[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-394":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},1558560,2024,"Chapter 394: Dim Light, Dark Shadows","shao-song-chapter-394",394,"\u003Cp>Once the military order was issued, the first to stir was Tian Shizhong's division. In the following days, countless soldiers of the Imperial Guard Right Army packed their bags and, under the cover of rear support units, began an orderly withdrawal from the front lines. A large number of cities in Hebei that had just been taken, especially those further east and north, were abandoned. The army began crossing the complex river channels, converging toward the few major cities or military camps where the main force of the Imperial Guard Forward Army was densely concentrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, once the Song army began its northern expedition, the situation became chaotic, and armed reconnaissance and spies began to spread widely and proliferate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armed reconnaissance—meaning scout cavalry and small-unit infiltration—need not be mentioned, but espionage also became very common... The Song army would do it, and the Jin army would do it too. Often, a small boat would drift across the various branches of the Yellow River at night, threading through ditches and woods, then arrive in the form of passwords or tokens of authentication... And whether it was Jin or Song, the spies they deployed were universally local Han Chinese from Hebei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, nothing outside the camps could be concealed. An anomalous deployment on the scale of the Imperial Guard Right Army's withdrawal could not possibly be hidden from anyone. It immediately drew attention from all sides and triggered a chain reaction. As a result, Yue Fei's self-assumed plan encountered unexpected interference from the very start, directly affecting his arrangements and dispositions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this unexpected reaction did not come from the Jin army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, from a military logic standpoint, the senior Jin commanders in Hebei had no reason to find the Song army's withdrawal particularly incomprehensible... Wang Bolong's skirmish was a perfect excuse, and the concentration of the main Jin forces far in the rear was an even more fundamental, fatal reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Song commander could easily have sensed danger from Wang Bolong's sortie and the large-scale conscription of auxiliary troops, prompting a major contraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Imperial Guard Right Army's withdrawal was, from the start, within a reasonable chain of military logic. Any competent military commander should have anticipated the Song army's contraction... It was just that the Song army contracted so swiftly, so decisively, and over such a broad area that it was somewhat admirable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, another important reason why the Jin army's reaction fell within Yue Fei's expectations actually lay with one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As early as the previous few years, during the standoff and interactions with the Jin army across the river, Yue Fei had already discerned the character of this Commander-in-Chief of the Jin's Great Ming Prefecture Field Army—the man was dutiful, experienced in military affairs, and possessed political ability and standing, but for some reason, he had always performed very conservatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was first hinted at seven years ago, when this man followed the Eight-Character Army across the river without loosing a single arrow. Since the war began, all his responses had confirmed this... Those conservative withdrawals and abandonments, the prolonged avoidance of battle by his navy, the construction of Great Ming Prefecture's defenses, including those twenty-plus catapults aimed at the river channel—all of it spoke volumes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention whether the catapults were fixed in place or not, the key point was that setting them up took time... This time wasn't just about the process of assembling the catapults, but also about whether you needed to demolish houses in advance to build a catapult position at the city's river port? Did you need to set up a catapult workshop?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, when Yue Fei breached Great Ming City and faced Yuancheng across the river, over half of the opposing catapults were already in place. This showed that Gao Jingshan had likely started frantically fortifying the city defenses as soon as the Song army moved north, or perhaps immediately after the Third Prince, Eriduo, died, and he left no loopholes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One didn't know whether to admire the man's composure or his intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this character trait was actually another factor in Yue Fei's decision to launch a large-scale offensive before the river froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, this conservative commander, combined with the fact that the main Jin forces were massing far in the rear, indeed refrained from direct military interference and made no large-scale military adjustments around Great Ming Prefecture—Gao Jingshan had no intention of seeking merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Bolong did sortie, but that was also within expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this man was nominally under Great Ming Prefecture's command, looking at his garrison location, one could tell he had always been somewhat detached from the four Wanhu units around Great Ming Prefecture. Coming down from the north now, he also had reason to bypass Gao Jingshan's orders. Coupled with his aggressive style, making a slight pursuit move was also normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Wang Bolong couldn't really pursue deeply... On one hand, there was the danger of being isolated deep in enemy territory; on the other, he must have had top-level orders from someone like Jin Wushu, directing him to take position in a certain area (likely the area north of Xiajin).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, his command banner did indeed stop north of Xiajin, while his subordinates crossed the northern branch of the Yellow River's eastern channel, swept through Dezhou, and after several engagements with the Song army, chose to withdraw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even though the military developments unfolded exactly as Yue Fei had predicted, he still miscalculated, and it caused a major delay in his plan. To put it bluntly, what truly caught him off guard was not the Jin army, nor the political pressure from the rear in Dongjing... Dongjing's reaction wasn't that fast, and no matter how big the reaction, it couldn't directly affect the front lines... What most directly impacted the military plan was the people of the three prefectures in the fork of the Yellow River's eastern channel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, the Hebei survivors of the three prefectures that had just been recovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Imperial Guard Right Army was never a model force, it depended on who you compared them to. At the very least, they weren't too far from Dongjing here, and even closer to Yue Pengju's Imperial Guard Forward Army, which was mostly made up of Hebei natives. The Imperial Guard Right Army wouldn't dare to massacre cities or loot, would they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the common people couldn't understand the situation. They only saw that the Imperial Guard Right Army had just occupied towns for a few dozen days, or even just a dozen days, and then was withdrawing en masse. Naturally, this bred fear—if the Jin army returned, would they again massacre and enslave Han Chinese on a large scale, like eight or nine years ago?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the Jin was conducting large-scale conscription of auxiliary troops in the prefectures around the Yellow River's northern channel, dragging away the adult males of entire villages and towns... Just across a river channel that would freeze and cut off flow in winter, who didn't have relatives or friends over there? Who could avoid hearing rumors coming across?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even if the Jin army didn't kill people, the large-scale press-ganging of laborers was already confirmed. On the battlefield, weapons and arrows were blind; did anyone need to be taught what it meant to die without a burial place? It had only been a few years! Except for children, who hadn't experienced war?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, whether out of admiration for the Imperial Army's virtue, loyalty to the Imperial Song, or fear of war, anyway, as soon as the Imperial Guard Right Army moved, about a hundred thousand or more people from the three prefectures, with their families and belongings, followed them south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing to be said about it. Although it would severely hinder the Imperial Guard Right Army's withdrawal and concentration, and create enormous logistical and livelihood pressure, since things had come to this, it was absolutely impossible to drive them away... The several engagements between Wang Bolong's forces and the Song army in the Dezhou area occurred against this backdrop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Yue Fei could only quickly dispatch troops upon learning the news to support Tian Shizhong in turn, then personally write a letter to Mo Qixie in Jinan, asking him to take them in and accept them, while also sending documents and secret letters of apology to Dongjing and the Hedong region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way around it, really no way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Hebei native, Yue Fei could not, under any circumstances, abandon these people. But the army wasn't equipped to handle this. Once attention was diverted to these war refugees, his military plan might truly be aborted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, on the first day of mid-November, arriving simultaneously with the clearly angry inquiries from Dongjing were Mo Qixie's official documents and private letters... In the official document, the latter promised to temporarily use the Imperial Guard Forward Army's camps in Henan as shelter to accept these Hebei refugees, and at the same time, organize able-bodied men on-site to replace some of the able-bodied men from the Jingdong circuits in rear-area transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this matter could not last long. The pressure on the two Jingdong circuits was also very high. These people had to be sent back home as soon as possible, preferably before next year's spring plowing. Moreover, Yue Fei must explain the situation to the central government and have the central government provide material supplements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, in another private letter with his personal seal, Mo Qixie did not forget to sternly remind Yue Fei that he should proactively confess his plan and explain the reasons to the two Chancellors, Zhao and Zhang. He must never, just because he thought himself correct, abandon communication, nor take things for granted because of the Emperor's absolute trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Mo Qixie also made it very clear in the letter that he believed, given Yue Fei's interpersonal skills, he would have already reported to the Emperor Zhao while making his decision, and there would have been words sent to Dongjing... But the key was attitude! The statement to the Emperor should be direct and clear, while the explanation to the councilors in Dongjing must be detailed and explicit, preferably with diagrams and written documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, according to his guess, Dongjing would soon send an envoy to the front lines, and preparations must be made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading the official document and private letter, Yue Fei felt a momentary relief, yet couldn't help feeling complicated... Because he had indeed immediately sent a very serious document to Dongjing that very day, and also dispatched his personal adjutant, Bi Jin, as a messenger to the Emperor Zhao. By his reckoning, the messenger was almost there. Yet, the councilors in Dongjing would still be furious and dissatisfied, and even his old comrade Mo Qixie was worried that he couldn't maintain a deferential attitude toward the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was quite frustrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, no matter what, once Mo Qixie unhesitatingly extended a helping hand, Yue Pengju could finally breathe a sigh of relief and continue with his military plan, and he did so with exceptional resolve... Even if, due to the delay caused by the refugee issue, the situation had reached a very unfavorable and tense point, he would still proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps, although he hadn't specifically anticipated this particular event, it was almost inevitable that a military plan involving tens of thousands of combat troops and over a hundred thousand support troops would encounter problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Pengju could not be shaken by this. It would only strengthen his resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On November 13th, the third day after Tian Shizhong's division, amid the chaos, arrived at the camps around Great Ming City, the weather turned overcast. This was a good opportunity. Knowing he could wait no longer, Yue Fei transmitted military orders to all units in the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon receiving the orders, that same night, the first to move was the Imperial Guard Navy at Maling Ferry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maling Ferry was located at the river mouth just over ten li upstream from Great Ming City and Yuancheng. This was precisely the fork where the Yellow River split into its eastern and northern channels. Many Imperial Guard Navy ships, acting on orders under cover of night, began to move, mostly in confusion... There was no helping it; most of their commanders and officers had only received their orders that very day, leading many, based on the route, to guess they were heading east to continue covering the Imperial Guard Right Army's retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were always exceptions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Maling Ferry, three people had known the full plan early on. One was Zhang Rong, who had come personally to oversee things. Another was You Xuezheng, who had been handling documents (reading and writing letters) and managing external relations (leading drinking games at banquets) for Zhang Rong back in the Liangshan Marsh days... Of course, he was now a staff officer with a jinshi degree. The last was Commander Xiao En, who had been prepared for a long time and, upon receiving the order that day, had readied his troops and set off alone toward the northwest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Old Xiao have anything to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the commotion outside, Zhang Rong, who had been waiting in a room within the camp behind the ferry, asked directly... After so many years, he could even recognize You Xuezheng's footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What would he have to say?\" You Xuezheng entered, cupping his hands toward Zhang Rong, who was sitting on the heated brick bed wrapped in a cotton-padded jacket. \"If he had something to say, he wouldn't be him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong had no reply, only a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, there shouldn't have been anything to say in the first place,\" You Xuezheng, seeing this, continued to advise with his hands cupped. \"The principles of loyalty and righteousness for the nation in the official gazette don't sound false. Even setting aside that grand principle, when the Emperor made his river inspection tour the year before last, you used the purge of the vegetarian cult to straighten out the ranks. What you said that day was very clear... 'Today is different from the past. Those who go home will be good commoners and wealthy householders. They must obey the law, and they can live in peace. Those who stay will be soldiers, eating military rations. As soldiers eating military rations, they must obey orders and military law, and they must put their lives on the line...'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand all the principles, but I still feel I've let him down somehow...\" Zhang Rong couldn't help interrupting, clearly still struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let's not talk about principles. Let's just talk about brotherhood. Is Old Xiao not a man of brotherhood?\" You Xuezheng sat down beside him, still cupping his hands. \"He stubbornly refuses to go, putting you in a difficult position... In the end, you'd be disloyal to the Emperor above, disloyal to Marshal Yue in the middle, and unrighteous to the Hebei commoners fleeing in the dead of winter below—unfaithful, unrighteous, unkind, unlawful, all of it. And the banner of 'acting on behalf of Heaven' would be taken away. Would that make him happy? Chief, what's wrong with you today? Isn't it just a matter of risking our lives?! Ever since we went up Mount Liang in the Daojun Emperor's time, who among us cared about their life? If we lose our lives today, will the Emperor forbid our spirit tablets from entering the Yue Terrace, or won't you provide for our families? How can you think so little of your brothers? Back then, when we had no idea what to do, weren't you the one who talked the most? Today, when the situation is so simple, why are you so confused? Have you really gotten too used to peaceful times?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end, You Xuezheng's tone had become quite elevated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you know, you failed scholar who couldn't even pass the tribute student exam?\" Zhang Rong was also getting impatient. \"Every time has its own difficulties, every time has its own thoughts... If you ask me, it really is about getting too used to peaceful times... Ten years ago, when the Jin first attacked, every man and woman in our stronghold, young and old, anyone who could pull an oar and get on a boat, had to fight for their lives. Back then, there was no such trouble. The key is that now the overall situation isn't bad, so not everyone has to fight, and that's what's showing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh...\" You Xuezheng suddenly realized, still cupping his hands. \"The Chief's meaning is, it's not about the act of risking one's life, but about why, when only one in ten people needs to risk their lives, it has to be our brother? And when assigning tasks, you have to give the most dangerous job to your most trusted brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've hit the nail on the head.\" Zhang Rong slapped his thigh, sighed, and quickly continued, as if explaining himself. \"At the root of it, I trust the Emperor. Seeing how hard he's worked, how he's saved up for ten years, I always feel the northern expedition can probably succeed... Since ancient times, from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, has there ever been an Emperor who worked this hard and didn't succeed? I also trust Pengju. I've been his brother and neighbor for ten years. I know his skill in commanding troops and his character. If he says it can be done, then even if the plan looks absurd, it's probably not absurd inside, and it can mostly be done... But it's precisely this that makes my heart ache!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you put it that way, I understand!\" You Xuezheng nodded repeatedly. \"But Chief, someone still has to do the things that break your heart, right? Even in a smooth battle, someone has to be the scout, someone has to be the bait. In a meeting engagement, someone has to charge ahead, someone has to fight the rearguard action. When besieging a city, someone has to be the first to scale the walls... Old Xiao's mission looks like a reckless sacrifice, a careless throwaway, but from the overall situation, from the perspective of a great battle, it's unavoidable. Since it's unavoidable, why think so much about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong shook his head repeatedly, got up from the heated brick bed where he'd been sitting in his cotton-padded jacket, walked barefoot past his scholar, then stepped off the bed, put on his shoes, and turned back at the door:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm riding to Gucheng to keep an eye on things... don't you sit idle either. Go to Great Ming City and see Yue Pengju, prepare to receive Old Xiao and his band of brothers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Xuezheng was stunned for a moment, let out an \"oh,\" then only after that did he react, and hurriedly got up again to climb off the kang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them walked out of the house together and came outside. Seeing the obvious commotion in the stockade, they felt helpless but had nothing to say, so they each went to fetch their horses, preparing to head separately for Great Ming City and Gucheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the moment they mounted their horses and rode to the North Gate, parting and galloping off in an instant, in the darkness of the night Zhang Rong suddenly realized something. He turned his head back toward the pitch-black night and cursed: \"Fucking hell, wasn't it Old Xiao who just sent you, you bastard, to persuade me? And you say there's nothing to talk about?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, in the twilight obscured by dark clouds, You Xuezheng merely hugged his horse and rode away, turning a deaf ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong had no choice. Hearing that there was already movement on the river, and knowing the reasoning in his heart, he merely reined his horse in place, circling once or twice, then finally let the guards at his side raise torches and hurriedly set off on his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving aside You Xuezheng's journey to Great Ming City to see Yue Fei, let us only speak of Zhang Rong personally riding to Gucheng Town. The distance was no more than ten-odd li, and along the way, on this eastern waterway after the Yellow River forked, he saw a large lantern every two or three hundred paces, lined up all the way from Maling Ferry into the camp, unbroken and continuous, clearly their own navy's vessels. On both banks, countless armored soldiers were densely arrayed, patrolling back and forth without cease. Although there had been military orders to keep voices low and forbid speech, with such a scene, even ordinary movements already made no small noise. By the time he reached Gucheng Town, he saw densely gathered civilian laborers, half the town lit up as bright as day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mood grew increasingly complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no help for it. This so-called complexity was, on one hand, a helplessness in his heart—knowing that such a commotion could never be hidden from Yuancheng's side, and that Xiao En's mission this time would have to be carried out. On the other hand, he was also infected by the grim and murderous atmosphere along the way, gradually casting aside all his previous thoughts and Xiao En's persuasion delivered through You Xuezheng, becoming serious instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one presiding over the situation here in Gucheng was Wang Gui, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Forward Army. Seeing Zhang Rong arrive in person with a stern face, he was caught off guard and hastily cupped his hands in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the rest, seeing that Zhang Jiedu and Deputy Commander Wang had gathered together in this town, everyone up and down understood that this was the critical point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiedu, the ship has arrived.\" Wang Gui was clearly somewhat nervous, to the point of panting slightly in the darkness, the white mist of his breath especially visible under the torches. \"This matter can't be delayed. It's not that cold tonight, so an ice track probably won't work... use rollers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then use rollers!\" Zhang Rong immediately responded, then added, as if to encourage himself: \"These are all methods we're used to in the shipyard, and we've tested them a full three times. There's no reason they can't work! Get to it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui nodded heavily, without the slightest hesitation, turned his head, and gave the order: \"Drag the ship!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the command, in front of the shipyard at Gucheng Town's port, a small paddle-wheel boat that had been waiting at the ready vigorously drove its water wheel, gently sailing toward the open-air slipway. Then, under the tense gaze of the crowd, it used its momentum to rush up a wooden ramp that ordinary shipyards simply didn't have, exposing the bottom of the hull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking further, one would find that this wooden ramp actually ran through half the town, with wooden tracks connecting it in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the momentum was enormous and heavy, but ultimately it could not overcome the force of gravity, and gravity, under specific circumstances, could ultimately be hindered by friction—yet human strength could overcome heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, although the ship's speed grew slower and slower, it ultimately charged straight and true up the ramp, and with the bow wobbling slightly, it finally came to a stop with the bow tilted slightly upward at the end of the slipway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the laborers who had been pedaling the wheel on the ship and the helmsman all came down. At the same time, more laborers who had been waiting in advance swarmed forward, barefoot, binding ropes around the mud-covered hull, securing items, and laying rollers ahead. After a brief moment of preparation, they scattered again, trying to drag the ship forward onto the wooden track like trackers... they had done several experiments before and knew exactly what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, to everyone's astonishment, hundreds of laborers and countless livestock—horses, oxen, and mules alike—all strained westward, but for some reason, they simply could not budge the small paddle-wheel boat. Everyone, high and low, was disheartened, momentarily at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong and Wang Gui, the two in charge, were equally dumbfounded, and broke out in a cold sweat from anxiety... It had worked fine before, why not now? If this didn't work, wouldn't Xiao En's trip to Yuancheng be a true waste? Should they call it off? If this didn't work, even if Wang Gui was Yue Fei's own sworn brother, wouldn't he still fear military law?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst their respective panic, Zhang Rong forced himself to stay calm. He simply unbuttoned his cotton jacket, draped it over his shoulders, and stood with his hands on his hips, facing the scene. Wang Gui, as the executor, had no choice. On one hand, he had people check the ship to see if something was stuck; on the other, he summoned the laborer foreman and berated him, telling these men to put their hearts and strength into it, while also sending for more laborers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when Wang Gui finished his scolding, and the laborer leaders were about to disperse with varied expressions to try again, Zhang Rong suddenly raised a hand under the torchlight and called out to one of them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, don't leave!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man was startled, quickly turned back, and bowed in salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remember you. You've always been a company commander following our navy, right?\" Zhang Rong said sternly. \"I saw you had something you wanted to say just now? Do you know what's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That laborer leader, none other than Zhou Bin, had not yet answered when Wang Gui also looked over sternly, frightening the latter into lowering his head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander Wang, don't scare them.\" Zhang Rong stamped his foot. \"These camp followers are all from the military farms along the Yellow River's banks—either old brothers who've retired or men who've suffered through war. If you put on such an act, they'll either refuse to obey or be scared out of their wits!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui turned away awkwardly, but couldn't help stopping three or four paces off, watching Zhang Rong question the man himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sure enough, once Wang Gui left, Zhou Bin spoke carefully and earnestly: \"Jiedu... this minor official was just thinking, it might not be that something is stuck, nor that there isn't enough strength. It's just that today there's a military order forbidding loud noise, and on top of that, the night is cold, and morale is scattered, so the strength is unfocused. If we could be allowed to chant a work song, a single boat like this would surely be hauled onto the track.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui was still baffled, thinking this man was talking nonsense. But Zhang Rong and the few old brothers from Mount Shuipo Liang at his side—what backgrounds did they have? They knew at once that this hit the nail on the head. They immediately relaxed and then all looked at Wang Gui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui still didn't believe it, but a moment later, the men who had gone to inspect the ship returned, reporting that there was no problem. And with Zhang Rong staring coldly at him without pause, he could only treat a dead horse as if it were still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereupon, the ban was lifted, and Zhou Bin was designated as the commander on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it turned out, Zhou Bin was perhaps a bit too cautious. After the laborers and draft animals were all back in position and ready, he came running over to ask: \"May I ask, Commander, who should lead the work song?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui grew even more impatient and was about to point at Zhou Bin and tell him to do it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just then, Zhang Rong, who had long grown impatient on the sidelines, suddenly stopped putting on airs. He threw his cotton jacket to the ground, walked down in his leather carved-boots, snatched a rope from the hands of a somewhat elderly laborer right in the mud, and turned his head to look around: \"Do you recognize me, Zhang Rong of Mount Shuipo Liang? I, Zhang Rong, will sing the work song! The work song of Mount Shuipo Liang in Jingdong—do you all know how to sing it?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui and everyone below him in the Imperial Guard Forward Army, along with countless laborers, were utterly dumbfounded. On the other hand, the men of the Imperial Guard Navy showed no reaction at all, simply bursting into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Rong had that kind of temper—why would he care about the reactions of those around him? After cursing angrily at the laughter, he opened his mouth and began to sing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, a work song is meant to be sung, not shouted. It's just that the tune is long and drawn out, with emphasis on certain beats, so that everyone can exert force together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui stood there in a daze, his mind a blank. Although he had lived in Jingdong for nearly ten years, it took him half a day to understand the lyrics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The song went:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With one call of the work song, I sweat all over,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one call of the work song, I fill with courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single tracking rope, nine zhang and three,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tied to the shoulders of fathers and sons for generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials demanded the Flower and Rock Convoys,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One convoy meant ten great ships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ships sailed from Jiangnan to Henan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requiring trackers by the hundred thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They trampled through the Two Capitals, no one asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows the cold in a tracker's heart...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This work song was certainly somewhat out of place for the present moment, but it was absolutely effective, because by the time Zhang Rong sang to the part about \"hundreds and thousands,\" the paddle-wheel boat had already successfully left the slipway and mounted the flat wooden track behind it. The track was covered with pre-laid rollers, and once the boat pressed onto them, the laborers immediately found it much easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, once they reached this point, the terrain opened up, and the number of livestock and manpower that could be used was far greater than before at the slipway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, this paddle-wheel boat, equipped with a small trebuchet, immediately began its journey of a ship on land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zhang Rong, Zhang Jiedu, although he had succeeded at once, he kept singing the entire work song, following the boat for a long time before finally turning back and putting on his cotton jacket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this time, the second paddle-wheel boat had also been successfully launched, and the third boat—a large paddle-wheel boat—had also begun its attempt at another, wider open-air slipway outside the town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The boats can definitely move. I won't stay here.\" Zhang Rong returned to the front and gave an order to Wang Gui, who still hadn't fully recovered. \"But you, Commander Wang, aren't much of a worker either. Listen more to what others have to say... Don't worry about anything else for now—first boil hot water, boil plenty of hot water.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest assured, Jiedu.\" Wang Gui snapped back to his senses and hurriedly bowed, extremely respectful. \"Hot water and hot food will certainly not be lacking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not what I mean.\" Zhang Rong said sternly. \"Of the two methods we discussed before—one with rollers, one with shallow pits and an ice track—the ice track can't form right now, can it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But there's still thin ice.\" Zhang Rong reminded him seriously. \"In the latter half of the night, thin ice will form on the rollers and inside the dry dock—easy for accidents to happen... Keep pouring hot water on them nonstop! And watch the rollers too—replace them quickly if they break!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Gui suddenly understood and repeatedly acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Rong said no more, mounted his horse again, and headed straight toward Great Ming City. But he had ridden no more than five or six li when, in the night, he suddenly heard a clamor of battle cries rising from the southwestern sky—who knew how many men were moving under cover of darkness. Startled, he reined in his horse on the spot, circling indecisively... Zhang Rong knew that Great Ming City had received a fast-horse report, realizing that Gucheng could no longer be concealed—very likely someone had reported as soon as the first boat was successfully launched. But regardless, the feigned attack plan had been triggered ahead of schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right—Yue Fei's so-called strategy was exactly this, or at least one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, to capture Yuancheng, the fundamental issue was how to ensure the Song army achieved local numerical superiority, then calmly set up positions and besiege the city without interference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To achieve this, leaving aside the period after the Yellow River froze, before it froze, given Yuancheng's terrain, they would definitely need to control the river channel. If the navy could appear on the river channel near the city, it would be an enormous help—whether for the siege, defending against outside interference, or retreating if necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gao Jingshan had been a military commander in Great Ming Prefecture for many years—how could he not understand this principle? Those twenty-plus catapult carts were his preemptive deployment targeting this critical point, and they were truly ruthless; the Imperial Guard Navy was completely useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, Yue Fei's countermeasure was baffling yet simple—even simple to the point of crudeness: the distance from here to the Yellow River fork was only a little over ten li, and the two river channels were also only a little over ten li apart—so why not drag the boats overland, directly bypassing the blocked channel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This idea seemed bizarre, but in fact there was no major problem with it. After Yue Fei explained it in detail that day, Zhang Rong thought it feasible, because dry dock technology existed in this era. Back in the days of the Retired Emperor, someone had built a dry dock beside Jinming Pool to repair the large dragon boats that were destined never to see battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, inland river boats all had flat bottoms. Flat bottoms meant they could use rollers to assist in \"traveling,\" far more convenient than the pointed-bottom sea vessels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the concept of moving boats overland was never a fantasy from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this approach also had other requirements—it wasn't just a matter of having an idea. He had to ensure speed and surprise against the Jin army. On the battlefield, the greatest variable was always people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any brilliant military plan, once detected by the enemy, would inevitably invite obstruction and interference—then no one knew what would happen. In fact, this was also why Yue Fei abandoned the conventional method of digging canals to divert water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To succeed, tonight there had to be feigned attacks and other actions as cover—and they had to be plausible feigned attacks and cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what should the Song army's plausible military attempt be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has it come?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a commotion outside the city, inside Yuancheng, Gao Jingshan—dressed in a brocade jacket, almost indistinguishable from the winter attire of Henan nobles, sitting upright in his own tower—slightly raised his head, his expression unchanged. \"I knew it—with this kind of noise, something must be happening... Which side?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The south!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Jurchen battalion commander bowed his head in reply. \"Judging by the torches and the scale, no fewer than several thousand—maybe ten thousand. They're stacking boats to build a pontoon bridge, preparing for a night crossing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ignore them.\" Gao Jingshan said dismissively. \"Just send scouts to carefully patrol along the river, and have the south city keep its lights on all night and stay alert... If they really dare to attack, let them face our high walls and strong fortifications—they'll be powerless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if the Song army attacks Nanle or Weidian?\" the Jurchen battalion commander hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both places were southwest of Yuancheng, considered prosperous strongpoints and subsidiary towns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then have Nanle and Weidian both defend carefully as well.\" Gao Jingshan said as if suddenly realizing. \"If they can't hold out, tell the garrison commanders to withdraw under cover of night to the Yongji Canal, then enter the city at dawn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" The Jurchen battalion commander responded helplessly, then hurried downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan continued sitting upright in the tower, momentarily bored, but couldn't help glancing at an attendant beside him. The latter understood and quickly bowed to inquire:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does the Commander have any orders?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just remembered something.\" Gao Jingshan sighed softly. \"Go find one of those small stew pots with a stove, and find a fish. Have the cook prepare it... Finally, go find Interpreter Gao and tell him I want to invite him here to eat fish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant responded blankly and went straight down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander had given an order—what was a mere pot and a fish? In a short while, the stew pot was set up and the fish was stewing. Gao Jingshan also had someone find a bottle of Blue Bridge Wind and Moon wine, but Interpreter Gao had not yet arrived. So this Jin army field commander simply opened a bloodstained latest edition of a Song official gazette, and began drinking and reading by himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the commotion outside the city grew louder and louder. Although the Commander sat as steady as a mountain, he couldn't stop the endless stream of officials, officers, and attendants coming and going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, another young Bohai battalion commander came personally to report. \"The Song army has captured Nanle! The leader is Tang Huai—the one who crossed the river is the central army of the Yue Family Army!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Gao Jingshan finally put down his gazette in surprise and asked seriously: \"How do you know all this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Nanle garrison commander fled to the west city. He didn't dare enter the city, but reported this to me below the walls.\" The Bohai battalion commander was extremely excited. \"Commander, Yue Fei's central army is recklessly crossing the river—this is an opportunity!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What opportunity?\" Gao Jingshan feigned incomprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know the city defenses are tight and we must not sally out rashly, but I am willing to ride post-haste to Guantao, summon the two Wanhu commanders Ali and Shaohe to come to our aid overnight, and swallow this Song army!\" The Bohai battalion commander still didn't notice his superior's attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonsense.\" Gao Jingshan replied helplessly. \"If the relief force comes from Guantao to the south of the city, they either have to pass through the city or cross the Yongji Canal twice... Either way, by the time they get here, the Song army would have already withdrawn in the dark... Why do you think the Song army only showed their forces south of the city?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bohai battalion commander was instantly speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And do you think I haven't already sent messages to the two Wanhu commanders Shaohe and Ali?\" Gao Jingshan continued, equally exasperated. \"The sky was overcast today, no moonlight, but there was activity in three major strongpoints across the river—audible across the water. I knew then that the Song army was up to something, and I've already sent word to the two Wanhu commanders to have their men cook at the fourth watch, raise their troops at dawn, and sweep from north to south to clear the area north of the city for me. But they must be extremely careful not to come over in the dark, lest the Song army be building a path in the open while secretly crossing elsewhere, ambushing us on the north side... Why would I need you to remind me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bohai battalion commander was even more embarrassed. Turning his head, he saw another Bohai Gao-clan Interpreter Gao arriving, standing inside the tower staircase, equally awkward. He immediately kowtowed: \"I am ashamed. I did not know the Commander had made thorough preparations. Please punish me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drag him out and give him twenty strokes of the rod!\" Unexpectedly, Gao Jingshan actually waved his hand and ordered the punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bohai battalion commander was completely dazed, looking up in shock... He had only been being polite—that apology was just a casual remark! The key point was the phrase \"the Commander has made thorough preparations\"!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Gao Jingshan grew even more helpless and had to explain seriously: \"I'm not punishing you for coming up with that idea. I had a standing order that the rotating garrison commanders of the four city gates and the ferry crossings were not to leave their posts without authorization. You were supposed to be on the wall today—how could you take it upon yourself to come see me in person, throwing my order to the wind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bohai battalion commander was utterly dejected. He could only obediently clasp his hands in salute, allowing two armored soldiers to come up and take him downstairs to receive the twenty strokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the battalion commander left, Gao Jingshan rose with a smile to greet Interpreter Gao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interpreter Gao immediately returned the bow with cupped hands. The two then casually sat down by the stewed fish pot in the tower. At this point, Interpreter Gao finally laughed: \"With chaos and war outside the city, the Commander has fine taste!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hardly fine taste.\" Gao Jingshan sighed in response. \"Back when Da? was still alive, I went on a mission to Dongjing. On my return, we met on the Yellow River channel outside Great Ming Prefecture. He stewed fish on his boat to entertain me... Tonight, disturbed by the Song army, I don't know why I remembered those old times. I realized that our Bohai people are gradually dwindling away—that's why I troubled Interpreter Gao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interpreter Gao was also somber at these words. After a long pause, he sighed: \"Who says otherwise? These young people only know that we are cautious and old-fashioned, thinking we are conservative and timid—they have no idea why we are this way. Back when Gao Yongchang rebelled, leading the Bohai and Goguryeo people to contend with the Great Ancestor for Liaodong, after a complete defeat, there were Datanbuye and his brothers, Shaohe, you and me, who entered the Jin army. Although the Bohai people are second only to the Jurchens in the state, those of us who stood out instead incurred suspicion... That one just now—was that Pusuyue? Da?'s eldest son?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan realized and immediately nodded: \"Yes. In his original Wanhu unit, he refused to submit to Shaohe's authority. Shaohe had no choice but to request that I reassign him here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No wonder. But why has it come to this?\" Interpreter Gao continued sighing. \"Back then, there were five of us. His uncle Datanbuye died in battle. His own father Da? spoke resentfully, was demoted to guard a ferry, and died there. In the Grand Marshal's headquarters, because the Grand Marshal originally planned to make me Xi Yin's deputy, a councilor, I too became a target of suspicion. If you hadn't protected me in time, I would have been made an example of long ago. Compared to us, the Wulinda brothers, though also the Grand Marshal's confidants, were promoted because they were Jurchens. And petty men like Wundun Sizhong, young men like Salahe and Bendu—they rose swiftly and easily simply because they were direct descendants of the Great Ancestor. As for you and Shaohe, you only survived because the army had two old Bohai Wanhu units that couldn't be dissolved. Young men like Pusuyue can only circle within these two Wanhu units, with no room to develop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this Interpreter Gao was none other than Gao Qingyi, one of Nianhan's confidants. After Nianhan's death, he survived only thanks to Gao Jingshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's not talk about this anymore.\" Hearing this, Gao Jingshan finally shook his head. \"The Great Jin is ultimately the Wanyan family's. We eat their rations, do our duty, and keep a clear conscience—that's enough... Today I called the Interpreter over simply because the night is long, and the Song people won't let us sleep. I had no choice but to ask the Interpreter to help me pass the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interpreter Gao—that is, Gao Qingyi—nodded at this and reached for the wine. But just as he raised a cup, he couldn't help turning serious: \"Is the situation truly without trouble?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just watch the southeast ferry crossing.\" In front of Gao Qingyi, Gao Jingshan finally became candid, unhurriedly pointing toward the southeast. \"Yue Pengju, though young, is by no means a man of empty reputation—he is not one to make useless moves... My guess is that because Wang Bolong disobeyed orders and showed himself out of greed for glory, and because of the large-scale conscription here, he guessed that the Fourth Prince was about to lead a major army here. So on one hand, he is contracting his forces, and on the other, he is preparing to make a desperate strike before leaving... Whether this strike succeeds or not lies not in showing off south of the city, nor in covert movements north of the city, but in whether he can bring his navy through this river mouth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qingyi nodded repeatedly: \"Therefore, whatever happens south or north of the city is all illusion. Once dawn breaks and the Guantao army sweeps south, it will all come to nothing. The only thing that matters is whether the navy can sneak through the river mouth?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly!\" Gao Jingshan sneered, also raising his wine cup. \"North and south—both are feints, both are diversions. Only taking advantage of today's overcast sky, with the moonlight blocked, to sneak through the river channel—that is the real move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what if the Song army doesn't try to sneak through?\" Gao Qingyi asked with a half-smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I would have to sally out on all sides and investigate carefully.\" Gao Jingshan suddenly turned stern. \"Yue Fei is absolutely not a mediocre general who misses the key point, nor a fool who wastes his troops, nor a hollow commander who cannot motivate his men... If he makes such a move without attempting a sneak crossing, then he must have some other critical action in mind!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words fell, a sharp whistle suddenly sounded from the southeast. Gao Jingshan and Gao Qingyi exchanged a glance, then both relaxed and laughed, raising their cups to drink in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they lifted the pot lid and began to eat the stewed fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stewed fish sent up a wave of steam, filling the entire attic with swirling mist. Combined with the firelight outside the pavilion, the light within flickered between bright and dim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At almost the same time, several li outside Yuancheng, in the core area of the Song army camp across the river, between Great Ming City and Gucheng, Zhang Rong, who had been hesitating and circling there for who knows how long, finally turned around. He gave up on going to Great Ming City and instead went back to help those behind him drag the steamship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the new alliance leader, classmate Yan Zuzu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, truly, this egg-boy has exhausted his talent.\u003C\u002Fp>",7837,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","8ee60d234c131cb15b730ae06d8897e1e0eebaed4a4348b04737fafc7567cd9d","shao-song-chapter-395","shao-song-chapter-393",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]