Chapter 898: A Desperate Struggle, Breaking Through Jin into Jiangnan

Jinan is a crucial city in Shandong, how can it be easily abandoned?

Wanyan Digü smirked grimly: “You can’t catch a wolf if you’re unwilling to sacrifice the child!”

“Jinan is now a lone city, merely consuming military strength.”

“Let the garrison make a grand display of ‘breaking through’, abandoning supplies along the way, creating the illusion of a hasty northern escape, intending to join forces with the Jin army in Daming Prefecture!”

“In reality, head northeastward, retreating to Zizhou and Qing Province!”

He smashed his fist on the strategic map between Jinan and the main forces of Gu Hui: “Gu Hui is a cautious commander. Seeing me abandon Jinan, he will surely send troops to recapture it and attempt to intercept the ‘fleeing’ forces to expand the battle gains, possibly even threatening the rear of the Jin army in Daming Prefecture.”

“Here, is the grave I have chosen for him!”

His plan was quite perilous.

To put it bluntly, Wanyan Digü intended to continue attracting the attention of Liu Qi and Zhang Xian with Daming Prefecture, using Jinan’s abandonment as bait, secretly deploying the most elite cavalry forces in advance to the predetermined battlefield.

Coupled with the ‘fleeing’ troops as reverse bait, hoping to ambush, heavily damage, or even annihilate the mobile troops dispatched by Gu Hui, completely breaking the balance in Shandong, reversing the passive situation of the entire war!

Of course, Wanyan Digü was naturally aware of the dangers.

But what was the point of dragging it out?

He was old.

How much time was left for him, no one could know.

And opportunities come only once.

If he could not establish a decisive victory in his lifetime, then all their efforts would ultimately be in vain.

Wanyan Digü was not someone who only pursued immediate pleasure.

If he were, he would not have chosen to wage war against Gu Hui.

This alone was enough to reveal the kind of person Wanyan Digü was!

“The key to this battle lies in speed, in secrecy, and in ruthlessness!” Wanyan Digü looked around at his ministers, “Execute every order as planned, anyone who hesitates or leaks information will have his clan exterminated!”

The only sound echoing in the entire Chuigong Hall was Wanyan Digü’s cold voice.

The ministers heard this and immediately lowered their heads.

Though their expressions varied, none dared disobey his command.

…..

Messages were in constant flux.

The conflicts from all directions surged like tides to various regions.

And as Wanyan Digü’s strategy shifted once more, the battlefield situation suddenly changed.

In June, the Jin army intensified their assault on Daming Prefecture. Various siege tactics emerged one after another, displaying a stance of not stopping until the city was broken, increasing the pressure on Liu Qi and Zhang Xian, who continuously sought reinforcements from Gu Hui.

Almost simultaneously, the gates of Jinan swung open, and a large number of Jin soldiers poured out, throwing helmets and abandoning armor, their banners askew, fleeing northward in shambles, discarding countless provisions and military equipment along the way.

The scouts swiftly reported back to Gu Hui’s main camp.

In the general hall of Guide Prefecture, Gu Hui looked at the intelligence regarding Jinan, frowning slightly.

Yue Fei also sent an urgent report from Huaidong, stating that there seemed to be unusual movements in the Jin army led by Han Chang, with signs of their elite cavalry withdrawing to the northeast.

“Grand Tutor, this is a heaven-sent opportunity!” An excited general reported, “Send elite troops to quickly recapture Jinan and pursue the fleeing enemies. If we can coordinate with the defenders of Daming Prefecture, we may severely damage the Jin army!”

Gu Hui remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the map of Jinan, Daming Prefecture, and the vast region in between. Recalling the anomalies in Huaidong, he suddenly sneered: “Wanyan Digü, you’ve finally decided to make a big move.”

“He wants to lure me into dividing our forces and advancing recklessly… it’s just a pity that his bait was laid too hastily.”

Upon hearing this, the generals were immediately puzzled.

However, Gu Hui had no intention of explaining and immediately ordered: “Command Wang Gui to lead twenty thousand troops, making a big show of threatening Jinan, pretending to pursue the fleeing enemy.”

“But if you encounter the enemy do not fight rashly; advance slowly and cautiously, focusing on recapturing the city and clearing the surrounding areas.”

“Additionally,” he looked at Yang Zaixing, who had been on standby, “Zaixing, you shall lead eight thousand of the best Vibatos and Gueyong cavalry, as light as possible, with one man and two horses, without supply trains, and set out immediately.”

“Do not take the official road, detour through the hills of western Shandong, travel by night and rest by day, and strike directly here—” He pointed to a mountain pass between the predetermined battlefield and Daming Prefecture, “If I’m not mistaken, the real killer move of the Jin army is lurking on this route.”

“Your task is not to engage in a decisive battle, but to find them, keep a close watch on them, and report their exact location to Generals Wang Gui and Liu Qi!”

“Also convey to Liu Qi and Zhang Xian, that the defenders of Daming Prefecture be prepared. Once the direction of Jin army’s ambush is confirmed, seize the opportunity to strike from the city, join forces with Wang Gui’s army to assault the fleeing Jin troops and possible ambush forces. Do not aim for total annihilation, but ensure heavy damage!”

Gu Hui’s response was still stable yet fierce.

You lured me with bait, I send a part to take the bait, but advance cautiously;

You set an ambush, I dispatch the most elite reconnaissance forces to expose your ambush; you feign strength at Daming Prefecture, I do the opposite, preparing to attack from inside and out.

He was very certain of Wanyan Digü’s tactics!

This certainty did not stem from self-confidence alone.

No, perhaps it shouldn’t be put that way.

There was certainly self-confidence.

But there was also his understanding of Wanyan Digü as a person.

Having lingered at the Northern Border for years, Gu Hui not only waited for Yue Fei, but also came to understand the heroes of the world.

Someone like Wanyan Digü.

Once he had truly set out from the Northern Border and established his first foothold in the Central Plains, he would never willingly return to the Northern Border unless the situation drastically changed.

And just based on this, much could be predicted.

This is the way of the Gu Clan’s insight!

The generals had no doubts about Gu Hui and immediately responded affirmatively, then left one after another.

Meanwhile, in Huaidong, Yue Fei skillfully perceived signs of Han Chang’s elite troops being redirected north, indicating that the Jin army was preparing for a major action.

Unable to determine the specific target, he made a bold decision, no longer entangled with Han Chang. He personally led five thousand elite Beiwei troops, silently moving northward along the narrow strip between the canal and the Yellow River, heading straight for the southeastern gate of Kaifeng—Chenzhou!

He intended to attack instead of defend, disrupting the Jin army’s deployments, and coordinating with possible changes in the northern line.

At the beginning of July, the battle abruptly ignited near the predetermined battlefield.

Wang Gui’s forces pursued the fleeing Jin troops, indeed encountering a counterattack south of Zizhou, with battle cries echoing from both flank hills as tens of thousands of the most elite Jin cavalry led by Wanyan Wushu charged out, intending to swallow Wang Gui’s troops whole.

However, Wang Gui, having been forewarned by Gu Hui, held firm in formation. Though embroiled in a bitter struggle, he did not collapse.

At the crucial moment, Yang Zaixing’s light cavalry appeared like ghosts on the flank and rear of the Jin army’s ambush, constantly harassing their command and logistics, accurately reporting the main Jin army’s position and strength.

Liu Qi, upon receiving the news in Daming Prefecture, decisively left Zhang Xian to guard the city and personally led over ten thousand battle-hardened, fuming elite soldiers from west to east to assault the Jin army’s flank!

The news spread, shaking the entire nation!

Wanyan Digü ordered Han Chang to return swiftly, sternly commanding Wanyan Wushu to conclude the battle immediately.

The predetermined battlefield rapidly transformed into a chaotic melee.

Though the Jin army fought bravely, they found themselves besieged on three sides, with their retreat threatened by Yue Fei, causing morale to waiver.

Wanyan Wushu fought valiantly, and the Iron Buddha assault remained terrifying, but under targeted strikes from the Song army’s infantry spear formations and powerful crossbows, they suffered heavy losses.

Ultimately, the Jin army failed to achieve their encirclement objective and instead, under the Song army’s two-pronged assault, suffered over ten thousand casualties, especially with significant losses to the Iron Buddha units, forcing them to retreat north. Although Wang Gui’s troops also suffered significant losses, they successfully reunited with Liu Qi and seized the opportunity to recapture Zizhou and other areas, transforming the situation in Shandong.

Concurrently, Yue Fei feinted at Chenzhou, severely damaging the garrison, but avoided prolonged engagement.

He withdrew again before Han Chang’s main forces could return.

Utilizing his mobility, he caused chaos in Huaijiang and the Central Plains.

—Defeat!

Complete and utter defeat!

Although Wanyan Digü’s various tactics appeared to lack issues and the series of casualties didn’t seem fatal,

In truth, it was entirely the opposite.

As news spread, the public mood in Jiangnan reached its peak agitation!

And this, for Wanyan Digü, was the truly fatal outcome!…

…

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