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

Chapter 903 Once Comrades, Now Enemies

The 20th day of the first lunar month was the same day that Shi Hao was dismissed from his post as prime minister.

The King of Han issued an ultimatum to everyone in Kaifeng Prefecture who was involved in politics.

If you surrender now, you may have the chance to have your past transgressions forgiven. But after that, you will be dealt with in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Han army.

Of course, this military order still went unanswered, and only a handful of people came to surrender; no one of significant importance formally surrendered.

This is also a matter of course.

Having decisiveness is an excellent quality; not everyone can be so determined to fight for their future when given other options.

But Liu Huai no longer cared about these things.

With the ultimatum issued, Xin Qiji led 6,000 regular troops and nearly 10,000 auxiliary troops to attack Weishi County, and the county town changed hands.

Zhang Baiyu led 3,000 regular troops and 8,000 auxiliary troops to attack Qi County. The Qi County garrison attempted to resist but was besieged by powerful local families. The Jurchen magistrate was killed on the spot, and the rest surrendered to the Dongping army.

At the same time, Liu Huai led 8,000 Han soldiers and nearly 10,000 auxiliary soldiers from Henan, broke camp and set off, his army heading straight for Bianliang City.

The so-called weapon of criticism is not as good as using weapons to criticize.

The great military victory finally led to great political progress, and the powerful clans and even the Meng'an and Mouke households in Kaifeng were finally about to take action.

At this time, the auxiliary troops of the three Han armies were all close to 10,000. However, most of these auxiliary troops were not civilians mobilized from the rear, but were local gentry and civilians from Kaifeng who came to join the army.

Among them were even some local Jin troops and powerful clansmen who possessed considerable fighting capabilities.

They were also among the first to come and join the Han army. Although Liu Huai did not immediately give them the treatment of the Five Deer Army, he still organized them into auxiliary troops to show that he would treat them equally in his use.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Jin army's high command, led by Pusan ​​Zhongyi, it was not less than 20,000 Han soldiers attacking Bianliang City, but rather 50,000 troops coming to besiege it.

At this time, the Jin army around Bianliang City numbered only 15,000.

With both military and political offensives completely defeated, Pusan ​​Zhongyi no longer expected to be able to empty Kaifeng Prefecture; he would consider it a great achievement to be able to evacuate most of the Meng'an and Mouke households.

"Marshal Du, now that most of the troops have been dispatched to Zhengzhou, do you intend to continue holding out here?"

Faced with Prime Minister Zhang Hao's question, Pu Sanzhongyi made no attempt to conceal anything: "Prime Minister Zhang, this time is different from the past. If I lead the army out of the city, Bianliang will no longer belong to the Great Jin."

Zhang Hao stared silently at Pu Sanzhongyi for a moment before continuing, "Then why don't you leave?"

Pu Sanzhongyi remained calm: "I am waiting for the ice to melt."

“Once the ice on the Yellow River melts and communication between Henan and Hebei is cut off, I will naturally take action.”

Zhang Hao sighed repeatedly: "Marshal Du's move is absurd. Liu Dalang started his uprising in Shandong, so why would he be afraid of losing contact with Hebei? Even if he can't transfer troops from Hebei, can't he bring the entire Shandong army here?"

Pu Sanzhongyi shook his head: "Not all soldiers are the same. Liu's main force is all in Hebei. How much fighting power do the soldiers temporarily transferred from Shandong have?"

Zhang Hao pressed further, "Marshal Du, you said you were going to take some actions, what are you planning to do?"

Pu Sanzhongyi countered, "Is Minister Zhang gathering intelligence for Liu Dalang, or simply seeking military strategy to keep abreast of developments?"

Zhang Hao was stunned for a moment before stroking his beard and smiling bitterly: "I never thought that after decades of painstaking efforts for the Great Jin, I would still be suspected by the Grand Marshal."

"Would you like to come to Luoyang with me, Mr. Zhang?"

"I am old and unwilling to move. Just let me spend the rest of my life in Bianliang City."

"Oh, then Mr. Zhang, please don't blame me for having doubts."

The conversation between the two sounded very strange, but given the circumstances, what other way could a prime minister who had completely lost his will to fight and a marshal who was still determined to defend the country communicate?
Even now, the relationship between the two is somewhat strange.

Although they were enemies, they were once inseparable comrades who had struggled to maintain the situation in the Central Plains.

They were comrades-in-arms, but they would eventually part ways and even become enemies.

Moreover, Pu Sanzhongyi still harbored resentment towards Zhang Hao.

As the prime minister of a country, he did not stand up to support Pusan ​​Zhongyi's plan to move the capital. Instead, he repeatedly did things that were discouraging. This is truly outrageous.

However, looking at Zhang Hao's full head of snow-white hair, Pu Sanzhongyi knew that he was ultimately doing his best to maintain the Great Jin Dynasty.

We can't just criticize Zhang Hao because he didn't die.

"Since Master Zhang wishes to enjoy his retirement, then please stop asking me about what will happen after I leave. It's better for Master Zhang and for all of us."

“You’re right. Guangying is a good boy, you must protect him.”

"There's no need for Prime Minister Zhang to worry about this. Prime Minister Jing said he would accompany the Crown Prince, and he will certainly do his best to assist the Crown Prince."

After speaking, Pu Sanzhongyi stood up abruptly, his armor clattering, and strode away, surrounded by his armored guards. However, he stopped two steps from the gate and turned back, saying, "Master Zhang, I have a piece of advice for you. After Liu Dalang enters the city, you should immediately retire and return to your hometown. Do not employ those who have pledged allegiance to you; they are all a bunch of useless good-for-nothings!"

Zhang Hao remained silent.

However, no sooner had the words been spoken than armored soldiers strode out from around the Hall of State Affairs.

There were only seven or eight armored soldiers, less than eleven of the loyal and righteous guards of Pusan, but the leader was full of high spirits.

"Marshal Du is truly insightful. We were indeed outmaneuvered today. We never expected that Marshal Du would bring so many armored soldiers to the Hall of State Affairs."

Therefore, it was truly a pity that he did not have the opportunity to take the head of the Grand Marshal as a means of advancement.

"But it's not that we're afraid of Marshal Du, it's just that we're worried that if we start fighting, we'll ruin this city of Bianliang."

"Now that Marshal Du is gone, let's part ways amicably, shall we?"

After listening quietly, Pu Sanzhongyi smiled and said, "I thought it was some good-for-nothing who was good at nothing but causing trouble. It turns out to be you, Lou Wangsun."

"You feel the position of Military Commander of Kaifeng Prefecture is inappropriate, and you wish to advance further?"

Lou Wangsun waited quietly for Pusan ​​Zhongyi to finish speaking before sneering, "Marshal, the state's situation is your Jurchen people's own doing. Your posturing here is truly laughable."

However, now that we've come to this point, I'd like to offer a word of advice to Marshal Du: while I may be more of a hindrance than a help, I've certainly ruined enough of your affairs.

"If Marshal Du is determined to destroy Bianliang, then we must fight to the death to hold off those Meng'an and Mouke tribes. If that happens, we'll fight to the death!"

Pu Sanzhongyi stared at Lou Wangsun for a long time before nodding and smiling, "Heroes truly emerge in great numbers among the Han people!"

With that, Pusan ​​Zhongyi immediately led his personal guards away in large strides, showing absolutely no intention of fighting.

Lou Wangsun also breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and knelt on one knee, bowing to Zhang Hao: "Prime Minister Zhang, we will certainly protect the peace of this region. Please give us your orders!"

At this moment, many more people came out from various rooms of the government office and came to Zhang Hao. They lined up in order of rank and kowtowed to ask for his orders.

"Please give the order, Lord Zhang!"

Zhang Hao looked at the Han generals and officials with a complicated expression: "What other orders do I have? You all go and maintain order in the city, summon wealthy households to stabilize grain prices. Since you want to protect Bianliang and hand it over to the King of Han intact, you must do your best in the coming days!"

Lou Wangsun and the others knew that Zhang Hao was about to relinquish power, and they breathed a sigh of relief, responding in unison: "We will obey Your Excellency's decree!"

Everyone immediately got to work.

Because it was for their own future, even their lives, these officials, both civil and military, who had been turned, put in their utmost effort.

Originally, Bianliang was a purely trading city. Once such a megacity is trapped in a war blockade and unable to replenish its supplies, it becomes a living hell.

Although the Han army did not completely block the trade routes, it was wartime after all, and the trade routes could not be as smooth as before, so grain prices rose rapidly.

However, thanks to the concerted efforts of the officials in Bianliang, grain prices were actually stabilized.

Although this was only temporary, it still gave Lou Wangsun and others great confidence.

"That's how it is. Our contribution is limited to this. According to the reward given by the King of Han, most of us will be stripped of three ranks of official position."

"Alas, the King of Han is good in every way, except that he is a bit too stingy."

"You're mistaken. The King of Han isn't stingy; he simply offers the right price to the right person. He doesn't reward those who haven't made a contribution, and he doesn't forget those who have. This is the foundation for accomplishing great things."

The price we're paying for this is what we're doing now. Do you think we'll get a good outcome if we don't betray him and fight the King of Han to the bitter end in Bianliang?
"If the King of Han could easily defeat us and accomplish what we are doing now, why would he bestow high positions and generous rewards upon us?"

"Brother Lou, you're full of ideas. Do you have any good ideas on how we can get some exposure in front of the Prince of Han?"

Lou Wangsun laughed, knowing that he had piqued the interest of these simpletons, so he didn't keep them in suspense: "It's very simple. We can't touch Pusan ​​Zhongyi, nor can we beat him. Does the young prince also have the ability of Pusan ​​Zhongyi?"

He's been staying at Jing Sihui's residence for the past few days. We can muster over two hundred elite armored soldiers; if we all attack at once, the young crown prince won't be able to cause any trouble!

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

After all, it was a feudal dynasty, and the power of the royal family was deeply ingrained in their bones. Even if they decided to change allegiance, not everyone dared to attack their former master.

A trusted aide spoke up tremblingly: "Boss Lou, we're not cowards, it's just that the young prince's methods are truly extraordinary..."

Lou Wangsun threw the teacup in his hand to the ground and shouted in a low voice: "It is precisely because the young crown prince is extraordinary that we must eliminate the hidden danger for the King of Han!"

Moreover, if we hadn't all recognized the young prince's abilities, how could we have demonstrated our skills before the King of Han?!
You call me "Big Brother," and I need your help too. Give me a straight answer now: are you in or not?

The crowd was still somewhat panicked, but many were tempted and, after a moment's hesitation, nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)