Chapter 899 - 89: Wanyan Liang’s Decision, Jin’s Retreat North

The scales of victory have already tipped.

——The unrest in people’s hearts is fundamentally not something Wanyan Digünai can solve today.

He is indeed the Emperor.

But he is ultimately a Foreign Race.

In fact, by comparison, Wanyan Digünai’s base of public support might even be less than Zhao Gou’s, especially after the Jin Army’s plundering, his foundation of rule was already weaker.

Not to mention now.

Of course, Wanyan Digünai also had his opportunities.

As long as he could unify the realm, these problems could be easily resolved.

But in the end, he encountered Gu Hui and Yue Fei.

When the news of this battle spread widely, the situation of the entire land was destined!

....

The whole Jiangnan region was in turmoil.

By the shores of Lake Tai, Huzhou.

A group primarily composed of fishermen and salt workers, mixed with scattered local soldiers and some small landlords intolerant of the Jin people’s tyranny, launched a night raid on the Jin Army’s supply transit station outside the county town.

They shouted "Welcome the Royal Army" and "Kill the Tartars," and although their weapons were simple, due to the element of surprise and guidance from locals, they succeeded in burning a large amount of supplies, distributing countless flyers with Gu Hui’s proclamation of "Resist the Jin and Protect the People," the origin of which was unknown.

By the time the suppression cavalry sent by Han Chang arrived, the Rebel Army had already vanished into the vast Lake Tai.

The mountainous area of Zedong, Wuzhou.

The local clans, known for their martial spirit, were already dissatisfied with the foreign officials appointed by the Jin people and their oppressive levies. Seeing the rise of the Northern Army, they connected secretly.

One day, as the Jin-appointed prefect was forcing the gentry to "donate" inside the yamen, suddenly the sound of killing arose outside; the city gates had been opened by the defecting Han Army defenders, and hundreds of "bandits" with blades and faces covered by black cloths rushed into the city, heading straight for the government office.

The prefect and several dozen Jurchen guards were all killed, their heads hung on the city gates, beside notice proclaiming "Conform to Heaven’s Will, Submit to Lord Gu."

This had clearly become the norm in all of Jiangnan.

With the actions of the Gu Clan.

The impact of this battle was pushed directly to the peak.

On this land, the influence of the Gu Clan was too immense, so much so that Wanyan Digünai couldn’t even spare more energy to deal with it all.

Guidefu.

Messages from all sides kept being delivered.

Regarding the current world’s situation, the subordinates were all filled with passion.

"Grand Tutor, this is a chance not to be missed!"

"The fertile lands of Jiangnan, the people eagerly await, our army should leverage this great victory to plow the court and sweep the lair, and strike directly at Yingtian!"

The cries sounded continuously.

Gu Hui raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, pointing at the map: "Jiangnan is indeed shaking, yet like the centipede, dying but not stiffening."

"Wanyan Digünai still holds ten thousand capable soldiers, especially his Jurchen main forces, whose combat power remains unbroken."

"If our army advances rashly, forcing a desperate dog into a fight, it may instead cause unnecessary losses and heavily damage Jiangnan’s vitality."

He changed his tone, but his voice grew ever more determined: "Yet time waits for no man."

"We should pressure him with the force of Mount Tai, causing him to disorder himself, rather than simply attacking with brute force." He immediately ordered, "Pengju in Huaidong, can increase pressure, creating a stance of advancing towards Yangzhou, threatening Yingtian’s eastern flank, forcing Han Chang to contract, further exposing gaps in their defense line."

"Liu Qi and Wang Gui’s forces, while steadily rooting in Shandong, can send elite detachments southward, posing to sever the connection between Kaifeng and Yingtian, intimidating the Central Plains."

"Meanwhile," Gu Hui’s eyes were blazing, "proclaim to every state and county in Jiangnan, especially those places that have shown rebellion or signs of wavering!"

"In the name of ’Regent Grand Tutor’, announce that the Royal Army will shortly march south, instruct them to prepare food and wine to welcome, reward those who capture and present Jin officials, and severely punish those who resist with arms and help tyrants do evil!"

"Additionally, the Gu Clan’s members and academy students hidden in Jiangnan should intensify their activities, contact the gentry, propagate new policies, and undermine the Jin people’s rule!"

——He was still so steady and deliberate.

This was Gu Hui’s character.

The strategy of making use of advantages to inspire despair in everyone left no room for Wanyan Digünai to exploit!

Although this approach seemed relatively slow.

But whether in terms of casualties or damage to Jiangnan, it was undoubtedly minimal!

And most importantly, this approach left Wanyan Digünai without hope!

.....

Yingtian Prefecture.

The air was so heavy it seemed it could drip water.

Bad news after bad news of rebellions across the land, canals being cut off, unstable morale among the troops, and scarce supplies came in one after another.

Looking at one report after another, Wanyan Digünai’s timeworn face was full of murderous intent, unable to control his inner anger.

"They’re all ungrateful wolves!"

"I gave them official positions, gave them riches, but in the end, they only think of betraying their master for glory!"

Wanyan Digünai kept roaring.

Even though he had already anticipated this situation, he still couldn’t control himself at this moment, especially when he thought of Gu Hui’s intentions, his anger became even more uncontrollable.

Such is human ambition.

Initially, Wanyan Digünai just wished for his tribe to avoid oppression.

But when he truly unified the Northern Border, and even rebelled, like now breaking into Yingtian and proclaiming himself emperor in the Central Plains, this ambition had completely changed.

The ministers and eunuchs standing in the hall were so frightened they lay prostrate on the ground, trembling, no one dared to lift their head.

At this moment, Wanyan Digünai seemed to be still that obstinate and violent conqueror permitting no disobedience.