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

Chapter 731 In a chaotic world, people are trampled like crops.

He Shilie Zhining only glanced at the battlefield before he clearly understood the situation.

The so-called "tactical shifters" meant that the Jin army wanted to use its cavalry advantage to directly attack the Han army's weak central position from both flanks and carry out a decapitation strike.

The Han army also wanted to use its most elite infantry to sweep through the Jin army's central force, thereby isolating the Jin cavalry.

The odds seemed evenly matched, but the Jin army, consisting of 10,000 Han soldiers and 4,000 armored cavalry, was unable to withstand the onslaught. Before the Han army could even form ranks, they had already retreated and were in complete disarray. The officers were driving them back to their original formation to regroup.

The battlefield was in chaos, and even now, Heshilie Zhining had not been able to determine exactly how many soldiers had been lost. He only knew that Liu Qing, the deputy commander of the Han army, and Wanyan Zhang seemed to have not returned.

As for the dead commanders and marching soldiers, He Shilie Zhining dared not think about it in detail, otherwise he would have hesitated whether to continue fighting.

At this moment, facing the sweeping formation of 30,000 Han infantrymen, Heshilie Zhining's organized forces consisted of approximately 20,000 Han soldiers, over 4,000 Jin cavalry, and 2,000-3,000 Khitan light cavalry who had been regrouped.

Heshilie Zhining needed to use these resources to deal with the advance of the main Han infantry force, and he had to hold out until Tudan Hailuo and Wuyan Chala defeated the Han central army.

"This battle will be difficult." Wanyan Mouyan fastened his helmet strap, watching the Han army advance step by step, and muttered to himself.

He Shi Lie Zhi Ning gritted his teeth, stared at the battlefield for a moment, and then burst into laughter: "Since ancient times, in large-scale battles and elite clashes, where has there ever been an easy one?! Everyone, fight to the death with me!"

Wanyan Mouyan smiled as well. At this moment, he seemed to have put aside all his grudges. He cupped his hands to Heshilie Zhining and said, "Marshal, then I will lead the infantry to meet them. The Marshal will personally lead the cavalry to find an opportunity to attack!"

Heshilie Zhining nodded and looked at Liu E, who had just fled back in a disheveled state: "Liu Jiedu, I don't blame you for being scared away by that big blue rhinoceros, but you shouldn't have retreated here to me."

The Han Chinese army still obeys your commands, and I ultimately cannot punish you on the battlefield. But you must remember that Liu Dalang of Shandong raised the banner not only to expel the Tartars, but also to save the people. Your Liu family has been operating in Youyan for many years, and many prefectures and counties belong to your family, which is exactly what Liu Dalang cannot tolerate.

"If we Jurchens fall into his hands, as long as we have no blood on our hands, we can still survive by changing our names and identities. But someone like you is someone Liu Dalang will definitely kill! Which is more important, Steward Liu, think it over!"

After reprimanding Liu E, He Shilie Zhining softened his tone: "Since Commander Liu's banner has been lost, set off together with General Mouyan. I hereby give you a military order: if General Mouyan does not retreat, you must not retreat!"

Liu E didn't know whether it was out of shame or because she was persuaded by He Shilie Zhining, and could only nod repeatedly.

Two high-ranking Jin officers immediately set off and arrived at the central position of the 20,000 Han soldiers, where they raised a large flag and established a command system for the battle.

Meanwhile, Heshilie Zhining led four thousand armored cavalrymen, glancing northward at Wanyan Shoudao, who was still gathering his routed troops, and then southward at Yelü Wowo, who was commanding the Khitan light cavalry. A sense of regret inexplicably rose in his heart.

Wanyan Yong should really be allowed to come and oversee things personally.

However, these thoughts only lingered in his mind for a moment before He Shi Lie Zhi Ning shook his head and dismissed them.

The biggest oversight was that we didn't expect the Shandong bandits to have so many soldiers and such formidable fighting power. This is something that can't be compensated for by just one or two people. Even if Wanyan Yong came, it would only boost morale, which would be a temporary fix but not a fundamental solution.

Now it all depends on who rides the golden-armored rider.

Thinking this, Heshilie Zhining rode in his stirrups, facing the sunlight, and gazed towards the easternmost end of the battlefield.

There, smoke and dust billowed, and all he could see were fluttering flags and surging crowds. He couldn't make out the actual situation of the battlefield at all.

All Heshilie Zhining knew was that Tudan Hailuo and Wuyan Chala used almost the same tactics: a portion of their cavalry entangled the Han armored cavalry, while their main force surged forward, circling around from the north and south, like a giant pincer clamping down on the Han army's central position.

This was nearly seven thousand elite armored cavalry, and their actions were so imposing that they could not be kept secret from anyone.

As the nut caught in the giant pincers, Liu Huai simply ordered Wang Shilong, Wang Xiongyi, Pang Rugui, and others to line up and wait. Then he jumped off his horse, looked down at the fallen rice seedlings on the ground, and seemed a little lost in thought.

The battle involved hundreds of thousands of troops, and the battlefield stretched for more than twenty miles. Naturally, there was no official road or open space of that size.

Therefore, the army will eventually trample the crops, flatten the field ridges, occupy the villages and towns, and have a devastating impact on the livelihoods of the surrounding people.

In this respect, the Han army was relatively good. They distributed some food and asked the surrounding villagers to go to a safe place. In addition, military judges patrolled back and forth to maintain discipline and prevent the army from harming the people.

The Jin army maintained the normal standards of medieval armies, treating the people under its rule with overwhelming force.

Although the chief ministers, including He Shilie and Liangbi, had repeatedly issued orders prohibiting the solicitation of signatures.

But that's in the context of the rear, on a large scale. Specifically, along the army's marching route, it was not uncommon for all the men in a village to be conscripted as laborers and all the women to be used as prostitutes. Elders would cook in the camps, and children would be cooked into food.

Faced with such a large army, no one will care, and no one dares to care. The closest person to dare to care is Emperor Wanyan Yong in Hejian Prefecture, and the next closest is Heshi Lie Liangbi in Bozhou. If you have the guts, go and complain to them, and see if they care!

Of course, the Jin army could disregard the common people, but Liu Huai could not.

Liu Huai's distraction at this moment was not because he was terrified by the Jin army's strength, but because he believed that as long as the Jin army's main force and elite troops turned their spears on him, the Han army would have an 80% chance of winning this great battle.

If the Jin cavalry, in coordination with their infantry, were to besiege the Han infantry formation, the Jin army would still have a three-tenths chance of victory. This is because Liu Huai would inevitably lead his central army forward, making it possible for them to be defeated by the Jin army.

However, now the Jin army actually wants to strike directly at the central army. Do they really think they are toothless tigers?

Liu Huai reached out and straightened the rice seedlings, then said to Liang Su, "Mr. Liang, after this battle, how many rice seedlings will be trampled? How much will the autumn harvest in Daming Prefecture be reduced? Does the General Staff have any plans?"

As Liu Huai's military advisor, Liang Su generally performed the duties of a chief of staff. Although a complete document had not yet been drafted regarding the post-war handling of the situation, discussions and preliminary plans had already been held.

But at this moment, Liang Su was in the middle of the army, facing the Jin cavalry surging like a tide. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his mouth was dry, and his thoughts were even more chaotic. He was unable to answer this simple question for a moment.

Seeing the rice seedlings fall over again, Liu Huai shook his head and sighed: "At the very least, the villages and towns between Daming Prefecture and Bozhou will be devastated. A reduced harvest this autumn is inevitable. I hope Mr. Liang can make a statistic then, so that there won't be a famine or loss of life after the autumn harvest."

Liang Su finally smiled bitterly and said, "Young Master, these are seven thousand elite cavalrymen. Even if you are confident, I, a mere scholar, have never seen such a battlefield before. Let's deal with them first, and then talk about helping the people."

Liu Huai shook his head and laughed, "What's so difficult about that? With our well-trained army, solid formation, and numerous armored soldiers, what can the Jin invaders do to us, let alone seven thousand armored cavalry, or even seventy thousand?"

After hearing Liu Huai's bold words, Liang Su felt somewhat at ease, but he was still a little uneasy.

Seeing this, Liu Huai shouted loudly to Wang Shilong, who was about twenty paces away, "Wang Wulang! Mr. Liang feels that our army's three command divisions, totaling eight thousand soldiers, including five thousand armored soldiers, will be in danger against the Jin invaders' elite cavalry. Do you have a way to reassure Mr. Liang?!"

Wang Shilong pondered for a moment, then answered loudly, "I saw that the Jin bandits have six Meng'an banners for marching. If I can capture one for you within three quarters of an hour of battle, what do you say?"

Liu Huai nodded, then said to Yuan Qi beside him, "Yuan Sanlang, since Wang Wulang has such ambition, he must need a fierce general. Go and help him."

"This... here!"

Yuan Qi was initially hesitant, because Wang Shilong had ordered his three hundred elite armored soldiers to guard Liu Huai's side, clearly to protect the young master's safety.

But then he thought, if he refused now, wouldn't that give his lord the impression that he only recognized Wang Shilong and not Liu Huai?

This is a major political issue that could not only harm Wang Shilong, but could also very likely implicate him as well.

Therefore, Yuan Qi hesitated only slightly before loudly agreeing and then led three hundred armored soldiers to Wang Shilong's side.

Wang Shilong saw this but said nothing.

Since Liu Huai already had three hundred Flying Tiger cavalry led by Yao Buping as his guards, as long as he remained in the formation, his safety was not a concern.

"Yuansaburo, now that you're here, why don't you continue to conserve your energy and prepare for your ultimate move?"

Yuan Qi had also made some contributions when he rescued the Taiping army last time. However, firstly, it was a flanking attack, and secondly, it was not the regular army of the Jin Dynasty that was defeated, but the Taiping rebels. Therefore, his official position remained that of a commander, but the troops under his command were replaced with some elite soldiers.

Yuan Qi still harbored a strong desire for fame and fortune; otherwise, he wouldn't have given up his position as a commander in the State of Song to come to Shandong to make a name for himself and achieve great things.

Therefore, upon hearing this, he was overjoyed and immediately ordered his three hundred armored soldiers to sit down and rest behind the lines, waiting for the Jin cavalry to launch an attack.

Wu Yanchala was the first to arrive at the Han army's central position. Just one look at the armored soldiers' formation, which resembled a steel hedgehog, and his heart sank.

This is no easy formation to capture! Facing so many armored cavalry, the Han army showed no fear whatsoever. Could they be elite troops as well?
Where did the Han army get so many elite infantrymen?
Wu Yanchala cursed inwardly, but now that things had come to this, the main battle had begun, the troops had been divided, and a large amount of blood and lives had been lost. The elite cavalry had broken through the encirclement with a do-or-die attitude. What other explanation could there be?
Let the war begin!

Soon, twelve armored cavalrymen from the Mouke broke away from the main cavalry formation, forming small groups. They rode their warhorses and patrolled in front of the Han army's lines, occasionally closing in suddenly to attack the Han soldiers with their bows and arrows or short spears.

The Han army was not to be outdone, and the crossbowmen quickly gathered together, using long spears and powerful crossbows to shoot down the invading Jin army.

At first, both sides were just testing each other, but the intensity of the battle quickly increased, and it became fierce in just 15 minutes.

(End of this chapter)