Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 745

After hearing He Zhongbao's words, everyone agreed and were willing to lead troops to rescue Jizhou.

Wuyan Yanshou said, "In that case, please let the two generals, Prince Consort Taizhen Xuqing and Li Ji, lead 15,000 troops to Jizhou for rescue."

"Since Tong Guan has requested reinforcements, there may also be unforeseen circumstances at the hands of Minister Bo Jin, the [Dongxian Attendant]. I also request that Generals Qiong Yaonayan and Kou Zhenyuan lead 15,000 troops to provide support."

"I and Deputy Commander-in-Chief General He Zhongbao are stationed in Youzhou."

With the allocations finalized, the generals quickly deployed their troops.

The imperial son-in-law, Taizhen Xuqing, and Li Ji took the lead in sending troops, followed by Qiong Yaonayan and Kou Zhenyuan who also led troops south to Tanzhou to provide support.

As for Zhao Zhen, after the battle to besiege and defeat [Dongxian Attendant] Bo Jin, Ma Ling first entered Mozhou and mobilized the troops of [White Horse Silver Spear] Shi Wengong to head north to Xiongzhou.

On the march, Zhao Zhen received news from Zhang Qing's troops. After capturing Bazhou and Baoding, Zhang Qing's troops joined forces with Guang Hui's troops and marched eastward, defeating Xin'an Army in one battle. They then joined forces with Wang Huan, the garrison commander of Cangzhou, and attacked Jizhou.

Zhao Zhen relayed the news brought by Xu Jin, the Jade Dragon, to the entire army. Upon hearing this, the soldiers shouted "Victory! Victory!" so loudly it seemed to pierce the sky.

Upon receiving the order, Shi Wengong's troops immediately advanced northward, heading straight for Guixin City, the seat of Xiong Prefecture. Three thousand cavalrymen arrived, and He Chai, the Liao general defending the city, saw this and quickly ordered the city gates to be closed.

Shi Wengong challenged Yelü Guozhen and Yelü Guobao to a duel, displaying his power and arrogance.

Upon seeing this, He Chai looked around and asked, "Who dares to leave the city and retrieve the emperor's nephew's head?"

Upon hearing this, a lieutenant shouted, "This humble general is willing to go!"

"Good, you've retrieved the head. I'll consider this a great achievement and will definitely speak highly of you to my brother."

The deputy general went out of the city, shouting loudly. Sun Xin, nicknamed "Little Yuchi," saw this and charged out with his spear.

After seven or eight exchanges, Sun Xin used his spear to force aside the incoming broadsword, then raised his whip and struck the adjutant on the head, shattering his helmet and head into pieces.

He Chai, seeing this from the city wall, shouted, "Who dares to go again?"

Another enemy general rode out on horseback.

Upon seeing this, Sun Xin roused himself and fought the barbarian general for another three or five rounds before turning his horse and leaving.

Upon seeing this enemy general, without a second thought, Sun Xin spurred his horse and gave chase. He secretly drew his crossbow, leaned back, and pulled the trigger, shooting the enemy general off his horse.

He turned his horse around, raised his spear, and killed the barbarian general.

He saw this from the city wall and said, "These southern barbarians are rude and use tricks to win people over. They are not heroes."

"Bring me my greatsword!"

After speaking, He dismantled the city wall and led a thousand soldiers out of the city.

"You barbarian from the south, I am He Chai of the Great Liao, brother of He Zhongbao, the Deputy Commander of the Army. You have used tricks to harm people, do you dare to fight me with real swords and spears?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Xin thrust his spear straight at He Chai.

Seeing that Sun Xin didn't respond to his words, He Chai shouted, "You despicable villain, an unknown nobody, how dare you insult me?"

With that, he brandished his three-pointed, double-edged sword and unleashed a powerful strike, "Splitting Mount Hua," aiming a blow at Sun Xin's chest and abdomen.

Sun Xin thrust his spear forward, and the sword and spear clashed, making a resounding clang.

He Chai possessed astonishing strength; after only one exchange, Sun Xin nearly dropped his spear.

After exchanging two more blows, Sun Xin turned his horse and fled.

He Chai didn't give chase. He sat on his horse and laughed loudly, "You southern barbarian, you think you're worthy to fight me without resorting to tricks and schemes?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Bao spurred his horse forward, proclaiming, "Shi Bao, the [Southern General] of Liang Kingdom, is here. Liao dogs, do not be so arrogant!"

Having said that, he spurred his horse and charged forward with his sword. After five exchanges, Shi Bao shouted and with one stroke, cut He Chai off his horse.

Shi Wengong brandished his spear, and his army charged straight towards the Liao army below the city.

He Chai was beheaded, and the Liang cavalry charged into the enemy lines, causing chaos among the thousand Liao soldiers below the city.

He Chai's trusted guards charged forward desperately to retrieve He Chai's body. Some turned their horses around and ran towards the city gate, while others went around the city wall and ran north.

The Liao army, already outnumbered and fighting amongst themselves, was immediately routed by the Liang cavalry. The city gates were blocked, countless Liao soldiers were killed, and Guixin was captured.

Shi Wengong left Sun Xin, nicknamed "Little Yuchi," to lead 500 cavalrymen to garrison Guixin, while the main army immediately marched north to Rongcheng.

Rongcheng is only garrisoned by 500 Liao soldiers. The Liao soldiers who had previously fled back have already told the garrison commander what happened in Guixincheng.

The defending general dared not resist and immediately ordered the city of Rongcheng to be abandoned.

Upon hearing that Xiong Prefecture had fallen and his brother He Chai had been killed, He Yun dared not delay and immediately sent someone to You Prefecture to request reinforcements.

Not to mention that Xiongzhou didn't have many troops, even Tanzhou further back only had a little over three thousand troops, most of whom were conscripted Han soldiers.

The cavalry that had requested reinforcements encountered Qiong Yaonayan and Kou Zhenyuan on their way and quickly delivered the message.

Upon hearing this, Qiong Yao Na Yan angrily asked, "Where is Minister Bo Jin, the [Dongxian Attendant]?"

The messenger said, "I do not know, but I do know that the Liang army has entered Xiongzhou and killed the garrison commander He Chai. They are now advancing relentlessly into Tanzhou. Please, General, come to their aid immediately. Tanzhou only has three thousand Han soldiers, and I am afraid they are no match for the Liang army."

Kou Zhenyuan added, "General, Xiong Prefecture has already fallen, and Mo Prefecture will certainly not escape its fate. I fear that Minister Bo Jin, [Dongxian Attendant], is already..."

"I never imagined the situation would deteriorate so badly. Kou Zhenyuan, I'll give you three thousand cavalrymen. Go quickly to Tanzhou City to provide relief. I'll lead the main force and arrive shortly after."

"Take this letter requesting reinforcements and go to Youzhou immediately. Tell the Junior Commander and Deputy Commander to lead troops to your aid as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Kou Zhenyuan quickly mustered his troops, and his three thousand cavalrymen set off towards Tanzhou City.

Qiong Yaonayan also gathered his troops and urged the army to hurry on their way.

When Shi Wengong and his group arrived at the city of Tanzhou, Kou Zhenyuan had already arrived.

With these three thousand elite Liao cavalrymen, Tanzhou City will not be so easy to attack.

Shi Wengong had his men carry the heads of Yelü Guozhen, Yelü Guobao, and He Chai, and parade them around the city walls in a show of force.

He Yun was furious: "General Kou is guarding the city, I'm going to retrieve my brother's head."

"Speak," he said, ignoring Kou Zhenyuan's objections, donned his armor, mounted his horse, and led five hundred Liao soldiers out of the city gate. The soldiers who had challenged him immediately ran back to their main formation.

"You barbarians, return my brother's head!" He Yun roared as he led his troops into battle.

Upon seeing the tattooed arm, Jin Zhuang said to Shi Wengong, "Commander, I will go and meet him."

Jin Zhuang shouted as he charged into battle: "Liao dog, if you want your brother's head, you'll have to ask the big sword in my hand first."

"Speak," he said, raising his sword to attack He Yun.

The two generals stood before the battle, each displaying their full skills. Their two large swords clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

The two fought back and forth for more than thirty rounds, one wielding a three-pointed double-edged sword and the other a brow-pointed sword.

On the city wall, Kou Zhenyuan saw this and thought to himself: "Several men have been killed by the southern barbarians, and their morale is low. I'll shoot an arrow at them and maybe we can turn the tide."

First, Kou Zhenyuan arrived at the horse-face wall, drew his bow and aimed at the two men fighting below the city. With a "whoosh," an arrow shot down.

(End of this chapter)