Chapter 15: The Jin Army Retreats

Wanyan Xiyin let out a soft snort, but this time, he uncharacteristically refrained from speaking further.

“Grand General, our army’s supplies are insufficient, and our warhorses are depleted. In my opinion, it truly isn’t suitable to continue besieging Bianjing. I suggest we withdraw to the Yan-Yun region and wait to join forces with Wanyan Zonghan’s Western Route Army before making our next move,” Wanyan Chang proposed at this moment.

With the capital so close at hand, to simply leave now was hard for the proud Jin army to accept. Unable to break through the Jingkang Crossbows’ defenses, the dream of destroying the Southern Song would become mere idle talk.

“What do you all think?” Wanyan Zongwang was also entertaining thoughts of retreat. The battle had dragged on to this point, and there was no longer any reason to press forward.

“Report!” Just then, a messenger arrived from outside.

“Go out and see what’s happening,” Wanyan Zongwang instructed his lieutenant.

The lieutenant hurried out and returned with a sheet of white paper from the messenger. On it was a spirited denunciation—a list of twelve charges accusing the Jin army of treachery and breach of faith.

The language was sharp and direct, accusing the Jin of breaking their alliance and attacking their own allies, branding their campaign as unjust. The letter even named the Jin sovereign, Wanyan Aguda, as a despicable and shameless villain, demanding that he come to Bianjing in person to beg forgiveness; otherwise, the iron cavalry of the Song would ride north and annihilate the Jin.

Upon reading the letter, Wanyan Zongwang slammed his hand on the table. Passing the document to Wanyan Zongbi, he fumed, “This infuriates me! The Song army is audacious beyond belief, daring to spew such wild boasts. I’ll destroy them, then capture their emperor and make him kneel before me to beg for mercy!”

Wanyan Zongbi read the declaration carefully, his own anger boiling over. He roared, “The Song army’s arrogance knows no bounds! Just because they succeeded in a surprise attack, they think they’ve won? Grand General, give me twenty thousand men, and I’ll break through the Song gates this time!”

The assembled generals crowded in to read the document. Afterward, all were filled with righteous indignation. The so-called disgrace of the sovereign is the death of his ministers; for the Song army to insult the Jin emperor so boldly in their proclamation was naked provocation. If they swallowed this insult, word would surely reach Wanyan Aguda’s ears—in which case, no matter how wise a ruler, he would be displeased, even if he said nothing.

“Grand General, please calm yourself. The Song have sent this declaration now precisely to provoke us. We mustn’t fall for their trap,” Wanyan Chang, ever the advocate for peace, quickly urged.

“So what do you propose? Should we just swallow this humiliation?” Wanyan Zongbi glared at him, his large eyes blazing.

“We must consider the long term. This requires careful deliberation,” Wanyan Chang pleaded earnestly.

“Hold it! The generals are deliberating inside. You may not enter.” Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the tent.

Wanyan Zongwang frowned and told his lieutenant, “Go out quickly and see what’s happening.”

The lieutenant rushed out and saw that several city defense generals had gathered, their faces flushed with anger. As soon as they saw him, they shouted, “Where is the Grand General? We demand to see him!”

“Silence! What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket? Do you want to be flogged?” the lieutenant bellowed.

His outburst finally subdued the crowd, though their faces still showed their discontent.

“One at a time. State your business. I’ll report it inside. Right now, the Grand General and the vice commanders are discussing military affairs—do not disturb them,” the lieutenant said.

The officers then started speaking over one another. It turned out they had all come to request battle.

Zhao Huan had acted cleverly this time; the proclamation had not only been sent to Wanyan Zongwang but also printed in the thousands and distributed throughout the Jin army. So it was not just the generals who had seen the declaration insulting Wanyan Aguda—every soldier had seen it.

The Jin people were martial by nature. Seeing the Song dare to treat their sovereign so, they were instantly enraged and flocked to demand battle.

Faced with this, the lieutenant felt a headache brewing. “Calm yourselves. I’ll report to the Grand General immediately.”

He then relayed what was happening outside to Wanyan Zongwang.

Wanyan Zongwang gave a bitter laugh. The anger that had filled him now turned to wry resignation. They were truly being roasted over the coals; whether the Jin army attacked or retreated, both paths were fraught with difficulty.

“The Song have calculated well. Now, what should we do?” Wanyan Chang asked with a wry smile.

Everyone fell silent. Clearly, the Song army was prepared, waiting for the Jin to attempt another assault. To press the attack now would only add to their casualties, but to withdraw in disgrace would be a tremendous humiliation for the Jin and deal a severe blow to morale.

“Grand General, we should retreat,” Wanyan Zongbi spoke up.

His words startled all present, who stared at him in amazement—it had always been he who clamored most loudly for the destruction of the Song, and no one expected that he would be the first to call for withdrawal.

Wanyan Zongwang turned to the others. “What are your opinions?”

Wanyan Chang nodded. “I agree with the Fourth Prince’s suggestion.”

With two of the four main generals in agreement and the other two not objecting, Wanyan Zongwang took a deep breath, nodded, and said, “Very well. We shall withdraw, but we must carefully plan how to do so.”

The Jin army had learned caution. The Song’s fighting strength seemed to have multiplied overnight. Previously, they could attack and retreat at will, but now they had to worry about Song pursuit.

“Grand General, I am willing to lead twenty thousand elite troops to cover the retreat and ensure our army’s safety,” Wanyan Zongbi volunteered.

Wanyan Zongwang knew his abilities well—of all present, there was no one better suited to the task. He nodded and instructed, “The Song are cunning; be vigilant. I’ll leave you the best cavalry. Catch up to us as quickly as you can.”

And so, after ten days of siege, the Jin army finally withdrew from Bianjing. Within the city, the people were jubilant, crowding around Zhao Huan’s procession with singing and dancing, celebrating more raucously than at the New Year.