On the 30th day of the first lunar month, the eighth year of Xuanhe in the Song Dynasty.

The Lieutenant Colonel in Damingfu City was a tragic and solemn scene.

The athletes of Tiance, the imperial guards, the filial son of Daming, and the powerful people of the Wei family, lined up in a corner of the school ground under various banners. The soldiers and armor were still neat, but the number of people was still a little small. In such a large school ground where tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry were placed, most of the territory was empty, with only more than 20,000 people huddled in the northwest corner of the school ground, which made the people and gentry of the Daming Mansion standing outside the school ground feel unsure.

The 20,000 troops here are all the soldiers that Zhao Kai gathered together within more than 20 days after he arrived at Daming Mansion.

Among them, there were more than 4,500 cavalrymen organized into Zhao Kai's personal army, including 1,800 cavalry led by Zhao Kai from Kaifeng Prefecture, 1,000 cavalry originally belonged to Han Shizhong, more than 700 cavalry led by Liu Yan from Daming Prefecture, dozens of cavalry brought by horses, and more than 800 cavalry led by the veteran Yang Weizhong who arrived in Yizhou two days ago, as well as two or three hundred cavalry recruited by Zhao Kai from Daming Prefecture, filial sons, and civilians.

These cavalry are now the main ace force in Zhao Kai's hands, so he didn't care about their original subordinates and all used the military orders of the Hebei Marshal's Army to join the Tiance's personal army. In order to win over the hearts of the military officers and military leaders who led the troops to join, Zhao Kai set up a commander in the Tiance's personal army, three deputy rulers and three commanders.

Among them, Tiance's personal military command was given to Han Shizhong, and the deputy commander was given to Xiang Ke, Liu Yan, and Yang Weizhong. These four were all led by the team. Han Shizhong and Xiang Ke each brought more than 1,000 cavalry, and Liu Yan and Yang Weizhong brought seven or eight hundred cavalry. The three commanders were Huang Wuji, Liu Qi, and Ma Kuo. In addition, although the three deputy commanders and the three commanders had their own official positions, the number of cavalry commanders they commanded was the same. These seven people served as cavalry commanders, and each led more than 600 cavalry.

The Tiance personal army also had an auxiliary general, composed of the horses brought by Zhao Kai from the Moutuogang Horse Farm, and the horses and servants recruited in Daming Mansion. Among them, less than 500 people with Tiance military registration, the imperial guards, and about 1,000 people with wing soldiers. The chief general of the auxiliary general is the Xiang army officer Qiwang from Moutuogang. He also has a commander's official title, called the Military Horse Commander.

The main task of the auxiliary general of the Tiance Army is to manage the horses of the Tiance Army and a small horse farm, taking care of more than 10,000 horses in total - all the Tiance cavalry joined with war horses, plus the 5,000 horses brought by Zhao Kai from the Moutuogang Horse Farm, and the horses found after arriving at Daming Mansion. The total number of horses belonging to the Tiance Army now exceeds 1,200 stallions and more than 2,000 tall horses and mares of the best age for giving birth.

In addition, there are hundreds of guards under the Tiance personal army, namely the Kaifeng soldiers who were lined up outside Donghuamen. Their current mission is to defend Zhao Kai's palace.

In addition to the Tiance personal army, Zhao Kai also set up two new military names: the General Mansion Ya Army and the Wei Fuyi Army.

Among them, the General's Mansion Ya Army was the 5,000 Imperial Army infantry that originally stationed in Daming Mansion City. This army was also taken over by Zhao Kai with a General's Mansion. The military commander was He Guan, a veteran general brought by Zhao Kai from Kaifeng Mansion.

The Weifu Yi army, also known as the filial son army, is now incorporated into the "parent and filial sons" of the Daming Mansion, and some of the reorganized rebels and some of the imperial guards and soldiers of the Daming Mansion, have gathered more than 7,000 people in total and organized into a single army. The military commander gave Wang Yuan, the original Daming commander.

In addition to the above 70,000 or more people, Zhao Kai also had two other armed forces, one of which was his personal soldiers in the royal palace, with about 1,000 people. The main force was He Guan, of course, led 300 people who blocked the door outside Donghua Gate and more than 200 relatives who followed Zhao Kai. After arriving at Daming Mansion, Zhao Kai asked his confidant eunuch Wang Xiaode to take charge of them, and also asked Wang Xiaode to recruit 500 new strong men, making up a number of thousands.

Another armed force was brought by Du Chong, the governor of Cangzhou Prefecture, and brought 2,000 Cangzhou soldiers from Daming Prefecture. Du Chong, who was ordered by the Song Dynasty court to escort a batch of grain to Kaifeng Prefecture. He arrived at Daming Prefecture two days ago. Of course, Zhao Kai intercepted all the people and the grain.

With the help of everything, Zhao Kai's troops had exceeded 20,000, which was twice as powerful as Guo Yaoshi and Liu Yanzong! Even though one of them had to stay in Daming Mansion, it was still stable to send 15,000 troops.

Ten thousand people beat ten thousand people, and there was a total of five thousand more. There was also the advantage of surprise attacks, and the bonus of Zhao Kai, the chosen king... This advantage is even greater than what I guessed at the beginning, so how could it be impossible to lose, right?

Now, the 20,000 troops of victory were arranged neatly and silently in the schoolyard. But there was no sign of arrogance, and there was also a melancholy floating faintly... It seems that this problem of being cowardly and being effective has to be continued to find a way to cure it!

Outside the schoolyard, dozens of knights were slowly coming towards the schoolyard. The first rider, with silver helmets and silver armor, and a dazzling red cloak, was the Hebei Marshal of the Army and King Yun Zhao Kai, and the senior officials and generals of the Daming Mansion, surrounded him, and half of them looked worried, and a few sighed unstoppable. They had been persuading Zhao Kai for a few days, trying to stop him from going out of the city to fight Guo Yaoshi.

But Zhao Kai was very stubborn and determined to go out of the city to fight against the thieves! He also ordered Chen Ji, He Guan, Han Shizhong, Wang Yuan and others to formulate a plan to raid Guo Yaoshi Camp. Now it is about to be implemented!

Today, Zhao Kai came to the school site in person, either for anything else, or for the purpose of ordering troops!

After the oath was completed, we had to leave the city immediately and go to the west bank of the Yellow River to fight Guo Yaoshi, and Liu Yanzong, the two thieves, to the death!

Although this combat plan looks pretty good - there are regular soldiers, surprise soldiers, and ambushers. Some of the slaughter (cataphs) and bed crossbows arranged at the city center of Daming Mansion will be removed from the 12th century high-tech weapon poison smoke balls!

But in the eyes of Cai Mao, Du Chong, Liang Fangping and others, Zhao Kai’s current behavior is just a nonsense. He, a prince of the Song Dynasty, shouldn’t have left the city in person even if he took the post of Hebei Marshal!

And he went out of the city to raid the Jin army with great hope of peace talks... This is really unwise, and he would also kill the officials and princesses in Tokyo Bianliang!

If both the officials and the prince were killed by the Jin thieves, what should the billionaires of the Song Dynasty do? Who will be the new officials?

When they thought of this problem, Cai Mao, Du Chong, Liang Fangping and others dared not speak out anymore...

Zhao Kai had arrived in the school ground at this time and walked towards the black flags that had long been erected in front of the square formations composed of 20,000 Great Song soldiers, under the white general's tooth flag and the Hongluo Recognition flag. Countless eyes were projected from the square formations, all staring at the somewhat crazy King Yun of Song.

Although the king is a little crazy, it seems that he is also the only person in the Song Dynasty who is cowardly and inferior to others who can make people see hope... Maybe there is only such a crazy king in the Song Dynasty?

Facing the expectant (and doubtful) gazes of the athletes under his command, Zhao Kai's passion in his heart churned violently again.

Zhao Kai was so excited. Look, this is a 20,000 army! Now they are gathered under my command of the king who holds the banner of anti-Jin high... This is just the beginning. After I kill Guo Yaoshi and fight the first victory of the Anti-Jin War, more passionate men will definitely be recruited under my command. By then, I will be able to open up more and larger anti-Jin bases in Hebei and train more anti-Jin feudal armed forces.

When the golden thieves are driven away, I will be able to wear a yellow robe, become the Supreme Lord of the Nine Five, unify the world, and colonize the world!

Thinking of this, Zhao Kai couldn't help but squeeze the horse's belly, urged the horse under his crotch to gradually accelerate, and finally rushed past the 20,000 army in the school field. Everyone's eyes followed him, as if he really saw a glimmer of hope for victory in the Anti-Jin War! He also saw the hope of promotion and wealth...

Among countless pairs of gazes that became a little eager, Zhao Kai rode his horse to the front of the Tiance cavalry located in the center of the 20,000 army. Then he used all his strength to open his throat and shouted: "Now that the country is in danger, what is the real man asking for?"

Someone immediately took the lead and shouted: "Defend the country!"

Zhao Kai glanced at the man and found out that it was a team leader of the Tiance Army, named Wu Benao, a yellow-faced man, who was born in the Western Army. Later, he joined the fifth emperor of the Imperial City to follow the commander, and was regarded as Zhao Kai's "confidant in the secret residence".

Zhao Kai nodded at him, then laughed: "Is it just a defense of the country? Do you want to take advantage of this chaos to kill thieves and make meritorious contributions, get promoted and make money, and win a wife and son?"

A little silence was coming, and the shouts burst out suddenly: "Think! Think! Think..."

This sound is much louder than the heart-wrenching shout of Team Wu Benao just now, and it is simply deafening!

As for the feudal army, of course, I want to be promoted and make money, and I will win my wife and children!

Hearing the truth, Zhao Kai laughed and raised his right hand. The cheering generals below gradually stopped the sound, and the silence in the school ground became quiet again.

Zhao Kai shouted again: "If you want to become an official, then follow me to kill the Jin thieves! The Gu Wang is the marshal of the Hebei military and horses. He can control the army, states, and governments. He can do things at a cheap price and recruit subordinates on his own! As far as the officials are rampant, the Gu Wang can also appoint them!

The army will be sent tomorrow, and the Gu Wang will personally supervise the battle. If you make great contributions, you will be appointed as an official on the spot... Even if you are the rampant officials and the commander of one state and one prefecture, you can also be appointed as an official!

In addition, there are countless official fields in Hebei, and I can also control them... After going to the battlefield, if you make a contribution, the Lone King can give lifelong field on the spot!"

This painting cake is too big!

Not only were the soldiers and generals in the school field stunned for a moment, but even the civil and military officials following Zhao Kai were shocked.

Zhao Kai does have the power to recruit subordinates, and can also recommend some officials, or even print some official photos and send them... After all, this is an extraordinary period! The traffic around Kaifeng Prefecture has been cut off by the Jin soldiers, so the personnel rights of the Hebei Marshal's Mansion must be bullish.

But how can the rampant officials and the governors of the prefecture be awarded casually? Although the rampant officials started from the seventh-rank Right Wulang. However, in the Song Dynasty, where the military officers were generally low, the rampant military officers were high-ranking officials. Their exceptions were granted according to the special order and were not among the relocation of military officials!

Even the officials themselves cannot use the imperial edict to grant rampant officials, and must issue formal edicts through the east and west governments.

As for the state and prefecture commander, it is a powerful dispatcher. The military of one state and one state cannot be given lightly.

Although Zhao Kai has the power to control the army in Hebei, restraint does not mean that he can replace the soldiers and officers from all over Hebei!

Moreover, Zhao Kai also has the power to control the prefectures and prefectures. Can he also replace the prefects and prefects in various places with an order?

Even the officials in the Song Dynasty did not have such power! If he wanted to replace the officials and the commander of the state government, he had to follow the route of collaborating with the two governments and promulgated edicts. If the prime ministers disagreed, it would not be easy for the officials to replace the officials and the commander of the state government.

If Zhao Kai could use his orders to confer a rampant official, appoint a commander and a prefect of the prefecture... then his power is greater than that of the official family?

In addition, there seems to be no precedent for those who are in the army to give land to the soldiers. In other words, there is no precedent for this? In other words, the northwest, Hedong and other places have given land to the border archers, but that is not because of the merits!

Just when Cai Mao and Du Chong were thinking about whether to remind Zhao Kai to carefully appoint and remove officials, someone suddenly took the lead and shouted: "I hope to die for the king!"

"I am willing to die for the king!"

Then there were more people cheers, and soon the cheers reached their peak, deafening, covering everyone!

Zhao Kai nodded with satisfaction. It seemed that this mobilization in front of the formation had achieved the expected results - now everyone knows that the official photo they want most is here with Zhao Kai! He also has the second place they want!

Zhao Kai has the right to be appointed as an official in terms of merit, and is also ready to be appointed as an official in front of the formation! And the largest official (rank official) who can be awarded is the largest fifth-rank official among the rampant officials! The official can be awarded the military commander or the Yifu commander!

If the sergeant's contributions were not great enough, he would also be given land to his post... The external officials of the Song Dynasty had land to receive, and at most several thousand acres could be obtained! However, this land was not for officials to enjoy for life, but was taken back as soon as they stepped down.

Zhao Kai learned from Cai Mao that there were many official lands in Hebei, so he wanted to use them as money.

Because he had limited money, including the accumulation in the Daming Mansion's official treasury, it was less than 4 million. The normal expenses of 20,000 troops and 12,000 horses per month could reach more than 100,000! Therefore, the money he had was unable to support the long-term war.

So take out the land and motivate the soldiers.

And official positions and land are truly rewards!

Although the Song army relied on rewards to fight, they had to distribute a large amount of copper coins and silk before and during the war, so that the soldiers below could refuse to fight in front of the battlefield! However, the generals of the Song Dynasty actually could not get any heavy rewards... What they could easily get was just some copper coins and silk. These things could not change the class they belong to, and it was difficult to make soldiers rich. They were nothing more than letting them eat, drink, gambling and enjoy themselves, and then they were empty-handed.

There are only two things that can truly change the future and destiny of the soldiers, one is official position and the other is land.

An official, even from a ninth rank military officer, can transform the fighting man into a member of the literati class. Even if he retires to his hometown in the future, he can still become a local gentry with his official status and various privileges.

Land can bring long-term income to the sergeants and make the sergeants a member of the landlord class. Moreover, having vocational land can also improve the social status of the sergeants and make them close to the sergeants.

However, these two things are extremely difficult for the soldiers of the Song army to achieve meritorious results... Because they have the right to recommend, the recruitment of high-ranking officials usually will not be in the battle in the Song Dynasty. The kind of generals and ministers does not exist in the Song Dynasty. Even if there are important officials who come out of the battlefield, they will become appeasers, commanders, and commanders, but will not be in the battle. Instead, they hide in the castle behind to command blindly, so they have no idea who cuts people on the front line and has made contributions.

The military officers who led troops to fight were often of low level. Because the Song Dynasty also established eighth-level rankless lieutenant below the ninth-rank Chengxinlang... In other words, since the first level of the army, they have not yet become senior officials. How many merits should they achieve to be promoted to eight levels?

Therefore, there are very few officials at the grassroots level of the Northern Song army. Many of the officers leading troops are rankless lieutenants, and they have no officials themselves. Can they recommend others to be officials?

In such a situation where it is difficult to obtain official positions, those who serve in the army can only ask for a reward... and the incentive effect of money is very limited, so it is understandable that the Song army's lack of fighting enthusiasm is not high.
Chapter completed!