[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-430":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},1558596,2024,"Chapter 430","shao-song-chapter-430",430,"\u003Cp>Who knows which slender leaves the scissors cut? The February spring breeze is like a pair of shears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In early February, as the large-scale fighting drew to a close, a sea of green swept across the Two Rivers region south of Yanshan, and the spring of the tenth year of Jianyan had fully arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding on this wave of green, the Sixth Prince of the Jin Kingdom, Eruguan, concurrently Grand Marshal of Datong, and Hong Ya, Vice Minister of War and Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, who had not received a second summons from His Majesty Zhao, arrived at Anle County in Dingzhou under the escort of the Eastern Mongol Khan, Kabul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, by the time they had made this round trip, Anle was already occupied by Song troops. So, after a brief rest and obtaining some supplies from the Song soldiers in the city, they mounted the Mongol horses gifted by Kabul and hurried northeast, arriving at Dingzhou city proper that evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dingzhou city proper was over a hundred li from Zhending, with three medium-sized rivers in between—a distance neither close nor far, awkwardly placed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Eruguan and Hong Ya did not expect to find lasting peace here, even in a prefectural city. Their plan was simple: rest for one night, and the next morning, while the city was still under Jin jurisdiction, gather as many routed troops, supplies, and livestock as possible, take along any local officials willing to leave, and continue their retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, due to the distance, Dingzhou, having heard news of the great defeat at the front, had long been in a state of panic. Mao Shuo, the Dingzhou Prefect (under the Jin system, the chief official of a prefecture was the prefect), had already promised to flee north with them the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the next day, the morning of the tenth of the second month, arrived, and they were only halfway through breakfast, Eruguan and Hong Ya were startled to find that they might have already been too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mao Zhongquan (Mao Shuo's courtesy name), what is the meaning of this?\" After a sigh, Hong Ya, pinching a hot oil cake at the back-hall dining table, asked coldly, drawing a puzzled look from Eruguan, who was drinking noodle soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No other meaning, I just ask the Sixth Prince and Lord Hong... could you eat a bit faster?\" Mao Shuo gave a dry laugh and forced a reply. \"Set out earlier?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that all?\" Hong Ya sneered in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vice Minister Hong is overthinking things.\" Before Mao Shuo could speak further, Eruguan, who had just finished a gulp of noodle soup, dismissed the idea. \"Prefect Mao was a Song officer during the Jingkang era, then served under Liu Yu's Qi Kingdom as your subordinate, and now holds office in our kingdom as a prefect. With such a background, he is bound to be unacceptable to the Song. That's why he's so anxious... Actually, Prefect Mao, rest assured. His Majesty Zhao is still a man of decorum. As long as you don't resist, even if the Song army arrives at the city gates, at worst they'll just forbid us from taking the city's livestock and goods.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Shuo gave another dry laugh but did not respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Sixth Prince is underestimating Prefect Mao!\" Hong Ya waited patiently for Eruguan to finish, then took a fierce bite of his oil cake and continued to stare coldly at the man across from him. \"Mao Zhongquan, tell me the truth. Have the Song sent some message or news that made you change your mind about leaving? Otherwise, why aren't you drinking a single mouthful of your own soup, just sitting there urging us to eat quickly and go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eruguan was finally taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Shuo sighed softly and finally turned serious: \"The Sixth Prince is of noble status, and Lord Hong is my former superior. I don't wish to hide anything... Early this morning, Song cavalry came to the city walls and delivered three imperial edicts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who do you think you are, that the Zhao Song emperor would send three special edicts to summon your surrender?\" Hong Ya grew even more irritated. \"I've traveled back and forth twice without seeing a single edict addressed to me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please wait a moment, both of you.\" Mao Shuo immediately rose upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have something to say.\" Hong Ya quickly gripped his oil cake and scolded sternly. \"The two of us came out bearing the terms of peace between His Majesty Zhao and Yanjing. We did not flee back. If you try to be clever, you'll only earn His Majesty Zhao's contempt for nothing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once bitten, twice shy; Eruguan also tensed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Hong is overthinking things!\" Mao Shuo turned back helplessly and stamped his foot. \"I'll go fetch the three edicts for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya and Eruguan had lost all appetite for their meal and could only sit in silence, staring at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a moment, Mao Shuo returned, carrying three sheets of paper covered in black characters. Hong Ya glanced at them and saw the large seal, understanding at once. There was no doubt these were indeed the Zhao Song emperor's edicts, but it was clear that such public notices could not be addressed to an individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't read them, and you don't need to recite them. Just give me the gist!\" Hong Ya, somewhat dejected, stood up and ladled a bowl of noodle soup for himself and Eruguan from the large pot in the center of the table. \"Let's see what edicts made you change your mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he took a sip, Mao Shuo spoke bluntly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All three edicts were drafted the day before yesterday, the eighth, and delivered this morning... They're all about agriculture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Agriculture?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\" Mao Shuo pressed his hand on the notice before him and said with emotion. \"The first edict orders all local officials in the five circuits south of Yanshan—Hedong Circuit, Hebei East Circuit, Hebei West Circuit, Datong Circuit, and Yanshan Circuit—regardless of whether they serve Jin or Song, to fulfill their duties: guide and pacify the people, and supervise the spring plowing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eruguan and Hong Ya exchanged a glance, suddenly feeling listless, and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The second edict.\" Mao Shuo paused, observed the expressions of the two across from him, and continued. \"It touches slightly on military matters, but the main focus is still agriculture. It says that if there are large tracts of farmland left fallow due to previous military actions, or land abandoned by fleeing Jin nobles, they should be reported early and roughly tilled as much as possible to avoid waste. If there is truly no manpower, Zhending will send accompanying civilian laborers, auxiliary troops, and some prisoners to carry out rough tilling on-site or along the way, to maintain cultivation as best as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya remained silent, but Eruguan couldn't help a dry laugh: \"His Majesty Zhao is truly a benevolent Son of Heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Shuo ignored him and continued to the third edict: \"This third edict is both military and administrative, yet it still unfolds through agriculture... It says that His Majesty Zhao will select many from the imperial retinue as 'advisors for consultation,' and extensively draw upon jinshi degree holders from the army. They will form groups of three or teams of five, and under the escort of small military units, tour the surrounding prefectures and circuits to inspect the spring plowing...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brilliant! Both in vision and in method!\" Before the words had died down, Hong Ya exclaimed loudly, then lowered his voice in admiration. \"Truly brilliant! No wonder Mao Zhongquan changed his mind this morning... I just wonder if this was written by His Majesty Zhao himself, or if it was an arrangement made by Lord Lu, who has been slightly better these past few days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What difference does it make? Isn't the lord also employed by His Majesty?\" Mao Shuo shook his head slightly, then nodded slightly. \"But regardless, it is indeed worthy of being called brilliant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course it was brilliant—even Eruguan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vision was high, needless to say... With such a great victory at Huolu, how could Dingzhou, a hundred li away, not know about it after seven or eight days? How could the three of them not know? In the wake of such a triumph, that emperor did not seek glory by launching a massive advance, nor did he slaughter prisoners to flaunt his might. Instead, he focused on the pressing matter of agriculture dictated by the season, making everything revolve around farming. This indeed showed vision and a clear sense of priorities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, the methods themselves were also very clever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the first edict, for example. A Jin local official, whether he accepted it or not, could always carry it out, and should do so. No one would say it was wrong to pacify the people, restore order, and emphasize spring plowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it also provided a subtle foundation and psychological suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the second edict gave those already inclined to surrender a convenient opportunity to go with the flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the third edict was even more interesting. So-called inspections of spring plowing naturally meant touring, supervising, and checking on the work. But since it was an inspection, evaluations were inevitable, and with evaluations came judgments of good and bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting everything else aside, how should those Jin-appointed local officials in Hebei face the inspection teams sent by the Zhao Song emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, should they open the city gates and let the Song inspection team in?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they didn't open them, no problem—that was a military matter. But if they did, wouldn't the most important psychological barrier have been crossed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, performing poorly was one thing—that was normal. Every dynasty has its own officials, and with the change of two countries, what was wrong with stepping down peacefully?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they were actually rated as having done an excellent job with the spring plowing, what would that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely they couldn't say, \"I accepted His Majesty Zhao's edict to pacify the people and supervise spring plowing, did an outstanding job, and even the Song imperial envoy praised me,\" only to be beheaded afterward as an enemy and a false minister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine times out of ten, they would take the opportunity to stay in office or be transferred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, should they work hard... and give it a try?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it didn't end there. After the spring plowing was finished, couldn't the work teams, staying in one place, take the opportunity to receive and clear the property and land previously allocated by the Jin to the Meng'an, Mouke, and Puliyan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn't they further fulfill His Majesty Zhao's pre-war promises after the spring plowing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People like Mao Shuo didn't yet know about these later developments. But just the considerations so far—the political attitude embodied in the three edicts, and that little bit of political maneuvering—were enough to shake the resolve of many Jin local officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone wants to advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary, if the three edicts were implemented, the spring plowing would be salvaged to the greatest extent. And setting aside agriculture, even those who surrendered would have a way out, greatly reducing the need for punishment and lessening social upheaval. It was also an orderly step in transforming military achievements into political ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffice it to say, Hebei had indeed changed after the Battle of Huolu, but not in the crude and direct way they had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Prefect Mao, you're worried that if we leave too late, the work team will come in right behind us and cause trouble?\" The Sixth Prince Eruguan was not stupid, just slower and less cunning than Hong Ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is indeed my concern.\" Mao Shuo replied with slight embarrassment, but then shook his head slightly. \"Beyond that, I also wanted to advise an old friend... Lord Hong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Eruguan's expression shifted to understanding, Hong Ya sighed, bowed his head for a moment, seemingly moved by Mao Shuo's remembrance of their old friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after a moment, he shook his head slightly, causing Eruguan to relax a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, what Eruguan didn't know was that Hong Ya's display was merely a pretense. Inside, the man felt no stir at all. This wasn't to say that Hong Ya was solely chasing wealth and glory and had never thought of staying in the Great Song for a peaceful life—he had long considered it, which was why he had facilitated the surrender of Zhending. But hadn't His Majesty Zhao rejected him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially as he later returned to Zhending but was not granted an audience, this man, who had practically become a master at reading intentions, formed a definitive conjecture about the sovereign’s intent… Whether it was a genuine desire to broker peace under those terms or a classic stratagem of sowing discord, in any case, that sovereign did not wish to have him, Hong Ya, lingering around as an eyesore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Elugu Guan northward was certainly motivated by the allure of the best possible outcome, but more than that, it was a matter of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back to the present, Dingzhou Department Magistrate Mao Shuo was swayed by the Zhao Song sovereign’s veiled and conditional pardon… This man was a widely acknowledged capable official, confident he could manage Dingzhou well, so he chose to stay in Dingzhou and rejoin the Great Song… At the same time, no matter how much Elugu Guan and Hong Ya lamented, they could only hastily set off after breakfast, in the posture of being expelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the two did not seek further trouble on the road. They traveled light, galloping for an entire day, passing through the two counties of Wangdu and Beiping without entering either city, until they reined in their horses at the Jintaiden Camp outside the eastern pass of Baosai City (modern Baoding), the capital of Baozhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Jintaiden was a famous permanent relay station and military depot, originating from the war when Emperor Taizong of Song attempted to capture Yanyun from the Liao. It later became a well-known permanent garrison post during the Song-Liao standoff, and now naturally served as an important transit point for the Jin state traveling south from Yanjing to Hejian and Zhending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elugu Guan and Hong Ya had been heading here from the start—according to their thinking, there should not only be a small garrison here, but Elugu Bu and Jiagu Wulibu would also necessarily pass through this spot on their way north. Traces of the scattered defeated troops from before, as well as local officials and generals fleeing south like themselves, should also be found here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it turned out, Elugu Guan and Hong Ya were absolutely right, even more right than they had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixth Prince… Vice Minister Hong… It is truly excellent that you two are unharmed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taishinu came out to greet them at the camp gate, bowing respectfully. “The Prince of Wei, General Yelu, and General Heshilie are all inside the camp. His Highness the Prince of Wei is waiting for you both.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elugu Guan and Hong Ya exchanged a glance, both turning somewhat pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not to say there was anything improper about Wushu and these two being here; considering the distance and location, since Wushu had found a way to survive, it was only natural for him to be here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, wasn’t it that Lord Zhao had said, “Wushu must be killed before peace can be made”? And there was also that business of directly surrendering the city. All these matters, and those words, could not be hidden, especially with Taishinu here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, the two could not help but feel terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet since Taishinu had specially waited at the camp gate to receive them, they had no way to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the two could only suppress their inner unease, steel themselves, and follow Taishinu into the Jintaiden Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the camp was in a miserable state, filled everywhere with bedraggled defeated soldiers and wounded men. Fortunately, it seemed that Yelu Ma Wu or Heshilie Taiyu had taken control of the situation. Although the original garrison troops were flustered, there was no sign of chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make a long story short, amid this miserable scene, the two arrived at a bright and spacious large military barracks, where they immediately saw Wanyan Wushu lying alone on a wide bed. Although this Jin state ruling prince’s face was relatively clean, his complexion was deathly pale, and his posture was strange… the reason was obvious at a glance: the Fourth Prince had clear injuries to his left leg and right arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, although Wanyan Wushu had escaped with his life, he had done so only after enduring extreme hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were blood brothers. The moment they met, even though Elugu Guan had been extremely anxious before, seeing his elder brother in such a wretched state, he could not help but feel a pang in his nose. He stepped forward, sat on the edge of the bed, grabbed his brother’s movable left hand, and burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu, upon seeing Elugu Guan enter, should have embraced his brother and wept together. But for some reason, he just let the other hold his hand and cry. After a long while, he propped up his leg, which was splinted with boards, and sneered: “Sixth Brother, why this bitter sorrow? With the overall situation at hand, victory and defeat are already decided. That we brothers can meet again is already the blessing of our father’s spirit in heaven. If we only wail and mourn, we will only make the world laugh at us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Wushu paused briefly, then continued: “To borrow a phrase from Cao Mengde: ‘Crying day and night, can you cry that Cangzhou Zhao Jiu to death?’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Elugu Guan forced himself to stop crying, but then couldn’t help asking tearfully by the bed: “Fourth Brother, I heard that the Song army sent tens of thousands of cavalry in pursuit but couldn’t catch you. Yue Fei and Zhang Rong seem to have reached Hejian as well. Under the threat of a pincer attack from both sides, how exactly did you escape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to say about that?” Wushu shook his head in response, but couldn’t hide a trace of dejection as he explained briefly. “Fleeing all the way, before Qinshui, I was caught up by Song light cavalry. First, I lost thirty percent of my troops. I heard that Wulinda Taiyu was also captured by the river…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, struggling to cross the river, I found that Liu Qi had already occupied Gaocheng ahead of me. Caught off guard, I lost many more soldiers…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forced to go east, while crossing the river at Gucheng, I saw Zhang Rong’s naval forces, and had to continue eastward…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, at Shulu, I ran into defeated troops fleeing from the east. Only then did I learn that Tian Shizhong had already driven his army from the east to attack… At that time, my leg had also been broken by a horse’s trampling. I started thinking wildly, that the defeat at Huolu and the dead end at Shulu meant heaven wanted me to be ‘shu’ (bound) there. But the more so, the less I could resign myself to fate. I prepared to commit suicide, preferring death to being ‘bound’… but Ma Wu dissuaded me, suggesting we try the riverbank to the north.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Wushu smiled bitterly again: “It was then I realized that the ‘shu’ in Shulu did not apply to the Song people, but to Ma Wu. At the riverbank, he dared not look for a shallow ford, and we only had one horse. Helpless, he had to tie me onto the horse’s back, and then the two of us floated the horse across the river… After crossing, we met Heshilie Taiyu, who had escaped from Song captivity. Only then did I learn that the day before, an edict had been passed down in the Song army, saying that Lord Zhao had become angry and ordered the pursuing troops not to chase after high-ranking generals on their own, but only to focus on inflicting casualties. So the river patrols had changed, only blocking the shallow fords, and the troops on the road only pursued large groups… Calculated this way, this humble life of mine is thirty percent heaven’s will, forty percent Ma Wu, and the remaining thirty percent bestowed by that Lord Zhao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this account, Elugu Guan sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was easy to imagine that, no matter how lightly his fourth brother spoke of it, during these seven or eight days, he must have been struggling on the edge of life and death every day. In comparison, his own most dangerous moment, the night he encountered Hebulai, was probably not as serious as his fourth brother’s easiest moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his life as the Sixth Prince had been completely safe throughout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Elugu Guan was sighing, Hong Ya, standing with his hands clasped at the threshold, also frowned slightly… That Lord Zhao kept saying he ‘must kill Wushu,’ but in reality, he had left an opening on the south bank of the Hutuo River when it was most likely to capture Wushu. Although the grand reasoning was correct, it always made that peace condition seem somewhat mocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, now was not the time to think about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Prince of Wei has been blessed by heaven, which makes me, a humble official, seem rather cowardly and afraid of death.” Seeing that the two brothers had roughly exchanged a few words and had their emotions under control, Hong Ya quickly stepped forward and said a useless remark. “To be honest with the Prince of Wei, that day in Zhending, I did advise the Sixth Prince to surrender. I have truly failed the trust the Prince of Wei placed in me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know, naturally.” Wushu couldn’t help but sigh. “Taishinu has told me everything. But this matter is not the Vice Minister’s fault… When that Zhao Song sovereign had tens of thousands of corpses and wounded brought over, I could imagine the scene. It was indeed impossible to hold… As for surrendering and then seeking peace, that wasn’t your own decision either. After all, we did discuss this matter in the camp that day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Elugu Guan also turned pale. He quickly stood up and wiped his tears: “Fourth Brother, do you know the specific terms of the peace negotiation? I said on the spot that that Zhao Song sovereign was far too harsh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does Vice Minister Hong think?” Wushu ignored his sixth brother and looked at Hong Ya instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your humble servant believes this is not harshness,” Hong Ya stepped forward, speaking seriously to Wushu. “It is that the Zhao Song sovereign harbors malicious intent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elugu Guan was momentarily stunned, while Wushu became solemn and pressed seriously: “What malicious intent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your humble servant believes that what is called harshness is nothing more than a strategy of determining to overthrow the Great Jin state, then besieging on three sides while leaving one open,” Hong Ya stated frankly, speaking with conviction. “In the end, the Song people do not want peace at all; they still want to fight to the death. This peace condition is harsh under the current circumstances, but after they finish reorganizing, they will drive us into a corner. Then, they can use this peace treaty to shake our resolve to fight to the death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad.” Wushu thought for a moment, then nodded heavily, but after a moment, he sneered again. “Is that all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is also the strategy of sowing discord, but that is too obvious.” Hong Ya spread his hands, his words still frank. “‘Wushu must be killed before peace can be made’… But in reality, how can the Fourth Prince be killed? Who would kill the Fourth Prince? It is simply based on the assumption that after the great defeat at Huolu, the Fourth Prince’s prestige has greatly diminished. If the central government wants to make a strong effort, it can only rely on the great clans of Yanyun and the tribes beyond the passes, thereby causing mutual suspicion among us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well said!” Wushu lay back, looking up, and sighed deeply. “Well said! Hits the nail on the head! Hits the nail on the head! But this is an open scheme! An open scheme!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elugu Guan remained hesitant, while Hong Ya couldn’t help but press further: “Prince of Wei, be honest with me, on this line of the Hutuo River, how many people actually escaped?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya frowned slightly and was about to speak again when a sour, rancid smell suddenly wafted from behind him. Turning around, he saw someone barging in from outside, and Taishinu did not stop him. Looking more closely, he realized the newcomer was actually the Wanhu Pucha Huzhan… The man was in a terrible state, dressed in short clothes, his arms and legs covered in reddish-brown mud, his beard and hair full of filth, clutching two sheets of white paper notices, truly a sorry and laughable sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in any case, seeing another Wanhu survive was good—because, as Hong Ya and Wushu had said, Lord Zhao’s strategy of sowing discord was clearly an open scheme. At this moment, having any senior general who survived Huolu could strengthen the unity between the central government and the tribes beyond the passes, bolster the central government’s power, and thereby intimidate the other small tribes and the great clans of Yanyun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, before anyone could say much, Pucha Huzhan collapsed to the ground, then gasped to Wushu on the bed: “Prince of Wei… that bastard Wulinda Taiyu is dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu glanced at the newcomer, then relaxed slightly and said unhurriedly: “Huzhan, in this situation, who wouldn’t die? Isn’t it all ordinary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But too many have died.” Pucha Huzhan raised the two notices high, his voice agitated, even choked with sobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya initially thought the man was holding the same edicts he had seen in Dingzhou. Hearing something was wrong, he stepped forward and snatched them. Just a glance at them made him shake his head repeatedly, then he handed the notice to the Sixth Prince by the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pucha Huzhan was already babbling incessantly on the ground: “I escaped from Raoyang. I didn’t dare go to Hejian Prefecture. I just went day and night, detouring through Suning Stockade to cross the river, then to Gaoyang… I knew the Gaoyang garrison commander; he was a surrendered general I recruited when we attacked Hedong back then… But when I reached the city, that bastard not only refused to take me in, but threw down two notices and told me to go on my way… I can’t read. I only had someone read them to me when I got here, and then I learned that thirteen Wanhu have died?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu was momentarily stunned, then craned his neck to look at his sixth brother holding the document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elugu Guan instinctively wanted to hand it over, but after reaching out, he realized his elder brother was in no condition to read. Feeling helpless, he took the initiative to speak: “Elder Brother… It is an edict from the Song to establish their authority, conveying the news of their kills. They intend to send the heads around to intimidate the prefectures into surrendering without a fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Read the list and the numbers.” Wushu lay back down again. “Don’t hold back. Read it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elugu Guan had no choice but to unfold the notice and read it seriously: “The notice was issued on the ninth day of the second month, that is, yesterday. It bears the seal of Zhao Jiu of Cangzhou, so it counts as an imperial edict… It says… says… Below the Jin state Marshal, Taiyuan Marching Army Commander and Wanhu Wanyan Balisu, Longde Prefecture Marching Army Commander and Wanhu Wanyan Bendu, Wanhu Wanyan Tusu, Wanhu Xiemao Ali, Wanhu Wanyan Huonü, Wanhu Pusuan Beilu, Wanhu Wulinda Taiyu, Wanhu Wanyan Salahe, Wanhu Wendun Sizhong, Wanhu Renjia Shaohui, Wanhu Wanyan Zhehe, Wanhu Da Pusuyue, and also Yanjing Hezha Meng’an Commander Wanyan Poushu, thirteen in total… Additionally, at Huolu, forty-eight Silver-Plaque Marching Meng’an were killed in battle, and thirty-two captured; five hundred and thirty-seven Bronze-Plaque Marching Mouke were killed in battle, and three hundred and twenty-three captured; four hundred and twenty-nine Iron-Plaque Puli Yan were killed in battle, and two hundred and twenty-one captured… A total of one thousand seven hundred and three men… Among them, those with heads will have their heads and marching plaques sent around for public display; those without heads and the captives will have their marching plaques sent around in their stead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu was not angry; instead, he sneered in response: “Not as many as I thought! And the Song didn’t kill the captives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They probably didn’t,” Elugu Guan explained helplessly. “The captives will likely be sold to the Khitans. Before selling them, they will be used for hard labor, farming, road-building, and the like… The second edict below also says that Li Qiong, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Camp Central Army, is appointed as Commander-in-Chief to guard over sixty thousand captives. They will march south along the route our army previously took between Great Ming Prefecture and Zhending Prefecture, assisting with spring plowing and replanting along the way, to fill the void left in the localities after the conscripted troops were drawn away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu fell completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elugu Guan also felt somewhat awkward. He had already realized that the sixty thousand captives mentioned in this edict issued yesterday were likely only the troops captured by the Song army at Huolu and Zhending. Among them, over fifty thousand were from Huolu, and the additional seven or eight thousand were the Wanhu he had handed over after choosing to surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, it was probably enough, because how many marching headquarters the Jin state had south of Yanshan, how many Wanhu, and roughly how many men—this was common knowledge. Now, these two edicts, combined with the previous decrees concerning spring plowing, were issued together, thoroughly laying out the fruits of the Battle of Huolu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with the earth-shattering momentum of that battle, once it was laid out, naturally the edicts were delivered and settled, instantly sweeping across the Two Rivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Pucha Huzhan had also been driven over by the old hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only say that Hebei was truly about to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from this, what the proclamation did not mention for now was that the forty to sixty thousand Jin routed troops who escaped from that battle were then heavily pursued by Song forces south of the Hutuo River. Looking only at the miserable state of Wushu and the others, one could guess that even if not a single horse returned north, seven or eight out of ten had likely been lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after this campaign, of the Jin army's original twenty Wanhu, how much effective strength remained? How many elite, battle-hardened troops?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Yanjing, those tribal chieftains from beyond the passes who controlled the remaining new armies, the discarded old generals at the central command, and the great clans of Yanyun—how would they start to stir?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder that His Majesty had resorted to such a shallow scheme of sowing discord. One could only say that when fortune comes, heaven and earth lend their strength; when fortune departs, even heroes lose their freedom… This was truly a kind of overwhelming general trend and open scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, having tallied the accounts, Elu Guan was almost utterly dejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Hong Ya, he still seemed lost in thought, as if this clever man had not yet figured out this simple calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back to the present, when the news that at least over seventeen hundred Jin officers had been killed or captured was confirmed by the proclamation, the entire room fell silent. Almost everyone, including Wushu who had earlier shouted not to hold back, sank into stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This blow was too heavy. The Battle of Huolu had basically broken the backbone of the entire Great Jin state, then stripped the bones and cut the flesh. How could anyone imagine or care to imagine the future of Great Jin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spirit of dejection, mixed with the stench of Pucha Huzhan's body, spread in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still a new arrival who broke the silence. Yelu Ma Wu hurried in, and when the people in the room saw the entire stack of new proclamations in the hands of this Khitan general, almost everyone's heart trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General Yelu, what is this again?\" Even Hong Ya needed to take a deep breath before cautiously inquiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Documents sent from Zhending… all are reward edicts.\" Yelu Ma Wu remained calm. \"The Zhao Song Emperor is lavishly rewarding his meritorious officials, all with some incomprehensible bookish language… Just enfeoffing kings, there's a pile of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That doesn't matter.\" Hong Ya was momentarily relieved and waved his hand. \"It's just a show of ostentatious power. There's no need to read it specifically to the Prince of Wei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why not read it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wushu, lying there, suddenly exerted himself to speak, his voice like a roar. \"The enemy's heroes are our bandits! Their achievements are all built from our army's blood and flesh! If we don't read it, how can we mourn the hundreds of thousands of our army's blood and flesh lost in this battle?! Read! Read it out! Don't miss a single word!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were horrified but remained silent. Yelu Ma Wu had no choice but to stuff the large stack of imperial edicts and proclamations into Hong Ya's hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some characters, he truly did not recognize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya had no choice. He picked up these proclamations, took several deep breaths, and began to read slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time of the Jingkang and Jianyan eras, when the empire's safety hung in the balance, a man of courage, strategy, loyalty, and righteousness like Han Shizhong emerged as a general—this was Heaven's gift to aid my restoration. When the Jin army raided the Huai region, only Shizhong dared to engage them in battle. Later, he drove Wushu at Xiacai, broke Talan at Changshe, beheaded Loushi at Yaoshan, and shattered the enemy at Huolu. In every battle, he was my vanguard, risking his life without regard, hailed as peerless under heaven, truly the empire's pillar, my backbone and gall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specially promoted to Prince of Qin, appointed Marshal, still holding the post of Grand Preceptor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finishing in one breath, it was nothing more than Han Shizhong being promoted to Prince of Qin, appointed Marshal, and holding the post of Grand Preceptor, reaching the pinnacle of the Three Dukes, his merit surpassing all military officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the room where Wushu was staying, whether lying, sitting, standing, or leaning, not a single person spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was so strange about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a slight pause, Hong Ya lifted one sheet and then another:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, by strategy, the Han had Han, Zhou, Wei, and Huo; the Tang had Li, Xu, Su, and Xue—each era had its men. But to seek one who combined both civil and military talents, who employed both benevolence and wisdom like Yue Fei, is rare in a generation. Yue Fei, as a commander, possessed not only military strategy but also a benevolent style. He enforced strict military orders to prohibit plunder, spoke gently to comfort the common people, cultivated humility to handle relations carefully, studied literature to engage in social exchanges, upheld public debate in court discussions, and shunned the wicked to associate with gentlemen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, for a minister to establish military achievements, since the Duke of Zhou, only the Marquis Wu of Zhuge has done so. For a commander to seek a fine reputation, even Jifu (a famous Zhou general) might not deserve it, but only Yue Fei, with his utmost loyalty in serving the state, can match this praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reward his outstanding merits in Jingxiang, the puppet Qi, Xixia, Great Ming, and Hejian, specially promoted to Prince of Wei, appointed Marshal, holding the post of Grand Tutor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall remained silent. Wushu finally showed a slight reaction. He turned his head slightly, looked at a sword leaning against his couch, then closed his eyes again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third: When a great building is about to collapse, there must be pillars to support it; when mud and sand rush down together, there must be something to block them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ya opened the third proclamation, and after reading only the first two sentences, he knew who it was about. \"When the empire was on the verge of collapse, and the land north of the Huai River was no longer Han territory, Li Yanxian rose in Shaan-Luo, standing like a pillar in the midstream. Almost single-handedly, he split the Jin army into two forces, allowing the court to still hold the Great River and connect the Central Plains with Guanxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For ten years he stood firm, his merit immeasurable, his loyalty profound beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specially promoted to Prince of Jin, appointed Marshal, granted the post of Grand Guardian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the room had subtly changed, but Hong Ya paid it no mind. He simply lifted another sheet and continued reading. This time, before he even spoke, he knew who it was for:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fourth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, famous generals are easy to find, but commander-ministers are hard to come by. Wu Jie's talent and spirit are extraordinary; his loyalty and courage are self-motivated. He seized the opportunity for merit and fame, making his name resound in the Long and Longxi regions. He repelled the enemy with calm and decisive strategy, and commanded his troops with a balance of authority and kindness. Recently promoted to commander in Guanxi's Jingyuan, he oversaw all the generals. The Battle of Yaoshan was a particularly outstanding achievement. In the Battle of Huolu, he directed with composure, blocking the enemy chieftains and crushing their vile horde.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strengthening my majesty's restoration—could this be achieved without strategy aiding courage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specially promoted to Prince of Han, appointed Marshal, granted the post of Junior Preceptor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading again, no one spoke. Hong Ya paused for a moment, then could only continue reading on his own:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Jianyan era, my trusted aide, Zhang Jun, raised his troops earliest and repeatedly established military merits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Xiacai, isolated and suspended to the north, he could not be shaken, and he repeatedly sought battle—this can be called loyalty and courage. Later, due to his age, he advanced and retreated with ease, and promoted Yang Yizhong, Tian Shizhong, and Zhang Zigai to continue their achievements—this can be called virtuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, the covenant on the Huai River dare not be forgotten. Specially promoted to Prince of Qi, granted the post of Junior Guardian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sixth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, when the state was in chaos, order was lost from top to bottom. Officials abandoned their lands and fled; soldiers lost their courage at the mere rumor of the enemy. Zhang Rong rose from the wilds, gathered righteous men to protect the peace of one region, and united commoners to become battle-hardened heroes. The victory at Suotou Tan first stabilized the army's morale; driving boats through the Bian River began to secure the state's foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To act on behalf of Heaven's way—this is how it should be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specially promoted to Prince of Lu, granted the post of Junior Tutor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seventh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single spark can start a prairie fire. In the past, when the empire was in decline, Ma Kuo, as an old acquaintance, received favorable treatment from the Jin, yet he still abandoned his family and his person, raised troops to resist the Jin. For ten years, he came and went in the Taihang Mountains, reined in his horse north of the river, toiled and maneuvered, day and night without rest. In the past, when the Jin state was strong, it was the merit of the Taihang that prevented the enemy forces from gathering and sweeping south. And when the imperial army advanced north, it was also the strength of Hebei that created an irresistible momentum through the united efforts of the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specially promoted to Prince of Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Prince Zhao Zhen of Xin, who assisted with merit, has his title changed to Prince of Dai to show honor and favor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eighth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang De, from a family of hereditary loyalty and courage, has long possessed divine might. Since the Huai region, he has been a main force in the imperial presence, never faltering for ten years, with outstanding achievements. At the decisive battle of Huolu, he was the first to fight, charging into the fray with irresistible courage. When he beheaded Ali in battle, he broke the enemy's main formation, a merit directly contributing to the restoration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specially promoted to Commandery Prince of Longxi, specially granted one generation of hereditary title without reduction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was an illusion or not, Hong Ya, slightly parched, turned a page and was just about to look at the commendation for Qu Duan next, when he felt, perhaps it was an illusion, that someone was sobbing quietly in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Jin Wushu had flared up before, so although it was somewhat unusual, Hong Ya paused only a moment before continuing to read:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ninth says:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Jianyan era had just begun, Loushi swept through two-thirds of Guanxi. In this time of crisis, Li Yanxian rose in Shaanluo — his merit was unsurpassed. Qu Duan protected the people in Guanlong, which counted as some achievement, but he was overbearing and disobedient, with many improprieties that cannot go unmentioned. Yet, Zhou Chu reformed himself after eliminating the three scourges, and Qu Duan also learned shame and then courage. He shot Loushi before the imperial carriage, pacified Western Xia at Helan, led the entire army out of Zhiguan, and displayed fierce loyalty at Huolu — he can truly be called a man of integrity and valor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, his title is advanced to Zhenrong Commandery Prince.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The tenth says:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Li Yongqi and Li Master returned to the court with loyalty and righteousness, just before the battle of Yaoshan. At that time, the state was impoverished and starving, on the verge of begging. The father and son bankrupted their family and sacrificed themselves for the state — their loyalty and righteousness were unmatched, both counted as extraordinary merits, rarely seen in ancient or modern times. They also pacified Western Xia and achieved exceptional honors, and were always at the forefront in the decisive victory at Huolu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special posthumous...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the sobbing suddenly stopped, replaced by another loud shout from Jin Wushu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The harshness of his voice startled Hong Ya so much that he trembled, scattering the proclamation in his hands to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after that harsh shout, Jin Wushu instead became dejected, just lying there, using his still-functioning left hand to cover his face again as he sobbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, he finally spoke mournfully in the room, as if weeping and recounting: \"I just don't understand! How could heaven and earth have turned upside down in a mere ten years? Ten years of rise, ten years of decline. The founding heroes of the Great Jin are withering away one after another, while the heroes of the Song state are surrendering one after another... Could this really be that Heaven's will is protecting the Song state?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Pucha Huzhan and Eluguan, who were before the couch, could no longer bear it and each wept without stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the three men by the door, from Yelu Ma Wu to Taishinu to Hong Ya, could only look at each other in bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, it was Yelu Ma Wu, his heart still unsettled, who spoke up to refute: \"Prince of Wei... you must be reasonable. By reason, what is most incomprehensible is surely that the Grand Ancestor fought bravely and actually destroyed Liao in ten years, and then Nianhan marched south in force and actually struck directly at Bianliang successfully, isn't it? When you Jurchens accomplished such heroic deeds, it was heroes rising up? Now that the Song people have fought back, how is it incomprehensible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Jin Wushu still covered his face with his hand, but the room gradually fell silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle of the second month of the tenth year of Jianyan, as countless edicts were issued from Zhending, the impact of the great battle at Huolu finally spread in all directions. Wherever the spring plowing and reward edicts reached, the prefectures of Hebei turned over in one morning, and heaven and earth changed color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Wanyan Wushu and the scattered high-ranking officials, they only stayed in Baosai for three or five days, gathered seven or eight thousand routed soldiers, and couldn't even wait for Wanyan Wolun. As soon as the troops of the Song state's Prince of Wei, Yue Fei, appeared on the horizon, they directly turned and fled, heading toward Fanyang behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ps: Thanks to the new alliance leader, Classmate Huang Erma.\u003C\u002Fp>",7532,"2026-06-06T07:46:32.508Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","9c5aa4cbd5957f2b07053003d3ad81289bdd00f33c3a77ee24372d9c54e3d20d","shao-song-chapter-431","shao-song-chapter-429",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]