Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 750 Breaking the Law
The next day, after the fire was lit and the meal was prepared, the war drums of the alligator dragon sounded, and Zhao Zhen's army marched out of the camp and set up their positions in order.

At the Liao Kingdom's main camp, war drums were sounded, and troops marched out of the camp.

The Liao army, already outnumbered by a huge margin with over 10,000 men, suffered heavy losses in yesterday's failed raid and their morale is noticeably low today.

Both sides deployed their troops. Zhao Zhen and Zhu Wu looked at the Liao army opposite from the flying tower. Zhao Zhen said, "Strategist, how dare the Liao army, with such a small force, send out troops to form ranks and engage in a fair fight?"

Zhu Wu carefully examined the opposing army formation and pointed to the Liao cavalry at the front, saying, "Your Majesty, judging from the Liao army's formation, they are clearly divided into two lines, front and back."

"The two thousand cavalrymen at the front were clearly the vanguard of the charge. Behind them was a large mixed formation of cavalry and infantry, with troops deployed in a circular formation, tightening their hold, and using drums, gongs, and flags in the center for coordination, adopting an all-round defensive posture."

"Judging from the formation, the troops are divided into ten divisions according to the Heavenly Stems, with two divisions in the center for command and eight divisions forming a defensive circle around the perimeter. They are using the 'Ten Divisions Circular Formation' from the circular formation."

"Attack first, defend later. Judging from this formation, the other side seems to have another plan."

As the two were talking, Qiong Yaonayan took the lead and challenged the Liao army's cavalry to battle.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Zhen sent a messenger to order Wang Tianba, nicknamed "Sai Cunxiao," to go into battle.

Upon seeing Wang Tianba, Qiong Yao Nayan steeled herself and charged forward.

The two clashed, their weapons collided, and sparks flew.

After exchanging five blows, Qiong Yaonayan was exhausted and turned to leave.

Zhao Zhen and his companion watched from the flying tower, and the command flag was waved.

Tang Bin, the Mountain-Pulling Warrior, led three thousand elite cavalrymen, including Nie Gong, the Mountain-Splitting Warrior, Yang Tengjiao, the Scorched-Faced Leopard, Wen Zhongrong, the Mountain-Shaking Warrior, and Cui Ye, as they charged out of the main formation and headed straight for the Liao Kingdom's vanguard cavalry.

Before they could even engage in battle, the Liao cavalry, led by Qiong Yaonayan, drove their horses westward, revealing the Liao army's circular formation behind them.

At the same time, Zhu Wu pointed to the opposite side and said, "Your Majesty, it seems that there are Taoist practitioners in the Liao army. This fog is suspicious."

As they spoke, the fog had already shrouded half the battlefield, and it was still spreading.

Emperor Zhao Zhen ordered Fan Rui, the "Demon King," to perform a ritual to dispel the fog and prevent the Liao army from taking advantage of the situation.

Upon receiving the order, Fan Rui let his hair down and began to perform a ritual with his sword. He then gave a soft shout, "Go!"

A fierce wind suddenly arose, swirling the clouds and mist northwards, revealing the Liao army's circular formation.

At this moment, the Liao army's circular formation was slowly retreating, while the cavalry soldiers, acting as the vanguard, were fleeing rapidly.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Zhen immediately ordered Shi Wengong to lead the Imperial Guard Cavalry Battalion to assist Wang Tianba in pursuing and intercepting the Liao cavalry.

The [Thunder Chariot] chariot battalion charged out of the main formation and assaulted the Liao army's retreating circular formation.

The infantry followed the chariots and charged forward.

With his magic broken, He Zhongbao was terrified and immediately ordered his army to halt its retreat and prepare to meet the enemy.

Two hundred chariots, resembling ferocious beasts, kicked up clouds of dust as they surged forward like a landslide, heading straight for the Liao army. From afar, crossbows and muskets rained down like thunder and lightning.

He Zhongbao hurriedly ordered the deployment of chevaux-de-frise and caltrops, but little did he know that with the chariots in front and the horses behind, the chevaux-de-frise were all smashed aside when they encountered them. The two iron sieves trailing behind the chariots swept away anything that came into contact with them. The chevaux-de-frise and caltrops were completely ineffective.

When the muskets arrived, men and horses fell, and where arrows and stones fell, blood rained down. The Liao army, already demoralized, could not withstand the attack. They abandoned their armor and weapons, cried out in agony, and fled for their lives.

The chariots pursued and scattered the Liao army formation. The infantry that followed cut through the Liao soldiers who were still resisting as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

When more Liao soldiers saw Yan Shude carrying He Zhongbao's head on his back, and the heavily armored soldiers behind him cutting the Liao soldiers blocking their way in half with a single stroke, they chose to abandon their weapons and kneel down to surrender.

Within two hours, under the relentless pursuit of the chariots, less than one in ten of the Liao army's rear guard managed to escape. Meanwhile, the heavy cavalry led by Wang Tianba (Sai ​​Cunxiao) was simply unable to catch up with the leather-clad cavalry.

After Shi Wengong charged forward, he took over the command of the Tiger Cavalry. The three thousand cavalrymen split into two groups, one on the left and one on the right, to pursue the Liao army.

When Qiong Yao Nalan saw the mist dissipate, she knew something had happened.

Qiong Yao Nayan was already terrified, so she dared not carry out the original plan.

He urged his troops to flee back to Youzhou.

Upon seeing this, Shi Wengong spurred his warhorse to give chase and ordered his soldiers to shout that the Liao army's rear guard had been breached and that those who surrendered would not be killed.

The deafening roar caused many cavalry soldiers to slow down involuntarily.

Qiong Yaonayan lowered his head, spurred his warhorse, and was determined to escape.

Of the two thousand newly added cavalry, only about a hundred followed Qiong Yaonayan.

The crowd beat the victory drum and escorted the prisoners back to the village.

All the generals came to present their achievements. Yan Shude presented a precious treasure and the head of a general, and the other units also had their own victories.

They killed over 5,000 Liao soldiers and captured tens of thousands. The merits of each unit were recorded, and rewards would naturally be bestowed upon them upon their return.

Early the next morning, Zhao Zhen urged his soldiers to gather and head to Youzhou.

As for Qiong Yao Na Yan, after fleeing all the way back to Youzhou, he found the city gates closed and hurriedly ordered them to be opened.

Upon seeing this, the Liao soldiers guarding the city immediately released Qiong Yao Nayan into the city.

Upon seeing Qiong Yao Na Yan enter the city, the deputy general guarding the city quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

Seeing Qiong Yaonayan in such a disheveled state, the lieutenant hurriedly asked, "General, Tanzhou..."

"Tanzhou has fallen, and Deputy Commander He Zhongbao has been killed by the Liang army," Qiong Yaonayan said with a gloomy face.

"Where is the Junior Commander?"

"General, there are only three thousand old and weak people left in the city. The remaining elite troops have all been taken to Jizhou by the Junior Commander."

"What? Wasn't the Junior Commander supposed to stay behind to guard Youzhou City? Why did he go to Jizhou?"

"General, urgent report from Jizhou: General Yelü Zonglin is seriously wounded. The troops of the Imperial Son-in-Law Taizhen Xuqing and Li Ji are also besieged in Jizhou. The Liang army is attacking fiercely, and the soldiers are suffering heavy casualties."

"The young commander was afraid of losing Jizhou, and despite our advice, he insisted on leading troops to rescue it."

"How long has the young commander been gone?" Qiong Yaonayan asked hurriedly upon hearing this.

"The day after the general and others sent troops to relieve Tanzhou, the junior commander led his troops out of the city. They may have already arrived in Jizhou by now."

Upon hearing this, Qiong Yaona Yan sighed, feeling a sense of powerlessness wash over her. "With only three thousand old and weak soldiers in the city, how can we defend it?"

"General, what should we do?"

Qiong Yaona said, "The Liang army is right behind us, and they will arrive in two days at most. Even if we mobilize the people to defend the city, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out for more than a few days."

"There is no other way. We must go to Jizhou City and meet up with the Junior Commander. All of Liao's elite troops are currently in Jizhou City. If you want to live, pack your valuables immediately and head to Jizhou today."

(End of this chapter)