Chapter 10, The Battle of Shahe (Part Two)
"We will break through from the west!" Yelü Xidi said in a deep voice, pulling the reins of Sahe.
The Khitan cavalry hastily drew their bows and shot arrows; however, the power of the mounted bow could not compare to that of the foot bow, resulting in significantly diminished effectiveness.
"Your Majesty, there are many renowned generals present; how could a humble minister dare to comment on them?" Xie Muhua, standing to the side, quickly bowed and replied upon hearing Zhao Guangyi's question.
"My lord... I would rather die than retreat..." shouted Sahe fiercely!
He was exceedingly brave, charging ahead and already plunging into the enemy ranks. Wherever his long knife fell, those who blocked his path were cut down. A large contingent of Song troops followed closely behind Kong Shouzheng, rushing headlong towards the Liao cavalry... As these two waves of people collided, a scene of blood and carnage ensued
The Song army huddled closely together, several soldiers thrusting their long spears, piercing through the chest and abdomen of a Khitan warrior. Remarkably, the fiercely brave Liao soldier did not die immediately; he threw his saber, cleaving a Song soldier dressed in paper armor from shoulder to chest in two. The Liao soldier, with blood pouring from his mouth, continued to shout: "Kill... kill..."
In this charge, the Liao army suffered the loss of over 1,000 cavalry, finally reaching the front lines of the Song army
Saha looked at Xiao Taogu with a mix of sorrow and anger, steeling himself as he raised his saber and shouted, "Charge with me!" He was the king of the Yishi tribe, holding a status comparable to that of the Northern Court's king, Yelü Xidi. Among the twenty thousand Liao soldiers, the majority were from the Yishi tribe. At Saha's call, the soldiers of the Yishi tribe turned their horses around, ready to follow Saha in a breakout to the north
This strategy of luring the enemy into a trap was devised by Pan Mei and has little to do with Zhao Guangyi. However, the vanguard in battle was appointed by Zhao Guangyi, and the general who formulated the strategy was also designated by him. The flattering praise from Xie Muhua was received by Zhao Guangyi with great satisfaction, leading him to feel that he was adept at recognizing talent and possessed considerable foresight
Kong Shouzheng estimated the distance to the Liao army and shouted, "Divine Arm Bow, fire!"
Kong Shouzheng swung his long knife and shouted, "Kill!"
A bowman rises, holding his longbow horizontally. The bent bow resembles a full moon, and the arrow flies like a shooting star, striking into the ranks of the Liao army.
"Thank you, my lord. What are your thoughts on the upcoming battle?" Zhao Guangyi, clad in military armor, was surrounded by the valiant soldiers of the Imperial Cavalry, protecting the Emperor of the Song Dynasty along with a group of civil and military officials.
Xie Muhua no longer hesitated, taking a couple of steps forward and pointing ahead: "The Emperor has commanded General Kong to first feign weakness to the enemy. Because the Liao cavalry moves like the wind, if our army strikes first and the Liao army is defeated and retreats, pursuing them with infantry would likely yield minimal results. This tactic is to lure the Liao army into our formation, then our main forces will engage, using our numbers to overwhelm the few, which can lead to a great victory"
Fu Qian, filled with self-confidence and valor, at this moment felt a tumultuous churn in his stomach and his legs grew weak. Although he had been in battle before, he had never encountered a force as fierce as the Liao army. Under a rain of arrows, they desperately charged against the Song army's defenses. Those men raised on the northern grasslands were exceptionally brave, often requiring several Song soldiers to contend with just one of them. The powerful steeds beneath them added to their impact, their hooves pounding the ground as waves of cavalry surged like torrents of steel into the ranks of the Song army
Yelü Xidi pointed with his long whip and commanded, "The entire army... break through!"
Yelü Xidileng let out a cold snort. Although Sahe is the king of Yishi, he relies solely on brute courage in battle and has never bothered to use his intellect. As for why they need to gather on the northern bank of the Qinghe River, Yelü Xidileng is truly too lazy to explain to him. Now that the main army is surrounded by the Song forces, the sooner they break out, the smaller the losses will be
Kong Shouzheng followed Chai Rong in his rise and later accompanied Zhao Kuangyin in his quest for dominance. Over the years, he fought in numerous campaigns, bearing countless scars on his body. His reputation for bravery and martial prowess was earned through genuine combat, and his soldiers regarded him as a god of war.
Xiao Tao Gu is worthy of the title of brave general, urging his swift horse to charge at the forefront. The palace guard army is the main force of the Liao Dynasty, second only to the elite troops of the Pi Shi, composed entirely of valiant Khitan warriors, and has always been regarded as the iron-blooded army that the Liao relies on as its Great Wall. This fierce and bloody battle suddenly tore a gap in the heavy encirclement of the Song army.
"Your Majesty..." Xiao Taogu let out a mournful cry. He had just personally led the charge, and the steel blade in his hand was already dulled from the fighting. Just as the Song army was on the verge of collapse, suddenly, Kong Shouzheng launched a counterattack, followed by the main force of the Song army joining the fray. If it weren't for the palace guards around him fighting desperately, Xiao Taogu would have been trapped in the enemy's ranks.
"It is still not too late to leave now!" Xiao Taogu pressed his blood-stained hand on Sahe's shoulder
Kong Shouzheng pointed with his long knife and said: "All together!"
"Brother Kong..." Fu Qian's voice was extremely hoarse, and he couldn't help but cough a few times: "The Liao army is charging over..."
Fu Qian felt extremely parched, as if his heart were about to leap out from his throat
Zhao Guangyi chuckled and said, "I command you to speak, so you shall speak"
Zhao Guangyi was overjoyed, saying: "Thank you, beloved minister, you have won my heart, you have truly won my heart..."
Shi Gui, Shi Shouxin, Liu Yu, Song Zuo, Meng Yuanzhe... one by one, the great generals of the Song Dynasty led their troops against the Liao army... The calm waters of the Sha River stirred with waves, the birds in the mountains and forests were startled into flight by the thunderous sounds of battle, the originally gloomy sky was further shrouded in sorrowful clouds and mist, and the land of Yan and Zhao beneath their feet was soaked in bright red blood
Suddenly, the movements of the Liao army changed; those barbaric soldiers of the Liao state seemed to have gone mad, charging recklessly towards the position of General Fu Qian's flag. Although Fu Qian could not understand the Khitan language, he would certainly not mishear those two words: "...Fu Qian..."
Xiao Taogu raised his long sword high, the blood on the blade had long since congealed. Xiao Taogu shouted loudly: "Warriors of the Great Liao, valiant troops of the palace tents, charge with me..."
A tall archer with long arms stood up from the ranks. This divine bow is actually a crossbow, specifically a type of side-draw crossbow, made of wood for the body, sandalwood for the tip, iron for the stirrup, copper for the mechanism, hemp rope for the bindings, and silk for the string. It has a long range and great power
The swordsman at the front raised his machete and broadsword, striking fiercely at the legs of the Khitan cavalry's horses. The horses let out a mournful cry and fell to the ground, throwing the riders off their backs far away. The horses rolled over, knocking down several people in succession
As Fu Qian raised the flag, fluttering in the wind, his mood was exceptionally buoyant. That fellow Kong Shouzheng had already plunged into the enemy ranks, and the subsequent troops were continuously charging forward, engaging in battle. The Liao army numbered only around 20,000; even if they had three heads and six arms, they would not fare well today. As the vanguard general, although he had always been trailing behind Kong Shouzheng, the emperor was Zhao Guangyi, whom he had followed for many years. Once this battle was concluded and merits were assessed, it was likely that his contributions would surpass those of Kong Shouzheng.
The enraged Song army knocked him off his horse, and with a mighty axe, severed the head of that Liao soldier. However, more fearless Liao troops continued to charge forward.
Fu Qian's personal guards gradually found themselves unable to hold the line, and a breach was made in the dense defenses. Those demon-like Khitan invaders surged forward like a flood that had broken its dam, their sabers relentlessly reaping the lives of the Song soldiers, while heavily armored warhorses charged uncontrollably towards the location of the general's flag
"Form the formation... quickly form the formation..." Fu Qian urgently issued the command
Kong Shouzheng glared with round eyes like a tiger, growling low, with a long knife against his chest: "Whoever retreats, I will slay them... not even the King of Heaven is an exception..."
The banner of the vanguard army is raised, and the sounds of battle resonate through the heavens
Two thousand divine arm bows moved in unison, shooting arrows like locusts into the enemy ranks. Although the divine arm bows lacked precision, their power was formidable; with thousands of them firing simultaneously, what need was there for accuracy? This rain of arrows, blocking out the sky like a torrential downpour, flew into the ranks of the Liao army, causing the Khitan knights to fall one after another
Capture Sahe alive
"Your Majesty..." shouted Sahe, covered in blood and filled with rage. With this retreat, the undefeated palace troops of the Liao state were defeated twice by the Song army within just three months
Fu Qian gritted his teeth, brandished his sword, and charged out. His personal guards surrounded him on both sides, advancing slowly... Gradually, the distance between him and Kong Shouzheng widened...
All together!
The shouts of Song troops grew increasingly closer, causing great agitation. Yelü Xidi furrowed his brows tightly. Before setting out, the Southern Court King Yelü Xiezhen had firmly opposed his leading the army into battle, insisting that he remain stationed south of Youzhou to coordinate with Yelü Xiezhen and jointly defend Youzhou. However, Yelü Xidi, confident in his invincibility, did not heed a single word of Xiezhen's advice
"I am not blind and can see! There is no need for General Fu to remind me!" Kong Shouzheng said淡淡.
"Going to Qinghe?" Sha He, the monk of two zhang, was puzzled. "That place is over two hundred li south of Youzhou. Are we not going to rendezvous with the King of the Southern Courtyard?"
Despite the heavy armor worn by the Khitan cavalry, the rain of arrows was too dense and rapid, making it impossible to charge through even at a distance of two hundred paces. Some warriors, burdened by multiple arrows, could not withstand the onslaught; their bodies swayed and they fell from their horses, trampled into a pulp by the galloping steeds behind them. Others had already been shot dead, yet their corpses remained slumped on their horses, refusing to fall...
The Liao army has already begun to break out, but in Fu Qian's eyes, it is merely a desperate struggle of a cornered beast. Those barbarians are all shouting loudly, yet they are still trapped in the middle by our forces. The remaining battle has become a mere formality, and Fu Qian, feeling quite pleased, shouted: "Brothers, kill more of those Khitan Tartars..."
The impact of the Khitan cavalry should not be underestimated. Although many were thrown to the ground and met a tragic fate, several cavalry units have already breached the defensive line, their sabers raised high as they fiercely struck at the surrounding Song troops. The Imperial Army of the Song Dynasty, renowned for its battle-hardened elite, remained undeterred even when their lines were broken. They raised their bright steel swords, brandished their sharp spears, and wielded their heavy axes... bravely engaging in combat, fighting to the death without retreat...
Fu Qian stared blankly at Kong Shouzheng, his lips moved a few times, yet he did not dare to speak again
The Khitan cavalry is renowned throughout the world. In order to counter the iron cavalry of the Liao state, the Song Dynasty has always placed great emphasis on archers, hoping to use bows to restrain cavalry. Almost every soldier in the imperial army of the Song Dynasty is skilled in drawing a bow and nocking an arrow. With this command, a torrential rain of arrows ensued, covering the sky and earth in a dark shroud of descending arrows.
Although the Liao army is currently being fiercely attacked by the Song army, the main force has not suffered significant losses. If they take the opportunity to break out while they still have the strength to fight, they can preserve the majority of their troops. However, if they continue to delay, the 20,000 elite troops will be surrounded by a Song army that outnumbers them several times, leaving them with nothing but the reputation of a valiant death in battle.
Today's defeat was destined to happen
......
Capture Yelü Xidi, reward with ten thousand and the *Tu* book...
"Retreat..." Fu Qianxin was in a state of utter confusion. The Liao army, fearless of death, had already charged into the main formation. If the front lines could not hold, they could break through at any moment. In his fear, Fu Qianxin blurted out a single word: retreat.
The archer activated the mechanism, and an arrow flew out, striking a soldier of the Liao army three hundred paces away. The arrow was powerful, piercing through his chest.
Kong Shouzheng does not truly hold Fu Qian in high regard. Such a general, if not for having followed Zhao Guangyi in his early years, would not possess the merit or capability to serve as the vanguard of the army
Kong Shouzheng remained calm and shouted, "Archers, fire at will!"
Yelü Xidi let out a bitter laugh and drew the long knife from his waist: "Retreat!"
Kong Shouzheng cast a dissatisfied glance at him and continued to issue orders: "Machete, broadsword... sever the horse's legs!"
"Fu Qian has retreated..." Xiao Taogu, observing the movements of the Song army during the fierce battle, immediately shouted loudly upon seeing Fu Qian's battle flag move backward
The soldiers of the Song army shouted in unison: "Capture Yelü Xidi alive..."
Cao Bin, clad in heavy armor, clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, General Kong has already led his troops to counterattack. I implore Your Majesty to issue the order for the army to launch an assault and capture Yelü Xidi alive"
Zhao Guangyi laughed heartily, drawing his long sword and pointing it towards the heavens: "Send the order, the army will advance, dividing into three routes. Cui Yanjin and Shi Gui will take the left, Liu Yu and Shi Shouxin will take the right, while the remaining generals will follow the central army. Capture Saha, and reward with three thousand guan, promoting one rank; capture Xiao Taogu, and reward with five thousand guan, promoting three ranks; if any of the esteemed ministers captures Yelü Xidi, reward with ten thousand guan and appoint as General of the Right Jinwu Guard..."
Compared to the cavalry spread across the mountains, the fallen are truly insignificant. In the blink of an eye, the Liao army's cavalry is only a little over 200 paces away from the formation
Yelü Xidi pointed to the west and said: "Over there is where the Song general Fu Qian is located, and the pressure from that direction is the least. It seems that this person is not a fierce general like Kong Shouzheng or Liu Yu. After breaking through, the main army will make a detour outside Qigou Pass and head to the north bank of the Qinghe River to regroup"
Yelü Xidi raised his head towards the sky, where a faint brightness emerged from the overcast clouds. The summer breeze brushed against him, cool and refreshing, reminiscent of the winds from the grasslands beyond the borders... so familiar...