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

Chapter 981 Each with their own agenda and ulterior motives (Part 1)

Unlike Li Xianzong, who was in a state of turmoil and deep worry, Shao Hongyuan felt quite good.

Of course, this was not because he was extremely incompetent and disregarded the undercurrents within the military.

Rather, he was completely unaware that morale within the army had already begun to waver.

Ironically, despite being a true Grand Commandant and Commander-in-Chief, Shao Hongyuan's poor performance in the last Huaibei Battle caused him to be disliked by the entire Song army.

His poor fighting skills were secondary; after all, which Song general hadn't been defeated by the Jin army? But abandoning his troops and fleeing was a major blunder.

Moreover, this guy was captured during the subsequent attempt to stop Liu Huai, and was publicly shamed.

A general is the leader of the army, and a petty person can never be a good leader.

This time, he took the position of commander-in-chief of the Lianghuai Army for political reasons, and it was impossible for him to establish prestige in a hurry.

The Lianghuai army was almost entirely composed of Li Xianzong's old subordinates, and Dai Gao, whom Yu Yunwen had placed in the army to restrain Li Xianzong, was transferred away for political reasons, which resulted in Shao Hongyuan becoming almost blind.

Of course, Shao Hongyuan was a veteran after all. Regardless of his skill level, he had been in the army for many years. After ten days or half a month, he would have noticed the undercurrents in the army.

But the key point is that all of this happened too fast. The day the troops were dispatched was only a month and a half after the coup. As a result, Shao Hongyuan still feels good about himself, thinking that all the troops are obedient, the morale is high, and they are capable of great use.

This was also a tradition of the Song army: when launching an attack—especially a surprise attack—they always wanted to create chaos and have some fun before they could truly enjoy themselves.

With the two top generals having differing opinions and the soldiers in the middle and lower ranks filled with anxiety, the Song army advanced northward along the east bank of the Yellow River.

This could not be kept secret from the Han army. Even though Xin Qiji had already given the order to fortify the walls and clear the fields, there were still scouts. Zhang Anguo, who was stationed in Pizhou, soon learned that the Song army had crossed the river.

Strangely, Zhang Anguo did not take any initiative. He simply ordered the garrison troops and town defense forces to return to the city and hold their ground for a while before waiting for Liu Huai to lead the main force.

This command is really too bizarre.

Given the Han army's control over local areas, coupled with the support of the local people, even just militia and agricultural troops would be enough to harass the Song army.

Moreover, Pizhou could muster over a thousand regular garrison soldiers and a dozen ships to attack the Song army's supply lines along the waterways surrounding the Yellow River. Wouldn't that be quite simple?
Why be so conservative?
The garrison commander of Suqian, Shan Ding, was completely baffled, but dared not disobey military orders. He could only direct the assembled garrison troops into the city while rushing to Xiapi to find Zhang Anguo and ask him for an explanation in person.

However, just ten miles outside the city, Shan Ding ran into Zhang Anguo leading a large army of over seven thousand soldiers.

Dan Ding was somewhat speechless, but he couldn't continue to say anything while the cold wind blew along the Yellow River. He could only come to the city of Suqian with Zhang Anguo and set up military camps in the empty towns and markets outside the city, where they settled 7,000 garrison troops.

After all that commotion, it was already evening. Shan Ding led Zhang Anguo and the others to the government office. Just as he was about to say something, he turned around and saw Zhang Anguo taking off his cloak. He was slightly taken aback and then froze.

In winter, all the soldiers wore overcoats, and the overcoats of high-ranking officers like Zhang Anguo were made of fur, which is commonly known as a cloak. Therefore, although Shan Ding had noticed that Zhang Anguo seemed to have gained weight, he did not pay attention to it and thought that the guy was just dressed too thickly.

However, when Shan Ding took off his robe in the warm house, he suddenly realized that Zhang Anguo was so fat that he looked like a ball, much fatter than when they met a few months ago.
"What?" Zhang Anguo patted his big belly and said with a grin, "Old Dan, are you perhaps envious of my potbelly?"

I'm not envious at all!
Dan Ding was speechless, unable to utter a word.

Zhang Anguo didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the head seat, his large belly protruding as he plopped down on the huanghuali wood chair, making it creak.

After just a few steps, Zhang Anguo was already panting heavily, as if he were extremely exhausted.

Seeing this, Shan Ding was somewhat dumbfounded. He almost immediately understood why Zhang Anguo did not take the initiative to lead his troops into battle.

Given his physical condition, even riding a horse would be a challenge for the warhorse.

Zhang Anguo seemed to have seen through Shan Ding's thoughts and chuckled, "Old Shan, we've known each other for so many years, what can't we just say?"

Dan Ding looked at Zhang Anguo, and after a moment shook his head with a bitter smile, sighing, "Old Zhang, how did you end up like this?"

Zhang Anguo still wore a smile, like a Maitreya Buddha: "What do you mean? Oh, you mean I've gained weight? That's what happens when you get used to peaceful days. With fine wine and women by your side, and no need to participate in major battles, you naturally become a bit plump. What was Liu Bei's saying again? Oh, the thigh fat has grown back. Everyone in the world is the same. Even Liu Bei couldn't escape it, so how could I?"

Dan Ding could only sigh again: "That's called the regrowth of thigh muscle... Never mind, let's not talk about that. Does Governor Xin know about your condition?"

Zhang Anguo's smile turned cold, and he could only sigh, "Brother Xin is a very busy man. I haven't seen him for several months, so how would I know his current situation? However, military orders are still being followed without hindrance. Brother Xin ordered me to implement a scorched-earth policy in Pizhou to exhaust the Song army, which is no joke." Shan Ding was silent for a moment before asking, "So you brought all your troops to Suqian? Why? In your condition, how can you possibly lead an army into battle?"

Zhang Anguo slowly shook his head: "Of course not, but isn't it enough to set up a camp outside the city, forming a defensive triangle with the city? With nearly 10,000 troops stationed in both places, I don't believe the Song army would dare to bypass this place to attack Xiapi."

Seeing that Shan Ding still looked somewhat worried, Zhang Anguo couldn't help but comfort him again: "Don't panic. It's only about two hundred li from Suqian to Chuzhou, with few villages and towns along the way. A scorched-earth policy is easy to implement, and we should be able to exhaust the Song army no matter what. It's only reasonable for us to block the Song army here. Moreover..."

At this point, Zhang Anguo paused, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Moreover, Wei Gong's tomb is right outside the city..."

Dan Ding fell silent, and then could only nod with difficulty: "Old Zhang, my initial idea was that I would hold the line in Suqian while you harassed the Song army from behind; and if the Song army detached a part to defend Suqian and the main army captured Pi, then Governor Xin would lead fresh troops from Pengcheng to support them."

The layers of obstruction forced the Song army to divide its forces, giving each unit an opportunity to defeat the enemy.

"But you're right, Duke Wei is buried outside the city; we mustn't let the Song army disturb his spirit. Let's immediately send a joint letter to Commander Xin so he can prepare!"

“Exactly, exactly!” Zhang Anguo nodded repeatedly, as if the matter was settled.

These two loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty were so devoted and courageous that it seemed they were destined to create a legendary tale.

However, the next morning, under a gloomy sky, the scouts delivered the latest and most accurate intelligence.

The Song army, with 50,000 regular soldiers and tens of thousands of laborers, totaling nearly 100,000 troops, marched northwest along the Yellow River. For a time, they covered the sky and the sun, like Mount Tai pressing down on them, and were only fifty miles away from Suqian.

Upon hearing the exact number of Song troops, Shan Ding felt a chill run down his spine and immediately ordered the construction of fortifications inside and outside Suqian City to be accelerated.

The Jin army had explosives several years ago, so there's no reason why the Song army didn't.

Earthen mounds and trenches are natural weapons against explosives.

Just as things were getting lively in Suqian, Shan Ding suddenly discovered that the large army that had just arrived outside the city the day before was making unusual moves.

This not only alarmed Dan Ding, but also the busy garrison on the city walls.

Could it be that Zhang Anguo, in a fit of youthful madness, was possessed by Lü Bu in Pizhou and led more than 7,000 garrison troops to fight a decisive battle against the Song army?

This fellow's physique doesn't resemble that of Lü Wenhou at all! He's more like Dong Zhuo!
Grand Tutor Dong Zhuo's seven thousand troops broke through one hundred thousand?! What utter nonsense!

With a jumble of chaotic thoughts, Shan Ding recklessly rushed down from the city wall and stood in front of Zhang Anguo, grabbing his horse's reins and anxiously asking, "Old Zhang! What are you doing?!"

Zhang Anguo, however, pulled out a warrant from his pocket and said with a stern face, "Governor Xin has ordered me to hold Xiapi, and I have no choice but to obey!"

Dan Ding was completely stunned. He took the warrant, glanced at the signature, and instantly flew into a rage: "Zhang Anguo! This is a warrant issued by Governor Xin a month ago!"

Zhang Anguo was as cold as ice, as if he had become someone Shan Ding didn't even recognize: "So what? Or does General Shan have a new order from the Grand Commander?!"

Dan Ding stared at Zhang Anguo in disbelief, then looked around at the other garrison commanders, his hand gripping the warrant trembling slightly: "Zhang Anguo! If that's the case, why did you come here? Just to demoralize the entire army?!"

The reinforcements arrived at Suqian City but then retreated at the last minute. How much morale do my troops have left?! And your seven thousand garrison troops, who have traveled two hundred li round trip in two days, how much morale can they have left?!

By the end, Shan Ding was almost exasperated. He held the reins with his left hand and drew his sword with his right, pressing it against Zhang Anguo's large belly: "You scoundrel, you wouldn't be thinking of betraying the Han and joining the Song, would you!"

The surrounding generals were all horrified, but they still rushed forward immediately to snatch the long sword from Shan Ding's hand.

Zhang Anguo calmly said from his horse: "We came to provide support yesterday because we had not yet thoroughly investigated the situation of the Song army, which is why we decided to block the enemy at Suqian."

But now the Song army is powerful, and as the military commander of Pizhou, I must make decisive decisions on the battlefield and implement a multi-layered resistance strategy. As for whether I will betray the Han and surrender to the Song, that's not for you to decide! Heaven has its own laws and justice!

Having said that, Zhang Anguo snatched back the reins and rode away with his head held high.

The seven thousand garrison soldiers were completely unaware of what had happened. They remained in a daze and left under the command of officers at all levels, leaving Shan Ding trembling with anger on the spot.

(End of this chapter)