[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-414":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},1558580,2024,"Chapter 414: Under the Willow (Continued)","shao-song-chapter-414",414,"\u003Cp>With the recovery of Datong Prefecture, which had not been under Han control for over a hundred years, a complete strategic stronghold of the Taihang Mountains and the Yellow River had fallen entirely into the hands of the Song Army. At the same time, approximately forty thousand reinforcements from the Khitan and Eastern and Western Mongol forces arrived at Datong, and the remaining troops of the Imperial Rear Army would be completely freed up, then advance eastward in force to join the main force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was, of course, very good—not just a little good, but a great good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, some hidden worries began to emerge. The army gradually grew restless and impatient; reckless advances and rash actions occurred repeatedly, followed by successive defeats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jin Army had not completely lost morale due to the sudden fall of Taiyuan. Yelu Ma Wu still stubbornly held Jingxing, the main passage from Taiyuan into Hebei, while the prefectural city of Xihe in Fenzhou, southwest of the Taiyuan Basin, remained firmly in the hands of Wanyan Salih.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these all seemed like minor details. In fact, compared to the Song Army's achievements and the Jin Army's performance before the fall of Taiyuan, the current situation had not exceeded expectations. It was just that the miraculous fall of Taiyuan had given the Song Army a higher expectation of victory, making these few setbacks amidst the tide of great victories harder to bear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was only the case for civil officials who knew nothing of military affairs and the lower ranks of the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the highest levels of the Song Army, what truly worried and tensed them at this moment was the successful escape of the Datong garrison, and the stance of the two Mongol reinforcement forces, especially the Eastern Mongol reinforcements... The math was simple: two ten-thousand-man units had escaped, creating a difference of forty thousand men inside and out. If the fifteen thousand light cavalry of the Eastern Mongol reinforcements switched sides, that would also be a difference of thirty thousand men inside and out. Together, that was a gap of seventy thousand men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared to underestimate that number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun was sinking further westward. Beneath the willow trees by the Fen River, His Majesty had put down the official dispatches and started fishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the main planner of the Datong campaign, who was also the direct superior of one of the main attacking forces in that direction (Deputy Commander of the Imperial Rear Army Guo Hao was directly responsible for one route), and who had been the temporary overall commander of the Taiyuan headquarters after the New Year—that was Wu Jie, Wu Jinqing. After receiving the news in the city, he immediately fell into intense unease, even panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After only a moment's hesitation, he realized that he still needed to offer a brief explanation to His Majesty—he did not want to lose this final stage because of such a matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu put down his fishing rod, turned around, and his expression also turned somewhat grim, which made Yang Yizhong, standing under the nearby tree, change color slightly as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Wu Jie, standing before him, saw this and was glad he had not delayed but had come directly to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jinqing.\" Zhao Jiu was silent for a long while before speaking, but he did not directly address the issue of the Eastern Mongols. \"Do you know why I was so confident in entrusting all the affairs of Taiyuan to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is ashamed.\" Wu Jie's heart tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not what I mean.\" Zhao Jiu shook his head in response, then simply supported himself on his knees and stood up. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth under the willow tree. \"I think that when it comes to handling some routine military affairs, organizing military arrangements, and understanding the geography of Hedong, someone like you is far better than I am... I sit here idly, playing the role of a sovereign who stabilizes the army's morale... But even I have considerations I cannot relax about... In your opinion, as the sovereign, stuck here in Taiyuan, what exactly should I be concerned about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie waited for His Majesty to finish, then replied calmly and helplessly: \"Logistics and troop strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, precisely those two points!\" Zhao Jiu stopped, looking at the other man with some emotion. \"Jinqing, you truly are a commander of talent...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie let out a soft sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the logic was not that complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Taiyuan, anyone with even a little military common sense knew that a decisive battle was bound to follow—and a field battle at that. Because, putting themselves in the enemy's shoes, after witnessing the power of gunpowder, the Jin high command would never take such a risk again. They simply could not bear the severe consequences of Zhending Prefecture, Hejian Prefecture, and Yanjing City being blown up in sequence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the main Jin force was forced into a dead end by the Song Army. The only thing they could do was to seek a field battle when the main Song force left Hedong in force and advanced into Hebei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for a field battle, with morale already high, the Song Army's primary considerations were naturally troop strength and logistics—the more troops, the better; the more supplies, the better. So, after handing over all military routine matters, His Majesty could set aside everything else, but he absolutely had to be concerned about the amount of logistics and troops here in Taiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to that, the gain or loss of a single city, the victory or defeat of a single unit, how to sweep through the Hedong region, or how to advance on Datong—all were of little concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was precisely the important reason why Wu Jie had come to apologize this time. Because, compared to other matters, this issue had touched upon the most core problem of the troop strength comparison in the decisive battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant... is ashamed.\" At this thought, Wu Jie felt even more ashamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be ashamed.\" Zhao Jiu slowly shook his head. \"Jinqing, since this has happened, we need to align our thoughts and ideas today... Because we, sovereign and minister, absolutely cannot have any differences in understanding or thinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie quickly cupped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First of all, as I said before, there is no longer enough gunpowder in the army.\" Zhao Jiu started with a fact both sides already knew. \"I stockpiled gunpowder for several years, several hundred thousand catties. On that day, I split it in half. On the Hedong side, to ensure Taiyuan could be taken, I used it all up in one go. The several tens of thousands of catties given to the Prince of Yan'an were also used up by him on that day... There might be some left, but that would be with Yue Pengju. I truly have none here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the slanting early spring sunlight, Wu Jie's expression did not change, but as soon as His Majesty finished speaking, he immediately shook his head: \"Your servant believes it doesn't matter... Because the Jurchens dare not gamble! Even if someone personally told Wanyan Wushu and Wanyan Balisu that we have no gunpowder, they still wouldn't dare to gamble! Even if they saw us using trebuchets to slowly batter the city walls, they wouldn't dare to gamble. They would only think we were, as before, saving the gunpowder for the most critical moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the logic, but it's gone after all, and we ourselves must understand that.\" Zhao Jiu nodded, continuing to look at the other man. \"Second, I roughly think this field battle will come particularly quickly... so fast it will catch us off guard... It's very likely that as soon as we leave Hedong, we'll have to meet them head-on! Because the Jin Army now has the momentum of an army fighting with its back to the wall, and they may not necessarily resist a decisive battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is indeed the case. Now that we hold the strategic high ground of Hedong, looking down from above, if we wait with our bows drawn, the longer we delay, the easier it will be for the Jin Army to waver and lose their footing.\" Wu Jie thought for a moment, then nodded heavily. \"But we also have to consider the issue of the Yanjing reinforcements... So, for the Jin Army, the best time for a decisive battle would be right after the Yanjing reinforcements arrive... Conversely, since Your Majesty took Taiyuan by surprise, the initiative is still with us. As long as we press into Hebei, they will have to give battle. The only problem is that our logistics are insufficient, and we cannot delay too long either. So it's best to press into Hebei before the Yanjing reinforcements arrive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded repeatedly, then finally got to the matter of the day: \"So, the issue with Khabul and the Eastern Mongols is very serious... It must be dealt with as quickly as possible, without delay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is willing to go to Datong in person...\" Wu Jie gritted his teeth in response. \"Your Majesty, the matter is like this: I will go and see for myself... If the Eastern Mongols can be used, I will immediately bring them to Taiyuan to join the main force. If they cannot be used, I will have Guo Hao, together with Deputy Commander Wang (Wang De), the Khitan Yelu Yudu's forces, and the Western Mongols, deal with the Eastern Mongols right there in Datong... We absolutely cannot allow them the chance to rebel on the eve of battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's acceptable...\" Zhao Jiu nodded. \"And right now, you are the most suitable person to go, because Guo Hao is your subordinate. But have you considered one thing? If you swiftly deal with the Eastern Mongols, what will the Western Mongols, who originally had no intention of rebelling, think? Will they lose their trust in us, harbor resentment, and then rebel on the battlefield? They are all Mongols; many of the lower-level tribal leaders know each other, are so-called 'anda' sworn brothers, and the tribes have historical ties. What's worse, although the Western Mongols didn't cause a major incident, they just plundered Datong, leading to conflict between Wang De, Guo Hao, and them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie was stunned on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we then deal with the Western Mongols, won't the Khitans also become terrified?\" Zhao Jiu turned around, pacing back and forth under the willow tree. \"In principle, the Khitans dare not rebel. But Yelu Yudu is not Yelu Dashi, and the generals under him lack high-level political vision. If they become frightened and go on guard, what then? This is what is meant by 'hesitating to strike for fear of smashing the vase.' With a decisive battle imminent, risks must be avoided. But precisely because of this, we cannot reveal this hesitation, or else those people will exploit it and stir up trouble for no reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant begs Your Majesty for instruction.\" Wu Jie quickly asked for guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no instruction.\" Zhao Jiu replied seriously. \"If the situation is clear, you should act when necessary, resolve it early if you can... But if you act against the Eastern Mongols, you must isolate the Western Mongols north of Yanmen Pass, so they cannot affect the decisive battle! And if the situation is murky and the risk of acting is too great, then don't bother with Khabul and the Eastern Mongols. Immediately bring the Khitans and Western Mongols south, and isolate the Eastern Mongols north of Yanmen Pass... Of course, the best outcome would be to bring all the reinforcements south together!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant understands.\" Wu Jie felt a great weight lifted. \"Your servant wishes to depart immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is one more thing...\" Zhao Jiu turned back under the tree. \"We haven't finished talking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Wu Jie quickly cupped his hands again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this campaign, from me to you, from Wang Sheng to Chen Yanzhang, from Datong to Dongjingcheng, from top to bottom, from front to rear, no matter how big the blunders are for anyone or anything, it is only to be expected.\" Zhao Jiu stopped there, staring at the other man seriously. \"Do not have any fear or anxiety in your heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie raised his head without a word, finally showing genuine astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since ancient times, there has never been a war of this scale.\" Zhao Jiu continued seriously. \"We are all figuring things out as we go... We stockpiled logistics for three years, thinking it would be enough for a year's campaign, but it only lasted half a year. Should the Ministry of Revenue, from Minister Lin Jingmo down, who worked diligently for three years, all submit their resignations and apologize? The Jin lost a ruling prince. Clearly, we gained a huge advantage from the surprise attack, yet as soon as the war started, riots broke out in Dongjing, nearly turning into an uprising. Should Chen Gui and Yan Xiaozhong resign and take responsibility? And Li Yanxian's reckless advance for glory, the defeat at Tieling Pass—should he hand over the banner of the mainstay to set things right? Of course, there is also the matter of your subordinate Guo Zhen, and today's matter in Datong... Jinqing...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is not to say there should be no responsibility, but rather that the great task is not yet finished. Being too harsh in some matters will only lose the greater for the lesser. Moreover, if you all are to be held responsible, then all of you were appointed by me. Shouldn't I be the first to take responsibility?\" Zhao Jiu looked at the other man, his brow deeply furrowed. \"Since the war began, you, Wu Jinqing, along with Han Liangchen, Li Shaoyan, Ma Zichong, and even Qu Da, have all had merits and no faults!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie was about to thank His Majesty for his grace on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unexpectedly, His Majesty simply flicked his sleeve: \"Go! Take Academician Mei, Ren the Secretariat Drafter, and Tuoli with you... Mei Li is to deal with the Khitans who admire Chinese culture, Ren Baozhong is to mediate conflicts among the various forces in Datong, Tuoli is to control the Western Mongols, and you are to make the decision on whether to deal with the Eastern Mongols... Go quickly and return quickly, do not delay!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jie stepped back hastily and left in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a moment, after watching Wu Jie's figure disappear, His Majesty seemed to slump somewhat, plopping back down onto the camp stool under the willow tree. Yang Yizhong dared not be negligent and immediately stepped forward a few paces, ready to support His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But His Majesty only waved his hand, then turned his head back: \"According to what was said before, after we sweep through Taiyuan and Longde, the entire army will assemble and immediately exit through Jingxing. At most, how many troops? At least, how many troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In principle, at least two hundred thousand, at most two hundred and forty thousand.\" Yang Yizhong blurted out. \"But in reality, it certainly won't be that many. There have been significant casualties, and troops need to be left behind along the route... Besides that, we also need to consider whether to leave some decent troops in Longde Prefecture and Taiyuan Prefecture, just in case.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taiyuan and Longde Prefecture must have troops left behind... So that's one hundred sixty to two hundred thousand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Yang Yizhong answered cautiously. \"But this actually doesn't include Yue Fei's forces... They are infantry, and it's uncertain how many men they can bring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yue Fei's forces still have some cavalry and some pack animals. There should be several thousand to ten thousand troops following the Jin Army over.\" Zhao Jiu quickly replied. \"So that's one hundred seventy to just over two hundred thousand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the Jin Army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Easy to calculate... Twenty ten-thousand-man units. Wang Bolong's is gone, Gao Jingshan's is gone, Wanyan Zhehe's is gone, Wendun Sizhong's is gone. Plus Wanyan Salih, who is doomed to not escape, and the two ten-thousand-man units of Huonü and Wulin Da Taiyu in Yanjing... The Jin Army should still have twelve or thirteen ten-thousand-man units.\" Yang Yizhong still blurted it out. \"But that's assuming the Yanjing reinforcements don't come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I not come?\" Zhao Jiu rubbed his left eye. \"Since we've reached this critical point, even if the main force of the Yanjing New Army can't arrive in time, Huonu and Wulin Daitayu, and even the Hezha Meng'an from Yanjing, will all be coming... So, if we force a decisive battle quickly, with neither side's reinforcements arriving, it might be seventeen or eighteen to twenty-one or twenty-two thousand against fifteen or sixteen thousand? The key still depends on Datong, doesn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If both sides' reinforcements arrive in full, then it'll be three hundred thousand against two hundred thousand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly. \"It won't go so smoothly... I just told Wu Jie, this scale of warfare is a first for everyone, and there are bound to be all kinds of mistakes... To put it bluntly, it's a pot of half-cooked rice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But we have it, and the Jurchens definitely have it too. The advantage in troop numbers always lies with the Great Song, in Your Majesty's hands.\" Yang Yizhong consoled him earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the truth.\" Zhao Jiu nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just then, when the Lord of the Realm, who had just gained some comfort, was about to say something more, suddenly another rider galloped over at full speed. Zhao Jiu saw him from afar and immediately fell silent, even feeling a hint of cowering, though he did not show it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, a great victory!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rider dismounted in a tumble, shouting from a distance. \"Commanders Dong Xian and Niu Gao have broken through Xihe and captured the Ten-Thousand-Household Commander Salihe alive!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu's spirits suddenly lifted, but only for a moment, then he grew tense again... because this meant that his and Wu Jie's conjecture had been confirmed—the decisive battle was likely coming sooner than imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>",3043,"2026-06-06T07:46:32.508Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0aaa03997b16320f7f56b89787f536c77c6b6631f53db5a7dc6afb3ef9e7fa48","shao-song-chapter-415","shao-song-chapter-413",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]