Yan Shi left the city wall with a lot of worries and didn't know how to get back to the government office. It wasn't until his three sons came in in a hurry that Yan Shi returned to reality.
"Erlang, why are you three here together?"
Yan Shi's eyes fell on the hand of his second son Yan Zhongji, who had just grown up. It turned out to be a copy of "China Daily".
Yan Shi originally had seven sons, the eldest died young, and the next three died in the war. The second son Yan Zhongji was the de facto eldest son.
"Dad, read this newspaper!"
Yan Zhongji came to Yan Shi, pointed to a spot on the newspaper, and then handed the newspaper to Yan Shi.
"Edict to the world!"
Yan Shi couldn't help being surprised. Song people, is this the Northern Expedition?
"Dad, this newspaper has already spread throughout the two rivers. Tuner arrested the newspaper seller when he saw it in Dongping Mansion, and dad went to Yunzhong again, so..."
Yan Zhongji pointed at the newspaper and read softly:
"I sent a message to the people of Qilu, Luo, Yan, Ji and Jin: Since ancient times, when emperors came to rule the world, they always lived in China to control the barbarians, and the barbarians lived outside to serve China. It is unheard of to rule the world with barbarians living in China..."
Yan Shi had a calm expression on his face, and his heart was extremely depressed, as if he was being pressed by a huge boulder and couldn't breathe.
Newspapers widely publicized the Song Army's Northern Expedition. No wonder Zhang Ru, Yang You and others were uneasy. The Song army was building momentum for the Northern Expedition, where would the Shandong people go?
"......Expel the Barbarians, restore China, establish the principles and disciplines, and relieve the people of Sri Lanka...the people are a little more peaceful, have enough food, and the soldiers are a little better...then we want to send troops to the north to drive out the Barbarians and save the people from ruin. Restore the majesty of Han officials."
Yan Shi felt bitter in his heart and shook his head slightly.
The Song people wanted to make a northern expedition and restore the dignity of Han officials. Where would they place the Jin monarchs, ministers and the Jin country who regarded themselves as "Han people" and "China"?
"...Considering that the people are unknown, I hereby warn the people: Wherever the King's Master comes, the people should not avoid it. My orders are solemn and no offense will be committed. Those who belong to me will be safe in China forever, and those who carry me will flee outside the Great Wall..."
Yan Shi's heart was in turmoil, he couldn't help himself, and his fingers trembled slightly.
Those who return to me will be safe in China forever, and those who carry me will flee beyond the Great Wall.
The Song Dynasty had been crossing south for hundreds of years. More than a hundred years later, the Song people were finally going to send their troops to the north to restore the Central Plains that they had never forgotten.
"Song people have such a strong tone!"
Yan Shi's second son, Yan Zhongji, had a dark face and snorted coldly.
"Back then, my father led his men to conquer Caozhou, Puzhou, and Shanzhou. Li Xin took advantage of my father's troops and killed his mother and uncle and defected to the Song Dynasty. The Song general Peng Yibin detained my Yan family, causing the fifth, sixth, and seventh brothers to Song general Wang Yishen was killed. My Yan family and the Song court have sworn hatred. If my father wants to surrender to the Song people, I will not be willing!"
Yan Zhongji's angry words caused silence in the hall, and even Yan Shi felt sad.
His wife, brother, and three young sons all died in the war, and Yan was deeply distressed. Who knew.
"Second brother, don't mention these things in the future. Dad feels uncomfortable!"
The third son, Yan Zhongsi, put on a childish face and reminded his outspoken brother.
"Dad, I was wrong, you punish the child!"
Yan Zhongji's face turned red and he knelt on the ground.
"Erlang, it's okay, everything is over. Get up quickly!"
Yan Shi raised his head, stood up, and helped his anxious son.
"This is war. In this troubled world with frequent wars, everyone has no choice. Don't blame the Song people."
Yan Shi returned to the chair and sat down, speaking softly with sad eyes.
"Li Xin killed your mother and uncle because he wanted to join the Jin Dynasty. No wonder the Song Dynasty. Besides, dad has already killed Li Xin, which is considered as revenge for your mother and uncle. As for Wang Yishen, Peng Yibin treated me well. Because of my brother, I betrayed him, so that he was defeated and died. Wang Yishen, as Peng Yibin's adopted brother, killed several of your brothers to avenge Peng Yibin, and there was a reason for it. Don't blame the Song people."
Talk carefully and carefully to resolve the resentment and anger in your son's heart. He didn't want his sons to live in unwarranted hatred forever.
"Dad, I understand, kid. Don't worry, I'm just talking."
Yan Zhongji blushed and quickly explained to his father.
"Dad, now the coast of Shandong, including Haizhou, is under the control of the Song Army, and there are disputes on the border. If the Song Army launches a northern expedition, I am afraid that the first place it cannot avoid is Shandong. Now that Jinan Prefecture has been lost, only I’m going to Dongping Mansion.”
The words of the third son, Yan Zhongsi, went straight to the point.
Although Yan Zhongsi is younger, he is knowledgeable and courteous, and is more calm than his brother Yan Zhongji.
"My father carried Peng Yibin on his back, so that he was defeated and died, and the Song Dynasty lost Shandong and Hebei. Even if my father wanted to surrender, I'm afraid the Song court would not forgive my Yan family!"
At this moment, Yan Shi was so strict that he no longer had the courage to resist.
He has already lost three of his sons, and nothing can happen to the remaining three.
"My father repeatedly prevented the Tatar army from killing people in Hebei and Shandong. In Puzhou alone, he saved tens of thousands of people. The same was true for Caozhou, Chuqiu, Dingtao, and Shangdang, with countless people alive. The Song Emperor was wise and powerful. He is a sage and wise gentleman. From my child's point of view, Song Ting will not target my father and my Yan family, so there is no need for me to worry."
The third son, Yan Zhongsi, analyzed carefully and gave Yan Shi a reassurance.
"I hope so. Our Yan family can't let anything happen again!"
Yan Shi sighed with complicated eyes.
At this point, I can only watch while walking.
"My lord, the Song army is approaching the city!"
In the afternoon, during the interrogation, Yan Shi was drinking tea. The soldiers came in to report, which surprised Yan Shi.
"Beat the drums and gather the generals, and let all the soldiers go to the city wall!"
Yan Shi took a deep breath and shouted to the soldiers.
"Wait!"
The third son, Yan Zhongsi, shouted and stopped the soldiers. He bent down and solemnly advised:
"Dad, once you miss some opportunities, you may never be able to look back."
Yan Shi nodded, patted his son on the shoulder, stood up, and remained calm.
"Lead the way and take a look at the city wall."
He stepped forward, his steps brisk and steady.
What is supposed to come will always come, whether it is a servant of the three surnames or a villain, it depends on your strength and following the general trend of the world.
Outside the city of Dongpingfu, the Song army's infantry and cavalry were covered in iron armor, their spears were like a forest, and they were all over the mountains and fields, with all kinds of flags fluttering, boundless. The foot formation is strict, the swords and axes are chopped, the horses' heads are moving in the riding formation, and there is an unknown amount of darkness.
Countless artillery pieces were pushed out, their muzzles faintly aimed at the east wall of Dongping Mansion, as if they were about to bomb the city wall if they disagreed.
There was silence on the walls of Dongping Mansion, and the sound of heavy breathing reached my ears, very clear. Among the defenders, many people were pale, sweating on their foreheads, and some were trembling and shivering.
"The Song Army actually has so many artillery!"
Li Shilong looked at the high-flying flag in the Song Army's formation, and he screamed out, not knowing whether it was intentional or not.
The Song army was so fierce and fought without declaring war. Are they going to send their troops north?
Under the indiscriminate bombardment of firearms, how many defenders could be left on the city wall?
"They have sharp firearms, are well-trained, and are not afraid of death. The Song Dynasty is so fierce that no one can match it throughout the ages."
A civil servant was holding on to the city wall to drag out documents, his eyes full of shock.
"So many cavalry! There are probably hundreds of artillery pieces! They are probably more elite than the Mongolian army! Who can stop them?"
Yan Shi's second son, Yan Zhongji, shook his head repeatedly and praised him, as if he had already forgotten his dissatisfaction with Song Jun.
Yan Shi was shocked. He looked outside the city, feeling lost.
With the strength of the Song army, it is probably a piece of cake to conquer Dongping Fucheng.
"Get ready to fight!"
Yan Shi shouted loudly.
The army is approaching the city. At this time, we cannot be indecisive.
"Yan Shi, it turns out you have reached the city wall!"
Tuner, the guard of Dongping Mansion, shouted loudly and walked over in a hurry.
"Yan Shi, let your cavalry follow Ye Bugan out of the city to attack and break the Song army's formation. Then lead your infantry out of the city to attack!"
"General Tunner, the Song soldiers are numerous and powerful, let's take a look before talking."
Li Shilong, who was beside Yan Shi, persuaded.
Not to mention the Song Army's firearms, the Song Army's cavalry probably numbered more than 10,000 cavalry. Dongping Prefecture only has five thousand cavalry, and their quality is worrisome. How can they compete with the Song Army?
"Shut up!"
Tunner shouted angrily and whipped Li Shilong.
"You're like a dog. I'm talking to Yan Shi. Do you have the right to interrupt? If you say one more thing, I'll chop off your dog's head!"
After Tuner finished scolding, he said another sentence to Yan Shi.
"Yan Shi, quickly tell the generals to follow Ye Buqian and defeat the Song army as soon as they arrive!"
He only had two thousand-man troops under his command, and he had to fight with the Song Army's cavalry, so he needed to strictly control his troops to fight together.
Seeing Yanshi's hesitation, Yang You behind Tuner also fanned the flames and shouted:
"General Yan, why are you still dawdling? Send someone quickly. Do you want to disobey me?"
"Peng!"
Suddenly, artillery suddenly fired outside the city, and the south city gate tower was hit by a shell. Tiles and rocks flew, injuring several sergeants on the city wall. Several people fell to the ground, screaming and squirming.
Yan Shi, Tunner and others were all shocked. Yan Shi looked outside the city with an earthy face.
The artillery of the Song Army was at least three or four miles away from the city wall. How could their artillery shoot so far?
Moreover, this shell seemed to be just a warning. Otherwise, hundreds of artillery pieces would bombard them indiscriminately, and the people on the city wall would definitely suffer a lot of casualties.
"Yan Shi, send troops out of the city quickly! Follow me to attack from the east city and break the Song army's formation!"
Tunner, who was almost hit by a broken tile, roared angrily.
"Li Shilong, just go and do whatever you want. Remember, be careful!"
Yan Shi had no choice but to issue a military order.
"Yes, General!"
Li Shilong gave the order and suddenly drew his sword. He and several generals beside him suddenly jumped forward and slashed at Tunner and others.
Tunner and others were shocked and retreated. Yebugan couldn't dodge and was stabbed in the face. He immediately started bleeding profusely and fell down screaming.
Tuner, Yang You and other Mongolian generals such as Queen Cang retreated and each drew their swords. Li Shilong shouted angrily.
"Why don't you take action? Do you want to be buried with the Tatars?"
The sergeants on the city wall looked at each other in confusion, and stepped forward with guns and knives in hand. They surrounded Tunner and the others, but looked at Yan Shi, as if waiting for Yan Shi's instructions.
"Do it! Leave no one behind!"
Yan Shi sighed secretly, but his face was straight and he said angrily.
"Yan Shi, you white-eyed wolf, you must not..."
Tunner cursed loudly, but under the siege of the sergeants on the city wall, he was quickly stabbed to the ground. The sergeants slashed and stabbed him with swords and spears, and Tunner's screams quickly disappeared.
"General Yan, please spare me!"
Yang You was covered in blood, leaning against the city wall, with a look of panic on his face, completely different from the domineering look he had in the past.
Yan Shi turned his head and looked outside the city.
"kill him!"
Li Shilong shouted and led the sergeants forward. Amidst the screams, Yang You quickly turned into a pile of meat.
The earth-shattering sound of artillery and fighting came from the city. Yan Shi looked outside the city without looking back.
Li Shilong stepped forward and reported softly behind Yan Shi.
"General, Zhang Ru is leading the soldiers to besiege the Tatar cavalry in the military camp. The major general is killing Yang You's best friends. I think it won't take long before the city can be cleared."
"Li Shilong, do you know that if you do this, we will have no way out."
Yan Shi looked outside the city and shook his head.
My son is already involved, and there is no way out.
Seeing the changes at the top of the city, the Song army outside the city did not fire any more artillery. After a moment, a horse rode gracefully from the Song Army's formation, arriving at the moat. Immediately, the Confucian scholar in a wide robe and long sleeves saluted Yan Shi on the city gate tower with a smile on his face.
"Mr. Yan, we said goodbye twelve years ago. Mr. Yan's style remains the same. Do you still remember me?"
"Zhao...Gong!"
Yan Shi saw it carefully, and after being shocked, he solemnly bowed his hands and felt relieved.
"Mr. Zhao, I haven't seen you for more than ten years. How are you? An old friend came from afar. I am very happy!"
Acquaintances are easy to talk to, and the Song Army envoy was actually the Song minister of that day. Emperor Song's move was undoubtedly an expression of goodwill.
"General, the city has been cleared, and the Song army can enter the city."
Li Shilong stepped forward to report, Yan Shi nodded slightly and shouted loudly.
"Get off the suspension bridge, open the city gate, follow me to the city gate, and welcome Master Wang into the city!"
Perhaps, this is God's will and the best choice.
