Volume 5 Chapter 54: Questions and Answers
The fall of Hedong City itself was quite dramatic, but in terms of the outcome it was inevitable and natural.
Therefore, the story of Wen Dunsizhong and the Jin general fighting hard against the enemy, returning to the government office after being exhausted, drinking tea and chatting, and finally assisting each other in suicide and heroically dying for the country is destined to be recorded only in the notes of the top 100 Southeast Gongge who followed the army, and then it will take many years before it will be dug up by someone, forming a residual mark of these two people in history.
If we don't count these unofficial histories, I'm afraid there wouldn't even be any trace left, just a mention in history books, or attached to the biographies of Wang Sheng or Han Shizhong.
As for Wen Dunsizhong's talent, pride, sense of superiority of being born under Aguda's command, and the legendary deeds he experienced with Aguda, and even his bright future of becoming a prime minister and his ruthlessness in taking revenge on the Wulinda brothers after gaining power, no one cared.
But that's nothing.
Just like the stage when this war had just begun ten years ago, there were countless similar cases in the Song Dynasty at that time, with the same dramatic failure process and the same unquestionable helplessness beyond the drama. Countless lives with their own ideas, personalities, and futures suddenly disappeared.
No one cares about anyone else. On the battlefield, there are only enemies and friends.
"When we meet in the army, there is no need to be formal. Everyone, stand up."
At the end of October, although Emperor Zhao was delayed in Wenxi for half a day, he finally listened to Lu Yihao's advice and rushed to Tieling Pass with the three armies of Wang De, Li Qiong and Li Shifu. Then he met the generals headed by Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian and Ma Kuo. Without even saluting to them, he waved his hand and hurried into the pass.
There are more than dozens of generals who have come to welcome us, some with names and achievements.
There were dozens of generals, dozens of close ministers, and nearly a hundred elites from the Southeastern Court accompanying Emperor Zhao. Originally, it was thought that it would be a very solemn and warm meeting, but unexpectedly, Emperor Zhao's attitude made people nervous and puzzled for a while.
Could it be that Mr. Lu would die immediately because of a sudden cold?
What is going on?
Does it mean that every time the Song Dynasty officially goes to war with the Jin Dynasty, a prime minister will die on the front line?
However, no matter how nervous they were or how many wild thoughts they had, everyone could only follow the expressionless official and rush in.
As mentioned before, Tieling Pass is just a choke point, a narrow courtyard, plus two north and south gate towers, three stories in the north and two stories in the south. When the Jin army took control of the entire Hedong, there was only one Mouke stationed there, and in fact, at most three or four hundred people could be squeezed in. It was really narrow. But now that the Zhao emperor's dragon flag entered the pass, countless civil and military followers poured in, plus the imperial guards who had to be here, they occupied the entire pass cleanly.
Those below the commanding officer were not qualified to enter the interior of the country, and among the top 100 officials in the Southeast, only those who were obviously older and had higher prestige were allowed to enter.
For a moment, countless people looked at the courtyard and sighed.
However, even if you enter the yard, you may not be able to speak or participate in military meetings.
That's right, as soon as Emperor Zhao entered and saw that Tieling Pass was so cramped, he simply gave up the idea of going to the gate tower to talk. He only asked Yang Yi Zhong to put up the dragon flag on the bare gate tower, and then sat directly in the corridor in the courtyard facing north and south, and asked Liu Yan to spread out the wooden sand table and start the military meeting.
When the military meeting began, the first thing that happened was to bestow the hastily made large banner and Ma Kuo.
But to be honest, just like the rush to make this big banner, the awarding of the banner this time was also a bit hasty... Moreover, there were not many of Ma Kuo's subordinates who were qualified to enter this courtyard, especially Brother Liang, who had disobeyed military orders and went east without authorization and had been demoted to a commander. However, Zhang Heng, who had brought honor to the rebel army this time, was wanted to leave by Han Shizhong long ago and was assigned to the left army of the imperial camp.
Even the four words "sparks of a prairie fire" made Li Yanxian and his subordinates look somewhat unchanged.
Because in the eyes of these people, the government's choice of these four words seemed to be taking advantage of the situation to warn them.
Of course, no matter what the atmosphere was like, no matter how much people talked about it, it did not prevent Ma Kuo from taking down another banner of extraordinary significance among the generals as a military governor. From then on, he took a step further and became one of the most famous generals in the world.
Don’t you see, President Wang Yan and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Wang De’s eyes were wide open, even Wu Lin, who came to meet the emperor on behalf of his brother Wu Jie, was a little out of control.
Moreover, this big banner finally made Ma Kuo feel a little relieved - he really didn't care about these things at this time, let alone his own rank. What he wanted was that the Taihang Mountain Volunteer Army would have a good result after this battle, but it was useless to say these things when the battle was about to begin.
All we can say is that the bestowal of the grand banner more or less represents the government’s attitude.
Just like this, the process of bestowing the great banner seemed a little cold but solemn. Emperor Zhao waited until the matter was settled, but he did not stop and directly asked Han, Li and Ma about the geography and military situation of Linfen.
The three of them did not dare to neglect it, but immediately took the initiative to step forward, pointed at the wooden sand table, and gave the official a detailed explanation. But to be honest, these things were not much different from the information the official had received before.
It did give the civil and military officials accompanying the army a general understanding of the military situation.
"So, the three states and one army in Linfen have the main vein of the western wing of Taihang Mountain in the east and the main vein of the southern section of Guji Mountain (Luliang Mountain) (Gushan Mountain) in the west. The middle is as flat as a plate, two hundred miles long from north to south, the narrowest part from east to west is no more than fifty miles, and the widest part is seventy miles. There is also the Fen River in the middle. The overall terrain is like a thick and long noodle slanted from north to south between the two mountains... Is it true or not?" Zhao Jiu asked a nonsense question while comparing the sand table set up by the accompanying Red Heart Team.
"yes."
Han Shizhong, who was holding the belt, took the lead and answered straightforwardly.
"Is this terrain beneficial to the Jin army or to us?" Zhao Jiu did not move, his expression unchanged, and continued to look ahead and ask.
"Neither of them can be considered advantageous." Han Shizhong, who turned to the side of the sand table, blurted out. "Let the emperor know that such a flat land is convenient for the Jin cavalry to travel north and south, but it is too narrow from east to west, especially since the Fen River has not frozen yet, and it takes a lot of effort for the cavalry to cross the river. And it divides this place into two, which makes the terrain even narrower and longer... As long as our army has sufficient troops and is well deployed, the Jin army will not be able to make much use of its cavalry."
"Does our army have enough manpower?" Zhao Jiu suddenly asked again.
Han Shizhong was stunned for a moment, and then he looked back at the people in the yard. He didn't know how to respond for a moment. Even the others were stunned for a moment.
"Let me ask you this in a different way." Zhao Jiu continued calmly, "According to what Han Qing just said, the number of Jin troops deployed in the four counties of Linfen is at least 40,000, and at most 60,000 or 70,000, and they are deployed along both sides of the Fen River. Is that true or not?" Zhao Jiu continued to point at the wooden sand table and asked.
"Yes." Han Liangchen nodded quickly.
"Is it possible that the Jin people will continue to send more troops?" Zhao Jiu continued to ask.
"It shouldn't happen." Han Shizhong shook his head. "And even if they do send more troops, we won't be afraid, because in Fenzhou, between Yangliang North Gate and Yangliang South Gate, the Shuque Valley is narrow and long. How can we provide more logistics in such a narrow area of thirty or forty miles?"
At this point, Han Shizhong seemed to have thought of something, and could not help but say one more sentence: "If we consider this general direction, the terrain of Linfen is actually beneficial to the royal army and not to the Jin army... If I were the commander of the Jin army, I would never dare to fight a life-and-death battle here."
"When I was in Wenxi, I heard Wang Sheng's urgent military report saying that Hedong City had been breached. Therefore, south of the Huishui River, our army already has the entire left army of the Imperial Camp, the entire central army, and another 10,000 cavalry, and at least 30,000 to 40,000 Taihang Mountain volunteers. Is that true or not?" Zhao Jiu did not comment, but continued to point at the sand table and asked without expression.
"Yes." Han Shizhong was inexplicably a little panicked.
"How much is that?" Zhao Jiu continued to ask, as if he couldn't do arithmetic. "Except the Eight Character Army guarding the Chenguan Pass, and the necessary fortresses stationed along the logistics line."
"Although there are casualties, there are also surrendered soldiers and reinforcements. The difference is not much compared to before the war. If we remove some necessary garrisons..." Han Shizhong estimated in his mind and gave a number that made him even more flustered. "The main force of the Imperial Camp, including cavalry and infantry, is at least 110,000 to 20,000. There are also 30,000 to 40,000 Lianghe righteous troops who can serve as auxiliary troops... And if we count the rear troops of the Imperial Camp..."
"Don't count the Imperial Camp Rear Army as one of them." Zhao Jiu immediately interrupted him, but he used his eyes to find Wu Lin, the brother sent by Wu Jie, and then calmly confronted him. "The Imperial Camp Rear Army is the general reserve force, and it will never be used lightly until the decisive battle. Besides, Wu Jie has gradually gathered troops in northern Shaanxi, which is enough to tie down the Jin army in Datong, and it is also useful."
"Yes." Wu Lin hurriedly stepped out and responded.
"Since we came across the river, do you know the local geography?" Zhao Jiu's expression remained unchanged, but the questions he asked became more and more outrageous.
Perhaps realizing something, Prince Han simply stopped talking with Emperor Zhao and just stood there in a daze, as if thinking about something. It was unclear whether he was recounting the number of troops.
"Your Majesty, although the Jin army has occupied Hedong for ten years, they cannot change the geography of the mountains and rivers." Li Yanxian looked at them coldly for a long time, then suddenly stepped out and answered proudly. "Not to mention President Wang (Wang Yan) and Deputy General Jie (Jie Yuan), both of whom are from Hedong, even General Ma (Ma Kuo) is not from here, but he has been lingering in Taihang Mountain for many years... Even if we take a step back, there are still tens of thousands of Taihang Yijun and tens of thousands of Ba Zijun here. In terms of understanding the local geography of the mountains and rivers, I'm afraid the Jin army is not as good as us."
Zhao Jiu nodded, still without comment, and continued to ask: "The weather is getting colder, and the logistics transportation capacity is insufficient. I am afraid that we have to give priority to transporting winter clothes and suspend the transportation of military equipment... Is the current military equipment sufficient?"
"The early stage of transportation and garrison will be enough to advance into the four counties of Linfen." Li Yanxian simply put it clearly, making many civil and military officials who were still guessing suddenly realize it.
“As winter gets colder, how do we solve the fuel problem?”
"Hedong has been producing coal since ancient times. There is enough coal and wood around. As long as there is enough manpower, we can get it locally."
"Where are the siege engines?"
"There are big trees in the mountains and there are craftsmen in the army. Let's do whatever we have to do." Li Yanxian remained stern.
"Okay." Zhao Jiu nodded. "I already know the situation. The terrain here in Linfen is long and narrow. At least before it freezes, it won't cause us much harm. Then, the main force of our imperial camp is twice as large as the main force of the enemy's western army. At the same time, our army is familiar with the local terrain. The logistics and auxiliary troops are also sufficient for the time being. Moreover, it is not yet the real winter... Is it true or not?"
"Yes." Li Yanxian spoke in a high-pitched voice with a straight posture.
"Can we immediately fight the Jin army for the four counties of Linfen?"
"Yes!" Li Yanxian was about to speak when Wang De suddenly appeared from the opposite side, and his voice was so loud that it temporarily overwhelmed everyone else.
"Well, I'm at Tieling Pass now." Zhao Jiu sat motionless behind the sand table, looking around, and knew everything. " There is . Including Wang Sheng who is cleaning up the situation in Hedong City, there are ten people. Outside, there is Wu Jie leading the 50,000 main forces of the imperial camp, plus tens of thousands of Tangut auxiliary troops, as well as Khitan and Mongolian reinforcements, who are tying up the Jin army in Hexi and Hewai... Who of you is willing to stand up, command the entire army, and take these four counties for me?"
"I am willing to go!" Li Yanxian responded immediately.
Immediately afterwards, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Camp, Wang Yan, the left deputy commander-in-chief of the Imperial Camp's central army, Wang De, the right deputy commander-in-chief, Li Qiong, and the deputy commander-in-chief of the Imperial Camp's cavalry, Li Shifu, spoke almost at the same time.
Only Ma Kuo, knowing that he could not command the main force of more than 100,000 soldiers in the Imperial Camp, remained silent for a moment. Wu Lin also knew that he was just there to make up the numbers, so he stood obediently in the distance, while Jie Yuan looked at Han Shizhong.
Zhao Jiu also looked at Han Shizhong, but said coldly: "Han Qing, what are you thinking about?"
"Your Majesty," Han Shizhong replied as if he had come to his senses. "I was thinking about the poem I presented to you in the secret letter that day..."
This time, it was Emperor Zhao's turn to be stuck. After a few breaths of silence, the emperor looked at each other in amazement: "I remember that poem that day. Han Qing's loyalty and bravery were beyond words... Then read it! Han Qing, read to everyone the poem you wrote for me last year!"
“Yes!”
Han Liangchen bowed his head in response, then stood up, walked past Li Yanxian and others beside him, walked to the other end of the sand table, looked around the yard, then held his belt, held his head high and chest out, and became passionate.
The voice was clear and loud, its aura went straight up to the sky, and its momentum shook the whole courtyard:
"I looked at my sword by lamplight while drunk, and dreamed of blowing the horn in the camp.
The roasted meat is distributed to the subordinates over a distance of eight hundred miles, and fifty strings play the music from beyond the Great Wall.
Military inspection on the battlefield in autumn.
The horse is as fast as Lu, and the bow is as loud as thunder.
To complete the king's affairs and win fame in life and after death.
Poor white hair! "
As soon as he finished speaking, the whole courtyard fell into silence. Wang Yan, Li Yanxian, Ma Kuo, Li Qiong, Wu Lin and others were all stunned. The literary ministers and famous people in the southeast were even more dazed. Even Wang De and others who didn't understand could not help but notice the change in the atmosphere in the courtyard and shrank back for a moment.
"His Majesty."
After reciting two lines of poetry, Han Shizhong turned around, loosened his belt, and saluted solemnly again. "I have been favored by Your Majesty since I came to Huaixi for more than eight years. I have never stopped thinking about helping Your Majesty to avenge the humiliation of Jingkang. Now that Your Majesty has said that all generals can fight, I am honored to be the Marshal of Hedong Road, and I dare not refuse this position... Please give me 100,000 soldiers and leave me 20 days. If I cannot drive all the Jin troops in Linfen across Shuque Valley within 20 days, I will give up this title of Duke and the governor of the three towns to warn future generations!"
"Wu'an has shaking tiles, Yishui has no cold songs." Zhao Jiu nodded, seemingly understating it. "The good minister's words of requesting a battle today are enough to go down in history. With such heroic spirit, why do you need to bet with me? I have brought you reinforcements, 100,000 people, take them!"
"I thank your majesty."
"One more thing."
"Your Majesty, please give your will."
"If there is any disobedience from the Jiedushi and below, you will be the first to execute them, and you don't need to report it. You don't need to discuss with me when making appointments on the battlefield... There are only three things that must be reported seriously." Zhao Jiu seemed calm. "First, the royal army is on the Northern Expedition, and the purpose is to comfort the people and punish the criminals. If there are any criminals who rob and kill the people, they must be reported to the frontier, and I will personally approve and deal with them; second, the shortage of military supplies is related to the overall success or failure of the Northern Expedition, and you must not conceal it; third, although I let you go, you must also know the general military situation. All advances and retreats within 20 miles of the battle line must be reported in a timely manner, without any mistakes."
"How dare I disobey your order!" Han Shizhong answered seriously.
"Then send troops!" Zhao Jiu urged in vain.
At this point, the civil and military officials in the academy finally came to their senses.
