As宗颍 spoke, even he felt a shiver run down his spine.
The entire Great Song Dynasty, theoretically, had an army of around three million men.
Excluding the troops stationed in various regions, those maintaining local order, and the names on the payroll for soldiers who didn't exist, after removing thirty percent for the aged, weak, sick, and disabled.
The number of troops that could be mobilized throughout the Great Song Dynasty, even including the auxiliary forces, would absolutely not exceed six to seven hundred thousand!
And at this moment, in just the four regions of Hebei East Circuit, Hebei West Circuit, Hedong, and Shaanxi, the troops preparing to attack the Liao Kingdom already numbered over 400,000.
The army that Zhao Zhen could eventually muster would likely be around two to three hundred thousand.
If faced with seven to eight hundred thousand rebels, even just thinking about it made宗颍 feel a chill.
"That calculation is wrong. How can a mob compare to the elite of the Western Army? The victory in quelling the rebellion is certain. The outcome of this battle does not lie in the war itself, but in whether the court can quickly pacify this rebellion and minimize its losses!"
War has always been a drain on finances. Among all rebel forces, those with religious undertones often acted the most extreme.
Many times, they did not consider the lives of ordinary people or the issue of post-war reconstruction.
Whatever they could take, they would take. Whatever they couldn't take, they would burn down.
By the time they themselves were utterly defeated, all the places they had ravaged would surely be left in utter disarray.
The southeastern region was the primary source of the court's tax revenue.
Especially now, on the eve of a war to destroy a nation.
Once the northern campaign became a stalemate, it would come down to the consumption of national strength.
The army of the Great Song Dynasty might not have significant problems if fighting defensively.
However, if they were to engage the Liao in open field battles, even with a renowned general like种师道 commanding, their chances of victory would be fifty-fifty.
If it were童贯,韩墨 couldn't even imagine what kind of outcome they would face.
If the war dragged on, the pressure on logistics would be immense. Even though徐处仁 was doing a commendable job in Hebei, using the finances of one circuit to support a major war would be laughable.
Therefore, under these circumstances, quickly suppressing the rebellion, minimizing losses, and reducing the damage to the southeastern economy was the best way to preserve the last vestiges of strength for the entire Northern Song Dynasty.
"That's true, but too many ants can still kill an elephant!"
"Alright, the two of us don't need to worry ourselves sick over this. Ultimately, these matters have to be decided by the Grand Councilors. However, the arrival of this news is timely, as it can prompt the Emperor to make a decision quickly. You should prepare and head back as soon as possible. By the way, did I send back the list I gave you?"
Seeing his worried expression,韩墨 smiled and patted his shoulder, then changed the subject.
"I did send back the list, but where are these people you mentioned..."
宗颍 looked at韩墨 with some confusion.
"Don't worry, they are not prominent yet, but I believe they will soon make a name for themselves!"
Four of the seven princes of the Southern Song Dynasty were gathered for this war. Even韩墨 was starting to anticipate their performance on the battlefield.
"You're so mysterious all the time. Aren't you afraid of being arrested as a charlatan someday?"
Not satisfied with韩墨's answer,宗颍 glared at him and muttered.
"How good it would be to be a charlatan? Sadly, I just don't have the destiny for it!"
Han Mo stretched his arms as he spoke.
"Alright, you can keep dreaming. Anyway, I've delivered the news to you, so I'm going back to report to the Prince. If you need anything later, you can send someone to this place to find a man named周四郎. He used to be a guard by the Prince's side."
Seeing that the rain outside was gradually subsiding,宗颍 dipped his finger in some tea and quickly wrote a place name on the table, then lowered his voice and said.
"Okay, you go ahead and attend to your business. I understand. I can handle things here myself, and nothing will go wrong!"
After noting the place name,韩墨 nodded and smiled.
"Regarding your affairs, the Kaifeng Prefecture still hasn't reached a conclusion. Although聂山 might not make things difficult for you, people like王黼 are all despicable characters, so you must be cautious!"
As he was about to leave,宗颍 stopped again and looked at韩墨 earnestly.
"Don't worry, I'm aware of it!"
Although his words were casual, after seeing宗颍 off,韩墨 once again fell into deep thought.
This series of events had completely disrupted everyone's plans.
Whether it was王黼 or the old officials around the Crown Prince, their attention was now entirely focused on quelling the rebellion.
For Han Mo himself, this was a rare opportunity.
If he could quickly extricate himself from this predicament, he might even be able to gain some advantage in this great upheaval.
Only Han Mo knew that if种师道 were to replace童贯 in suppressing the rebellion in the south, the history of the Northern Song Dynasty would be altered.
However, Han Mo also knew that the hundreds of thousands of troops led by童贯 would soon return in defeat.
Harsh reality would quickly teach the Song emperor and his ministers a lesson, making them understand that a pug that could only stay in the inner palace to amuse its master could never become a fierce tiger.
As for how many people would survive this battle, even Han Mo himself could not be sure...
"My lord, the Madam has arrived!"
Just as Han Mo was lost in thought,徐丰年 suddenly said.
"So soon?"
Hearing this, Han Mo actually felt a bit guilty.
While tidying his clothes, he quickly straightened the bed.
"What are you doing?"
Before Han Mo could finish tidying,折有蓉 had already pushed the door open and walked in.
Seeing Han Mo's strange movements,折有蓉 frowned.
"Nothing, I just misplaced a document!"
Han Mo coughed dryly and quickly hid a few loose hairs on the bed into his sleeve.
"Are you really looking for a document? Or hiding something?"
A woman's intuition in such matters made Han Mo feel rather guilty.
Was he about to be caught red-handed on his first indulgence?
"Madam, you jest. What could I possibly be hiding!"
"Hmph, that's not necessarily true. With me not around, who knows how many courtesans would be eager to offer themselves!"
Although折有蓉 said this, she did not walk towards the bed. Instead, she walked out of the room again, directing the inn's staff to unload the items she had brought for Han Mo.