Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2350 The End of the Song Dynasty, Kuangyin's Will to Die

Although Gao Huaide's sacrifice inspired the courage and fighting spirit of the soldiers behind him, the Song soldiers were no match for the charge led by a fierce general like Yang Jian, and as more and more Han soldiers rushed in.

Moreover, Gao Huaide's actions only temporarily stirred the soldiers' fighting spirit. As casualties increased, it was inevitable that they would begin to collapse.

Yang Jian led a large army, advancing swiftly through Wansheng Gate and into Kaifeng City.

The fall of Wansheng Gate quickly set the entire city of Kaifeng in an uproar.

This is, after all, the old stronghold of the Zhao family in Zhenxi, and the Zhao family still enjoys considerable prestige here.

Moreover, Zhao Kuangyin's lenient policies toward scholars won him a number of supporters.

During the Song Dynasty, although a large number of surrenderers such as Tong Guan, Cai Jing, Shi Miyuan, and Zhang Jun did emerge, there were also loyal and righteous individuals who died for their principles.

Officials including Chen Shidao, Ouyang Jiong, Li Zhong, Chen Ti, and Cui Guangbiao mobilized all the servants and slaves in their households to help the imperial army resist.

But what threat could these people pose to the well-equipped Han army?
The servants and slaves who were temporarily recruited might not even have a decent weapon, let alone armor; they had none at all.

Faced with the armored Han soldiers, even though the vast majority wore leather armor, less than 30% wore iron armor.

However, if these two groups of people were to collide, it would only result in a one-sided massacre.

In the end, they all became nothing more than military merits in the hands of the Han soldiers.

In particular, these people were all dressed in Song Dynasty official robes, of varying ranks. When ordinary Han soldiers saw them, especially civil officials, they were like wolves and tigers.

For them, this was practically a military achievement delivered right to their doorstep!
Just kill one of them, and with the rewards after the war, you'll never have to worry about food and drink for the rest of your life!
Meanwhile, the fierce generals of the old town's western army, Su Zhen and Gao Long, as well as Cao Yi, Li Wu, Zhu Long, and Ma Hu, who were integrated into Zhao Kuangyin's army by the system, fought desperately.

However, in the end, it was all just a futile effort, and it could only be crushed into a pile of dust.

Although Su Zhen and Gao Long were both top-tier experts, the former was killed by Yang Jian in three moves, while the latter was stabbed to death from behind by Zhao Yun, who had stormed into the city.

Gao Long's death was quite unjust. With his strength, he could have easily fought Zhao Yun one-on-one for more than ten rounds.

However, he failed to guard his back during the battle, resulting in him being killed by Zhao Yun with a single spear thrust, just like Gao Lan in the novel.

As for Cao Yi, Li Wu, Zhu Long, Ma Hu, and the others—these minor characters among the randomly summoned cards—they have absolutely no strength. Some of them don't even have the strength of a top-tier player.

These four individuals became the military merits of Huang Tianxiang, Taishi Heng, Guan Suo, and Chang Mao, four junior officers of the Imperial Guard.

In addition to the Wansheng Gate opened by Zhang Jun, at the same time, Xue Rengui took advantage of the fact that the Song army in Kaifeng was drawn to the Wansheng Gate and led his troops to launch a fierce attack from other city gates.

They launched a fierce attack from multiple directions, even if there really was an ambush at Wanshengmen. They could take advantage of the Song army's troop movements to break through from other directions.

This action was merely a precaution. However, it was clear that Zhang Jun and his men were truly sincere this time. After all, Yang Jian, who was the first to storm into the city, was almost at the very center of Kaifeng.

Even if there was some ambush, how could the ambush not appear after they've already fought their way to the center of the city? Unless Zhao Kuangyin wanted to fight to the death and burn down Kaifeng!

However, this is the Zhao family's stronghold. If they try to take everyone down with them in this city, the Zhao family will be the ones who suffer the most.

Not to mention, Kaifeng is a megacity with a population of one million. Since ancient times, even if a plan to burn something down was used, it was only implemented in small county towns. No one would be crazy enough to use such a suicidal plan in a megacity like this.

Zhao Kuangyin, on the other hand, is still quite clear-headed and has not yet gone mad to that extent.

As the Song army underwent a large-scale mobilization due to the situation at Wansheng Gate, Xue Rengui, Chang Yuchun, and others from other directions also took the opportunity to breach the city.

In an instant, Kaifeng was like a sieve, breached from all directions by the Han army.

As the Han army poured in, the demoralized Zhao Song soldiers began to lay down their weapons and surrender in large numbers.

Inside the Zhao Palace, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty seemed to have been prepared all along. Dressed in military attire, holding a dragon-patterned staff, he led his last remaining troops to guard the palace, ready to begin his final battle.

At this time, a quarter of the 60,000 troops in Kaifeng were with Zhao Kuangyin, and this quarter was the most elite force in the entire city.

It was precisely because Zhao Kuangyin transferred this most elite force to the palace that the situation deteriorated so rapidly after the Han army breached the city.

These 15,000 soldiers were the Panshan Heavy Infantry, the signature force of the Zhao family, and the Konghe Soldiers, who had only been formed two or three years ago.

As for the Zhao family's other signature archer battalion, it was no longer within Kaifeng City at this time, but had entered the territory of Dawu.

It was precisely because Zhao Kuangyin was willing to hand over the Zhao family's prestigious Divine Bow Camp, along with their families, to the Great Wu that the Great Wu was willing to grant Zhao Kuangyi the title of Duke.

Of course, the Divine Bow Battalion as a whole is certainly not worth the title of a Duke. This army is strong, but its numbers are limited, with only three thousand men.

The Divine Bow Battalion was merely one of the bargaining chips Zhao Kuangyin offered to the Great Wu.

It must be said that Zhao Kuangyin treated his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi exceptionally well in every way.

Even when faced with such a desperate situation, and having already decided to die for his country, he still made sure to have a safe and secure way out.

"Your Majesty, judging from this sound, the Han army should be attacking soon!" Jing Si said from the side.

Since the Battle of Yangxi, of the three legendary generals remaining in the Song Dynasty, Jing Si is now the only one left, still residing in Kaifeng.

"Hmm!" Zhao Kuangyin nodded silently.

He took one last look at the city where he was born, raised, and finally made his capital, his gaze sweeping over the majestic palaces as if trying to imprint it all into the depths of his soul.