After the in-depth conversation with Han Hao and Qin Gan, Sun Tu understood the current situation in the Song army a little better. He thought that it was no wonder that the Song army was so hesitant to move forward even though it had an absolute advantage in military strength, insisting on being forced by the court to take the initiative. Attack, then move north reluctantly.
It turned out that the general had long been alienated from his country. This Song army of 300,000 people was basically two soldiers and horses with no subordinates. How could such an army that could not be united be an opponent of the Liao army, which was stronger than itself? Therefore, as I have said before, the most correct way to defeat the enemy is to retreat decisively while it is still possible to recover, to engage in a tug-of-war with the Liao army, and to use the state's financial resources to drag it to death.
But he also knew very well that although this strategy was correct, it was the most impractical. Neither the court nor Tong Guan would accept such a tactic. Just doing this is doomed to a sad ending. Can you really reverse this situation by yourself
When Sun Tu couldn't think of any countermeasures, he received two kinds of invitations, and this time it was hard for him to refuse, because it was his other uncle Di Heming who came to invite him. As a member of the Western Army, this son of the Di family has more of the majesty of his father and ancestors than Di Huchen and Di Yingyang, especially his pair of eagle eyes, which are so shining that no one dares to look at him.
His acting style was as tough as his status. He didn't have too many false politeness. He directly stated his purpose of coming. He was inviting Sun Tu to come for a talk on the orders of the two princes, so that Sun Tu could not make any excuses and could only He followed him to a military camp more than ten miles away from the Chinese army's stronghold.
Three hundred thousand troops were stationed on the banks of the Baigou River. Naturally, they stretched endlessly and could not be seen to the end. I don’t know whether it’s because the two sides are really at odds with each other, or because of strategic and tactical considerations. Anyway, the coach Tong Guan and the two military camps are actually very far apart. Standing in the Chinese military camp, you can’t even see what’s going on over there. In this situation, Sun Tu had to ride his horse for a long time before he was able to enter the military camp, which looked even more serious.
To his surprise, with his two identities today, he actually went out to greet him in person after hearing the news. This really gave Sun Tu a lot of face, and also attracted strange looks from many soldiers around him. To be honest, after so many years, there are really not many generals who can get such attention from the two husbands. Only a court coach like Tong Guan who has a higher status than them can get such treatment.
Sun Tu was also quite flattered by this, and hurriedly came forward to pay homage. After saying something like shame for a while, he and Erzhong entered the Chinese army's tent.
This Chinese military tent is far from comparable to Tong Guan's. Not only does it occupy less than 30% of the area, but the layout inside is also extremely simple. In addition to a row of seats and a long table, there is only a huge hanging table. A map, and a long sword as decorations.
And their hospitality to Sun Tu was also extremely simple. In addition to some common dry food pancakes in the army, it was just a bowl of vegetable soup that was clear enough to see the bottom of the bowl, and a pot of water. Yes, there is no wine and no meat, just the food that ordinary soldiers in the army eat on a daily basis.
Sun Tu didn't feel the slightest discomfort about this, so he ate dry biscuits and tasteless vegetable soup with them, talking about some empty talk and politeness commonly used in officialdom.
But after seeing Sun Tu eating and drinking so calmly, with no expression of embarrassment at all, the Zhong brothers' faces turned bright.
He showed an appreciative smile. Then I heard Master Zhong said with a smile: "I originally heard some rumors about the Marquis of Yue from abroad. My brother thought they were exaggerated. But when I saw them today, I realized that they were true. The Marquis of Yue really has the style of a famous general from ancient times. I really admire you two."
When Sun Tu heard this, he hurriedly said humbly: "The old Mr. Zhong is so ridiculous. The younger generation really can't afford it. In addition, the two old De Shao are seniors in the army. I don't dare to claim to have any title. If If you don’t abandon me, you two can call me thousands of miles away.”
"Oh?" Master Zhong smiled with satisfaction again: "In this case, I and I would be extremely disrespectful."
Zhong Shidao also smiled and said: "Qianli, I wonder what you think of the current war situation?"
"I am young and inexperienced, and I dare not show off in front of my two husbands." Sun Tu said humbly again.
"Hey, there is no time to learn. A master is a teacher. Things in the army are also ordinary. Qianli, since you can become a rare famous general in our Song Dynasty in recent years, and have made outstanding achievements in defeating thieves one after another, you must have a good record in using troops. It's a good thing to talk about people, so that I can benefit from it."
Seeing that both of them had said this, Sun Tu no longer kept any reservations and expressed some of his previous thoughts. As for his strategy of retreating in order to rely on the Song Dynasty's far stronger national power than the Liao Kingdom to defeat the enemy and drag him to death, the two really showed expressions of deep approval, and then fought each other from time to time. He winked and nodded slightly.
After Sun Tu finished speaking a lot of words and picked up the bowl to drink water with a dry mouth, the master of the field smiled and said: "Qianli really has superhuman insights on the use of soldiers. With this method alone, he has defeated many people." , I admire it. It’s a pity... "
"It's a pity that although this method is useful, it is not favored by the imperial court. I'm afraid I won't even be able to pass Tong Shuai's test, right?" Zhong Shidao also said.
Sun Tu smiled bitterly: "Yes, when I proposed this approach in the court that day, I was refuted by the officials and ministers, saying that I was worrying unfoundedly, embedding other people's ambitions, and destroying the prestige of our Song Dynasty."
"Hmph, how do they know what it means to have one general achieve the goal of destroying thousands of bones? For their little knowledge, many soldiers have to sacrifice their lives. Moreover, this battle may not be won!" Some of the seed masters said Said angrily.
This made Zhong Shidao frown slightly, coughed quickly, and interrupted his complaint: "Of course, as military generals, we should obey the orders of the imperial court, and we can only try our best to win this victory. To repay the king's great kindness. However, you should know that things in the army are often changeable even though you are thousands of miles away. How can you be constrained by those thousands of miles away who don't know the situation ahead? Therefore, the imperial court issued successive decrees this time, forcing me to go with The Liao army's decisive battle was a big mistake. I wonder what you think about this?"
"This... the imperial court is indeed not thinking properly, but the matter has come to this point. No matter the two husbands or the handsome boy, I am afraid they are unable to refuse."
"Yes, there have been many imperial edicts, how can we, the ministers, refuse them. However, after all, we can still make our own decisions on how to fight. It's just that Tong Shuai..." Zhongshi still looked unhappy. It seemed that in the middle of his words, he was interrupted by a low cough from his brother.
"You two husbands obviously have some things that you can't say clearly." Regarding the hesitant behavior of these two people, Sun Tu was
Somewhat impatient. Because he was affected by the words of Han Hao and others, his impressions of the two were already somewhat inferior to before, and now he was not in the mood to talk in circles with them, so he simply got straight to the point and said, "Are you harboring disapproval of some of Tong Shuai's decisions?" Prejudice, do you think it will harm the soldiers of the Western Army?"
"You..." Master Zhong immediately stared when he heard this. He really didn't expect Sun Tu to be so outspoken in front of the two of them. After all these years, no one really dares to talk to their brother like this.
Zhongshi Dao, on the other hand, was more steady. He said before his outspoken brother: "It seems that Qianli knows something, so he has opinions about my brother?" His eyes were indeed vicious, and he could tell Sun Tu at once The strangeness comes.
Sun Tu didn't intend to lie in front of the two of them, so he said directly: "In fact, I have always respected the two husbands. If it weren't for you training and using soldiers in the Western Army, I am afraid that I, the last elite of the Song Dynasty, would will be completely gone. However, in the final analysis, this Western Army should be responsible for protecting our Central Plains, rather than just fighting for the privacy of the two ministers and their family. For example, in this battle with the Liao Army, all the Imperial Guards of the Northern Army fought. Fighting ahead, if the Western Army focuses on self-protection, it would be really unacceptable. The two husbands are both experienced and far better than my Sun Tu. Don't you know that the lips are dead and the teeth are cold, and the eggs are not intact after the nest is overturned? ?"
Unexpectedly, Sun Tu actually taught the two of them a lesson, which made Master Zhong's expression even darker. If his brother hadn't kept calm with his gaze, I'm afraid he would have had a fit on the spot and had an argument with the other party.
After Sun Tu finished speaking this nonsense, he calmed down, clasped his fists and said, "What I just said is indeed disrespectful. However, it is related to the life and death of countless people in the Central Plains, and I have to say it." It’s clear. You must know that right now we are not only facing powerful enemies like the Liao Army, but also the Jin people who can kill them to the point where they are almost unable to fight back. If at this time there are still various factions or conflicts within the Song Army. If there are contradictions and it is difficult to unite as one, then this battle has been lost before the battle, and a great disaster will surely befall our people of the Song Dynasty in the future. By then, the country will be shattered, the country will be overturned, and no one will be able to escape a single catastrophe. , a word of sin! I hope you two gentlemen can understand the painstaking efforts I have put in!"
At this time, Zhongshi Zhong's expression calmed down, and Zhongshi Dao also showed a thoughtful expression. After thinking for a while, he suddenly laughed: "It seems that it is exactly what I thought. Qianli, you were deceived by others. You thought it was because of my brother's reservations in this battle, which led to the previous defeat. Already?"
Sun Tu originally thought that his outspoken words would arouse the two kinds of anger, but unexpectedly, instead of being annoyed, they had such a reaction, which made him a little dazed: "Huh? What does Mr. Zhong mean by this?"
"They say that among all the masters, I am the most upright and easily deceived, but today it seems that you, Sun Qianli, are on par with me." Master Zhong suddenly laughed: "Don't you understand? You are I was misled.”
"This... how is it possible?" Sun Tu really didn't believe that such a thing would happen. After all, this was a major event in the military. How dare Han Hao and the others lie to him
"Don't you believe it? Then I'll follow the two of us to a place, and you will know." Among the seed masters, he was a straight-tempered person. He immediately stood up and motioned for Sun Tu to follow him out of the tent.