Wanyan Zonghan's dislike for Wanyan Dan was nothing new.

If it weren't for some reservations, Wanyan Zonghan would have killed Wanyan Dan long ago.

What was it that Wanyan Zonghan was wary of?

It was naturally Wanyan Zongbi.

Although Wanyan Zongbi was young, he was of a high generation, being the fourth son of Wanyan Aguda.

In terms of bloodline, it is even purer.

Wanyan Dan was Aguda's eldest grandson, and Wanyan Zongbi was essentially Wanyan Dan's uncle.

In addition, Wanyan Zongbi held military power, and the Iron Pagoda's fighting strength was awe-inspiring, so Wanyan Zonghan was always somewhat wary of it.

Now Wanyan Zongbi has been defeated and his whereabouts are unknown.

This threat naturally vanished, and Wanyan Dan became like a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.

"This is absolutely impossible! It must be a false message deliberately sent by Song!" Wanyan Dan suddenly shuddered, came to his senses, sat back down in his seat, and put on the air of an emperor, intending to intimidate Wanyan Zonghan.

But who is Wanyan Zonghan?

Now, the most powerful minister in the Jin Dynasty, after the deaths of Wanyan Zongpan and Wanyan Chang, is only Wanyan Zongbi who can keep him in check.

Wanyan Zonghan was not just a military commander; he held power over both military and civil affairs.

He not only had military generals under his command, but also civil officials.

Wanyan Zonghan said, "Your Majesty, issuing false military orders is punishable by death. What he said sounds like the truth."

Meng Ke was unaware that the marshal and the emperor had already clashed once, and he said honestly, "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. If I have lied, I am willing to die to atone for it!"

Wanyan Dan's face turned pale.

Wanyan Zonghan revealed a sinister smile. Just moments ago he had put on the face of a loyal subject, but now he was showing his true thoughts.

"Your Majesty, could you please recall the Prince of Yan to provide reinforcements?"

"That...is certainly feasible!"

"Why did you object just now?"

Wanyan Dan cursed Wanyan Zonghan in his heart for being shameless. He had already made it very clear just now, but now he deliberately asked about it.

His eyes twitched, and he barely managed to reply, "The Marshal is my trusted minister who has devoted himself to the Great Jin. How could I not know that? I was just joking with the Marshal just now."

"In that case, Your Majesty, please summon Wanyan Zongwang back to provide reinforcements as soon as possible, shall we?"

"Good...very good..."

In August, the sweltering heat of the former Liao territory had dissipated somewhat, and the wind on the plains was not as scorching as before under the blazing sun.

The Song army camp was located five li southwest of Shenzhou. Standing on the city wall, which was five zhang high (one zhang in the Song Dynasty equals 3.1 meters), one could clearly see the undulating military camp.

Like a boundless sea.

On the fifth day after arriving in Shenzhou, Zhong Shidao had already launched five consecutive attacks on the city.

Fifty iron cannons were placed in the Song army camp. The reason why not all of them were deployed was that Zhong Shidao had not yet fully grasped the actual military situation of the Jin army.

The saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." War is no joke.

But on the sixth day, the Imperial Guards had already delivered detailed intelligence.

When Zhong Shidao learned that the Jin army was nothing more than a rabble, he immediately ordered an attack on the city.

Fifty iron cannons were placed outside Shenzhou City, and the deafening roar of the cannons intimidated the Jin army on the city wall.

The loud noise was heard by people within a two-kilometer radius of the city, as if the heavens were angry.

Firearms were still quite unfamiliar to the Jin army.

After Wanyan Zongpan was sent as an envoy to the Song Dynasty, he also thought about developing artillery and established an academy of sciences.

However, because the traditional power in the Jin court was too strong, and his reforms only scratched the surface of Zhao Huan's ideas, the Academy of Sciences did nothing.

The only firearms they secretly bought from the Song Dynasty were manufactured in small quantities.

After witnessing the power of the cannons, the Jin army was terrified.

Fifty cannons bombarded the city gates of Shenzhou five times, shattering the outer gates and causing all the soldiers to flee.

Even the bravest soldier would be stunned by such a dense artillery bombardment.

Before Wanyan Zonghan had even reached his headquarters, someone rushed in: "Marshal, something terrible has happened! The city walls have been breached by the Song army!"

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Zonghan immediately flew into a rage.

"How is this possible! When did the Song army begin their siege?"

"Just... just now!"

"Don't talk nonsense! The siege has only just begun; how could it have been breached so quickly!"

"Marshal, this humble general dares not..."

Wanyan Zonghan strode out, only to find the street in complete chaos.

Someone shouted, "The Song army has breached the city! Run!"

What's going on?

Why did things suddenly change?

"Explain to me clearly, what exactly did the Song army do?"

"Marshal, the Song army has positioned dozens of iron cannons in front of the city. These cannons are different from ordinary stone cannons; they have tremendous projectile power. One cannon can smash a hole in the city wall and also release gunpowder. Dozens of cannons have blasted the outer city gates into a mess..."

The man's voice trembled as he spoke, recalling the Song army's artillery siege—a nightmare he would never forget.

Wanyan Zonghan's expression was ashen. He seemed to have thought of something, but he was also unwilling to accept it.

He instinctively didn't believe it could be like this; at least in his understanding, it was impossible.

When he destroyed the Liao Dynasty, he traversed most of the northern grasslands, leaving the Liao Kingdom powerless to resist.

Tong Guan, the Grand Councilor of the Song Dynasty, was most afraid of Wanyan Zonghan.

Wanyan Zonghan fought his whole life and could be said to have only lost twice. One time was ten years ago when he was tricked by the dog emperor of the Song Dynasty, and the other time was not long ago when he was ambushed by Xie Qian.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!