The Song Dynasty on the Sand Table

Chapter 474 You always know how to cause trouble for me
Ma Congyi is also very excited. He is only 11 years old this year and would not normally have been able to get such an important job as "envoy". He does not even have the status of an official in the Northern Song Dynasty. This time, he came to the vicinity of Ye County as a "leader of laborers" and a "person in charge of the origin".

Unexpectedly, his abilities were recognized by Young Master Yue when he was leading the laborers, so he was simply appointed as an envoy.

There shouldn't be any difficulty in embarking on a political career in the future!

Ma Congyi raised his head and said, "I have come here on behalf of the Northern Song Emperor to convey a few words to the Southern Song Emperor."

Even when facing a child, Zhao Gou did not lose his composure, and put on a gentle smile: "Tell me about it."

Ma Congyi said, "Although the Jin army has been defeated in Ye County, another large army led by Jin Wuzhu is still fiercely attacking towards Dengzhou. Young Master Yue, please tell the Southern Song Emperor that you need not fear us. We will immediately withdraw our troops, no longer stationed in Wuyang, but retreat a hundred miles away to attack the Jin army from another direction. We will not pose any threat to the Southern Song army's flank, so the Southern Song can rest assured and fully support Dengzhou in the defense of Dengzhou."

As soon as he said this, Han Shizhong, Liu Guangshi, and Zhang Jun, who were all knowledgeable in strategy, almost simultaneously exclaimed "Eh!"

Generals who lead troops into battle understand best the significance of this move by the Northern Song Dynasty.

A skilled general will never easily trust his "allies" and will always keep a backup plan to guard against any "allies" on his flanks, no matter how friendly they may appear.

Just like how Yue Yun was stationed at Tongbai Mountain by Yue Family Army, it was to guard against the Northern Song Dynasty.

No matter how good the Northern Song Dynasty was to Yue Yun—providing him with food, teaching him farming, raising chickens, raising pigs, etc.—these actions could only lull the young general Yue Yun into a false sense of security, not to the minds of great generals like Yue Fei and Han Shizhong.

When the two generals were arranging their troops and making strategic plans, they would always unconsciously keep a backup plan in case the Northern Song army suddenly turned against them.

If the Northern Song army were to garrison Wuyang City, then Han Shizhong would certainly have stationed his troops in Ye County, and would never have left, even at the cost of his life. This was to prevent the Northern Song from launching a surprise attack while the Jin army was attacking Dengzhou.

But now the Northern Song Dynasty is adopting a posture of "I want to retreat a hundred miles".

That would make all the difference, allowing the Southern Song Dynasty to make more relaxed strategic arrangements.

Han Shizhong's main force can then leave Ye County and launch a more proactive attack.

A group of military officers couldn't help but sigh: The Northern Song Dynasty is truly upright and prioritizes benevolence and righteousness. This move alone is admirable.

Zhao Gou could tell from his subordinates' expressions that the Northern Song Dynasty had made huge concessions. Huh? I don't quite understand. But never mind, that's not the point.

He couldn't help but ask, "The Northern Song Dynasty first ceded Ye County, and now it's being so humble again. What exactly is its purpose?"

Ma Congyi said with a serious expression, "Young Master Yue said that the Northern and Southern Song dynasties should stop their civil war and unite to resist the Jin. This is a matter of national righteousness! It should be placed in the most important position. Anyone who does anything to 'undermine the national united front against the Jin' will be despised by our Northern Song."

Zhao Gou was taken aback by this new term: "National United Front Against the Jin Dynasty." What a strange idea! But it sounded quite compelling.

Ma Congyi bowed deeply again: "I will go back and report now. If Your Majesty has anything to say to us, you may have me pass on the message."

Zhao Gou hesitated for a long time before saying, "Go back and tell my seventeenth brother that I, out of consideration for our brotherhood, invite him back to Lin'an. I guarantee him a princely position and endless wealth and honor."

His words were tantamount to pardoning Zhao Shi's "treason," a huge concession indeed. However, these words ignited a nameless fire in the young Ma Congyi's heart. He had been playing the role of an innocent child, but now he suddenly stood up straight and his expression became serious: "Do you still remember when you asked our Emperor and the Privy Councilor to abandon Shandong and retreat to Jiangnan?"

Zhao Gou: "..." Ma Congyi: "It was precisely because of that order that the people of Jiaodong supported our emperor's ascension to the throne. What do you mean by bringing this up again now? Without our emperor in charge of the Jiaodong region, who will take care of the people of Shandong?"

His words stung Zhao Gou, making him feel quite uncomfortable. He wanted to get angry, but he felt it would be beneath his dignity to get angry at a child. He was caught in a dilemma, feeling very uncomfortable.

Ma Congyi snorted and said, "Our Emperor said that the unification of the two Song dynasties is possible, but it won't be our Emperor going to Lin'an, but rather..."

He suddenly drew out the sound...

Everyone present pricked up their ears, waiting for him to say something surprising, and were prepared to hear any "unbelievable" conditions.

Even Zhao Gou was thinking: Is it to make me serve under my seventeenth brother? If you make this condition, I won't be surprised, but I certainly can't agree to it.

However, Ma Congyi's next words still exceeded everyone's expectations.

He said earnestly, "Instead, we will move the capital to Yanjing! If the Southern Song emperor dares to move the capital to Yanjing, our emperor will be willing to serve under your command and be a lowly soldier."

"boom!"

Almost everyone present jumped up at the same time.

Liu Guangshi: "Move the capital to Yanjing? You're insane!"

Zhang Jun: "Oh my god, Yanjing is still in the hands of the Jin Kingdom."

Han Shizhong: "Hahaha, if we want to move the capital to Yanjing, we must first recover the Central Plains and then advance into Hebei. This is not easy, hahaha, this is a really big problem."

Qin Hui: "Such lofty ambitions?"

Zhao Gou didn't say a word, but in his heart he roared: "I bought a bag last year, it's super durable. Moving that damn Yanjing, I wouldn't have enough lives to move it there!"

Ma Congyi: "I have nothing more to say, farewell."

After saying that, Ma Congyi turned and left.

He was a little angry, so he neglected all manners and acted as if he no longer respected Zhao Gou.

Zhao Gou's personal guards glanced at him, waiting for him to order Ma Congyi to be arrested. However, Zhao Gou didn't dare to harm the Northern Song envoy. Instead, he was afraid, thinking to himself: "Oh no, I've angered the Northern Song envoy. What if he goes back and exaggerates my faults? And then the Northern Song uses some strange firearms to attack me?!"
Soon, a scout ran in from outside the tent: "The Pseudo-Song..."

Zhao Gou: "Change the name to Northern Song."

The scout quickly said, "The Northern Song army has withdrawn. It's a full-scale retreat. The main force in Wuyang County is retreating eastward. The large area of ​​gray forts they built around Wuyang County is also unguarded. The soldiers at the front want to request permission to take advantage of the situation, capture Wuyang, and move into the gray forts."

Without a second thought, Zhao Gou cursed, "We haven't even won against the Jin yet, and you're already thinking of provoking my seventeenth brother again? The Northern Song withdrew its troops so that our army could better deal with the Jin invaders. Are you all crazy? Taking Wuyang at this time will only anger my seventeenth brother. What if he joins forces with the Jin army to attack again? All you do is cause trouble for me."

(End of this chapter)