The summer is scorching, and the sun is scorching the heart. The whole city of Kaifeng, Henan Province, is filled with luck after the disaster. The government and the public are back to being content and contented.
More than a year ago, the Mongolian middle army was personally led by Wokuotai. After capturing the Jin Kingdom's Hezhong Fucheng, the Mongolian army crossed the Yellow River from Baipo and entered Zhengzhou, Henan Province. The Jinweizhou Jiedu envoy abandoned the city and fled to Bianjing City. The Yellow River defense line of the Jin Kingdom was destroyed, and the Mongolian army entered Henan.
The Mongolian army entered Henan, captured cities and territories, burned, killed and looted. They defeated the main force of the Jin army at Sanfeng Mountain in Junzhou. Wanyan Heda, Monk Wanyan Chen and other Jin army generals died in the battle. The Mongolian army swept through the surrounding area and advanced on Bianjing, the capital of the Jin Kingdom. The Kingdom of Jin sent Yang Juren, the Minister of Household Affairs, to the Mongolian army camp to reward the Mongolian soldiers with wine and meat, as well as bribes with gold, silk and other items. The Mongolian army retreated to the north of the Yellow River.
The victory of the defense of Bianjing City plunged Bianjing City and all the soldiers and civilians of the Jin Kingdom into a revelry. Everyone was cheering for the retreat of the Mongolian army. But for the kings and ministers of the Jin Kingdom, especially the Jurchen nobles, they were as worried as if they had lost their heirs, as if the battle to defend the city had failed.
The Song army repelled the Mongolian army, advanced into Shaanxi, and captured Tongguan. The victory of the Song Army was like a heavy blow, which made the Jurchen nobles feel lucky and worried.
Whether it is Mongolia or the Song Dynasty, the Jin Kingdom and them are feuding and sworn enemies. They do not want to see the strength of either party. Especially in the Song Dynasty, the shame of Jingkang alone has been deeply remembered by the people of Song Dynasty.
The Song army is so strong that once it goes north, it will be a disaster for the country. For the kings and ministers of the Kingdom of Jin, how could there be such a thing as sorrow?
Bianjing City, the imperial palace, side halls, and imperial study.
Behind the imperial table, Jin Emperor Wanyan Shouxu looked gloomy, holding a newspaper in his hand and watching carefully.
In front of his imperial table, several humerus ministers Wanyan Baisa, Li Qi, Zhang Tiangang and others stood solemnly, all with sad faces.
"Since ancient times, emperors have ruled the world. They have always lived in China to control the barbarians, and the barbarians have lived outside to serve China. It is unheard of to say that the barbarians live in China and control the world..."
Wanyan Shouxu looked at it, sneered, pointed at the newspaper, and faced Wanyan Sai without waiting for anyone.
"What are the Song people doing? Have you all read this newspaper?"
Before the ministers could speak, Wanyan Shouxu said angrily:
"Establish an outline and discipline to help the people. The people are at peace, have enough food, and the soldiers are better. What a great tone! The party wants to send troops to the north to drive away the barbarians, save the people from ruin, and restore the dignity of the Han officials. Song Dynasty people Don’t you know that we, Daijin, are China, and our people, Daijin, are Han people?”
Seeing the emperor's rage, all the ministers were speechless.
No need to ask, this is naturally the Song Army’s Northern Expedition slogan.
The people of the Song Dynasty wanted to expedition to the north and restore the dignity of Han officials. Where would they place the monarchs and ministers of the Jin Kingdom and the Great Jin Kingdom who regarded themselves as "Han people" and "China"?
What worries everyone even more is, is the Song people's Northern Expedition campaign aimed at Dajin?
"...The order is solemn, and there will be no offense. Those who return to me will live in peace in China forever, and those who carry me will escape outside the Great Wall. The Song people's slogan is generous, but they don't know whether the Song army wants to launch troops against our country of Jin, or whether Go directly north?”
The words of the ruling minister Li Qi broke the silence.
In the hearts of ten Song people, nine and a half have the ambition to restore the Central Plains. If the Song army really wants to launch its Northern Expedition and hundreds of thousands of troops approach the city, the Kingdom of Jin will probably have to prepare for a battle between trapped beasts.
"Your Majesty, the Song Army has hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the Huai River and Shandong. The attackers are evil. Judging from this posture, they are going to attack our country of Jin. We should prepare early!"
Wanyan Baisha was worried and his face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.
In the battle with the Mongolian army, more than 100,000 troops were lost. Good generals such as Wanyan Heda and Monk Wanyan Chen were killed in the battle. The Jin Dynasty's vitality was severely damaged. It was not enough to hold on. How to counterattack?
Wanyan Shouxu faced Zhang Tiangang, his face as dark as Wanyan Baisha's.
"Zhang Tiangang, when you were on your mission to the Song Dynasty, didn't you find out anything about it?"
Zhang Tiangang and others were refused entry. I wonder why Wanyan Shouxu asked questions knowingly?
"Back to Your Majesty, the Song Emperor refused to allow me to enter. I have no way of knowing what the Song Emperor was thinking. I just feel that if the Song people want to make a northern expedition, they should not only attack me, Dajin, but also the land of Two Rivers."
Zhang Tiangang told the truth and did not dare to hide anything.
On the New Year's Day, the Song people did not send envoys to pay homage. Not only did the Song Dynasty meet, but he was actually refused entry to the Song Dynasty. The Song Emperor made it clear that he had broken up with the Jin Kingdom and cut off all contacts.
"Your Majesty, since the beginning of last year, people have been fleeing southward, and the number has reached hundreds of thousands. Henan has experienced droughts and floods, and the people are miserable. If this continues, southern Henan may become a white land. If the Song Army is now Going north, I'm afraid it will destroy everything and occupy most of Henan."
Li Qi, the minister in power, came to the memorial, his face full of sorrow.
"Your Majesty, the people of Song Dynasty did not send envoys to come to the court, and they turned away our envoys from Dajin. They advertised the Northern Expedition in newspapers, making it clear that they wanted to use troops against me, Dajin. It is better to strike first and send troops. Go south and catch the Song people by surprise!"
The warrior Shizhannu Lu Huan couldn't help it, her face was filled with worry.
The Song people were going to take revenge for the humiliation of Jingkang a hundred years ago. But when the time came, it was the Song army that came to Bianjing City.
Send troops south?
There was silence among the ministers in the palace. Even Jin Emperor Wanyan Shouxu, who had "three thousand soldiers crossing the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers", frowned and remained silent.
Two years ago, the Mongolian army crossed the Yellow River and entered the land of Henan. After several brutal battles, all the elites in the country were lost, the national power was reduced, and the territory was in ruins. It has not yet recovered.
Does the Great Jin Kingdom still have the strength and courage to go south?
"These arrogant and despicable Song people!"
Wanyan Shouxu cursed fiercely, squinting his eyes and feeling heavy.
"Last year, during the sacrifice of the late Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty, didn't the ministers of the Song Dynasty reveal anything? Are they really going to use troops against me, Dai Jin?"
Sending envoys to the Song Dynasty to worship Yang Guizhi, the late Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty, there should be some gains.
"Your Majesty, it is indeed not true. I have not seen the Song Emperor at all, but the Song people are determined to win the Northern Expedition, and they will definitely launch troops in the autumn."
Zhang Tiangang was careful. The Emperor of Song refused to see him, Song officials had a cold attitude towards him, and later refused to enter the country. The Northern Expedition was so secretive that he had no idea of the Song people's movements.
"This capricious villain! First he occupied Lintao Road, then Shaanxi, and now he wants to mobilize troops against our country, the Kingdom of Jin. Does he really think that our country, the Kingdom of Jin, is easy to bully? What are you doing? Gone. The Song Dynasty has gained nothing, so how should it respond at this time?"
Wanyan Shouxu couldn't help but burst out again, and complained about the two humerus ministers.
Song Emperor Zhao Hong became a capricious villain in his mouth.
He also didn't want to think that the Henan area he occupied now was the hometown of Jiujing in the Song Dynasty. The people of Song Dynasty took it back as a matter of course and uprightly.
"Your Majesty, the Song and Jin Dynasties are feuding. The small land of Henan is surrounded by Song troops on three sides. Now they have lost their troops and generals. The Song people are at the peak of their military strength. I am afraid they can only hold on. It is better to make plans in advance to avoid being caught off guard."
Wanyan Baisa frowned and reminded the emperor.
"Your Majesty, the Song army is eyeing the enemy and may invade at any time. The northwest frontier army of the Song and Jin Dynasties is elite, but the Huaihe River is weak. It is better to gather troops and use troops south of the Huaihe River. Take the Lianghuai River and Jinghu Lake first, and then wait for an opportunity to use troops south of the Yangtze River. "
Li Qisu bowed in obeisance, full of aggression, but seemed to be making a desperate move.
The Song Dynasty's army is at its peak, and if the Jin Kingdom does not move, it may have no choice but to be slaughtered.
"Xiangong Li, the battle depends on strength, and you must not act on your own initiative. Our army fought with the Northern Army, and our soldiers suffered heavy losses. It is difficult to hold on. How can we talk about using troops in the Jianghuai River? No matter whether the Song Dynasty wants to use troops against me, Dajin, the current plan , it’s better to stick to it!”
Wanyan Baisha categorically rejected Li Qi's "adventurism."
There were differences between the two ruling ministers of the Jin Kingdom on whether to defend or to fight.
"The Song Army's defeat of the Northern Army was only based on the terrain and the large number of people. I'm afraid its combat power was nothing more than this. Furthermore, although the two Huai Song armies have gone through great battles, our army is not afraid. We can only sit back and wait for death if we are trapped in Bianjing City. It is better to sit back and wait for death. By sending troops southward, our country of Jin still has a glimmer of hope."
Lu Huan, the daughter of Shi Zhan, who was involved in political affairs, held different opinions.
"In the past, the Song army did not have firearms, and its commanders were all civilian officials. Now the generals in Lianghuai and Jinghu are one Du Gao and the other Meng Gong. They are both veteran generals on the battlefield and are difficult to deal with. Our army's troops in Jianghuai may be difficult to deal with for a while. win."
Wanyan Baisha was prudent and steady, and still insisted on using defense instead of offense.
The decisive battle on the battlefield relies on strength, not luck. The Song army's ability to defeat the Tatar army was not just a matter of luck.
At this time, it is really unreasonable for Shizhannu Lu Huan and other generals to still despise the Song people.
"Bai Sa, why are you so timid now? Where has the heroic spirit of the past gone? If you continue to defend like this, the country will be lost, and you will be trapped in a few isolated cities. Sooner or later, you will starve and die of illness. Instead of doing this, it is better to send your troops south. If we win, Yangzhou, Xiangyang, Jiangzhou and other places can not only relieve urgent needs, but also provide a buffer against the Tatar army in the future."
Lu Huan, the stone lamp girl, said loudly, still insisting on her point of view.
"Lu Huan, the daughter of Shizhan, is sending troops south. Will the food, grass and baggage be guaranteed? Even if we capture Huaichu, will there be soldiers to hold on? Where is my navy in Dajin?"
Wanyan Baisha was unwavering and still stubborn.
"Okay, okay, stop arguing, your brain will be knocked out by the noise!"
The ministers were coming and going and arguing endlessly. Wanyan Shouxu slapped the table with an angry look on his face.
Long Yan was furious, the quarrel in the room came to an abrupt end, and all the ministers shut their mouths angrily.
"The people of Song Dynasty want to make an expedition to the north. There are two rivers in Wokuotai, so why don't they respond?"
Wanyan Shouxu felt conflicted, and the topic returned to Mongolia.
At this time, Wanyan Shouxu felt extremely aggrieved as he placed his hopes on the two tigers fighting between the Mongolian army and the Song army.
"Back to Your Majesty, Wo Kuotai seems to be increasing his troops to Lianghe. The Tatar army abandoned the small town and gathered in Taiyuan, Yanjing, and Yunzhong. It seems that they are preparing for a rainy day and are going to fight the Song army in Lianghe."
The Kingdom of Jin has its own intelligence channels. Wanyan Baisha's words made the ministers look better. Lu Huan, the girl with a stone lamp, said angrily again.
"Wokuotai, this coward, why didn't he send his troops south to take revenge on the Song people?"
All the ministers were speechless. Wanyan Shouxu glanced coldly at Lu Huan, the stone-cup girl, who closed her mouth angrily.
"The year before last, the Tatar army went south to send troops and suffered heavy losses. Hanzhong alone lost 50,000 fine cavalry and 20,000 Han troops. Wo Kuotai did not go south to send troops, and he did not launch a westward expedition. That was due to strength, not because he didn't want to. "
Wanyan Baisa glanced at the stone lamp girl Lu Huan angrily.
If the Mongolian cavalry went south, the first one to attack would be the Jin Kingdom, not the Song Dynasty.
Lu Huan, the stone lamp girl, started to talk nonsense in a hurry.
"The only plan now is for the Tatars and Song people to fight first, so that we, Dajin, can have a glimmer of hope."
Li Qi stroked his beard with complicated eyes.
With the national and military strength of the Song Dynasty, unless the Northern Expedition failed miserably, Dajin would be doomed.
All the ministers in the palace nodded and said nothing.
Sitting on a mountain and watching tigers fight, this is of course the outcome they most want to see.
