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

Chapter 504: Meat Eaters Have No Long-Term Strategy

Soon, the generals of the Jingnan Army gathered in the largest house in Duting Station, and the soldiers guarded the surroundings, not allowing anyone to approach.

A large bowl of soup noodles was brought up, and Liu Huai personally served bowls of it to the generals one by one.

Many people were hesitant to speak and were absent-minded, but were still comforted by Liu Huai.

As the saying goes, you can do great things only when you are full. I have never heard of anyone who can achieve something when he is hungry.

Therefore, even though they were no longer enjoying the food, everyone still ate the soup noodles in big mouthfuls and prepared for the next meeting.

However, before the meal was half finished, someone outside the door announced that Xiao En from the Dongping Army wanted to see him.

Zhang Baiyu stood up immediately, but did not dare to go out immediately. Instead, he looked at Liu Huai.

After the Battle of Chao County, Zhang Baiyu actually wanted to go to Yangzhou immediately to take over the Dongping Army and bury his deceased father's body. However, after all, he was in the army and he was the commander of the Flying Tiger Army. Things kept coming one after another, so how could he have the time to leave?

Therefore, he just sent a letter to explain the situation and asked Xiao En to wait for a while.

But unexpectedly, after only a delay of more than ten days, Xiao En, who was temporarily in charge of the military affairs of the Dongping Army, came to find him.

Is something big going to happen?
Liu Huai nodded, and then Xiao En and another person were brought in.

At this time, Xiao En's eyes were red and his hair was disheveled. He did not look like a general commanding a force. Instead, he looked somewhat like the refugees in Huaixi.

He first suppressed his emotions and bowed to Liu Huai, then grabbed Zhang Baiyu and tears fell down.

"Shiro, Shiro, your father..."

Zhang Baiyu's eyes instantly turned red, but he still managed to hold on. He gritted his teeth and said, "I know, I know everything... The hatred for my father's murder is irreconcilable! I will definitely..."

Xiao En shook his head: "No... not that... fighting to the death is common. But the legacy your father left behind, the Dongping Army, the Dongping Army is going to be annexed... Many of our people will be withdrawn from the army, and many wounded soldiers will be expelled before they can even recover. And the soldiers from Shandong are not allowed to go home..."

As he said this, Xiao En collapsed on the spot, almost howling.

The most terrifying thing was never the swords and guns coming from the front, but the arrows shot from behind. Especially when the arrows were shot from the direction of the loyal Song State, the Dongping Army felt terrified and felt betrayed.

When marching south, Zhang Rong and other senior members of the Dongping Army still considered themselves loyal and righteous, but the lower-level soldiers were thinking about being rewarded for their merits and having titles for their wives and children. However, now they have fought a great battle with all their might, but they have to end up like this. How can this not be disheartening?

Veins bulged on Zhang Baiyu's handsome face. He gritted his teeth and turned to look at Liu Huai: "Master, I..."

Liu Huai also stopped eating and drinking at this time, suppressing the anger in his chest, and then said gently: "Silang, go and serve Uncle Xiao a bowl of soup noodles first. Eat a full bowl to warm up your body. Remember, you can do big things only when you have strength."

Zhang Baiyu knew that Liu Huai had some comprehensive plan, and he also knew that his master never let anyone down, so he could only suppress his anger and pull the crying Xiao En back to his seat.

However, Liu Huai did not continue to eat, but looked at the person who followed Xiao En in: "Dian Lun, have you brought the person I want?"

Dian Lun took off his felt hat, revealing his hair, which had been braided into two new braids. He bowed and saluted, "Sir, two hundred Liao cavalrymen have arrived near Yangzhou. They all speak with Liaodong accents and are dressed in Jin military attire."

After absorbing many Jurchens, Khitans, and Xi people who migrated inland, some voices emerged within the Loyalty Army, calling for the formation of a Huqi Battalion or similar military force. However, Liu Huai clearly opposed this idea, believing it would artificially divide the ethnic groups and go against the overall policy of sinicization of the entire population. Therefore, the idea was rejected.

However, the soldiers who obeyed Liu Huai's order to march south were all of Jurchen origin, so they needed a general military name. Wei Sheng compromised various opinions and gave them the name of Liao Cavalry Camp.

"Duke Wei has a letter and asked me to bring it to you." As he said this, Dianlun took out a wax-sealed bamboo tube from his bosom and presented it respectfully with both hands.

Liu Huai stepped forward and took it. Without even opening the envelope, he asked directly, "How is the battle in Pizhou going?"

In fact, Pizhou could no longer be defended before the State of Song sent troops to pursue Tushan Zhen.

The 30,000 households under Tushan Zhen's command plundered the wealth and food in Huaidong and returned with the entire army. They would not be out of food for a while, and were not afraid of the gain or loss of a city or a place.

When he was not being pursued, the easiest way for Tu Shanzhen was to surround the Loyal Army and start fighting.

There are no soldiers outside to rescue, and no city to defend inside. When the time comes, the loyal army will not be able to escape.

Liu Huai sent two letters to remind Wei Sheng. In his opinion, Wei Sheng would not fight a fierce battle with Tushan Zhen before leaving. He might have returned to Yizhou by now.

However, Dian Lun hesitated for a moment before speaking, "The Duke of Wei forbad me to speak openly, but since the eldest son has asked, I cannot conceal it. The Wucheng army arrived before the main force of the Jin army, and they have many ships, which gives us time to transport our food and supplies."

"Although our army was moving faster, the civilians attracted by the news of the scattered grain were unable to carry so much food away quickly. As a last resort, the Duke of Wei could only lead hundreds of elite cavalry to engage the Jin army and cover the civilians' evacuation."

At this point, Dian Lun's words became difficult to speak. "However, the Duke of Wei has not yet recovered from the injuries he received when he captured Pizhou. New injuries have been incurred before the old ones have healed. Before I arrived, the Duke of Wei had already returned to Yizhou to recuperate."

Liu Huai's hand trembled slightly, and then he nodded to Dian Lun: "Ah Lun, you have had a hard journey. Let's go have a bowl of soup noodles first."

After saying that, Liu Huai tore off the wax sealing the bamboo tube and poured out a letter.

After reading it quickly, Liu Huai folded the letter and put it close to his body. He sighed and said, "Guess what my father told me in the letter?"

The generals of the Jingnan Army had almost no appetite. Upon hearing this, they put down their bowls and chopsticks and looked up.

Liu Huai didn't keep the secret. "Father told me to be a loyal subject and never overstep the boundaries. Tell me, if Father saw what Emperor Zhao did today, would he still say the same thing?"

After a pause, Liu Huai sighed and continued, "It should be the case, because my father is just like Mr. Lu, who abides by loyalty to the emperor and patriotism as the most basic principles.

If my father saw Wanyan Liang roaring in the court and humiliating Emperor Zhao today, he would probably be furious and kill him on the spot."

Lu You hesitated to speak, but Liu Huai suddenly said, as if he had suddenly realized something: "I know why Emperor Zhao allowed us to wear armor and enter the palace."

"He wants us to give him courage!" Bi Zaiyu, who was sitting at the back, could no longer bear it. He slammed the table hard and said tearfully, "My father, is this the kind of person my father would die for?"

Li Xiu and Zhang Baiyu's expressions instantly became intense when they heard this.

However, Liu Huai directly scolded him: "Bi Dalang, your father, Bi Gong, did not die fighting for his family? He clearly died fighting to save the people of Lianghuai and Jiangnan from being slaughtered by the Jin bandits. How is your rhetoric any different from humiliating Bi Gong? If you say such things again, you will receive fifty military sticks!"

After scolding him, Liu Huai picked up the big bowl again and started eating the soup noodles.

This time, no one spoke until everyone had finished eating and put down their bowls and chopsticks. Then Liu Huai said to Lu You in a serious tone, "Mr. Lu, Judge Xu, I understand what you are saying. I am likely to say something outrageous and do something outrageous. If these two loyal ministers of the Song Dynasty care, you can leave now."

Everyone looked at Lu You and Xu Zongyan.

The two of them reacted immediately.

Lu You was still hesitating, but Xu Zongyan stood up and said, "For the sake of the world, I am willing to be led by Liu Dalang."

Liu Huai was somewhat surprised that Xu Zongyan was the first to respond. After a pause, he asked curiously, "Xu Dapan, why are you so straightforward?"

Xu Zongyan said sternly, "This is what I owe to Donghai and Shandong, and I must repay it."

Liu Huai nodded and looked at Lu You again: "Mr. Lu, what about you?"

Lu You didn't expect that the words that Xin Qiji had just spoken would now come back to haunt him, and he actually had no choice but to choose between the Northern Expedition and loyalty to the Song Dynasty.

After pondering for a moment under everyone's gaze, Lu You sighed deeply, bowed, and said, "Just this once, I am willing to follow Liu Dalang's lead."

Liu Huai nodded again: "In that case, I will speak frankly."

As he spoke, Liu Huai's expression turned fierce: "Those who eat meat are despicable! Relying on the king and ministers of Song, we can't accomplish anything great. If we want to change the world's situation, we have to rely on us!"

Everyone was startled, but they heard Liu Huai continue, "If we really waste this opportunity, how can we be worthy of Brother Xiaoyi? How can we be worthy of Uncle Zhang? How can we be worthy of my father? In the afterlife, how can we face the comrades who died fighting along the way south against the Jin army?"

Liu Huai's eyes flashed like lightning. "The external war is over. Next comes the internal battle. These internal thieves are not like the Jin thieves, wearing armor and wielding swords and spears, but they are just as deadly. They are like poisonous snakes spitting their tongues, lurking in the dark, ready to poison us to death at any time."

Therefore, I hope you can show the same care and determination as on the battlefield. This battle, our Jingnan Army, is not over yet! Now we officially enter the second half. Who of you is willing to join me in killing the bandits and saving the world?!

Everyone stood up and said in unison: "We are willing to die for Dalangjun!"

Liu Huai nodded, then stood up, holding his sword and said, "Since that's the case, I have military orders."

"Zhang Baiyu."

"Here!"

"With your three hundred Flying Tigers, carry my military orders and your flags to Guazhou Ferry to take over the Dongping Army. Kill anyone who dares to stop us!

I demand that no one be abandoned, and no ship be given up. Don't be afraid of falling out, I will take care of everything for you!"

Zhang Baiyu cheered up and then responded loudly.

Liu Huai looked at Lu You again and said, "Mr. Lu, you must continue to communicate with Prime Minister Ye and Prime Minister Yu. Tell them that the Jin troops in Lianghuai have not been completely withdrawn, and many elite cavalry are still roaming around. This is the ladder I'm handing them. Whoever wants to govern Lianghuai must seize it quickly."

Lu You bowed in agreement, then glanced at the classics.

These Liao cavalry battalions, composed of genuine Jurchens, may serve as the remnants of the Jin army.

This kind of gameplay can be explained in simple terms as nurturing the enemy to protect oneself.

Ye Yiwen's military and political powers as the governor of Jianghuai were too heavy, so he had to resign, but he still had a certain influence. As for Yu Yunwen, he had not resigned from his post as the powerful Jianghuai envoy, so he could still do something at this time.

Liu Huai kept giving orders: "Luo Shenyan, Shi Qilang, Wang Shilong, Li Tieqiang, Jia Rui."

"The general is here!"

"Return to Huaixi and take control of the Jingnan Army. He Boqiu and He Daguan will temporarily lead the army! Military envoys will communicate with me later to support my actions within the Song Dynasty court."

"Here!"

At this point, the Jingnan Army even had to show the risk of losing control in order to ensure the safety of Liu Huai and others.

Hearing this, Xin Qiji felt a little nervous.

Because Liu Huai had always trained him as the second-in-command of the Jingnan Army, after Liu Huai left the command position, Xin Qiji was generally in charge of military operations. However, this time he had no task, which made him have a bad premonition.

But the next moment, Liu Huai cast his gaze towards him, and after looking him up and down, he said, "Xin Wulang, do you want to be a great poet and write some famous poems that will be passed down through the ages?"

Xin Qiji has always been famous for his literary talent and has always been proud of it. However, what does this literary reputation mean compared to the responsibility of fighting on the battlefield and stabilizing the world?

To put it bluntly, if one could really "lead ten thousand men under his banner in his prime", who would think of "exchanging the ten thousand-word strategy for the neighbor's book on planting trees"?

But it doesn't matter. At this time, Liu Huai obviously has some overall considerations, and Xin Qiji naturally would not sabotage him at this time.

"I will obey Liu Dalang's orders!"

(End of this chapter)