Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 895 The Prime Minister's Personal Campaign
Yang Yuan's previous order allowing local strongmen in the four routes of Sichuan and the Three Gorges to raise their own armies and eliminate bandits was primarily aimed at ending the chaos in these routes as soon as possible.

Yang Yuan knew very well that compared to the more intense turmoil in Liangshan Prefecture, the turmoil in the four routes of Sichuan and the Three Gorges was the most serious.

The damage to agriculture, industry, and commerce will take a long time to recover.

Therefore, the unrest in the Sichuan-Gorge region must be quelled as soon as possible.

Moreover, Yang Yuan's move killed three birds with one stone.

First, the chaos in the Sichuan and Shaanxi regions was resolved by leveraging the power of local landlords and powerful families.

Secondly, by leveraging the power of local landlords and powerful families, they cultivated a pool of firearms soldiers.

Third, by valuing landlords and powerful families in this way, they strengthened the landlords' support and loyalty.

The landlords and powerful families in the Sichuan-Gansu region now commonly use firearms.

Once this thing becomes lethal, it becomes incredibly attractive to these landlords and powerful families.

The cost of purchasing ammunition and firearms is actually no higher than the cost of rigorously training an elite army.

But it is more effective and can quickly form combat power.

Moreover, once a powerful landlord uses firearms, if you don't want to be weaker than him, you have no choice but to follow suit.

Therefore, after the Wu family of Pengzhou took the lead in responding and quickly formed a firearms regiment for training, the other powerful families in Sichuan and the Three Gorges had no choice but to follow suit.

However, gunpowder and firearms were controlled by Yang Yuan.

What makes this thing more powerful than cold weapons is that once the source is cut off, it quickly becomes a fire poker.

The firearms that the landlords and powerful families developed on their own could only be used to hunt wild rabbits.

However, Yang Yuan did not expect that his accidental decision to allow the landlords and powerful families in the four routes of Sichuan and the Three Gorges to establish firearms regiments and train troops would not only cause the bandits who ruled the mountains in Sichuan to suffer a heavy blow in the shortest possible time.

Moreover, it freed the imperial court from having to focus its attention on Sichuan.

With Qian Duanli stationed in Sichuan, the local garrison and the armed forces of local powerful clans were sufficient to quell the unrest.

At the same time, Yang Yuan gave the order, and the firearms battalion soldiers, who had been scattered like stars in the sky, quickly returned to their ranks.

Moreover, there were only 1,500 firearms soldiers at the time.

The number of firearms soldiers who returned with Gan Quan immediately reached 4,500.

This means that each firearms soldier trained two apprentices who could immediately use firearms skillfully and go directly to the battlefield.

A grand court assembly was held in the imperial court.

Because Prime Minister Yang was going to personally lead the troops on the expedition.

In the main hall, Emperor Zhao Dun sat upright, now completely devoid of spirit and very obedient.

Below his desk, there was a small table on each side.

Behind the desk on the right sat Zhao Kai, the Grand Prince who assisted the State.

Behind the desk on the left sat Yang Yuan, the current prime minister.

Below them were the important officials of the court.

Qiao Zhen, Minister of Personnel; Ma Chongyuan, Minister of Revenue; Chen Weiqing, Minister of Rites; Cheng Zhen, Minister of War; Zhang Fangxun, Minister of Justice; and Han Qianchen, Minister of Works.

This eccentric figure from the martial arts world, who had always longed for a government job and likely had Shandong ancestry, finally became a real court official, no longer the forgotten fortune teller in the Privy Council.

Fan Jiang and Wang Yiran of the Censorate, Liu Shangqiu of the Privy Council, and Wang Zirui, the Prefect of Lin'an...

There were also commanders Yang Ze (Palace Commander), Xin Qiji (Horse Commander), and Yu Yunwen (Infantry Commander).

And because they were too young, they could only temporarily serve as deputy positions in the Six Ministries or important government offices to gain experience.

After all, the civil service system is different from the military system, and the promotion and selection process cannot be completely disrupted.

Therefore, veteran officials like Ma Chongyuan and Chen Weiqing still need to help the younger generation get started and give them a boost.

Therefore, Fan Chengda, Xiao Yiran, Lu Chengze, Yu Zeping, as well as Kong Jitao, the former prefect of Nanzheng, Chen Shijie, the prefect of Pengzhou, Lu You, the chief secretary of the central route of Lizhou, Chen Lijia of the Tongchuan Pacification Commissioner's Office, and Yang Wanli, the military commander of Yang Yuan's Northwest campaign, all served in key auxiliary positions in the Six Ministries or the Three Offices.

With such a lineup, Yang Yuan dared to personally lead the army into battle.

In the imperial court, no one can turn the tide anymore.

To put it bluntly, even he himself can't do it.

After Yang Yuan became prime minister, the efficiency of political consultation did indeed improve significantly.

There was no bickering, shirking responsibility, or wrangling over the interests of different factions, and the important matter was quickly settled.

The Huai River front will serve as the main battlefield for the Song Dynasty's counterattack against the Jin army.

On the Huaihe River front, the current commander of the Huaihe East Front Army is Wu Ting, and the commander of the Huaihe West Front Army is Shao Hongyuan.

Yang Yuanhui personally led Marshal Xin Qiji of the Cavalry Command and Marshal Yu Yunwen of the Infantry Command to the front lines in Lianghuai.

Lin Rongyue, the Coastal Defense Commissioner and Grand Admiral of the Navy, also obeyed orders and deployed warships in the Huai River and Yangtze River waterways.

Yang Ze, the commander of the Palace Guard, was stationed in Lin'an.

He was assisted by Mo Long, the commander of the Palace Guard, and Luo Kedi, the commander of the Imperial Guard.

Li Dao, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guards of Jinghu North Road, was still responsible for supporting the army, moving freely in and out of the enemy lines and drawing the Jin army's flanks.

Li Xianzong has already gone to Longyou to serve as the Grand Protector.

His mission was to maintain control of the cities in the Hexi Corridor, and as long as the Western Xia rebels in the Hetao Plain did not attack, he would not need to launch a preemptive strike.

Given the current unstable situation on the Fourth Road of Sichuan and the fact that the Western Xia Road is also in a state of division,
Therefore, the orders received by Shi Han, Chen Zhuoguang and other generals of the Western Route Army were to hold the line to the death.

We will not retreat a step, nor will we advance a step.

Wen Xuanchen and his son Wen Shishuang led their troops from the central route of Lizhou to Jiankang.

Wen Xuanchen was appointed as the deputy garrison commander of Jiankang and concurrently the commander-in-chief of the imperial army in Jiankang, to assist Zhang Xiaoxiang in defending Nanjing.

Everything was arranged in a very orderly manner.

This efficiency, and this vibrant atmosphere, inevitably gave many court officials a thought:
For our Great Song Dynasty, it might not be a bad thing that Prime Minister Yang has seized power.

After finalizing the arrangements for the military deployment, the Song Dynasty's war machine began to rumble into action.

Troops and supplies from all directions began to arrive in droves.

In the Prime Minister's residence, Yang Yuan discussed military matters with Yu Yunwen, the infantry commander, and Xin Qiji, the cavalry commander, who were to be led to the front lines in Lianghuai. "Prime Minister," Yang Yuan said, "I believe that the rebel Liang's true primary target is Nanjing!"

Xin Qiji, who had been diligently studying military affairs, paying close attention to the political situation of the Jin Dynasty, and investigating the geography of the Jin Dynasty for many years, said in a deep voice.

Yang Yuan thought to himself, "This coincides with the analysis in my inner office."

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "Tanfu, please explain in detail."

Xin Qiji said confidently, "First of all, it is due to geographical and military advantages. Jiankang is the central hub of our Song Dynasty's Yangtze River defense line."

If we can capture Jiankang first, we can block the Yangtze River waterway, sever the connection between the east and west lines of our Great Song Dynasty, and weaken the allocation of resources and troop reinforcements of our Great Song Dynasty.

Secondly, if we were to cross the Huai River and the Yangtze River directly to take Lin'an, it would be difficult to guarantee that we would not be surrounded by the Song Dynasty's loyalist army.

The consequences of having their escape route cut off would be unimaginable.

Upon hearing this, Yu Yunwen nodded slowly: "Long-distance raids and deep penetration into enemy territory may seem convenient and fast, but they are extremely risky."

If the war goes against them, they will immediately be trapped in a predicament.

Jin Wuzhu once used the tactic of directly attacking Lin'an.

As a result, due to the overextended battle lines and insufficient logistics, they suffered several major defeats, such as the Battle of Huangtiandang, and suffered heavy losses.

I also believe that the Jurchens will not repeat their mistakes.

Yang Yuan nodded slowly: "That's what I think too."

The fact that the Jurchens established supply depots along the route from Kaifeng to Shouchun already revealed their true main objective.

However, what is real may appear as a feint, and what is feint may appear as real; it is also possible that a feint attack could turn into a real attack, and a real attack could turn into a feint attack.

Regarding Huaidong, I am still not at ease with only Wu Ting. Which of the two generals... is willing to assist in defending Huaidong?

……

While Yang Yuan was discussing important military matters with Yu Yunwen and Xin Qiji, in the east courtyard of the Yang residence, Fujiwara Himeka, who had just returned from Japan, was also talking to Tako.

Kanon and Nai recounted the events that had occurred during her time in Japan, and Fujiwara Himeka, who had once become obsessed with reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, immediately had her eyes light up.

"Our lord wishes to personally lead the troops to the front lines in Lianghuai..."

Xiao Nai said, "It's Master."

"Stop joking, calling me 'Lord' feels more appropriate at this time."

Xiao Nai and Hana exchanged a helpless glance. When will Sister Goddess be able to act normally?

Fujiwara Himeka asked with great interest, "Is it necessary for our lord to personally lead the troops to the front lines in Lianghuai?"

I think our lord is intentionally avoiding this, wanting us to do things he can't say or do himself."

Duozi suddenly opened her eyes wide.

Is that right?

How come I didn't think of that?

It turns out that Himeka's strength isn't just limited to her katana!
Duozi immediately asked humbly, "You mean..."

Fujiwara Himeka spread her hands and said, "Master, it's clear that the only way forward is to continue upwards."

Hua Yin immediately said, "Weren't you talking about our lord?"

Fujiwara Himeka rolled her eyes at her and said, "It feels more appropriate to talk about the master at this time."

Hanon didn't say anything after hearing that. "Whatever makes you happy."

Tako was only interested in what Fujiwara Himeka had guessed about Yang Yuan's intentions, and pressed on, "So?"

Ji Xiang said, "The biggest obstacle for Master to rise to a higher level is the existence of the Zhao Song royal family."

"Um……"

“Your lord cannot do unjust things, nor can you even speak of them to us.”

"so……"

Duozi probably guessed what her sister was thinking.

Ji Xiang said viciously, "That one who's imprisoned in Zongyang Palace can die now!"

Duo Zi said, "He abdicated long ago, so what does it matter whether he's dead or alive?"

"A dead deposed emperor is a good deposed emperor! He won't cause any trouble, or he might cause trouble for his master. Which do you think is better?"

Duozi fell silent.

Ji Xiang then asked, "Those ladies in the palace, including the Empress Dowager, aren't they all around the same age?"

Tako, Kanon, and Kona stared at her in surprise.

Ji Xiang said fiercely, "Kill the Empress Dowager! Kill the Empress Dowager! Kill the Mad Emperor! Kill the Second Prince! Kill the Prince of Jin..."

Xiao Nai couldn't help but say, "Prince Jin and Master are very close."

Ji Xiang rolled her eyes at her: "Once the Empress Dowager, the idiot emperor, and the second king are all dead, they won't be able to get close anymore. Let's just go all the way..."

Duozi couldn't help but say, "Are you crazy, you woman? Are you sure this is what the master wants? When the master comes back, he might beat you to death."

Ji Xiang sneered: "Ha, as if I'm afraid of his corporal punishment."

Just then, Qingtang's voice came from outside the door: "Who's here? So mysterious, why are you hiding in the east courtyard first?"

Then Li Fengniang's voice rang out: "Shh, keep your voice down, Ning'er is here."

My husband is currently holding a meeting with the court officials; it's not convenient for them to see us..."

Ji Xiang was taken aback and asked, "Ning'er? Who is that? Has our family gained another member?"

Duo Zi said leisurely, "Ning'er is the princess of Jia Kingdom."

"That foolish emperor is..."

"The princess's third brother."

Ji Xiang stroked her chin, coughed lightly, and said, "I've thought about it carefully again, and it seems there's no need to rush to kill them..."

(End of this chapter)