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

Chapter 746 Or perhaps it means rushing around in a hurry

It was only natural for Zhang Shu to want to join Liu Huai.

He was from Hebei, and now that Liu Huai was about to become the ruler of Hebei, Zhang Shu's parents, wife, children, and family would all be under Liu Huai's rule. It was impossible for him not to be tempted.

Especially since Zhang Shu still had an army at his disposal and held a key position in the military, he was capable of accomplishing certain things and accumulating some capital.

As for the kindness and favors of the Jin Dynasty... now that the Han people and the Jurchens have fallen into such a state, if we were to talk about kindness and favors anymore, it would really be a joke.

The silence of Du Wuji and Xie Fuyao was entirely to be expected.

Because Liu Huai had laid out his political program long ago.

It was precisely to "expel the barbarians, restore China, establish order and discipline, and save the people."

Although these powerful families in Henan were not Tartars, but part of the restored China, the last two sentences, which established the fundamental principles and laws and saved the people, were enough to cost them their lives.

In powerful and wealthy families, where are the well-behaved children who abide by the rules and regulations?

When the time comes, Liu Huai will point at you and say that you are all traitors who harm the people. Because I want to save the people, I will chop you all up. What can you do then?
This is not impossible. The powerful families in Xuzhou and Suzhou have all been wiped out by the Han army. The local tyrants in Henan are not deaf or blind, so how could they not have received the news?

However, there were reasons why these two powerful figures from Henan did not immediately voice their opposition.

Because Liu Huai's ultimate goal was to save the people, not to slaughter the powerful and wealthy. He still showed recognition and preferential treatment to some local tyrants and scholar-officials who resisted the Jin.

Even within the Han army, there were many sons of powerful families, such as Xin Qiji and Wang Shilong.

Even Wei Sheng himself had some characteristics of a powerful local magnate before he launched his northern expedition; otherwise, where would he have gotten so much money and grain to raise an army?

This made Du Wuji and the others think about whether they could become one family after making some contributions and obeying the political program of the Han army.
Zhang Shu could tell what Du Wuji and Xie Fuyao were thinking just by looking at their expressions. He stood up, flicked his sleeves, and said angrily, "You two actually think you still have someone to choose from?"
I am a legitimate officer of the Jin Dynasty, and I followed Prime Minister Shi south. As long as the two emperors don't fight, Prime Minister Shi is safe. As long as Prime Minister Shi is safe, I will naturally be safe as well. But what about you two?"

Seeing Du Wuji and Xie Fuyao's increasingly grim expressions, Zhang Shu simply raised his hand, pointed at their noses, and scolded, "If that Pusan ​​Zhongyi insists on killing you and planting Jurchen officers in the army, who can stop him? Is Minister Shi just a scholar?"

"Even if Lord Shi doesn't want to lose the Chenzhou army, he will have no choice but to fight the barbarians with all his might. Including the two brave men Meng'an from Wujie Army, our 20,000 troops are absolutely no match for the main force of the Jin army."

Zhang Shu became increasingly out of control as he spoke, pointing to himself and saying, "The reason is simple: I was once a proper military commander, and I am confident that I can completely crush the Chenzhou army with just one commander of ten thousand!"

The three fell silent, and for a moment only heavy breathing filled the house.

A moment later, Xie Fuyao slammed her fist heavily on the table: "Damn it, since neither the Song traitors nor the Hu dogs will let us live, then don't blame us for fighting to the death!"

As she spoke, Xie Fuyao looked at Du Wuji: "Old Du, are you still going to hesitate at this point?"

Du Wuji was decisive this time, shaking his head and replying: "Since I have informed you all of the military intelligence document, I have already made a decision. However, Hou Yuanliang of Mengcheng does not yet know that the time for bloodshed has come, and we need a suitable person to deliver the message."

Xie Fu waved his hand and said, "We can't let any letters give others a reason to criticize us. I'll have my second brother make a trip, not mentioning our intention to join Liu Dalang, but only about the current situation of our army. Hou Sanlang is a clever man, he'll naturally make a judgment. I'll go and make connections with the other powerful figures."

Zhang Shu gritted his teeth and nodded: "I'll tell Lao Cheng and Lao Guo right now. Don't worry, I won't reveal the source of the intelligence. I'll just say that I received news that Hebei is going to be occupied by Liu Dalang. They'll naturally have something to say about that."

"Also, Liu Dalang is in Hebei, which is out of our reach, but we should at least try to make some connections with Lord Wei of Xuzhou."

The other two nodded.

Du Wuji looked around and could only shrug and say, "It seems like there's nothing for me to do..."

"Your matter is of utmost importance." Xie Fuyao interrupted Du Wuji and said seriously, "You are a close confidant of Master Shi, so you should also use some methods."

Du Wuji nodded in realization.

After discussing their respective schemes for a while, the three of them returned to their camps.

In the quiet of the rainy night, after Du Wuji left the government office, he looked up and found that the sky in the east was already turning light.

It was already past midnight, almost dawn.

Meanwhile, in Bozhou, more than 200 li directly north of Ruyin.

In a town at the westernmost part of Weizhen County, the main force of the Jin army of 20,000 men is setting up camp and resting.

The Jin army was mainly composed of cavalry, so this large army personally led by Pusan ​​Zhongyi also had a lot of livestock. On average, each person had three mules and horses, which can be described as a luxurious lineup.

Just like the more than 20,000 cavalrymen under Heshilie Zhining, these 20,000 cavalrymen were also the last elite troops of the Western Jin.

Although most of the main force of the Jin army that attacked Xiangfan that day retreated back to Bianliang, the loss of livestock was heavy. After losing the Linhuangfu Musi (a government agency), it was difficult to replenish horses. Moreover, in every war, even if there was no actual fighting, the loss of warhorses was inevitable.

Now, Xijin can only organize more than two hundred cavalrymen from the Mouke, which greatly worries Pusan ​​Zhongyi.

Even so, if the enemy enters the country, is there any reason not to fight?

After defeating Cheng Min in Fangcheng Xiadao, Pusan ​​Zhongyi left Grand Master Wuyanpuluhun with 20,000 infantrymen to guard against Cheng Min. After resting for less than a month, he continued his journey without stopping, launching a surprise attack along the Wo River.

Unlike Shi Ju, who was caught in the rainy season, there was less rain in the vicinity of Shandong West Road, which was enough for Pu San Zhongyi to march quickly.

As dawn approached, Pusan ​​Zhongyi rose from his bed, rubbed his back which ached from the pressure of his armor, then put on his helmet, hung his longsword at his waist, and prepared to leave the tent to patrol the camp. Just then, a guard called out, "Reporting to the Marshal! Someone outside the camp is requesting an audience, claiming to be the Grand Chancellor of the Great Jin. This is his identification badge."

After taking the waist token, Pu Sanzhongyi glanced at it briefly and then tossed it back: "I'll wait for them here and bring them all here."

Sure enough, Heshi Lieliangbi soon lifted the curtain and strode in.

"Bring me some food first, I'm really hungry." He Shi Lie Liangbi didn't stand on ceremony at all. Under the side glance of Pu San Zhongyi, he came to the side table, sat down, and waved to the guard who had brought him there.

The guards were instinctively flustered and didn't move, only looking at the servant San Zhongyi.

Helpless, Pu Sanzhongyi waved his hand and then said to Heshi Lieliangbi, "Lord Liangbi, you came here at dawn, could it be just to beg for a meal?"

Heshi Lieliangbi said solemnly, "Wu Zhe, do you know about the military situation in Hebei?"

Pusan ​​Zhongyi nodded: "Of course I know, but what do you want me to do now? Do you expect me to lead the main force to support Daming Prefecture?"

He had already made up his mind that if Heshi Lieliangbi actually nodded and said "yes," he would immediately kick the guy out and not even give him a meal.

Heshi Lieliangbi seemed to see through Pusan ​​Zhongyi's thoughts and immediately shook his head: "Of course not."

Pu Sanzhongyi sneered, "Then it's not like you want me to touch Dongping Prefecture, is it?"

The defenses in Dongping Prefecture are also very strong, with a dense network of rivers and a large lake like Liangshan Marsh serving as a water fortress. If the main force of 20,000 cavalrymen were to break in, they would likely be trapped and killed.

Moreover, Dongping Prefecture is very close to Daming Prefecture, so the main force of the Han army can return to reinforce it at any time.

Heshilie Zhining might be able to escape, but Pusan ​​Zhongyi will likely suffer heavy losses after being entangled by the Han army.

Heshi Lieliangbi shook his head again: "Of course not."

Pu Sanzhong sighed: "Does that mean you want me to lead the army to help you attack Xuzhou, Lord Liangbi?"

Seeing Heshi Lieliangbi nod, Pusan ​​Zhongyi revealed an expression of "I knew it," and then said jokingly, "Then why don't you come with me to fight the Song bandits, Lord Liangbi?"

Faced with such blatant mockery, Heshilie Liangbi actually nodded in response: "Alright, I will immediately order Jia Gu Qingchen to lead his troops to relieve the siege of Mengcheng first, and then attack Xuzhou, what do you say?"

After pondering for a moment, Pu Sanzhongyi shook his head and said, "What about the Song traitor Li Xianzong? Are we just going to watch them hold Xia Cai? If our main force doesn't take advantage of the situation to annihilate the Song traitor in one fell swoop, what will happen when they rush straight to Bianliang? Even if they dare not make any move, but only reorganize the defeated troops and rebuild their morale, this battle will still be a loss."

He Shilie Liangbi naturally understood this principle, but still shook his head: "Wu Zhe, that's not how you calculate things. I guess there will be progress with Prime Minister Shi as well. When our army defeats the Song rebels on both flanks, not only will the main force of the Song rebels be shaken, but even the Zhao Song court will be shaken. This doesn't even take into account your defeat of Cheng Min."

Given the weakness of the Song court, the Song army might simply withdraw.

Even if the Song army doesn't withdraw, they will inevitably be filled with fear and hesitation. Our army can also create numerous diversions to distract Li Xianzong, and then attack Xuzhou with our main force.

Pu Sanzhongyi rose and paced slowly in the commander's tent, calculating the gains and losses. After a long while, he sighed and said, "There is something I still need to tell Prime Minister Liangbi."

"Although I defeated Cheng Min, I did not inflict significant casualties on the Ezhou army, and my gains were not substantial."

Heshi Lieliangbi was taken aback: "Then why did you dare to abandon Bianliang and come to Huaibei to join the war?"

Cheng Min is no nobody; he is a miniature version of Han Shizhong.

Which of the Jin generals would dare to reveal a huge flaw in front of Han Shizhong?

Pu Sanzhong smiled and said mysteriously, "Because I personally injured Cheng Min and almost killed him."

Heshi Lieliangbi was even more astonished.

Since Cheng Min is a smaller version of Han Shizhong, his martial prowess must be considerable. As a general with elite personal guards, he is extremely difficult to kill.

How did Pu San achieve his loyalty and righteousness?
Under the questioning gaze of Heshi Lieliangbi, Pusan ​​Zhongyi spread his hands and said, "Because Cheng Min's Beiwei Army suffered too many losses in the Battle of Chaoxian, and has not yet recovered properly, I naturally took advantage of the situation."

Heshi Lieliangbi immediately realized the truth.

This must have been because Cheng Min wanted to personally lead the Beiwei Army to fight the Jin army in open battle, but because the Beiwei Army's combat strength had declined, he was injured when Pusan ​​Zhongyi personally led the Hezhameng'an to rush in front of him.

The main force of the Ezhou army was actually intact and still had the strength to fight, so the Song army simply retreated.

If Wu Gonglai were replaced by Min, this army would immediately come back to life and attack Bianliang again.

When Pusan ​​Zhongyi saw that Heshi Lie Liangbi had reacted, he sighed and said, "Therefore, I need to defeat the Song traitors as soon as possible and force the Song state to negotiate peace."

If the delay continues, allowing the Ezhou army to continue its advance from Fangcheng Xiadao into the heart of the Central Plains, it will be difficult for Wuyanpuluhun's forces to completely protect Bianliang.

Heshi Lieliangbi pondered for a moment, then said sincerely, "What if I had a way to capture Xuzhou more quickly and then advance into the heart of Shandong?"

Pusan ​​Zhongyi's gaze sharpened, and he turned to Heshi Lie Liangbi, asking, "What's the plan?"

Heshi Lieliangbi gave a mysterious smile.

(End of this chapter)