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

Chapter 937 The Dragon Soars and Wings Flutter (Part 2)
At the very same moment that Liu Huai ordered the attack to begin.

In the Han army's camp in Luancheng, He Boqiu, who had been sitting awake all night, looked at the white light in the east, jumped up from his seat, and shouted loudly to the military commander: "Quickly! Now! Order all units to send out their troops!"

"Go and tell all the stewards that the King of Han has arrived at Huolu and is fighting a major battle with the Jin invaders! If they are still loyal subjects and sons of the King of Han, they should now come with me to support the eldest son and besiege Zhen Ding Prefecture!"

……

Taiyuan Prefecture.

Shi Qilang stood at the entrance of the camp, watching the army, which was already taking shape, march out of the camp. They abandoned Taiyuan City, which was just a stone's throw away, and turned towards the Shouyang and Pingding line.

"You think that the gains and losses of a single city or territory are the most important things, but let me tell you, that's not true!"

Shi Qilang loudly addressed the surrounding generals: "The most important thing has always been people! Those who dare to fight and are capable of fighting!"
As the King of Han once said: "If you gain land but lose people, you lose both; if you gain people but lose land, you gain both."

"As long as we capture Pingding and block Jingxing, the main forces of the Jin and Mongol tribes will be completely cut off! Then, Taiyuan will be nothing more than a piece of cake."

Huyan Zhangba burst out laughing: "Seventh Brother doesn't even care about the title of Marquis of Jinyang anymore, so why would we hold him back?"

The generals, who had been frustrated because they couldn't attack Taiyuan due to the need to execute their strategy, all burst into laughter.

Indeed, if even the biggest direct beneficiaries don't care, what can the rest do?

Shi Qilang, however, clutched his chest, feigning heartache: "How could I possibly not care about the position of the Founding Marquis?"
After I've torn those Mongols to pieces, I'll be the first to return and attack Taiyuan! No one can stop me!

Amidst increasingly loud laughter, the Han army marched towards Jingxing, facing the rising sun.

……

Mozhou, Renqiu City.

Gao Changqiu, the prefect of Mozhou in the Jin Kingdom, had only slept for an hour when he was awakened by his subordinates.

"What's wrong? Have the Han bandits attacked the city? Or has some wealthy family in the city started causing trouble again?"

The officer who came to report had a strange look on his face: "Neither. It seems that the Han traitors have...it seems that they have withdrawn...and...alas, I can't say for sure. Prefect, you should go and take a look quickly."

Gao Changqiu quickly got up, went up to the city wall, and looked down.

The Han army camp, separated by a wide moat, was indeed completely silent.

Dozens of Jin soldiers who had been captured a few days earlier during an attack on the Han army's camp were now sailing back to the city of Renqiu in a small boat, with several large characters written on each of the boat's two sails.

The first one is: "I'm not playing anymore!"

The next one reads: "The head of the traitor Wang Hu!"

Gao Changqiu frowned as he stared at the familiar head hanging on the mast. After a moment's thought, he opened his eyes wide in surprise.

He hurried to the map in the arrow tower, but after looking at it for only a moment, he beat his chest and stamped his feet, tears streaming down his face.

The junior officer beside him quickly stepped forward to support the swaying Gao Changqiu: "Prefect, what's wrong?"

Gao Changqiu cried out in tears: "I've been deceived! I've been deceived! The Han traitors weren't stopped by me, but were deliberately spared! Ah!!! Your Majesty!!! Because of my steadfast defense in Renqiu, Your Majesty personally went to Zhen Ding Prefecture."

Little did I know, Zhen Ding Prefecture was a trap set by the Han traitors for His Majesty! I have harmed His Majesty! I have harmed His Majesty!

The junior officer hurriedly looked at the map, and finally discovered a fact by following Gao Changqiu's words.

The Wulu Army, which suffered a setback at Renqiu, and the Tianxiong Army, which halted its troops at Boye and Puyin, did not actually need to capture the fortified cities in front of them.

If they all march westward together, they can easily sever the connection between Zhen Ding Prefecture and Youyan.

It's laughable that Gao Changqiu always thought he was defending the cities and protecting the Jin from the enemy, but he never expected that the Han army's strategic objective was not these cities in the first place.

After the junior officer understood, he did not panic, nor did he cry blood like Gao Changqiu. He simply remained silent, patting Gao Changqiu's back to help him catch his breath.

The soldiers and civilians of Mozhou fought against the Han army because they were grateful for Gao Changqiu's kindness and were willing to go through fire and water for him. But what kind of scoundrel was the Jin emperor? Did he even deserve a single tear from the Han people of Hebei?
The junior officer turned his head and looked at the rising sun through the arrow slits of the tower, and a phrase he had heard long ago inexplicably came to mind.

The Liu family's attack was like that of gods and demons.

Such strategic maneuvering, as swift as a gazelle's horns, is truly unfathomable.

……

At roughly the same moment, Liu Huai, whose offensive was as fierce as a demon, also turned his head to look at the rising sun.

At this time, the main force of the Han army was attacking from east to west, and the Jin army could only fight facing the rising sun, which could be considered a small advantage.

As the fireworks rose and the final assault began, Liu Huai couldn't help but think of the "Chronicles of Chu and Han" that Liang Su had recited.

This book was written by Lu Jia, Liu Bang's military advisor, and its authenticity is very high.

The reason why Wancheng, which originally chose to hold out, surrendered after Liu Bang launched a simple night raid was quite simple.

Due to limitations in communication capabilities, ancient military command was extremely inflexible, untimely, and heavily influenced by weather, time, and visibility.

Historically, night raids typically involved the entire army carrying torches, with constant drumming and music used to maintain order. However, Liu Bang's army could launch a long-distance raid in the dead of night, before the rooster crowed, "concealing their banners, with men gagged and horses mouth-bound," then "like a dragon soaring and an eagle spreading its wings," instantly transforming their marching column into a battle formation.

Someone unfamiliar with military affairs would naturally not be able to discern Liu Bang's divine mandate and might even think that the defenders of Wancheng were cowards who would surrender after being intimidated.

However, it was clear that the garrison of Wancheng at the time was knowledgeable about military affairs and knew what kind of combat power this represented. That's why they were so terrified by a military demonstration that they surrendered in despair.

What is even more obvious is that the Jin generals currently in the Huolu camp are just as knowledgeable about military affairs as the two Mongol Khans.

Seeing the Han soldiers silently advancing like a surging tide, Yesugei, standing on the watchtower, twitched his eyebrows and forehead. He slowly turned his head to look at Wanyan Guying, finally losing his previous composure.

"You rat-born son of a bitch, you actually want us Mongols to fight against this kind of army?" Yesugei's face was contorted with rage as he cursed at Wanyan Guying.

Toli stamped his foot and tugged at Yesugei's arm: "Anda, what's the point of saying this now? These Jurchens have gone mad! Let's leave now and let these heartless bastards die! I'll watch how they die!"

It was only natural that the two Mongol Khans lost their composure.

The reason why the Jin and Mongol allied forces stopped at Huolu was because this place was the exit of Jingxing Pass, surrounded by mountains on the north, south and west sides. As long as the Jin army blocked the entrance on the east side, they could control the Mongol people.

This is also why the two Mongol Khans behaved quite compliantly.

In their view, once they've been lying low for a while, they can go out and run wild.

But what the hell is this now?

How come the Han army has already blocked the entrance to the Huolu camp and started fighting?

And how could the Han army be so elite?

You Jurchens are truly amazing. As a powerful nation that controls half the world, you dare to divide your forces to deal with such an army.

I'd like to see how you die!
The two Mongol Khans' exasperation did not attract the attention or reprimand of Wanyan Guying and other Jin generals, because they were also distraught and terrified.

Many of those present, including Wanyan Mouyan and Wanyan Shoudao, had fought against the Han army in the Battle of Daming Prefecture and knew how powerful the Han army was. Yet, they were still stunned and speechless by such a direct display of combat strength.

Wanyan Mouyan seemed to have aged ten years, his entire body hunched over inside his armor, muttering to himself, "This is... more than 30,000 troops... why... why did our army... not notice them at all when more than 30,000 troops came to the vicinity of the camp?"

No one could answer his question.

Panting heavily, Wanyan Shoudao finally came to his senses after a long while. He grabbed Wanyan Guying and roared, "Uncle! Now is not the time to admit defeat. The traitor Liu has penetrated deep into enemy territory alone. As long as we can hold on, His Majesty will be able to come out of Zhending and attack our army from both sides!"
At that time, we might just be able to turn defeat into victory.

Wanyan Guying shook his head dejectedly: "We all know these things. How could we not know that Liu the traitor is so skilled in warfare?"
Now I'm actually worried that His Majesty will personally lead troops to the rescue, and perhaps Liu Bei's troops are already lying in ambush along the way.

Wanyan Shoudao was stunned for a long time before asking in a trembling voice, "Uncle, are we just going to watch our men be wiped out by that traitor Liu?"

Wanyan Guying gripped the railing of the watchtower, his hands squeezing the wooden bars so hard they creaked. He gritted his teeth, his face contorted in a grimace, as if trying to suppress the panic within him. Only after the Han army banners had stormed into three small camps did he finally speak: "I am the son of the Prince of Jinyuan. How can I die without a fight?!"
"Xi Lenin, go north now, gather all the troops you can see, and stabilize the northern flank of the main camp!"

"General Mouyan! Go to the south side immediately. There are several small hills there. I have left some troops on them. You lead your troops to guard that area!"

Wanyan Shoudao immediately responded loudly, while Wanyan Mouyan seemed to be stunned and remained motionless in place.

Wanyan Guying ignored the young man's posture, turned around, and looked at Yesugei and Tuoli with his sword: "You two barbarians, I don't have time to gossip with you!"
Tumen Pass is guarded by my trusted general, who personally leads two thousand soldiers. My orders to him are not to let a single soldier pass through! So, give up on the idea of ​​returning to Jin!

Yesugei and Tuoli immediately grabbed their swords and glared angrily.

Wanyan Guying continued with a sinister grin, saying, "Let me make this clear: I'm just manipulating you all."

Now you Mongols can either go up the mountain to gnaw on big trees, dragging your bowlegs while waiting for Liu the traitor to capture you one by one and chop you up.

"Or do as we said before, charge out! Charge behind that traitor Liu! Go do what you love to do most, burn, kill, and loot!"

Yesugei's hand, gripping the knife, bulged with veins: "You rat-like bastard, do you think you've got us cornered? Do you believe we'll switch sides right now and join forces with the Han King to swallow you Jurchens whole!"

"Hahahaha!" Wanyan Guying laughed loudly, "You barbarians, why don't you even check if you can speak your own Han language before trying to negotiate with Liu the traitor? Bah!"
"Then do you believe I'll ignore Liu the traitor and just kill you first!"

Yesugei's face turned pale and uncertain, but in the end he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll go back to headquarters now and set off immediately."

Having said that, Yesugei took Tori's hand and left.

Wanyan Guying turned around, looked at Wanyan Mouyan who was still somewhat lost and dejected, and then burst into laughter again.

"Mouyan, Xilien, our fathers and grandfathers were the three chariots of the Western Route Army, following King Nianhan to destroy the Liao and Song dynasties and to conquer a vast territory for the Jin Dynasty."

It's still the three of us fighting to the death for the Great Jin Dynasty. Isn't this the will of Heaven?
"Mou Yan, are you going to embarrass King Lou Shi at this time?"

Upon hearing his father's name, Wanyan Mouyan, who had already suffered a defeat in Daming Prefecture, finally came to his senses and burst into tears.

“Brother is right. Even if we die, we cannot tarnish the reputation of our father and grandfather! I will go south now!” Wanyan Mouyan cupped his hands and said, “Brother, Xilini, take care!”

However, as Wanyan Mouyan turned around, he happened to see the fiery red sunrise shining on the Taihang Mountains. He was stunned for a moment, and his tears suddenly stopped.

Behind the mountain lies the site of the Western Route Army's glorious achievements.

It really is a good place to be buried!
(End of this chapter)