I Can Control My Ancestors

Time flies by swiftly.

Underneath Taiyuan City, the heavy rain continues relentlessly.

It seems as if this is truly a divine condemnation, reprimanding the Great Song, a dynasty that defies the heavens, making the already pressured Song Army even more difficult to advance, and even the atmosphere within the military camp starts to become somewhat oppressive.

The combination of acclimatization issues and harsh weather has caused diseases.

Even though Gu Jin tried every possible method, it was still difficult to completely avoid them.

And this also causes disturbances in the morale of the troops.

Nevertheless, Zhao Kuangyin still listened to Gu Jin’s advice and did not choose to retreat.

This is precisely what makes him extraordinary as an emperor.

He not only suppressed all dissenting voices but also, together with Gu Jin, stabilized the morale of the officers and soldiers.

The prestige accumulated over a thousand years by the Gu Clan, combined with Zhao Kuangyin’s status as emperor, became the strongest pillar supporting morale at this moment.

——No matter what, they must persist!

To retreat one step is to retreat ten thousand steps.

This hard bone, Taiyuan, no matter the cost, the Great Song must gnaw it down.

This is the shared belief of Zhao Kuangyin and Gu Jin, unshakeable by anyone.

The news spreads continually.

Although the Song Army cannot directly assault the city, they are not idle; besides relocating all the people around Taiyuan, Gu Jin also ordered the full excavation of trenches and the construction of fortifications, posing a stance for a protracted war.

——This is still psychological warfare.

He does not believe the internal conflicts within the Northern Han will cease indefinitely.

Human ambition has always been uncontrollable.

These clansmen might halt temporarily due to the Song Army’s northern expedition, but as long as they believe the Song Army cannot break through Taiyuan, all their desires will erupt in a short time.

Of course, besides this, Gu Jin has already sent people to confront the Liao reinforcements.

In fact, he wanted to face them personally.

But, unfortunately, it is now a crucial time to stabilize the army’s morale.

As the current Grand Tutor, the Patriarch of the Gu Clan,

both he and Zhao Kuangyin must remain stationed in the central army camp to give confidence to the soldiers; this is the key.

Simultaneously, inside Taiyuan City.

Liu Jiye stood atop the city wall, staring intently at the distant Song camp, his gaze growing increasingly grave.

"Is this Song Army truly determined to fight to the death with my Great Han?"

He murmured softly, involuntarily clenching his fists at that moment.

This torrential rain.

Affects not only the Song Army but also these defenders.

The issue of disease has always been a core problem that feudal dynasties cannot overcome.

Even though medical advancements in Kyushu have far surpassed historical norms due to the Gu Clan’s presence, it is still impossible to completely resolve everything.

The most critical point is——

Compared to the commanding presence of the Song Army, the current Northern Han is indeed too feeble.

Whether Zhao Kuangyin’s conquest of Later Shu or subsequently inviting the Gu Clan to annihilate two countries in succession has already brought Great Song’s prestige to a shocking level.

All of this constantly impacts the morale of the Bei Han Army.

Under such circumstances, Liu Jiye’s pressure is imaginable.

Thinking of the imperial edict urging battle received today, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply, observing for a long while before heading down the city wall.

He did not return to the commander’s residence but instead turned his steps towards the camp where the injured and ill soldiers recuperated.

Liu Jiye, free-spirited and somewhat chivalrous from a young age, maintains this personality till now, fostering a close relationship with the soldiers.

This is also one of the reasons he can stabilize the army’s morale.

But compared to the Song Army supported by the Gu Clan’s medical skills, the Northern Han’s means of handling injuries and illnesses seems inadequate, with the number of sick exceeding the Song Army.

As he lifted the tent flap, a scent of mixed herbs and damp mildew rushed in.

Seeing Liu Jiye stride in, the once continuous coughing ceased instantly, and several soldiers struggled to get up and salute.

"What’s this?" Liu Jiye raised an eyebrow, his voice loud but tinged with deliberate impatience, "Are you all pretending to suffer in front of this general, planning to loaf around for a few days?"

Instead of offering any comforting words, he snorted, his gaze sweeping over them: "Stay put, all of you!"

"If anyone dares to get up and salute while still sick, I’ll immediately assign him to guard the gates."

"Soaking and blowing in the wind, I’m sure you’ll recover faster!"

As he spoke, he walked to an old soldier attempting to rise, pressing him back by the shoulder in a brisk, even slightly rough manner, yet perfectly halting the man’s momentum.

Someone inside couldn’t help but chuckle softly, discreetly breaking the tense atmosphere.

Liu Jiye looked at this group of people.

A smile appeared on his face at this moment, and disregarding formalities, he sat quietly to the side, loudly asking, "After taking medicine today, has your condition improved?"

This is something he does every day.

His concern for these people is in no way less than that of Gu Jin.

Hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but nod.

In front of a general like Liu Jiye, even if their condition hadn’t improved, these men would assert they are better.

Listening to their responses, Liu Jiye nodded, waiting until everyone finished before speaking again: "This continuous rain is surely heaven’s punishment on that tyrannical Song."

"Rest assured."

"This Song Army won’t hold out for long, as the Liao reinforcements have already arrived!"

"Once the Song Army retreats."

"I will certainly petition the emperor to grant you rewards!"

Although it’s not the first time Liu Jiye has spoken these words.