Chapter 57

This court is truly rotten to the core. △￠

Zhao Hao's gaze was icy cold.

The Battle of Xiangyang was the first true confrontation between the Song and Mongol forces, and its importance was self-evident.

If the Song could win this battle, it would greatly boost the morale of the Song's military and civilians, and also slow down the Mongol's southern advance, making them reassess the threat posed by the Song.

In reality, the comprehensive national strength of the Song and the Mongols was not as disparate as others imagined.

The economic power of the Song was incredibly robust, unprecedentedly strong.

With money, anything was possible.

War, in the end, was a competition of financial resources.

In this aspect, the Song could outstrip the Mongols by a wide margin.

With its economic advantage, once the Song's war machine was fully operational, its effectiveness would undoubtedly be terrifying.

High-quality military commanders and an efficient command system could fully leverage the Song's economic and technological advantages.

If the Song could produce a capable emperor who knew how to use talent, appropriately adjust national policies, and give more autonomy to military leaders, and if the Song could produce a few virtuous officials who truly took the state as their own responsibility and transcended the conflicts between civil and military officials, the fate of the Song's downfall could be entirely avoided.

However, contrary to expectations, most of the meritorious officials did not meet a good end.

Corrupt officials disrupted the government, and the emperor was incompetent, pushing the already precarious Song dynasty into an endless abyss.

How could this not be disheartening?

How could this not be heartbreaking?

The passionate Meng Hong in front of him must be utterly disappointed at this moment.

But as a Song person, even if he was disappointed, he still chose to fight to the death for this land.

Because he had no choice.

The war situation has now reached a critical point, and a major battle is imminent.

There is no room for any easing of tensions between the Song and the Mongols.

The Mongols are determined to destroy the Song, and this is clear to all who have insight.

Yet, Emperor Zhao Yun still thinks of peace talks.

Perhaps he really doesn't understand, having been misled by Jia Sidao.

But whether he truly doesn't understand or is pretending like an ostrich, his actions have deeply disappointed people.

At the beginning of his reign, Zhao Yun carried out extensive reforms, but he has now become an emperor with no redeeming qualities.

His reputation among the people has shifted from average to that of a昏君 (tyrannical ruler).

Now, even ordinary people know that the Song has a corrupt prime minister, Jia Sidao, and the current emperor is a thoroughly incompetent ruler.

Zhao Hao did not fan the flames.

After all, Zhao Yun was his father in this life.

Zhao Hao only did his best, and he had already given up on placing his hopes on Zhao Yun.

Facts have proven that Ah Dou (a derogatory term for an incompetent person) is indeed beyond help.

"General Meng, reinforcements will come, and the court will return to the right path. I promise you this," Zhao Hao said solemnly.

It is not right to dishearten a general like Meng Hong, who is dedicated to the people, nor to disappoint the last military genius of the Southern Song.

He should be praised, supported, and celebrated by the people.

Meng Hong indeed deserves this.

The Yangtze River flows eastward, and the waves wash away heroes.

In the history of ancient China, military stars shine brightly, and Meng Hong is one of the few generals of the Song who can be counted among the greats.

In the golden age when the Mongol army swept across Eurasia, who could defeat the Mongol army in a direct field battle?

Looking at the world, and even throughout history, few have achieved this.

Meng Hong, however, was the best at it and the only Song general to do so.

Meng Hong's fame in later generations is not particularly high, not as renowned as Yu Jie's victory at Diaoyu City or as celebrated as the loyal officials like Wen Tianxiang, but his role in this era surpasses that of Yu Jie and Wen Tianxiang combined.

If it weren't for Zhao Hao's extensive reading to enrich the "Great Dream Heart Sutra," he might not have known about such a famous general in this era.

The Southern Song was able to hold out for fifty years under the Mongol army's iron hooves, and Meng Hong deserves the greatest credit.

It was his defensive line that halted the Mongol army's southern advance, giving the Southern Song fifty years of time.

Meng Hong was a tragic hero. Tragic in that, despite his considerable talent, he faced god-like opponents and pig-like teammates, and even with his utmost efforts, he could not reverse the tide.

Although he once broke through 24 Mongol military camps on the Jianghan Plain and achieved the "Jiangling Great Victory," and even launched a counterattack to repel the Mongol army and recapture Xiangyang and Xinyang.

Indeed, in the true historical record, Xiangyang was initially occupied by the Mongols.

It was Meng Hong who reclaimed Xiangyang.

Every inch of land was stained with blood.

It was because Meng Hong recaptured Xiangyang, Xinyang, and Kuizhou that the entire Song defense line against the Mongols became a solid front, leading to the failure of the first true war between the Mongols and the Song after six years.

Furthermore, the Mongols' subsequent southern invasions were all bloody battles, but they could not advance any further.

Meng Hong's defensive line was of great significance.

The Mongol cavalry may have conquered the world, but they never conquered the Southern Song.

Continuously blocking the Mongols' southern advance, the proud Mongols were forced to acknowledge the Song and adjust their political and military policies, focusing on learning Song technology and naval tactics and widely employing Han generals.

Ironically, the later Mongol conquest of the Song was essentially a battle between Northern and Southern Han people.

In times of national and familial ruin, some chose to die with honor, while others submitted to the enemy.

The most famous and brutal battle, the Battle of Yashan, was led by a Mongol general named Zhang Hongfan.

Ethnicity: Han.

The situation in the Song at the time was that the more they fought, the more traitors there were.

There were always some people who could "seek profit and avoid harm, and see the wise ruler clearly."

It is precisely at such times that the value of people like Meng Hong becomes evident.

Without the persistence of people like Meng Hong, the Song's military, which was so weak, would have been easily defeated.

History always has military geniuses whose existence enhances the entire nation's military strength.

In the distant past, there were Bo Mu, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing, and in recent times, there was Yue Fei. Meng Hong, while not on par with these figures, was the most outstanding commander of his time.

With him defending Xiangyang, Zhao Hao felt more at ease.

"Your Highness, I really hope that you can..." Meng Hong's words were cut off by Zhao Hao.

"General Meng, be cautious. Leave the war to you and the court to me. I will ensure that the brothers fighting on the front lines have no worries," Zhao Hao said decisively.

It is also time to announce my presence.

PS: If you're too lazy to vote for the Three Rivers, at least don't forget to vote for the recommendation.

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