[History of the Song Dynasty Palace] [08] [Author: Xu Muxi]

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter Eight: Selecting the Vanguard – Lifting the Stone Lion at the Training Ground,
Leaping a Steed Across the Fortress and Moat. It is said that Zhang Yongde and Zheng En received an imperial edict from Emperor Shizong, ordering them to each lift a stone lion in front of the training ground in a contest of strength. Yongde and Zheng En arrived together before the stone lion, examining it closely. They saw that the stone lion was a single large stone, carved by a craftsman. It was over five feet tall, buried seven or eight inches deep in the ground, and weighed at least 1,600 or 1,700 jin (approximately 800-950 kg). After examining it, Yongde spoke first: "Who will lift this stone lion first?" Zheng En replied, "You are older than me, so you should go first." Yongde did not hesitate. He gathered his robe with his left hand, shook the stone lion with his right, loosening the surrounding soil. Then, he held the base of the stone lion firmly with both hands, using all his strength to lift it about a foot off the ground, but he could not move it even a step. How could he possibly walk it around the training ground? Yongde lifted the stone lion for a moment before placing it back in its original position, allowing Zheng En to lift it. Zheng En stepped forward, also holding the stone lion firmly with both hands, and tried to lift it. Strangely enough, just like Yongde, it only lifted a foot off the ground, and he couldn't move it an inch. He had to lift it for a moment before letting go and putting it down. The soldiers exclaimed in amazement, "These two men have the same archery skills and strength. How can we tell who is better?" As they were whispering among themselves, a young and strong man stepped out from the ranks, went straight to the stone lion, and said loudly, "Generals Zhang and Zheng can't lift it. Let me try." With that, he lifted his robe, picked up the stone lion with both hands, and gently lifted it. He then walked around the training ground once, returned to the original position, put the stone lion down, and stood motionless, his face unchanged and his breath not rising, as if nothing had happened. The generals, upon seeing this, all stuck their tongues out, unable to retract them, and exclaimed in unison, "This is true strength!" Kuangyin, seeing this, was overjoyed and immediately ordered his men to invite the young, strong man to the front of the central command tent. The young man obeyed the order, entered the tent, greeted Emperor Shizong, performed the rites, and stood sideways. Emperor Shizong saw that he was a majestic figure, broad-shouldered and powerfully built, indeed a hero. He was immediately pleased and asked the young man, "What is your name? Where are you from? What have you done for a living? Please tell me everything."
The young man respectfully reported: "My name is Gao Huaide, and I am from Changshan, Zhending. My father, whose given name was Xingzhou, was once the military governor of Tianping. He offended the late emperor, was stripped of his title, and died in seclusion from illness. From a young age, I possessed extraordinary strength and was taught martial arts by my father. I aspired to achieve great things. After completing my mourning period, I went to Bianjing (Kaifeng) hoping for an opportunity; however, I ran out of money and had no connections, so I was stranded in Bianjing. Today, I heard that Your Majesty has come to the training ground to compare martial arts and select vanguards, so I came to pay my respects. Seeing that Generals Zhang and Zheng were unable to lift the stone lion, I felt an urge to try my hand and boldly stepped forward to lift it. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness for my presumption." Emperor Shizong said: "So you are the son of Gao Xingzhou. Xingzhou offended the late emperor..." He was stripped of his official rank and title, and unexpectedly, he died of depression, which is a great pity! I saw you lift this stone lion weighing over a thousand pounds with ease, and not only did you lift it effortlessly, but you also made it circle the training ground. Your strength is indeed considerable, worthy of being the son of a military family!
However, although you are strong, I wonder about your archery skills, and whether you can shoot it? Gao Huaide said, "This humble subject has practiced martial arts since childhood, and is proficient in all eighteen kinds of military weapons. Archery is a family secret, and I am especially skilled in it compared to other martial arts. If Your Majesty does not believe me, this humble subject can test it in person. If I cannot hit the bullseye, I am willing to admit my guilt." Emperor Shizong said, "Very good, then shoot it for me on the spot. If you hit the bullseye, I will promote you beyond your usual qualifications." After saying this, he ordered that a saddle, horse, bow, and arrows be prepared, and ordered Gao Huaide to shoot an arrow for him to watch. Huaide obeyed the order, left the tent, mounted his horse, and rode back and forth for a while. He fired three arrows in succession, all hitting the bullseye. Emperor Shizong watched and was overjoyed. He then appointed Huai De as a cavalryman in the imperial guard, promising further promotion and reward for future merits.
Kuangyin stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty's archery competition today was originally intended to select a vanguard. A decree has already been issued that those with superior archery and martial arts skills should be appointed vanguards. Huai De's archery and martial arts are unmatched by any other general; therefore, he should be appointed vanguard, in accordance with the previous decree.
" Emperor Shizong said, "Your words are quite reasonable, but matters must be handled according to circumstances. One cannot be rigid in their application. The vanguard bears a heavy responsibility. Huai De is indeed a hero, but he is still young and newly recruited. I fear he has not experienced a major battle and may jeopardize military operations; then it will be too late for regrets." Kuangyin strongly recommended, "In my opinion, although Huai De is young, his bravery is exceptional, unmatched by any other general. Using him as vanguard, even as a newcomer, will not be a problem. Furthermore, Zhang Yongde and Zheng En are both vying for vanguard position; their archery skills and strength..." Furthermore, with no clear distinction between superior and inferior generals, the selection of the vanguard was quite difficult. Huai De's abilities surpass those of Zhang and Zheng; appointing him as vanguard would likely be met with no objection from the other generals. Moreover, Huai De is a commoner with no prior achievements; Your Majesty's exceptional martial skills have led to his promotion without regard to rank. He will surely be grateful and strive to repay the favor, and will certainly not jeopardize military matters. Your Majesty can rest assured. Emperor Shizong deeply agreed with his words and ordered the Military Affairs Department to retrieve the vanguard seal and bestow it upon Huai De, instructing him to fight bravely and serve the country, and not to fail the court. Huai De initially only wished to obtain an official position, hence his coming to demonstrate his abilities. However, Emperor Kuangyin, seeing his imposing stature and unparalleled martial prowess, intended to recruit him as his right-hand man, and thus strongly recommended him before the Emperor, ultimately securing his position as vanguard. His joy was indescribable! He immediately accepted the vanguard seal, thanked the Emperor for his grace, and withdrew from the tent.
Emperor Shizong selected his vanguard and immediately issued an edict for a personal campaign. Empress Dowager Chai was appointed regent, Li Gu was appointed privy councilor, and Fan Zhi was appointed vice minister to assist Empress Dowager Chai and manage all state affairs. Zhao Kuangyin was appointed commander of the Imperial Guard, Zheng En was appointed deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, and Zhang Yongde was appointed military supervisor. Generals Zhang Guangyuan, Luo Yanwei, Shi Yanchao, Ma Quanyi, and Liu Ci, among others, were recalled to accompany him on the campaign. After the deployment was completed, 80,000 troops were mustered and advanced in parallel. In less than two days, they reached the northeast of Zezhou and ordered the siege of Luzhou to be lifted. Liu Chong, the ruler of Northern Han, knowing that Emperor Shizong was personally leading the campaign, realized he was a formidable enemy and regretted underestimating his youth and attacking while the emperor was in mourning. He then stationed his troops south of Gaoping, preparing for battle.
The next day, both armies marched out of their camps and formed battle formations. Emperor Shizong, fully armored, personally supervised the battle. Liu Chong also personally commanded the troops in battle. The Han soldiers surged forward like a raging tide, each one brave and spirited, charging straight towards the Zhou army. Emperor Shizong, seeing this, hastily ordered his troops to meet them. Soldiers faced soldiers, generals faced generals, each wielding their weapons, and the battle began. But before long, a group of men suddenly leaped out from the Zhou ranks, abandoning their armor and surrendering to the Han army. More than a thousand infantrymen followed, all facing the northern formation, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and voluntarily surrendering. Emperor Shizong was shocked! He quickly looked and saw that it was Fan Aineng, the commander of the Right Battalion Infantry, and his deputy He Hui, leading over a thousand men who had willingly become captives. Enraged by this, Emperor Shizong was filled with rage! He personally led his troops into battle. The Han emperor, Liu Chong, standing in the shadow of the gate, seeing Emperor Shizong braving arrows and stones to supervise the battle, ordered several hundred archers to unleash a barrage of powerful crossbow bolts at him. The guards on either side, seeing the crossbow bolts coming, quickly used shields to protect Emperor Shizong from the arrows, and his banner was already covered with arrows. Seeing their generals surrender to the enemy and the Han soldiers so fierce, the Zhou soldiers began to panic, their formation gradually crumbling and unable to hold on.
Seeing the situation was dire, Zhao Kuangyin shouted, "The ruler's sorrow is the subject's shame; the ruler's shame is the subject's death! This is a critical moment! This is the time for us to fight desperately! Can we stand idly by and let the Han soldiers run rampant while our lord is trapped?" With that, he spurred his horse and charged forward. Zheng En, also roaring with anger, said to Gao Huaide, "You have received special favor from the lord; if you don't repay it now, when will you? I will go with you to charge into the Han lines." Gao Huaide nodded in agreement, and he and Zheng En each drew their weapons and charged forward. The Han generals Liu Xian and Liu Da, fearing their formation would be weakened by Gao and Zheng's impulsive actions, spurred their horses out to meet them, shouting battle cries. Zheng En, caught up in the killing frenzy, slashed down with his sword. Liu Xian, caught off guard, was struck and fell from his horse. Zheng En followed up with another blow, cutting him in two. Seeing Liu Xian dead, Liu Da panicked. His movements slowed, and Gao Huaide pierced his left shoulder with a spear. Overwhelmed by pain, he dared not fight again and fled on horseback. The Han army, seeing Liu Xian dead and Liu Da wounded, became somewhat timid, their morale diminished. Then, Kuang Yin and Zhang Yongde charged into the Han ranks, wreaking havoc and killing countless Han soldiers. Shi Yanchao and Ma Quanyi, witnessing Kuang Yin and Yongde's charge, each led a thousand cavalry, seizing the opportunity to attack. They suddenly split to the left and right, plunging into the Han ranks from the side, hacking and slashing wildly, their voices shaking the mountains. How could the Han soldiers withstand them? They retreated in disarray.
Seeing his men fall, Liu Chong drew his sword and killed several retreating soldiers, hoping to use this to stop them, but to no avail. The vanguard of troops fled in disarray, like a landslide. The rear guard, also caught up in the chaos, lost all will to fight and scattered in disarray. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Liu Chong had no intention of fighting anymore. He turned his horse around and fled hastily.
Emperor Shizong seized the opportunity to command his troops in pursuit. The Han army grew increasingly disorganized, and the Zhou soldiers pressed ever closer. Liu Chong had initially hoped for Liao reinforcements, but the Liao general, seeing the Han army's defeat, not only refused to come to their aid but also led his troops back to his own country, abandoning Liu Chong. Left with no other option, Liu Chong spurred his horse and fled back to Hedong, where he gathered his remaining troops and fortified the city. Emperor Shizong led his army directly to the city walls and set up camp. Fan Aineng and He Hui, who had betrayed their country and surrendered, also wanted to enter the city. Liu Chong, believing that their disloyalty to Zhou might not extend to him, refused to surrender and refused them entry. Unable to persuade them otherwise, the two returned to the Zhou camp, prostrated themselves, and begged for their lives. Emperor Shizong was furious, saying, "Traitors! How dare you face me? If you are not punished according to military law, how will you serve as a warning to the masses!" He immediately ordered them to be executed, and their two bloody heads were displayed at the camp gate as a warning to all. The entire army trembled at the sight! The pitiful Fan and He, who betrayed the Zhou and surrendered to the Han, originally hoping for wealth and power, were instead killed when Liu Chong refused to accept them. This was retribution for the wicked.
The next day, Emperor Shizong ordered an attack on the city. Arrows and stones rained down from the city walls, and the Zhou soldiers were wounded instead.
Kuangyin was furious and vowed to break through the city to vent his anger! He immediately took the lead and set the city on fire. The defenders on the city walls became increasingly panicked and could only fire arrows haphazardly to hold off the Zhou soldiers and prevent them from climbing the walls. At this time, the wind fueled the fire, and the smoke and flames rose into the sky. Kuangyin was attacking when he was shot in the left arm by an arrow. Blood gushed out, but he still wanted to bandage his wound and continue the attack, unwilling to retreat. Emperor Shizong saw that Kuangyin was injured and hurriedly ordered him to return to camp to rest. Moreover, because Hedong City was high and deeply moated, and had ample supplies, he knew that it would be difficult to take it by attack. Furthermore, it was a taboo for military strategists to station troops in a fortified city. So he discussed with his generals the idea of temporarily withdrawing the troops and taking Hedong again when the opportunity arose. The generals all agreed. Emperor Shizong had made up his mind and withdrew his troops, returning to Bianjing. Because of his outstanding achievements in this campaign, Kuangyin was specially promoted to Commander-in-Chief and Prefect of Yanzhou. Other generals, such as Zheng En and Gao Huaide, were promoted according to their merits.
In the third year of Emperor Shizong's reign, he ordered a personal campaign against the Southern Tang, appointing Li Gu as Commander-in-Chief of the expeditionary force, with Zhao Hongyin as his deputy; Zhao Kuangyin, Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guards, was appointed Commander of the Imperial Guards; Han Lingkun, Li Chongjin, and other generals all accompanied the army. Only Zheng En was ill and did not rise; Gao Huaide remained in Bianjing; Fu Yanqing and Yao Yuanfu were too old to fight and did not accompany the army. All the other officers, large and small, were eager to fight and make contributions. In
the first month of the third year of Xiande's reign, the imperial carriage departed from Daliang, directly informing the Southern Tang of their advance. The ruler of Southern Tang, named Li Jing, occupied the Jianghuai region and was an enemy of the Zhou dynasty. Emperor Shizong aspired to unify the Central Plains, intending to pacify the Jianghuai region before conquering Lingnan and Bashu. Therefore, he dispatched troops southward. The vanguard this time was led by Li Chongjin, the military governor of Guide. Following Emperor Shizong's orders, the army marched in a grand procession, banners waving, until they reached Zhengyang.
Upon hearing of the Zhou army's arrival, the Tang emperor immediately dispatched Liu Yanzhen as commander-in-chief, leading 20,000 troops to meet the Zhou army at Shouzhou; Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng led 30,000 troops to garrison Dingyuan; and urgently summoned Song Qiqiu, the military governor of Zhennan, to return to Jinling to discuss strategies for repelling the enemy. Liu Yanzhen, originally from Shouzhou, was a man of shifty features and arrogant, lacking any real talent or strategy. He relied solely on bribing powerful figures to secure his position. Following the Tang emperor's orders, he led his troops forward. Having learned that Li Chongjin, the vanguard of Li Gu, had reached Zhengyang, he led his men directly towards Zhengyang. Liu Renzhan, the military governor of Qinghuai, and Zhang Quanyue, the prefect of Chizhou, earnestly advised against the Zhou army's advance, saying, "The Zhou army has come from afar, and their advantage lies in a swift battle. If you simply hold the Huai and Si rivers and prevent their advance, their long-distance transport will be extremely inconvenient. When their supplies run out, they will naturally retreat. Once they have retreated, you can then attack them and achieve a great victory. Alternatively, stationing troops at Shouzhou and waiting in comfort will not only yield great success but also avoid significant losses, which is a mediocre strategy. If you lead your troops directly to Zhengyang, our troops will be exhausted from the journey and unable to engage us. This will fall right into their trap, and we will regret it when we suffer defeat!" Yanzhen ignored their advice and ordered his troops to advance quickly. Renzhan said to Quanyue, "Lord Liu will not heed loyal advice; this campaign will not be successful. We should prepare defensive equipment early to avoid being caught off guard." Quanyue followed his advice and immediately ordered his troops to defend along the Huai River.
At that time, Li Chongjin led his troops forward but encountered Liu Yanzhen on the way. Yan Zhen stationed his army at Anfeng, his camp stretching for dozens of miles, a formidable sight! At first glance, it resembled an army of hundreds of thousands. Chong Jin dared not act rashly, so he climbed to a high point to observe, and said to his generals, "Yan Zhen's camp is not well-organized. Although his appearance is impressive, it is easily broken!" He then summoned his general Cao Ying and said, "I give you three thousand troops. Summon them from upstream and attack them unexpectedly. Their army can be defeated." Cao Ying received the order and led his troops away.
The next day, Chong Jin, fully armored, brandishing his sword, rode out to challenge Yan Zhen. Yan Zhen also led his troops out of his camp, formed his battle formation, brandished his spear, and stood beneath the flag gate, pointing at Chong Jin and cursing, "What kind of reason is this to invade our country without cause? Retreat immediately, and you may avoid execution; otherwise, you will die without a burial place!" Chong Jin was enraged, and without replying, he swung his sword and charged straight at Yan Zhen. Just as Yan Zhen was about to engage, a general leaped out from behind him on horseback, blocking Chong Jin's path. Yan Zhen looked and saw it was Zhang Wan, a general. The two men clashed on horseback, swords and spears drawn, fighting for fifty rounds. Chong Jin feigned defeat and rode away, circling the enemy lines. Zhang Wan gave chase, and Chong Jin waited until he was close, then drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and shot. Zhang Wan fell from his horse, and Chong Jin swung his sword, cutting him in two. Yan Zhen, seeing Zhang Wan fall, was enraged. He roared and charged at Chong Jin with his spear, who turned to meet him. The two clashed, locked in a fierce battle, when suddenly a cannon fired. Cao Ying led three thousand troops, attacking from upstream. The Tang army's formation was thrown into chaos, and Yan Zhen, realizing he was no match, turned and fled. Cao Ying pursued relentlessly, and the Tang army suffered a crushing defeat, losing almost all its soldiers. Yan Zhen ran for more than ten miles when he saw banners fluttering below a hillside. A group of men blocked his path; it was Wang Cheng, the deputy general of Gu Gu, who came to meet him. At this moment, Yan Zhen was surrounded by enemy troops in front and pursuers behind, with no way to advance or retreat. He had no choice but to fight Wang Cheng to the death. Unexpectedly, Yan Zhen panicked and lost control. Before three rounds were over, his horse stumbled, and he fell down a slope, where he was surrounded by Zhou soldiers and hacked to death. Li Chongjin, knowing that Yan Zhen had been killed, seized the opportunity to advance rapidly, capturing and killing over ten thousand Tang soldiers and seizing countless supplies and armor.
This great battle terrified the Tang army, and from then on, they feared the sight of the Zhou army's banners.
Liu Renzhan, inside Shouzhou City, learned of Yan Zhen's defeat and death and saw the fleeing soldiers, so he had no choice but to open the city gates and take them in. Fortunately, he had made preparations in advance, and the city's defensive equipment was complete, and the provisions were plentiful. He then arranged for the defense of the city while sending messengers to Jinling overnight to report the emergency. When
the Tang emperor learned of Yan Zhen's defeat and death and the crisis in Shouzhou, he hurriedly summoned his ministers to discuss the matter. The Privy Councilor Chen Jingwen reported, "Zhou's army is unstoppable, and Yanzhen has just suffered a defeat. Our army is terrified at the mere mention of his name. If we were to engage them, victory would be difficult. Your Majesty should issue an edict ordering all generals to hold their cities firmly and not to engage in battle rashly. They should wait until the enemy is exhausted before attacking, and only then can victory be achieved." The Tang Emperor, upon hearing this, deeply agreed and immediately issued an edict ordering all regions to hold their positions and not engage in battle. However, no sooner had the edict been issued than news of the fall of Chuzhou arrived.
How could Chuzhou have fallen so quickly? It was because news of Yanzhen's defeat had spread, and Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng, who had been ordered by the Tang Emperor to garrison Dingyuan, were now in danger. Upon receiving news of Yanzhen's defeat, the two discussed, "Dingyuan is indefensible, and the Zhou army's strength is exceptionally formidable. If they arrive, how can we withstand them? Only Qingliu Pass is the most strategically important. We should abandon Dingyuan and retreat to Qingliu Pass. Even if the Zhou army arrives, it would be ideal if we could defeat them; if not, as long as we hold the pass, the Zhou army will be helpless against us. Isn't that far better than staying in Dingyuan?" Having made their decision, the two abandoned Dingyuan and led their troops to retreat to Qingliu Pass. Emperor Shizong led his troops there, as if entering an empty field. He then constructed a pontoon bridge at Xiachai, preparing to cross the Huai River. However, because Qingliu Pass was extremely strategically important, it had to be captured before they could directly attack the Southern Tang.
It turned out that Qingliu Pass was located southwest of Chuzhou, nestled against mountains and beside water, its terrain extremely imposing, seemingly impregnable by any force. Therefore, Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng were stationed there, fortifying the pass with their troops. Emperor Shizong also knew this pass was of utmost importance; if they could breach it, Chuzhou and other places would be easily obtained, and the Southern Tang would be easily pacified. However, Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng commanded tens of thousands of troops, holding this strategically important position, making an attack very difficult. Therefore, he was very hesitant, unsure of who to send to fulfill his mission and successfully breach the pass. While hesitating and undecided in his tent, Kuangyin suddenly entered the central army and reported to Emperor Shizong: "Qingliu Pass is a vital area for the Southern Tang Dynasty. We must fight with all our might to capture the pass. I request 20,000 troops to attack this pass. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request and order me to go. I will surely take Qingliu Pass. If I fail, I am willing to be punished." Emperor Shizong said: "Although you are brave and invincible, Qingliu Pass is exceptionally well-fortified, and Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng are veteran generals of the Southern Tang Dynasty." "If the defenses are sound, it will be difficult to capture." Kuangyin said, "In my opinion, Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng are both utterly lacking in courage. Your Majesty need not worry." Emperor Shizong asked, "Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng are known as famous generals of the Southern Tang Dynasty. They have faced many formidable enemies without ever suffering a defeat. Emperor Li Jing of Tang appointed them as generals precisely because of their reputations. How can you say they lack courage?" Kuangyin replied, "If Hui and Feng were truly courageous, they would have already held Dingyuan and prevented it from being captured." Our troops have arrived. Even if Dingyuan offers no natural defenses, we can retreat to Qingliu Pass for a more secure strategy.
Now that our troops have arrived, we should open the pass and engage in battle to determine the victor, not remain hidden inside the pass, defending ourselves. This is why I said he lacked courage. If our troops launch a sudden attack, Hui and Feng, intimidated by our might, will surely dare not engage. With their commander already fearful, the soldiers will have no will to fight, and capturing the pass will be easy. Though I am unworthy, I am willing to take on this task, seize the pass, defeat the enemy, and capture Hui and Feng alive. "Your Majesty, please do not doubt this action," said Emperor Shizong. "Since you have so earnestly requested to attack the pass and are willing to take on this task, you must be confident in your abilities and able to secure victory. I will send you there tomorrow." Kuangyin replied, "There is no time to hesitate, and no opportunity to miss. To break through the danger of Qingliu, there is no other way but to launch a surprise attack, catching them off guard. Since Your Majesty considers me capable, we should not delay and should do it today!" Emperor Shizong was overjoyed and ordered Kuangyin to lead 20,000 troops to attack the pass. Kuangyin obeyed the decree and marched through the night. Along the way, he kept his flags and drums hidden and made no sound, only sending his men and horses in single file. As dawn approached, they had reached within ten miles of the pass. Kuangyin feared that the people inside the pass would receive the news after daybreak, making it difficult to attack. He hurriedly ordered his soldiers to hurry forward. When his men and horses reached the pass, it was already dawn. The guards inside the pass were still asleep and completely unaware of the danger. As dawn broke, scouts were finally dispatched to scout the enemy. Unexpectedly, just as the gates opened, a general appeared, with silkworm-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes, dressed in green robes and a blue turban, like a god, wielding a large sword and slaying several men. The guards knew something was wrong! They hastily tried to close the gates, but the rear guard had already swarmed in, causing chaos inside the gates. Trampling and falling, countless dead, ensued. Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng had just gotten up when they heard the shouts and fighting outside, unaware of the cause.
Just as they were about to send someone to inquire, reports came that Zhou troops had entered the gates. Upon hearing this news, the two were terrified and at a loss for what to do. Yao Feng repeatedly asked, "What's happening? What's happening?
" her body trembling uncontrollably. Huangfu Hui, however, had a better idea. He told Yao Feng to hurry and leave! He galloped out of the room, leaped onto his horse, whipped it several times, and fled. Yao Feng followed suit, disappearing like the wind. Fortunately, the two managed to escape with their lives and headed straight for Chuzhou City. Unfortunately, the tens of thousands of Tang soldiers inside the pass were caught off guard and completely unprepared. The Zhou army stormed in, slaughtering them indiscriminately. Without their commander, they didn't even have time to grab their weapons, so they had no ability to resist. They wished they had wings to fly away; most were killed, and a small number managed to escape, all fleeing towards Chuzhou.
Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng reached Chuzhou in one go. Looking back, they saw dust billowing and banners fluttering as the Zhou army pursued them like the wind. Seeing this, the two cried out in despair, realizing it was too late to prepare defensive equipment. They could only quickly dismantle the drawbridge outside the city to temporarily prevent the Zhou army from entering, allowing them to begin preparations for defense. At that moment, an order was given to dismantle the bridge. Many soldiers hurriedly dismantled the bridge planks. Indeed, the moat was wide and deep; without a pontoon bridge, it would be difficult to cross! However, things are unpredictable. Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng thought that since the drawbridge had been destroyed, even if it couldn't permanently stop the Zhou army from attacking the city, it would at least buy them some time and prevent them from being caught off guard. But unexpectedly, the large Zhou army, upon reaching the moat, shouted and jumped into the water one by one. Even the general Zhao Kuangyin, who commanded the army, reined in his horse and leaped into the moat.
Why did Kuangyin jump into the moat? We'll find out in the next chapter.

URL 1:https://www.sex3p.com/htmlBlog/215451.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=215451&aspx=1

Last access time:

Previous Page : The Legend of Pretty Huang Rong 01-10

Next Page : Dragon Tattoo - Chapter 989 General Shen 13

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

[History of the Song Dynasty Palace] [08] [Author: Xu Muxi]

comment Open a new window to view comments