Chapter 30 Section five

Judging from the current situation, advocating retreat is acknowledging defeat, and the two are synonymous here.Of course, they were still a little obedient verbally, saying that the temporary retreat was to protect the safety of the army, to organize a better offensive, etc., but according to the special local conditions at the time, this kind of statement was unrealistic. understand this. Ma Kuo took the time to touch the hearts of everyone in the Xuanfu Department. Cai You is not afraid to admit defeat.Although he was one of the initiators of the war against Liao Dynasty, he went north this time with a clear order to only care about civil affairs and not military affairs.The military failures should be held accountable by Dutong Zhongshidao, and even if they were to be pursued upwards, they could only be traced to Tong Guan, not Cai You anyway.Furthermore, he didn't think deeply about the consequences of the defeat, let alone his fundamental interests.Defeating the war is at most the same as not launching this war, what greater disaster will there be?The reason why the imperial court wants to launch this war is to expose that it is nothing more than a child’s play. Everyone is happy when they succeed, and it’s no big deal if they fail. At most, they can find another topic to "play" with. There are many interesting things in the world. , more than just war!The brother of the empress of the Northern Qi Dynasty suggested to the elder brother to put a bound maid in a wooden box and put a few buckets of scorpions in it, so that everyone could appreciate the spectacle of the scorpion torturing the maid.After seeing it, the master appreciated it very much, and scolded his brother: "It's such a fun thing, why didn't you come to know it earlier?" In Cai You's mind, regaining Yanyun is not such a kind of fun, but it's a pity that it's not so fun to play. Funny, doesn't provide them with sensual pleasure.That being the case, why don't you take this opportunity to step down and go back to Tokyo to find something else to play with? Why stay at the front line to seek pleasure, instead of causing shame?Therefore, it is very natural for Cai You to advocate the withdrawal of troops, and it is not surprising.

The staff of the Xuanfu Division only care about the frontline battle situation when it is related to their own interests.Now their common view is that the defeat is over and Tong Guan will also step down.Now that there was nothing to fish at the front, the only thing left was to escape.Although they all bear the honorable title of "Lili Ke", none of them are prepared to make a heroic sacrifice as the funeral objects of "Li Li".Tian Heng's five hundred people who died in martyrdom were just flat stories exaggerated in books, who actually went to the island to verify it?If there is such a thing, it must be a bunch of big fools.They don't care for such a big fool!Wealth and honor are not allowed, and retreating to seek the safety of one's wealth and advocating retreat is completely in line with reasoning.

Zhao Liangsi is the real veteran initiator of the war against Liao Dynasty, and has always participated in it.For him, Zhao Liangsi, this war is not a child's play, but a gamble with his life as a bargaining chip.If you lose the bet, you can't escape the responsibility of being the first to attack, and you will definitely be punished with exile or exile, there is no doubt about it.It would be unfair to say that he wanted to flee back to Li Chuwen again, not only did he not have such an idea, but in fact it was impossible, Yelu Dashi had already cut off his way back.Therefore, contrary to the staff members of the Xuanfu Division, he insisted on sticking to it, trying to turn the tide of danger, and his attitude was clear and resolute.It's just that he is currently in an unlucky position, and his words can no longer be trusted by others.Therefore, he regarded Ma Kuo as a life-saving straw, tried his best to persuade him to persuade Liu Fan, and gave him many ideas.

Tong Guan was the actual person in charge of this war, and he was defeated in the first battle, although the responsibility can be shifted to the teacher.In fact, during these three or four days, he played two or three memorials every day, repeating the same words over and over again.But after all, Zhong Shidao is also a senior official, he has the right to make a special report, he also has a mouth, three pairs and six faces, Tong Guan may not be able to get rid of all the ties.What's more, his greed is extremely strong, and he refuses to give up easily until he shows up.Therefore, it is understandable that he hesitates to withdraw or advance troops.On this point, Zhao Liangsi has a deeper understanding than Ma Kuo.After hearing Tong Guan's words, Ma Kuo believed that he had really opposed the withdrawal of troops, but Zhao Liangsi persuaded Ma Kuo to promote Tong Guan more, saying that "the success or failure of the matter depends on the idea of ​​Xuanfu", implying that he was afraid that he would change his mind midway and wanted to To make him stand firm.These are the words that deeply understand Tong Guan's heart.

Everyone has their own interests, their own psychological background, and a set of arguments that sound plausible on the surface for or against the withdrawal of troops.Ma Kuo could understand the attitudes of each of them. What puzzled Ma Zhan was Liu Fan's attitude. Ma Kuo never regarded Liu Fan as a member of the Xuanfu Department, not only because he had friendship with their father and son, but also because Liu Fan was a friend of his father Ma Zheng and his father's commander, and because Liu Fan was in the Western Army. Over the years, I have experienced military experience and done many things that are beneficial to the public. My daily discussions and opinions are in line with those of the Western Army, and I am quite able to uphold justice.In Ma Kuo's mind, rather, he had a certain degree of respect for Liu Fan, a civil servant in the army.Now he heard that Liu Fan insisted on withdrawing troops, Zhong Shidao said so, and Tong Guan and Zhao Liangsi successively confirmed it.Ma Kuo himself also found some reasons to explain Liu Fan, thinking that he was probably influenced by his colleagues in the Xuanfu Department and made a wrong judgment on the battle situation.He believed that this was just a technical issue, and as long as he explained the truth and the stakes clearly, Liu Fan, who has always been reasonable, would follow the advice and change his mind.Since he was able to convince Tong Guan, wouldn't he be able to convince Liu Fan?

As is often the case, whenever the main person in charge hesitates at a critical moment and cannot come up with a clear proposition, someone will definitely take his place, step forward, issue orders on his behalf, and become the de facto person in charge.Because at this time everyone is looking forward to what to do next, and the person who can come up with an opinion must be an authoritative figure.This is especially true at this critical moment of the war. Liu Fan's proposal to withdraw troops was reasonable and firm.Many people believe that his insistence has factual and theoretical basis, rather than just starting from personal interests.This greatly enhanced his speaking status.When Tong Guan's head was at both ends, he was suspicious, and he resolutely came out to express his opinions, manipulate public opinion, and command everything instead of Tong Guan, and became the central figure of the overall situation for a while.

Ma Kuo found him with great difficulty. As soon as he came back from the front line, he had no time to wash off the dust and sweat on his face, so he hurriedly ordered many people who had been waiting at his home to rush to do some important things.A chain of command had developed here based on his theories.People listen to him and do things according to his orders. After greeting Ma Kuo coldly, he received him as the last unimportant guest.Ma Kuo unexpectedly found that he was more difficult to nod than the stubborn stone.He couldn't listen to any of the reasons Ma Kuo told him.He said: "Military strategists advance when they see benefits, and retreat when they are unfavorable. This is a matter of course, and it is not allowed to be violated." This handle has sparked a lot of discussion.

He cites a historical fact: "At the end of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Liu Yu sent troops to attack Nanyan in the north and surrounded Guanggu, the capital of Nanyan. Mu Rongchao, the lord of Nanyan, couldn't resist, so he asked Yao Xing, the lord of Qin, for help. Yao Xing sent an envoy to threaten Liu Yu and said: Qin , Yan is a country with a good neighbor, how can it be seen that the danger cannot be rescued? The Jin Dynasty is in a hurry to attack. Qin has sent 100,000 cavalry to garrison Luoyang. If the Jin army does not return, it will be a long drive. Liu Yu replied without hesitation: Xing, I originally planned to suspend the army for three years after conquering Yan, and then take Guanluo. If you can send it yourself, you can come quickly. Liu Muzhi, who joined the army of Liu Yu, rushed to blame Liu Yu for answering too lightly. Offending Yao Xing, one more enemy. Liu Yu smiled and said, "This is a military plan, not Qing's solution. What Liu Yu means is that soldiers are precious and fast. If Yao Xing really has the strength to save Yan, it should have been unexpected and sent troops to attack me." Why did you send envoys to reveal your military secrets? Take this as an example, and it is the same. If Yelu Dashi can launch an attack, why should he disclose his military secrets to the envoys of Song Dynasty, so that our army can take precautions? A seasoned Military strategists such as Yelu Dashi know how to use the best, and he wants to use his footsteps to threaten our army, so he must not fall into his trap."

Ma Kuo argued that the situation today is different from that of Liu Yu.When Liu Yu was gaining power, Yao Xing frightened his troops and did not dare to send troops to rescue him, so he made such threatening words.Today, our army has suffered a lot of defeats, why is Yelu Dashi afraid and holding back?Ma Kuo unceremoniously criticized Liu Fan's citing of this historical event as muddled and unresolved. "Soldiers have a common way, and history has proved it. Did the ancients deceive me?" Liu Fan was annoyed by this sentence, and he taught Ma Kuo a lesson, "Young boy, after reading a few books, he will make random claims!"

Ma Kuo found that not only was it difficult to persuade him in terms of reason, but also in his attitude he was aggressive, contrary to the past norms.For example, in terms of address, he used to call him "Nephew" affectionately in the past, but today he just called him "Xian" coldly when he came up, and later changed to "Your Step", and finally simply dismissed him as "Young Boy".Ma Kuo also noticed that when he listed the names of several spies in "The Art of War", he emphasized the use of military envoys to bring back false impressions that are beneficial to us, which unknowingly became used by the enemy. the inner room.This sharp remark comes from the fact that he has always been known as a loyal elder.Liu Fan, who has been friends with Ma Kuo for many years, said it was really strange.

They argued for a long time, and finally came to the only conclusion: to discuss tomorrow. Ma Kuo did not and could not have known that Liu Fan was arguing with him with such strong hostility.Now he is no longer the son of an old man, but measures everything about Ma Kuo with the eyes of an enemy. In the sense of Taoism, Liu Fan has always considered himself a "gentleman".A gentleman has the logic of a gentleman, and anyone who is an enemy of a gentleman must be a "villain".Since Ma Kuo is his enemy, Ma Kuo is of course an out-and-out villain.To be strict with villains, to "break" his nonsense and deeds, and to fight to the end, so that he can be worthy of the court and officials, and this is his way of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. The factual basis for Liu Fan to draw the conclusion that Ma Kuo is an enemy—and also make him a villain is that Ma Kuo’s mission to the Liao Dynasty was indeed dangerous, but it was Zhao Liangsi who first nominated and recommended it in the meeting. He, Liu Fan, treats people with sincerity. Although he agreed with the matter first, he sent his son Ziyu to inform him afterwards, so that he could be prepared and polite.As for not being able to find anyone, it was Ziyu's fault that he was only to blame for digging around, with a wild horse-like temper, not being able to stick his feet.His own treatment of Ma Kuo, the son of an old friend, can be regarded as taking care of both public and private interests, and he has done everything he can.Unexpectedly, Ma Kuo judged the heart of a gentleman with a villain's heart, thinking that he, Liu Fan, had recommended him to Xuanfu for the battle of Liao, so he held a grudge and repaid his virtue with resentment, and even recommended Ziyu to the enemy's rear to do that in front of Tong Guan. Sneaky deeds.This is obviously to put Ziyu to death and then quickly, to use the enemy's knife to avenge his own personal anger, and his intentions are really vicious.The friendship between them is over. From the first moment Liu Fan had this idea, he never forgave Ma Kuo.However, Ma Kuo didn't feel the hostility toward Liu Fan until a long time later, and he still didn't understand where it came from.Even in the fierce debate in front of him, Ma Kuo only thought that Liu Fan had read too much, read too much, and didn't know what was going on.Liu Fan, who has always been loyal to others, was really "too jealous" this time. He didn't even give Ma Kuo a chance to explain, and opposed him to the end. Liu Fan, who only regarded himself as a "gentleman", could never understand that when he used the ruler of a gentleman to measure Ma Kuo, a "little man", the ruler was too short and too narrow.