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

Chapter 503: Everything is difficult for my husband to decide

After Liu Huai and the other five people returned from the grand court meeting, they remained silent and the atmosphere was extremely depressing.

Something must have happened, but those who did not attend the grand court meeting, including Lu You, wanted to ask but did not dare to.

In the end, Luo Huaiyan found out the general situation from his good friend Bi Zaiyu, and everyone was stunned by the behavior of the King and his ministers of Song.

Are these the rulers and ministers of a vast country?

This fermenting emotion continued until Yang Yizhong personally presented the rewards, and then it completely broke out when Yu Yunwen arrived at Duting Station.

Lu You stepped forward and held Yu Yunwen's hands, his lips moving as he said, "How could this be?! How could this be?!"

It would be fine if Zhao Gou was cowardly in front of his own ministers, but the Jingnan Army and the Zhongyi Army and Tianping Army behind him were still independent forces at that time. How would these people view the central government if he behaved so mischievously in front of foreign troops?
The most typical example is Jia Rui of the Tianping Army.

This guy now looked as if his outlook on life and the world had suffered a huge shock. His face was ashen and he sat there motionless.

In just a few days, a general who always shouted "Long live the emperor" was turned into this state. The central government of the Song Dynasty must be quite capable.

In order to unite the Shandong generals, Lu You often boasted about the Song State, saying that the emperor had great ambitions and perseverance, the prince had a broad mind, this prime minister was upright and incorruptible, and that prime minister was diligent in serving the people.

The Song people that the Shandong generals had come into contact with before, in addition to Wei Sheng, Liu Huai and other Northern Expedition generals, were the Song warriors who fought in Caishi and Chao County. Many people still felt that the Song State was worthy of being a great country with a profound foundation.

As a result, the Shandong generals stayed in Jiankang City, the temporary power center of the Song State, for less than two days, and the Song State's underwear was exposed.

Yu Yunwen's face was full of bitterness as he looked at the warriors sitting or standing in Duting Posthouse. He found that not only the generals from Shandong, but even the generals from Ezhou, Chizhou, Lianghuai and other places of the Song State had complicated expressions and were silent.

Cheng Min and Li Xianzhong returned to their respective rooms early and stayed indoors.

On the contrary, Liu Huai looked calm and was whispering something with the people around him.

Seeing this, Yu Yunwen could only appease Lu You and said, "This is due to the Ministry of Rites' lack of consideration and time constraints, which led to mistakes. We need to carefully consider the next steps."

After appeasing Lu You, a staunch supporter of the Song Dynasty, Yu Yunwen went to Liu Huai.

However, Liu Huai just pointed to the seat beside him and said, "Prime Minister Yu, please have a drink."

A cup of tea has been poured on the table.

After Yu Yunwen sat down, he didn't pick up the teacup. He just sighed and said, "After drinking this tea, will you and I sever our ties and sit on our own, and from now on we'll be enemies, not friends?"

Liu Huai shook his head and laughed: "Prince Yu, you worry too much."

As he spoke, Liu Huai sat up straight, his face becoming solemn: "However, I have a few questions next. If you, Lord Yu, can't answer them, then there is no need to talk about your ambition to restore the country.

You stay in Jiangnan and be your peaceful husband, while I go to Shandong to fight the Jin bandits to the death. How about we part ways and live happily, just like a divorced couple?

Yu Yunwen understood instantly that this meant that Liu Huai was completely disappointed with the ruler and ministers of Song State, and only had a glimmer of hope in Yu Yunwen. If he could not cope with it at this time, then Liu Huai would most likely take some dangerous actions such as taking advantage of the opportunity to attack Lianghuai and enrich himself.

"Excuse me, Liu Dalang."

Liu Huai cleared his throat. "First, when will Marshal Yue Fei be rehabilitated?"

Yu Yunwen didn't expect that he would be asked such an important question right away. He immediately raised his teacup and fell silent.

Everyone in the world knows how Yue Fei died. This is the most injustice in the world.

But in the official statement, Yue Fei is still the traitor who is arrogant and refuses to obey orders.

It was precisely because Yue Fei was unjustly killed because he advocated war that if the Song court wanted to change from advocating peace to advocating war, the first thing it would do was to rehabilitate Yue Fei.

Otherwise, how could we convince the world that the State of Song wanted to recover its lost territory?

Otherwise, how could those pro-war military men not worry about ending up like Yue Fei?
But this issue is somewhat complicated. If we follow what Yu Yunwen often said recently, we should take a long-term view.

On the one hand, although the cause and effect of this unjust case can be put on Qin Hui, it was still created by Zhao Gou. It is really too difficult to let Zhao Gou overthrow himself.

Moreover, the reason why Zhao Gou became in favor of war at this time was that the Jin Kingdom had put the handle of a knife to his neck, and he had no choice but to do so.

It is obvious to everyone that Zhao Gou is still the leader of the peace faction.

The other side is even more difficult to talk about.

Now the rumor that Zhao Gou wanted to abdicate was no longer a secret. Yu Yunwen wanted to delay the matter and give the credit for rehabilitating Yue Fei to Zhao Shen. Then he could immediately win the support of the pro-war faction for the new emperor.

This had nothing to do with preference; it was simply a political choice. However, when Liu Huai asked this question openly, Yu Yunwen found it difficult to give a direct answer. He could only perfunctorily reply, "This matter still requires further consideration, but I can guarantee that I will definitely exonerate Yue Pengju."

Liu Huai sighed, "Prince Yu, how can I trust you without a specific timeline? If ten years from now, will you still be needed? I'll just take care of it myself."

Just as Yu Yunwen was about to make another promise, Liu Huai waved his hand, "Let's put this matter aside for now. The second question is, how should Wanyan Liang be dealt with? Has the emperor come to an agreement?"

Yu Yunwen became even more hesitant after hearing this.

There was actually a huge uproar in the court about how to deal with Wanyan Liang.

Generally speaking, opinions are mostly divided into two categories.

One is to give him the treatment of the Second Saint, lock him up and let him wait for death.

The second is to use Emperor Wanyan Liang's identity to do something.

It seems simple.

But when political struggles are combined, even the smallest things can become troublesome and chaotic.

For example, those who want to use the same methods that the Jin Dynasty used against the two saints to deal with Wanyan Liang seem to be the pro-war factions who have gone mad after the Jingkang Humiliation.

But don't forget that not all the people in the Jin Dynasty are fools. They also have military and political elites. They will definitely establish a new king to maintain their superior position in the fight against the Song Dynasty.

It is very likely that the confinement of Wanyan Liang was a means used by the peace faction to please the new king of the Jin Dynasty.

And precisely because the Jin Kingdom wanted to establish a new king, if one wanted to write an article using Wanyan Liang's identity, one had to choose a very good time.

To accomplish this, one not only needs some diplomatic skills, but also military and political capabilities, and people like Lin Xiangru and Zhang Yi are indispensable.

More importantly, there should be no internal constraints.

But looking at the behavior of the king and his ministers of Song State, Liu Huai felt that the situation was very dangerous.

Although Wanyan Liang is a good card, it is time-limited.

By the time the new Jin ruler has established himself, it will be of no use at all. Seeing Yu Yunwen remain silent, Liu Huai sighed, "Third, what should be the next military action? Should we bide our time and prepare our forces, or should we march out with all our forces now?
If we keep a low profile, then when will we launch the Northern Expedition?

If we launch a northern expedition now, where will the main attack be?"

Yu Yunwen felt sweat on his forehead and was tongue-tied, unable to speak.

With the political efficiency of the Song court, this kind of military and political strategy would take at least two or three months to come up with, including the political struggles. Now that Liu Huai asked him about it, he didn't know how to answer.

Yu Yunwen was also wondering in his heart, did Liu Huai really think that he was the sole prime minister whose words were law?
Seeing that Yu Yunwen couldn't answer this question, Liu Huai could only shake his head and sigh again: "Mr. Yu, I have one last question."

"Let's talk about it."

"In your opinion, Minister Yu, what is the most important matter at this moment?"

After Liu Huai finished speaking, he stared at Yu Yunwen with a pair of sparkling eyes.

But this time, Yu Yunwen did not hesitate at all and said something that surprised the surrounding generals: "Reorganize the Huai River and Huai River areas. Spring plowing must not be delayed!"

As soon as the words fell, the courtyard, which was originally filled with whispers, suddenly became silent. Then, several generals of the Jingnan Army who were of peasant origin looked directly at Liu Huai and nodded secretly.

In an agricultural society, agriculture comes first.

In a normal government, no matter how important the matter is, it must give way to spring plowing!
Liu Huai looked into Yu Yunwen's eyes, smiled and said nothing.

Yu Yunwen put down his teacup, leaned forward and held Liu Huai's right hand: "Liu Dalang, I came here for this matter."

Liu Huai raised his hand to stop Yu Yunwen from speaking, and then said: "Mr. Lu and Xin Wulang stay, the rest of you stay ten steps away."

Zhang Baiyu and others immediately stood up and walked out with the other generals, pushing the Song generals aside.

Soon, only Liu Huai and four others were left in the huge courtyard.

Seeing this, Yu Yunwen didn't keep anyone in suspense and said directly in a serious tone: "I want the position of the envoy of Jingxiang and Jianghuai. I hope Liu Dalang can help me."

Liu Huai narrowed his eyes and said, "Prime Minister Yu, as the Jianghuai Envoy, can't you do something big now?"

Yu Yunwen shook his head. "This is the Acting Jianghuai Envoy. It's only a temporary position and will be revoked soon. The next person to take over is likely to be the Prince of Tongan, Yang Yizhong."

Liu Huai thought about it and shook his head, saying, "The court will not agree to this."

Yu Yunwen took a sip of tea and said, "I really won't agree. This position is high and powerful. Yang Yizhong is just a lucky recruit with no real ability. How can we entrust him with the affairs of state?"

This is also the unanimous opinion of the civil and military officials in the court on Yang Yizhong.

This person is loyal, but his ability is too poor.

The last time Yang Yizhong led an army into battle was when he followed Zhang Jun, one of the Four Generals of the Restoration, to fight against Wanyan Wushu. After the great victory at Zhegao, he underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, and his entire army was wiped out in Haozhou, with Yang Yizhong barely escaping with his life.

Even before that, Yang Yizhong even had the experience of his entire army collapsing immediately after hearing that there was an ambush ahead.

If he were to be in charge of the military and political affairs of Xiangfan and Lianghuai and launch a strategic counterattack against the Jin Dynasty, something really big would happen.

Moreover, Yang Yi Zhong is Zhao Gou's die-hard supporter and is carrying out Zhao Gou's will. It is really hard to say whether a fight will break out at that time. What if Zhao Gou gives in and negotiates peace again?
"Just because this position doesn't fall to Yang Yizhong doesn't mean it will necessarily fall to me," Yu Yunwen said earnestly. "If someone else gets this position, Shandong will be in danger."

This is not alarmist.

Because the power center of the Jin Dynasty had moved south as early as the Wanyan Dan period. If it were not for Wanyan Liang's reckless behavior and insistence on moving it to Bianliang, the capital of the Jin Dynasty should have been set in Yanjing long ago.

In fact, in history, after Wanyan Yong succeeded to the throne, he did not stay long in Liaoyang Prefecture, where he started his career, but immediately moved the capital to Yanjing.

If Henan cannot be defended by then, then it will be gone, but Hebei cannot be lost!

If they wanted to keep Hebei, they had to stabilize Daming Prefecture and recapture Dongping Prefecture in Shandong. By then, it would be a miracle if the Jin Kingdom did not send troops to attack Shandong again.

Apart from Yu Yunwen, who else can really march from Lianghuai to cooperate with the offensive of Shandong generals such as Liu Huai when Shandong needs it?
Zhang Jun?
In history, the Longxing Northern Expedition led by Zhang Jun ultimately ended in failure, and the failure was extremely absurd and miserable.

This guy, as the commander-in-chief and prime minister, couldn't even resolve the conflict between two generals. He is truly useless.

What is foreseeable is that whoever can take charge of Lianghuai will be able to contact and even control the extremely powerful Shandong rebel army, thereby expanding territory and recovering lost territories.

The Jianghuai Xuanfu Envoy must have been a very popular position.

Thinking of this, Liu Huai asked in a deep voice, "What does Yu Xianggong want me to do?"

Yu Yunwen knew that the matter was already half done, so he lowered his voice again and said, "Liu Dalang, just do whatever you want and muddy the waters. You are dissatisfied with many things anyway, so this is a good opportunity to sort them out."

Since Liu Huai looks down on everyone except Yu Yunwen, let him make enemies with all forces. After all, as a great contributor, he has a huge political advantage. Liu Huai does not want to be the prime minister of Song State, so why not use this political advantage to suppress others?
For example, Yang Yizhong.

If Liu Huai and all the Shandong generals disagreed with Yang Yi Zhong being in charge of Lianghuai, then Yang Yi Zhong would not even have a little support.

Liu Huai's eyes narrowed, and then he said with a half-smile: "Can I really do whatever I want?"

Yu Yunwen smiled and shook his head: "I believe Dalang knows his limits."

Liu Huai still maintained a half-smile on his face: "Prime Minister Yu really understands me."

As he spoke, Liu Huai's smile faded: "Prime Minister Yu, I know you have a way out. If your bid to govern Lianghuai and Xiangfan fails, you can return to your hometown in Shu and collude with Wu Lin, the Grand Marshal.

But we, the generals of Shandong, only have one Shandong. If Minister Yu is truly unable to make decisions for Lianghuai, then for the sake of the empire, I will have to take action.”

Yu Yunwen's expression also turned serious: "Liu Dalang, I just told you that you know your limits, and I hope you won't do anything that goes beyond the rules. I am not without my own methods."

After saying that, Yu Yunwen stood up, bowed to the other three people including Liu Huai, and turned to leave.

Lu You looked at Yu Yunwen's back, his eyes showing worry: "What does this mean, Yu Xianggong?"

Xin Qiji, however, was clear-headed and spoke with some complexity, "Because Shandong isn't just ruled by Liu Dalang. We also have Geng Jiedu of the Dongping Army and Duke Wei of the Zhongyi Army. If Dalang goes too far, then Minister Yu will have to pull both sides together to deal with him."

Lu You was slightly stunned, then shook his head and said, "Wu Lang, if Liu Dalang really had a quarrel with Geng Jiedu, whose side would you stand on?"

Xin Qiji did not answer, but instead asked directly: "Mr. Lu, if loyalty to the Song Dynasty and the Northern Expedition cannot be achieved at the same time, which side will you stand on?"

The two literary masters sighed at the same time.

Liu Huai came back to his senses and saw Lu and Xin in such a state. He said with a bit of amusement, "Don't talk about these nonsense. Gather all the generals and eat first."

(End of this chapter)