Chapter 859 - 70: Calamity of Human Hearts, Victory and Defeat Beyond the Battlefield

He only needs to put pressure on the Great Song, and by then, those people at the court will certainly not let go of any opportunity!

And this matter is not just idle talk!

After all, the Gu Clan has already withdrawn from the world!

...

Liaodong Port.

This place is one of the main channels for trade between the Liaodong Peninsula and Kyushu, located at the southern tip of the peninsula, and even in the harsh winter, it maintains considerable vitality.

The harbor is filled with masts like a forest.

Merchant ships from various southern routes dock here, exchanging northern furs and mountain treasures for southern silk and porcelain, making it a hub of ongoing trade.

The current political landscape of the Great Song still retains the various systems left behind by the Gu Clan of old.

Important ports like this have always been under the supervision of the Imperial Censorate.

The purpose is to ensure oversight of commerce.

After all, these ports are the necessary channels for trade, and through them many twists and turns can be detected.

However, the current Imperial Censorate is entirely different from what the Gu Clan created in the past.

The Imperial Censorate is indeed a juicy piece of meat.

Fat enough that various factions want to have a hand in it; over the years, the remnants of the Gu Clan’s past efforts have naturally long since vanished, and the Imperial Censorate has naturally become the possession of various factions, so-called oversight has thus come to a halt.

Including the various rebel forces in Liaodong, they have not directly attacked this port.

After all, they still rely on this place to live.

Similarly, the Song Army’s defenses here are extremely strong, and they certainly wouldn’t attack without certainty.

This situation has persisted for years, so much so that the garrison’s guards have formed a corresponding notion.

Simply put——

This is a certain political balance between both sides.

The rebel forces in Liaodong do not attack here, and this port likewise does not prohibit their trade demands, which, in every aspect, is considered mutually beneficial.

But this time, this balance was disrupted!

In the third year of Shaoxing, at the end of October.

The sudden onslaught of the Jurchen Alliance Army completely shattered the tranquility here!

The battle was exceptionally brutal.

Fires and thick smoke instantly engulfed half the port, arrows swarmed like locusts, and the glint of blades reflected panic-stricken faces.

The Song Army, almost unprepared, could not possibly withstand the sudden onslaught of the Alliance Army under such circumstances!

This time, Wanyan Digü was clearly determined to kill!

He intended to take over Liaodong Port!

Using it as a base, to advance on the Central Plains by sea!

If the Gu Clan had not withdrawn from the world, he would never dare to do this.

After all, the Ryukyu Navy is still there.

The sea in this domain is the natural fortress of the Gu Clan, certainly not something they could breach.

But alas, the Gu Clan has already retreated from the world?

Of course, Wanyan Digü also understood that this move couldn’t truly conquer the Central Plains, as he had no foothold in the Central Plains.

But what of it?

He never thought it would be that easy to conquer the Central Plains!

The purpose of this move was to pressure the Song Court, using the opportunity to remove Yue Fei!

And beyond that——

It was to tell all the forces resisting the Great Song that the Great Song is merely a paper tiger today!

He was not afraid of his enemies growing stronger.

After all, their only common enemy is the Great Song!

Once the Great Song falls.

Then they can continuously expand their influence.

This kind of struggle for dominance.... isn’t it about continually expanding oneself under the conditions of eroding great powers?

What is there to be afraid of?

This time, Wanyan Digü seemingly calculated everything.

To seize the opportunity as winter arrives, when Yue Fei cannot launch large-scale attacks, and fully establish everything!

——The situation suddenly changed!

When the military report, urgent as an arrow traveling eight hundred li, carried the news of Liaodong Port’s fall, and the Jurchen Alliance Army’s crossing of the sea to land at Donglai, with their forces aimed at the heart of the Central Plains like a nightmare, reached Yingtian Prefecture, it reverberated like a thunderclap, shaking the entire Yingtian Prefecture!

Indeed, it was a shock!

No one ever expected such a thing to happen.

After all, with the natural barrier of the Ryukyu Navy in place, along with Kyushu’s continually leading maritime technology, who would have thought someone would attack Kyushu through the sea one day?

The most crucial aspect is, as the heart of Kyushu.

In Chuigong Hall.

"What?! Donglai has fallen?"

"How dare the Barbarians do this!!"

"This....how is this possible? Isn’t Liaodong Port impregnable?"

Upon the dragon throne, Zhao Gou’s face was ashen, his hand clutching the military report trembled slightly. The satisfaction he felt from the recent minor victory at the Northern Border had been utterly shattered by this sudden blow. He suddenly stood up, his voice shrill with rage and anger: "Useless! All of them are useless! What were the commanders at Liaodong Port doing?"

"And what about Donglai’s navy? Why were they completely unaware, allowing the invaders to cross the sea at will?!"

He roared in fury.

The courtiers at this moment were like cicadas in winter, all kneeling on the ground.

In the end, it was Qin Hui who had no choice but to speak of resistance.

But how could this matter be so simple?

Since Wanyan Digü made such a move, he must be assured of victory, for they had no way out!

These troops had no intention of directly engaging with the Song Army.

From beginning to end, they were avoiding the brunt of the Song Army.

Even when there was a chance for victory, they did not act impulsively, only active in the Central Plains to pressure the court!

...

Meanwhile, at the Northern Border.

Within the Song Army camp.

It was impossible for Yue Fei to know about the events in Kyushu immediately.

However, he still keenly sensed something unusual with the Jurchen tribes.

—Their defense against him had diminished!

Even though they were still the same elite troops, Yue Fei vaguely sensed something.

However, the soldiers felt there was nothing wrong, only saying it was because winter had come, and these people knew we couldn’t launch a large-scale attack during winter, hence their reduced vigilance.

Regarding this explanation, Yue Fei thought it plausible but still remained vigilant.

Inside the command tent.

"No matter what Wanyan Digü intends to do!"

"Our plan must not change!"

Yue Fei’s eyes were burning as he surveyed the generals in the tent, his tone full of murderous intent!

Indeed, he planned to attack!

In fact, this winter’s grand offensive was not a sudden decision.

For two consecutive years, Yue Fei deliberately adopted a defensive stance during winter. While it was partly due to unfavorable weather, the deeper intent was to foster the enemy’s belief that "the Song Army does not fight in winter," lulling them into a false sense of security.

He had been waiting, waiting for an opportunity to ensure a decisive victory.

Now, that opportunity had come!

He could delay no longer.

Others might not see it or were unwilling to speak of it, but how could he not see the current situation of the Great Song?

In the past two years, he had impeached various regional commanders numerous times, urging the court to quickly suppress the rebellion, but regrettably, all was to no avail.

This forced Yue Fei to reconsider his strategy.

He would swiftly pacify the Northern Border and then proceed to other battlefields.

In fact, with his capability, he had a chance to pacify the Northern Border earlier, but being from the Gu Academy, Yue Fei’s considerations were evidently deeper, as he aimed to continue promoting national unity.

But now, at this point, he had no choice but to make a sacrifice!

"This time, the troops will be divided into three routes."

"The central army led by me, will directly attack Wanyan Digü’s court!"

"The left wing, led by Zhang Xian, will cut through the northern foothills of Wolf Mountain, severing their left flank;"

"The right wing, led by Niu Gao, will detour from the ice fields, blocking their retreat!"

"Strive to form an encirclement and settle the matter with one battle!"

He meticulously deployed the strategy.

And the gathered generals made no hesitation, rising together to take the order.

In an instant—

The beacon fires of the entire Northern Border were once again ignited.

Numerous elite soldiers checked their armor under the low instructions of the officers, donning white cloaks, silently blending into the vast snowy plains.

On the night before departure.

Yue Fei, as usual, met with Gu Hui and shared his thoughts.

"After this battle, the Northern Border will surely stabilize."

"Then..."

"I will be able to campaign in all directions, quelling the unrest."

Yue Fei looked intently at Gu Hui and, after speaking, drank a bowl of strong wine with reverence, solemnly saying:

"At that time, would you, sir, be willing to follow me into the court?"

"Together with me, bring the Great Song back to prosperity?"

Hearing this, Gu Hui’s expression was somewhat complex. After a moment of silence, he simply raised his cup in a distant toast, nodding gently.

Seeing this, Yue Fei smiled once more.

Then without saying more, he stood up, saluted Gu Hui, and strode out of the tent.

...

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