Chapter 331 Han Shizhong’s army arrives
Yue Fei and Yue Yun were preparing to lead the elite cavalry to set off. Suddenly, dust was flying in the distance, and a huge army appeared in sight. The 200,000 fresh troops led by Han Shizhong and Wanyan Zongyi arrived in time and joined Yue Fei's army, increasing the total strength of the Song army to 500,000 overnight.
When Wanyan Zonghan on the city wall saw this scene, his face turned livid instantly. He held the bricks on the city wall tightly and stared gloomily at the densely packed Song army below. There are now less than 300,000 golden soldiers in the city, and after days of fierce fighting, the tools and materials for defending the city have been exhausted. How to resist this 500,000-strong army has become the biggest problem in his mind.
"Your Majesty," a Jin general walked up to Wanyan Zonghan and reported in a low voice, "We are running out of arrows and stones. If the Song army launches a full-scale attack, we may be unable to resist it."
Wanyan Zonghan was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He knew that panic and despair at this moment would not solve the problem. He must come up with a clever plan to save the day.
"Gather all the generals," Wanyan Zonghan ordered, "We need to discuss a countermeasure."
Soon, the generals of the Jin Kingdom came to the city wall one after another, their faces full of worry and uneasiness. Wanyan Zonghan looked around at the crowd and said in a deep voice: "Today we are facing an unprecedented dilemma. However, we Jin warriors have never been afraid of any enemy. Now, we need to unite as one to resist the Song army's attack."
When the generals heard this, they straightened their backs one after another, their eyes shining with determination. They know that retreating is not the answer at this time. Only by facing it bravely can they find a glimmer of hope.
"Although we are short of troops and supplies," Wanyan Zonghan continued, "but we still have one thing that the Song Army does not have, and that is our familiarity with the city. We must use this to deal with the Song Army. "
All the generals nodded in agreement. They began to discuss specific tactics and strategies, and how to use terrain and buildings to resist the Song army's attack.
At the same time, the Song army under the city also began to prepare intensively to attack the city. Generals such as Yue Fei and Han Shizhong gathered together to discuss how to launch the most effective attack. They knew that there were not many Jin soldiers left in the city, but they also knew that Wanyan Zonghan was not an idle person, and he would definitely try his best to resist the Song army's attack.
However, while Wanyan Zonghan was anxiously thinking about countermeasures, Zhao Yingluo outside the city did not immediately launch an attack as he expected. Instead, she chose a more prudent and strategic approach - sending envoys into the city to deliver the ultimatum.
The envoy held the flag of the Song Dynasty, passed through the Jin army's defense line, and came to the gate of Yanjing City. He handed Zhao Yingluo's autographed letter to the Jin soldiers guarding the city, and conveyed her request: Wanyan Zonghan must give up resistance, withdraw from Yanjing, and at the same time relinquish the throne of Jin to Wanyan Zongyi.
This news quickly reached Wanyan Zonghan's ears. He sat on the throne and read Zhao Yingluo's letter with a gloomy expression. Although the wording of the letter was polite, the meaning was very clear: if she did not comply with her request, the Song army would attack the city at all costs.
Wanyan Zonghan took a deep breath and slammed the letter on the table. He knew that Zhao Yingluo's move would undoubtedly kill him.
If he agrees to this request, it means that he must give up the power and status in his hands, which is unacceptable to him.
And, more importantly, there is a deep hatred between him and Wanyan Zongyi for killing his father. If Wanyan Zongyi ascends the throne, his life may be difficult to save. "Your Majesty," a loyal Jin general said worriedly, "how should we respond? Zhao Yingluo is obviously fully prepared. If we don't agree to her request, she may actually launch an siege."
Wanyan Zonghan was silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head and said, "I will never give up the throne to Wanyan Zongyi. The honor and dignity of our Jin warriors cannot be violated. Send the order, strengthen the city defense, and prepare to face the Song army!" "
Upon hearing this, all the generals straightened their backs and responded in unison: "Yes!"
At the same time, Zhao Yingluo outside the city was also nervously deploying an siege plan.
She did not give up her plan to attack the city because of Wanyan Zonghan's rejection. On the contrary, she became more determined to capture Yanjing.
She knew that this battle was crucial to both the Song Dynasty and the Jin Kingdom, so she had to be fully prepared.
Zhao Yingluo saw that Wanyan Zonghan was determined not to give in, so she resolutely ordered an attack on the city. Following her order, the soldiers of the Song Dynasty rushed towards the walls of Yanjing City like a tide. The sound of war drums was loud, shouts came and went, and the entire battlefield was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.
Wanyan Yinshu saw the Song army's offensive and became anxious. He knew that if no action was taken at this moment, Yanjing might not be able to hold on. So, he quickly assembled a group of elite cavalry, trying to use them to disperse the Song Dynasty's vanguard siege army and buy some time for the defenders.
However, when his cavalry team rushed towards the Song army, they encountered an unprecedented blow. The Song army had already prepared artillery and firecrackers, and they violently bombarded the charging Jin soldiers. The roar of artillery and the firing of gunfire intertwined to form a thrilling symphony. The Jin soldiers and cavalry were so vulnerable in the face of this powerful firepower that they were all hit and fell off their horses and fled in all directions.
Wanyan Yinshu was watching the battle from a distance, and couldn't help but feel his heart twisting when he saw this scene. His cavalry team lost nearly a thousand men in this battle, which undoubtedly worsened the situation for the Jin Kingdom, which was already short of troops. He understood that if things continued like this, it would be a matter of time before Yanjing fell.
In desperation, Wanyan Yinshu had no choice but to give up his plan to use cavalry to disperse the Song army, and instead ordered the remaining soldiers to start a fierce battle with the Song army at the collapsed city wall. He hoped that in this way he could delay as much time as possible and gain a glimmer of hope for Yanjing's defense.
At the collapsed city wall, the Jin soldiers and the Song soldiers launched a desperate struggle. The two sides were going back and forth, and soldiers fell from time to time amid the flash of swords and shadows. Wanyan Yinshu Ke took the lead and charged at the Song army with a broadsword, trying to carve out a bloody path. However, the officers and soldiers of the Song Army were no ordinary people. They held their positions tightly and fought fiercely with the Jin soldiers with spears and swords.
The battle lasted all day, and both sides paid a heavy price. However, as time goes by, Jin Bing's disadvantages become more and more obvious. Their military strength is constantly decreasing, but the Song army's reinforcements are flowing continuously. Finally, when night fell, Wanyan Yinshu had no choice but to order the entire army to retreat into the city.
Zhao Yingluo stood on the high ground in the distance and watched the battle. She saw the Jin soldiers fleeing under the attack of artillery and muskets, and also saw the embarrassed figure of Wanyan Yinshuke fighting fiercely with the Song army at the collapse of the city wall. She knew what this battle meant to Wanyan Zonghan and Jin Guo, but she also firmly believed that her decision was correct.
