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

Chapter 893 The tree fell and the hozens scattered
Zeng Di was a former official of Zhao Shen when he was still a prince, and he rose through the ranks by chance to gain a place in the court.

In other words, this fellow has never had any experience in local affairs or in the cutthroat world of officialdom, so he has a naive, scholarly air about him when he does things.

Zeng Di originally thought that since Wu Lin, the Pacification Commissioner, had accepted the imperial decree, everything would be fine, the Song army could withdraw in an orderly manner, and he could also show his face in front of the Emperor because of the success.

But in reality, it's never that simple!

Not to mention that Guanzhong was the homeland of the Han people that the Song army fought for four years to reclaim, and it was a symbol of the achievements of many people;

Regardless of how to deal with the military and civilian settlements that have just been reclaimed and have yielded a bumper harvest;
During his campaigns, Wu Lin won over many local generals and soldiers from Guanzhong.

The Song army's retreat is a relief, but what about the people of Guanzhong?
Should they abandon their families and homes and go to Sichuan with the Song army?
The kindness and righteousness shown by the State of Song did not reach that level!
And this is different from what was said at the beginning!

At this critical moment, Zeng Di's lack of experience almost caused things to spiral out of control.

Originally, everything should have been done in secret, but Wu Ting wanted to spread the word first, so that high-ranking officers would know and digest the news of the retreat.

But Zeng Di thought, the Sichuan Pacification Commissioner has already received the imperial decree, what more could you common soldiers want? What is there to hide?
To put it bluntly, Zeng Guofan's trip to Guanzhong was also risky. The sooner he withdrew his troops, the sooner he could return to Lin'an.

Isn't drinking and carousing in Fanlou far better than starving in Guanzhong?
Therefore, by the second day, the major generals of the Song army knew that the emperor had ordered a retreat, and by the third day, many junior officers also knew.

The Song army was immediately thrown into a state of panic.

Many generals wanted to meet with Wu Lin to explain the situation, but they were unable to do so because Wu Lin's condition worsened after receiving the imperial decree and he was unable to attend to official duties.

However, since the Song army was indeed withdrawing, Wu Ting was unable to immediately issue an official denial of the rumors.

This has led to a proliferation of rumors and endless disturbances.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, a Song army unit near Fengzhou received news that the unit had not been in disarray for two years and that the New Year was approaching, with many soldiers longing for their hometowns.

After receiving news of the withdrawal, four or five hundred Song soldiers, with the tacit approval of their officers, returned directly to Fengzhou via Dasanguan Pass.

After the news came, the situation completely spiraled out of control.

The generals from Kansai were even more panicked.

The first to be affected was Zhang Congjin, the commander-in-chief of the Weiyong Army.

This fellow was Zhang Zhongyan's nephew and a commander of the Jin army. Logically speaking, even if he had great abilities and merits, he should have gone to the central government after surrendering.

Zhang Congjin was well aware of this. He firmly controlled the Weiyong Army while winning over the local people of Guanzhong, making Guanzhong seem like it couldn't be stable without him.

Of course, doing this would inevitably arouse suspicion. However, Zhang Zhongyan was detained in Wanyan Liang's central army. If Zhang Congjin wanted to rescue his uncle, or at least save Zhang Zhongyan's life, he would have to continue commanding the army in Guanzhong.

If Zhang Congjin went to Lin'an to become a wealthy and powerful official, who would still care about Zhang Zhongyan's life?

Who could have predicted that, just as the military situation in Guanzhong was developing favorably, the Song Dynasty would actually withdraw its troops?!

They're actually withdrawing their troops?!

Inside the command tent of the Mighty Army, Zhang Congjin slammed his fist on the table, his eyes bloodshot as if he were about to spit blood.

"These Song dogs are simply making fun of people! If they didn't want to recover Guanzhong, why did they come here in the first place? They caused chaos in Guanzhong, and so many families were torn apart!"

Now they've left behind a mess, just packed their bags and left. What are we, the men of Kansai, supposed to do?

Although the generals in the tent were warming themselves by the fire, they were still chilled to the bone and couldn't process this deadly news for a while.

Of course, there are some people in this world who react quickly.

Soon, a general from a powerful family in Guanzhong loudly proclaimed, "General Zhang, are you going to Sichuan with the Song army to become a wealthy and powerful official in the Southern Dynasty?"

Zhang Congjin showed no ambiguity, throwing down his wine cup and standing up to shout, "Fuck your mother! I'm just a man from Guanzhong. If I go to the Southern Dynasty, will those scholar-officials treat me like a human being?"

"General Zhang, do you mean to stay behind with the men from Guanzhong, without reinforcements or supplies, and fight against the Jin army?"

"Lu Fangda, do I look like I'm crazy to you?"

“Chief Steward Zhang, I originally wanted to mock you, saying that without General Zhang’s leadership, you would have surrendered to the Song Dynasty, which is already half-madness. But upon closer reflection, I realized that I had also unwittingly boarded the pirate ship, so it’s not appropriate to mock Chief Steward Zhang here.”

Lu Fangda spoke frankly, leaving Zhang Congjin speechless and rolling his eyes. Many of the surrounding soldiers also burst into laughter.

Unexpectedly, Lu Fangda's next words silenced the tent: "Then let's take advantage of the fact that we still have some troops and the support of the people and the people, and surrender to the Great Jin again."

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes turned to Zhang Congjin.

Zhang Congjin, however, did not hesitate: "That's nonsense. How many years does the Great Jin have left? Don't forget that Flying Tiger was suppressing the Jin army on both the Central Plains and Hebei battlefields."

Of the two Grand Marshals of the Jin Dynasty, one died and the other fled. Even Wanyan Liang in Chang'an was captured by Fei Huzi.

What future awaits them if they join forces with the Jin Dynasty at this time?

This caused an uproar among the dozen or so generals from the Kansai region.

"This won't work, that won't work, what should we do? Manager Zhang, you have to come up with a plan!"

Zhang Congjin remained defiant: "How the hell would I know?! If I could make the decision, I would have done it already!" "Anyway, I will absolutely not go to the Song Kingdom. Going out is easy, but I'll never be able to come back in this lifetime?!"

"How about we just stay in Longyou and protect ourselves? I read the military report from Guandong. That Liu Dalang is indeed a fierce and aggressive man. With his abilities, he might be here in two or three years. How about we just surrender to him then?"

"It's not that simple. Do you think conquering the world is as easy as striking a sesame seed? Let me ask you, if Fei Hu Zi doesn't come for ten years, and the situation becomes like that of Northern Qi and Later Zhou, what will you do?"

"The key issue is that the Song Kingdom won't let us leave! Do we still have to fight Wu Jiedu and his forces?!"

Amidst the commotion, Zhang Congjin slammed his fist on the table again: "Don't forget that my uncle is still being held captive by Wanyan Liang! When you're devising a plan, don't forget my uncle's kindness!"

This made the situation even more chaotic.

In the end, the generals almost started arguing about their future, and there was a strong urge to draw their swords at the slightest disagreement.

Seeing this, Zhang Congjin could only sigh and dismiss the military meeting.

Lu Fangda, however, did not leave. This man, who seemed to be constantly contradicting Zhang Congjin today, was actually his true confidant.

"Old Zhang, did you see that? The people aren't united at all. When the army's morale collapses, nothing can be accomplished. Do you believe that after this military meeting, both the Song and Jin states will immediately find out, and those good-for-nothings will definitely pin everything on you?"

Zhang Congjin shrugged: "Of course I know, but what can I do? Damn it, has the Song Kingdom lost its mind? Why are they suddenly withdrawing their troops?"

Lu Fangda looked around and said in a low voice, "There are rumors that the young emperor of Zhao Song no longer wants to fight and is forcing Grand Commandant Wu to withdraw his troops. But there is another version of the story, which is more direct."

"Grand Commandant Wu is dying; it's only a matter of the next day or two."

Zhang Congjin was startled: "Is that really so?"

Lu Fangda shook his head: "Rumors, just rumors. But they may not be entirely unfounded. The Song army is in such a mess now, and there are even people who have retreated without authorization. It is clear that Grand Commandant Wu is really unable to control the army."

"This is our opportunity."

Zhang Congjin muttered to himself, "This is our chance..."

That night, just as the Weiyong Army was in chaos, Wu Ting personally rode to the camp to see Zhang Congjin.

As an old friend who had fought alongside Zhang Congjin since the beginning of Zhang's rebellion, Wu Ting was one of the people Zhang Congjin could trust, so the two met very openly.

"Wu Wulang, before we get down to business, you have to tell me the truth first." Zhang Congjin offered the main seat to Wu Ting, but Wu Ting did not sit down. Instead, he sat in the first seat on the left, facing Zhang Congjin.

"Is the Song Dynasty really going to withdraw its troops from Guanzhong?"

Wu Ting did not hide anything and nodded sincerely: "That is indeed the case."

"Such an absurd military order must have a reason for being issued. Has the young master gone mad again, or is Grand Commandant Wu's health failing?"

Wu Ting's words remained sincere and concise: "We have them all."

Zhang Congjin sighed deeply and shook his head, saying, "Wu Wulang, you are frank today, so I will not speak falsely. I will tell you the truth now, so please don't be angry."

"We people from Kansai cannot possibly follow you into Sichuan."

Wu Ting remained silent for a long while, then his words became somewhat hesitant: "Why?"

"The reason is simple: it's because that's who we are. Wu Wulang, after the great defeat at the Battle of Fuping during the Jianyan era, we were already separated into two types of people."

"Those who were willing to go to Sichuan have already left with Grand Commandant Wu. Those who remain are people who are reluctant to leave their homeland, and it is not something that Young Grand Commandant Wu can persuade to leave."

Wu Ting fell silent again before finally smiling and saying, "We should give it a try."

Zhang Congjin shook his head slightly, his composure almost unbelievable: "Wu Wulang, the Song Dynasty has no choice. Since they have given up Guanzhong, they have to give us up as well."

I know you are skilled, but even if you kill me here, do you think you can make the people of Guanzhong abandon their homes and businesses and follow the Song Dynasty?

And what could one do in Sichuan and Chongqing? Become a slave or servant?

A series of questions made Wu Ting's face turn pale, but he still kept the purpose of his trip in mind: "Since Steward Zhang has spoken frankly with me, I will not hide anything. Take my advice and do not surrender to the Jin Kingdom."

Zhang Congjin remained silent.

Wu Ting: "There are some things you don't know. The Western Jin is already on the verge of collapse. If it weren't for the government's recall, the Western Jin would have been destroyed by next year at the latest, and you would have been buried with the Jin traitors."

Zhang Congjin looked up in astonishment: "Flying Tiger Gentleman... no... the Prince of Han?"

Wu Ting remained noncommittal; he could not possibly reveal Song's entire strategy to the other party.

After all, the other party was a man from Guanzhong who was very likely to part ways with the Song army tomorrow.

After thinking for a long time, Zhang Congjin could only sigh and say, "I will try my best to bring some people to Longyou. Wu Wulang, I can only keep them in check for two years at most. If the Song Dynasty does not return after two years, then anything can happen."

Wu Ting let out a long sigh and nodded emphatically.

He came today only to appease Zhang Congjin and prevent him from immediately surrendering to the Jin Dynasty. Now that he has managed to preserve a military force for the Song Dynasty in Guanzhong, it is already an unexpected gain.

(End of this chapter)