[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-216":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},1558382,2024,"Chapter 216: Clouds of Doubt","shao-song-chapter-216",216,"\u003Cp>When the military report arrived in Dongjing, Zhao Jiu initially felt as if a stone had been lifted from his heart, because it truly was just as he had emphasized—the Jin army had indeed come. But soon, as the military intelligence from Shanzhou was compiled, he fell into a state of puzzlement and doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This puzzlement and doubt were twofold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, on the larger scale: after so long a war, it was common knowledge that the Jin army's field forces were divided into eastern and western branches. Yet in this campaign, he had only received intelligence from the western army, none from the eastern army... Logically, the battle at Xiaowusao should have been a knife thrust straight into the eastern army's side, so why had the eastern army remained completely silent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the intelligence continuously coming from Mount Taixing was also somewhat off—most of the Meng'an Mouke settled by the Jin in the central-southern plains of Hebei showed no signs of large-scale mobilization. This was critical intelligence Zhao Jiu had specifically ordered Ma Kuo to report routinely... And this was very strange, because the Meng'an Mouke on the Hebei plains were themselves the main component of the eastern army, with a small portion also belonging to the western army's order of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the western army, in order to achieve a surprise attack, had deliberately refrained from full mobilization and only concentrated elite cavalry, that was certainly understandable and matched the current intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what was going on with the eastern army? Were they not preparing to join the battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was also possible that the eastern army would mobilize later, or that some of their elite troops were currently traversing the complex Yellow River waterways in eastern Hebei, planning to go around and fight in Jingdong, delayed en route... All of these were possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when it came to the detailed military intelligence on the western army's side, it was also shrouded in doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, after Wanyan Loushi's sudden attack, he should have continued along his previous gains, capturing Fuzhou and Danzhou south of Yan'an Prefecture. But why had he instead marched south to Tongguan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after taking Tongguan, where would he go next?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he come east to attack Shanzhou, or go west to attack Chang'an? Logically, he should attack Chang'an, intending to outflank Fuzhou and Danzhou from the south. But if so, why had he sent a detached force to pin down Shanzhou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make matters worse, with Tongguan cut off, communications in the direction of Chang'an had to go around via the Luo River, inevitably delayed by several days, truly causing alarm and uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, all kinds of doubts filled Zhao Jiu's mind, making it difficult for the Bureau of Military Affairs' Directorate of Operations to reach a conclusion, which in turn triggered hesitation and indecision at the highest levels of the Great Song central government.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But military affairs were serious and could not be delayed for a moment. So on the evening of the fourth day of the new year, the very next day after receiving the news, the court, disregarding the late hour, convened an emergency court meeting in the Wende Hall... The four Grand Councilors, the staff officers of the Directorate of Operations, the six Ministers, the Academicians and Drafter-attendants, and all Imperial Camp Commanders in the capital were present, but no others were summoned. The goal was to reach a decision and make a rapid response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Jin army's situation is unclear. Zhang Jun, Yue Fei, and Zhang Rong should strictly guard their defense zones and not act rashly!\" After the court meeting began, Wang Boyan, on behalf of the Bureau of Military Affairs, first proposed a basic premise for the response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this premise was, in fact, acknowledged by the vast majority of those present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because all three of these positions faced the enemy-occupied areas directly, and behind them lay the vital heartland of the Great Song. Behind Zhang Jun lay Huainan and the southeast; behind Yue Fei and Zhang Rong lay Dongjing and Nanjing, the heartland of Henan that had just begun to recover after suffering a large-scale invasion the previous year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Imperial Central Army's troops along the river and the troops within Dongjing City should also not act rashly.\" As the discussion continued, someone soon raised a new opinion, but it quickly met with some opposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then can we dispatch the Imperial Rear Army to reinforce?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Han Shizhong should be sent to Xijing Luoyang to observe the situation, to prepare for unforeseen circumstances...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Han Shizhong must be sent. His troops have been resting and building strength in Huaixi, with the best supply of funds and provisions. He was meant to be a mobile reserve... But I think he should not necessarily be sent to Xijing Luoyang. Instead, he should first go to Nanyang, and only advance once the situation is clear!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Going to Nanyang would naturally mean going through Wuguan to support Guanxi. But at dusk, Guanxi had already sent an urgent message via the small path along the Luo River, saying that they had not...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although Guanxi has already sent word that they have not been urgently attacked, from the overall situation, Guanxi is still more critical. Because once Guanxi is attacked, Dongjing will be too far away to help. So if Grand Commandant Han really goes to Xijing, he might fall for the Jin's trick of feinting east while attacking west, luring the tiger from the mountain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if that's the case, what if Wanyan Loushi really goes all out to attack Shanzhou? Given Shanzhou's importance, if it is lost, that would truly mean the east and west are cut off from each other...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't we send the Eight-Character Army to reinforce? After all, Shanzhou is closer to the Central Plains, with convenient transportation. If Wanyan Loushi really comes to attack Shanzhou, with the Imperial Camp's 200,000-strong army, where can't we draw troops to reinforce?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be said that the court meeting was effective, at the very least allowing the ministers who were not well-versed in military affairs to understand the situation a bit better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, it also had to be admitted that the court meeting clearly laid out the dilemma of certain strategic choices. For example, should the largest mobile army, Han Shizhong's troops, go to Chang'an or Luoyang? Should the Imperial Rear Army be dispatched to reinforce now? Could Wang Yan's Eight-Character Army be appropriately deployed to support the west?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every move had its pros and cons, but a move had to be made, otherwise it would be a delay of military opportunity. At this point, it was time for the Emperor and the Grand Councilors, who had roughly understood the pros and cons, to make the final decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, having been tempered by two or three years of warfare, Emperor Zhao still had some experience and decisiveness. After a moment's thought, he had a rough conclusion in mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, when disputes arose over military matters, one should listen to the experts. Therefore, these disputes should be primarily based on the opinions of the staff officers like Liu Ziyu and Hu Hongxiu, and the generals like Wang Yuan, Qu Duan, Wang De, and Wang Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, Zhao Jiu himself felt that Wanyan Loushi's attack this time was somewhat strange, appearing vague and unclear. But this vague and unclear performance, combined with Wanyan Loushi's reputation, made it impossible to be careless... Therefore, while needing to leave enough room in the overall strategy, they should also go all out against this vanguard main force of Wanyan Loushi's that had shown its head first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have made my decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a slight hesitation, Zhao Jiu spoke solemnly from the imperial throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the candle flames flickered, the twenty or thirty people in the hall fell silent and listened attentively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Han Shizhong will depart from Nanyang, go through Wuguan, and head to Chang'an.\" Zhao Jiu spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant seconds the motion.\" Lü Haowen, standing below the steps in the hall, answered first. The other three Grand Councilors also bowed in unison, expressing their agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course they agreed! Were they going to oppose it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a binary choice. The pros and cons had been clearly stated. It was precisely for Emperor Zhao to make a choice on the spot, and then the Grand Councilors would second it to reach a central government decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So once the words were spoken, no one argued further. The waiting close ministers, including Academician Lin Jing, had already begun drafting the imperial edict on the spot, following the precedent of the Eight Lords of Mount Huai from the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor made the decision, the Grand Councilors agreed, the Inner Secretariat issued the edict, and once the edict was completed, it became an unquestionable military and state decree representing the highest authority of the empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Zhao had just made a strategic decision and was about to continue when the Imperial Camp Commander-in-Chief, Wang Yuan, suddenly stepped forward and reminded him of a small matter in public: \"The enmity between Xin Xingzong, the general guarding Wuguan, and Han Shizhong is well known. For matters of such military and state importance, precautions must be taken to avoid unforeseen incidents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu's mind cleared, and a look of realization appeared on his face. He immediately turned his head and ordered the close minister who was writing the edict: \"Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Lin Jingmo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is here!\" Lin Jingmo's heart skipped a beat, but his demeanor remained calm and unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once the edict is complete, you will deliver it in person. I will also give you a golden token. You must accompany Han Shizhong's advance to Chang'an and ensure no incidents arise along the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingmo calmly bowed and accepted the order, then continued writing the edict with his head down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only that.\" Having been reminded, Zhao Jiu then gave a series of further orders. \"Order Hanlin Academician Li Ruopu to go to Li Yanxian's army in Shanzhou; Censor-in-Chief Mo Qixie to go to Jizhou to find Yue Fei; Secretariat Drafter Fan Zongyin to go to Xuzhou to find Zhang Jun... and Imperial Diarist Yu Yunwen to go to Baima Ford to find Zhang Rong... All of you going to the armies will carry golden tokens representing my authority, but you are not to interfere in military affairs. Your task is to coordinate conflicts between the various armies and ease any discord between the local authorities and the military.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those named, including Li Ruopu and Fan Zongyin who were present, immediately accepted the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Minister of Revenue, Lin Qi, then raised the point that since Yu Yunwen was Zhang Rong's son-in-law, he should avoid suspicion. Moreover, his qualifications were too shallow for such a post... The key point was that the situation at Zhang Rong's location was currently normal. There was no need to send his son-in-law over to show sincerity. Doing so would not only make the situation seem overly tense but also show a lack of trust in Zhang Rong and his son-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu, who had already been somewhat hesitant about this appointment, immediately realized the issue and changed the candidate. He appointed a Censor named Li Ruoxu, another brother of Li Ruoshui and Li Ruopu, to go to Baima Ford for coordination... And this was precisely the purpose of the court meeting. Decisions that required a coin toss were naturally for Emperor Zhao to make, but it did not prevent the ministers from filling in the gaps and correcting oversights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this matter settled, Zhao Jiu then decided that the Imperial Rear Army would not be dispatched and would remain stationed in the southeast... Although this caused some ripples, it was still calmly passed with the support of the Grand Councilors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the Shanzhou front...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally arriving at the last critical issue, Zhao Jiu instead became somewhat calmer. \"For the Shanzhou front, the Left and Right Deputy Commanders of the Imperial Central Army (Wang Yan and Wang De) should both advance westward to provide support.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the Imperial Central Army supports the west, what about Dongjing?\" Minister of Rites Zhu Shengfei couldn't help but ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, have Yue Fei send some of his troops over to assist in the defense.\" Zhao Jiu replied frankly. \"In truth, even if a large Jin army truly comes to take Dongjing, they can't just fall from the sky... They would either cross the river from the north, come around from Jingdong in the east, or come from Shanzhou in the west... But no matter where they come from, as long as our deployments are proper, given the current disposition of the Imperial Camp troops, we will always be able to dispatch troops in time to respond. On the other hand, if we lose our composure because of Wanyan Loushi's sudden southward move, afraid of this and unable to do that, I'm afraid we would be playing right into the Jin's hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Shengfei fell silent immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I have thought it over,\" Zhao Jiu continued, growing calmer as he spoke. \"No matter how strange Wanyan Loushi's southward move is, before he reinforces his troops, his strength is right there. According to Li Yanxian's report, it's roughly forty to fifty thousand. According to intelligence from Mount Taixing in Hebei, the various Meng'an Mouke in Hebei have not moved. His western army also has to garrison key towns like Taiyuan, Yan'an, and Hezhong Prefecture. So the troops he can move at once are only these forty to fifty thousand... And with this amount of force, against our military deployments that have been prepared for a year, if he attacks Chang'an, he cannot attend to Shanzhou; if he attacks Shanzhou, he cannot attend to Chang'an; if he attacks both simultaneously, he will gain neither!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the hall eased slightly. Even those in the hall who understood military affairs, like Liu Ziyu, Hu Hongxiu, and Wang Yuan, slowly nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it's not just that,\" Zhao Jiu continued. \"In my view, no matter which place he attacks, as long as he cannot succeed with a single blow... or even if he can succeed with a single blow, it doesn't matter... Because our troops are right there. As long as we deploy properly, allowing the large armies on the east and west to join forces calmly, provide timely relief, and coordinate a pincer attack... I dare not say we will definitely win, but we should at least be able to force him to retreat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the hall became even more relaxed. Several military officers who had not had the chance to speak earlier took the opportunity to shout out, displaying their loyalty and impetuousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, amid the relaxation, someone still couldn't help expressing a bit of dissent: \"Your Majesty, although the various armies are all imperial troops at present, and most also bear the title of Imperial Camp, because the commanders have such great authority—handling funds, grain, troops, and promotions entirely on their own—they have in fact formed their own factions. For instance, privately, Li Yanxian's unit is simply called the Li Family Army or the Shanzhou Army; Han Shizhong's unit is called the Han Family Army or the Huaixi Army; and Yue Fei's unit and Zhang Jun's unit are naturally called the Yue Family Army and the Zhang Family Army. As for the Western Army, though it appears somewhat weakened now, it has been an independent force for over a hundred years, with its own elite troops and confidence. So may I ask, on what basis does the court expect them to obey orders, to be properly deployed, and then willingly expend their own troops, funds, and grain to carry out a proper pincer attack and rescue others? Once the court issues an order, they might not dare to openly defy the imperial decree, but what if they pay lip service and simply refuse to act? Can the court, by merely dispatching a few scholars and drafter officials who only know how to wield a brush, force several tens of thousands of troops to clash head-on with a famous contemporary general like Wanyan Loushi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker was Qu Duan, but unexpectedly, after these words were spoken, many above and below actually nodded, and no one blamed him for his slighting remarks toward those close ministers or his somewhat malicious tone toward the several commanders... because what Qu Duan said was the truth. The Song army had always been this deplorable, and watching allied forces be annihilated was a traditional skill. As for the commanders now having such great authority, the common people's nicknames for them were also accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Jiu seemed to have anticipated this, so he straightforwardly stated his final thoughts from the imperial seat: \"Therefore, I intend to have the chief councilors remain in the Eastern Capital, while I myself will personally go to the Western Capital, Luoyang, to take command... because unless I am present at the front, no one can control Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, the Western Army, and the Imperial Camp Central Army to coordinate their efforts... What do you, my ministers, think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Before this chapter was released, the Qidian backend showed that this month's update was 147,000 characters... It's done.\u003C\u002Fp>",2897,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","3515b6e7de7d547225be689935ddb1fcdf48d997ef71fcbe5c0a6a41240225d7","shao-song-chapter-217","shao-song-chapter-215",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]