!"

A moment later.

Zhao Kuangyin lifted the tent flap, gazing at the dense crowd of soldiers and generals, his expression changed immediately:

"What are you trying to do?"

"Are you plotting a rebellion?!"

Upon hearing this.

The surrounding soldiers shouted in unison:

"General! Qidan has invaded, the court is incapable, we are willing to support you as emperor!"

Zhao Kuangyin furrowed his brows:

"I am entrusted with great responsibility by Emperor Shizong; how can I betray him?"

"You are putting me in a position of injustice."

The generals nearby stepped forward, holding a yellow robe:

"If the general is unwilling, we will all disperse and never fight again!"

The soldiers echoed loudly:

"Yes! If the general does not agree, we will not fight!"

Zhao Kuangyin watched the soldiers around him, silent for a long time, eventually sighing:

"If you truly wish to support me as emperor, then you must follow my orders."

The soldiers shouted with excitement:

"Willingly! Willingly!"

Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath:

"Alright, then let's return to Bianjing first."