Chapter 57: The Battle of Pingzhou (9)

  The ever-victorious army, with the momentum of heaven and earth, charged forward towards the Jin army that had been fighting fiercely for a night. Although the Jin army had been fighting for a long time, their morale was still quite high, but because they had entered the city gate, their formation was scattered, and often dozens of people acted together.

  The soldiers of the Invincible Army had long been gnashing their teeth in anger towards the Jin people on the road, and now that they saw the Jin people, they drew out their weapons and fought bravely, with 5,000 cavalrymen arriving first and surpassing the infantry. They charged at the scattered Jin troops, forming an arrow-shaped array like a sharp sword thrust into the disordered Jin formation, as if drawing a white path on black cloth. The Jin soldiers running ahead were thrown into chaos and fled in all directions, terrified and unable to defend themselves as they were trampled by horses, with the massive impact sending horses and men flying several meters away, emitting a cracking sound, clearly shattering their bones. Those soldiers who were trampled fell backwards, knocking down the soldiers behind them, killing them instantly. The cavalrymen who followed up showed no mercy to the fallen Jin troops, their hooves galloping wildly as the Jin bodies were trampled into pulp.

  The cavalry's impact gradually diminished, and the long spear in his hand pierced the Jin soldiers who blocked the way. The spearhead penetrated the body of the Jin people, and blood gushed out from the wound. A victorious army cavalryman's long spear was stuck in the corpse, but he didn't hesitate, decisively dropped the long spear, and used the steel knife in his hand to slash the Jin soldiers around him. At this time, although the Jin soldiers still had strong individual combat power, they were exhausted from fighting, and their morale was declining. Seeing the arrival of Song army reinforcements, the remaining brave soldiers could only resist for a while before being eliminated by the superior numbers of the Song army.

  At this time, the main force of the Jin army was in Taiyuan City. It was not easy to enter Taiyuan City, and naturally they would burn, kill, and loot. Every time they attacked a city, it was like this. The ones who came later had no chance of getting any spoils, so they had to take advantage of the situation before their own people arrived. Although the risk of death was greater for those who attacked the city first, similarly, if they captured the city, the earlier they entered the city, the more things they would get. Those who came late deserved to be left with nothing but the northwest wind.

  At this time, the Jin army had forgotten about military discipline, and they scattered in twos and threes, rushing into civilians' homes, burning, killing, looting, and plundering. The people's voices were filled with grievances, and ordinary citizens who could wield knives and guns fought back against the Jin army with all their might. However, the Jin army was powerful, and soon they brutally suppressed the resistance of the civilians in the city. Before long, thick smoke billowed up from many places in Taiyuan City, and the military and civilians of Taiyuan suffered heavy casualties, with corpses lying everywhere.

  Soon after, the soldiers of the Changsheng Army followed by the cavalry rushed into the somewhat chaotic Jin army. The fallen Jin soldiers had just narrowly escaped the cavalry's attack and had not yet caught their breath when they were met with the Song army's sharp blades. On one side were the Jin soldiers who were exhausted from a day and night of fierce battle, while on the other side were the well-rested Changsheng Army, skilled in combat. The Jin soldiers were completely suppressed by the Song army under extremely unfavorable circumstances.

  Clashing swords and knives produced a heavy metallic collision, the two armies clashed together, the cries of killing never-ending. Suddenly, a forbidden army general inserted his steel knife into the enemy's body with a loud cry, instantly blood gushed out before my eyes, dark red mist splashed everywhere. A steel spear suddenly pierced through the golden man's body, that golden man's eyes were filled with fear, his eyes full of hope for life, but the steel knife took away his possibility of survival, with a bewildered and unwilling gaze gradually dispersing, soon falling into darkness.

  The Changshengjun warrior was about to draw his sword, but he felt a sharp pain in his back. He knew he was wounded and it was too late to dodge now. With all his might, he swung his sword at the Jin soldier who was fighting with him nearby. Almost simultaneously, both of them were beheaded.

  The two armies had already killed each other with bloodshot eyes, either the enemy died or I perished. Without weapons, they used their hands to dig, lost their arms and couldn't hold knives, so they kicked with their legs, broke their legs and bit with their teeth. There was no pity in the eyes of the soldiers on both sides, only a faster way to put the opponent in front of them to death, and then go to help their own comrades. The cavalry of the Changsheng Army rushed out again, reassembled into a formation, and charged towards the Jin army's position. The neighing of war horses and the miserable cries and curses of the Jin soldiers were endless.

  Wang Bin and others took advantage of the Jin army's momentary distraction, bursting out with unprecedented bravery. From the side with fewer people, they suddenly broke through, and those Jin soldiers were beheaded more than a dozen without reaction. Wang Bin quickly left under the support of the crowd, and the Jin army wanted to come forward but was blocked by several wounded soldiers who voluntarily stayed behind. The Jin army rushed up and killed the Song army soldiers in front of them with chaotic knives, while Wang Bin and others had already withdrawn into the alley.

  Wanyan Zonghan was shocked by the sudden arrival of the Song Dynasty reinforcements, but as a seasoned general, he quickly calmed down and hastily told Prince Wanyan Zongyao beside him: "Prince Zongyao, we'd better retreat quickly. Our army is now in disarray and it's hard to organize an effective counterattack, which would be very unfavorable for us. I didn't expect these Song people to be so treacherous. They first used a stabilizing tactic, pretending to abandon Taiyuan City, but actually deploying a large army. When our Jurchen soldiers were exhausted from attacking the city, they suddenly launched a surprise attack. If we don't retreat quickly, there will be a danger of total annihilation."

  Wanyan Zongyao's face turned ugly, and he said in a deep voice: "What a clever trick of secretly crossing the river! General Wanyan has such a large army hiding on the side, but you didn't discover it. When we return, all scouts will be punished with being torn apart by five horses."

  Wanyan Zonghan bowed his fist on horseback and said, "Your Highness's teachings are correct, but I also have a great responsibility. Please return to the palace and report to the Emperor, and let him punish me." Wanyan Zongwang was quite smooth-talking, saying that he would report to the Emperor and then be punished, which actually meant telling Wanyan Zongyao that he was the main commander appointed by the Emperor himself, and you have no right to punish me. How could Wanyan Zongyao not hear the implicit meaning in Wanyan Zonghan's words?

  "You... are indeed worthy of being the Emperor's beloved general, I should have been more familiar with you earlier." Wanyan Zongyao said coldly.

  Wanyan Zonghan sneered inwardly, as long as he was around for a day, he wouldn't let this ignorant little brat become the emperor. But on the surface, he respectfully said: "Please, Your Highness, quickly retreat, I'll lead my troops to cover your rear."

  Wanyan Zongyao let out a cold snort, mounted his warhorse and gave the order: "The entire army will follow me in a swift breakthrough. Anyone who hesitates even slightly will be beheaded." Upon hearing the command, the Jin soldiers immediately dropped whatever they were plundering and those carrying women on their backs threw them to the ground, killing them with a single knife thrust.

  Wanyan Zonghan ordered one of his personal guards: "Go and pass on the order to Wanyan Hongcheng, telling him to have his troops bring up the rear. If anyone flees in fear of battle, they will be executed without pardon. Tell him that if he dares to lead a retreat, I will report it to the Emperor and have his entire clan exterminated. Let him weigh this for himself." Wanyan Zonghan sneered inwardly. This Wanyan Hongcheng was the eldest son of a large tribe, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and looked down on no one more than the treacherous Wanyan Zonghan. He was one of the few generals in the army who dared to challenge their commander.

  At this time, saying it was a rear guard and sending to death were not much different, but Wanyan Zonghan knew that if Wanyan Hongcheng did not listen to the order at this time and retreated privately, then on the day the Jin emperor received the news, it would be the day of their family's death. Wanyan Zongwang was 100% sure that Wanyan Hongcheng could not refuse this order. Wanyan Zongwang looked at the Song army charging from a distance, smiled faintly and said: "Let's just come back to fight again in the future." After finishing speaking, he rode on the war horse sent by his personal soldier and left.

  Wanyan Hongcheng was discussing with his subordinates how to meet the enemy, when Wanyan Zongwang's subordinate suddenly walked in and announced: "By order of the commander-in-chief, Wanyan Hongcheng will lead his troops to block the Song army reinforcements and cover the retreat of the main force. There must be no mistake."

  "Bastard, isn't this sending me to death? This reinforcement has at least 20,000 men, how can my 5,000 cavalry resist?" Wanyan Hongcheng roared in anger.

  "This is your business now. Oh, and the marshal also entrusted that if you can't hold on, your tribe will disappear with you in this world." The arrogant guard said.

  Wanyan Hongcheng was furious and rushed up to kill the imperial guard who delivered the order with one slash of his sword. The imperial guard did not expect Wanyan Hongcheng to actually carry out the killing.

  The officers around him came over and said: "General Wanyan, we should also retreat. What's the point of listening to Wanyan Zongwang's words?"

  Wanyan Hongcheng wiped the blood off his face and said calmly, "He is the commander-in-chief. If I retreat now, it would be desertion in the face of the enemy. Wanyan Zonghan was right. If we don't fight to the death, our tribe will be in danger of extinction. Follow me into battle." Wanyan Hongcheng led his troops towards the Invincible Army.