You have truly caused me great suffering!

The news of Wanyan Chang's death in battle caused a great shock within the Jin state.

Thus, Wanyan Yinshuke, the vanguard of the Western Route Army, and Wanyan Chang, the vanguard of the Eastern Route Army, were both killed.

This also illustrates the danger of this battle; those who lead the vanguard are prone to failure.

The entire Song Dynasty breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, even those troublemakers in Bianliang were afraid of the Tartars invading.

Zong Han of the Western Route Army became even more convinced of his idea that this place was no longer safe to stay.

They must join forces and break out of the encirclement as soon as possible.

The wind blows.

In the pitch-black night, clouds seemed to be piling up, and the faint sound of thunder could be heard.

Hebei, which has been dry for a long time, seems to be finally about to experience a downpour.

After the heavy rain, the water level of the Baigou River will inevitably rise.

Inside Zonghan's tent, Zonghan, who had taken the enemy seriously, regained the caution he had shown when he first raised his army.

Before engaging in battle, scouts are sent out to thoroughly explore the enemy camp.

Zong Han, who was originally quite robust, had become much more haggard. His cheekbones were high and prominent, and his eye sockets were deeply sunken.

He lost over twenty pounds, and his once-fitting robes and leather armor now hung loosely on his body.

However, Zonghan's eyes remained very sharp.

He patted Wanyan Loushi on the shoulder and said, "This time, leaving you to cover the rear is a little different from before."

Wanyan Loushi nodded, his expression showing little sorrow.

Having experienced countless battles, he knew all too well how dangerous it was to stay behind and cover the retreat.

It was a near-death experience.

Because Zonghan only gave him 5,000 Jurchen soldiers, and even took 30% of his own Jurchen troops with him.

Although there are still 50,000 auxiliary troops, their combat effectiveness is very low.

But he was tasked with holding onto the main force of the Dingnan Army.

Zonghan had made up his mind. Like a gecko shedding its tail, he retreated to Xiongzhou at all costs and joined forces with Zongwang near the Baigou River.

If we don't leave now, we'll miss our chance.

Deploying the Dingnan Army to fight a decisive battle was absolutely the worst decision I ever made in my life.

The reason for leaving behind such a small force is that, apart from the fact that troop deployment is really tight, it is also because of the limited manpower available.

In addition, Zonghan also felt that Wanyan Loushi was doomed, and he was unwilling to waste too many Jurchen soldiers.

After returning from this campaign, we will also have to deal with potential rebellions from various tribes, which will require our own warriors to suppress.

That night, under the cover of dark clouds and rain, Wanyan Zonghan officially withdrew from Ansu City.

The large contingent marched towards Xiongzhou.

On the very day Wanyan Zonghan fled, the Dingnan Army, as if they had eyes in their camp, immediately launched an offensive.

Moreover, the ferocity, disregard for casualties, and determination of this offensive far surpass those of the past!

Despite such a fierce offensive, Wanyan Loushi held on tenaciously, providing cover for Zonghan's army's eastward march.

At this moment, a torrential downpour began, making the attacking side more difficult and the defending side easier.

Wanyan Zonghan chose to flee tonight because he saw that a heavy rain was about to fall.

Although this would make marching more difficult, the torrential rain would affect both sides equally, and the Dingnan army would also find it difficult to pursue.

During this march, Wanyan Zonghan ordered that everything looted, except for food, be thrown away.

Anyone who keeps spoils of war on their person without authorization shall be executed!

The torrential rain also delayed Han Shizhong's plans, forcing him to take a temporary break and wait for the rain to pass before continuing to divide, encircle, and annihilate Zongwang's eastern army.

Heavy rainstorms hit Hebei as expected.

Based on past experience, this kind of heavy rain will last for a long time.

However, this year is different from previous years, so it might end soon.

In this anxious wait, Zonghan slowly approached Xiongzhou.

When the Eastern Route Army saw this extremely disheveled group of people, they could hardly believe that this was Zonghan and his Western Route Army.

Although the process was difficult and the losses were heavy, they finally managed to unite their forces.

In Zongwang's camp, Zongwang was sitting cross-legged on a folding chair, listening to his subordinates report on military affairs.

When Zong Han and the others came in, he simply raised his head but did not say anything.

The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, but neither of them expected that they would meet under these circumstances.
Both were unparalleled renowned commanders and generals, so it goes without saying that the two knew it was time to withdraw.

Strictly speaking, they should even be considered to be fleeing.

There was no hope of winning the war.

Continuing this stalemate will only increase casualties.

In order to withdraw, Zonghan essentially cut off his own arm by abandoning Wanyan Loushi, whom he relied on most.

Even so, withdrawing is not so simple for them.

We must select a few more fierce generals to cover the rear.

This defeat was comparable to Zhao Guangyi's disastrous defeat at the Baigou River. Even if they escaped back, the strength of the Jin Dynasty would be greatly weakened.

Moreover, there's no guarantee they'll be able to escape.

Even someone as strong as Zong Wang was somewhat disheartened at this moment. Although Zong Han did not receive any special treatment after entering, he was not upset.

He discovered that Zongwang's health was very poor.
This discovery surprised Zonghan, after all, Wanyan Zongwang was very young.

He is only in his thirties, the prime of his life, yet he is so weak.

Wanyan Zonghan concealed his thoughts well, and said in a deep voice, "Zongwang, from where do you plan to break through?"

Zongwang felt blood in his throat, but not wanting Zonghan to notice, he tapped the table with his knuckles.

As Zonghan approached, he looked at the place on the map that he had tapped, which was Tianjia Village.

This coincided with my own thoughts.

“Let Yelü Mawu guard Bazhou!” Wanyan Zongwang said.

Zonghan hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement, though he was slightly dissatisfied.

Although Yelü Mawu was a surrendered Khitan general, he had repeatedly made military achievements since submitting to us.

"If we send him to lead troops to garrison Bazhou, he will most likely guess our intentions. We need a great general to lull him into a false sense of security."

Zongwang nodded, knowing that it was probably impossible for Zonghan to send anyone else.

He hesitated for a moment and said, "I will let Pucha Wulie guard Bazhou with him. If necessary, I will kill him and take control of the Khitan army."

Pucha Wulie was Zongwang's confidant and was extremely brave.

Most importantly, his men are all cavalry, and they are excellent horsemen. Perhaps they can escape back then.

Of course, that depends on fate.
-
August.

Bianliang City.

The small courtyard of Wu Min's home.

The courtyard has a very elegant layout and is decorated in a charming way. Several flower beds are full of exotic flowers, and the rich fragrance attracts colorful butterflies to flutter around and linger.

The host, Wu Min, sat in the pavilion to cool off, his face grim. He never imagined that the usually timid Emperor would do something so serious.

He led his officials to Genyue and berated his father, the retired emperor.

This completely disrupted his plans, and now everyone knows that the Emperor and the Retired Emperor are irreconcilable enemies.

During this period, he had long since severed ties with Zhao Ji.

After the current emperor's shocking outburst, he himself was unharmed, but the position of the retired emperor Zhao Ji suddenly became awkward.

Thus, the previously restless Zhao Ji enjoyed a few days of peace. In any case, since he was hiding in Genyue, whether he lost face or not was up to the outside world to talk about.

Inside Genyue, everyone was very considerate of his feelings and never mentioned anything about what was happening outside.

At this moment, the steward announced that Tang Ke and others had come to visit.

Wu Min felt increasingly agitated. She didn't want to see them, but she couldn't refuse them at all.

He could only stand up, pat the wrinkles on his official robe, and say, "Please invite them in."

In the Song Dynasty court, there are no longer any pro-peace factions.

These officials were all dismissed by Zhao Huan because they advocated peace.

At this moment, he was filled with regret. Who would have thought that the Jurchen Tartars would advance so easily, invading the prefectures and cities of the Song Dynasty as if it were their own home?

After encountering the Dingnan Army, this imposing manner vanished.

The purpose of their visit was self-evident: to inquire about the situation on Emperor Huizong's side.

Is there still a chance?

They were unemployed at home and were extremely anxious, their symptoms were actually quite similar to those of Emperor Huizong of Song.

It's the restlessness and unease that comes after losing power.

Looking at the three faces, Wu Min secretly made a plan. She pretended to comfort them for a few words and then sent them out.
-
At Wei Li's residence.

Wei Li gently stirred the doucai covered bowl on the table, about to drink a cup of fragrant tea, and smiled at Wu Min who had just entered, "What brings you here, Master Wu?"

Wu Min chuckled and asked, "How has Mr. Wenxi been?"

"Thanks to Minister Wu."

After Wu Min sat down, she looked at Wei Li's appearance and was secretly surprised.

Why does this old man seem hostile towards me? I haven't offended him at all.

As the highest-ranking official in the Dingnan Army in Bianliang, at least in name only, Wei Li was always considered the Dingnan Army's agent in Bianliang.

Wu Min looked around, adopting a very cautious demeanor.

After confirming that no one was around, he whispered, "Mr. Wenxi, you may not know this, but I have secretly learned that the former Junior Chancellor, Grand Chancellor Tang Ke, Bai Shizhong, and others are secretly conspiring to cooperate with the Emperor Emeritus to seize power in the court."

Wei Li's contempt for this person reached its peak at this moment.

It was clearly you who orchestrated this; our Dingnan Army has already investigated it thoroughly.
Although the Song Dynasty also engaged in factional strife, most of the methods were carried out in the imperial court, where they exploited each other's weaknesses and attacked one another.

Their experience in struggle was not as rich as Chen Shao's.

After all, in the northwest, the Western Xia's First-Class Hall was constantly vying with the Shaanxi Pacification Commission of the Song Dynasty.

Both sides dispatched countless spies to infiltrate each other's cities, gathering information, spying, and carrying out assassinations.
The Dingnan Army, which later inherited the Western Xia's core forces, also had its own Guangyuan Hall, which sounded very much like a business, and indeed had an unparalleled caravan.

However, this was all just a disguise from the beginning. Guangyuantang was a secret service agency from its inception.

Watching Wu Min continue her performance, Wei Li forced himself to endure the discomfort in his chest and listened to her finish speaking.

"Lord Wu, I am already aware of this, and I will certainly report it to the Prince of Dai soon."

"That's good!" Wu Min chuckled. "Now that the Prince of Dai's fate rests on the shoulders of the entire nation, I'm truly afraid these despicable villains will ruin his grand plans!" (End of Chapter)