Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 852 Unwilling to Admit Defeat
Under the escort of tens of thousands of elite troops, Zhao Kuangyin fled all the way and safely evacuated to Qingyang Town, an important town located between Suqian and Linhuai.

Since there were no Wu troops pursuing them, the Song army was able to catch their breath, temporarily rest and pause here, and then count the number of people.

The central army of 50,000 people was relatively intact, with the left army and the rear army's baggage camp each having more than 10,000 people following. The right army was in a worse situation, with less than 7,000 people left. As for the vanguard camp that was left behind, no one was seen.

The four armies combined together had 80,000 men, which was more than half of the 200,000-man army three days ago.

When Zhao Kuangyin heard this number, his face turned pale. He felt aggrieved by this defeat.

The first time he met the legendary Su Lang of Jiangzuo, there was no drinking and chatting, no verbal sparring, but a direct fight. After three days, the Song army was defeated, and he, the emperor of the Song Dynasty, had to retreat in embarrassment. It was a great shame and humiliation.

Under the protection of tens of thousands of elite cavalry, Zhao Kuangyin rushed all the way like a gust of wind and finally arrived safely at the strategic location of Qingyang Town. Qingyang Town, located between Suqian and Linhuai, has a very important geographical location.

As there were no Wu troops chasing them, the Song army was finally able to catch a break in this land. They quickly set up camp, began to rest and reorganize, and at the same time counted the remaining soldiers and horses.

The 50,000 elite soldiers in the central army still maintained a neat formation, their morale was dampened but not destroyed; the left army and the rear army's baggage camp, each with more than 10,000 people followed closely behind; only the right army suffered heavy losses, with only more than 7,000 brave warriors left; as for the vanguard camp that was left behind, there was no trace at all, and their life or death was uncertain.

The four armies gathered together. The once mighty army of 200,000 has now shrunk to 80,000, with a loss of more than half, which is heartbreaking.

When Zhao Kuangyin saw this, his face turned pale instantly, and his eyes flashed with unspeakable anger and unwillingness.

This defeat was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him.

He had heard of the name of Jiangzuo Su Lang and wanted to drink with him and discuss world affairs. However, the reality was so cruel that the two had never met and communicated, and this time they were directly caught in the vortex of war.

After three days of fierce fighting, the Song army was defeated miserably. It was a great shame and humiliation for him, the emperor of the Song Dynasty, to end up having to retreat in such an embarrassing way!
Zhao Kuangyin was extremely frustrated. He knew that this defeat was not caused by the war, but the result of bad timing, bad location, and bad people. However, as an emperor, he knew that failure was not terrible, but the loss of confidence and courage was terrible. He had to cheer up, lead the Song army out of the predicament, and revive the power of the Song Dynasty!

"Your Majesty, the Wu army did not continue the pursuit, but instead turned to encircle the rearguard troops led by General Tian." A guard came hurriedly to report, with a barely perceptible tremor in his tone.

When Zhao Kuangyin heard this, his heart sank and his face became even gloomier.

He knew very well that the rearguard led by Tian Chongjin was probably in danger. Tian Chongjin, this loyal and brave general, had fought for him countless times, but now he might fall into the hands of the enemy, which filled him with endless regret and guilt.

As early as the Later Zhou Dynasty, Tian Chongjin volunteered to join the army and was affiliated with the army of Zhao Kuangyin, the chief inspector of the palace. He followed him to attack the Southern Tang and seize the land of Huainan.
In the first month of the seventh year of Xiande (960), Tian Chongjin followed Zhao Kuangyin to resist the Liao Kingdom. When he arrived at Chenqiao, Zhao Kuangyin launched the Chenqiao Mutiny, seized the Later Zhou Dynasty, and established the Northern Song Dynasty. Tian Chongjin participated in the Chenqiao Mutiny, so he was promoted to the Imperial Horse Army. Later, due to his accumulated military merits, he was promoted to the Commander of the Control Crane Army and became the Governor of Longzhou.

It can be said that Tian Chongjin had known Zhao Kuangyin since he was young and was his subordinate and confidant. Over the past fifteen years, they had a deep relationship. Zhao Kuangyin felt bad when he thought that Tian Chongjin might die in the battlefield and that he had to cover the army's breakout in order to stay behind.

"Quickly send a group of elite soldiers to pick up General Tian. No matter what, we must ensure that he breaks through safely and returns safely!" Zhao Kuangyin's voice was low and firm, and every word revealed his deep concern for Tian Chongjin.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go!" The central army general Mi Xin stepped forward. He had a deep friendship with Tian Chongjin, and at this moment he volunteered to go to support them without hesitation.

"Okay, you lead 20,000 soldiers and be sure to act carefully." Zhao Kuangyin's eyes were deep, and his tone was full of trust and expectation.

"Yes!" Mi Xin saluted with his fists, then turned around and strode away, mobilizing troops and preparing to embark on the road to support. Zhao Kuangyin looked at Mi Xin's departing back and prayed silently in his heart: "I hope General Tian can turn the danger into safety and return safely." However, fate always seems to like to play tricks on people.

In less than half an hour, Mi Xin returned with his troops, his face filled with heaviness and sadness, and brought back the bad news.

He slowly walked up to Zhao Kuangyin and said in a choked voice: "Your Majesty, General Tian...has died for his country."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire tent fell into dead silence.

Zhao Kuangyin stood there in a daze, as if struck by lightning, with an indescribable grief welling up in his heart.

He murmured to himself: "General Tian..." Then, a burst of anger erupted like a volcano: "Su Chen! Wu! This blood debt has been remembered by the Song Dynasty, and I, Zhao Kuangyin, will remember it in my heart!"

"Come here!" Zhao Kuangyin's voice was low and powerful: "Pass the order, the whole army will observe a moment of silence, and hold a mourning ceremony for General Tian who died on the battlefield, as well as the soldiers who died heroically in the past three days. May these heroes of the Song Dynasty be able to return home and rest in peace!"

As the saying goes, an army in mourning will surely win. Zhao Kuangyin intended to use this method to rally the morale of the soldiers, rekindle their hatred for the Wu army and mourn for the soldiers, so as to avoid the spread of the mood of defeat and make them lose the will to fight again.

Generals such as Dang Jin, Wang Zhengzhong, Gao Huaide, and Mi Xin all looked gloomy, and at the same time they gritted their teeth at Su Chen and Wu Jun.

"I, Dang Jin, will also remember the grudge against Su Chen and Wu Jun!" Dang Jin said gritting his teeth, his voice full of determination for revenge.

"And I, Gao Huaide, will never forget this blood debt!" Gao Huaide clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with determination.

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Other generals also expressed their opinions, vowing to avenge General Tian and the fallen soldiers.

……

"A-choo!" Su Chen was inspecting the camps with some generals when he sneezed for no apparent reason.

"Marshal, be careful of catching a cold!" Peng Jingjing asked concernedly.

"It's okay! I guess someone is thinking about me!" Su Chen made a joke, and continued his patrol with the generals, and brought beef, mutton and rich food to each camp as a reward.

This battle greatly boosted the morale of the Wu army and allowed it to gain a firm foothold in Huaibei.

After occupying the military bases of Haizhou and Lianshui, the next target was the Jingdong East Road of the Song Dynasty, the area of ​​Suqian.

At the same time, Su Chen had a comprehensive plan in mind. He planned to mobilize Pan Mei's army in Xuyi, Sizhou, to march north to launch a fierce attack on Cao Bin's camp. In this way, he could form a pincer attack from the north and south with his own army, and completely trap Zhao Kuangyin and Cao Bin's Song army.

As for Lin Renzhao on the east route and Pan Renche on the west route, Su Chen asked them to just hold their positions and block the counterattack and attack of the Song army, and they would have completed their mission.

After all, the real decisive battle will still depend on the main army led by Su Chen and Pan Mei. Their victory or defeat will directly determine the destiny of the Wu and Song countries.