[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-236":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},1558402,2024,"Chapter 236: The Strategy","shao-song-chapter-236",236,"\u003Cp>Wu Jie was not a pretentious man. Who among those who had joined the army as teenagers and spent a full twenty years in the Western Army would be pretentious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, after only a moment, Wu Jinqing bowed his head and first spoke of his trepidation... He did not kneel again because the Imperial Lord supported him... and then declared his willingness to die for the nation and the Son of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the slightest hesitation, he firmly seized this opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu also nodded in acceptance, and the command position was thus settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, things could not be this simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening, after dining with the Imperial Lord, Wu Jie initially wished to present his general views on the battle situation to seek the Imperial Lord's prior approval. Unexpectedly, Zhao Jiu directly declined, saying only that the Minister had traveled far today and was weary, and should rest, and then dismissed the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Wu Jie had no choice but to follow the Imperial Lord's arrangement and sleep in the side tent of the central army, separated from Zhao Jiu's main tent by only a few dozen paces. Yet he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was, of course, understandable. To be favored at first sight by the sovereign and entrusted with the nation's heavy responsibility was especially exhilarating for Wu Jie, a man from a good family who had endured twenty years in the military. Moreover, having the Imperial Lord next door was also quite nerve-wracking. Not only that, but as Wu Jie carefully pondered today's appointment, before drowsiness could set in, anxiety replaced excitement, making sleep even more elusive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First and foremost, his thoughts naturally turned to the matter of engaging the Jin forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie had been in Fangzhou for a long time and was a rare talent among the generals, so he naturally had his own reflections. But clearly, this battle concerned the entire situation, the nation's fortune, and even the Imperial Lord's life or death... He, Wu Jinqing, could also read official dispatches... so it was naturally hard to rest easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secondly, there was the issue of his own status. Although the Imperial Lord had personally entrusted him with the overall command, Wu Jinqing still found it troublesome. Because although he was a veteran military man who had muddled through the Western Army for over a decade, a so-called seasoned general of the Western Army, a proper Grand Coordinator, and had recently won a rare great victory... which was probably the fundamental reason he had caught the Imperial Lord's eye... regardless, once he assumed command, it would inevitably provoke dissatisfaction and jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because taking on the role of commander meant bearing the lives of a hundred thousand troops. This was not a simple matter of who was promoted or demoted, nor was it about who had collected more heads or accumulated higher merits—quantifiable indicators that the sovereign could simply point at and decide. Rather, aside from someone like Han Shizhong, who could overawe everyone, anyone else put in charge would inevitably provoke discontent from other individuals and factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Liu Xi were put in charge, with his seniority and background, the Western Three Circuits and Guanzhong Army might accept it, but the Imperial Camp Army and Qu Duan of the Northern Three Circuits, as well as the Wu brothers, certainly would not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wang Yuan were put in charge, let alone the Guanzhong Six Circuits troops, even the Imperial Camp Army itself would be dissatisfied, because the Imperial Camp Army knew better than anyone about Wang Yuan's past dealings with the traitor Kang Lü at the Mingdao Palace, and his cowardly behavior during the Liu Guangshi incident. For a military general, this was almost fatal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wang Yan were put in charge, this commander of the Eight-Character Army, who had earned his military governorship through the Yiling battle, was rather bookish. Thus, not only would the Western Army be dissatisfied, but even Wang De and his clique within the Imperial Camp Central Army would be unhappy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Qu Duan were put in charge, everyone would dare not voice their dissatisfaction... because everyone knew that if anyone truly showed discontent on their face, that bastard would truly dare to kill them to establish his authority... but they would still be dissatisfied in their hearts. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been driven out of Northern Shaanxi by a scholar like Hu Yin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the same logic, if he, Wu Jie, took command, the troops of the Northern Three Circuits, which his brother had managed for over a year, might naturally support him. But why should the Imperial Camp Army and the various units of the Western Three Circuits accept him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seniority, background, official position, reputation—these were only surface issues. The core problem was factions and strongholds, a traditional evil in the military, an unavoidable thing. And this problem was even more pronounced when various armies were hastily assembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Wu Jie knew that, no matter what, he was destined to face obstruction and insincere cooperation from the generals of the other armies tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this led to two other serious issues... It must be understood that, whether in the military or in officialdom, to suppress subordinates, one ultimately relies on the two words: authority and substance. However, the problem now was that Wu Jie seemed unable to obtain either of these things at the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Lord had the Grand Councilor Yuwen Xuzhong guard the dragon banner at the old palace in Chang'an to create a diversion, while he himself held the Privy Council flag in the camp. So under whose banner should Wu Jie issue orders? He would probably have to borrow Grand Councilor Yuwen's banner while actually using the Imperial Lord's name to conduct affairs... Without proper authority, words lack power. Was he a commander or a staff officer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for substance, that was even more frightening. Since the year before last, the Northern Three Circuits troops had been continuously fighting against the Wanyan Loushi's forces, suffering heavy losses, to the point where they now had to incorporate border fortress troops to fill their ranks. In terms of troop numbers, the Northern Three Circuits were far inferior to the Imperial Camp Army and the Western Three Circuits. Moreover, his most core and trusted troops had to be left in Fangzhou due to strategic needs... So, with what could he, Wu Jie, suppress these arrogant and fierce generals?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn't it be ridiculous for a commander issuing orders, leading a hundred-thousand-strong army, to have no central army of his own?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, he didn't even have his own guard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything depended solely on imperial favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, upon thinking this, Wu Jie instead felt relieved. After all, being trusted by the Imperial Lord to command a hundred thousand troops here was better than sitting idly in Fangzhou defending the city... In one year, three battles, three defeats, yet he had become a Grand Coordinator. Now, having won just one battle, he had come before the Imperial Lord to shoulder this heavy responsibility. Why bother about authority and substance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Military Governor? And have the Imperial Lord give him those two circuits of Beiwei Army?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would just do his utmost to offer advice. If the Imperial Lord used it, fine; if not, fine... If they won, good; if they didn't, he would protect the Imperial Lord in a retreat to Bashu, which would be repaying the favor of having been recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, throughout the night, Wu Jie went from excitement to anxiety and finally to relief. Coupled with the fatigue of a day's travel, he finally managed to get a full night's sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wu Jinqing woke up again, he was actually awakened by the heat. He turned over in alarm and realized that the sky was already bright. Not only that, but there were few people inside or outside his military tent. There was only a basin of clear water for washing, a cotton face towel, and a set of finely tailored, precious cotton robe laid out in the tent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In those days, cotton was already more precious than silk. After the Jingkang Incident, rebellions in the southern end of Huguang and the Wuling region of northern Guangnan had persisted for four or five years. The court had no strength to suppress them, and cotton production had further declined, making this item even more valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, upon seeing it, Wu Jie knew it was a gift from the Imperial Lord. Without being polite, he hastily threw off his sweat-stinking inner clothes, wiped his face and upper body in the tent, and then directly put on this precious cotton robe. It had a tailored waist and sleeves, embroidered with brocade flowers, and clearly had a military uniform style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the commotion inside, an Imperial Guard officer personally delivered breakfast outside the tent: a chilled sweet melon and half a jar of chilled millet porridge. Wu Jinqing was not an inexperienced man and naturally knew these had been soaked in well water, the best way to relieve the heat. But knowing the important matters ahead, he did not hesitate. He poured out the millet porridge from the jar, drank his fill, wiped his mouth, and walked out holding the sweet melon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon exiting the tent and seeing that the sun was already approaching due south, Wu Da finally panicked. He simply tossed the melon in his hand to an armored soldier at the entrance and hurried towards the central army tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, seeing that General Wu had finally emerged from his tent, several soldiers who had been waiting between the central army tent and the side tent also turned in panic, then ran straight to the front of the central army tent and began pounding the drum vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The booming drum signaled the assembly of generals. Wu Jie knew they were waiting for him and became even more flustered. He hurriedly rushed into the military tent, only to see the young Imperial Lord sitting upright in the central seat. Behind him stood the Imperial Guard's chief and deputy commanders, Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan. On his left were the Hanlin Academician, the Secretariat Drafter, the Imperial Diarist, and other unfamiliar close officials. On his right were the Imperial Camp Commander-in-Chief Wang Yuan, whom he had seen last night, and the leaders of the two Beiwei Army units from east of the Pass, standing with their hands at their sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides this, there was an empty seat beside the table where the Imperial Lord sat, which stirred Wu Jie's emotions once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Zhao Jiu, upon seeing Wu Jie enter, merely smiled slightly and gestured with his chin for the latter to stand slightly to the side of Wang Yuan, not yet hurrying to seat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie quickly adjusted his mood and stood solemnly in the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, as the drum continued to beat, countless military officers poured in. Wu Jie glanced sideways and saw, besides familiar faces like Liu Xi, Liu Qi, Murong Wei, Li Yanqi, Qiao Ze, and Zhang Zhong, many people he did not know at all. It was only when the burly Wang De, along with Qiao Zhongfu and Zhang Jing—three former Western Army generals under Liu Guangshi—entered together and stood behind another general that he realized... The Imperial Lord had, for his sake, specially gathered the surrounding Imperial Camp Army generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could only be said that it was fortunate this place was still a full eighty li from the Jin army camp. Otherwise, if scouts detected this, Wanyan Loushi would definitely attack without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I apologize for keeping you ministers waiting so long at the forward camp.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Zhao Jiu's words, Wu Jie's face grew even redder, though his naturally sallow complexion made it unnoticeable. Regardless of Wu Jie's inner turmoil, the Imperial Lord did not waste words and got straight to the point. \"Today's meeting is about nothing else, only one matter... Although I have come personally to the front lines, I am not versed in military affairs. As the saying goes, each has their own expertise. In battle, there must be a great general to oversee the overall situation. Especially now, in Guanzhong, Han Liangchen and Li Yanxian both have enormous responsibilities and cannot easily leave. Among the hastily assembled armies, including the Guanzhong Six Circuits and several units of the Imperial Camp Army, someone must be appointed to oversee the overall situation on my behalf...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, many people had already turned their slightly surprised and doubtful gazes towards the sallow-faced Wu Jie... From yesterday until now, rumors had been circulating everywhere that Qu Da had ridden his Iron Elephant into the camp and would be the overall commander for this battle. But today, entering the camp, they did not see Qu Da's red face but instead Wu Da's yellow face. And this man, wearing such a conspicuous cotton military robe, standing so close to the Imperial Lord—how could this not arouse suspicion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sure enough, Zhao Jiu was not one to be coy. He sat motionless, not even turning his eyes, and directly called out: \"Minister Wu, hear my decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is here!\" Wu Jie immediately stepped forward and knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Hanlin Academician Lin Jingmo suddenly stepped forward, stood between the Imperial Lord and Wu Jie, and then unfurled a bright yellow silk scroll in front of everyone, startling all the military officers in the tent into stepping forward and kneeling behind Wu Jie... They were not civil officials; kneeling was far too common for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingmo paused only slightly before beginning to read the decree aloud: \"The Secretariat: The sage moves in accordance with Heaven and Earth; an army must have a just cause. The king wields power over the central and peripheral regions; an army that responds must be victorious. Therefore, considering the strategy of the central stronghold, to coordinate the repulsion of external threats, I hereby proclaim this achievement and announce it to you all. Wu Jie, Right Valorous Grand Master, Loyal Prefecture Governor, Jingyuan Circuit Grand Coordinator, Founding Son of Baoding County, with a fief of five hundred households, whose loyalty and righteousness are rooted in his natural talent, and whose wisdom and courage are called a paragon of men...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, everyone understood without a doubt: it was Wu Da who had taken the top position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Imperial Lord, making such a grand show, even going so far as to produce an imperial decree, was clearly warning everyone that his regard for Wu Jie was unshakable, and that no one was to challenge Wu Da's authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Lin Jingmo continued reading and soon recited a passage that left everyone in the tent dumbfounded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Therefore, he is specially appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Guanzhong Six Circuits, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp Army, elevated to Grand Commandant, concurrently serving as Military Governor of the Zhenxi Army, overseeing all military and civilian affairs in Guanzhong except for Han Shizhong and Li Yanxian... Let this be implemented by the responsible authorities!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first few titles were one thing, merely meant to facilitate handling this campaign. But upon hearing the term \"Military Governor of the Zhenxi Army,\" Wu Jie felt his mind go blank. He had thought of many things throughout the night, but at this moment, he could not utter a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the generals in the camp were also each stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the generals of the Imperial Camp Central Army were relatively calm, having served and fought alongside the central command for many years and being accustomed to Zhao Jiu's authority. But among the Guanzhong generals, many were shaken. Liu Xi, in particular, raised his head several times, wanting to rise and cry out against the injustice, but each time he met the sight of the bright yellow silk scroll, he lowered his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, this was the reason for the existence of military families in the Great Song... They enjoyed hereditary favors and were generals for generations. For them, on one side was the Western Army, and on the other was the Great Song imperial family. Only by standing firm on both sides could they enjoy several generations of wealth and honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Lord and the central government could be deceived and kept in the dark, but it was extremely difficult to show any hesitation in appearance or procedure, let alone an attitude of opposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did Zhong Shidao die? Knowing that accepting the decree and moving forward meant death, he still went with a death wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did Liu Guangshi die? Amidst the chaos of war, he brought an army larger than the Imperial Lord's personal guard to the Imperial presence, only to be personally dealt with by the Imperial Lord, and his own two generals held his hands down... This incident, in the current central army tent, involved at least four people who were present!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant... your servant would die ten thousand deaths without regret!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the imperial edict was read, a full several breaths passed before Wu Jie, disheveled, rose to receive it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait a moment, there is one more matter.\" Seeing the men rise, Zhao Jiu was not in a hurry to face Wu Jie. Instead, he remained seated and pointed at two men. \"Zhang Xian, Tian Shizhong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang and Tian each felt a jolt in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you two have come here, Pengju and Boying must have given you clear instructions. I hope you will strictly observe your duties as subjects and not disgrace your father-in-law and sworn brother… Wu Jinqing arrived lightly without personal guards, so you two will serve as his central army, directly under Grand Commandant Wu's command. I order you to serve Grand Commandant Wu as you would serve Yue Pengju and Zhang Boying… This is a military command, do you understand?\" Zhao Jiu stared at the two men and asked solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant will strictly obey Your Majesty's will!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant obeys the decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xian and Tian Shizhong each shuddered and immediately responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded, then stood up again, went down to support Wu Jie, who was holding the imperial edict, and practically dragged him to the seat he had just occupied, forcing him down into it before sitting down in a side seat… Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan, expressionless, also left their original positions and moved to stand behind the Zhao Emperor, while Zhang Xian and Tian Shizhong, seeing this, dared not be remiss and stood solemnly behind Wu Jie, hands on their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the latter part of this process, the Zhao Emperor sat motionless and silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this point, Wu Jie and the generals in the tent were already dazed, but after a moment, as his breathing steadied, Wu Jinqing immediately became solemn again… The courageous and resourceful Wu Da knew full well that unless he broke through Wanyan Loushi, this grace could only be repaid by protecting the Emperor into Hanzhong after the battle, then committing suicide to atone for the Emperor's kindness beside him—that was the only path left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, his mind made up, Wu Jie no longer looked at the Zhao Emperor beside him (in fact, he dared not), but instead spoke sternly to the countless officers in the tent, who were equally solemn. \"Spare the idle talk. When I was in Fangzhou, I pondered the battle situation day and night, thinking how to face Wanyan Loushi… But after much thought, one thing remains unclear to me! I, Wu, am unworthy, but I dare ask you all: Wanyan Loushi came from afar—why did he stop south of Baihe for several days without moving? Even when the Emperor marched from Chang'an to this place, he remained completely still, allowing us to set up camp and all our armies to gather at leisure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of high-ranking officers in the tent, not one spoke… This was not because they wanted to embarrass Wu Jie—the Zhao Emperor was right there, and embarrassment could not be offered now—they were simply still somewhat stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu waited a moment, and seeing no one respond, he swept his gaze down the ranks. Wang Yan, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Camp at the first seat, panicked and was about to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just then, Li Qiong, the defender of Xiagui sitting diagonally across from him, stepped forward first and cupped his hands in reply: \"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, I, Li Qiong, Commander of the Imperial Camp Central Army, believe that Wanyan Loushi is waiting for a change in Hedong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of change?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Either waiting for Hedong reinforcements to gather at Longmen, or for the main Jin army in Hedong to force a crossing at Pujin, or for the Jin army in Hedong to succeed in a surprise attack on Shanzhou.\" Li Qiong said solemnly. \"Or perhaps waiting for the Jin army in Hedong to succeed in a surprise attack on Luoyang or other such stratagems.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu sat motionless, his expression unchanged, simply letting them discuss military matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\" Wu Jie nodded heavily. \"And if he succeeds in waiting for these things, what should we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qiong fell silent immediately, and even Wang Yan and another Wang De, who had been about to step forward, only exchanged glances and stood solemnly… If he waited for them, what could be done? Then he would have waited for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he waits for them, then he waits for them.\" Wu Jie suddenly sneered. \"The Jin are separated from us by the great river, and from the East Sea to here, stretching ten thousand li, there are natural chokepoints like Sishui Pass, Tongguan, and the Xiaoshan-Mianchi ancient road along the way, dividing the battlefield, making left and right support difficult, and each front locked in stalemate. Wherever a problem arises or a great victory is won, it cannot easily affect our side here… But once a decisive outcome is reached here, it will be enough to end this battle… Therefore, the only thing to fear is the gathering of Jin reinforcements!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men were silent, many not understanding what Wu Jie meant by stating things everyone already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jinqing, unhurried, continued to ask: \"Commander Li spoke very well, but does anyone else have a different view? Why is Wanyan Loushi not moving there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps it's to escape the heat?\" Liu Xi, the Grand Coordinator of Xihe Circuit, stepped forward with a calm expression and cupped his hands. \"The Jin are mostly northerners who fear the summer heat. Didn't the Grand Commandant rely on the summer heat to win a great victory in Fangzhou?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What Grand Coordinator Liu says makes a great deal of sense.\" Wu Jie nodded immediately. \"Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps it is also out of fear of the Imperial Army.\" Zhao Zhe, the Grand Coordinator of Qinfeng Circuit, cupped his hands and stepped forward. \"This time, the Emperor ordered us to meet the enemy, and the entire army advanced in an orderly manner. The Imperial Camp forces first occupied the four cities, then the three routes of troops set up camp here, with no flaws from start to finish. I venture to say that even if the Jin army had designs, they might not dare to come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well said!\" Wu Jie responded spiritedly. \"You have all spoken very well… I knew in Fangzhou that the Jin army's strength is beyond doubt, but their strength has its reasons… First, their soldiers are tough and enduring in battle; second, their cavalry can gallop freely; third, their heavy armor is strong and hard to damage; fourth, their heavy arrows are sharp…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now, with the summer heat unbearable, the Jin warhorses are weak, their soldiers weary, and coupled with the complex terrain here, the advantages of their soldiers' endurance and cavalry have been greatly reduced…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, since the Emperor ascended the throne, the court and people have been united, repeatedly fighting to the death with the Jin. Our army has long known that the Jin are, after all, only human—they can be wounded, killed, routed, and defeated—so our morale has gradually risen…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the advantage in weapons and killing, the Jurchens have heavy arrows, but our Western Army has always been skilled with the divine arm crossbow…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The gap in armor is unavoidable. Before the Jingkang Incident, although our army had many suits of armor, they were often poorly made. After Jingkang, we lost much armor. The Emperor set up furnaces in Xiangyang and workshops in the Daxiangguo Temple, which had some effect, but most was used for the Imperial Camp troops… But now, the armor of both armies is already fixed. Anyone hoping to make up the difference in a month or two is probably too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie, seated in the main position, spoke eloquently, while the generals standing below, and even several civil officials at the center, almost all exchanged glances, and their restlessness grew increasingly apparent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, as this newly appointed Grand Commandant Wu continuously expounded on his philosophy of war and his views on the current battle situation in Guanzhong, almost everyone gradually realized the Grand Commandant's strategic intent. Those who hadn't realized it guessed from the expressions of their colleagues!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Jin army is strong, but not invincible!\" Wu Jie finally spoke sternly. \"On the contrary, waiting here for Jin reinforcements to gather will surely leave us without rescue. And now, our main force has already assembled. Wu Lin and Li Yongqi have also arrived in Ningzhou. Therefore, we should seize the moment when the disparity in our forces is greatest, send the main army north, and drive straight to Baishui! And have Qu Duan, Wu Lin, and Li Yongqi gather at Fangzhou to launch a swift attack on the main camp at the mouth of the North Luo River, forcing the Jin army to give battle quickly before they can coordinate their front and rear!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men's faces turned pale, but they only looked at the young man sitting beside Wu Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu knew that some things ultimately required his own intervention. He sighed slightly and first asked Wu Jie: \"Wu Qing, what you wanted to tell me yesterday—is it different from what you've said today? Did my appointing you as commander today make you act with undue haste?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty,\" Wu Jie tried to cup his hands and bow, but the other raised a hand to stop him. \"If I said I had no sense of urgency from Your Majesty's favor today, no one would believe it. But the idea of taking the initiative to strike while the summer heat is at its peak and our numerical advantage is greatest, as well as the strategy of a simultaneous attack from north and south, were thoughts I had back in Fangzhou, not a last-minute change.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Zhao Jiu forcibly suppressed the sigh in his heart, stood up, and faced the generals in the tent, his expression unchanged. \"Gentlemen… I ask you: is there anyone among you who knows the hydrology and geography of the North Luo River, and of the area from Baishui to here, better than Grand Commandant Wu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals exchanged silent glances. Many of them were veteran officers of the Western Army and probably knew the hydrology and geography along the North Luo River, especially near the two armies' positions. But who dared to claim they knew it better than Wu Jie? That would be bragging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the two armies' positions were at the junction of the Weibei Plain and the hilly region to the north. In this area, the ones who had been resisting the Jin army to the north until now were none other than Qu Duan and the Wu brothers. However, even Qu Duan had only returned here a year ago after being away, and Wu Lin could not compare to his own elder brother… Because it was Wu Jie who had suffered a major defeat on the opposite bank of the Luo River near here last year! And this year, he had successively lost Danzhou and Fuzhou in the upper reaches of the North Luo River! And then, just recently, he had won a small victory at the mouth of the North Luo River and the Ju River!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hydrology and geography of this area truly were what Wu Jie knew best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I ask you again: since Jingkang, who among you has fought against Wanyan Loushi the most times? Who has gained the most kills in battles against him? Who has the most recent experience fighting him?\" Zhao Jiu continued questioning without pause. \"And even among the defeats against Wanyan Loushi, who among you preserved the most troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was silent, because everyone knew that man was Wu Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And everyone also realized why the Zhao Emperor was so determined to elevate Wu Jie to the commander's seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the generals silent, Zhao Jiu simply rose from his desk, walked before the generals, clasped his hands, and looked around, speaking calmly: \"To be honest with you all, when I heard that Grand Commandant Wu wanted to abandon this swamp, this city, this camp, and drive straight to Baishui, my heart was uneasy, even a little afraid… But I also want to ask you all: in this battle, if I do not trust Grand Commandant Wu, whom should I trust? If any of you, in answer to my previous questions, consider yourselves superior to Grand Commandant Wu and have other plans, step forward today. I might even be overjoyed… Is there anyone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuan, Wang Yan, Wang De, and Liu Xi, swept by Zhao Jiu's gaze, were each silent, and Liu Xi even lowered his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there is no one,\" Zhao Jiu looked around and then, uncharacteristically, smiled. \"Then you shall obey the military orders! And if anyone remains silent today but later fails in battle, or criticizes Grand Commandant Wu's decisions today based on future outcomes… that is also fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because if this battle is lost, I fear I will not be able to hold you accountable for military gains or losses!\" Zhao Jiu continued smiling at the many officers in the tent, then turned back. \"Wu Qing, since you have already considered the overall situation, there is no need for hesitation! Because I, too, have long considered it and have no hesitation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie, who had risen at some unknown time, his lips twitching slightly, nodded heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>",5100,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","6b07ea48a6935709dcb8a8b326507b4ccbcc325eaae3e091db8ec40ab99b3d6a","shao-song-chapter-237","shao-song-chapter-235",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]