Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 1179 The Devastation of the Jurchen Tribes
When the two armies meet,

Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted as armor clashed, and countless lives were lost in an instant. The gaps torn open by the Jurchen soldiers grew larger and larger, affecting the main formation. The archers began to slowly retreat, creating distance. At this moment, the Jurchen infantry, spears in hand, continued their advance.

At this moment,
Duan Hong's flank cavalry had also arrived close, and the two steel torrents collided with a deafening roar.

The battlefield was littered with severed limbs, broken spears, shattered armor, and dying warhorses.

Fearless of death

Duan Hong led the rearguard in a charge, issuing orders continuously, but unfortunately, the battlefield was vast, and his men were already locked in fierce combat.
Even the banner lords of the Jurchen Eight Banners had lost control of their armies. Seeing this, Fucha Zhen of the Plain Blue Banner hastily gathered his personal guards, sought out Guarjia, the banner lord of the Bordered Blue Banner, and, after combining their forces, immediately shouted…
"Guarjia, gather your personal guards and retreat to the edge; the battle has been scattered."

now,

Guarjia was also swept up by the army, looking around in bewilderment. The Jurchen army had already made contact with Luoyunhou's army. Apart from the main battle formation, the troops on both flanks, including the various cavalry units, were already fighting each other, with no distinction between them.

On the battlefield, soldiers could not see their generals, and generals could not see their soldiers; it was almost a chaotic mess.

"Fucha Zhen, how could this happen? Weren't we supposed to send the warriors to charge into the enemy lines and then turn back? How did they get trapped?"

He was swept along at the back of the group; what happened ahead of him occurred in an instant.

"Lord Luoyun also used his cavalry to launch a counterattack, ramming into us from the flank, and that's how we were scattered."

Fucha Zhen was at the very back and had the clearest view, but unfortunately, once the cavalry charged, they couldn't stop once they got going.

"What should I do?"

In this chaotic state, only personal guards remained, thankfully they were mixed in with the rear of the column. Those at the front, like Duomin of the Plain Yellow Banner, were fighting a bloody battle; it was truly horrifying.

"Let's take our men and stay back a bit to conserve our energy. Then we'll gather our forces and prepare for mounted archery support. Remember, don't let the Khan see us."

Fucha Zhen secretly pointed to the Black Mountain Soul-Severing Slope behind him, and Guarjia nodded. Then, the two of them disappeared into the crowd.

On the other hand, Zhang Jinyu's side,
He, who was holding the rear, was visibly taken aback when he saw the chaotic battle ahead. How could it have turned out like this? Fortunately, the main formation in the center remained firm and held, but the chaos on the flanks was gradually threatening the main formation.

"My lord, how about I lead troops to provide support?"

Ningbian looked anxious. The 40,000 archers at the front had already retreated behind them, leaving only 10,000 to hold the line. If the archers were to fight with swords, they would be a fresh force.

"What's the rush? We have the numerical advantage now. Even if it's a melee, the Jurchens will suffer heavy casualties. Furthermore, gather the archers and fire a barrage at the Tartars' rear to kill their fresh troops. Also, take out your short spears and unleash a volley on those charging Tartars."

"Yes, my lord, order the archers to prepare."

Ningbian clasped his hands in a fist salute and immediately ordered his men to relay the message.

that's it,
The archers in the rear regrouped, then took out their crossbows and nocked their arrows.
"Archers, prepare, 250 paces, fire in volleys, fire!"

The words fell,

Arrows flew into the air and landed, instantly covering the rear of the Tartar infantry, causing heavy casualties. When Ma Jiali, the banner lord of the Plain White Banner, saw Luo Yunhou's banner and the large array of crossbows, his eyes turned red and he roared.
“Aoshan, you are the first Baturu of the Jurchens. Lead three thousand heavily armored cavalry to charge into Luoyun Marquis’s main force. Be quick.”

"Yes, Gushan Ezhen."

Ao Shan suddenly pulled on the reins, ordering his men to wave the flags and gather their troops before charging towards Marquis Luo Yun's main force. Three thousand "Iron Pagoda" soldiers thundered with the sound of their hooves.

Marquis Luo Yun was dressed in golden armor, with a breastplate on his chest that reflected light even under the gloomy sky, not to mention the personal guards behind him.

It is unknown how long the battle lasted.

The setting sun hung in the sky, splashing the last trace of dying crimson onto the vast and boundless land. Under the blood-stained sky, the towering, gray city walls of Pingliao City were still filled with the sounds of battle. Even at this point, Huyan Han still had no intention of withdrawing his troops.

Narisong, the leader of the Bordered Red Banner, could no longer contain his anxiety and approached Huyan Han, asking the question.

“Huyan Han, the warriors of the Jurchens are already fighting against the forces under Marquis Luoyun. Now that we have reached a critical moment, we should gather our troops and go to their aid immediately. Why continue to besiege Pingliao City? At this point, there is no hope of success.”

Looking ahead, the city walls were littered with the corpses of both armies, yet the seemingly precarious defenses on the walls remained steadfast and unyielding. Including today, five days had passed, and the morale of his infantrymen had long since vanished.

“We can’t retreat now. If we do, these soldiers have already lost their morale. If troops are sent out from the city, they will surely collapse. So, you and I are staying here to supervise the army in order to buy time for the Khan.”

Huyan Han's face was solemn. Not far away, two armies were fighting fiercely, and shouts echoed continuously. He wanted to go and reinforce them, but in his heart, he was still fixated on Pingliao City.

"Na Risong, there are still 20,000 troops in the rear army. You lead them and push forward. The rest of you, continue the siege."

"Yes,"

Na Risong looked at Huyan Han, nodded heavily, and immediately led his troops away.

This time.

Zhang Jinyu's rear guard silently arrayed themselves here, forming a seemingly endless array of heavily armored infantry squares. Their 18-foot spears, broad-bladed and thick-backed longswords, and iron shields as thick as doors formed a shield wall.

The soldiers at the front, clad in heavy black lamellar armor, stared intently ahead. The Jurchen heavy cavalry had already charged forward. Just then, Ningbian shouted.
"Rise—and charge!"

Beneath the central banner of Marquis Luoyun, the order was given, and countless massive shields at the front collapsed with a crash, their gaps gleaming with countless points of icy, bone-chilling light.

"Prepare to throw javelins, fire—!"

At a distance of one hundred paces, along with the ear-piercing trigger of the crossbow bolts, in an instant, dark clouds rose into the sky, carrying immense force, and plunged fiercely into the Jurchen vanguard army's formation.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft..."

The heavy iron cavalry deflected the arrows, and only a few javelins managed to kill a few scattered armored soldiers. The leader, Aoshan, roared angrily.
"Kill all these southern dogs!"

"Charge! Tear them apart!"

In an instant, numerous cavalrymen, as imposing as iron rafts, roared and charged forward, crashing heavily into the massive shield towers that had just been re-erected at the front.

"Boom——!"

The dull, deafening impact was deafening. The heavily armored infantrymen behind the shields desperately braced themselves against the shields with their shoulders and backs, their feet sinking deep into the mud, gritting their teeth and letting out suppressed roars.

unfortunately,

The speed of the cavalry charge tore open a gap in the enemy lines instantly. The Jurchen cavalry at the front were pierced by several or even a dozen spears at the same time. Their bodies were covered with spear shafts like tattered leather bags, and blood gushed out like a fountain, instantly staining the outside of their shields crimson.

But the Jurchens were far more ferocious than imagined. Some, even on their deathbeds, clung tightly to the spears that had pierced them, creating an opportunity for those behind them. Others, riddled with holes, still glared with bloodshot eyes, roaring as they hurled their heavy battle axes.
"Hold your ground! Thrust!"

Ningbian immediately became anxious and shouted at the generals to stabilize their formation.

But once the shield wall was breached, it could not be closed again, and several fierce Jurchen soldiers took the opportunity to rush in! The heavy spiked clubs swept across with a fierce wind, smashing into the helmet of a front-line soldier. With a muffled "crack", the helmet dented, blood flowed out, and the man immediately fell to the ground without a sound.

As another long-handled battle axe whistled down, severing the arm of a spearman trying to fill the gap, Zhang Jinyu's face grew colder and colder. He held his precious sword and slowly drew its sharp blade.

"Cover up! Mo Dao (陌刀) warrior! Charge!"

The deputy general's voice was hoarse and his eyes were bloodshot.

From the inner side of the rear row, a line of heavily armored soldiers, wearing the thickest black armor and holding long swords, slowly stepped forward, shouting in unison.
"cut!"

The blade flashed like a silver ribbon, tearing through the air with a shrill ripping sound, and charged into the Jurchen soldiers who were still shouting and fighting fiercely in the formation. No matter how many layers of iron armor they wore, they were as fragile as paper, and both men and horses were shattered.

Upon seeing this, Ao Shan's eyes immediately turned red, and he forcefully threw out the spiked club in his hand, actually leading his men to break through the Mo Dao army formation, almost reaching within a hundred paces of Zhang Jinyu's command flag.

Ning Bian's expression suddenly changed;
"Protect the Marquis! Imperial Guards, advance!" Just as the golden-armored guards on either side drew their blades, Zhang Jinyu finally put on his helmet and drew his precious sword.

"Gentlemen, follow me to capture and kill this man. Bye!"

With a pull on the reins, he unexpectedly charged ahead. Seeing this, the guards on both sides spurred their horses to follow. Ning Bian stayed close behind the Marquis, his face solemn.

Galloping,
Zhang Jinyu gripped the hilt of his sword, the blade aimed at the attacker's upper body, and slashed forward. Ao Shan, a burly man clad in iron armor, exuded an imposing aura. He gripped his spiked club tightly and pressed down on the attacker's head. Sparks flew as the two dodged each other in a flash.
Zhang Jinyu's tiger's mouth trembled slightly, and his arm went numb. It was indeed a case of unequal weapons. One weapon had more advantages than the other. The heavy weapon had an inherent advantage. He immediately pulled on the reins and turned back.

Ao Shan, who had overkill, looked surprised. His hand was cracked and half of his body was almost stiff. He was indeed a man of great reputation, with such divine strength. He was the first Jurchen to personally fight against Marquis Luo Yun.

In an instant, he thought of many things, but how could he think in the midst of a battlefield? In a short while, the two had already exchanged dozens of blows. The huge impact sound echoed throughout the surrounding battlefield. The two were incredibly powerful, and anyone who touched them would die instantly. Therefore, the area around them gradually became empty.

After the two separated following their next exchange, Zhang Jinyu was slightly out of breath. Looking at the giant in front of him, whose strength was similar to her own, she figured he must also be a Baturu (a high-ranking official) among the Tartars.
“Who is this thief? State your name. You are not an unknown person.”

Taking the opportunity to catch his breath and regulate his breathing, Ao Shan also took a deep breath, aiming for the same goal.

"Lord Luoyun, I am Aoshan, the number one female warrior, and I have been bestowed the title of Aoshan Baturu by the Great Khan. If Your Excellency surrenders to the Great Khan today, you will surely enjoy great wealth and honor."

Perhaps he had been listening to too much from Han Chinese advisors, and his words, meant to win over the Han people, came out casually, surprising Zhang Jinyu.

"Haha, how interesting. I am now a marquis, and I am already living a life of wealth and honor. I need your Khan to give me more. Who knows, in the future, I will be the one giving you wealth and honor."

A few words of provocation made Ao Shan's face turn red with anger, but his words were not good, how could he be a match for Marquis Luo Yun? Enraged, he raised his spiked club and charged forward again.

Zhang Jinyu squinted, sheathed his precious sword, picked up a spear from the ground, spurred his horse, and charged forward. Just as their weapons clashed, Zhang Jinyu changed his thrust to a sweep, dodging the spiked club and then sweeping the man off his horse. Before the man could regain his footing, a fishing net flew out of nowhere and struck him, rendering him unable to move. His iron armor became a burden.

Just at this time,
From the western side of Pingliao City, on the horizon, dark shadows appeared, accompanied by a rumbling, trembling sound that grew louder and louder from afar, reaching the city walls of Pingliao.
Zhang Wenyuan, his clothes stained with blood, gripped his long sword with trembling hands. He noticed something amiss behind him and turned around. On the gentle slope to the west of the city, a dense mass of cavalrymen was galloping along the official road. However, their numbers were so great that their banners were obscured. He had already guessed that their own reinforcements had arrived.

They were almost right in front of them.
The first to notice something was wrong was the leader of the Plain Red Banner. Seeing the cavalry swarming in from the west, he immediately ordered his men to raise the alarm, and the bugle sounded loudly.

"Waaaaah! Waaaaah! Waaaaah!"

The soldiers who were still attacking the city gathered below the city walls and slowly retreated.

unfortunately,

These cavalrymen bypassed the infantry below the city and charged straight towards the southern battlefield.

All eyes—whether it was the bloodshot eyes of the soldiers on both sides or the extremely solemn gazes of the generals on the high platform—were fixed on the west side.

suddenly,

The reinforcements raised their flags; they were from Wuyayu's tribe.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Jinyu immediately shouted;

"Our reinforcements have arrived; victory is assured."

The surrounding army immediately understood and shouted in unison.
"Lord Marquis, your reinforcements have arrived; victory is assured."

With morale almost at its peak, the tribal chiefs of the Jurchens, who had initially been somewhat skeptical, waited for the cavalry rushing in behind them to draw their bows and fire arrows. Once the arrows landed in the formation of the Jurchen army, these tribal chiefs were already terrified. They disregarded everything and led their tribes' troops to retreat eastward. This small incident showed that once morale collapsed, even the elite troops of the Khan's camp could not escape being swept away.

Almost on the southern battlefield, the various Jurchen tribes began to flee, gradually turning into utter defeat.

Even though the flag leaders fought desperately, they still couldn't turn the tide.

"Ezhen, let's retreat quickly! The rear guard can't hold out any longer. If we don't retreat now, we'll be surrounded."

Hauge, the commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner, led his remaining troops to join forces with Duomin of the Plain Yellow Banner. In this charge, the two Yellow Banners were the vanguard. Duomin wiped the blood from his face, looked back, and saw that the reinforcements had already charged into the rear camp, disrupting the left and right flanks. What was originally a head-on charge had become a pincer attack from both inside and outside. With morale collapsing, how could they not be defeated? He gritted his teeth in resentment.

"Hauge, let's go. The cavalry will cover the infantry's retreat."

"Yes, sir."

As the Jurchen cavalry retreated, the entire formation could no longer be maintained and collapsed with a roar.

Seeing this opportunity, Zhang Jinyu immediately gave the order;

"Ningbian, beat the drums and sound the horns, the whole army rushes over and should take down the Black Mountain camp in one fell swoop."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

Exhausted, Ningbian began sending out messengers. Thus, the Jurchens ran ahead, while the army of Marquis Luoyun chased after them.

Before the Jurchen Black Mountain camp, on Broken Soul Slope, this terrifying scene unfolded before Huang Jitai's eyes. Suddenly, Huang Jitai swayed, coughed up blood, and fell straight off his horse. Helian Chen, who was still directing his soldiers' defense, was terrified and rushed over in a panic.
"Great Khan, Great Khan, someone come here! Call the priest, no, call the Han Chinese doctor here, quickly!"

"Yes, General."

Just as the Jurchen camp was in chaos, the soldiers who had retreated from the front line were humiliated and retreated back to the valley entrance of the Black Mountain camp. Fortunately, Huyan Han, who had retreated beforehand, led the Han Eight Banners infantry to guard both sides of the valley entrance.

Zhang Chuanying led his vanguard and attacked three times, but failed to break through each time, so he could only curse in frustration.
"Damn it, they're guarding it so tightly."

"General, most of the rebel army has retreated to the valley camp. It's getting dark. We should inform the Marquis and make further plans. We've already lost half of our men."

The deputy general was already exhausted. His soldiers were barely able to stand, most of them were already too weak and had fallen behind.

Zhang Chuanying stared at the valley entrance so close at hand, and the remnants of his army beside him, his face filled with resentment.
"Retreat three li, and order the rear guard to hold this position."

"Yes, General."

The day's battle was almost over.
When Zhang Jinyu led his army to arrive, the Jurchens were already firmly positioned near the mouth of the high slope valley, clearly having made preparations in advance.

"Report, my lord, General Duan reports that there is also a large Tartar army stationed at the western entrance of the valley. General Duan was unable to break through and had to retreat three miles to await orders."

"Report, Your Excellency, General Zhang Chuanying reports that there is a large Tartar army stationed at the entrance of the valley on the east side. They cannot break through the pass and have retreated three miles to await orders."

The distance of three miles can be reached in the blink of an eye.

"My lord, it seems the Jurchens were prepared. We couldn't break through the valley entrance in a hurry, and now our soldiers are exhausted. My lord, should we retreat?"

The scene was chaotic. The entire area outside the southern city was littered with corpses, countless female prisoners, and scattered warhorses neighing incessantly on the battlefield.

Seeing all this, Zhang Jinyu nodded helplessly. Things were beyond saving.

"Order Zhang Chuanying to lead all the infantry to set up camp outside the valley entrance on the east side. Order Duan Hong and Wu Yayu's cavalry to assemble on the west side. After Chuanying's camp is set up, leave scouts behind and the rest of the troops to retreat to Pingliao City to rest."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

Watching the Marquis deploy his troops, and as dusk fell and the eastern camp stood tall outside the valley entrance, Zhang Jinyu finally led his army into the city.

Duan Hong, who arrived just in time, was clad in iron armor, almost entirely covered in blood. The pungent smell of brown blood assaulted his nostrils. Upon reaching the Marquis's side, he clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"My lord, why not take advantage of the situation and capture the Tartar Black Mountain camp in one fell swoop? And why leave Chuanying at the entrance of the valley on the east side? Why not set up camp on the west side as well?"

Upon hearing the loud voice, Zhang Jinyu felt a sense of relief and laughed as she scolded him.
"You don't mind being tired? Go back to the city and rest first. The Tartar Black Mountain Camp needs to be discussed again. This place is easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are only two valley entrances, heavily guarded by the Tartars. We can't do anything to them for a while. Besides, leaving the western valley entrance open is to give the Tartars hope."

Seeing that Duan Hong was still somewhat confused, Zhang Jinyu remained silent.

"Alright, go back and rest first, we'll discuss it again tonight."

Before the two had exchanged more than a few words, the sound of hooves came from behind. Wu Yayu, accompanied by her personal guards, galloped swiftly from the city gate. The two stared at each other from afar, both stunned for a moment. As they drew closer, Wu Yayu's eyes reddened, and she murmured.
"How is my husband?"

(End of this chapter)