Chapter 42: The Document (Part 1)

"Standing so far away, what for? Afraid I'll eat you? Fine, this matter ultimately has little to do with you. I'll spare you from being a staff officer. Get out!"

Unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince, Jin Wushu, who had been swindled out of a pile of gold and silver, did not fly into a rage and kill anyone—or at least did not take it out on the poor Staff Officer Shi Wenbin. This left the latter momentarily grateful, and he scurried away in haste.

But with Shi Wenbin gone, Grand Commandant Zhang Jun had, like Zhuge Liang borrowing arrows with straw boats, toyed with the Fourth Prince, then generously rewarded the entire city, and resolved to defend Xiacai to the death, making it a fait accompli. At this point, no matter what, Jin Wushu, whose persuasion strategy had failed, had to continue making strategic decisions. Thus, that evening, Jin Wushu quickly convened a closed military tent meeting with two chiliarchs who had arrived upon hearing the news, and they again discussed military strategy.

"Fourth Prince, now that things have come to this, do we continue preparing pontoon bridges to cross the Huai River, or do we make up our minds to switch to attacking the city?"

Among the two chiliarchs, Elubu was a somewhat rough man who did not care much about money matters. Moreover, with the debt contract Jin Wushu had promised earlier, he was even less reactive to the situation. So, seeing Jin Wushu silent for a long time, he simply spoke up and pressed the issue. "Let the Fourth Prince know, our forces are limited after all. The Song people already pulled away many of the civilian laborers north of the Huai in Shouzhou. If we're going to attack the city, we can't be half-hearted!"

Jin Wushu, who had been scowling the whole time, finally managed a faint smile, but then looked at Ali: "General Ali, what do you think?"

"I haven't changed from the start!" Perhaps due to concerns about debt risk, Ali, who was usually somewhat petty, couldn't help but stare fixedly at the Fourth Prince as he spoke. "We Jurchens have rules for fighting... In a situation like this, we should have been single-mindedly preparing to attack the city from the beginning. Getting tricked during a failed persuasion attempt is no big deal. Next, we prepare to scale the walls! If scaling fails, we prepare trebuchets to smash the city. Once the walls are breached and the moats are filled, send in the elite to charge in! Take this big city right in front of us first, then think about crossing the river!"

Jin Wushu shook his head repeatedly: "That was in the past. This time, we're a lone force deep in enemy territory, and we're only here for the Zhao Song Emperor. There's no need to waste our military strength on a city like this..."

"But this city is so crucial, we can't just ignore it. That's why we tried to cut corners and ended up falling for their scheme," Ali said coldly. "In the past few days outside, the Fourth Prince kept complaining I was long-winded. But today, the three of us are in the command tent for a serious military council. According to our Jurchen rules, anything can be said, and once we leave the tent, we wipe away the dust and forget the arguments inside. May I speak?"

Jin Wushu let out a long breath, but could only force a nod.

Now, the rule Ali mentioned had a basis.

According to Jurchen tradition, whenever discussing military strategy before a battle, anyone who could enter the command tent to participate in such a core council could disregard rank, sit together and speak freely, and gesture over the ash and dirt in front of them that served as a sand table. Even the lowliest person could argue face-to-face with the commander-in-chief. Of course, the commander-in-chief still retained the final decision...

None of that was unusual, but the essence of this rule was actually at the end—according to custom, after the final strategy was decided, everyone would together smooth out the ash and dirt they had used to gesture, signifying that all arguments in the tent were wiped clean. Then, everyone would execute the military plan with full effort according to the final decision!

In the future, no matter the outcome of the battle, no one was allowed to hold anyone accountable for anything said or done in the military tent!

This was, of course, a remnant of the simple and honest customs from the Jurchen tribal alliance period.

Back to the present, Ali, having gained the right to speak, was now unrestrained:

"Fourth Prince, I'm not here to mock you specifically, nor am I insisting you must attack the city. You're the commander-in-chief; ultimately, it's your call. Today, I'll only offer two strategic observations and one piece of advice for you!"

"Speak!"

"First, in terms of strategy, as I just said, why not fight this battle steadily and properly? Attack the city first, take it, and then think about the matters south of the Huai. Don't be so eager for quick success just because that official is sitting on some mountain in Henan!"

"Aren't there two strategic observations?" Jin Wushu grew more irritable. "What's the other one?"

"The other is the same as General Elubu's point: please, Fourth Prince, don't get distracted!" Ali continued to gesture freely. "We came out this time with just over twenty thousand men. After sending out three meng'an (thousand-man units) of scouts, we're basically twenty thousand. And now, one wanhu (ten-thousand-man unit) is indeed a solid ten thousand men, but as before, a meng'an (thousand-man unit, Battalion Commander) has only five to seven mouke (hundred-man units, centurions). The remaining vacancies are mostly filled by newly surrendered Han Chinese. And even in the proper mouke, things aren't like before—all sorts of Xi and Khitan people have been mixed in. So our troop strength and combat effectiveness are actually insufficient... In my view, since that city is still separated from Henan, if we attack the city, don't think about crossing the river! If we cross the river, don't think about attacking the city! It's like hunting in Liaodong in the old days—with only one bow in hand, and both an elk and a fox in front of you, if you try to take both, you'll most likely end up with neither!"

These words were extremely reasonable, and even Elubu nodded repeatedly.

And Jin Wushu, after frowning slightly, could only nod reluctantly: "And what is General Ali's advice?"

"I'm afraid the Fourth Prince is young, and if you suffer consecutive setbacks, you might lose your composure!" The short-statured Ali continued to speak freely. "I know the Fourth Prince's status is noble. Although this is a military council, in reality, you alone make the decisions. I also know that in this campaign, the Fourth Prince wants to capture the Zhao Song Emperor in Henan and cares for nothing else... But even if the Fourth Prince is determined to take Henan, there is one thing I must ask you to be careful about. It's fine if you're resolved to capture the Zhao Song Emperor in Henan today, but the Huai River is so wide, and the enemy on the opposite bank is so well-organized. If we cross the river hastily without attacking the city, and if the crossing is blocked, what then?"

"What does General Ali suggest we do?" Jin Wushu frowned even more.

"Come back and smash the city properly!" Ali replied solemnly. "Don't ruin the opportunity because of losing face! In the end, we Jurchens are still invincible with ten thousand men, and the southerners still collapse at the first touch... If we fight hard battles step by step, the southerners are no match for us. I'm just afraid the Fourth Prince will get stuck in a dead end!"

"So you're saying that by enduring Zhang Jun's provocation and not touching the fortified city, I was wrong?" Jin Wushu finally couldn't hold back his impatience. "In my view, changing the river-crossing plan today because of this bit of gold and silver to attack a fortified city like Xiacai would be a complete waste of an opportunity... Zhang Jun's move is clearly meant to make us lose our heads, abandon the Emperor south of the Huai, and turn back to fight him! The more he does this, the less we should fall for his scheme!"

Ali shook his head repeatedly: "I've said all I have to say. The Fourth Prince may do as he pleases."

Wushu was momentarily furious.

Elubu, seeing the situation was bad, offered a conciliatory remark: "Fourth Prince, don't take offense. General Ali's method is a seasoned one. Ali, don't deliberately contradict him. The Fourth Prince's resolve is still good... Although the enemy's military camp on the opposite bank is well-organized, our Great Jin is invincible in field battles. Whether it's pontoon bridges or ferry boats, as long as we can get three to five thousand men across, the situation will be largely settled!"

Ali and Wushu each gave a wry smile at this, but neither bothered to acknowledge Elubu. Seeing this, Elubu had no choice but to be more direct: "So, does the Fourth Prince mean to swallow this insult for now and first try to cross the river as much as possible?"

"Correct!" Jin Wushu replied proudly. "We must not lose the big for the small! Still less should we fall for Zhang Jun's scheme to lure us into attacking the city over a trifling amount of gold and silver!"

"And General Ali's meaning is that, no matter what, regardless of today's events, we should focus on breaking the city, step by step?" After nodding, Elubu turned his head and asked.

"Correct," Ali said frankly. "Crossing the river without breaking the city is too risky... Our army has come from afar, a lone force deep in enemy territory. The area north of the Huai in Shouzhou was evacuated by the Song in advance. No matter what, we should first secure a foothold. Otherwise, once delays and attrition set in, and we lose our composure, we won't be able to establish a foothold on this open plain, and we'll have to retreat. By then, not only will we fail to capture the Song Emperor, but we'll also be laughed at by everyone!"

At this point, Jin Wushu and Ali both looked at Elubu. Elubu sighed softly and voiced a concern:

"I only know how to charge into battle. I don't usually meddle in such matters. But today, I have a doubt to ask the Fourth Prince... If, while we're planning the river crossing, the inner ferry we've been talking about inside Xiacai city is completed, what then?"

Jin Wushu immediately stroked his beard and sneered: "Since we're determined to plan the river crossing, we only need to keep an eye on Xiacai city. Whether the inner ferry is completed or not, how does it affect the overall situation? I don't believe those Song people would dare to leave the city and fight in the open!"

Elubu finally understood: "I was being foolish! Then I have nothing more to say! I actually don't think it will come to the point where we can't establish a foothold in the wilderness, as Ali fears... In open-field combat, who have we ever feared? With these twenty thousand troops, we wouldn't be afraid even if the Song sent a hundred thousand!"

"So this means you're not taking a stance?" Jin Wushu laughed in response.

"Correct." Elubu spread his hands. "You two decide for yourselves. Just call me when it's time to fight!"

Ali shook his head repeatedly, but Jin Wushu let out a long breath... After all, when they said "decide for yourselves," Jin Wushu was the commander-in-chief, so wouldn't it still be according to this Fourth Prince's wishes?

Since the three had agreed, still prioritizing the river crossing, they would prepare pontoon bridges to cross the Huai. There was nothing more to say, so they each dispersed, and all matters before the pontoon bridge preparation could only proceed according to Jin Wushu's whims.

After seeing off the two chiliarchs and wiping away the dust in the tent, it was hard to wipe away the gloom in Jin Wushu's heart... Any young commander-in-chief, after being toyed with by the enemy and lectured face-to-face by an old general, would find it hard to calm down.

Moreover, since the pontoon bridge preparation would still take a few days, this Fourth Prince couldn't help but let his mind wander. One moment he worried that the Zhao official on the opposite bank might flee because Xiacai had become secure; the next he thought it would be better if the other side simply left, emptying the opposite bank, so he could abandon Xiacai and give chase freely. Then, turning around, he felt that the Zhao official had actually dared to cross the river to reassure the people, which had overshadowed his own boldness in entering the Huai River at night. This made him even more indignant, and he began to act on impulse.

In short, during the lull in the war, Jin Wushu, who had forcibly suppressed his urge to attack the city, after a clear setback, couldn't help but want to do something... And suddenly, this Fourth Prince did come up with an idea. He sent someone to summon Shi Wenbin again.

"Don't be afraid!" Jin Wushu, standing in the tent with his hands behind his back, saw the man on the ground trembling with fear and was also helpless. "I told you, this has nothing to do with you. Even if there were punishment, it would only be that Zhao Qiu who deserved to die... and he's already dead!"

Shi Wenbin had no choice but to kowtow and express gratitude.

"I have a favor to grant you now," Jin Wushu turned around and said seriously. "Once it's done, I'll immediately restore your position as staff officer..."

What else could Shi Wenbin say? Could he refuse? He could only keep agreeing.

"It's like this. The Zhao Song official on the opposite bank probably doesn't know yet that our Great Jin recently acquired two subjects: one called the Duke of Faint Virtue, and the other called the Marquis of Heavy Faintness. Write a document explaining this matter, and also urge him to surrender, saying that I, Wushu, will recommend him for a princely title... Then, you will act as an envoy and deliver it across the river for me!" Saying this, Jin Wushu's momentum gradually returned, and he couldn't help puffing out his chest and belly. "I want to see with my own eyes the reply from that bold Song Emperor!"

Shi Wenbin looked up, utterly unable to refuse, yet couldn't help feeling a complex mix of emotions, to the point of tears streaming down his face.

"What are you crying for?" Jin Wushu, now in a better mood, sat back in his seat and urged repeatedly. "Write it quickly!"

PS: Continuing to offer up a new book by a big shot, "I Survived 999 Heavenly Tribulations": After 999 tribulations, starting from zero, rebuilding the immortal sect... Today's two updates are done. Take a breather, everyone. Good night.