Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 321 Where is he going?
Beneath the walls of Yanjing, Wanyan Zongwang gazed at the city for a long time before slowly walking back into his tent, where many Jurchen generals had already gathered.

Wanyan Zongwang sat down at the head of the table, raised his hand slightly to suppress the voices of the crowd, and said, "Now this city will definitely not be attacked. Perhaps there will be two battles: one to break through the pass and the other to fight Su Wu to the death. Perhaps these two battles will be fought in one battle! Now, I ask you all, from where do we leave Yanshan?"

The map was placed on either side, and everyone was looking at it.

From east to west, the line includes Yuguan Pass, Gubeiguan Pass, Deshengkou Pass, Juyongguan Pass, and Shimenguan Pass...

Further west lies the Wende City-Zhangjiakou line, and further west, one must head towards Datong.

Everyone was watching, and everyone was frowning. There was some intelligence, but not much. Song troops were blocking all the passes.

There are other smaller paths, such as the Luanhe Road, but those are not options; they are all paths taken after defeat.

Wanyan Zonghan said, "Wende is the first choice, followed by Gubei!"

This isn't a difficult decision; it's the easiest, the shortest, the fastest...

Wanyan Zongwang nodded: "Should we take both routes? Or choose only one? Or perhaps use a feint attack?"

There's a deeper meaning in these words. If they take both routes, Wanyan Zongwang has a premonition that one will inevitably be lost, and he's only seeking to pay Su Wu a toll. If they choose only one route, it means a desperate battle, aiming to break through the pass and bring back all the supplies and men—of course, the loss of elite troops is not considered.

A feint attack in the east while striking in the west means not paying the toll, but losing some elite troops, and it remains to be seen whether Su Wu will fall for it.

But none of these are the best options. They waited for Wanyan Zonghan to say, "Why rush to leave? We've already come this far, and the return journey isn't far off. How can we not fight Su Wu? Ideally, we should kill that scoundrel Su Wu on the spot. Wouldn't that be a great victory?"

This also means a strategic shift. Previously, Su Wu had held the initiative, but now, the initiative has more or less fallen into the hands of the Jurchens.

Wanyan Zongwang remained silent for a moment, only looking to his left and right. Everyone around him nodded in agreement. Only then did Wanyan Zongwang speak: "Since you all share this thought, let's think about how to settle the score with Su Wu!"

Wanyan Zonghan then got up and waved his hand to leave. Those who were supposed to leave the tent would leave. As for the matters to be discussed, some people could listen, and some people could not.

For example, Yelü Yudu should have left, and many people of lower status should also have left.

The Wanyan brothers sat down again, forming a circle, just as they always did around the fire pit in the mountains to discuss matters.

Wanyan Zongwang didn't say much, but simply called out, "Wu Shi, you go first..."

Wanyan Xiyin nodded: "If you really want to fight Su Wu, you should take the risk, otherwise Su Wu will definitely not come!"

“Go on, tell me how to take the risk!” Wanyan Zongwang continued.

"The entire army will launch a fierce attack on one point. At this moment, Su Wu should also fight to the death. He should charge into our ranks and fight Su Wu to the death. Our Jurchens are brave and fierce. An elite force will go to do only one thing: see where Su Wu is. No matter how many casualties we suffer, we will charge at Su Wu's location, kill his generals and seize his flag, and win the battle!"

Wanyan Xiyin's words were clearly a risky move, a gamble. If he could succeed, all would be well; if he couldn't, he would be in danger.

But in the eyes of these people, this was nothing. When the Jurchens were fighting the Liao in the beginning, they often took such risks. They didn't care about the size of the Liao army, they just wanted to charge into the center of the enemy army, even if it meant certain death. They just wanted to disrupt the enemy's center of the army or kill the enemy's generals and commanders, and then they would win the battle.

This was a desperate tactic of the weak attacking the strong, yet it was how the Jurchens initially won so frequently, defeating 30,000 with only 3,000 men.

Wanyan Zongwang was still hesitant. As the commander-in-chief, he had to hesitate. Things were different now than before. In the past, defeat meant the extermination of the entire clan, which was why they fought like this.

Nowadays, there are actually many options...

Is it really necessary to do it this way? If it fails, the losses will be enormous.

After listening to Yan Xiyin, he continued, "Our army has more cavalry than the enemy's infantry. If Su Wu really comes, we will have the advantage. But things are not the same as before. If all else fails, retreating will not be difficult..."

That makes sense, but the losses are still too great. If the cavalry retreats alone, wouldn't all our previous efforts be wasted?
Before Wanyan Zongwang could make a decision, Wanyan Zonghan urgently said, "Brother, as long as we can kill Su Wu, nothing else matters. Once Su Wu is dead, the Song Dynasty will be nothing but a land we can take whatever we want! We'll have whatever we desire in the future..."

Wanyan Zongwang and Wanyan Zonghan are now the two major powers in the Jin Dynasty. Wanyan Zongwang is the son of Wanyan Aguda, and Wanyan Zonghan is the son of the prime minister Wanyan Sagai. Who is Wanyan Sagai?

He was Wanyan Aguda's first and most important partner. In the very beginning, Wanyan Aguda and Wanyan Sagai almost jointly or separately ruled the various Jurchen tribes.

Wanyan Sagai had already passed away, and Wanyan Zonghan inherited almost all of Wanyan Sagai's political legacy. This also shows that Wanyan Aguda was loyal and righteous, and never broke his promises to his brothers.

In other words, among the younger generation, Aguda's branch was led by Wanyan Zongwang, while Sagai's branch was led by Wanyan Zonghan.

Therefore, when making real decisions in the army, Wanyan Zongwang had to discuss them with Wanyan Zonghan in this way, rather than making decisions unilaterally.

The two actually had a good relationship, but they often differed in personality and way of doing things. Relatively speaking, Wanyan Zongwang was more gentle and rational, while Wanyan Zonghan was more irritable and cruel.

Wanyan Xiyin, Wanyan Zonghan's deputy, said, "That makes sense. We have already brought these people and goods here. As long as we kill Su Wu, we can take them all back. If we can't kill Su Wu, he certainly won't disperse these things for a while. They should still be gathered in Yanyun or even Yanjing. We can come back next year and perhaps seize them again... If we don't find a way to kill Su Wu this time, I'm afraid that next year, Su Wu's power will be even greater, and he will be even more difficult to defeat..."

Perhaps it was this statement that truly convinced Wanyan Zongwang, who nodded and said, "Then let's choose an open place, one that's convenient for galloping and fighting. Gubei is not an option, so let's choose Wende!"

“Alright, brother, let’s choose Wende!” Wanyan Zonghan was overjoyed.

Wanyan Zongwang added, "We'll continue tomorrow, but we'll change our approach. The infantry will lead the way, with the valuables and slaves in the middle, and the cavalry will be divided into two groups, left and right, to drive from behind. Those who are slow can be killed. We'll reach Wende City as quickly as possible!"

This means leaving the two flanks unattended, allowing Su Wu to devour them.

But in the end, the cavalry spread out a large net, and while Su Wu was eating, they were gathering him up. Speed ​​was the priority, and some losses were acceptable.

The next day, the Jurchen army did just that, so how could Su Wu not rush to attack from both sides?
Although slaves were fleeing all over the mountains and fields, many of them were also gathered back by the Jurchen cavalry.

These are all minor details...

Even Su Wu knew that the Jurchens would most likely choose the Wende City-Zhangjiakou line to advance. Therefore, Lu Da was guarding this line. Wende City had a large number of horses, and Wu Jie and Wu Lin were both there. There were also 30,000 to 40,000 infantrymen.

This place later became an important node of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty, and the location of Xuanhua, one of the nine important border towns. The so-called Tumu Crisis also took place along this line.

This place has been an important battlefield between the Central Plains and northern regimes since ancient times.

Wanyan Zongwang chose this location, and Su Wu also anticipated it, demonstrating just how important this line of defense was.

The Jurchen army is heading north.

Su Wu also began to mobilize manpower. No matter where, whether it was Gubei, Yanjing, or even Guo Yaoshi and Datong, whether it was far or near, whether it was in time or not, he ordered all the troops to be mobilized and come quickly.

Whether it comes fast or slow, it's time to go all in.

Su Wu did not seek complete victory; he wanted money, food, supplies, and manpower. The Jurchens, on the other hand, wanted Su Wu's life, and even all the supplies and manpower to be taken back with him.

In fact, Su Wu also knew that the strategic initiative was slowly shifting in his hands, and no matter how well he planned and strategized, in the end, the soldiers had to risk their lives to fight.

However, Su Wu still wanted to maintain strategic initiative as much as possible. Once the troops from Yanjing reached Shimen Pass, they stopped heading north and instead blocked the roads along the Jurchen line, keeping the Jurchen army in the Huaizhou and Wende area to prevent them from launching a counterattack.

Once the Jurchens have passed through Huaizhou, a strong army will be stationed in the city again, further shrinking the space in which the Jurchens can roam freely.

When the Jurchens reached the walls of Wende City, they could have escaped, provided they didn't take any people or supplies and instead went around the city. The Zhangjiakou area didn't have the extensive Great Wall system that the Ming Dynasty later had.

But the Jurchens certainly won't run away; he has to break through this city blocking his way!
The Jurchens were preparing to attack the city, and Su Wu was following behind.

In just two or three days, the Jurchens began their attack on the city. Inside Wende City, Lu Da, along with Wu Jie and Wu Lin, were defending it. How could it not be a bloody battle?
Wanyan Zongwang built a general's platform and sat firmly on it. This platform was built for Su Wu to see. In the past, he would not have built such a thing and would always choose a high place to sit on horseback to watch.

This was to tell Su Wu that he must conquer this city.

They were attacked from several sides. The Jurchen warriors dismounted and fought on foot, or drove slaves forward, or drove the old Liao soldiers forward, or even went forward themselves.

Three thousand cavalrymen were left to guard Wanyan Zongwang's left and right, while the rest of the men were all on the move, ready to fight at any cost, waiting for Su Wu to come and attack.

Whenever Su Wu arrived, Wanyan Zongwang would personally lead three to five thousand cavalry to meet him first, and then Wanyan Zonghan would lead his men to fight.

As for whether the people inside the city would rush out to attack from both sides, I didn't think much about it. Whether they came or not, my goal this time was to kill Su Wu.

Wanyan Zongwang went to kill them himself!

The Jurchens are just like that, and this is how they have come to be. Now it's time to fight to the death. Wanyan Zongwang has never been afraid of death.

The Song Dynasty had only one Su Wu, while the Jurchens had plenty of Wanyan Zongwangs!
The Song Dynasty lost Su Wu, and thus had no more strong military and capable leaders. The Jurchens lost Wanyan Zongwang, but they still had plenty of strong military and capable leaders.

Wanyan Zongwang is going to do this deal!

Only by using himself as bait can the temptation be strong enough!
Su Wu frowned as he watched. He understood; he understood that the most outstanding hero of this era was challenging him to a duel, wanting to see who was better than him!
It will determine both victory and defeat, and life and death!
The city walls and surrounding areas were a scene of carnage, with countless dead and wounded. The Jurchens were dying, the Song people were dying, and the Liao people were dying...

Those slaves and prisoners, no different from livestock, were also dying at this time, even being used as shields to die.

In this battle, Wanyan Zongwang was willing to sacrifice everything. He had one thought in his mind: if he couldn't kill Su Wu this time, it would be even more difficult in the future...

Su Wu watched from afar...

Wanyan Zongwang ignored the city wall and turned to look at Su Wu from afar.

The two were about five or six miles apart, and they couldn't see anything clearly except for a dark mass. But they seemed to be able to see each other's faces clearly, and the many expressions on each other's faces.

Wende was not a large city, but its walls were packed with soldiers and strong horses. The arrows of various sizes shot in by the Jurchens could easily injure the people and horses inside the city.

The buildings inside the city were almost completely dismantled by Lu Da and covered with simple tents for the soldiers. Building materials were almost all stored on and around the city walls, and some were used to start fires and cook meals.

When Lu Da arrived, he was instructed by Su Wu that the Jurchens would most likely return through his territory, making it a crucial point for Lu Da to guard the area.

When the battle broke out, even the simple tents in the city were dismantled to prevent fires from spreading to other camps.

The soldiers, clad in armor, sat on the ground waiting. Some officers and soldiers, large and small, were resting with their eyes closed while others were running back and forth.

The messenger horse kept going back and forth, shouting loudly from time to time: "Yaozhou soldiers, Yaozhou soldiers, assemble at the west gate!"

"Huanzhou soldiers, assemble at the east gate, quick!"

Within the city walls, the troops were orderly and awaiting orders, but the messengers continued to urge them on.

"Don't dawdle, hurry up and go!"

"Don't dodge the arrows, run! Run!"

……

On the city wall, Lu Da sat in charge of the south city tower, while the brothers Wu Jie and Wu Lin were positioned on the east and west sides respectively.

But Lu Da's eyes were bloodshot. Why? The Song people were killing Song people, and the Jurchens were driving prisoners forward. The soldiers on the city wall were shouting loudly, "Don't climb the city wall! Don't climb it!"

But the Song people below the city were also crying out and begging: "I am a Song person, please let me up, save my life!"

"Help me get up here! We are all people of the Song Dynasty!"

"Please have mercy..."

Despite the Jurchens' swords and spears, these Song people, driven by their will to survive, still tried to climb the city walls using long ladders.

If it were just a few people, it wouldn't be a problem. But there are just too many Song people right now. If they keep climbing up, this small city wall will be completely blocked. How can we calmly guide the order? Wouldn't the deployment of the Song army on and off the city wall be in complete chaos?

Once the Jurchens also climb up, these Song people will only be able to escape and hide in all directions, making it even more difficult to control the order. Wouldn't that only make things more chaotic? If the Jurchens are not driven down in time, and they truly gain a foothold on the city wall, the fall of the city will not be far off.

So how could the Song army on the city wall have allowed so many Song people to climb up?

Inside the city wall, Lu Da gritted his teeth, his military order as firm as a mountain: "Whoever tries to climb the wall, kill them!"

A horrific scene unfolded as the Song soldiers truly slaughtered their own. It was unbearable to witness, yet arrows were still being fired, and logs and stones were being hurled at them, all in an attempt to drive the Song soldiers below the city walls back...

The Song people below the city walls, wouldn't they cry out incessantly? The Jurchens wanted to kill them, and the Song people right in front of them wouldn't come to their aid either, still intending to kill them...

Many people, too, cannot understand this.

Perhaps the Jurchens did this intentionally... It's nothing more than human nature, and it seems to be a method of training slaves to be loyal...

The Jurchens could have reached their current status without some real skills.

Sure enough, as the slaves retreated, the Jurchens showed mercy, letting one group go, only to send another. As they drove them away, anyone who slowed down was met with swords and spears...

Such methods were truly second nature to the Jurchens.

Even the Song soldiers on the city walls were so exhausted from killing that many of them were too weak to continue.

At this moment, the cruelty of war is beyond compare.

The Jurchens who were driving away the slaves were already only a few dozen steps away from the city. Many of the soldiers on the city wall could not bear to kill their own people, so they drew their bows and shot at them.

But one of the soldiers shouted, "Don't shoot far, shoot right down to the city!"

How strict were these military orders?
"Smash! Smash them down! Drive them all back!" the general shouted repeatedly, determined not to let the Song people below the city swarm forward.

Aren't these Song soldiers also a waste of the defending army's arrows, logs, and rolling stones?

In the distance, on the command platform, Wanyan Zongwang looked south and muttered to himself, "Aren't they coming yet?" Wanyan Xiyin also turned around and glanced back, "Could it be that Su Wu is afraid to come? Our rear guard has only three thousand cavalry, why is he still afraid to come?"

Would Su Wu dare to come?
Suddenly, a tremor shook the ground, a roar echoed in the sky, and in the distance, billowing smoke and dust rose.
Su Wu has arrived!

Wanyan Zongwang was overjoyed: "They're here! They're here!"

As he spoke, Wanyan Zongwang moved, descending from the platform to mount his horse.

Wanyan Xiyin also followed by him. He was a scholar, but he was also a fierce and brave general.

Just as Wanyan Zongwang mounted his horse and was about to call out to his left and right to ride to meet him, he looked to the south and stopped in his tracks. Su Wu was moving, but he hadn't come!

Instead of leading his troops northward, he headed far west.

Wanyan Zongwang had a bad feeling, and he quickly turned to look at Wanyan Xiyin.

Wanyan Xiyin was also slightly taken aback. Was Su Wu going to escape?

Su Wu will not run away!
Wanyan Xiyin kept thinking, "Why...why is he going west?"

After observing for only a short while, they saw Su Wu heading east, or rather, northwest!
Wanyan Zongwang had a bad feeling; he even guessed it, but he still asked, "Where is he going?"

Wanyan Xiyin provided the answer: "Could it be that he's planning to cross the Yanshan Mountains to the north?"

This was also the answer in Wanyan Zongwang's heart!
Despite all the careful planning, it seems we missed this crucial step.

Behind Su Wu, there were no more than 10,000 riders, but more than 20,000. Of these, more than 10,000 were infantry cavalry. There were none yesterday, but today there are more than 20,000, at least 24,000 or 25,000, with 70,000 or 80,000 horses.

Wanyan Zongwang had only just learned of this military intelligence, and he assumed that Su Wu was preparing for a life-or-death battle.

At this point, it is clearly not the case.

Su Wu was going to cross the Yanshan Mountains. He was no longer here. Where was he going?

Crossing the Yanshan Mountains, it's 600 li to Xinghua. With such fast horses taking turns, the journey is unimpeded and takes about two or three days. The journey to Dading Prefecture is 1,000 li, also without any obstacles and takes about four or five days.

Su Wu came to exchange again.

Just ask, how many troops are there outside the pass at this very moment? Since the Song people are dying like this, they should go and kill the Jin people to atone for it.

As for how Su Wu would return, Su Wu didn't know either. Su Wu was also taking a risk; if the Jurchens abandoned the city and came after him, Su Wu would be in great danger.

But for Su Wu, he could no longer remain subdued; he had to teach the Jurchens a lesson.

We cannot remain inactive forever. We cannot let the Jurchens believe that Su Wu is a coward. We must let the Jurchens know that Su Wu is the most formidable opponent they have ever encountered.

Su Wu was walking, heading northwest, circling the city, his destination being Zhangjiakou, from where he would cross the border!
The target is indeed Dading Prefecture. Who is in Dading Prefecture at this moment?

Wanyan Aguda was in Dading Prefecture, Wanyan Wuqimai was in Dading Prefecture, and Wanyan Xieye was also in Dading Prefecture!

The entire Jin dynasty court, and all the Jurchen families, were in Dading Prefecture.

I wonder if Wanyan Aguda is still alive...

Su Wu is gone, and smoke and dust fill the sky.

On horseback, Wanyan Zongwang was caught in a dilemma, looking at the receding dust and the city under fierce fighting.

This is not the flat, open land of Yanyun in Hebei.

Here, the dam is a plateau, and below it is a basin, flanked by mountains on both sides. The only choice is to either ride alone on horseback or continue the siege.

Here we had to make a choice: should we ride a fast horse to catch up with Su Wu, or carry the bloated man who couldn't walk?

Wanyan Xiyin added, "He really wants to go!"

Wasn't Wanyan Xiyin also extremely anxious?

Not to mention the Song Dynasty, which lasted for over a hundred years, for hundreds of years, the soldiers of the Central Plains had long since stopped going beyond the Great Wall.

For the first time in hundreds of years, troops from the Central Plains have truly marched beyond the Great Wall!

Wanyan Zongwang uttered a single sentence: "Sound the retreat and withdraw the troops!"

The clanging of bells filled the air, and Wanyan Zonghan spurred his horse back the fastest, asking as soon as he got close, "Brother, why did Su Wu go northwest?"

Wanyan Zongwang bluntly stated: "He is going beyond the Great Wall to Dading Prefecture!"

"What?" Wanyan Zonghan's eyes widened.

"We've been waiting for you to discuss this!" Wanyan Zongwang said hurriedly.

"What are we waiting for? Let's hurry and chase after them!" Wanyan Zonghan was often more decisive than Wanyan Zongwang, and he added, "As long as we intercept and kill Su Wu outside the pass, that would be just as good!"

Wanyan Zongwang nodded: "You beat the drum and gather the cavalry and horses. I'll go ahead and chase after them!"

With that, Wanyan Zongwang gathered his riders and rode off, following Su Wu in pursuit.

Wanyan Zonghan stopped thinking about it and didn't care about wealth or slaves. He just wanted to gather his tens of thousands of cavalry, beat the drums, pack up some food, and hurry off!

In an instant, things changed too quickly. Outside Wende City, chaos erupted. The Jin infantrymen didn't care about anything else. They took whatever they could and hurried away. They couldn't take their carriages and such, so they packed up their valuables, carried grain, donkeys, mules, and other livestock, and rode and drove them north around the city.

If the enemy comes to pursue, go and climb over into the mountains and forests; if the enemy does not pursue, run quickly along the road.

On the city wall, Lu Da reacted quickly; how could he not give chase?

Some rode horses, some walked, and Lu Da took the lead, heading north to catch up.

Outside the city, there were countless prisoners, slaves, carriages, and other belongings, while inside the city, the brothers Wu Jie and Wu Lin led troops out to collect them.

But for a time, things were still in utter chaos...

What about the common people? Suddenly left unattended, most didn't know what was happening. The timid remained trembling and dared not move, while the bolder ones took off running. Some even bolder ones grabbed handfuls of gold and silver from the cart's chest and ran away...

Numerous cavalry and infantrymen emerged from the city to intercept them everywhere.

Many people, however, fail to consider that having already arrived here, without food, and even alone, how could they possibly make it far? Let alone return home…

But that's how chaotic it is.

To the north, Su Wu fled at full speed, heading straight for Zhangjiakou. There were no cities there at the time, but there were mountain paths, which were not easy to traverse.

If you want an easier journey, head west. The roads are all smooth. After passing Huai'an, head north from Yanggao, which means passing through the cities of Tiancheng and Changqing.

Su Wu rode swiftly, heading towards Tiancheng and Changqing. Along the way, he would inevitably reach Datong.

Of course, at this moment, Su Wu hadn't even reached Zhangjiakou yet, and was just rushing north. So, it was already clear that Su Wu had used a trick.

Is he really going to go beyond the Great Wall?
Yes, no.

If the Jurchens do not pursue decisively, he will truly head north, forcing them to abandon their abundant wealth in pursuit.

But if the Jurchens really did pursue him decisively, he would treat them like dogs and walk them around again, and then he would never leave the border.

Su Wu desperately wanted to win, but he could restrain himself. Firstly, the internal affairs of the Song Dynasty were pressing. Secondly, time was now on Su Wu's side. Given just enough time, the day he fought the Jurchens would be a crushing victory—the strategy of the military genius Li Jing!
Since ancient times, the orthodox Central Plains have never been unable to defeat barbarians.

That's never happened!

At this point, a desperate attempt to win will likely result in more losses than wins, and is not a wise strategy.

The Jurchens pursued them relentlessly, while Su Wu raced ahead...

This war was like a final gamble. Su Wu was betting that the Jurchens would not dare to let him go north, while the Jurchens were betting that they could catch up with Su Wu this time.

The Jurchens suffered losses due to insufficient resources and a lack of trump cards.

Su Wu had calculated that the troops from the Central Plains would be able to march out of the border again in a day.

Lu Da was fighting, chasing after Yelü Yudu. Lu Da had horses, and although most of his men were not skilled cavalry, they were enough to pursue and kill on horseback.

Yelü Yudu also went into the mountains. This area was originally Liao territory, and the Liao people knew its terrain and landforms very well. They had suffered heavy casualties in the pursuit and ambush, so they also went into the mountains and fled to the border.

The great battle was drawing to a close, with only a final echo remaining. Su Wu was rushing towards Tianchang Qing, and also towards the Great Harmony...

Inside Dongping Prefecture, Liu Yu, the new envoy of the two routes of Jingdong Xuanfu, was welcomed.

Liu Yu smiled broadly and bowed to Cheng Wanli, saying, "Congratulations, Prime Minister Cheng! You have now been appointed Prime Minister. I hope you will take good care of me in the future!"

Cheng Wanli's face was also beaming with smiles: "Congratulations, congratulations! Isn't Minister Liu now a powerful regional official?"

"Nothing compares to Lord Cheng returning to the capital to become Prime Minister!"

Needless to say, Cheng Wanli continued, "Having come all this way, Lord Liu, please rest in the city for a while. Tomorrow I will hand over the duties of the Xuanfu Envoy to you. After the handover, I will go to the capital!"

"Good, good, very good, very good, thank you for your hard work, Master Cheng!" Liu Yu repeatedly cupped his hands, his face beaming with joy. He hadn't expected Cheng Wanli to be so cooperative.

As soon as Liu Yu left, Cheng Wanli's expression changed.

Cheng Hao was already speaking continuously from the side...

Zong Ze, standing to the side, also had a dark expression on his face. He angrily said, "Lord Su is still fighting desperately against the Jurchens in the north, yet those people in the capital are so eager to seize power. What kind of world is this? Doesn't it make people's hearts sink?"

Cheng Wanli succinctly stated, "As long as Ziqing can return safely, everything else is insignificant and not a concern."

Cheng Hao immediately said, "Father, things are not as simple as you think. Many people are worried that my brother-in-law is being used by the Emperor Emeritus and that he will lead troops into the capital. What is this? This is a matter of life and death! Even if my brother-in-law returns safely in the future, I'm afraid he will be caught up in this situation and unable to extricate himself!"

Cheng Wanli sighed, "How could I not know? But what can I do? Should I defy the imperial decree and not go to the capital?"

This one sentence left Cheng Hao speechless; disobeying the imperial decree was something he would never dare to do.

Zong Ze had nothing to say. He couldn't possibly do anything to disobey the imperial decree. He could only say, "What an injustice! Minister Su is devoted to the country and is brave enough to risk his life, yet he has to be dragged into these things for no reason!"

"Isn't it because they're afraid my brother-in-law's talent and achievements will be too great, and if he goes to the capital in the future, many people will be in trouble with their high positions!" Cheng Hao understood. He was talking about Geng Nanzhong. If his brother-in-law went to the capital again, what else could he be but the Privy Councilor?
How could those insects possibly relinquish the power they have gained?

Zong Ze then remarked, "Does the Great Song Dynasty not need someone as knowledgeable in military affairs as Prime Minister Su?"

"They all thought the Jurchens were just taking advantage of a weakness, but now that the Tanguts are gone, as long as the Jurchens are driven away, they'll be nothing more than a minor nuisance..."

What Cheng Hao meant was nothing more than the proverb "when the birds are all gone, the bow is put away."

"Utterly foolish, short-sighted!" Zong Ze cursed repeatedly. What else could he do but curse?
Cheng Wanli grew increasingly alarmed as he listened, and said in one sentence, "This land of Jingdong is where Ziqing's foundation lies, and most of the soldiers under his command come from here. If we cut off his supply lines like this, what will Ziqing rely on in the future? If we go to the battlefield again, we will not be able to use up all our money and supplies, and how can the morale of the army not collapse?"

Zong Ze could only say, "I am still an official in Dongping Prefecture, and I will do my best."

“You have a new superior. When that person arrives, he is determined to ostracize Ziqing. What can you do?” Cheng Wanli’s voice was trembling with tears, but he was powerless to resolve the matter. He had no other choice but to worry and feel helpless.

How could Zong Ze not know the truth behind Cheng Wanli's words?
He gritted his teeth and said, "Unless all of us Jingdong officials are replaced, we must find a way to stabilize the morale of the troops under Prime Minister Su!"

Zong Ze was undoubtedly loyal to the emperor and loved his country, but now he also knew what true loyalty to the emperor and love for his country meant. How could he let the soldiers who had fought so hard lose heart? How could he let the morale of the strong army that Su Wu had built under such difficult circumstances be dampened?
In other words, Zong Ze was going to unite many people to fight against Shangguan, and the first person he wanted to unite with was Zhang Shuye from Qizhou.

It was something we had no choice but to do.

This Liu Yu and his ilk were originally the Hebei West Circuit Judicial Commissioner. They abandoned their posts and fled, which is already shameful. How could they be promoted so high?
What kind of court is this?
How could Zong Ze not be angry?

How could such an official earn Zong Ze's respect?
Cheng Wanli heard the words he wanted to hear and said, "Very well, as long as Elder Zong is here, as long as you all are still holding on, Ziqing may still have some support. I'm counting on you!"

As he spoke, Cheng Wanli bowed deeply to Zong Ze.

Zong Ze quickly returned the greeting.

They're talking and discussing this over here.

Wasn't Liu Yu also involved? He knew that Li Zhao of Jingdong had recently been helping Su Wu a lot, and Su Wu was returning the favor by offering him an official position in Yanyun Prefecture.

Then we need to meet Li and Zhao first, break this alliance, and what's the reward but an official position?
Now, who is Liu Yu backing? It is none other than Geng Nanzhong, the emperor's most trusted advisor. How can Su Wu compare? In terms of official rank and connections, just look at the court right now. Who can compare to Geng Nanzhong?
It's not difficult to operate. The Zhao family's steward is in Yanjing, just waiting to come and see you again. The Li family's steward is in Dongping Prefecture, named... Li Hang.

Just summon Li Hang; once the price is set, Su Wu will be nothing to worry about.

Thus, when encountering the numerous military officers again, they are even easier to deal with, nothing more than offering them official positions and money...

(Brothers, two chapters and 14,500 words, I'm exhausted, I'm going to sleep... Brothers, please don't be stingy with your monthly votes...)
(End of this chapter)