Chapter 1 The Crafty Snipping of Spring

Who knows what fine leaves were tailored by? It is the February breeze that is like scissors.

In early February, with the conclusion of the large-scale war, the greenery that covered the mountains and plains preemptively swept across the Hebei area south of the Yanshan Mountains, and the spring of the tenth year of Jianyan had fully arrived.

Riding on this wave of green, Jin’s Sixth Prince, accompanied by Datong’s Garrison Commander Eluoguan and Privy Council Vice Commissioner and Vice Minister of the Ministry of War Hong Ya, and escorted by Hebul, Khan of the Eastern Mongolian, arrived at Anle County, Dingzhou, without receiving a second summons from Zhao Guan.

However, with this back-and-forth, Anle had already been occupied by the Song army. Therefore, after a brief rest, the two asked the Song army in the city for some supplies, then rode the Mongolian horses given by Hebul and hurried northeastward, arriving at Dingzhou City that evening.

Dingzhou City is more than a hundred *li* from Zhending, with three rivers, large and small, in between. The distance is neither close nor far, making it rather awkward.

Of course, Eluoguan and Hong Ya did not expect to live here in peace for long, even if it was a state city... Their plan was simple: rest for one night, and the next morning, while the city was still under the jurisdiction of the Jin Dynasty, gather as many defeated soldiers, supplies, and livestock as possible, and take the local officials who were willing to leave with them and continue to retreat.

In fact, due to the distance, Dingzhou had long been in a state of panic after learning of the defeat at the front, and Mao Shuo, the prefect of Dingzhou (under the Jin system, the chief official of the prefecture was the prefect), had already promised to go north with them the next day.

But the next day, the tenth day of February, while they were only halfway through breakfast, Eluoguan and Hong Ya were shocked to find that they seemed to have been too slow.

"Mao Zhongquan (Mao Shuo's courtesy name), what do you mean by this?" After a sigh, Hong Ya, sitting at the dining table in the back hall, pinched a warm fried cake and asked coldly, drawing a puzzled look from Eluoguan, who was drinking noodle soup.

"No other intention, just asking Sixth Prince and Commissioner Hong... if you could eat a little faster?" Mao Shuo, sitting across the table, gave a dry laugh and tried his best to answer. "Leave earlier?"

"Is that all?" Hong Ya sneered in response.

"Vice Minister Hong is overthinking it." Before Mao Shuo could continue, Eluoguan, who had just finished a mouthful of noodle soup, disagreed. "Prefect Mao was a Song general during the Jingkang era, then served in Liu Yu's Qi Kingdom as your subordinate, and then became an official in our country, serving as a prefect of a state. Such an identity is destined to be intolerable by the Song people, so he is so anxious... In fact, Prefect Mao, you can rest assured that Zhao Guan is still dignified. As long as you don't resist, even if the Song army comes to the city, they will at most not allow us to take away the livestock and wealth in the city."

Mao Shuo gave another dry laugh but did not respond.

"Sixth Prince is underestimating Prefect Mao!" Hong Ya waited patiently for Eluoguan to finish, then took a hard bite of the fried cake and continued to look coldly at the person opposite. "Mao Zhongquan, tell me the truth, did the Song people send any words or messages, so you changed your mind and decided not to leave? Otherwise, why would you not even drink a mouthful of soup yourself, but just sit there urging us to eat quickly and leave?"

Eluoguan was finally stunned.

Mao Shuo sighed slightly and finally became serious: "Sixth Prince is of noble status, and Commissioner Hong is my former superior. I don't want to hide anything... Just this morning, a Song rider came to the city and sent three imperial decrees."

"What are you? Why would the Zhao Song court send three imperial decrees specifically to recruit you?" Hong Ya became more and more annoyed. "I and Sixth Prince have traveled back and forth twice and haven't seen a single special decree!"

"Please wait a moment, you two." Mao Shuo immediately got up upon hearing this.

"I have something to say." Hong Ya quickly pinched the fried cake and sternly rebuked. "We are carrying the terms of Zhao Guan’s peace talks with Yanjing, not running away. If you act rashly, you will only incur Zhao Guan’s disgust!"

Once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of well rope, Eluoguan also became nervous for a moment.

"Commissioner Hong is overthinking it!" Mao Shuo turned back helplessly and stamped his foot. "I'll go get the three imperial decrees for you two!"

Hong Ya and Eluoguan lost their appetite and could only sit there staring at each other.

After a short while, Mao Shuo returned, bringing with him the three written proclamations... Hong Ya glanced at them and saw the seal on them, and he understood that this was indeed an imperial decree from the Zhao Song court, but it was clear that this kind of proclamation-style decree could not be directed at an individual.

"I won't look at them, and you don't have to read them. Just give me a rough idea of what they mean!" Hong Ya was somewhat dejected and instead got up from the large basin in the center of the table and served himself and Eluoguan each a bowl of noodle soup. "See what decree made you change your mind."

Just as he took a sip, Mao Shuo simply said directly:

"All three decrees were drafted the day before yesterday, the eighth day of the month, and were just delivered early this morning... They are all about agricultural affairs."

"Agricultural affairs?"

"That's right." Mao Shuo said with emotion, holding the proclamation in front of him. "The first decree requires all local officials in the five circuits south of the Yanshan Mountains—Hedong, Hebei East, Hebei West, Datong, and Yanshan—regardless of whether they were appointed by Jin or Song, to fulfill their duties, dredge and appease the people, and supervise spring plowing."

Eluoguan and Hong Ya exchanged glances and immediately became somewhat dispirited and remained silent.

"The second decree." Mao Shuo paused, observed the expressions of the two opposite, and continued. "It is slightly related to military affairs, but the main body is still agricultural affairs. It says that if there are large areas of arable land abandoned due to previous military actions, or arable land left behind after the escape of Jin nobles, they should be reported as soon as possible and roughly cultivated as much as possible to avoid waste. If there is really no strength, Zhending will send accompanying civilians, auxiliary soldiers, and some prisoners to carry out rough cultivation on the spot and maintain farming as much as possible."

Hong Ya remained silent, but Eluoguan could not help but give a dry laugh: "Zhao Guan is indeed a benevolent emperor."

Mao Shuo ignored the other party and continued to the third decree: "This third decree is both military and political, but it still unfolds with agricultural affairs... It says that Zhao Guan wants to select many 'consultants' from the imperial court and transfer accompanying *jinshi* (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) from the army in large numbers, either in groups of three or teams of five, to inspect spring plowing in the surrounding military prefectures under the escort of small troops..."

"High! It's both a high pattern and a high tactic!" Before he could finish speaking, Hong Ya responded loudly and then sighed in a low voice. "It is really brilliant! No wonder Mao Zhongquan you changed your mind early in the morning... I just don't know if it's Zhao Guan's own writing, or if Prime Minister Lü has gotten a little better these days and made the arrangements."

"What's the difference? Isn't the Prime Minister also used by the court?" Mao Shuo first shook his head slightly and then nodded slightly. "But no matter what, it can indeed be called brilliant."

Of course, it was brilliant, and even Eluoguan nodded.

The high pattern naturally goes without saying... Others may not know about the great victory at Huolu, but how could Dingzhou, a hundred *li* away, not know after seven or eight days? How could the three people sitting here not know? And in the face of this great victory, that Guan did not show off his merits and launch a large-scale advance, did not slaughter prisoners to show off his power, but instead focused on the agricultural affairs dictated by the season, and did everything with agricultural affairs as the axis. It does show a pattern and a clear distinction between priorities and interests.

In addition to this, just talking about the tactics, they are actually very clever.

For example, the first decree, whether you are a Jin local official who accepts it or not, you can always do it, and you should do it. No one will say that it is wrong for you to appease the people, restore order, and pay attention to spring plowing.

However, there is a slight foreshadowing and psychological suggestion.

So the second decree gives some people who already want to surrender an opportunity to go with the flow.

And then the third decree is even more interesting. The so-called inspection of spring plowing, of course, refers to inspecting, supervising, and checking spring plowing matters, but since it is an inspection, there will inevitably be judgments, and since there are judgments, there will inevitably be advantages and disadvantages.

Not to mention anything else, but back to those Hebei local officials appointed by the Jin Dynasty, how should they face those inspection teams sent by the Zhao Song court?

First of all, should they open the city gates and let the Song inspection teams in?

If they don't open them, no problem, that's a matter for the military; but if they open them, has the most important psychological threshold been crossed?

Next, it is one thing to perform poorly, which is also very normal. One emperor, one courtier, this is already the replacement of two countries. How about retiring peacefully?

But if they are really rated as excellent in spring plowing work, what does that mean?

They can't say that I accepted Zhao Guan’s decree to appease the people and supervise spring plowing, and I did a particularly good job. The Song imperial envoy said it was good, but then I said I was a traitorous minister of the enemy country and cut me down, right?

In all likelihood, they will take the opportunity to stay in office or be transferred to another position.

So, should they work hard... try it?

Of course, in fact, this is not over yet. When spring plowing is over, if the working group stays in a place, can they take the opportunity to receive and clean up the property and land previously allocated by the Jin Dynasty to those Meng'an, Mouke, and Puliyan?

Can they further fulfill Zhao Guan’s pre-war promises after spring plowing?

Mao Shuo and others did not know about these things for the time being, but just the previous considerations, just the political attitude contained in the three decrees, just that little bit of power tactics, were enough to make many Jin local officials waver.

It must be known that people all want to improve.

All in all, if the three decrees are implemented, the spring plowing matter will be maximally remedied, and apart from spring plowing, even those who surrender will have a step down, thereby largely avoiding criminal punishment, reducing social unrest, and also serving as an orderly step in converting military achievements into political achievements.

It can only be said that Hebei has indeed changed after the Battle of Huolu, but not in the rough and direct way people imagined.

"So Prefect Mao is worried that we will leave late, and the work team will come in right after us, causing impropriety?" Sixth Prince Eluoguan was not stupid, just not as quick to react and as cunning as Hong Ya.

"That's exactly what I mean." Mao Shuo replied somewhat awkwardly, but shook his head slightly. "In addition to that, I also want to persuade an old friend... Commissioner Hong?"

In Eluoguan's realization, Hong Ya sighed, lowered his head and remained silent, apparently moved by the fact that Mao Shuo had not forgotten their old friendship.

But after a moment, he still shook his head slightly, causing Eluoguan to feel somewhat relieved.

Of course, what Eluoguan did not know was that Hong Ya's expression was just perfunctory, and the person had no waves in his heart at this moment... This is not to say that this guy only thought about wealth and did not think about staying in the Great Song Dynasty and settling down. He had long thought about it, otherwise, he would not have facilitated the surrender of Zhending... But didn't Zhao Guan not want him?

Especially after returning to Zhending for the second time and not being summoned, this person, who was almost an expert in figuring out people's intentions, had a definite conjecture about that Guan's intentions... Whether he sincerely wanted to promote the kind of peace talks or it was a typical divisive tactic, that Guan did not want to see him, Hong Ya, in front of his eyes.

Returning north with Eluoguan, while there was excitement about the possibility of the best outcome, there was more helplessness.

Returning to the present, Dingzhou Prefect Mao Shuo was moved by the Zhao Song Guan’s implicit and conditional amnesty decree... This person was a recognized capable official and believed that he could manage Dingzhou properly, so he chose to stay in Dingzhou and return to the Great Song... At the same time, no matter how much Eluoguan and Hong Ya lamented, they could only leave hastily in a state of being expelled after breakfast.

This time, the two did not seek fun on the road. They set out lightly and galloped for a whole day, passing through Wangdu and Beiping counties without entering the cities, and finally stopped their horses at the Jin Tai Dun camp outside the east gate of Baoding's capital, Baosai City (now Baoding).

It is said that Jin Tai Dun is a famous permanent post station and military station, originating from the war when Emperor Taizong of Song Dynasty marched north to conquer the Liao Dynasty and tried to seize Yanyun. Later, it became a famous standing military camp under the confrontation between Song and Liao, and now it has naturally become an important transfer station for the Jin Dynasty to go south from Yanjing to Hejian and Zhending.

And Eluoguan and Hong Ya came here in the first place—according to their ideas, there should not only be a small-scale garrison here, but Eluobu and Jiagu Wulibu must have passed through here on their way north, and the previously scattered defeated soldiers and local officials and generals who fled from the south like them should also have traces here.

Facts proved that Eluoguan and Hong Ya were too right, even too right.

"Sixth Prince... Commissioner Hong... It's really great that you two are safe and sound."

Grand Tutor Nu greeted them outside the gate and saluted respectfully. "Prince Wei and General Yelu and General Heshelie are all in the camp. His Royal Highness Prince Wei is waiting for you two."

Eluoguan and Hong Ya exchanged glances, their faces turning pale.

This is not to say that it is inappropriate for Wushu and these two to appear here. Considering the distance and location, since Wushu had escaped with his life, he should be here.

But then again, didn't Zhao Guan have that saying ‘Wushu must be killed before peace can be made’? And there was also the matter of offering the city. All the things, and that saying, could not be concealed, especially since Grand Tutor Nu was here.

Therefore, the two could not help but feel frightened.

Since Grand Tutor Nu was specially waiting here at the gate, they could not run away at all.

Therefore, the two could only suppress the uneasiness in their hearts and reluctantly followed Grand Tutor Nu into the Jin Tai Dun camp.

Sure enough, the camp was bleak and miserable, with defeated soldiers and wounded soldiers covered in dirt everywhere. Fortunately, it should be Yelu Mamu or Heshelie Taiyu who had controlled the situation. Although the original garrison was in a panic, it did not lose control.

In short, the two came to a bright and spacious barracks in the midst of the bleakness, and at a glance, they saw Wanyan Wushu lying alone on a wide couch. Although this Jin Dynasty executive prince’s face was still considered clean, his face was pale and his posture was strange... The reason was obvious at a glance. The Fourth Prince's left leg and right arm were obviously injured.

Obviously, although Wanyan Wushu had escaped with his life, he had definitely gone through hardships.

"Fourth Brother!"

After all, they were brothers. Upon meeting, even though Eluoguan had been extremely uneasy before, when he saw his elder brother so embarrassed, he could not help but feel a sourness in his nose, and then he stepped forward and grabbed the other's movable left hand on the edge of the couch, crying bitterly.

And when Wushu saw Eluoguan entering, he should have held his brother and cried loudly, but for some reason, he just let the other party hold his hand and cry. After a long time, he braced his leg, which was bandaged with wooden boards, and laughed: "Why is Old Sixth so sad? The overall situation is in front of us, and victory or defeat has been decided. It is already the blessing of our father's spirit in heaven that our brothers can meet again. If we just cry and wail, we will only be laughed at by the world."

At this point, Wushu paused slightly and continued: "To borrow a word from Cao Mengde, can crying day and night kill that Cangzhou Zhao Jiu?"

Upon hearing this, Eluoguan reluctantly stopped crying, and then could not help but ask with tears in his eyes in front of the couch: "Fourth Brother, I heard people say that the Song army sent tens of thousands of cavalry to pursue us without success. Yue Fei and Zhang Rong seem to have arrived at Hejian, and you were besieged from both sides. How did you escape?"

"What's there to talk about?" Wushu shook his head in response, but ultimately could not avoid a trace of sadness and gave a brief explanation. "On the way, I was caught up by the Song army's light cavalry before the Qin River, and I lost 30% of my troops first. I heard that Wulinda Taiyu was also captured on the riverbank..."

"Then, after勉力 crossing the river, I found that Liu Qi had already occupied Gaocheng in advance. Caught off guard, I lost many soldiers again..."

"Helplessly, I went east. When I crossed the river at Gucheng, I saw Zhang Rong's navy, so I had to continue east..."

"As a result, when I arrived at Shulu, I encountered defeated soldiers fleeing from the east, and then I learned that Tian Shizhong had督军killed from the east... At that time, my leg was also broken by a horse. I was 胡思乱想 and felt that after the defeat at Huolu, there was no way out in Shulu. Could it be that the heavens wanted me to be '束' (bound) there? But the more this was the case, the more I could not accept my fate, so I prepared to commit suicide, preferring to die rather than be '束'... But Mamu persuaded me to try again on the riverbank to the north."

At this point, Wushu smiled bitterly again: "I only then knew that the '束' in Shulu did not apply to the Song people, but instead applied to Mamu. When I got to the river, he dared not look for a shallow beach and only had one horse. Helplessly, he could only tie me to the horse's back, and then the two of us crossed the river on the floating horse... After crossing the river, I met Heshelie Taiyu, who had escaped from the Song army's prisoners, and only then did I know that the Song army had suddenly issued an imperial decree the day before, saying that Zhao Guan was angry and ordered the pursuing troops not to pursue the generals without authorization, but to focus on killing and wounding soldiers, so the river patrol was changed, and they only blocked the shallow beaches everywhere, and the troops on the road only pursued large groups... In this way, my mere life, 30% was fate, 40% was Mamu, and 30% was given by that Zhao Guan."

Eluoguan sighed after hearing this account.

It was conceivable that although his fourth brother said it so lightly, he must have struggled on the edge of life and death every day for the past seven or eight days. Compared with this, his most dangerous time, which was the night he encountered Hebul, was not as serious as his fourth brother's easiest time.

After all, his sixth prince’s life was worry-free throughout the whole process.

Just as Eluoguan was sighing, Hong Ya, who was standing at the threshold with his hands clasped, frowned slightly... Thinking that Zhao Guan had repeatedly said that he would ‘kill Wushu,’ but in fact, he opened a path on the Hutuo River, where it was most likely to capture Wushu. Although the great principles were all correct, it always seemed that there was a slight joking tone in that peace talk condition.

Of course, now is not the time to think about this.

"Prince Wei is lucky, which makes me seem a little greedy for life and afraid of death." Seeing that the two brothers had approximately explained a few words and had restrained their emotions, Hong Ya quickly stepped forward and said a nonsense. "To be honest with Prince Wei, I roughly persuaded Sixth Prince to surrender on that day in Zhending. I am really sorry for Prince Wei's entrustment..."

"I naturally know." Wushu could not help but sigh. "Grand Tutor Nu has told me everything, but this matter is not your fault, Commissioner Hong... The Zhao Song Guan sent tens of thousands of corpses and wounded soldiers, and I can imagine what it was like. It was really impossible to defend... As for saying that you wanted to negotiate peace after surrendering, it is not considered that you acted on your own initiative, after all, we did mention this matter in the camp that day."

Hearing this, Eluoguan's face turned pale, and he quickly got up and wiped away his tears: "As for the matter of peace talks, I don't know if Fourth Brother knows the specific terms? I said at the time that Zhao Song Guan was too苛刻."

"What does Commissioner Hong think?" Wushu ignored his sixth younger brother and looked at Hong Ya.

"I don't think this is苛刻." Hong Ya took a step forward and responded to Wushu with a serious expression. "But Zhao Song Guan harbored malicious intentions..."

Eluoguan was stunned for a moment, while Wushu became solemn and asked sternly: "What malicious intentions?"

"I think that the so-called苛刻 is nothing more than having decided to destroy the Great Jin Dynasty, and then using the strategy of encircling three and leaving one open." Hong Ya said frankly and confidently. "In the end, the Song people simply do not want to negotiate peace, and they still want to fight to the death. This peace talk condition is of course苛刻 at the moment, but after they are ready, they will force us into a desperate situation. At that time, they can turn around and use this peace talk clause to shake our determination to fight to the death."

"That's right." Wushu thought for a moment and nodded heavily, but after a moment he laughed again. "Is that all?"

"There is also a divisive tactic, but this is too obvious." Hong Ya spread his hands, and his words were still frank. “‘Wushu must be killed before peace can be made’... But in reality, how can the Fourth Prince be killed? Who will kill the Fourth Prince? They are just 料定了 that after the Battle of Huolu, the Fourth Prince's prestige has greatly decreased. If the central government wants to work hard, it can only rely on the large Yanyun clans and the tribal."

"What you said is right!" Wushu lay down仰头, and sighed loudly. "What you said is right! To the point! To the point! But this is a yang conspiracy! It's a yang conspiracy!"

Eluoguan was still 喏喏, but Hong Ya could not help but continue to ask: "Prince Wei, please tell me the truth, how many people escaped on the Hutuo River line!"

Wushu did not say a word.

Hong Ya frowned slightly, just about to say something again, when suddenly a sour and foul smell swept from behind him. Looking back, he found that someone had闯入 from outside, and Grand Tutor Nu did not stop him at all. Taking a closer look, he found that the person who came was actually Commander Pucha Huzhan... He was disheveled, wearing a short coat, his legs and arms covered in reddish-brown mud, his beard and hair full of dirt, but he was clutching two pieces of white paper proclamation, which was truly狼狈 and ridiculous.

But no matter what, it was always good to see another Commander escape with his life... Because as Hong Ya and Wushu said, the Zhao Guan’s divisive tactic was clearly a yang conspiracy. At this time, as long as there was a senior general who survived Huolu, he could strengthen the unity of the central government and the tribal, strengthen the power of the central government, and then deter other small tribes and large Yanyun clans.

However, before he could say anything, Pucha Huzhan slumped to the ground, and then gasped at Wushu on the couch and said: "Prince Wei... That bastard Wulinda Taiyu is dead."

Wushu looked at the person who came, slightly relieved, but not in a hurry: "Huzhan, is it not normal for anyone to die in this situation?"

"But too many people have died." Pucha Huzhan raised the two proclamations in his hand high, his words excited, and he was even choked with sobs.

Hong Ya originally thought that what the other party was holding were the decrees seen in Dingzhou, but when he heard that it was not right, he directly snatched them over. After just a sweep, he shook his head repeatedly and handed the proclamation to the Sixth Prince in front of the couch.

Pucha Huzhan was already喋喋不休 on the ground: "I escaped from Raoyang. I didn't dare to go to Hejian Prefecture, but I detoured day and night to Suningzhai to cross the river and then went to Gaoyang... I know the garrison commander of Gaoyang. He was a降将 that I recruited when I was fighting in Hedong... But when I got to the city, that bastard not only didn't accept me, but threw down two proclamations and told me to leave... I don't know how to read, so I asked someone to read them in front of the gate all the way here, and then I learned that thirteen commanders had actually died?!"

Wushu was slightly stunned and then craned his neck to look at his sixth younger brother who was holding the proclamation.

Eluoguan instinctively wanted to hand it over, but after stretching out his hand, he realized that his elder brother was in a state where he could not read it at all, and he was helpless for a moment, so he actively spoke up: "Brother... It is an imperial decree from the Song people to establish their prestige, conveying the news of the斩获, wanting to pass it on to the four sides, hoping to use this to收降 prefectures and counties without bloodshed."

"Read out the list and numbers." Wushu fell back down again. "Don't be忌讳, read them out!"

Eluoguan was helpless and could only spread out the proclamation and said seriously: "The proclamation was issued on the ninth day of the second month, which is yesterday. It has the signature of Cangzhou Zhao Jiu, which can be regarded as a holy decree... It says... says... The Jin Dynasty Marshal leads the Taiyuan 行军司都统 and Commander Wanyan Balisu and others, the Commander of the Longde Prefecture 行军司都统 Wanyan Buntu, Commander Wanyan Tuhesu, Commander Xiemao Ali, Commander Wanyan Huonv, Commander Pusan Beilu, Commander Wulinda Taiyu, Commander Wanyan Salihe, Commander Wendun Sizhong, Commander Renjiachaohe, Commander Wanyan Zhehe, Commander Da Pusu Yue, and the Yanjing Hezha Meng’an Commander Wanyan Poushu, a total of thirteen people... In addition... 48 silver牌行军 Meng’an were阵斩 in the Battle of Huolu, and 32 were captured; 537 copper牌行军 Mouke were阵斩, and 323 were captured; 429 iron牌 Puliyan were阵斩, and 221 were captured... A total of 1,703 people... Among them, those with heads will be publicly displayed with their 行军牌号, and those without heads or who were captured will be represented by their 行军牌号."

Wushu was not angry, and even laughed at it: "There are actually not as many as I thought! And did the Song people not kill prisoners?"

"They shouldn't have killed them." Eluoguan explained helplessly. "I'm afraid the prisoners will be sold to the Khitans. Before selling them, they will have to do hard labor plowing the fields and building roads... The second decree below also said that Li Qiong, the Vice 都统 of the Central Army of the 御营, will be the 都督, guarding more than 60,000 prisoners and going south along our army's previous route between Daming Prefecture and Zhending Prefecture, cooperating with spring plowing and replanting along the way to make up for the emptiness of the local area after the army was transferred."

Wushu was completely silent.

Eluoguan was also a little embarrassed. He had realized that the so-called 60,000 prisoners in this proclamation issued yesterday were likely just the soldiers captured by the Song army in Huolu and Zhending, including more than 50,000 in Huolu, and the extra 7,000 or 8,000 were the Commander that he chose to surrender and handed over.

But even so, it was probably enough, because everyone knew how many 行军司 there were in the Jin Dynasty south of the Yanshan Mountains, how many commanders there were, and how many people there were. Now, these two decrees, together with the related decrees on spring plowing, were completely revealing the results of the Battle of Huolu.

And with the momentum of that battle that collapsed the mountains and crushed the earth, once it was revealed, it would naturally be定 by spreading the imperial decree, instantly sweeping across the two Hebeis.

No wonder Pucha Huzhan was driven over by his old acquaintances.

It can only be said that Hebei was really going to change.

In addition to this, what the proclamation did not mention for the time being was that the four, five, or six thousand defeated Jin soldiers who escaped from that battle were 大肆 pursued by the Song army south of the Hutuo River. Just looking at the miserable state of Wushu and others, one could guess that even if they were not allowed to return north with a single horse, they would have to lose seven or eight out of ten.

So, after this battle, how much power did the twenty original Jin Dynasty commanders still have? How many elites and brave warriors were there?

Back in Yanjing, how would those tribal leaders, old generals who had been abandoned by the central government, and large Yanyun clans who controlled the remaining new army riot?

No wonder that Guan wanted to carry out such a shallow divisive tactic. It can only be said that when luck comes, heaven and earth are united, and when luck goes, heroes are not free... This is really a kind of overwhelming and helpless yang conspiracy.

Thinking of this, Eluoguan, having settled the accounts, was almost as颓丧 as possible.

On the other hand, Hong Ya was still lost in thought, as if this clever person had not yet figured out this simple account.

Returning to the present, after the news that at least 1,700 Jin officers had been killed or captured was confirmed by the proclamation, the entire room was silent. Almost everyone, including Wushu, who had said not to忌讳 before, was in silence.

This was too great a blow. The Battle of Huolu basically broke the spine of the entire Great Jin Dynasty, and then it was抽骨割肉. No one could imagine or was willing to imagine the future of the Great Jin Dynasty.

A spirit of颓丧, accompanied by the腥臭味 on Pucha Huzhan's body, spread around.

The one who broke the silence was still a new arrival. Yelu Mamu arrived in a hurry, and when the people in the room saw the stack of new documents in the hands of this Khitan general, almost everyone trembled in their hearts.

"General Yelu, what is this again?" Even Hong Ya needed to take a deep breath before he could ask carefully.

"Documents issued from Zhending... All of them are封赏 imperial decrees." Yelu Mamu remained calm. "The Zhao Song Emperor is 大肆封赏 meritorious officials, all of them are bookish words that I can't understand... There is a whole pile of kings being enfeoffed."

"That doesn't matter." Hong Ya was relieved for a moment and waved his hand. "It's just a means of showing off威势, so there's no need to read it to Prince Wei specifically."

"Why not read it?"

Wushu, who was lying there, suddenly spoke up forcefully, as if roaring. "Enemies' heroes, our bandits! The勋功 of those people are all made of the膏blood of our army! If we don't read it, how can we mourn the dozens of thousands of 膏blood of our army in this battle?! Read! Read it out! Don't miss a single word!"

The crowd was shocked and fell silent. Yelu Mamu had no choice but to stuff the large stack of imperial decrees and proclamations into Hong Ya's hands.

There were some words that he really didn't recognize.

Hong Ya was helpless and had no choice but to pick up these proclamations, took several deep breaths, and began to slowly recite:

"One:

During the Jingkang and Jianyan eras, the safety of the world was at stake. It is heaven that has endowed me with the ability to兴复 because there are brave,略, loyal, and righteous generals like Han Shizhong. When the Jin army略ed south of the Huai River, only Shizhong dared to say that he would fight. Later, he drove Wushu away at Xiacai,破 Talan at Changshe,斩 Loushi at Yaoshan, and摧山河 at Huolu. In every battle, he was the strategic forward for me, 不顾身, hailed as天下无双, and is truly the backbone of the country, and my courage.

Especially promoted to 秦王, given 元帅, and still 太师."

After reading it in one breath, it was nothing more than Han Shizhong being promoted to 秦王, appointed as 元帅, and given 太师, reaching the highest position in the Three Dukes, with勋 that surpassed those of military officials.

In the room where Wushu was, whether lying or sitting, standing or leaning, there was not a single person who spoke.

What was so strange about this?

After a slight pause, Hong Ya opened a page and came again:

"Two:

Since ancient times, there have been计. The Han Dynasty had Han, Zhou, Wei, and Huo, and the Tang Dynasty had Li, Xu, Su, and Xue. Every dynasty has had people, but it is rare to find one who is文武全器 and仁智并施 like Yue Fei in one era. As a帅, Yue Fei has not only武略, but also benevolence. He enforces strict military orders to prohibit looting, uses gentle words to appease the people, practices humility to interact with others, studies written words to reciprocate, holds public opinions in discussions with the court, and excludes奸邪 to befriend gentlemen.

Therefore, 周公 is the only one after 相臣 who has achieved martial achievements. There is no帅 who can seek a good reputation, whether or not 吉甫 (famous general of the Zhou Dynasty) can be said to称, but Yue Fei, who has served the country with精忠, can earn this reputation.

In return for the excellent 荆襄,伪齐,西夏,大名, and 河间, especially promoted to 魏王, granted 元帅, and given 太傅."

The hall was still silent, but Wushu finally had a slight reaction. He turned his head slightly, looked at a sword leaning against the couch, and then closed his eyes again.

"Three: Whenever a tall building is about to collapse, there must be pillars, and when sand and mud come down together, there must be阻遏."

Hong Ya opened the third proclamation, and after only reading the first