Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 749 After the Nest Was Overturned, Everyone Went Their Own Way
Liu Huai once said something that circulated widely among the Shandong rebels.

Being allies with the Song army is more dangerous than being enemies with them.

Because you have no idea when the Song army will betray you for some strange and inexplicable reason.

Moreover, this kind of selling is all-encompassing, and may come from the highest levels of the Zhao Song court, from a certain commander or governor, or even from comrades-in-arms who were just calling each other brothers.

The political environment within the Song army was so treacherous that even when they were besieged on two small hills only three miles apart, Li Heng and Liu Bao still developed a chain of suspicion.

Of course, Li Heng was still quite reliable, after all, he led troops personally trained by Liu Qi, and the generals cooperated well with each other.

But Liu Bao was different. He rose through the ranks under Zhang Jun and inherited all the bad habits of the Western Army. Betraying teammates and harming neighbors were commonplace practices for him.

Therefore, after receiving Deng Jiu's report, Liu Bao instinctively believed that Li Heng was about to sell him out!
Enraged, Liu Bao could only swear that he would teach Li Heng a lesson after the battle, so that the scoundrel would know that he, Grand Commandant Liu, was not someone to be trifled with.

However, at this moment, Liu Bao had no other choice but to fight back against the Jin army's sword.

It must be said that Liu Bao's ability to rise to become Zhang Jun's chief general, and to remain the deputy commander of the Huaidong army even after making a disgraceful blunder and committing such a serious political mistake, shows that he must have some skill.

With Liu Bao personally leading his guards in a desperate struggle, the Song army finally withstood the Jin army's pincer attack from above and below, dragging the time into the night.

The Jin army did not hesitate at all and immediately began fighting under the cover of night, seemingly determined to wipe out the Song army that very night.

Li Heng looked up at the sky, calculating the time, and only after the crescent moon was high in the sky and obscured by dark clouds did he give the order to launch a full-scale attack as agreed.

The main force of the Song army then rushed out of the camp and launched a fierce attack on Jia Gu Qingchen, who was blocking the entrance of the camp.

Upon seeing this, Jia Gu Qingchen immediately ordered torches to be lit and the pyre to be set ablaze. Despite being at a significant disadvantage in terms of troop strength, he fearlessly engaged the Song army in a direct confrontation.

At the same time, the more than 15,000 Jin soldiers who had been resting and recuperating for half a day immediately mobilized, each holding a torch and forming a fiery dragon that swept towards the main force of the Song army.

As Li Heng had predicted, the battlefield unfolded smoothly, and the Song army quickly found itself at a disadvantage. Relying on its cavalry advantage, the Jin army launched a siege against the Song forces.

Heshi Lieliangbi rode his horse to Jia Gu Qingchen and said, "Qingchen, you've worked hard."

Jia Gu Qingchen, leading 5,000 troops, withstood the fierce attack of 15,000 Song soldiers for 25 minutes. He should have been exhausted, but he only looked somewhat relaxed and bewildered and said, "Lord Liangbi, is this all the Song army is capable of?"

Upon hearing this, Heshi Lieliangbi laughed out loud, but did not answer; he simply shook his head in response.

Since heading south, Jia Gu Qingchen has been suffering severe beatings from the Han army.

Liu Huai personally defeated him in a one-on-one duel, Zhang Baiyu led more than two hundred cavalrymen to rout him, and Guan Chongyan even led the Flying Tiger Army to give him a good beating in a head-on battle.

In these several major battles, Kiyotomi Kagaya almost always faced death, and his confidence was nearly shattered.

In this battle against the Song army, Jia Gu Qingchen was extremely cautious, but he never expected that the Song army's fighting strength was not as formidable as he had imagined. Not only did they almost kill him, they also failed to break through the Jin army's formation.

Is this the main force of the Song army?

Heshi Lieliangbi seemed to know what Jia Gu Qingchen was thinking, but instead of praising him, he said seriously, "Qingchen, you are a leader of the younger generation, so you should not be arrogant or discouraged. Your excessive fear of the Shandong bandits is not a good thing."

Moreover, not all the Shandong bandits are elite troops; it's just that those who come to fight you are also elite soldiers. Although you are slightly inferior to them, you are only slightly inferior.

Conversely, although the Song army is weak now, you should not assume that they are vulnerable just because of the chaos of the night; otherwise, you will be courting death!
A general should not be arrogant in victory or discouraged in defeat.

Jia Gu Qingchen bowed respectfully amidst the chaos of the battlefield, addressing the general as "Thank you for your guidance, Prime Minister Liangbi."

However, he did not continue to command the troops. Instead, in the dim light of the torches, he asked Heshi Lie Liangbi again: "According to what you said, Liangbi, the Song army's fighting strength is weak because of the night. If it were daytime, would the Song army be able to fight the Shandong bandits?"

Heshi Lieliangbi chuckled again, then sighed inexplicably, "Of course it won't work. That's why I've gone to great lengths to deal with the Shandong bandits. When the Han dynasty rises, the neighboring countries perish. Compared to the Song dynasty, which is content with its corner of the country, Liu Dalang of Shandong is the real threat. It's just that I'm always a step behind, which is why the Shandong bandits are now so powerful and difficult to control."

Jia Gu Qingchen looked at the Song army being swept aside by cavalry, remained silent for a moment, and then comforted He Shilie Liangbi, saying, "Lord Liangbi, now our army is united as one. As long as we defeat the Song state and negotiate peace with them, and then gather the troops of the whole country to attack the Shandong bandits from both sides, we will surely be able to kill Liu Dalang and restore the Jin dynasty from darkness to light."

He Shi Lie Liangbi concealed his expression in the darkness and said calmly, "Perhaps."

Jia Gu Qingchen fell silent, transforming back into the imposing general in the night wind, urging his troops to launch a frontal counterattack against the Song army.

"The fighting has started! The fighting has really started!" Deng Jiu grabbed Liu Bao from the watchtower, pointed to the torches spread out three miles away, and said excitedly, "General Li really kept his word! He personally led the army to attack the Jin bandits! General, let's take this opportunity to break through and reunite with General Li!"

Liu Bao wiped his face, then nodded: "Old Ninth, you're right. This may be our last chance. Listen to my war drums, watch my flags, the entire army retreats from the east gate of the camp!"

Deng Jiu was slightly taken aback: "Aren't we going to meet up with Steward Li?"

Liu Bao had already mounted his warhorse and ordered his guards to bring out flags and torches. He then waved his hand dismissively, saying, "You know we're going to meet up with General Li, don't you think the Jin bandits know that too? There must be an ambush at the south gate of the camp. Going out would be like walking into a trap. The proper course of action is to go east and then circle back." Deng Jiu was completely convinced, "General Li is right. Then let this humble general clear the way for you!"

Liu Bao then led several thousand remaining soldiers out of the east gate of the Shuangsuoshan camp, catching the Jin army off guard.

Pu Sanzhongyi had not expected Liu Bao to pull this stunt. In his view, the Song army, which was mainly composed of infantry, would inevitably stick together.

With so many Jin cavalry, marching alone was tantamount to suicide; every extra moment exposed to the main Jin cavalry force meant greater danger.

Therefore, Pu Sanzhongyi dispatched an elite force to extinguish the torches at the south gate and stand ready for battle.

However, Liu Bao's unconventional actions stunned Pu Sanzhongyi, who immediately dispatched two thousand cavalry to follow and attack. He then led the remaining organized cavalry to set up a trap in front of the main Song army force.

But who would have thought that Liu Bao led his army eastward and never looked back?

At this moment, Pu Sanzhongyi finally realized that Liu Bao was using 15,000 main Song troops as bait to exchange for the lives of his 4,000-plus soldiers.

That's fucking ruthless.

However, the darkness is indiscriminate; it not only severely disrupts the organization of the Song army, but also the Jin army.

Even with torches, the Jin army could not change its formation again and again, otherwise it would fall into chaos.

Pu Sanzhongyi naturally understood this principle as well. He simply let his two thousand soldiers pursue Liu Bao, and then led the main army to besiege Li Heng.

As they rode further and further away, Deng Jiu came to his senses. He stepped down from the vanguard and rode up to Liu Bao: "Steward, aren't we going to meet up with Steward Li?"

Liu Bao took off his helmet, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and shook his head: "Ninth Brother, there are still Jin bandits following us. How should we turn around? Let's continue to escape eastward first, and after we shake off the Jin bandits under the cover of night, we can go find Steward Li."

Deng Jiu remained silent for a moment in the flickering torchlight, and finally spoke with difficulty: "Uncle, I have followed you in battle for many years, and I am now over forty years old. Is there anything you cannot say to me?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bao did not respond immediately, but instead slightly shifted his gaze, as if trying to avoid it.

Deng Jiu finally realized, nodding as he said, "Uncle, do you want to flee east directly to Suzhou to take refuge, sell off General Li's more than 10,000 troops, and seek a chance for our survival? Is that right?!"

Liu Bao said helplessly, "Ninth Brother, since you know this principle, you should know that I am thinking of the whole army. Why do you expose me to my face and make me lose face?"

Deng Jiu simply sighed, then turned his horse and rode south.

Liu Bao quickly stepped forward and grabbed Deng Jiu's horse reins: "Old Jiu, where are you going?"

Deng Jiu pulled on the horse's reins: "After all, Chief Steward Li kept his word and personally led his troops to help Uncle. We should give them an explanation as well."

Liu Bao was extremely anxious: "Ninth Brother, to tell you the truth, our army has suffered a great defeat today."

"I know."

"No, you don't know, it's the Jin general Pusan ​​Zhongyi who has come in person! Why would he abandon Bianliang and come here personally?! It can only be that the troops on the Xiangfan Northern Expedition have been defeated!"
There are now 70,000 troops departing from Lianghuai. With so many Jin bandits here, Shao Hongyuan won't be able to handle this situation properly.

The Song Dynasty's three northern expeditionary forces—Guanxi, Xiangfan, and Lianghuai—have now suffered defeats in one and a half routes. What hope is there left for this northern expedition?! Since they've been defeated, it's time for everyone to look out for themselves. What use is going to Li Heng then?

Liu Bao's words were deeply heartfelt, as if he were practically laying his heart bare for Deng Jiu.

However, upon hearing this, Deng Jiu could only shake his head and smile bitterly: "Uncle, I have something to say that may not be pleasant to hear, but I still want to have a heart-to-heart talk with you."

Liu Bao said helplessly, "Then tell me, do you think I can stop you?"

Deng Jiu said solemnly, "The foundation of our profession as martial artists is to fight to the death on the battlefield. The Song Dynasty was able to achieve a great victory in Chaoxian because many martial artists fulfilled their duties."

Our army has suffered a major setback because everyone from Uncle down to myself has lost sight of our fundamental duty. Now we have lost our foundation, like trees without roots, easily toppled by a strong wind.

As he spoke, Deng Jiu snatched the horse reins from Liu Bao's hand: "Uncle, now Steward Li is doing his duty for the Great Song Dynasty, and I must also do my duty for you."

With that, Deng Jiu turned his horse and rode away, followed by several cavalrymen, leaving Liu Bao behind shouting, "Old Jiu! Come back! Get back here!"

However, the night was deep, the warhorses were galloping, and the battlefield was in chaos. Although it was only a short while, Deng Jiu could no longer be seen.
Liu Bao could only stare blankly in the direction Deng Jiu had left. Although it was summer, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and the entire night was like a giant maw that wanted to swallow him up.

He wanted to turn and fight, but that fighting spirit was quickly overtaken by the will to survive. After a moment's hesitation, he finally roared out the order: "Go! Go now!"

(End of this chapter)