It is said that, with Han Shizhong personally leading a fleet of sailing ships against the current, the Jin army almost instantly lost the desire to cross the Huai River.

In fact, thinking about it, the Jurchens were just barbarians, not fools. On the contrary, they had a high level of understanding of military technology. Therefore, faced with the obvious disparity on the water, they could close their eyes and imagine that any floating bridge, any of the previous large and small boats, could withstand the impact of these sailing ships?

Under such circumstances, where would the desire to fight come from?

Of course, courage and fighting spirit were certainly not lost; the Jin army had not yet fallen to that level. But before figuring out how to deal with this fleet, they were inevitably frustrated and tried to avoid fighting it...

In short, no matter how indignant Grand Commandant Zhang was, Han Shizhong's timely arrival in fact changed the strategic balance of the entire campaign, and in fact concluded today's battle with the Song army's successful defense.

However, it was not just Han Shizhong and his fleet of sailing ships that allowed the Song army to end the battle with dignity today.

"The Emperor is here!"

"The Emperor is here to see Zhang Qige (Seventh Brother)!"

"Commander Qiao and Yang Dalang (Big Brother Yang) are also here!"

"Zhang Qilang (Seventh Son) has such great honor!"

In the evening, in the camp located on the western passage at the foot of Mount Bagong, that is, behind the western water village, Zhao Jiu, the Song Emperor, wearing a stiff-winged hat and a gold belt, appeared outside a crowded military tent with a solemn expression amidst a burst of noise.

Obviously, he was here to visit Zhang Yongzhen, the great hero of today's battle... Zhang Yongzhen almost single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, and his功劳 (gōngláo, merit) was beyond doubt. More importantly, when the entire army was collapsing and no one dared to fight, his counterattack was particularly valuable. In addition, after this Zhao Jiu's 'direct' subordinate was carried back, everyone discovered that he had been shot with nineteen arrows, and had almost bled to death, seemingly beyond saving!

At this time, Zhao Jiu, who had gained absolute autonomy in the Huainan camp, had no reason not to visit him in order to win people's hearts and set an example.

Entering the tent, a strong smell of blood and river water mixed together rushed to his face. In addition, there was the stench of sweat from the crowd, the smell of burning fuel, and the strange smell of Chinese herbal medicine, which was really suffocating.

Honestly, in the half year since leaving the well, Zhao Jiu had gone from being shocked by seeing people killed and bleeding, to personally killing people, to carrying Liu Guangshi's head across the river, and should have adapted to certain scenes long ago. However, when this Zhao Emperor came to Zhang Yongzhen's bedside and saw the man's clothes open, his body covered in bloody holes messily patched up with 金疮药 (jīn chuāng yào, golden sore medicine), contrasting with his almost pale skin, he lost his composure again in public, turning his head away... It was unclear whether he was frightened or felt it was too unbearable to look at.

After adjusting for a moment, Zhao Jiu still looked at Zhang Yongzhen, focusing only on his face, trying to avoid looking at his body.

"Your Majesty... you really came. I knew... I knew Your Majesty would come..." Zhang Yongzhen tried to speak, forcing a smile, but he was panting, just like a dying man. "I also guessed... guessed... Your Majesty would definitely be... be frightened by my appearance."

"Does Zhang卿 (qīng, a term of endearment for a subject) have any last words to say?" Zhao Jiu勉力 (miǎn lì, forced himself) to answer.

Zhang Yongzhen did not waste his precious energy, but turned his eyes and glanced at the people around him.

Zhao Jiu understood and immediately turned his head. Without the Emperor having to speak, Yang Yizhong beside him understood and immediately ordered: "Everyone out! Zhang Qilang (Seventh Son) has something to say to His Majesty in private!"

Although the people in the tent were curious, no one dared to neglect the order. Led by Commander Qiao Zhongfu, the group of onlookers, soldiers, doctors, and civilians left the tent and hid away.

After a moment, Zhang Yongzhen still did not speak, but turned his gaze to Yang Yizhong again.

This time, without Zhao Jiu turning his head, Yang Yizhong knew to step aside. For a moment, only Zhao Jiu and Zhang Yongzhen were left in the tent.

"I, I today... brought honor to Your Majesty. I want... I, a dead man... want a high official position, the kind that can... can confer titles on my wife and provide for my descendants..." Somewhat unexpectedly, but not surprisingly to Zhao Jiu, Zhang Yongzhen did not have any heroic ambitions when he was dying, but asked for posthumous treatment.

"That is natural." Zhao Jiu instinctively held the other's cold hand and almost unhesitatingly replied. "After Zhang卿 (qīng, a term of endearment for a subject) passes away, there will definitely be a posthumous title. If we find your family in Yan'an Prefecture in the future, your elders and wife will be given titles and official positions, and your sons will definitely be given a high荫官 (yìn guān, official post obtained through the privilege of one's ancestors)... Not only that, if there is ever peace, I will appoint you, Zhang Yongzhen, as the River God of the Huai River, build a temple for you, and receive incense from the people of the world."

Hearing these words, Zhang Yongzhen's pale face flushed slightly, and his hand had a little strength. He forced a smile: "How can a person like me... how can I become an immortal?"

Zhao Jiu was about to say something, but Zhang Yongzhen did not stop: "Immortals are... are fine, Your Majesty... Your Majesty."

"Speak."

"My brothers on the ship today..."

"Don't worry, all nine people on the ship will become immortals with you in the future. If there are family members, we will find them and give them proper treatment! Is there anything else to say?"

"Yes, yes! My wife... if, if she remarries... I'm narrow-minded... Your Majesty must..."

"I know," Zhao Jiu was slightly moved,勉力 (miǎn lì, forced himself) to answer. "Must not give her a title!"

Zhang Yongzhen breathed a little easier, but tried to say again: "Still, still give it to her... It's hard for her too... And if, if we can't find them in Yan'an Prefecture, they, they might... have returned, have returned to their old home in Longxi."

"I have remembered everything!" Zhao Jiu felt a slight pang in his nose when he heard these words, but勉强 (miǎn qiáng, barely) stopped it and continued to maintain a serious expression. "Your wife will be given a title regardless of whether she remarries. If we can't find your family in Yan'an Prefecture, we can go to your hometown to look again... Don't worry, I promise you everything. As long as we can fight back, I will definitely find your family for you, alive or dead! Not only you, but also your brothers on the ship today, I will do my best to give you all an outcome!"

Zhang Yongzhen was completely relieved and showed a slight smile on his face.

"Is there anything else to say?" Zhao Jiu continued to ask.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Yongzhen spoke again, but his breathing became shorter and faster, and there was obvious noise in his chest. "You, you are so, so generous to me and us... If, if I don't say something, I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll be sorry to you... You, you lean over... Don't, don't let outsiders hear..."

Zhao Jiu quickly leaned his ear over.

Zhang Yongzhen also suddenly exerted all his strength, holding Zhao Jiu's hand tightly, and拼尽全力 (pīn jìn quán lì, doing his best) said in the Zhao Emperor's ear:

"I know Your Majesty is trying to win people's hearts, I knew it from the beginning! I went crazy on the river today, not for you, Your Majesty, not for loyalty, and not for any rewards or grace... I, I just want to go home, want to go home... I'm going crazy! I'm, I'm sorry..."

After desperately saying these words, Zhang Yongzhen just lay back, took two more breaths, and didn't take the third, dying on the spot on the couch.

Zhao Jiu was stunned for a moment after hearing these words. Seeing the other person die in front of him, he didn't know why, but felt as if something had smashed open his heart and lungs. He grabbed the other's hand, and tears fell uncontrollably. Then, feeling that his breathing was not smooth, he simply let go of everything and cried unrestrainedly like a flood breaking through a dam!

It is said that countless Western Army officers and soldiers who had come to watch outside the tent, as well as important civil and military officials who had rushed over upon hearing the news, originally wanted to enter and comfort him when they first heard the crying. Yang Yizhong, who was closest, even reached out to lift the tent curtain, but suddenly hearing such unrestrained crying from behind, they almost all froze. For a moment, no one dared to step forward easily.

ps: Thanks to 大娘也捧捧我 (Dà niáng yě pěng pěng wǒ, an internet user name) for their reward.