"We're being sent to battle now?"
"Yes, General. You must find a solution. This is the military order they sent. They've been making a mess of the camp these past few days. Those Jurchens don't treat us like humans at all. They beat and scold our brothers at the slightest whim. If we go into battle like this, won't we just be marching to our deaths?"
Looking at the trusted subordinates standing before him and the military order laid out on the table, Yelü Zhenghuan's brows knitted together.
Although he excelled at naval warfare, ever since he surrendered to the Jurchens, he, the former commander of the navy, had been completely sidelined.
The Jurchen generals who replaced him had long considered him a thorn in their side.
They didn't even allow him to be involved in training, let alone lead troops into battle.
It could be said that he, the nominal commander of the navy, had nothing else to do but sit here, eat, drink, and entertain women.
"Don't you worry for now. I need to think about this..."
No matter what, these naval forces were the foundation of his existence. It was impossible for Yelü Zhenghuan to watch them march to their deaths.
"General, if it's truly impossible, why don't we just turn on them once we're at sea!"
Seeing Yelü Zhenghuan lost in thought, a trusted subordinate to his left couldn't help but blurt out.
"Shut your mouth! Do you want to bring disaster upon our families?"
As soon as he spoke, Yelü Zhenghuan glared at him fiercely.
He was already a primary target of surveillance. Who knew how many spies the Jurchens had planted in his residence? If his words were to get out, his subordinates would likely be purged before they even set sail.
"Yes!"
Although he was reprimanded, the man lowered his head. However, through this incident, Yelü Zhenghuan also saw the deep-seated internal conflicts within the navy.
Unlike the arrogant Liao nobles, and compared to the Liao generals who fought based on experience, he favored the military strategies of the Song people.
As the art of war states: "The opportune moment is not as good as the advantage of position, and the advantage of position is not as good as the unity of people!"
With their internal strife raging, how could they possibly win a battle, especially against the more experienced Song navy? He truly didn't know how this battle could be won.
"How about this: you all go back for now. I'll think of a way. I'll try my best to fight alongside you this time!"
After some hesitation, Yelü Zhenghuan finally made up his mind.
If he commanded this battle, his subordinates might have a slim chance of survival. But if the Jurchen generals took command, they would likely be fed to the fishes.
"General, are you serious?"
Upon hearing this, the trusted subordinates standing beside him widened their eyes.
Compared to the Jurchen generals, they were more inclined to trust their old superior.
At the very least, Yelü Zhenghuan would not deliberately risk their lives or waste them in pointless struggles.
"I'll try my best. If it's truly impossible, we'll think of another way!"
"Yes!"
Although he didn't make a definitive promise, his subordinates were already beaming with joy.
After seeing them off, Yelü Zhenghuan returned to the inner courtyard.
"Madam, how much cash do we have left?"
"Master, what are you asking this for?"
Hearing his question, Madam Zhang looked up at him with a hint of curiosity.
"There's going to be a war..."
Although Yelü Zhenghuan had been indulging in pleasure these past few days, drinking with courtesans or visiting maids at night, Madam Zhang understood in her heart that he was doing this to protect their family's lives.
If it weren't for this, their entire family would likely have perished long ago.
Therefore, even though they had been spending money like water, she had remained silent, quietly staying in the inner courtyard.
"We have about four to five thousand strings of copper coins, over a thousand taels of silver, and three hundred taels of gold! As for land and property, we can't really convert that into silver right now..."
Hearing him utter the words "there's going to be a war," Madam Zhang's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly reported their remaining family assets.
"How about this: have someone pack up those 300 taels of gold for me, along with another 500 taels of silver. And get a cartload of other fabrics ready!"
After some deliberation, Yelü Zhenghuan sighed and gave his instructions.
"Yes, I'll get it done immediately!"
Madam Zhang spoke as she walked towards the door.
"If I don't come back, sell all this land and property, and take the children back to our hometown..."
As Madam Zhang passed by Yelü Zhenghuan, he suddenly took her hand, pulled her into his embrace, and whispered in her ear.
"If you know it's so dangerous, why are you still going? Can't we just live a quiet life at home?"
Hearing him say this, tears began to stream down Madam Zhang's face.
"What can I do when I'm in the bureaucracy? If the navy is gone, do you think I, the Commander, will still be in a good position?"
Yelü Zhenghuan's face was filled with bitterness as he spoke.
The country was lost, so how could his life as a surrendered general be any better?
Regardless of whether he commanded this battle or how the Jurchen generals intended to send his soldiers to their deaths, as long as this battle was lost, he would be the one to take the blame...
This was the most realistic problem he faced!
"My Lord!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang was already sobbing uncontrollably.
"Alright, alright, go and prepare. It's not necessarily going to be disastrous. In the vast ocean, it's not that easy to encounter the enemy!"
Yelü Zhenghuan spoke while reaching out to wipe away his wife's tears.
Even though he tried to make his tone sound lighter, after so many years together, how could Madam Zhang not understand that he was trying to comfort her?
Looking at her husband, once full of heroic spirit, now with streaks of white hair at his temples, Madam Zhang finally said nothing and turned to walk out.
"General Yelü, what wind has blown you here?"