At this point, everyone had no doubts, as they knew that the emperor was going to lead these 100,000 people across the big ravine, through the Keyi Gate, and go back... In fact, there were people who advised against it, starting from Xingqing Prefecture, but Emperor Zhao was so stubborn and powerful that no one dared to oppose him.
On May 18, the vanguard of the army reached Shunhua Ferry, and news from the front became extremely dense... It is said that Yelu Dashi and Wanyan Wushu were both caught off guard, and the two sides suddenly met in Houtao, a good place where the wind blew and the grass was low and cattle and sheep could be seen. In addition, there was a life-and-death hatred between them, and there was no way to hide and they were unwilling to hide anymore. They each occupied a castle and used field cavalry combat as their main method of fighting. They had been fighting for more than half a month.
The latest result is that the Jurchens were too good at fighting the Khitans, and Yelu Dashi gradually lost his strength. Of course, it was more likely due to a lack of food... The reason why Zhao Jiu moved so quickly was because as soon as he crossed the Yellow River, Yue Fei and Hu Hongxiu sent Yelu Dashi a document asking for food... In short, whether it was due to insufficient combat power or lack of food, Dashi finally had to retreat to the Houtao fortress Wulahai City, controlling the Yinshan Pass and the Yellow River to avoid the Jurchens' edge.
However, the two were not idle during this period. Dashi and Wuzhu were almost like rivals, and each used a strategy to sow discord... Dashi tried to win over Yu Du's old subordinates, who were shocked by his military strength, that is, the Wanhu of Yelu Mawu, while Wuzhu was also communicating with the two major Mongolian tribes, the Kerait and the Qiyan, who came to help in the war. He promised the Qiyan tribe's Kublai Khan to be the king of Mongolia, and gave gifts to the Kerait tribe. At the same time, he did not forget to ask the small Mongolian tribes in the rear that surrendered to the Great Jin to come to his aid.
It was very lively for a while.
Of course, the facts have proved that most things in this world are decided by fists. Yelu Dashi is at a disadvantage, Yelu Mawu is completely unmoved, and Huerzahusi, the leader of the Kereyid tribe, one of the two major Mongolian tribes, is obviously shaken and indecisive.
Although this expedition caused many people to be puzzled, and some even advised Emperor Zhao to be too ambitious and waste the Xixia national reserves in Tanliangcheng, after hearing the news, Zhao Jiu was convinced that he did not let the worst situation happen.
On May 20, the Song army crossed the fork of the Yellow River in Houtao. At this time, Zhao Jiucai and Yelu Dashi delivered a letter, which was written by Lu Benzhong. In the tone of Yue Fei, he was extremely arrogant and claimed that he was ordered to lead an army of 100,000 to help. He asked Yelu Dashi to open the city and let the royal army in.
In addition to sending the letter, the Song army ignored the news that Li Ganshun might have abandoned his retreat after the battle and fled into the desert area on the south side of the Yellow River. They just continued to flow downstream along the Yellow River, using the outer line of the Yellow River waterway as the logistics line, advancing both by land and water, and heading straight for the Wulahai City where Yelu Dashi was located.
It was only when they got here that Emperor Zhao realized that the Yellow River actually forked and merged in Houtao, which was literally a river loop. Moreover, the northern line of the fork, which passed through the foot of Yinshan Mountain and was close to Wulahai City, had a much wider flow.
I can only say that it does save trouble from a logistical point of view.
PS: The 141st cuteness appeared, thanks to Liuwei Dihuang Wan from Fengxiaotang; the 142nd cuteness appeared, thanks to the awesome warrior Fat Seal... I am also very grateful.
By the way, Ji Cha begged me to give him another chapter recommendation. I hesitated for a long time, but finally agreed because he showed great sincerity...but the book seems to be "This is My Planet"?
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