Having just been forced to stop by the earth-shattering shout, Grand Marshal Kong, with his excellent military training, secretly cried out in his heart that things were bad.

But there was no time to think further. Immediately afterwards, dense drumbeats echoed throughout the camp. Then, almost simultaneously, the front fences of the entire Song army camp were pushed down from the inside. Countless pre-prepared and well-rested troops from the Imperial Vanguard surged out of the camp, charging forward with shouts of killing in time with the drumbeats.

Kong Yanzhou, worthy of being called "Little Yue Fei," understood immediately upon seeing this situation that the surprise attack had become a joke. He changed his mind instantly. Before his stunned vanguard could react, he abandoned the attack, bent down, and spurred his horse to flee to the right.

Now, he could neither fight nor stay, so naturally, he had to leave.

Moreover, dusk was approaching, and rain was on its way. If he could take advantage of the situation and escape into the hills surrounding Mount Tai to the east, he might escape with his life. As the saying goes, "As long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood." Kong Yanzhou's days were far from over.

Of course, in the end, Marshal Kong himself probably didn't realize that in this life-or-death moment, he still couldn't let go of the wealth and comfort of Yanzhou, couldn't let go of the dozens of young maidens required to carry his dishes during meals. So, he instinctively chose the direction of his old lair.

However, Yanzhou, the dishes, and his quick reaction were all futile because as soon as he turned around and traveled no more than a *li*, not even far from Yue Fei's camp, on the battlefield where visibility was still relatively clear, a force of four or five hundred cavalrymen came head-on, aiming directly for Kong Yanzhou.

Only then did Kong Yanzhou realize that his quick reactions were all in vain because if he were Yue Fei, he would definitely place elite cavalry on both flanks to encircle and block the enemy.

The flag in front bore the character "Zhang," suggesting an old acquaintance, Zhang Xian. Whether this Zhang Xian had changed his name or not, before the change, he was recognized as a scoundrel in Xiangzhou. Could he be tricked, resulting in a 'Guan Yunchang Righteously Releases Cao Mengde' moment, as the storytellers say?

"Kong, you rascal! You've fallen into my hands?" Two groups of cavalry were too obvious on the plains battlefield. Zhang Xian was aiming directly at him. Upon clearly seeing it was Kong Yanzhou, he was overjoyed and brandished his spear on horseback, shouting, "Today, I'll kill you and use your head to pay tribute to Chancellor Zhang and Xu Qing!"

With a shout from the main general, hundreds of cavalrymen behind him roared and accelerated.

Marshal Kong was utterly helpless and could only raise his spear and shout with all his might, "Follow me to kill Zhang Si! Return to Yanzhou, and everyone will be rewarded with four wives!"

But as soon as he spoke, no one responded… Even on a battlefield of tens of thousands of people, this was wrong. As a general, supported by the Jin people as the Marshal of Qi, he should have had hundreds of core cavalry guards behind him.

Why was it that when Zhang Xian shouted, his cavalry roared in response, but when he shouted, no one answered?

Therefore, knowing it was a life-or-death moment, Kong Yanzhou couldn't help but look back… And with that look, Marshal Kong, who had been a violent killer in his youth, was completely flustered for the first time in his life, perhaps even in this battle or his entire life.

It turned out that the hundred or so armored cavalrymen behind him had been fleeing with him, but when they ran into Zhang Xian's ambush of cavalry on the flank, they immediately lost their desire to fight and scattered in all directions, each seeking their own way out, no longer caring about Marshal Kong.

In his panic, Kong Yanzhou turned back, instinctively wanting to dismount and surrender, but Zhang Xian and his cavalry had already charged up to him.

Several riders in the lead charged head-on, thrusting out their spears diagonally. Marshal Kong's horse neighed and collapsed first.

As the Marshal of Qi landed awkwardly on the warm, wet, and hard ground, and had just turned over, several riders swarmed in, slashing with knives and stabbing with spears.

In an instant, this legendary figure, who in another timeline had wandered between the Song, Jin, and Qi dynasties for decades, suppressed Zhong Xiang, slaughtered Hunan, married his own daughter, and later actually participated in controlling the main force of the Jin army until he was killed by the Jin people during Wanyan Liang's reign… In this life, he only had time to enjoy a few dozen dishes before dying in this battle of Dongping Prefecture.

With his death, no one shouted to avenge Marshal Kong. For the Qi army, the battle did not become any worse due to his death because it couldn't get any worse.

The Qi army was already surrounded, a desperate force making a last-ditch struggle.

Therefore, when Zhang Rong did not give in to the opportunity to attack proactively, and Yue Fei had the entire army ready early on, even shouting the "Kill Kong" that directly shattered the heavens, this so-called last-ditch struggle was just a futile joke.

The rain gradually increased, and the battlefield became muddy, but fortunately, it was a flat plain, and it was still far from sunset. Yue Fei and Zhang Rong, with their nearly 50,000 troops in two divisions, advanced towards each other after their respective victories, plowing through the Qi army like a field.

As the sun set in the west, gradually falling, its color golden, the summer ground was dry, and suddenly meeting the rain, its color was deep and dark. The rain and dust filled the space between heaven and earth. Although there were no surging armored soldiers, the neighing of warhorses could be heard… Yue Fei, walking almost as if strolling, leading the thousand or so Beiwei Army, newly established a month ago and modeled after Han Shizhong's, calmly advanced westward. Reaching a slightly undulating high ground in the plain of the battlefield, he braved the rain, reined in his horse on the ridge, and looked at the setting sun in the west, while also observing the battlefield. All he could see was a hazy expanse, yet full of color. He couldn't help but feel a rare sense of wonder at the marvels of heaven and earth, and his mind and body were shaken.

After all, at this time, although it couldn't be said to be a dragon war in the wild with blood black and yellow, it could be described as a carriage on a high ridge, my horse black and yellow.

While a battle destined to be recorded in history erupted in Dongping Prefecture, the weather in Bianliang was as dry as usual, and people's hearts were calm and undisturbed.

However, the Zhao Emperor rarely found life not tedious today because he was eating watermelon with several ministers in the setting sun. Moreover, this time, it wasn't the common crisp melon found in the streets and fields but watermelon, which made the Zhao Emperor unusually happy.

How many years had it been? How could he not be happy?

Watermelon had been introduced to China for hundreds or thousands of years, but possibly because the varieties had not been improved, it had always been a luxury item grown in places with abundant sunshine like the Western Regions.

However, in this era, when the Song and Jin dynasties coexisted, the green-skinned, red-fleshed watermelon suitable for planting in the Central Plains and Jiangnan, almost no different from those of later generations, finally appeared.

And after the Song and Jin dynasties stabilized, this type of watermelon began to be widely popularized, becoming a necessity for Chinese people to relieve the summer heat.

The specific source of this variety improvement, which was enough to accumulate merit and become a saint, was unknown, but it was very likely that during the Liao dynasty, the Liao people, who controlled the Western Regions, cultivated it in the Yanyun area.

Of course, back to the present, this watermelon was not yet widely available to everyone and was still a luxury enjoyed only in the north and west. The watermelon the Zhao Emperor was eating today was brought from Hebei by the Jin envoy Gao Jingshan.

There were three in total. Possibly to keep them fresh, one was not ripe. The remaining two, one large and one small, the smaller one was sent to Consort Pan and the two princesses, while the larger one was not given to Madam Wu by the Zhao Emperor. Instead, he summoned several ministers plus the Censor-in-Chief to the palace specifically to eat watermelon.

Three ministers, one Censor-in-Chief, the so-called outer court officials, then a small Hanlin Academician as an attendant, Liu Yan, and Chief Guard Lan Gui, the so-called inner court confidants, plus the Emperor, eight men eating one watermelon was just to taste something fresh.

"Has Gao Jingshan been sent off?"

In the pavilion on the side of the pond, which had been cleaned up, Zhao Jiu led the way in finishing the watermelon, first having people carefully collect the seeds, and even personally packing them in a small cloth bag. Then, he got up and led the way in washing his hands in a copper basin next to him, looking quite content. Only after sitting down, since several ministers were present, he couldn't help but casually discuss some court affairs.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, he has been sent off." Grand Councilor Wang Boyan quickly replied. "According to Your Majesty's words, we sent him two dead rabbits that Your Majesty personally shot, as a return gift."

Zhao Jiu nodded slightly.

The Censor-in-Chief Li Guang frowned. "I don't know what the Jin people are thinking, actually coming from Daming Prefecture to mediate the war between the Imperial Song and the Puppet Qi… The Imperial Song and the Puppet Qi are irreconcilable. They established the Puppet Qi themselves, don't they know that?"

"They're not really here to mediate." Zhao Jiu immediately smiled. "Nor did they really come with instructions from Yanjing. They probably saw Li Kui's and Li Bao's large army crossing over from across the river in Daming Prefecture, knew things were not good, so they took it upon themselves to come here and tell Us that if we win in Dongping this time, that's fine, but if we advance to Jinan, although they are unwilling, they will have to mobilize their main force and fight in the summer heat."

Everyone present nodded in agreement, while Li Guang blushed slightly.

Yue Fei was not a muddleheaded person. When he sent out his troops that day, he calculated the time well and also had Li Kui, Li Bao, and others, who detoured west from Liangshanpo, send official documents to Tokyo, Nanjing, and other places, reporting his plans.

In other words, the court already knew that Yue Fei was about to encircle Dongping Prefecture.

However, due to the speed of information transmission, they didn't know that the encirclement had been completed, and the subsequent events that quickly followed, let alone today's decisive battle.

In any case, since the military plan had been sent and was already in the second half of its execution, the previous impeachment of Yue Fei for incompetence, based on the fact that the Imperial Vanguard was not moving on the Wen River, seemed somewhat embarrassing.

Therefore, the debate on the merits and demerits of military officers that the Zhao Emperor was looking forward to disappeared after only half a day.

"Your Majesty," Lu Haowen said, seeing Li Guang's embarrassment, taking the initiative to ease the atmosphere in the pavilion. "What does Your Majesty intend to do, whether to send troops to Jinan?"

"We don't think so!" Zhao Jiu said casually. "It's still the same as before, prioritize accumulating strength first, because no one knows what the Jin people's new round of invasion will look like this autumn. Don't let the Puppet Qi consume too much strength… Therefore, Dongping Prefecture against the Puppet Qi should still be based on speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, like shooting an arrow. If it hits, it hits. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Don't be caught up in the fight, and don't get bogged down."

"Your subject thinks the same way." Lu Haowen quickly nodded. "Our grain and money are still very tight. The Southeast and Jingxiang regions are full of complaints. Your Majesty opened the Imperial Examination and sent people to reward Zhong Xiang's descendants, only then did things calm down a little. We can't get caught up in it, wasting people's hearts in vain…"

"It's not just that." Zhao Jiu took over the conversation, chuckling. "Gao Jingshan brought three watermelons here in a hurry, although he foresaw the setback in Dongping Prefecture and didn't want to expand the conflict in the summer heat, he may also have had the intention of provoking us, secretly hoping that we would send troops to Jinan and fight Liu Yu, who would definitely defend desperately, and consume our strength."

"That is indeed a concern." Chancellor Xu Jingheng stroked his beard in agreement. "Your Majesty might as well send a golden plaque to the front line to remind Yue Pengju."

Zhao Jiu paused, feeling that something was wrong, but after thinking for a moment, he still nodded. "That can be done."

"Not only that."

Wang Boyan continued to remind him. "The Chancellery has already discussed it, saying that after this battle, compared with Jinan, a more important thing is to recover Yanzhou, and the most crucial thing is to take the opportunity to deal with Zhang Rong of Dongping Prefecture… Why doesn't Your Majesty first send a golden plaque to let Yue Fei not be entangled in battle, and then send another golden plaque to have him bring Zhang Rong to Tokyo to see Your Majesty after the battle? In your subject's opinion, if Zhang Rong is willing to come and see Your Majesty, he is a person who can be used and kept!"

Several ministers nodded in agreement, and the Zhao Emperor also nodded in agreement after thinking for a moment.

Seeing the three ministers speaking one after another, easily deciding these major front-line matters with the Emperor, Li Guang, who was attending such an event for the first time, shook off his embarrassment and realized that this was so-called "deliberation on state affairs by the ruler and his ministers," something that a civil official pursued and hoped for in his entire life.

Therefore, after a little consideration, the Censor-in-Chief, feeling that he was the head of the Censorate, with half the power of a chancellor, could not remain silent like the inner officials Lin Jingmo and Liu Yan at this time. He had to offer some suggestions, no matter what.

With this thought in mind, Censor Li became slightly serious and said, "Your Majesty, although Yue Fei has a military report saying that he is preparing to encircle Dongping Prefecture, the Puppet Qi has many troops in Dongping Prefecture after all, and the traitor Liu Yu and his subordinates, the Puppet Governor Li Cheng, the Puppet Chancellor Hong Ya, and the Puppet Marshal Kong Yanzhou, are all capable figures. We should not underestimate them… Even the Puppet Crown Prince Liu Lin is said to be quite the枭雄(xiāo xióng - ambitious and ruthless person). Why not send another golden plaque to let Yue Fei be careful and not be careless, lest there be a mistake in the military situation due to negligence?"

Zhao Jiu paused, speechless looking at Li Guang's expectant face. At this moment, a clear cough from Chancellor Lu next to him made the Zhao Emperor realize – this was the new Censor-in-Chief offering advice on major military and state affairs for the first time, and even if it was nonsense, it should be treated seriously.

Therefore, Zhao Jiu immediately became serious and replied earnestly: "The Censor-in-Chief is right. We have also heard that Liu Lin and others are 枭雄(xiāo xióng - ambitious and ruthless person)figures and cannot be easily underestimated. We will have Liu Yan send the Imperial Red Heart Cavalry to deliver several golden plaques closely in succession, so that Yue Fei on the front line knows the importance of the matter and does not make any mistakes!"

Li Guang was immediately relieved.

Under the setting sun, the ruler and his ministers in the pavilion who had finished eating watermelon were happy.

The rain became denser, and the setting sun still remained. Northeast of Pingyin City, Dongping Prefecture, near the former central army tent of Liu Lin's camp, Zhang Rong, the Pacification Commissioner of Dongping Prefecture and the Great Chieftain of Liangshanpo, opened his robe, revealing his dark chest, and was frowning at a cart of crisp melons in front of him. Several men dressed in short clothes were kneeling on the ground beside him, waiting.

"You say you are a melon seller from Jinan, but two carts of melons were just picked and then robbed by some Puppet Qi soldiers, brought here to be specially supplied to the leaders and officers here? And after only eating one cart of melons, we came?" After a long pause, Zhang Rong finally asked.

"That's what happened!" The leading man quickly looked up and replied, speaking with a Shandong accent. "Great Chieftain, we are really not soldiers, just ordinary melon sellers from Jinan… Please, Great Chieftain, spare us. I don't want this cart of melons. I only ask that the Great Chieftain allow us and our relatives to return to our farmhouses in Jinan."

Zhang Rong listened and heard no flaws, nodding repeatedly, about to agree. But at this moment, under the faint light, he suddenly noticed that behind the speaking man, there was a young man crawling in the mud. Because he had been lying there for a long time, the rain had washed away a lot of the mud, revealing a section of arm that was strong but also excessively fair.

It was also thought-provoking.

Therefore, after looking at this person for a while, Great Chieftain Zhang suddenly raised his knife. This caused those on the ground to panic and clench their fists, but he only used the back of the knife to tap the crisp melons on the cart in front of him, then said seriously:

"Since you are innocent villagers, how can you lose the melons you worked so hard to grow? I will pay for them!"

The people below were all relieved. The leading man kowtowed repeatedly, praising the Great Chieftain's righteousness and kindness.

Zhang Rong tapped the melon lightly again with the back of his knife, but then looked hesitant:

"It's just that I have always lived on the water and only know about fishing. I don't know about growing melons. We fish sellers all keep things fresh. Can you guarantee these melons are sweet?"

The people below were stunned for a moment.

ps: The previous chapter was a repayment, this chapter is for tonight, good night everyone, be sure to take care of your bodies, blow less air conditioning, exercise more! Eat more melons!