On this day, Zhang Chu, the commander-in-chief of Xuzhou, led the troops withdrawn from Xuzhou to Jinling and met with General Han Shizhong stationed here.
Zhang Chu reported to Han Shizhong: "General Han, the Jin soldiers are outnumbered. I led my brothers to resist for five days. In order to preserve their strength and fight again, I ordered them to withdraw from Xuzhou and join you." Han Shizhong replied: "I know. Now, go and have a rest." After Zhang Chu left, Han Shizhong returned to his residence. Seeing her husband's frown, Liang Hongyu (Han Shizhong's wife) quickly pulled up a chair and asked him to sit down, and then asked: "Husband, what's wrong? , is the war not going well?" Han Shizhong nodded and said: "Yes, Jinan is lost, Xuzhou is also lost, and the Jin army is approaching Jinling. We must stop them in Jiangbei." After speaking, he picked up the tea on the table , took a sip, then held the tea bowl and fell into deep thought. After a while, he put down the tea bowl and said: "There is a way. The Jin army is good at horse fighting but not good at water fighting. We can defeat them through water fighting." Liang Hongyu listened. Very happy too.
She said to Han Shizhong: "Husband, I want to go into battle with you to kill the enemy." Han Shizhong said: "You are my wife, I can't let you take risks." Liang Hongyu said: "Husband, I don't have to fight the Jin army directly. , observing the enemy's situation from the side, beating drums to cheer up and boost morale." Han Shizhong replied: "Well, I can't help you, you can follow the army, but you must pay attention to safety." Early the next morning, Han Shizhong ordered the drums to be beaten to gather the generals, After everyone arrived, he said to everyone: "Dear colleagues, according to the situation reported by General Zhang Chu, the Jin Army has captured Xuzhou. They must be making preparations before crossing the river. We must also be prepared and do it. Stand ready." Then Han Shizhong sent an order: "The Arms and Crafts Department (quartermaster) will immediately count all the ordnance and food." The Arms and Crafts Division replied: "Yes." Han Shizhong continued: "General Zhao Neng, you will lead five thousand troops to stay in Jinling." The next day, Han Shizhong took Su De and other generals, and his wife Liang Hongyu, and led the army to Zhenjiang to prepare for the Jin army's attack.
At the same time, Wanyan Wushu was not idle. He led his army to move to Yangzhou and ordered the Han general Han Chang to supervise the construction of ships and prepare to cross the river to attack Jinling.
At this point, both armies are ready, and the war is about to begin.
