You have truly caused me great suffering!

Under the Jurchen banners, Yin Shuke loudly ordered the drums to be beaten, urging the Jurchen heavy infantry to advance and attack the city.

They didn't believe that the people in Yingzhou's fortified city would dare to come out and fight back.

Meng Nuan's face was ashen; he could see Liu Zhi stamping his feet and cursing on Jiazi Fort.

The Jurchen heavy infantry were unmatched since the uprising began.

The Jurchens didn't take Meng Nuan seriously at all. Many famous generals of the Liao Dynasty, such as Yelü Dashi and Xiao Gan, could only flee in defeat when faced with Jurchen armored soldiers.

Everyone around Meng Nuan turned their attention to her.

Everyone seemed to be waiting for Meng Nuan to speak.

Should we say "surrender" or "kill"?
It all depends on his decision!
The Dingnan Army launched a swift and decisive attack, brazenly confronting the invincible Jurchens. The outcome of this first phase of the battle rested entirely on Meng Nuan's decision.

In the distant grass, Yue Fei's eyes also turned red, half of his face was wrinkled, his teeth were clenched, and his face was so distorted that one eye appeared larger than the other.

He clenched his fist and forced out a few words through gritted teeth: "Select the vanguard! Select the vanguard, attack!"

Judging from his appearance, if he were in Yingzhou City, he would have volunteered for battle long ago.

"These Liao dogs have long lost their courage. They tremble at the sight of the Jurchens. How could they dare to attack?" Xu Qing cursed under his breath.

At the beginning of their uprising, the Jurchens had very few troops, and the Liao people did not take them seriously at all, intending to concentrate their forces and take them down in one fell swoop.

Therefore, the Liao Dynasty repeatedly mobilized large armies to fight the Jurchen army in open battle, hoping to defeat them with superior numbers, but was repeatedly defeated and crushed.

After their main force was wiped out and the Liao emperor Yelü Yanxi fled far away, the entire Liao state was terrified. When the Jurchen cavalry attacked, they either surrendered at the mere sight of them or fled in panic.

They didn't fight any significant defensive battles to hold the city at all.

In particular, the Jurchen western army advanced westward, launching attacks and sweeping campaigns.

Until the location of the Liao people's Daotaling Commandery, the route was either through desolate deserts or remote grasslands.

They had virtually no fortified cities or strongholds, and their experience in siege warfare was far inferior to their field combat skills.

Otherwise, Meng Nuan wouldn't have been able to hold on for so long.

This time, Yin Shuke and Wanyan Xiyin clearly made a command error. They didn't dare to commit heavy troops when the opportunity arose, and only thought about sending the prisoners to their deaths in vain.

What use are two small teams of Puliyan!
Ultimately, they cherished their own Jurchen main corps too much.

Before the Jiazi Fortress, smoke and flames soared into the sky, and the city walls unleashed every means at their disposal.

The heavily armored infantrymen had already rushed to the trench; one more step and they would reach the fortress wall.

Meanwhile, the Jurchen light cavalry on both flanks could also dismount and attack the city.

They are still using powerful bows and crossbows to suppress the city walls.

Thanks to the fierce fighting of the Jurchen warriors, Jiazi Fortress was on the verge of collapse.

After the oil that fueled the fire was poured on, the smoke and flames filled the air, and the faces of the defenders were all blackened by the smoke. They leaned against the battlements and gasped for breath.

At this moment, the only gate in Yingzhou Fortress that could be opened creaked open.

All eyes turned to Meng Nuan, who charged ahead with a roar, heading straight for Jiazi Fortress to provide support.

On the Jiazi Fortress, Liu Zhi spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva.

Just now, a Jurchen soldier who had climbed the city wall first swung a heavy iron hammer at him, which he managed to block with his shield.

But no one knew what these Jurchen Tartars ate to grow up, their strength was strangely great, and the shock caused Liu Zhi's clenched teeth to bleed.

During the battle, he felt nothing at all. But after the Jurchen Tartars retreated, Liu Zhicai felt pain all over his body.

But he still leaned against the city wall and burst into laughter.

Yingzhou Fortress has finally dispatched reinforcements!
The four men, including Yue Fei, who were hiding in the grass, also stared wide-eyed in tension.

Warhorses trampled over the ground, leaving flesh and blood like mud. The people from Yingzhou headed straight for Jiazi Fort.

Yinshu paid the price for his mistake; the Jurchen Tartars who had besieged the city were caught in a pincer attack.

If there is nowhere to retreat and one turns to face the enemy, one will be attacked from the city walls.

He could only muster his last breath and climb up the city wall.

The crossbow bolts struck again, and they were essentially racing against death; a slight delay would mean certain death.

Exclamations arose from the Jurchen Tartar ranks, and some couldn't resist getting closer. Yingzhou City and the two fortified villages began firing in unison.

"Where did all these crossbow bolts come from!" Wanyan Xiyin, no longer caring about his fight with Yin Shuke, cursed loudly.

Dozens of Jurchen Tartars who attacked the city were either shot or surrounded and killed by the troops that came out of Yingzhou.

On Fort A, cheers erupted like thunder. The commander of the garrison on Fort B, his face flushed with excitement, jumped up and down, ordering, "Shoot with all your might! Shoot these inexhaustible Jurchen Tartars to death!"

Looking at the corpses of the dead Jurchen Tartars below Jiazi Fortress, Meng Nuan suddenly burst into laughter on horseback.

With a whoosh, an arrow shot out. Meng Nuan hurriedly dodged but was hit in the shoulder.

His men quickly dismounted and helped him into the Jiazibao fortress.

Yin Shuke's face turned ashen. He put away his bow and arrows and ordered the remaining prisoners to continue attacking the city.

Suddenly, Yue Fei, who was lying in the grass, raised his head alertly and looked behind him.

At this moment, a cavalryman approached Yin Shuke and started talking to him in a string of words.

Having just lost dozens of his tribesmen, Yin Shuke gazed intently into the distance and ordered a full retreat.

On the wall of Jiazibao Fortress, Meng Nuan, who had removed her armor and was being bandaged by someone sitting under the low wall, suddenly stood up.

In the distance, a large troop of cavalry was densely packed and heading this way.

People were on tenterhooks.

What kind of army is this?
Which side is it?

If the main force of the Jurchen western army arrives, then the people of Yingzhou can prepare to surrender the city or commit suicide.

Zhu Lingling was in her forties, the prime of her life, and she was able to ride at the very front during the long-distance raid.

He reined in his horse and looked down, only to see corpses strewn all over the ground.

These people had long been organized by Chen Shao and had carefully studied the fighting methods of the Jurchen Tartars.

At first glance, it was clear that the dead were all local residents.

Zhu Lingling didn't feel anything special about the plight of the people in Liaodong; she just looked towards the city and its outposts.

"Who controls Yingzhou?!"

"It's Meng Nuan, Meng Nuan's flag!"

Zhu Lingling pulled on the reins and burst into laughter.

"Okay! Well done!"

Zhu Lingling pointed to the banners of Wanyan Xiyin and Yin Shuke and said, "Look at that dark mass ahead, that's the Jurchen Tartars who have been driven back. Hengshan lads, listen to my command, follow me and wipe them out completely!"

The soldiers from Yinzhou followed Old Zhu down from the high ground.

Wanyan Xiyin and Yin Shuke had already received the report from the scouts and were already some distance away from Yingzhou.

At the foot of Jiazi Fortress, Cui Dachuan, who was slumped in a corner of the fortress wall, had blood trickling down his eyebrows. He slowly opened his eyes, and the world around him turned blood red.

He seemed to see a group of heavenly soldiers, their armor gleaming, descending from the sky.

Finally, even Heaven couldn't stand it anymore, and heavenly soldiers and generals came to punish these Jurchen evil spirits.

He truly regretted not listening to Meng Nuan and entering Yingzhou Village.

It's hard to leave one's homeland, it's hard to leave one's homeland. All the clansmen are dead, and the place where our ancestors are buried will soon become someone else's homeland.

Thinking of this, Cui Dachuan sighed and slowly closed his eyes.

The military robes and jackets worn by the soldiers of Yinzhou were all designed by Li Shishi herself, with many blacksmiths and tailors working together to create a garment that was both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

As they rode off to chase the Jurchen Tartars, shouts of alarm rang out from the city walls.

The fact that someone dared to pursue the Jurchens in open battle was beyond their comprehension.

The Liao people were terrified; this was not just an empty phrase. Wanyan Aguda's ruthless tactics instilled a fear of the Jurchens in the Khitans.

However, the soldiers of Yinzhou did not tolerate them.

Zhu Lingling had 15,000 elite soldiers under her command. Although they had traveled a long distance, their fighting spirit was high.

Yin Shuke immediately ordered the auxiliary troops to cover the rear, and the Jurchen soldiers fought and retreated. As for the prisoners, they didn't care at all.

The auxiliary troops were no match for the Yinzhou soldiers, but after a brief battle, Zhu Lingling feared that the Jurchen army might be lying in ambush behind them.

Having just arrived, he dared not pursue the matter too far. By this time, he had already amassed a considerable haul, and crucially, he had managed to hold Yingzhou.

This is the greatest victory.

Most of the Yinzhou troops moved into Yingzhou's capital for rest and recuperation, while some were responsible for incorporating the captured Jin Dynasty servants and auxiliary troops.

Most of these were Liao people who surrendered without much psychological burden. The few who looked worried were those whose families were still in the hands of the Jurchen Tartars.

But that's how chaotic times are; an individual's fate is like a drifting catkin in the air, easily swayed by a gentle breeze.

Zhu Lingling, accompanied by her personal guards and still covered in blood, walked along shouting, "Which one is Meng Nuan? Where is Brother Meng Nuan?!"

Upon seeing Meng Nuan surrounded by a crowd, Lao Zhu was about to pat him on the shoulder, but seeing that he had a white cloth wrapped around his neck, he quickly withdrew his hand.

"Good, Brother Meng Nuan, you have defended Yingzhou, a great achievement! The military commander will arrive in Hedong soon, and he will surely reward you handsomely!"

Because these people in Yingzhou Prefecture defended the village and the city, they made a great contribution to the area.

Therefore, the soldiers of the Yinzhou faction treated them all with great courtesy.

Meng Nuan hadn't felt this kind of atmosphere in a long time.

After spending less than half a day with Zhu Lingling, he was certain that he had made the right choice.

He had joined a powerful and influential interest group.

I'm just waiting to see the General they've been talking about in person.

As long as the commander is not a problem, Meng Nuan is completely relieved.

Old Zhu was a man of action. As soon as he arrived in Yingzhou, he began to reorganize the city's defenses, especially the nearby fortresses.

With a large army pouring in, the most pressing need is undoubtedly for provisions and supplies, and these are things he also has to worry about.

He knew exactly how much resources Yinzhou had; it could hold out for about six months, and the rest would depend on the general.

Although the army conquered half of Shuozhou, Dongshengzhou, and Yingzhou, these places were all barren lands that had been repeatedly exploited by the Jurchen Tartars and local powerful families.

Hoping to be self-reliant is a pipe dream.

Another important task is to reassure the local people, ideally by gathering them together and helping them resume production as soon as possible.

The military camps need to be expanded, the government offices need to be renovated, and the treasury needs to be maintained—everything needs to be built quickly!
He needed manpower, which could be considered a form of work relief, a common tactic used by the Dingnan Army.

The Dingnan Army and the Jurchen Tartars, two of the strongest and most powerful forces of their time, had completely different attitudes toward the population.

The Jurchens wished they could kill all other ethnic groups. Every time they conquered a place, they would carry out massacres to strengthen their authoritarian rule.

The Dingnan Army, on the other hand, wanted to make use of everyone. Zhu Lingling was even more adept at this than Chen Shao, and he managed to integrate countless tribes in Hengshan and numerous ethnic groups in Yinzhou in a short period of time.

Such remarkable achievements were accomplished quietly and without fanfare, without any major incidents or incidents. This is truly commendable.
-
Hedong, Taiyuan Prefecture.

Inside Wang Bing's tent, as he watched the returning young general Yue Fei describe the Battle of Yingzhou, Wang Bing's expression remained tense.

The light cavalry of Yinzhou were surprisingly fierce; they had occupied several states within the Yunnei region and were blocking their way.

While it did give him a much-needed respite, at least he no longer had to face the threat of the Jurchen Tartars.

However, he was aware of the actions of the Yinzhou soldiers.

They are occupying the state capital and have even sent civil officials from the Dingnan Army.

What does it mean?
The imperial court had always been wary of Chen Shao, who had occupied the former territory of Western Xia, since his territory was naturally suited for separatist rule.

Now that he has seized these key border passes, the Dingnan Army can attack the Central Plains from two directions simultaneously.

What could the Song Dynasty use to resist?

In his eyes, the Jurchens were an immediate threat, while Chen Shao was a long-term concern.

"Grand Commandant?"

Yue Fei noticed that he was distracted and reminded him, "Shouldn't we also go to Hebei to help in the battle?"

With the east bank of the Yellow River now safe, Hebei became the main battlefield.

Because the Dingnan Army and the Jin Dynasty's western army were in a stalemate, based on their current battle record, the Jurchen Tartars did not have much of a chance to break through the Dingnan Army's defensive line.

Especially Yingzhou.

However, Hebei is different. Once Wanyan Zongwang's eastern army arrives, Hebei will be completely outmatched.

Especially after the Zhang Jue incident, the original Liao officials and Han powerful families in Yanshan Prefecture had completely lost their loyalty to the Song Dynasty.

If a real fight breaks out, it's hard to say whose side they'll take.

Wang Bing sighed and said, "Pengju, do you think we can stop the Jurchen Tartars if we go to Hebei?"

Yue Fei thought for a moment and said, "It will be difficult, but we must go!"

Wang Bing actually wanted to train a new army in Hedong, one that could fight.

Then we will fight the Tartars.

But he didn't have time.

Moreover, the imperial court did not allocate any funds to him. Although Wang Bing held a high official position and seemed to have even greater authority, it was completely useless.

The Huanqing Army was still in short supply of food and pay, not to mention the new army.

"Grand Commandant, a commoner from Hebei"

Wang Bing grew annoyed and waved his hand, saying, "I understand, say no more!"

He himself was the top general in Hebei and Hedong, while Yue Fei in front of him was just a minor military officer.

He certainly had more to consider than him, things that a military officer of his rank couldn't possibly understand.

Going to Hebei sounds easy, but what happens after you get there?
If we are easily defeated, just like the last time we attacked Liao, it would be better not to go at all.

Moreover, the Dingnan Army protected the north, so was Hedong truly safe? The areas they occupied were all mountainous regions with continuous mountains and treacherous roads.

It served as a bulwark in the north, but its output was extremely low. Apart from Yingzhou, which was a fertile land for grain production due to the confluence of several rivers, it was a different story.

However, Yingzhou is a place of constant warfare, so whether it is easy to farm is still unknown.

Will they stop here?

Chen Shao mobilized such a large force to launch an attack from a thousand miles away. Was he trying to control his subordinates by relying on loyalty to the emperor and patriotism?
He'll definitely try to gain something from this; I just don't know how he'll do it.
Seeing that he remained silent, Yue Fei became even more enraged. He unsheathed his weapon and said, "Grand Commandant, please grant me permission to resign and return to my hometown to recruit local militia and protect the people of Hebei!"

Wang Bing felt a bitter taste in his mouth; this young general was just like himself back then.

Having never experienced the trials of the Song Dynasty's officialdom, he naively believed that he could achieve great things with just his courage and passion.

It's easier said than done!

When I, Wang Bing, was young, I repeatedly distinguished myself in battle, charging into the fray without ever fearing death. Yet, I was still frustrated and unfulfilled, as all my achievements were taken by others.

I was lucky to meet Tong Xuanshuai, who promoted me.

Outside Yingzhou City, Yue Fei witnessed firsthand how the Jurchens brutally treated the people they had captured.

The thought of his hometown suffering such calamity filled him with rage, and he had no intention of wasting words with Wang Bing.

Wang Bing, however, had a heart that loved talent. Yue Fei was not only young, but also had superhuman strength. He was the best in the army, whether on horseback or on foot, with a spear or a bow. Wang Bing wanted to train troops in Hedong, and Yue Fei was the general he wanted to carefully cultivate.

So Wang Bing patiently explained to him, "Pengju, the defenses in Hebei are in disarray, Yanshan Prefecture is incompetent, and the Pacification Commissioner Cai You is even worse. Do you know who Cai You is?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know. Today I bid farewell to the Grand Commandant, and I only hope that the Grand Commandant can grant my request!"

The generals in the tent, seeing his insolence, all rebuked him.

"Yue Fei! Who are you? If it weren't for the Grand Commandant's favor, you wouldn't even be able to enter this tent!"

Wang Bing was no pushover; his own status was already the highest among the military officials of the Song Dynasty.

Even Chen Shao, who held considerable military power, was two ranks lower than him.

Logically speaking, in the officialdom, this minor general Yue Fei would regard him as an insignificant figure.

Yet he was so arrogant and stubborn, and his words carried a hint of self-contempt.

Wang Bing lowered his head slightly and waved his hand forcefully, "Go! Go if you want!"

Yue Fei didn't hesitate and turned to leave.

The guards in the tent drew their weapons, ready to kill him, but Wang Bing angrily said, "I told you, let him go!"

Only then did everyone feel indignant and put away their weapons. In fact, the military discipline of the Song Dynasty had always been very poor.

Killings often occur in the military due to petty squabbles, and these incidents rarely result in any effective punishment.

It's a miracle Yue Fei survived today, given his daring and unceremonious attitude towards Wang Bing. He's fortunate to have met a man of great character who values ​​talent.

After leaving the main tent, filled with resentment, he gathered several fellow villagers and together they left the Hedong camp to join the army in Hebei.
-
Chen Shao was stationed outside Shizhou City.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree rushed over.

Chen Shao was practicing calligraphy in his tent at the time, and he was curious when he heard this.

After the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was ushered in, a group of people from the Inner Palace and the Imperial Guards who escorted them stepped forward to pay their respects.

These people were all Chen Shao's former subordinates, the men who supported the Japanese army in front of the palace. Even the eunuchs in the Inner Palace Department looked familiar to Chen Shao.

"Congratulations, Commander! You are now a regional military governor!"

"Haha, congratulations to you all."

Chen Shao greeted them without any airs and casually asked, "What is the imperial decree this time?"

The eunuch from the Inner Palace who was delivering the imperial edict immediately changed his demeanor and began reading it aloud:
I have received the mandate of Heaven and inherited the great foundation laid by my predecessors. I have been diligent day and night, thinking only of the security of our borders and the peace of our tribes.

Recently, the barbarian dust has invaded the borders, the Hebei region is not yet at peace, and the prefectures within the Yunhe River region have long been ravaged by bloodshed. My heart is always heavy with worry. Now, our garrison commander Chen Shao, wise, brave, and resolute, possessing profound knowledge of military strategy, personally donned armor and led his elite troops, braving the enemy's spears and arrows on the northern frontier. He first recaptured the fortified city of Shuozhou, and subsequently captured the important towns of Dongsheng and Yingzhou.

Wherever his troops advanced, enemy chieftains were beheaded, the remaining people were brought back to life, and the territory was expanded by hundreds of miles. His achievements were brilliant and outstanding, truly surpassing all other armies, and he was indeed a pillar of the nation!
Now, I hereby bestow upon you the titles of Xuanfeng Dafu, Longtuge Zhixueshi, and Xuanfu Shi of Yunzhong Prefecture, and you shall be in charge of military and territorial affairs of Yun, Shuo, Ying, and Dongsheng Prefectures, and shall be given the authority to manage military and political affairs, and concurrently manage the affairs of military farms, pacification, and finances in this region.

I hereby bestow upon you five hundred taels of silver, one hundred bolts of fine silk, one jade belt, five fine horses from the imperial stables, and one sable cloak. You are permitted to appoint your own officers and soldiers, and report back upon completion of your duties. You are also permitted to manage the transport of funds and provisions, except for those intended for the army.

He is also granted a banner and insignia, and is permitted to establish his own government and appoint officials, giving him sole control over the three passes. It is hoped that you will uphold your original aspirations, reorganize military affairs, pacify the region, and ensure that the enemy's ambitions to invade the south are thwarted, so that the border people may enjoy peace and prosperity.

After receiving the imperial decree, Chen Shao was stunned for a moment.

Following Yanshan Prefecture, the Song Dynasty established Yunzhong Prefecture, which was also newly conquered territory.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun were nominally recovered by the Song Dynasty in a very strange way.

The Song Dynasty court really played this trick skillfully.

They must have discussed it and realized they couldn't control themselves, so they simply admitted it.

In this way, sending officials to these prefectures would become legitimate and legal, and would be recognized by the imperial court.

Regardless of the order in which the imperial court certified the officials and Chen Shao dispatched them, the certification has been completed.

In this way, the Song Dynasty managed to save face.

It's not that our Great Song Dynasty lacks the ability to control military officials, but rather that the court has shown him leniency by granting him this power.

Chen Shao didn't care.

With this imperial edict and the position, his actions became even more legitimate.

The Song Dynasty is still the same Song Dynasty that is willing to give up and compromise on anything for the sake of superficial vanity.

You'll never know where the bottom line is until you give this wimp a good kick.

After Chen Shao transitioned from being a subject of the Song Dynasty to becoming a warlord who controlled a region, he achieved his goal.

He finally experienced the joy of being an opponent of the Song Dynasty.

How stifling it was to be a loyal subject of the Song Dynasty, how exhilarating it would be to switch roles.

There's a satisfying feeling of switching from the victim's perspective to the blond guy's.

After being appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Yunnei, Chen Shao still did not head north, but instead planned to go to Taiyuan first.
-
More than 200 li northeast of Yanmen Pass lies Yingzhou, the former seat of the Liao Dynasty's Western Capital Circuit Zhang Jiedushi, now nominally the Yunzhong Prefecture of the Great Song Dynasty.

The best of Liaoxi Jingdao was gathered in the Datong Prefecture Basin.

Yingzhou is located at the southern end of the Datong Prefecture Basin, with steep mountains and difficult roads.

Mount Woyang, located within Yingzhou, is a towering mountain with an altitude of 2,300 to 2,400 meters. Unless one has wings, no one can easily get around it.

Yingzhou is high in the middle, and the terrain is relatively flat to the south and north.

Without exception, these terrains are almost all strategic passes that are contested by military strategists.

By controlling this location, one can exert influence in the surrounding area, enabling both offense and defense, and firmly grasp the initiative.

After Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, the Liao people established a military governor's office there. Even if the Song army suddenly wanted to start a war and wanted to recover the prefectures in the Yunnei region and directly attack Xijing Datong Prefecture, Yingzhou, this strategic pass, would be extremely difficult to cross.

Therefore, Meng Nuan's arrival and Chen Shao's recapture of Yingzhou were of great significance.

This time was different from later generations. A thousand years later, Yingzhou was a place with sparse vegetation and little grain production.

However, at this time, Yingzhou was a medium-sized granary in Xijing Road.

The reason is simple: Yingzhou has abundant water resources.

The Sanggan River and Hunyuan River both flow through it, and the vegetation has not been damaged.

Although there isn't much flat land, the fields in the river valleys are rare, high-yield farmlands in the north.

Moreover, animal husbandry is very developed here.

Before the Liao dynasty was destroyed, the Shuowu prefectures, which faced the Song dynasty directly, all relied on Yingzhou for grain.

Outside Yingzhou City, Zhu Lingling personally directed the burning and burying of corpses on the battlefield.

Summer weather was about to turn hot, which was the time when the plague broke out.

He looked at the corpse of a Jurchen Tartar below the city and waved his hand to signal his men not to drag the body away yet.

Although the Jurchen Tartar's chest was protected by a breastplate, it was still cleaved open by this axe, leaving a large wound.

Internal organs and foul blood gushed out, and at this point, they began to smell faintly.

"What weapon did this cut with?" Old Zhu asked curiously.

Meng Nuan smiled and said, "This was cut by a long-handled giant axe, which is the standard Song Dynasty weapon. It is also used by Liao soldiers."

"How did you know?"

Meng Nuan smiled and said, "Reporting to the general, this is what I chopped."

The armored soldiers of the Song Dynasty, wielding axes, on the battlefields of the Southern Song and Jin dynasties in real history. They marched forward in formation, brandishing their axes, much like the Mo Dao (陌刀) troops of the Tang Dynasty—a force capable of rivaling the heavy cavalry of the Jurchen Jin!
Zhu Lingling was very interested and said, "Write a military report about this and send it to the military commander. Say that I propose to form a heavily armored infantry unit armed with axes."

The most difficult thing in dealing with the Jurchen Tartars was breaking through their armor.

In fact, the one who was most effective against the Jurchen heavy infantry was Dong Dahu, the personal guard of the military commander.

He used blunt weapons in battle, rendering even the thickest armor useless.

Unfortunately, not everyone has that strength.

Meng Nuan watched as the messenger promptly took out paper and pen to record the message, then dried it, stuffed it into a bamboo tube, mounted his horse, and rode away.

From the moment Zhu gave the order to the moment the messenger left, only a short time had passed.

He secretly reminded himself that this was a team that valued execution ability, and he must not show the lazy habits of the Liao people.

"Meng Nuan, you know Li Xiaozhong, right?"

Meng Nuan nodded quickly. It was because of Li Xiaozhong that he was determined to join the Dingnan Army.

He was a very charismatic person; back then, he dared to follow the mission to Datong.

Meng Nuan later learned that he held a very high position in the Dingnan Army.

"He's coming soon."

"Coming to Yingzhou?" Meng Nuan was a little surprised, as there were already enough troops here.

Is Li Xiaozhong here to replace Zhu Lingling? That would be acceptable.

"He also brought 50,000 troops from Xia Prefecture. Hey! The Xia Prefecture soldiers have always been very arrogant. We mustn't let them outdo us this time."

After Zhu Lingling finished speaking, she waved her hand to signal her men to carry away the Jurchen Tartar corpses.

"They're sending reinforcements?" Meng Nuan thought for a moment and then realized, "They... no, it's us! We're going to attack Datong!"

What a grand gesture!
However, Meng Nuan was not optimistic about this battle. Datong was different from Shuozhou. It had high walls and deep moats, and was also home to a large Jurchen army.

Since the thirteenth year of the Chongxi reign of the Liao Dynasty (1044 AD), when the Liao Dynasty elevated Yunzhou to Xijing Datong Prefecture, it has been the most important city in the western part of the entire empire.

If they really take Datong Prefecture, Wanyan Zonghan, the commander of the western army, should be executed.

Zhu Lingling looked at the endless thick smoke in the distance, which was all caused by the burning of corpses.

The blood in the ditch cannot be washed away in a short time.

Having fought against the Tanguts in Hengshan for so long, Zhu Lingling knew he had seen some ruthless people; the Tanguts were known for their massacres of entire cities.

But compared to the Jurchen Tartars, the Tanguts were practically living saints.
He chuckled to himself, thinking that this method would temporarily subdue people's hearts, instill fear in them, and prevent them from resisting.

If one acts in this way, one can only continue to win; otherwise, a single major defeat will bring back the consequences.

In comparison, our own group is much more reliable. We've united people, forged bonds, and are all in this together. Even if we fail a thousand times, as long as we don't lose our base, we can always go back, rebuild, and rise again!

Moreover, since the Jurchen Tartars had wiped out the Liaodong region, it was much easier to bestow rewards upon them.

Looking around, there was no one else to be in the way; there was no need to fight for it.
As the seasons change, the roads become drier and harder.

The Jurchen troops were being moved around more and more frequently.

Having weathered the frost-covered period, they were finally able to let their horses gallop freely.

In the valley of Niulanshan, a group of people were traveling north at a leisurely pace.

At this time, summer is in full swing in the north. Although the mountains in Hebei are dark and the forests are sparse, the river valleys are covered with wild grass and dotted with wildflowers. The river water splashes like scattered jade. If you just want to appreciate the scenery, it is truly a unique sight.

Along both sides of the valley, there are villages and settlements everywhere. It is the peak time for working in the fields, and farmers can be seen everywhere, diligently tending to their crops.

These farmers, working in the fields, kept looking north, as if they were worried about something.

Outside Gubeikou, a large Jurchen army was gathering and preparing to attack the pass!
The Yanshan Prefecture, together with Hebei and Hedong, formed what was once the most alluring land in the north.

Many heroes have achieved their dominance through this.

From the late Tang Dynasty to the early Song Dynasty, it was a constant battlefield, never a time of peace.

Many powerful warlords fought here, and several emperors of the Five Dynasties rose to power here.

After Zhao Da donned the imperial robes and established the Song Dynasty, he fought a protracted war with the Later Han in Hedong for over a decade, leaving Hedong almost entirely devastated. His protracted battles with the Liao in Hebei lasted even longer.

After the Battle of Chanyuan, the flames of war on the border gradually died down, and the densely packed military fortresses and passes that had been set up along the border between Yanshan Prefecture and Hebei Province were mostly abandoned.

After Wang Anzhong was demoted, Tong Guan, who was reinstated as commander, fled again.

Today, Yanshan Prefecture is practically a leaderless place.

As a result, Guo Yaoshi seized most of the power. This man was not honest to begin with, and everyone said that he had the idea of ​​establishing his own independent regime in Yan.

Since Ma Kuo arrived, the situation has changed considerably. Yang Keshi of Shengjie Army has also become a force that restrains Guo Yaoshi.

At this time, within the Song Dynasty court, Zhao Ji gritted his teeth and insisted on defending Yanshan Prefecture no matter what.

As a result, the Song Dynasty provided a continuous stream of supplies, which helped to gather an exceptionally large number of displaced people from the Yan region.

Meanwhile, Guo Yaoshi, relying on the Yan region, amassed an army of 300,000, including his family and soldiers. Although most of them were old and weak, the number of combat soldiers was at least 50,000 to 60,000.

This was the result of the Song Dynasty deliberately restricting the flow of goods into the devastated Yan region and constantly trying to win over Guo Yaoshi's troops to Hebei.

Guo Yaoshi finally amassed tens of thousands of troops, which made him extremely arrogant. Most of these people were Han Chinese from Yan, former Liao people. Because of the previous massacre of Yanjing by the Song army and the subsequent Zhang Jue incident, they had no sense of belonging to the Song Dynasty, and most of them even harbored deep hatred for the Song.

Therefore, Guo Yaoshi gathered a large number of men. In addition to the strong Han Chinese from Yan who were mostly employed by him, there were also many remnants of the Khitan, including the former Khitan elite Yuanlanzi, who all came to Guo Yaoshi's command to seek a full meal.

At this time, Yanshan Prefecture was in a very unique period of time. The Liao people's rule in Yan had collapsed, and the Song Dynasty's rule had not yet been established due to its own series of questionable actions.

Nine out of ten civil officials sent by the Song Dynasty ran away, so the Song Dynasty's true territory was limited to a part of Tanzhou and Yanjing Prefecture, while also protecting some canal routes.

The remaining blank areas could only be filled by the local powerful families in the Yan region.

Taking advantage of the chaos, they seized a large amount of farmland and pasture, and also tried their best to recruit refugees to cultivate the land. At one time, there were hundreds of powerful and influential families in Yan.

In other dynasties, during a time when many heroes rose up, such a lively scene would have occurred.

At that time, these powerful figures will inevitably fight each other to determine the strongest in this land. The victor will then possess the Yan region and will inevitably harbor ambitions of conquering the world amidst the chaos.

For example, Dou Jiande, the King of Xia.

This time, however, the situation is quite special. Yanshan Prefecture is bordered by the Song Dynasty to the south and the Jurchens to the north. With these two major powers serving it, Yanshan can only barely survive.

South of Yanshan, north of Tanzhou.

In the darkness of night, seven or eight scouts from Tanzhou were chatting and laughing quietly around a campfire.

These seven or eight sentries, responsible for secretly patrolling the border, were private soldiers of powerful local families in Yan, and were tasked with guarding the area.

Although they are nominally under Yang Keshi's command, these local strongmen are all local tyrants and do not take the Ever Victorious Army and the Victorious Army seriously at all.

With a major battle imminent, these scouts were so careless as to gather for a barbecue.
Scouts are an indispensable part of an army.

Above the campfire, a piece of roasted meat, golden brown and sizzling with oil, is grilling.

There were also some naan breads lying haphazardly on the ground beside him.

The group of scouts who were camping were led by the youngest son of the local stronghold chief.

The Yan region has not been peaceful in recent years. Although he is the son of a powerful family, he does not have the appearance of a spoiled brat.

On the contrary, he looked weathered despite his young age, with a deep scar on his cheek, making it impossible to guess his age.

"Something feels off!" Zhang Zezheng said suddenly while eating.

Zhang Ze, the youngest son of the Zhang family, was an excellent hunter from a young age.

He could always sense wild animals approaching while hunting.

"Don't be afraid, Zhang Sanlang. I heard that a ruthless man has emerged in the Northwest who has taken back all the Liao territory occupied by the Jurchen Tartars. The Tartars have behaved themselves this time and dare not make any trouble on the other side of the mountain."

"I hope I'm mistaken," Zhang Ze thought to himself. He had long heard of Chen Shao, the man who had ambushed the Jurchen Tartars in Yunmei.

I was filled with admiration; there really was someone who could stop those damned barbarians!
Suddenly, Zhang Ze shouted and jumped up. He clearly heard several sharp gusts of wind in the night sky.

Someone was definitely trying to kill his group. Zhang Ze twisted his body and dodged a sharp-pointed light arrow.

One of his scouts had been shot in the chest with an arrow, let out a muffled groan, and fell backward.

His foot kicked into the fire, sparks flew everywhere, and the tea spilled.

Immediately afterwards, another series of bowstring twanged, and countless arrows shot out from the darkness.

Those young men who had sprung up alongside Zhang Ze were all struck by arrows.

Only Zhang Ze, who was the most skilled, rolled on the spot, touched the long sword he had placed aside, and looked up. Sure enough, his intuition was right!

The mountains and plains are now overrun with Tartars!
They crept up at us without us noticing, bending over like hunters, slowly approaching.

The Tartar army is here! They've still marched south, even though they already have a powerful enemy to the west, they still intend to attack the Yan region of Hebei!
Zhang Ze gritted his teeth, filled with regret, realizing he shouldn't have been so careless.

He was prepared to fight to the death here; with so many Tartars, escaping was unrealistic.

Die! For my carelessness, I shall die here today. It is a pity I cannot go back to report the news!
Zhang Ze couldn't imagine how Tanzhou would stop these Tartars when they attacked the city!

"Come on!"

Many of his companions, who had been shot by arrows, were roaring in anger.

Zhang Ze didn't want to abandon his men, but he also knew he couldn't save them today.

Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to take the risk and see if we can get a chance to go back and deliver the message!

He roared, flipped himself up, and ran away without looking back.

Their escape route must have been cut off long ago. Their only chance at this point might be to sneak into the dense forest nearby, where horses couldn't run away and where there was still a glimmer of hope.

Zhang Ze kicked off suddenly, fell to the ground, and then rolled away to escape into the dense forest.

He had played here since he was a child and was familiar with every ancient tree; this saved his life.

The dense forest blocked the Jurchen Tartars' arrows and prevented them from pursuing on horseback.

The Jurchen Tartars cursed a few times at the dense forest, then quickly gathered together.

As if venting their anger, they raised their knives and chopped at the remaining men.

The few who remained were hacked to pieces, almost turning into gruesome piles of minced meat.

Above the valley, a Jurchen general, his face expressionless, watched everything before him with indifference.

He let one of his scouts go, but he didn't think much of it.

The Jurchens implicitly acknowledged that the Song army knew they would march south.

The challenge has already been submitted; do you think the Jurchens would back down?
Behind him, in the darkness of the mountain paths of Yanshan, countless Jurchen troops were surging forward like wolves!
The Jin Dynasty's eastern army finally moved, pouring in from the Yanshan Mountains and attacking from Pinglu.

There were no dangerous terrains in Yan that could stop their advance.

Even the cities in Yan territory were not taken seriously by the Jurchen Eastern Route Army, because they had already captured them once.

The Hebei battlefield was too far away, and there was no chance of Chen Shao's divine intervention; they could only rely on their own luck. (End of Chapter)