There is never love without reason, nor hatred without reason.
Especially in the imperial court. Although Zhao Zhen is at his peak now, any discerning eye can see that this glory is likely temporary. Whether he can stand firm after the glory fades will be the real test for Zhao Zhen.
Therefore, even though many prominent officials in the court have sent their sons and nephews to serve under Zhao Zhen, they themselves have not shown any support.
For Wang Bing, a military officer known for his clear stance, to express his desire to surrender at this time made Han Mo a little puzzled.
"In all honesty, it's nothing new. I, Old Wang, have appeared quite glorious in recent years. Following Grand Councilor Tong, I have indeed benefited a lot. However, my achievements were all earned through real combat, and you cannot deny that, can you, Brother Han!"
"That is absolutely true. Brother Wang's military achievements are renowned, and he is one of the most formidable generals in the court!"
"What good is having ability? Brother Han, look at my 3,000 victorious soldiers. Were they not all men of mettle? Yet, in the end, weren't they all kicked out of Hebei and sent here?"
Hearing Wang Bing's words, Han Mo's heart sank. Could it be that Tong Guan sent them not to seize merit, but something else?
Could there be something he didn't know about this?
"Brother Wang, what you mean is, you were... by someone..."
Han Mo asked with some confusion after hearing him speak.
"Precisely. That Xin Xingzong came by order, and I, Old Wang, offended someone I shouldn't have, and was kicked out of here by them!"
As Wang Bing said this, he involuntarily clenched his right fist, and the teacup in his hand was instantly crushed into powder.
"Then Brother Wang, what you mean is you want to..."
Although he didn't know if Wang Bing was telling the truth or not, but having said so much, if Han Mo didn't respond now, Wang Bing would truly be put in an awkward position.
"I actually have no other intentions. I just want to tell Brother Han that I, Old Wang, am not a coward who shies away from tough fights. If Brother Han can lend me a hand, I, Wang Bing, will follow Brother Han's lead in the future!"
"Brother Wang, can you tell me first if you've heard any rumors?"
After listening to him, Han Mo immediately felt that something was not right. After all, Wang Bing was so eager to distance himself from Tong Guan. There must have been some other incident. If it was just offending one or two confidantes, he wouldn't have made such a choice.
One must know that in the officialdom, especially for low-ranking military officers like Wang Bing, loyalty is their only capital.
If there wasn't a compelling reason, Han Mo really couldn't guess why he had to do this.
"Brother Han is indeed Brother Han. I have indeed heard some rumors. Please, Brother Han, take a look!"
As Wang Bing spoke, he took out a letter from his怀 and handed it to Han Mo.
"This is?"
Han Mo asked, looking at the envelope he handed over.
"I won't hide anything from you, Brother Han. I've been in the army for so many years, and I naturally have some old acquaintances! This is intelligence from Hebei!"
Hearing him say this, Han Mo opened the envelope with suspicion. However, after reading the contents, Han Mo's pupils involuntarily contracted. At this moment, he finally understood why Wang Bing was so eager to distance himself from Tong Guan at this time...
Although due to his actions, the Song-Liao war seemed to have started two years earlier, history is like a stubborn child.
Although the timeline was disrupted, the people destined for confrontation had basically all arrived.
Without Zhong Shidao, Tong Guan placed all his hopes on Liu Yanqing and his son.
Tong Guan himself was not skilled in military affairs. Over the years, the reason he earned the reputation of being the most knowledgeable among eunuchs was entirely due to his shamelessness and manipulation of power.
As for Liu Yanqing and his son, even Han Mo had heard of them.
Although they were considered great generals of the court, their flaws were too obvious compared to other generals.
Both father and son were rough-and-tumble commanders. Such men could be generals but not marshals.
And opposing them were the famous Yelü Dashi and Xiao Gan!
Xiao Gan was one thing, but Yelü Dashi was not to be trifled with!
One must know that Yelü Dashi, after the fall of the Liao Dynasty, was able to quickly lead the last elites of the Liao Dynasty, with a few thousand remnants protecting the last bloodline of the Khitan, and fought his way westward through the encirclement of the Song, Jin, and Western Xia states.
Under the relentless pursuit of the Seljuks, he carved out a Western Liao Empire.
How could such a talented man as Yelü Dashi be dealt with by Liu Yanqing and his son...
"Brother Wang, are you so pessimistic about the Song-Liao war?"
Since there was no one else around, Han Mo smiled and looked at Wang Bing.
"Since it's just us brothers here, I'll share my humble opinion. If the commander were General Zhong instead of Grand Councilor Tong, the win rate might be sixty percent. But if it were Grand Councilor Tong, it would be at most thirty percent! Now that Grand Councilor Tong believes the nonsense of Liu Yanqing and his son, the win rate is likely less than ten percent..."
"Liu Yanqing is also a renowned general. Why do you think so poorly of him, Brother Wang?"
"Do you know what the people of Guānxī call the soldiers under the command of the father and son? Military scoundrels! If they can't even lead their soldiers properly, how can they be called renowned generals? They are mere commoners!"
Hearing this, Han Mo's evaluation of him immediately rose again.
Frankly speaking, setting aside political issues, his judgment on the Song-Liao situation was quite accurate.
Countless historians in later generations, in their analyses of the Baigou Battle between the Song and Liao, expressed deep regret.
"One incompetent general wears out a thousand soldiers" – these simple eight characters can perfectly describe the cause and effect of the entire Baigou Battle.
Liu Yanqing and his son were ambitious but lacked talent, and Tong Guan was even more eager for fame. With their combined efforts, it was difficult not to lose this battle.
It was only a pity for Zhong Shidao and other passionate generals. What should have been a victory ended in an inexplicable defeat, and the white-haired veteran Zhong Shidao eventually became the scapegoat for the entire campaign...
Such was the extent of corruption and national ruin caused by treacherous officials!