"My name is Yang Zaixing, and I request an audience with the Marshal!"
Yang Zaixing stood at the entrance of the Marshal's Mansion and spoke loudly.
The guards at the entrance of the Marshal's Mansion looked at each other in bewilderment; they had naturally heard of Yang Zaixing's name.
Yang Zaixing was the fiercest general under Yue Fei. He was renowned for his prowess in the wars to destroy Jiaozhi and Xia. His reputation was even recorded in the Imperial Military Academy. Some teachers at the academy praised him as the best in the Song Dynasty in terms of personal martial prowess, calling him the Zhao Zilong of our time!
Unfortunately, he and Yue Fei violated the military law of the Song Dynasty by privately mobilizing troops in Jiangling Prefecture, and were exiled by the court to Heishui City on the northwestern frontier.
The guards stared wide-eyed at Yang Zaixing, as they had never seen him in person before.
However, the person in front of him was really special. He was dressed in the uniform of an ordinary soldier of the Song Dynasty, but he was over eight feet tall, with a strong and muscular build and a resolute face, as if carved by a knife and axe. In particular, his eyes were so sharp that people dared not look directly at them.
He only had to stand there to give people the feeling of being able to defeat ten thousand men.
It was as if he could simply leap onto his horse and charge into and out of a million-strong army seven times over.
"You shall wait here!"
The guard glanced at Yang Zaixing and then ran into the mansion.
"Reporting to the Marshal, there is a man outside who claims to be Yang Zaixing and wants to see you about something important!"
Zhong Shidao was slightly taken aback. Yang Zaixing, wasn't he with Yue Fei in Blackwater City? Why is he here?
"Bring him in quickly!"
A group of guards surrounded Yang Zaixing and led him into the marshal's mansion.
The guards of the Marshal's Mansion were all on high alert, their crossbows aimed at the newcomer. If the person made any overstepping of his authority, he would be killed on the spot.
"Yang Zaixing pays his respects to Marshal Zhong!"
Upon seeing this, Zhong Shidao realized it was indeed Yang Zaixing and dismissed his attendants.
"Yang Zaixing, weren't you with Yue Fei in Blackwater City? Why did you leave your camp without permission? That's a violation of military law!"
"Marshal, something terrible has happened! The night before last, the Mongol army marched south, captured five fortresses including Heyuan Village, and besieged Heishui City. The military situation at the front is critical, which is why I rushed here overnight!"
Those around were immediately shocked upon hearing this.
Zhong Shidao, however, remained calm and asked, "How many have come?"
"More than 100,000!"
"I understand. You may go and rest now."
Yang Zaixing didn't say anything more. Zhong Shidao was a marshal who had spent his life on the battlefield and naturally had his own plans. There was no need for Yang Zaixing to say more; he could convey the military sentiments himself.
Yang Zaixing couldn't help but add, "Marshal, Commander Yue ordered us to deliver messages separately, to be wary of the Tanguts."
Where is Yue Fei at this moment?
"Commander Yue has gone to Suzhou to request reinforcements."
After saying this, Yang Zaixing took his leave.
Yang Zaixing had a big meal in Xingqing Prefecture. He was so hungry that after eating, he rode his horse and left Xingqing Prefecture.
He was just a common soldier, like millions of other common soldiers who rushed to the battlefield.
He is no longer the Yang Zaixing of the past; there is no use for him staying in Xingqing Prefecture.
Once he ensured the intelligence was delivered, his mission was complete.
He is now going to find Yue Fei, who must want to do something, but Yue Fei has no one to rely on right now and needs support.
Wherever Yue Fei needed him, Yang Zaixing was there.
He rode all the way to Suzhou, and because he hadn't slept for a long time, he almost fell asleep on horseback.
In fact, not long after Yang Zaixing arrived in Xingqing Prefecture, several Imperial Guards ran so fast that several horses died, delivering a military message to Xingqing Prefecture.
At this moment, Morin had already left Blackwater City.
Because Blackwater City has fallen!
He did not expect that the 100,000-strong army of Blackwater City could not even last two days.
The main reason was that the commander-in-chief Liu Yanqing and his son abandoned the city and fled, which led to the collapse of morale and the inability to resist. Blackwater City fell without a fight!
When the news reached Xingqing Prefecture, the entire prefecture was shocked.
This afternoon, the people of Xingqing Prefecture saw the army that was usually stationed outside the city enter the city, and the army could be seen passing through every street. They were thoroughly inspecting every corner of the city.
Furthermore, Renduo Baozhong, the supreme commander of the Tangut army, urgently met with Marshal Zhong Shidao.
No one knows what they talked about, and after that, Xingqing Prefecture was placed under full martial law.
Orders were issued from Xingqing Prefecture to various prefectures, with the troops on the move never stopping.
Wang Kuian rushed to the Marshal's Mansion, feeling somewhat at a loss. If the Emperor knew that Blackwater City had been captured, he would surely be furious.
Back when Qian Gai recommended Liu Yanqing, Wang Kuian intervened and lobbied to get the higher-ups to agree.
I want to hold someone accountable, and Wang Kui'an also bears responsibility.
Furthermore, the city fell within two days.
This army's combat strength has broken the record for the lowest since the new emperor ascended the throne. If the emperor knew, he would surely be furious.
"General Zhong, what should we do?"
Zhong Shidao sat calmly and composed in the Marshal's Mansion, just as he always had.
“I have ordered the armies of Xuanhua Prefecture, Xiliang Prefecture and Suzhou to march north and recapture Heishui City. Wang Zhongguan need not worry.”
"Then how should we report this to the Emperor now?"
"I have also finished writing the memorial to the throne."
Wang Kuian's expression was somewhat strange. He was eager to see how Zhong Shidao had written the memorial, and he suspected that the blame was mostly being placed on him.
Zhong Shidao said, "I have told His Majesty that this victory over the Mongols has strengthened the northern defenses, and I will resign from my post to take responsibility."
Wang Kui'an was slightly taken aback and said, "General Zhong..."
"Although the Naiman tribe is brave and skilled in battle, they do not understand military strategy and have no siege equipment. They would never dare to be enemies of our Great Song. This surprise attack must have been instigated by someone. Yelü Dashi calculated that the central city of Heishui was the weakest point of our Great Song, so he started by attacking Heishui. Of course, Xiping on the western front and Heishan on the eastern front will not be spared."
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