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

Chapter 935 Hidden Banners, People Holding Guillotines

On the first day of the tenth lunar month, a cold wind swept across the vast Yanshan Mountains, heading south along the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains, and blowing across the entire Hebei province.

The temperature also dropped further.

Inside the Han army camp, the most elite Jingnan army had already assembled and were silently eating their meal.

Wang Shilong, already donned heavy armor, patrolled the camp: "Eat well, everyone! Once a fight breaks out, we don't know where we'll get our next meal!"

The captain, gnawing on a large chunk of fatty meat in his bowl, looked up and laughed, "Where else can we eat?! Of course, we'll eat at the Jin bandit camp!"

"Old Chen is right. The Jin bandits have so many horses. After this battle, there will definitely be a lot of dead horses. We'll have to pick out the fattest one to roast and eat."

"That fat horse of that Jin general last time, oh, it was so tender! After eating it, I didn't even crave millet for three days."

"Eat quickly, so much stewed pork and mutton can't shut you up, you still want to eat horse meat."

That fat horse you're talking about wasn't even properly roasted! Its mouth was covered in blood and gore, and you're still showing it off. If you ask me, you've never eaten meat before, you're just greedy!"

Everyone laughed.

Wang Shilong laughed, but after a few laughs, he straightened his face and said, "Old Chen, don't talk nonsense. Have you all heard the military orders conveyed by the military council?"

"I know!"

"You, repeat that!"

"Yes, sir!" Immediately, a soldier put down his bowl and shouted, "Men, gag your mouths, remove the bells from your horses, and advance in columns along the road indicated by the scouts."

If you fall behind, don't panic. Once you find a landmark, head north.

The entire army should be of one mind and one heart, with clear command authority between superiors and subordinates. Anyone who deviates from their command should lead their troops to the nearest high-ranking officer.

At this point, the soldier swallowed hard: "The squad leader follows the captain, the captain follows the commander, and the commander follows the officer in charge. Everyone is watching the banner of the King of Han, and there is no turning back."

"General...is the King of Han really going to personally lead the army?"

Wang Shilong had been nodding repeatedly, but when he heard the last question, he rolled his eyes: "I remember you. You are Wang Hong from Dingzhou, who just joined the army with your bravery. You are the second son in your family and are now a squad leader, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hong was overjoyed and exclaimed, "General, you actually recognize me?"

Wang Shilong waved his hand to indicate that it was a trivial matter: "Only newcomers like you would not believe this."

Let me tell you, this empire was won by the King of Han himself, braving arrows and spears, one by one. The King of Han has always been a man of his word; since he said he would follow his banner of Han, then the Han banner will always be at the forefront of the battle.

And the King of Han will surely lead his armored troops in a counterattack under his banner!

Wang Shilong's words were perfectly reasonable and confident, which drew nods of agreement from the surrounding veterans.

"Grand Commandant Wang is right."

“I have personally witnessed the King of Han fighting on the front lines.”

Wang Shilong waved his hand again: "I am telling you this now not to boast about the achievements of the King of Han... otherwise I would not finish talking about it for three days and three nights... but to tell you that the King of Han is a god of war and has never been defeated."

Even if you get separated from your units and can't find headquarters, don't be afraid. Victory will ultimately belong to our Great Han!

After Wang Shilong finished speaking, he patted Wang Hong on the shoulder and then strode away.

This scene unfolded throughout the Jingnan army.

The high-ranking officers began to inspect the troops, boosting morale among their subordinates and taking the opportunity to identify and address any shortcomings.

What this massive army of 35,000 was about to do could very well be a miracle in the history of ancient warfare.

“Calling it a miracle is an exaggeration.” Liu Huai, now dressed in heavy armor and a robe, looked at the setting sun and smiled at He Boqiu, saying, “Didn’t Mr. Liang say before that Emperor Gaozu of Han did this? If the ancients could do it a thousand years ago, why can’t the Jingnan army do it now?”

He Boqiu also donned armor, but for the first time directly opposed Liu Huai's opinion: "I am naturally aware of the fighting strength of the Jingnan army, and I have never said that the army is incompetent."

However, this battle is a contest of strength and courage, and the King of Han should naturally sit in the center to command, and must not lead the troops himself. I, however, believe myself to possess martial skills sufficient to take the place of the King of Han in this task.”

Liu Huai said helplessly, "Then I'll make a promise: I won't fight recklessly, okay?"

He Boqiu shook his head directly: "I do not believe it."

Liu Huai was even more helpless.

He Boqiu continued, "Why is the King of Han unwilling to let me command the Jingnan Army? Is it because he fears that I, as the Chief Clerk, will seize military power?" Liu Huai was both amused and exasperated: "Old He, don't speak such wild words. However, this battle can only be won, not lost. If I personally command the army, the chances of victory will be much greater."

"And Lao He, you can't just sit idly by. You also bear a heavy responsibility in the tasks assigned by our military council. Don't say anything more, just carry them out."

After saying this, Liu Huai turned to mount his horse.

But He Boqiu still tugged at the hem of Liu Huai's robe, insisting, "Your Majesty! I have one last piece of advice."

Liu Huai tugged at the hem of his clothes a couple of times, but when he found he couldn't budge it, he finally sighed and said, "Old He, just say what you have to say."

"Your Majesty, our camp is currently well-supplied with provisions. Even if the Mongols cut off our supply lines, I am confident that we will have enough food for a month."

"That's natural, and it's something that's been discussed to death in military councils. According to Wang Wulang, if given a month, with the support of cannons and explosives, he can flatten Zhengding Prefecture."

"King Han, there is something else that no one dares to say in the military council." He Boqiu's eyes were bright: "Our army is based on the Hutuo River as a defensive line. Eastern Hebei is full of ponds and mudflats, which are deadly for cavalry. The Mongols cannot bypass it even if they want to."

Moreover, the Mongols are unlikely to risk a direct confrontation with the Jin invaders. After testing our defenses, they might very well engage in widespread looting and pillaging in northern Hebei and even the Youyan region, thus becoming an asset to our army.

Liu Huai smiled and nodded: "Of course I know that too. And I also know that the reason why no one dares to mention this matter lies in those four political principles."

"The so-called 'expelling the barbarians, restoring China, establishing order and discipline, and saving the people'—we've endured countless hardships and dangers over the years. Are you telling me, Lao He, to abandon these four phrases now?"

He Boqiu's breathing was a little heavy, but he knew that if he didn't say what was coming next, no one else would dare to.

"King Han, those people from Youyan... whether they are Han or Jurchen, they are still considered Jurchens. Do you know that even if our army were to risk their lives for them, they would not be grateful, and they would not even know that the King of Han risked his life for them?"

Liu Huai nodded again: "I know."

He Boqiu asked again, "Does the King of Han also know that he bears the weight of the world's safety on his shoulders? Now that the hope of unifying the world has appeared, if the King of Han is lost, everything will be in vain. Who knows how many centuries of chaos will ensue! And who knows how many people will die!"

Liu Huai's expression turned serious this time, but he nodded repeatedly: "I know too."

He Boqiu finally lost his composure: "If that's the case, why can't we pretend to be confused and do the right thing?"

Let those Mongols leave. Then we can calmly break camp and march. The Jin bandits, numbering seventy or eighty thousand, are divided into two forces, Huolu and Zhengding. Our army has an absolute advantage in strength, and we will surely be able to wipe them out within a month.

Why risk the lives of millions over the next century to save these hundreds of thousands of golden statues?

Liu Huai finally sighed, turned around, and took He Boqiu's hands, saying, "Old He, tell me, is the life of millions of people more important, or the life of these hundreds of thousands?"

He Boqiu gritted his teeth and said, "Of course, the lives of millions are more important. Isn't that right?"

Liu Huai shook his head: "No, they are all important."

He Boqiu stamped his foot and said, "Young Master, don't take words to heart!"

Liu Huai continued sincerely, "This is not mere sophistry; it is truly what I think."

Old He, you keep comparing the life-or-death weight of millions versus hundreds of thousands, but you've forgotten, are those hundreds of thousands really so few? Aren't they worth us risking our lives for?

He Boqiu's momentum diminished by three points, but he still shook his head: "The King of Han is still making sophistry."

Liu Huai had already released He Boqiu's hands and laughed again, "Old He, you call me King of Han, but you should know that the title of King of Han did not fall from the sky, but was offered by the people."

If, when I am needed to step forward, I turn a deaf ear and cower in fear, then the title of King of Han will naturally be undeserved.

He Boqiu was finally speechless.

Liu Huai mounted his warhorse, gazed at the setting sun, remained silent for a moment, and then said loudly, "Moreover, Old He, you really underestimate the Han people. There are many heroes among the Han people, how could they continue to live in chaos for hundreds of years? Who knows, in a few decades, new heroes will rise and usher in peace!"

He Boqiu was furious again and wanted to disregard the etiquette between ruler and subject and shout loudly, but he saw Liu Huai turn around and bow in the afterglow of the setting sun, and then leave with his personal guards on horseback. He was speechless and could only bow deeply to see him off.

Outside the Han army's main camp in Luancheng, Han cavalry had been fighting with Jin cavalry for two days.

As Liu Huai arrived at the camp gate with a banner bearing Chinese characters, the White Horse Army mobilized almost entirely, dispersing to hunt down Jin soldiers and Mongol scouts, and the intensity of the battle rapidly increased.

The Jin scouts were terrified and tried to report the situation, but they were surrounded by the scattered White Horse Army and almost all of them were killed in a short time.

The scout battlefield, stretching about seventy miles from north to south, only calmed down as the sun set and the crescent moon rose.

Liu Huai gazed at the moonlight, calculating the time in his mind, until the cold wind swept in again, before slowly giving the order: "Let's go!"

Thirty-five thousand Han soldiers, their mouths gagged, their horses' hooves tucked in, their flags lowered and drums silenced, ten men carrying a torch, marched towards Huolu like a silent, black dragon.

(End of this chapter)