Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 747 Battle in Yutian County
Three days after the main army left the city, the vanguard under Shi Wengong came to report that more than 20,000 troops from Youzhou were heading towards them.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen ordered his army to halt its advance, establish a large camp, and prepare for a decisive battle.

Meanwhile, Zhang Qing, the "Featherless Arrow," had already captured Yutian County and pacified the people. Zhang Qing and his men had learned from Xu Jin, the "Jade Dragon," that the Liang army had invaded Tanzhou from the west, and Zhang Qing was instructed to attack Youzhou depending on the situation.

Zhang Qing received Zhao Zhen's military order and summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.

[Blood Monk] Guanghui, [Precious Light Tathagata] Deng Yuanjue, and others all clamored to storm Youzhou.

Before the generals could come up with a plan, the officers defending the city came to report that Liu Guangshi, a subordinate of Tong Guan, had led 5,000 imperial guards to reinforce the city.

Zhang Qing ordered Liu Guangshi to be welcomed into the city.

After exchanging greetings, Zhang Qing asked, "General Liu, weren't you guarding the Grand Chancellor in Hejian Prefecture? What brings you to Jizhou?"

Liu Guangshi said, "The Liang King's army has wiped out the invading Liao army, and the Grand Chancellor has led 5,000 Imperial Guards toward Cangzhou. I wonder where General Wang Huan is?"

Zhang Qing asked, "Didn't Xu Jin inform me of this?"

Liu Guangshi said, "We set off from Hejian Prefecture, but we did not see Xu Jin."

Zhang Qing nodded. "A few days ago, during the siege, General Wang Huan was killed by a stray arrow."

Then he recounted the events of that day in detail.

Liu Guangshi sighed and was about to speak when a soldier guarding the north gate reported that over a thousand Liao cavalrymen were challenging them to battle below the city.

Upon hearing this, everyone went up to the city wall.

Looking at the Liao general challenging them to battle below the city, Gong Wang, nicknamed "Flower-Necked Tiger," said, "Isn't this the guy who defended the city the other day?"

Ding Desun also said, "It was this fellow who attacked people with a sneak arrow."

[The Featherless Arrow] Zhang Qing said, "Today is the perfect day to take revenge."

As he spoke, he led a thousand cavalrymen, along with Gong Wang, the "Flower-Necked Tiger," and Ding Desun, the "Arrow-Struck Tiger," out of the city to form ranks.

Zhang Qing stepped forward and shouted, "You defeated general, how dare you come back?"

Tian Shan Yong angrily said, "I was caught off guard the other day and you southern barbarians won a small victory. Today I've come to seek revenge."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qing shouted, "You stray dog, how dare you be so arrogant!"

He spurred his horse straight at Tianshan Yong, who in turn brandished his long spear and began thrusting it wildly at Zhang Qing.

Before long, the two generals clashed, and after more than twenty rounds, neither could gain the upper hand.

Seeing that he could not defeat Tianshan Yong, Zhang Qing turned his horse around and left.

Upon seeing this, Tian Shan Yong spurred his horse and gave chase.

Zhang Qing raised his hand, his movements like that of Zhao Bao Qi Lang. When the stone came, Tian Shan Yong couldn't dodge in time. In his haste to escape, a stone struck his forehead, breaking it and drawing blood.

Tian Shan Yong endured the pain, reined in his warhorse, and turned to leave.

Zhang Qing also turned his horse around, took the spear from the saddle ring, and gave chase.

Blinded by blood, Tian Shanyong lost his sense of direction, causing his horse to slow down. Zhang Qing caught up with him and stabbed him off his horse with a single spear thrust.

With a flick of their spears, the commanders, Gong Wang ("Flower-Necked Tiger") and Ding Desun ("Arrow-Struck Tiger"), shouted and urged their soldiers to charge towards the Liao army.

Half of these soldiers were those who fled with Tian Shanyong when he was defeated in Yutian County. Having witnessed the might of the Liang Kingdom's soldiers, they turned and ran when they saw Tian Shanyong die.

The other troops, still hesitant, were met with a flurry of attacks from Gong Wang and Ding Desun, who unleashed flying swords and spears.

The two men led their troops in pursuit for five miles, but when they saw the main force of the Liao army coming, they stopped their troops and calmly returned to Yutian County.

Yelü Zongyun and Yelü Zonglei gathered their defeated troops and set up camp.

The next day, Yelü Zongyun and Yelü Zonglei led their troops out of the camp and directly to the city of Yutian County, where they set up their battle formation.

Yelü Zonglei stepped forward and shouted, "You barbarians who throw stones, hurry out of the city and return my brothers' lives!"

On the city wall, the generals heard this and Zhang Qing was about to descend from the wall to fight. Su Ding, the "Double Swordsman," and the newly arrived Liu Guangshi both stepped forward to ask for orders.

Su Ding said, "General, as the commander of an army, you should not act rashly. This humble general is willing to go into battle."

Liu Guangshi also said, "I am new here and have not yet made any contributions, but I am willing to go into battle."

The three—[Blood Monk] Guanghui, [Precious Light Tathagata] Deng Yuanjue, and [Life-Taking Ghost] Wang Feibao—were also eager to fight.

Zhang Qing said, "Today's battle should ideally wear down the Liao soldiers. We should take this opportunity to prepare for the attack on Jizhou City."

"You two go forward and fight. I will have Commander Gao set up the cannons and bombard the Liao army below the city. After the cannons fire, you will lead two thousand cavalrymen and charge into the enemy lines. I will also open the city gates and send out the main force to pursue the fleeing enemy."

Upon hearing this, everyone made their own preparations.

Su Ding and Liu Guangshi went out of the city and deployed their troops. Liu Guangshi took the lead and shouted, "Liao dogs, the Heavenly Army is here, why don't you surrender!"

Yelü Zonglei cursed, "You southern barbarian, you killed my brother, how can I let you get away with this?"

Having said that, Yelü Zonglei raised the broom knife in his hand and rushed straight at Liu Guangshi.

Upon seeing this, Liu Guangshi spurred his horse to meet him, thrusting his spear at Yelü Zonglei.

Liu Guangshi wanted to show off his martial skills in front of Zhang Qing and other Liang generals, so he wielded his long spear on horseback like a wheel.

After exchanging blows for more than thirty rounds, Yelü Zonglei was exhausted.

Upon seeing this, Yelü Zongyun also brandished a broomstick to join the battle.

Upon seeing this, Su Ding drew his two swords and charged forward.

The four generals and their four horses were entangled in a chaotic mess on the battlefield.

On the city wall of Yutian County, Gao Ang led the Shenji Battalion, adjusted the cannons, and with a command, all kinds of cannons fired at the Liao army arrayed below the city.

The cannonballs scattered, and bursts of blood mist rose from the Liao army's ranks.

Zhang Qing gave the order, and the city gates were opened. Zhang Qing took the lead and led his cavalry to charge out.

Yelü Zonglei was no match for Liu Guangshi and was feeling anxious. As soon as the cannon fired, his movements slowed down.

Seeing an opportunity, Liu Guangshi shouted and with one spear thrust knocked Yelü Zonglei off his horse. He then fired another spear, finishing off Yelü Zonglei.

Upon seeing Yelü Zonglei killed, Yelü Zongyun hurriedly retreated. Su Ding, with a pair of iron swords, held him tightly.

Liu Guangshi killed Yelü Zonglei, then rode forward. The two surrounded Yelü Zongyun, but before they could exchange more blows, Su Ding cut Yelü Zongyun off his horse with a single sword stroke.

Zhang Qing led his cavalry, charging and fighting in all directions.

[Blood Monk] Guanghui, [Precious Light Tathagata] Deng Yuanjue, and others also led their infantry out to fight.

The army fought its way for ten miles before withdrawing and returning to the city.

In just one battle, they killed or captured more than two thousand Liao soldiers.

The next day, Han Bolong, who was left without a name, was left to guard the city, while the main army set off for Jizhou City.

On the walls of Jizhou, Yelü Zonglin heard from the soldiers who had escaped that Yelü Zongyun, Yelü Zonglei, and Tianshan Yong had all been killed. Of the five thousand cavalrymen, most of those killed had scattered to the countryside, and less than five hundred had returned to Jizhou. His army had been almost completely wiped out, and his heart sank.

He sent three waves of messengers, urging Youzhou to send reinforcements.

When the imperial sons-in-law, Taizhen Xuqing and Li Ji, saw the messenger pleading for help, they urged the army to march quickly.

They finally entered Jizhou City before Zhang Qing's army attacked.

Upon hearing Yelü Zonglin's account of the current situation in Jizhou, Taizhen Xuqing exclaimed in surprise, "It's only been a few days, and you're all alone now?"

Upon hearing this, Yelü Zonglin blushed deeply.

(End of this chapter)