Chapter 002: Kill the Thieves

The city of Changzhou has fallen, and the streets are filled with slaughter! Only seven people remain, just seven! Wang Jingyao's hands trembled slightly; if death is inevitable, then so be it. Since he has arrived in this era, whether to live or die, he will live this life to the fullest!

In accordance with Kublai Khan's suggestion of "waiting until autumn to launch again," on the 9th day of the 11th month in 1275, Bayan divided his forces into three routes, launching attacks on Lin'an from Jiankang, Jiangyin, and Zhenjiang. The western army, led by the Minister Alaqan and the commander of 40,000 households, Oruqi, claimed to consist of 100,000 Mongolian infantry and cavalry, departing from Jiankang and passing through Liyang, Guangde, and Dulong Pass. The eastern army, claiming to number several hundred thousand, was led by Minister Dong Wenbing, Commander Zhang Hongfan, and General Fan Wenhui, and included a naval force that advanced along the river to the sea, attacking Shanghai, Haiyan, and Zhenpu. Bayan personally led the central army of over 10,000 troops departing from Zhenjiang, advancing towards Changzhou and Pingjiang to attack the Song, while coordinating the various armies.

"Who are you?" Wang Jingyao said in confusion

Kill the thief

Wang Jingyao's head suddenly felt heavy: "Who is the current Zhizhou of Changzhou, is it Lord Yao Xun?"

His luck cannot be considered good; not only has he crossed over into the body of someone with the exact same name as his own, but he has also appeared in the era of the Song Dynasty on the brink of collapse. He is well aware from history books of the cruelty of the Mongol invaders, who, upon capturing a city, show no mercy in slaughtering anyone who resists.

Wang Jingyao firmly believes that he is definitely not any one of these seven individuals

Big brother, you are finally alright. The brothers have been quite worried these past couple of days. A robust-looking man rushed up to Wang Jingyao, unable to conceal his inner joy as he spoke.

He tentatively asked, "I feel so dizzy right now, why do I have no recollection of anything? Where am I, and what has happened outside? Who are you?"

Wang Jingyao slowly drew out the "Iron Blood Blade," the blade gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight, as Wang Jingyao spoke each word deliberately:

I initially thought that the soldier would be very surprised, but to my surprise, he said: "Indeed, Doctor An is remarkable. He mentioned that you, the captain, suffered a severe blow to the head, which may result in temporary memory loss. Sir, I am Zhang Changyong, the deputy captain of the infantry. This is Changzhou Prefecture, and outside, the Mongolian Tartars are fiercely attacking the city. The captain was defending the city on the tower the other day and unfortunately fell, having been unconscious for two days now"

Zhang Changyong exclaimed in surprise: "Captain, you remembered, it is indeed Lord Yao Xun!"

"Dutou, what is the matter with you? The Tartars are attacking fiercely on the city wall, and the brothers are all waiting for you to lead us into battle!" Zhang Changyong said somewhat anxiously, "Lord Yao has urged us several times to hurry up and join the defense battle."

The head of the bandits? Wang Jingyao remembers that in "Water Margin" there is a character named Wu Song, the head of the bandits. Could it be that he has arrived in the Song Dynasty? Outside, people are shouting to kill the Tartars. He hopes he is not so unfortunate as to have arrived during the period of Mongolian invasion of the Song Dynasty

Wang Jingyao smiled wryly, unsure of what to do. In the autumn of 1275, the Yuan Chancellor Bayan, under the edict of Kublai Khan, decided to "lead the various armies directly to Lin'an." On October 24 of that year, Bayan inspected the Yuan troops besieging Yangzhou, stationed ten thousand soldiers at Wantou, and then went to Zhenjiang, where he convened Amu, Atahai, Dong Wenbing, and others to determine that "the various armies would be divided into three routes and converge at Lin'an."

At the entrance, around 100 soldiers have already lined up neatly, all of them strapping young men in their twenties, each holding weapons and eagerly looking forward. Upon seeing Wang Jingyao emerge, they could not help but show expressions of joy.

Wang Jingyao, who enjoys browsing through history in his spare time, recalls that a single infantryman should have eight swordsmen, sixteen riflemen, and over seventy crossbowmen.

Let's go, take me out to see the brothers with the books! Wang Jingyao temporarily set aside all his worries and followed Zhang Changyong out.

Zhang Changyong exchanged wry smiles with the other two, and then said, "Elder brother, it seems you really need to think this through. We don't have any archers; we are merely the newly formed army after Lord Yao's arrival. Not to mention bows and crossbows, even the weapons we have were brought by the brothers themselves"

Wang Jingyao made an effort to keep his mind clear and carefully recalled that he seemed to have taken a knife from that antique shop. As he drew the knife from its sheath, a bolt of lightning struck him, and then he lost all consciousness. He looked around and found that the "Iron Blood Knife" was right there on the table beside him

The Dazis have besieged the city, it is truly a man's endeavor

Wang Jingyao opened his mouth but did not make a sound. What kind of army is this? Can such an army even fight?

"Let’s fight the Tartars, it’s a remarkable death!"

When the Yuan army occupied Jiankang, the governor of Changzhou from the Song dynasty had already fled. Dai Zhitai, the pacifier, surrendered to the Yuan army, and Boyan immediately appointed Dai as the supervisor of Changzhou, while some Yuan troops were stationed there. However, Yao Xun from Tongchuan in the Song dynasty was in Yixing at that time, and together with Chen Zhao from Wuxi, they formed a militia of 20,000 men, killing all the Yuan troops defending the city and recapturing Changzhou, capturing Dai Zhitai. The Southern Song dynasty then issued an edict to commend Yao Xun, appointing him as the governor of Changzhou, and Chen Zhao as the deputy judge of the He Book, responsible for the defense of Changzhou.

What happened next quickly proved Wang Jingyao's judgment. The tent flap was opened, and an ancient soldier clad in armor rushed in. Upon seeing Wang Jingyao standing there in a daze with the treasured sword in hand, a look of joy quickly appeared on his face: "Captain, you are awake! The brothers are waiting for you."

Wang Jingyao nodded and took note, it seems that the second one is the deputy commander Zhang Changyong: "Alright, I remember who you are now. By the way, where are our archers?"

"Elder brother, I am the military leader Chen Zhongjian, and I am the third among the four brothers," said the rugged man

"Brother, there's no need to think too much. Right now, Lord Yao urgently needs manpower, so let’s hurry up just like we did the other day," Chen Zhongjian said anxiously. "Although we haven't fought many battles, the martial skills we've honed over the years are not in vain. Let those dog thieves see the prowess of the heroes from the Central Plains!"

Casually picking up the knife, Wang Jingyao drew it out; the blade remained exceptionally sharp, yet this time nothing happened. He glanced around his surroundings and realized he was in an ancient tent.

He lowered his head to take a look, only to be greatly startled; he was actually wearing a complete set of ancient clothing, and from the appearance, it seemed to be the attire of a soldier and a scholar.

The historically tragic Battle of Changzhou ended in failure. After Changzhou fell, Boyan ordered a massacre, resulting in the slaughter of all the city's inhabitants, with only seven individuals managing to escape the disaster

What on earth has happened? Wang Jingyao suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart. Oh heavens, could it be that the legendary time portal has been inexplicably opened by me, and I have arrived at some point in ancient times?

Zhang Changyong hurriedly said to the soldiers: "The captain has suffered serious injuries; the doctor said it will take at least half a month to recover to normal. Brothers, please report your names to the elder brother."

Although the hundred or so soldiers did not speak, each one tightly gripped their weapons, their faces filled with hatred towards the Mongols. Over the years, the Tartars have truly inflicted great suffering upon the people of the Central Plains.

Wang Jingyao steadied himself, recalling that his official title, "Dutou," was a fundamental component of the armed forces during the Song Dynasty. With the battle on the city walls intensifying, it would be unacceptable not to take his brothers out with him.

"Elder brother, I am Zhou Long, the Tenth General, ranked fourth." A handsome young man approached and said

When Wang Jingyao woke up in a daze, he suddenly heard the sounds of killing outside, with angry shouts echoing everywhere. Wang Jingyao was unsure of what had happened and was about to go out to take a look, but he noticed something was amiss with his body