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

Chapter 634 A Defeated General Discusses the Future

On December 6th, along with the news of Heshi Lieliangbi's crushing defeat and retreat north, the complete annihilation of the Shenwei Army, and the death of Xiao Qi, two unfortunate souls, Tu Danzhen and Tu Danyongnian, also arrived in Xuzhou.

The two initially planned to gather troops in Jeju Island, then march northwest along the Yellow River branch, and then look for an opportunity to head north.

However, after Xin Qiji led the Taiping Army, which had been transformed into a mule and horse regiment, to catch up resolutely, Tu Danzhen had no choice but to continue fleeing south.

Originally, he had more than 300 armored cavalrymen from the Tudan tribe following him, but they fell behind and scattered along the way. By the time he arrived in Xuzhou, he only had a little over 100 loyal followers left.

Even Yiladao has disappeared without a trace.

Upon receiving the report from the scouts, Guo Anguo and Pucha Shijie were both struck as if by a bolt from the blue.

It doesn't matter that more than 20,000 regular troops were defeated like this; the place of Xuzhou is even more dangerous now.

If the Shandong rebels don't launch a full-scale attack at that time, then something strange would happen!
Wu Jie's army had only about 10,000 soldiers. Whether they could withstand the attack of the Shandong rebels was not a question, but a foregone conclusion.

After welcoming the distraught Tu Danzhen and Tu Danyongnian into the Pengcheng government office, Guo Anguo held Tu Danzhen's trembling hands, his whole body shaking as well: "How...how could we have suffered such a crushing defeat..."

Tu Danzhen gave a bitter laugh, then suddenly began to shed tears, his words strangely calm: "General Guo, are you referring to my Tu Dan tribe's troops, or the Left Prime Minister's main force of 20,000 troops?"

Guo Anguo's lips moved: "They all have. With so many troops, even if they can't defeat the enemy, they should be able to protect themselves, right? Why did Xiao Qi die in battle?"

Tu Dan Yongnian shook his head dejectedly and said, "We are stationed in Dongping Prefecture and do not know the details."

As he spoke, Tu Dan Yongnian recounted the news of the defeated soldiers' return, then looked up at the commanders-in-chief and deputy commanders of the Wujie Army: "Let's not talk about that anymore. The key is what we should do. We can't just sit here and wait to die, can we?!"

Pucha Shijie's face turned pale and uncertain. He glanced at Tudan Yongnian and asked, "Why can't I serve my country loyally here?"

Upon hearing this, Tu Danzhen sighed: "Asa, I know you're thinking about the Left Prime Minister's words before he left, those nonsense about staying true to oneself and prioritizing national affairs. But have you ever considered that the Left Prime Minister didn't fight to the death either? If he couldn't do it, how can we be expected to do it?"

The scene fell silent for a moment, with the four high-ranking Jin officials remaining silent as they each pondered their options.

Guo Anguo suddenly said, "Do you think that someone as intelligent as the Left Prime Minister would have foreseen this outcome?"

Tu Danzhen wiped his face with a hot towel, his weariness gone: "The Left Prime Minister is only a man, not a god. If he could predict everything, he wouldn't have lost the battle."

Pucha Shijie suddenly sighed: "No, the Left Prime Minister has already thought of it. I just realized what the Left Prime Minister said when he left."

He looked at Guo Anguo and said slowly, "You and I are important ministers of the country, bearing heavy responsibilities for the nation. We should prioritize the affairs of the country above all else. As long as we can hold on to this principle, even if things get difficult later, there will be room for recovery. But if we are half-hearted and hesitant, then not only will the country collapse, but our personal future will also be uncertain."

"These are the exact words of the Left Prime Minister."

"This country is not His Majesty's or that scoundrel Wanyan Yong's Great Jin Kingdom, but the entire Great Jin Kingdom."

Pucha Shijie gestured, making a comprehensive gesture: "The Left Prime Minister hopes that we will find a way to protect the Great Jin Dynasty, rather than dragging our elite troops into the struggle for the throne. He wants us to guard against the Song Dynasty and the Shandong rebels. Otherwise, once the Han people rise up, whether it is a Jurchen like me or a Han traitor like you, we will all die without a burial place."

Guo Anguo looked puzzled: "Why doesn't the Left Prime Minister say so?"

Tu Danyongnian also understood, and sighed, saying, "Because we can't say. The Left Prime Minister couldn't possibly tell you what to do after a defeat before sending out the troops. Besides, Xuzhou is too important; we must hold on to it as long as there is even a glimmer of hope."

Guo Anguo glanced at Tu Dan Yongnian and then said, "But now there is no hope at all. Before that traitor Liu surrounds us, we should retreat quickly! But... but where should we retreat to for these 10,000 regular troops? We can serve the country, but we can't just throw them away so easily."

The four of them looked up at the map at the same time, and finally focused their attention on one place.

Shouzhou.

This place is more than 300 li away from Xuzhou, which allows it to avoid the onslaught of the Shandong rebels and prevents Liu Huai from being directly confronted by their army as soon as he sets out.

The southernmost part of Shouzhou is the border between the Jin and Song dynasties, at the Huai River.

The Fei River flows through Shouzhou. The confluence of the Fei River and the Huai River is Xia Cai. Across the Huai River, directly opposite Xia Cai, is Shouchun.

To put it more clearly, the hill across from Xia Cai is called Bagong Mountain.

It's that Bagong Mountain, the Bagong Mountain where every bush and tree seems like an enemy soldier.

To the east of Shouzhou lies Suzhou, where the ancient course of the Bian River flows. Historically, the Longxing Northern Expedition of the Song Dynasty advanced along this route.

To the west of Shouzhou lies Yingzhou, which has the Ying River flowing through it, connecting directly to Bianliang.

At this time, Shouzhou was very weak, with only a few thousand local troops. If the Wujie Army could garrison Shouzhou, it could not only block the Feishui River passage, but also support Suzhou and Yingzhou. If they really couldn't win, they could go north along the Yingshui River and return to Bianliang.

This is what Heshilie Liangbi instructed: to serve the country. Moreover, if this is done, the Wujie Army can also be loyal to Wanyan Liang and defend him against the offensive from the Song Dynasty.

To put it more plainly, after the Wujie Army was stationed in Shouzhou, it established a strategic foothold on the border of the Jin Dynasty. Without removing this thorn in the side, it would be difficult for the Song Dynasty to advance straight into the Central Plains.

It's a win-win situation, both for the public and for private reasons.

However, both Tu Danzhen and Tu Danyongnian's expressions darkened upon hearing this.

These two men surnamed Tudan truly no longer wanted to serve the tyrant Wanyan Liang, especially after Empress Dowager Tudan died under mysterious circumstances.

The key point is that after this defeat, the elite of the Tudan tribe suffered heavy losses. Not only will they be unable to continue fighting on the battlefield, but their influence in the country will also decline.

This is what happens when a country has both tribal and Han systems coexisting; the status of central officials is determined by the strength of their own tribe.

Therefore, Tu Danzhen wanted to return to Liaodong as soon as possible and find a way to cover up the losses.

The journey was fraught with peril, and it would have been impossible without the escort of soldiers.

"After this battle, His Majesty will no longer be able to establish the capital in Bianliang. He will need to support Zhang Zhongyan and Tudan Hexi in Guanzhong, and will probably move the capital to Luoyang." Tudan Zhen pointed to the map and began to analyze the situation: "If Bianliang cannot be defended, Henan will not be able to be defended at all. Why don't you two come back to Liaodong with me? I'm sure the soldiers of the Wujie Army also want to return home in glory."

Guo Anguo and Pu Chashijie were both speechless.

The Wujie Army had long served as Wanyan Liang's personal guard. Given the positions of Guo Anguo and Pucha Shijie, and even the majority of the officers of the Wujie Army, it was impossible for them to submit to Wanyan Yong.

Not only was Tu Danzhen, who had long been Wu Jiejun's superior, fully aware of this matter, but even Wanyan Liang and Wanyan Yong, the two brothers, were also fully aware of it.

Otherwise, why didn't Wanyan Liang recall the Wujie Army when he was fighting the civil war?

Isn't it because he needs the Wujie Army to keep the Shenwei Army and the Wu'an Army in check and prevent them from joining Wanyan Yong's side?

Pucha Shijie, too lazy to engage in further veiled questions, directly inquired, "Left Supervisor, Right Supervisor, you two can simply state what you desire."

Tudanzhen remained silent for a moment before saying, "I want all the troops of the Tudan tribe in the Wujie Army."

Pu Chashijie laughed, and Guo Anguo laughed too.

The Wujie Army had about several hundred elite cavalrymen from the Tudan tribe, including one marching Meng'an and four marching Mouke Tudan.

In other words, Tu Danzhen could sway nearly a thousand people with just one sentence.

How can this be?

Shouzhou was located on the front line of confrontation between the Jin and Song dynasties, and was also a strategic fulcrum in the eastern part of Henan. The Wujie Army's 10,000 troops were already stretched thin, so how could they possibly spare more than 1,000 troops just to escort Tudanzhen to escape north?

"Why don't you go to Guanzhong and persuade Tudan Hexi to come back?" A hint of contempt flashed in Pucha Shijie's eyes: "Then let Wu Lin conquer Guanzhong and take Jin territory from the northwest, what do you think?"

Tu Danzhen was somewhat embarrassed.

He originally considered himself loyal and righteous, after all, he was an important minister of the country, his father and brother were founding heroes, and the Tudan tribe had even produced an empress dowager. He was also a major shareholder of the Jin state and shared its glory and disgrace.

But now that things have come to this, Tu Danzhen still has to think about herself first, because nothing is more important than living.

After a moment of contemplation, Tu Danzhen said, "Asa, the Great Jin has already reached this point, and the situation ahead is uncertain. Take my advice: it is best to preserve your own interests."

Pucha Shijie and Guo Anguo exchanged a glance, then stood up together. Guo Anguo then said coldly, "Left Supervisor, since you are only willing to seek your own wealth and honor, and are unwilling to risk your life for the Great Jin Dynasty, then watch me, this man, die for the Great Jin and for His Majesty in Liaodong!"

Having said that, the commanders-in-chief and deputy commanders of Wu Jiejun had no desire to continue speaking and turned to leave.

Tu Danzhen was both ashamed and furious. Finally, unable to contain himself, he roared, "I am still the Left Supervisor of the Great Jin Capital Marshal's Office! You all must obey my orders!"

Guo Anguo didn't stop walking, but Pucha Shijie turned around, holding his belt: "My son and more than a dozen trusted nephews and nieces, and hundreds of clansmen, all died for His Majesty and for the Great Jin in Chao County. Left Supervisor, how dare a coward like you pretend to be a hero in front of me? While there is still some respect between us, get out of here quickly, or I will have to resort to any means."

Tu Danzhen's face turned ashen, but he ultimately dared not refute her.

In this situation, it can only be said that the Jin Dynasty truly lived up to its reputation as a nation owned by its army. Although Tu Danzhen held a high position and great power in the central government, once his troops were lost, even his former subordinates would no longer obey his orders.

"Left Supervisor, let's hurry up and leave," Tu Dan Yongnian said. "The Wu Jie Army's deployment is so large that it can't be kept secret. There are also Liu's troops left behind nearby. There might be another big battle. If we don't leave now, it will be too late!"

(End of this chapter)