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

Chapter 696 The Lament of the Chancellor of Lianghuai

Despite the Song army's imminent collapse, the Jin army was also facing considerable difficulties.

Originally, apart from the armored cavalry that broke through the enemy lines, the rest of the Jin army's armored cavalry that failed to break through the enemy lines should have continued to charge in waves.

However, after Zhang Wen's army arrived, these armored cavalrymen had to turn around and fight Zhang Wen's troops, which meant they did not continue to follow the vanguard to break through and expand their gains.

As a result of the chain reaction, Wanyan Liang, who was at the forefront of the advance, immediately felt immense pressure.

"Go!" Although Wanyan Liang acted as if he didn't care about his life, he still valued his life after all. Seeing this, he quickly led his personal guards and rushed out through the gaps in the formation.

Wu Ting was furious upon seeing this.

Wanyan Liang was incredibly cunning and decisive; he retreated without giving Wu Ting any chance.

"To hell with it, let's get out of here!"

Wu Ting cursed angrily, then led his troops in a fighting retreat, gathering his men and using Mawei Slope as a defensive position to block the Jin army's pursuit.

After Wanyan Liang and Wanyan Wangxiang joined forces, they saw that the Song army was orderly and that the defeated troops had already reached Mawei Slope and were gathering together. The Song army was in perfect formation, and the Jin army did not dare to continue their charge. They also gathered their troops and formed ranks.

The two sides then faced off at the foot of Mawei Slope.

After days of raiding, weeks of ambushes, and months of planning, the final result was a draw, which naturally dissatisfied everyone.

For Wu Ting, although the surprise attack failed, he still had the regular army fighting in Yuanzhou.

In any case, the surprise attack ultimately drew the attention of the Jin army and revealed Wanyan Liang's presence.

If we also consider that Zhang Congjin of Fengxiang Prefecture had already defected, the Song army didn't actually suffer too much of a loss.

But for Wanyan Liang, it was a different story.

His original intention was to gain prestige through war, thereby firmly grasping the Kansai region in his hands. Any failure would be considered a failure, even without a major victory.

It's simply a difference between immediate death and chronic death.

As if knowing that time was on his side, or perhaps because the Song army was also unable to deal with the Jin army in Guanzhong, Wu Ting led his troops back to Fengxiang Prefecture, joined forces with the Weiyong Army, occupied the key road to Chencang, and eyed Guanzhong covetously.

Since the Song army has withdrawn, it is a great victory for the Jin army.

Wanyan Liang was so eager to announce his victory that he rewarded the entire army.

However, this kind of victory is not a true victory after all.

Anyone with eyes could see that Wanyan Liang seemed to be truly about to lose.

However, Wanyan Liang felt that he could still salvage the situation.

Therefore, on October 20th, Wanyan Liang sent an order to Bianliang to mobilize troops, ordering Wanyan Lucheng to lead 3,000 Heza Meng'an soldiers and Pusan ​​Kui to lead 10,000 newly formed Han soldiers from Bianliang to support Guanzhong.

This was a very risky decision, because everyone knew that the Central Plains were unstable this year, and the more troops Bianliang had, the better, in order to cope with the changes to come.

But whether the Western Jin commander Pusan ​​Zhongyi was truly loyal and righteous or felt he could handle the situation, he indeed dispatched reinforcements.

Such a large-scale mobilization of military forces could not be kept secret, especially with Heza Meng'an alone with five horses, making his actions incredibly impressive.

On the first day of the eleventh month, when the main force of the Jin army arrived at Jingzhao Prefecture, which is Chang'an, Wanyan Liang personally led Zhang Zhongyan to inspect the troops in order to show off his military might. At the same time, news of the chaotic situation of the Guanzhong War also reached Shandong and Lianghuai.

"Ahem..." Ye Yiwen, with a handkerchief tied around his head, handed the document back to Yu Yunwen: "Prime Minister Yu, I have a general understanding of the matter. What do you think?"

Yu Yunwen had already prepared his speech. After receiving the document, he slowly said, "Grand Commandant Wu is also helpless. Who let the Western bandits get involved? If we were in each other's shoes, I would also have no choice but to send troops to fight. Only by defeating the Jin bandits first can we deal with the Western bandits."

"Cough cough..." Ye Yiwen nodded upon hearing this, and was about to say something when he immediately started coughing violently.

Yu Yunwen stepped forward and patted Ye Yiwen on the back, and it took him a moment to recover.

Ye Yiwen stopped coughing, shook his head and said, "Alas, our temple has calculated it well. It is said that if the Jin Kingdom splits into two, they will definitely not coexist. As long as they are exhausted, it will be the opportunity for our Great Song to launch a northern expedition."

But now it seems things aren't so simple; there are always all sorts of troublemakers jumping out to stir things up, which is truly worrying.

Yu Yunwen sighed and said, "It's always been like this. It's rare to have everything go smoothly. Most people have to overcome many difficulties and obstacles before they can get a chance of success."

"Yes." Ye Yiwen forced a smile. "My health is failing. What to do next is up to you, Prime Minister Yu." Ye Yiwen had caught a cold while inspecting troops in various regions after autumn, and his health visibly deteriorated.

He is 66 years old this year and usually lives a life of luxury. At this age, experiencing illness is like passing through the gates of hell.

Yu Yunwen remained silent for a moment.

Although Ye Yiwen was ignorant of military affairs and had caused some trouble, he was relatively gentle and could tolerate Yu Yunwen's attempt to seize power.

If a proper Jianghuai Pacification Commissioner had been appointed instead, there might have been complications due to power struggles.

Thinking of this, Yu Yunwen sighed and took out another document from his pocket: "A merchant has sent a recent report from the Central Plains that troops have been mobilized from Bianliang to Guanzhong."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yiwen showed no joy, but instead instantly panicked: "This document must absolutely not be seen by the court, otherwise... cough cough cough..."

Yu Yunwen did not step forward to pat Ye Yiwen's back again, but waited silently until the old man finished coughing before sighing and saying, "Master Ye, it can't be hidden. With such a large force of Jin bandits, how could we not find out if we investigate carefully?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Yiwen shook his head and sighed repeatedly: "If His Majesty knew, then... then what should we do?"

Both of them were worried about the same thing at this moment.

It wasn't that the Song state was about to abandon its northern expedition, but rather that the number of those advocating for a quick victory within the Song court's pro-war faction was growing, and seeing only small gains, they were urging Zhao Shen to launch an immediate northern expedition.

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs.

How could such a momentous undertaking as the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains be started hastily?
However, as Zhao Shen's confidants, such as Long Dayuan, entered the court and established themselves, their influence on Zhao Shen grew.

These people were completely ignorant of military affairs. In their view, the Jin Dynasty had suffered defeat after defeat, and was now like a dilapidated house that would collapse if someone kicked it.

Our army is now strong and well-equipped, why not immediately launch a northern expedition?
At the same time, Zhang Jun's faction was also stirring up trouble and even began to attack Yu Yunwen and others, saying that they were afraid of the enemy and did not move forward.

Even now, Zhao Shen was still hesitant and did not order a northern expedition, only because Ye Yiwen and Yu Yunwen joined forces to push things back.

These two men were shrewd. Putting aside the delicate relationship between the Song state and Shandong, the Jin army still had several formidable forces.

The Song army's northward march was intended to launch an offensive. If the Jin army could hold out in a fortified city for a period of time, and wait until the Song army was exhausted, they could defeat the Song army in one fell swoop.

Did the Song army in Lianghuai have the ability to win every attack and defend every position at this time?

It's simply impossible.

If the front lines fail, those who advocate for a quick victory will surely suffer a psychological breakdown and turn into either a peace advocate or a surrender advocate. At that point, the opportunity for a northern expedition will be lost, and there will be no hope of recovery.

That's why Ye Yiwen reacted this way when faced with this intelligence.

Seeing Ye Yiwen's ashen face, Yu Yunwen continued solemnly, "Lord Ye, no matter how the battle in Guanzhong unfolds, Lianghuai must be stabilized. I have already written letters to Grand Commandants Wu Gong and Cheng Min, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, and insisting that they do not volunteer for battle."

Ye Yiwen sat up on the bed and laughed self-deprecatingly, "I am not worried about Xiangfan. Wu and Cheng, the two Grand Commandants, are both capable ministers of the country and generals who face the Jin invaders head-on. Even if someone loses their mind, they will not."

Yu Yunwen nodded: "That's how things are. Lord Ye, if the central government sends someone to inquire, I hope that you can work with me to suppress those treacherous officials in the court."

Ye Yiwen nodded slowly, remaining silent.

Only when Yu Yunwen turned to leave did Ye Yiwen speak again: "Lord Yu."

"Does Lord Ye have any further instructions?"

"Lord Yu, what I said before was true." Ye Yiwen pointed to his chest: "I am truly beyond saving. Although I have been loyal to the king, I have no regrets even if I die. But from now on, Lord Yu will have to find a way to support me on my own."

After a moment of silence, Yu Yunwen bowed deeply to Ye Yiwen, then turned and left.

Watching Yu Yunwen's departing figure, Ye Yiwen coughed twice and then found it difficult to breathe, so he quickly lay down on the bed.

After being dizzy for a long time, Ye Yiwen finally regained consciousness. Looking at the roof beams above his head, he was overwhelmed with inexplicable sorrow.

He had wasted his life, been incompetent and useless. In the twilight of his life, he finally had the opportunity to participate in the affairs of the world, but he was powerless because of his old age and illness.

Even the overall situation of the world could worsen due to its own weakness.

Is there anything in the world more breathtaking than this?

(End of this chapter)