Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 378 No good, no good...

The emperor couldn't remember how old Zhong Shidao was, but he did remember that he had gradually heard Zhong Shidao's name since he was old enough to understand things. Later, after he ascended the throne, Zhong Shidao came to Tokyo to pay his respects.

Back then, Zhong Shidao seemed quite young, a robust and sturdy man.

Qin Hui replied, "Your Majesty, the old Prime Minister Zhong is seventy-five years old..."

"Hmm?" The Emperor felt something was amiss. How could he be seventy-five? He also wondered, "Then wasn't he born in the Huangyou era of Emperor Renzong's reign?"

Qin Hui counted on his fingers, then nodded: "Indeed, Old Master Zhong is seven years old, and both the young and old Su scholars passed the imperial examination in Tokyo!"

Why did Qin Hui mention the two Su brothers? Because he could also be considered a member of the Su school, and people are always subconsciously inclined to talk about things that can bring them glory...

"Oh... Yuandao is really that old..." The emperor sighed, accepting the sudden death of Zhong Shidao. It is rare for a person to live to seventy. In this era, people who can live to seventy are extremely rare. At the age of seventy-five, after the hardships of travel and the sweltering heat, it is an unfortunate thing to die peacefully in one's sleep.

One can't help but say, "He died for loyalty and righteousness..."

Qin Hui nodded in agreement: "Yes, if the old gentleman were still in his hometown, he might have lived a few more days..."

"Eh... how old is Young Master Zhong?" The emperor suddenly remembered this and his heart tightened.

Qin Hui didn't actually know, but he tried desperately to recall how many years younger she was. Eight years? Seven years? So he answered, "I think she was sixty-six?"

"So old already?" The emperor was genuinely surprised. In this era, living to sixty was an extraordinary longevity.

Of course, this doesn't mean that no one can live to be eighty or ninety years old; it's just a common phenomenon.

"Young Master Zhong looks quite robust!" Qin Hui quickly reassured the emperor.

"Yes, yes, he looks quite healthy!" The Emperor nodded, relieved, and quickly asked, "But... now that Old Minister Zhong is gone, what will become of the war?"

"Your Majesty, Chief Steward Wang Yuan is indeed a renowned veteran general, a victor on the battlefield!" Qin Hui said.

"In that case, quickly send a letter to Minister Zhong to come to Hanyang to take charge, and have Wang Yuan go to Xiangyang immediately to relieve Minister Zhong in guarding the city!" The emperor immediately made up his mind.

The minister surnamed Zhong is more trustworthy. Wang Yuan, no matter what, is still a military man. This is a subconscious choice, a choice ingrained in the genes of the Song emperor.

Qin Hui nodded: "Then I will go and draft the decree to issue it immediately!"

"Go quickly! Go quickly!" The emperor was extremely anxious.

Qin Hui turned to leave, but stopped at the door and said, “Your Majesty should go and see Old Minister Zhong; that would put the army’s morale at ease!”

The Emperor nodded: "I understand. Hmm... In that case, take this imperial edict with you, saying that I am heartbroken and have collapsed from grief. Also, have someone move the remains of the late Prime Minister Zhong to Turtle Mountain, so that this loyal and righteous man can stay with me for a few more days. Once the young Prime Minister Zhong has seen his elder brother's remains, I will personally oversee the encoffining and burial. Furthermore, issue an edict posthumously granting the late Prime Minister Zhong the title of Duke of Ju, with the rank of Grand Master of the Palace, and instructing you to select another posthumous title."

Qin Hui said little, only bowing and saying, "As you command!"

Qin Hui must go now. Morale is of utmost importance. The imperial edict must be delivered immediately. The 17,000 to 18,000 soldiers from the Northwest in Hanyang must be filled with grief upon receiving this news.

Dozens of miles north of Xiangyang, Lu Da led five thousand men across the river and set up camp on this side of the river. They also began to harass and mop up and down the boats on this side of the river.

In the city, Zhong Shizhong also received the news and was frowning as he looked at the military intelligence document.

Ma Qin, standing nearby, asked, "General, it seems that the Prince of Yan's army is about to cross the river from Gucheng. Logically, we should immediately send troops to attack them, first defeating the vanguard, and then seizing the opportunity to strike the enemy halfway across..."

Zhong Shizhong nodded, but did not speak.

"General, hesitation only leads to more trouble. What should we do? Should we hold the city and not come out? Holding the city and not coming out is fine, as it will preserve our strength. The Prince of Yan will cross the river eventually... Rather than going out to fight the elite troops of Jingdong, it would be better to wait for them to climb the walls from the fortified city..."

Ma Qin said one thing and another, but they were all good choices.

“Su Wu probably doesn’t necessarily have to cross the river from Gucheng…” Zhong Shizhong shook his head and said, “Su Wu always prepared for both sides when he used troops. Just like when he fought the Dangxiang, he did it from both sides. If the left side didn’t work, he would use the right side, and if the right side didn’t work, he would use the left side. Just wait and see. Before long, military intelligence will come from the south!”

“Then let’s just defend the city. We don’t have many soldiers, and if we go out of the city, we won’t be able to handle his attacks from both sides! He might even use a feint attack to the east while attacking from the west!” Ma Qin nodded vigorously, agreeing with the old general and expressing his respect.

"Sigh..." Zhong Shizhong sighed, "Why hasn't my brother's letter arrived yet..."

Ma Qin seemed to understand something as well, and said, "Don't worry, General, it'll be a matter of a day or two."

But then someone outside the door reported: "Reporting to the sir, another military report has arrived."

"Take a look!" Zhong Shizhong waved his hand, and Ma Qin went outside to get it. He immediately opened it and looked at it as he walked in.

As soon as they got closer, Ma Qin exclaimed, "The old general is truly amazing! Changshou City has encountered the enemy and is currently gathering timber and other materials, as if preparing to attack the city."

Zhong Shizhong waved his hand: "What's all this talk of divine intervention... Su Wu's military strategy was always meticulously planned, with each step linked to the next. This is just the beginning. If things really get complicated, I have plenty of strategies to offer, but even a skilled cook can't make a meal without ingredients. It seems we'll have to stay here in the city for now..."

Ma Qin also said, "If there really are soldiers, just give them a double attack!"

“If you attack from both sides, his cavalry is numerous. I’m afraid he will go down the river, straight to Fuzhou, pass Mianyang, and then cross the river. Then the main army will reach Hanyang!” Zhong Shizhong had studied that map countless times.

"The Emperor should not garrison troops in Hanyang, but rather in Jiangxia, using the Yangtze River as a defensive stronghold. In this situation where the enemy is strong and we are weak, a protracted stalemate is advisable. The Prince of Yan's army is mostly from the north, and their supplies are longer. In this heat, the soldiers are not used to it either. As long as we can prolong the stalemate, regardless of victory or defeat, at least we will have a chance to repel the enemy..."

Ma Qin was truly considering it.

“How could Su Wu not understand these things?” Zhong Shizhong said, and then added, “Soon, within a few days, Su Wu will probably make a big move. He will definitely demand a quick victory.”

"Then we should not station our army in Hanyang, but in Jiangxia, just like the Battle of Red Cliffs at the end of the Han Dynasty! Shu Han and Eastern Wu against Cao Cao!" Ma Qin really has some ability, otherwise he would not be so highly regarded by Zhong Shizhong.

"Let's see what my brother says in his letter..." Zhong Shizhong's words must have been something the two brothers had discussed beforehand. How could two old military officers in their sixties and seventies not have discussed what Ma Qin said?
To put it more bluntly, the first thing Zhong Shidao did when he went to Hanyang to see the emperor was to order the entire army to garrison in Jiangxia and defend the isolated city of Xiangyang to the death. This would create a pincer movement, making it difficult for Su Wu to advance or retreat, and hindering his logistics. It would even force Su Wu to take risks to seek a faster advance.

Only in this way is it possible to repel the enemy. A great victory is absolutely impossible. If they really fight face to face, Su Wu's cavalry is as swift as the wind, and no one can stop them if they want to leave.

True victories always come from pursuit and pursuit; without pursuit and pursuit, there is no such thing as a great victory.

Therefore, Zhong Shizhong was waiting for a response to this matter, to see if things could still be resolved. The favor shown by the Zhao family to the Zhong family was truly profound, and when it was time to make an effort, they could not truly do it against their conscience.

Then let's wait. The letter will surely arrive within a day or two. This is the agreement between the two brothers.

On the other side of the river, Su Wu knew that Lu Da had already crossed the Han River, which made things a little safer. At this moment, he was unaware that most of the more than 20,000 Western Army troops were actually in Hanyang, and this intelligence still needed to be gathered slowly.

Therefore, Su Wu believed that there were at least 15,000 elite Western Army soldiers in Xiangyang City, and he needed to mobilize them; he couldn't let them all wait on the city walls.

However, the city remained unmoved.

Su Wu frowned, and in the military tent, he only praised one thing: "Young Master Zhong knows me well. He has few soldiers and little strength, yet he holds the city firmly!"

Wu Yong nodded in agreement: "Indeed, Lord Zhong has been in the Northwest for many years and has a formidable reputation. He should not be underestimated."

Su Wu waved his hand and said, "It's alright. Let's move the troops across the river slowly. If he doesn't move, someone else will make him move!"

"Is the Emperor Zhao the one Your Majesty is referring to?" Wu Yong asked.

Su Wu nodded. It was indeed him. No matter how much he calculated, whether he considered Zhong Shidao, Zhong Shizhong, or even Wang Yuan, he hadn't actually considered the main point.

The main focus should be on Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji).

When it comes to actually taking action, you must directly intimidate Zhao Ji. As long as you can scare Zhao Ji, the situation will immediately change.

Su Wu remained focused on his plans, never letting his guard down. The affairs of the state lay in sacrifice and war, and victory or defeat depended on this one battle. It seemed like a sure thing, yet Su Wu continued to plan meticulously and earnestly.

Su Wu gave a military order: "You stay here. I will personally lead 20,000 cavalry down the river to Fuzhou. We will capture the city first, then cross the river from Fuzhou, and let the army in Hanyang see my banner!"

"Ah? Your Majesty, you're leaving first?" Wu Yong panicked a little, feeling inexplicably uneasy, as he had never been trusted like this before.

"Don't worry, after you move the army across the river, just set up your camp. Lord Xiao Zhong won't come out of the city to fight you to the death... If he really does come out with his troops, that's fine too. Lu Da is there to face him, just have Lin Chong attack his back!"

Su Wu still gave Wu Yong some confidence.

"Yes, sir!" Wu Yong nodded repeatedly. This time, the responsibility was heavy, but wasn't the opportunity also greater? If he could get through this safely, wouldn't the king trust him even more in the future?
Why did Su Wu act this way?

How could he not have selfish motives? Given the current situation, whenever Su Wu needed to appoint someone, he would choose those from the eastern part of the capital, including all the military commanders in the northwest.

This was also a precaution, not entirely to guard against people's hearts, but rather to prevent the Northwest Army generals from seeing their comrades-in-arms in the face of a real battle and being unable to bring themselves to attack.

But things have come to this point, there's no turning back, so we have to rely on people from JD.com.

It wasn't that Su Wu was particularly ruthless, but he had a principle: when facing an enemy in battle, one should only be lenient if the enemy shows leniency first; if the enemy doesn't show leniency, then one must not be lenient. One should first observe the enemy's attitude.

Su Wu added, "I will leave first tonight, and the army will set off again tomorrow morning. You can tell the others about it tomorrow."

"Understood, understood!" Wu Yong nodded repeatedly.

"Be ready to obey my orders at any time!" Su Wu added a word of advice. In truth, he didn't trust Wu Yong that much. In such a major battle, he was afraid that Wu Yong didn't have that much ability in this regard. Therefore, even though Su Wu himself was away, he still wrote to him from time to time.

Fortunately, this battlefield, in reality, is not that large. The furthest distance from Xiangyang to Hanyang is no more than six hundred li, and Su Wu would not actually go to Hanyang City, so the furthest distance is no more than four or five hundred li. The road is also easy to travel, and one can go up the river on horseback in a day.

This is much smaller than the battlefield of the ancient Tangut wars. The Tangut border used to stretch for one or two thousand miles from east to west.

After Su Wu finished speaking, he picked up his pen and began writing. He didn't hold any meetings or appoint any generals. He just kept writing and drawing on the paper, one document after another. He sent secret messages and made preparations immediately, telling everyone not to tell anyone. He was to set off at dawn, carrying enough provisions for seven or eight days.

Finally, he added: "Tomorrow morning, summon some people in the army, especially those who originally came from the military, and have them say a few words from your heart."

"Oh, that's easy to say, I understand." Wu Yong nodded repeatedly.

Su Wu wasn't worried that Wu Yong would do a bad job; dealing with people's hearts was something Wu Yong was naturally adept at.

Su Wu was not worried about the morale of the army. General Han, Liu Zhengyan, Liu Guangshi and others in the Jingdong army all obeyed Su Wu's orders without any problems.

But at this moment, there are some things that still need to be explicitly or implicitly stated, and Wu Yong should handle this matter.

On the Han River side, Su Wu was making moves, thinking of mobilizing the Zhong Shizhong.

On the other side of the Han River, Zhong Shizhong was waiting, waiting for a letter from his elder brother. The battlefield fell silent for a moment.

It is also said that... in Su Wu's army, many generals gathered in Su Wu's tent early in the morning.

I received news that Su Wu left last night, and I also saw that many of his troops were setting off.

Everyone was also confused, but they didn't say much. Since the matter was accomplished in secret, it must be that the king had some kind of plan in mind. They just had to obey orders.

Everyone returned to their respective camps, and the three generals of the Western Army chatted idly on the way.

Liu Zhengyan said, "Why didn't Your Majesty take me with you...?"

Liu Guangshi replied, "Brother is going to fight the Zhao Emperor, how can I take you with me?"

"Huh? They really fought? Wasn't it said that the two Zhong family gentlemen were by the Emperor's side, and that many gentlemen from Tokyo were to come forward to negotiate?" Liu Zhengyan seemed somewhat surprised.

It was indeed unexpected; that's exactly what they said all along. In name, they were there to welcome the emperor back to the capital, but it wasn't until they reached Xiangyang that a sense of military confrontation emerged.

The military meeting held earlier didn't discuss much, except for how to safely cross the river. Everything else was planned by Su Wu himself.

Yao Pingzhong, who was also standing nearby, frowned slightly and said, "I'm afraid a fight is really going to happen. The King's departure at this moment is clearly to avoid those gentlemen..."

"Is that the case?" Liu Zhengyan asked.

There is a reason for this. Su Wu used the excuse that there weren't enough boats and that crossing the river would be slow to stall, but he was too lazy to keep making excuses at this point.

So many gentlemen from Tokyo came together, but they're all in the army. If Su Wu doesn't leave, there will be a lot of chatter, and I won't bother saying anything more.

Liu Zhengyan asked a question, and Yao Pingzhong frowned and nodded seriously. He also looked at Liu Guangshi beside him, and Liu Guangshi nodded as well.

Startled, Liu Zhengyan blurted out, "Could it be... ah? Could it be that His Majesty intends to... is that so?"

Liu Guangshi retorted, "Only you, only you haven't thought about these things yet, sigh..."

Yao Pingzhong then added, "I'm afraid the generals of Jingdong all know this perfectly well; they all know that this is about following the dragon!"

“No wonder…no wonder…General Lu went, General Lin went, and now Your Majesty is leading your army away. Does Your Majesty not trust me?” Liu Zhengyan realized this rather late.

Also, Liu Zhengyan is actually an extremely emotional person; in other words, he is a reckless person.

Liu Guangshi then changed the subject, saying, "It's not that the King doesn't trust you, it's that you don't understand."

"You've got it, so why don't I invite you to go with me?" Liu Zhengyan retorted sarcastically.

Yao Pingzhong, however, was shaking his head and sighing repeatedly.

Liu Zhengyan then asked, "Steward Yao, is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

"I don't know, I really don't know..." Yao Pingzhong replied with a sigh.

Liu Zhengyan then turned to look at Liu Guangshi and asked, "What do you think?"

Liu Guangshi looked up at the sky and said, "Steward Yao doesn't know, and neither do I..."

"So, do you side with the King or with Emperor Zhao?" Liu Zhengyan insisted on getting to the bottom of it. It was just that his nature and temperament made him incapable of playing those tacit understanding games.

Liu Guangshi and Yao Pingzhong exchanged a glance, and Liu Guangshi asked in return, "And what about you? Which side are you on?"

Liu Zhengyan clicked his tongue in thought, and after a moment, replied: "I side with Your Majesty. It is because the emperor is without virtue that the virtuous should rule the land. Isn't that how it came about for that Zhao Emperor? Fine! If that's the case, then let's do it this way. If Your Majesty becomes that... you know..., then we'll be lucky too. How can we not follow the dragon? Ah? The soldiers will certainly be lucky as well. Your Majesty is willing to give us money. How can that not be good?"

After saying that, Liu Zhengyan looked at Liu Guangshi and asked, "And you?"

Liu Guangshi smiled wryly: "I already voted, I already voted..."

"Hey, you didn't even tell me!" Liu Zhengyan was also annoyed, and then looked at Yao Pingzhong: "Did you already make your choice?"

Yao Pingzhong sighed, "With the army here, I can't lead them home alone. What's the point of choosing? Not choosing is choosing..."

"Oh, so that's how it is. Have they all made their selections like this?" Liu Zhengyan felt much more relieved. He looked around the camp, which seemed to stretch on forever.

"The clever ones, the ones who know the truth, are still here, which means they understand the situation, and some might even be secretly pleased. The fools, well, they just follow orders. Soldiers, just obey orders, and they can't go wrong! The morale of the army under the Prince of Yan is absolutely not going to fall apart..."

That's what Yao Pingzhong said.

"Then why don't you like it?" Liu Zhengyan asked.

"Me? Sigh... Logically speaking, I should be happy too, but I just can't feel happy, which is really strange. Never mind, I am a soldier after all, and I can't go wrong by following orders. It's the order of the Privy Councilor!"

Yao Pingzhong's emotions were clearly complex. He knew what had happened, and he knew that the emperor would not tolerate them in the future, yet he was also influenced by his upbringing, the elders' guidance, and the deep-seated loyalty he had shown to the Song Dynasty for so many years…

There are inevitably three types of people, and Yao Pingzhong is complex, a mixture of all kinds of emotions.

Liu Guangshi was both helpless and expectant. His thoughts were not complicated. He was helpless because he had been in a passive position in this matter. He was expectant because he knew that once it was done, he and his Liu family would take a big leap forward, bringing wealth to countless generations.

Liu Zhengyan was obviously simple-minded. He was a little slow to realize something and felt a little unhappy, but he was mostly happy, excited, and looking forward to it. Putting aside the idea of ​​repaying a debt of gratitude, he just wanted to do it. After doing it, he would naturally reap great benefits.

Meanwhile, on Wu Yong's side, every now and then one or two soldiers would go to find him. They would come and go, exchanging only a few words, and then many of them would leave happily.

Then came Huyan Zhuo, who anxiously sought out Wu Yong.

After meeting him, he didn't say anything, but just sighed beside Wu Yong.

Wu Yong asked with a smile, "General Huyan, what's wrong?"

“I know, I know everything…” Huyan Zhuo nodded.

"Then why does General Huyan have to do this?" Wu Yong asked again, but he also said directly, "Is it because of the reputation of your ancestors? General Huyan's ancestors were meritorious officials who founded the country, and they are no ordinary people."

Huyan Zhuo looked at Wu Yong, took a deep breath, and nodded.

Wu Yong continued, "If you ask me, the emperor has lost his virtue and the morale of the army, which is why things have come to this. As for the people's hearts, there are over a million people in Bianjing. If their hearts were with Zhao, how could this have happened? Even the officials and scholars are all in the army now. Why is that? It goes without saying that the world belongs to the virtuous, but who among them is truly virtuous now? General Huyan knows this perfectly well. He also says that his ancestors were founding heroes, but doesn't he know that he himself is also a founding general? Such glory, bringing honor to his ancestors!"

Huyan Zhuo looked at Wu Yong's warm smile and nodded: "I know, I know, how could I not know? Now is not the time to hesitate. If we really hesitate, the King will not be pleased. I also know that the brothers in the army are all secretly rubbing their hands together. When General Lu crossed the river, I led men to help transport the goods. I wondered what General Lu was laughing and talking about with the soldiers on the riverbank?"

"What did General Lu say?" Wu Yong asked.

"General Lu said that if that foolish Zhao Emperor can sit there, how can my wise and mighty brother not sit there?" Huyan Zhuo imitated.

Many of the soldiers under Su Wu's command had indeed seen what the Emperor Zhao looked like...

It was also a kind of disenchantment; the Emperor Zhao was supposed to be a god, but that day, upon closer inspection, he turned out to be a man sitting on the ground, chest and breasts exposed, crying...

"Yes, General Lu is right. Where is the Zhao Emperor's demeanor? On the contrary, our King has protected this world. Where has the territory been expanded? Where was it not conquered by King? The change of the imperial regalia is ordained by Heaven. How can it be obtained by human hands? What is Heaven's will? It is the trend of the times, vast and irreversible. General Huyan has also felt this trend of the times. Rest assured!"

Wu Yong was indeed eloquent. After listening to Huyan Zhuo's words, he stood up and bowed, saying, "I'll be leaving now!"

"Alright!" Wu Yong nodded and went to see it off!
We often think that in picture books, novels, or stories, such momentous events are accomplished with a single wave of the hand and the collective will of the people. Little do we know that behind the scenes, countless discussions and deliberations take place...

Su Wu couldn't say these things to everyone himself, but it was much easier and more effective for Wu Yong to say them in a few words.

Su Wu was speeding along the road, heading south along the river.

I will go again the next day.

Inside Xiangyang City, military intelligence arrived. Ma Qin said, "As expected, the old commander's prediction was spot on. Even if we don't move, the Prince of Yan has already gone down the river, heading towards Fuzhou or Mianyang! He probably wants to cross the river first, a move made to expedite things."

Zhong Shizhong just frowned. He was helpless and had no way to deal with it. What use was it to figure it out?

But then a hurried voice came from outside the door: "A letter from the old master!"

Zhong Shizhong jumped up from his seat, but Ma Qin was even faster and had already gone out. He took the letter, didn't open it, and quickly handed it to Zhong Shizhong.

When Zhong Shizhong opened the document, he found only one line: "Sit in Xiangyang and under no circumstances should you go to Hanyang!"
Perhaps it was because, at that time, he was no longer able to write any lengthy treatises, as his body had already reached the point of exhaustion.

Perhaps it was just this one sentence that allowed the two brothers, with their decades-long tacit understanding, to grasp the meaning without needing further explanation.

Zhong Shizhong understood immediately, and sighed deeply, "Alas... elder brother, you must protect me..."

Ma Qin was standing right next to him. He glanced at the short line of text and saw it immediately, but he didn't understand: "Old Marshal, what does this mean?"

“My brother wants me to live…” Zhong Shizhong said to himself.

"Huh? How did you end up alive?" Ma Qin asked, still dumbfounded.

Master Zhong fell silent again, then suddenly frowned deeply and uttered, "Not good, not good..."

"Why not?"

"No, no..." He said it again, and Zhong Shizhong started running out, but stopped in the courtyard. He looked up at the sky and spoke again, his voice bitter and sorrowful: "Seventy-five, seventy-five..."

Ma Qin was completely bewildered and just followed beside him, staring blankly. This time, he really didn't ask any questions.

"Seventy-five..." Zhong Shizhong had already lowered his head, and his words were now just murmurs. He continued, "What good would it do me to live another year or two? Am I supposed to take care of my children and nephews for a while longer..."

They stood there for a long time, some shaking their heads, some sighing.

Perhaps he could find peace; at seventy-five, a long life in ancient times, he shouldn't be overly saddened...

“Go to Hanyang first and tell him… the Prince of Yan… the Yan rebel army has already crossed most of the river and is besieging Xiangyang. Please make plans as soon as possible…” Zhong Shizhong said this, and with the letter containing only one line of text, he returned to the Xiangzhou government office.

(Brothers, it's the 30th, please take a look at your last monthly votes, thanks!)
(End of this chapter)