Chapter 443: Continuation

Taohuadao was a real island in the Jinzhou area at this time, later gradually connecting to the mainland and disappearing. It complemented Juhuadao to the south, and likely even got its name from the larger, more famous Juhuadao.

As for Juhuadao, it actually had two names; it was also called Juehuadao, possibly because Buddhist structures on the island had increased over time, and the name changed at some unknown point. Of course, it could also be the reverse—that the name changed from Juehuadao to Juhuadao precisely because of the increase in Buddhist buildings.

But none of this had anything to do with Guo Jin and Yang Zaixing. Having received their orders, the two each led a hundred cavalry to break away from the main force and wait by the Bohai coast. And sure enough, when Yue Fei led the main force charging through Jinzhou, they indeed spotted a fleet commanded by Cui Bangbi, the Controller of the Imperial Navy.

The fleet was not large... According to Cui Bangbi, because the Imperial Navy had performed poorly in the previous Northern Expedition, having only toil but no merit, the Vice Commander Li Bao, having just reorganized the remnants of the Jin navy, had eagerly begged the Emperor for an assignment and sailed off to raid the Liaodong hinterland while also contacting and monitoring the Koreans... leaving few good ships behind.

Of course, this wasn't to say the arriving fleet couldn't even transport two hundred cavalry. Rather, Cui Bangbi felt this task came too suddenly, affecting his last chance to earn military merit—this was both a complaint and a prompt.

To this, Guo the Big Ladle and Yang the Big Iron Spear said nothing, because they shared similar thoughts... They too wanted to go pacify the Liao region, advance on Huanglongfu, and sweep away the remaining Jurchen tribes, instead of helping Emperor Zhao, Lord Lu, and Prince Liu find some "old acquaintance" from twelve years ago.

In just twelve years, the young officers of the Song army had already forgotten and couldn't be bothered to care who Guo Yaoshi was.

But they simply couldn't ignore it.

The search process was unremarkable.

You must understand, Yue Fei's main force of the Imperial Vanguard Army had just marched out through the Shanhai Corridor into Liao territory. The island's temples and local strongmen were trembling in fear, so how would they dare cause any trouble?

Thus, the three first landed on Juhuadao. After a thorough search that yielded no one, the abbot of the imperially built Dalonggong Temple on the island took the initiative to offer advice, pointing out that the island had limited resources and harsh conditions, and many fleeing nobles suffered from acclimatization sickness—they should seek out doctors and physicians to inquire about details.

Sure enough, when they gathered the island's doctors, they soon learned from a gynecological expert named Ximen Qing that an old man surnamed Guo, claiming to be the former Prefect of Pingzhou, had called for his treatment many times. This man had long been in the military and should indeed be Guo Yaoshi... However, although this scoundrel initially lived on the more comfortable Juhuadao, after Emperor Zhao's great victory at Huolu and the Koreans sending troops into Liao, he became terrified and fled on his own to the smaller Taohuadao.

With this information, the three hurriedly brought Ximen Qing and pursued him to the cramped Taohuadao. The island had few people, and upon further inquiry, they learned that after Marshal Yue took command of the Imperial Vanguard Army and left Yuguan, Guo Yaoshi, seemingly aware of his own grave sins that could not be tolerated by the Great Song, panicked and made a counter-move, turning back to flee to Juhuadao, which was farther from the coastline... But he was cautious, not daring to go to the main Juhuadao, instead fleeing to a tiny island called Mopanshandao to the north of Juhuadao.

That island had only seven or eight fishing families and one bitter-water well, barely enough to survive, and they mostly depended on Juehuadao for their livelihood.

So the three turned back again with Ximen Qing. Though the journey was full of twists and turns, they finally found Guo Yaoshi and his son, reeking of fish, in a rocky cave on Mopanshandao.

After Ximen Qing and several other islanders confirmed it was indeed Guo Yaoshi, they immediately returned by boat and horse without pause, reporting back to Yuguan.

Three days later, the news reached Lulong in Pingzhou, which was the Emperor's latest temporary residence.

"Pingfu."

In Lulong city, Zhao Jiu finished reading the secret letter and proactively handed it to the person beside him. "Guo Yaoshi and his son Guo Anguo have both been captured. Do you want to go take a look?"

Liu Yan hesitated for a moment before taking the letter. After a brief scan, he too looked somewhat lost:

"Your subject does not know."

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Jiu was clearly unconcerned.

"In the twelve years before, my attitude toward Guo Yaoshi was inconsistent. The first two years, I held a grudge. After the Jingkang disaster, I was utterly defeated and stopped thinking about it." Liu Yan placed the letter back, momentarily emotional. "Later, I met Your Majesty, and day by day saw the nation rise, gradually harboring hopes for the future. But after following Your Majesty for a long time and seeing the bigger picture, I came to feel that Guo Yaoshi was insignificant. Therefore, compared to this old villain, I still think about returning to Yanzhou as soon as possible to find the lost families of the Red Heart Cavalry."

Zhao Jiu recalled Zhang Yongzhen's appearance before death, his expression unchanged, and merely nodded slightly: "That's true. In that case, just send someone to escort Guo Yaoshi to Yanjing city."

Liu Yan quickly nodded.

Zhao Jiu paused before continuing: "Let's go to Juhuadao together... First, it's convenient to wait for the Jurchen and Korean envoys. Second, once the Liao region is settled, it will be convenient for you to return home."

Liu Yan hesitated again: "Your Majesty intends to land on the island and go to Dalonggong Temple?"

"Do you think I'm seeking immortality and worshipping Buddha?" Zhao Jiu naturally knew what the other was thinking and immediately shook his head with a smile. "Mainly because Juhuadao is in a good location, not far north of Yuguan. If I go out of the pass and station there, it can somewhat intimidate the tribes beyond the pass... Of course, there is a private motive too. I've always wanted to see Jieshi, but since Jieshi is within reach, why not take the opportunity to visit the island?"

Liu Yan nodded but still reminded earnestly: "It's fine to view Jieshi and visit Taohuadao, but if Your Majesty intends to cross Mount Yiwulu, please be sure to inform Yanjing."

"Naturally." Zhao Jiu replied frankly. "But rest assured, Pingfu, I truly have no intention of crossing Mount Yiwulu... I just want to see Jieshi, and then wait for an outcome from the Jurchens."

And so, the plan was set. Emperor Zhao, who had strolled along the Yellow River to Cangzhou and then along the Bohai coastline to Lulong, unsurprisingly chose to continue east and north.

In truth, from Lulong to Yuguan was only a hundred li, but the Yanshan mountain range formed a natural divide. For a long time, this distinction between inside and outside the pass represented a clear boundary between interior and exterior... This had been the case since the Han dynasty, a political and military division caused by geographical separation.

Therefore, when Emperor Zhao decided to reduce his entourage and set out through Yuguan with a mere three thousand troops, the decree caused an uproar as it spread.

Yanjing reacted first. Although Lu Yihao and Han Shizhong had received the explanation in the decree, they still sent a joint letter, requesting that Emperor Zhao maintain clear communication, order Tian Shizhong, who had been left in Lulong, to deploy along the Shanhai Corridor, dispatch Ma Kuo to garrison Yuguan, and have Qu Duan move slightly out of Gubeikou to provide flank cover.

Immediately after, the prefectures and counties along the Shanhai Corridor outside the pass began to boil over... Although this area had already experienced several "boilings" due to the great battle at Huolu, the Korean expedition to Liaodong, the flight of the Yanjing Jurchens, and Yue Fei's deployment, this time it had to boil again because of the Emperor's personal arrival.

In mid-April, Emperor Zhao arrived at Yuguan but was surprised to learn that within the pass, in Changli County, there was a Jieshi Mountain where one could climb and view the sea, said to be the very place where Cao Mengde had once sung his verse.

Zhao Jiu followed the name and went there. Climbing the mountain and looking out, he saw clear sky on all sides and the blue sea before him—truly a magnificent sight. Though he did not see the scene of "the Milky Way's brilliance seeming to emerge from within," there was indeed the appearance of "trees thickly growing, grasses lush and abundant."

But for some reason, after climbing and gazing for half a day, the Emperor remained utterly silent. After descending the mountain, he turned north again and left through Yuguan.

Once out of the pass and entering Zongzhou, after only a day he reached a place. Perhaps because news of his visit to Jieshi Mountain had spread, or because Liu Yan knew the Emperor's words and paid special attention... In any case, a local elder soon came forward to inform him that there was an island east of this place, in the sea, where Emperor Taizong of Tang had once stayed during his campaign against Goguryeo, called Qinwangdao.

Zhao Jiu was greatly surprised and immediately went to see it. Sure enough, in a bay outside the pass, he saw a very distinct island, several thousand paces in circumference and seven or eight zhang high, completely different from the surrounding alluvial terrain.

Upon further inquiry, most locals called it Qinwangdao, but some also called it Qinhuangdao, claiming it was where the First Emperor of Qin had stayed during his eastern tour.

Zhao Jiu sighed deeply in his heart, then briefly landed on the island for half a day to pay his respects.

As for that day, the sky was still clear and cloudless, but he ultimately left in silence—that need not be elaborated.

And that wasn't all.

In late April, after traveling north for only two more days, and after crossing paths with the escort convoy of Guo Yaoshi and his son, Emperor Zhao arrived at the Shijia area in northern Zongzhou. There, another local scholar came to pay respects and informed him that there were other Jieshi stones in the sea nearby, and around them were ruins of the First Emperor's expeditions to seek immortals, where ancient coins and roof tiles often appeared.

Zhao Jiu, already somewhat numb, went to see for a third time and indeed witnessed two large stone pillars standing in the sea, fitting the description of Jieshi.

Half a day later, he left in silence once more.

In fact, from Jieshi Mountain in Changli, to Qinwangdao outside Yuguan, to the Jieshi stones in the sea before him—all were adjacent to the Shanhai Corridor, each only a few dozen li apart... Some misattribution was normal.

Moreover, even disregarding the misattributions, the successive legends of the First Emperor of Qin, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Cao Mengde were not contradictory. They even carried a sense of antiquity, and paired with Emperor Zhao's current momentum of sweeping away all obstacles and pacifying the realm, there were several ways to draw parallels.

To put it bluntly, given the current state of the world, wasn't Emperor Zhao allowed to compose a poem and bask in the reflected glory of those three?

If he didn't want to bask, why had he been inquiring about Jieshi all along?

It was just that, for some reason, this Emperor seemed unable to find his own Jieshi.

In late April, the Emperor of the Zhao Song continued north, entering Jinzhou, with Juhuadao now in sight... The abbot of Dalonggong Temple on the island had long since led the island's monks and laypeople across the sea to wait on land.

However, just as Zhao Jiu was preparing to land on the island, he received news that was not entirely unexpected—due to Yue Fei's advance, the fleeing Jurchen forces had avoided Liaoyang and chosen to detour through the Linhuangfu route, heading back to Huanglongfu and Huiningfu. And when they decided to turn at Dadingfu, a close pursuit by Eastern Mongol and Khitan cavalry directly triggered a panic-stricken internal conflict.

After the internal conflict, most of the Bohai people and some Han Chinese from the Liao region broke away from the fleeing column, heading to Liaodong on their own, and attempting to contact Yue Fei to request surrender.

Of course, what Zhao Jiu did not yet know was that, at the same time he learned of the first large-scale internal conflict in the Jin fleeing column, new trouble seemed to be looming within that column.

"What does Lord Qin think?"

In a somewhat cramped courtyard in Changning, Linhuang Circuit, after a moment of silence, Wanyan Xiyin suddenly called out a name.

"Your subordinate agrees with Lord Xiyin. More trouble is sure to come next."

Qin Hui sat with his hands bound across from Xi Yin, his expression unchanged at the words. "Because if we go further down, we'll have to follow the Huangshui River down to Huanglong Prefecture, and the ancestral lands of the Khitan and Xi people are all upstream of the Huangshui. The Song have already promised the Khitan and Xi autonomy in their old lands around Linhuang Prefecture. Yelu Yudu has already led Khitan light cavalry out of the passes... we can't avoid parting ways again."

"I'm asking you, Chancellor, how to handle this, not asking Chancellor Qin to repeat my words back to me." Wanyan Xi Yin was always stern and serious, but at this moment, such severity only made the atmosphere more tense.

"Correct."

Heshilie Taiyu, whose momentum only grew the further north they went, also spoke with a smile. "Chancellor Qin is exceptionally resourceful; he must have a good plan."

"Given the current situation, I can't say there are no plans, but they are only plans." Qin Hui spoke as if he hadn't noticed Heshilie Taiyu's mockery, answering earnestly. "When it comes to actually executing them, no one knows what the outcome will be."

"Speak, then."

The Grand Prince, Wanyan Woben, interjected in a muffled voice from above, but couldn't help pressing a hand to his left eye, which was constantly tearing up... it was from a spark that had splashed into it during the chaotic night of the internal strife in Dading Prefecture. It wasn't a serious injury, but on this journey of flight, it seemed severe.

"In the current situation, striking first is absolutely not an option." Qin Huizhi's voice remained calm. "There are only two ways... either be sincere and part ways openly and honestly, or find a way to stir up trouble between the Xi and the Khitan, and then part ways... the former relies on pure sincerity, the latter on securing a safe retreat."

The atmosphere in the courtyard grew even more strained.

After a pause, someone in a corner of the courtyard began to whisper: "General Yelu Ma Wu is a loyal and capable officer; can't we rely on him?"

"That's right, have General Ma Wu cover the rear, or keep the Khitan and Xi in the column under control..."

"General Ma Wu's loyalty and bravery need no elaboration."

It was Wanyan Xi Yin who, as always, unflinchingly pointed out the awkwardness of the situation. "But as things stand now, even General Ma Wu can't hold back his own men... However, it's not that we can't rely on him. As I see it, it would be better to take the initiative and advise General Ma Wu to lead his men to stay by the Huangshui, seek out Yelu Yudu on his own for wealth and rank. That way, our rear will be secure."

"That's one way, but it also has its drawbacks." Qin Hui tried to interject. "Since the war began last winter, we now have fewer than five thousand troops. Countless men from all tribes have surrendered one after another, yet General Ma Wu alone has remained steadfast—a true model for the state... If we now let him stay behind with the Khitan, it would be good in practice, but I fear it might dissipate the last breath of spirit in the court... If word gets out, the world will think that the Great Jin cannot even tolerate a loyal foreign minister."

These words were very clear, and to be honest, almost too clear.

Not only did the perceptive ones like Wanyan Xi Yin and Wulinda Zanmo understand, but even the Grand Prince Wanyan Woben, Heshilie Taiyu, and other ministers and generals like Talan, Yinshu Ke, and Pujianu heard them clearly.

Even the young monarch and his consort in the rear buildings, as well as some marginal figures, could roughly grasp Chancellor Qin's meaning.

First, Qin Huizhi was, of course, reminding them about the issue of morale, telling these Jin nobles not to treat Yelu Ma Wu's loyalty as something to be exploited.

Second, he was also using Yelu Ma Wu as an analogy for himself, telling them not to easily abandon him, Qin Huizhi.

Otherwise, morale would be completely shattered.

Of course, there was also an implied layer of logic, meant only for a very few, which was that this fleeing court was currently sustained by the spirit of the Fourth Prince's voluntary martyrdom and the collective will to flee north for survival. The balance was actually very fragile. And this fragile balance was determined by the control exerted by Xi Yin, the monarch, Wulinda Zanmo, plus part of Yelu Ma Wu's troops, and the monarch's authority over the remaining Hezha Meng'an units.

Once the seasoned general Yelu Ma Wu was also cast aside, the Great Jin wouldn't even need to wait for a Khitan or Xi internal revolt against the Jurchens; the Jurchens themselves would start fighting among themselves first.

"That may be so." Xi Yin was still the only one seriously discussing the situation. "But some things are now beyond human control. We can only do our best and have a clear conscience... Chancellor Qin, let me ask you one thing... Do you truly intend to follow us to Huining Prefecture?"

Qin Hui nodded without hesitation: "As things stand, this is the only path... The Zhao Emperor cannot tolerate me... I beg you all not to doubt me."

"Very well." Xi Yin nodded. "Since the situation is this bad, there's no need for us to pretend we have everything figured out... Summon General Ma Wu. Let him decide for himself."

The Grand Prince covered his eye, Heshilie Taiyu stared at his feet, all silent.

After a short while, Yelu Ma Wu arrived. After hearing Xi Yin's words, he was quite straightforward: "I am not some paragon of loyalty. I have surrendered once before, and I know the shame of surrender and the hardship of being a surrendered man. I simply have no desire to waver again... And at this point, I have no other thoughts. I only ask that you nobles permit me to follow along as a private individual. When we reach Huining Prefecture, if we can settle down, let me hold some idle post and live out my remaining years... Of course, I am willing to persuade my subordinates to stay put and not rebel."

Ma Wu's words were calm, even carrying a certain boldness, yet for some reason, everyone listening felt a sense of desolation.

Some lamented the nation's exile, some lamented the bleak future, some thought of the inevitable trend of events, some thought of their own personal hardships... For a moment, no one answered.

After a long pause, it was Wanyan Xi Yin who steadied himself and gave a slight nod: "General Ma Wu's conduct, if not loyalty itself, is the essence of loyalty... There's no need to be overly modest... Let it be settled then. General Ma Wu, please step forward and negotiate with the Khitan and Xi in the column! Let us not overthink this; we will simply set out... If any accident truly occurs, let no one bear a grudge. We will meet soldiers with soldiers, and dam floods with earth. Let those who wish to live, live; let those who wish to die, die!"

With that, without waiting for the others to speak, Xi Yin rose and left decisively. Seeing this, Ma Wu also turned and left.

As for those below the Grand Prince, though each harbored their own thoughts, out of trust and respect for Wanyan Xi Yin, at least on the surface, no one caused a stir.

And so, after resting only half a day in Changning, the Jurchen refugee column set off again.

Yelu Ma Wu, true to his word, relied on his prestige among the Khitan and Xi soldiers to pacify his remaining troops and made a gentleman's agreement with them... using the old method: leaving behind some goods and parting amicably... But unlike before, these remaining Khitan-Xi troops also demanded that Yelu Ma Wu and the Sixth Prince, Elu Guan, stay behind as hostages, which was also readily agreed to.

However, this did not mean the refugee column was now safe.

In fact, throughout the entire flight, even without large-scale open conflict, the hardship and losses were beyond words... Every day, people left the column, and goods were lost in a muddle. But more importantly, every day they were in a state of panic, seeing danger in every shadow, making everyone increasingly tense, with suspicion and wariness growing more apparent by the day.

This was unavoidable.

The perceptive had realized this from the very beginning of the flight.

At first glance, this scene seemed no different from the flight of the Zhao Song Emperor ten years ago... In fact, that Zhao Emperor's journey from Hebei to the Huai River region and then to Nanyang was even longer than from Yanjing to Huining Prefecture... But in reality, it was truly different.

Because when the Zhao Song court was in flight back then, they were surrounded by Han Chinese, on Song territory. Even if bandits rose up everywhere, they knew to use the banner of a royalist army.

And now?

Now these Jin nobles felt like clowns on a Song stage, their clothes being stripped away layer by layer... or rather, their skin being peeled off.

Leaving Yanyun and parting ways with the Han inside the passes, they lost their richest lands and vastest human resources. Going beyond the passes, news of great armies pressing on Liaodong and Liaoxi triggered internal strife, and they lost their Bohai allies of many years, their diplomatic ties with Goryeo, and the economic center and military-technological high ground beyond the passes. Now, they were about to split from the Khitan and Xi at the Huangshui—their old rivals whom they had repeatedly called 'subjects of the state' after destroying Liao. This meant they would soon be left with only the Jurchens.

And what then?

When they reached Huanglong Prefecture and the Song army continued to press forward, would they have to split the Wanyan clan from the other Jurchen tribes as well?

In short, the Han numbered a hundred million. It had been fourteen hundred years since the First Emperor of Qin unified the realm, and thirteen hundred years since Emperor Wu of Han further advanced the great unification in institutions and culture.

At the same time, the Jurchens numbered only a million, and their state had been founded for barely twenty years. Even the unification of the six major Jurchen tribes was achieved during the process of rebelling against Liao.

This stark contrast highlighted the Jurchens' unmatched military might during their rise, but it also meant that, at this moment, this people truly had no room left to maneuver.

To be or not to be, to continue or to be cut off—that is the question.

It was a question everyone had to face.

Perhaps driven by the urgent desire to reach Huanglong Prefecture (near modern-day Changchun) at the lower reaches of the Huangshui, and also to quickly leave the unstable Khitan-Xi settlement area, for the next period, in the middle and lower reaches of the Huangshui without cities, the column marched relentlessly along the river, pressing forward at all costs. Every evening they were so exhausted they fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the ground, and at dawn they had to move. Any brief halt was only for quickly lighting fires to cook, so that although they traveled alongside the Huangshui, they had no time even for a bath, and the entire marching column was thick with the stench of sweat and filth.

This harsh environment, even though it was the best season beyond the passes in April, caused people and livestock to fall ill and die continuously. The Grand Prince's eye ailment grew worse, and the monarch and empress could only share a single horse. Even Qin Huizhi was left with only a cart of belongings and had to learn to drive it himself.

Yet no one dared to stop.

Finally, on the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month, the refugee column, now with fewer than four thousand troops and a total of over thirty thousand people, arrived at a place of abundant water and lush grass.

This place was an important transportation node in the middle and lower reaches of the Huangshui. One could cross the river north-south, travel east-west. To the northeast was Huanglong Prefecture (near modern Changchun). Following the Huangshui as it turned south led to Xianping Prefecture (south of modern Siping). Upstream was naturally Linhuang Prefecture, and to the southwest, the direction they came from, was Dading Prefecture (near modern Chengde).

In fact, although there was no city here, it was a recognized transportation hub beyond the passes, with many relay stations and market towns built during the Liao Dynasty... In later ages, this place would even be known by the name Tongliao.

That's right. On this afternoon, the Great Jin Emperor, the ruling prince, the chancellors, ministers, and generals arrived at their loyal Tongliao. And everyone knew that once they passed this place, they would enter the traditional and core Jurchen sphere of influence, and they would shake off the hidden dangers posed by the Khitan and Xi settlement areas.

This filled almost the entire refugee column with joy and excitement.

Probably sensing this mood, the temporary court issued an 'imperial decree,' changing the usual pattern of non-stop marching and setting up camp here early for a brief rest.

When the news spread, the refugee column rejoiced. After the camp was built and they had a simple meal, they could no longer restrain themselves and began to bathe.

The nobles who were qualified to occupy the civilian houses maintained their restraint; they could wait for servants to fetch water for washing, and a few Jurchen noblewomen could even wait until maids poured hot water into the tubs.

But the soldiers couldn't be bothered with such niceties. After removing their armor, they all plunged into the water.

For a moment, the entire Huangshui River was filled with a dark mass of heads and pale bodies.

"Teacher."

Wanyan Xiyin stood before the floating bridge, his gaze sweeping downstream, then calmly looked at the blue sky and green land on the opposite shore, lost in thought. But he didn't expect a particular call from behind, and without turning his head, he knew who had come.

"Revered teacher."

Shi Lieliangbi called out again, respectfully bowing to the other from behind before stepping forward. "What is my revered teacher thinking about?"

"Nothing at all, just spacing out."

Wanyan Xiyin's words were crisp, just like his behavior these days—rational, composed, and decisive.

Or to put it more directly, this fleeing group had made it this far safely largely thanks to Xiyin's efforts... His status and position, his familiarity with the military and the court, his fairness in handling matters, and his firm attitude made him the de facto organizer and arbiter of this escape.

Relatively speaking, the Great Crown Prince Wanyan Woben, though possessing prestige and the largest military force, was utterly ignorant of administrative affairs and didn't even have experience leading troops independently on long marches.

As for the country's ruler, he was ultimately an eighteen-year-old half-grown child. It couldn't be said that everyone looked down on him, but in the face of such a life-or-death matter for the nation and people, this age was truly awkward. There was no reason to hand him all the authority that hadn't originally been given to him at such a sensitive time.

As for people like Shi Lie Taiyu, Wanyan Yinshuke, and Wanyan Talan, there was even less need to mention them.

"What are you thinking about?" Xiyin turned around, noticing that the other hadn't bathed at all and was still wearing that filthy, stinking leather armor. "Why did you come to find me?"

"Your student is worried about the future of the nation and the tribe, feeling uneasy in his heart, so I came to seek my teacher's guidance to dispel my doubts." Shi Lieliangbi hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose a certain degree of frankness. "Logically, having escaped with our lives now—at least having evaded the pursuit of the grand army—but whenever I think of the estrangement between my father and the Prince of Liao, and the Prince of Wei's failure to return, once we reach Huanglongfu, those grudges, oppositions, and factions that were suppressed in Yanjing will immediately resurface. And there, both sides have their own followers, with the Song army pressing in—I'm afraid it will be another bloodbath..."

"And then?"

Wanyan Xiyin's expression remained unchanged.

"And then... Teacher..." Liangbi replied seriously. "Once we reach Huanglongfu, can Teacher continue to stabilize the situation? Or does Teacher have another way to deal with it? In fact, everyone from top to bottom respects Teacher, and that Zhao official also named Teacher as a chief minister... If Teacher is willing to come forward and take control, your student is also willing to do his best."

Xiyin was silent for a moment, still calm: "The reason I can stabilize the situation now is the shock of Prince Wei's death on the generals and the will to survive among those fleeing... Once we reach Huanglongfu... or even before reaching Huanglongfu, I feel I may not be able to control anyone anymore... You must understand, the Great Jin is like this. After going around in a circle, it still comes down to each tribe's assets. I am a distant branch of the Wanyan clan—on what basis can I control anyone? Even if I control them for a time, I cannot control them forever."

"I originally thought it was possible." Liangbi's reaction was somewhat strange—both relieved and sorrowful.

"It could have been possible originally." Xiyin shook his head in response. "It could have been done through education and systems to win people's hearts, just like when that Zhao Song official fled south—as long as he wanted to, he could always gather people's support... But the Song people didn't give us that time and opportunity."

Shi Lieliangbi deeply agreed.

"Liangbi." Xiyin took another look at the other's filthy leather armor and suddenly spoke.

"Your student is here." Shi Lieliangbi quickly cupped his hands.

"If there's a chance, you must still lead the nation to learn Han speech, write Han characters, and read Han books... Those things are truly good, far better than ours." Xiyin instructed seriously.

"This is your student's long-cherished wish." Liangbi didn't hesitate, cupping his hands in agreement. "And it's not just your student; my generation, from the country's ruler to several princes and nephews, all understand this principle."

Xiyin nodded and said no more.

After waiting a while longer, a servant came to report that the country's ruler and the empress had finished bathing and requested Xiyin's presence before the throne. The two then parted ways.

The day's affairs seemed to be concluded.

However, in just half an hour, the camp suddenly fell into chaos.

The cause of the incident was very simple... After the soldiers bathed first, by evening when the sky was slightly dark, the accompanying women could no longer bear it and, using the reeds and tent curtains as cover, tried to go into the water to bathe.

And as the saying goes, when full and warm, lust arises. In the wilderness, the soldiers, having bathed, eaten, and drunk their fill with nothing to do, set their sights on the women, and soon scattered incidents of rape occurred.

In response, Xiyin's attitude was very firm and decisive—he dispatched the Hezha Meng'an troops to quickly suppress and execute the offenders.

But soon, several pillars of the Great Jin were horrified to discover that the speed at which they handled such incidents couldn't keep up with the rate at which similar incidents occurred... Rape and plunder began to spring up like grass on the prairie after rain.

Immediately after, incidents of groups resisting the Hezha Meng'an's enforcement of military law appeared, along with organized assaults on the women and baggage trains.

By this point, everyone understood what was happening.

The army's patience had reached its limit, and with this sudden relaxation, a mutiny was imminent.

Of course, there were countless veterans with military experience in the group. Yinshuke, Talan, including Elubu, Jiagu Wulibu, and others immediately unanimously advised that the country's ruler should issue an edict to bestow all the maidservants brought by the nobles and release some wealth, especially hard currency like gold, silver, cloth, and furs, as rewards.

Without any second thoughts, this suggestion was quickly passed and immediately executed... Even Xiyin, a man of principle, wisely kept silent... And then, finally, just before the sky went completely dark, the mutiny was suppressed with a combination of authority and mercy.

Once again, the Jin high command maintained unity in the face of crisis.

The Great Jin still seemed to have enough centripetal force.

But when the third watch arrived, just as the Jin fugitive nobles, each harboring their own thoughts, had barely set aside their worries and fallen into a light sleep, flames suddenly flickered on the north bank of the Huangshui River, accompanied by the constant sound of horse hooves.

Wanyan Woben and the others had barely stepped out of their dwellings when they discovered, almost in despair, that most of the troops, without even figuring out the situation on the opposite bank, had directly chosen to flee with women and goods.

And soon, an even more desperate scene appeared.

As the mutinous troops on the opposite bank approached, they could hear clearly that those people were shouting in Khitan, vowing to kill all the Wanyan clan to avenge Emperor Tianzuo.

Some even shouted words claiming to be under the orders of Yelu Ma Wu.

PS: Thanks to big shot slyshen for another cute pet.