[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-391":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},1558557,2024,"Chapter 391: Thinking Before and After","shao-song-chapter-391",391,"\u003Cp>Early November, at Que Shu Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the choke point at Tieling Pass, the Que Shu Valley had the Fen River running through its middle, and there was even a Lingshi County between the Yangliang South Pass at the southern end and the Yangliang North Pass at the northern end, which meant this place was never destined to be a simple, treacherous mountain valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, the early winter morning mist had just dispersed when about a hundred Jin cavalrymen, not even flying their banners, arrived from the south at the foot of Lingshi City. The leading general reined in his horse before the city gate, surveyed the terrain around Lingshi, and couldn't help shaking his head. He turned to his attendants and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ordinarily, when I travel through here, I always feel that this Que Shu Valley is impassable from north to south. But today, I only feel that this valley is far too open.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding Jin officers also had grim expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leading general was none other than Wanyan Bolisu, Commander-in-Chief of the Jin Army's Taiyuan Field Headquarters. Seeing this, he knew that the men's mood was not necessarily in sympathy with his own, but rather stemmed from dissatisfaction and resentment over their recent retreat without a fight... He sighed inwardly, then directly urged his horse into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the city, they rested for a short while. In just over a quarter of an hour, they heard the rumble of hooves from the north of the city. Sure enough, it was another hundred elite cavalry, also without banners, who also halted by Lingshi City to look around for a moment before riding into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one coming from the north was none other than the Great Jin's Prince of Wei, commonly known as the Fourth Prince, Wanyan Wushu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Prince of Wei!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolisu had been waiting early inside the gate. Seeing the man enter the city, he directly cupped his hands and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Marshal!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stubbly Wushu dismounted from his horse and also cupped his hands, being remarkably polite, and even used a strange form of address.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolisu was startled for a moment, then forced a smile: \"The Prince of Wei jests. The Marshal's Headquarters has been gone for years. Where is there still a Marshal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is.\" Wushu replied seriously, right inside the city gate. \"The court has already issued a decree. His Majesty ordered it, the Secretariat deliberated, and with the joint signature of the Department of State Affairs and the Privy Council, it was proclaimed to the world, appointing you as the Grand Marshal of the Great Jin's Armies, overseeing all military affairs in Hedong and Hexi, commanding two hundred thousand troops. Then, Gao Jingshan of Great Ming Prefecture and Eluguan of Xijing Datong Prefecture are appointed as Vice Marshals... From any perspective, you are now the legitimate Marshal of the Great Jin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the morning sunlight, Bolisu was dazed for a moment, but it was only a moment. He showed no other reaction, nor did he feel any great inner turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, this matter had to be considered on three levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, both Bolisu and Wushu knew that having this Marshal title or not might just be a matter of name. After Bolisu received this Marshal title, he could never become a powerful minister of the Great Jin like Zhanhan had. His base would still be the five or six Wanhu of the Taiyuan Field Headquarters. To deploy troops from Datong Prefecture, Longde Prefecture, and Great Ming Prefecture—that is, to control the so-called two hundred thousand Jin troops—he would still need the approval of His Highness the Prince of Wei, Wushu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The practical significance of this move was more about showing that the truly powerful Prince of Wei, Wushu, agreed with his overall strategy. And even on this point, Bolisu had already guessed as much from the previous retreat order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But... even understanding this, even knowing these realities, it was still the title of Marshal, the legitimate Grand Marshal of the Great Jin after Zhanhan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, we must come back to this point: what does a person seek in life? Especially for someone like Bolisu, who had spent his childhood in the military, he probably had some idea of how high he could rise in this life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, after Yinshu Ke and Xiyin went north, what was the discord between Bolisu and Loushi about? Wasn't it because he was dissatisfied and wanted to compete for the command of the Western Route Army?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, no matter what, since the Jin central government had made a gesture and given him this position, whether it was real or nominal, Bolisu had finally reached the peak of his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, no matter who wrote the history books, they would not omit the line about Wanyan Bolisu accepting a critical appointment and serving as the Marshal of the Great Jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What more could he ask for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the problem was that after truly obtaining the status he had dreamed of for years, Bolisu felt no excessive excitement, only pressure—because behind him, the main force of over a hundred thousand Song troops was pressing relentlessly from south to north. Wushu seemed to understand this principle. Seeing this, he smiled, then became serious: \"The military situation is urgent. Earlier, the Marshal wrote to me, and I reported my agreement to Yanjing. Later, I also heard some of the Marshal's strategies from Taishinu, and I largely agree with them. But as for the specifics, it must be decided by the Marshal in person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolisu sighed, did not speak directly, but gestured with his hand, inviting the other to ascend the city wall for a talk. Seeing this, Wushu gestured for Taishinu to guard the steps and prevent anyone else from coming up, while he himself ascended first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the top of Lingshi City, seeing the Fen River winding around the city and the mountains gathering on both sides, Wushu couldn't help but understand, then blurted out: \"Is the Marshal planning to use Lingshi City to hold up the Song army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not Lingshi City.\" Bolisu, who had followed closely behind and ascended the city, replied seriously, pointing north and south. \"The Song army has mobilized the entire nation. Just on the Fen River front, the Zhao Song Emperor personally oversees over a hundred thousand troops, with Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, Ma Kuo, Wang Yan, Wang De, Li Qiong, and many other fierce generals and famous commanders gathered... In such a situation, how can we rely on a single city or place to block the general momentum? I plan to set up layered defenses from Yangliang South Pass all the way to the foot of Taiyuan City. And even then, I only hope to delay them for a while, until we can return from Hebei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu pondered for a moment, then asked seriously: \"In that case, how many troops need to be left behind to block them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least three Wanhu!\" Bolisu blurted out. \"First, use the terrain to set up layered blockades in Que Shu Valley. If Yangliang North Pass is breached, disperse immediately... On one hand, troops should be scattered to hold the various cities south of Taiyuan to cause delays; on the other hand, one unit should take overall control of the cities east of Taiyuan, block the Jingxing Pass, to protect the passage to Zhending Prefecture and Longde Prefecture... Then, there must be a proper garrison in Taiyuan Prefecture itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu gripped his horsewhip and continued to ask seriously: \"Which three Wanhu does the Marshal plan to use?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tuhesu is a fighting general; he must go with us to Great Ming Prefecture.\" Bolisu replied seriously. \"Naturally, Zhehe, Salihe, and Ma Wu will be left behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who among the three will guard Taiyuan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wanyan Zhehe is a seasoned general with tenacity. Entrusting it to him is the most reassuring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Salihe...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Salihe becomes more disheartened with each setback; he has lost his spirit. If I weren't afraid that executing a Wanhu on the battlefield would make the central government doubt my loyalty, I would have killed him as a warning after the first defeat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then where will Salihe be used? To hold the eastern passage of Taiyuan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This matter concerns the success or failure of the subsequent operations. How can he be used for that? Yelu Ma Wu is loyal and reliable; he can take on this responsibility. As for Salihe, just have him divide his troops to guard Jiexiu, Xihe, Pingyao, Qixian—these places the Song army must pass.\" Saying this, Bolisu said seriously, \"Fourth Prince... if this man dies, then he dies. The life and death of one man, the gain or loss of one unit, are insignificant in the face of such a grand strategy! At this time, we cannot send Yelu Ma Wu's Khitan troops to the most dangerous places just because they are Khitan, nor can we repeatedly indulge Salihe just because he was raised in the Grand Ancestor's army... We should appoint people based on merit. If the Fourth Prince truly wishes to promote him, you should speak to him and let him do his utmost to serve the country here in southern Taiyuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Wushu was silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement. \"Since it is the Marshal's intention, I will not oppose it... Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Bolisu was unceremonious. \"We need to transfer one Wanhu from Datong to Xinzhou, to be stationed behind Taiyuan, to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu forced an explanation: \"Huo Nu has gone to Yanjing, so Datong Prefecture only has four Wanhu. Wu Jie hasn't moved yet. Earlier you said you would take one Wanhu away. If we send another Wanhu south, Datong Prefecture will only have two Wanhu left—one in Shuozhou, one beyond the river—barely holding on. That would make it too weak...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, if Taiyuan is lost, it cannot be regained.\" Bolisu remained serious. \"But if Taiyuan is not lost, and only Datong is lost, it can be regained... Moreover, the key to this battle lies in concentrating our forces in Hebei. We cannot reduce the forces there any further, otherwise how can we repel Yue Fei? In my view, when it comes to the critical moment, it might not be a bad idea to have the Vice Marshal (Eluguan) abandon Datong and combine his forces with Taiyuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu thought for a moment, let out a long breath, and finally nodded: \"What the Marshal says is very true... In that case, we will use six Wanhu to hold Hedong and Xijing, then take three Wanhu to Hebei, join the Eastern Route Army, and use thirteen or fourteen Wanhu to repel Yue Fei. Then we can turn back and join the new Yan-Yun army that can arrive by then, and block the Song army before Taiyuan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Bolisu nodded heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does the Marshal have anything else to instruct?\" Wushu asked sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\" Bolisu shook his head repeatedly. \"As long as the Prince of Wei starts acting together with me from now on, any details can be ordered on the spot...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let it be so!\" Wushu couldn't help but let out a long breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stood side by side on the city wall, silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However.\" After a long while, Bolisu, who had said he had nothing more to say, couldn't help but speak up. \"Has Your Highness considered that the Song army is advancing in two routes, with the Taihang Mountains as a natural barrier? We use the terrain to resist step by step, retreat and delay, while using the advantage of our cavalry to rapidly concentrate forces, seeking to defeat them one by one... This strategy is inevitable when a stalemate cannot be maintained... Can't the Song army guess this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In matters like this, isn't it just a gamble on a single breath?\" Wushu, standing with his hands behind his back, was instead dismissive upon hearing this. \"We gamble that in Hebei, we can use the advantage of the frozen ground in winter to press forward desperately and drive out the Song army! We gamble that in Hedong, they cannot crush us! We can't just sit and wait for death, can we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad, we must seize that single breath.\" Bolisu thought for a moment, and could only nod in the end. \"If His Highness the Prince of Wei has no other objections, then let's get moving! Set things up quickly, and quickly concentrate towards Hebei!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just waiting for the Marshal's order.\" Wushu cupped his hands in response, ultimately giving Bolisu enough face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolisu was about to speak, but his gaze swept over the other's slightly weary expression, and his heart stirred slightly. He then softened his tone slightly: \"Your Highness... please accept my condolences regarding the Third Prince. It was an unforeseen incident, such is the fortune of the times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was an accident, and yet not an accident.\" Wushu smiled bitterly instead upon hearing this. \"As General Loushi said before, when we people of the upper ranks were young, we suffered too much hardship. We joined the army as teenagers, and our bodies were never good to begin with. The Third Brother is not the only one who collapsed after turning forty... It's just that the Third Brother was particularly unlucky this time, falling ill right on the front line.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolisu nodded, intending to let the matter rest, but after a moment's thought, he pressed further: \"Even so, hasn't there been any talk in Yanjing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Wanyan Wushu finally narrowed his eyes, and replied seriously: \"Marshal, just rest assured and fight the enemy. As for matters in the rear, I will handle them for you... Why say more?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bolisu felt a chill in his heart, and cupped his hands in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the war had reached this point—or rather, under this kind of full-frontal war, both sides were vast nations spanning ten thousand li. Troop strength, terrain, and weather were all already laid out in the open... There might still be various dramatic details emerging within them, but trying to use these clever, microscopic elements to change the overall strategic situation seemed rather meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was truly effective—or rather, what was truly effective for the decision-making layers of both sides—would only be those worn-out, simple, and direct strategies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Song army, with ten years of effort and three years of accumulation, struck at once with the force of a tiger. The Jin army naturally had to avoid its sharp edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with Mount Taihang standing majestically, stretching a thousand li and naturally dividing the battlefield, the Jin state would certainly think to use their cavalry's mobility to try to defeat each part separately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the winter freezing, the Hebei battlefield's geographical advantage for cavalry became prominent, while the Hedong battlefield's narrow terrain could not hinder the Song army's heavy troop advance. Adding that the Song forces in Hebei were clearly fewer and weaker, it was natural to seize the weather advantage, inflict massive casualties on the Song army in Hebei first, or at least repel Yue Fei's forces in Hebei, then combine with the newly mobilized Yanjing army to counterattack in Hedong with sufficient numerical superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This rough strategy was not only Balisu's proposal, but also Qin Gui's proposal, Wanyan Xiyin's proposal, and even Wushu's own proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, it was very likely also the proposal of the Zhao Song ruler, the proposal of Wang Yan who was making strategic contingency plans, the proposal of Wu Jie, and the proposal of Yue Fei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Song army could also believe that they could capture Taiyuan before the Jin army repelled Yue Fei, and then, with a strategic advantage in hand, launch the final general offensive and decisive battle in Hebei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was national war. At the end, it became a model of extreme simplicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What shaped this model were the mountains and rivers of the main battlefield, the war strength and war potential of the two nations. What determined the final outcome was also the war strength and war potential of these two nations, possibly plus a certain amount of resolve and a moment of persistence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eleventh month, the Jin army began its actions in rapid succession. The Song army advanced boldly yet cautiously in the Linfen Basin of Hedong. At the same time, Yanjing had already begun to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dusk, after a hard day's work, Qin Gui returned from the Imperial Secretariat. As soon as he reached home, Wang Shi had already sent servants to greet him and inform him that Hong Ya and Zheng Xiunian were waiting in the rear hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Grand Councilor of the Great Jin hesitated for a moment before slowly walking into his own rear hall after washing up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three met without any pleasantries. They each took their seats, consumed some ginger soup and warm congee, and then began to speak, yet their words were unusually direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother-in-law, yesterday a Goryeo merchant left a letter with me. It seems there are words from the south,\" Zheng Xiunian put down his soup bowl and spoke cautiously. \"They want us to cooperate vigorously.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On one hand, they want us to risk our lives to cooperate; on the other, they list us as war criminals, attached to proclamations and published in the official gazette... Is this what they mean by treating people with sincerity?\" Qin Gui also put down his soup bowl, but spoke righteously and sternly, asking coldly. \"I fear that in the eyes of that lord in the south, we are nothing but rags... If one day the north and south are truly unified, those southern marshals can still have their military power removed over wine and enjoy great wealth, but you and I will be killed to cover up their success!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiunian was immediately panicked. He then hurriedly looked at Hong Ya, but unexpectedly, Hong Ya was holding a bowl of ginger congee, drinking it eagerly, not even looking their way, making Zheng Xiunian even more flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking it over, this Vice Minister Zheng could only lower his voice to continue persuading: \"Brother-in-law... about what that Goryeo merchant said last month... don't you care at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Gui's expression froze, but he finally lowered his voice to reply: \"Your cousin and I have not had a child for many years. How could it be that in just a few months, there was a result with a maidservant? And so coincidentally, she was raised in the home of a high minister like Minister Lin? I'm afraid it's just the south trying to scare me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiunian hurriedly wanted to say more, but Qin Hui spoke first: \"Cunqing (Zheng Xiunian's courtesy name), compare the two yourself. The Great Song discards us like worn-out shoes, but the Great Jin treats you and me sincerely, listing us as high ministers and entrusting us with state affairs... If you let a few words turn yourself into a spy, wouldn't that be self-degradation and disloyalty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiunian was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Qin Hui said no more. He simply flicked his sleeve, stood up, and walked straight out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiunian had no choice but to look at Hong Ya again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Hong, the Drafter and concurrent Vice Minister, he had simply finished an entire bowl of ginger congee before smiling wryly in response: \"Vice Minister Zheng, why this posture?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiunian, as if granted a pardon, quickly stamped his foot in his seat: \"My brother-in-law pays no attention at all. How am I supposed to report back to the south?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is there to report?\" Hong Ya shook his head repeatedly. \"The south doesn't really expect us to do anything... It's just grasping at straws... As for your brother-in-law, you don't need to worry. I saw through him long ago. He is a rare, centuries-old hypocrite, calculating more clearly in his heart than anyone! We just follow him, and we definitely won't suffer losses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiunian was slightly startled. He quickly cupped his hands from his seat and asked for instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya, too lazy to put on airs, sneered directly: \"Right now, although the Great Song is menacing, the Great Jin has also passed its most difficult period of being caught off guard. It has barely managed to mobilize. Prince Wei is preparing to gather the main army to break Yue Fei, so the outcome is still uncertain. In this situation, with your brother-in-law's nature of being duplicitous and putting self-interest first, he will naturally sincerely help the Great Jin win... Because only then can he continue to be his Grand Councilor! And to be that Grand Councilor, a son in the south is no longer a son. However, if one day the south truly wins a decisive battle, he will inevitably stand before you and me with his hands folded, express his feelings, say that he has not had a child for decades, that he must think of his bloodline, and actively ask you to convey his sincerity to the south.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiunian was momentarily dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the rear hall, in the twilight, Qin Hui, who had not gone far at all, stood expressionless. Leaning on the faint light of a lantern under the eaves, he looked up at the snowflakes that had begun to fall at some unknown time, as if he had not heard Hong Ya's mockery of him in the hall at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following his gaze, the fine, scattered snowflakes drifted and swayed unceasingly. Although extremely slow, they were ultimately drifting southward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>October had passed, and November had arrived. The weather was inevitably growing colder. The best opportunity for battle that the Jin state's high command instinctively seized seemed to be approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>",3634,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","eac60e56e8da3aedaf3a244180a4ac1436aeed01c838bd12ad4beefec890e672","shao-song-chapter-392","shao-song-chapter-390",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]