Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 393: Go to Quantai to recruit old troops

Li Xianzhong stood with his hands behind his back, watching from the watchtower outside the big tent that the Jin army camp on the other side of the river was gradually waking up from hibernation. Although the Yangtze River was several miles wide, the Song army could still hear the rumbling drums.

A line of smoke came from south to north, and the Jin cavalry and infantry that had previously gathered at Yuxikou were also converging towards the Jin army's Xicaishi camp.

Li Xianzhong stood solemnly in the cold wind, as if he was back to when he was nineteen years old, in the city of Yan'an, and outside the city were tens of thousands of troops led by the Jurchen god of war Wanyan Loushi.

That was the time when the Jin Dynasty was at its most powerful. It was truly a time of iron cavalry and golden swords, with the might of a tiger swallowing the vast land.

After that, there were many years of fighting. Although there were dangers, the Jin army was no longer as brave as it used to be. As the founding generation gradually grew old, the Jin tiger also entered its twilight years.

And now, in a trance, the tiger is back again.

After Yu Yunwen walked out of the central military tent, he first squinted his eyes and carefully looked at the Jin army camp on the other side of the river. Then he stopped talking and stood side by side with Li Xianzhong.

Yu Yunwen also knew that in terms of military strategy, Li Xianzhong was a hundred times better than him.

"What's the matter?" Yu Yunwen asked.

Li Xianzhong tightened his cloak and said, "I'm not bluffing. The Jin thieves are coming. Not only will they destroy the Dongting Lake navy today, but they'll also take advantage of the situation to attack Jiangxin Island!"

"Commander Li." After a moment, Yu Yunwen was the first to react. "Tell me the truth, if the Jin bandits attack the Dongting Lake navy from both sides, what are your chances of victory?"

"If we are blocked in the water fort, there is no chance of winning." Although Li Dao knew that the situation was urgent, he remained calm: "If we meet the enemy on the river, there is a 20% chance of winning."

"Twenty percent..." Li Xianzhong repeated in a low voice.

"Only 20%?"

Yu Yunwen stood up and paced back and forth. "If it's only 20%, then I have to advise you not to waste time. We can still make long-term plans for today's matter. Even if you retreat, it's not escaping, at most you're just avoiding the battle."

"And the fault doesn't lie with the Dongting Lake navy," Li Xianzhong added, "We were already one step behind in this matter. This isn't your fault alone."

"Escape?"

"Avoiding war?"

Li Dao lowered his head and sneered a few times, then suddenly looked up: "Have you ever seen Yue's army afraid of fighting?"

Yue Family Army.

This familiar yet unfamiliar name made the generals who followed them silent for a moment, and Yu Yunwen and Li Xianzhong were even a little dazed.

After all, even though Zhao Gou and Qin Hui constantly erased Yue Fei's military achievements, how could they stop the world from hearing about them? Furthermore, both of them had witnessed the events from the Jingkang period to the 10th year of Shaoxing. How could they not know that Yue Fei's army was only a hair's breadth away from expelling the Tartars and restoring the Central Plains?
But where is Yue Family Army now?

If there really were 100,000 Yue Family Army soldiers on the east bank of the Yangtze River, Wanyan Liang's first reaction should be to turn around and run away!

"What kind of fierce and dangerous battles haven't our Yue Family Army fought? We've also done many desperate things to survive." Li Dao said loudly, "A 20% chance of victory is enough."

"The Dongting Lake navy will naturally fight to the bitter end, living up to their country and the people!"

After making a resounding announcement, Li Dao stepped forward and, bowing in the cold winter wind, spoke again: "I request the order to march!"

Yu Yunwen stared at the veteran and finally became a little flustered.

He knew that Li Dao would not make big promises to take credit. If Li Dao said there was a 20% chance of winning, then it really was only a 20% chance.

This means that there is an 80% chance that the Dongting Lake navy will be wiped out in this expedition, and there is an 80% chance that Li Dao will die directly.

But Li Dao still decided to go on the expedition.

why?
Wouldn’t it be better to conserve your strength for the future?

Li Xianzhong sighed and had nothing to say.

Li Dao had already decided to die, and Li Xianzhong always had nothing to say to people who were determined to die.

Whether it was his father Li Yongqi or his comrades who died under the swords of the Jin army along the way, Li Xianzhong knew that when they were fighting to the death, nothing he said would make any sense.

Are you trying to encourage them? Or trying to persuade them to live? They're already desperate, and you're telling them this?

Li Xianzhong turned his head and glanced at Yu Yunwen. Although Yu Sheren also experienced the Jingkang Incident, his mentality was different from that of the warriors who had retreated all the way.

Li Xianzhong could think of many reasons why Li Dao was determined to die in an instant.

For example, the military honor unique to Yue Family Army; the indignation at seeing the corpses strewn across Huai River and Huai River; the sadness at being unable to avenge the national hatred and family feuds in this lifetime; and the pain at having no hope of recovering the Central Plains.

There is also despair about the difficult situation.

It is also the excitement of seeing a little hope in this desperate situation.

I'm already old. When I was young, I could talk about looking forward to the future. Now, if I still want to live, I can only live a miserable life. What's the point of living? Will I have to watch the massacres and destruction that happened in Hebei, the Central Plains, Shanxi, and Guanzhong happen again in Jiangnan?
Rather than doing this, it is better to risk his life and open up a way forward for the Jingnan Army. Who knows, maybe Liu Dalang can really change the situation in Huaixi.

After this change in the world, there is no point in being humiliated again.

Not to mention Li Dao, wasn't Liu Qi also preparing to die at Guazhou Ferry? If he couldn't stop the Jin thieves at Caishiji, Li Xianzhong would definitely not retreat.

Seeing Li Xianzhong nod slowly, Yu Yunwen could only sigh and say, "Go ahead. Whether you win or lose, don't force yourself."

"Order!"

Li Dao bowed again, raised his head and looked around at the solemn commanders: "Everyone, take care of yourselves. I will leave first!"

Liu Huai, who had been silent on the side, also bowed and said, "Everyone, I hope to see you in Huaixi with victory tomorrow!"

After saying that, Liu Huai and Li Dao left together.

After Liu Huai and Li Dao left, perhaps because of their anger, Yu Yunwen finally calmed down: "No matter whether General Li wins or loses, no matter whether General Liu can cross the river or not, today will be difficult to end peacefully."

"Pass on my orders. Each camp shall perform its duties and maintain strict defense. I do not care how many Jin thieves are attacking today. I will drive them all away."

"I, the commander-in-chief, and my own 10,000 troops will strictly guard the front of Caishiji. I also ask General Li to protect the two flanks."

Up to this point, the military formation layout had been agreed upon in advance, and all the generals naturally agreed.

Then, Yu Yunwen frowned and said, "Shi Jun!"

"The general is here!"

"How many elite cavalrymen are there in your group?"

"The actual number is one thousand people."

"Send your trusted commander to Li Taiwei to receive his orders."

"Here!"

"General Li," Yu Yunwen said to Li Xianzhong, "Your army now has nearly 4,000 elite cavalry at your disposal. You must use them effectively."

Li Xianzhong hadn't expected Yu Yunwen to be so selfless, but no one would complain about having too many chips in hand, so the veteran general bowed and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Yu. If the Jin thieves don't come ashore, it's fine. But if they dare to come, I will beat them all to death on the riverbank!"

"Today, when we engage in battle, if a general retreats without regard for his troops, his general will be beheaded! If an army retreats without regard for its general, the rear guard will behead the front guard! Those who advance will be heavily rewarded! Those who retreat will be severely punished!" Yu Yunwen drew his sword and spoke out the bloody military law: "The country has supported the army for a hundred years, today we will all die here!"

……

Liu Huai and Li Dao rode their horses to the water fort. Just as Li Dao was about to bow and leave to board his flagship, Liu Huai grabbed Li Dao's reins and said, "General Li, there were so many people around just now that I couldn't say some words. But I want to give you one last piece of advice. This matter can be delayed for a while. If it's delayed for a while, the world will change!"

What Liu Huai was talking about was naturally the civil unrest in the Jin Dynasty.

There was no way to say this openly, because he had not received any definite news yet. If he said that he could predict the future, he might be regarded as a sorcerer who spread rumors to confuse the public.

Li Dao shook his head, removed his helmet, and gazed at the large, black-and-white flag atop his flagship, lost in thought. He let his graying hair escape his bun, dancing in the pale sunlight. "Liu Dalang, that's not true. I've been waiting for over twenty years." Li Dao shook his head. "Twenty years, and the world has only gotten worse. The situation has never improved."

I once wondered if the Song Dynasty had lost its Mandate of Heaven. But then I read a poem by Li Bai about how the Shu Road was built: "The earth collapses, the mountains crumble, the warriors die, then the ladders and stone steps connect." Then I wondered: if all the heroes cherished their lives, and dared not to open up the world, would the Shu Road be unreachable? Conversely, is the decline of the world due to the fact that after Yue Fei, no Han heroes have sacrificed their lives for the country?

As he spoke, Li Dao looked at the military commander in front of him, who could be considered a hero of the younger generation. "Liu Dalang, this world won't get better by accident. Only heroes will sacrifice themselves and shed blood to turn the situation around. Just like Marshal Yue in Xiangfan, like Duke Wei and you in Shandong, and just like me here on this great river today."

Liu Huai looked up to the sky and sighed, but ultimately he was unable to speak.

"Ah Huai!" Just when Liu Huai didn't know how to persuade him, Li Dao said to Wang Huai on the helm: "Give me the flag!"

Wang Huai was stunned, and quickly pulled down the big flag with the word "Li" from the highest point of the wheelhouse. Then he walked down from the boat and handed it to Li Dao with great care.

Li Dao directly pulled down the big flag on the flagpole and displayed the flagpole in front of Liu Huai.

Liu Huai reached out to take it, only to find it was quite heavy. He took a closer look and found that it was a spear that looked like a lance. It seemed to be made of metal as the core, and was wrapped in layers of old rattan, linen, and tung oil. Only the three-foot-long metal pole was exposed at the front end of the spear.

The spear was straight, but at the metal pole around the tip of the spear, its shape changed into a giant python with unicorn horns. The python opened its mouth and spit out its tongue, which turned into a two-foot-long spear head.

This is not a brand new spear, there are traces of knife and axe chopping on it, but it looks to be well maintained, so much so that there are no cracks in the tung oil and lacquer on the entire spear.

Li Dao stroked the spear with a complicated expression, as if reminiscing about the past: "This is Marshal Yue's Liquan Spear."

Liu Huai's hands, which were originally as steady as a rock, trembled slightly, and he looked up at Li Dao in disbelief.

Li Dao seemed oblivious and continued, "During the Fourth Northern Expedition, the army retreated, and the entire army was in a state of disarray. Marshal Yue knew that the situation would be difficult to reverse after this departure, and that he would find it even more difficult to command the troops. So he gave me this weapon, hoping that I would fight bravely and live up to my ambition."

At this point, Li Dao lowered his head and sighed, tears welling in his eyes. "But I don't have that kind of strength."

Liu Huai stroked the spear, and the hot blood seemed to surge out from the spear, merging with the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, mixed with the heroic spirit of the world, melting the golden swords and iron horses, flowing from his hands into his chest, making Liu Huai tremble uncontrollably.

"Today, I'm giving you this spear. I only hope you can use it to drink the blood of the Jin thieves and restore our Han dynasty." Li Dao gritted his teeth and said, "Hurry and go! I'll buy you four hours today. You must seize the East Gate!"

Liu Huai picked up the Liquan spear, with a thousand words in his mind, but he didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only respond loudly, turned his horse around, and prepared to leave.

"Liu Dalang." After taking a few steps, Li Dao's voice came from behind: "I've heard your 'Since ancient times, everyone has to die, but I will leave behind a loyal heart that will shine through history.' Today, you and I will both fight to the death. Do you have any poems to give me? Any fragments of words to encourage myself?"

Liu Huai reined in his horse, paused for a moment, and then immediately responded, "Yes."

"Say it!"

Liu Huai sat upright on his horse and recited loudly in front of everyone.

It is:

How does it feel to be beheaded today?
Starting a business is hard and full of battles.

I'm going to Quantai to recruit old troops.
With a hundred thousand flags, kill Yama Luo!
After reciting a poem, Liu Huai bowed again, rode away on his horse, and never looked back.

On the other side, Li Dao was stunned for just a moment, chewing over the poem in his mind, then dismounted and walked towards the general's platform.

At this time, the Dongting Lake navy had been fully mobilized. In addition to the sailors rowing on board, more than a thousand soldiers gathered in the parade ground, lined up according to orders.

"Everyone, I'm telling you, today's attack is no longer a feint, but a fight to the death with the Jin bandits!" Li Dao shouted before the nearly 1,000 soldiers surrounding him, "If any of you wish to retreat, you can go to Deputy Commander Wang to get some money, and I'll issue you military documents. I'll stick to my word and won't force you!"

"Commander!" Commanding Officer Meng Buddha asked, looking at the large boxes of silver on the platform, "What will you do after we leave? Why not just come home with me and retire?"

"I told Prime Minister Yu and Lieutenant Li in the central army tent that we were determined to fight the Jin bandits to the death. Can you sit back on the shit you just pooped out?" Li Dao said nonchalantly, waving his hand. "If there are ten boats left, I'll take them to kill the Jin dog. If there's only one boat left, I'll take it with me. If I'm alone, I'll row the boat myself."

"I really don't believe it. Without you, Butcher Meng, we'd have to eat hairy pigs!"

"The commander is treating us like outsiders when he says that," Meng Buddha said with a smile. "After years of life and death, the commander wants to abandon us and achieve great things alone. How can that be possible?"

"What a bullshit achievement!" Li Dao cursed, "Meng Lao San! You have pig hair stuffed in your ears!"

"Then we can't abandon control," Meng Buddha said, spreading his hands. "If we share good times and break up in times of trouble, wouldn't I be a worthless person?"

"So what do you want to do?"

"We've always been clear about what we mean," said another commander, Deng Yan. "If the commander treats us poorly, takes all the credit, and leaves us to die, we must clearly separate ourselves from him."

"But the Commander eats and sleeps with us like a father and a brother. He never embezzles rewards for his contributions, and never delays paying our food, clothing, and wages. So naturally, we will stand with him through thick and thin. Whether the road ahead leads to mountains of swords and seas of fire, or to the abyss and quagmire, we will follow him through it all."

"Correct!"

"Since we are soldiers and eat food, we are not afraid of death!"

"Advance and retreat with the control!"

"Fight the gold thieves!"

The more than a thousand Dongting Lake navy gradually became noisy.

But after Li Dao waved his hand, the entire army fell into silence again.

"In that case, let's go meet the Jin thieves and see if the King of Hell will take us away today!" Li Dao didn't hesitate any longer and wavered his hand: "Get on board and weigh anchor!"

"Here!"

The soldiers below the stage responded one after another and followed their superiors onto the steamer.

"Scholar, don't come here. We Xiangzhou people can only leave behind some offspring..." Li Dao said, holding Wang Huai's arm.

"Forget it, Li Shitou." Wang Huai smiled and patted the back of Li Dao's hand and said, "We are the only two left who came all the way from Xiangzhou. If you get down there first, Yu Laosan, Deng Wonang and the others will ask where the scholar has gone. I don't know what you will do to me!"

"I can do this kind of thing." Li Dao chuckled and let go of his hand.

They were old brothers for many years, how could they not know each other? But it was precisely because they were old brothers that Li Dao would still ask and persuade Wang Huai even though he knew that Wang Huai would refuse.

Wang Huai patted Li Dao on the shoulder and took the lead to board the flagship.

Li Dao followed Wang Huai's back and finally his eyes fell on the big flag with the word "Li" standing high up. He took a deep breath and a smile appeared on his face.

On November 29th, the 31st year of the Shaoxing reign of the Song Dynasty, at the hour of Si, the Dongting Lake navy, faced with a desperate situation, did not cower in fear. Instead, they unleashed the same valor inherited from Yue Fei's army, choosing to fight to the bitter end in order to secure a glimmer of hope.

After a while, the Song army's warships were deployed in full force, and each sent out scouting speedboats upstream and downstream, while the Jin army's ships also appeared from upstream and downstream in the cold winter sunlight.

There were about 150 Jin army ships rushing down from upstream, and about 100 Jin army ships cruising downstream.

The Jin army clearly intended to use the downstream ships for defense, while the upstream ships for attack, like a hammer and anvil, smashing the Song army to pieces with one blow after another.

Although they had prepared themselves mentally, when faced with the disadvantage of being attacked from both front and back, the Song army became nervous and all the captains looked towards the flagship.

Only a white tiger flag was raised on the highest mast of Li Dao's flagship.

The White Tiger represents conquest, and in the navy, Li Dao makes an agreement with everyone that when the White Tiger flag is raised, it is time to fight to the death.

"kill!"

"kill!"

"kill!"

As the drums sounded, more than a hundred Song army chariots and ships, under the command of the general flag, did not huddle together for warmth like the weak, but dispersed and formed into two formations in the front and back with ten ships in a team, and attacked the Jin army that was attacking from both sides.

Su Baoheng upstream and Wanyan Zhengjia downstream also ordered an attack at the same time, hanging up red flags representing that no one would be left alive.

There is nothing more to say about what happened today, it’s just a fight to the death!

(End of this chapter)