Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 100: Big Brother and the Wrapped Head

Wei Sheng looked around at the crowd. "The reason we were able to resolve the issue so easily before was ultimately because the Hu and Han peoples were separate and not of one mind. The Jurchens, Xi, and Khitans could reign supreme, wielding their power and authority; while the Han people, on the other hand, could only lose their land and become tenants or even slaves. Therefore, the Han people would not risk their lives for those Meng'an and Mouke households. As long as we raise the banner of expelling the Tartars, we can rally their hearts."

"The difference here lies in one person, He Boqiu and He Sanlang." Wei Sheng sighed, "This man and I are old acquaintances. We have met several times."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the tent, including Liu Huai, was stunned.

During the small-scale battles over the past two days, although both sides did not even dare to step on the crops and only fought a few battles along the official roads, they almost figured out who the opposing team's main general was.

The big flag with the word "He" on it would appear in every battle and he would always be at the forefront. Moreover, the farmers under his command were extremely resilient and difficult to deal with, like stones in a cesspool, smelly and hard.

Now, when they heard Wei Sheng say that he had contacts with He Boqiu, everyone started to wonder if this was a hidden spy planted by Marshal Wei.

But Wei Sheng obviously didn't want to talk about how they met: "He Boqiu was one of the first people to completely turn to the Jin Kingdom after the Shaoxing Peace Agreement, so he was also deeply trusted by the Jin people. After all, if the Jin Kingdom wanted to govern the Han area, it still needed the Han people.

He then wooed the Han Chinese who had migrated here from Liaodong and Yanyun, and became friendly with the Jurchens who had migrated here. Therefore, He Boqiu was able to work with the Han Chinese from Liaodong and Yanyun to absorb the Han Chinese who had lost their land and bring them back to their hearts. Therefore, the Han Chinese here were willing to serve He Boqiu.

Lu You keenly noticed Wei Sheng's choice of words: "Why did Boqiu serve? Wasn't he serving the Jin Kingdom?"

Wei Sheng spread his hands in reply, "Indeed, but the key is that He Boqiu may not necessarily serve the Jin, but he certainly won't serve the Song. You must know that he was abandoned by the Song after the Shaoxing Peace Agreement. His hatred for the Song is no less than our hatred for the Jin thieves."

Lu You was choked, but could only remain silent.

Liu Huai had a flash of inspiration, as if he had grasped something, but it disappeared in a flash.

Wei Sheng continued, "According to the news we just received today, Geng Jing, who started the rebellion in Jinan Prefecture, has led his Tianping Army south and is now stationed in Tai'an Prefecture. The Jin bandits in Yizhou seem very worried about being attacked from both sides. This is good news, but they have no communication with us and cannot work together. Who will negotiate with the Tianping Army?"

"I want to go!"

"I can go!"

Several people in the tent bowed and stepped out at the same time.

Although the journey might be nearly a hundred miles, with enemy territory all the way and requiring careful concealment, and the Tianping Army's attitude towards the Loyal Army and even the Song Dynasty being unknown, which was like going deep into a dangerous den, none of the Loyal Army generals flinched.

Liu Huai thought about it and sighed, "I'd better go. Firstly, we're in the autumn harvest season soon, so we can't afford a big battle. Secondly, if there's any promises or win-overs that need to be made, my say is final."

Seeing that Zhang Baiyu, Zhang Xiaoyi and others seemed to want to talk, Liu Huai waved his hand: "Just think of it as me having some selfish motives, wanting to see the heroes of Shandong."

Wei Sheng nodded. "In that case, Dalang, go ahead. Remember to take a few smart people with you. Also, you can make decisions on the spot regarding your promises. Remember, your own safety is paramount."

"Yes." Liu Huai stood up and saluted: "Then there is no time to waste. I will leave now."

After saying that, Liu Huai immediately turned around and left the tent. Without wasting a moment, he returned to the camp and prepared to set off.

Not only did everyone in the tent fall silent, but even the usually composed Wei Sheng fell silent. He stared at the map for a long time before saying, "That's just how Dalang is. He's brave enough to take on responsibilities and is willing to sacrifice his life. As your general, I'm naturally delighted, but as your father, I'm also worried."

Seeing that the others seemed about to say something, Wei Sheng continued, "But who among us soldiers doesn't have parents? Who isn't a beloved son of their parents? As the commander-in-chief, if I want to feel comfortable commanding the beloved sons of other families, I can only let my own beloved son go through mountains of swords and seas of fire first."

Wei Sheng then laughed at himself and said, "I am old and talkative, so I won't say this anymore. Xiao Yi, take me to the right army for a tour." Let's not talk about the rest of the people in the camp.

Liu Huai returned to the front camp and first summoned the newly appointed deputy commander of the front army, Li Huoer, to explain all the camp affairs one by one. He then called in his personal guards, Guan Chongyan and Guan Qilang. The two of them put on concealed chain mail and were about to lead their horses out of the camp.

However, Luo Huaiyan, who was wearing armor for them, stopped them and wanted to go and see it with Liu Huai.

Liu Huai laughed and said, "If you were five years older, it wouldn't be a problem, but you're just a kid now. It's already a big deal for me to let you join the army, so how can I take you into such a dangerous place? If anything happens to you, won't your father and brother tear me apart?"

Luo Huaiyan's face flushed red. "It's precisely because I'm still young that I can do things that ordinary people can't. You two strong men, although not wearing heavy armor, have strong horses and long weapons. You're too conspicuous. You look like military spies at first glance. But with me, it's different. Even with Chief Geng's army, I can use my father's reputation to play a role."

Liu Huai was speechless. Just as he was about to use his adult advantage to force Luo Huaiyan back, someone next to him said, "My brother is already fourteen years old this year. He is not young anymore. He is already the pillar of the family in this poor family."

Liu Huai looked over and saw that the person who spoke was Luo Shenyan, one of the four commanders of the front army.

It's funny to say that Luo Guzi is only a staff member of the Loyal Army, currently assisting Dong Cheng with logistics and ensuring the autumn harvest in Qushan, and he's still keeping a low profile. Meanwhile, his two sons are more active than the other, the younger one follows Liu Huai, while the older one has become a general of the Loyal Army.

Sooner or later, this former magistrate with a very good reputation will be dragged down by his two sons.

"Erlang, come here." Luo Shenyan waved his hand and asked Luo Huaiyan to sit down in front of him. "I originally had the same idea as my father. Whether it's poverty or an ordinary life, stability is the most important thing. But who said that troubled times are coming? If I want stability, I need to participate in the tide."

As he spoke, Luo Shenyan took out a clean black handkerchief from his bosom, reached out to untie Luo Huaiyan's boyish bun, then tied his hair on top of his head and wrapped it tightly with the black handkerchief. This was the most common headdress worn by adults in the Song Dynasty.

Rich families have a ceremony of capping when their children reach adulthood, while poor families often just wrap themselves in a piece of cloth and that is considered an adult.

This is what is meant by "the village head will wrap your head when you leave."

Luo Shenyan said to his second brother, who was a head shorter than him, "Erlang, now that you are an adult, go do some serious work."

Liu Huai was completely helpless and could only agree.

However, just as he found a pony for Luo Huaiyan, an idea suddenly occurred to him, and he asked the Luo brothers, "Do you know what Geng Jing's army is called?"

The Luo brothers were stunned and shook their heads at the same time.

Liu Huai thought of Wei Sheng's words in the tent. If these two Haizhou natives didn't know Geng Jing's army was called the Tianping Army, how did his adoptive father know? How did he know that the Jin army in Linyi was afraid of the Dongping army's southward advance?
Wei Sheng must have a source of information.

Is it Geng Jing's Tianping Army? Liu Huai secretly shook his head. If the news came from the Tianping Army, then Wei Sheng would not have asked Liu Huai to make the contact. This would be purely unnecessary.

Was it He Boqiu? That wasn't quite right. Even if Wei Sheng wanted to keep it secret, he would at least have to tell Liu Huai, Lu You, and the others. Otherwise, it would be troublesome if they misjudged the strategy.

Then it could only be someone else in the Yizhou government. This way, the scope is very wide, and Yizhou officials, powerful people, and military officers could all be potential spies planted by Wei Sheng.

Liu Huai shook his head and turned his thoughts back.

Wei Sheng naturally had his reasons for not saying anything. He couldn't possibly want to ruin the current situation of the Loyal Army, right?

(End of this chapter)