In the big tent, Han Shizhong read the letter written by Xu Xiantu to him. He couldn't say a word for a long time. Xu Xiantu clearly told him in the letter that the emperor had decided to cut down the vassalage. If he was smart and cooperated with the emperor to cut down the vassalage, then with him in Liu Miao
For his performance in the mutiny, he can still get high-ranking officials and generous salaries, and enjoy the glory and wealth for the rest of his life. But if he is greedy for military power and is obsessed with it, no one can save him in the end.
At the end of the letter, Xu Xiantu guaranteed that his men would not be demoted or reduced their posts, and asked him to hand over the army to Liu Qi or Yang Yizhong and return to Beijing immediately to report on his duties. This was the emperor's wish.
After reading the letter, Han Shizhong couldn't help but sigh. If this letter had arrived half a day earlier, he would not have fought with the Western Army. He fought with the Western Army to prove to the emperor that he had the ability to destroy the Western Army. Now
Fortunately, most of his Han family troops were killed, and he had no capital at all. Even if he accepted the reduction of the vassal, he would not get the best result.
Han Shizhong immediately sent someone to invite Liu Qi. Not long after, Liu Qi hurried over, cupped his fists and saluted, "See you, deputy commander!"
Han Shizhong smiled and said: "I am going to Chuzhou to receive the order, and I may go directly to Lin'an to report on my duties. I still have 10,000 troops in the camp, 5,000 troops in Suzhou and Pizhou each, and 20,000 reserve troops in Chuzhou.
There are a total of 40,000 troops. I will hand over these 40,000 troops to you, and then I will give orders to the three armies to obey Liu Dutong’s command."
Liu Qi was hesitant. Although the emperor had hinted to him before leaving that he would be ready to take over Han Shizhong's army at any time, but did Han Shizhong really hand over power?
Han Shizhong took the command arrows and military talismans and handed them to him, "I have lost 40,000 troops and have no capital to bargain with the court. I will return to Beijing to report on my duties. Liu Dutong does not need to worry too much."
Liu Qi took the order arrows and military talismans, "I must lead the army well in my humble position!"
Han Shizhong smiled and said: "I will give Liu Dutong another piece of advice. If Chen Qing's army comes to Xuzhou, it must immediately withdraw southward and do not fight against it. It will cause the Western Army and the imperial court to fall out, and the consequences will be serious."
After a pause, Han Shizhong saw a strange expression on Liu Qi's face, and smiled bitterly: "I originally wanted to prove to the emperor my role in fighting the Western Army, and did not want to be cut off from the vassal, so I took the risk to challenge the Western Army. Unexpectedly,
The opponent's commander turned out to be Chen Qing, and I never expected that my army would be defeated by the Western Army in such a short period of time. The Western Army's cavalry is too powerful, no less powerful than the Jurchen cavalry in its heyday. I advise you not to compete with them.
In name, I am considering the overall situation, but in fact, I am asking you not to humiliate yourself."
Liu Qi nodded silently, "I remember my humble position!"
Han Shizhong immediately summoned the generals of the three armies to lecture and asked to accept Liu Qi's command.
That night, Han Shizhong packed his bags and left the camp with his son Han Liang, and rushed to Chuzhou overnight to receive the order.
At noon the next day, Chen Qing's 80,000-strong army arrived at Xuzhou, which was still thirty miles away.
Liu Qi, Yang Yizhong and Wang Jian discussed countermeasures together.
"The opponent's general is Chen Qing. Han Shizhong has confirmed it on the battlefield. He is now stationed thirty miles away. He should be polite first and then attack. When we evacuate, Yang Dutong and Wang Dutong should tell us! We are withdrawing.
Still not withdrawing?”
Although Liu Qi sought their opinions, his attitude was in favor of withdrawing the troops.
Yang Yizhong pondered for a moment and said: "When we were leaving, His Majesty repeatedly warned us that a war with Chen Qing's Western Army was strictly prohibited. We must not disobey the Holy Will. I support the withdrawal."
The two of them looked at Wang Jian together, and Wang Jian smiled bitterly and said: "We can't take Xuzhou City even if we besiege it, so what's the point of staying here? It's better to withdraw our troops."
Even Li Qiong's arch-rival Wang Jian also supported the withdrawal. What else was there to say? The three of them unanimously agreed to withdraw.
An hour later, tens of thousands of imperial troops withdrew to the southwest and retreated to Suzhou. Chen Qing immediately led the army to Xuzhou City.
Li Qiong opened the city gate and led the generals out of the city to welcome Chen Qing's arrival.
Li Qiong knelt down and cried: "If His Highness had not led the army to come to the rescue, I would have died without a burial place."
The generals who followed also knelt down to thank him.
Chen Qing nodded and said: "General Li, please get up, generals, please get up!"
Everyone stood up and followed Chen Qing's army into the city gate. Hundreds of thousands of people in the city lined the streets to welcome His Highness King Yong and the reinforcements. The atmosphere was very warm, and they kept shouting slogans of "Long Live King Yong". Fifty thousand cavalry entered the city in a mighty manner, and the cavalry kept marching towards the city.
The welcoming people on both sides waved and enjoyed this glorious moment.
After the city entry ceremony was over, Chen Qing walked to the top of the city. This was the first time he came to Xuzhou City. He looked at the roaring Yellow River outside the north city. There were more than a dozen Western warships cruising on the Yellow River.
"The navy general told us that while we were fighting Han Shizhong's army, there were 30,000 Jurchen cavalry on the north bank of the Yellow River preparing to cross the river. Apparently they wanted to join forces with the imperial army to attack me from a pincer, but I took precautions and destroyed them with warships.
The pontoon bridge prevented them from crossing the Yellow River. The plan made by the Jin Kingdom was 99% successful, but in the end it failed."
Li Qiong was surprised and said: "This game was done by the Kingdom of Jin?"
"Without the instigation of the Jin State from behind, the imperial court would not have been able to make the determination to go to the Northern Expedition. This Northern Expedition was the result of the two major forces, Qin Hui and the Queen Mother, fueling the flames behind the scenes. They are inextricably linked to the Jin State."
Speaking of this, Chen Qing added: "But this time the Jin Kingdom did not have nothing to gain. They gained Haizhou."
Li Qiong was startled, "Your Highness, are you not planning to take back Haizhou?"
Chen Qing shook his head, "I won't consider attacking Haizhou for the time being. It might not be a bad thing to leave an opening so that the Jin soldiers can threaten the imperial court."
"Then Suzhou and Pizhou."
Chen Qing laughed and said, "Don't worry! Let's have a good talk with the court and give the court a step forward. They will withdraw their troops."
"Your Highness is wise!"
Chen Qing said calmly: "I am considering resting with the people now. Li Dutong's army will maintain the size of 20,000 people. I will send additional troops to station in Suzhou and Pizhou."
Li Qiong didn't want to be marginalized, so he quickly said: "It's better to take a humble position and garrison Suzhou and Pizhou, and His Highness will send troops to guard Xuzhou."
"Okay, General Li will be stationed in Fuli County! I will make Xuzhou a logistics center for the Yellow River Navy."
Han Shizhong arrived in Lin'an and visited Xu Xiantu that night. He unexpectedly discovered that Xu Shou, the third child who came out to greet guests for his father every time, did not see him. It was actually the housekeeper who came out to greet him.
"Where is your office? Why don't you see him?"
"My young master has gone on a study tour. I won't see him for a long time."
The housekeeper did not hide anything from Han Shizhong. He also thought that the young master Xu Shou had gone on a study tour. Xu Shou's mother had died of illness. Only the father and son knew the secret. Xu Shou changed his name to Yu Shou and went to Jingzhao to take the imperial examination.
"I see!"
Han Shizhong followed the housekeeper to the guest room and sat there for a while. Xu Xiantu walked in with his hands behind his back.
Han Shizhong quickly stepped forward and saluted, "See Mr. Ge!"
Xu Xiantu nodded, "I'm very happy that you can come back. Sit down!"
The two of them sat down separately, and the maid came in to serve tea. Xu Xiantu took a sip of hot tea and said slowly: "You have received the official order, right?"
Han Shizhong smiled bitterly and said: "The officials criticized Beizhi for not caring about the overall situation, starting a war with Chen Qing without authorization, and asking Beizhi to return to Beijing to report on his work. Beizhi is very worried!"
Xu Xiantu comforted him and said: "As long as you can obey the imperial edict and come back, the officials will not treat you too harshly. After all, you played a role in rescuing the emperor, and the officials will not forget it."
Han Shizhong hesitated, "A big battle broke out between Beizhi and Chen Qing. Unfortunately, Beizhi was defeated. This news may have been spread back to Lin'an."
Xu Xiantu's expression changed and he asked anxiously: "When did it happen?"
"On the morning when Lao Ge sent people to Xuzhou, generals Bei Zhi and Liu Qi led an army of 80,000 to fight against an army of 80,000 led by Chen Qing, and a war broke out in Xiao County."
"Then what? How much loss?"
"The loss was about over 10,000 people, and the others were taken as prisoners of war. Chen Qing released them, but they all went home and did not return to the military camp."
Xu Xiantu knew that this matter was troublesome. If Qin Hui got the news, he would definitely use this matter to make trouble in the debriefing meeting.
He sighed and said: "You'd better think of a good reason first, otherwise it will be difficult for me to help you."