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

Chapter 650 Adaptability and Insight

It's no wonder Liu Huai had a problem with Yu Yunwen.

Liu Bao's timing in sending troops north was so opportune that even Liu Huai began to have doubts.

If this was sent by Yu Yunwen to take advantage of the chaos, it means that this guy intends to directly attack Liu Huai before the Jin Dynasty is destroyed.

All previous verbal agreements are null and void, and Yu Yunwen's political credibility with Liu Huai will drop to zero.

If Liu Bao acted without authorization, then the problem is even bigger.

Yu Yunwen has been serving as the Deputy Pacification Commissioner of Jianghuai for eight months, yet he has still not been able to subdue the armies of Lianghuai, to the point that some have dared to disobey orders and send troops.

And they can even take away 10,000 soldiers!
Is Yu Yunwen really capable?
Is it reliable to have this kind of person as a political ally?

Without a reasonable explanation, the number of Han troops to be stationed on the border for defense could be more than just two thousand; it could be as many as twenty thousand.

"Liu Dalang! Liu Dalang!" Yu Yunwen seemed oblivious to Liu Huai's gloomy expression. He dismounted from his horse with a hearty laugh from afar, his round face beaming. He stepped forward, patted Liu Huai's shoulder, and slapped his shawl, making a rustling sound as he did so: "Long time no see! You've grown even more robust!"

As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face. Especially since Yu Yunwen looks like 'Detective Dee', he naturally has a lot of affability when he smiles. Liu Huai immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord Yu. Please forgive me for not being able to perform the full ceremony due to my armor."

Yu Yunwen stepped forward and grasped Liu Huai's hands, saying, "Brother Liu, do we need such formalities between us? Please take me inside the enclosure for a cup of hot tea; the weather is really cold."

Liu Huai grasped Yu Yunwen's hand and said with a smile, "Please come with me, Lord Yu, so that I may take this opportunity to report some military intelligence."

After saying this, the two walked away arm in arm, like old friends.

Seeing that Liu Huai hadn't looked at him at all, Liu Bao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

Ignoring someone is the greatest contempt. A greedy and despicable person like Liu Bao may have seemed useful in his youth because of his bravery and fearlessness, and his flaws did not outweigh his merits. However, once he rose to a high position and gradually became afraid of death, the last shining point of his character disappeared.

However, such people are still immersed in the heroic spirit of the past, considering themselves heroes and being very sensitive to any behavior that looks down on them.

This situation is most common in Zhang Jun's lineage, such as Tian Shizhong, Zhang Zigai, Liu Bao, and even Zhang Jun himself.

Just as Liu Bao was about to step forward, several Han soldiers at the entrance of the screen reached out and stopped the rest of the Song soldiers.

Liu Bao was taken aback. Before he could speak, Yu Yunwen's guards became indignant and started making a fuss.

Liu Huai held Yu Yunwen's hand, turned around, and remained silent.

Yu Yunwen waited a moment before scolding, "Everyone wait outside! Do you think Liu Dalang would harm me?"

After saying that, the two continued walking arm in arm into the enclosure and sat down to the east and west.

After Liu Huai dismissed all the guards in the enclosure, he personally poured Yu Yunwen a cup of hot tea.

After drinking a cup of tea, Yu Yunwen's smile vanished abruptly. He remained silent, staring intently at Liu Huai.

How could he not know that this was Liu Huai's way of putting him in a difficult position?

It's just that they have to maintain a facade of harmony in front of outsiders and force themselves to endure it.

With no one else around, Yu Yunwen stopped pretending.

Liu Huai poured himself a bowl of tea, drank it down, and then said to Yu Yunwen, "Minister Yu, let's get straight to the point."

Yu Yunwen shook his head directly, cupped his hands, and said, "Back then in Caishi and Chaoxian, we made a pact to live or die together and cooperated seamlessly. Now, can we only discuss political matters and not personal friendships?"

Liu Huai smiled and said, "Since you wish to discuss personal matters, then let's talk about personal matters. If everything goes smoothly and there are no major battles, I will be getting married this year. I wonder if you would do me the honor of coming to Shandong to attend?"

Yu Yunwen immediately became interested and leaned forward: "Oh? I wonder which lady is capable of binding you and becoming your perfect match, Liu Dalang?"

Liu Huai's smile widened: "Naturally, she is my father, Duke Wei's, daughter, and also my little sister."

Yu Yunwen was not surprised. He knew about the relationship between Wei Sheng and his son, and he also knew that Liu Huai was probably Wei Sheng's adopted son-in-law.

Therefore, Yu Yunwen simply cupped his hands in congratulations: "I may not be able to come in person, but I will certainly present you with a generous gift. This is a joyous occasion, Liu Dalang, let's have another cup of tea instead of wine!"

Although they claimed it was a private friendship, their positions still unconsciously led to a subtle exchange of barbs. Liu Huai said that if there hadn't been a major war, they would have gotten married, and even invited Yu Yunwen to Shandong to attend—a statement that itself was contradictory.

Yu Yunwen was determined to restore the nation and was also a high-ranking official with many official duties. It was impossible for him to abandon his post and run around for a wedding.

There could only be one reason he went to Shandong: to lead his army on a northern expedition to the Central Plains.

However, if there is a major battle this year, Liu Huai will not have time to prepare for the wedding, so this is bound to be a dilemma.

Liu Huai used these words to test whether the Song state would launch a northern expedition this year, following historical precedent.

Yu Yunwen's reply was simple: since he could not go north, it meant that the Song state should not be able to launch a northern expedition this year, but he did not make a definitive statement, leaving room for maneuver.

After drinking the hot tea, Yu Yunwen smiled at Liu Huai again and asked, "Brother Liu, how is Lord Wei's health?"

Faced with Yu Yunwen's further probing, Liu Huai did not hide anything, but sighed and said, "It's not good. When we stopped the Jin bandits in Suzhou, we were seriously injured. We can only recuperate for the next two years. I dare not let my father go to the battlefield again."

Yu Yunwen's expression darkened.

Wei Sheng, as the marshal of the Shandong rebels and a general loyal to the Song Dynasty, should have been the pillar of the Shandong rebels.

In theory, as long as he was in Shandong, Yu Yunwen was not afraid of the situation in Shandong getting out of control.

However, because the Song army from Jiankang did not go to the aid of Suzhou that day, but instead came to Chaoxian to claim credit, Wei Sheng was injured and could no longer command troops in battle. As a result, in the subsequent battles, Wei Sheng could only hold the line in the rear, while relinquishing command of the army to Liu Huai.

Liu Huai's prestige grew with each war, and now he was in a situation that was difficult to control.

Thinking this, Yu Yunwen wished he could drag Zhang Zigai out of his grave and whip his corpse.

But Yu Yunwen still maintained the demeanor of a prime minister. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head and sighed, saying, "Wei Gong must not be harmed. Liu Dalang, what do you think? After I return, I will write to the court to transfer Wei Gong to the capital as an official. What do you think?"

Liu Huai's gaze sharpened, his smile froze, and then he smiled again, saying, "That won't be necessary. Hasn't Suqian already been recovered? My father can return to his hometown to recuperate. It's also close to the Song Dynasty. If Lord Yu summons him, my father can reply quickly. Is that alright?"

Yu Yunwen's meaning was crystal clear: he wanted Wei Sheng to come to court as a hostage and use emotions to blackmail Liu Huai.

But Liu Huai said he wouldn't buy it. He'd rather risk the infamy and personally kick Wei Sheng out of the decision-making circle, sending him to Suqian to retire. Taking hostages then wouldn't do any good.

As the art of war says: When you are capable, pretend you are incapable; when you are active, pretend you are not active; when you are near, pretend you are far; when you are far, pretend you are near.

Even if Liu Huai cared deeply about Wei Sheng, he had to pretend not to care in order to avoid the worst possible outcome.

Yu Yunwen didn't quite believe Liu Huai would be so heartless, so he just smiled and continued, "But with Duke Wei gone, who can govern Shandong?"

Liu Huai knew the real show was about to begin: "Now that Shandong is pacified, Mr. Lu You can be appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of the two routes to Jingdong."

Yu Yunwen's eyes lit up, and then he slowly nodded.

This political exchange is not bad.

With the Jin dynasty still intact, the Song dynasty needed Shandong to contain the Jin army, so it was impossible to take action against the Shandong rebels first. If military force failed, then they could only resort to civil means.

At this point, it comes down to how well each party can recruit members.

Yu Yunwen believed in Lu You's stance. If Lu You could become the nominal supreme military and political leader of Shandong, then the Song state could achieve twice the result with half the effort if it wanted to make political promises.

But Yu Yunwen still hesitated: "Liu Dalang, is Lu Wuguan recognized by all parties in Shandong, or is it just Liu Dalang who thinks so?"

If the Taiping Army, which occupies Shandong West Road, vehemently opposes him, then Lu You's position as Pacification Commissioner of the Eastern and Western Routes will be extremely precarious.

Liu Huai sighed and said solemnly, "There are no other forces left. On November 24th, the Jin invaders ambushed the returning Tianping army. Geng Jiedu personally covered the rear and died in battle by the Ji River."

"What?!" Yu Yunwen's eyes widened in surprise, and he jumped up, knocking over the table in front of him: "Geng Jiedu... Geng Jiedu is dead in battle?!"

At this moment, Yu Yunwen's mind was in turmoil.

(End of this chapter)