After receiving the order from Han Shizhong to send people for help, Zhang Gongyu, the commander of the rear army of the Song Army, immediately led 30,000 soldiers to rush out of Linjiang County and rushed to the ambush valley forty miles away.
But within five miles of the 30,000 soldiers rushing out of the county seat, suddenly a burst of war drums sounded, and 50,000 Western cavalry came from all directions, surrounding him in a narrow depression about three miles long and only one mile wide.
The 50,000 cavalrymen wore bright armor and were full of murderous intent. The cavalrymen's mountain-like oppressive momentum made the 30,000 recruits turn pale and tremble with fear.
At this time, dozens of cavalrymen rushed up and shouted together: "We are the cavalry of the Western Army. Put down our weapons and armor. His Highness King Yong wants you to go home. If you resist, we will kill you!"
King Yong's reputation made the soldiers no longer have the courage to resist. "Dang rang! Dang rang" more and more soldiers put down their weapons and took off their armor.
Zhang Gongyu looked at the panic-stricken soldiers behind him, and then at the cavalrymen who couldn't see all around. He sighed deeply in his heart and ordered: "The whole army put down their weapons, took off their armor and surrendered!"
With the general's order, all the soldiers no longer hesitated and put down their weapons. Liu Qiong ordered Yue Yun and Zhang Xian to lead their own 10,000 cavalry and escort the surrendered soldiers quickly northward. The rest of the army packed up their armor and weapons on the ground.
Follow north.
More than an hour later, Han Shizhong led more than 10,000 remnants of the army and fled to the gate of Linchuan City. He shouted to open the door. The only answer he received was a volley of arrows. Some soldiers pointed at the tower and shouted: "Marshal, the battle flag has been changed."
Only then did Han Shizhong realize that the battle flag on top of the city had turned into the Huaixi Army flag. Han Shizhong was very surprised and confused. He didn't know what had happened, and he didn't know where the 30,000 troops in the city had gone.
At this moment, the soldiers found the soldier sent by Han Shizhong to deliver the order. The soldier stayed in the city and asked the officials to prepare food. He left a step too late and just escaped the encirclement of the Western Army soldiers.
Li Fuxing led 3,000 troops to occupy the county seat. He hid nearby and did not show up until Han Shizhong led his troops back.
The soldier said in a tearful tone: "Commander, it's not the Huaixi Army, it's the fifty or sixty thousand cavalry of the Western Army. They captured all 30,000 of our brothers, and the deputy general Zhang Dutong also surrendered."
"Fifty thousand Western cavalry!"
Han Shizhong's eyes widened suddenly. He suddenly understood that the scouts of the Western Army must have assisted the Huaixi Army. Otherwise, how could the Huaixi Army discover them?
The Western Army also joined the war. Needless to say, the flag on the city head was fake, and they didn't want to know it yet.
"Marshal, what should we do!"
Han Shizhong looked back at the army. There were still about 15,000 people. He immediately ordered: "Retreat to Shangrao County!"
Han Shizhong led the remaining troops to withdraw to Shangrao County
Seeing Han Shizhong go away, the city guard general Li Fuxing ordered the flag to be changed to the battle flag of the Western Army. Soon, Han Jin led more than 20,000 vanguard troops to Linchuan County. By this time, he had received news from the scouts that Linchuan County had been captured.
A Western army occupied the city. The number of people in the city was unknown. Han Shizhong led the remaining troops to retreat eastward.
Han Jin was not surprised at all that the Western Army appeared. Wasn't their information given by the Western Army? He also pointed out a small road for them to bypass the ambushing Song Army.
There must be a Western army nearby, and it should be small in number. They are responsible for guiding them.
At this time, the city gate opened, and a middle-aged man wearing civilian military uniform ran out on horseback. He ran towards him, and Han Jin recognized him at a glance. Wasn't it Wang Yong who had sent them information?
He understood immediately and couldn't help but secretly smile bitterly. It turned out that the Western Army had arranged everything.
"General Han, you're fine!" Wang Yong smiled and urged him forward.
"It turns out to be Mr. Wang!"
Han Jin smiled bitterly and said, "What should I call you?"
"Wang Yong is my real name. I guess you have never heard of it. You can call me Wang Canjun."
Han Jin cupped his fists and saluted and asked, "Wang Canjun, may I ask if the 30,000 troops in the city have been captured by you?"
Wang Yong shook his head, and they withdrew eastward. Soon after the fire broke out, Han Shizhong sent someone to give an order to evacuate eastward immediately. When we arrived, it was already an empty city, and all the troops had evacuated."
"I see!"
Han Jin asked again: "How many people are there in your army?"
"There are only three thousand people. We are here to help you defeat the imperial army under the order of King Yong. The main purpose is to send you information."
Han Jin breathed a sigh of relief. There were only three thousand people, which was not a big concern. He quickly thanked: "We were able to defeat Han Shizhong's army this time, thanks to Wang Shenjun's intelligence, and also to the scouts who delivered the message at the critical moment, otherwise we would have been ambushed.
"
"You're welcome, may I ask General Han what's your next plan?"
"Naturally, we will continue to pursue the Song army and assist the prince's main army to attack Lin'an from the south."
After a pause, Han Jin said again: "If necessary, please ask the Western Army to continue to assist us!"
Wang Yong smiled slightly and said: "No problem, His Highness King Yong is looking forward to you conquering Lin'an. We have a common goal!"
The mountain fire was almost extinguished, and Zhang Zi led an army of 60,000 people to come over. Forty percent of the grain, grass and livestock were burned to death in the fire. The official road was blocked. They could not come through the official road, so they had to take a detour. It was a fierce battle.
, the Song army was burned to death, shot and killed 14,000 to 5,000 people. Although the Huaixi army had the upper hand, it also paid the price of more than 9,000 people killed in battle.
They currently have more than 80,000 troops left in their army and more than 2,000 grain trucks and baggage, enough to support them in their fight to Lin'an Prefecture.
When Zhang Ziqi heard that the Western Army had appeared, he was a little hesitant. He was worried that the army would go eastward and the Western Army would take the opportunity to occupy Jiangnan West Road.
Han Jin enlightened him: "The key for us is to break through Lin'an City. We have the land of Jiangnan as our foundation, and then compete with the Western Army for Jiangnan West Road and Jianghuai. It doesn't make sense for anyone to occupy Jiangnan West Road now. Whether we can hold it is the key.
, if the Western Army comes to attack, we will definitely not be able to defend it. Instead of staying on Jiangnan West Road and being completely wiped out by the Western Army, it is better to save our strength and go to Jiangnan to join forces with the prince."
When Zhang Ziqi heard the words "preserve strength", he understood. He nodded and said, "The army will continue to pursue Han Shizhong's remnant army, and then report to his father and follow his arrangements!"
Han Jin said happily: "That's exactly it!"
The army continued to form, and the 80,000-strong army marched toward Shinshu in the east.
Chen Qing gave the "Beijing News" confidence. At noon, the front page of the "Beijing News" published the latest battle report, "Zhang Jun sneak attack on Jiangning, Song army defeated Jinling". The report described in detail the 30,000-strong army of Zhang Jun from
Crossing the river from Jiangning, they launched a sneak attack on Wu's army in Zhenjiang Prefecture. Zhang Jun's main force took the opportunity to cross the river. At present, the rebels have occupied Zhenjiang Prefecture, and Wu's army retreated to Jinling County in Changzhou.
This news spread throughout the city along with the "Beijing News", and public opinion was once again in an uproar. It also triggered panic in Lin'an. The price of rice suddenly jumped from 70 cents per dou to 300 cents per dou. There were people in front of every rice shop.
There was a long queue.
One after another, the oxcarts leaving the city took the whole family with them and fled to the countryside of Lin'an Prefecture for refuge.
Correspondingly, the number of house listings in major stores in Lin'an City suddenly tripled, and prices dropped rapidly. You can even buy a five-acre house in a good location for only 3,000 yuan per mu.
"boom!"
Qin Hui slapped the newspaper hard. He was so angry that he paced back and forth with his hands behind his hands. He suddenly picked up the inkstone and threw it against the wall.
The two maids were so frightened that they turned around and ran to find the lady.
Not long after, Mrs. Wang hurried over. Looking at the mess in the house, Mrs. Wang glared at Qin Hui and said, "Master, what's going on with you? Why are you crazy?"
Qin Hui snorted heavily and gritted his teeth: "The Beijing News reported the war situation without authorization again, causing panic in the whole city. This time it must be blocked!"
Mrs. Wang winked at the two maids and asked them to clean up the room quickly. She stepped forward to read the newspaper and asked in confusion: "Didn't the court get the news again?"
"It's not the case this time. The imperial court received Wu Gao's battle report three days ago. The officials ordered it to be sealed and not allowed to spread. Unexpectedly, it was exposed by the Beijing News."
Mrs. Wang thought for a while and said: "Master, it is easy to offend people by closing the newspaper office. I advise you not to come forward and let the officials issue the order!"
Qin Hui nodded. At this time, the housekeeper reported in the courtyard: "Master, someone is coming from the palace. The official has summoned you to enter the palace immediately!"
"I knew that as soon as this newspaper came out, the government would explode."
Qin Hui stood up and said: "I am entering the palace now. The officials asked us to think of countermeasures. I have absolutely no countermeasures. Let's see what others say!"