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

Chapter 39: Zeng Shu's Ten Thousand Volumes of Strategies for Subduing the Enemy

After a few days of getting along, everyone had a basic understanding of each other.

For example, Zhang Baiyu, Zhang Rong's fourth son, possessed a wealth of family scholarship, having thoroughly read the classics and historical texts, and possessing a fine handwriting. While he wasn't a master of naval and territorial warfare, he could readily explain military strategy and fool ordinary scholars. However, Zhang Baiyu possessed exceptional archery skills, and his naturally handsome appearance, combined with his feminine features, led to a somewhat arrogant disposition, which often gave him a condescending air.

Take Zhang Xiaoyi, for example. This fellow didn't even have a proper name, and his entire upper body was covered in peony tattoos, a true rogue among the rogues. His entire family had died fighting against the Jin army, and he was the kind of man who had long since resolved to die. Although he was still breathing, he rarely smiled even when joking around. Only during military meetings, discussing anti-Jin strategy, did he show a hint of his former spirit.

As for Wei Chang, there wasn't much to say. He was only sixteen, the age of a high school student in later generations. He was in the vanguard simply because he was Wei Sheng's biological son. Wei Sheng's intention was clear: the Northern Expedition was dangerous, so he had to place his adopted son and his biological son in the vanguard. If things didn't go well, his son would die first.

Actually, the generals and officers at the vanguard of the Loyal Army were simply too young, yet too full of martial virtue.

As the only elder, Lu You had a different behavior.

Although this man is not as frivolous and aggressive as warriors like Liu Huai and Zhang Xiaoyi, he is definitely not the useless scholar he claims to be.

Lu You's grandfather, Lu Dian, was a minister during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty. At that time, the family tradition was still limited to poetry and literature. By the time of Lu You's father, Lu Zai, the turmoil of the Jingkang Incident erupted, and the brothers Lu Zai and Lu Di participated in the frontline battles against the Jin Dynasty. Because of this experience, the Lu family strengthened their children's martial arts training.

This person is truly proficient in both civil and military affairs. Everyone in the Lu family in this generation knows the art of swordsmanship!

In the seventh year of Qiandao in the original history, that is, ten years later, Lu You was already in his fifties. He served in the court of Wang Yan, the envoy of Sichuan and Shaanxi. In order to find out the situation of the Jin people, he often surveyed strategic locations.

One day, Lu You was preparing to go to Dasan Pass. When he passed by Fengzhou, he suddenly encountered a tiger on the road. He reacted quickly and didn't even have time to take off his sable fur coat. He immediately dismounted, drew his sword, and faced the tiger. Finally, he killed the tiger with one sword.

Afterwards, Lu You composed a poem "Remembering the Past: When I Was Garrisoned in Liang and Yi", which has a hundred words in total. The part about killing the tiger only has one sentence, namely, "I thrust my sword into the suckling tiger, and blood splattered on the sable coat. Even now, the story has spread among the soldiers, and it still makes the brave men ashamed." It can be seen that he himself did not think killing a tiger with a sword was a big deal.

Later, Lu You was transferred to be a local official. There was a tiger plague in the area, so he personally led people to the mountain to search for tigers. When the tiger suddenly pounced out, everyone around was stunned with fear. Only Lu You snatched the spear from his companion and stabbed the tiger to death with one spear.

With such military force, coupled with his many years of experience in officialdom, his writing skills are first-rate, and he is also adept at coordinating logistics. He can definitely be considered a capable person for the country.

But the only shortcoming is that he knows nothing about military affairs.

Yes, even though Lu You was a skilled warrior, well-versed in literature, and well-versed in human relations; even though in the original history, Lu You would have been able to write "Ping Rong Ce" (The Strategy for the Peace of the Rong) ten years later, laying out a strategic plan for the restoration of the Central Plains. But at this moment and in this place, he was indeed ignorant of military affairs.

The reason is too simple.

Lu You had never been in the army and had never seen how soldiers walked, ate, slept, formed up in battle formations, or fought.

There is no way, there is really no way. There are some things that you just won’t know unless you experience them yourself.

A few days ago, Lu You even took a map and proposed a plan to rush a hundred miles in one day and directly capture Qushan County, the capital of Haizhou, which shocked Wei Sheng.

Liu Huai didn't smile, but looked around.

What's so funny about this? No one is born with knowledge. Lu You certainly didn't know anything about military affairs, but you can't even read a single word and don't even want to read. How can you be so proud?

Under his stern gaze, Wei Chang and the others' laughter abruptly ceased. Liu Huai then slowed his horse and explained to Lu You earnestly, "Whether Shi Qilang was telling the truth or not, the key point was that he was sending a message to the Jin bandits: we were attacking from Lianshui. This ultimately prompted Haizhou Governor Gao Wenfu to make a decision as soon as possible."

Lu You was still puzzled: "There's a saying in military books: 'Unpredictable is like the shadows.' Shouldn't we be keeping the enemy in the dark about our strengths and weaknesses?"

Liu Huai smiled and said, "Mr. Lu, think about it carefully. Could it be that Gao Wenfu really know our strengths and weaknesses through Shi Qilang? Or to be more direct, does Shi Qilang really know our strengths and weaknesses?"

Lu You pondered for a moment and was stunned.

"That's it. Shi Qilang actually only knows one thing, that is, the Song army is going to march north. He has no idea about the number of troops, the route, or the time. Even if he wanted to say something, it would be nonsense."

Liu Huai continued to explain, "So, Gao Wenfu will make his own judgment based on his own experience. As the governor of Haizhou, since he has already lost Lianshui, he will naturally not sit idly by and wait for death. Will he wait for our army to arrive at the city gates? Several rebel forces have already risen in Shandong. Will he still be able to maintain the support of his army and the people? Isn't he afraid that the Han people in Qushan County will also rebel?"

Lu You pondered and said, "So, Gao Wenfu will definitely send troops to fight?"

Liu Huai shook his head. "There's no fixed military situation, no fixed water shape. Nothing is certain in military affairs. I can only roughly deduce it, with more than 50% certainty. 50% certainty is enough."

Lu You thought about it and changed the question: "Everything you did was just to get Gao Wenfu to send troops?"

Liu Huai said, "To be precise, it's to divide the Jin army in Haizhou. Qushan County and Donghai County are located on either side of the sea. If thousands of Jin bandits gather here, it will be impossible to capture them in a hurry. Our army has come a long way and has no supplies. What we lack most is time."

"So it's like trying to hit a wolf with a stick, fearing both ends." Liu Huai smiled. "I'm afraid the Jin bandits will hold their ground and be difficult to conquer. They're also afraid I'll invade Haizhou's heartland and call on the Han people to rebel. The difference is they have a choice, while I can only move forward."

Lu You thought about it, but still felt it was a little unreliable: "Will the Jin thieves definitely send troops?"

Liu Huai: "It's time for the autumn harvest..."

Lu You was enlightened: "Oh, yes, a general must not forget the weather. The autumn harvest is coming. This is the military rations for the Jin invaders in the south. They are afraid of wasting it!"

Liu Huai smiled bitterly, "We're afraid too. Whether we destroy the grain or steal it, we'll only make enemies with the people of Haizhou. This is a last resort, but the Jin thieves will surely be even more afraid."

Lu You: "If...if the Jin army comes out to fight in the field, and our army is unable to defeat them, what should we do?"

Liu Huai shrugged: "Then die."

Lu You was stunned.

"The main battle will determine everything. All our current calculations must ultimately serve the final decisive battle." Liu Huai continued to explain: "If after all our calculations, we still cannot defeat the Jin army, then I deserve to die."

At this moment, Zhang Baiyu, who had been leading the way, rode back and pointed northwest, saying, "Commander Liu, we're five miles from the Shu River. There's a small village ahead with only ten households. There's a small hill to the right and ahead where we can set up camp."

Liu Huai looked up and found that the sun was already setting. He quickly ordered, "Achang, you stay here. Xiaoyi, follow me."

(End of this chapter)