These days, Zhao Huan appears calm on the surface, but he is actually very nervous inside. After all, this is no longer the Battle of Tokyo. Now they have entered Hebei territory and will have to confront the Jin army head-on.
Hebei and Hedong are separated by the Taihang Mountains. Taiyuan is in Hedong, while Hejian and Zhongshan are in Hebei. Therefore, the Song armies in these two places cannot support each other, which means that rescue efforts must be divided into two routes. Moreover, if one route encounters an accident, it is impossible to provide further assistance.
However, the Jin army was in the same situation.
Yao Gu and Zhang Hao each led an army of 20,000 to Longde Prefecture, while Zhong Shizhong led 20,000 troops to Zhongshan.
The snow outside was falling heavier and heavier. The Jin people were resistant to the cold, and it seemed as if even the heavens were testing the Song army.
Zhe Keqiu, who was drinking alone in his room, finally received news that in seven days, he, Yao Gu, and Zhang Hao would lead their troops to Liaozhou, where the emperor would personally come. This was truly exciting news; finally, he wouldn't have to stay cooped up in this godforsaken place anymore.
Two days later, Yao Gu and Zhang Hao's army arrived at Longde Prefecture. After a night of fierce fighting, they defeated the Jin army and recaptured Longde Prefecture. The two groups of men rested in Longde Prefecture for only two days before heading north to Liaozhou.
At this time, Wanyan Zonghan's camp was filled with fierce generals.
The Jurchens dispatched their most capable marshal, Wanyan Zonghan, along with his most skilled warriors, the Jurchen "God of War" Wanyan Loushi, the "Little God of War" Wanyan Yinshuke, and the formidable Wanyan Xiyin, Wanyan Pujianu, Wanyan Salihe, and Wanyan Xishi!
Wanyan Zonghan's forces are far stronger than Wanyan Zongwang's.
Wanyan Zonghan was drinking and eating meat in his tent when he received news that the Song emperor was personally leading an expedition. He laughed dismissively, "The Song emperor has never even held a sword, yet he dares to lead an expedition in person. What a joke!"
The others laughed along with him, clearly not taking Zhao Huan seriously.
At that moment, a scout outside shouted: "Urgent report from the front! Longde Prefecture has been captured by the Song army, and the two Song army commanders, Yao Gu and Zhang Hao, are advancing towards Liaozhou!"
Wanyan Salihe immediately stood up and said, "Marshal, please give me five thousand men, and I will return the heads of Yao Gu and Zhang Hao!"
"Very well! Go now. In three days, I will see the heads of these two Song generals on this table!"
"Yes, sir!"
After saying this, Wanyan Salihe hurriedly went out to muster his troops.
In the past few days, hundreds of Imperial Guards have been running back and forth in the wind and snow, with people constantly entering and leaving Huazhou, bringing Zhao Huan a lot of information.
Sima Junru took off his hat, patted the snow off his clothes, and bowed after entering the house, saying, "Your Majesty, this time Wanyan Salihe has been dispatched, leading a total of five thousand men, heading straight for Commander Zhong and his army!"
"Five thousand men! That dog Wanyan Zonghan is really audacious, thinking he can wipe out my forty thousand men with only five thousand!" Zhao Huan said arrogantly. "What about Zhe Keqiu's side?"
"We have thoroughly investigated all the outposts around Fencheng. The Jin army numbers approximately 10,000. Detailed military intelligence has also been sent to Commander Zhe."
"Did you tell him that in the future, he should thoroughly investigate the surrounding situation before taking any action in any battle?"
"His Majesty has already given his word."
"What is he planning to do?"
"General Zhe has probably already dispatched troops to wipe out the surrounding Jin forces!"
"He's a man of action. Can he resolve this within two days?"
"General Zhe said that Your Majesty can rest assured that we will meet in Liaozhou in three days!"
"Very well! I will wait for him in Liaozhou!"
That night, Zhao Huan did not sleep. The wind and snow outside showed no signs of stopping. That night, Wanyan Salihe and Yao Gu had already clashed.
Unlike the Jin army that Yao Gu encountered in Longde Prefecture, Wanyan Salihe was a renowned young commander of the Jin state, and Zhao Huan felt worried for Yao Gu.
Sima Junru didn't return until almost sunset the following afternoon. He hadn't rested for two days and two nights, even eating on horseback. When he returned, he shouted, "Victory! Yao Shuai wins!"
Having not slept all night and still staring at the map inside the house, Zhao Huan excitedly ran out upon hearing those words. Sima Junru, however, fell off her horse, but didn't care about that. She got up and rushed towards Zhao Huan: "Your Majesty, Commander Yao has won! He has captured Wanyan Salihe alive!"
Zhao Huan paced back and forth excitedly: "Go tell Yao Gu to keep it for me, don't kill it!"
"yes!"
"stop!"
Sima Junru immediately turned to leave, but Zhao Huan stopped her.
"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"
"You've been running around for two days and two nights, let someone else do it."
"This matter is of great importance, and I am deeply concerned!"
"Sima, let someone else go. If you collapse from exhaustion, who will gather intelligence for me?" Zhao Huan turned around and said, "Xie Dahai, take Sima to rest, and find someone else!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
On this day, Yao Gu and Zhang Hao defeated Wanyan Salihe, and when the news reached the Jin army camp, it really shocked Wanyan Zonghan.
Taking advantage of this victory, uprisings broke out in all the prefectures and counties of Hedong Road except for Taiyuan Prefecture. The cities that the Jin army had just captured were met with tremendous resistance in the blink of an eye, and several cities were recaptured in a single day.
"Lou Shi! Ten thousand men! I'll give you two days!" Wanyan Zonghan's cold voice rang out. The one who stood up at this moment was none other than Wanyan Lou Shi, known as the First War God of the Great Jin!
Wanyan Loushi was tall and strong, with sharp eyes like knives: "Marshal, rest assured, within two days, this humble general will surely kill Yao Gu and Zhang Hao!"
At this time, Zhe Keqiu had already received news that Wanyan Loushi was leading an army of 10,000 south to cause trouble for Yao Gu and Zhang Hao.
What's the situation with Yao Gu and Zhang Hao? After a fierce battle with Wanyan Sali, they lost 10,000 men and suffered 8,000 injuries. Although they won, it was a Pyrrhic victory!
Now Wanyan Loushi is leading an army of 10,000 men in a menacing manner. Obviously, Yao Gu has to retreat. However, this is a plain, and the Jin army has many cavalry. In terms of marching speed, Yao Gu and Zhang Hao are definitely not as fast as the Jin army.
Therefore, Yao Gu and Zhang Hao had no choice but to retreat to Longde Prefecture and refuse to fight.
Zhe Keqiu was overjoyed; now he could set off ahead of schedule.
The emperor also said that he would not impose strict and rigid restrictions on his march, and everything would have to be done according to the situation. Therefore, after clearing out some minor enemies in the surrounding area, Zhe Keqiu simply led 50,000 elite troops and headed towards Longde Prefecture.
The Jin army deployed 10,000 troops this time, while the Song Dynasty directly deployed 80,000 troops.
Zhao Huan discovered that although he wasn't on the front lines of the war, he was even more nervous than when he was waiting outside a hospital to give birth.
They were happy for only a few hours after winning, then became nervous again.
He couldn't help but laugh at himself, thinking that he hadn't fought enough battles, and that he probably wouldn't be so nervous once he got used to it.
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