Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 894 The North Wind Blows

Wanyan Liang left Chancellor Zhang Hao to guard Yanjing.

Zhang Hao was a member of the Bohai ethnic group and a trusted minister of Wanyan Liang.

He participated in Wanyan Liang's assassination of the emperor to establish himself as emperor, the relocation of the capital to Yanjing, and the purge of the imperial clan.

With him left to guard Yanjing and prevent the new Jin, Wanyan Liang could rest assured.

Wanyan Liang himself led his troops south.

In fact, given the current state of the Jin state, it would be more prudent for Wanyan Liang to remain in Yanjing and send trusted ministers on a southern expedition.

However, Wanyan Liang was a man who loved grand achievements.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Jin Dynasty.

He believed that with the full strength of the Jin Dynasty, this southward expedition had a high probability of breaking through the Yangtze River defense line, penetrating into the heart of Jiangnan, and annihilating the Song Dynasty in one fell swoop.

Such a great achievement should naturally be created by his own hands.

With all the books and writings of the world being unified, how could there be separate borders in Jiangnan?

With a million troops on West Lake, we'll immediately conquer the first peak of Wu Mountain!
This grand vision can finally be realized today.

To this end, Wanyan Liang truly mobilized the entire nation's resources.

This is a national war.

On October 22, Wanyan Liang arrived in Kaifeng, the Nanjing Prefecture of the Jin Dynasty.

When Wanyan Liang came, he brought with him two civil officials, Li Tong and Jing Sihui, the Minister of Personnel. On the military side, there were Tudan Hexi, Heshilie Zhining, Wanyan Ang, Su Baoheng, Xiao Yu, Pusanhutu, Yelü Anli, and many other generals.

On the day Wanyan Liang arrived in Nanjing and Kaifeng, Wengusun Edu, the Grand General of the Shandong Road Army, and Yang Tang, the Grand General of the Nanjing Road Army, also rushed over to pay their respects to the emperor and hear about the plans for the southward march.

Wanyan Liang was full of ambition.

Perhaps it was because of Yang Yuan's series of questionable actions that the Jin state suffered heavy blows and lost all its arrogance in recent years.

Therefore, Wanyan Liang's actions were not as mad as in history, and his killings of his subjects were not as severe.

However, his arrogance and ambition remained unchanged.

"My ministers, based on the current political situation of our Jin and Song states, combined with the Song state's defensive deployments along the border, and even the terrain and geography, I hereby formulate the following strategic decisions."

All civil and military officials immediately stood solemnly before the sand table.

Wanyan Liang, clad in full armor, pointed his sword at the sand table and said in a deep voice: "The purpose of this war for our Great Jin is to take advantage of the constant internal strife in the Song Dynasty, to win a quick victory, and to strike directly at Lin'an."

To avoid delays in fighter jet operations and getting bogged down in close combat in the waterways and mountainous terrain of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers.

"I will personally lead the main force south from Kaifeng to attack Shouchun, the key point of Huaixi, break through the Song Dynasty's Huaixi defense line, and march straight to Hezhou, where we will forcefully cross the Yangtze River at Caishiji!"

Wanyan Liang smiled coldly: "Shao Hongyuan, the Song general in Huaixi, is arrogant and greedy, while Zhang Xiaoxiang, the garrison commander of Jiankang, has a close relationship with Yang Yuan, the powerful minister of the Song Dynasty."

Therefore, he was heavily criticized by the scholars of Jiankang, and the people were in turmoil. This was my opportunity.

"However, I will make a big show of it, pretending to attack Huaidong, to draw the main force of the Song army to the Zhenjiang and Yangzhou line."

In reality, it was a feint, a diversionary tactic to launch a surprise attack on the true objective.

"In addition, I will send Zhi Ning (He Shi Lie Zhi Ning) to lead a large army south from Dengzhou, feign an attack on Xiangyang, and aim his sword at the Jinghu North Road."

"By deliberately deploying a feint force along the Xiangyang, Han River, and Ezhou line, they tied down the Song army's forces in the Jinghu war zone, while simultaneously blocking Song reinforcements from Sichuan and Shaanxi to the east."

At this point, Wanyan Liang laughed and said, "However, now that the Western Xia has rebelled, Liangshan Prefecture has rebelled, bandits are rampant in the four routes of Sichuan and the Three Gorges, and the shortage of money has caused public resentment to boil over. It seems that the Song Dynasty is also unable to spare troops to come to the east to provide assistance."

So, Zhining, all you need to do is keep that old fox Li Dao occupied.

He Shilie Zhining solemnly accepted the decree: "Your subject obeys!"

Wanyan Liang instructed, "Xiangyang is a fortified city, so it is not advisable to launch a direct attack. Instead, focus on harassment."

Remember, all I need you to do is hold back the Song army in Jinghu North Road and prevent them from coming to their aid in the east.

"I understand!"

Wanyan Liang nodded slightly, then looked at Wengusun Edu and Yang Tang.

"Edu and Yangtang, you two will accompany me to Huaidong."

Once I have completed my feigned attack and am turning my attention to Huaixi, you may continue your southward offensive along the Huaidong line.

Edu could attack Chuzhou (Huaian) and Yangzhou, making the gesture of crossing the river from Guazhou.

This forced the State of Song to divide its forces, forming a pincer movement with Caishi, thus disrupting the State of Song's judgment.

Yang Tang, you will launch a feigned attack southwards. I will entrust you with command of the navy that I have trained in the Bian River, Chaohu Lake, and Jimo area.

Your real task is to completely seize the Chaohu Lake area and sever the connection between the Song state's Huaihe River region and the Yangtze River.

Edu and Yang Tang bowed and accepted the order.

Wanyan Liang then said to Jing Sihui, the Minister of Personnel, "You may set up granaries along the Kaifeng-Shouchun line to avoid food shortages caused by disruptions in the canal transport."

Jing Sihui also solemnly accepted the order.

Wanyan Liang said, "If there is a shortage of laborers, then levy them as you see fit. Those who refuse will be put to death!"

Jing Sihui solemnly responded with a respectful reply.

Wanyan Liang said, "In recent years, I have been very lenient with the people."

Now is a national war, a moment of life and death, and there is no room for pity or sympathy.

We must fight this war with the full force of the nation; no one can stand aside.

All the ministers solemnly agreed.

Wanyan Liang then turned to his trusted confidant Li Tong and said in a gentle tone, "Minister Li is by my side, planning the overall situation and advising on military affairs."

Furthermore, I entrust the 'Blood Pagoda' to you. You can take advantage of the internal strife in the Song Dynasty and the unpopularity of the powerful minister Yang Yuan to create more turmoil within the Song Dynasty.

They used every means at their disposal: recruitment, subversion, sowing discord, and alienation.

Li Tong solemnly agreed.

Wanyan Liang sheathed his sword, raised an eyebrow, and his handsome face carried a hint of wicked charm. "Prime Minister Li, write another proclamation for me, saying that the Jin and Song dynasties have always been friendly, but the powerful minister Yang Yuan is acting perversely, holding the emperor hostage, and undermining the friendship between Jin and Song."

The current Song emperor is my great-grandson.

"I have no choice but to raise an army and march south to relieve the people's suffering and punish the guilty, to cleanse the court of corrupt officials and treacherous ministers for my great-grandson, to eliminate the traitor Yang, and to restore the Song dynasty."

As fate would have it, Yang Yuan was also about to be "removed from the court of the emperor."

During Zhao Gou's reign, the Jin dynasty under Wanyan Liang was a "state of uncle and nephew".

Based on this generational ranking, the current Song Emperor Zhao Dun is the grandson of Zhao Gou, and Wanyan Liang can indeed claim to be his great-grandfather.

However, he was actually confusing the concepts.

Because the "uncle-nephew relationship" was established between the two countries.

In other words, no matter how frequently the emperors of the two countries changed or how many generations passed, the relationship between the two countries remained that of "uncle and nephew".

Wanyan Liang's actions were extremely humiliating.

However, he didn't care about provoking the Song Dynasty's emperor and his officials.

In any case, since he has launched a massive southward campaign, no matter how polite he may appear, the Song emperor and his officials will have to resist with all their might and will not open their doors to welcome him.

He just needed a sign, even if nobody believed it.

Wanyan Liang's smile gradually became distorted: "The proclamation is written, I am leading my army down, just to avenge my great-grandson emperor and to kill the treacherous officials on his behalf."

Then tell Yang Yuan, "I've heard his wives and concubines are very beautiful. If he offers them all to me for my enjoyment, and then resigns his post, I'll spare his life, hahahaha..."

Wanyan Liang burst into laughter, this time completely tearing off the mask, unlike in previous years when he had been much more restrained.

The once unrestrained and arrogant "Emperor Hailing" seems to have regained his former spirit and vigor.

After the Nanjing Conference concluded, the massive war machine began to rumble into action.

Wanyan Liang's timing for launching the attack was excellent.

This time of year avoids the rainy season in the Jianghuai region and the sweltering heat of summer, with the Yangtze River water level at its lowest point of the year, making it easier to cross the river.

However, this timing was not pre-selected by Wanyan Liang, but rather a decisive order he issued after learning that the Song state was in complete chaos.

As it turned out, this timing coincided with the most opportune time to head south.

No wonder Wanyan Liang believed it was the will of Heaven, the destiny bestowed upon him.

Of course, Wanyan Liang did not disclose all of his military plans to his subordinates at this "Nanjing Conference".

For example, he also makes contingency plans.

If the attempt to cross the river at Caishi fails, he will immediately turn his attention to Zhenjiang to avoid a stalemate.

He needs to finish this battle quickly.

In time, I fear that the internal conflicts of the Song state will temporarily dissipate due to the advance of his large army.

In addition, he also carries on his back a new Jin Empire that he can't shake off or kill.

Once the New Gold Empire came to its senses, it found its back garden under constant attack, and he remained uneasy.

However, there were many other reasons why Wanyan Liang failed in the Battle of Caishi and did not successfully implement the second plan.

For example, when he attempted to cross the Yangtze River, he lacked naval support.

The boats used to cross the river were all requisitioned to transport infantry and cavalry.

For example, the internal riots by Geng Jing and Xin Qiji severely damaged his logistics and supply system.

The disruption of logistics was also a major reason for the instability of his troops' morale, which led to the major defeat.

Moreover, he devoted all his efforts to heading south to Jiangnan, neglecting the Guanzhong battlefield.

Wu Lin opened a second front in the Sichuan-Shaanxi region, causing the Jin army to be unable to attend to both fronts.

At this time, Wanyan Yong, the sixth son stationed in Liaoyang, declared himself emperor.

This caused many of his civil and military officials to develop disloyal thoughts.

But this time, it's clearly different from the last time.

Thanks to Yang Yuan's support for the new Jin Empire, a large amount of military supplies were transported by sea.

This forced the Jin state to strengthen its naval construction ahead of schedule, and the Jin state had sufficient naval power to participate in the southern expedition this time.

Moreover, the chaos caused by the Western Xia and the financial crisis in Sichuan and Shaanxi made it impossible for the Song Dynasty to open a second front in the Sichuan-Shaanxi region this time.

Today, in the Northeast, the rear area, there is a new Jin Dynasty standing there.

But at least this little nemesis is an open secret, which is better than Wanyan Yong, the sixth son, suddenly declaring himself emperor and catching him off guard.

Therefore, it was impossible to replicate the story of Yu Yunwen gathering his defeated troops and inspiring Wanyan Liang with his words, which led to Wanyan Liang's crushing defeat at Caishi.

"Jin Emperor Wanyan Liang launched a three-pronged attack: a main offensive in Huaidong, a feigned attack in Huaixi, and a diversionary tactic in Jingxiang?"

Yang Yuan looked at the data that the internal records office had compiled and analyzed for him.

Duo Zigong said respectfully, "It's possible that they're mainly attacking Huaidong. But we can't rule out the possibility that they're feigning an attack on Huaidong while actually attacking Huaixi."

Liu Yanran also said in a deep voice: "Because the news sent by the same boat is that Jing Sihui, the Minister of Personnel of the Jin Kingdom, is conscripting a large number of laborers to set up granaries along the line from Kaifeng to Shouchun."

Fei Yuye slowly said, "And Shouchun is in Huaixi."

With Lu Xi present, the women behaved very well, answering questions in a structured and orderly manner.

Yang Yuan thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Didn't you all notice that Ze Liang is still eyeing my beautiful wife and concubines?"

Yang Yuan lifted Lu Xi's chin and laughed, "Would you like to live in the Jin Kingdom's palace?"

Lu Xi blinked and smiled sweetly: "With the addition of a new member, the house is indeed a bit crowded. When shall we go, Second Brother?"

(End of this chapter)