Chapter 389: Chapter Fifty-Four: Several Questions, Several Answers

The fall of Hedong City was quite dramatic in itself, but in terms of outcome, it was inevitable and only natural.

Therefore, the story of Wendun Sizhong and that Jin general fighting valiantly against the enemy, returning to the government office after being overwhelmed, drinking tea and chatting with smiles, finally helping each other commit suicide, and dying generously for their country, was destined to be recorded only in the notes of those hundred-odd elite members of the Southeast Public Pavilion who accompanied the army, and would only be dug out many years later, forming the residual imprint of these two men in history.

And if not for these unofficial histories, perhaps not even an imprint would remain—just a single sentence in the historical records, appended to the biographies of Wang Sheng or Han Shizhong.

As for Wendun Sizhong's intelligence, his pride, his sense of superiority from serving under Aguda's command, the legendary deeds he experienced alongside Aguda, and even his grand aspirations of becoming a chief minister, his fierce desire to take revenge on the Wulin Da brothers once he gained power—all of this was of no concern to anyone.

Still, this was nothing.

Just like the early stages of this war ten years ago, when the Great Song had countless similar cases—equally dramatic processes of defeat, equally undeniable hopelessness beyond the drama, and countless lives, each with their own thoughts, personalities, and futures, suddenly vanishing.

No one cared about anyone else; on the battlefield, there were only enemies and allies.

"When meeting in the army, there's no need for formalities. All of you, rise."

At the end of the tenth month, although the Zhao Emperor had delayed half a day at Wenxi, he ultimately heeded Lu Yihao's advice and arrived at Tieling Pass together with the three armies of Wang De, Li Qiong, and Li Master. There, he encountered the assembled generals led by Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, and Ma Kuo. Before they could finish their bows, he waved his hand and hurried into the pass.

Among the generals who came to greet him, how many were there with names, reputations, and achievements—dozens at least?

Accompanying the Zhao Emperor were also dozens of renowned generals, dozens of close ministers, and nearly a hundred elite members of the Southeast Public Pavilion. They had expected a grand and enthusiastic assembly, but the Zhao Emperor's demeanor left them momentarily tense and puzzled.

Could it be that Lord Lu had caught a cold and was already done for?

What was going on here?

Did the Great Song always have to lose a chief minister on the front lines every time it formally engaged the Jin in battle?

Still, tense as they were, and wild as their thoughts ran, everyone could only follow the expressionless Emperor as they surged inside.

As mentioned before, Tieling Pass was merely a choke point—a narrow, elongated courtyard with two gate towers, one to the north and one to the south, the northern one three stories high and the southern one two. When the Jin army controlled all of Hedong, only one mouke was stationed here, and at most it could hold three or four hundred men—truly cramped. Now, with the Zhao Emperor's dragon banner entering the pass, countless civil and military officials pouring in, and the imperial bodyguards who had to be present, the entire pass was immediately packed to the brim.

Those below the rank of commander had no right to enter the pass at all. Among the hundred-odd elite of the Southeast Public Pavilion, only a few who were notably older and of higher prestige could enter the courtyard.

For a moment, countless people could only sigh as they gazed at the courtyard.

Yet, even those who entered the courtyard might not get a chance to speak or participate in the military council.

Indeed, as soon as the Zhao Emperor entered and saw how cramped Tieling Pass was, he abandoned the idea of holding discussions in the gate tower. Instead, he had Yang Yizhong erect the dragon banner on the bare gate tower, then sat down facing south under the corridor in the courtyard. He had Liu Yan spread out a wooden sand table and began the military council.

The first order of business at the council was to bestow a hastily made banner upon Ma Kuo.

But to be honest, just like the hasty production of this banner, the ceremony of bestowing it was also somewhat perfunctory... Moreover, few of Ma Kuo's subordinates were qualified to enter this courtyard. In particular, Liang Xiaoge, who had been demoted to commander for disobeying orders and marching east on his own, was absent. And Zhang Heng, who had greatly distinguished the volunteer army, had long been taken by Han Shizhong and assigned to the Imperial Left Army.

Even the four characters "Sparks That Start a Prairie Fire" somewhat displeased Li Yanxian and his subordinates.

Because in their view, the Emperor's choice of these four characters seemed like a veiled rebuke to them.

Of course, regardless of the atmosphere, no matter what was said, it didn't stop Ma Kuo, already a Military Governor, from acquiring another banner of great significance among commanders, thereby taking a further step to become one of the few "famous commanders" in the realm.

Look—Wang Yan, the Commander-in-Chief, and Wang De, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, were already staring wide-eyed, and even Wu Lin, who had come to meet the Emperor on behalf of his elder brother Wu Jie, was somewhat losing his composure.

Moreover, this banner did somewhat ease Ma Kuo's own mind—at this moment, he truly didn't care about such things, nor was he concerned with his own rank. What he thought about was securing a good outcome for the Taihang Mountain volunteer army after this battle. But on the eve of battle, speaking of such things was pointless.

Suffice it to say, the bestowal of the banner at least represented the Emperor's attitude.

And so, the ceremony of bestowing the banner was somewhat subdued yet solemn. Once this was done, the Zhao Emperor, almost without pause, directly pointed at Han, Li, and Ma and began asking about the geography and military situation related to Linyi.

The three dared not be negligent. They immediately stepped forward and, pointing at the wooden sand table, gave the Emperor a detailed explanation. But to be honest, this information was not much different from what the Emperor had already received.

It did, however, give the accompanying civil and military officials a general understanding of the situation.

"So, to put it this way: Linfen's three prefectures and one army—east is the main ridge of the western Taihang Mountains, west is the southern main ridge of the Guji Mountains (Lüliang Mountains) (Guye Mountain), with a flat area in between like a plate. It stretches two hundred li from north to south, the narrowest east-west width is no more than fifty li, the widest seventy li, with the Fen River running through the middle. The overall terrain is like a thick, long noodle lying diagonally between the two mountains from north to south... Is that correct?" Zhao Jiu, comparing the sand table set up by his accompanying Chixin Team, asked a question that seemed almost redundant.

"Yes."

Han Shizhong, hand on his belt, answered promptly without hesitation.

"With this terrain, is it advantageous for the Jin army or for us?" Zhao Jiu remained motionless, his expression unchanged, continuing to gaze at the sand table as he pressed on.

"It's not advantageous for either side." Han Shizhong, now standing to one side of the sand table, replied without thinking. "Let me explain to Your Majesty: this flat land is certainly convenient for Jin cavalry to move north and south, but the east-west span is too narrow. Especially since the Fen River hasn't frozen yet, crossing it takes effort for cavalry, and it splits the area in two, making the terrain even more elongated... As long as our army has sufficient troops and is properly deployed, even with their cavalry advantage, the Jin army won't have much room to maneuver."

"Then do we have sufficient troops?" Zhao Jiu suddenly asked again.

Han Shizhong paused, looked back at the crowd filling the courtyard, and for a moment didn't know how to answer. The others were also momentarily stunned.

"Let me rephrase the question." Zhao Jiu's expression remained unchanged as he calmly continued. "According to what Minister Han just said, the Jin army currently deployed across Linfen's four commanderies numbers at least forty thousand, possibly sixty to seventy thousand, layered along both banks of the Fen River. Is that correct?" Zhao Jiu continued, pointing at the wooden sand table.

"Yes." Han Liangchen quickly nodded.

"Will the Jin possibly send more reinforcements?" Zhao Jiu pressed on.

"Probably not." Han Shizhong shook his head in response. "And even if they do, it's nothing to fear. Because between the Yangliang North Pass and Yangliang South Pass in Fenzhou, the Shugue Valley road is narrow and long—thirty to forty li of cramped terrain. How could they supply more logistics?"

At this point, Han Shizhong seemed to think of something and added, "If we consider it from this broader perspective, the Linfen terrain actually favors the Imperial Army and disadvantages the Jin army... If I were the Jin commander, I would never dare to decide the outcome here."

"I heard in Wenxi from Wang Sheng's urgent report that Hedong City has fallen. So, south of the Huishui River, our army has the entire Imperial Left Army, the entire Central Army, ten thousand cavalry, and at least thirty to forty thousand Taihang Mountain volunteer soldiers. Is that correct?" Zhao Jiu, noncommittal, continued pointing at the sand table and questioning without expression.

"Yes." Han Shizhong was inexplicably starting to feel uneasy.

"Then how many is that?" Zhao Jiu pressed on, as if he couldn't do arithmetic. "Exclude the Eight-Character Army guarding the Zhiguan Pass, and exclude the necessary garrisons at key points along the logistics route."

"Although there have been combat losses, we've also had surrenders and replacements, so the numbers aren't much different from before the battle. Excluding some necessary garrisons..." Han Shizhong estimated in his mind, then gave a number that made him even more uneasy. "The main Imperial Army, including cavalry and infantry, should be around one hundred ten to one hundred twenty thousand. Plus, there are thirty to forty thousand Lianghe volunteer soldiers who can serve as auxiliary troops. And if we count the Imperial Rear Army..."

"Don't count the Imperial Rear Army." Zhao Jiu immediately interrupted him, his gaze finding Wu Lin, sent by Wu Jie as his representative, and said calmly, "The Imperial Rear Army is the general reserve. Unless it's a decisive battle, it must not be used lightly. Besides, Wu Jie is gradually gathering his forces in northern Shaanxi, which is enough to tie down the Jin army in Datong. That has its own role."

"Yes." Wu Lin hastily stepped forward to respond.

"Then, having crossed the river to come here, do we know the local geography?" Zhao Jiu's expression remained unchanged, but his questions were becoming increasingly absurd.

And perhaps realizing something, Han Shizhong stopped answering the Zhao Emperor altogether, standing there lost in thought, as if recalculating troop numbers.

"Your Majesty, although the Jin have occupied Hedong for ten years, they cannot change the mountains and rivers." Li Yanxian, who had been watching coldly for half the day, suddenly stepped forward and answered boldly. "Not to mention that Commander-in-Chief Wang (Wang Yan) and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Xie (Xie Yuan) are both from Hedong, and although Commander Ma (Ma Kuo) is not from here, he has spent many years roaming the Taihang Mountains... And even if we step back ten thousand steps, there are tens of thousands of Taihang volunteer soldiers and tens of thousands of Eight-Character Army soldiers here. If it comes to knowing the local mountains and rivers, I'm afraid even the Jin army can't match us."

Zhao Jiu nodded, still noncommittal, and continued his relentless questioning: "The weather is getting colder, and logistics transport capacity is insufficient. We'll probably need to prioritize transporting winter clothing and suspend weapons shipments... Are our weapons and equipment sufficient for now?"

"The early shipments stored at Tunliu are enough to take Linfen's four commanderies." Li Yanxian spoke plainly, causing many civil and military officials who were still guessing to suddenly understand.

"As winter gets colder, how do we solve the fuel problem?"

"Hedong has produced coal since ancient times. There is plenty of coal and timber nearby. As long as we have enough manpower, we can source it locally."

"What about siege equipment?"

"There are large trees in the mountains, and there are craftsmen in the army. We'll do what needs to be done." Li Yanxian remained stern.

"Very well." Zhao Jiu nodded. "I now understand the situation. Here in Linfen, the terrain is elongated. At least until the river freezes, it won't be too disadvantageous for us. Our main Imperial Army is twice the size of the Jin's main western force. We have a clear understanding of the local terrain. Logistics and auxiliary troops are temporarily sufficient. And it's not yet the dead of winter... Is that correct?"

"Yes." Li Yanxian's voice was clear and firm, his posture upright.

"Can we immediately move to seize the four commanderies of Linfen from the Jin Army?"

"We can!" Li Yanxian was about to speak, but Wang De suddenly stepped forward from across the way, his voice so loud it momentarily overpowered everyone else.

"Very well. Right now, We are at Tieling Pass." Zhao Jiu sat motionless behind the sand table, looking around as he recited from memory. "In this pass, there is currently one Marshal, five Military Governors, and nine Commanders-in-Chief, Deputy Commanders, and Vice Commanders-in-Chief. Counting Wang Sheng, who is sorting things out in Hedong City, that makes ten. Outside, Wu Jie leads fifty thousand main troops of the Imperial Rear Army, plus tens of thousands of Dangxiang auxiliary troops, and Khitan and Mongol reinforcements, tying down Jin forces in Hexi and beyond the river... Which of you is willing to step forward, take command of the entire army, and seize these four commanderies for Us?"

"Your servant is willing to go!" Li Yanxian answered immediately.

And then, almost simultaneously, Imperial Army Commander-in-Chief Wang Yan, Imperial Army Central Left Vice Commander-in-Chief Wang De, Right Vice Commander-in-Chief Li Qiong, and Imperial Cavalry Vice Commander-in-Chief Li Master all spoke up together.

Only Ma Kuo, knowing he could not command the hundred-thousand-strong Imperial Army main force, remained silent for a moment. Wu Lin also knew he was just making up the numbers, so he stood obediently at a distance. Xie Yuan, meanwhile, looked toward Han Shizhong.

Zhao Jiu also glanced at Han Shizhong, then spoke coldly: "Minister Han, what are you thinking?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty." Han Shizhong seemed to snap back to attention and quickly clasped his hands in reply. "Your servant was thinking of that lyric poem I submitted to Your Majesty in a secret memorial..."

This time, it was Zhao Jiu's turn to be caught off guard. He was silent for several breaths before responding blankly: "We remember that lyric from that day. Minister Han's loyalty and courage were plain to see... Then recite it! Minister Han, recite for everyone that lyric you wrote to Us last year!"

"As you command!"

Han Liangchen bowed in acknowledgment, then rose and stepped past Li Yanxian and the others beside him, walked to the other end of the sand table, looked around the courtyard, and then, hands on his belt, stood tall and proud, his voice rising with passion.

His voice was clear and resonant, his spirit soared to the heavens, and his presence shook the entire courtyard:

"Drunk, I trim the lamp and gaze at my sword; in dreams, I hear the bugles of linked camps.

Eight hundred li, the men share roasted meat; fifty strings, the frontier tunes resound.

On the autumn battlefield, troops are mustered.

My horse flies swift as the steed Dilu; my bow twangs like a thunderclap.

To settle the sovereign's great affairs under heaven, and win a name both in life and after death.

A pity that white hairs have grown!"

As the lyric ended, the entire courtyard fell silent. Wang Yan, Li Yanxian, Ma Kuo, Li Qiong, Wu Lin, and the others were all stunned. The literary attendants and renowned scholars from the southeast were utterly lost. Even Wang De and the others who couldn't understand the words still sensed the change in the courtyard's atmosphere and shrank back for a moment.

"Your Majesty."

After reciting those two lines of the lyric, Han Shizhong turned around, finally loosening his belt, and then bowed solemnly again. "Your servant, since receiving Your Majesty's grace at Huaixi, has served for over eight years, never a day without thinking of avenging the shame of Jingkang for Your Majesty. Now that Your Majesty has spoken, permitting the generals to seek battle, your servant is unworthy to hold the post of Marshal of Hedong Circuit and dares not refuse this duty... I beg Your Majesty to give your servant one hundred thousand troops and leave me twenty days. If within twenty days I cannot drive all the Jin forces from Linfen past Shuquegu, then I will forfeit this Commandery Prince title and abandon these three garrison Military Governor posts, as a warning to those who come after!"

"Wu'an had tiles shaken by thunder; Yi River had no cold songs." Zhao Jiu nodded, seemingly casual. "Liangchen, standing at the pass today and reciting a lyric to request battle is enough to earn you a place in history. With such bold spirit, why make a wager with Us? We have brought the reinforcements for you—one hundred thousand troops. Take them and use them!"

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty."

"One more thing."

"Please, Your Majesty, give your command."

"For those below the rank of Military Governor, if they disobey, you may behead them first without needing to memorialize. For battlefield emergency appointments, you also need not explain to Us... Only three matters must be reported to Us strictly." Zhao Jiu appeared composed. "First, the Imperial Army's northern expedition is about relieving the people and punishing the guilty. If there are any crimes, plundering, or harm done to the common people, they must be sent to the pass, and We will personally review and handle the matter. Second, if military supplies are lacking, which concerns the overall success or failure of the northern expedition, you must not conceal it. Third, although We are giving you free rein, We must still be informed of the general military situation. Any advance or retreat of twenty li along the front line must be reported promptly and accurately, without error."

"Your servant dares not disobey!" Han Shizhong replied solemnly.

"Then dispatch the troops!" Zhao Jiu urged without delay.

At this point, the civil and military officials in the courtyard finally snapped back to their senses.

PS: Thanks to the big shot October Old Fan for the sponsorship, this is the 188th sponsorship of this book.

Then continue to offer up the new book, *Apprentice at the Three Star Cave*.