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

Chapter 933 Strategic Determination and Rapid Deployment of Troops

"Our army is currently divided into two parts: one with 40,000 troops stationed in Zhenzhou, and the other with nearly 100,000 troops stationed in Huolu. This is not acceptable; our army should be combined into one."

The government office of Zhen Ding Prefecture had now become Wanyan Yong's temporary palace, and a military council was being held in the main hall.

Marshal Tudan Kening spoke eloquently in front of the map.

Seeing someone about to speak, Tudan Kening immediately interrupted, saying, "I know there are many difficulties involved. The most important one is that Liu Bei has already occupied Luancheng, which is equivalent to planting a thorn between Huolu and Zhengding. If we move our troops, we might expose our flanks, allowing the Han army to take advantage of the chaos and attack. However..."

Tudankening glanced at the two Mongol Khans who seemed unconcerned, and said indifferently, "It's just that the Mongol territory in Jin is in chaos, and supplies are difficult to transport. We can only rely on Zhen Ding for supplies. If we don't unite our armies, the huge supply route will be exposed to Liu's army."

Wanyan Guying's face turned somewhat pale.

Regardless of whether his previous actions of driving away the people along the Taiyuan-Jingxing line were motivated by personal gain or public interest, they resulted in two outcomes.

Firstly, the Mongols had truly become hungry wolves.

Secondly, the Jin army could not conscript laborers along the route from Taiyuan to Huolu, making the transport of supplies extremely difficult.

Wanyan Guying naturally knew that Tudankening was not targeting him, because whether he dispersed the people or not, it made no difference after being ravaged by the Mongols.

When people's livelihoods decline and the population disperses, it is inevitable.

The ensuing Han army's conquest of cities and territories inevitably served to rally popular support.

However, Wanyan Guying still felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

The saying "the tide is like a powerful force, and all things are swept away" applies here. There is no foolproof method.
Tudankening saw Yesugei and Tuoli, but they just crossed their arms and sneered without saying a word. On the contrary, Wanyan Guying's face turned pale and uncertain, and he also became somewhat impatient: "Yesugei Khan, this military council has been going on for two days. Don't you have anything to say?"

Yesugei chuckled twice: "There is only one explanation. My trusted confidant will probably come to pick me up tomorrow. Whatever the Great Jin Emperor wants to decide, he should make a decision quickly."

Yesugei's meaning was very clear: the Mongols wanted the benefits, but the Jurchens should take the tough ones themselves. The Mongols were unwilling to risk their lives for the Jurchens.

At worst, they will fall apart in one fell swoop.

As for whether the Han army was tough or not, even if we didn't know beforehand, the fact that only about 300 of the 2,000 light cavalrymen from the Merkit tribe returned intact should have made it clear.

The Mongol cavalry was numerous, and Yesu should have been confident that he could leverage his strengths when facing the Han army on the plains, so he shouldn't have been truly afraid of them. But why did he do that?

Did they really expect that after driving out the Han army, Wanyan Yong would give the Mongols a piece of fertile land in Hebei?

Wanyan Yong, who was sitting in the main seat, did not react when he heard this.

In this situation, he had to respect Marshal Du's military authority and could not speak recklessly.

Moreover, given the fierce and ruthless nature of the Jurchen men, even if they were frightened by the Han army, how could they truly fear the Mongols?

Wanyan Fushou sneered, "I've given you a little leeway, and you've really dared to take advantage of me! Let me make this clear: Tumen Pass is already blocked by the army. If you dare disobey orders, I'll fight you to the death, even if Liu Bei doesn't care!"

Yesugei also spread his hands and laughed: "Then come on, we just want to return to the Eternal Heaven, it's just a pity that this beautiful country is about to change hands."

Besides, what supply route... Do you really think we Mongols are fools?!

In the end, Yesugei was almost furious.

Due to the recent wars in the Central Plains, many people fled to the grasslands, including some scholars.

Yesugei was illiterate, but he loved listening to storytelling and ballad singing by scholars from the Central Plains. He especially enjoyed listening to stories about the Chu-Han Contention and the Three Kingdoms period.

The reason is simply that the people of the grasslands have few recreational activities and their cultural and entertainment undertakings are underdeveloped.

Yesugei had just heard the story of Xiang Yu a while ago. During the Chu-Han Contention, the Han people knew to build tunnels to protect the supply lines. How come the Jin army didn't know that now?
Is Huolu really that far from Zhending?

Wanyan Fushou glanced at Wanyan Yong, and seeing that the other party did not react, he felt relieved and continued to mock, "Think what you want, but I only have one thing to say: if the army cannot be united, the supplies cannot be replenished."

"Then you Mongols will be eating the northwest wind and fighting against my Great Jin cavalry, how about that?"

Wanyan Fushou's status was neither high nor low; he wasn't so much so that his word carried weight, but he wasn't someone whose words were completely worthless either. This made him perfectly suited to use nonsense to issue threats.

But Yesugei ignored Wanyan Fushou and stood up to look at Wanyan Yong: "Your Majesty, does the Great Jin Kingdom still keep its word? Your Majesty promised that we would plunder the Central Plains and Hebei, but why have you changed your mind now?"

Wanyan Yong remained like a clay sculpture or wooden puppet.

Tudankenin, however, smiled and continued, "The promises made back then certainly stand. It's just that now it's merely a matter of merging the armies, but I don't know why Yesugei Khan is so resistant?"

Yesugei let out a cold laugh.

Why such resistance?

Of course, it was his mother who didn't want to be coerced by the Jin army!
At this time, the fact that the Mongols were staying in Huolu with Wanyan Guying's more than 30,000 troops was already making things very difficult for them.

If the Jin army were to unite, wouldn't the Mongol army immediately become Jin's lackeys? At that point, they might really have to fight the Han army to the death!

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Jin!" Tuoli suddenly stood up, the gold rings on his braid jingling.

However, unlike Yesugei, he did not confront the Jin generals head-on. Instead, he spoke sincerely and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty! Although my sworn brother and I are the Khans of the steppe, we still have subordinate chieftains."

They followed us through mountains and rivers because they were able to plunder the Central Plains. But if His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Jin goes back on his word and sends us to fight a tough battle, we will absolutely not be able to control the little chieftains.

What my sworn brother just said was not intended to offend the might of the Great Jin Dynasty, but rather because it was truly beyond his control. I humbly request Your Majesty's understanding.

Tuli's lenient attitude eased the tense atmosphere in the hall, but Tudan Kening still insisted on uniting the troops for unified assignment.

A moment later, even Wanyan Guying spoke up in support of the combined forces, saying that Tumen Pass was enough to block Jingxing, and Huolu did not need so many troops.

Even Tuoli's face darkened. He stood side by side with Yesugei, not saying a word, but just coldly staring at Wanyan Yong.

"All right……"

Wanyan Yong finally stopped the discussion among the Jin generals and looked at Yesugei, saying, "Yesugei Khan, my veteran generals have already made the situation clear. What else do you have to say?"

Yesugei nodded: "Yes. If your Jin army is willing to join forces, that's fine, but we'll have to decline."

This trip south was for the wealth and women of Hebei and the Central Plains; we've stayed long enough. We can't afford to continue our begging spree in Zhengding.”

Wanyan Yong frowned: "What do you want?"

Yesugei gritted his teeth and said, "We will now scatter south and attack Liu's territory."

"Your Majesty, this is our final decision. If Your Majesty still disagrees, then our two armies may indeed have to fight!"

To say they were attacking the heartland of the Han army is utter nonsense; the Mongol people's only thoughts have always been burning, killing, and looting.

However, Yesugei made his meaning clear: if he wanted us Mongols to slaughter the Han people, it would be a win-win situation. But if we were really forced to go to the front lines, then the two armies would fight each other right in front of the Han army, and none of us would survive.

Wanyan Yong looked into Yesugei's eyes, and after a long while, he seemed to realize that this was the bottom line for the Mongols. He nodded slightly and said, "Then let's do as Yesugei Khan says. When will the Mongol army set off?"

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty!"

Tudankening and Wanyan Guying stood up at the same time, as if trying to stop the order from being carried out.

Seeing this, Yesugei quickly said loudly, "Our men have been starving for some time, and our warhorses have also lost a lot of weight. We hope Your Majesty can provide some fodder and food so that we can send out our troops immediately after we have eaten our fill!"

"it is good!"

Wanyan Yong, as stubborn as Wanyan Liang, ignored the subtle signals from his generals and immediately agreed: "In that case, I will give you seven days' worth of provisions, how about it?"

Yesugei thought for a moment and decided to rest for three or four days first, and then take three days' worth of provisions southward, which would be more than enough.

This is prosperous Hebei!
Are you afraid of not being able to find food?
"His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Jin is truly a man of his word! We will return to Huolu now and fight for the Great Jin!"

Yesugei and Tuoli, both swaggering and full of pride, immediately took their leave, as if they were truly loyal subjects of the Great Jin.

After the two men left, the Jin generals who had been anxiously trying to dissuade Wanyan Yong from retracting his order all composed themselves, bowed to Wanyan Yong, and returned to their seats.

"Marshal Du, I have followed your advice and provoked the Mongols to immediately send troops. What are your plans next, Marshal Du?"

Under the watchful eyes of the Jin generals, Tudan Kening said confidently, "Next, we will wait in Zhen Ding City."

Wanyan Guying frowned and said, "Is it enough to just wait?"

Tudankening nodded emphatically: "Zhending Prefecture was painstakingly rebuilt by me over a year. The army defends it layer by layer, and even if Liu has cannons, it will be useless."

Wanyan Liushou will join forces with my main army. If we can hold out for two or three months and wait for the Mongols to destroy Liu's supplies, our army can then leave the city and fight Liu, defeating him in one fell swoop!

This is essentially a reiteration of the "close the door and unleash the dogs" tactic.

Wanyan Guying frowned and asked, "Are our troops also going to abandon Huolu and come to Zhending City?"

Tudankening stared intently at Wanyan Guying, nodded, and said, "Of course. After the Mongols leave, the garrison will immediately break camp and head to Zhen Ding Prefecture."

I know the one left behind is worried about Jingxing, but if I may be frank, let alone the fact that we still have Tumen Pass. Even if we didn't, we could regain Jingxing if we lost it, but if the main force of the nation is truly wiped out by Liu Bei in one battle, then there will be no hope of recovery.

Wanyan Guying was speechless.

Indeed, if the Mongols left, the Jin army would be essentially split into two forces, which, while seemingly supporting each other, would be easily defeated by each other.

Moreover, Huolu Camp is not a dangerous place. If Wanyan Guying is confident that he can block the advance of the Han army led by Liu Huai with 30,000 troops, he would dare to kick Tudan Kening off the position of Grand Marshal right now.

"Since that's the case, then let's do it boldly." Wanyan Yong stood up, his body trembling slightly as he concealed his movements within his sleeve, and slowly said, "The fate of the Great Jin Dynasty rests on this battle. Let us fight to the death together!"

(End of this chapter)