Chapter 128: The Army at the City Gates

"General, our army has penetrated deep into enemy territory. If we are not careful, we risk falling into a heavy encirclement, with consequences too dire to contemplate," Zhang Jun said urgently to Han Shizhong.

Both sides had valid points.

"The most urgent priority now is to confirm whether we have reached the location designated by His Majesty. Other concerns can be addressed once we have gathered more intelligence," Liang Hongyu interjected to smooth things over.

Han Shizhong nodded. "The scouts have already been sent out; I expect we will have results soon."

"General, I believe that since the northern soldiers are not adept at naval warfare, we could split our forces into two: one attacking by land and the other by water. As for the advisor's concerns regarding our retreat, with these hundreds of warships, our withdrawal is secured. Splitting the forces would also allow us to maximize our numbers. Would such an arrangement be feasible?" asked Lieutenant General Wu Xiaodong.

Everyone nodded in agreement. While the Jin Dynasty possessed formidable military strength, it was primarily concentrated in their cavalry. Truth be told, the Jin could not build a single decent warship, let alone maintain a navy.

Han Shizhong nodded. "This plan is viable. We can divide our sixty-thousand-strong army into three prongs: two will advance along the banks of the Songhua River—one through Songjiang City to press the eastern side of Shangjing, and the other through Wuchang City to press the western side. The naval force will sail upstream along the Songhua River to strike the southern side of Shangjing. We will then surround and lay siege to the capital from all three directions."

As the Grand General, Han Shizhong finalized the offensive strategy, pointing to the map to explain the marching routes to his officers.

The officers raised no objections to the tactical plan. Advancing in three prongs created a mutually supporting formation that allowed them to cover one another.

Soon, the scouts returned, bringing with them a local resident. According to the man, the Jin capital of Shangjing was only five hundred li ahead. Furthermore, Han Shizhong received an unexpected piece of good news: Wanyan Zonghan had taken almost all of the Jin army on his southern campaign, leaving the capital virtually defenseless.

Han Shizhong was overjoyed; this was a golden opportunity to strike directly at the heart of the enemy.

With reliable intelligence in hand, Han Shizhong did not hesitate. He issued his orders: "Pass on my command: the army will divide into three paths. The left flank of twenty thousand will be led by Wu Xiaodong, the right flank of twenty thousand by Yang Zaixing, and the center will advance by water. I shall reward the troops tonight, and tomorrow, we launch a full-scale assault directly toward Shangjing."

The officers left to carry out their orders. In truth, they all felt a sense of suppressed urgency. Having been away from home for two months with no word on the situation back there, they were eager to crush the Jin capital and return as quickly as possible.

The next day, Yang Zaixing and Wu Xiaodong led the right and left flanks ashore, respectively. The two infantry divisions marched toward Shangjing, unopposed. In just a single day, Yang Zaixing reached the walls of Wuchang, and Wu Xiaodong arrived at the walls of Songjiang.

Inside the Jin court, Wanyan Wuqimai stood with a dark expression, staring at the memorials submitted to him. "Can anyone tell me what is going on? Why have the Song troops suddenly appeared at Wuchang and Songjiang?" he bellowed.

The ministers looked at one another in silence. They were just as confused; were their armies not currently battling the Song on the front lines? Now, their own base had been caught off guard.

"Your Majesty, I have received reports that hundreds of massive warships have appeared on the Songhua River. It must be that the Song army moved by water, bypassing Generals Zonghan and Zongwang, and is now pressing directly on Shangjing," analyzed Wanyan Sagai, the Chancellor of the Jin Dynasty.

"How are Generals Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Zongwang leading their troops? How did such a massive development happen without their knowledge? And it has been two months; they have made no progress at all! Since when did the Song army become so difficult to defeat?" interjected Hailing Wang Wanyan Liang.

"Your Majesty, the Song army is cunning. We must make plans early. The garrisons at Wuchang and Songjiang only have ten thousand men each, and it is rumored that the Song force numbers one hundred thousand. They certainly cannot withstand such an attack," Wanyan Sagai said, ignoring Wanyan Liang and addressing Wanyan Wuqimai directly.

Warfare in ancient times differed from the present in that commanders often inflated their troop numbers during campaigns. Much like Cao Cao when he attacked Liu Bei and Sun Quan, he claimed to have eight hundred thousand soldiers when, in reality, he had only three hundred thousand. The goal was simply to pressure the enemy into surrender.

Just as it was now, Han Shizhong claimed to have one hundred thousand men, but he actually commanded only sixty thousand.

"Issue an imperial decree to Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Zongwang, ordering them to return to the capital immediately." Wanyan Wuqimai paused before adding, "Ten days. I give them only ten days. Tell them if they cannot return within that time, there is no need for them to return at all—they may simply commit suicide in their camps."

The messenger departed, carrying the urgent decree.

"Your Majesty, the Song army is coming with great momentum, bent on revenge. We must prepare for the worst," Wanyan Sagai said softly.

"How many troops are left in the Shangjing garrison?" Wanyan Wuqimai asked.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there are thirty thousand soldiers remaining in the capital," Wanyan Sagai replied.

Thirty thousand against one hundred thousand—Wanyan Wuqimai dared not fight a pitched battle. "The Han people have a saying: if you outnumber the enemy three to one, you can lay siege. Now that the Song army has one hundred thousand, Shangjing is in peril!" Wanyan Liang murmured.

Wanyan Wuqimai glared at him and scolded, "Hailing Wang, do not speak nonsense. If you dare to unsettle the people again, be careful, or I will punish you."

Wanyan Liang immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the ten thousand garrison troops to defend Shangjing myself. I am certain I can keep the capital safe and sound."

Wanyan Wuqimai waved his hand. "Enough. Stand aside and listen." Wanyan Liang was his nephew, the grandson of Wanyan Aguda. He was ambitious and talented, and Wanyan Wuqimai viewed him with deep suspicion. He could suppress him while he was on the throne, but he could not say the same for his own son.