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

Chapter 760 My Only Wish is to Stabilize the Han Land (Part 1)
After Lu You arrived in Suzhou, he immediately gave Wei Sheng a political backing, and this was no joke.

The first to feel the pressure was Liu Bao, the deputy commander of the Huaidong Army, who led about four thousand remnant soldiers and was stationed in Suzhou.

On the second day after Lu You arrived, he issued an order to Liu Bao in the name of the Pacification Commissioner of Shandong and other routes, instructing him to gather his troops and march north along the Huan River, and then advance along the Bao River, a tributary of the Huan River, to make the appearance of attacking Chengfu and cutting off the main Jin army's retreat.

Liu Bao was completely dumbfounded after receiving the order.

Chengfu is no small town or village, but a fortified city that has existed since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. During the Qin-Chu rivalry and the Han-Chu war, many troops were deployed here.

Even though the Jin army had already committed its main force, it was impossible for such a large city in a key location to be left undefended.

How could it be that Liu Bao could take it down with only about four thousand remaining soldiers?
Moreover, even if Liu Baozu were to miraculously capture Chengfu and cut off the Jin army's retreat, the Jin army would not collapse immediately.

If that happens, it would be a miracle if Pusan ​​Zhongyi didn't personally lead his elite troops back to retake the city!
If Liu Bao dared to fight the Jin army's elite troops face to face, why would he run away?
If this were Wei Sheng's military order, Liu Bao would have used it as toilet paper long ago. However, upon seeing the official seal of "Shandong Two Routes Pacification Commissioner" stamped on it, he didn't even have the courage to refute it for a moment.

This was the Song Dynasty, an era where civil officials were valued more than military officials, and civil officials were used to control the military. Although the Jingkang Incident laid the foundation, military officials were not as subservient as they were in the previous Song Dynasty, but they could not be on equal footing with high-ranking civil officials.

Especially the Minister of Pacification.

These civil officials stationed in border regions generally had the duties of military commanders.

In other words, theoretically, Wei Sheng and Liu Huai should be under Lu You's control.

In other words, Lu You's direct command of Liu Bao, who was in Suzhou, which is within the territory of Shandong, was somewhat unreasonable, but entirely legal.

Of course, according to political convention, if Lu You wanted to command Liu Bao, he would have to give some explanation to Zhang Jun and Yu Yunwen. If Liu Bao stubbornly refused to obey orders, Lu You would have no way to deal with him.

But how could Lu You be someone who rigidly adheres to political conventions?
If he had followed the rules, how could he have given up his prestigious official position in the court to work hard and follow Wei Sheng on the Northern Expedition?
Liu Bao had no doubt that if he dared to disobey orders, Lu You would indeed declare Liu Bao a traitor and then allow the Loyal Army to openly annex this Huaidong army.

As expected, while Liu Bao was gathering his confidants to discuss countermeasures, the second military order was already sent to the camp. The order was even more stern, asking Liu Bao if he was disobeying orders and wanted to defect to the Jin Dynasty.
Faced with the serious accusation leveled against him by a high-ranking official, Liu Bao was both shocked and furious, and extremely fearful. However, he dared not delay and immediately led his army north.

Of course, Lu You never expected Liu Bao to accomplish anything significant. This assignment served two purposes: first, to keep him away from the vicinity of Qi County and prevent him from causing trouble during the war; and second, to use his own troops to lure and test the Jin army.

As for what Liu Bao could accomplish, Lu You didn't care at all.

As Lu You and Wei Sheng had predicted, Liu Bao led his army along the Huan River for more than ten miles before suddenly turning around and heading southwest.

Liu Bao's actions seemed to indicate an intention to return to Mengcheng and fight a humiliating battle against the main Jin army. But even a fool could see that this was impossible.

On June 12, the day after Liu Bao set out, when the Jin army scouts informed Pusan ​​Zhongyi, who was located between the Wo River and the Fei River, of Liu Bao's unusual movements, Liu Bao turned around for the third time.

After leading his four thousand troops southwest to approach Mengcheng, he followed the Wo River southward and rushed to the Huai River in a single day, leaving the surviving Pusan ​​Zhongyi in awe.

What exactly is this guy's military objective? It can't be just to show off his marching capabilities in front of the armies of the Song and Jin dynasties, can it?

What's there to be proud of? Now that things have come to this, who doesn't know that you, Liu Bao, are a long-legged general?

However, it was only when Liu Bao began crossing the Wo River from Jingshan Town in Wokou that Pu Sanzhongyi realized what was happening.

Could Liu Bao be planning to go to Xia Cai to join forces with the main Song army?

Logically, at this point, Pu Sanzhongyi should have dispatched cavalry to attack and annihilate Liu Bao's four thousand troops at the confluence of the Wo River and the Huai River.

However, he hesitated at this point.

The reason is simple: both Heshi Lieliangbi and Pusan ​​Zhongyi felt that the Chenzhou army was unstable and dared not divide their troops any further.

Although the Chenzhou army had arrived at the Fei River under the threat of Pucha Shijie, they refused to join forces with Pusan ​​Zhongyi.

Shi Ju led the Chenzhou army, along with the two Han soldiers Meng'an from the Wujie army, totaling more than 20,000 troops, and set up camp on the west bank of the Fei River.

Meanwhile, Pusan ​​Zhongyi, Heshi Lieliangbi, and Pucha Shijie joined forces, totaling 35,000 men, and set up camp on the east bank of the Fei River.

Although there are pontoon bridges and ferries connecting the Fei River, the scene at first glance makes one think that two large armies are facing each other!

Pucha Shijie's previous threat to conscript Han Chinese soldiers from Henan was effective, finally bringing the Han Chinese army to Feishui against their will, but it also thoroughly angered Shiju.

Come to think of it, since Shi Ju came to Henan after the spring plowing last year, he has been working tirelessly, day and night, fighting against powerful figures, developing production with the people, and even risking being considered a traitor to exchange ideas on governing the people with Liu Dalang from Shandong. It was only with great difficulty that he finally sorted things out in Henan and made some progress.

Now, Pucha Shijie and the Bianliang court actually want to destroy all of Shi Ju's achievements in order to win a military victory. Who can tolerate this?

Moreover, Shi Ju's political ambition and fundamental principle was to stabilize the Han territory, and Pu Cha Shi Jie's actions were digging up his roots.

This is even more unbearable.

Do they really not regard the Jin state's prime minister as an official?! Therefore, after Shi Ju led his army to the Fei River, he simply stationed himself on the west bank of the Fei River and did not move.

Say whatever you want, the whole army can agree to attack the Song army on a set date, but if you want to join forces, forget it!

With Shi Ju as their political backer, the Han Chinese army immediately ceased to fear the main force of the Jin army.

At worst, we can just part ways and go back to our hometowns to hold our ground, and see who dares to come and conscript us! As for you Jurchens, you can have some fun with the Song army in Xia Cai!

Under such circumstances, Pu Sanzhongyi dared not lead his army out, fearing that the Han army might take unexpected actions after his forces were reduced. He could only watch helplessly as Liu Bao safely crossed the Wo River.

At the same time, Liu Bao asked his trusted general with some disappointment, "Has the Jurchen invaders not come?"

The general shook his head: "Although we don't have many cavalry, we are not so bad as to be unable to detect the Jin invaders' military situation. In particular, the Jin invaders have a large number of cavalry, and when they move out, they are overwhelming and cannot be concealed."

Liu Bao's face showed even greater disappointment. He turned to look at the ferry boats that had gathered in Jingshan Town and couldn't help but sigh: "Then let's continue to Xia Cai."

Upon hearing this, the general's face turned somewhat grim: "Going to Xiachai would be like walking into a trap, wouldn't it? We'd have to fight the Jurchen invaders to the death then."

Liu Bao suddenly lost his composure: "Do you think I don't want to go back to Huaidong? But since the Jin invaders aren't coming, crossing the Huai River would be desertion. At that point, neither you nor I will be able to keep our heads! Only by returning to Xiachai and asking the two prime ministers for mercy can we go back to rest and regroup. Do you understand this logic?!"

The subordinate nodded hastily.

After venting his anger, Liu Bao looked at the northern horizon, his anger growing even stronger.

They didn't want the Jin army's main force of armored cavalry to surge in and crush the Huaidong army when they came. Now they hoped the Jin would attack so they would have an excuse to cross the Huai River and return home, but the Jin didn't come.

Is even the heavens against me?
Liu Bao cried out in his heart, but ultimately had no choice. He led four thousand soldiers westward along the Huai River and entered Xia Cai.

Liu Bao was certainly not going to be treated like a hero. In fact, because he had betrayed the main force of the Huaidong army, countless people, from Li Heng down, wanted to kill him.

Under such circumstances, Zhang Jun naturally could not allow Liu Bao to be stationed in the city. Instead, he set up a separate small camp and had Liu Bao lead his troops to be stationed there. Ostensibly, this was to protect the flank of the main army, but in reality, it was to demote Liu Bao to the second line of troops and no longer rely on him.

At the same time, Du Wuji, carrying a bamboo tube, entered the command tent where Shi Ju was located.

"Lord Shi, our cavalry encountered a scout from the Shandong bandits in the north. He said he was an old friend of yours and asked the men to deliver this letter to you."

Shi Ju looked up from behind the desk: "Where is he?"

Du Wuji mumbled, "The brothers couldn't stop him, and he got away. Please punish me, Lord Shi."

This statement was half true and half false. It was true that the Han scouts were released, but the real reason was that most of the high-ranking officers in the Han army were now considering defecting, so they could not afford to cause any more bloodshed.

Shi Ju nodded in agreement, then examined the sealing wax on the bamboo tube and opened it: "It really is a letter from an old friend."

Inside the bamboo tube were, of course, the handwritten letters of Liu Huai and Liang Su.

Shi Ju instinctively wanted to read Liu Huai's letter first, but for some reason, his outstretched hand trembled slightly, and he seemed to shrink back.

Shi Ju was no ordinary man after all. He immediately calmed himself down, placed his hands on the table, and carefully considered why he had felt fear just now.

Upon seeing this, Du Wuji immediately took two steps back, afraid of disturbing Shi Ju's thoughts.

After a moment's thought, Shi Ju realized that this wasn't just because Liu Huai had gained the upper hand after the battle of Daming Prefecture and was about to sweep across Hebei. It was also due to his fear of the other party's uncanny ability to predict the future.

Isn't the current situation of the Han army, and even the situation in the entire Henan region, just as Liu Huai predicted?

As the saying goes, the Jurchens, a small tribe, ruled over a powerful nation, surviving only by suppressing the Han people. Now, the Han people of Henan are unwilling to be exploited and want to launch a rebellion, so internal strife is about to break out.

Thinking of this, Shi Ju couldn't help but laugh at himself.

Although Shi Ju is now the prime minister of the Jin Dynasty, he is also a Han Chinese and a member of the resistance against the Jurchen oppression, which was unexpected.

He was certainly resisting, otherwise why would he be facing off against the main Jin army across the river?

What Shi Ju fears now is what if Liu Huai continues to make prophecies in his letters?
He wasn't afraid that Liu Huai's prediction was inaccurate, but rather that it was too accurate. He was also hesitant about what to do if Liu Huai's predictions continued to be accurate.

After calming himself down for a moment, Shi Ju reached for Liang Su's letter, tore it open, and froze after reading only the first sentence.

"I intend to transport my senior brother's remains to Hebei and bury them in the Shi clan ancestral temple. What do you think, senior brother?"

(End of this chapter)