Chapter 142
The hall remained silent for a long ti.
Xu Jingzong finally broke the quiet. “After this strategy is implented, the people of the Song Dynasty will surely resent their emperor and officials.”
He paused, his voice low. “Pri Minister Yang’s strategy kills the enemy without a trace. It is truly ruthless.”
Wei Yuanzhong and the others nodded slowly, their gazes turning to Yang Yi, filled with a mixture of admiration and apprehension. The strategy of Southerners return south, Northerners return north was indeed a psychological masterstroke, one that would force the Song Dynasty into self-destruction.
“It may even cause the remaining resistance forces in the north to collapse without a fight,” soone murmured. “After all, without a ‘country,’ what would they have to fight for?”
Wei Yuanzhong let out a deep sigh, his expression conflicted.
Yang Yi’s calm smile did not waver.
“Not only will they no longer have a country, but they will lose their hos as well. Southerners and Northerners will be forcibly separated. Families with fathers from the south and mothers from the north—or vice versa—will be torn apart. Countless hos will be shattered.”
His tone hardened, sharp as a blade.
“How could the people of the Song Dynasty not resent their court? At that mont, if our Great Zhou implents a lenient policy, promising to abolish this division after unifying the south and adopting benevolent governance, many of them might even welco us as liberators. They might lead us south themselves.”
The hall fell into a stunned silence. Ministers exchanged uneasy glances.
Wu Zhao studied Yang Yi intently, her heart pounding in the quiet. His brilliance was startling—even unsettling. This strategy would pave the way for the complete collapse of the Song Dynasty.
Finally, she spoke, her tone asured.
“Let it be done as Minister Yang suggests. Use the strategy of Southerners return south, Northerners return north to force the Song Dynasty into seeking peace.”
…Half a Month Later
“General, what does the letter say? Why have you been silent for so long?”
“Yes, General, what is His Majesty’s command?”
“General, what’s wrong?”
The gathered soldiers looked at Heichi Changzhi with puzzled expressions.
Heichi Changzhi clutched the letter tightly, his face pale with a mixture of awe and unease. As a seasoned soldier, he understood the implications of Yang Yi’s strategy far too well.
It chilled him to the bone.
He finally looked up, eting the curious eyes of his n.
“Her Majesty has sent Pri Minister Yang’s strategy…”
The tent fell into imdiate silence.
Pri Minister Yang’s strategy? The re ntion of Yang Yi’s na caused the soldiers to straighten, their unease palpable.
Guo Jingzhi cleared his throat nervously. “General, what exactly is Pri Minister Yang’s opinion on the situation?”
Heichi Changzhi stroked his beard, his expression grim.
“Pri Minister Yang suggests that we cannot afford to drag this out any longer. He has devised a strategy to dismantle the resistance forces in the north quickly.”
The n exchanged uneasy glances.
Dismantle Yue Fei’s forces quickly?
After fighting Yue Fei for so long, they all knew how formidable the Song general was. To defeat him in his own territory, with minimal effort, seed almost impossible.
Guo Jingzhi voiced their collective doubts.
“General, doesn’t Pri Minister Yang know how stubborn these Song soldiers and civilians are?”
Heichi Changzhi shot him a sharp glare.
“Do you think Pri Minister Yang would not know that?”
Chastised, Guo Jingzhi fell silent.
Heichi Changzhi scanned the tent, his voice steady.
“Pri Minister Yang’s plan is simple: release one of the captured Song officials and have him deliver a ssage. The ssage will call for peace between our Great Zhou and the Song Dynasty, proposing that we hold the north while they retain the south. The two nations will be divided by the river, never to invade each other.”
The soldiers frowned, their confusion growing.
“That’s it?” one of them asked, puzzled.
Heichi Changzhi continued. “However, there is one condition: the Song Emperor must issue an imperial edict stating that Southerners return to the south, Northerners return to the north.”
The tent fell silent once more.
“Southerners return south, Northerners return north?” soone repeated, incredulous.
Guo Jingzhi scratched his head.
“General, what does that even an?”
Heichi Changzhi sighed, clearly exasperated.
“It ans that people from the south must return south, and people from the north must return north. In other words, families will be forcibly separated based on their place of origin.”
The soldiers’ confusion turned to shock.
Guo Jingzhi’s voice trembled. “General, how can that dismantle the resistance forces in the north?”
Heichi Changzhi glared at him.
“Idiot! Do you think the people who joined Yue Fei’s army to resist us did so for personal gain? Most of them are patriotic, loyal to their emperor and their holand. But if the Song Emperor abandons them—forces them into enemy-occupied territory and forbids them from ever returning south—how do you think they will feel?”
The realization hit the soldiers like a thunderclap.
Hisses filled the tent as chills ran down their spines.
Abandoned by their own emperor. Betrayed by the very country they fought to defend.
“This… this strategy…” Guo Jingzhi’s voice faltered. “Pri Minister Yang is ruthless beyond belief. These poor soldiers and civilians… it’s monstrous.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Heichi Changzhi slapped him.
“How dare you criticize Pri Minister Yang!”
“I wasn’t criticizing him!” Guo Jingzhi protested, rubbing his cheek. “I was praising him! Pri Minister Yang’s brilliance is unmatched. It’s just…” He hesitated. “It’s a bit heartless.”
The soldiers remained silent, their faces pale.
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