Chapter 56: The Battle of Pingzhou (8)

  The autumn wind blows across the land, giving people infinite reverie, but the quiet night is broken by the sound of killing. Wanyan Zonghan sees the city gate closing slowly in the distance, and his heart secretly hates that this Xin Xingzong will not become a great event after all, and he cannot even gain some time for the Jin army, but at this moment, the arrow is on the string and must be shot. Wanyan Zonghan immediately orders the attack on the city.

  The night was dark and vast, the Golden Army may not be good at night battles, but they could still charge to the foot of the city. The top of the cloud ladder collided with the top of the city wall, splashing dust and dirt everywhere. Each cloud ladder stood upright like a row of buildings, neat and tidy.

  Jin Bing propped up his shield and crouched down, charging fiercely towards the city gate. Wang Yun was quite helpless at this moment. Xin Xingzong had extinguished all the torches on the city gate earlier to send a signal for the Jin army to see, so it was pitch black now. Wang Yun led hundreds of people standing on the city gate waiting for the Jin army to rush up. Although Wang Yun couldn't see clearly how many Jin soldiers were rushing over, he saw that numerous ladders had been set up on the city gate, and the dense footsteps made him believe that the Jin army was coming in a mighty force, with no small number of people.

  Several Jin soldiers jumped in from the cloud ladder, and Song army warriors led by Wang Yun rushed up. The swords and swords collided with each other, splashing out fierce sparks and making a piercing sound that made people's teeth ache. The Imperial Army had been fighting for days, and with food not filling their bellies, the soldiers' physical strength was far from being as strong as the well-fed Jin soldiers. Soon, more than ten Jin soldiers stood firmly on the city wall.

  Only one Song soldier was cut by a knife, and his entire arm suddenly flew off, staring at the Jin soldiers in front of him with angry eyes. With all his strength, he rushed forward, hugging a Jin soldier and falling down from the city head. Other Song soldiers followed suit and rushed forward. Although some people were killed by the Jin soldiers' chaotic knives on their way to rush forward, they suddenly suppressed the Jin soldiers' morale for a while.

  Wang Feng just killed a Jin soldier, and suddenly felt a gust of wind behind him. Years of experience made Wang Feng dodge to the right, and the blade cut through his armor, only scratching his skin. Wang Feng roared and swung his steel knife at the Jin soldier behind him. The Jin soldier was not panicked, and easily dodged Wang Feng's attack with his agile movements. This person was the same Jin soldier who had escaped down the city wall that day, and several Jin soldiers stood beside him, protecting him. The Jin soldier looked at Wang Feng with a smile and said: "I respect you as a Han man, why not follow me to conquer the Song land together? When the time comes, you will be rich and honorable, rather than dying here in vain."

  "Damn you, I am a subject of the Song Dynasty and carry the king's order to guard this place. You are wolves with wild ambitions, occupying my land and harming my people. I'd love to eat your flesh and drink your blood. How can I sacrifice myself for you? No way."

  That man sneered, "It seems you don't know the times. What a pity, I'll send you on your way." He ordered the Golden Soldiers beside him, "No one is allowed to come forward and help, otherwise, I will exterminate your entire clan." The soldiers behind the Golden Man immediately retreated several steps, bowing their fists in respect, warily watching Wang Kun, if the person they were protecting was injured or killed, they would also die.

  As Jin Ren's words fell, the long sword in his hand cut through the air like a fish swimming in water, stabbing towards Wang Kun. Wang Kun didn't try to block it, instead using all his might to hack at Jin Ren with great force. Jin Ren wasn't foolish enough to exchange blows with Wang Kun, dodging and weaving to leave wound after wound on Wang Kun's body. Although they weren't fatal, as time went on, Wang Kun's movements became increasingly slow.

  Suddenly, Wang Kun dodged to the side, and the golden man's blade scraped past Wang Kun's cheek, leaving a trail of blood flowing down his face. A wound was left on Wang Kun's face, and the golden man sneered: "Almost, what a pity."

  Wang Jin was furious but also helpless, the golden man's movements were unpredictable and his attacks were ruthless. Even in his prime, he might not have been a match for him. Now, in this state, it seemed that today would be the day he died here. The golden soldiers surged forward, pushing the Song army into a corner, with the danger of being pushed off the city wall looming.

  At this moment, thousands of soldiers from afar rushed towards this direction, Wang Bing was overjoyed, these people were led by Zhang Xiaochun, with high morale.

  The Jin general furrowed his brow, wanting to kill Wang Jun first, but was blocked by several Song soldiers. The Jin general became enraged and killed two approaching Song soldiers with his sword. He then discovered that Wang Jun had already been escorted away by the Song soldiers. The Jin general secretly seethed with anger, having momentarily entertained the idea of playing cat and mouse with Wang Jun, only to let him escape. Now it was too late for regrets.

  Looking at the Song army rushing from afar, the Jurchen general hesitated for a moment, walked to the city wall, stepped on the cloud ladder, and the Jurchen soldiers who were about to climb the city immediately retreated respectfully. The Jurchen general supported the cloud ladder with one hand, and descended along the ladder. Wanyan Zonghan came forward respectfully and said: "Your Highness, every time you risk climbing the city wall, we are all worried. Please follow me to the central army to wait for the joyful news of breaking the city."

  "Wanyan General, it's not what I said to you. As a general, one should lead by example and take the lead in battle. Otherwise, how can the soldiers be encouraged to fight bravely?" Wanyan Zongyao said disdainfully.

  Wanyan Zongwang hastily clasped his fists and said: "The Crown Prince's teachings are correct."

  "Besides, the Song army is weak and timid. Seeing our great Jurchen soldiers, they all surrender at the mere sight of us. It's not often that we come across a commander with some backbone, so how can we let this opportunity slip by?" Wanyan Zongyao said with a smile, not wanting to lose face in front of Wanyan Zonghan.

  "That's natural, the Song army and our army are competing, just like a grain of rice and a bright moon competing in brilliance. Under the wise leadership of Your Majesty, our army will surely eliminate the Northern Song." said Wanyan Zonghan with a smile.

  "Also, please let General Wanyan supervise the army here. Later, I will lead the elite troops to attack the city personally." Wanyan Zongyao was full of confidence.

  The Jin army's attack became increasingly fierce, and the head of Taiyuan City changed hands several times. The soldiers of both armies had already killed each other with bloodshot eyes. The people of Taiyuan knew that once the city was broken, there would be no possibility of survival, especially the humiliating surrender, rather than a glorious death battle. The Jin army understood that if they did not make every effort, their own death would be small, and their own tribe's family would not escape punishment after their death. Every Jin soldier had been educated since childhood to fight bravely for the tribe, build merit, and both sides were fighting for survival, so they could only fight with all their might, and the blood burst forth, dyeing the city head red.

  The two armies fought from midnight till dawn, a red sun rose in the east with a halo of light, illuminating the earth, and fresh blood was especially striking under the sunlight.

  The Song army was struggling to hold on at this time, and had already reached the end of its strength. However, the Jin army's attack became increasingly fierce, and with their powerful fighting force, they quickly suppressed the exhausted Song army. For the first time, the number of Jin soldiers on the city wall exceeded that of the Song army, and the situation was extremely unfavorable for the Song army. The fall of Taiyuan City was only a matter of time.

  Wang Zei, after a simple bandaging, led the troops to rush to the south city wall again. The Jin army continued to reinforce, and the defenders of the north gate of Taiyuan City fought to the death, but the north city was still breached. The Jin army climbed up the city wall, killing all the defending Song soldiers and wounded soldiers, and then rushed into the city.

  King Wen led the crowd to rescue each gate, when a soldier covered in blood rushed over and tearfully said: "General Wang, the North City has been breached, please hurry to support."

  Wang Jin did not hesitate, and immediately led his troops to rush to the north of the city to provide support. Just as they were about to arrive, several wounded soldiers rushed over and urgently said: "General Wang, something big has gone wrong! Zhang Zhi-fu is badly injured and cannot break through the siege, unfortunately he was captured. Please, General Wang, hurry up and provide support!"

  Wang Jin looked at the city wall to the north with a helpless glance, sighed, and led the remaining hundred-man team to rush to the provincial government office. The Golden Army had already charged in, and Wang Jin's leading guard army met them head-on. The two armies encountered each other without any nonsense, holding knives and advancing forward. Wang Jin saw that the Golden Army was numerous, fought fiercely for a while, led the crowd to retreat to the alley, and launched a fierce battle with the Golden Army. The Golden Army had to pay the price of blood for every step forward, but at this time, the people following Wang Jin were also in a very miserable state.

  Wang Bin and dozens of others supported each other, their tattered robes stained with blood, some soldiers had lost an arm, others a leg, but still propped themselves up with their weapons, glaring angrily at the Jin army in front of them, without any fear, following Wang Bin step by step in the streets, fighting against the Jin army. The guards saw that the Jin army's reinforcements were gathering, and it was hopeless to retreat, although the crowd fought more bravely, but their numbers became fewer and fewer.

  A pale-faced soldier weakly advised: "General Wang, please retreat quickly, lead the remaining soldiers in the city to escape, and leave the green hills behind. Don't worry about not having firewood to burn, we are willing to clear a bloody path for you, General, please hurry up and retreat."

  "Wang Jun rebuked: 'There are no cowards among the soldiers and civilians of Bingzhou, I am the governor of Bingzhou, how can I abandon my parents, old friends and relatives to leave? Quickly follow me in the charge.'"

  For a time, the morale of the crowd was boosted. This exhausted army, led by Wang Fu, fought from the city to the southern gate of Kaiyuan, where Wang Fu was stabbed and shot dozens of times, bleeding profusely, but still wielding his sword and leading the troops in a fierce battle. These dozen or so men actually broke through the Jin army's chaotic ranks and killed their way to the Kaiyuan Gate.

  Zong Han's elite troops rushed into the city from outside and surrounded Wang Fen and his men at Kaiyuan Gate. Wanyan Zongyao stood among the soldiers, looking at Wang Fen with some admiration, and whispered a few words to Wanyan Zongwang.

  Zong Han took orders and immediately dispatched a messenger to shout to Wang Zhen: "Lord Wang, my prince admires you very much. As long as you are willing to surrender, my prince promises not to harm the people of Taiyuan at all. If you persist in your obstinacy, our army will slaughter the city for three days, and it will be entirely your fault."

  Wang Kan looked at the dozens of soldiers and civilians covered in blood around him, and slowly said: "I have been loyal to the country, I have done my duty to the people, what more can a man ask for in his life?"

  He turned around, stood up, and lifted his bloody war robe. He wiped his sword, which had some rolled-up blades, and raised it straight at Zong Han, shouting loudly: "Golden dog, if you dare to slaughter the people of Taiyuan, I will become a fierce ghost after death and demand your life." As he was about to commit suicide, a soldier suddenly came forward, grabbed Wang Yun's arm, and said excitedly: "General, look! The imperial reinforcements have arrived!" He burst into tears.

  Outside, the killing sound shook the sky, and the many imperial guards who rushed into the city were in a state of panic. The 20,000-strong Conquering Army shouted and charged forward bravely towards the Jin army, their black military flags fluttering in the wind, iron-blooded and sternly killing.