After Zhong Shidao's death, Zhong Hong became the commander of the Zhong family army. Zhong Hong fought bravely, but was too young and impetuous. Before his death, Zhong Shidao earnestly advised him not to blindly fight, and to defend instead of attacking for the time being. Zhong Hong tearfully agreed.
Zong Shidao's coffin was carried to Bianjing. Along the way, the common people wept as they bid him farewell, some even fainting from tears. They all knew it was the Zong family army that had driven back the Jin invaders, bringing peace and tranquility to the Song Dynasty. Consequently, wherever the coffin passed, cries of grief filled the air.
Zhao Huan of the capital held a grand funeral for Zhong Shidao, burying him with the highest honors for a minister. He bestowed numerous titles on him, including the title of Three Masters and Three Dukes, the title of Grand Marshal of Weisheng, and the title of General of Pingdong.
The ancients valued reputation and wanted to be remembered in history. After all, once someone was dead, no amount of glory would threaten their imperial power. The more titles one bestowed, the more one could win over the people.
When you are alive, you are suppressed and your rights are restricted, so that you cannot threaten the imperial power by gathering your own troops. After your death, you are given various titles and halos. This is the way of the emperor.
Although Zhao Huan usually looked lazy and idle, he handled government affairs in a very professional manner and his comments on government affairs were often very sharp, which made many officials submit to him.
Zhao Huan even ordered the palace to eat vegetarian food for three days to comfort the spirit of Zong Shidao in heaven.
…
Bai Wanli was appointed deputy commander of Cangzhou. He Guan valued him highly and informed him of the Zhong family army's eastern defense map, food supplies, horses, and defense strategies for various regions, so that Bai Wanli could quickly familiarize himself with Cangzhou's military affairs.
After all, they had served in the Pingding Army and were extremely familiar with the military. Bai Wanli lived up to expectations and quickly became familiar with military affairs. Cangzhou flourished under the management of the two.
Bai Wanli suggested stationing a detachment of troops in Qing County, northeast of Cangzhou, so that when the Jin troops attacked Cangzhou, they could bypass Qing County and block their retreat. This plan was highly praised by Zhong Shidao at the time. After Zhong Shidao's death, Zhong Hong ordered 2,000 soldiers to be stationed in Qing County.
On this day, He Guan and Bai Wanli were conducting simulations on the military sand table.
"General Bai, if the Jin troops attack from Hejian, I think we can split our forces into two. I will lead one group around Botou, while you remain stationary south of Qing County and wait for the Jin troops to attack Cangzhou."
Bai Wanli pulled out a command flag from somewhere on the sand table and said, "I think we can send out a small group of cavalry to lure the enemy in, drawing the Jin soldiers into Cangzhou. We can then encircle them from Qingxian and Botou, blocking their retreat and catching them in a trap!"
He Guanxi said, "That's what I was thinking. But General Bai, you need to be careful to the northwest. The enemy may launch a surprise attack on you from the northwest."
Bai Wanli shook his head: "It's unlikely. The northwest is mountainous and has many rivers, which is not suitable for cavalry combat. How could the Jin soldiers launch a surprise attack from here..."
As they were talking, a spy came to report: "Report! Report to the general, the Jin soldiers are attacking."
He Guan was shocked. Could it be that the Jin people tore up the Huining Agreement?
The Jin army's attack route this time was exactly the same as the one He Guan and Bai Wanli had just simulated. He Guan immediately organized his troops to set up a pocket formation and ordered Bai Wanli to rush to Qing County to mobilize troops, hoping to lure the Jin army into a trap by dividing the troops into two groups.
The commander of the Jin army's attack this time was Maji, who was the uncle of Yin Shuke, a general under Wanyan Zonghan.
Maji was quite good at studying military tactics. At this time, he personally led 3,000 Jin soldiers from the east side of Hejian and went straight into Cangzhou Prefecture.
Maji rode his horse to watch, while his deputy shielded the sun with his hands. "General Maji, the border of Cangzhou is just ahead. Are you sure we should continue forward?"
"go ahead!"
He Guan's army had already arrived from Botou and set up an ambush in the northern suburbs of Cangzhou. Bai Wanli's army from Qingxian still had a long way to go. If they were quick, they should arrive in half a day.
The Jin soldiers wouldn't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest. As long as they waited for them to arrive, He Guan and Bai Wanli could surround them and ensure that these Jin thieves would be unable to return.
…
Bai Wanli led his troops from Qing County to the north of Cangzhou. The area was mountainous and the roads were rugged, so the team of more than 2,000 people was stretched out very long.
"General Bai, the Luo River Valley is ahead." said a counselor.
Bai Wanli was about to answer when suddenly war drums sounded from both sides of the northwest.
Everyone's faces changed color. These veteran soldiers who had been on many battles knew that it was the signal for the Jin soldiers to attack.
The counselor shouted: "General Bai, there is an ambush by the Jin soldiers!"
Men fell to the ground and horses neighed, and Bai Wanli's army immediately fell into chaos. He Guan's concerns on the sand table had hit the nail on the head. He Guan had warned him before, but Bai Wanli hadn't taken it seriously at the time.
…
He Guan was overjoyed. Judging from their ambush, the Jin soldiers were not far away. He Guan smiled slightly. If these Jin soldiers entered this pocket formation, they would never return.
Just as Maji and his troops were about to enter the northern line of Cangzhou, Maji suddenly issued an order: "Retreat!"
The Jin soldiers quickly changed from the rear team to the front team and began to retreat northward.
A soldier nearby said, "General He, the Jin bandits are retreating. Could it be that they have discovered our ambush?"
He Guan pondered for a moment, wondering what the Jin soldiers were up to. Suddenly, he slapped his head and said, "Oh no! Bai Wanli has been ambushed by them!"
…
At this moment, Bai Wanli's army had been attacked by the Jin soldiers, and they began to flee before they even had time to launch a decent counterattack.
"Retreat! Towards the southeast!" Bai Wanli commanded his more than 2,000 soldiers in a panic.
The Jin army was commanded by none other than Wanyan Ang, who employed a feint to the east and attack in the west. They sent Maji to launch a feint attack from the front, drawing out the main force of the Song army. Wanyan Ang, in the vicinity of Qingxian, intercepted the Song troops heading for Cangzhou, effectively stopping Bai Wanli's army.
This kind of battle was impossible to fight. The army that ambushed became the ambushed. Bai Wanli had been appointed deputy commander in a hurry, and some soldiers didn't even recognize him. Even the generals in the command center around him fled in panic. For a time, the Song army was in chaos, with countless casualties.
These two thousand Song troops were the direct descendants of the Zong family army, but they were completely defeated when faced with the sudden sneak attack.
Fortunately, this was an interception, and they were not surrounded. The Song army fled in all directions, and Bai Wanli rode his horse and followed the army in a panic. He came to a valley. Looking around, he realized that he had no followers with him.
Bai Wanli's hair was disheveled and he looked utterly miserable. He dismounted and looked at the surrounding mountains. Suddenly, he saw enemies everywhere, as if a group of Jin soldiers would suddenly appear from all directions at any moment.
He didn't dare to take the main road. Bai Wanli abandoned his warhorse and fled towards the mountains and forests like a stray dog. He looked back as he ran, and the scene was truly terrifying.
While running, Bai Wanli froze like a stone statue. He saw countless Jin soldiers around him drawing their bows and arrows, all pointing their spears at him.
With a clang, Bai Wanli's sword fell to the ground. Less than a month after taking office, the dignified Deputy Commander of Cangzhou was captured by the Jin army.
PS: My younger brother is getting married the day after tomorrow, so I will definitely update once in a while.
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