Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 498: The Unpredictable Between Friends and Enemies

Lu You's anger can be imagined.

Originally, when Liu Huai discussed the peace faction, he was already criticizing the Song Dynasty court, but everyone knew what kind of people the peace faction was, and no one in the north had ever counted on them.

But the war faction is different.

After being suppressed for decades, shouldn't they unite together, pool their wisdom and strength, reclaim their homeland, and attack Huanglong directly?
Why are you using despicable means when the word "naan" hasn't even been written yet?

This kind of preemptive move, putting people in trouble and then appearing like a savior as a means of bestowing favors may be able to fool ordinary people, but how can it fool a true hero?
Even if the rest of the pro-war faction used these methods, it would be fine. However, Zhang Jun was the flag bearer of the pro-war faction. He was a die-hard who had been determined to fight the Jin Kingdom to the death since the Jingkang period. He was the only surviving pro-war veteran after the deaths of Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Zhao Ding and other military and civil officials. How could he do this?
It's really petty!
Is it really possible to restore the Central Plains by relying on such people?
This thought inexplicably arose in the minds of the generals of the Jingnan Army.

However, the situation did not allow Lu You to lose his temper or make any explanation.

Liu Huai dismounted and led the other generals forward a few steps. He bowed to Zhang Jun with a smile and said, "Mr. Zhang, I have heard of your great name for a long time. Seeing you today, I can see that your reputation is truly well-deserved."

Zhang Jun stepped forward, held Liu Huai's hands, and looked him up and down before saying, "Good! Good! Good! They look exactly like each other. They really do look alike."

Liu Huai smiled and said, "Sir, who does this general look like?"

Zhang Jun said in a deep voice, "Liu Dalang is very much like Yue Pengju!"

This guy was not shy and didn't even call General Liu. However, he was already sixty-five years old and some etiquette was insignificant, so he didn't really care.

But there are still some problems with this sentence itself.

There were many people who had seen Yue Fei and Liu Huai at the same time. Not to mention that Li Dao and others who had died for their country were Yue Fei's subordinates. Even Li Xianzhong, Cheng Min and Liu Qi who were present had shaken hands with Yue Fei and had a friendly chat. None of them mentioned this. Why did Zhang Jun say such things?
Could it be that he is really old and senile?
As if realizing Liu Huai's disbelief, Zhang Jun explained directly, "When I say similar here, I'm not talking about height or appearance, but rather the aura of being the best martial artist in the world, someone who can rival me. It's exactly the same."

"Mr. Zhang, you are too kind." Liu Huai ignored Zhang Jun's compliment and instead began to praise Zhang Jun: "In my opinion, Mr. Zhang is the most worthy of Zhuge Liang, a famous minister who can recover the Central Plains."

What a joke! There are already three famous generals from the Song Dynasty present. How can he so carelessly admit that he is the reincarnation of Yue Pengju? Wouldn't that just offend people for no reason?

However, Zhang Jun was not at all modest. Without even rebutting, he said directly, "Then let me, the reincarnated Zhuge Wuhou, work with you, the resurrected Yue Pengju, to wipe out the Jin thieves, recover the Central Plains, and return to the old capital!"

Although the two of them flattered each other on the surface, there was a sense of harmony between the generals and the ministers.

But in fact, the two were still talking nonsense to each other. At least Liu Huai did not show any gratitude to Zhang Jun, and did not make any political commitment.

Liu Huai was not being overconfident, but because although Zhang Jun had a firm political stance, his abilities were really too poor.

This is also something that can't be helped.

If this guy was more capable, Liu Huai would not be able to see him at this time, and Qin Hui would have found an opportunity to kill him long ago.

Moreover, Zhang Jun’s dishes are different from Ye Yiwen’s.

Although Ye Yiwen is also a rookie, he knows himself well, and with this self-knowledge, he will delegate power.

Of course, it doesn't matter if he doesn't give up power, because Ye Yiwen's character is relatively gentle, and capable subordinates can undermine him. As long as they don't bully him too much, Mr. Ye will not tear his face off.

It has a sense of being so incompetent that it can't do anything wrong.

But Zhang Jun was a diligent fool.

He was clearly just an average-looking man, yet he compared himself to Zhuge Liang. He was clearly a scholar-official with no knowledge of military affairs, yet he repeatedly interfered in military affairs. He had clearly ruined many important events, yet he still felt good about himself, believing that he could still be entrusted with important tasks.

Actually, that’s all.

The key point is that Zhang Jun was still a very typical scholar-official of the Song Dynasty. He was very good at using the power in his hands to force military leaders to obey his command.

The most typical example is the Huaixi Rebellion caused by this guy. After Liu Guangshi was deprived of his military power, Zhang Jun presided over the takeover. After a series of weird operations, he even forced Li Qiong, a general who was from Xiangzhou and had a blood feud with the Jin Kingdom, to rebel against the Song Dynasty.

The consequences of this incident were so severe that even the later Battle of Huaixi, where the Song Dynasty initially won but then lost, was influenced by this incident. If it weren't for Li Qiong's tactics and strategies, it would be hard to say whether Wanyan Wushu could have defeated Zhang Jun and Yang Yizhong in Haozhou.

Not to mention that the Battle of Fuping, which determined the ownership of the Western Army's hometown, was also messed up by Zhang Jun.

Liu Qi, who is now present at the scene, Wu Lin, the chief general of the Song Dynasty who is still fighting in Guanzhong, and Zhang Zhongyan, the chief general of the Jin Dynasty, are all eyewitnesses of this terrible incident.

Let’s put it this way, if Zhao Ding, Liu Ziwu and others were still alive, it would never be Zhang Jun’s turn to be the leader of the pro-war faction!

With such a criminal record, it would be a miracle if Liu Huai could trust Zhang Jun!
He would rather form a political alliance with Ye Yiwen and wait for Yu Yunwen to seize the supreme power of Song State than to launch a northern expedition under the command of Zhang Jun!
After a very meaningless conversation, Zhu Xiaqing finally couldn't bear it anymore, coughed lightly a few times, and then began to read the imperial edict.

The imperial edict was even less meaningful. It was nothing more than comforting the meritorious officials and providing relief to the soldiers. Zhao Gou also had to brag a little about how hard it was to lead the army in person and how all the officials had worked hard. In the end, he finally gave some political guarantees.

The real highlight will be at tomorrow's grand court meeting.

Although he did not receive the political promise from Liu Huai, Zhang Jun was not annoyed at all. After leading the generals into the city and boasting about their achievements along the main streets of Jiankang with the drummers, he finally showed the momentum of the army returning victoriously.

Liu Huai was in a trance while riding on his horse.

He was not interested in this kind of political show, but just lowered his head to think about the situation in the Song Dynasty.

He suddenly realized that he had oversimplified the internal struggle among the pro-war faction in Song State.

Just because Zhang Jun couldn't wait to jump out on the first day the army returned to the capital, it is very likely that the internal struggle within the pro-war faction has reached a fever pitch.

But it shouldn’t be that fast!
Li Tong came to Liu Huai's side unnoticed at this time, as if he knew what Liu Huai was thinking, and whispered to him: "Sir, Zhang Jun is also from Shu." Liu Huai suddenly understood.

No wonder Zhang Jun was so anxious.

Zhang Jun did not take the initiative to cause trouble with Yu Yunwen or to stir up internal conflicts within the pro-war faction, but he had been forced into a corner. If he did not take action, he would have no choice but to retire and go home.

Yu Yunwen's contributions were truly enormous, and he was both famous and powerful. He was the legitimate leader of the literati in Shu. Except for his inferior qualifications, he was much better than Zhang Jun in all aspects.

Don't forget that it was Shu that sold everything it had and paid several years' worth of taxes in advance to support Zhang Jun in launching the Battle of Fuping, but ended up suffering such a disastrous defeat.

Compared with Yu Yunwen, who commanded the Battle of Chao County and won the battle, Zhang Jun's value is too low.

If this continues, even if the Shu scholar-officials are re-employed on a large scale, no one will follow Zhang Jun. Personnel is politics, and a commander without any troops has no political future.

Thinking of this, Liu Huai couldn't help but look deeply at Zhang Jun's back.

From this perspective, Zhang Jun is the biggest opponent of the political alliance between Liu Huai and Yu Yunwen.

After the roll call at Xi'an Gate, it was already past noon. After Zhang Jun and Zhu Xiaqing left with their drums and music, Wei Qi, the chief clerk of the Taifu Temple, began to arrange accommodation for several generals and their personal soldiers.

This is only natural, because tomorrow is the grand court meeting and everyone has to attend. Foreign troops like the Shandong Volunteer Army are unfamiliar with the place, and it would be troublesome if they run around everywhere and the eunuchs can't find them.

Later, people from the Ministry of Rites would come to teach etiquette. Although the atmosphere in the court meetings of the Song Dynasty was relatively relaxed, it was not a laissez-faire atmosphere. The necessary etiquette would be observed. If one violated the etiquette in front of the emperor, he would most likely be scolded by the etiquette official.

In theory, the victorious soldiers who entered the city today should all live together to facilitate tomorrow's court meeting, but who knew that Wei Qi directly divided them into two places: Dutingyi and Biesi Suo.

Cheng Min and Li Xianzhong lived in Duting Posthouse.

Liu Qi and Liu Huai were to be stationed at the other examination center.

"Master Wei, we only have 400 soldiers in total. Why do we have to distribute them in two places? Why can't Duting Station accommodate only 400 people?" After hearing the arrangement, Cheng Min asked first.

Dutingyi was a place to receive foreign envoys. Many small countries relied on tribute trade to survive, so there were always a large number of people arriving, and Dutingyi was built very large.

Wei Qi smiled bitterly and shook his head: "General Cheng, the Duting Posthouse is due to the arrival of the Jin envoys, so only half of the space can be vacated..."

Hearing this, Liu Huai waved his hand and asked loudly, "Wait a minute, an envoy from the Jin Kingdom? Where are they from? How come I don't know them?"

This is so surprising.

With the Jin emperor and his government all wiped out, who could possibly send an envoy? Would it be the Jin Wokou garrison, Tu Shanzhen, or even the garrison commander of Bianliang?
It can't be Wanyan Yong, who still has no news of successful rebellion?
The timing is not right either!
Wei Qi smiled wryly: "As a lowly official, it is difficult for me to answer the general's question."

Liu Huai frowned, his face fierce: "Forget it, I'll go ask it myself now."

What the hell is the Song State doing?
It has come to this, do we still need to meet with the envoys?

If they don’t know how to kill the envoys to establish their authority, Liu Huai can teach them personally!
If Song and Jin negotiated peace, what would happen to the Shandong rebel army?
Are we going to abandon this place and leave?
Seeing Liu Huai's face full of grim smiles, Cheng Min and Li Xianzhong immediately realized why he was not allowed to stay at Duting Inn.

"Liu Dalang, you must not act rashly." Cheng Min hurriedly advised: "This is Jiankang City, the officials are all in the city."

Liu Huaiqi asked, "Do we still care about this?"

Cheng Min's face turned dark.

Han Shizhong once did the terrible thing of intercepting and killing the Jin envoys during the peace talks between Song and Jin, and he did it in a very crude way, the kind of crudeness that everyone in the world knows about.

As a general of Han Shizhong's faction, Cheng Min's righteous words were really unbearable.

Li Xianzhong said directly and seriously: "Liu Dalang, if you were in Lianghuai or Shandong, you could kill or cook the Jin envoys at will and no one would care, but you can't do that under the feet of the emperor.

Don't blame me for speaking so bluntly. If the emperor gets angry, even if I'm no match for you, I'll fight you to the bitter end."

"Manager Li, are you going to kill me for the Jin thieves?" Liu Huai held the knife and asked Li Xianzhong with his head tilted.

The atmosphere solidified instantly.

Cheng Min quickly tried to smooth things over: "The Jin envoy will definitely attend the grand court meeting tomorrow. How can I let you kill him? Besides, the Song and Jin have been at war for so long, and there is absolutely no possibility of hasty peace talks. When the envoy returns, I will go with you to kill him!"

Wei Qi did not expect that two famous generals would start shouting and killing the Jin envoys right in front of him. He was nervous but also felt a little relieved.

Mr. Tang is really thoughtful and prepared for the future.

How can we succeed without suppressing these soldiers?
Liu Huai looked at the two Song veterans in front of him, remained silent for a while, and finally made a concession: "Well, spare this fellow's life."

After saying that, Liu Huai bowed and led his subordinates and a minor official from the Taifu Temple to the other examination center.

Cheng Min breathed a sigh of relief and defended himself to Li Xianzhong, "Don't blame Liu Dalang for being so angry. Shandong is isolated and vulnerable. If the Song Dynasty really negotiates peace with the Jin Kingdom again, they will be killed without a burial place."

Li Xianzhong shook his head and wanted to make some excuses, but when he thought about having to stay with the Jin envoys tonight, he couldn't help but get angry and it took a lot of effort to suppress the urge to kill.

(End of this chapter)