Chapter 887 - 83: Breaking into Yingtian Prefecture, Stray Dogs (Part 1)

The 12th year of Shaoxing, March.

——Zhao Gou finally moved the troops.

Even though during this time, there were many who tried to persuade Zhao Gou, hoping he would either bow his head or admit his mistake, in order to gain the Gu Clan’s support, ultimately it was impossible to stop Zhao Gou’s headstrong actions.

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Zhao Gou had great courage.

On the contrary.

Zhao Gou was already so frightened that he lost his senses.

Especially under the influence of those people in the court, he was even less likely to be easily persuaded.

And precisely because of this.

In just a few months, dozens more people died because of their remonstrations.

And all of this was discovered by Gu Hui.

Regarding the rights and wrongs of these matters, he no longer wishes to comment.

But obviously, this too can be used by him as a weapon.

And most crucially —

Whether it’s Gu Hui or Yue Fei.

The two immediately realized one thing, which was Wanyan Digü’s possible actions.

This actually wasn’t something completely unthinkable.

After all, how could there be eternal peace between the two countries?

Wanyan Digü was proclaimed emperor!

For a person like him, what choices he might make, could they not see through?

Not just them.

Actually, among these series of ministers who died for their remonstrations, there were quite a few who pointed out this issue.

But unfortunately, Zhao Gou didn’t believe it!

This is Zhao Gou’s current state.

Compared to Gu Hui, he is more willing to treat people like Wanyan Digü as his own, and this alone shows just how twisted his mindset is now.

....

Time hastily passed.

The 12th year of Shaoxing, May.

Zhao Gou formally led the army out of Yingtian Prefecture.

Perhaps to boost morale, or to bolster his own courage.

For this northern expedition, he held a grand ceremony, even emulating Zhao Kuangyin’s previous northern expeditions, aiming to highlight the significance of this campaign.

Outside Yingtian city, flags covered the sky, armor shone bright.

Zhao Gou ascended the altar to appoint generals, swearing an oath to the northern expedition, his words fierce as he denounced Gu Hui as a "national traitor," vowing to "recover the Central Plains and cleanse the world."

Yet beneath this seemingly ambitious facade, the real strategic goal agreed upon by Zhao Gou and his confidants revealed a weakness full of false bravado.

Yes, weakness.

——It’s not just about others, even Zhao Gou himself didn’t know why he was doing all this.

To destroy Gu Hui?

Honestly, even he didn’t believe this.

At present, he’s like a child trying to prove to the world he isn’t a foolish ruler through various foolish actions.

Even the marching route wasn’t carefully thought out, just roughly planned with the courtiers.

Zhao Gou and his confidants hastily planned the advance strategy, which was sheer folly.

Its core route was: using "the Emperor’s banner" at the forefront, leading the Capital Region guards and troops conscripted along the way, claimed to be two hundred thousand, departing from Yingtian Prefecture, slowly advancing along the north bank of the Bian River, targeting the prefixed Guiding Prefecture now controlled by the Northern Border Army.

The choice of this path was just because it was relatively flat and familiar, and Guiding Prefecture was a former gateway city, making reclaiming it symbolically significant.

As for provisions supply, flank protection, enemy response, and other specific strategies, all were vaguely stated, sustained purely by a false sense of "imperial aura."

Normally speaking.

The courtiers wouldn’t allow Zhao Gou to be so impulsive.

But unfortunately, the situation has already become such.

Those willing to speak the truth were not trusted by Zhao Gou.

He only trusted those unwilling to speak the truth, since previously they indeed brought him many things.

Zhao Gou trusts their loyalty to the Great Song.

Time hastily passed.

The front line, Song Army’s main camp.

The army dawdled and finally camped a hundred miles away from the Guiding Prefecture.

Inside the central tent decorated with dragon flags, Zhao Gou, clad in golden armor, was far less heroic than he was at the oath-taking ceremony; merely approaching the front line and hearing constant reports from scouts about the Northern Border Army’s fortifications and roaming cavalry, made him uneasy.

"Your Majesty, our army has arrived as planned. Shall we proceed thirty miles forward as previously discussed to occupy favorable terrain and build forward bastions?" an elder general stepped forward asking for instructions.

Zhao Gou’s face flashed a hint of panic, he forcibly maintained composure and waved his hand: "Uh...this place is fine!"

"Deep ditches and high ramparts, use stillness to control movement, thus displaying our imperial demeanor; how can we advance rashly?"

"Wait for me...wait for me to see the enemy’s strength before making plans!"

He easily denied the original plan, choosing to retreat.

The high spirits from the expedition had long dissipated at this moment.

Even before encountering the forces of Gu Hui and Yue Fei, Zhao Gou fundamentally overturned all the previously established strategies.

This naturally caused a stir in the morale.

Actually, given the current situation, Zhao Gou’s personal lead might indeed have bolstered morale.

After all, he is the Emperor!

This is the greatest asset in the world today.

It is also the only weapon that can contend against the surname Gu Hui!

Sadly, Zhao Gou could not cherish all opportunities.

And as long as the army remained here for several days without any action, the leader’s changing attitude would affect the entire army.

Days later, a Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, known for his bravery, could no longer bear it and entered the tent asking for battle: "Your Majesty! Our army is wasting provisions here, morale is fading."