Ch.290Fury of the Plains (5)

As the Mongol Pirates were plundering villages near the Yangtze River and Mongol cavalry thoroughly devastated the land, Meng Gong was advancing toward Sichuan under the emperor’s orders.

“General Wang Jian. Is there still no reply to the letter sent to the Jin Dynasty?”

In response to Meng Gong’s question, a sturdy-built general bowed before answering.

“I apologize, General.”

Meng Gong frowned at Wang Jian’s response.

This was troubling because if he continued advancing with his army, an all-out war with the Jin Dynasty would be inevitable.

Once battle began, he would need to deploy tactics to achieve strategic objectives.

In that case, Meng Gong would have no choice but to fight with all his might.

If he failed to recover Sichuan, Meng Gong’s political and military standing would diminish.

This would lead to his downfall, and the army he had built would end up under the command of civilian officials with no military expertise.

Of course, the Song Dynasty had a history of civilian officials leading armies.

Some of these people had admirable records of commanding troops.

However, this only applied during peacetime.

Now was wartime.

It was unthinkable to have civilian scholars commanding armies against the Mongols, who were essentially as devastating as a natural disaster.

That’s why Meng Gong had no choice but to fight the Jin Dynasty to maintain his position.

Even though he knew this would ultimately benefit the Mongols.

“Sigh… there’s no other way.”

After saying this, Meng Gong looked at Wang Jian.

Wang Jian straightened his posture, ready to receive orders.

“At your command, General.”

“Take command of the right wing and attack Sichuan.”

“Understood. However, as you know, General Yu Zheng who leads the vanguard has recently been facing jealousy from General Yu Wendek.”

Wang Jian let his words trail off.

Understanding this, Meng Gong continued as if to say not to worry.

“I will handle this matter personally.”

At the commander-in-chief’s words, Wang Jian inwardly sighed with relief.

The reason Wang Jian protected Yu Zheng was because Yu Zheng was an important figure for the Song Dynasty.

He was one of the few remaining naval admirals in the Song Dynasty and an outstanding strategist.

However, his background was the issue.

He was an ethnic Han from the Jin Dynasty who had defected to the Song Dynasty.

Despite being a defector, his exceptional abilities had earned him recognition for his achievements.

He had served under the Song Dynasty’s renowned minister Zhao Fan, and as the anti-Mongol front developed, he came under Meng Gong’s command.

Meng Gong was from the south, so many southern-born generals served under him.

This inevitably led to jealousy and envy from other southern generals, including Yu Wendek.

Meng Gong was deeply concerned about this and tried to foster harmony between the defected general and the southern generals.

But reconciling two people with such deep-seated animosity was practically impossible.

“So please don’t worry and take command of the right wing.”

“I trust only you, Commander-in-Chief.”

After saying this, Wang Jian moved forward.

As he disappeared, Meng Gong heaved a deep sigh.

“I should meet with him first.”

After saying this, Meng Gong headed toward the left wing camp where Yu Wendek was stationed.

When Meng Gong arrived, a man with a genial appearance greeted him warmly with a bright expression.

“Welcome, General. You must be tired from your journey to Lin’an. Would you like some wine to relieve your fatigue?”

“That’s fine. Thank you for your consideration, General. But first, I have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

“Can’t you somehow resolve your issues with General Yu Zheng?”

When Yu Zheng’s name was mentioned, Yu Wendek frowned.

“What did that Yu Zheng fellow say to you?”

“Nothing. I just hear of the discord between you two.”

“I apologize for causing you concern, Commander. I should have been more careful…”

Yu Wendek responded with flattery.

But Meng Gong was no fool and demanded a clear answer from Yu Wendek.

“You must ensure this doesn’t happen again. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Meng Gong silently looked at Yu Wendek.

After a long silence, Meng Gong spoke.

“…Very well.”

With these final words, Meng Gong rose to his feet.

“His Majesty has ordered the conquest of Sichuan. General Wang Jian will lead the right wing to attack Sichuan, so please take command of the left wing and assist him.”

“I accept your orders.”

After saying this, Meng Gong left the tent.

As soon as he left, Yu Wendek frowned.

“That Yu Zheng must be up to something again.”

Yu Wendek despised Yu Zheng.

He hated his outstanding abilities and resented that he received recognition for his military achievements.

He had even used his higher position to usurp Yu Zheng’s military accomplishments several times.

This made him suspect that Yu Zheng might have reported something to Meng Gong.

“Having to watch a Jin Dynasty man act so boldly. There’s nothing more difficult than this.”

Yu Wendek said this as he took out a wine cup.

Then he poured some baijiu that he had hidden, intending to offer it to Meng Gong.

It was precious baijiu with a fresh floral scent, made using Mongol distillation techniques.

After downing it in one gulp, Yu Wendek muttered in a low voice.

“If only he were gone…”

The Song Dynasty was currently in turmoil.

He knew well that causing internal division in such a state was not good.

“But this isn’t causing internal division. It’s just weeding out someone who might become a spy.”

Yu Zheng was from the Jin Dynasty.

Although they were both from Central Plains, Yu Wendek disliked him because he was from Jin.

So he believed Yu Zheng would betray the Song Dynasty and side with the Mongols at any time.

“Master Zhang Shixiannan said so too.”

Zhang Shixiannan Zhao Fang was a renowned minister of the Song Dynasty who had been in charge of the Jin front before Meng Gong.

As a southerner, Yu Wendek had sincerely followed and respected Zhao Fang when serving under him.

Zhao Fang had said something to his son, Zhao Gui:

“Yu Zheng has talent, so you cannot use him in your generation. You must kill him. Otherwise, he will become a problem.”

Zhao Gui, who had a good relationship with Yu Wendek, had once shared this with Yu Wendek over drinks.

This confirmed the source of Yu Wendek’s negative feelings toward Yu Zheng.

“For the sake of the country, I must bring down Yu Zheng.”

He said this as he tilted his cup.

This was not for his personal advancement.

It was an action for the country.

Yu Wendek was organizing his thoughts while drinking, unaware that someone was eavesdropping behind him.

* * *

“I clearly heard General Yu Wendek saying such things.”

Upon hearing the spy’s report, Yu Zheng swallowed hard.

“I knew that fellow disliked me, but I didn’t think he would go this far.”

Yu Wendek had strong connections with Zhao Gui in the court.

So if he set his mind to it, bringing down Yu Zheng was just a matter of time.

“Shouldn’t you inform the Commander-in-Chief?”

At the spy’s words, Yu Zheng shook his head.

“If something happens, the Commander-in-Chief will choose Yu Wendek over me.”

Meng Gong was traditionally a southern military officer.

So he was likely to protect Yu Wendek, who was from the same background.

“The Commander-in-Chief is not that kind of person.”

“Yes, he’s not that kind of person. But even he would have no choice if the orders came from the court.”

Even Meng Gong couldn’t refuse orders from the court.

Yu Zheng knew this fact better than anyone.

He took a deep breath.

Then he gestured for the spy to withdraw.

Left alone, Yu Zheng pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

“I am a general leading the vanguard. Thinking about my own safety comes later.”

Saying this, he put on his armor again.

As the vanguard commander, Yu Zheng had duties to fulfill.

These were orders from the country, so he had to carry them out first.

The matter with Yu Wendek could wait.

As he came out of his tent fully armed, an adjutant approached.

“General. The Commander-in-Chief will be visiting soon.”

“Make sure the camp is well-organized and tell the soldiers to stand by in their tents.”

“Yes, General!”

After the adjutant disappeared, a group of cavalry appeared shortly after.

Seeing the flag with the Commander-in-Chief’s emblem fluttering, Yu Zheng removed his helmet and approached the cavalry.

“You’ve come a long way, General.”

“Thank you for such a warm welcome, General Yu Zheng.”

Meng Gong smiled and made a fist-and-palm salute to Yu Zheng.

Yu Zheng returned the gesture, showing proper respect to Meng Gong.

“Please, come inside.”

Yu Zheng guided Meng Gong to the vanguard command tent.

Upon arrival, Meng Gong received reports on the current situation from Yu Zheng and his adjutants.

“We have recaptured several counties in Lizhou. If we continue like this, we can recover all of Lizhou.”

“Soon we’ll be able to recover Chengdu as well. How is the Jin Dynasty’s resistance?”

“Since their main force has left to attack Xingqing, their resistance is minimal, almost non-existent.”

“I see.”

Meng Gong nodded.

After receiving additional reports, Meng Gong addressed everyone.

“I have something urgent to discuss with General Yu Zheng. Could everyone please leave us?”

When the Commander-in-Chief’s order fell, everyone present left.

After they left, only Meng Gong, Yu Zheng, and the guard soldiers remained.

“I highly commend General Yu Zheng’s hard work.”

“Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.”

“For this, I intend to inform the court and appoint General Yu Zheng as the Left Wing Governor.”

“Th-thank you.”

Yu Zheng wore a displeased expression.

This was because, although it was called a promotion, it essentially meant being moved to the rear.

A general who couldn’t lead troops was difficult to respect regardless of how high his position was.

In this situation, with Yu Wendek’s issue also arising, it was hard for Yu Zheng to take this positively.

Unaware that Yu Zheng knew about Yu Wendek’s plot, Meng Gong didn’t understand why Yu Zheng looked gloomy.

“Is there something you’re not comfortable with?”

“N-no. That’s not it, General. I was just surprised by the sudden promotion.”

“Haha. Then I’m glad. Still, you deserve that position, General. I’m counting on you, Left Wing Governor.”

“I will serve with all my heart and soul.”

Yu Zheng said this and bowed.

Despite his calm expression, his inner feelings were incredibly complex.