Chapter 72: The War Begins

  September 24th of the seventh year of Xuanhe in the Great Song Dynasty, Taiyuan, Guangyang Jun Wang's Commander Mansion.

  A man in his seventies, Tong Guan'an, sat inside the study, with a faint scent of incense wafting from the censer on the table. The old eunuch, who held the military power of the northwest of the Great Song Dynasty, sat quietly, his eyes slightly closed, and his crimson purple official robe displayed his noble status. Even sitting down, it was not difficult to see that this man, who had been granted a royal title with half a male body, was exceptionally tall and large in stature. Although he was a eunuch, due to years of commanding troops in the northwest, his skin was like ancient bronze, as hard as steel, and there was even a streak of whiskers under his chin - who could believe that he was a castrated man?

  It was just that the once powerful Tong Guan, now after all, had grown old. With his eyes closed and leaning back in his chair to rest, his majesty was completely hidden. The door slowly opened, and the servant who came in saw him resting and couldn't help but hesitate. But the matter was urgent, if he didn't report it in time, a great disaster might occur! After thinking about it repeatedly, he stepped into the room. Before he could even open his mouth, Tong Guan suddenly woke up with a start and shouted loudly: "Who is it!"

  The newcomer was shocked and quickly knelt down: "Your Highness, Ma Kuoqiang requests an audience."

  Tong Guan narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the other party for a long time before relaxing his muscles and saying casually, "Not seen."

  Ma Kuo said, "There is an urgent military situation that must be reported." The man knelt down and did not dare to get up, without even lifting his head.

  Tong Guan's face showed impatience, and he waved his hand: "Call him in. The Khitan has already been destroyed, what urgent military situation is there, a foolish person disturbing himself."

  The man withdrew, and a moment later, a tall and handsome middle-aged man strode in quickly, not even stopping his footsteps as he loudly said: "Your Highness, urgent news!"

  Tong Guan's peaceful sleep was disrupted, and he was already feeling displeased in his heart. Upon hearing this remark, he became enraged: "Do you understand the rules! Is my study a part of your household?"

  Ma Kuo, also known as Tzu-ch'ung, was sent on a mission to the state of Chin. He successfully argued his case and obtained the strategic region of Shan-hou. The emperor praised his achievement and specially appointed him as Wu-yi Ta-fu and military governor of Chung-chou (a nominal title). At this time, he saw T'ung Kuan enraged and unclear about what was happening, and hastily said: "Your Highness, please forgive my offense! It is really because the military situation is urgent, your humble servant..."

  "Pick up the pace!" In his heart, Tong Guan felt a sudden sense of unease for no reason. His mood was not good, and he didn't even have a good face for Ma Kuo, whom he usually valued highly.

  Ma Kuo bowed and said, his thin face full of worry: "According to reports, Xian Han is mobilizing troops and gathering his forces, his actions are extremely suspicious!" Xian Han was the eldest son of the Prime Minister of the Jin State, currently stationed in Datong Prefecture, the western capital of the Jin State, as the commander-in-chief, with tens of thousands of elite soldiers under his command. He was skilled in battle and extremely fierce. Moreover, he had a cruel nature, often delighting in cutting off people's hands and feet for his own amusement.

  Tong Guan yawned, got up and walked around the document case, saying carelessly: "He is the main general of Jurchen, what's wrong with gathering troops? Don't be suspicious all day. The Khitan has just been destroyed, and the Jurchen are busy defending themselves, how can they have the mind to plot against you?"

  Zhang Kuang's face turned pale with anxiety, and he hastily stepped forward to say: "Your Highness, the Jurchen border is currently mobilizing local troops everywhere. All the passes along our shared border have been reinforced with heavy troops on guard. This clearly indicates that they are preparing for a southern invasion! Your humble servant suggests that it would be best to dispatch troops from Shaanxi to rush to Yanshan and support General Guo. Otherwise..."

  Tong Guan shook his head, walked to the door, gazed out at the overcast weather and frowned: "Making a big deal out of nothing! The troops in Shaanxi have always been on guard against the Tanguts, how could they dare to make a move?"

  "Even so, we should still dispatch the Western Army of 100,000 to patrol the border! Not only for defense, but also to exert pressure on the Jin State and intimidate them! The Jurchen people will see this and think that I have made preparations, and they will not dare to make a move!" Ma Kuo followed behind Tong Guan, making suggestion after suggestion.

  Tong Guan finally couldn't bear it anymore, turned around and stared at Ma Kuo, saying: "What kind of person are you?"

  Ma Kuo was taken aback and asked in confusion: "Your subordinate Ma Kuo."

  "What about me?" Tong Guan continued to ask aimlessly.

  "Of course, Your Majesty is the King of Guangyang Commandery, and the commander-in-chief of all the armies!" Ma Kuo replied with his head bowed.

  Tong Guan waved his wide sleeves: "I thought you were calling Tong Guan! Go, there's no need to report such trivial matters in the future!"

  Ma Kuo saw the situation, wanting to speak but stopping himself, seeing Tong Guan had already stepped out of the study and thrown himself outside. With a determined heart and gritted teeth, this was a matter of great importance, he couldn't help but charge forward! Just as he took big strides out the door, one of Tong Guan's followers grabbed him and shook his head. At this time, if you go to confront him, you won't get any good results, let's do it another day.

  In October, the border fortresses frequently reported that dark clouds were pressing down on the city. The generals of the northern border fortresses came to report in a hurry, saying that the Jin State had assembled heavy troops and was showing signs of invading the south! Guangyang Prefecture Duke snorted with disdain, thinking this was just a trick by the Jurchen people to extort money and grain! According to the alliance agreement, sending it over would be enough; let them not play this trick again!

  At this time, Tong Guan was busy doing something big, something that would absolutely please the imperial court. That is to suggest abolishing the three defensive zones of Ansu, Yongning and Baoding. Due to the recovery of Yan Yun, these three defensive zones which were originally on the front line have become inland and no longer exist. As long as these three defensive zones are abolished, there will be basically no large-scale military presence in Hebei, and a large amount of military expenses can be saved. In this way, won't the imperial court's desired Huashi Gang be available? Can Cai You still monopolize the beauty in front of the emperor?

  On the third day of October, Yan Mountain Prefecture Magistrate Cai Jing urgently reported that Jin Emperor Wu Qimai had officially issued an edict to attack Song! The reason for the expedition was that the Southerners had taken in Zhang Jue, the former Liao State "Co-administrator of the Chancellor's Office". Although Zhang Jue had already been beheaded by Wang Anzhong, the former Magistrate of Yan Mountain Prefecture, and his head presented to the Jin army as a peace offering, the Jurchen people used the pretext that the Song court had not returned the civilians who followed Zhang Jue in fleeing to Song, and still dispatched troops!

  Tong Guan received an urgent report, his first reaction was, could it be a trick? Would the Golden Army really invade Song? Could his own judgment be wrong? However, no matter what, the urgent report from the Yan Mountain Prefecture would not be fake. He became somewhat restless and summoned Ma Kuo, who was familiar with border affairs, ordering him to go to Datong Prefecture as an envoy to meet the Golden Army's commander, Xiang Han. At the same time, he instructed him that when meeting Xiang Han, do not argue over etiquette or put on the airs of a national ambassador, be humble and lower his posture. As long as the Jurchen people agreed to return Weizhou, Yingzhou, and the two counties of Feihu and Lingqiu to us, we would not want any other territories in the Yan-Yun 16 prefectures, and would give them all to the Golden State.

  Ma Kuo had just left, and the great Song Dynasty envoy arrived in Taiyuan. Tong Guan asked, what are you doing? The reply was: Going to the Jin State to celebrate the Tianqing Festival. Originally anxious and uneasy, Tong Guan's heart suddenly felt at ease. Look, the imperial court is still sending people to congratulate the Jurchen people on their festive occasion, a peaceful and prosperous scene! In mid-October, the imperial court showed a rare efficiency in handling affairs. Immediately approved the proposal to abolish the three armies of Ansu, Yongning, and Baoding, Zhao Guanying signed with a flourish, "Approved!"

  Just as the wind and rain were coming from the north, with dark clouds gathering, Xu Wei was in command, sharing the joys and hardships with his soldiers, conducting strict drills. On the wheat field, the sound of horse hooves, shouting, and the hitting of arrows on targets never left their ears. The elders of Xu's village had already grown tired of watching, because they finally realized that this time Xu Jiu was not just showing off.

  In the empty space across the river from Mai Chang, Xu Wei led 400-500 fully armored infantrymen advancing forward in a relaxed manner. In the distance, a black line appeared, moving at an extremely fast speed.

  "Form ranks!" Xu Wei bellowed, and his troops sprang into action, beginning to form their array. But that speed...

  In the blink of an eye, that black line came galloping over! It was Ma Tai leading the cavalry, holding wooden clubs wrapped in cloth to launch a surprise attack! The sound of horseshoes was deafening, and many infantrymen looked up, starting to get a bit flustered. A few exceptionally skilled and brave individuals stood their ground, gripping their wooden spears, and shouted: "Come on! Watch as I knock you off your horse!"

  Xu Wei took a step forward and let out a loud roar, forming an array! Before the formation was even complete, Ma Tai's cavalry came charging in like thunder! However, they didn't attack the infantry formation because it had already broken apart. Although it was just a drill, when the foot soldiers saw the iron cavalry approaching like lightning, they involuntarily scattered. The few who remained steadfast were all Xu Wei's personal guards. You say that individually, each one is already a skilled fighter. But the problem is, these guys have no concept of cooperation and only care about showing off their own prowess. If you want to be a hero, then stand your ground until the end! Why do you scatter as soon as you see the cavalry charging?

  "Form ranks! Stand at attention for one hour! Anyone who moves or dares to speak a word will be dealt with by military law!" Xu Wei shouted.

  The soldiers were secretly complaining, and it wasn't even lunchtime yet! But no one dared to say a word. Firstly, military law is heartless! Secondly, isn't the commander standing with us, starving with us? What's so great about this formation that we have to stand at attention?

  Hundreds of soldiers stood in formation, motionless. Xu Wei stood facing them, not a hair out of place. Four or five hundred people, not a sound could be heard, except for the occasional rumble of someone's stomach.

  Before long, Zhang Qing led a person to hurry over. As they approached, he apologized to the newcomer: "Sorry, you may have to wait a bit longer."

  "Why is this?" The man asked in puzzlement.

  Xu Wei scolded from that side: "Can't you see? We're lining up, no one can come down within an hour."

  "The soldiers have lined up and are ready to march, isn't that enough for Vice Envoy Xu?" the other party asked.

  Zhang Qing helplessly shook his head, military law is heartless, even if you are the commander. It's strange to say that Xu Wei also found it strange, he set up the military law himself, but he still had to follow it, wasn't this just asking for trouble? The two of them stood beside the formation for a long time, seeing four or five hundred people silent as cicadas, and the man couldn't help but ask: "Why doesn't anyone look at us?"

  "Unless you want to be beaten by a military stick." Zhang Qing said in a low voice.

  That man didn't ask any more questions, standing there changing postures countless times, standing, squatting, sitting, barely passing half a time, and finally couldn't bear it. Let me stand still for an hour, no problem! Let me not speak for an hour, also no problem! But not allowing movement or speech, how can this be endured? He threw down Zhang Qing, turned around and walked towards Xujiayuan Village. Half a time later, when he was sitting on the stone mill in the wheat field with nothing to do, he finally saw Xu Wei coming in military uniform with big strides.

  "Ah yo ho, Deputy Xu, opened your eyes, finally opened your eyes!" The man came forward, sighing repeatedly.

  Xu Wei threw his helmet and wooden spear to the soldier beside him, looked around, and suddenly remembered who this person was. He was a servant from the household of He Taigong, and it was he who had led him from Zhang Jiuyue's place to He Guan's study that day. So he smiled and said, "Just a small trick."

  "A small trick? I, a humble servant, have followed General He for many years and have seen my share of battles. But the way you're training these soldiers is something I've never seen before. With methods like yours, won't you turn good men into useless fools?" The servant from the He estate laughed and said.

  Xu Wei didn't have time to waste on nonsense with him and directly asked: "What's up?"

  The other side finally put away his smile, scanned the surroundings, and Xu Wei saw this, nodded and said: "Speak directly." However, the man was still a bit uneasy, leaned forward, covered his mouth, and whispered in Xu Wei's ear like a mosquito hum: "Taoyi's oral message, everything is ready."