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

Chapter 604 Military Strategy is the Foundation of Political Policy

Geng Jing fell ill.

Whether or not he was a competent ruler, he was ultimately the rightful leader of the Taiping Army. His dramatic fall from his horse in full view of the public was a blow to morale that cannot be described as severe.

Moreover, the timing of Geng Jing's fainting was extremely unfortunate. It was precisely when the Jin army was attacking and a decision needed to be made that his fainting almost instantly caused the Tianping Army to lose its command center and made trusted generals such as Zhang Anguo panic.

Xin Qiji had already managed to hold back about five thousand soldiers and hastily formed a horizontal formation in the west of the city. Looking at the Jin army gradually pouring out from the surrounding mountain valleys, he felt a chill in his heart.

"Fifth Brother, my general has sent me to report on military affairs..."

Before the military envoy from the city could finish speaking, Xin Qiji shouted, "Tell Liang Atai to close the city gates! I will lead my troops to fight with our backs to the city, and he can use the arrow towers to support me! Go now!"

The military envoy, though being pulled by the sleeve, showed no anger, only anxiety as he said, "All the weapons and provisions in Pingyin City are gone! That old dog Kong has betrayed us! Pingyin City cannot be defended! It's a trap!"

Xin Qiji's resolute face was now contorted with rage as he shouted, "Enough of your nonsense! Do you think I don't know that Kong Duanqi has already betrayed us? In the current situation, entering the city is tantamount to certain death, but how can we retreat now?! We must fight a battle to break through! This battle must be won!"

The military envoy nodded hastily.

However, no sooner had the military envoy left than another deputy general from another army came to report: "Brother Xin Wu! The military governor has a headache and has fainted!"

Xin Qiji instantly felt as if he had caught a headache, his head throbbing. All he could say was, "Take the military governor into the city! Go back and tell Zhang Qi how many fresh troops he has left, and send them all to support me! Today is the decisive battle!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than nearly a thousand soldiers carrying banners bearing the character "Jia" arrived at Xin Qiji's right flank and quickly formed ranks.

Jia Rui galloped over, shouting from afar, "Fifth Brother! I'll protect your right flank!"

Upon seeing this familiar scene, Xin Qiji felt a sense of certainty.

Li Tieqiang on the left wing, Jia Rui on the right wing, and Xin Qiji himself leading the central army—isn't this the same configuration of the Taiping Army during the Battle of Chaoxian?
However, Xin Qiji was only relieved for a moment before he suddenly realized that the reason he was confident that day was because he still had the heroes of the Jingnan Army and the heroes of the Song Army fighting side by side.

Liu Huai was also the commander-in-chief of the entire army.

What about now?
Thinking of this, even in the midst of his busy schedule, Xin Qiji still turned around and looked towards the northeast.

He knew that if he traveled about 150 li downstream along the Beiqing River, he would reach Licheng in Jinan Prefecture. He wondered how the battle was going for Liu Huai there and when he would be able to come to his aid.

Hopefully, it's not too late.

Thinking this, Xin Qiji said to the deputy general who came to deliver the message: "Go back quickly and tell the commander-in-chief... No matter who is making the decision in the central army, the army has run out of food and the morale of the troops is about to fall into chaos. After I defeat the Jin invaders, we must break out immediately."

They fled northeast along the Beiqing River; those who couldn't run scattered and hid in the mountains. As long as they reached Jinan Prefecture, Liu Dalang would lead his army to meet them. No…

Xin Qiji then changed his words: "Liu Dalang is already on his way. Just tell everyone that Liu Dalang has captured Licheng and is rushing to support our army overnight. The most important thing is to stabilize the morale of the army."

The deputy general, watching the Jin army begin to form ranks and approach, felt uneasy. He anxiously turned his horse and circled around before saying, "In that case, why don't we wait for reinforcements in the city?"

Xin Qiji explained, “The food supply outside the city has already been cut off right under everyone’s noses. The Jin bandits’ meticulous plan must have a backup plan. There must also be Jin bandits’ spies in the city. If we stay for another night, rumors will surely spread.”

I only have one question: if tomorrow morning, the Jin invaders bring the soldiers' families to the city walls and behead them one by one, what can you do?
The army's morale will collapse immediately! The only chance is to break out while the army can still hold on! Tell the commander-in-chief not to hesitate; there is only one opportunity!

The lieutenant, filled with anxiety and confusion, could only nod repeatedly before turning his horse to leave. But after a few steps, he reined in his horse and turned back: "Will Liu Dalang definitely come?"

Xin Qiji exclaimed, "Liu Dalang never fails to live up to anyone's expectations! He will definitely come!"

The lieutenant bowed and hurried away.

Xin Qiji drew his heavy sword and galloped back and forth in front of the army that was already arrayed in battle: "Kill the Jin invaders! Protect our homeland!"

"Kill the Jin traitors!"

"Kill the Jin traitors!"

Amidst the shouts of battle, the morale of the Taiping Army finally picked up slightly, and they roared back.

Heshi Lieliangbi stopped his horse on a small hill and looked down at the scene. He couldn't help but sigh, "General Xiao, although I have never experienced the methods of that Flying Tiger, his top general is indeed extraordinary. He truly deserves to be called a fierce general who can defeat my elite army."

Xiao Qi nodded with a serious expression.

The so-called layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

The Taiping army was in such a state of chaos, yet Xin Qiji was still able to quickly organize several thousand troops by relying on his prestige, and even set up a battle formation to confront the Jin army, which can be considered a small miracle.

In particular, Xin Qiji's formation speed was almost the same as that of the Divine Might Army, so even though Xiao Qi had the advantage of a surprise attack, he could not make good use of it and could only fight after forming his formation.

But the Taiping Army was already in this state, with internal and external disunity and scattered forces. How could it withstand the full force of the Jin army?
"Prime Minister, I request permission to send troops to crush this traitor!" Xiao Qi said with a sneer. "Since you admire this man, Prime Minister, do you need me to capture him?"

Heshi Lieliangbi shook his head: "War is dangerous and perilous, how can we hold back? General, just do your best."

Xiao Qi chuckled coldly twice before saying, "In that case, I'll use this bastard's head as a drinking vessel!"

Then, Xiao Qi raised the spear in his hand high and swung it downwards.

His personal guards sounded the horns, waved the flags several times, and then pointed the flag forward.

The thunderous sound of war drums followed, and the Divine Might Army advanced forward in a formation of infantry in the center, armored cavalry on both sides, and light cavalry leading the charge.

In this narrow strip of land, sandwiched between the Beiqing River and the foothills of Mount Tai, which is no more than ten miles wide, neither side has the time to devise ingenious strategies. Instead, they can only engage in a head-on battle.

Xiao Qi led the Shenwei Army with great confidence and launched an attack. He originally thought that Xin Qiji's more than 6,000 troops were like a dilapidated house that could be kicked down with one kick.

Then, the Divine Might Army ran into a lot of trouble.

Not only did the light cavalry's circling archery harassment fail to shake the Taiping Army's formation, but the infantry's attacks also failed to penetrate, and even the concentrated armored cavalry's attempts to penetrate and break through were repelled.

The two sides fought for half an hour, and three of the marching strategists had died, yet the Divine Might Army still couldn't break through!

Witnessing this scene, Xiao Qi couldn't help but think of the First Meng'an of the Shenwei Army, who had been lost in Chaoxian County, and then of his own nephew, Xiao Zhongda, the top general of the Shenwei Army. He couldn't help but sigh repeatedly. If these elite soldiers and generals were still alive, how could the Shenwei Army have failed to subdue even a group of demoralized and defeated soldiers?
But what else can be said now that things have come to this?

Just keep launching a fierce attack!

However, Xin Qiji was also not feeling well at this time.

The Taiping Army suffered far too many setbacks along the way, and its morale was utterly shattered. If it weren't for Xin Qiji's astonishing prestige and the fact that each of the generals led their personal guards into battle, the Taiping Army would never have survived.

Even so, danger lurked everywhere.

"Second Brother Ye, what are you doing here?"

Xin Qiji had just led his personal guards in a fierce battle and had only just stabilized their formation. At this moment, broken arrows were still stuck in his armor, making him look extremely disheveled.

However, upon seeing Ye Shichan arrive in a similarly disheveled state, he frowned and asked, "How many troops have you gathered?"

Ye Shichan shook his head and smiled bitterly: "There are only about seven or eight hundred. More than half of my troops are north of the Beiqing River. Baiju is currently leading them downstream to find a ferry crossing, build a pontoon bridge, and see if we can provide some support."

Upon hearing this, Xin Qiji's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "Has no Jurchen invader come from the north?"

Ye Shichan shook his head and sighed, "The Jin bandits' plan was so well-thought-out, yet Jia Gu Qingchen didn't come. It can only be because he was blocked in Liaocheng. The military governor was wrong. General Wang Youzhi was truly fighting to the death in Bozhou, not just avoiding battle."

Xin Qiji nodded. Since there were no enemies north of the Beiqing River, the chances of escape had increased.

After thinking for a moment, Xin Qiji shook his head slightly.

A pontoon bridge is not something that can be built hastily. How many people could escape with just a few ferries under the suppression of the Jin navy?

We cannot escape across the river; that would be a dead end. The only way is to flee northeast and meet up with Liu Dalang in Jinan Prefecture!
Ye Shichan, unaware of Xin Qiji's thoughts, cupped his hands and said, "Fifth Brother, although my troops are scattered, I still have considerable strength and courage, which you may command!"

This means acknowledging Xin Qiji's command during the battle.

But Xin Qiji waved his hand and said, "You can't join the battle. I don't have any reserve troops left. You should rest behind the lines, conserve your energy, and wait for the right opportunity!"

Ye Shichan hesitated for a moment, then bowed and left.

However, his seven hundred-plus men did not go far. They sat cross-legged about five or six hundred paces behind him, and officers of all ranks began to reorganize them urgently.

However, Ye Shichan was filled with worry.

With such a thorough plan, would the Jin army really leave a way out for the people of Northeast China?

At the same time, northeast of Pingyin City, the Wu'an Army also charged out from the mountains and lined up in battle formation in the road.

Gao Jingshan also stood on a hill, carefully observing the situation in Pingyin City.

Beside him, Gao Anren said with some helplessness, "Uncle, why did the Left Prime Minister issue such a military order? Doesn't he know that we should surround three sides and leave one open?"

After the Shenwei Army launched its attack, the Jin army was located to the southwest of Pingyin City, the Beiqing River was to the northwest, and the foothills of Mount Tai were to the southeast. The natural terrain had already blocked the area around Pingyin. If the northeast passage could be left open, it might force the Taiping Army to flee.

At that time, whether it's ambushing and intercepting or chasing and killing, it will be very appropriate.

However, Heshi Lieliangbi ordered the Wu'an Army to appear early and form a battle array in the road, which would have effectively surrounded Pingyin City, forcing the Tianping Army to defend to the death.
Facing this increasingly promising nephew, Gao Jingshan didn't keep him in suspense. He sighed and said, "There's some news that I just heard about myself."

"what?"

"Licheng has fallen. Fei Huzi spent one day besieging the city and one day taking it down. He might have already attacked."

"What?!" Gao Anren was genuinely astonished this time, almost unable to suppress his voice. He then abruptly looked towards the northeast, muttering to himself, "So fast..."

“Yes, it’s too fast,” Gao Jingshan said. “Originally, we had a three-sided encirclement with one side missing, which could have even driven out the defeated Tianping Army to attack Feihuzi, but now it’s useless. On the contrary, it may allow the remnants of the Tianping Army to join forces with Feihuzi. If we fail to achieve our goal, things will be troublesome. At the very least, there will be some commotion in Dongping Prefecture.”

Gao Anren nodded, then had another question: "Then why not block the northeast, let our Wu'an Army move out first, and let the Shenwei Army ambush? That way, we can force Geng to flee to the southwest, which would keep them away from Liu."

Gao Jingshan remained silent for a moment, unsure whether he should tell Gao Anren. After some deliberation, he decided to reveal a little information.

Now that Gao Anren has been designated as the military successor, we can't continue to keep him from knowing the political situation in the country.

"The Left Prime Minister's move is also for the sake of the Great Jin," Gao Jingshan said slowly.

Gao Anren immediately wanted to blurt out, "Which Great Jin? The one in the east or the one in the west?"

As if knowing what Gao Anren was thinking, Gao Jingshan continued, "The Great Jin I'm talking about is the Great Jin with the Wanyan clan as the royal family, the Jurchen people as the state, and the Xi, Khitan, Bohai, and Han people as its branches. No matter who is the emperor, it must be this system."

"Your Majesty's process of quelling the Khitan rebellion can be described as swift and decisive, like a gazelle leaping over a cliff, employing both suppression and appeasement. You even managed to win over that scoundrel Yelü Wowo, which is truly remarkable. However, as a result, the Khitans were not properly killed, but instead have troops outside and high-ranking officials in the court, making them a force to be reckoned with."

“If we let Xiao Qi lead the Divine Might Army back again…” At this point, Gao Jingshan, disregarding Gao Anren’s already grim expression, said delicately, “The Khitan branch is becoming a bit too thick.”

Gao Anren's lips moved: "So, the Left Prime Minister wants to sell out the Divine Might Army?"

"I wouldn't say they sold it all, but it's definitely true they wanted to take the opportunity to weaken them," Gao Jingshan sneered. "Don't look at me like that. I, your father Afu, the Left Prime Minister's father Taiyu Gong, and even the entire Great Jin Kingdom all rose to power by rebelling against the Liao. How could we not be wary of the Khitans?"

Gao Anren lowered his head and did not reply.

Gao Jingshan said, "Aren, I know you're not happy to hear this, but that's politics. It's not just about open attacks, but also a lot of hidden attacks that can kill without bloodshed. If you want to climb higher, you have to get used to these things."

Gao Anren nodded silently, about to say something, when he heard Gao Jingshan continue, "But I have another piece of advice for you: whether you are in power or commanding an army, you must have your own stance, and once you have decided on it, you cannot easily change it."

As he spoke, Gao Jingshan pointed to a corner of the battlefield in Pingyin City that was not covered up: "The Shenwei Army is now engaged in a fierce battle, and it may well be a tough fight. What do you think we should do?"

Gao Anren hesitated for a moment, then his gaze hardened: "On the battlefield, only military matters matter. As comrades, we should send troops to assist. As long as we defeat the Tianping Army outside the city, even if Geng has the means, he can only be trapped and die in Pingyin City! When their morale is completely broken, Pingyin City can be taken in one fell swoop!"

Gao Jingshan nodded indifferently: "Go ahead and lead your twenty-seven elite advisors!"

(End of this chapter)