[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-194":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1558360,2024,"Chapter 194","shao-song-chapter-194",194,"\u003Cp>Yue Fei's plan could hardly be called a brilliant stratagem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yang Yizhong first inserted himself into the battle from the north bank of the Ji River, and Li Cheng on the opposite side circled around from the Yellow River, it was essentially the same thing—an outflanking maneuver, a flanking attack, one of the most common military tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only these two men's \"outflanking\" failed, but Yue Pengju's succeeded, and it was a double pincer, a double flanking attack, with a longer distance, a more difficult road, more troops, greater speed, and ultimately greater results... that was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it must be acknowledged that even though Yue Fei and his Forward Army of the Imperial Guard ultimately completed this strategic encirclement, the contributions of others—such as Zhang Rong's bloody fighting on the front lines, Yang Yizhong's bloody resistance at the Ji River, and even Xiao En, a mere county magistrate, blindly supporting them at all costs—cannot be dismissed as useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, there is never any useless effort in war. Without these people's seemingly pointless sacrifices and bloodshed, the final, seemingly miraculous, so-called fatal blow could never have been struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, during the last major Jin invasion, Zhao Jiu ranked Han Shizhong and Chen Gui as first in military merit, Li Yanxian and Zhang Jun second, and Wang Yan and Yue Fei, who ultimately achieved the decisive effect, third... This was by no means merely a political balancing act; it meant that without these men's earlier counterattacks, stubborn defenses, attrition, and even defeats, hoping to drive the Jin back in one battle would have been a pipe dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Battle of Changshe, these men also contributed immensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, now was not the time to discuss these matters, because the war was not yet over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the latest intelligence, Li Cheng had apparently succeeded in cutting off his tail like a gecko, fleeing into Jinan Prefecture's territory. He was now holding the key town of Changqing in Jinan Prefecture, having escaped the encirclement and seized a good defensive position ahead of everyone else... This time, Hong Ya's guess was absolutely correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng, the \"Double Sabers\" Commander-in-Chief, knew Yue Fei very well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Kong Yanzhou and Liu Lin's nearly thirty thousand troops were surrounded by Yue Fei, who had emerged west from Mount Tai, and Zhang Rong in the narrow plain north of Pingyin, south of Changqing, between the Ji River and Mount Tai. They were without support, almost a desperate force... The reason it was \"almost\" rather than outright \"desperate\" was that, theoretically, there was still the possibility of reinforcements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Commander-in-Chief Li would suddenly burn his boats and come to their rescue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Jin army across the Ji River and the Yellow River would fly over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Liu Yu, Emperor Liu, would suddenly act like a young man, a thousand horsemen sweeping across the hills, and charge straight over from Jinan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In comparison, the Qi Prime Minister Hong Ya, trapped in Yanggu City with his few thousand Mizhou troops, was theoretically in a slightly better position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Yanggu County was the only county of Dongping Prefecture north of the Ji River. It connected north, south, east, and west, and was a famously wealthy and large county in the realm, with a tall and imposing county seat...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right. Unlike Kong and Liu, who were trapped in the wilderness, Prime Minister Hong had a strong city to defend. Kong Yanzhou and Liu Lin would be envious to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, although the Song army outside Yanggu City was a collection of many generals from various units, their total number was not large, only six or seven thousand men. Hong Ya also had four or five thousand men. Considering the dynamics of offense and defense, his strength was not actually at a disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, and most importantly, the Yellow River was not far behind Yanggu County. If the Jin truly came to reinforce, Yanggu would be the first place to be rescued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it this way, the place Li Cheng arranged for Prime Minister Hong didn't seem so bad. If Prime Minister Hong truly had the talent to order heaven and earth, turning Yanggu into a Jade Wall and bogging down tens of thousands of Song troops under its walls for months, perhaps the Jin would let him become their Prime Minister!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He wants to surrender, only asking to have his life spared?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to his special status, Yang Yizhong had naturally become the commander of this joint force. Hearing this now, he couldn't help but snort disdainfully in the central army tent. \"He is a puppet Qi prime minister, a key defector to the Jin, a scum of the nation. His Majesty has long had a clear verdict on such people. How can we spare him? If we spare him, then wouldn't Zhang Yu have been stabbed into a bloody mess for nothing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, Yang Yizhong rarely spoke when not in front of His Majesty, generally maintaining a dignified and solemn demeanor. But now he rarely made a sarcastic remark, and no one thought it inappropriate... After all, the pressure this trusted imperial confidant had endured in the past few days was immense. Now that the situation had reversed, it was only natural that he felt a need to release and vent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, not only many in the tent, but even the messenger, who was usually good at reading people, hearing these words and seeing this attitude, secretly began to feel bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that wasn't all. After Commander Yang had finished rebuking Hong Ya's wishful thinking, he hadn't forgotten about the messenger either:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Maode, Zhang Erguan, how is it that you are now a messenger for the puppet Qi? Serving Qin by day and Chu by night, playing both sides, is that acceptable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Maode was a quick-witted man. With a start, he knelt on the ground in front of everyone and spoke earnestly: \"Commander Yang, County Magistrate Xiao abandoned us. Several thousand puppet Qi troops suddenly entered. I am just an ordinary citizen, how could I resist? And when he forced me to be his messenger now, with my family in his hands, how could I refuse? But of course, my heart is with the Imperial Court's righteous army. If you, Commander Yang, have any instructions, I will go back today and have my entire clan, several hundred people, fight to the death for the nation, and do everything possible to let the Imperial Army in...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong was waiting for these very words. But this man was extremely dishonest, so he was about to intimidate him a bit more to ensure a proper grip on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, before Yang Yizhong could speak, and before Li Kui and the two Li Baos, all commanders, could chime in, someone else spoke up first. It was Xiao En, the \"Yanggu County Magistrate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander Yang, please do not push him too hard.\" Xiao En stood up and bowed his head in the tent. \"If we need to fight, I am willing to lead the charge and scale the walls. There is no need to force Zhang Erguan to sacrifice his entire family for this... In the end, this situation is partly my fault. If I hadn't so easily taken the county's troops away, how could that traitor Hong have so easily occupied the city? Besides, I am the Yanggu County Magistrate, responsible for defending this land. How can I let the common people go to the battlefield before me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong was stunned on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just Yang Yizhong; the generals below were also stunned. Li Kui, who was more meticulous in his thinking, sighed inwardly, unsure whether to praise Xiao En for his loyalty or scold him for being too naive...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should know that this Zhang Erguan was a typical local strongman and wealthy merchant. On one hand, he had extensive influence and was a ruthless local bully; on the other, he had the slick, rogue temperament of the marketplace, slippery as an eel. How could he be truly controlled or fooled by these few words? That earlier line, \"County Magistrate Xiao abandoned us,\" at first seemed like a slip of the tongue, but now he realized the bastard was exploiting Xiao En's character on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, with this kind of behavior, if he, Li Kui, were the county magistrate, he would have exterminated the Zhang clan long ago. How could he have let this bastard play both sides until now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on second thought, Xiao En was, after all, a man of loyalty and principle. In times like these, such a character actually commanded a grudging respect. It was a pity he hadn't had a chance to befriend him when he was under Zhang Rong's command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it wasn't just Li Kui who thought this. The reason the tent fell silent was that from Yang Yizhong down to \"Sick Guan Suo\" Li Bao and \"Rogue Li San\" Li Bao, they all found the man both laughable and admirable, and were reluctant to say anything harsh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if there was someone inside who could act as a mole, why risk their lives scaling the walls?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, the first to scale the walls was called brave. Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they die fast!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with this thought, Li Kui even felt an urge to pull Xiao En out of the tent and privately reveal the whole plan to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it must be said that Zhang Maode, Zhang Erguan, was also a shrewd man. Seeing the situation deadlocked, and the officer above and the several military officers around him staring coldly at him, he knew he had to \"step forward\" himself to relieve the Imperial Army's worries, lest the commanders be put in a difficult position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just at this awkward moment, someone suddenly spoke up from beside the tent entrance:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"County Magistrate Xiao is right. I also quite agree... Not only that, but His Majesty also prioritizes the welfare of the people under his rule. If we can preserve the entire population of Yanggu County, even if there are one or two improprieties, I imagine His Majesty will be pleased.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Maode and County Magistrate Xiao were still bewildered, but Yang Yizhong, Li Kui, and the two Li Baos all stood up at once. Yang Yizhong, at the lead, changed his previously solemn expression and spoke with a slight smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Censor Moqi, how is it that you are here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander Yang, the three Commanders Li, County Magistrate Xiao.\" Moqi Xie, a Palace Censor, emerged from outside the tent, smiling in return. \"I was over at Grand Defender Yue's place in Pingyin, then made a trip to Pacification Commissioner Zhang's in Pingyin. When I heard you had a prime minister surrounded here, I couldn't help but make a special trip over...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were nonplussed, but Yang Yizhong's heart stirred. He stepped forward, pulled the man out of the tent, and they were gone for a full incense-stick's time before returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they returned, the commanders knew that the two important imperial officials had reached a decision, so they stood respectfully. Zhang Maode, knowing the stakes, knelt prostrate on the ground, not daring to lift his head. Xiao En, however, was still somewhat confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"County Magistrate Xiao, I am a Palace Censor, commonly known as a censor. I am currently on inspection duty with Grand Defender Yue's Forward Army of the Imperial Guard, also serving as an Army Supervisor. I have just come from Pacification Commissioner Zhang, Chief Zhang, and have his permission to handle affairs north of the Ji River. I ask for your cooperation.\" Moqi Xie returned to the tent. He did not immediately speak to Zhang Maode, but first introduced himself to Xiao En.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And although Xiao En didn't understand all the complicated official channels, the man's explanation was straightforward enough—censor, army supervisor, authorized by his own chief. How could he dare to be presumptuous? He quickly clasped his hands in salute:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that's the case, I am willing to follow the Censor's instructions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moqi Xie nodded slightly, then looked at the man on the ground. Without haste, he calmly gave his orders: \"Zhang Erguan, is it? Go back and tell Prime Minister Hong that the Palace Censor Moqi Xie, who once received an official appointment alongside him in the same court, is here. For the sake of our past acquaintance, I am not unwilling to persuade Commander Yang to give him a way to live. But he must see the situation clearly and not harbor any unrealistic hopes... If he truly wishes to live, let him climb over the city wall alone from your herbal medicine shop at the third watch tonight, and come see me at the base of the west wall. Only he and you, the intermediary, may come. There is no other way. If he hesitates even a little, there will be no further negotiations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these words, Zhang Maode knew he had encountered another formidable character. He hurriedly kowtowed, said not a word, and with his head down, rushed back into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day's heat was as usual. At the third watch of the night, a summer breeze rustled, the moon was half-risen, and the Milky Way was half-visible. Moqi Xie, who had taken a nap earlier, rose unhurriedly, washed his face, drank some water, waited for a good while, and then, with Zhai Biao and a few nimble Imperial Guardsmen arranged by Yang Yizhong, headed for the west wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached the section of the city wall opposite the Zhang family's herbal medicine shop, they indeed saw no patrolling soldiers on that stretch of wall. In the shadows at the base of the wall, two men were cowering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two men saw Moqi Xie approaching, they cautiously came forward, revealing themselves. They were none other than the Qi Prime Minister Hong Ya, Prime Minister Hong, and the Yanggu overlord Zhang Maode, Zhang Erguan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moqi Xie saw the two men, paid no attention to Zhang Maode, and simply faced Hong Ya, standing tall with his hands behind his back, smiling: \"Prime Minister Hong, we received our official appointments in the same court. You went out to be a county magistrate, and I stayed on at the Privy Council. Who would have thought that in just one year, I have only become a Palace Censor, while you have already been promoted to Prime Minister... As His Majesty once said, a man's achievements depend not only on his talent, but also on his opportunities!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Moqi, please... please don't mock me!\" Hong Ya, seeing an acquaintance, gritted his teeth and replied directly, though his words came out somewhat haltingly, whether from nervousness or fear. \"Li Kui was originally a leader of the Mizhou troops. With Du Yan and Wu Shun dead, his prestige among the Mizhou soldiers is unmatched. He should be welcomed into the city by his old subordinates any moment now, right? I have ignored the military matters and abandoned the city defenses to come here alone. Does this not show... show my sincerity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moqi Xie was not surprised that the man had seen through the matter of Li Kui and the inside agent. He nodded seriously instead: \"It indeed shows sincerity, and also courage!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then quickly bring me paper and brush, and after I write a statement of my case, send me across the river at once!\" Upon hearing these words, Hong Ya felt as if a great stone had fallen from his heart. He stepped forward and directly grabbed the hem of Moqi Xie's robe—a man who had once served in the same court as him—yet still wore a somewhat pleading expression. \"Brother Moqi, please tell His Majesty that no one in the world understands Wanyan Dalai better than I do. Once I head north this time, whether I go to Jinan or Great Ming Prefecture, or even Yanjing, I will surely render His Majesty a remarkable service!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking with someone who understood everything was so straightforward that Moqi Xie didn't bother pretending. Instead, he reached out and took the other's hand, leading him northward, and spoke with heartfelt emotion, clasping hands and expressing his feelings: \"You take the difficult path; I take the easy one. I hope that one day, when the realm is clear and bright, we may drink together before the throne...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this, Hong Ya could only smile bitterly in response: \"His Majesty has made it clear that surrendered men are not permitted to waver. Even if that day truly comes, I only ask to live out my remaining years in peace. How dare I covet anything more?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moqi Xie gave a light laugh, then nodded without delay: \"Brother, you are so clear-headed that it makes me seem rather petty and calculating... Well then, let's go. As for the statement of your case, I'll take the liberty of deciding—there's no need to write it. We understand each other tacitly, and that will suffice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya was finally stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A man as perceptive as you, who has been through this matter—if the Great Song flourishes, then naturally we will understand each other without words. But if the Great Song's future is uncertain, what use would a written statement be?\" Moqi Xie said dismissively. \"Better to be straightforward and seek freedom for each of us... Only, do not forget His Majesty's authority and what has happened today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya felt completely relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as the two men, under the bright moon and silver river, were developing a mutual understanding as kindred spirits, a sudden, miserable scream rang out from behind them. Startled, Minister Hong turned his head in panic: \"What's happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing, nothing!\" Moqi Xie quickly pulled him back and confessed frankly. \"Just relieving Minister Hong of his worries.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya understood in his heart and immediately stopped looking behind him, instead following the other step by step northward... And shortly after the two disappeared into the night, torches suddenly blazed atop the southern city wall, illuminating the night sky as if it were day. Then, amid a clamor of drums and shouts, the south gate of Yanggu County was thrown wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Li Kui, the Commander of the Imperial Guard's Forward Army, charged into the city at the head of his men. Countless others outside the city shouted together, loudly calling out the name of Li Kui of Mizhou. When his former subordinates saw the banners from afar and heard these cries, they one by one turned their weapons around, vying with each other to surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, Yanggu—which held a strong city and several thousand troops—was breached in just over a single day and night, leaving the battle situation at Dongping with no room for recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only pity was that the puppet minister Hong Ya took advantage of the chaos to disguise himself and escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Sorry, I've fallen into the old cycle again.\u003C\u002Fp>",3176,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","6c708c160d1f291c1ad26b84bcf2d01db1b504ac90dedd4bb08607ca38e9f010","shao-song-chapter-195","shao-song-chapter-193",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]