Chapter 58: Turmoil Within the Jin Army

"Now that the eastern front at Zhendin has completely collapsed, the western front at Luoyang has seen Wanyan Zongbi’s armored cavalry utterly routed by Yue Fei, and the central line at Kaifeng is impregnable—do we truly have any reason to continue this war?" Wanyan Xiyin spoke, his words tinged with faint resentment. It was hardly surprising; on all three fronts, he had not managed to become a commander, and it was only natural that he harbored grievances.

"Isn’t this just a minor setback? Are we, the great Jurchen nation, to be frightened by such a small defeat?" Wanyan Zonghan interjected.

"A minor setback? Is this really a minor setback? We set out with three hundred thousand men, but now only two hundred thousand remain. If that still counts as a minor loss, then I truly do not know what would constitute a true defeat. Must we lose every last soldier before it is acknowledged as such?" Wanyan Zongwang retorted.

At this time, the Jin Empire was no longer as harmonious as during Wanyan Aguda’s conquest. It is said that seizing a kingdom is easy, but holding it is another matter. Once the cake is baked, how it is portioned out to satisfy all is a challenge that has tormented founding emperors throughout history. Hence, it was common for emperors to eliminate their founding ministers; as the saying goes, “Great merit overshadows the ruler—death follows.” At its heart, the problem is always the distribution of power and interests.

Just as now, Wanyan Zongwang and Wanyan Zonghan stood in opposing camps. With Wanyan Zonghan commanding the entire army, Wanyan Zongwang was naturally dissatisfied. Originally, he would never have revealed such sentiments, but now that things had gone awry and blame was to be assigned, he stepped forward. If this campaign against Song was deemed a failure, the position of Grand General would inevitably change hands, and he would be the greatest beneficiary.

Wanyan Zonghan seethed inwardly. He had thought this campaign would bring glory, yet it had come to this. If he admitted defeat, those before him would surely seize the opportunity to strip him of power, and his chances of making a comeback would be slim.

Thus, Wanyan Zonghan could not admit failure. Instead, he said, "You cannot put it that way. Every one of our great Jurchen nation is a born warrior. With two hundred thousand soldiers still in the field, we are not outnumbered by the Song, and our fighting power is superior. To declare defeat under such conditions is needlessly pessimistic."

"That may be so, Grand General," Wanyan Xiyin pressed, "but given the current situation, do you have any plan to break the stalemate? In a war of attrition, the Song can afford to wait us out, but we cannot. As I understand, our provisions will sustain the army for only a month. What then? If we still cannot breach Bianjing’s gates, what shall we do?"

Wanyan Zonghan shot Wanyan Xiyin a displeased look, inwardly cursing his ingratitude. If not for his own patronage, how could Wanyan Xiyin have reached his current rank? But now, having climbed onto Wanyan Zongwang’s coattails, Xiyin had thoroughly cast him aside and become the vanguard of the opposition.

"Hmph, as you said, we still have more than a month. That is ample time to change the course of battle. The situation on the field shifts in an instant—perhaps within a few days, we may already be celebrating victory in Kaifeng," Wanyan Zonghan replied coolly.

"Then, Grand General, what are our next steps?" Wanyan Xiyin pressed relentlessly.

"Is that not precisely why I have gathered you all today—to discuss our next course of action? Let us each consider what should be done under present circumstances," Wanyan Zonghan suggested.

"My view is that this southern campaign has already failed. We should withdraw to the Yan-Yun region to rest and regroup, recruit more troops, and return when the time is ripe," Wanyan Xiyin was first to reply, clearly representing Wanyan Zongwang’s faction.

Wanyan Zonghan had not expected Wanyan Xiyin to support him, so he did not even respond, instead turning to Wanyan Loushi. "General Loushi, do you have any strategies to propose?"

Wanyan Loushi had not expected to be called upon. A shrewd man, he had always remained neutral in the struggle between Wanyan Zongwang and Wanyan Zonghan, but now Wanyan Zonghan had singled him out.

Taking a deep breath, Wanyan Loushi began, "The Song dynasty, under its new sovereign, is diligent and reforming the military system, cutting superfluous forces, doubling the Song army’s combat strength. They are no longer what they once were."

All he said, however, was common knowledge. Everyone understood the Song army was now a force to be reckoned with; if all their soldiers were as quick to surrender as those ten thousand who had yielded at the Jurchen’s first approach, the Song would have fallen long ago. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

"We are all aware of the Song’s newfound strength, but the question is, do you have any strategy to defeat them?" Wanyan Zonghan pressed. In such times, he could hardly expect advice from Wanyan Zongwang and his followers; he could only seek Wanyan Loushi’s counsel.

"I have long immersed myself in the study of Song military classics and histories, and have gained some insights, which I would like to share with you," Wanyan Loushi replied softly.

Wanyan Xiyin curled his lip. He envied Wanyan Loushi; the man always remained neutral, yet managed to benefit no matter which faction prevailed. Now, both camps vied for his support, while Xiyin himself was left to act as the spearhead.

"The Song’s military treatises are nothing but flowery verses and effeminate nonsense. They write like scholars and act like women. Wanyan Loushi, you’d do well to stop studying their works. Just look at you—where is the dignity of our Jurchen nobility now? Last time, you were nearly captured by that brat Yue Fei and had to flee back disguised as a beggar—tsk, tsk, tsk!" At this, Wanyan Xiyin could not resist shaking his head, his tone openly mocking, as if to say Wanyan Loushi was unmanly.

Wanyan Loushi’s face went pale with anger at these words. Though he knew Wanyan Xiyin was a petty man, he could not help but be offended. "Hmph, so shortsighted! To be frank, I have developed quite a few insights."