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

Chapter 437: Dare to laugh at Sun Quan for being a coward

Without any delay, Wanyan Fushou led 500 light cavalry directly to Shangjing.

In Chao County, Liang Zichu, who had almost failed in this battle, was also very angry and took on a diplomatic mission.

He wanted to lead the Chaohu navy to advance quickly northward along the Fei River to assist Cheng Min in capturing Hefei.

Yes, Liu Huai finally knew the reason why Wu Shengjun behaved strangely.

It was not that Yu Yunwen was able to pass on the news so quickly, but that many Jin soldiers were captured in this battle, including a marching Meng'an. In order to save his life, Yelu Tula told this military information as soon as possible.

The reason why Liang Zichu was asked to do this was not only because he was the commander of the Chaohu navy and was familiar with the surrounding terrain and the fast water routes, but there was another important reason.

Liang Zichu's biological father, Liang Gong, was once the personal instructor of another general under Han Shizhong, Jie Yuan.

Their family could even go through some roundabout ways to become Liang Hongyu's relative.

Therefore, the relationship between Liang Zichu and Cheng Min is somewhat similar to that between Bi Zaiyu and Han Shizhong. Although they are strangers in theory, seniority is a key factor in the military. If Liang Zichu calls him "Uncle" with respect as a junior, Cheng Min will have to acknowledge him.

Besides, Liang Zichu was not a poor relative who came to seek refuge with Cheng Min, but a general who actually led a large army to join the war.

On the morning of December 9th, Cheng Min and Bi Jin led their army to the city of Hefei.

The scouts scattered around got accurate information that the main force of the Jin Wusheng Army had marched eastward a few days ago and should have reached Chao County by now.

Cheng Min knew that the opportunity could not be missed, so he immediately ordered the auxiliary troops to set up camp regardless of the soldiers' fatigue, and he led more than 15,000 soldiers and simple siege equipment to attack Hefei City.

Although Cheng Min and Da Huaizhen's tactics are basically the same, they are different people.

As a famous general who inherited Han Shizhong's military legacy, Cheng Min's reputation in Huainan was unmatched by other young men. When the big flag was raised under the city of Hefei, the stragglers of the Song army who had been dispersed before gathered together again.

The Huaixi Song army that surrendered to the Jin army in Hefei City almost immediately started a riot. The mere 3,000 Jin regular troops were simply unable to defend the huge Hefei City properly. Cheng Min found the right opportunity, broke through the city gate, and captured the outer city of Hefei with the defeated soldiers.

Although Gao Hu, Huo Luyou and Xiao Mingzhi were well prepared and quickly concentrated the main army in the inner city, the fact that the outer city fell in half a day made the three of them tremble with fear.

As for the Han'erqian army that retreated into the inner city, it was fine for them to come from the Central Plains because their families were all in the north. Unless they were faced with a long sword, they would not be the first to step forward.

However, the Jin army could no longer trust the Han people in Huaixi. Hundreds of die-hard traitors who wanted to follow the Jin army to resist to the end did not have a chance to appeal for justice. On the night of the ninth day, the Jin army seized the opportunity and slaughtered them all.

This night was an easy one for the Song army. They left a defensive force to surround the inner city like a bastard, and then slept soundly in the outer city. The Jin army, on the other hand, had to face constant harassment from the Song army and froze on the city wall all night.

On the morning of December 10th, the city of Hefei, which had been fighting for half a day, became lively again.

Cheng Min sent a large number of cavalry to investigate the situation in the direction of Chao County, while at the same time he dismantled civilian houses to make siege weapons and attacked the inner city with all his might, sending all his best troops just to ensure that he could defeat these three Meng'an before the Wusheng Army returned to the world.

The Jin army also fought desperately, and the generals and officers encouraged the soldiers: as long as they could defeat Cheng Min's troops under the inner city, and once the general's army arrived, with the help of both inside and outside, the Song army would be nothing but a bunch of weaklings.

The inner city is indeed smaller, surrounded by rivers and lakes, and there are only a few sections of the city wall that need to be guarded. The defensive pressure is much smaller than that of the outer city. Three Meng'an can even work in three shifts on the wall.

If they continued to attack and defend like this, even if the Song army could finally capture the inner city, the price they would pay would be extremely high, and they would have to fight for at least another five or six days.

However, at noon, something changed.

Liang Zichu emerged from the Fei River with more than 30 large and small ships and nearly a thousand navy soldiers. After contacting Cheng Min, he launched an attack on the inner ferry of Hefei City.

The Jin army had already set up defenses in Neidu, and the huge water gate had been tightly closed.

They were also afraid that Brother Liang did not go to Chao County and would launch a surprise attack on Hefei, which had a weak defense.

Hefei is a big city, and its water gate is much stronger than that of Chao County. The eight-ox crossbows and catapults on the ship fired back and forth, smashing the iron-clad gate with a rumbling sound, but it could not be opened for a while.

In fact, there is no need to open it.

On Liang Zichu's flagship, heads pickled in lime and scarred flags were displayed in front of the Jin army, causing an uproar among the Jin soldiers on the city wall.

When Liang Zichu waved the general's flag with "Wu Sheng" written on it upside down under the city, the Jin army finally confirmed a terrible fact.

The Song army won a great victory in Chao County and destroyed the four Meng'an of the Jin army.

Da Huaizhen lost both his flag and his head!
Panic and uproar gradually boiled over throughout the inner city, and fear spread through the city like a plague.

Now even the marching commanders like Gao Hu were depressed and discouraged, and the Jin army was defeated with all their hearts gone.

Cheng Min's general Chen Min keenly noticed the unusual situation on the city wall and seized the opportunity to lead his personal guards to the top of the city wall. He was the first to raise the Song flag on the city wall, making a great achievement. Then Chen Min led his men to open the inner city gate. Cheng Min waved his flag, and the Ezhou army, like wolves and tigers, swarmed in.

Cheng Min led an army of 20,000 and broke into the city within a few days, which was a tough bone that even Sun Quan's 100,000 troops could not break. This ability was enough to make him laugh and scold Sun Quan, calling him a rat from Jiangdong.

After the war entered the encirclement and suppression stage, Cheng Min had almost nothing to do. His Cheng-character banner did not even enter the inner city, and was waiting for Liang Zichu near the east gate of the outer city.

Liang Zichu brought more than a thousand navy soldiers and originally wanted to fight the Jin army to the death, but in the end he was just a cheerleader. He was furious but helpless.

This is just bad luck, and you can't blame anyone.

Since the water gate was not opened, he could only go around to the small dock outside the city to camp.

After a while, Liang Zichu came hurriedly with more than ten soldiers carrying various spoils of war. After seeing several big men in black armor who recognized him, he kowtowed to them like a king.

"I haven't seen Cheng Bo for many years. He is even more charming than before."

Cheng Min naturally didn't know how to control his posture, so he quickly helped Liang Zichu up.

"Liang Gong, that scoundrel, has been a playboy his whole life, yet he actually has such a beautiful daughter. I'm truly envious." Cheng Min patted Liang Zichu's shoulder and said, "Tell me quickly, what has happened these past few days? Why do you have the Jin bandits' Wanhu banner in your hand?"

Liang Zichu bowed and started talking from the time when Liu Huai led the Jingnan Army southward. Following the journey, he recounted the fierce battle at Caishiji, the surprise attack at Yuxikou, the ambush inside Dongguan, and the two battles in Chao County in detail.

Liang Zichu actually heard many of these stories from hearsay, but he was not delayed by the battle in Chao County the day before. After the Jingnan Army wiped out the four Meng'ans as easily as cutting melons and vegetables, he was completely convinced of Liu Huai. Now, when he talked about the Jingnan Army's battles along the way, he knew them like the back of his hand and felt proud of them.

Cheng Min and Bi Jin opened their mouths wider and wider, as if they were listening to a myth.

"Stop it!" Although Bi Jin was heartbroken by the death of his old friend Li Dao, he also knew what was more important. Upon hearing this strange military report, this old revolutionary who had fought for many years could not help but feel depressed.

"After forcing a crossing of the Yangtze River, they defeated two Meng'an forces? They even took Dongguan and Chaoxian? In less than a day, they surrounded and annihilated a 10,000-strong Jin army in Chaoxian? They even killed a marching commander in battle?" Bi Jin looked incredulous. "Were you fighting against the regular army or the signed army?"

"My dear nephew, there's no joking in the army. We're here to fight the Jin bandits, not military judges. We won't reward you based on the number of heads you take. You can't tolerate such nonsense." Cheng Min said slowly, "If your nonsense leads us to misjudge the situation and cause the army to fall into danger, your little shoulders won't be able to bear the consequences."

"Absolutely true!" Liang Zichu swore. "This isn't just what I saw. The Jin bandits' armor, flags, and heads can all bear witness to this. Furthermore, if we can't fight our way out, all the invading bandits will be captured and killed, and we won't have the time to come to Hefei to help!"

"Who is Liu Dalang? I've never heard of such a person in Huaixi!" Cheng Min rolled his eyes several times. "He asked you to come, did he have anything to say?"

"Oh, yes, there's another key phrase." Liang Zichu patted his head: "The commander-in-chief of the Shandong Loyal Army, Duke Wei Huisheng, sends his regards to Cheng Bo."

Cheng Min's eyes widened. "Who? Wei Sheng, Wei Dadao?"

Then Cheng Min suddenly realized: "Could it be that this Liu Dalang is the kid that Wei Dadao picked up in the Huai River? I never thought of that. I really didn't expect that."

At the end of his speech, Cheng Min didn't know whether he was thinking about the past or was amazed that the little kid back then could now stand on his own. He ignored the gazes of the others and stood there sighing repeatedly.

"As for why the eldest son sent me to meet Uncle Cheng, the first reason was to help Uncle Cheng break through Hefei City. The second reason was to invite the army to Chao County..." Liang Zichu swallowed and said, "To hunt down the financier together!"

Cheng Min was not too surprised by this.

If the Jingnan Army and the Ezhou Army were to join forces, they would have nearly 30,000 reliable combat soldiers, and they were located in the rear of the Jin army. It would be abnormal if they did not come up with some ideas.

However, Cheng Min still wanted to laugh it off and get it over with.

This guy has been in the Song army for many years and has acquired a lot of bad habits. How could he easily fight to the death?

In the current situation, Cheng Min has already made great contributions, so why bother getting involved in muddy waters?

He even wanted to persuade the Jingnan Army to station with him in Hefei, clearing the Jin army's retreat route, sending Wanyan Liangli out of the country, and quickly putting an end to the war.

However, just as Cheng Min was organizing his words, a military envoy with a small flag on his back came galloping over. He almost lost his balance when he dismounted and tumbled to his knees in front of Cheng Min, holding up a tightly wrapped wooden box. "General Manager, urgent delivery of eight hundred miles!"

Cheng Min took it, checked the wax seal and various formats, then used both hands to pry open the wooden box. After taking out the document, he just glanced at it and his face changed instantly.

"Liang family boy." Cheng Min said sternly, "Go back and tell Liu Dalang that I have made this deal. Tell him to prepare his sword and gun to fight the Jin thieves!"

Liang Zichu didn't know what had happened, but he didn't dare to ask, so he could only agree and leave.

"General Cheng, what happened?" Bi Jin waved the guards around him away and stepped forward, asking in a low voice.

Cheng Min smiled bitterly: "Fancheng is lost."

(End of this chapter)