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

Chapter 467: The Armored Marching Army in Disarray

Liu Qi's troops were badly beaten, with nearly a thousand casualties among the regular army alone, and countless casualties among the auxiliary troops.

Liu Qi's nephew Liu Si and commander Wang Fang were both seriously injured, and Liu Qi was hit by an arrow in the shoulder, which was enough to show how fierce the battle was.

Even the uninjured Song soldiers were exhausted after such a great battle and sat paralyzed on the ground. In Liu Huai's opinion, Liu Qi's troops had no strength to advance.

Not to mention that Liu Qi's face was as pale as gold paper, and he looked like he was about to die.

However, when Liu Huai and Li Xianzhong suggested that Liu Qi retreat and set up camp north of Tangshan, Liu Qi became furious.

"Retreat? Why should we retreat?" Liu Qi gritted his teeth to stifle a cough, but blood still poured out of his throat, staining his teeth red. "If I die in battle today, it will be for the sake of the king, loyal to the country. I have lived and died with a clean record, and history will record my name in it. What's the point of retreating and dying in bed?!"

Liu Huai looked at Liu Qi as if he saw the hero who had fought in Shunchang in the past.

Although the opponent was ill, he was still as powerful as ever. I just don't know what kind of demeanor Yue Pengju, who was even more powerful than him, was.

Of course, despite hearing Liu Qi's bold words, people like Li Xianzhong who knew the past understood that Liu Qi was not just thinking about his own reputation after his death.

The Huaidong army suffered heavy casualties and finally had the chance to launch a counterattack. How could they just leave in such disgrace?

Not to mention that Liu Qi participated in the Battle of Zhegao, which was just west of Guishan Mountain, and those terrible things were still vivid in his mind.

It was in this battle that Yue Fei was badly betrayed by Zhang Jun and took the huge blame.

With Yue Fei's experience as a lesson, how could Liu Qi dare to retreat at this time? In addition, he and Yu Yunwen had no previous friendship, and Liu Qi was also worried that if he retreated at this time, he would have no credit if he won, but would have to bear all the responsibility if he lost.

Liu Qi could die, but what about his subordinates?
"General Liu, since that's the case, I can't stop you." Liu Huai thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "I only have two requests. One is to select brave men to join the battle, and the other is to block the Tangshan Pass!"

After saying that, Liu Huai bowed, without waiting for Liu Qi's answer, nor did he participate in counting the spoils. He turned his horse and led his armored cavalry to gallop towards the infantry led by Xin Qiji.

Liu Qi coughed twice, looked at Liu Huai's back, shook his head, and said to Li Xianzhong: "I am old. In the end, the affairs of the world must be handled by young people."

Li Xianzhong sighed and was about to say something inspiring, but when he thought of the heavy casualties of the Chizhou army, he couldn't help but feel a pain in his heart and almost lost his composure on the chaotic battlefield.

However, the two veteran generals finally calmed down and began to gather their troops. While occupying the Jin army's Tangshan camp, they also summoned troops that were still able to fight.

But the two armies had not yet been assembled. In the east, there was a cloud of dust and smoke at the Qingxi River, the sound of horses' hooves, and a large Wujie flag fluttering in the wind at the forefront.

After Pucha Shijie led 3,000 elite troops to defeat Wang Qi and Zhang Zhen, he actually crossed the river on horseback without stopping and attacked Yu Yunwen's Huaixi army without stopping.

At the same time, Xin Qiji, who was on the shore of Chaohu Lake, stood on horseback, looking into the distance, and inferring the surrounding situation based on the information from the scouts.

Soon, Xin Qiji frowned and muttered to himself: "The Huaixi army is moving too fast."

This is not a compliment.

Originally, the Huaixi army led by Yu Yunwen was only visible from a distance away from Chao County after crossing the Qingxi River. However, at this time, it was almost advancing on par with the Jingnan army. The two armies were three miles apart, and the big flags could be seen with the naked eye.

At such a fast marching speed, the deployed battle formation will become dispersed on its own.

What might be even worse is that Yu Yunwen himself is about to lose control of the army.

Geng Xing, who led the cavalry, asked, "Fifth brother, do you want to go and help?"

Xin Qiji sat back on his horse and shook his head, saying, "It's too late. Send an envoy to give them a reminder. The rest is up to Brother Xiao Yi."

It was indeed too late.

Li Tieqiang and Jia Rui, the vanguard of the Jingnan Army, have begun sporadic battles with the rear of the Wuping Army. The subsequent battle sequence has been launched, and the strongest mobile force, the Flying Tiger Army, has also turned to the flank of the Wuping Army under the command of Zhang Baiyu. The battle is about to begin, and the Jingnan Army can no longer turn.

Just as the two armies were rushing towards Guishan, the situation on Guishan also changed.

On the south side of the battle line, Bi Jin fought desperately and killed Wendun Liangbi. However, under the command of Wanyan Alin, the Jin army did not show any signs of collapse. Instead, they became more and more courageous, and the vanguard even pressed into the mountainside.

Chen Min hung Wen Dunliangbi's banner upside down in front of the battle line, which was not to say that it was completely useless. The Wuping army felt deeply ashamed of this and rushed forward desperately to try to grab the banner back.

With Bi Jin and Yu Feiying both killed, the combined Lu'an and Guangzhou armies fell into disarray. Bi Zaiyu was, after all, too young to assume command. Although some commanders stepped forward, they could only play a supporting role for the time being.

On the northern side of the battle line, the Weisheng Army, led by Wanyan Yuanyi, was as steady as an old dog, launching their attack at a leisurely pace. Wanyan Yuanyi, a man of age and experience, paid no heed to Wanyan Liang's urging, advancing steadily and cautiously, his Wanhu banner even trailing behind the Jinwu banner.

Faced with such an enemy, even though Zhao Xun and Du Yan continued to launch counterattacks, it was of no avail and was easily resolved by Wanyan Yuanyi.

The Jin army gradually gained the upper hand.

Wanyan Yuanyi, however, showed no joy. As the cavalry came and went, this general who was in charge of commanding the army gradually sketched out the entire battlefield in his mind.

"Report! Pucha Shijie's three thousand elite cavalry have arrived to support us and have all crossed the river."

"Report! The Wu Rui army has been severely defeated, and General Han's life or death is unknown."

"Report! Liu Qi and Li Xianzhong suffered heavy losses, and their troops are in disarray."

"Report, Yu Yunwen and his 10,000-strong army have arrived four miles east of the main camp!"

"Report! The Jingnan bandits are four miles from our camp. Please make a quick decision!"

Wanyan Yuanyi listened silently to the cavalry's report, but his eyes were fixed on the Jinwu banner of the central army.

However, after a while, no orders came. Wanyan Yuanyi frowned and waved his hand to call his trusted Mouke. However, when the words came to his lips, he changed his words.

"Report to His Majesty..." Wanyan Yuanyi paused and shook his head. "No, tell Wanyan Alin all the military intelligence we just learned and let him decide for himself what to do."

Wanyan Yuanyi knew the military intelligence, so there was no reason why Wanyan Liang didn't know it, but it was really possible that Wanyan Alin, who was commanding on the front line, didn't know it!

When the fighting reached this point, all the advice and concerns were useless. All Wanyan Yuanyi could do was wait for Wanyan Liang's order and complete it at all costs.

"Wanyan Wangxiang!" Wanyan Yuanyi pointed to a marching Meng'an beside him.

"I am here!" Wanyan Wangxiang bowed his head and responded.

"You must return to the army now and lead your men-in-arms to follow the Jinwu Banner. If your Majesty's men-in-arms launch an attack, you must act alongside him," Wanyan Yuanyi said gravely. "You must not leave your Majesty's side until the fighting ceases. Do you understand what to do?"

"Father!" Wanyan Wangxiang suddenly looked up: "What about your safety?"

You should know that the Meng'an led by Wanyan Wangxiang is the most elite Meng'an in the Weisheng Army, just like Han Wenguang in the Wurui Army and Ali Gua in the Wuping Army.

Just look at how hard the Wuping Army and the Wurui Army are now after losing their elite Meng'an, and you will know how important Meng'an is.

If Ali was still alive, Wanyan Alin would not have to go to the front line to command in person.

If Han Wenguang were there, Han Tang would not have to personally lead the cavalry to stop Li Xianzhong.

Wanyan Wangxiang was originally very upset because he could not participate in the battle along the way. After hearing the military intelligence, he thought he needed to protect his retreat himself. Now it seems that Wanyan Yuanyi actually wants to hand this Meng'an over to Wanyan Liang!
"There are no fathers and sons in the army, only generals!" Wanyan Yuanyi said in a deep voice: "Isn't my order clear?!"

"But father." Wanyan Wangxiang rode closer and lowered his voice: "The battle is not going well, you must also be prepared..."

Wanyan Wangxiang was responded with a beating with a horsewhip.

Wanyan Yuanyi shouted, "I originally thought you were just naughty, but I didn't expect you to be so useless! At this time of empire's rise and fall, you only care about your own family. You are so short-sighted! Hurry and organize the army! If you keep talking nonsense, don't think I won't kill you!"

Wanyan Wangxiang bowed his head in fear and agreed, then spurred his horse to the rear.

Wanyan Yuanyi was still angry and his eyes swept across the faces of the generals around him. Just as he was about to say something, he heard the sound of drums in front of him and the Song army shouted in unison.

Cheng Min, who had been silent for a long time, took action.

(End of this chapter)