Chapter 5: The Jurchen Army

“Are you planning to kill my brother?” The child, noticing the anxiety in his grandfather, looked at Zhao Huan with some concern.

“Of course not. Your brother is a talented man, and I intend to cherish him, to give him an opportunity to achieve great deeds.” The thought of the renowned General Yue serving under his command filled Zhao Huan with a sense of pride.

“Alright, then I’ll make sure my brother comes to see you,” the child promised solemnly.

Zhao Huan affectionately tapped the little one’s nose and set him down. The innocence of a child’s words often reflects the worries that weigh on the hearts of many officials and citizens of Kaifeng. Zhao Huan knew he needed to say something to reassure them.

“We have a million citizens in Kaifeng, while the Jin army numbers only a hundred thousand. What is there to fear?” Zhao Huan raised his voice deliberately at the end, turning his rhetorical question into a furious roar.

Yes, what is there to fear? Only a hundred thousand enemies—if every citizen of Kaifeng fought, ten against one, they would surely defeat them.

“Let me ask you again, are you afraid?” Zhao Huan pressed, seeing the crowd had understood.

“No!” the people shouted in unison, their spirits lifted by Zhao Huan’s words.

“Kill!” Zhao Huan cried.

“Kill! Kill! Kill!” The crowd echoed him, their voices swelling like waves.

This is the power of an idol.

In these times, the emperor is the greatest idol in everyone’s heart.

Though Zhao Huan’s procession moved on, it ignited a surge of enthusiasm for enlistment among the people of Kaifeng. According to incomplete statistics, following Zhao Huan’s speech, enlistment in Kaifeng rose by a hundred thousand.

Kaifeng garrison camp.

Zhao Huan stood atop a high platform, facing a neat formation of Song soldiers below. Each man gazed up curiously, eager to glimpse the new emperor of the Song dynasty.

Zhao Huan looked upon these undisciplined soldiers. Having witnessed the might of the Heavenly Empire’s armies, he could not help but break into a cold sweat. No wonder such troops kept suffering defeat after defeat.

“The army must be reformed!” Zhao Huan thought privately, but he knew that was a matter for later. The urgent task now was to resolve the siege of Kaifeng.

“Men of the Song, tell me—what stands behind you?” Zhao Huan moved to the center of the platform and addressed the soldiers below.

The question bewildered them, and they instinctively glanced behind.

There was nothing there.

“Don’t you know? Let me tell you—behind you are your parents, wives and children, your relatives and friends, the homeland that nurtured you, your home! Tell me, is that so?” Zhao Huan shouted.

“Yes!” they roared in unison.

“The men outside the city now wish to kill your parents, dishonor your wives and children, trample your land, and burn your homes! Tell me, what will you do?” Zhao Huan bellowed.

“Kill! Kill! Kill!” The words stirred their fury, unleashing the bloodlust buried in their hearts, and each man shouted with thunderous rage.

Zhao Huan was pleased with their response. He raised his hand, and the soldiers immediately fell silent.

“Good! You are worthy sons of the Song. Hear my decree: In the defense of Kaifeng, rewards will be granted for military merit. For every enemy soldier slain, one tael of silver; for every enemy centurion killed, one hundred taels; for enemy officers, noble titles will be awarded according to merit. Any Song officer who flees in battle shall be executed on the spot. I will remain here, waiting for news of your triumphant return,” Zhao Huan declared.

“Kill! Kill! Kill!” It is said that heavy rewards breed brave men. In the past, becoming a centurion required countless silver gifts, but now, one need only kill an enemy centurion. How could they not be eager?

Li Gang stood behind Zhao Huan, his own passions fully ignited by the emperor’s words. What man does not possess a measure of courage? Watching Zhao Huan, Li Gang could not help but think: The revival of the Song is within reach.

Outside the walls of Kaifeng, in the Jin army’s camp.

Wanyan Zongwang was conferring with several Jin generals.

“Commander, if you ask me, we should just storm Kaifeng, capture the emperor of Song, and be done with it. Why waste time in these discussions?” Wanyan Zongbi said carelessly to Wanyan Zongwang. As the fourth son of Taizu Wanyan Aguda, he held an exalted position; among those present, he acknowledged no one but Wanyan Zongwang.

Over these days, Wanyan Zongwang had witnessed the Song army’s weakness. Truth be told, he was tempted to lead the Jin cavalry straight into Kaifeng and seize the treacherous emperor. Yet Kaifeng was enormous, its population a million strong. Though their own army numbered a hundred thousand, it was far from sufficient for a siege. Kaifeng was simply too vast.

“Be patient, brother. I have already sent envoys to summon the emperor of Song to our camp for negotiations. Once they arrive, they will not leave alive,” Zongwang replied. As a commander, he was wise and cautious, unwilling to risk everything.

“They might be too timid to come,” Zongbi scoffed.

“The Song army is weak. I will let it be known that if they refuse, we will massacre Bianjing. That guarantee will make them comply,” Zongwang said.

Zongbi still felt Zongwang was far too cautious. If he were the commander, he’d already have stormed the gates—none of this dithering.

“Very well. If the emperor of Song dares not come, I volunteer to lead the vanguard and break through Kaifeng’s gates,” Zongbi declared.

“Just wait a little longer. News should come soon,” Zongwang reassured.

As he spoke, a man rushed in from outside, falling to his knees before Zongwang, crying, “Commander, please avenge me!”

Zongwang recognized him as the envoy he had sent to Kaifeng, surprised at his swift return.

“What happened to your ear?” Zongbi frowned, looking at the man.

“Fourth Prince, my ear was cut off by the Song soldiers. They said the Jin have betrayed their word and advised us to withdraw immediately, or else none of us will return alive,” the man clutched his wounded ear, his face twisted in pain as he sobbed to Zongbi.

With a loud crack, Zongbi smashed the teacup before him onto the ground.