Chapter 896 - 87: Southern and Northern Campaigns, Epochal Struggles at the Pinnacle

His words not only clarified that the greatest enemy at present was the Jin State, temporarily shelving the sensitive issue of "establishing the ruler," but also promised a vaguely attractive future to the people by saying "discuss the national matters together," positioning himself at the core of resisting the Jin and protecting the people.

This is what sets Gu Hui apart.

With the assistance of the Luoshu Harmonizing Device, his abilities in various aspects had reached the pinnacle.

He was always able to pinpoint the key issues.

Of course, there were still some words he did not say.

That is, the method of dealing with this public opinion war.

It’s worth mentioning—

Quite a few ministers had suggested that Gu Hui should now first change the era name and officially declare his intentions to the world in the name of the Gu Clan.

Even Yue Fei thought this way.

But Gu Hui refused.

It was not that he did not understand how to use his advantage.

It’s just that the time was not yet ripe, the disputes over punishing the derelict emperor had not completely subsided, and the effects of this matter had not yet deeply penetrated people’s hearts.

If he did this at such a time, it would only aggravate people’s perceptions of him.

The name of the Gu Clan was useful, but only within the bounds of common sense.

However, everything he was doing now was to overturn the deeply ingrained concepts of Kyushu for thousands of years.

This fundamentally had contradictions.

How could he do such a thing?

Of course, this does not mean Gu Hui cannot resolve this matter.

On the contrary, Gu Hui had already thought of a solution.

——That is through the Gu Clan!

To resolve everything from the fundamental roots built from the bottom up over the years by the Gu Clan.

This is the foundation of the Gu Clan.

When Gu Hui truly used all of this, even if he was doing something against the heavens and universally opposed, these foundations would support him!

He simply did not need to explain this to the soldiers.

Upon hearing this, all the generals were invigorated.

The strategy was clear, the target was specific, though they knew the road ahead was perilous, that heaviness in the air was swept away.

"Remember," Gu Hui said finally, his gaze piercing, "the key to this battle is not in the gain or loss of a city or territory, but in frustrating their ambitions, dividing their forces, disturbing their rear, and winning over people’s hearts."

"Once the flames ignite in Jiangnan, they must not be easily extinguished."

"We must make Wanyan Digunai understand, this world of Kyushu is not something he can sit securely on just by seizing it!"

——Thus the major matter was settled.

With the departure of all the soldiers.

The entire Northern Border was also incessantly shaken, with messages from all sides surging like tides to various places, clashing with the storm from Jiangnan, filling the whole world with a tense atmosphere.

...

Time passed swiftly.

The fourteenth year of Shaoxing, March.

——The war formally commenced!

Yue Fei led thirty thousand elite soldiers, hiding banners and muffling drums, moving by day and resting by night, like a black lightning, quietly heading south from east of Guidede.

They bypassed the heavily defended Huai West key roads by the Jin Army, taking the perilous trails of the Yimeng Mountains, with men biting nails and horses padded underfoot, descending like divine soldiers at the gates of Haizhou City in just half a month.

Indeed, another surprise attack!

As a supreme master of Gu’s School, Yue Fei had now reached mastery in the use of surprise attacks, not only surpassing history itself but even exceeding his own performance in the Northern Border.

His actions exceeded everyone’s expectations!

The garrison at Haizhou consisted of troops under the Jin General Xielan, who were mostly newly joined Han Army. At the sudden sight of the flags bearing "Yue" and the ferocious Beiwei Army, their courage was shattered before any engagement.

This was not an issue of Digunai after all.

After all, the Jurchen Alliance Army was only so many.

They did not have this problem back in the Northern Border, but now in the Central Plains, this lack of foundation was manifest in every aspect.

Yue Fei reined his horse at the front of the formation, his voice booming, "You were originally Song people, why follow the traitors?"

"Now that the Royal Army is here, we only punish the ringleaders, those who surrender will be spared!"

With that, he personally led the cavalry in an assault, breaking the city in one charge.

Xielan fled north with only several dozen riders.

——The news spread, shaking Jiangnan!

Yue Fei immediately isolated communications, halting even the canal transports.

He was not one to be a saint.

In this struggle that concerned the world, he had to seize every opportunity to weaken the enemy, and the canal transportation was the current foundation of the world!

But unexpectedly, Wanyan Digunai did not panic because of this.

Once again—

He never underestimated Gu Hui and Yue Fei.

Especially after having engaged with them.

Yingtian Prefecture, Chuigong Hall.

"Yue Fei, a hero among ten thousand," Wanyan Digunai surprisingly praised, then coldly sneered, "Yet, to place the army in isolation, suspended outside, is what the art of war forbids. Gu Hui uses this sharp edge to disturb my feelings, attempting to pin down my southern main force."

He did not immediately dispatch large forces to encircle Yue Fei, but instead reacted calmly, even to the point of coldly.

"Send orders to Han Chang," Wanyan Digunai’s voice was steady, "Lead thirty thousand elite cavalry and twenty thousand Volunteer Army, march north from Yangzhou. There is no hurry to seek a major battle with Yue Fei’s main force."

"Block Han Canal, Qingkou, and other critical points, build fortifications, and strengthen city defenses."

"If Yue Fei comes to attack, use the stronghold to blunt his edge;"

"If he divides his forces to raid, disrupt and slaughter with elite cavalry."

"The primary task is to ensure the provision routes south of the Huai River, especially around my Yingtian, are largely unobstructed, and that all crucial points in Jiangbei are held!"

This was a move of firmly guarding key points, using tranquility to control movement.

Not seeking rapid victory, but rather avoiding defeat, to control the damage Yue Fei could inflict within certain bounds.

And to preserve the opportunity for a decisive battle.

Just as Gu Yi anticipated, Wanyan Digunai also understood the current situation.

He indeed was aging!

And Wanyan Digunai was also fully aware.

If the overarching situation cannot be settled within his generation’s time, then the descendants of these people, no matter how capable, could at most secure their lives, ending up returning to the Northern Border.

This was also why he wished to pursue a decisive battle.

As he spoke, he looked north, "Order Wanyan Wushu’s main forces to intensify pressure along the Guidede, Daming line according to the original plan!"

"Tell Wushu, no need to worry about Yue Fei’s movements in Huaidong; his target is Gu Hui’s main force!"

"Strike fiercely for me, force Gu Hui out for a showdown!"

Wanyan Digunai’s thoughts were crystal clear.

You sent Yue Fei like a sharp knife to stab at my weak spot, hoping I’d turn to defend, dividing my attention.

I refuse to follow your intentions!

On one side, I use Han Chang as a "shield" to protect the essentials, slowing down your blade; on the other, I use Wanyan Wushu’s heavier "hammer" to continue pounding your front lines! Let’s see who buckles under the pressure first!

In the northern front, the battle quickly turned intense.

Under the Daming Prefecture, it was a mountain of corpses and sea of blood.

Zhang Xian’s reinforcements arrived in time, joining forces with Liu Qi to desperately resist the waves of Jin Army’s attacks.

The city walls changed hands several times, yet were recaptured amidst ferocious street battles.

Wanyan Wushu was in the killing frenzy, personally overseeing the battle, with the Jin soldiers being extraordinarily fierce; the battle stalemated.

Meanwhile, in the direction of Jinan, Gu Hui’s army exerted pressure and, supported by feint troops and intel, indeed shook the resolve of the garrison, with the city’s commanders repeatedly pleading for help from Yingtian, fearing they might become the next abandoned stronghold.

In Huaidong, Yue Fei attempted to break through Han Chang’s defenses, but Han Chang held firm, relying on geographical advantages and manpower, causing several setbacks to Yue Fei’s assaults.

Although Yue Fei could still attack various places and raid supply lines, the impact was no longer as significant as at the onset, and he also needed to respond to the counterattacks of Jin cavalry.

At the same time, Wanyan Digunai again exerted pressure on the prominent families of Jiangnan.

This was the foundation of Jiangnan!

Also something the Northern Border could not match.

He demanded the Jiangnan clans to recruit local militias and assist Han Chang in stabilizing the area and eradicating Yue Fei.

He was not afraid of these people suddenly rebelling.

Because fundamentally, these people were nothing more than cannon fodder he sent out; his main base was his Jurchen Alliance Army, and these people could not rebel. Only by following him all the way could they truly have a chance to rule the world!

For a time, the entire world situation was rapidly changing.

There was a faint stalemate between the north and south!

.....

(Ps: At the beginning of the month, begging for monthly votes, flu combined with attending a wedding indeed left no choice. No monthly vote extra this month, can only seek more support from brothers!)