Zhao Guanjia (Emperor Zhao) had made a fool of himself!

He had hastily moved the Privy Council to the Yushan military camp, and had the two councilors of the Capital Province divide it into two parts, stationed in Nanyang and Xiangyang respectively. He even personally oversaw the army, presenting a picture of both being faced with a formidable enemy and possessing decisive leadership.

In reality, on his very first day at the camp, he had loudly proclaimed in the army barracks that 'it won't be long now' and other similar pronouncements.

However, the Jin people were nowhere to be seen throughout July. By August, troop deployments and city defenses were complete across Henan. Even Li Yanxian's unit, in the most precarious position, had received two shipments of armaments and gunpowder from Nanyang. Still, there was no sign of the main Jin force crossing the river. In a daze, not only the officials in Nanyang but also the frontline generals and Zhao Guanjia himself began to believe that the Jin people wouldn't come at all, and that the imperial edict might just be a highly effective strategic deception.

But in early August, news finally arrived, confirming the validity of the Jin Emperor's decree, yet simultaneously causing Zhao Guanjia and the entire Nanyang central government to lose face once again.

It turned out that the Jin army hadn't failed to act immediately; they had taken decisive action in early July. But from that very moment, they had encountered fierce resistance from the Hebei militia. In contrast to the thriving situation in Nanyang, the Jin people regarded Hebei as their heartland. Thus, from the previous year, they had massively relocated Jurchen Meng'an and Mouke to various locations. When Jin nobles arrived in Hebei, they naturally seized fertile land, livestock, and people. Coupled with the aftermath of the previous year's war, Hebei was in a state of economic collapse and mass displacement, leading to constant resistance.

This time, the southward march of 200,000 Jin soldiers coincided with the first large-scale, formal, and spontaneous levy and plunder of Hebei by the newly settled Meng'an and Mouke. The Jin's backward system and barbaric practices destined this levy to be brutal and devastating.

The Han people were not livestock to be slaughtered. Even livestock would cry out, kick, or bite before the knife fell, wouldn't they?

As a result, the Jin army's task of gathering forces fell into difficulties from the very beginning, and the Hebei militia grew stronger once more. In fact, if Zhao Guanjia had possessed sufficient revolutionary awareness and knowledge, he should have learned something from the Hedong Red Turban Army that suddenly emerged and sought refuge with the elder and younger Zhai brothers.

Regardless, it wasn't just the corrupt Song ruling class that underestimated the power of the people; the Jin people paid a bloody price for it. After determining the general invasion route, Nianhan himself led a small detachment south from Yanjing to oversee Daming Prefecture. However, he was ambushed by a militia force along the way and nearly captured, fleeing back to Yanjing in disgrace, only to venture south again with a larger army.

By mid-July, when the Jin forces from beyond the Pass and Youyan had gathered, not only had the Meng'an and Mouke failed to arrive in Hebei, but three of Hebei's military prefectures had been lost!

Helpless, Wanyan Eliduo, the third prince of the Jin Dynasty and the 'military governor' of Yanjing, had to lead the assembled forces from beyond the Pass and Youyan on a sweeping campaign from north to south. Though this was part of the original plan, it turned out to be unexpectedly arduous.

It wasn't until late July that they managed to defeat the Wuma Mountain militia, led by the self-proclaimed Vice Marshal of All Troops, Zhao Zhen, the Prince of Xin, numbering as many as 200,000, in the vicinity of Zhengding Prefecture in Hebei, not far from Yanjing.

However, perhaps someone remembered a certain person's instructions on the Huai River, namely 'Don't seek field battles or reckless engagements; preserve strength to respond to future opportunities.' Eliduo failed to capture the Prince of Xin or the actual leader of Wuma Mountain, their old friend from the Great Jin, Ma Kuo, the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Route of the Great Song.

In fact, just three days later, news of Ma Kuo and the Prince of Xin reappeared in the northern foothills of the Taihang Mountains west of Zhengding. Countless remnants flocked to join them in the Taihang Mountains, instantly reviving their strength. The previous battle seemed less like a real engagement and more like a necessary cover for a strategic retreat.

The Jin army, fresh from their victory, were disheartened. For the cavalry from Liaodong and Youyan, fighting on open plains was one thing, but fighting in the mountain gullies was another.

The Jin commanders argued once again. Some suggested dividing the troops to lock down the northern Taihang Mountains and continue south to deal with the Eight Character Army. Others suggested abandoning everything, ignoring the Song militia in the mountains, sweeping the plains, and immediately sending troops south. Still others suggested offering amnesty. Wanyan Eliduo, the actual commander of the Jin army, was caught in a dilemma. The arrival of an unexpected autumn rain further delayed the situation.

"I thought that if I really saw Ma Jia's (Ma Kuo) official in the battlefield, I would let him go due to our past friendship in Liaodong, and just capture that Prince of Xin. Who knew that such a kind official back then would be so cunning now?" In the main hall of an almost empty mansion in Zhengding Prefecture, only two people sat facing each other at a table, drinking. Wanyan Eliduo, the third prince of the Jin Dynasty, stared at the wine and meat before him, listening to the sound of the autumn rain outside, feeling utterly bored. "Fourth Brother, you were still young then, but do you remember him?"

"How could I not remember?"

Wanyan Wushu (also known as Wanyan Zongbi) raised half of his backside off the seat, squinting at the entrance. Due to the torrential autumn rain, no one was to be seen outside the open door. Even some trusted guards were allowed to shelter in the portico and drink. "I still remember that day when he shot an arrow, and our father turned to Nianhan and said that if there was just one person like Ma Kuo among every hundred young Song officials, we should strictly adhere to the alliance…"

"We underestimated him back then," Wanyan Eliduo sighed softly. "Although it's just a rabble, they suffer from a lack of military equipment, warhorses, and experience. But there are over a hundred thousand of them. Wouldn't you say that Ma Zichong (Ma Kuo) is one in ten thousand?"

"Whether he's one in ten thousand or not is meaningless. It all depends on the circumstances and national fortune," Wanyan Wushu said dismissively, twitching his lips. He leaned his weight on one buttock, trying to get comfortable. "Back then, we were in the backwoods. Although we had won two battles, we only had a few thousand elite troops. We couldn't even completely gather the Jurchen tribes, let alone dream of conquering the Liao Dynasty. What Song people were we even thinking about? At that time, we naturally had to think of Song people more favorably because they had a million troops and we only had ten thousand. So as long as they had one capable person out of a hundred, we wouldn't dare to entertain any ambitious thoughts. But after we destroyed the Liao Dynasty, we also had two or three hundred thousand troops. Looking at the Song's million troops again, we would think that as long as the Song didn't have a Jurchen hero in every five people, we could go and fight them."

Wanyan Eliduo listened carefully and then nodded slightly. "I know what you're trying to say, Fourth Brother… You mean that the Song's Imperial Guards in Henan and Tokyo at most number 200,000. As long as there isn't someone comparable to our Jurchen warriors in every two or three people, we can rampage freely. So we shouldn't waste time in Hebei and should go south as soon as possible. Once the Song people in Jiangnan (Southern China) are ready to fight, it will cause problems… Is that what you mean?"

"Third Brother understands me," Wanyan Wushu raised his cup in agreement, nodding solemnly.

Wanyan Eliduo also raised his cup to his younger brother, and they both drank it down.

"Wushu, although I know you want to go south for personal reasons, I don't think your logic is flawed," Wanyan Eliduo put down his cup, raising the immediate dilemma. "But what about Hebei? Are we not pursuing Ma Kuo? Are we not dealing with the Eight Character Army in the south? Nianhan is waiting in Daming Prefecture! Moreover, Hebei is the foundation that our Great Jin has established. The emperor and Yanjing are watching Hebei very closely. Central Plains and Jiangnan will probably be divided and turned into subordinate states."

"Third Brother, that's putting the cart before the horse," Wanyan Wushu scoffed. "I ask you, why should the Central Plains and Jiangnan be divided and turned into subordinate states?"

"Probably for two reasons," Eliduo frowned slightly, raising his cup. "One is that our Jurchen people are not suited to the southern climate. Once the weather gets hot in the Central Plains, we lose our fighting spirit, let alone hearing that the Song people south of the Central Plains still have a vast territory, which is even hotter. The other…"

"The other is that there are too many Song people and they resist fiercely," Wushu laughed even more derisively. "After all, we only have 120,000 core elite troops. Including the surrendered troops from Liao and the surrendered soldiers from Hebei, we have at most 300,000 troops. This army is enough to suppress Hebei, let alone talking about the Central Plains and Jiangnan. Moreover, those 120,000 'core' troops are dying one by one and must be used sparingly. It's like this time with the Wuma Mountain incident. We all know that the Prince of Xin is a fake and Ma Kuo is the backbone of Wuma Mountain, but Third Brother, you still wanted to let Ma Kuo go after the battle. Why? Isn't it because you know that Ma Kuo can't do anything without this Prince of Xin? And what is the Prince of Xin? He's just a fake. As long as the Song emperor in the south recognizes him, he can stir up the people's hearts."

Eliduo narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew what his younger brother meant. Wanyan Wushu didn't say anything more. The two brothers just stared silently at the rain in the courtyard.

"I still say that I know you have ulterior motives, Fourth Brother, but I can't refute it," Eliduo sighed after a long silence. "You're right. Only by killing the Song emperor in the south can the world be at peace…"

"I really don't have ulterior motives," Wanyan Wushu drained his cup, his eyes turning red instantly. "They all say that I'm inciting a southward campaign for personal revenge. Big Brother thinks so, and Third Brother thinks so too… Especially you, Third Brother, everyone else is getting benefits this time, but you're not. You're clearly still resentful of me, so you're delaying my proposal. But I still have to say that the Song emperor in the south is no ordinary person! People like Ma Kuo could only be locked up in the prisons of Zhengding Prefecture when those two were in power in Wuguocheng, waiting for us to save him out of past friendship. But now, with the new emperor, he gave Wuma Mountain two titles with one decree and entangled us to this extent. Isn't that clear enough?"

Wanyan Eliduo hesitated.

"And what about the security of Hebei… security my ass?!" Wanyan Wushu became even more resentful. "The root of Hebei's insecurity lies in the south. What was the reason for going south last year? Wasn't it to remove the wings and cut off Hebei's communication with the south, so that Hebei could be secure? Why is it just my personal motive today?!"

Eliduo sighed slightly, "I didn't mean to blame you entirely. With Second Brother gone, it's just us brothers supporting the army, which is really hard when facing Nianhan. I was just afraid that you would act recklessly and be defeated, and then others would put the blame on you… You're already the supervising army of the Metropolitan Commandery now, unlike last time when there was Talan to back you up."

"It doesn't matter. Just assume it's all my personal motive. I'm blinded by revenge. But am I wrong? Shouldn't we abandon these trivial matters and go south?" Wanyan Wushu became even more irritable. "As long as we show our power and momentum in the south, what about Ma Kuo and the Eight Character Army? As long as the Song emperor runs from Nanyang with his tail between his legs, don't you think Hebei will be stable? When we catch up, we'll first chop off his imperial flag and then kill that Zhao brat. Not only Hebei, but the whole world will be at peace! Maybe then I'll stay in the Central Plains and enjoy the beautiful land, and never come back to make you angry!"

Eliduo knew that if they continued talking, the brothers would become estranged. He gritted his teeth and said solemnly, "You still want to go south immediately? Regardless of Ma Kuo and the Eight Character Army?"

"That's right."

"How do you plan to fight?"

"Third Brother isn't crossing the river, so you don't need to worry about it."

"You just need me to hold back Nianhan and let the Western Route Army's reinforcements send troops in time?"

"That's right."

"Do you need me to suppress Talan for you?"

"No, that old bird wouldn't dare to break the agreement! If he dares to play tricks on me, I'll let him know my strength."

Eliduo nodded slowly, then stood up and sighed, "You go ahead. I'll slowly gather troops behind you to support you."

Wanyan Wushu finally persuaded his brother, but he didn't say a word. He stood up directly, enduring the severe pain from his injuries in the rainy weather, and limped into the rain, not even bothering to take an umbrella or call for someone to serve him.

Eliduo frowned slightly as he watched his brother's back. He felt that his brother was gradually losing control, but it wasn't just because of his age, promotion, and power. But he couldn't quite put his finger on the reason.

In early August, the autumn harvest on the south bank of the Yellow River was gradually completed, but there was still no news from the Jin people, and there was no information about large-scale battles involving the main force of the Eight Character Army in the northern Taihang Mountains.

It seemed that the Song army, waiting in full battle array on the south bank of the Yellow River, was about to become a joke.

At this time, the commanders of the various war zones, who had received clear 'autonomous power' from Nanyang, began to have other ideas.

On August 8th, Zhang Jun, the Pacification Commissioner of Huai'nan East, tentatively launched an attack on Yizhou and achieved an initial victory. Or rather, the bandits entrenched in Yizhou chose to surrender proactively. But regardless, the vital Yishui passage was successfully taken by Zhang Boying, who immediately sent a messenger to report the victory.

On August 12th, Zhang Suo, the Pacification Commissioner of Jingdong and Lianglu, located in Shangqiu, Nanjing, ordered his subordinate garrison commissioners Yue Fei, Zhang Rong, and Kong Yanzhou, the local Song general from Jingdong who had occupied the area of Yanzhou after the rebellion last year, to advance north together, attempting to defeat Liu Yu and occupy Jinan Prefecture before the Jin people arrived.

On August 16th, just after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yue Fei was ordered to lead an army of ten thousand on an expedition.

However, on August 18th, before he had even left the territory of Dongping Prefecture under the jurisdiction of Zhang Rong, Yue Fei was confronted by countless routed soldiers from Zhang Rong's unit.