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

Chapter 938 Armored soldiers advance like a forest

The Jin army had indeed performed well enough. At the very least, when faced with the Han army that seemed to have descended from the heavens, they did not scatter in disarray. Many officers, though terrified, still tried their best to organize their troops and attempt to stop the Han army's offensive.

However, all of this was in vain.

The Jin army, which relied mainly on cavalry, was trapped in Huolu, a place surrounded by mountains on the north, south, and west sides. There was no space for the cavalry to maneuver and charge, so they had no choice but to dismount and fight on foot.

These Jin soldiers were fine against the Song army, but when faced with the fierce attack of the Han infantry in formation, they were no match and scattered in disarray.

The Jin army was also a legitimate force, with tens of thousands of soldiers gathered together, so they naturally set up camp according to the regulations of east and west linked camps.

In other words, the large and small camps were separated and supported each other.

This method of setting up camp naturally allows chaos to be contained within the small camp in the event of a fire or riot.

However, with the Han army's fierce offensive, this method of setting up camp made it difficult for the Jin army to respond quickly.

Like the outer camps and outposts, once they're gone, they're truly gone. The routed soldiers inside don't even have the space to leave the battlefield and regroup.

"Report! The five easternmost camps of the Jin invaders have been captured! The Vanguard Army is requesting permission to engage!"

"Let Luo Shenyan reorganize his troops on the spot, and Wang Shilong will lead his main force to the front." Liu Huai followed behind the infantry formation, advancing forward while continuously issuing orders: "Also, tell Lei Ben not to ask to fight again. He has a chance to show his skills. For now, he should stay on his horse and conserve his energy, following behind the main army."

After Liu Huai reined in his horse and waited for a moment, Wang Shilong's troops arrived at the forefront of the battle line. After using gunpowder to blow open the wooden fence of the Jin army camp, the Han army swarmed forward and launched a fierce attack on the Jin army that had gathered inside the camp.

At this point, the Han army finally reached the high ground that the Jin army had been holding and officially stormed into the Jin army's Huolu camp.

Liu Huai continued to march forward at a leisurely pace, carrying the banner with Chinese characters.

Yelü Xingge, the commander of the Liao cavalry, hesitated to speak.

Seeing this, Liu Huai asked directly, "Speak your mind directly, lest we miss our chance."

Yelü Xingge felt a chill run down his spine and said, cupping his hands, "King of Han, please do not advance with the infantry. I request that you take command of the Flying Tiger Cavalry."

Liu Huai shook his head directly: "Then who will be in charge of the infantry?"

Yelü Xingge immediately replied, "Luo Shenyan, Wang Shilong, Lei Ben, Li Xiu, and even this humble general are all acceptable. Now we are simply moving forward. As long as we leave the banner here and appoint someone with full authority, even someone of average ability will be sufficient to handle the situation."

"The King of Han is of noble birth; he should not risk his life personally."

In such terrain, unless there is an extraordinary opportunity, the Flying Tiger Cavalry would have to hold the line indefinitely, while the infantry would have to fight on the front lines. In terms of danger alone, Liu Huai, the King of Han, was in a much more dangerous position than Guan Chongyan, the commander of the Flying Tiger Army.

However, Liu Huai still shook his head, but did not give Yelü Xingge a chance to refute: "You should not stay here. Keep going forward. We will soon reach the Mongols. If they are desperate, our flanks will be in danger. You should lead the Liao cavalry to the south to prepare now."

"Pass on my order to Xiao Pennu: the White Horse Army, form ranks on the north flank and do not let a single Mongol escape!"

Yelü Xingge had no choice but to accept the order, knowing that the military situation was urgent. He bowed and received the order, then immediately led his troops southward through the gap between the two small camps.

After dismissing the last officer who could offer advice, Liu Huai finally found peace and quiet, and had time to ponder an important question.

Both the Jin and Mongol armies relied primarily on cavalry, and infantry formation warfare was not their forte. Therefore, the Jin-Mongol allied forces would definitely try to mount their horses and charge.

Given this terrain, in which direction will they choose to break through?

Looking at the surrounding mountains and the distant peaks, Liu Huai pondered for a moment, then, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, looked up at the Chinese character flag beside him.

This should be it.

If he were Wanyan Guying, he would also target this place.

But this is exactly what's going on.

"Issue my order that Li Xiu lead the Eastern Navy forward and follow behind the Right Army."

Wang Shilong was then ordered to have the right wing attack the main camp of the Jin rebels, and then move the entire army north to make way for the East Sea Navy.

Luo Shenyan then ordered the left wing to complete its formation and sweep forward from the southern end of the battlefield.

Tell the three commanders that their entire army of 15,000 men, after storming the main Jin stronghold, I want to see them advance in unison and sweep away the enemy!

"Then send another order to Lei Ben: the Vanguard Army to come before me as my personal guards."

"Send the order to Wang Xiongyi of the rear army to serve as the general reserve force."

"The Flying Tigers shall halt immediately, and all troops shall don their armor. Guan Chongyan shall be given the authority to make decisions on the battlefield!"

After issuing several orders, Liu Huai reined in his horse and stopped outside the main camp of the Jin army, waiting for the situation to change.

Before the vanguard army even arrived, Liu Huai heard the rumbling of cannons coming from the south. He took off his binoculars from beside his saddle and looked closely, only to see thick smoke rising from a hilltop near the Jin army camp to the south.

"It's cannons! It must be Mr. Liang starting to bombard the Jin bandit camp." Yao Buping also saw this and quickly said, "Should we send troops to provide some support?"

Liu Huai put down his binoculars, waved his hand and said, "No need. Luo Shenyan and Yelü Xingge are on the south side. They will send troops to assist us. Let's continue our advance."

The Jin bandits' camp stretches for over ten miles. If we can break through these ten miles and advance all the way to Jingxing, this battle will be won! Everything else is trivial! After saying this, Liu Huai slowly stepped forward again, and the Chinese character banner moved with him.

Bi Zaiyu had already led his mixed troops into the Jin army camp from the south. After occupying a high ground, he saw the Chinese character flag moved to the side of the Jin army's main camp and couldn't help but feel excited.

"Old Hou, look! The Prince of Han is about to enter the battle!"

Hou Anyuan casually killed the Mongol he had just captured, and said, panting heavily, "Now that our lord has entered the battle, how can we fall behind? Keep charging forward!"

Bi Zaiyu, also panting heavily, said, "No way! We've only managed to hold on this long, it's already a miracle. How much strength do you have left?"

Hou Anyuan was speechless.

This force consisted of only about four hundred men. Although they were all combat soldiers and, with the assistance of artillery, stormed into the Jin army camp, their organization was incomplete, resulting in some confusion in the coordination between different branches of the army.

In terms of specific tactics, the four hundred Han soldiers were already somewhat exhausted after defeating seven or eight Mouke.

This statement is actually somewhat arrogant and boastful. After all, defeating an enemy force twice their size with just over four hundred hastily assembled ragtag soldiers is undoubtedly a testament to their superior combat strength.

But isn't this a long-distance raid with no way to retreat?

With the Han army exhausted, how could the Jin army not be in a state of panic and utter despair?
The main force of the Han army, advancing from east to west, has defeated countless Jin troops. As a minor force within a minor force, what is there to boast about in terms of the small amount of merit that Bi Zaiyu and others have achieved?
"Then what do you think we should do?"

Bi Zaiyu was about to answer, rubbing his chin, when suddenly dust rose up on the west side of the Jin army camp, which was surrounded by mountains on three sides.

Before he could figure it out, he saw a large cavalry force coming from the east to the west from the southern perimeter of the Jin army camp, with a large Liao banner fluttering in the wind at the head of the procession.

Hou Anyuan shouted loudly, "Bi Dalang! It's the Liao cavalry! Commander Yelü has personally led his troops here!"

Bi Zaiyu quickly stepped forward, nudged Hou Anyuan's cheek, and pointed west: "Don't look at our troops anymore, that should be the Jin bandits gathering their cavalry there. Damn it, the Jin bandits and the Mongols are about to attack!"

Hou Anyuan looked at the small hill at his feet, then at the Liao cavalry advancing along the southern edge of the Jin army's main camp, and suddenly realized a question: "Does General Yelü know that the Jin cavalry is about to attack?"

Since the Jin army camp was built on a high ground, the Liao cavalry, marching along the edge of the camp, may not have actually noticed that the Jin cavalry were gathering.

Bi Zaiyu immediately responded: "That's exactly what I wanted to say, and..."

Bi Zaiyu gestured between the Jin army's rear camp and the Chinese banner: "Moreover, the Jin bandits may not necessarily be going to charge out."

Hou Anyuan was stunned for a moment, then immediately flew into a rage: "King Han... these bastards want to attack King Han! We..."

At this point, Hou Anyuan became somewhat dejected.

With so few troops, and all of them already exhausted, what could they possibly do?

Bi Zaiyu patted Hou Anyuan's shoulder hard to bring him back to his senses, then pointed to a high ground to the west: "There are still more than two hundred Jin bandits holding out there. You take all the troops and find a way to occupy that high ground."

I'll send someone to have Shi Wang bring the cannon over. Now, a five-pound cannon can accurately hit targets seven or eight hundred paces away. As long as we stand on high ground, we can control a large area.

I will go and find Commander Yelü myself!

Hou Anyuan immediately nodded, and as he turned his horse around, he shouted back, "Brother Bi, your talent is ten times that of me. I won't ask about the specific plans, I just want to know how much confidence this move can have in helping the Prince of Han!"

Bi Zaiyu called to his personal guards, then turned his horse around and left with only one sentence: "Fifty percent!"

"That's enough!" Hou Anyuan raised his spear and began to direct the soldiers, who had just rested for a moment, to march westward: "Enough to risk their lives!"

Bi Zaiyu did not respond, but instead waved his own flag and headed towards the large Liao banner embroidered with a blue ox.

Yelü Xingge was also somewhat surprised when he saw Bi Zaiyu: "Brother Bi, what are you doing here?"

Bi Zaiyu, panting heavily, said, "General Yelü, the situation is urgent, so I'll be frank. There's dust rising from the westernmost part of the Jin army's rear camp, which seems to be gathering troops."

Yelü Xingge, a general who had faced death several times, immediately twitched involuntarily as he looked to the north.

However, the foothills of the Taihang Mountains are full of small hills, and he was not at a high place. So where could he find that Chinese character flag in such a short time?
"Brother Bi, since you've come to me, do you have any ideas?"

Yelü Xingge only panicked for a moment before realizing something and loudly questioned Bi Zaiyu.

Bi Zaiyu immediately nodded: "That depends on whether General Yelü wants a Marquis or a Duke."

Yelü Xingge sneered: "Bi Dalang, I know that the Prince of Han once publicly promised you a future as a founding duke, and you have indeed lived up to his expectations."

But do you really not understand the value of founding dukes and marquises because of this matter?

Bi Zaiyu ignored Yelü Xingge's sarcasm and continued, "If General Yelü wants to become a Marquis of the State, he can quickly return to the side of the eldest son. In this way, although he can show his loyalty to the eldest son, it will hardly benefit the overall situation."

"If you want to become a Duke, I've already sent Shi Wang with those five-pound cannons to high ground, enough to cover the army's movements. It's just a matter of whether General Yelü dares to continue advancing."

Yelü Xingge looked at the narrow plain dotted with small hills ahead, sneered twice more, and then spurred his horse forward.

(End of this chapter)