Chapter 36: The Strategy of Dividing the Forces

The following day, Wanyan Zonghan arrived at the front with his army. At this point, the Jin forces—three hundred thousand strong—set up camp ten miles north of Bianjing, their tents stretching over several miles, creating an imposing spectacle from afar.

Within the Jin camp, the main commanders—Wanyan Zonghan, Wanyan Zongwang, Wanyan Zongbi, Wanyan Loushi, and Wanyan Chang—gathered inside Zonghan’s tent to discuss their next move. On the wall hung a map, though it was noticeably more rudimentary than the one held by Zhao Huan.

“According to our spies, there are fifty thousand Imperial Guards in Kaifeng under the command of Li Gang. A few days ago, the Emperor of Song ordered Zong Shidao to lead one hundred thousand troops, stationed at Zhen Ding and Luoyang respectively. Now, each of the three locations has fifty thousand soldiers, forming a triangular defense. The setup is complete,” Wanyan Zonghan informed the assembled generals.

“The Song army has poured kerosene into the trenches outside Kaifeng. Due to my negligence, I fell for their stratagem, resulting in over nine thousand casualties among our cavalry. I ask the Grand Marshal to punish me,” Wanyan Zongbi stepped forward and knelt before Zonghan.

Zonghan looked at Zongbi. To say he wasn’t angry would be false—nearly ten thousand elite troops lost before even engaging the Song army. Had it been anyone else, Zonghan would have ordered execution according to military law, but this was Zongbi.

Zongbi was a skilled commander, renowned for never having lost a battle against either Liao or Song. He enjoyed considerable prestige in the army. Moreover, he was the fourth son of Jin’s founding emperor, Wanyan Aguda, and the fourth brother of the current emperor, Wanyan Wuqimai—his status was far too high for Zonghan to deal with arbitrarily.

Wuqimai had appointed Zonghan as the Grand Marshal of the Song campaign, with his two brothers as deputy marshals, precisely to create mutual restraint among them. After all, they commanded almost all of Jin’s elite forces; if anyone harbored ulterior motives, it would spell trouble.

“Fourth Prince, do not blame yourself. The Song are cunning; on a direct battlefield, they would not be our equal,” Zonghan consoled Zongbi.

Zongbi knew Zonghan would not truly punish him, but he was aware of his own mistake and insisted, “Grand Marshal, regardless, the fault is mine. Please mete out punishment.”

Zonghan waved his hand and said, “Fourth Prince, the pressing matter is to devise a plan to breach the city. So, I order you to redeem yourself through merit.”

Hearing this, Zongbi nodded, bowed deeply, and said, “Thank you, Grand Marshal.”

“Now the Song army is divided into three. If we focus our attack on one location, the other two will rush to their aid, leaving us surrounded. That would be unfavorable for us,” Wanyan Zongwang interjected, shifting the topic.

“Zong Shidao commands at Zhen Ding, Li Gang at Kaifeng, and Zong Ze at Luoyang. All three are famous Song generals. Last time, Li Gang defended Kaifeng, and now he does so again. With the Song’s reinforced fortifications and the Jingkang crossbows, breaking into Kaifeng will be extremely difficult,” Wanyan Loushi analyzed.

“Since the Song army is split, we should do the same. Their numbers are half ours, so attacking shouldn’t be difficult,” Wanyan Chang suggested.

Zonghan listened to their analysis and nodded. “Indeed, the Song’s mistake was dividing their forces. Their numbers already lag behind ours, and splitting them makes them even less our match. I propose we strike at each of their strongholds, one by one.”

The Jin generals nodded in agreement.

“Very well. If there are no objections, I will issue orders,” Zonghan stood up and pointed at the map. “Wanyan Loushi will lead one hundred thousand troops to attack Luoyang.”

“Wanyan Chang will lead one hundred thousand troops to attack Zhen Ding.”

“Wanyan Zongbi will lead one hundred thousand troops to attack Kaifeng.”

“We accept!” the three replied in unison.

“Good. The armies will rest for a day and be rewarded. Tomorrow, I expect good news from all of you,” Zonghan said.

After the generals departed, Zonghan kept Zongwang behind.

“Second Prince, Bianjing is a tough nut to crack, with formidable defenses and weapons. Though we outnumber the enemy, truly breaking through Kaifeng’s gates will be difficult,” Zonghan remarked.

Zongwang, having previously besieged Kaifeng, understood this and nodded. “Does the Grand Marshal have a strategy?”

“In my view, it’s best to have Fourth Prince encircle Kaifeng without attacking while we secure victories at the other two locations. Once those are won, we combine forces to storm Kaifeng. What do you think?” Zonghan asked.

“You are absolutely right,” Zongwang replied, nodding.

“Then I must trouble you to speak with Fourth Prince, so he doesn’t feel any resentment,” Zonghan said softly.

Zongwang cursed Zonghan as an old fox inwardly, but he knew he had to handle the matter. In warfare, power struggles must be set aside, so he nodded and agreed, “Very well, I’ll take care of it.”

The Jin army devised their strategies in response to the Song’s division of forces—a conventional but prudent approach. Yet, the Jin commanders still clung to their initial impression of a weak Song army, convinced that their superior numbers guaranteed victory. What they failed to realize was that the current Song emperor was no longer the ineffectual ruler of history.

The Song commanders—Zong Shidao, Zong Ze, Li Gang, Yue Fei, Wu Jie—were all seasoned generals, renowned for their prowess in countless battles. The outcome of this campaign would greatly surprise the Jin army.

News of the army’s dispatch reached Kaifeng, and the citizens rejoiced. Zhang Xian even paraded over a hundred captured Jin soldiers through the city streets, thoroughly reassuring the populace.

Years of defeats had instilled an innate fear of the Jin army among Song’s soldiers and civilians. Yet this victory greatly boosted their morale and confidence.

The “Great Song Daily” published a full report on the battle. In these honest times, official news brought peace of mind to the people, and Kaifeng blossomed once more into a bustling city.