The afternoon wind blew the fallen leaves on the mountain, making a mournful sound as if singing a dirge.
Even after many years, Wanyan Yuchi could still remember the sound of the wind outside Hanzhong City that afternoon.
He had followed Wanyan Xiyin for many years, growing up with the prosperity of the Female Zhenren, witnessing and participating in countless victories and cheers. In the middle of the rise of the Jin Kingdom, he could always see the pride and unyielding spirit in the bones of the Jin Kingdom's army, even if they occasionally encountered difficulties or suffered setbacks on the battlefield. The army that had followed Aguda out of Chudian had long engraved their pride in the depths of their hearts.
The Female Zhenren could not be defeated by ten thousand men.
Because of this, he saw a scene he had never seen before for the first time that afternoon.
The closer he got to the Tuanshan battlefield, the more scattered Jin soldiers he saw. Liaodong people, Khitan people, Xi people … even Female Zhenren, they scattered in twos and threes like the tide.
The troops that had lost their commanding officers gathered randomly, the wounded soldiers supporting each other and heading towards Hanzhong. There were also scattered soldiers that had lost their formation. They held their weapons and walked casually, like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring. Wanyan Yuchi tried to gather them, but due to time constraints, he could not spend too much time on this matter.
A portion of the soldiers joined his troops and continued towards Tuanshan.
Wanyan Yuchi inquired about the situation on the Tuanshan battlefield, and also inquired about the troops that these warriors belonged to and their past experiences. First, he asked about the troops that were relatively weaker in the periphery. But not long after, members of various troops appeared. When the core members of the Mountain Slaughtering Guard described the situation on the battlefield to him, Wanyan Yuchi noticed that the tall and burly Mountain Slaughtering Guard soldier before him was narrating the situation on the battlefield while feeling terrified.
"Those people from the Black Flag Army … they don't care about their lives … If you meet them on the battlefield, remember not to charge head-on … they cooperate very well, and … even if there are only three to five of them, they will come at you without any regard for their lives … they specialize in killing the leaders. My platoon leader, Tarai Zuo Yan, was surrounded and killed by three members of the Black Flag Army …"
"Zuo Yan?" Wanyan Yuchi asked. The Mountain Slaughter Guards were the elites of the army, and most of the officers were Female Zhenren. Wanyan Yuchi knew many of them. This platoon leader, Tarai Zuo Yan, was extremely brave on the battlefield and had a forthright personality. Wanyan Yuchi already had an impression of him.
"Yes." The soldier nodded, then continued to talk about his impression of the Hua Xia Army on the battlefield.
Over the years, the Mountain Slaughtering Guards had achieved glorious results. Most of the soldiers among them were elites. After these soldiers were defeated and scattered, they were able to sum up their impressions and become officers in ordinary troops. But what he related, though he tried to suppress it as calmly as possible, was, after all, of a great depression.
Combined with the accounts of the defeated Mountain Slaughtering Guards, a cruel outline of reality quickly formed in his mind. When this outline was formed, he was unwilling to believe it at first.
The Mountain-slaughtering Guards led by Marshal Zong Han had been brutally defeated by the Huaxia army on the battlefield.
The nearly 100,000 men led by the commander-in-chief in Hanzhong had already experienced many small-scale battles and victories over the past five days. Although they had lost many battles, most of the core and most elite soldiers of the Jin Kingdom were still looking forward to the appearance of a large-scale battle because the large-scale battle had not yet begun.
Xi Yin led her troops to reinforce Hanzhong and prepared for a decisive battle. This boosted the morale of the soldiers and allowed the Mountain-slaughtering Guards to launch another wave of attacks against the Hua Xia Army. But the battle that took place at Tuan Mountain half a day ago finally smashed the fantasies of these Female Zhenren warriors. The difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield was so strong and clear that these Female Zhenren warriors could directly feel the crushing power.
They couldn't form a force in large-scale battles and became targets. They had to divide into small groups and walk forward to fight. But in small-scale battles, the Hua Xia Army was better than them. They fought to kill each other, but the other side was basically unaffected. The various tactics used in the past were useless. The whole battlefield was like a hooligan brawl. The Hua Xia Army forced the Female Zhenren army into a state of confusion …
In the past, it had only been a vague nightmare, but on this day, it finally came to pass on the Tuanshan battlefield. The Mountain Butcher Guards struggled with all their might, and a portion of the Jurchen warriors launched repeated attacks on the Huaxia army. However, after the death of their superior general, such attacks were futile. The Huaxia army only seemed to be scattered, but within a certain range, they were always able to form large and small formations and cooperate with each other. The Jurchen troops that fell into the formation would only be mercilessly strangled.
In retrospect, before Wanyan Yuchi could fully digest all of this, the troops he led had already entered the inner circle of the battle at Tuan Mountain. At this time, he had gathered 3,000 men from Hanzhong under his command. More than half of them were soldiers who had been defeated in the battle near Hanzhong a few days ago or had been transferred here. In the process of gathering the defeated soldiers, the morale of these soldiers had actually begun to crumble.
Time didn't allow him to think too much. The moment he arrived at the battlefield, the battle between the hills in the distance had already reached its climax. Marshal Zong Han was leading his troops to charge towards Qin Shaoqian's location. Saba's cavalry was flanking Qin Shaoqian's retreat. Wanyan Yuchi wasn't a mediocre person. He immediately arranged the military law team and ordered the rest of the troops to charge towards the battlefield. The cavalry followed by his side, ready to go.
Facing the 3,000 men head-on was a battalion of the nearby Hua Xia army. They quickly organized a defense on the hilltop. Three cannons blocked the path. Wanyan Yuchi ordered his troops to rush up and flatten the hilltop. The two sides hadn't completely engaged in battle yet. In the distance, chaos began to appear.
On the afternoon of the 24th of April in the 15th year of Tianhui, Zong Han gave the order to break out of the encirclement on the battlefield at Tuan Mountain. Before this, he had already thrown his entire army into the battle against Qin Shaoqian. At the most intense moment of the battle, even he and his personal guards had thrown themselves into the ranks of the Hua Xia soldiers. His troops continued to advance, but with every step they took, more blood flowed out of the giant beast. The battle at the core of the battlefield was as if this Goddess of War was burning her own soul. At least at that moment, everyone thought that he would fight to the end in this desperate battle. He would bleed to the last drop of blood, either to kill Qin Shaoqian or to be killed by Qin Shaoqian.
But Zong Han finally chose to break out of the encirclement.
Wanyan Yuchi witnessed the beginning of this great chaos. Perhaps this was also the moment the entire Jin Kingdom began to collapse. On the battlefield, the flames were still burning. Wanyan Saba gave the order to charge. The cavalry under his command stopped, turned around, and charged at the Huaxia army. This fierce charge was to give Zong Han a chance to retreat. Not long after, several troops that seemed to still be able to fight began to disintegrate in the midst of the fighting.
Wanyan Yuchi waved his arm. At this moment, he led thousands of cavalry to charge through the blockade in an attempt to open a path for Wanyan Zong Han.
Not long after, various shouts rang out on the battlefield. The Hua Xia army shouted, "The Golden Dog has lost —"
"Ni Han wants to escape —"
"Kill Ni Han —"
Along with the sound of the horn to charge, scarlet fireworks rose on the battlefield. This was a signal of victory and pursuit. In the sky, they continuously pointed in Wanyan Zong Han's direction.
… …
The red fireworks rose like an extended, burning trail of blood.
A few miles away from Tuanshan, at the Qingyang Inn, the soldiers who had fought with Wanyan Yuchi earlier began to gather after seeing the red fireworks in the distance. In their field of vision, the fireworks continued to spread in the sky.
Two miles away, on the bank of a small river, three Hua Xia soldiers in wet clothes who were walking by the river saw the red signal in the distant sky. After a moment of hesitation, they chatted with each other and jumped excitedly by the river. Then, two soldiers jumped into the river first. The soldier behind them found a piece of wood with some difficulty and swam with difficulty to the other side of the river …
Under the sky, teams after teams were gathering in this direction.
A few miles away from the battlefield of Tuanshan, Wanyan Sheya, who had been traveling through the wind and rain, was leading a troop of several thousand men and was rushing toward the battlefield at lightning speed. When he saw the blood-red sky, he began to lead his personal guards and rushed forward madly.
… …
With the cavalry leading the way, the Jurchen troops broke through like a storm and rushed out of the battlefield of Tuanshan. The attack of the Hua Xia army surged up and the Jin troops were defeated one after another. But after all, because the Hua Xia army was small, it was difficult to stop the core of the defeated troops.
Qin Shaoqian rushed up the hill on his warhorse and watched the small groups of Hua Xia troops coming from all directions and pouncing on Wanyan Zong Han. His expression was somewhat complicated.
"If there's a chance, I really want to ask Wanyan Zong Han what he thinks."
Judging from the deployment of troops and the intensity of the attack in the early stage, there was no doubt that Wanyan Zong Han was determined to kill him at all costs. If he took another step forward, the whole battlefield would end in the fiercest confrontation. However, the moment Wanyan threw himself into the attacking troops, he suddenly chose to break through as if he had a sudden epiphany.
The gamblers at the gambling table usually did not choose to give up at this time because it was too late. But as a general on the battlefield, he had already thrown himself into the fight. It seemed a little premature and embarrassing for him to suddenly give up. In all fairness, at that moment, even Qin Shaoqian had already believed that Wanyan Zong Han's goal was to fight to the death. Therefore, Qin Shaoqian was also a little surprised by Wanyan Yuchi's sudden breakthrough.
But it was just a surprise.
Tens of thousands of Huaxia soldiers were gathering under Smoke's command, and they began to intercept and kill the fleeing Jin Kingdom soldiers. On the battlefield, some Jurchen generals could not bear to see the scene of defeat, and they still led their troops in a desperate charge in Qin Shaoqian's direction. Some of the soldiers seized warhorses and began to gather under the command of Smoke and Fire. They crossed the hills and plains and began to circle in the direction of Hanzhong.
"Stop Wanyan! Catch him! Kill him! "
Qin Shaoqian issued orders as he moved forward. Under the afternoon sun, there was a calm wind in the wilderness. There were sounds of explosions and whistling sounds. The most powerful Jurchen in the past decades was leading the army to escape. This era was speaking to him. He remembered that evening many years ago, when he led the army to battle and was prepared to die on the battlefield. He and Liheng sat under the sunset. It was the sunset of the Wu dynasty. His father was the Right Chief Minister and his brother was the Governor. Everything in Bianliang was prosperous and luxurious.
He was willing to give up his life for all of this.
"The Wu dynasty is in debt …" He remembered what Ning Yi said at that time.
He asked, "How many lives can we pay for it?"
His brother died, his father died, he killed the Emperor, and he lost his eyes. They went through the hardships of the Little Cang River and the battles in the northwest. Countless people cried out sorrowfully. His brother's wife fell into the hands of the Jin Kingdom and suffered for more than ten years. The little child was even treated like an animal and had his fingers chopped off during those ten years.
How many lives can we pay for it?
"The Jin dog lost —"
"Kill Guohan!!!"
He led the army and rushed forward.
…
Smoke rose like blood. The news of Guohan's defeat and escape surprised and shocked many people. For most of the Huaxia army, this was not a predetermined result.
The fighting over the past few days had been equally intense. The group battle had not been expected to be the decisive battle. If Zong Han had chosen to break out of the encirclement and advance, the Huaxia army had also been mentally prepared to fight all the way to Hanzhong and then use the city as the next battlefield.
People expected victory, but at the same time, if victory did not come so easily, the Seventh Army was also prepared to bite Zong Han to death. If I'm not dead, don't think about going back!
In the current battle, it was necessary to have such extreme psychological expectations. Although the Seventh Division of China had gone through several years of training with hatred, the Female Dao Masters had rarely been defeated before. If they only fought with an optimistic mindset and didn't cut off all means of retreat, then the Seventh Division would most likely lose on such a battlefield.
It was also because of this that, as the smoke rose, the scouts who sent the news rushed towards Hanzhong and fled Guohan. Along the way, the orders for all squads to intercept and kill Guohan with all their might came. Many people felt as if they were in a dream, and they were pleasantly surprised.
Liu Muxia was even a little dazed because of this. At this moment, many things flashed through his mind. Then, under the leadership of the squad leader, they rushed to the predetermined defensive route.
The scouts were still fighting on the mountain ridges and in the plains. The routed troops led by Ni Han kept moving forward. Some of the soldiers who had been routed a long time ago also gathered together. This troop swept across the plains like a storm. Sometimes they would stop for a moment, and sometimes they would go around the road. Groups of Hua Xia troops gathered nearby and then charged forward. The cavalry was constantly entangled as they galloped.
The sunlight showed that it was still afternoon. In the plains of Hanzhong, Zong Han knew that the sunset was coming.
He commanded the army to run in the direction of the sunlight. Sometimes, he would be slightly absent-minded. The fierce fighting was still fresh in his mind. This old Jurchen general seemed to have turned white in the blink of an eye. He no longer held a sword in his hand.
Near the hills, in front of Qin Shaoqian's formation, this was the first time he had raised his sword into battle in more than ten years. The long-lost aura rose in his heart, and the memories of many years ago became clear in his mind. He knew how to fight, how to kill, and how to pay with his life … many years ago, when he faced the Liao people, he had risked his life countless times to crush the enemy under his sharp teeth.
That day, he went into battle again. He was going to risk his life just like he did forty years ago. In this world, where there seemed to be no other path to take, he fought to carve out a path. He fought against two Hua Xia soldiers one after the other. Forty years had passed, and in that moment of fighting, he finally understood what kind of army the Huaxia army in front of him was. This understanding finally became real at the moment when the blades clashed. He was the sharpest hunter of the Jurchen people. At this moment, he could clearly see the silhouette of the giant beast on the other side of the snow.
He gave up on his charge and turned to leave.
At least at this moment, he understood what the consequences of charging were.
Not now …
"… The gunpowder of the Huaxia army is constantly getting stronger, and the battles of the future will be different from those of the past thousand years … Ning Yi's words are very reasonable. We must spread this to the entire Great Institute … and not just the Great Institute … If we want our soldiers to lose their formation on the battlefield and not fall into chaos, we must first make preparations before the battle … but most importantly, we must vigorously promote the use of papermaking so that soldiers can read … no, it's not that simple …"
As the warhorse moved forward, Zong Han spoke to Han Qixian and the others beside him. Some of the words he spoke sounded like an ominous entrustment. Someone tried to interrupt Zong Han's words, but he yelled at them, "Listen to me clearly! Remember this! The Huaxia army will not rest until one of us is dead. If you and I can't go back, I, the Great Jin, will have someone who understands these principles! The world is no longer the same, and the future will be completely different from the past! If we can't learn from Ning Yi, the Great Jin Empire will not be able to survive … it's a pity that the Goddess of Grains and I are old … "
As he spoke, someone came to report the approach of the Huaxia army. Then, there was news that Sheyma was leading his personal guards from the northeast to rescue them. Zong Han yelled, "Order him to immediately turn to support Hanzhong, I don't need help!"
Not long after, the Huaxia army came from the side. Sheyma also rushed over and cut into the chaotic escape route.
"Who dares to hurt my father …"
He led the team and fought bravely.
Zong Han sent a message, "Ask him to get lost …"
The setting sun spread in the sky. Thousands of Jurchen people were fleeing in the midst of the battle. The Huaxia army chased them all the way. Bits and pieces of soldiers rushed over and used their last bit of strength to try and bite the giant beast that was struggling to survive.
Liu Muxia followed the group and fought forward. The squad leader was covered in blood and shouted in front, "Kill Ni Han! Kill him! "They bit at the marshal's flag in the distance. There was chaos all around them. A small group of cavalrymen rushed over, and the soldiers searched for grenades on their bodies. Most of the grenades had already been used up. Someone found two Fire Grenades from the corpses of the Jurchen soldiers and threw them out when the horses came over. Some cavalrymen fell off their horses, and there was chaos all around.
"Kill them, capture Ni Han — —" the class leader yelled in the middle of the battle. He had a blood feud with the Female Enlightened Master, and when he saw the Female Enlightened Master's flag moving closer and farther away, he became hysterical. It was no wonder. Since the Jurchen people came down south, many families had been destroyed. How many times would they have the chance to be so close to Ni Han with a knife and a spear?
"I'll kill all of you! Dogs of the Han people … "
Smoke and dust billowed around them. There were Jurchen generals among the enemies, and the soldiers around them were also good at martial arts. Liu Muxia held a knife in one hand and a shield in the other. He killed a person in the midst of the enemy's shouts. Then, he cooperated with his comrades and pressed forward. He was a veteran of the Seventh Corps. He didn't become an officer because he didn't like to command people. However, his cooperation skills on the battlefield were among the best in the entire battalion and regiment. As he fought, he also conserved his strength and protected his comrades.
The two comrades he brought with him charged forward with a battle cry. The three shields formed a small barrier and knocked away a Female soldier. The squad leader's shout came from the side, "Kill Ni Han, charge …" However, the voice sounded a little off. Liu Muxia turned around and saw the squad leader being stabbed in the stomach by the armored Female commander. The squad leader twisted the blade and pulled it out.
"Go to hell, Han dog. Tell my father to leave quickly! Don't worry about me! He has the hope of the Jurchen people. I can die, but he must live … "
Blood sprayed on Wanyan Xiye's armor. He waved his knife and ordered his personal guard beside him. Seeing the Huaxia soldiers charging at him from the side, he charged forward with all his strength!
On the battlefield, Zong Han looked at the Sheyama that had entered the battlefield and ordered his soldiers to charge over to meet up with Sheyama's troops.
"Go tell him! Tell him to move! This is an order. If he doesn't leave now, he's not my son … "
Liu Muxia and the soldiers beside her pounced towards Wanyan Sheye's horse. A few of the female bodyguards also pounced forward. Liu Muxia killed one of the bodyguards and charged towards Sheye's horse with her shield. Sheye retreated two steps and brandished his sword. Liu Muxia let go of her shield and dived down, smashing her sword into Sheye's leg. Sheye's horse staggered a few steps and was knocked away by a member of the Chinese army. Liu Muxia then raised her sword and chopped down with all her might. There was a loud clang and sparks flew everywhere. The sword landed on Sheye's helmet, and it was as though it had been hit by a stick.
Sheyama's head buzzed. He retaliated with a knife. The next moment, Liu Muxia slashed at the back of his head. The steel knife of the Huaxia soldiers was quite heavy. Sheyama felt a sweetness in his mouth and fought back with his long knife.
The guards around her rushed over, and the soldiers of Huaxia also rushed over. Liu Muxia and Shema exchanged two blows and collided violently, forcing Shema to take two or three steps back. Shema was tripped by a rock behind him. Liu Muxia chased after him and slashed at him with all her might. Shema's mind was in a mess. Relying on his armor, he got up from the ground and slashed at Liu Muxia. Liu Muxia continued to slash at his neck and shoulders. On the fourth slash, Shema managed to stand up. His armor was already cracked and blood was gushing out.
Liu Muxia slashed down again. Shema stood up shakily and took a step forward before kneeling down again. He still wanted to swing his sword behind him but Zong Han's flag was moving towards him. Liu Muxia slashed his sword again, widening the wound on his body and followed up with another slash.
Under the setting sun, Zong Han watched as his son's body was sliced apart by the Huaxia soldiers in the chaotic battle …
"Ahhhhh —"
The old man's tiger-like howl resounded in the field. His face was distorted, and his eyes were ferocious and terrifying. The soldiers of Huaxia Empire were pouncing on him with the same ferocious posture.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
