Volume 1: Zhu Xian Town Crisis Chapter 31: Each with Their Own Plans

  "We're all familiar with each other, so I'll just say it straight out!"

  Wanyan Zongmin sighed and said, "This time the loss of Xuzhou, both I and Liang'er have responsibility. If Liang'er can capture Chuzhou, he can still redeem his mistakes with merit, after all, the achievement of breaking through Chuzhou is much greater than retaking Xuzhou. But the defense of Chuzhou has already reached a critical point, it will fall in one or two days. If Liang'er is not there when Chuzhou falls, then naturally he won't get the credit for retaking Chuzhou..."

  As soon as Wanyan Zongmin said this, both Wanyan Liang and Xieli Zhining immediately understood.

  Xuzhou was lost in Wanyan Liang's hands, and he went to retake it. What kind of merit is this? Not being held accountable for dereliction of duty is already a good thing. But if Wanyan Liang can capture Chuzhou, then he can completely make up for his loss of Xuzhou. Let the Jin army have a long-standing foothold south of the Huai River, which is much more effective than retaking a lone city in northern Huai.

  However, this reduced the merits of Xieli Zhining greatly.

  Wanyan Zongmin also felt a bit sorry for Helü Zhining in his heart, because he had originally promised to come together to attack Chuzhou, and the bait was the great merit of occupying Chuzhou. But now, in order to make up for Wanyan Liang's guilt, he had to reduce his due merit, which seemed too unfair.

  Wanyan Zongmin narrowed his eyes and looked at Xielifu Zhining, just as he was about to persuade him. However, Xielifu Zhining took a step forward and said sternly: "Ninth Uncle need not worry, it is my honor to help the Crown Prince resolve his troubles. I will definitely do my best to retake Suzhou! Ninth Uncle and the Crown Prince can just wait for my good news!"

  Having said that, Xieli Zhining bowed his head and calmly saluted the two of them before turning around and leaving.

  Wanyan Liang was extremely excited in his heart, and Xieli Zhining had indeed given him a great credit. It seemed that he had not misjudged the person, and it was only at such a critical moment that one could see Xieli Zhining's true feelings towards him.

  He thought to himself: In the future, if he could rise to a high position like his father, he would definitely promote and reuse people like Xieli Zhining who were loyal and righteous.

  Wanyan Zongmin saw that the matter had been handled properly, and the two men did not have any unpleasantness between them. He was overjoyed in his heart, and at this time he turned to face Kong Yanjiu, saying: "General Kong, you lead your Han army troops to guard the grain camp well. After Suzhou fell, our army's grain and fodder cannot be lost again! If there is another mistake, it will be your responsibility!"

  "Yes! Yes! I will definitely do my best to ensure the safety of the grain and fodder!" Kong Yanzhou hastily replied.

  However, he was extremely dissatisfied in his heart, thinking that Chu State was about to be captured, but he had to stay behind and guard the grain camp. Even if it was safe, the merit was much smaller compared to breaking through the city.

  "Liang'er, the situation is urgent! Fortunately, the news of Suzhou's fall has not spread yet! Otherwise, the morale of the army will inevitably be shaken. However, I estimate that this matter cannot be hidden for long, so from now on, we must launch continuous attacks day and night. You will immediately divide the remaining troops into three shifts to attack the city in rotation, giving the Song army no chance to breathe!" Wanyan Zongmin said sternly.

  "Understood, young master! I will make arrangements immediately!" Wanyan Leng took a deep breath and bowed to accept the order.

  "Alright! You all scatter too! Go back and make early preparations!" Wanyan Zongmin sighed.

  All the generals bowed to Wanyan Zongmin and then turned around and left the camp.

  At the same time, more than 100 miles away in Xuzhou City, flames rose into the sky. This was the Song army burning their grain and supplies.

  The grain and grass accumulated in Suzhou were not a few, which was the main camp of the Jin army's eastern route. The thousands of cavalry troops led by Yue Yun were powerless to transport them away, and could only be burned to ashes.

  "Hurry up and burn all the grain and fodder of the Jin people, then bring dried rations and water to prepare for departure!" Yue Yun and Niu Tong, Guan Ling and two others ordered in front of the official granary in Xuzhou as they watched the raging fire.

  Recalling last night's battle, Yue Yun still felt a little frightened and nervous.

  This was his first time on the battlefield, and it felt completely different from their usual drills. When he saw the Jin army brandishing their knives and charging towards him, he really didn't know what to do with himself, could only stare blankly at the approaching glint of the blade, as if the spear in his own hand had also stopped listening to him.

  Fortunately, he was also afraid of accidents before and specially let Niu Tong guard him. Niu Tong was indeed very responsible and helped block many attacks, barely saving his life.

  However, as Yue Yun's emotions gradually calmed down, especially after the first shot pierced a Jin army soldier's chest, he watched as his fresh blood flowed out along the gun barrel and dripped down drop by drop.

  Watching a living person turn into a corpse with this one shot, and then fall to the ground... Yue Yun slowly got used to this bloody battlefield.

  And the remnants of his former courage and fighting spirit as Yue Yun began to awaken bit by bit in the bloody melee.

  The silver gun in his hand was becoming more and more skilled, and later on, every shot he made could take away the life of a golden soldier, and wherever he passed, there was no one who could stop him.

  Afterwards, with the Jin army's defending general Li Cheng fleeing, the remaining Jin soldiers didn't know how many more enemies were coming. All they saw was a group of fierce and brave elite Song soldiers, while their own commander had disappeared without a trace. Their hearts immediately panicked, one part following Li Cheng's escape route to flee to Chu State; another part simply chose to surrender, numbering in the hundreds.

  This way, how to settle hundreds of captives became a heart disease for Yue Yun. Killing them all seemed a bit unbearable, after all, these captives were all Han people. But if not killed, after withdrawing from Xuzhou, they would still stay and continue to be the Jin army.

  At this time, Niu Tong suddenly said: "Why don't we reorganize them into our Song army and leave them to guard this Xizhou city?"

  "Hey, do you think they'll become Song soldiers just because we tell them to? These people are used to being traitors. As soon as we leave, they'll definitely surrender to the Jin army!" Guan Ling said with a mix of anger and amusement.

  Yue Yun heard this and suddenly had an idea, saying: "Niu Tong's method is not impossible!"

  "Ah!" Guan Ling was stunned and thought that Niu Tong had gone crazy, but why would the young master also go crazy?

  "Heh heh, these people are all turncoats. When we're here, they'll definitely agree to surrender, but as soon as we leave and the Jin army returns, they'll immediately surrender to the Jin army again. However, we can use their misinformation to mislead the Jin army's intelligence, who knows, it might even alleviate some of the pressure on Chu State. At least, it'll make Wanyan Zongmin and his men worry a bit!" Yue Yun said with a smile all over his face.

  "Oh? Does Big Brother Yue have a good plan?" Guan Ling asked in surprise.

  "Let's go take a look at that prison where they're holding the captives first!" Yue Yun said mysteriously.

  ————————————————————————————————