Chapter 113, Chapter Six: A Long Sigh
Unable to consider the uproar that Sima Yan's petition for investiture would cause in the Chang'an court, Liu Jun faced his most formidable enemy in over thirty years—Shi Le, who, even in his old age, remained a peerless hero.
Upon hearing that Qingzhou had been lost and that he could no longer rest easy in Dingxiang, Shi Le, despite his illness, rushed there and confronted the Jin army at Zhu'a.
"He really came?" Liu Jun's eyes flickered in the candlelight. "The emperor is personally leading the expedition. I, Liu, have a great deal of face."
Lu Jing, who was standing nearby, had already taken out several thick stacks of papers from the box. Liu Yuan asked curiously, "General Lu, what are these?"
Lu Jing presented it to Liu Jun with both hands. Seeing that Liu Jun had already lowered his head and was deep in thought, Lu Jing replied, "This is Shi Le's strategy of warfare, which has been collected and compiled by our lord over the years."
Liu Yuan quietly stepped forward and peered into Liu Jun's side. Sure enough, he remembered every battle Shi Le had fought since he was still under Liu Yuan's command, from the number of troops used and the outcome of each battle to the timing, location, and troop deployment. He couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "Uncle has put so much effort into this. No wonder he has won every battle and achieved victory after victory."
Liu Jun shook his head. "Since I joined the army at a young age, I have suffered a number of defeats, though not many. In particular, there were several times when I almost lost my life. How can I be said to be invincible? In comparison, Shi Shilong is truly a genius in commanding troops."
"Uncle, do you have a plan to defeat the enemy?" Liu Yuan asked anxiously.
Liu Jun said coldly, "He is old and bedridden. How can he withstand a long war? Our army has sufficient food and supplies and stable morale. We only need to advance steadily and gradually erode his strength. In my opinion, he will only last a year or two at most. Once he dies, the Jiehu will be leaderless and will naturally collapse without a fight."
"But what if he doesn't let his uncle drag it?"
Liu Jun smiled lightly, "Whether it's offense or defense, water or land, fast or slow, I'll play along to the end!"
Liu Yuan was right. Perhaps Shi Le knew his days were numbered, so in order to defeat the Jin army as soon as possible, he pressed forward relentlessly, launching daily attacks like a storm, leaving his troops overwhelmed.
Ji Dan eventually passed away during the Spring and Autumn Period. In one battle, he fell off his horse. Fortunately, Liu Qin risked his life to save him, otherwise he would most likely have been killed by the horse's hooves. Even so, he broke his ribs and had to rest in bed.
Ji Dan's troops were all elite cavalry from Youzhou, and they were of great importance. Upon hearing the news, Liu Jun rode swiftly to Ji Dan's army and personally took command, which greatly boosted morale.
The only exception was Liu Qin—there were many Xianbei people in Jidan's army, and Liu Qin, who was also a member of the Yellow Beard, was quite comfortable and lived a very comfortable life. He was so happy that he didn't want to leave, and wished he could live out his days there, until Liu Jun arrived.
"How is the battle going?" Liu Jun asked without looking up, while the surrounding generals exchanged bewildered glances.
But Liu Qin felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the question was directed at him. He immediately straightened up and replied, "In the previous fierce battle on the banks of the Tuhai River, our army killed 5,000 enemies and lost 2,000. In addition, several thousand civilians on both sides died in battle."
“Several thousand? Nine thousand nine is still several thousand, one thousand one is still several thousand,” Liu Jun sneered, “Acting recklessly, never seeking to understand anything…”
"Our army killed 5,132 enemy soldiers, 1,493 of whom died in battle and 578 were seriously wounded," Liu Qin said without looking away. "Our army also lost 3,005 civilian laborers, and more than 80 others have gone missing. They may have been captured by the enemy chieftain or fled for their lives. We do not know their whereabouts."
Liu Jun looked at him with great surprise. In an instant, through the young boy in front of him, he seemed to see himself standing up to Liu Kun for Xu Run back then. He was overwhelmed with emotion and his mind was filled with countless feelings. After a moment, he calmed himself down and said gently, "You did very well. I was too arbitrary and misunderstood you."
Having said that, he took the ring-pommel sword from his waist and said, "This sword is not valuable, but it is made of fine steel from the Western Regions. I will reward you with it as a token of my apology."
Liu Qin stepped forward, took the knife, examined it closely, and then presented it with both hands, saying, "This knife has accompanied my father on his campaigns, and it is a cherished possession. I dare not take what belongs to another."
“What’s wrong with a son taking his father’s things?” Liu Jun looked at Liu Yong beside him. “Yuan Gui is doing very well. Hearing about it will surely make him more successful. As the heir apparent, you should set an example and strive to improve yourself.”
Liu Yong quickly lowered his head and agreed.
“Our army has been on a long-distance raid, and the transportation of supplies is always more inconvenient than theirs,” Liu Jun pondered. “If I were to use troops, I would only use the strategy of ‘delaying,’ but Shi Le is so impatient. There is only one possibility: even if it takes several months or half a year, he cannot afford to wait any longer.”
"Should we stall?" Liu Qin immediately realized.
Liu Jun laughed and said, "That's right. Even in the Youyan region, there are fewer Hu people and more Han Chinese. Our army can take a steady and methodical approach. Once we capture a city, we can immediately repair the city walls, cultivate land and store grain, and recruit soldiers locally. Ideally, we can support our army through war. To achieve victory in one battle is wishful thinking against a powerful enemy like Shi Le. Although this method of gradual encroachment takes a long time, it is steady and methodical, and it is not easy to be overthrown."
"Moreover, if Shi Le really does pass away, given the abilities of his ministers, his million-strong army would probably collapse immediately. At that time, we can wait for the enemy to tire themselves out," Liu Qin said excitedly.
“That’s right,” Liu Jun pondered. “My only concern, aside from the lack of supplies, is whether the morale of the other reinforcements will be unstable since they have been away for so long. Very well, Liu Yong and Liu Yuan, you two go separately to the Di and Qiang and the Liangzhou army to deliver a message that this expedition will last for at least half a year, or at least three months, and ask them to return as appropriate.”
"Father," after the officials had all left, leaving only his trusted confidants, Liu Qinfang said hesitantly to Liu Jun, "I have a request..."
"What is it?" Liu Jun finally had a moment to pick up his teacup and relax for a bit.
Liu Qin asked hesitantly, "What are your plans, Father, regarding my marriage?"
Liu Jun paused. He only cared about the affairs of the military headquarters, while Zhang Shi controlled all matters in the inner quarters. Previously, Zhang Shi had arranged the marriage of his eldest son, Liu Liang, with a daughter from his mother's Cui family in Qinghe. He had also given his consent, and they were just waiting for this triumphant return to be able to get married. He always thought that his two sons, Liu Yong and Liu Qin, were still young, but he never expected that they had already reached the age of youthful infatuation.
"Which family's daughter have you taken a fancy to? If we win this battle, even if she is a noblewoman of the highest social standing, your father will risk his old face to beg her for you."
Liu Qin hurriedly said, "That's not the case! On the contrary, it's Madam Zhang and Mother who are arranging my marriage. But I only want to make a name for myself and don't want to get married early, so I want to ask Father to intervene..."
Liu Jun only cared about whether his sons were successful and useful, and he didn't care much about these matters of love and affection. Upon hearing this, he was not angry but happy. "Good! What does a great man have to worry about not having a wife! I will send a message back tomorrow and tell them not to ruin your lofty ambitions."
Liu Qin departed contentedly, but Liu Jun inexplicably thought of Sima Ye, and couldn't help but sigh. He picked up his brush and wrote a note, tucking it at the end of the memorial—"The carriages travel far and the horses gallop, my thoughts of you are unforgettable. You travel west to Qin, I wish to be your shadow, following you wherever you go..."
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