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

Chapter 928 In an era of great strife, every moment counts
Just as Ma Yanzhang was pondering how to conquer Renqiu City, news of the Han army's full-scale northern expedition was finally delivered to Lin'an by fast horse.

Yu Yunwen, who returned to this place to preside over the relocation of the capital, felt dizzy after just one glance at the documents.

Unexpectedly, Liu Huai did not send military intelligence as usual and act simultaneously with the Song army. Instead, he chose to take a desperate gamble and launch a lone northern expedition.

This is no longer just a matter of distrust; it even reveals a certain contempt.

Since it makes no difference whether your Song Kingdom exists or not, why should I fight alongside you?
Yu Yunwen was, after all, Yu Yunwen. He quickly forced himself to calm down and realized a key issue.

It seems that the Han army wanted to draw the main force of the Jin army from Hebei to fight a decisive battle. At this time, was the Jin territory already vulnerable?
How long will it take Liu Huai to defeat Dong Jin?

Was there still time for the Song army to capture Luoyang, cross the Yellow River to the north, and invade Jin territory?
Yu Yunwen wished he could fly back to Nanyang and lead Cheng Min and others to send troops immediately.

However, while the Northern Expedition was important, moving the capital was no small matter either.

Even though it had been talked about for several years and had the backing of military victories, many rumors still emerged on the eve of the relocation of the capital.

Even nursery rhymes, which were not commonly played after the Wei and Jin dynasties, reappeared on the streets of Lin'an.

Not to mention the paper-thin impeachment and remonstrance memorials.

Some even called for the execution of Yu Yunwen, this treacherous minister.

Moreover, some of those who shouted this slogan were actually Yu Yunwen's pro-war comrades in the court.

That's the complexity of politics.

In the previous topic, we were all friends fighting side by side; in the next topic, we may become mortal enemies.

But the system of the Song state is here.

As long as the emperor and his chief ministers stand firmly together and make decisions together, they can do almost anything they want.

Let alone moving the capital.

On that day, Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji, colluded with Cai Jing to levy the tribute of rare stones and flowers, which drove the Jiangnan region to rebellion. Could anyone have stopped them?

However, it was precisely because the emperor and the prime ministers advanced and retreated together that the overall situation was stabilized. Therefore, Yu Yunwen had no choice but to abandon the Northern Expedition and come to the court to fight alongside Zhao Shen.

At this point, Zhao Shen could no longer tolerate Zhao Gou encroaching on his power. The retired emperor's influence in Lin'an was deeply entrenched and impossible to eradicate completely. Moreover, the two were father and son, and there was also the layer of filial piety as a cover, making it impossible for Zhao Shen to deal with the situation in an overly extreme way.

Although Zhao Shen considered moving the capital to be a very mild form of resistance, it seems that Emperor Emeritus Zhao Gou was still dissatisfied and repeatedly mocked Zhao Shen for his unfilial behavior, both openly and secretly.

With the political situation in the court so volatile and unpredictable, what else can be done if Yu Yunwen doesn't return to oversee things?

"What a coincidence, what a coincidence."

Yu Yunwen held the document and muttered to himself.

"What is the Left Chancellor referring to?"

"It's nothing." Yu Yunwen forced himself to calm down, then looked at Zeng Huai, the Minister of Revenue: "Minister Zeng, was it you who stopped the large-scale grain trade between Lianghuai and Shandong Central Plains?"

Zeng Huai didn't know why the meeting topic had changed from relocating the capital to trade, but he dared not not answer: "Reporting to Prime Minister Yu, it was I who gave the order."

"why?"

Zeng Huai frankly stated, "Of course, there is the complicated relationship between the Song Dynasty and Liu Dalang. But more importantly, it is to strictly control the grain supply in order to raise provisions for the Northern Expedition."

"Lord Yu, there's nothing we can do about it. Liu Dalang's men are incredibly extravagant; if we don't strictly order them to stop, we simply can't stop these local tyrants from selling their grain."

Yu Yunwen: "Then do you know what Liu Dalang used to buy grain?"

Zeng Huai paused slightly before slowly saying, "Of course I know, it is a warhorse."

Although the migration of the Meng'an Mouke people of the Jin Dynasty to the Central Plains had many disadvantages, it still had one advantage.

That is, they turned many places in the Central Plains into grasslands to raise horses.

This is why farms are generally the best pastures.

After the Northern Expeditionary Army conquered the Central Plains, these warhorses and horse farms naturally came under the control of the Han army.

Of course, Liu Huai couldn't let the thousands of acres of fertile land continue to grow grass, but he also couldn't abandon all the horse farms. After overall planning, several horse farms were established in Shandong in the Central Plains.

The current Commissioner of the Imperial Pastures is none other than Xiao Qi, the Khitan general who defeated the Song army in the Huai River region through mobile warfare.

After several years of development, the number of warhorses in the Herdsman's Office has increased to the point that they can be bought and sold.

That wasn't the end of it. Because people in Shandong and other places had a tradition of raising horses, and Liu Huai did not prohibit the horse trade, Han people from the north often brought horses to Lianghuai to sell.

This greatly facilitated Yu Yunwen's organization of cavalry and almost became the only source of warhorses for the Song state.

As for the Bureau of Animal Husbandry in the State of Song... it can only be said that it inherited the tradition of the State of Song that no matter what good things they did, they would turn into bad things, so let's not mention it.

Despite all his pleas, Zeng Huai has ultimately cut off the Song state's warhorse supply.

Given Zeng Huai's shrewdness and competence, he couldn't have been unaware of the serious consequences this would cause.

But he did it anyway. Yu Yunwen looked at Zeng Huai, who seemed completely at ease, and after a moment's thought, said, "Minister Zeng is from Quanzhou?"

"Exactly."

"You must be well-versed in maritime trade as well?"

"I once served as the Director of the Maritime Trade Office in Western Zhejiang."

"Now that the country is short of money and grain, we hope that Minister Zeng can shoulder the heavy responsibility and be transferred to the position of Transport Commissioner of Zhejiang."

After speaking casually, Yu Yunwen looked at the other officials in the Hall of State Affairs.

Indeed, even officials from their own faction were terrified after Yu Yunwen demoted a minister to a local post with a single word.

However, Zeng Huai remained calm: "Since Lord Yu has given his order, I dare not disobey. But before I leave, I have a word of advice to offer."

"Now, tell me."

"Prime Minister Yu, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. The Northern Expedition involves many aspects, so we must not be hasty."

Yu Yunwen stood up abruptly and said loudly, "Minister Zeng is mistaken. This is an era of great contention. A day earlier or later makes all the difference. I should seize every moment!"

Zeng Huai looked up at the sky and sighed, then bowed deeply and turned to leave.

The fact that an internal meeting regarding the relocation of the capital resulted in the demotion of a high-ranking official is truly astonishing.

After the meeting, Right Chancellor Chen Junqing showed no mercy to Yu Yunwen, directly asking in a harsh tone, "Chancellor Yu, do you really want to become Cao Cao?"

Yu Yunwen rubbed his forehead and handed over the documents he had just received.

After reading it quickly, Chen Junqing's expression also changed drastically.

"Seize the day, that's what I mean by seize the day." Yu Yunwen looked up and said sincerely, "The situation in the world will change drastically in the next two to six months, which may lay the foundation for the world's future for the next hundred years."

Of course, someone has to resort to dirty tricks at a time like this. How can I tolerate that?

Chen Junqing said with difficulty, "Minister Zeng is a true gentleman, and what he said makes some sense..."

Yu Yunwen sighed deeply: "What I fear is this gentlemanly demeanor, what I fear is that he has some reason to believe, and what I fear is the situation where we are intertwined."

Yingqiu, don't you understand? Our group is a disorganized mess. Now is the time to muster all our strength and push forward, yet some are resorting to underhanded tactics. How can we not deal with them decisively?!

But I cannot act as recklessly as Liu Dalang. Even though I know I should make an example of him, I still cannot kill him!

Chen Junqing was startled and waved his hands repeatedly: "No, most of the officials in the court still advocate war and support the Northern Expedition."

"No, that's not it. Yingqiu, do you know why the resistance to this relocation of the capital is so great?"
Clearly, many people are trying to use this to stall me and make me lose this great opportunity!

Chen Junqing was already somewhat panicked: "Lord Yu, you flatter me."

Yu Yunwen gritted his teeth and said, "Among these people, there are those like Zeng Huai who just came out, whose will is not firm and who shrink back when faced with difficulties."

Others lost their motivation because they did not gain any benefits from the Northern Expedition and did not acquire land or houses.

Others simply harbored resentment after I punished them. What a bunch of useless, despicable bastards!

After venting his frustrations, Yu Yunwen slumped into his seat, and after a long while, a resolute look appeared in his eyes: "No, we absolutely cannot let people spend too much time on the matter of relocating the capital. The strategy of attacking Jin has been decided, and we absolutely cannot give up for nothing."

"Yes, I need your help."

Faced with Yu Yunwen's stern request, Chen Junqing became even more panicked: "Master Yu, please don't do anything rash."

Yu Yunwen calmly replied, "Of course not."

But I need to get the Emperor to Jiankang within two months. Only by making this a fait accompli can I extricate myself from this situation.

Chen Junqing felt a chill run through his body.

Is this something a subject can do?

But seeing Yu Yunwen's clenched teeth, he was afraid that if he refused Yu Yunwen's request, the other party would use more radical methods to deal with the matter.

At that point, things will really get out of control.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Junqing said with difficulty, "Please speak, Lord Yu."

Yu Yunwen: "I will go to see the Emperor immediately and explain all the military situation clearly."

Go to Jiankang in person and meet with that scoundrel Shi Hao. Tell him that I know the Emperor intends to reinstate him for his role in the relocation of the capital.

If he can find a way to move the palace to Jiankang within two months, I will help him regain his position as prime minister; but if he fails, even if the relocation of the capital is ultimately successful, it will still be a situation where it's either him or me!

Chen Junqing sighed deeply, but could only nod with difficulty under Yu Yunwen's pleading gaze.

(End of this chapter)