Chapter 59 Strategic Shift

  Outside the gate of the meeting hall, six people appeared, namely Yang Feng, Yang Quan, Zhang Rong, Jia Hu, Guan Zhong and Gao Liang.

  The one who just spoke was Guan Zhongyong.

  It's a coincidence that Guan Zhongyong actually knew the Yang brothers and had a sworn brotherhood with them. They fought side by side in the Western Army years ago, fighting against the Xia people together, and can be said to be comrades-in-arms in the same trench.

  This unexpected encounter, the three of them were overjoyed and got drunk that night. Of course, people like Zhang Rong and Jia Hu who are eager to make friends with good men would not miss such an opportunity to drink heavily and talk about their heroic ambitions. As a result, they were hungover until now and just woke up, the first thing they did was to visit Di Lie.

  "Too good?" Di Lie's eyes lit up, his finger tracing the long, thin mountain range on the map that ran north-south. He pondered for a moment, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He looked up at Guan Zhongyong, "Did you gentlemen have a fulfilling night?"

  "Guān yesterday night met an old friend, for a moment excitement arose, truly sorry...". Guān Zhōngyǒu ashamed, clasped his fists and bowed. The young fellow Gāo Liàng also followed behind to apologize.

  Yang brothers hurriedly said: "It's not Brother Guan's fault, it was us brothers who started this..."

  Di Lie waved his hand: "Now that the Golden Army has gone far, our mountain stronghold is temporarily safe. You brothers can gather and drink some wine, it's not a big deal. I don't mean to blame anyone... However, you two brothers are the leaders of the military in the entire stronghold, Zhang brother and Jia brother also came to help us, and there's also Gao Er and Gao brother who are like-minded good men. Please come and discuss with everyone, what should our next step be?"

  "What else is there to consider?" Yang Zhe said bluntly, "Your Highness just said we can't enter the city, only the mountains. Then let's do as Guan Big Brother said and enter Taihang together!"

  Di Lie glanced at Yang Fen with his eyes and said: "Yang family's eldest son, what do you mean?"

  Yang Feng hesitated for a moment, then slowly said: "If we talk about the strategic room for maneuvering, accommodating people and the danger of the terrain, I'm afraid there's no place more suitable than Taihang in this vicinity."

  Di Lie didn't say yes or no, and instead turned his gaze towards Zhang Rong and Jia Hu: "What are your opinions, the two of you?"

  Zhang Rong and Jia Hu exchanged a glance, then stepped forward to pay their respects: "Originally, the general trend of your noble camp's actions was not something we brothers should interfere with. However, since Your Highness doesn't mind our rough understanding and isn't ashamed to ask...then...can you first let us take a look at the map?"

  Di Lie smiled and rolled up the map, throwing it directly over.

  Zhang Rong and Jia Hu took over the map, unfolded it, and repeatedly compared it after verification. They nodded to each other after looking at each other. Zhang Rong then rolled up the map and returned it, only saying two words: "Too good!"

  Di Lie laughed: "Indeed, great minds think alike! Old Hou, what do you say?"

  Hou Fangjing couldn't help but smile wryly. What answer could a group of mountain bandits give you? To be honest, he really didn't want to be a king of the mountains. Even if he occupied a small city like nearby Linyang or Weixian, or even farther away Shizhou, it would still be a separatist force. Later on, slowly developing, who knows, maybe they could defeat that illegitimate Chu State, take down Bianjing and become a regional lord. At that time, reenacting the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period wouldn't be difficult! But what's the point of going up to Taishan? Becoming an outlaw? Is this really the ambition of this young master?

  Di Lie stared at Hou Fangjing, as if seeing through his thoughts, and said firmly: "Old Hou, I know what you mean. You think I'm not ambitious, just wanting to be a carefree mountain king. But I want to tell you that your idea of occupying major cities is very dangerous, it's putting our newly born and fragile force on the fire to roast. This world will change soon, if we occupy territories everywhere, with our sharp edges exposed, we'll become the target of everyone's attack, and by then it'll be too late to regret."

  Di Lieyue's words became more and more impassioned, and he stepped down from the stage: "We are now retreating to Taihang in order to accumulate strength, hide our light and nurture our spirit, digest and absorb the results of our battles, and transform them all into real combat power. At that time, I can guarantee you that any city you want, we can take it down and hold on to it, making it truly our territory!"

  The Marquis Hou Fang knelt down with a thud: "Your Highness has lofty ambitions, endures hardships and makes plans as if they were already settled. It's just that this humble person's thoughts are too hasty..."

  Di Lie smiled and helped him up: "Aren't I asking for your opinions? Of course, you can speak if you have different views. Alright, since everyone agrees, let's discuss this - with such a vast mountain range, where should we settle down?"

  Di Liebian said as he spread out the map on the ground and beckoned everyone to come over and take a look.

  This map was seized from the Secret Library of Song Dynasty by the Jin army. Di Lie discovered it when he broke into the main camp of Genghis Khan's army. To be honest, these so-called military maps drawn by ancient people are similar to a freehand landscape painting. If you really use them for marching and fighting, I estimate that if you're told to ambush in Shanxi, you'll run to Shandong to watch the sea.

  Fortunately, important mountains like the Taihang Mountains that separate the north and south are clearly marked on even the most freehand maps. Moreover, the eight passes of the Taihang Mountains, various checkpoints, and some states and counties are also marked. Therefore, it is not difficult to find a foothold by referring to this map.

  Guan Zhongyong hesitated for a moment, stretched out his index finger to point at a place, and said: "This place was originally called Chengtian Military Fort, which is an important pass and military gathering place in the Song Dynasty. The fort is over 300 miles east of Zhengding City, with rugged mountains and valleys along the way, and is also guarded by natural barriers such as Jingxing Pass and Niangzi Pass. To the west lies Pingding Military Prefecture, Xun County, Shouyang, and then enters Taiyuan via Sha Xiong Ridge, a total distance of less than 800 miles, making it the most convenient route connecting Hebei and Hedong."

  "On that day, General Zhong led a large army to rescue Taiyuan Prefecture, and they took this very road. Unfortunately, they were ambushed at the Killing Bear Ridge, surrounded for many days, and after exhausting their food supplies, they fought to the death. Afterwards, the Jin army broke through the Juyong Pass, and the defenders of the Chengtian Military Camp, seeing that things had become hopeless, abandoned the camp and left...". As he spoke, a hint of pain flashed across Guan Zhongyong's face. The bloody battle at Juyong Pass on that day, where his entire army was annihilated, remained an eternal pain in his heart.

  Di Lie patted his shoulder, not saying a word, only constantly measuring the distance between Chengtian Military Camp and the two strongholds in the north and south with his fingers. Suddenly, he asked: "Since this military camp was not breached but abandoned voluntarily, the Jin army should not have caused much destruction except for plundering all the supplies inside. Such a military camp with its basic facilities intact, its defensive function is definitely not comparable to that of an ordinary mountain stronghold. In such a chaotic situation in Taihang Mountain, with numerous strongholds emerging, how could they possibly give up on this one and leave it for us?"

  It was Gaoye who responded at this time, and he said with a hint of pride: "Let the palace know that this stronghold is now occupied by us, and it will be renamed 'Tianping Stronghold'."

  Di Lie smiled: "Good eyesight, as long as this major artery connecting the north and south is blocked, it will be difficult for the mountain stronghold to prosper - however, at present, both True Definition and Taiyuan have heavy troops stationed. Such an important strategic passage, the Golden Army will certainly grasp tightly in their hands. You set up a stronghold here, just like a thorn stuck in the throat of the Golden Army, sooner or later it will be pulled out by the Golden Army."

  "Exactly! That's why I wanted to ask Your Highness to join forces with me. With so many people, soldiers, wealth and grain at your disposal, it wouldn't be difficult to train a crack troop. Then we can take the Nanzhao Pass and the Jinyong Pass, cutting off the north-south route. Not only can we establish ourselves independently, but also make the Jin people helpless!"

  Di Lie Mo rubbed his chin, staring fixedly at a point on the map.

  To be honest, this place is indeed very ideal.

  In the future, the overall trend of the world will be mainly dominated by the tug-of-war between the Song and Jin dynasties. The fake Qi dynasty will be on the sidelines, cheering and occasionally making a desperate attack as an auxiliary force. The national strength and military power of the Jin dynasty are at their peak, in the ascending phase. At this time, whoever is in front will be unlucky. However, hiding deep in the Taihang Mountains is different, where one can develop quietly and accumulate energy. When the strength is strong enough, launch a surprise attack from a high position, giving the Jin army a fatal blow, and then retreat back into the mountains. The danger of the Taihang Mountains makes it difficult for large armies to attack, but small enemy forces are like delivering food to one's doorstep. After several rounds of this, the situation will change, and when the time is right, it will be time for one's own army to emerge from the mountains.

  Di Lie looked around: "How do you all think about Guan Er's suggestion?"

  Everyone nodded in unison: "Feasible!"

  Yang Feng added, "This Chengtian Military Fort, I once escorted supplies there when I was in the army. It's a stronghold built at the back of a valley, easy to defend and hard to attack. The military camp inside is vast, covering a large area, and can hide tens of thousands of people. It's a great place. However, this fort is located in an important position, and the Jin army currently lacks troops and has no time to take care of it, but sooner or later they will send troops to capture this fort."

  "It's a great place, who wouldn't want it. But once it falls into my hands, don't think about snatching it away - of course, it's not that they can't snatch it, I'm just afraid they won't be able to afford the price."

  Hou Fangjing wanted to say something, but hesitated and stopped.

  Di Lie slammed his fist on the map: "It's settled then. Tomorrow we start preparing, aiming to mobilize within three days and set off."

  Hou Fangjing was shocked and said: "This... so fast?"

  Di Lie nodded heavily: "Now the west of the river has been beaten by the Jin army into a mess, and various states and counties have become empty cities. At this time, our migration of tens of thousands of people is the least likely to cause a stir. Now is the best time, if we delay, changes will arise."

  Hou Fangjing wanted to ask why delay would lead to change, but he endured. Of course, even if he asked, Di Lie wouldn't say anything.

  Was Di Lie going to tell him that soon a Southern Song would appear, and when the time came for that small court to issue an edict, he still couldn't control this team, then all the results would be in vain, and ultimately they would have to make wedding clothes for Zhao Gou's children.

  Do you know what the composition of Di Lie's more than 10,000 people is? Zhao Zong's sons and daughters, palace ladies and maids, officials of Song, soldiers of Song, artisans of Song, civilians of Song... all are children of Song.

  When they were captives, they longed for freedom. After being rescued, they yearned to return to their homeland. In their hearts, Song was their country. This point is best illustrated by the escape of Old Man Zhou and his fellow craftsmen.

  Take advantage of the fact that they are still people without a country, and quickly move them all into the deep mountains. At that time, once the city gates are closed, martial law will be implemented, messages will be blocked, and then slowly brainwash them. Finally, let them understand that Southern Song is not their only choice.