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

Chapter 592 Military Affairs Are Difficult for the General

November 3rd.

The war triggered by the battle between the brothers Wanyan Liang and Wanyan Yong in Hebei has fully unfolded, completely engulfing Shandong and the Central Plains.

As fellow Shandong rebels, Liu Huai could not stand idly by and watch Geng Jing be destroyed and Dongping Prefecture be captured by the Jin Dynasty. At this point, he could no longer afford to rest and recuperate, and began a general mobilization in the eastern part of Shandong.

Countless people who were repairing ditches, canals and roads were conscripted as laborers, countless amounts of money, grain and cloth were taken from the government treasury, merchant ships originally used for trade were requisitioned, and the garrison soldiers also bid farewell to their families and gathered at the front line under the leadership of their officers.

This is the devastation that war inflicts on people's livelihoods.

Even though many people will not face life and death on the battlefield, the loss of a large number of young and strong men, to the point that production and life have almost come to a complete standstill, is an indisputable fact.

However, it's pointless to say this now.

Not to mention Liu Huai gathering his main force in Yidu Prefecture to prepare for battle, Hu Yan Nanxian led his army out, but instead of marching along the Xiaoqing River with the heavy supply ships, he led five hundred elite cavalry westward, heading straight for Zizhou, which is directly west of Yidu Prefecture.

Hu Yananxian wasn't just doing nothing in Yidu Prefecture, only training troops. In fact, he was also constantly contacting and winning over surrounding officials and powerful families, and taking in refugees.

Especially after Liu Huai established the Jingnan Army Military Governor's Office in Yidu Prefecture, He Boqiu, as the Chief Secretary of the Military Governor's Office, carried a lot of weight in his words and directly put his promises into practice.

Therefore, as Huyan Nanxian traveled westward, several counties in Zizhou surrendered, though a few were actually under the jurisdiction of the Jin dynasty; most were coerced by local strongmen.

The prefect of Zizhou had already fled last year. Shandong had become like this. Even if Jin officials had the greatest courage, they would not dare to continue serving under such circumstances. Many had fled. In places like Zizhou and Dizhou, the situation had basically become one of co-governance between local powerful families and officials.

But Jinan Prefecture was different.

In front of Licheng in Jinan Prefecture is the Beiqing River, also known as the Ji River. A hundred miles further north is the old course of the Yellow River during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Beyond that is Hebei in the traditional sense.

Despite the current chaos in Hebei, it is still considered by Wanyan Yong to be his for the taking. The strategic significance of the Shandong rebels entering Hebei may not be great, but its political significance is immense.

Therefore, Wanyan Yong would never give up Jinan Prefecture, which was a thorn in Shandong's side.

In fact, at the beginning of his reign, Wanyan Yong had already sent his trusted confidant Shi Chong south to try to take control of Jinan Prefecture.

However, based on various rumors, Hu Yananxian had already concluded that Shi Chong was loyal but lacked ability, and was cowardly and timid. He was powerless to change the situation due to the interference of local officials and powerful figures in Jinan Prefecture. Yet, he dared not flee back directly and could only drown his sorrows in alcohol every day.

Huyan Nanxian even indirectly told Shi Chong that as long as he continued to pretend to be deaf and dumb, he would be politely escorted out of the country when Licheng changed hands, and then he could go back to Liaodong to report back.

During this period, Shi Chong didn't even need to do anything; he just needed to obediently follow the arrangements.

Thinking of this, Hu Yananxian couldn't help but feel a little smug.

If we could capture Jinan Prefecture without bloodshed, wouldn't we immediately become the number one general in Shandong?
On November 5th, with Licheng in sight, Huyan Nanxian reined in his horse and stopped, then asked Ji Cheng behind him, "How many men are left?"

Ji Chengli, still on horseback, looked back and said, "Four hundred riders."

Even though Wu Cheng's army consisted entirely of men from respectable families and skilled in archery and horsemanship, injuries and falling behind were inevitable after such a long march. To be honest, only one-fifth of them falling behind was already considered the elite of the elite.

Hu Yananxian looked up at the sky and saw that it was still early. He pointed to the side and said, "There's a river ahead. Everyone go wash up and rest, and have a quick bite to eat. When we get to Licheng, you better be in top form! Let those nouveau riche see what the elite of the world are all about!"

A personal guard reined in his horse and turned around, relaying the general's order to the entire army: "Strike a battle formation, rest and eat by the river ahead!"

Before long, a temporary camp was set up by the river. Some knights cooked meals, some watered their horses, and some stood guard around the area.

Hu Yanan stood on a high ground, leaning on his sword, gazing silently at Licheng.

Ji Cheng walked over: "Brother, everything's been arranged. When is the inside man you mentioned coming? They must know about this, right?"

Hu Yanan glanced at Ji Cheng, then continued looking at Li Cheng: "Although we came by surprise with elite cavalry without sending a military envoy to report, there are still four hundred riders and over a thousand warhorses galloping together. The dust they kick up can be seen two or three miles away. How could we not find them?"

Ji Cheng nodded, but still had a question: "Brother, why not just go and seize the city directly, instead of waiting here?"

Huyan Nanxian didn't keep them in suspense: "Firstly, the men are indeed exhausted and need a rest; secondly..." Huyan Nanxian paused before continuing, "Secondly, I always feel that things are not stable in Jinan."

"Brother, are you saying that the Jinan government is just giving us the runaround? Or... or even deceiving us?"

Faced with Ji Cheng's question, Hu Yananxian hesitated for a moment before saying, "There must have been some perfunctory talk, and some deception, but with so many people speaking up, it's impossible that they're all loyal to the Jin Dynasty. To put it bluntly, if the Jin Dynasty had this ability to rally people's hearts, why would our Wucheng Army need to rebel? However..."

"However, I still feel uneasy. Perhaps it's because Yidu Prefecture and Jinan Prefecture are separated by Zizhou, and I haven't been able to make proper exchanges with the powerful families of Jinan a few times." Hu Yan Nanxian said slowly, supporting his sword. "Let's wait here. If those people dare not come to see me, it means they have something to hide; if they don't expect me to lead the troops here, it means they are as stupid as pigs and incapable of discussing important matters! Let's wait and see."

Ji Cheng could only nod in agreement.

Licheng is an important town in Shandong and a historically significant city. Even if we are not afraid of ambushes in Licheng, it would be quite difficult to completely control the entire city with only 400 cavalry.

Regardless of whether there will be repercussions later, to stabilize the city, it is necessary to cooperate with local officials and powerful figures for the time being.

To put it more clearly, if an agreement isn't reached with the officials and gentry of Jinan, even if they stormed into Licheng, they wouldn't be able to control Jinan Prefecture for a while, and might even suffer a backlash.

If an agreement can be reached, even if the gates of Licheng are locked, they will open from the inside by themselves.

Don't try to catch the king first.

The premise of "capture the king first" is that there is a king. With Shi Chong's character, the Jinan Prefecture doesn't listen to him normally. He wants to use the emperor to command the princes? No way!

However, the powerful families of Jinan did not disappoint Hu Yananxian. Soon, people were looking across the river, and some even asked questions from afar.

About an hour later, seven or eight wealthy men arrived with their private soldiers.

They simply waited in the distance, and Hu Yananxian remained calm and composed, not taking the initiative to greet them, but instead continuing to observe coldly while holding his sword.

It wasn't until someone arrived that Hu Yananxian finally showed a slight smile.

"General Huyan! I've arrived!" A burly man dressed in an official robe, carrying an iron turban, walked over laughing. "Why did you come in such a hurry? We were caught off guard and didn't even prepare any wine or meat."

Hu Yananxian turned around and smiled, "Commander Deng has kept me waiting."

Upon hearing the complaints, the burly man simply stroked his sideburns and laughed, "General Huyan, I haven't even blamed you yet, but you're already finding fault with me. Oh well, what can I do when your army is so strong? I, Deng Yu, can only admit my mistake."

As he spoke, the man named Deng Yu, a clerk from Licheng County, made a gesture of respect and bowed.

Hu Yananxian quickly stepped forward and helped Deng Yu up: "Alas... Deng Yashi is a meritorious person, I cannot accept such a great gift."

Deng Yu's face stiffened, and then he threw down the iron turban in his hand, making a move to kneel down.

Hu Yananxian quickly grabbed him, her smile equally stiff: "Deng Yashi, what are you trying to do?"

Deng Yu said solemnly, "General, you were joking with me before, but after I apologized twice, you still wouldn't let it go. This shows that you are really angry. Since that's the case, I have no choice but to apologize."

As he spoke, Deng Yu was about to kneel down and kowtow again.

Now, Hu Yananxian was also a little embarrassed. He used both hands to pull Deng Yu up and said, "Deng, I was just joking with you. I didn't mean anything by it. This light troop advance was also on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief. We rushed here at high speed. It was not to catch you off guard on purpose."

Deng Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Commander-in-Chief? Is that Flying Tiger? I've heard that Flying Tiger always leads the charge in every battle. Has he already arrived? Please, General Huyan, introduce us!"

Hu Yananxian was amused: "At this time, Lord Feihu is already the commander-in-chief of the army and the military governor of Shandong. How can he personally charge into battle? What use are we generals then? But as long as we do well in this battle, the commander-in-chief will naturally not be stingy with official positions and rewards."

Deng Yu was somewhat disappointed, but he still nodded and steered the conversation to serious matters: "General Huyan, although things have been rushed, we are all ready to welcome the royal army!"

The last sentence was spoken particularly loudly, and the wealthy people were immediately invigorated, responding loudly in agreement.

Huyan Nanxian nodded noncommittally, then said, "Deng Yashi, since that's the case, you should personally lead us to Licheng!"

(End of this chapter)