How should I put it? From this perspective, the Song Dynasty still has war potential, provided that you try your best to squeeze out these last forces.
"Your Majesty." Seeing that Zhao Jiu was only asking about minor details, Zhang Jun could not help himself. "Your Majesty has gathered elite troops from various units along the way and combined them. In addition, the imperial guards have already gathered 6,000 people. Now that the two Beiwei armies have arrived, there are already 12,000 elite troops in Chang'an City. These are soldiers and horses that can match the Jin army. In addition, Qu Duan has recruited 10,000 people, and Wu Lin can replace Wu Jie to guard Fangzhou. Let Wu Jie go south, which is another 4,000 or 5,000... Here in Guanxi, 100,000 people are far more than that!"
"So we should go out and fight in the field?" Zhao Jiu glanced at Zhang Jun, still showing no emotion.
"Yes!" Under the lights, Zhang Junzhan stood up and said earnestly. "I think we can and should go to war. Moreover, as the transport envoy of the five routes of Bashu, I must remind you that it takes time to gather troops and horses, and it also takes time to transfer logistics. The opportunity for war is fleeting... And Qu Duan and Wu Lin's report at this time is of course a routine daily report after contact, and it is also a request for instructions. If you want them to go south to gather the army, you should make a quick decision."
"I agree with Zhang Yunshi's analysis." Before Zhao Jiu could speak, Liu Ziyu stood up. "Qu Duan and Wu Lin's actions are to ask the emperor how to use the army, and the emperor should make a quick decision. But I think the emperor should issue an order to let them go east along the Beiluo River from Bao'an Army (Zhidan County in later generations), and go out of Diaoyin Pass to try to disturb the Loushi army from behind!"
The two had clear positions, and Zhao Jiu did not express his opinion for a while.
"Your Majesty." At this time, Wang Yuan, the commander of the Imperial Camp, also spoke up. "I think it is the right time to send troops. Yesterday, Deputy Commander Wang reported that Lou Shi led the army across Baishui on the Dragon Boat Festival, but stopped to camp by the lake between Pucheng and Meiyuan. It seems that he was afraid of the heat and wanted to escape the heat by the lake. Now, while the enemy is unprepared and has separated from the Huo Nu tribe, we should quickly surround them and block the Jin army by the lake!"
"I just thought that the Jin army was not just trying to escape the summer heat, but was trying to lure us." Liu Ziyu repeated his position yesterday without hesitation.
"So what if we lure them?" Wang Yuan responded immediately. "How could the Jin army have expected that we had so many soldiers? Of their 30,000 men, only 20,000 are real captives. With our combined 100,000, we can easily defeat them in one battle. As for harassing Loushi again, it is useless. Because Danzhou has been captured by Huo Nu, and is separated from it by Longmen Ferry to the north of Liangshan, just like the fallen Baishui City, it is actually very difficult to defend. If the Beiluoshui channel is cut off, Loushi can also take the Longmen Ferry upstream as a grain route. Besides, with Loushi's talent, it may not be possible to harass the rear."
Liu Ziyu did not hesitate and immediately refuted again: "If it fails to disrupt the rear, how about swallowing up the front army?"
At this point, Liu Ziyu bowed to Emperor Zhao again and said, "Emperor, don't forget what Qu Duan said before he left. He was sent north to disturb the Lou family."
"Did you ever think that Wu Jie would be so useful?" Wang Yuan was not polite. "Liu, the situation changes every day, and we should adapt to it. Sticking to the old strategy may not guarantee stability! We really have the strength to fight now!"
Liu Ziyu was silent for a moment, but soon shook his head: "The Jin army has come from afar and cannot last long. After the summer heat, followed by the autumn rain, they will definitely retreat."
"How do you know he will definitely retreat?" Wang Yuan was a general with many years of experience, but he pressed on. "If he rested for a while and slowly forced Han Liangchen of Tongzhou to retreat, and then gathered the Jin army in Hedong to break through the Weishui River, and then knew that the emperor was in Chang'an, he would take Chang'an at the cost of 100,000 lives of the Jin army, and end the future of the Song Dynasty? How do you know that Lou Shi was luring the enemy? You know that the Jin army can't last? You say we are gambling, but you are defending like this and watching the Jin army come and go calmly, aren't you gambling?"
Liu Ziyu's expression changed slightly, but he still shook his head slowly: "You and I really don't know the strength of the Jin army and Lou Shi's thoughts. We are really just guessing... Using this to argue, I can't convince Wang Dutong, and Wang Dutong can't convince me either."
"So, no matter what, you don't agree to go to war?" Wang Yuan asked coldly.
"That's right." Liu Ziyu shook his head. His tense body seemed to relax suddenly. He raised his head again, turned around and looked at the powerful civil and military officials in Chang'an who came to listen to the daily report tonight. Finally, he turned back to Zhao Jiu and bowed his hands. He looked at Zhao Jiu seriously. "Your Majesty, I am the chief of the Privy Council and I am appointed as the military advisor in front of the emperor. I should do my best. What I think is to stick to the four words... Your Majesty is in charge of all the officials and people. Maybe you have some decisions to make, but no matter what, I will honestly offer my opinions. That's all!"
Zhao Jiu nodded slightly and was about to speak.
At this time, Liu Qi, who had seldom spoken for a long time, suddenly stood up because his brothers were all sitting in a row, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say that may help resolve the current difficulties."
"Tell me." Zhao Jiu raised his hand.
"You can ask Qu Jinglüe and Wu Dujian (Wu Lin) to gather in Ningzhou temporarily, then go through Ziwu Mountain, pass through Jushui and leave Fangzhou, and join forces with Wu Jinglüe (Wu Jie). In this way, if the emperor wants to send a large army to fight on the Baihe River, they can also go south from the southern part of Fangzhou to support. If the emperor wants to harass the enemy, they can also join forces to attack the Jin army's camp at the mouth of the Beiluo River... Even if Huo Nu occupies Danzhou, the road will be dangerous, and Lou Shi will have to retreat." Liu Qi said slowly, but he gave a purely military opinion that sounded good. "And the emperor can also take this opportunity to issue an order to ask Qu Jinglüe and Wu Jinglüe about fighting and defending."
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