"Understood!"
No sooner had Zhe Yourong left than Han Mo immediately sent for Han Shizhong and Yue Fei.
Zhao Zhen wanted to keep the rebels to strengthen his own position?
If he wanted to keep them, he would have to see if Lord Han agreed!
After all, all the territorial armies in Liangzhe Circuit were currently under Han Mo's command. It was perfectly justifiable for Han Mo to mobilize Han Shizhong and Yue Fei to suppress the bandits at this time.
Fang La was already a trapped beast. With the talents of the two of them, plus the thousands of veteran soldiers from the Battle of Mingzhou Defense, Han Mo did not believe that Fang La's remaining stragglers could stop them!
Besides, in the original history, Fang La was captured by Han Shizhong.
Han Mo was now very eager to see what expression would appear on Zhao Zhen's face when he heard the news of Fang La's capture.
"Brother, you summoned us two so late, is there something important?"
A quarter of an hour later, upon hearing that Han Mo had something to discuss, Han Shizhong and Yue Fei arrived at Han Mo's office one after another.
"Indeed, there is something I need you two to do. I just don't know if you have the courage!"
As Han Mo spoke, he guided the two of them to a map.
"Brother, are you asking us to suppress bandits?"
After glancing at the contents of the map, Han Shizhong couldn't help but show an excited expression.
"That's right!"
Han Mo was not overly curious about this, as the map clearly indicated the current situation of both sides.
From this map, it was evident that the imperial army had already formed a pincer movement around Fang La.
To annihilate him was merely a matter of a word.
The reason why these people had not yet made a move was simply because Zhao Zhen's focus was not on this matter.
"Your subordinate is willing to die for you, my lord!"
Compared to Han Shizhong, Yue Fei was more straightforward.
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, he directly knelt on one knee.
"Your subordinate is willing to die for you, my lord!"
Since he had expressed his resolve, Han Shizhong naturally had to follow suit.
"Both of you, stand up and remember this: from now on, never say this again. No matter the time, I will never need you to die. Remember this: it's alright if the battle is lost. As long as you are alive, there is still hope for a comeback. But if your lives are lost one day, then everything will truly be over!"
After helping the two of them up, Han Mo said earnestly.
"Brother..."
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, both Han Shizhong and Yue Fei's eyes began to redden.
In an era where human lives were as cheap as grass, not only did the civil officials not care about the lives of soldiers, but the majority of the generals who led the troops also did not care about the lives of their soldiers and subordinates.
Under the brainwashing of this ideology, it was no wonder that hotheads like Yue Fei and Han Shizhong would believe such nonsensical talk.
"I will not interfere with the matters of war. You two research how to fight it yourselves. I only want to know how many men, how much grain, and how many military supplies you two need to win this battle! Whatever you need, as long as you ask, I will find a way to get it for you!"
Han Mo had always been excellent at entrusting professional matters to professional people.
Although they were young, they were true born generals, and they were the future two of the seven princes of the Southern Song Dynasty, the two most capable generals among the four most celebrated generals of the Zhongxing period!
Rather than wasting energy researching tactics with them here, it was better to completely delegate power and let them decide how to fight the battle themselves.
"Although these bandits appear to have a large number of men, they are at the end of their rope. After being besieged for so long, I estimate that their grain and fodder are almost depleted. I think we can divide into two routes, forming an echelon formation, relying on each other, and capturing the ringleader first!"
Han Mo's attitude had been made clear, and Han Shizhong was no longer reserved, directly offering his opinion.
"I have no problem. 3,000 men are enough for me. As for grain, not too much is needed. 10 days of rations per person should suffice!"
After careful consideration, Yue Fei also spoke directly.
"Good! Coupled with the soldiers you have trained, I can still spare 8,000 men for you two. Each of you will lead 4,000 men, and you will advance rapidly according to your strategy, heading straight for their stronghold, Muzhou!"
"Understood!"
"Here is ink, paper, and inkstone. You can list everything you need, and I will have Lord Li handle it overnight tonight. I only have two requests: first, both of you must return alive, and second, if Fang La can be captured alive, capture him alive directly. If it is not possible, bringing back his head is also acceptable. But please remember, at no time am I allowing you to take excessive risks!"
"Regardless of victory or defeat, as long as you return, it is fine. If the situation is unmanageable, prioritize your own safety!"
After looking at the two of them earnestly, Han Mo spoke again.
"Understood!"
"Alright, let's dispense with these flowery words. You two go and list the items."
After patting the two of them on the shoulder, Han Mo then gave them the space.
Whether it was Yue Fei or Han Shizhong, their gazes towards Han Mo had begun to become complex.
Was this not the superior they and their brothers had always dreamed of?
How many famous generals of the Song Dynasty had been harmed by the incompetent commands of the civil officials?
How many battles that should have been won by the Song Dynasty were ultimately lost due to the indecision of eunuchs and emperors?
From Emperor Taizong of Song onwards, the Zhao family emperors' favorite pastimes were drawing formations for the commanding generals.
But the battlefield was not a game!
Asking an emperor who had grown up in the deep palace and was a thousand miles away to decide the troop deployment and formation of a war was simply preposterous!
The battlefield was constantly changing, and the formations also needed to be adjusted according to the situation. Fighting according to the formations granted by the emperor, it would be truly miraculous if they did not lose!
And like Han Mo, who, before the war even began, directly delegated all command and deployment authority to their own civil officials, they had not only never seen it, but they had never even heard of it!
"Alright, don't just stand there, time is tight. The sooner this matter is resolved, the better. If you two can achieve merit this time, I will directly submit a secret memorial to request commendations for you."