The gods began by supporting Guo Jing to become emperor

Chapter 211: Quanzhen Sect Goes South, the Successor of the Ancient Tomb Sect

Zhen Dexiu's words left several ministers speechless. They looked at each other in surprise, "This?"

He glanced at everyone and continued, "Guanzhong can attack Shu, and Jiangnan can threaten Nanchang Prefecture. Our Song Dynasty is surrounded by enemies on both sides. Not to mention that we had an alliance with Mongolia in the past, Mongolia attacked Jin several times before, and we just stood by and watched. Now, Jin is attacking us, and Mongolia can obviously sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, wait until we and Jin are both defeated, and then clean up the mess, but it chose to join the war now and save our Song Dynasty from danger."

"Now, the Jin Kingdom wants to stop fighting. Should we really stop fighting and wait for them to decide the outcome with Mongolia? Don't forget that Mu Huali and Guo Jing are only princes of Mongolia. Their Khan is still on the Western Expedition. If Genghis Khan leads his troops to attack the Jin, do you think the Jin can stop them?"

At this moment, Qiao Xingjian also fell silent. What he said was not without reason. Whether it was the pro-war faction or the pro-peace faction, their goal was to preserve the Song Dynasty, but the routes were different. Perhaps there were spies in the court who secretly defected to the Jin Kingdom, but they were definitely not the prime ministers.

Whether it is appeasement or war, they are just means, and the goal is still to preserve the Song Dynasty.

His eyes were dim, and his voice was indescribably complicated. "So, for now, all we can do is to prepare for war and fight the Jin with all our strength?"

Seeing that his tone was softening, Zhen Dexiu made the final decision, "Of course, as Heaven moves forward, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement. Our Song Dynasty occupies Shu and the south, with tens of millions of people. If we can unite as one, can we not stop the Jin Dynasty, which is being held back by Mongolia?"

"Only a strong army can protect our country, whether internally or externally, and we need to be able to advance or retreat. Previous events have proved the Jin Kingdom's wolfish ambitions. We can't retreat again and again. Lord Qiao, I hope you will think twice." His voice was full of pleading.

Qiao Xingjian sighed deeply, and a stern look flashed across his cloudy old eyes. "Forget it. I never thought that the Kingdom of Jin would dare to send troops to invade the Song Dynasty when faced with the siege of the two countries. The failure of Liangzhe Road is my fault. My Lord, the current situation is a matter of urgency. I support your proposal."

Zhen Dexiu was shocked, and an excited look appeared on his face. "Okay, we are united, so why worry about not being able to stop the Jin Kingdom and take back Jiangnan? It is impossible for the Jin people to stop fighting!"

Under the threat of the Jin Dynasty, the Song Dynasty court completed an unprecedented merger. Faced with the crisis of national destruction, the literati had no way to retreat and could only fight to the death and fight against the Jin Dynasty with all their strength.

A few days later, the envoys of the Jin Dynasty came to Nanchang Prefecture and met with officials from the Ministry of Rites. The two sides negotiated, and the Song Dynasty proposed the condition of returning Liangzhe Road and Lin'an. The envoys of the Jin Dynasty did not dare to agree and had to leave.

Immediately, the Song Dynasty recruited troops, mobilized labor troops, rushed to the front lines, and fought against the Jin with all their might.

……

Caishiji, also known as Niuzhuji, is one of the three cliffs of the Yangtze River, together with Chenglingji and Yanziji. It has been an important ferry crossing from north to south of the Yangtze River since ancient times. It is a place that has been fought for by military strategists throughout the ages because it is located in the north and south of the Yangtze River and controls the throat of the east and west. It is known as the "barrier of Jinling and the key to Jiankang".

After winning the naval battle, Guo Jing sent Lu Guanying to lead his troops to cross the river and attack Caishiji at night.

It was late at night, pitch black, and then a fire rose in the river.

"kill!"

Along the Yangtze River, the sound of fighting was deafening. The Han army rushed to the riverside in small boats. After reorganizing the army on the muddy mudflats, they quickly pounced on the Jin camp. The Jin people were not expecting the enemy to come and were caught off guard. They had to rely on the camp to defend themselves with all their strength.

Tens of thousands of people were fighting in Caishiji, blood was spilled, and the sound of weapons and shields clashing echoed in the soldiers' ears.

Arrows rained down from the sky, and soldiers from both the enemy and our side were shot dead.

Lu Guanying, surrounded by his personal soldiers, attacked the enemy camp fiercely. Thanks to the naval battle during the day, the morale of the Han army was high and they shouted to fight. The Jin army was suppressed for a while and could only rely on the camp for defense.

As time went on, both sides suffered heavy casualties, and the Han army broke through the camp gate and entered the village.

The camp gate was breached and the morale of the Jin army dropped greatly. Lu Guanying sensed this opportunity and rushed to the front to fight the enemy. The Han army was originally exhausted, but when they saw their commander charging in the front, they were cheered up and their morale was boosted again, and they directly broke through the enemy's camp.

The fight lasted until dawn.

Lu Guanying looked at the corpses on the beach by the river, his cape fluttering in the wind. "General, we captured 7,832 enemy heads and 1,230 prisoners in this battle. There are countless food and supplies in the camp."

He nodded and ordered, "Send the battle report to the Marquis' camp. Our troops have suffered heavy casualties and need to rest urgently. The Jin people will not give up if they know that this place has been lost. Please send someone to guard this place."

"As ordered!"

……

At the same time, a guest arrived in Sizhou City.

"Master Qiu, long time no see."

"Greetings, Lord Marquis." Qiu Chuji was wearing a purple Taoist robe, with a three-inch long beard hanging down. His skin was white with a rosy glow, and his temples were frosted white, giving him the demeanor of a Taoist master.

Guo Jing took a sip of tea and asked directly, "Master Qiu, why did you come to Huaidi instead of practicing in Zhongnan Mountain?"

Qiu Chuji raised his whisk and said, "My Quanzhen Sect and Your Majesty are of the same blood. Our founder is determined to fight against the Jin Dynasty. How can we sit idly by while you attack the Jin Dynasty? This time, I brought a hundred disciples with me to gather the forces of Jianghu to help Your Majesty fight against the Jin people."

After joining Mongolia, Quanzhen Sect became the only dominant sect in the north. With Guo Jing as their backer, their influence grew even stronger. War is a clash between nations, but Qiu Chuji's ambitions do not stop there. He not only wants Quanzhen Sect to be the leader of all Taoist sects in the north, but also the leader of all Taoist sects in the world.

The Tianshi Mansion in the south has a long heritage and deep roots. If the Quanzhen Sect wants to accomplish this great feat, it has to place a heavy bet, and Guo Jing, whom they most favor, is the best choice.

Hearing this, Guo Jing's calm eyes showed a trace of ripples, "Jianghu forces?"

He has never underestimated the forces of the underworld. Every snake has its own way, and every rat has its own way. If he had not relied on the help of the Beggars' Sect, he would not have been able to overcome the difficult situation in the early days. The Quanzhen Sect has such a reputation. If he can recruit the forces of the underworld to help attack Jin, it may play an extraordinary role.

He nodded and agreed, "Okay, Taoist Qiu, I'll leave this matter to you. I'll come out to entertain all the heroes in the martial arts world when the time comes."

Qiu Chuji looked delighted. With Guo Jing's endorsement, this call was halfway to success.

The next day, Lu Guanying led his troops back north and handed over the camp to Wang Shan.

……

Upon learning that Lu Guanying had returned, Guo Jing first asked about the experiences before and after the battle, rewarded him with a lot of artifacts, and then told him about the matter.

After listening to this, Lu Guanying's expression was extremely complicated. Today's scene was very similar to the Anti-Jin League of the past, but the government of the Song Dynasty was weak, and the Anti-Jin League was wiped out by the government as soon as the news came out, and his father died because of it. "My Lord, I think this matter has great potential. People in the rivers and lakes are high and mighty, and do not obey the law, but they are also local snakes who control various channels, just like the Taihu Lake bandits of the past. If we can recruit them for our own use, we can make them our navy."

"The Jin people's attack on the Song Dynasty will inevitably affect the order of the martial arts world. If we can use the power of the martial arts people to find out the true situation of the Jin Kingdom, it will be no less than a smart scout. Moreover, if these martial arts people cause chaos in the rear of the Jin Kingdom, they can assassinate officials, burn food and grass, and cause chaos in the rear of the Jin Kingdom. They are really a rare help."

"Oh? I didn't expect you to be so good at this. I'll leave this matter to you." Guo Jing was a little surprised and gave him full authority to deal with the matter.

Lu Guanying was silent for a moment, then replied, "These were the ideas of the Anti-Jin League back then, but it was a pity that they died before they could achieve their goal."

Guo Jing sighed, patted his shoulder and said nothing more.

……

One day, Guo Jing was leading his troops to inspect the military camp when a soldier suddenly came to report, "My Lord, there is a beautiful woman outside the camp. She said she is your old friend."

An old friend?

Guo Jing was puzzled, "Bring her in."

In the general's tent, Guo Jing sat at the top. A woman in a white dress and carrying a long sword was brought into the tent. Before she came in, her sword was left outside.

Seeing the newcomer, Guo Jing was startled, then a smile appeared on his face, "So the old friend is my sister."

Mu Nianci's expression was cold, and there was no emotion on her beautiful face. "Nianci greets my brother." Her voice was clear and mellow.

Seeing her like this, Guo Jing was surprised. Mu Nianci was not like this before. He heard from his teacher that she joined the Ancient Tomb Sect, but he didn't expect her to become like this.

"I haven't seen you for many years. My sister is still as charming as ever. I wonder how Uncle Yang is doing now?"

Speaking of Yang Tiexin, Mu Nianci frowned slightly and said, "My father is fine, thank you for your concern, Brother Shi." Her voice was still cold.

Guo Jing didn't put on airs and said casually, "Since you are here, please stay in the city for a while. I will do my best to be a good host."

"No need, brother Shi. My adoptive father wants me to pass something to you." As he said that, he took out a scroll from his sleeve, walked up to Guo Jing and handed it to him.

Guo Jing took the scroll and opened it to see that there were two martial arts inside, one was the Yang family spear technique, and the other was the Guo family halberd technique. They were not worth mentioning in the martial arts world, but they were rare treasures in military battles.

He looked puzzled, "Sister, this spear technique is a martial art passed down from the Yang family. I am unworthy of it."

"Brother Shi, my adoptive father said that his son Yang Kang took the thief as his father and helped him commit atrocities. He was speechless in front of the ancestors of the Yang family, but he couldn't bear to see the Yang family's spearmanship lost. The Guo and Yang families are of the same blood, so this spearmanship is just right for me to teach you."

Thinking of Yang Kang, Guo Jing understood that Yang Tiexin did not want the Yang family spearmanship to be lost, and he was indeed the most suitable person. "Uncle, such a great gift, I will never forget it. When this matter is over, I will personally go to Mount Zhongnan to thank you."

Mu Nianci shook her head lightly, and said calmly, "Brother Shi, there is no need to be like this. My foster father said that what he regretted most in his life was that he did not kill all the Jin people in Niujia Village, leaving behind disasters. He only hopes that you can use the Yang family's spear skills to kill a few more Jin people and avenge him."

“Moreover, I came down the mountain this time just to clean up the Yang family!” There was a rare murderous intent in his words. In recent years, Yang Tiexin has become increasingly old, while Yang Kang is the crown prince in the Kingdom of Jin. If he is not killed, this matter will probably become a lifelong knot in his heart.

Guo Jing was horrified and hurriedly stopped her, "Sister, no!"

Before, Hong Qigong was injured in the Jin Dynasty Palace. Even with his martial arts skills, he could not come and go freely in the Jin Dynasty Palace, let alone Mu Nianci. If she went there, she would be like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth. Once caught, the consequences would be disastrous.

Mu Nianci looked at him in surprise, "Brother Shi, shouldn't Yang Kang be killed?"

Looking at her clear eyes, Guo Jing just found it funny in his heart, so he told her the news that Hong Qigong was injured in the assassination. After hearing it, Mu Nianci was stunned. She came down the mountain just for this matter and had not thought about it so much. What should she do?

"Sister, don't worry. Since I have learned the Yang family spear skills, I will be the one to clean up the mess. If your uncle knew, he would definitely not agree to let you go. Have you forgotten what you went through in the Zhao Palace in Zhongdu?"

Whether Mu Nianci is there or not, Yang Kang, as the crown prince of Jin, is bound to die. This is just a matter of course.

Mu Nianci has been in the Ancient Tomb Sect for more than ten years, practicing martial arts wholeheartedly, isolating herself from the outside world and having little contact with outsiders. Although she is not as pure and innocent as Xiaolongnu, although she had traveled around the country with Yang Tiexin before, she did not live an independent life after all, and her experience was not much better.

Seeing Guo Jing's words, she could only give up her plan and agree obediently.

After Mu Nianci left, Guo Jing picked up the scroll and looked at the Yang family spear skills on it with a long gaze. Wu Mu's testament and Yang family spear skills, the two things were combined in him, and he was destined to destroy Jin.

……

After capturing Caishiji, Guo Jing sent a large force to defend it, while the other route failed and failed to capture it.

After taking Caishiji, Guo Jing did not continue forward, but turned to Xuzhou. This place was important and must be taken before crossing the river. If it was in the hands of the Jin people, his retreat would be worrying.

Xuzhou is located at the intersection of the Bian River and the Si River. It has become a water transportation hub for the Jianghuai and Central Plains. In addition to being a waterway hub, it is also a land hub. Pengcheng and Xia Pi control the land transportation lines. It can go to the Yellow River in the north, go to the Jianghuai in the south, and enter the Central Plains in the west. It is known as the "Key to the North" and the "Important Town in the South". From these two titles, we can see its importance to the northern and southern forces.

With such a geographical location, Xuzhou was bound to become a battleground for military strategists. The Huai River north and south were collectively called Liang Huai. The Liang Huai region south of Shandong was often the battlefield for the tug-of-war between the Central Plains and the south of the Yangtze River.

There have been many confrontations between the North and the South in history. Whenever this happened, the Jianghuai region was usually occupied by the Jiangnan regime, while Huaibei was often taken over by the Central Plains regime. The two sides of the Huaihe River were the main battlefields of the tug-of-war between the northern and southern regimes, and Xuzhou was the first to bear the brunt of the situation, becoming a key town that both sides had to take.

Once the South breaks through the Huai River, it will definitely go north to take Xuzhou and stabilize the Huai River first. Xuzhou can take the Central Plains in the west and Shandong in the north.

Since ancient times, to defend the Yangtze River, one must defend the Huai River, and the center of defense of the Huai River is Xuzhou.

However, the Yellow River flooded and flowed into the sea through the Huai River, causing Xuzhou to be submerged again and again. The once fertile fields disappeared, and the original terrain was also changed. The city was built on the mountain and became flat. However, the mountains and water networks outside Xuzhou restricted the operations of large troops. This was also an important reason why Mu Huali failed to capture Xuzhou for a long time.

(End of this chapter)