Chapter 701: I cannot release the captives! |
NOTE: Even the cleverest cook cannot make porridge without rice; out of nothing, nothing can be made
Gong Ling Ze's brow gradually furrowed. He now understood what it meant to have confident troops and a general.
These commanders dared to speak so brazenly before him about the capital's people, who were backed by the three sects? Could it be said that they showed no respect for the three sects?
— You've won a few battles, and already you've grown arrogant? — Gong Ling Ze said in a cold tone, applying pressure to everyone.
Silence fell in the tent. Su Qi Tong and Zhang Hu exchanged glances and looked at Meng Shan Ming, who was seated in his wheelchair.
— You may leave. — Meng Shan Ming suddenly said. Zhang Hu and Su Qi Tong exited together.
Luo Da An and Lu Zheng stood behind the wheelchair, while Meng Shan Ming looked at Gong Ling Ze.
Eventually, Gong Ling Ze broke the silence:
— General Meng, I understand everyone's feelings. Although the imperial court is selfish, this will benefit everyone. There's no need to act on anger. You could release the 600,000 captives, and then the whole world would know. It would be a great humiliation for the Song Kingdom. Why kill them? Zhang Hu and your other former veterans are still under your command. They will listen to you. I hope General Meng understands everything.
— General Meng, think this through. If you continue to attack like this, what benefit will it bring to the Yan Kingdom? Our kingdoms will only suffer mutual harm. This is not even favorable to the Southern Domain! Meng Shan Ming: Now is not the time for negotiations. Although Gong Ling Ze did not approve of his words, he politely said: — I would like to hear General Meng's opinion.
Meng Shan Ming: Start negotiations now? Allow Luo Zhao to bring 3 million soldiers back to the Song Kingdom? And even release 600,000 elite Song Kingdom soldiers? Has Chief Gong considered the consequences?
At these words, Gong Ling Ze felt a pang of anxiety in his heart and frowned. Meng Shan Ming continued:
— Release the captives and allow 3 million soldiers to return to the Song Kingdom? That would be simply excellent for the Song Kingdom! They haven't suffered significant losses. All my life, I've fought on horseback against the Zhao, Han, and Song kingdoms, and I know their strengths well. The might of the Song Kingdom is still intact. And that might is far greater than the Yan Kingdom's. They can gather resources at any moment. To allow the Song Kingdom to keep its elite soldiers would be a military detriment to the Yan Kingdom. And I cannot permit that!
Chief Gong, the Song Kingdom invaded our lands with the intention of crushing us. In the end, they dropped the raised stone on their own foot. Do you think they will just let this go? Especially when the Song Kingdom retains its strength? Will they truly accept such a defeat? As I see it, if they agree to negotiate and retreat, it will only be to attack us again. Right now, they need to rectify their situation. They haven't suffered enormous losses yet and are still stronger than the Yan Kingdom. Do you think they would agree to admit defeat to a weak Yan?
If we let them retreat and stabilize their situation, they will definitely attack us again! And this is no exaggeration. Great Yan is currently in such a precarious position. If we simply release them like this, we will show everyone that we are now extremely weak. That anyone can attack us and harm us with impunity, like an infant. Who then would not seize the opportunity to offend us?
If the Song Kingdom attacks us again and crosses the Dong Yu River once more, does Chief Gong truly believe we will have such an opportunity again? No. This time, it was incredibly difficult to gather men and provisions, and later, even that won't be possible. And by then, it won't matter who commands the army. Even the cleverest cook cannot make porridge without rice. Great Yan will be doomed!
And what about the Han Kingdom! The Song Kingdom will retreat, and then it will be the Han Kingdom's turn to attack a weakened Yan Kingdom. When the Han Kingdom begins its assault, the Song Kingdom will wait. And when the Han Kingdom has utterly crushed us, the Song Kingdom will join in. They won't simply stand by and watch the Han Kingdom seize the lands of Great Yan.
As Gong Ling Ze listened to all this, he felt a shiver in his heart. Then he asked: — If we continue to attack, can we truly avoid an attack from the Han Kingdom?
Meng Shan Ming: Ruinous waters draw everything in! Jin Jue of the Han Kingdom. I have fought him and know him well. He is patient and will wait for a more opportune moment. Being unsure of victory, he will not attack. That is why the Han Kingdom's forces have not yet attacked us. Shao Deng Yun still controls Beizhou, and Jin Jue fears him. I believe, without extreme reasons, Jin Jue will not attack Beizhou. He is waiting for the right moment. The very best moment. Like a tiger biding its time! We cannot let him fixate on Great Yan. Right now, we need to shift his gaze to the Song Kingdom. Now is such a convenient moment. Luo Zhao is young and wants everything at once, which is why he presented our Great Yan with this chance. And we must not miss this chance! I only need to block Luo Zhao's passage across the Dong Yu River with his three million soldiers. Then we will plunder the Song Kingdom and give Jin Jue a reason to attack the Song Kingdom!
Gong Ling Ze understood him. He unconsciously nodded and, still uncertain, said again:
— The Yan Kingdom currently lacks the power to swallow the Song Kingdom. So, we'll pay such an enormous price, for the benefit of the Han Kingdom? If the Han Kingdom absorbs the Song Kingdom, they will become powerful. And that's not to our advantage!
Meng Shan Ming: Therefore, now is not the time for negotiations with the Song Kingdom. Negotiations right now are deadly dangerous for us! Only when the Song Kingdom has suffered significantly, when its very survival is in question, and when the Song Kingdom's forces are compelled to retreat, only then can we sit down to negotiate. We cannot yield without a decisive victory in battle. Then, we will rely on the sharp tongues of our negotiators.
After speaking, he waved his hand, and Luo Da An wheeled his chair towards the map.
Gong Ling Ze also approached the map. Meng Shan Ming took the pointer Luo Da An handed him and began to indicate points on the map: — The two kingdoms will be weakened, and after successful negotiations, they will unite to prevent the Han Kingdom from attacking either of us. Our kingdoms will together resist the common enemy. After successful negotiations, Yan and Song, for a breather, will dispatch combined forces to the north. The two kingdoms will send their best troops north so that the Han Kingdom dares not attack us.
If the Song Kingdom is appeased, then the danger to the Yan Kingdom in the east will disappear. After pacifying the Song Kingdom, troops can be moved north, and together with the Song Kingdom, we can resist the Han Kingdom, ensuring peace in the north. To the south is a vast sea. The probability of anyone attacking from there is very small. To the west, we have the Southern Domain. Lord Dao has influence over Qingzhou. If the Zhao Kingdom begins to attack, the imperial court won't even need to issue orders; the Southern Domain will personally resist the enemy.
This is my plan to save Great Yan. The three sects, by following this plan, can ensure the safety of Great Yan! We must achieve this goal. Though this goal seems unattainable. Yet, there is nothing else to do; we must fight for the might of the Yan Kingdom. Accumulate strength until our Yan Kingdom becomes powerful. Who would then dare to attack us?
Gong Ling Ze stared intently at the map. He was digesting Meng Shan Ming's words. After a long while, he took a deep breath.
For the first time in so many years, someone had so thoroughly and clearly outlined the military situation to him. He was shaken, vexed, and sighed deeply to himself. In his heart, he had already decided which path to follow. And so, sighing inwardly, he spoke again:
— General Meng does not intend to release the captives. Then the capital, it seems, will be in danger.
His tone was no longer one of displeasure.
Meng Shan Ming: As long as I continuously lead my troops east, under immense pressure from the imperial court, Luo Zhao will be forced to return! We don't need much time, 7-8 days will suffice. The capital, with its high and thick walls, is a place easily defended and difficult to attack. If 200,000 soldiers cannot hold the capital for 7-8 days, then I truly don't know what else the dregs in the capital are capable of? So be it. The well-being of all Great Yan is more important. Gong Ling Ze: It seems General Meng will stick to his opinion!
Meng Shan Ming: You can cancel my eastern campaign, or you can kill me and replace the commander.
Gong Ling Ze trembled. He truly wouldn't dare to attack him now, especially after Meng Shan Ming's words and knowing the attitude of Zhang Hu and the others towards Meng Shan Ming.
Without a word, Gong Ling Ze turned and left. He intended to negotiate with Meng Xuan.
Luo Da An pushed Meng Shan Ming's wheelchair back, and they began to pack their belongings. Soon, they would set out.
Lu Zheng, standing nearby, was stunned. Meng Shan Ming's words had truly broadened his horizons. He couldn't resist and approached Meng Shan Ming:
— General Meng. If you truly kill 600,000 captives, I fear it will greatly affect your reputation.
Meng Shan Ming: How much longer can I live? I am an outcast, and all I need is for the Yan Kingdom to be victorious. So what use is reputation to me? Lu Zheng, remember this: in such situations, you must focus on morale. We must show the Song Kingdom our resolve. We have entered the Song Kingdom. We have little provisions, and they need to be replenished, which primarily affects military morale. We have no path back now. It is still unclear what awaits us ahead. The Yan Kingdom is in a position where it can only move forward. Now, the entire kingdom must act as one! By showing our determination to kill, to settle scores with the Song Kingdom, to invade them in such a way that they dare not attack us again. Only then can we make them respect and fear us!