Chapter 227: Convergence

War is dynamic and chaotic. On a micro level, today's arrangements may be useless tomorrow, but might work wonders the day after, only to become an Achilles' heel the day after that.

But one can't just ignore it altogether, can one?

After all, quantitative change leads to qualitative change. Only by consistently making rational and correct responses can one improve fault tolerance on a macro level, making the command system—alongside logistics, troop strength, morale, and climate—a true decisive factor.

Of course, the outcome of such a large-scale campaign ultimately depends on a decisive main-force battle or the gain or loss of a strategic location. Everything before that is merely groundwork, creating better conditions for the final moment.

Turning to the present, Qu Duan traveled west overnight, returning to Fuzhou. This time, he would serve under Hu Yin's unified command alongside the Wu brothers, becoming one of three military commanders in the northern Shaanxi region. In terms of actual power, this seemed a considerable reduction—after all, he had previously controlled the command of two circuits' troops. But without a doubt, his rank had risen, for this was a proper circuit Grand Coordinator, the lifelong pinnacle that the Western Army's military families had dreamed of before the Jingkang Incident.

In fact, even in the current Guanzhong region, only Liu Xi, son of Liu Zhongwu, serving as the Grand Coordinator of the Xihe Circuit, barely maintained the credentials of the traditional Western Army military families.

But it was conceivable that as the importance of the Guanzhong campaign rose to an immeasurable level, following His Majesty's usual generosity, as long as military performance was strong, the various circuit commanders of the Western Army would receive unprecedented rewards. This was their opportunity, and Qu Duan's return was a highly symbolic signal.

With Qu Duan gone, Zhao Jiu did not delay either. The next morning, he led his troops west through Sishui Pass, and within just three days, he returned to a "strategic location" that in times past could have decided the fate of the realm—Luoyang.

The reason for saying "in times past" was that this ancient capital of a thousand years had already been sacked and burned by the Jin once. At this time last year, it was still a barren wasteland. One year was not enough for it to truly revive and rebuild its former glory.

However, that did not mean Luoyang was without any value.

"Though the city of Luoyang is no more, the Luoyang Basin remains a vital hub of the realm, and moreover, it is the Western Capital of the Great Song." That afternoon, Zhao Jiu, clad in military attire, led his force of over three thousand men to the front of the old city of Luoyang. Reining in his horse, he looked around for a long time before sighing with genuine feeling. "Zhang Rong's boats are limited. Once the Jin army crosses the river from multiple points, he may not be able to cover both ends. But this place absolutely cannot be left unattended."

"To be honest with Your Majesty," Liu Ziyu, wearing a leather belt, urged his horse forward and spoke up. "The Privy Council had concerns before. Last time Your Majesty stopped at Luoyang, the Jin only sent Wanyan Saba with a detached force to Jijin, just five thousand troops. The general was a defeated subordinate whom Grand Commandant Li had beaten several times. They lost upon arrival and were annihilated during their retreat—a complete joke."

"You think Wanyan Loushi deliberately sent a useless commander and a few thousand weak troops to make us believe Luoyang wouldn't face a sneak attack from the Hedong side?" Zhao Jiu said thoughtfully. "But in reality, with the Jin army launching a major offensive this time, gathering a hundred thousand troops in Hedong, they might well send an elite surprise force south from Jijin to raid Mianchi?"

"That is one consideration, but it may not be limited to Jijin. Changquan and Mengjin are also possibilities." Liu Ziyu replied calmly. "In any case, Luoyang must be properly defended."

Zhao Jiu nodded but said nothing. Instead, he looked directly at two men who had been standing not far from his horse for some time. They were the Zhai brothers, local strongmen from Henan who had entered the Imperial Guard due to their effectiveness in fighting the Jin. Behind them lay the old city of Luoyang, its walls collapsed and never repaired, allowing a clear view of several hundred soldiers standing in formation within the city, awaiting orders.

"Your servant will surely fulfill his duties and serve as Your Majesty's northern shield." Zhai Xing, the elder of the two Zhai brothers, had been waiting for this opportunity. He stepped forward and quickly responded.

The younger brother, Zhai Jin, also stepped forward quickly and replied respectfully: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Your servants have grown up in Luoyang for generations. We know every possible crossing point to the north and every place that needs defense by heart. With us brothers guarding the north, Your Majesty may rest easy in Luoyang."

Zhao Jiu nodded, still silent, but then turned to look behind him at the somewhat out-of-breath Privy Council Grand Councilor Wang Boyan. This man was already very advanced in age.

"Your servant will surely fulfill his duties." Wang Boyan cupped his hands from horseback, then prepared to dismount carefully.

Zhao Jiu moved quickly, dismounting before Yang Yizhong could, and helped the somewhat breathless Grand Councilor Wang down from his warhorse.

Once dismounted, Wang Boyan looked slightly embarrassed but still managed to cup his hands toward Zhao Jiu: "Your Majesty must forgive me. I have grown accustomed to ease and comfort over the years and have become an old and decrepit man, no longer possessing the vigor of those days when I carried a bow and followed."

Zhao Jiu couldn't help but laugh at this: "A pity, but I still cannot make you the Governor of Jingzhao. For now, I must trouble you to serve as the Governor of Henan."

Wang Boyan was momentarily taken aback, then also laughed.

Now, what the two were referring to was the scene of their first theoretical meeting. Four years ago, before Zhao Jiu had crawled out of the well, this body, then still the Prince of Kang, was on a diplomatic mission to the north, passing through Hebei. Halfway there, the Jin army broke through the Zhending Prefecture defended by Liu Ziyu and his father, and their cavalry rode directly south to the Cizhou and Xiangzhou area. At that time, everyone urged him not to continue north. Wang Boyan, who was in Xiangzhou, personally donned armor and carried a bow to lead troops to welcome the Prince of Kang.

They met by the Yellow River. The Prince of Kang was deeply moved and comforted him, saying that upon returning to see His Majesty, he would surely recommend Wang Boyan as the Governor of Jingzhao, and from then on took him as a trusted confidant.

Now, things and people had changed. Wang Boyan had long thought His Majesty had forgotten those old matters, and Zhao Jiu had indeed "forgotten" them. But Yang Yizhong had inadvertently mentioned them to him. However, regardless of how many misunderstandings and half-truths lay in between, like Lü Haowen, as one of the councilors retained initially to stabilize the situation, the bond between ruler and minister had continued to this day. Some things, true or false, ultimately did not affect their respective feelings.

After laughing, Zhao Jiu, still supporting Wang Boyan, turned his head to look at the Zhai brothers, who had already sensed something: "You two have worked hard here. In a few days, some volunteer troops from Ruzhou and Nanyang should arrive to fill the vacancy left by Commander Niu. I don't ask you to do anything else. Protect Grand Councilor Wang for me and safeguard Luoyang—that will be your contribution to this battle!"

Though they had some inkling, the Zhai brothers were still stunned by these words. Yet they dared not ask further and could only bow their heads in acknowledgment and pay their respects to Grand Councilor Wang.

Wang Boyan, now dismounted, did not immediately acknowledge the Zhai brothers. Instead, he cupped his hands toward His Majesty and replied: "Your Majesty, the southern bank of the Yellow River, from Chang'an to Bianliang, has been the backbone of the realm since ancient times. Luoyang is the very heart of the Central Plains. To dwell in the Central Plains and face the realm refers to this place. Your servant is a high minister of the state and has received orders here. I will surely live or die with Luoyang. Your Majesty may rest assured and head west."

Zhao Jiu nodded.

He knew that "Central Plains" here referred to its original meaning—the central region or the capital. After the time of the Yan Emperor and Yellow Emperor, during the era of Yao, Shun, and Yu, it was very likely that a state was established and expanded in the Luoyang Basin. Thus, in many ancient texts, this term could specifically refer to Luoyang.

However, this was not the time to dwell on such academic matters, nor to be moved by the resolve in Wang Boyan's words. After all, at this point, Zhao Jiu himself had the awareness that he might have to entrust his heirs and face death. So, from the councilors on down, no matter who, at least on the surface, they should all have the resolve to risk everything.

Of course, shouting about life and death at this moment was not entirely pretense or hypocrisy. With the sword of Damocles hanging overhead, when it came down to it, anyone could be forced to make a decision. That was when the false could not be made true, and the true could not be made false.

In a word, all emotions could wait until after the war.

So, Zhao Jiu merely nodded, then directly swung himself back onto his horse. But then, as if remembering something, he looked toward the Zhai brothers.

The Zhai brothers both came to their senses at once. Then the elder Zhai turned his head and gave a slight nod toward the city behind him, which lacked walls. A young knight with a scarred face led his horse out from the wall, first kneeling to Zhao Jiu and announcing himself as Zhai Cong, the eldest son of Zhai Jin. Then he led about two companies of troops, along with several dozen auxiliary soldiers and a dozen mule carts, into the column.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiu hesitated no longer. He left Luoyang behind and continued westward.

To be precise, he headed southwest. He did not take the main road through Mianchi and Shanzhou. Being directly across the river, it was too easy for Jin scout cavalry to spot him. Instead, he followed the Luo River south of Luoyang city, traveling south of the Erxiao Mountains, all the way upstream.

And so, Wang Boyan entered the Luoyang temporary palace, and a brand-new golden imperial banner was raised over the ruined city of Luoyang. Meanwhile, Zhao Jiu, with banners furled and drums silent, led the imperial procession for over ten days, passing through the southern part of Guozhou and the northern part of Shangzhou via the small Luo River path, enduring hardship all the way until he reached the key Guanzhong town of Lantian.

Upon arriving here, Zhao Jiu joined forces with Hu Yantong's unit, which had arrived earlier, and also received thousands of bronze masks and banners left here by Han Shizhong. At this point, the imperial force, now numbering over four thousand, donned the iconic bronze masks of Han Shizhong's unit and raised the banner of Han Shizhong's general Xu Shian. Under the cover of Hu Yantong's unit, they continued westward, reaching Chang'an on the eighteenth day of the fourth month.

By this time, a great army had already gathered around Chang'an. Besides the Jingzhao defense forces originally organized by Yuwen Xuzhong, troops from the Xihe Circuit, Qinfeng Circuit, and even Xingyuan Prefecture had all arrived. The Left Army of the Imperial Guard under Han Shizhong, which had arrived via Wuguan, and the various units of the Central Army of the Imperial Guard, which had arrived via the main road north of the Xiaoshan Mountains, had already deployed and encamped on both sides of the Wei River.

Upon reaching the Ba Bridge, Hu Yantong headed directly north of the Wei to join Wang De's unit. Only the "defense-specialist Xu Shian unit" entered Chang'an. As the Grand Councilor in charge of the capital, Yuwen Xuzhong naturally could not go out to welcome him; he could not even leave his office.

However, Zhao Jiu met Zhang Jun, styled Zhang Deyuan, the Fiscal Commissioner of the five circuits of Bashu, who had changed into a green robe to greet him inside the city gate.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Jun, upon seeing Zhao Jiu, barely restrained himself from bowing. Only when they were inside the city did he urgently urge his horse forward and speak. "Your servant heard on the road that Your Majesty entrusted your heirs at the Yiyou Gate. It truly is..."

"Say no more of this." Zhao Jiu continued to ride into the city without stopping, speaking dismissively. "Just tell me, how did you arrive so quickly? What is the military situation in northern Shaanxi?"

"Your servant was deeply ashamed of being delayed by spring rains last time. I have been in Xingyuan Prefecture (Hanzhong) handling affairs ever since, so I was able to come very quickly this time."

"How many troops did you bring?"

"Ten thousand from the Xihe Circuit, ten thousand from the Qinfeng Circuit, ten thousand from Xingyuan Prefecture. Your servant also wanted to recruit the various tribes of Qingtang, but they all watched from the sidelines and did not come."

"It doesn't matter. You failed to arrive due to the spring rains last time. Loushi waited for a month at Tong Pass and never saw you. He probably didn't account for your circuit in his plans this time. Of these thirty thousand troops of yours, at least twenty thousand are an unexpected variable."

"Your servant is ashamed. The money and grain from Bashu were previously supplied to Nanyang. The Western Army has only been rebuilt for a year. These twenty thousand troops may not be as elite as the four or five thousand Your Majesty has brought."

"This is what I managed to scrape together. I don't know if it's good or bad. But since you mention Bashu's money and grain, with thirty thousand troops and the three circuits in northern Shaanxi, are military pay and logistics sufficient?"

"Sufficient." Zhang Jun replied immediately. "As I set out, I ordered Zhao Kai to spare no effort in squeezing money, grain, and supplies from Bashu. I not only had him advance two years' worth of revenue from Bashu but also called upon the wealthy households and powerful families of Bashu to donate money and goods."

Zhao Jiu suddenly reined in his horse and said sternly: "Won't this incite a popular uprising?"

"Your servant believes this battle is of utmost importance. If we lose, I fear Bashu cannot be preserved either, so I could not afford to care." Zhang Jun also stopped his horse, gritting his teeth and speaking earnestly. "Moreover, I set an example myself, forcibly selling my ancestral property, fields, and houses to wealthy merchants in Xingyuan Prefecture, obtaining five hundred taels of gold, which I have also brought. No one above or below could say a word."

Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment, then could only nod helplessly and continue riding forward: "Deyuan has been thoughtful. What is the military situation in northern Shaanxi?"

"Wu Jie has been defeated three times. Fuzhou has been lost. Hu Mingzhong has retreated to Ningzhou in the rear to coordinate the grain and fodder I supplied him. Qu Duan has gone to Qingzhou to reorganize the troops of the Huanqing Circuit. Wu Lin has gone to Yuanzhou to reorganize the troops of the Jingyuan Circuit. Wu Jie himself has retreated with his remaining forces to Fangzhou to continue resisting Loushi. Compared to this, Huonu's attempt to cross the Liang Mountains toward Tongzhou to coordinate with the Hedong Jin army, only to be repelled personally by Grand Commandant Han, is a matter of expected propriety."

"Fangzhou." Zhao Jiu sighed from his horse, feeling a tangle of thoughts.

"Fangzhou is directly south of Fuzhou." Liu Ziyu quickly reminded from behind. "It's on the lower reaches of the North Luo River. But Fangzhou's key point is not on the Luo River; it's the prefectural city on the Ju River, twenty li from the North Luo River. That place has both a river and mountains, and can still be defended. But the passage along the North Luo River can no longer be blocked!"

"In other words," Zhao Jiu said, somewhat dazed. "If Loushi disregards everything and insists on driving south into the Weibei Plain, there is actually nothing to stop him? It's been less than a month, and he has already punched through northern Shaanxi and taken three entire prefectures?"

"It's unlikely that Loushi would abandon Fangzhou and head south. If he does, Wu Jie can lead troops to cut off his retreat." Liu Ziyu first answered earnestly, but after finishing, he himself was not entirely certain, so he added another sentence. "Even if Loushi truly abandons Fangzhou city and goes south, the Wei River can still be defended. Our troop deployments are swift, and our defenses are still adequate."

Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly, his expression already turning extremely grim.

The others dared not say much. When they arrived before the residence of the Minister-in-Charge, the various troops went to their quarters in the city on their own, while the named high-ranking ministers, close officials, and accompanying generals directly followed His Majesty inside.

Yuwen Xuzhong had already led several dozen high-ranking officials from Guanzhong and Western Army generals waiting in the courtyard.

Once inside the courtyard, with the doors closed, everyone formally greeted each other. And the Zhao Emperor, who had been unable to hide his worry beside Zhang Jun and Liu Ziyu just moments before, had already returned to normal, calmly facing many whom he was meeting for the first time.

After both sides were seated, Zhao Jiu, who had done his homework on the road, even made a point of summoning Liu Qi, the Military Supervisor of Xingyuan Prefecture (the Hanzhong area), and took his hand to ask a few questions… According to Yang Yizhong's reminder, this man had once accompanied the imperial entourage before Zhao Jiu fell into the well, then returned to Guanzhong to serve as the Protector-General of Longyou. Later, Zhang Jun valued him and entrusted Yuwen Xuzhong with promoting this man to actual commander of the Hanzhong troops, largely because of his experience at the imperial court.

In other words, this younger brother of Liu Xi, the Grand Coordinator of the Xihe Circuit, and son of Liu Zhongwu, a famous Western Army general, 'knew' His Majesty Zhao Jiu, and was even one of His Majesty's rare 'own men' among the various forces of the six Guanzhong circuits.

After the formal greetings were completed, Zhao Jiu sat upright at the head, yet still did not ask about military matters. Instead, he first began assigning duties as discussed on the road:

He appointed Liu Xi, the former Grand Coordinator of the Xihe Circuit Army, as the Unified Commander of the Three Western Circuits; appointed Liu Qi, the Military Supervisor of Xingyuan Prefecture, as the Grand Coordinator of the Lizhou Circuit (to which Xingyuan Prefecture belonged); and appointed Zhao Zhe, the Military Supervisor of the Qinfeng Circuit, as the Grand Coordinator of the Qinfeng Circuit.

Among the generals and below, well-known Western Army commanders such as Murong Wei were appointed Military Supervisors of the Qinfeng Circuit; Li Yanqi was appointed Military Supervisor of the Xihe Circuit; and Zhang Zhong was appointed Military Supervisor of Xingyuan Prefecture.

He also temporarily issued a document in Yuwen Xuzhong's name to Hu Yin, granting Qu Duan and Wu Jie provisional authority, allowing the two generals to promote military officers from the Jingyuan and Huanqing Circuits on the front lines.

This was battlefield rewards and appointments. Considering Qu Duan's previous arrangements, it was within expectations, and naturally, the generals all appeared grateful to the point of tears… but how effective it would actually be was hard to say.

After patiently arranging all this, Zhao Jiu, ignoring the sweat that had already soaked through his cotton military uniform, finally slowly inquired about military matters from his seat, but began by only addressing Yuwen Xuzhong: "Minister Yuwen, what does the Western Xia say?"

"Your subject sent an invitation for troops to Western Xia long ago, but Western Xia has been slow to respond." Yuwen Xuzhong stood up awkwardly to reply. "Your subject is ashamed."

"I didn't count on them anyway." Zhao Jiu said dismissively, but instinctively reached for the saber tied to the leather belt at his waist, then looked at the many Western Army generals on the left side of the hall. "I am not familiar with the geography of Guanzhong… You are all seasoned generals of Guanzhong. Can anyone tell me, can Fangzhou still be saved?"

Dozens of Western Army officers exchanged glances, none daring to speak.

After a long while, it was Liu Xi, the one with the highest official position, the deepest seniority, and the strongest family foundation in the hall, who had no choice but to rise and speak cautiously:

"Your Majesty, forgive your subject for speaking bluntly. Wu Jie has lost battle after battle, and his troops have long lost their will to fight. The nearest, Qu Duan and Wu Lin, are gathering their forces in the Jingyuan and Huanqing Circuits and cannot properly dispatch reinforcements in time. If the Chang'an troops reach Fangzhou, it may already have been breached by then. Instead, they would be met head-on by Jin cavalry in the open field… However, now that our army has ample supplies and strong troops, it would be better to deploy along the Wei River, the North Luo River, and the Yellow River, setting up battle formations all along the way, while Your Majesty sits securely in Chang'an, waiting for the height of summer."

Zhao Jiu nodded, as if he had long expected this reply.

"Your subject also does not recommend going to the rescue." Liu Ziyu also gritted his teeth and stood up to reply. "Your Majesty, not to mention whether we can save it, the troops from Xingyuan Prefecture and the Xihe Circuit here happen to be something Loushi cannot anticipate. They should be nurtured as a surprise force, awaiting a major use!"

The Zhao Emperor stroked the saber at his waist, then nodded again, his expression completely blank throughout… In truth, what else could he do? He didn't know the geography of Guanzhong, didn't know the capabilities of these Western Army generals, didn't know which of them were reliable and which were not. He hadn't even had a chance to personally meet the generals of the Jingyuan, Yanfu, and Huanqing Circuits. The only thing he could do was to do his best and leave the rest to fate.

In fact, this was precisely what Wanyan Loushi wanted to see—to force you onto an unfamiliar battlefield, to make you use unfamiliar subordinates and troops, to face an unfamiliar enemy.

It could only be said that, at this moment, Zhao Jiu felt more and more that Wanyan Loushi was indeed a famous general of the Great Jin.