Chapter 67 Layout

  Who do you think you are? It's that little girl who followed He Gu Niang earlier! This is too coincidental! The little girl also saw Xu Wei and was greatly surprised. Isn't this kid usually busy with a million things to take care of? How did he end up here again? Putting down the teacup, she stared blankly for a moment, then heard Old Master clear his throat and quickly bowed her head to exit the flower hall. She rushed like flying to the backyard to report to Miss.

  "Xu Wei, the other day you led the troops to suppress the bandits. Did you happen to rescue a mother and daughter?" He Taigong lifted his teacup, gently swirling the tea dregs with the lid, blew lightly on it before asking.

  Xu Wei had already guessed roughly and nodded: "There is this matter, I don't know, Commander..."

  "It's a coincidence that I should thank you for this. The ones you saved were my wife and daughter." Commander He said with a smile. It turned out that on that day, Madame He and her daughter had returned to their hometown for the funeral of their father, unaware that White Horse Gorge was occupied by bandits and found themselves in danger, but fortunately were rescued by Xu Wei. They stayed at his residence for several days to rest before returning to Dongjing. Later, Miss He told her father about this incident in detail, never expecting such a coincidence would occur, and today they ran into each other again.

  Xu Wei finally understood why He Taigong looked at him with a high eye, not because he had an uncle who was appointed as the junior guardian, but because he had done a good deed for the mother and daughter of the He family. It wasn't just saving their lives, Xu Wei received his salary from the imperial court, ate military rations provided by the imperial court, led troops to suppress bandits, and protected the borders and the people, which was his duty. But after saving them, he even sent them to his own home to take care of them, this was a kind deed. Otherwise, why would He Taigong, with the dignity of being the head of the three yamen, treat someone who wasn't even considered a regular army officer with such courtesy?

  He didn't mention this matter in the inn just now, presumably considering his own face; secondly, he also took into account the reputation of his wife and daughter. After all, being blocked by a group of robbers in the wilderness, if it spreads out, it's probably not good for the He family to hear. Xu Wei naturally understood this point, so he smiled and said: "Such a small matter, if General Ta doesn't mention it, I would have forgotten."

  He Taigong heard the lyrics and understood the implied meaning, realizing that Xu Wei was telling him to keep this matter confidential. He appreciated this junior even more, and said seriously: "It may be a small matter for you, but it's a big deal for my family. A gentleman must repay kindness, if there's anything you need, just say it, as long as I can do it."

  Xu Wei heard this and was silent for a long time. After a while, he cupped his hands and said: "I, Xu Wei, will put on a thick face and ask the Grand General for one thing."

  Although he said "it doesn't matter" on the surface, in his heart he couldn't help but feel a few points of disappointment. This young man, in front of high-ranking officials, used the name of filial piety to refuse his own promotion. But once back at the mansion, it was a different story altogether - at such a young age, he had already learned to be duplicitous, with one set of words for the face and another for behind the back, his cunning behavior was unbearable.

  "Xu Wei is just a seventh-grade military officer, with little power and influence, and cannot rashly discuss major national affairs. But Zhang Zhifu, as an external official, ran around everywhere to inform and persuade others. His loyal and righteous heart moved Xu Wei deeply. Therefore, please, sir, do your best to make this matter happen." Xu Wei's words came from the bottom of his heart, without any pretence or insincerity.

  He Taiwei was both shocked and delighted to hear this. He was shocked that Xu Wei, who was still young, had such a broad-minded and ambitious vision for the world, which was truly rare. He was delighted that he had not misjudged him after all, and that this young man was indeed exceptional.

  After a moment of contemplation, he said to Xu Wei: "To be honest with you, even if Zhang Jizhong hadn't summoned me, I would still have petitioned the imperial court to guard against the Jurchen. You may not know that last year I was still commanding troops on the Yan-Yun front line. Only this year did I return to Dongjing and take charge of the infantry command. The situation at the front is clearer to me than anyone else - the Jurchen will inevitably march south sooner or later! Can an old cat sleep soundly with a fish under its pillow?"

  What a pleasant surprise! Xu Wei had just been observing coldly from the side in the inn, thinking that except for Zhang Shuye, none of the other officials were enthusiastic about this matter, all fearing it would affect their own careers. But now that Commander He has spoken out like this, it's clear that there are indeed wise and farsighted ministers within the Song Dynasty court. But on second thought, if you had such intentions, why didn't you speak up earlier in the inn?

  At the time of his confusion, he heard He Taizai say: "It's just that the court has just recovered Yan and Yun, and the Golden State is constantly sending envoys to communicate with us. The court is celebrating from top to bottom, and it's not appropriate to propose precautions against the Jurchen at this time." It seems that in He Taizai's heart, he also expected that the Jurchen would eventually move south, but he wouldn't have thought it would be in the same year as the destruction of Liao! Even less would he have thought it would be next month! He probably wanted to wait for a year or two, let the court, especially the officials' joyful atmosphere pass, and when the Jurchen showed clear signs of preparing for war, then propose to present a memorial.

  It stands to reason that it should be done this way. But the problem is, at present, the female emperor has already completed the assembly of her great army and can break through the border at any time, directly attacking the heart of the Song Dynasty. Time waits for no man, every moment counts. But I couldn't directly tell him, "I'm from hundreds of years later, I've traveled back in time, I already know the direction history will take, listen to me and you won't go wrong."

  He Da Wei saw Xu Wei looking thoughtful and remaining silent for a long time, so he asked: "What's wrong? Is there something incorrect about what I said?"

  "Oh, General Ta's words are indeed correct. I've been thinking, you've led troops for many years and are well-versed in military affairs, there are a few questions I'd like to ask General Ta, but I don't know where to start." Xu Wei said with a smile.

  He Taiwei waved his hand: "Speak directly, young people should be sensitive and eager to learn, this is the right way."

  Since a direct breakthrough is not possible, let's make a detour. After thinking for a while, Xu Wei asked: "If the two sides are at war, although there is a strong and weak side, the weaker side is not completely unable to counterattack. In this situation, what method can the stronger side use to defeat the opponent in one fell swoop?"

  "Take them by surprise, attack where they are unprepared, launch a sudden strike, and strike like thunder!"

  It was a battle-hardened truth, these sixteen words summed up the essence of military strategy. Xu Wei Zheng secretly praised him, and He Taiwei had already begun to instruct his juniors in a torrent of words.

  "Soldiers are valuable for their speed! If it's as you say, the two sides have different strengths and weaknesses, but it's not a one-sided situation. We should take advantage of the weaker side, before they're on guard, concentrate our elite troops, and strike directly at the vital spot! Force them to surrender! But be careful..."

  The voice stopped abruptly! He Tawei sat there like a clay statue, motionless, with the teacup in his hand tilted, and the tea water flowed down his leg without him noticing. A pair of eyes gradually lit up... After a moment, the hand holding the teacup began to tremble, spilling tea everywhere. Suddenly, he grabbed the teacup and slammed it on the table!

  He got up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the flower hall without a purpose. He nodded sometimes, shook his head sometimes, looked up at the sky sometimes, and bowed his head to the ground sometimes, muttering to himself. Xue Wei did not disturb him, but sat quietly waiting.

  "Right!" A loud shout, startling the maidservant passing by outside the hall. "Although the Jurchen people have destroyed the Liao Dynasty and are powerful, but the Song Dynasty is vast and rich, with a large population. If they want to swallow us whole, they can only do so by attacking when we are unprepared and unexpected! The Khitan have just been defeated, and our Song Dynasty is not without wise men, many ministers in the court are worried that one day the Jurchen people will be a thorn in the side of the Song Dynasty. But I'm afraid no one could have thought that after destroying Liao, the Jurchen would immediately attack the Song!"

  Pausing for a moment, he clapped his palms together and said loudly: "Exactly! If I were the host, I would also choose this year or next!" After speaking, he took big strides forward, pressed down on Xu Wei's shoulder with one hand, and solemnly said: "Xu Wei! Fortunately it was you! The Great Song Dynasty finally has someone who understands!"

  Xu Wei's face was solemn and serious as he said: "Please forgive me for speaking bluntly, but in my estimation, it won't be next year."

  "Oh? You mean...?" He Tawei withdrew his hand, his eyes gleaming like a sharp knife.

  "Marshal, just think about it, now that the autumn harvest has just been completed, if the Jurchen people were to attack at this time..."

  He Taigong, an old general in the army, what great winds and waves have you not experienced? At this time, he was shocked by Xu Wei's words! Indeed! If the Jurchen people attack at this time, not only will the Song Dynasty court be completely unprepared, but even ordinary civilians will be caught off guard! The autumn harvest has just ended, and the grain has not yet been stored in the warehouse. The Jurchen people don't have to worry about logistical supplies at all! The more he thought about it, the more frightening it became. It's going to go wrong, I'm afraid it will happen within these two months!

  He slowly walked back to his seat, propping himself up against the armrest of the chair, and sat down with a pale face. If unfortunately what he said came true, it was likely that the Jurchen people had already made preparations, while the Song Dynasty from top to bottom did not have any precautions at all. Once the war started, the situation would inevitably become one-sided. The Jurchen people might even take advantage of their brave cavalry to rush straight to the north bank of the Yellow River and threaten the Eastern Capital. What a scene it would be? The Central Plains would be filled with smoke and fire, the people would be frightened and at a loss, crying and running away. The officials would be shocked, the ministers would be helpless, and the Song Dynasty's hundred-year foundation...

  No! We must immediately report to the authorities and start preparing for the impending war! Slow down, I myself must come up with a plan, otherwise, there will be too many loose ends, where do we even begin? If the Jurchen people send troops, Xu Wei's hypothesis will become a reality. One route attacks Taiyuan, tying up our main force, one route attacks Yanshan, in an attempt to tear through our defenses and rush straight to the Yellow River. This guess is absolutely correct, only this way will it cause the greatest loss to the Song Dynasty! A thousand miles of rapid attack, a single sword strike to the head! Think about it, if the Eastern Capital is besieged, I'm afraid the entire country will be thrown into chaos!

  Taiyuan, although also a target of the Jin army's attack, has been ruled by its court for a long time and has sufficient military strength. The Qin Feng Road to the west and the Yongxing Military Road are both key strongholds for defending against Western Xia, with large armies stationed there. Some troops can be mobilized to defend Yan Yun. If Taiyuan is lost, Yan'an can still be saved, but if Yan Yun falls, there will be no more strategic locations to defend in Hebei Province, and at that time, we can only rely on the south bank of the Yellow River to resist the enemy. This situation absolutely cannot occur!

  As long as we can withstand the Jin army's initial thunderbolt, eliminate their quick battle and quick decision mentality, and drag the war into a tug-of-war. Don't care about the gains and losses of one city or one place, resist for a long time, no matter half a year, one year, or two years. The Jin army will see that they cannot win quickly, and the people in the original Liao country border are unstable, and they must return with gold, silk, and wealth. Losing some money is nothing, as long as we can defend our territory, we can fully prepare for war. With our country's financial resources, material resources, and human resources, as long as the imperial court sees through the Jurchen people's wolf-like ambition, resolutely resists, and does not harbor illusions, how dare the Jurchen people lightly cross the thunder pool again?

  .............

  The second update is here! There's still one more update waiting for everyone today, hope brothers will recommend and collect it!