Chapter 007: The Fall of Taiyuan City

In fact, Zhao Chen was completely overthinking it. The imperial army of the Northern Song Dynasty was exceptionally powerful in its early years, but by the end of the Northern Song, the imperial army had completely deteriorated and possessed no combat effectiveness. In the late Northern Song period, it relied entirely on the Western army for warfare. When the Jurchen troops advanced south, the imperial army did not play any role until the fall of Kaifeng.

On the morning of the second day, Zhao Chen once again arrived at Ju Jing Garden, where Wang De was still waiting for him

"Not even a month! At most ten days, and we will be able to breach Taiyuan City!" Wanyan Zonghan said coldly

Zhao Chen recalled the historical anecdote of the "weasel replacing the prince." It is said that during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, Concubine Liu of the imperial harem conspired with the eunuch Guo Huai to replace the infant born to Consort Li with a weasel. As a result, Consort Li was cast into the cold palace. After the death of Emperor Zhenzong, Emperor Renzong ascended the throne. Bao Zheng was ordered to investigate the corruption case involving the national uncle Pang Yu in Chen Prefecture. On his way, Bao Zheng took on the wrongful case of Consort Li and cleared her name, bringing her back to court.

Boom

During the Southern Song Dynasty, the court studied the strategies of the Jurchens. They believed that the Jurchens, having defeated the Khitans, Han people, and Western Xia, must possess extraordinary strategies. However, the final research results indicated that the Jurchens had no real strategy at all. The Jurchens were considered barbarians; before their rise, they were still in a primitive society, with no skills beyond fishing and hunting. They lacked their own writing system and civilization, so how could such a race have any strategy? Even if they did have a strategy, it would be far inferior to the various advanced military tactics developed by the Han people over thousands of years.

I originally had an important matter to entrust to you, but since you mentioned that you might leave Kaifeng, I can no longer assign this task to you... However, if I do not entrust it to you, I am at a loss as to whom I should assign it to

Zhao Chen shook his head and said, "I only ask you, can you help me accomplish this task? Can you keep it a secret for me?"

"Great Commander, https://wwwhetushu.com. In Taiyuan City, women, the elderly, and children have all joined the battle. It seems that there are not many people left in Taiyuan City! Within a month at most, we will surely be able to capture Taiyuan City!" A young Jurchen general stood before Wanyan Zonghan, speaking excitedly

In the lunar calendar, September has passed the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the weather is gradually becoming cooler

The reason the Jurchens were able to achieve victory was solely due to their fighting spirit, characterized by an indomitable will to fight without fear of death. During the Song Dynasty, whether it was the Liao army, the Song army, or the Western Xia forces, if a battle commenced and they did not achieve victory within two or three rounds, they would retreat. In contrast, the Jurchens could engage in continuous combat for dozens of rounds, fighting relentlessly until they completely defeated their enemies. When the Song army clashed with the Western Xia, battles typically took place during the day, and at night, it was as if they had agreed to rest together. However, the Jurchens could fight day and night for several consecutive days, continuing until the last warrior fell.

Zhao Chen stood there, thinking that if Wang De were to leave, he would truly have no one to rely on

Last year, when the Jurchen troops first marched south, they also divided into two routes. The commander of the western army was the Jurchen Crown Prince Wanyan Zonghan, while the commander of the eastern army was the second prince Wanyan Zongwang

The Jin army is advancing south, and there are still hundreds of thousands of imperial troops in Kaifeng! If the imperial troops march north to battle, I will follow them into the fray!" said Wang De.

Zhao Chen pondered for half the night; regardless of whether Wang De was reliable, he was the only person he could depend on at the moment. It was akin to a dying person clinging tightly to a straw. Even though he knew that the city of Kaifeng would fall and he could not escape death, was he to wait here for his demise?

In the future, you will understand! Hearing Wang De agree to help him, although Wang De's assistance may not guarantee success, Zhao Chen felt a sense of relief in his heart, and a smile finally appeared on his face

"What could it be?" Wang Dedao said

... ...

Your Highness, will you practice martial arts today?

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During this period, in addition to practicing martial arts, Zhao Chen made a concerted effort to enhance his knowledge of ancient geography. He also became aware of the significance of the three northern towns to the Song Dynasty and learned about the glorious history that Taiyuan City once possessed

The three northern towns... How long can those three northern towns withstand the Jin soldiers? Zhao Chen thought to himself

Zhao Chen looked at Wang De, still hesitating in his heart. After a moment, Zhao Chen glanced around and noticed that the eunuchs and guards had dispersed at a distance, likely unable to hear the conversation here. He then said: "General Wang, it is like this..."

On this night, a tremendous sound echoed, and the city of Taiyuan was engulfed in swirling smoke and dust, while the Jurchen army below erupted in earth-shattering cheers

The wild cat calls in spring... The wild cat calls in spring... The cat... The prince... Zhao Chen kept murmuring to himself, while the eunuchs and palace maids beside him were astonished, not knowing what Zhao Chen was talking about

"The raccoon cat replaces the crown prince! Where can one find such a raccoon cat? I am a crown prince, surrounded by countless eunuchs, palace maids, and guards. Everything I do is under the watchful eyes of many! Even the slightest mistake will be reported to my father, the emperor!" Zhao Chen thought to himself.

It is only natural to practice martial arts! One must possess skills to protect oneself! Today, I will still learn the killing sword technique created by General Wang!" Zhao Chen said with a smile

This matter still requires the assistance of Wang De

After enduring for 260 days, Taiyuan City finally fell under the relentless attacks of the Jurchen army! For the Han people, this is a miracle! It is worth noting that the former capital of the Liao Dynasty, Shangjing, only held out for one day against the assault of Wanyan Aguda, and the capital of the Song Dynasty, Kaifeng, did not withstand the attack of Wanyan Zonghan for more than a month! The fact that Taiyuan City was able to withstand the Jurchen attacks for 260 days is nothing short of a miracle!

After much hesitation, Wang De nodded and said: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will certainly accomplish this task for you! However... what is the ultimate purpose of this?"

The city of Kaifeng remains vibrant with song and dance, while inside the imperial palace, the tense atmosphere is now almost imperceptible

Zhao Chen stood up and slowly paced around the room, contemplating the matter at hand. His brow was furrowed, and the eunuchs and palace maids nearby were not the least bit surprised by the young master Zhao Chen's demeanor; over the past few months, they had already come to accept the crown prince's transformation. Although the crown prince still appeared to be a ten-year-old child on the surface, his tone, actions, and temperament resembled those of an adult.

The tale of the raccoon cat replacing the prince is a fabrication. At this moment, Zhao Chen thought of the raccoon cat replacing the prince, but in his heart, there was only one thought—Li replacing Tao.

For the past decade, they have relied on this madness and fearlessness to conquer vast territories and defeat the once-mighty Khitan people! It seems as though they possess no individual will; all their personal desires have merged into this iron-like army, becoming one with their nation! The will of the army is their personal will, and the will of the nation is their personal will! For the victory of the army and the rise of the nation, personal life and death, as well as honor, can be completely set aside! The will of the army is their personal will, and the will of the nation is their personal will! For the victory of the army and the rise of the nation, personal life and death, as well as honor, can be completely set aside!

The city has fallen! The city has fallen! Taiyuan has fallen!

"Your Highness, what has happened to you?" Wang De said in surprise

Zhao Chen's gaze turned towards the north, which was the direction of Taiyuan City

However, when he first descended south last year, Wanyan Zonghan was blocked at the gates of Taiyuan City. Therefore, only the Second Prince of the Jin Dynasty, Wanyan Zongwang, arrived in Kaifeng last year. The Second Prince had limited military strength and was unable to breach Kaifeng, so after demanding a large amount of gold and silver, he returned to the north

"Go! Enter the city!" Wang Yan Zonghan laughed heartily.

Zhao Chen continued to practice martial arts with Wang De every day. Initially, he was concerned that Wang De might be dispatched to the north for battle, but it now appears that he was overly worried; the court had no intention of sending troops northward.

Wanyan Zonghan is the second most accomplished military figure from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period to the present. Figures like Di Qing and the Yang Family Generals are certainly far inferior to him. Even Zhou Shizong and Song Taizu cannot compare. Over the past two hundred years since the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the only one who could surpass him is Wanyan Aguda. However, Wanyan Aguda passed away after the fall of Liao, so now Wanyan Zonghan can be regarded as the foremost military powerhouse on the East Asian continent

Since the beginning of the year, the Jin army's attacks on Taiyuan City have not ceased

From day to night, and from night to day, the Jurchens fought relentlessly! Over the course of ten days, more than 15,000 Jurchens have died at the foot of Taiyuan City, yet they have not ceased their advance. They continue to surge forward in waves, their eyes still filled with that same madness

Wanyan Zonghan returned to the north after suffering setbacks here last year. This time, he raised an army from the former Western Capital of the Liao State, Datong, leading 50,000 Jurchen warriors to this place. Since August, after these 50,000 fresh troops entered the battlefield, the situation on the battlefield has undergone significant changes

At this time, Wanyan Zonghan was already in his forties, yet his physique remained remarkably robust. He was not particularly tall, but every muscle in his body seemed as if it were forged from iron, making him resemble a statue cast in metal. His eyes were exceptionally cold, resembling those of a snake, and also akin to those of an eagle, exuding an aura of extreme malice.

"The Jurchens are not afraid of death; once their numbers exceed 10,000, no matter how many troops the Liao, Song, or Western Xia armies have, they will only face a dead end! At least during the era of Wanyan Aguda, this was an ironclad rule. Neither the Liao, the Great Song, nor the Western Xia had any general or army capable of breaking this rule"

Wanyan Aguda has only been deceased for two years, yet the Jurchen army remains the strongest military in the world

I just don't know if Wang De is trustworthy Is Wang De going to do this for me

Oh? What is the reason for this? Zhao Chen was taken aback

He wants to find someone to replace him as the "crown prince" and go to the Jin army to face death

The Jurchens in the front were crushed to pieces by the giant stones thrown down from the city walls, while those behind stepped over the bodies of their fallen comrades and continued to advance. The death of their compatriots not only failed to instill fear in them, but instead drove them to greater madness

At this moment, beneath the city of Taiyuan, fierce battles continue unabated

He must find a way to survive

Perhaps after I came to this world, history has already changed... Perhaps Taiyuan City can still withstand Wanyan Zonghan?

After listening to Zhao Chen's words, Wang De was left there in a daze! After a long while, Wang De said: "Your Highness, what is your purpose in doing this?"

"Issue the order, the entire army shall engage in battle! In ten days, I want to see the city of Taiyuan submit beneath my Jurchen cavalry!" Wanyan Zonghan said coldly, his voice resembling the sound of metal scraping, sending chills and tension into the hearts of those who heard it

The Jin army's offensive has become even more intense! Originally, the Jin forces here numbered 20,000 troops, but now, with an additional 50,000 fresh reinforcements, the total strength of the Jin army has reached 70,000! These 70,000 troops are besieging the city day and night, with countless siege engines and catapults being set up! The Jurchens are advancing relentlessly, charging forward with fervor!

Your Highness, I may not be able to accompany you in martial arts practice from now on!" Upon seeing Zhao Chen arrive, Wang De first performed a bow and then spoke.

However, at this moment, the thought of Wang De possibly leaving filled Zhao Chen with anxiety, and his face was filled with fear.