Chapter 11 Before November

Before November arrived, the Song army launched a swift and fierce attack on the Linfen Basin.

Wang De's unit was the first to move. Wang De, Zhang Jing, and Qiao Zhongfu, three famous Western Army generals who were renowned before they came under Liu Guangshi's command and were also the earliest direct military forces subdued by the Zhao Emperor, were now arranged in a triangular formation. They led three divisions within the Imperial Army's Central Army, possibly the best-equipped, most elite, and largest in terms of organization, totaling nearly 14,000 troops. They were the first to cross the Fen River and head straight for the Jiangzhou Prefecture city in three routes.

Following closely behind were the units led by Huyan Tong, Chen Jue, Xu Shi'an, Dong Min, and Chen Yanzhang, all under the command of Xie Yuan, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army's Left Army, amounting to a staggering 17,000 to 18,000 troops.

That being said, Jiangzhou Prefecture city theoretically had a sufficient number of defenders. Wanyan Zhehe, the Jurchen Wanhu (ten thousand households), had been stationed here for recuperation since the night raid, which was half a success and half a failure. There were a total of thirty to forty mouke (Jurchen military units) inside and outside the city, as well as a full five thousand Han Chinese soldiers.

It was certainly enough to defend the city.

However, Jiangzhou Prefecture city was extremely close to the Fen River. Although there were frost flowers and light fog on the day of the crossing, they dissipated quickly from the moment the sun came out, resulting in generally wide visibility. In this situation, when Wanyan Zhehe ascended the city wall to observe and saw countless Song soldiers' armor gleaming, banners clear, and formations distinct, and countless pontoon bridges being built openly on the Fen River, this veteran general of the Jurchen Western Route Army immediately ordered his prepared troops to be divided into two. The Han Chinese soldiers were to immediately escort the supplies and retreat north, while all the Jurchen cavalry were to be fully armed and leave the city with him.

With the Han Chinese soldiers gone, Wanyan Zhehe personally led the main force of Jurchens out of the city. Avoiding the renowned Wang De, Wang the Night Yaksha, he went straight for Qiao Zhongfu's unit, which he had identified from the city wall as having the most disorganized formation of the three.

Three to four thousand Jurchen armored cavalry, taking advantage of Qiao Zhongfu's unit being only halfway across the river and not yet firmly established, struck a successful blow, beheading hundreds, but did not linger and quickly retreated.

As expected, as soon as the Jurchen armored cavalry turned back, Wang De handed over the army that had just crossed the river to his eldest son, Wang Qi, to reorganize, and then personally led over a thousand mixed cavalry and infantry of core elites to reinforce them. His reaction speed was so fast and his desire for battle so strong that it was astonishing.

At the same time, the rest of the Song army continued to advance and cross the river without stopping.

At this point, something interesting happened. Facing Wang De's small group of elites pushing forward relentlessly, Wanyan Zhehe, who personally led several thousand Jurchen armored cavalry, clearly had absolute numerical and mobility advantages, yet he advanced and retreated with Wang De, his intention to confront him obvious. Even when approaching the wide-open Jiangzhou Prefecture city gate, he had no intention of entering the city at all, but instead continued his orderly march north.

Wang De was clearly stunned for a moment. He hesitated, wondering if there was some trick in the city, but when he turned around and saw his eldest son leading his elite troops just two miles away, he finally gritted his teeth and directly ordered his troops to enter the city to investigate.

Wanyan Zhehe did not make any extra moves, but simply calmly oversaw his unit's orderly retreat.

When the main force of the Song army poured in and completely took over the city, everyone was undoubtedly convinced—Wanyan Zhehe had abandoned Jiangzhou Prefecture city at the first opportunity, and his previous actions were clear, he was simply personally leading a large group of Jurchen iron cavalry to cover the retreat of his Han Chinese soldiers!

In a sense, it was almost a textbook example of a cavalry rearguard action, otherwise Qiao Zhongfu would definitely not have been convinced.

The course of the battle was quickly reported to Han Shizhong, but Han Shizhong did not care, because the troop strength ratio on the west bank of the Fen River was too obvious. Isolated in a forward position, once losing the cover of the Fen River, Wanyan Zhehe's choice to abandon the city was within expectations. As for Qiao Zhongfu taking a heavy blow… to put it bluntly, you are here to fight, did you expect no one to die?

In fact, Han Shizhong and Li Yanxian had been waiting for battle reports from the east bank of the Fen River, because that side was more important.

On the east bank of the Fen River, because there was only the smaller Hui River obstructing them, the battle unfolded early on in an even larger scale.

The vanguard on this side was the Eight Character Army (ba zi jun) led by Li Qiong, who was familiar with the terrain of the Taihang Mountains. However, because the Eight Character Army had previously dispatched a considerable number of troops to Zhiguan Xing, and also had to take on the task of blocking the western wing passages of the Taihang Mountains along the way, Li Qiong had only a little over 10,000 troops in his hands at this time, far fewer than the Shanxi-Luoyang troops 'assisting' him.

Zhai Jin, Zhai Cong, Zhai Chong, Niu Gao, and Dong Xian, five typical commanders from the Henan rebel army, formed a large column for easy advancement, advancing along the Fen River without stopping.

At the same time, Shao Long, Song Yan, Jia He, Lu Heshang, who was demoted to deputy commander due to the defeat at Tieling Pass, and Zhang Qi, Zhang Boyu, who Li Yanxian promoted from Luoyang against the opinions of the crowd, and now replaced Zhao Cheng, who was dismissed from his post due to a crime, as the commander of his unit… also five commanders, led the troops from Shanzhou, and also formed a column, and chose to advance east of Li Qiong's Eight Character Army, cross Quwo City, and head towards Yicheng, northeast of Quwo City.

It seemed that they were preparing to block the Jurchen army's main force's retreat.

It could be said that, except for Li Yanxian's main force, which valued its identity, and Yan Ping's unit, which suffered heavy losses and was unable to fight, the entire Shanxi-Luoyang Army Group was out in force.

However, in the afternoon, a little later than the Song army on the west bank of the Fen River, the Song army on the east bank also encountered a similar situation.

The similarity was that the Jurchen army at Quwo also took the initiative to abandon the city. Facing the overwhelming offensive of the Song army, the Jurchen army's main force, which had been entrenched here, directly chose to turn around and retreat.

The difference was that, unlike Jiangzhou Prefecture city on the opposite bank of the Fen River, the Jurchen army here and in the surrounding area should have gathered three to four Wanhu, and the terrain around Quwo was flat, with sufficient distance from the Hui River… and don't forget, except for the vanguard Eight Character Army, whose combat effectiveness could be guaranteed, the Shanxi-Luoyang Army Group, which served as the actual main force on both wings, had already been proven to have relatively weak field combat capabilities, and the combat effectiveness of each unit was uneven.

Especially now, the Song army's wing formations were too elongated, making it easier for the Jurchen iron cavalry to forcibly break through.

In other words, the Jurchen army had absolutely sufficient strength and absolutely sufficient room for maneuver (the distance from Quwo City), and even had sufficient preparation time to give the Song army a head-on blow.

However, tens of thousands of Jurchen army troops simply abandoned Quwo directly, and did not even make any tactical moves relying on the numerical advantage of their cavalry, like Wanyan Zhehe on the opposite bank. They simply retreated in an orderly manner without even touching the Song army.

Judging from the banners, it was Yelu Mawu who was holding the rear.

"The Jurchens aren't stupid!"

The news reached the bank of the Hui River, full of pontoon bridges. Han Shizhong, standing under his own great banner, finally frowned slightly.

Beside him was Li Yanxian, the Duke of Yan'an, with his own great banner standing alongside. Behind him were Li Shifu, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Cavalry Army, Cheng Min, the Commander of the Imperial Army's Left Army Beiwei Army, and Weiming Yunge, the Commander of the Imperial Cavalry Army's Boxi Army… behind these people, a full 15,000 cavalry were properly equipped and sitting down to rest.

In addition, there were Li Yanxian's main force and Shao Yun's unit, which the Zhao Emperor had thoughtfully assigned to him, totaling nearly 10,000 troops… this was Li Yanxian's lifeline… but they had simply crossed the river early and were sitting on the ground in the eastern part of the opposite bank.

Obviously, this Duke of Yan'an wanted to catch a big fish.

It was just that the other party didn't even look at them, let alone take the bait.

"Why does the Duke think the Jurchens are stupid?" Li Yanxian sneered, which was rare for him. "We should have expected it, right?"

"Why is the Duke laughing?" Han Shizhong, whose mentality seemed to have become particularly peaceful after the shocking word 'Guannai', turned his head to face him, showing not a trace of anger.

Li Yanxian originally wanted to take the opportunity to mock him, but when he saw the other party's attitude, and the ones working hard to lure the enemy in front were his own children, he lost the mood to be angry, and simply sighed:

"Duke, these years, the famous Jurchen generals have withered, and there is no longer the momentum of the past. In my opinion, the Jurchen generals actually have no top-notch commanders or generals… However, the veteran generals are still there! Gao Jingshan, Ali, Elubu, and Wang Bolong of the Eastern Route Army, Tuhesuo, Zhehe, and Mawu of the Western Route Army, Wulinda Taiyu and Wanyan Huonv of the Yanshan New Army… these people, even if they were young at the time, were still old timers from the time of Aguda's rise and the destruction of Liao, and they have never left the army. They may have different personalities and incomplete talents, but they do not lack basic military experience and will never make some obvious mistakes."

Han Shizhong nodded slightly and was about to speak, but immediately realized something: "Why didn't Duke Li mention Bali Su?"

"Because I want to talk about this person specifically." Li Yanxian replied seriously. "Bali Su cannot be regarded as a simple veteran general… when he first had two hundred men, he was fighting alongside Lou Shi and Yin Shuke, and he was often assigned by the two to do some errands that could not be called independent command, but were indeed independent leadership… Nikan was to take charge of the overall military and political affairs, and the Western Route Army was often divided between Lou Shi and Yin Shuke, and the two often let Bali Su lead a partial division… Duke, this person was initially walking the path of a commander."

Han Shizhong thought for a while and seemed to understand: "Bali Su was originally the commander-in-chief of the Taiyuan Military Department, a standard commander. Duke Li is trying to say that this person is a high-level among the Jurchen commanders, right?"

"No." Li Yanxian shook his head slightly. "I want to say that this person is a real commander."

"Are there real and fake commanders?" This time it was Han Shizhong's turn to laugh.

"There are no real or fake commanders, but there are virtual and real ones, just like what the Duke said to me on the pass before. Our Hedong campaign this time, the real commander is the Emperor, and you, Duke, are superficially a commander, but in reality, you are just a vanguard." Li Yanxian turned his head and stared at the other party. "Do you remember, Duke?"

Han Shizhong finally became solemn, and the people behind him all reined their horses back, staggering backward, as if they had become accustomed to it from what these two had done at Tieling Pass.

Han Shizhong waited for a while, until the people behind him were slightly farther away, before seriously facing Li Shaoyan: "According to this statement, the real Jurchen commander must be the deceased Third Prince Eliduo, or the Fourth Prince Wushu, who should have arrived in Taiyuan or Jingxing by this time."

"The following words are not to mock the Duke, nor to quarrel with the Duke. If there is any offense, I hope the Duke will forgive me." Li Yanxian sighed slightly and rarely clasped his fist at the other party while holding the reins on horseback.

Han Shizhong hesitated for a moment, and also returned the salute while holding the reins on horseback.

The two lowered their hands, and Li Yanxian immediately opened his mouth:

"In my opinion, there are also differences between commanders. There are real commanders, power commanders, formal commanders, and partial commanders… these are all commanding talents."

"Are you trying to say that I am a partial commander?"

"Yes." Li Yanxian responded without hesitation. "Duke Han is exceptionally talented, gifted, brave and resourceful. His talent for fighting is truly like the so-called famous generals of ancient times, making people sigh in admiration and impossible to learn… But the Duke's talent often stops below ten thousand people. The ability above ten thousand people is actually only to the level of knowing how to employ people well and strictly enforcing military law. Battlefield deployment and planning often can only be generalized, and then you often have to personally lead the elite troops into battle to determine the victory."

"That's right." Han Shizhong nodded with a smile. "Li Duke knows me best. That's why I want to promote Wang Sheng and why I always bring Xie Yuan with me… Wang Sheng is a good hand at using the crowd, and Xie Yuan is a confidant who can cooperate with me… When fighting, I treat Wang Sheng as an anvil, Xie Yuan as a flank guard, and then I lead the Beiwei Army as a spear to deliver a decisive blow. By the way, there is also Xu Shi'an, who has nothing outstanding, but he is stable and good at filling gaps. I always let him pick up the slack and supervise the rear."

"This is also why I said that the Duke is a partial commander, rather than simply a general." Li Yanxian sighed. "Otherwise, what is the difference between the Duke and Wang the Night Yaksha?"

Han Liangchen smiled noncommittally: "Wang the Night Yaksha is also a good man."

Li Yanxian was slightly stunned, and then immediately changed his expression: "That's right, Wang the Night Yaksha is also a good man."

"I am a partial commander, who is the formal commander?" Han Shizhong continued to ask with a smile, seemingly still in a good mood. "Is it the Emperor?"

"The Emperor is a power commander." Li Yanxian also replied with a smile. "This is what I want to say… The Emperor's kind of commander lies in deterring superiors and subordinates, harmonizing Yin and Yang, and making decisive decisions, but he may not really understand military strategy. The deceased Third Prince Eliduo and the living Fourth Prince Wushu on the opposite side are actually considered half power commanders… In terms of military strategy, Wushu has not seen any great strategies, and Eliduo has nothing outstanding, but they can't help that the Great Jin Kingdom belongs to the Wanyan family. As long as they can listen to opinions and make the best decisions, it is already considered a kind of commanding talent."

Han Shizhong nodded slightly, as if with emotion: "A good Emperor is hard to find, and a good Crown Prince is also hard to find… There is some truth to it."

"That's right, power commanders also depend on capital and effort." Li Yanxian continued to say. "We won't say too much about praising the Emperor. Just say that the Jurchen Fourth Prince. He has repeatedly lost battles, but he can't help that those around him who can be power commanders are either gone or useless. Instead, they are increasingly praising him. The Great Jin Kingdom is his family's, who else can they look for? As for the others, like Talann, once his son-in-law died and he lost his spirit, he could no longer be his 'Dragon Tiger King'; Yin Shuke, once he became a villain in the internal struggle, the Western Route Army and those princes could not really let him go. Even his own brother Bali Su did not allow him to return."

"Duke is trying to say that Bali Su is a real commander?"

"Yes!"

"What is a real commander?"

"The one who actually plans and implements strategies." Li Yanxian replied seriously. "The difficulty of using troops lies first in using the crowd. An army of 50,000 people is a threshold… Duke, this campaign is clear evidence. The Emperor gave you free rein, but you cannot deploy properly, and you have also underestimated the other side."

"That's right." Han Shizhong smiled. "I don't have the ability to command 100,000 troops… Bali Su does?"

"I think he does… and I think Wu Jinqing also does. He was the real commander at Yaoshan before!" Li Yanxian replied seriously. "I'm afraid that after crossing the Sparrow Mouse Valley and arriving in Taiyuan, the real decisive battle will still require the Emperor to be the power commander and Wu Jinqing to be the real commander… However, this is not what we should be talking about today. What we should be saying today is that on the Jurchen side, Fourth Prince Wushu can be the power commander and Bali Su can be the real commander. The two together can do great things like we can." Li Yanxian seriously reminded him. "Duke, in my opinion, the Jurchen army's decisiveness this time cannot be explained by veteran generals alone. They must be like us… having a big figure to support them and an overall strategy, so that the left and right wings, no matter how many or few troops they have, can retreat so decisively and directly, just like our advance is so swift and unrestrained."

Han Shizhong thought for a while, put away his smile, and replied seriously: "Yes!"

"I can probably guess what Duke is thinking." Li Yanxian continued to say. "In fact, Duke said in the military conference before that if we were the Jurchen commander, we would never dare to fight a decisive battle in this place… The reason why we know that the Jurchen army should not fight but still carry out this groundless plan here is nothing more than to hope that the Jurchen army can be cautious and hesitant, giving us an opportunity to take advantage of. But in fact, at this point, the Jurchen army should have someone come out to clean up the mess and make a decision, and we can no longer expect any mistakes."

"Yes." Han Shizhong nodded slightly. "Duke Li is right, I know how to fight…"

Saying this, Han Liangchen turned around to signal. Li Shifu, who had been following the others and retreating to who knows how far, finally realized that he was talking to him, and quickly rode his horse forward: "Duke?"

"Pass the order to Wang De, let him not worry, leave Jiangzhou Prefecture city to the follow-up troops, and continue north to seize Taiping County. Pass the order to Li Qiong, let him also hand over Quwo to the follow-up and quickly take Yicheng to the north… Your unit does not need to stay here, you personally lead the cavalry over to reinforce the right wing." Han Shizhong gave the order seriously. "Once Yicheng is captured, the east-west passage will be narrowed. Then order the left and right wings to advance side by side, north along the river, and head straight for Linfen… Advance every day, and the left and right must not be separated. Rest every night, and you must establish a strong fort! At the same time, build a pontoon bridge every three miles on the Fen River to ensure east-west connectivity… Do you understand?"

Li Shifu certainly understood. Wasn't this what he used to do in the Hengshan Mountains when fighting against the Western Xia?

Build strong forts and fight a dull war.

However, in the current situation, it seems that there is nothing to say about this method.

Therefore, Li Shifu clasped his fist on horseback and led the crowd away.

More than ten thousand cavalry crossed the Hui River over dozens of pontoon bridges, and then the rumbling sound continued, gathering and reorganizing, and advancing north without stopping. Han Shizhong stood under the great banner on the south bank of the Hui River, and seeing this scene, he suddenly laughed again, and the laughter continued.

"Why is the Duke laughing?" This time it was Li Yanxian's turn to ask.

"I was just thinking…" Han Shizhong smiled incessantly. "We talked for a long time about this commander and that decision, isn't the current situation that the Jurchen army is quick to see the opportunity and fleeing in a panic?"

Li Yanxian was slightly stunned, and then immediately laughed: "That's exactly right… In any case, we have won a great victory, and the Jurchen army has collapsed at the sight of the wind… What, is the Duke in a poetic mood again?"

Han Shizhong shook his head in response: "I have a little bit, but it's still a little short."

Li Yanxian forcibly resisted the urge to bite his fingernails, and also forcibly suppressed the impulse to ask the other party what he meant by 'eight hundred li'… This was a典故(dian gu - allusion) that his confidant staff Xie Sheng explained to him that night, and he was very curious whether Han Shizhong knew it or not… but he just shook his head.

"The serious business is over." After watching the cavalry cross the river for a long time, Han Shizhong suddenly spoke again. "The army's movements are not something that can be done in a short time… Duke Li, didn't you have something to say before?"

"I finished speaking." Li Yanxian was inexplicable. "I just wanted to say that Wushu and Bali Su on the Jurchen side must have already communicated, and we can't expect to take advantage of small tricks…"

"You left out a formal commander." Han Liangchen turned his head to face him, smiling noncommittally. "Is that right?"

Li Shaoyan was slightly stunned, but nodded slowly.

"Who is the formal commander? Yue Pengju?" Han Shizhong looked down upon the world.

"It looks like it, but it may not be." Li Yanxian replied solemnly. "Because the thing of a formal commander is not something that people can see, it has to be determined after the fact."

"How do you explain that?"

"Putting aside everything else, how many people have the opportunity to be a commander since ancient times?" Li Yanxian sighed quietly. "And how many of those who are commanders can be trusted by their superiors and not envied by their subordinates, and get a proper opportunity to display their talents? Just like Duke Han's poem lamented… 'Pitiable white hair grows…' Famous generals since ancient times are like beauties, most afraid of white hair. A lifetime passes in a flash, and they can't even touch the commander's position. Even if they touch it, they have no place to display it. How can it be so coincidental that a person with true formal commander talent takes the commander's position and catches up with an earth-shattering opportunity? Before Jiang Taigong's Battle of Muye, before Bai Qi's Battle of Changping, before Han Xin's conquest of Qi, before Wei Qing and Huo Qubing chased the Xiongnu north and south, before Zhou Yu's Battle of Red Cliffs, before Wei Xiaokuan and Hu Lugu's Battle of Zhongli, before Emperor Taizong of Tang's Battle of Hulao Pass, before Li Jing's surprise attack on the Turks on a snowy night, which one did not have a good reputation? But which one can be called a formal commander? All of them only got this name after a battle."

"Yes." Han Shizhong also narrowed his eyes. "I also understand what you mean. Yue Fei is young after all. He may be a formal commander, or he may be a straw bag, but for now, he has only gotten an opportunity to command 90,000 troops alone… What will happen in the end must be decided by fighting it out alone in Hebei this time. It's not something we can blindly judge from thousands of miles away."

"That's what I mean." Li Yanxian nodded, but after hesitating slightly, he still said sadly. "In fact, I was also thinking of achieving extraordinary merit in Shanzhou that day, but now, I have first given up that thought."

"You are only forty-one years old this year, why is it to this extent?" Han Shizhong actually comforted him. "It's just a temporary gain or loss. This Jurchen country is also a country of thousands of miles, and it can't be taken down all at once… There will still be opportunities for the Northern Expedition in the future."

"Perhaps." Li Yanxian shook his head in response. "But my eagerness is not just because I have been suffocated in Shanzhou for a long time… but I have vaguely felt for several years that this armor is getting thicker year by year, the logistics and training of the troops are getting more and more rigorous, and scenes like the Duke turning the tide of battle with his personal excellence are estimated to be less and less… I'm afraid that after our generation, there will be no more famous commanders and generals, and we will really have to rely on temple calculations to determine victory or defeat."

Han Shizhong thought for a while and nodded in response: "There is a bit of that meaning."

However, he then laughed again: "But if you say that, wouldn't we have made a big profit? The famous generals of the world will be gone after Han, Li, Yue, and Zhang! And I, Han Shizhong, have taken the first step, to be the first in the world!"

Li Yanxian was恍惚失神(huang hu shi shen - absent-minded and in a daze).

But it wasn't over yet. Seeing that the cavalry under Li Shifu had roughly crossed the Hui River, and Li Shifu himself was about to cross over, Han Liangchen, under the great peerless banner, immediately啧了一声(ze le yi sheng - clicked his tongue) and then shouted remotely:

"Li Shifu, come here!"

Li Shifu heard the voice, and although he felt inexplicable, how could he refuse? Anyway, it wouldn't delay things, so he immediately rode his horse over again and greeted him with a fist salute, calling him Duke.

In the next moment, Han Shizhong couldn't help but look down upon the world in front of everyone: "Before crossing the Pujin, I started a poem. During the month of chaotic battles in Hedong, I have not been able to get the last few lines, but just now, as I stood here with Duke Li discussing military affairs and pointing out the landscape, thinking that the Jurchen army's main force was fleeing in a panic, I finally had some poetic mood… I will recite it, and you will tell it to the gentlemen on the front line for me!"

Li Yanxian's scalp went numb for a while, and Li Shifu was also so startled that he reined his horse back two steps.

Only Duke Han was still calm and heroic. He reined his horse with one hand and pointed north with the other, and recited on the spot:

"Sweating horses in yellow sand, a hundred battles of meritorious deeds,
This red land has many difficulties, awaiting you gentlemen.
Since ancient times, the royal cause has belonged to the Han,
How can the rivers and mountains be divided with thieves?
The warm sun melts a thousand trees of frost,
The cold wind blows away the clouds in the sky.
There are still many foxes and rats fleeing,
Every family in Hebei is looking forward to the Sixth Army."

As soon as the poem was finished, without waiting for Li and Li to recover and say anything, Han Shizhong became solemn again and sternly ordered: "Tell them! This battle is a great victory, the enemy is fleeing in panic! There is no need to think wildly! But the victory of this battle is the victory of the Emperor and the Central Authorities' three years of hard work and temple calculations. You must not be complacent and arrogant! Moreover, the country has lost the Two Rivers for a long time, and thousands of soldiers and civilians have long been looking forward to the royal army. As the main force of the Imperial Army, if you do not fight today, you will fight tomorrow, you must strictly enforce military discipline and hone your skills! Do not be lazy!"

Li Shifu left.

As for Li Yanxian, after this incident, he would never dare to ask anything about 'eight hundred li'.

ps: Thank you tell小郭(xiao guo - Little Guo) for sponsoring again, this is really a leader I chatted with from Zhihu.

Then continue to sacrifice a new book, "I Can Modify Black Technology"

I still have to explain to everyone… There was an unexpected situation that I didn't expect when I asked for leave… It was about a mobile phone trapped in another place, and I had to do nucleic acid overnight to come back… Then I was sleepy and tired after coming back, and I haven't recovered until now. If there is anything wrong with this chapter, I hope everyone will point it out directly.

This is my personal mistake, and it has delayed much more time than I imagined. I apologize to everyone.