Chapter 18 The Edict

On the 18th day of the ninth month of the ninth year of Jianyan, only eighteen days after Emperor Zhao left Dongjing City again, Emperor Zhao sat high in the main seat in the Wushan Camp of Yanggu County, Dongping Prefecture. Lü Yihao and Wang Yan sat on the left and right, civil and military officials, and close-attending soldiers were arranged below. However, everyone was waiting solemnly, and the hall was silent.

Everyone was waiting for Yue Fei's news.

And Yue Fei did not make these people wait long. At about sunset, the Commander of the Vanguard Army of the Imperial Guard entered the hall directly and reported with cupped fists.

"So, it's really true?" Halfway through, Lü Yihao couldn't help but get up and ask.

"It can't be said to be true," Yue Fei squinted his eyes and maintained a rigorous posture. "It's just that the news of the death of the Jin Kingdom's Third Prince, Prince Jin Wanyan Eliduo, has spread all over the other side. From Daming Prefecture to Liaocheng, villages and markets, everyone knows about it. It is said that he suddenly developed a carbuncle and died in Qinghe after tossing for two or three days."

"Are you saying that Eliduo might be feigning death?" Lü Yihao asked impatiently, with a hint of sarcasm in his words.

"Absurd." Wang Yan also got up and reprimanded Yue Fei. "One of the ruling kings of a great country, the commander-in-chief of the front line, how can he feign death? What is the need? It is simply not worth the loss."

"That's right." Yue Fei was not annoyed at all, but responded frankly. "This subordinate also thought that although it is not easy to say whether it is true or false for a while, this person has no need to feign death. Moreover, in terms of the overall situation, the current situation is the same as a real death even if it is a feigned death."

Wang Yan was stunned for a moment. Lü Yihao, who was originally about to turn around and say something to Emperor Zhao, also suddenly turned his head to look at Yue Fei, and then pondered.

When Prime Minister Lü withdrew his gaze from Yue Fei and looked at Emperor Zhao, the latter clearly felt a little caught off guard.

In fact, among those present, it was believed that not only Zhao Jiu, Lü Yihao, Wang Yan, and Yue Fei, but most people had already believed the words of the son of the magistrate of Liaocheng... This was not only because the founding generals and famous kings of the Jurchens had been dying constantly over the years, but more importantly, as Wang Yan said, Eliduo had a special status. He was one of the three ruling kings of the Jin Kingdom and the current temporary commander-in-chief of the Jin army on the front line. It would be ridiculous and not worth the loss for such a person to feign death for a little plot!

This is a national war!

It is a national war involving hundreds of thousands against hundreds of thousands, involving thousands of miles of front lines. How crazy would the Jurchens have to be to let their ruling king publicly feign death?

Why doesn't the whole country publicly feign surrender?

And Yue Fei's meaning went even further. He simply stated clearly that even if such a person feigned death, it would be a public feigned death, and the news of the feigned death would cause serious political and military turmoil, and then give the Song army an opportunity to take advantage of.

Yue Pengju was implying... or rather, was clearly suggesting to Emperor Zhao not to delay the opportunity!

Therefore, it took Zhao Jiu several breaths to calm down his mood, and then he swept his gaze over the three truly powerful officials in the hall.

"Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Lü Yihao did not hesitate and directly cupped his hands. "When Emperor Taizu took the world, he had no more than 100,000 elite soldiers. In the first twenty years, although the Jurchens suddenly rose up and established twenty *wanhu* (households), they were rampant and caused the Jingkang Disaster. However, after the Jianyan period, Your Majesty worked hard to govern and also raised an imperial army of 300,000... With 300,000 soldiers, what can't be done? Moreover, the generals of the Imperial Guard, Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, Yue Fei, Wang Yan, Zhang Jun, Zhang Rong, Wu Jie, Qu Duan, Wang De, Li Qiong, and Li Bao, have repeatedly requested to fight since last month. Now, a famous king in the north has been punished by Heaven. The so-called soldiers are well-trained and the food is sufficient, and the people have the will to fight. When this God-given opportunity comes, it is better to take it than to regret it. May Your Majesty make a wise decision early, decide to go north, and do not hesitate."

This was the prime minister coming forward and publicly proposing a formal northern expedition. However, Zhao Jiu remained silent and looked at Wang Yan again.

Wang Yan understood in his heart and immediately stood up behind Lü Yihao, cupping his hands in response: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guard, the Privy Council, and the Military Academy have long had various plans. Now, there are also plans for advancing. Moreover, in the final analysis, the Yellow River has not yet dried up, and the ice age has not yet arrived, so there is actually no major military harm. Even if there is, it is not as good as this God-given opportunity. Your Majesty... According to the regulations, the Jin Kingdom's Third Prince and Fourth Prince clearly routinely divide and take charge of Hedong and Hebei. Now that Eliduo has died in Qinghe, we may know the news as quickly as Yanjing. Taking advantage of the opportunity to advance, although it is only the death of one person, it is enough to make the Jurchens' east-west strategy unbalanced! Don't hesitate!"

"So, We are still going to Shanxi and Luoyang according to the original plan, commanding the various routes in Guanzhong to leave Hedong, and sending the Vanguard and Right armies of the Imperial Guard out of Daming Prefecture?" Zhao Jiu directly stated the military secrets that were not secrets.

"Yes." Wang Yan said decisively.

Zhao Jiu's mouth was dry, and he looked at Yue Fei again. Obviously, he still needed a military reassurance, or rather, a military judgment basis.

Yue Fei squinted his big and small eyes and also took the initiative to stand to the side behind Lü Yihao, but he also cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I have a plan that can test whether the Jin Kingdom's Third Prince is really dead or faking death, or rather, to test whether Hebei has been shaken and at a loss because of it."

"How do you say that?" Zhao Jiu's spirits lifted.

"Send two commanders to lead five thousand soldiers across the river and, according to the meaning of the magistrate of Liaocheng, lightly attack Liaocheng. Looking at the current situation, regardless of whether the Third Prince is really dead or faking death, they will definitely be able to obtain it quickly." Yue Fei said calmly. "After obtaining Liaocheng, we will slow down the advance and only lead the army in Henan without moving, watching the reaction of Daming Prefecture. If Daming Prefecture reacts quickly and immediately sends the Jin Kingdom's elite to quickly encircle Liaocheng, Your Majesty, don't hesitate and immediately allow me to send the entire Vanguard, Right, and Naval armies of the Imperial Guard to advance into Hebei. And if Daming Prefecture is caught off guard and the support is slow and chaotic, then there may be something to be said about this matter, and Your Majesty may slow down the advance."

Zhao Jiu was stunned for a moment.

Not only that, but many of the close attendants and local officers of the Vanguard Army of the Imperial Guard who were present were already eager to move. Hearing this, they were stunned instead. Many of those who did not know the military almost thought that Yue Fei had said it backwards.

However, among them, there were many intelligent and敏锐people, who woke up immediately after a little thought.

"Just do it like this!" Zhao Jiu issued an edict directly, gritting his teeth, before the ministers could discuss it. "Pengju, make military preparations yourself. Wang Yan, go and prepare the overall plan. Prime Minister Lü and Academician Fan, quickly prepare the edicts, just waiting for the results from the north!"

As soon as the edict was issued, Prime Minister Lü also clearly supported it. Everyone responded with a bang and dispersed, and then busied themselves.

That night, almost the entire Wushan Camp was dispatched. Except for some who stayed behind, they were divided into two. One part, five thousand people, was led by Ma Yu and Wang Gang, two commanders of the Vanguard Army of the Imperial Guard, and directly crossed the river overnight to Liaocheng on the opposite side.

The remaining Vanguard and Central armies of the Imperial Guard, plus the Imperial Guard Ban Zhi accompanying the Emperor, a total of 20,000 people, lit torches overnight and went upstream along the Yellow River levee.

At the same time, countless messengers and scouts were constantly coming and going on the river and on the shore.

On this day, it was not yet late mid-autumn. Although the moon was not full, it was enough to shine brightly. Moreover, such a movement could not be concealed at all... Therefore, the Jin army scouts and guards on the opposite side directly witnessed a huge fire dragon advancing along the river. Ships in the river were constantly responding, and they even clearly saw the dragon banner of Emperor Zhao of the Song Dynasty and the four-character banner of Yue Fei, Commander of the Vanguard Army of the Imperial Guard, connected front and back, also among them. They were already facing a great enemy, and scouts and beacon fires were also constant.

This was not a suspicious strategy, but a straightforward advance. Zhao Jiu and Yue Fei, as well as Lü Yihao and Wang Yan, were all in the army. The army was constantly advancing, and arrived at the Imperial Guard Navy port of Zilu Sao, at the junction of Dongping Prefecture and Puzhou, in the early morning of the next day.

At this time, more Vanguard troops of the Imperial Guard, plus some naval forces of the Imperial Guard, who had received edicts and military orders, also gathered here, forming a clear military gathering point, while more Vanguard and naval units of the Imperial Guard were still on the way to gather at various designated locations after receiving military orders.

This morning, news came from the river that Ma Yu and Wang Gang had captured Liaocheng.

The initial battle was won, and although there were internal responses, the upper and lower levels were still quite excited.

However, hearing the news from the front line, the real decision-making leaders did not have any joy... Again, such a large-scale war, the gains and losses of one city or one place, the victory or defeat of one battle or one fight, are basically of little significance.

As for the most concerning issue, that is, the sudden death of the Jin Kingdom's Third Prince, it will certainly give the Song army a huge opportunity, but this opportunity will only be reflected in the strategic incoordination of the Jin Kingdom's traditional east and west armies, and will not be reflected in the gains and losses of a military town under Daming Prefecture.

Even as Yue Fei wanted to express, if the Third Prince Eliduo had indeed died of a sudden illness in Qinghe, not far from Daming Prefecture, on the fifteenth day of the ninth month, then the Daming Prefecture Army Command of the Jin Kingdom would have entered a state of full combat readiness in advance due to his death, and would have reacted quickly and decisively when facing the Song army's sneak attack... Especially since Gao Jingshan of the Daming Prefecture Army Command was not mediocre, and there were many experienced generals and elite troops among the tens of thousands of Jin troops gathered around Daming Prefecture.

And if it was feigning death, then it must be seeking to lure the enemy deep and annihilate a large number of living forces, which would appear slow to react.

Therefore, the Song army's high command was still waiting, waiting for news of a front-line defeat and being trapped.

This kind of waiting was torturous. During this period, Zhao Jiu and other high-level officials hesitated whether to continue advancing upstream, join Zhang Rong, and continue to put pressure on Daming Prefecture on the opposite side.

However, soon, before dusk on this day, news came that was definitely bad news tactically, but also definitely good news strategically - on the 20th day of the ninth month, facing the Jin army that was urgently dispatched to support them, Commander Wang Gang disobeyed military orders, abandoned the ferry crossing position under the city, and took the initiative to meet the enemy in the wilderness. As a result, he encountered successive attacks by Jin elite cavalry far exceeding expectations and was defeated on the spot.

Subsequently, Wang Gang led his troops back to Liaocheng in a panic. Some of the defeated soldiers had no choice but to board the naval ships responsible for responding at the ferry crossing. The naval reconnaissance unit also subsequently scouted clearly that at least nearly ten thousand Jin cavalry had surrounded Liaocheng, and the banner of Ali, a veteran Jin general and old *wanhu* (commander of ten thousand households), was impressively among them.

In this battle, although there was the accident of Wang Gang disobeying orders and losing troops for his achievements, it did not delay the final situation from basically verifying Yue Fei's prediction.

Eliduo was probably really dead from a sudden illness.

The setting sun shone brightly, reflecting the great river.

Zhao Jiu, dressed in cotton military uniform but not wearing armor, stood on the levee of Zilu Sao, looked up, and took a long breath facing the north bank of the Yellow River.

He knew that he could not hesitate any longer... Military matters are originally a matter of pressing down with the entire army with a 60% chance of winning in order to fight a decisive battle. Moreover, whether Eliduo is really dead or faking death, his death effect has already been reflected. Military and public opinion have already developed according to the route that he has died. There is no need to delve into what is true or false.

In other words, it was time to make a decision.

"Pass on the edict."

After a moment, Emperor Zhao, who had recovered, suddenly turned his head, his face calm and solemn, and directly ordered the densely packed civil and military officials and close-attending soldiers below the river embankment. "Summon Yue Fei, Commander of the Vanguard Army of the Imperial Guard, Zhang Jun, Commander of the Right Army of the Imperial Guard, Zhang Rong of the Imperial Guard Navy, and Li Bao, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Navy, to combine the four armies of 90,000 troops to form the Hebei Front Army. Add Yue Fei, Commander of the Vanguard Army of the Imperial Guard, as Taibao (Grand Protector) and Marshal of Hebei, to control the battle line east of Luoyang and advance into Hebei uniformly."

This was the original plan, but when Emperor Zhao said it calmly at this time, everyone around him became awe-inspiring. Even Yue Fei swayed for a moment before stepping forward to cup his hands and thank him, preparing to obey the edict.

But Emperor Zhao, standing on the river embankment, spoke out and relieved his burden. Without waiting for the people present to react, he continued to issue edicts non-stop:

"Summon Wang De, Left Deputy Commander of the Central Army of the Imperial Guard, Li Qiong, Right Deputy Commander, and Qu Duan, Commander of the Cavalry Army of the Imperial Guard. As soon as the edict arrives, immediately send the entire army of 80,000 troops westward in sequence. Qu Duan will go first, Wang De second, and Li Qiong will follow, advancing to Shanxi and Luoyang... Tell them that speed is of the essence in war, and I will catch up with the army immediately."

"Summon Han Shizhong, Commander of the Left Army of the Imperial Guard, Li Yanxian, Commander of the Central Army of the Imperial Guard, and Wu Jie, Commander of the Rear Army of the Imperial Guard, to combine the three armies of 130,000 troops to form the Hedong Front Army, with Han Shizhong, Prince of Yan'an, as Grand Tutor and Marshal of Hedong, to advance into Hedong uniformly."

"Summon Li Yanxian, Commander of the Central Army of the Imperial Guard, to leave Zhongtiao Mountain. As soon as the edict arrives, immediately encircle Hezhong Prefecture and contact the Taihang Righteous Army to join forces with Ma Kuo."

"Summon Han Shizhong, Commander of the Left Army of the Imperial Guard, to immediately send the entire army of 40,000 troops across the river and advance into Hedong, be sure to take Hezhong as the first priority."

"Summon Wu Jie, Commander of the Rear Army of the Imperial Guard, to temporarily garrison northern Shanxi, divide the troops to knock on the Lüliang Mountains, suppress the area outside the river, contact the Khitan and Mongolian tribes, and accumulate strength to await the Hedong battle opportunity."

"Summon Hu Shijiang, Pacification Commissioner of Shaanxi Route, Hu Hongxiu, Pacification Commissioner of Ningxia Route, and Zhao Kai, Pacification Commissioner of Qinfeng Route, to supply Guanzhong military resources, conscript laborers, and ensure smooth military operations in the front. Summon the three people to send 50,000 Tangut auxiliary troops according to the previous plan, and then send the Qinghai Tibetan tribes to gather at the front line and be uniformly controlled by Wu Jie."

"Summon Duke Lü Haowen, Prime Minister of the Department Zhao Ding, Deputy Prime Minister Liu Ji, Privy Councilor Zhang Jun, and Deputy Privy Councilor Chen Gui to combine the Secretariat Pavilion and the Public Pavilion to oversee the government according to the old system."

"Summon Privy Councilor Zhang Jun to oversee the military resource scheduling and transportation of the rear of the entire country south of Dongjing."

"Summon Deputy Privy Councilor Chen Gui to lead the Defense Ambassador of the Four Walls of Dongjing to focus on the defense of the capital."

"Summon Minister of Public Works Hu Yin and Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and Director of Waterways Liu Hongdao to jointly oversee the scheduling, distribution, and transportation of front-line military resources, and the conscription of laborers in various places."

After saying all this in one breath, Zhao Jiu, standing high, calmly asked the densely packed ministers below: "Are there any omissions?"

"Mo Qi Xie..." Wang Yan immediately reminded. "According to the record, Jingdong West Route is the main logistics transportation route in the east. Let Mo Qi control the logistics transportation of the two routes of Jingdong."

"Summon Mo Qi Xie, Pacification Commissioner of Jingdong West Route, to coordinate the logistics transportation of the two routes of Jingdong to ensure the logistics of the eastern route army... Are there any more?"

"This humble minister..." Lü Yihao stepped forward.

"Prime Minister Lü will advance to Luoyang with Me, as will Commander Wang. The Imperial Guard Ban Zhi will also be sent with the Emperor." Zhao Jiu calmly interrupted the other party. "Are there any more?"

"Goryeo, East Mongolia..." Liu Yan rarely bowed his head and spoke. "Envoys should be sent quickly."

"East Mongolia is the most important. Let Hu Hongxiu, Pacification Commissioner of Ningxia, and Hu Shijiang, Pacification Commissioner of Shaanxi Route, make overall arrangements at their discretion first. As for Goryeo, issue an edict and sternly reprimand them. Tell Jin Fushi that starting from today, the 20th day of the ninth month of the ninth year of Jianyan, if they delay one day in sending troops, Goryeo will have to pay ten thousand strings of military resources!" Zhao Jiu was solemn. "Are there any more?"

Those above and below looked at each other, all speechless.

"Since you have nothing to say, I have something to say."

Under the setting sun, Zhao Jiu slowly said, reaching out to hold Yue Fei, who was already quite close, and then trying to pull him onto the river embankment.

Yue Fei's body would certainly not be moved by Emperor Zhao like this, but how could he stand still in this situation? He quickly followed him onto the river embankment, then cupped his hands and saluted, awaiting orders.

"Pengju, I will travel west to Luoyang, and east of Luoyang, the entire Hebei will be handed over to you." After the other party stood in front of him, Zhao Jiu still held the other's arm with one hand, speaking calmly, his expression unchanged.

"This humble minister has received such trust and kindness from Your Majesty, and I will go through fire and water, and I will die without regrets." Yue Fei bowed his head and responded.

The people below did not have much reaction, because this explanation was extremely ordinary and taken for granted.

"Not that sentence." Zhao Jiu still said calmly. "But another sentence... I will travel west, and you will cross the river. Although there are ten thousand words, it is better to remain silent... Only at that time, separated by thousands of miles, although there are military plans and arrangements, the changes in the battle situation are not predictable by human power. The general is outside, and the orders of the ruler may not be obeyed, not to mention that your military strategy is ten times better than Mine? Therefore, if there is a decision, there is no need to report everything. You can do it yourself."

"This humble minister understands!" Yue Fei was excited for a moment.

The civil and military officials under the river embankment were also somewhat awe-struck.

"You don't understand..." Zhao Jiu paused before continuing to hold the other's arm and slowly said. "What I mean is, since you are crossing the river, even if the army advances and retreats, you can decide for yourself, and even if there is an edict, you can ignore it... If there is any highest explanation, there is only one... Since you are sending troops, you should avenge the shame of Jingkang for Me and this Great Song."

After saying that, Emperor Zhao let go of his hand directly without waiting for the other party to speak, and walked down the river embankment. The ministers under the river embankment, led by Lü Yihao and Wang Yan, Fan Zongyin, Yang Yizhong, Liu Yan, Ren Baozhong, Yu Yunwen, and so on, countless officials were caught off guard and hurriedly followed, but they actually followed the Emperor directly on horseback, and then, regardless of the late hour, surrounded the dragon flag and went west with a roar.

After walking about ten miles, when the moon rose over the treetops, Emperor Zhao had completely thrown the eastern front battlefield to the back of his mind and no longer cared about it.

ps: Thank you to the new alliance leader Ping Zong Xia Yin

I officially wish everyone a Happy New Year, and wish everyone a prosperous New Year... to be a little vulgar, everyone will make a fortune!