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

Chapter 698: Report your favor on the golden stage

The Eastern Jin army is assembled in Daming Prefecture, and it is possible that they will attack Shandong or Bianliang.

From the perspective of the Jin state's internal situation, the possibility of attacking Bianliang was even greater.

The saying goes that traitors are more hateful than enemies. Although the brothers Wanyan Liang and Wanyan Yong had reached a certain level of understanding under the mediation of Heshi Lie Liangbi, their enmity was fundamentally irreconcilable.

There can't be two suns in the sky, so how could the Great Jin Dynasty have two emperors?
Therefore, it is understandable that Wanyan Yong wanted to take advantage of Wanyan Liang's troop deployment to Guanzhong to lure him into a surprise attack and capture Bianliang in one fell swoop.

But how can such a thing be solved by guesswork?

If they were to be careless and have tens of thousands of troops ram into their faces, invade Shandong and wreak havoc, the scene of rebuilding after the autumn harvest would be completely wiped out.

On the third day of the eleventh month, Liu Huai rushed back to Dongping Prefecture and met up with Luo Shenyan, who had stayed behind there.

Then Liu Huai discovered that He Shilie Zhining had indeed arrived in Daming Prefecture with nearly 10,000 vanguards, but did not take immediate action, instead remaining stationed in Daming Prefecture.

It should be noted that Wang Youzhi's Tianxiong Army currently has 5,000 troops. If Heshilie Zhining were to lead his army directly to attack Bozhou, he might be able to catch Wang Youzhi off guard.

However, once Wang Youzhi became vigilant, it was not impossible for him to conquer Liaocheng with more than 10,000 troops, but the losses would certainly be enormous.

On the fifth day of the eleventh month, Guan Chongyan led three thousand Flying Tiger Army cavalry to Dong'e in Dongping Prefecture, ready to launch an attack.

Here, Guan Chongyan could support Yanggu County to the west and Bozhou, making it the best mobile position for cavalry.

Just then, Heshilie Zhining made a move.

Ten thousand Jin cavalrymen set out from Daming Prefecture, but instead of heading directly to Shandong, they headed southwest all the way to Baima.

This is the place where Guan Yu beheaded Yan Liang. Crossing the Yellow River south from here, and traveling another hundred miles, you will reach Bianliang.

The servant Sanzhongyi reacted immediately.

He did not deploy defenses in Bianliang because such a purely commercial city was characterized by its extensive network of roads and was therefore impossible to defend.

Therefore, Pusan ​​Zhongyi led 20,000 troops north to the south bank of the Yellow River, where he confronted Heshilie Zhining across the river.

Two Jin generals who had historically worked together closely and were inseparable became the swordsmen of the Jin dynasty at this time, which can only be described as a cruel joke of fate.

Pu Sanzhongyi stopped his horse on the riverbank, feeling the cold winter wind, and watched a small boat with a white flag gradually approach. He raised his hand and pointed.

The guards understood and blew the horn, instructing the ships on the water to make way and not to obstruct them.

After the small boat arrived at the riverbank, it seemed to be unfamiliar with the area and could not find a ferry. Moreover, because the Yellow River's water level had dropped in winter, it could not reach the riverbank for a while, making the situation somewhat awkward.

Fortunately, the Jin soldiers on the shore were quick to react. They swiftly lowered a basket, and after a short while, they finally managed to pull the Eastern Jin official onto the riverbank.

"Marshal Du." The man bowed in greeting.

Pu Sanzhongyi sized up the other man: "Yuanzhong, why did you come in person? Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong said frankly, "If Ni Liang were here, I wouldn't dare, but if it's only the Grand Marshal, we've known each other for many years. Are you going to kill me just because I came to deliver a few idle words?"

"Moreover, to show respect to the Grand Marshal, there must be some people who keep their word. If I don't come, then only those gentlemen will come in person."

Pu Sanzhongyi glanced at Wugulun Yuanzhong, then looked at the surging Yellow River: "Since you're here, I can't stop you from speaking. Speak your mind now."

Wugulun Yuancheng said sincerely, "Marshal is of noble lineage from my Jurchen people and once served as a general under the Fourth Prince. How can you watch the country be divided in two? Now, my Emperor is working hard to govern the country and is admired by all. I beg the Marshal to consider the founding ancestor and work together with my Emperor to preserve the nation's destiny."

Pu Sanzhongyi remained silent for a moment: "You want me to betray my emperor and serve your emperor?"

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong's words became even more earnest: "Marshal, I want you to be loyal to the Great Jin Kingdom. Now the Great Jin is divided into two parts, and the future of the kingdom depends entirely on the Marshal's decision."

"Even if the Marshal doesn't consider the country, doesn't he consider the Pusan ​​tribe outside the pass?" Pusan ​​Zhongyi shook his head with a smile: "Don't try to deceive me with such words. Do you think Wulu can kill all the Pusan ​​tribe? Who else can he use then?"

"As for His Majesty... sigh..."

Pu Sanzhongyi sighed deeply: "I also know that His Majesty has many faults and his temperament is too cruel."

"but……"

At this point, Pu Sanzhongyi's tone became sincere: "However, everything comes down to the 'gratitude of being recognized and rewarded.' His Majesty truly entrusted the entire nation's army to my hands and personally attacked Lianghuai to draw away the Song army's strength so that I could conquer Xiangfan."

"And yet, despite leading so many troops, I could only capture Fancheng in the end, failing at the last hurdle, and ultimately failing His Majesty."

"Even so, His Majesty did not blame me, but promoted me to Grand Marshal, in charge of all the troops in Henan. What an honor this is."

"Yuanzhong, if we were in each other's shoes, would you betray your lord because of some high-sounding words?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong remained silent for a moment, then burst into tears.

“Waaah… Wu Zhe…” Wu Gu Lun Yuan Zhong wept uncontrollably, covering his face and calling out Pu San Zhong Yi’s Jurchen name, choking back tears as he said, “Waaah… what you said is indeed true. But… but the fate of the Great Jin dynasty has been so inexplicably cut short here… As a high-ranking official of the state, and having grown up under the wings of the founding heroes, how can I not feel heartbroken? Moreover…”

"Moreover, after today, either you, Wu Zhe, will die, or my father-in-law, wife, and comrades will all perish. How can I not feel grief in my heart?"

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong forced himself to stop crying, his eyes red as he stepped forward and pulled on the reins of Pusan ​​Zhongyi's horse, saying, "Wu Zhe, let me give you one more piece of advice: can you put the country first?"

Pusan ​​Zhongyi gritted his teeth and spat out a sentence: "Yuanzhong, I still want to ask you, can you put the country first? Don't forget, Wulu is the traitor!"

At this point, both men were speechless. After a moment of staring at each other, Wugulun Yuanzhong cut off the hem of his clothes with a knife, threw it on the ground, and then turned and left.

Looking at the robe that symbolized the severing of ties, Pu Sanzhongyi sighed, dismounted, picked it up, carefully folded it, and put it back in his bosom.

Half an hour later, He Shilie Zhining looked at Wugulun Yuanzhong, whose eyes were bloodshot, and his expression was rather unpleasant.

"What did Wu Zhe say?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong shook his head and sighed: "He's said enough."

He Shilie Zhining's face turned ashen, and he pointed at the south bank of the Yellow River and roared, "You scoundrel with a stone head!"

Now that Wanyan Liang has made his appearance in Guanzhong, and Pusan ​​Zhongyi from Henan has taken sole command of the military, it can be said to be the best opportunity for a rebellion.

But how absurd is it that Pu Sanzhongyi, for the sake of some worthless favor, decides to remain loyal to the end?!

Do you only want your own reputation for loyalty and righteousness, and not the country?

After sulking for a while, He Shilie Zhining still got down to business: "Yuanzhong, have you seen how the Wuzhe troops are doing?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong nodded: "From this high vantage point, one can see everything clearly. Banners are waving, the troops are in perfect formation, and their armor and robes are clearly distinguishable; they are truly the elite of the world."

Heshilie Zhining: "How do they compare to my troops?"

"Worse than that."

"Hmph." He Shilie Zhining sneered, "Then let's not waste time here, let's go!"

After saying this, the man didn't utter another word. He mounted his horse and returned to the army with his personal guards, seemingly about to break camp and leave.

Wugulun Yuanzhong was not surprised. He also mounted his horse, looked back at the opposite bank of the Yellow River, sighed, and turned to leave.

(End of this chapter)