Volume 1 Chapter 74: Watching the Battle (Part 1)
Although he had guessed it before, it was only a moment after the battle began that Emperor Zhao understood from the most intuitive perspective why Han Shizhong had to temporarily change the time of attack... There was no other reason, given the current state of the Song army, it was really not enough to support a night attack.
You must know that if a night attack is successful, the effect will naturally be amazing. But on the other hand, if a night attack is to be successful, it also requires the attacker to maintain sufficient night combat effectiveness and discipline.
As for the current situation, Zhao Jiu witnessed with his own eyes that because the Jin army's main camp was empty and they were caught off guard, when the Song army rushed forward at sunrise, the Jin army's outer small camps and branch camps, such as the water camp guarding the water source on the banks of the Huai River, the workshop camp guarding the wood, and the artillery camp that was smashed to pieces in the front, almost fell in an instant... But the most frustrating thing in this process was that many of the Song army soldiers who were at the forefront of the charge, after taking one or two heads in the momentum of the surprise attack, often turned around and marched back, trying to report their merits!
Therefore, looking from the top of the city, although the Song army had won a great victory at the beginning, they suddenly slowed down their offensive after achieving some results. Some troops even turned around because of the return of the front army! As a result, the core camp of the Jin army took the opportunity to start gathering troops.
It would be strange if this kind of army could carry out a night attack to the end!
On the top of the city wall, the few important officials who were watching the battle had different expressions. Most of them were confused, still shocked by the close-range fighting between tens of thousands of people, and excited about the fall of the small camp outside. Only a small number of people, who might have made up for a lot of knowledge in recent days and learned some military common sense, were sensitive to this scene and looked worried.
But at this time, Zhang Jun glanced and found that Emperor Zhao still did not move. He was neither excited nor worried. He could only sigh in his heart that the emperor had great composure, and then asked the soldiers beside him to wave the flags and issue military orders.
As the flags on the top of the city wall were waving, another group of elite soldiers, numbering hundreds of people, poured out from the city. They were none other than the personal guards of General Zhang. However, this troop did not participate in the siege at all. Instead, they rushed forward to act as a supervisory team, counting the military merits on the spot while driving back the troops that tried to withdraw!
Several military ruffians who tried to bargain were beheaded on the spot as a warning to others!
Obviously, General Zhang, one of the two commanders on the scene, knew the character of the Song army better than anyone else, so he was well prepared.
As soon as this move was made, the offensive was renewed, and the atmosphere in the city and outside the city became solemn almost instantly. Zhang Jun turned his head to peek again, but found that Emperor Zhao was still calm and even smiled back: "What does it mean that Mr. Zhang looked at me several times? Do you also think that my clothes are too bright?"
Zhang Jun quickly bowed his head and apologized: "I'm sorry... I was wondering if the emperor has any instructions?"
"You and Han Qing just do your best. I will just sit here and watch you two defeat the enemy." Emperor Zhao said lightly, with a royal demeanor.
Just like the civil and military officials around him who had already become numb due to the appearance of the supervision team, General Zhang was also momentarily discouraged when he saw this, so he stood up and concentrated on the battle situation outside the city.
Besides, the attitude of Emperor Zhao was not that of a calm person. On the contrary, it was more like a manifestation of helplessness:
First of all, Zhao Jiu was mentally prepared for Han Shizhong's decision to change the date of the battle.
Secondly, Zhao Jiu knew very well that in order to rectify the various ills in the Song army, a stable rear, strict morale, and reasonable and lasting military discipline were needed, but it was too early to talk about these things now... Besides, this scene was better than jumping into the Huai River when he was scared by the Jin army before, right?
Finally, and most importantly, compared to many people on the city walls who felt that they could sit and watch the battle as a matter of course , Zhao Jiu, based on some modern moral instinct, felt deep down in his heart that he was not qualified to comment on the soldiers who were fighting for their lives in the front... He could kill deserters to boost morale, and he could sit on the city walls as a human flag, but that was his way of making the most of his impact, and it was not his self-righteous capital.
Of course, except for the Liu Guangshi incident, he really wanted to kill someone from the bottom of his heart, and put it into practice. Just like when he faced Zhang Yongzhen's final confession, he was really suddenly overwhelmed with grief.
However, no matter how great and noble Zhao Jiu's sentiments were, he could never truly feel the real mentality of the Song army soldiers below... You have to know that this was an active siege on the Jin army's stronghold. Compared with the Jingkang Incident a year ago, many people still felt like they were in a dream!
As for the mentality of the Jin army, Zhao Jiu could not understand it even more.
"How dare the Han dogs come out of the city to attack me?! How dare I see the Song dogs take the initiative to attack me today?!"
On the rammed earth platform in the center of the Jin army camp, Jin Wushu, who had just woken up and had not even had time to put on his armor, was talking incoherently and having a fit of rage. The whip in his hand made a crackling sound, and countless flagpoles, weapon racks, and tent curtains were damaged. The surrounding staff, clerks, and even guards had already hidden away one after another.
At the same time, countless Song army soldiers had already flattened the surrounding small camps, just like the dark brown water of the Huai River broke into waves and rushed towards the core camp of the Jin army!
It was not for nothing that the Fourth Prince was so unbalanced, because he was not simply facing a strong attack from the Song army today. Rather, under the political pressure from Wanyan Talan and his third brother Wanyan Erlido, as well as the military pressure from the defeat of Liangshanpo, his almost last attempt at a plan was completely seen through by the other side... Yes, Han Shizhong's judgment was absolutely correct. At this time, the two Jin army commanders Ali and Erlubu should be leading their troops to assemble in the north, preparing to cross the river from Kantan Town upstream of the Beifei River, and then go to Shunchang Prefecture to raid Guangzhou!
So how could Jin Wushu not understand that the Song army was attacking at this perfect time? The other party was clearly telling him, we have already guessed what you are going to do, and we are well prepared! Now, we are going to put an end to your thoughts!
In such a situation, looking at the abnormal number of soldiers pouring out of Xiacai City, how could the always proud Jin Wushu not feel bad?
This feeling of being seen through and being played around by others is simply humiliating!
"Fourth Prince!"
A rider galloped along the wide road in the central army camp and saw this situation from afar. "Our Meng'an sent me to ask the Fourth Prince what to do?"
"Puluhun has served in the army for decades. He is my closest and most trusted, bravest and best fighter. How could you not know how to deal with him?" Jin Wushu was furious. "Did he really get confused by the Song army's surprise attack? Do I need to give the order for a mere surprise attack? Why didn't the other four meng'an come to ask?!"
"Fourth Prince!" The knights did not dare to approach, but continued to face each other from a distance. "What we Meng'an mean is, in this battle, should we defend or attack? Do we want to draw or win?!"
Wanyan Wushu was slightly startled, then laughed loudly on the platform: "I know that Puluhun is a good man, not like others! You go back and tell him that since he wants to make merit so much, I will not stop him. I will also transfer a thousand cavalrymen from the central army to the East Camp for him. If we can win this battle, I will go back and fight for the position of marshal that I have appointed, but even if I cannot be promoted, I will promote him to the rank of Wan Hu!"
The knights received the order and rode away immediately. The many military officers in the central army breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the order, and then quickly gathered and headed for Puluhun's defense area east of the camp.
After everyone left and the central army camp was empty, Wanyan Wushu suddenly felt refreshed. He first found a stool that he had kicked over on the stage and sat upright, then called on the people around him to come forward:
"Come, come, set up the table. I saw a dragon flag hanging on the top of the opposite city wall. It must be the new emperor of Song sitting there drinking wine. Set up some wine and meat for me and watch our men defeat the enemy!"
The people around responded loudly.
You have to know that here in the central army camp, nothing can be missing without Wanyan Wushu's meal. What's more, it was early morning. If the Song army had not attacked suddenly, it would have been time for dinner. So in a short while, a table of wine and food was placed on the general's platform.
Just as Jin Wushu was about to start eating, he suddenly felt bored. After looking around, he pointed at a person who was cowering nearby:
"At this time, the emperor of the Song Dynasty must have countless ministers accompanying him to show his support. Officers from all over the country are fighting the enemy at the front. Come and have a few drinks with me!"
It was early spring, but Wenbin was shivering because he had come out wearing only a cross-collared jacket after the surprise attack. However, he had known Jin Wushu for a long time and knew his temper. How could he dare to neglect him? He immediately forced a smile, walked forward and sat down carefully on the side, and took the initiative to hold the pot:
"I'll pour wine for the Fourth Prince!"
