Chapter 24: Conquering Yanshan Prefecture (Three)

  As expected, the Jin army's attack on Yizhou was several months earlier than the historical December 7th. According to reports, the defending general of Yizhou (now Yi County, Hebei Province), Han Minyi, surrendered. The soldiers were killed or wounded, and in order to intimidate the Song army and the city's military and civilians' morale, the Jin army killed all the surrendered prisoners of war and massacred the city for three days. At that time, Yizhou was filled with resentment and gloom.

  Zhao Yun drew his sword in anger, and with a swift swing of his arm, he chopped off the corner of the table. Although he had long known that the Jin army would launch a massive attack, and that the people would suffer greatly, he had not expected the Jin army to be as cruel and bloodthirsty as they were in history. But soon, Zhao Yun calmed down, for this battle at Yanshan Prefecture was extremely important to him, and crucial for his future plans. He held the lives of his soldiers in his hands, and those precious lives might not see the sun tomorrow. Zhao Yun couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy, wondering how many men would be able to return to their loved ones after this battle. He took a deep breath, and ordered his personal guards to prepare for deployment.

  Yanshan Prefecture

  Yanshan Prefecture has six states and twenty-four counties, namely: Zhuo State, Tan State, Ping State, Shun State, Ying State, and Ji State. Due to the frequent trade around Yanshan Prefecture, there is a large floating population, and the commercial economy is relatively developed. The land around Yanshan Prefecture is fertile and suitable for planting grains and other crops. Moreover, the main force of the army is stationed here, so the people of Northern Song Dynasty are still willing to multiply and live here with peace of mind.

  On the same day that the Jin army occupied Jizhou, Prefect Cai Jing learned that Yi State had fallen and its garrison commander, Han Minyi, had surrendered. The Jin army then turned around and attacked Jizhou again, causing Cai Jing to become flustered. He hastily invited Transport Commissioner Lu Yihao, Deputy Commissioner Lu Yuquan, and Judicial Officer Shen Zhuo to come and discuss the matter. Everyone was resentful of Guo Yao's group for their duplicity, but with a major battle imminent, these scholars, who had the power to deploy troops, couldn't lead the army themselves. They could only rely on those coarse generals they normally looked down upon. Cai Jing secretly vowed that after blocking the Jin army this time, he would teach those generals a lesson and make them understand the consequences of disobeying orders. Cai Jing stood up and urgently asked: "Transport Commissioner Lu, how should we respond to the Jin army's invasion?"

  "The best strategy is to order Generals Zhang Linghui and Liu Shunren to lead troops to intercept the Jin army at the White River (Tong County, north of the Grand Canal) east of Yanjing. We can form a battle line there and wait for the enemy to cross the river, then drive them into the water with one blow, advancing or retreating as needed." Lu Yihao said resolutely. Lu Yihao was indeed familiar with some military tactics. Vice Historian Lu Yuquan and Officer Shen Quan also discussed and revised the plan. With a solution in place, Cai Jing quickly drafted the document, stamped it with his seal, and sent someone to deliver it to the army headquarters.

  On this scorching day, the soldiers of the Changsheng Army were still wearing their armor and practicing military formations on the drill ground, the sound of clashing steel echoing in their ears. The Imperial Guard stationed in Yanshan Prefecture had over a million troops, but aside from the logistics support units, tens of thousands of other soldiers were idly wandering around the barracks, neglecting their training, and today there were dozens of Imperial Guardsmen betting on how many Changsheng Army soldiers would collapse from heatstroke. The Changsheng Army was originally not a local garrison force, but an elite unit assembled from various border defense armies, with exceptional combat strength. However, problems arose as the majority of Yanshan Prefecture's troops were recruited locally, and many sons of officials from the capital came to Yanshan Prefecture seeking to gain merit in the military. As a result, the morale of the Imperial Guard plummeted, with many soldiers engaging in thievery and causing trouble, often going unpunished due to their powerful connections, leaving even Cai Jing fearful, let alone the other generals, who could only swallow their frustration.

  Especially now that the Golden Country is an 'ally' of Northern Song, Prefect Cai Jing is busy every day with how to show his achievements to the imperial court, and has no time to manage the army. So, regarding military discipline, most of them turn a blind eye, allowing the Imperial Guards to cause trouble at will. For a while, the surrounding villagers complained, but they dared not speak out, and their anger had accumulated to a critical point. If there weren't so many soldiers stationed here, someone would definitely have rebelled by now.

  Liang Fangxu also led the 500 Imperial Forest Army to join the training of the Changsheng Army, and the soldiers of the Imperial Forest Army had already made training a habit. They all understood that the more they sweat now, the less blood they would shed on the battlefield. No one complained. Liang Fangxu was standing aside chatting with An Yiqi, who was in charge of training for the Changsheng Army. It was said to be a chat, but actually most of it was Liang Fangxu talking a lot, and An Yiqi only responded with one or two sentences, seeming somewhat wooden. But Liang Fangxu didn't dare underestimate An Yiqi. Although he looked ordinary, had a low official position, and was taciturn, he often pointed out the weaknesses of the enemy, strategic intentions, and solutions to military problems raised by Liang Fangxu. Liang Fangxu originally only admired An Yiqi, but upon learning that the dense and majestic military formation in front of him originated from An Yiqi's own ideas and were put into practice, he immediately upgraded his admiration to reverence. Liang Fangxu secretly decided that he must bring this talent to the palace.

  Guo Yao-shi, Zhang Ling-hui and Liu Shun-ren were discussing how to deploy troops today. Guo Yao-shi seemed not to be worried about the arrival of the Jin army, and casually threw Cai Jing's military order book on the table, smiling at Zhang Ling-hui and Liu Shun-ren: "The Jin army is nothing to worry about, our king's army will definitely defeat them and make them drop their helmets and abandon their armor."

  Liu Shunren furrowed his brow and clasped his fists, saying: "General, do not underestimate the Golden Dogs. Our army lacks training, and our combat strength is clearly inferior to that of the Golden Army."

  General Liu, you're worrying too much. There's no need to rush into battle just yet. First, let's taste this batch of Niangzi Hong I brought back. He said, pulling out a jar of Niangzi Hong from behind the screen in his tent.

  "But drinking in the barracks might not be a good idea." Liu Shunren hesitated.

  "You and I, the three of us, who would know if we didn't say it? Could it be that the two generals look down on me, a surrendered general from Liao State?" Guo Yao Shi's face showed some anger.

  "General, you're overthinking this. My friend and I have always admired your ability to put aside your high position and wealth, and rise up in revolt to come to the Song court. It's truly a case of abandoning darkness for light, and it's a bravery that we can't help but respect. Let me offer you a cup." Zhang Linghui made a round of introductions as he walked over to Guo Yaoshi, picked up the wine jug and poured a cup, then downed it in one gulp. Guo Yaoshi nodded in satisfaction, turned his head to look at Liu Shunren, with a deep meaning in his eyes. Liu Shunren reluctantly walked forward and offered Guo Yaoshi a cup, just like Zhang Linghui had done. Only then was Guo Yaoshi satisfied, and Zhang Linghui and Liu Shunren turned around and returned to their seats.

  Guo the pharmacist held the wine jar and did not pour the wine, but instead asked Zhang Linghui with profound meaning: "Does General Zhang really admire my decision to abandon darkness and turn to brightness?"

  "Of course, I wouldn't dare to speak nonsense." Zhang Linghui stood up and replied with a fist in his hand. In fact, Zhang Linghui really looked down on Guo Yao Shi, this fickle and unscrupulous little man. Guo Yao Shi had brought great merit by betraying Liao and bringing city resources, but now he was powerful and authoritative, so Zhang Linghui could only obey him humbly.

  "Now there is an opportunity for a change of heart, should the two generals seize it firmly?" asked Guo Yishi with a smile.

  "Please make it clear, General." Zhang Linghui and Liu Shunren were somewhat puzzled. They had come to discuss the matter of sending troops today, but they didn't know why they were talking about these unrelated things.

  "When the Song Dynasty is about to be destroyed, are two generals willing to abandon the dark and turn to the light under the Jin State?" Guo Yao Shi said calmly.

  "Daring, Guo Yao Shi, do you know that this is a crime that implicates nine clans?" Liu Shun Ren stood up in anger and said in a low voice, drawing his sword and pointing it at Guo Yao Shi.

  Kwok the medicine master suddenly burst out laughing, smashing the wine jar in his hand to the ground. More than a dozen axe-wielding men rushed in, surrounding Zhang Linghui and Liu Shunren with sharp axes. Zhang Linghui immediately threw away his sword and knelt down, saying: "I am willing to surrender, please spare my life, General."

  Liu Shunren was furious, glaring at Zhang Linghui with no backbone: "A thing without backbone is not as good as a pig or dog, I spit on you." Then he glared coldly at Guo Yao Shi: "Whether to kill or behead, it's all up to you. I, Liu Shunren, would rather die than be the running dog of the Golden Dog."

  Guo the pharmacist detected Liu Shunren's sarcasm, but he didn't get angry. Instead, he playfully teased Liu Shunren: "General Liu is right, I am a running dog, but I can gain wealth and honor, and live on, while you... what a pity, what a pity."

  "What a pity." Liu Shunren asked with disdain.

  "Unfortunately, your entire family of over ten people will soon be executed by being torn apart by carts. However, the womenfolk still have some use and won't die yet. Oh right, I forgot to tell you that your family members were sent to the Jin country by me a long time ago, don't bear a grudge against me." After finishing speaking, he burst into loud laughter.

  Liu Shunren's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Guo Yao, finally dropping his sword and kneeling down. He had received a letter a few days ago saying that a wealthy distant relative had come to take his family on a trip to Luoyang for a few days. Liu Shunren hadn't thought much of it, just reminding his wife to be careful and take care of the elderly, and even sending over a lot of silver coins so they wouldn't suffer any hardships. But as time passed without a response, Liu Shunren began to feel uneasy. He had sent many letters recently but received no reply, so he decided to go check on them. However, with the Jin army invading, he was forced to stay behind, his heart burning with anxiety. Liu Shunren's face changed constantly as he struggled inwardly, finally saying "I am willing to surrender, I hope you will ensure my family's safety." He knelt down and begged. After speaking these two sentences, Liu Shunren seemed to have used up all his energy, his eyes dull and gray as if he had aged ten years in an instant. Guo Yao nodded in satisfaction, waved his hand, and the executioners retreated with their orders.

  "The two generals can rest assured, following Wanyan Zheng will definitely be a high-ranking official with a thick salary, compared to being a small general, it's many times better. However, I must warn you, the wine you drank earlier was poisonous, and only I have the antidote. If you two don't know what's good for you and harm my plan, making it impossible to succeed, you two will definitely die." Gu Yao Shi's face turned extremely sinister and frightening. Zhang Ling Hui and Liu Shun Ren were shocked in their hearts, this Gu Yao Shi was indeed ruthless, one plot after another left people with no chance of resistance. "So for tomorrow's battle, you two..." Gu Yao Shi began to set up his plan, the black cloud covered the sunlight, an ominous sign."

  New History of the Song Dynasty