Chapter 858 - 70: Calamity of Human Nature, Victories and Defeats Beyond the Battlefield

The game of power has never been just empty talk.

This is a struggle;

A life-and-death struggle.

In Gu Yi’s view, a person with Yue Fei’s abilities, especially after being educated at the Gu Academy, could not possibly be completely ignorant of these matters.

Perhaps, he is unwilling to think about it.

Unwilling to imagine the imperial court and even the one sitting on the dragon throne in such a negative light.

This is also the mindset of many during this era.

The Emperor cannot be wrong!

The chaos is merely the result of those in the court not appreciating the Emperor’s kindness.

He can only see through this thinking on his own.

It’s worth mentioning—

Gu Yi did not expect history to repeatedly coincide, with the exit of the Gu Clan, Zhao Gou, an Emperor known in the original history, unexpectedly reappeared in contemporary times.

This includes Qin Hui as well.

Qin Hui was no surprise.

After all, the changes over the years have said it all: the appearance of the Gu Clan indeed affects many things, allowing talents who were originally unknown to emerge, but equally, it does not overshadow others.

The real surprise to him was Zhao Gou, as the Gu Clan had already altered the entire causal line of the Great Song.

But perhaps because of Correction Force, although the change in imperial power went through some fluctuations, Zhao Gou was uplifted amidst struggles on all sides due to coincidences.

However, Gu Yi didn’t care too much about this matter.

Perhaps it’s because of the change in the Gu Clan’s strength.

He had long ceased to pay excessive attention to matters of imperial power.

.....

Time hurriedly passed, the world remained tumultuous, nothing was beyond Gu Yi’s expectations.

War flames, factional struggles—all continued without pause.

Beneath the surface prosperity.

The situation of the entire Great Song sharply deteriorated, and the quality of life of the common people in various places rapidly continued to worsen visibly, which also destined the current situation of the Great Song to have no improvement.

Of course, this has nothing to do with the Northern Border.

Yue Fei’s ability was indeed too strong.

Strong to the point where even the situation on the Liaodong Peninsula was affected, forcing a complete alliance with the Jurchen tribes to resist Yue Fei’s incursions.

Kaijing.

Within the temporarily constructed palace room, the crackling of burning charcoal did not dispel the weight and chill permeating the air.

Wanyan Digunai sat high at the main seat, the sharpness of yesteryears had been worn down by consecutive defeats, replaced by a beast-like anxiety and gloom.

Sitting below him were the leaders of several large tribes from Liaodong, each with a heavy expression and none of the old grandeur.

"We can’t go on like this!" A Liaodong leader with a knife scar on his face slapped his thigh hard, voice hoarse, "That Yue Fei commands troops like a god, his soldiers fearlessly brave, with strict discipline and accurate intelligence... in direct confrontations, our allied forces have no chance of winning!"

"If we keep losing, morale will collapse!"

"What is the point of continuing this battle?"

This remark brought silence to the tent.

How could they not know?

The defeat at Heishui Valley was still fresh in their minds, Yue Fei’s military strategy was unpredictable, sometimes like a thunderous force crushing directly, sometimes like a ghostly presence severing supply lines and destroying camps, leaving them running ragged.

The frustration of having strength with no place to use it, as if every step was calculated by the enemy, was more despairing than simple defeat, with no victory in sight.

If not for the excessively cold winter on the Liaodong Peninsula.

They might have already been completely wiped out by Yue Fei.

Wanyan Digunai’s fingers heavily tapped on the rough wood table, drawing everyone’s gaze, as he stared at the crowd saying: "Yue Fei’s fierceness cannot be confronted directly."

He paused slightly, "Although it’s difficult to capture victory on the battlefield, we can change the battlefield."

Several leaders looked at him, puzzled.

Compared to Wanyan Digunai, they were indeed inferior.

As a descendant of Wanyan Aguda.

Wanyan Digunai had fully absorbed the Kyushu culture, and with his understanding of the current situation of the Great Song, his thoughts were beyond their reach.

"Battlefield?" The scarred leader was confused, "Apart from the battlefield, where else can victory or defeat be decided?"

Wanyan Digunai’s lips curved into a cold smile, casually uttering two words: "Force them to act against Yue Fei."

Upon hearing this.

The leaders present showed the expression of looking at a madman.

Make them act against Yue Fei?

Isn’t this madness?

A warrior like Yue Fei, how could anyone act against him in this current situation?

Wanyan Digunai saw the doubt in their eyes, but he did not explain much.

This matter naturally cannot be understood without knowing the intensity of the current factional struggles in the Great Song.

Yue Fei acted too ruthlessly.

There’s no need to think much; just based on Yue Fei’s actions during these days, Wanyan Digunai could even imagine how many people in the Great Song hate him.

Actually, he had already noticed this point.

As for why he had not taken action before, the reason was equally simple.

Underestimating Yue Fei aside.

He felt the time was not yet ripe!

But now things are different.

Although repeatedly establishing military achievements, Yue Fei’s position has become increasingly solid, he does not believe those in the Great Song court would not feel pressed!

And it’s simple to facilitate this condition.