Chapter 53: The Battle of Pingzhou (5)

  Early autumn has arrived on the earth, and the autumn sun is still scorching. Taiyuan City, one of the strongholds in Hedong, has been besieged by Wanyan Zonghan's Western Route Army for eight months. Zhang Xiaochun mobilized the local militia, Wang Fen and his son Wang Xun led the soldiers and civilians to resist stubbornly, vowing to defend Taiyuan City to the death.

  Wang Zongbi put himself before his soldiers, going back and forth on the city wall every day. Whenever there was an urgent situation, Wang Zongbi would personally go to support it. The parents of the prefecture, even the Jin army outside the city, all knew the reputation of General Wang.

  Wang Jun led the people of Taiyuan to defend the city, from early spring to summer and then from late summer to early autumn. The Jin army attacked the city several times, but was repeatedly repelled by Wang Jun.

  The cries of killing shook the sky, and every day, the Jin army would attack the city once to test the defensive strength of Taiyuan City. However, no reinforcements or food supplies were seen from the imperial court, and the stored grain in the city was cut off. Many soldiers had edema, and people often fainted during battles, but the courage of the Pingzhou military and civilians to resist the Jin people did not fade away, and they became more brave and desperate as the battle went on.

  Zhang Xiaochun, while patrolling inside the city, saw only two soldiers sitting on the ground hugging a small bag of food and crying. Zhang Xiaochun rode up, jumped off his horse, and scolded: "Why are you acting like a daughter here? Hurry up and follow me to defend the city."

  Two soldiers saw Zhang Xiaochun approaching, and were immediately startled. They hastily got up and knelt down, saying: "Lord Zhang, please calm your anger. It's not that we two are afraid of death, but this bag of grain was just sent by a fellow villager. When we went to his home, we learned that his entire family of six had died - two sons died at the city gate, three family members starved to death, and he himself collapsed on the way back, hitting his head against a stone pillar by the road and ultimately unable to hold on. We two really..."

  Zhang Xiaochun sighed in his heart, today's city patrol found that all the cattle and horses in the city had been eaten up, the soldiers couldn't bear their hunger, they used the cow tendons on their bows and the cowhide parts of their helmets to cook with big fires to fill their hunger. All the green leaves on the trees in the city and the bran in the granary were all eaten up, gradually even the bark and grass were used as food, eating these things made them weak all over, in the battle against the Jin army they became more and more disadvantaged, but fortunately the soldiers fought to the death, and were still able to hold on without being broken through by the Jin people.

  Zhang Xiaochun said to the two forbidden soldiers in a warm voice: "Bury him well, we are guarding the city here to protect such civilians. The general died in battle, and the brave warriors fought on the battlefield, which is our destination. Go."

  Two soldiers handed the sacks of grain to Zhang Xiaochun, bowed and left. It wasn't that the two imperial guards were weak, but rather that men have tears they don't easily shed, it's just that they hadn't reached the point of heartbreak yet.

  Zhang Xiaochun held a small bag of grain in his hand, and suddenly felt that the bag of grain was very heavy. He carried six lives on his back. Zhang Xiaochun sighed, turned around and got on his horse to continue patrolling the city with his men. Although the soldiers and civilians of Pingzhou were enthusiastic about resisting the enemy, there were also thieves among them. The Jin army had been besieging the city for a long time, and the bandits in Taiyuan City were getting more and more rampant every day, killing civilians, looting grain, and Zhang Xiaochun had to lead his men on patrol every day. If he saw any robbery or fighting happening in the city, he would resolve it to reassure the soldiers guarding the city.

  At dusk, Wang Jin stumbled down from the city wall with a tired body, and saw several soldiers shouting and drinking water from a water tank. Many soldiers with swollen faces surrounded them, although some of them could no longer hold their long guns, but they still seemed to be in good spirits, leaning against the city wall and smiling at the soldiers who were drinking together, occasionally cheering, the scene was quite lively.

  Wang Jin's heart was filled with a sense of sadness, as the city of Taiyuan had become an isolated fortress, with all four gates - east, west, south and north - surrounded by enemy forces. The Jurchen army seemed to attack only once a day, but each time they chipped away at the Song army's strength, wearing down their will to resist.

  These forbidden soldiers guard the city day and night, now they can no longer wrap their stomachs, countless deaths on the battlefield every day, but no one will remember, history books will only record a comparison, in the last year of a certain month and day, the Song army and the Jin people fought a decisive battle at Taiyuan, if they won, there might be a chance to be passed down for a while, if they lost, the royal family would cover up this historical stain, must let this piece of history disappear from people's sight, in the long river of history silently disappear, what's more, now the future of Taiyuan city is worrying, and the reinforcements from the court are still delayed.

  Wang Jun was already extremely disappointed with the imperial court at this time. It would have been fine if they had not sent troops to rescue them early, but instead, they even sent someone to persuade him to surrender to the Jin people. Wang Jun was not afraid of death, he just felt sorry for the many good men of the Song Dynasty who had died in this doomed defensive battle, and it was a pity that they were not allowed to sigh. Wang Jun had long since given up his desire to survive, and only hoped to die with Taoyuan City.

  At this time, Wang Zong's personal soldiers led the war horses of Shen Yue over, because the cavalry had no great use in defending the city, and many of the war horses had already been eaten. The fodder for the horses was still abundant, so Wang Zong's horses were very strong.

  Wang Jin stroked his beloved war horse with his hand, the horse nuzzled close to Wang Jin. Wang Jin's heart ached as he thought of how many times this horse had saved him, following him through gunfire and rain, sharing life and death for years. Turning around, facing away from his guards, he ordered: "Take it away and kill it, to feed the soldiers and civilians defending the city." Wang Jin's figure trembled slightly, killing his beloved war horse was a painful decision, but if it could save the lives of a few more soldiers, no matter the cost, he would not hesitate.

  The guards were shocked and immediately came forward to dissuade him, saying: "Your Excellency rushes out every day without a mount, how can you fight the enemy?"

  Wang Jun gazed up at the sky and let out a long sigh: "If we can't even hold onto Pingzhou City, then what's the use of having all this wealth?" The soldiers stood silently, one soldier with reddened eyes stepped forward and led the warhorse away.

  In just a few days, the fierce battle was still going on, and the Jin army attacked the city every day, pouring a large number of stones into Taiyuan City, causing huge casualties. However, it was not the biggest crisis facing the Song army at present. The terror of hunger spread to every corner of the city, and even the leather on the horses' backs was eaten up. Now all the cavalry in Taiyuan City had become infantrymen, holding knives and climbing onto the city wall.

  The soldiers and civilians of Pingzhou were defending the city wall, every inch of the ground on the city head was soaked with the blood of soldiers from both sides, the smell of blood was overwhelming, the corpses under Taiyuan City had long been piled up like mountains, a large group of black vultures circled and flew over Taiyuan City, when they were hungry, they landed to eat, broken weapons and torn flags were all over the ground, showing how fierce the battle was.

  The garrison soldiers were numb to everything in front of them, drinking soup with floating leaves, sitting around in twos and threes. Suddenly, the drums shook the sky, and the Jin army surged towards Taiyuan City like a tidal wave. Wang Bing held his steel knife and shouted loudly: "Everyone, get your spirits up! In a moment, don't stick your heads out, the Golden Dogs' archery is very accurate, we can't touch this eyebrow, bring out our dignity, and kill fiercely!"

  "Kill! Kill! Kill!" The military and civilians on the city wall of Taiyuan City roared, Wang Bing led the army to resist the Jin army's attack every day, and today was no exception. Now Wang Bing is an unbeatable legend in the hearts of the Imperial Guards, seeing Wang Bing, the soldiers had confidence in their hearts, and their morale was high.

  Boulders fell from the sky, and the massive impact crushed everything in their path, but the opening was quickly filled by the soldiers behind. Soon, the Jin army held up ladders and rushed to the foot of Taiyuan City. Dozens of ladders were set up against the city wall, and the Jin soldiers, holding shields and climbing the ladders, charged fiercely towards the top of Taiyuan City.

  A guard soldier seized the opportunity to fiercely throw a football-sized stone in his hand, fiercely throwing it at the Jinbing who was climbing the cloud ladder. The stone hit the shield of the Jinbing and fell down with the Jinbing. The Jinbing at the bottom of the cloud ladder was fearless, pulling away the Jinbing who was struck by the stone and unknown whether he was dead or alive, one after another rushed up.

  Wang Ding had just cut down a Jin soldier, when a soldier rushed over to report amidst the rain of arrows: "General Wang, it's urgent at the west city gate! Lord Zhang has already led his men in a charge and is waiting for your support."

  Wang Tandao said: "The Jin army's offensive is very fierce here, you quickly bring my reserve team to rescue Zhang Daren, and must hold the West City, go quickly."

  "But you have..."

  "No more nonsense, go quickly!" Wang Bing shouted again after chopping down another Jin soldier who had climbed up the city wall.

  "Yes, General Wang."

  When Wang Zong once again repelled the Jin army's attack on the city, he suddenly felt his body go soft and leaned against the city wall, with blood dripping from his body to the ground. He had long been unable to distinguish whether it was his own or that of the enemy. The Imperial Army soldiers carried down one by one the wounded soldiers and corpses, throwing the Jin army's corpses off the city wall.

  Two guards were carrying a soldier who was barely breathing, his body covered in blood, with only one arm hanging limply. Wang Bin approached to check on the situation, and the soldier suddenly used all his strength to grab onto Wang Bin's clothes with his remaining arm, shouting: "Lord Wang, I... killed... three Golden Dogs today, didn't... disappoint you, did I?"

  "Wang Kun spoke in a warm voice: 'You've done very well, the people of Taiyuan City will all be grateful to you.'"

  The soldier seemed very happy and smiled as he said: "Thank..." Before he could finish, he grabbed Wang's arm and weakly slid down.

  Wang Jin's eyes were slightly red, and he was already used to the death of his soldiers. He said lightly, "Bury him properly." Two soldiers nodded silently and carried the soldier down from the city wall.

  Today, the moon is full, and Xingzong has been actively preparing since he decided to surrender to the Jin Dynasty on that day. He received Wanyan Zonghan's order a long time ago, but he was troubled by Wang Bing and Zhang Xiaochun, who patrolled every night. Tonight, Zhang Xiaochun invited Wang Bing and other civil and military officials to discuss matters, finally giving Xingzong an opportunity.

  At the second watch, Xing Zong led more than 50 trusted followers to sneak into the streets near the city gate under the cover of night. A team of ten soldiers blocked Xing Zong's way: "What are you doing here, sneaking around?"

  "How dare you speak to me like this!" Xingzong Xin angrily said.

  The soldier took a few steps forward, clasped his fists and said: "So it's Lord Xin. The governor has given orders that without the governor's command, no one is allowed to come here privately. Please, Lord Xin, return to the camp immediately."

  At this moment, Xingzong's trusted aide stabbed the blade into the patrolling guard's body. Xingzong's subordinates dragged the guard's corpse deep into the street, and Xingzong smiled coldly, leading his trusted aides towards the city gate.

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