Chapter 886 - 82: Defeating the Song Army, Cracks in Thought

At the same time, Yue Fei personally led an elite force, bypassing the frontline battlefield, and launched a surprise attack on Liu Qi’s last supply station in the rear.

The news spread, and Liu Qi’s army was utterly demoralized.

Before the main forces of the Northern Border Army could encircle them, some officers led the dispirited soldiers to flee south under the cover of night.

Liu Qi could not maintain control and, knowing the situation was lost, sighed deeply and could only lead the remaining forces in a hasty retreat.

The Right Route Army thus disintegrated.

Immediately afterward, the pressure was directed toward Yang Yizhong’s isolated Left Route Army.

Upon hearing of Liu Qi’s defeat and the side being exposed, Yang Yizhong was shocked and terrified.

Yue Fei, emboldened by his victory, quickly returned to his forces, positioning them to cut off Yang Yizhong’s retreat.

The Northern Border’s navy also took the opportunity to intensify their efforts, fiercely attacking the Song Army’s waterside camps along the Yellow River.

Yang Yizhong was well aware that their forces had become isolated; if their retreat was cut off, the entire army would be annihilated. Without waiting for new orders from the court, he burned the cumbersome supplies overnight and urgently retreated south.

The Northern Border Army pursued swiftly, causing heavy losses to Yang Yizhong’s forces, who abandoned their armor and helmets, fleeing in disarray back to Huai West. The Left Route Army also collapsed.

Finally, only Zhang Jun’s Central Route Army remained, pinned tightly outside Daming Prefecture.

At this moment, Zhang Jun was already completely isolated, without support.

In front of him was Yue Fei’s main encampment, solidly positioned and ready;

Behind and on the flanks were the victorious Northern Border troops that had just defeated Liu and Yang’s armies, forming a strategic encirclement.

Even more devastating was the wildfire spread of rumors in the army about the "Emperor Taizu’s posthumous edict" and "the Imperial Family selling out the country," with soldiers deserting in droves and officers harboring different intentions.

Gu Hui did not hastily launch a total assault but instead had the news of Liu Qi and Yang Yizhong’s defeats and letters persuading surrender from captured Song Army officers widely disseminated in Zhang Jun’s camp.

The letters, in the name of "Regent Grand Tutor" Gu Hui, promised that as long as they laid down their arms, no offenses would be pursued, travel expenses would be provided to those wishing to return home, and fair treatment to those wishing to stay.

This was psychological warfare.

Gu Hui was a typical member of the Gu Clan.

Even when faced with such an advantageous battle situation, he did not forget to employ psychological tactics.

And this often produced very good results as well.

In fact, from Gu Hui’s perspective.

The Zhao Song court’s strategy this time was actually helping them.

Had Zhao Gou not been eager to attack but rather worn them down bit by bit with support from Jiangnan, given the current development of the Northern Border, they would definitely not be able to withstand the Song Court.

Unfortunately, Zhao Gou was not someone who would think about this issue.

That night, Yue Fei ordered torches to be planted around Zhang Jun’s camp and war drums to be beaten, making a show of impending attack but holding back.

Under enormous psychological pressure, Zhang Jun’s troops utterly collapsed, with over half deserting overnight.

The next morning, seeing the chaos in the camp, the officers lacking the will to fight, and the soldiers without fighting spirit, Zhang Jun, knowing there was no hope of reversing the situation, ordered the opening of the camp to surrender after ensuring the safety of his soldiers.

Thus, the three-pronged Northern Expedition Army organized with all its might by Zhao Gou disintegrated within less than half a year; two routes’ main forces either surrendered or fled, completely vanishing into smoke.

The news spread, shaking the world once again.

...

Yingtian Prefecture, Chuigong Hall.

The reports of defeat, like a continuously ringing death knell, fiercely struck the unstable hall. When the final news of the three-route army’s collapse and surrender, its total defeat was confirmed, the eunuch transmitting the message almost crawled into the hall, his voice quivering uncontrollably.

Deathly silence engulfed Chuigong Hall.

Then, from the dragon throne erupted a scream unlike human sound. Zhao Gou suddenly stood up, eyes blood-red and forehead veins bulging, sweeping everything he could reach—memorials, ink brushes, the Jade Seal, paperweights—violently to the ground, shattering them into fragments!

"Useless! You’re all useless!!" His sharp voice, choked with sobs, pointed toward the north, his finger trembling violently, "Zhang Jun is incompetent! Yang Yizhong is cowardly! Liu Qi... Liu Qi has also betrayed me! Tens of thousands of troops! Just gone like that! Gone!!"

He staggered down from the imperial steps, looking deranged, and grabbed Wan Qixie’s collar: "And you! And all of you! Who was it that told me it was foolproof? Who said public sentiment was on our side, righteousness with me?! Now what?! What do we do now?! Gu Hui, that traitor... That traitor is about to invade!!"

After extreme anger came deeper, bone-penetrating fear. It was as if he already saw Gu Hui and Yue Fei’s flags atop Yingtian’s city gates, saw himself dragged off the dragon throne, publicly tried like Qin Hui, made into a kneeling statue... This thought left him cold, as if falling into an icy cave.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Take care of your health!" Wan Qixie and others kowtowed like pounding garlic, fresh blood streaming from their foreheads, and wails filled the hall.

In this desperate chaos, Zhao Gou suddenly halted, a mad and twisted light flashing in his murky eyes, as if grabbing the last straw, shouting hoarsely:

"Aren’t they trying to eliminate troublemakers at my side? Trying to depose me? Fine! Fine! I will let them see who is truly the Heaven-anointed Emperor!"

He shoved Wan Qixie aside, shouting with all his strength:

"Issue my order! I shall—personally lead the army into battle!"

"Mobilize all garrison troops in the Capital Region, conscript all available soldiers in Jiangnan! I will personally go to meet that traitor Gu Hui, and I want to see if he dares to kill the sovereign!!"

This near-insane decision left the entire court stupefied, yet no one dared to provoke this desperate trapped beast.

Stop him?

How to stop him?

They could barely protect themselves, let alone stop Zhao Gou?

At this point, it would be better to let Zhao Gou go out and make a desperate attempt.

If he wins, then everyone can rejoice together.

If he loses... It allows them to change allegiance sooner.

The Jin people’s barbarians... seem to treat such people quite well!

Kaifeng Prefecture, the Jin Empire’s temporary palace.

Wanyan Digü listened to the detailed war report from the spy, his face devoid of its usual mockery and ease, replaced by deep, heavy solemnity.

He waved away the dancers and musicians, leaving only himself and a few core confidants in the hall.

"Zhao Gou... really is a useless fool." His voice was deep, with a hint of barely perceptible annoyance, "Tens of thousands of troops, holding righteous ground, yet crumbled in half a year."

"I overestimated him."

He wasted no words.

At that moment, Wanyan Digü’s entire demeanor suddenly became sharp.

"Zhao Song is beyond saving, hoping they could wear down Gu Hui was my miscalculation." Wanyan Digü’s tone turned decisive and ice-cold, "If Gu Hui consolidates this victory and organizes the surrendered soldiers, he will be even harder to stop."

He abruptly turned, eyes gleaming with a beast-like ferocity: "We cannot wait any longer!"

"We must seize the moment when his position is not yet stable, when Zhao Gou has not completely collapsed, and use overwhelming force to first destroy Zhao Song and then have a decisive confrontation with Gu Hui!"

He issued brand new, more aggressive orders to his commanders:

"Order the three armies to cease resting and immediately gather!"

"Target, Yingtian Prefecture!"

"Isn’t Zhao Gou going to personally lead his army?"

"Then I shall oblige him and personally lead the army to attack Yingtian!!!"

At this moment, Wanyan Digü was exceptionally clear-headed.

By any means, he must make the necessary preparations.

Still the same old story.

He was unwilling to relinquish the power he currently held in his hands, that was impossible.

And this had already destined his relationship with Gu Hui.

This battle had to be fought no matter what.

Therefore, it was impossible for him to let Gu Hui and the others continue to grow any further.

Of course, this was merely a judgment made based on the situation.

During this period.

Within the Central Hub of the Great Song, quite a few people have already been in contact with him, the pressure from Gu Hui being simply too overwhelming, causing these people to feel frightened.

And merely relying on Zhao Gou was clearly insufficient to completely reassure these people.

Precisely because of this, Wanyan Digü was so confident this time.

As long as Zhao Gou leaves Yingtian Prefecture.

He could ensure that he could annex everything from the Great Song in a short time!!!

....

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