[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-420":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},1558586,2024,"Chapter 420: The Stone Bridge","shao-song-chapter-420",420,"\u003Cp>The spring rain suddenly appeared again, and even a fine drizzle was enough to unsettle people's hearts, because the weather had too great an impact on the war. Thus, both the Song and Jin armies almost simultaneously called their pre-battle military councils forward, holding their final discussions before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before this, as officers from both sides gathered according to military orders, Gao Qingyi and Taishinu in the Jin camp were the first to seek out a side tent... This was the tent of Hong Ya, the Labor Commissioner from the Yanjing direction and Vice Director of the Privy Council, who had arrived with Jiagu Wulibu. Accompanying them was a hastily assembled all-cavalry Wanhu unit scraped together from beyond the passes and Yan lands—the hundred Mouke that the Song army had seen yesterday afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Gao Qingyi and Taishinu had not come today to find Hong Ya, but to take away two prisoners that Hong Ya had prepared to bring back to Yanjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why does the Prince of Wei want them now?\" Hong Ya, who could not have been asleep, frowned instinctively upon hearing Gao Qingyi's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Prince of Wei wants to kill them to consecrate the banners,\" Taishinu spoke before Gao Qingyi, blunt and direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya was stunned for a moment, then looked to Gao Qingyi for confirmation; the latter nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving verification, this Vice Director and Vice Minister fell silent for a while, making no move at first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Taishinu could not help urging: \"Vice Director Hong, this is a direct order from the Prince of Wei! If you are unwilling to lead the way, just say the word, and I will fetch the men myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hong Ya finally sighed, turned, and led the two men to his rear tent, then directly to a small camp tent surrounded by armored guards on all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards entered upon a signal, and in an instant, they escorted two prisoners—one tall and one short, one young and one middle-aged—out of the tent, then stood them by the torches at the tent entrance... Clearly, these two had not been resting either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taishinu nodded and was about to signal the guards to take the men with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait a moment.\" Just as the guards began to drag the two away, Hong Ya suddenly stepped forward and spoke. \"The Prince of Wei is acting out of anger... Regardless of victory or defeat in this battle, these two can still serve as messengers... Leave them both, and I will take full responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taishinu was slightly taken aback, and before he could speak, Gao Qingyi, now somewhat enlightened, immediately chimed in: \"Vice Minister Hong is right... There is no need for this. I will also explain it clearly to the Prince of Wei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, even though both men wanted to protect these two prisoners, and both outranked him by far, Taishinu thought for a moment and still shook his head: \"This is a time to fight for pride, not to weigh gains and losses... Besides, the Prince of Wei gave a clear order to behead the prisoners to consecrate the banners. By the time we return, the Prince of Wei will directly call for the men to be brought to the platform for execution. Do you expect you and me to explain this in front of over a hundred Meng'an of the entire army? If things go wrong, we might end up being shoved up there to be consecrated ourselves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qingyi was momentarily helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men held by the guards, now knowing they were to be sacrificed, stiffened... But soon, the tall young man tried hard to stand straight and maintain his composure, while the short middle-aged man seemed momentarily dazed and out of sorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that's the case, take only one man... Killing one is enough to account for it!\" Seeing the different reactions of the two prisoners, Hong Ya shook his head, racked his brains for a quick solution, and forced a response. \"This Yu Yunwen is Zhang Rong's son-in-law and a close minister to the Zhao Song Emperor. Keeping him would be extremely useful... The Meng'an don't know who is who anyway!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qingyi was enlightened again and echoed the sentiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taishinu clearly did not want to argue stubbornly with these two either. After a brief thought, he nodded and ordered the short middle-aged man to be dragged away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as the tall young man, Yu Yunwen, was being pinned down for struggling, the middle-aged man, after being dragged seven or eight steps, seemed to come to his senses. He turned his head and shouted with effort: \"Tanhua Yu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander Bei, are you going to speak of wife and children?\" Yu Yunwen, who had been struggling, burst into tears instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would Tanhua Yu need to worry about wife and children?\" The short middle-aged prisoner, Bei Yan—the battalion commander captured by the Ali tribe after his hot air balloon crashed—pale-faced, shouted as he was dragged along. \"I'm telling you not to fall for this Song traitor's scheme of surrender, thinking that because there's a situation, you can compromise with them... In this world, one wrong step separates a hero from a coward. You are destined to be a Grand Councilor—never leave yourself with the stain of losing your integrity!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya's face changed on the spot, while Yu Yunwen could only weep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taishinu, being clever, after dragging the man far away, found ropes and sackcloth, bound him securely, and gagged him before daring to continue taking him to the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, your servant believes we should deploy the troops as usual!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the open ground before the main hall of Huolu County's yamen, lit by many torches, the crowd was dense. No one knew of the incident in the Jin camp, or if they did, they could not afford to be distracted. In fact, as soon as the Zhao Emperor and Grand Councilor Lu arrived, the foremost man stepped forward without even waiting for formal greetings—it was Han Shizhong, who had seemed somewhat subdued since Wu Jie's arrival. \"Not to mention that such light rain may not affect the overall strategy; even if it continues and the rain grows heavier, by noon the bowstrings will soften from dampness and cannot shoot accurately, and by afternoon the ground will be muddy again, making it hard for horses and armored troops to advance—our army will still not be at a disadvantage! There is no reason to have the entire army poised until now and then pull back the fist... Your Majesty, in this battle, our army ultimately has higher morale and greater numbers. Your servant is willing to stake his life and family on victory!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shizhong had not made a public statement for a long time. Now he spoke first, directly, and as the foremost figure in the military, he made a political and military guarantee... From the Zhao Emperor and Grand Councilor Lu on down, among the hundred-plus senior officers under the fine rain and torchlight, not even Li Yanxian or Wu Jie dared to voice a rebuttal, leaving an awkward silence for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Zhao Jiu and Lu Yihao were momentarily stunned, not yet seated in the chairs before the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, it was the Zhao Emperor himself who broke the silence. He sat down in the central chair before the hall, expressionless, and pointed at Han Shizhong, then looked around. \"Now do you see why Han Liangchen is the foremost under heaven, and my backbone and gall?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shizhong, unabashed, straightened up directly, turned before the imperial seat while holding his jade belt, and looked back at the generals before the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dim courtyard, a sudden uproar arose... This was not only because of Han Shizhong's commanding presence, but more importantly, because Han Shizhong's words and the Zhao Emperor's statement had clearly expressed their stance and directly set the most critical and decisive resolution of this pre-battle council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was to deploy the troops as planned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At almost the same time, in the central camp of the Jin army across the river, due to military organizational issues, the number of Meng'an participating in the council far exceeded the number of Song commanders on the other side of the Taiping River, making the scene grander but also more drawn out. After a long wait, they roughly gathered in the open ground under dense torches, then quieted down as the surrounding armored guards rhythmically slapped their armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the scene was settled, Bolisu prepared to ascend a temporarily built wooden platform to preside over the council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, before becoming this Marshal, Bolisu had harbored resentment due to the long-term personnel arrangements from Yanjing and certain measures to guard against him. After becoming Marshal, he had intentionally or unintentionally vented this resentment, while striving for authority and suppressing the direct subordinates of the ruling princes, seeking to make his position as Marshal truly substantive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the months of war prior, the young lords raised under the tent of the founding emperor Aguda had indeed proven that these so-called central direct subordinates were no match for the seasoned generals of the Eastern and Western Routes. Moreover, as the situation gradually worsened, the support of these veteran generals like Bolisu became more crucial. Thus, leaving the rear aside, at the front line at least, Wushu increasingly respected Bolisu in protocol, and Bolisu's authority grew day by day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this great battle, it was the Prince of Wei, Wushu, who first jumped onto the platform. As for Bolisu, though startled, he fell silent in the dimness and did not rush to ascend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone quiet down! I am the Prince of Wei, Wushu! I have something to say!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fine rain, under the torchlight, as Wushu loudly declared from the platform, the sound of slapping armor ceased, leaving only Wushu's voice ringing through the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did I call you here so early? Because it's raining again, and some people are getting lucky again, thinking the Song army might not come today... So naturally, I want to tell you early: this battle is unavoidable! Even if the Song army doesn't come today, that's their choice not to come—can we prepare as if they won't come?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, no one under heaven understands that Zhao Emperor across from us better than I do. If you want me to believe he won't come, I can't convince myself... I can't! So today, he will definitely come! And he will bring that golden imperial banner of his, with his hundreds of thousands of troops!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all, today, must follow the previous arrangements, obey Marshal Bolisu's command, and prepare for battle early! Not the slightest negligence is allowed! Understood?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of his speech, Wushu let out a sharp shout, and the crowd below fell silent like cicadas in winter. A few wanted to chime in, but their responses were drowned out by the drizzle after just two words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, though the rain was still a fine drizzle, the sunlight behind the clouds gradually emerged, brightening the view slightly. Wanyan Bolisu finally climbed onto the platform with a dark face. He swept his gaze over the dense sea of heads before him, but his tone was unexpectedly calm compared to Wushu's:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The battle arrangements have already been clearly stated, so I won't go into detail. Besides, we've all fought countless battles and understand some things... When hundreds of thousands of men are mixed together, spread out over dozens of li, once the battle starts, chaos is inevitable. No one can command perfectly, no one can account for everything. We can't, and the Song army can't either. Then it will be every unit for itself, layer upon layer...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I must point out the key points, in my view, it's nothing more than each unit following the pre-battle orders, strictly obeying commands, and trying to support each other as much as possible...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't count on any reinforcements. The final troops in the main camp are meant to decide the outcome. When they are committed will only depend on the overall situation and grand strategy. They will not be pulled to save any Wanhu or Meng'an just for their survival! Live or die, it's up to you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, by the end, both on and off the platform, the atmosphere gradually grew serious... Some things were unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third, after each unit crosses the river, unless the commander with the tally has other direct orders, they must launch an attack immediately, without any delay or avoidance of battle...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sky lightened slightly under the fine rain, many people's hair was already damp. In Huolu County town, the Song army began to emphasize the relevant military discipline for this battle in the name of an imperial edict. The drafter of this battlefield order was, of course, Wu Jie, but the reader was not the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, Shao Chengzhang, but rather Grand Councilor and Commander-in-Chief Lu Yihao. His tone was equally calm and stern, and the effect was equally outstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fourth, no unit may request reinforcements or retreat without cause on the grounds of casualties, but those in an advantageous position should automatically go to the aid of those at a disadvantage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth, if anyone violates the above provisions and wavers in battle, or even misses the opportunity, from the commander with the tally down to the various commanders, they must strictly enforce military discipline and show no leniency... If anyone flees across the river without serious injury, regardless of number or reason, they shall be executed without exception!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading up to this point, Lu Yihao, seated, put away the edict, swept his gaze over the generals before him, and asked coldly: \"Have you all heard clearly? If not, let me put it simply for you... That is, once the battle begins, no one can look out for you. The scale and chaos of this battle mean that any unit can, and might, be completely annihilated. Because even if a unit is wiped out, as long as we ultimately win, the remaining troops will be enough to sweep Hebei and destroy the Jin state. Those who dare to flee or scatter in this battle will end up in a worse state than death... So, I will follow the Emperor's words from the night before last and ask again: does anyone have anything to say? If there are no objections now, there will be no turning back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, many eyes turned to the Khitan general Yelu Yudu, who stood far forward, and the Western Mongol king Hu'erzhahu Si, who wore a golden crown. But seeing them pale-faced and silent, the crowd then looked at Qu Duan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew well that compared to other units, including the Khitan and Western Mongol reinforcements, this later-arriving main force of the Imperial Guard—the elite core—was in the worst condition. In this great battle, especially since the Song army had an advantage but the Jin army's combat effectiveness was still acknowledged and proven, this unit, which bore a critical mission, was likely to suffer very heavy casualties—a kind of 'unnecessary' attrition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So if anyone was going to make a last-ditch effort before the Emperor, it should be them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But again, the Zhao Emperor had been on the throne for ten years and had tight control over the Imperial Guard. In such a serious battle, not everyone had the courage to step forward and discuss things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not the time of Huaishang, nor the time of Yaoshan. Wu Jie could draft such stern provisions, and Lu Yihao could make such naked threats, because they had the confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sure enough, under everyone's gaze, Qu Duan also turned pale, but he only clenched his fists and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, your servant has something to say!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as everyone's attention was on Qu Duan, a tall general from among the front-row commanders suddenly turned and stepped forward, dropping to one knee before the imperial presence, startling everyone... because the man stepping forward was none other than Wang De, Wang the Nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wang Qing, speak.\" Zhao Jiu's expression did not change, his response calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\" Wang De panted heavily on the ground. \"Your servant is not speaking of battlefield discipline, but rather some dissatisfaction with the battle arrangements... When the strategy was set the day before, it was only for clear weather today, and having your servant attack third from last was fine... But now there's rain, the battle will inevitably be sluggish, and if I still go third from last, won't I be fighting a messy battle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what does Wang Qing want?\" Zhao Jiu asked in return. \"With hundreds of thousands of troops engaged, you, Wang De, also command tens of thousands—you can't just change the order on the spot, can you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let Your Majesty know, your servant has no intention of ruining the overall plan. With hundreds of thousands fighting, it's absolutely impossible to charge all at once. What your servant means is that Li Qiong knows how to coordinate, so let him oversee all the Tokyo units and dispatch troops according to the original arrangement,\" Wang De said, pointing to the momentarily stunned Li Qiong beside him. \"Only your servant and his own troops request to be the vanguard! I wish to go out first from Little Stone Bridge, to be Li Military Governor's guide and Han Commandery Prince's support!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since when is there a principle of a full-fledged Military Governor serving as vanguard?\" Zhao Jiu was also taken aback, but then shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet upon hearing this, Wang De simply pounded the ground with his fist, then stared at the Zhao official with eyes nearly splitting, his words growing fierce:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, your servant was originally nothing but a reckless warrior. If not for meeting Your Majesty, how could I have attained the rank of holding a tally?! Even the entire Imperial Camp says that my current position is merely due to early allegiance on the Huai River, scraping by on seniority. In this Northern Expedition, I long planned to be Your Majesty's vanguard, to punish the rebels and repay the grace of recognition, and to clear my name! And before, in Taiyuan, after I rendered merit and begged for pardon for my second son Wang Shun to return to the army, everyone above and below mocked me, saying my vision was low, that I was tied down by a mere child. In truth, what I sought in asking for my rebellious son's return was nothing more than for father and sons to all give their utmost for the imperial cause, to live and die together! I beg Your Majesty to permit me and my two sons to be the vanguard of this battle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken, Wang De simply ignored his status and kowtowed repeatedly... The surrounding generals all grew solemn, and Liu Qi was especially silent, as if thinking of something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu thought for a moment and no longer hesitated: \"With such bold spirit from Wang Qing, if I do not permit it, I would be petty. I specially allow your unit to step out and advance first, as the vanguard of the entire army!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang De was overjoyed, quickly rose and returned to his position, even casting a light glance at Han Shizhong, who stood with his hands on his hips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shizhong just shook his head and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wang Military Governor's bravery is commendable, but when great armies clash, contending for key terrain across a river, layered deployment is inevitable. Such a matter can be done once but not twice, or it will surely disrupt the army's advance steps. The rest of you must not imitate this plea for battle,\" Zhao Jiu said seriously after the other had returned to his place. \"Other than this, does anyone else have something to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone exchanged glances, and Hu Yantong, who had once stepped forward, silently withdrew his foot, daring not to speak further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing no one speak, with the hall growing brighter, the Zhao official could not help but sigh: \"You have no words, but I still have a little. Just now, Lu Xianggong played the stern role to emphasize military discipline and law. Now I must say something about promises and rewards, or else who would risk their lives? Only, I ask myself, after ten years in power, my words and promises are still worth something... just listen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's spirits lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huerzhahusi?\" Unexpected, yet reasonable, Zhao Jiu first called to the man before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The minor king is here.\" Huerzhahusi shuddered, pushed by his son, and quickly cupped his hands and stepped forward, his tone strange but his posture extremely humble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have two words for you.\" Zhao Jiu responded calmly. \"First, your unit makes up about one-tenth of this battle's entire army. After this battle, the spoils—whether armor and weapons collected from the battlefield or the Jin army's stores after taking Zhending Prefecture—will give your Western Mongols one-tenth. Second, as long as your Western Mongols do not fall behind others in this battle, I promise you that as long as the Great Song has the strength, I will ensure that the Western Mongol kingship passes through the Kereyid clan generation after generation, father to son, elder brother to younger. You need not worry about your descendants being unable to hold the inheritance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huerzhahusi, whether or not he fully understood the implications or had time to weigh them properly, could only cup his hands and thank the emperor at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his eldest son, Toli, hearing this, knew how weighty such a public political promise from a Son of Heaven was, and with the earlier private promise between lord and subject echoing it, could not contain himself and immediately stepped out with his father to thank the emperor, making his stance clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu passed over this father and son and looked at Yelu Yudu: \"General Yelu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The foreign minister is here.\" Yelu Yudu's demeanor was much calmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't say superfluous words... After this battle, your unit will receive the same treatment as the Imperial Camp army... As for General Yelu himself, if you return to Western Liao, I will personally recommend you as King of the Northern Court to govern Hexi; if you are unwilling to return to Western Liao, a Commandery Prince's rank is still assured. After the Jurchens are destroyed, if you wish to return to your homeland, that is also fine. I will certainly not let you have regrets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yelu Yudu cupped his hands slightly and calmly thanked the emperor, as if he had already considered the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the two allied reinforcements, I won't explain the rest one by one.\" The Zhao official turned his head in his seat, fixing his gaze on the remaining Imperial Camp officers filling the courtyard, still calm. \"It roughly has two layers of meaning. After you return, before crossing the river today, you can announce it to the entire army...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the drizzling rain, the courtyard fell so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The lower layer, the most basic layer: if this Northern Expedition is victorious, besides basic military merit calculations, I will uniformly grant land for military merit in Hedong Circuit, Hebei West Circuit, Hebei East Circuit, Yanshan Circuit, and Datong Circuit. Where will the land come from? In all five circuits, land will be uniformly surveyed, population uniformly counted, and regardless of poverty or wealth, land will be granted equally! And Imperial Camp soldiers will naturally receive double shares of land... they can continue to draw pay and serve as soldiers while renting out the land... the wounded receive four shares, the fallen receive six shares, military merit is calculated separately, and officers also have rank bonuses. Even laborers who wish to stay in Hebei can receive an extra half-share. In other words, even the imperial son-in-law of the Mei Han clan returning to Xiangzhou, or Zhao Xianggong himself returning to Wenxi, would not have more land than a laborer in the army.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Lu Yihao on down, everyone was silent... Those who understood dared not speak, those who didn't only took it as additional reward, and had no need to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The upper layer is for officers... After the Northern Expedition, all commanders above the rank of Tongling will be promoted one noble rank; those above the rank of Vice Prefect, upon retirement, may enter the public cabinet; actual field commanders at the Deputy Commander level, if they have military merit, may all be considered for the tally; Commanders and those already holding tallies may all be discussed for enfeoffment as Commandery Princes based on military merit!\" Saying this, Zhao Jiu glanced at Qu Duan amid the commotion, then turned and stopped on Han Shizhong. \"Of course, those who render extraordinary merit may advance to Prince of the Blood... I won't say others, but Han Shizhong as Prince of Qin, Yue Fei as Prince of Wei, Li Yanxian as Prince of Jin, Wu Jie as Prince of Han, Zhang Jun as Prince of Qi, Zhang Rong as Prince of Lu, and Ma Kuo as Prince of Xing—these seven princes of the blood were already decided by me long ago. It's fine to speak of them now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shizhong and the others were momentarily flustered and hurriedly moved to thank the emperor, but while Han and Li were manageable, Wu Jie was almost dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu paid no attention to the three bowing, only turning to signal. Receiving the signal, the inner attendant director Shao Chengzhang immediately led two attendants forward to the increasingly unprepared Wu Jie, and the two attendants unfurled what they held—indeed, a large banner face of similar regulation to the other five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On it were written four large characters: \"Commanding with Certainty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is for Jinqing. Take it.\" Zhao Jiu's tone was flat. \"It was prepared for you before this Northern Expedition... Delaying until now to give it to you inevitably makes it seem a bit unfair.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is moved to the core...\" Wu Jie was nearly in tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be like this, or I'll be embarrassed to continue.\" Zhao Jiu looked at the men, momentarily emotional. \"I give rewards and promises on the battlefield—first, because your merits are plain to see, and they can't be avoided anyway; second, I also want to remind you that the Great Song has already had too many princes who surrendered. Let there be no more. If the worst truly comes, I ask you to lead by example and die wrapped in horsehide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals grew solemn once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, though the drizzle continued, the sky was clearly brightening. Wanyan Wushu, his head already wet, knew he could delay no longer and directly called for Taishinu to come forward and kill the prisoner to sacrifice to the banners. The latter dared not be slow and hastily pushed Bei Yan forward personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing only one man, bound and gagged, Wushu knew something was amiss but could no longer raise an objection, only urging continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taishinu also wanted to dispose of the matter quickly, so he had four armored soldiers press Bei Yan down firmly, then personally picked up a large axe. With one blow, he chopped off the man's head, blood splattering three feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Bei Yan dead, the army should have set out, but for some reason, Wushu, standing in the pool of blood, still had words lodged in his belly that he had to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One last sentence!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Bolisu looked at him questioningly, Wanyan Wushu closed his eyes slightly, then suddenly opened them wide and roared. \"I know some of you still harbor cowardice in your hearts, still don't understand, always thinking that this Great Jin has ten thousand li of prosperity, plenty of retreats—why must we fight here? Why must we fight?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't we avoid it, dodge it, wear them down? Can't we go to Hejian, to Yanjing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What reason is there really? Nothing more than the sea of blood and mountain of vengeance since the Jingkang era—the Song people won't let us go! After Zhending comes Hejian, after Hejian comes Yanjing, after Yanjing comes Liaoyang, after Liaoyang comes Huanglong Prefecture. Do you think 'striking straight to Huanglong' is an empty phrase? When has that Zhao Song official across the river ever spoken empty words?! They will surely chase us all the way to the White Mountains and Black Waters!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, though the Jin is vast, it has long had no retreat! And if we retreat today, if we avoid battle, there will be no way to recover!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end, Wushu was almost howling at the sky, and the Jin generals were utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Return to camp quickly, prepare to deploy!\" Bolisu seized the moment and ordered through gritted teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At a time like this, I shouldn't be wasting words, but I know full well that some truths everyone should understand clearly, yet in reality, if you don't say them, some people will still be muddled, or pretend to be muddled.\" Before the hall in Huolu County, in the drizzling rain, Zhao Jiu unexpectedly recalled events of years past. \"Ministers, back then on the Huai River at Yingkou, I met Zhang Jun, Zhang Boying, and told him: without me, he would long have been bait for the Jin soldiers; without him, I would be nothing but a stray dog by the roadside. He and I rose and fell together. Today, ten years apart, there is no essential difference—only that the Imperial Camp is larger, the soldiers more numerous, the generals broader—but we still rise and fall together... Without you ministers, no matter how great my ambition, I am but fish on a chopping block; without me, no matter how naturally heroic you are, you are but wolves and badgers in the fields. I hope that we, lord and ministers, can truly accomplish a great enterprise together, not wasting ten years of hardship!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, in the utter silence of the courtyard, as the Zhao official, his sleeves already wet, waved his hand, the inner attendant director Shao Chengzhang personally brought out a tray from the hall behind, on which was a jug of 'Blue Bridge Wind and Moon' wine, but only a single empty cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This wine is not for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu took the jug and cup from Shao Chengzhang, poured himself a cup in his seat, and drank it down in one gulp before speaking. \"It is for my own use, because from now on, I am already a man of leisure... Whether ten years of effort will show any results is no longer up to me, but up to you ministers! Today, I will hold this wine and watch you ministers determine the rise and fall of the state! Dispatch the troops!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Han Shizhong on down, they immediately responded with a thunderous shout, then dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, as dawn was about to break, still under that negligible drizzling rain, the various units of both armies, having eaten hot meals, began to leave camp and form ranks according to plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the Jin army indeed took the high ground southwest of Huolu County town, across the Taiping River, as its core and deployed heavily. Across the river, the banners of several Wanhu could be faintly seen fluttering on the high ground, including Commander Wanyan Bendu. On the small slope before the high ground, next to the stone bridge, and on both sides, there were also dense deployments. As for the Song army, while Li Yanxian, Wu Jie, and Li Qiong deployed heavily directly opposite the high ground and stone bridge, Han Shizhong also quickly led his own Imperial Camp Left Army, under the cover of Dangxiang, Khitan, and Mongol light cavalry spread along the river, to advance further southwest toward the upper reaches of the Taiping River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scout cavalry sent out by both sides during the night could no longer hold their positions as the main armies spread along the river. Immediately, both the Song and Jin armies attempted to launch hot air balloons, but at this moment, the power of the seemingly insignificant rain became apparent. Both sides' balloons barely ignited but soon became heavy and unable to rise high as the rain soaked them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, the Jin army, occupying the high ground, clearly had a better vantage point. Whether it was Li Yanxian, Wu Jie, or Li Qiong directly behind the high ground and stone bridge, or Zhao Jiu, Lu Yihao, Wang Yan, and Yang Yizhong deployed inside and outside the large camp at Huolu town downstream of the high ground and stone bridge, all could only use telescopes to peer, but could not possibly see the Jin army's deployment in the hollow behind the high ground, which was shielded by camps on the side and blocked by the high ground itself... From this angle alone, the high ground at the stone bridge had to be taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a full hour of leaving camp, Han Shizhong's unit finally passed beyond the light cavalry's cover, unfurled that 'Unrivaled Under Heaven' banner, and then began laying pontoon bridges on a large scale at a predetermined location from yesterday's reconnaissance. Signal flags quickly sent signals toward the stone bridge direction, and tens of thousands of light cavalry also began laying pontoon bridges as necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost as soon as the Song army moved, the Jin army on the southeast side of the Taiping River immediately detected the activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, the battle had not yet begun, and command was unimpeded. On and around the high ground, the senior Jin Jun officers were clearly gathering and discussing. The flank near the upper reaches also showed a relative reaction, as if preparing to detach corresponding troops to block Han Shizhong's Imperial Guard Left Army along the riverbank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just at this moment, beneath the brand-new grand banner inscribed with \"Commanding with Calm Assurance,\" a long horn suddenly sounded. Immediately after, the drums of the forward army under Li Yanxian began to beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang De, who had been waiting at the stone bridge, ordered his subordinates to set up makeshift pontoon bridges on both sides. He made his second son Wang Shun the vanguard and his eldest son Wang Qi lead several dozen cavalry as the rearguard. Then, in the literal sense of the phrase, he took the lead alone, galloping across the stone bridge on horseback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless Jin Jun troops on the opposite bank of the Taiping River, seeing the Wang banner crossing the river first in the drizzling rain, initially thought the rain was affecting their vision and that they had misjudged the banner's size and lettering. Even before the high ground, on the small slope beside the stone bridge where Huyan Tong was holding firm, several thousand Jin Jun infantry and cavalry under the veteran general Ali hesitated in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, they had no choice but to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang De and his two sons, leading only a few dozen cavalry, galloped across the bridge and arrived before the formation on the small slope. Reining in their horses and pausing briefly, Wang De personally shouted: \"Wang Yecha is here! Since the Jingkang Incident, for over ten years, I have fought you in over a hundred battles, all like sifting chaff and grinding flour. Today, are there still one or two Jin dogs who are not afraid to die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing that a Military Governor and Vice Commander-in-Chief had come forward almost alone, the Jin Jun troops responsible for blocking the stone bridge on the small slope were not frightened but instead overjoyed. The nearest Battalion Commander, without waiting for orders and without greeting the other Battalion Commanders, clearly driven by a desire to claim merit, directly led his Personal Guard out of formation to meet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the two sides closed to within several dozen paces. However, Wang De did not gallop forward to meet him. Instead, he pulled out a Jurchen-style hard bow from under the oilcloth on his horse's flank. Raising his hand, he shot, hitting the Battalion Commander squarely in the eye-slit of his faceplate, knocking him from his horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, amidst the rumbling of drums, he put away his bow, secured it to his saddle, grasped his spear, spurred his horse, and charged forward with a great roar. With the dignity of a full-fledged Military Governor, he and his two sons scattered the dozen or so Personal Guards. Without pausing for a moment, he led the small contingent of infantry and cavalry that had followed him across the stone bridge directly into the enemy formation on the small slope before the bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was, in the literal sense, a great general leading the charge, storming the enemy lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang De was a seasoned general who had held the ceremonial staff of command for over ten years. With the three of them—father and sons—charging into the enemy formation first, his own troops, who had followed him for a long time, naturally had their morale greatly boosted. Not to mention the troops on the stone bridge vying to advance, even at the spot where the pontoon bridge was being laid, his subordinates could not restrain themselves. Some even waded directly through the water to press forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main general of the small slope, Ali, was not with his own troops at this time. Earlier, upon learning that Han Shizhong was personally leading his troops to cross from the upper reaches, he had received a summons from Wanyan Bendu. He had turned back and headed toward the high ground to discuss countermeasures with several Chiliarchs and try to adjust the formation. At this moment, he happened to be halfway up the slope facing the stone bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This veteran Jurchen general, seeing from afar the Wang banner taking the lead and charging straight into his own formation, causing the Song troops on the stone bridge front to vie with each other and disrupt his own ranks, was not angry. Instead, he looked around, smiled, and spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wang Yecha, a dignified Military Governor, is personally charging into battle. I am just an old soldier—what airs am I still putting on here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, without waiting for his subordinates to reply, and without going to the military conference on the high ground, he directly turned his horse around, pulled down his faceplate, and raised a cavalry hammer high. Unhurriedly, he led his own command banner back toward the small slope. Ahead and around him, his subordinates, who had been momentarily at a loss, upon seeing this, regardless of whether they were cavalry or infantry, all turned and rushed ahead of Ali, charging straight for the Wang banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the two big shots, Anna is tired QAQ and blackmoon413, for becoming patrons again. Thanks to Yunzhu Zhige and Xiahou Ningyuan for their tips.\u003C\u002Fp>",6500,"2026-06-06T07:46:32.508Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","695770f33c841a8ee5f9cc4253bd7685198f0a375542e085b0f8d6426c9dc24c","shao-song-chapter-421","shao-song-chapter-419",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]