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

Chapter 785 Watching the Junma gallop like a bird

Logically speaking, the Yuancheng garrison commander who switched sides this time should have made a great contribution.

Besides saving Yuancheng, another achievement was preserving the military supplies and auxiliary troops.

Heshilie Zhining naturally lacked grand internationalist sentiments and wanted to pack these things up and hand them over to the Han army.

In fact, he had a complete plan: once the breakout began, he would use fire to reduce the auxiliary troops and military supplies, and even the entire Yuan City, to ashes, leaving Liu Huai with only ashes.

However, the Han army's attack on the city today was too hasty. Not only was Heshilie Zhining unaware of it beforehand, but even the generals of the Han army received the order to attack the city suddenly.

Therefore, all previous plans were rendered meaningless, and Yuancheng was thrown into chaos. The troops responsible for setting the fire were inevitably slowed down by the confusion.

In the short span of less than half an hour, Wenren Ziqi climbed the city wall and persuaded the local powerful families of Daming Prefecture to surrender, causing them to turn against him and quickly quell the Yuancheng Rebellion.

These achievements are undoubtedly significant accomplishments.

However, ever since Wenren Ziqi entered the government office, he has been affected by the somber atmosphere and has become increasingly nervous.

I had long heard that the Han army was going to clean up the powerful clans. But no powerful clan is ever clean. There are plenty of people who want to catch them red-handed. Could it be that Commander-in-Chief is planning to take this opportunity to punish these surrendered generals from powerful clans on the spot for being stubborn and resistant?
Although Wenren Ziqi could remain neutral, he had made a political promise on the front lines. If Liu Huai had killed the surrendered generals, how could he face anyone in the future?

Therefore, this local rascal from Hebei made up his mind that if things were truly beyond repair, he would risk his reputation to speak up and help.

"This humble general pays his respects to Commander-in-Chief!"

Led by Wenren Ziqi, eight local Hebei generals who had surrendered bowed to Liu Huai.

Liu Huai forced a smile, but his face was stiff because he had something on his mind, so his smile was somewhat cold. The surrendered generals who were secretly watching this scene felt even colder, and their hands unconsciously reached for their waists.

However, the government office was fully staffed with guards and soldiers, while they didn't even have a chopstick in their hands. They could only steel themselves and wait for their fate.

Unexpectedly, Liu Huai did not turn hostile. Instead, he slowly said, "You are all people who have made great contributions. In principle, you should be rewarded for your merits. However, since we are at war, let's record your merits for now and make unified rewards and punishments after the war."

What could the surrendered generals say? They could only nod hurriedly.

Liu Huai continued, “You guys don’t need to worry about anyone taking credit for others. Our army has been following this rule since the Northern Expedition, and it has never been wrong. I, Liu Dalang, have fought in the north and south, and my reputation is worth three taels of silver.”

Upon hearing this, a quick-witted general spoke up: "This humble general is not worried about not receiving a reward, but rather about not having the opportunity to make merit and thus be unable to serve the young master any longer."

Liu Huai smiled and shook his head: "What's your name?"

The surrendered general said, "This humble general is Ma Yanzhang, a native of Xiangzhou. He is the fifth child in his family, so everyone in the army calls him Ma Laowu (Old Fifth Ma)."

Liu Huai: "Oh, Brother Ma Wu, is what you just said true? Do you really want to continue to make contributions for me?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Yanzhang and other surrendered generals not only did not become cautious, but also breathed a sigh of relief.

Having mastered both literary and martial arts, they could sell themselves to the emperor, not afraid of the poor quality of the food offered by the officials, because they all believed in their own abilities. Even if the food was hard to swallow at first, it would eventually become palatable as they grew.

What they feared most was that the government wouldn't give them food.

Now that it can be used, that's better than anything else.

"I dare not presume to be your elder brother, Eldest Young Master," Ma Yanzhang immediately patted his chest and said, "We are all warriors who only know how to fight. Since Eldest Young Master has given the order, we will obey even if it means going through fire and water!"

"Good!" Liu Huai clapped his hands and said, "In that case, I will issue the military order."

"Each of you eight shall select fifty trusted elite cavalrymen to serve as my personal guard, and you shall accompany me tomorrow. The rest of the troops shall be handed over to Wenren Dalang for reorganization by my army."

Ma Yanzhang and his men each had one or two thousand soldiers. Upon hearing this, they instinctively wanted to bargain. However, seeing that not only Liu Huai but also the other generals were turning their heads to look at them coldly, these newly arrived surrendered generals ultimately dared not say anything and immediately agreed loudly.

As the saying goes, "When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head." So what if you lose your military power? You have to go through this anyway.

The fact that the Commander-in-Chief calls himself Brother Ma Wu is just politeness; does he really think I don't have a knife?

Moreover, as a surrendered general, being able to serve as the commander's personal guard for close observation upon arrival is already a very high starting point; what more could one ask for?

Seeing that the surrendered generals had no objections, Liu Huai waved his hand and said, "Yao Erlang, take these generals to replenish military supplies and flags. You have two hours; you must complete the task."

Yao Buping, the leader of the personal guards who clearly knew the military situation, immediately stood up and strode away with the eight men.

Wenren Ziqi also wanted to go out, but Liu Huai said, "Wenren Dalang, don't go. You are the commander of the Wulu Army and must attend the military council."

Wenren Ziqi immediately realized his mistake, hurriedly bowed and apologized, and then sat back down in his seat.

The generals thought Liang Su was going to continue presiding over the meeting, but they saw Liu Huai actually get up and open a huge map hanging behind him.

Liu Huai said solemnly, "I know that you must have some doubts about our sudden attack on the city today and the military meeting held at this time. In fact, I learned of a major military situation this morning and had to start the war immediately in order to ensure that we have enough time to prepare."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the government office became serious, and some even panicked.

The fact that Liu Huai now calls this a major military event means that the matter must be significant.

"Dongjin has successfully developed explosives."

These words caused an uproar in the government office.

Explosives can truly change the nature of warfare, because in an era when the most powerful heavy weapon was the catapult, the intensity of attacks on city wall defenses was not very high.

The explosives directly raised the intensity of the siege to a whole new level, which was the most terrifying aspect.

In theory, an army only needs to establish a siege camp under the enemy's city to find gaps in the defenses and blow up the city walls.

The resulting strategic shifts are immense.

This is why Heshilie Zhining went out of the city to fight in the field.

This is precisely why Wei Sheng is now trapped in Qixian County.

Not to mention the artillery developed from it, which is a revolutionary weapon. The military formations and tactics summarized over thousands of years may very well be swept into the dustbin of history by this simple iron tube weapon in the next ten years.

Now the Jin Kingdom has actually succeeded in developing gunpowder, how the hell is that possible?
And some clever people reacted quickly.

Since the Jin Dynasty has already developed explosives, surely they must have been used somewhere in the great war?
Since Heshilie Zhining didn't use it in Bozhou or Daming Prefecture, the whereabouts of Dongjin's explosives are clear: they must have been taken to the Central Plains battlefield by Heshilie Liangbi.

Where else could they go? Store their offspring in the imperial treasury in Yanjing? Or take them to the Mongolian grasslands to be used as dung? How could that be possible?

Now that explosives have reached the Central Plains, the area around Suzhou and Xuzhou where Wei Sheng was stationed...

Thinking of this, Guan Chongyan, the commander of the Flying Tigers, turned pale.

Could it be that the slight miscalculation on that day, which prevented us from stopping Heshi Lie Liangbi's 10,000-strong army, has led to such a disastrous outcome today?

Zhang Baiyu had also figured out the cause and effect, and then stood up to ask, "Young Master, is the information accurate?"

Liu Huai nodded: "First, Liu E came forward to report that he had heard a muffled thunder sound in Yanshan during the winter, which was exactly like the sound of cannons."

"Afterwards, I ordered Shen Longzi to expedite the interrogation of the prisoners of war. After a day of torture, I obtained accurate information from several of them."

Zhang Baiyu continued to ask, "Young Master, how much gunpowder did the Jin invaders produce? Did they take it all to the Central Plains?"

Specialization is key, especially since the manufacturing process of explosives is still a closely guarded secret.

In Zhang Baiyu's view, Dongjin is still a land rich in resources. As long as they develop explosives, they will not be held back by raw materials. If they ramp up production, they can produce as much as they want.

Shandong produces enough gunpowder to last, let alone Dongjin, which controls three huge regions: Shanxi, Liaodong, and Hebei.

However, what Zhang Baiyu didn't know was that the preparation process of Dongjin gunpowder was hampered by saltpeter.

The preparation of saltpeter is extremely difficult. There is an old saying: "A thousand days of boiling saltpeter is not as good as a general's cannon." The saltpeter obtained from cleaning toilets on a daily basis can sustain the business of fireworks merchants. How can it be so easy to increase production in a short time?
The situation in Shandong was different. The Tai'an and Laizhou areas had a large number of karst caves and were originally places for boiling saltpeter, which allowed the Han army to take advantage of the situation.

At this moment, Liu Huai did not want to explain the gunpowder preparation process to Zhang Baiyu. He simply said, "The Jin thieves' gunpowder has a low yield rate and has not formed a system. They just prepare it haphazardly based on experience. Therefore, they don't use much explosives."

After a pause, Liu Huai said with a grim expression, "Otherwise, why wouldn't the Jin invaders come and test the defenses of Bozhou, instead of going all the way to the Central Plains?"

This is true.

If Dongjin had enough explosives, his 70,000 troops could advance simultaneously and blast the Bozhou defense line flat. Once they penetrated the heart of Shandong, the Han army would be thrown into disarray and unable to muster the strength for a decisive battle with the Jin army. Liu Huai looked at his generals, who were lost in thought: "The situation is urgent. Does anyone else want to speak? Speak now!"

Xin Qiji immediately stood up: "May I ask, young master, are you going to lead troops to support Xuzhou and support Duke Wei?"

Although this was something the two had agreed upon privately beforehand, it still needed to be discussed at the military council.

Liu Huai immediately nodded: "That's exactly right."

Zhang Baiyu and the other cavalry generals also felt a chill, as they recalled Liu Huai's words before the battle.

Although they spoke with certainty at the time, now that they are actually going to make a long march of 800 li to participate in the battle, anyone would feel flustered.

Xin Qiji looked around and said, "Your Highness bears the weight of the nation's safety on your shoulders and should not personally risk your life. You should send a valiant general to lead the army south. Are none of us capable of sharing Your Majesty's burdens?"

The cavalry generals understood immediately and rose to volunteer for battle. Even some generals skilled in infantry joined in the fun.

Liu Huai waved for everyone to sit down and said loudly, "There is no turning back on this matter. My mind is made up, and there is no need for further words."

At this point, Liu Huai's words had become somewhat authoritative, so once he had given his order, no one else could object; they could only nod and agree.

Xin Qiji sighed: "Since you, my lord, have already made up your mind, then I will not say anything more. But do you have a complete plan? How many troops do you need to march south?"

Liu Huai nodded: "The entire Flying Tiger Army, along with the armored cavalry of the Dongping Army and the Wucheng Army, totaling seven thousand armored cavalry, is sufficient."

Yelü Xingge, Xiao Pennu, Dian Lun, and others stood up again, about to say something.

"The White Horse Army and all the light cavalry of the Liao Cavalry Battalion must continue to be in Hebei." Liu Huai knew what the others wanted to say, so he waved his hand and gave the order: "Although the main force of the Eastern Jin has been defeated by our army, the remnants are still there, and we still need light cavalry to sweep them away."

"The Central Plains battlefield has been deadlocked for a long time, and intelligence from all sides is already in the open. As long as I get to Xuzhou, I can obtain intelligence about the surrounding area without even needing to use light cavalry to scout."

He Boqiu, the second-in-command of the Jiedushi Prefecture who had been silent all along, finally spoke up: "These cavalrymen are not safe. We also need an elite infantry force to go with them. It doesn't matter if it's a little late. The situation in the Central Plains is complicated. It's best to have more strength."

Since He Boqiu had been given political status, he should naturally be given political power. Therefore, Liu Huai went straight to the point and asked, "Which infantry unit should be dispatched?"

He Boqiu stood up and looked around during the military council: "The Tianxiong Army and the Wulu Army have selected their elite troops, combined to form 10,000 men, and will march all the way to Xuzhou along the northern branch of the Yellow River. This should be enough to deal with some situations."

While the others were still trying to process what was happening, Liu Huai already understood.

The Shandong rebels had numerous connections with the Song Dynasty, and many of those who served in the Northern Expeditionary Army were now mid- to low-ranking officers. In contrast, the Wulu Army and the Tianxiong Army were entirely composed of people from Hebei and had no connection whatsoever with the Song Dynasty.

In other words, if it were necessary to take action against the Song state in an emergency, the morale of these two armies would not be a concern at all.

However, Liu Huai also had his own political considerations.

Before Wang Youzhi and Wenren Ziqi could rise again to volunteer for battle, Liu Huai refused, saying, "The matter in Hebei is not yet resolved, and I am about to entrust the overall situation in Hebei to Chief Clerk He. How can we pacify Hebei without the assistance of these two large armies?"

He Boqiu remained silent.

As a politician, Third Master He immediately understood the situation.

When the Wulu Army was first established, Liu Huai made a point of selecting officers, most of whom were sons of small landlords and commoners. Moreover, the commander was Wenren Ziqi, a rogue, who was chosen to lead the army to clean up Hebei.

Those who claim to be beneficiaries are all conservatives; the wealthy landowners and powerful figures who are thriving within the Jin state are all on the Jin side.

Among the powerful figures of the Jin Dynasty, some, like Zhao Yunqian, the "sky-touching" official, were sent to their deaths by cannons.

Some, like Ma Yanzhang today, bowed down and submitted, willing to risk their lives for Liu Huai after making meritorious contributions.

Others remained behind the scenes, allowing their collateral relatives and vassal forces to participate in the Jin army in order to resist the Han army.

Those enemies who dared to go to the battlefield were all dealt with by Liu Huai himself. What remained were those who seemed obedient but secretly caused trouble.

Liu Huai has just made it clear that he wants those surrendered generals to follow him to the Central Plains to make meritorious contributions, in order to remove all the henchmen of the powerful families in Hebei and make them a piece of meat on the chopping block.

The person specifically responsible for carrying out the task was Wulu Army.

Despite being from Hebei, how could these rogues and wandering knights possibly be on the same page as the gentry and powerful clans?
Wenren Ziqi and Wang Youzhi couldn't even urinate in the same pot!
Moreover, after the purge of the landlords, the soldiers of the Wulu Army could be directly incorporated into the garrison system and divide the land to enrich themselves. How could they possibly resist becoming the knife?

Moreover, even if Wenren Ziqi really lost control, it wouldn't matter, as Wang Youzhi could step in and deal with both the Hebei landlords and Wenren Ziqi together.

This is why neither the Wulu Army nor the Tianxiong Army can leave Hebei. If they do not take advantage of their current military prowess to quickly and decisively rectify the situation, and if they are infiltrated in terms of personnel and military affairs, creating a situation where each is intertwined with the other, then the consequences will be dire.

He Boqiu knew that he was responsible for clearing out Hebei, and that Liu Huai had almost paved the way for him, so he did not object.

After a moment's thought, he proposed a second plan: "Then let Wu Chengjun go. Commander-in-Chief, the situation in the Central Plains is complex, and seven thousand armored cavalry is definitely not enough. If you, the eldest son, do not agree, then please forgive us for not complying!"

Hu Yananxian and Liang Yuan'er also immediately stood up to express their opinions.

These two will not be lenient towards the State of Song.

Liu Huai didn't mince words and nodded in agreement to the suggestion: "Mr. Liang, do you have a suitable marching route?"

Liang Su appeared particularly exhausted today. Upon hearing this, he knew he shouldn't be negligent, so he immediately stood up, holding a document in his hand: "It's already done. Head east from Daming Prefecture, rest for a while in Yanggu, then head south, crossing the Yellow River branch at Yuncheng."

After crossing Shanzhou, passing through Fengxian and Peixian, we arrived at Pengcheng. Along this road, there were our cities to the north and south, and the treasury was sufficient for rest and recuperation.

Moreover, the situation in the Central Plains is currently chaotic, and the intelligence we have is from half a month ago; no one knows the current state of the battle.

"The best-case scenario is that the Jin invaders are still fighting the Song army in Huaibei. This time, the eldest son can calmly join forces with Duke Wei and rest for a while before fighting the Jin invaders with a mighty army."

"The next best scenario is that the Jin invaders attack Suzhou, but the Song army is no longer able to, or unwilling to, provide support. Duke Wei and the Jin invaders are locked in a stalemate in Suzhou."

"The worst-case scenario is that Suzhou has been completely lost, both the Song army and our army have been defeated, and Wei Gong is still resisting the enemy in Pengcheng."

"With this route, whatever the outcome, the eldest son can make a decision on the spot."

Of course, there is one last possibility: not only Suzhou, but also Xuzhou was captured by the Jin army, and Wei Sheng died, while the other generals either fled or died, leaving the entire southern Shandong in ruins.

If the battle situation really turns out that way, there's no need to say more. Prepare to abandon Daming Prefecture, turn back with the entire army, and fight a decisive battle with the Jin army in the Central Plains.

Apart from the worst-case scenario, Liu Huai's army's march between the Yellow River's forks and the Yellow River itself can be considered both safe and fast. Moreover, there are many crossings in these areas, so if they really find out changes in the military situation, they can still change their marching direction in time.

Moreover, cavalry cannot carry supplies on long-distance raids, making the major cities along the way where military supplies are stockpiled extremely important.

Liu Huai nodded in agreement, then immediately said, "Who else has something to say? Speak up quickly!"

After asking three times in a row, and seeing that no one spoke, Liu Huai directly touched his sword and said, "In that case, obey my military orders!"

Everyone stood up and clasped their hands in obedience.

"Here, He Boqiu, the Chief Secretary, shall be appointed as the Grand Commander of Hebei, in charge of all military and political affairs in Hebei." Liu Huai took off his sword from his waist and placed it carefully in He Boqiu's hand: "Gentlemen, you shall obey his military and political orders."

No one was surprised.

Although the Han army is full of talented people, in terms of status, seniority, ability, and stance, only He Boqiu and Xin Qiji are qualified for their respective positions.

He Boqiu solemnly accepted the sword, then bowed and asked, "Does the eldest son have any further instructions?"

Liu Huai nodded: "Yes, Chief Secretary He should prioritize the restoration of people's livelihoods and be conservative in military matters for the time being. However, if the Jin invaders attack, there is no need to be polite; just fight them back. But do not invade Jin territory, and do not cross Hejian Prefecture. The rest is up to Chief Secretary He to decide on the spot!"

He Boqiu knew this was a tremendous responsibility, but his hands trembled slightly as he continued to hold the sword and asked, "Young Master, I understand. I hope you will be careful on your journey."

Liu Huai nodded, announced the end of the military meeting, and immediately, emptying his hands, led Guan Chongyan and other cavalry generals to rest in the Flying Tiger Army without stopping for a moment.

When everyone saw Xin Qiji holding the heavy sword at his waist, following behind Liu Huai like a personal guard, they suddenly realized what was going on.

No wonder Liu Huai didn't give Xin Qiji, the de facto second-in-command, any military orders; it turns out Xin Qiji was to be a cavalry general, heading south with the cavalry.

Some people felt somewhat relieved, while others became even more panicked.

If something goes wrong, and Wei Sheng, Liu Huai, and Xin Qiji all get caught up in it, wouldn't the Shandong rebels be completely finished?
However, since the military decision had already been made, the civil and military officials could only suppress their feelings and continue to perform their duties.

(End of this chapter)