Chapter 739 - 26: The Movements of Three Kingdoms, Winds and Clouds Suddenly Rise

Gu Jin acted swiftly.

From the moment he truly made the decision, all of Great Song began to operate rapidly under his strategic planning.

——He had long been fully prepared!

Provisions from various regions started to mobilize in succession.

The current national power of Great Song was fully displayed under such circumstances.

Relying on the extensive canal transportation and the increasingly mature maritime system, rice from Jiangnan, millet and wheat from the Two Huai, and corn as a strategic new grain, began to converge like hundreds of rivers into the designated granaries on the frontline in Hebei.

On the official roads, grain transport convoys bearing the emergency tokens of the Imperial Censorate passed one after another;

On the sea, sturdy sea ships under the Maritime Trade Office filled their sails, transporting grain and forage produced by the Liaodong military settlements directly to the coastal ports of Pingzhou and Luanzhou, significantly alleviating the pressure of land transportation.

The deployment of troops was even more secretive and efficient.

The elite Forbidden Army set out from the Capital Region camps, traveling day and night along the newly renovated official roads.

All divisions of the Border Army received strict orders to enter the highest state of combat readiness.

The troops of Yang Ye inside Yan Gate were further reinforced with artillery and Divine Arm Crossbows, their every attack posture becoming increasingly fierce, firmly drawing the attention of Liao’s Western Capital Path.

Behind all this orderly activity was the Imperial Censorate’s pervasive monitoring system at work.

From the verification of grain storage to the fair conscription of laborers, and the enforcement of military discipline, the presence of black-clad imperial censors was evident.

Ensuring that every bit of strength was used where it counted, eliminating any possible corruption and inefficiency.

The censors of the Imperial Censorate frequently shuttled between the Secretariat and the Three Offices, cross-examining documents and supervising processes, their authority so weighty that officials at all levels dared not slack off in the slightest.

Meanwhile, several fast horses, carrying confidential letters stamped with the Grand Tutor’s Great Seal, galloped separately to Xiazhou State in the northwest and Lushun Port in Liaodong.

The letter to Li Deming, Sovereign of Western Xia, contained earnest words with profound implications, reaffirming the alliance to "jointly attack the Northern invaders" and subtly hinting that border trade and "territorial returns" could be negotiated after success.

Instructions to the stationed commanders in Liaodong were more direct: strengthen defenses, seize the opportunity to act, and ensure the Liao people feel the pressure from the eastern front.

In Kaifeng City, the surface remained as prosperous as ever, but an invisible air of hostility had already spread between the Grand Tutor’s residence and the Secretariat.

Gu Jin daily reviewed reports flying in like snowflakes, summoning generals and senior officials from various paths to finalize details on march routes, troop distribution, and logistics support.

His temples seemed to have gained a few more strands of white hair, but the sharpness and determination in his eyes were more intense than ever.

When he was about to once again wield the sharp blade in his hand,

He finally came alive.

In truth, Gu Jin was not suited for court life.

He was too fierce by nature, a person made to be a commander, even Gu Yi believed this.

Though he was equally imposing in court,

He was never truly himself there.

But now, this lion had come alive once more!

...

——The news spread rapidly.

Such a large-scale rectification was obviously impossible to conceal from spies of various countries.

Western Xia, Xingqing Prefecture.

Though the palace city was not as magnificent as Kaifeng, it had a grandeur formed by the interweaving of prairie and agrarian civilizations.

Li Deming, now in his later years with frost-tipped temples, sat on the tiger-skin throne, lightly tapping the confidential letter from Kaifeng, his face unable to suppress a meaningful smile.

"Lord Gu is finally making his move."

He handed the letter to the Crown Prince, Li Yuanhao, his voice steady but tinged with an imperceptible excitement, "The wording is quite courteous."

"Jointly attack the Northern invaders, hehe... it also mentioned border trade and territorial returns."

As he spoke, a look of disdain appeared on Li Deming’s face.

Although his reference to Gu Jin was still the respectful "Lord Gu," this attitude actually revealed his true thoughts.

The officials in the hall were unsurprised and unconcerned, merely discussing the current military campaign.

"Your Majesty! This is a godsend!"

"The Liao dogs have occupied our pastures and oppressed us for years! Now that Song’s main forces are heading north, we should send troops, reclaim the West River territory, even strike directly at their Western Capital to avenge our past humiliations!"

A chieftain with a full face of curly beard stepped forward first, his voice like a great bell, his face full of killing intent.

Indeed, Western Xia’s relations with Liao were currently very poor.

Over the years,

Even with the restraint of Great Song, Xia Country was still at a noticeable disadvantage on the battlefield with Liao.

And obviously, there were many who felt this way.

Once this man spoke, many others chimed in agreement.

But in the next moment, a scholar dressed in Han-style official robes cautiously shook his head, "Your Majesty, I find this unwise."

"The Song Kingdom is powerful, and Lord Gu is skilled in strategy."

"He first took Northern Han land from the Liao dogs, then within a little over a decade, he has elevated Great Song to new heights."

"If we wholeheartedly support Song, even if we defeat Liao, it’s just driving away wolves through the front door, and welcoming a tiger through the back door."

"At that time, what benefit is there for Great Xia to have an even stronger Song Kingdom entrenched in the east?"

"It would be better to watch their changes, wait for both sides to be exhausted, then make our move."

This was a typical strategy of observing from a safe distance, aiming to preserve one’s strength.

——True, Liao was also currently absorbing talents from across the land.

The intellectual atmosphere of a hundred schools contending gave this chaotic time its greatest variables.

And once he spoke, voices of agreement echoed again, the entire hall was completely divided into two factions, each arguing with no resolution in sight.