[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-388":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},1558554,2024,"Chapter 388: Drinking Together at the Same Table","shao-song-chapter-388",388,"\u003Cp>After this incident, the Zhao Emperor was clearly angry, and Lord Lu's expression was also very bad, which was understandable... Not to mention anything else, the spectacle of the so-called \"imperial army arrives, the enemy flees at the sight, and the people welcome them with provisions\" had been greatly diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, once these two were displeased, everyone accompanying the imperial entourage, from major figures with real political status like Wang Yan, Wang De, Li Qiong, and Fan Zongyin, down to those without a voice among the hundred officials, all fell into a fearful silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only, despite the fearful silence, matters still had to be handled. And although the Zhao Emperor had taken a heavy blow, making him realize how complex and tangled the situation facing the Northern Expedition was, the more so it became, the more he had to steel himself and press on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, on the second day after Anyi's surrender, the Zhao Emperor put away his stern expression, pretended nothing had happened, and convened a military council to ask about the next course of action. He then indeed received multiple suggestions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first major category of suggestions was that His Majesty should temporarily settle down in Anyi or the prefectural seat of Xiezhou, establish a temporary imperial residence, to pacify the local populace and signal to the rear that Hezhong (the Yuncheng Basin) was fully taken. Then, once the Imperial Guard Cavalry was in position, he could unite the main army and advance north toward Taiyuan, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second category suggested that His Majesty might as well head west to Hedong City, implying that Hedong City, which was heavily garrisoned, might surrender upon seeing the imperial dragon banner, just like here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two types of opinions were mainstream. The civil officials and most of the hundred officials from the southeast mostly advised His Majesty to stay locally, while the military commanders below Wang Yan mostly advised His Majesty to make a trip to Hedong City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a doubt, the former could not avoid some ideas about filling official vacancies and seeking stability, while the latter clearly aimed at possible military merits... No one thought that Wendun Sizhong and the several thousand Jurchen troops at Hedong City would surrender directly. Instead, everyone felt that after nearly half a month, Wang Sheng's siege positions were already built, and they could directly reap something upon arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless of which type, Zhao Jiu would not indulge them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, there was a third suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yihao clasped his hands in the county office. His expression was cold and clear, showing no trace of yesterday's anger or embarrassment, even though many clever people had already realized that Shi Gao's suicide the day before was more aimed at this lord. \"Your servant believes that since Xiezhou has been taken, we should not linger...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" Zhao Jiu feigned surprise. \"Lord Lu, why do you say that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty's northern expedition has grand ambitions, aiming to fully reclaim the Two Rivers as the top priority. If possible, even Yan and Yun should be fought for.\" Lu Yihao spoke unhurriedly. \"Taking one prefecture and two sub-prefectures of Hezhong, and holding Jiangxian to defend it, is certainly gratifying. But if Your Majesty puts on a gratified posture, I fear you will instead be ridiculed by men of ambition, and the frontline soldiers will think Your Majesty's aims are too small and become lax.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, go to the front lines?\" Zhao Jiu's expression did not change. \"To Hedong City?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally, go to the front lines. But if it's the front lines, why go to Hedong City at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yihao continued to face him boldly. \"The Jin army has withdrawn from Zhiguan Pass, retreated across the Hui River, and is holding the Fen River line. They have already abandoned Hezhong. As for Hedong City, though it is the capital of Hezhong and a famous city of the age, it suffered an initial defeat, has no strength to sally forth, is surrounded by Wang Sheng's forces several times its size, and is now cut off from any possible reinforcements. It is already a dead city. As for Wendun Sizhong, he came from Aguda's own tent, has been in Hezhong for years, and has committed heavy slaughter. He is an enemy chieftain personally placed on Your Majesty's war criminal list. Not to mention whether he will surrender—if he does, would Your Majesty grant it? So Wendun Sizhong is merely a living dead man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Zhao Jiu looked as if he had suddenly realized something. \"A doomed city plus a doomed man. If I so much as glance at it, it would be improper, and I would be stealing the credit Wang Sheng has worked a month for. The plan now is to array our forces at Hedong, let Wang Sheng lead the main force of the Imperial Guard Left Army to take it honorably, kill the enemy and display his head to the world as a deterrent... Is that right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then where should I go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, please move the imperial carriage to Tieling Pass, oversee the armies advancing forward, and contend with the main Jin force for Linfen!\" Lu Yihao's words left no room for rebuttal. \"This is the true intention of Your Majesty crossing the river northward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well said, Lord Lu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu immediately slapped the table, then looked around and earnestly consulted: \"What do you all think, my lords? Are there any other good ideas? Speak freely. I and Lord Lu will sincerely consider them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining civil and military officials exchanged glances... and then naturally had a sudden realization. They stepped forward one after another to praise Lord Lu's earnest words that hit the mark, saying His Majesty should not waste time staying here, nor should he care about Wendun Sizhong, a futures corpse... He should head straight for Tieling Pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since everyone's opinions were remarkably consistent, Zhao Jiu hesitated no longer and made an immediate decision: move the imperial carriage to Tieling Pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this time the Zhao Emperor was not so hasty... Following Wang Yan's advice, he urged the three generals Han, Li, and Ma at the front to make proper arrangements and advance north applying pressure, while personally issuing orders in Xiezhou to establish temporary military depots and storage points along the route, attempting to build a stable and robust logistical supply line to cope with the possible war of attrition ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after the relevant arrangements were made did he formally head north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this delay brought new changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Wu Jie sent Guo Zhen's head by urgent courier... Actually, it wasn't that Wu Jie had been reluctant to behead Guo Zhen before. Wu Da was also a ruthless man. Since such a shocking incident had occurred, whether to give an account to the Zhao Emperor or to Han Shizhong, who was the big brother in the Western Army, he had to kill the man to make a statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even within the Imperial Guard Rear Army, no one would say a word about this man at this time. This was different even from Yang Zheng's case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why hadn't he been executed immediately before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very simple: Wu Da was waiting for a reprimand from the Zhao Emperor... If the Zhao Emperor hadn't crossed the river, he would have killed the man without hesitation. But just as he arrested the man and was about to behead him, the Zhao Emperor crossed the river. And since the Emperor had crossed, to respect the Emperor's authority at the front, this Imperial Guard Rear Army Commander-in-Chief and full Military Governor waited instead, only beheading this Commanding Officer after receiving a clear decree, then sending the head to His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Wu Jie's particular little scheme—he always tried to keep everything smooth on all sides. Previously in Guanxi, he had maintained harmony with everyone up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was because Qu Duan's unpopularity in Guanxi back then had left him with psychological trauma, so he learned from the Zhao Emperor and adopted the approach: \"Whenever I oppose Cao Cao, things succeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough digression. When Guo Zhen's head arrived, Zhao Jiu ordered it displayed to the troops, and his mood improved slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, the Emperor grew uneasy again, because just as he set out, an unexpected winter rain arrived, dropping the temperature further. Though still far from freezing, it cast a shadow over the Northern Expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if deep winter came and even the Yellow River froze, there would be severe logistical pressure—hundreds of thousands of soldiers and laborers would need winter clothing, and troop garrisons would consume massive fuel. Also, the Imperial Guard Navy's control over the Yellow River would lose its advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, sufficient progress had to be made to create a strategic buffer for winter operations, and the logistical foundation needed further reinforcement... Supplies existed in the rear, but before the Yellow River froze, the logistical bottleneck at the Shanzhou river channel would only grow worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversely, after the Yellow River froze, things would become easier in some ways, but logistical demands would only increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, before that, a more obvious effect of the temperature drop was that Lord Lu Yihao, accompanying the army, caught a chill, and several elderly members of the hundred southeastern officials also fell ill on the march.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This startled the Zhao Emperor, who had Li Qiong, Wang De, and others continue north while he personally saw to settling Lord Lu in Wenxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Lord Lu urged the Zhao Emperor from his sickbed not to worry about him, to head north early and join the generals. He had merely caught a chill and would rejoin once recovered... These obligatory formalities were unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But leaving aside the Zhao Emperor's sense of fluster and chaos since crossing the river, and the myriad tangled affairs, the day after the winter rain—which lasted only one day—ended, outside Hedong City, the only place still fiercely fighting in the entire Hezhong region, Wang Sheng, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Left Army and nicknamed Black Dragon, delivered the Zhao Emperor's proclamation into the city, while also issuing an ultimatum to the city, following the precedent of Anyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deadline was noon the next day. If they surrendered, all grassroots officers and soldiers below the level of Company Commander, whether Jurchen, Khitan, Xi, Bohai, or Han, would be pardoned, with only the chief culprits executed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they did not surrender, once the city was breached, all who resisted would be killed without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Wang Sheng's move was not the same as Zhao Jiu's at Anyi. He had been besieging the city for nearly a month, and his siege positions were already well-prepared. Although his trebuchets were somewhat insufficient, he had been pounding the city wall's northwest corner for two or three days... Indeed, he had started hastily bombarding the city from the day the Zhao Emperor crossed the river, because Wang Sheng was no fool—all veteran soldiers knew each other's tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qiong, that Hebei fellow, was one thing, but what if Wang De, Zhang Jing, and others urged the Zhao Emperor to come to Hedong City and steal the credit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hedong City was the capital of Hezhong Prefecture, home to a man named Wendun Sizhong, the Hezhong Commissioner leading ten Battalion Commander, plus six Battalion Commanders and several dozen Company Commanders... All of these were military merits!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And military merit, for Wang Sheng in this Northern Expedition, was not merely about gold and silver. Wang Sheng was already a Deputy Commander-in-Chief. By common logic, would top commanders like Han Shizhong and Zhang Jun still have room to lead troops after this battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wang Sheng truly wanted to distinguish himself, to achieve great merit. And Wang De, whose qualifications were slightly inferior to other commanders, along with Commanding Officers Zhang Jing, Qiao Zhongfu, and others, shared this ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why, even though the artillery positions weren't yet large enough, Wang Sheng couldn't wait any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, seeing that the Zhao Emperor was about to take Wang De and the others away, Wang Sheng developed another thought—merit earned right before the Zhao Emperor's eyes was the real deal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor left and didn't keep this place in mind, or if he reached Tieling Pass and won at Linfen, advancing further, then this merit wouldn't be etched in the imperial heart, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, once Zhao Jiu set out, Wang Sheng, carrying all sorts of complex little schemes, finally decided to launch a full-scale assault, striving to take Hedong City cleanly before the Emperor left Hezhong. Even this show of courtesy before force, pretending to be a good fellow, was mostly for the Zhao Emperor's eyes—see, I, Wang Sheng, am also a civilized man with the bearing of a great general.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the nickname \"Black Dragon\" was meant to describe Deputy Commander Wang's swift yet tenacious use of troops, but it also roughly indicated his usual character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, since Wang Sheng had made up his mind, after sending the proclamation into the city, he went to the Guancque Tower to feast the troops, gathered the officers, made promises of rank and reward, reminisced, and asserted his authority... The officers, knowing roughly that Deputy Commander Wang wanted to wrangle a Military Governor position, naturally cooperated wholeheartedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single one of them vowed to attack the city with full force starting tomorrow, to take Hedong City beautifully and win face for Deputy Commander Wang before the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, the atmosphere was fervent from top to bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, Wang Sheng had a few rare drinks, left satisfied, and ended up lodging at the Guancque Tower. But that very night, after sleeping only about half an hour, he was awakened by his personal guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, when his personal guard woke him and he saw the firelight reflecting outside with the sound of battle cries faintly drifting over, Wang Heilong's first reaction was that he had indulged in drink and missed the mark, capsizing in a ditch—the Jin army in the city had made a desperate counterattack, seizing the chance for a night raid. And then, his dream of becoming a Military Governor would also end tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he stepped out of the tent, stood on the tower, gazed at the city ablaze with firelight, and then looked back at his hastily assembled and equally bewildered subordinates, this Deputy Commander of the Left Army of the Imperial Camp could only stare dumbfounded… How could he have imagined that a single proclamation would directly trigger chaos and internal conflict in the city?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this damn piece of writing really be so effective?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder his own Commandery Prince had been so earnest in studying cultural knowledge in Chang'an these past few years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Wang Sheng was overthinking it; the proclamation was nothing more than a catalyst. Before this, the atmosphere inside Hedong city, besieged for nearly a month, had already gone far beyond his imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the city's defending official, Wudun Sizhong, though originally a messenger under Aguda's command, had a fierce temperament, was arrogant and cruel, and had a vile character. He always acted without restraint and got along poorly with everyone, high and low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after becoming the Garrison Commander of Hezhong Prefecture, he considered himself a confidant of the central command and wouldn't even heed the summons of Bolisu from Taiyuan. But the ten-thousand-man unit he led was originally split from the Western Route Army, so this also created friction with his subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if Wudun Sizhong could harness that ruthlessness, and given that the Jin army in the city was still under the typical Jin state's Meng'an Mouke system, they could still present a united front against the enemy. These faults would be nothing more than faults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem was that Wudun Sizhong, as a former messenger under Aguda, had at least a clear mind. From the very beginning, when Han Shizhong crossed east past Hedong city in force, Li Yanxian never appeared beneath its walls, and at the same time, Wanyan Bendu and Wanyan Bolisu gave him no word, he instantly realized his predicament and was already somewhat emotionally broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, after nearly a month without seeing any trace of reinforcements, as an intelligent man well-versed in military affairs, he had basically come to believe Wang Sheng's intermittent surrender overtures from outside the city—the Third Prince had suddenly died of illness, the Great Song was launching a full-scale northern campaign, Tieling Pass had fallen, reinforcements had come but were defeated midway, and the Taiyuan Field Army Commander Bolisu had abandoned Hezhong, withdrawing entirely to both banks of the Fenshui River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consequently, the man swung from extreme arrogance and ferocity to the other extreme inside the city, spending his days drinking heavily and neglecting affairs, growing increasingly despondent and waiting for death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his subordinates admonished him, if he was in the mood, he would weep and say he was a veteran of the Grand Ancestor's tent and at worst would repay the Great Jin with his life. If he wasn't in the mood? He would instead disregard his status, whip the messenger a few times, and then drive them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with this, the real problem emerged… With the commander acting like this, how could those below him think?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You, Wudun Sizhong, are a veteran of Aguda's tent; at worst, you die. What about the rest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin army's military and noble rank system was the typical Meng'an Mouke system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting from the Mouke level, whether it was a Jurchen Mouke or a Mouke of another ethnicity (there were Han Chinese ten-thousand-man commanders and Han Chinese Moukes even at the founding of the state), they were essentially the pillars of the Great Jin, the true core nobility. Even by the Qing dynasty, the Manchu government, which had a strong sense of identification with the Jin, often simply translated Mouke as Beile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their value was thus evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, as the actual masters of the Great Jin, the Moukes seemed to have the duty and reason to fight to the death, which was also why the city's defenses had remained stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Jin army's system was what it was: a ten-thousand-man unit had ten Meng'an, but a Meng'an often only had four, five, or six Moukes, with the rest composed of Han Chinese troops or infantry from other ethnic groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was necessary for the Jin army's traditional tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what were these Han Chinese troops thinking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, the Black Dragon Wang Sheng outside the city suddenly told them that the Zhao Emperor himself had crossed the river and arrived, his documents had come, with a clear decree to punish only the chief culprits. And the Jurchen lords inside the city seemed to have no intention of refuting the authenticity of this document. What would the Han Chinese troops think?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebellion erupted with particular violence and uniformity. Suddenly, fires blazed throughout the city, the clash of weapons sounded at five or six city gates, and the government office, armory, treasury, and granaries were also attacked immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left the Jin Meng'an on duty at the military camp dumbfounded. He didn't know where to go to the rescue or how to find his other colleagues. In his haste, he simply brought a hundred men to seek out Wudun Sizhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you looking for me for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wudun Sizhong hadn't drunk today. Not only that, but despite his sunken eye sockets, his eyes were bright and his mind clear, which greatly delighted the arriving Jin general.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, the Jin general realized the problem… With things outside in such a state, he, the Meng'an on duty, had come to find the city's Garrison Commander, and the man asked him what he was looking for him for. Had he drunk himself stupid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, the Jin general approached cautiously: \"Garrison Commander… the Han Chinese troops in the city are rebelling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what are you looking for me for?\" Dressed in a brocade inner robe, Wudun Sizhong, sitting in the prefectural office hall, picked up a teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, and asked calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The rebellion is too urgent. I don't know how to respond. I've come to ask for your guidance, Garrison Commander.\" The Jin general finally couldn't hold back. \"Garrison Commander, if we don't act, once the Song army outside reacts and any city gate is opened, we'll have no outcome…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\" Wudun Sizhong took a sip of the warm tea, sighed softly, and then replied calmly. \"I recall, you were originally a guard of Nianhan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought so. If not, why would you have been sent here to be my subordinate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Garrison Commander…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have the same background as you.\" Outside, firelight flickered and noise was incessant, but Wudun Sizhong seemed unconcerned. \"But I am a veteran of the Grand Ancestor's tent, so I could become a Garrison Commander leading a ten-thousand-man unit. If the Song hadn't attacked, I might have become a Chancellor one day. You, however, can only become a Meng'an.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Grand Ancestor's talent was ten times that of Nianhan.\" Wudun Sizhong looked seriously at the other man, whose expression was complex and confused. \"Thanks to that, my talent is also ten times yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Meng'an snapped back to reality, swallowed his saliva, but turned his head to look at the firelight outside, then looked back at Wudun Sizhong, only wishing he could kill the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't believe me, I'll give you some guidance.\" Wudun Sizhong remained composed. \"Back when the Second Prince, Wolibu, was about to lead troops outside, he sought advice from the Grand Ancestor on how to be a general. I was right there beside him…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Garrison Commander!\" The Jin general was helpless and instead smiled bitterly. \"After I hear you out, will you come out with me to quell the rebellion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who knows?\" Wudun Sizhong said nonchalantly. \"Maybe I will, maybe I won't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general said nothing, took off his helmet, sat down opposite him, and poured himself a cup of tea as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Wudun Sizhong also smiled wryly: \"Nianhan does have some skill after all. It wasn't in vain that you studied under him for so long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general picked up the tea, gulped down several mouthfuls, and then asked: \"May I ask, how did the Grand Ancestor instruct the Second Prince?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Wudun Sizhong also pretended to be serious: \"The Grand Ancestor said that a general must first be diligent. Without diligence, nothing can be done well… When setting up camp in a place, you must know where your troops are, what the surrounding terrain is like, how many roads there are, where to set up sentry posts, and where to store food, weapons, and supplies… Only then, when suddenly attacked at night, can you be clear-headed, know where to find your troops, know what cannot be lost, know where the enemy is coming from, and know how to respond.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general was sneering at the beginning, but as he listened, his expression gradually turned serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just like now.\" Wudun Sizhong raised his hand and pointed at the fire-lit scene outside. \"Hedong city has six gates, four storage depots, one government office, one county office, two Garrison Commander's official rooms, and three military camps. Except for the six gates, which are evenly distributed, everything else is biased to the east, and all are guarded by our Jurchen main force… This is also why you don't know where to go to the rescue or what to rescue… But if I were to rebel, I would definitely divide my forces, set fires under cover of night, feint an attack on these key points in the east, and secretly concentrate my elite troops at the two farthest west gates, ignoring everything else, directly seize the gates, open them, and let the Song army into the city…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general's heart turned cold, and he blurted out: \"So, by the time I learned of the rebellion in the camp, it was already too late?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In such a large city, it was inevitably too late.\" Wudun Sizhong shook his head. \"Think about it. The Han Chinese troops are equal in number to the Jurchen troops, and with Wang Sheng's tens of thousands of troops outside, if they are determined to rebel, how can they be stopped? The only thing that might give you a chance is right here. Because among the Han Chinese troops, there will inevitably be a few who still hope to be employed by the Song, and they will think of coming to the government office, planning to capture me for merit. But such people are a minority; they wouldn't dare to cause trouble during the planning, only secretly gathering after the chaos begins to come for me. And if that's the case, you've already stumbled upon them by coming here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking, as if to confirm Wudun Sizhong's words, the Jin troops outside suddenly let out a shout, and the sound of weapons clashing arose outside the government office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general stood up for a moment, then slumped back down, turning to look at Wudun Sizhong: \"May I ask, Garrison Commander… what else did the Grand Ancestor teach the Second Prince?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Grand Ancestor also said that a general must understand the true intentions of his superiors and also understand the surrounding situation.\" At this point, Wudun Sizhong finally sneered. \"At that time, the Grand Ancestor even praised me, saying I was the one who best understood his true intentions, which is why he made me his messenger for transmitting military orders… Do you know? Some generals in our Great Jin are truly stupid. The Grand Ancestor issued an order for them to attack a certain city, and they just attacked that city. But after taking the city, they let the Liao troops inside escape… Little did they know, the Grand Ancestor's real intention was for them to trap the Liao troops in the city and prevent them from escaping.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Putting it clearly, this means understanding why you are fighting.\" Wudun Sizhong continued with emotion. \"Why did we fight the Battle of Chuhedian? Because the Great Jin needed to establish a state! Why did we risk danger to forcefully attack the passes and advance on the Western Capital? Because we needed to destroy Liao and seize territory to build a foundation! Why did we march south to fight the Song? Because Nianhan failed to win the position of state ruler and wanted to expand his own power by going south, and the state ruler and the princes had no choice but to rush to send troops to divide his momentum… That's why the Second Prince was so impatient when advancing in Hebei, and Nianhan simply abandoned Taiyuan, locked down the city, and marched south… Only, who could have imagined back then that Dongjing city would be so wealthy? And that the Song people would be so cowardly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And who could have imagined the Song people would be so tough now?\" The Jin general sighed helplessly in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not that the Song people have become tough.\" Wudun Sizhong shook his head. \"I've thought about it too. It's more that we are no longer useful… What were the days like back then, and what are they like now? Enjoying the same comforts, if the Song people are so cowardly, we will naturally become cowardly too. The Grand Ancestor was right back then—it was best to sell the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to the Song people and each side be stable. It was all Nianhan, for his own selfish interests, who ruined the Great Jin's grand strategy. How hateful. At the time, I received so much gold, silver, women, and children, and I even doubted the Grand Ancestor's judgment. Only now, trapped in a dead end, do I realize the Grand Ancestor's wisdom again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, as for what's happening outside.\" Wudun Sizhong continued to pour himself another cup of tea, but surprisingly also poured one for the other, before speaking calmly. \"Why am I not moving today? And why was I drinking and despondent before? It's not because I'm disloyal to the Great Jin. It's because I already knew back then… The Great Jin wanted me to sit here and rot, and it wanted you to sit here and rot too, to hold up the main Song army as long as possible, to delay as much time as possible. And now that reinforcements are impossible, the higher-ups have another intention… Do you know what it is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general was momentarily dejected: \"They want us to die… and take as many people with us as we can before we die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But they don't know that I lost nearly half my troops in the initial reckless fighting, so I couldn't delay even if I wanted to.\" Wudun Sizhong also became dejected. \"Actually, back then, the Grand Ancestor also taught the Second Prince that a general must know how to unite his subordinates, making the upper and lower ranks one body… I never learned that point. Otherwise, even today, I could have accomplished something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there truly no hope?\" the Jin general said, his bitter smile barely forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly no hope.\" Wendun Sizhong said solemnly. \"Let me ask you one more thing—have you ever considered why these Han'er troops rose up all at once without us hearing even a whisper?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it because... we never treated them as people in the first place?\" The Jin general's bitter smile grew deeper. \"As if there were always several walls between us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly, but it's not just that.\" Wendun Sizhong's gaze grew distant. \"I've been thinking these past days too—is it only the Jurchen soldiers who don't treat the Han'er troops as people? Within the Great Jin, don't the close-branch imperial clans also hold grudges against the distant-branch ones? Otherwise, how could Nianhan have built up the Western Route Army? And beneath the Jurchens, the Bohai are a notch higher, stronger than the Khitan and Xi, while the Khitan and Xi look down on the Yan-Yun Han, and the Yan-Yun Han look down on the Two Rivers Han'er—layer upon layer. But if you treat the Han'er as slaves, why use them at all? And if you use them, why treat them as slaves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn't the kind of talk you usually give, Garrison Commander.\" The Jin general shook his head repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was wrong.\" Wendun Sizhong replied bluntly. \"In truth, today's situation, if I'm not mistaken, is that not only have the Han'er troops rebelled, but even those Han civil officials in the city have rebelled too... We didn't lack means to monitor the Han'er troops, but those means relied precisely on these Han officials. And now that the Han'er troops have risen so uniformly, the only explanation is that these Han officials from the Two Rivers had long since colluded with them. As for the Yan-Yun Han officials, either they've rebelled too, or they deliberately kept silent, wanting to sit on the fence and find a way out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general thought for a moment, unable to refute, but grew even more dejected: \"These Han officials control the granaries and administration, and they have connections with the city's wealthy families. With the prepared striking the unprepared, getting a few officers drunk, the granaries will probably fall too...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not necessarily.\" Wendun Sizhong disagreed. \"The granaries in the city are no small achievement, but the key is to surrender the city. If I were one of them, I'd focus on cutting off the roads to these key points... You came from the central army camp via the main street, but have you considered—why is it that only you came to find me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general shook his head repeatedly: \"So you're saying Hedong City truly has no hope?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendun Sizhong raised his cup in response: \"Otherwise, why would I be sitting here motionless?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin general fell silent for a moment, but still forced himself to speak: \"Garrison Commander, at this point, I no longer have any intention of saving this city. But we are Jurchens after all—you came from the ranks of the Grand Ancestor's tent, and I came from the ranks of the Grand Marshal's tent. We should both be loyal to the Great Jin. In my view, the Han troops attacking the government office outside have already been repelled. Come out with me, and we'll gather our own people along the way. Kill one for every one we can, burn one house for every one we can. Let the Song know we haven't lost our edge—how about that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendun Sizhong gave a wry laugh: \"You really did learn your lessons by Nianhan's side—your temper is just like his.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Garrison Commander.\" The Jin general continued with a sigh. \"It's not just the Grand Marshal—if the Grand Ancestor were still here, what would he do? Would he sit and wait for death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendun Sizhong was silent for a moment, then shook his head: \"How can you and I compare to the Grand Ancestor? If the Grand Ancestor were here, would he need your urging? If you want to go kill, then go kill. I'll stay here and wait for the Song army to surround me, and that will be the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the other man had lost his fighting spirit, the Jin general shook his head, grasped his saber, and left without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had this man stepped out of the government office than he heard both gates in the west roar open simultaneously, with shouts of killing coming from afar. The noise far exceeded the earlier commotion in the city, confirming Wendun Sizhong's words—the Song army had already entered from the west, and this city had been hopeless from the very start of the uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, this Jin general gritted his teeth, gathered his own mouke unit plus a few hastily assembled squads, and charged down the main street toward the main Song force in the west, setting fires along the way. Regardless of age, gender, or rank, he cut down any Song person he saw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he collided with the Song troops in the darkness, relying on his fierce, death-defying spirit and the fact that his unit was on night duty and fully armored, he managed to momentarily disrupt the Song formation, driving them back repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, the Song army reacted, concentrating several hundred elite heavy-armored troops with long axes and advancing along the main street. He could no longer hold out. His own chest was struck twice by long axes, his qi and blood unstable, and he retreated in disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fleeing all the way back, the central army camp was untenable, the narrow side alleys too dangerous to enter. In the end, he returned to the government office in the center of the eastern city. By torchlight, the Jin meng'an looked around and found only a dozen or so men left with him. Knowing he could accomplish nothing more, he gritted his teeth, staggered, and re-entered the government office with his saber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? What was the point of that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendun Sizhong was still sitting silently in the hall. Seeing the other man return in such a sorry state, he shook his head on the spot. \"Didn't you still have to come back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The general nodded: \"The Garrison Commander's foresight is divine. Your ability is truly ten times mine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wendun Sizhong gave a bitter smile and reached for his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as the Jin general finished speaking, he swung his saber without warning, cutting down the unsuspecting Wendun Sizhong onto the table. Then he added several more strokes, splattering blood all over the hall and table, and still cursing angrily at the corpse:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arrogant and harsh in peacetime, looking down on everyone, and the moment you suffer a setback, you collapse like this. With a character like that, what use is ability ten times mine?! How dare you speak of the Grand Ancestor's martial prowess?! How dare you look down on the Grand Marshal?! Did we Jurchens conquer half the world with petty cleverness like this?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, he let his saber fall to the ground in defeat, sat back down opposite the corpse, fished out the bloodstained teacup, and without any disgust, poured himself another cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it would have been better not to drink. The moment he swallowed, the pain in his chest and abdomen from where the long axes had struck him during the street fighting became unbearable. At that moment, the sounds of killing outside the government office drew near. He struggled to stand, but felt as if something was splitting open in his chest—the pain was truly unbearable, and he couldn't get up. Utterly defeated, this Jin general found a dagger on his leg, slit his own throat at the table, and then collapsed face-first onto it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fitting counterpart to Wendun Sizhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the big shot heinousk for the sponsorship. This is the 187th sponsorship of this book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now recommending a book—\"The Game of the World Tree\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the VR game \"Elven Realm,\" the most popular NPC, the incarnation of the World Tree, Mother of Nature, Goddess of Life, Ruler of Elves—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eve Yggdrasil sat high on her divine throne, smiling at the players below:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to the world of swords and magic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a story of a transmigrator reborn as a true god, leading the Fourth Calamity to create a beautiful life together in a different world (seriously)...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pseudo-DND, behind-the-scenes player style, protagonist is single.\u003C\u002Fp>",6302,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","73a14f7f2da8af4068777662a563dcb616caabb06b81caa351f83feb25acde9e","shao-song-chapter-389","shao-song-chapter-387",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]