The setting sun is like blood, hanging in the sky in the west, and together with the vast mountains of western Liaoning, they form the most eye-catching background of Jinzhou City. The fierce sound of killing that lasted for almost a whole day gradually weakened. The boiling fire and the pungent blood. The picture painted with the blood of tens of thousands of soldiers by both Han and Liao Dynasties was no longer magnificent. In the thick beacon smoke, it was covered by the war. The devastated Jinzhou City seems to be telling the story of infinite desolation...
Outside the city, on the towering watchtower, Liu Yang and Zhao Kuangyin were together. From the beginning of the attack, the two of them had always climbed up to watch the battle. They never stepped down to rest, or even sat down for a moment.
The soldiers fought bloody battles at the front, and as army commanders, they were also competing in willpower and physical strength. It was not easy. This obstacle that had swallowed up countless lives was finally moved away by the Han army.
Surrounding them, hundreds of cowhide war drums were beating the marching drums, which never stopped. Several waves of drum beaters took turns. At this time, everyone was almost exhausted. However, the victory song played by the siege soldiers was enough to make everyone feel relieved and happy.
"Your Highness, Mr. Rong, the Liao army has been completely defeated. Generals Liu Guangyi, Ma Renyu, Li Hanqiong and other generals are leading the pursuit to eliminate the remaining enemies! General Ma asked for instructions. There are a large number of Liao troops fleeing eastward. It is recommended to send cavalry to pursue!" Murong Defeng, who was assigned by Liu Yang to serve as a messenger in the army, quickly went upstairs to report the latest battle situation. He ran up and down more than ten times, unable to hide the smile on his tired and handsome face.
"Okay!" Even with Liu Yang's calmness, he couldn't help but be excited at this time, stroking his palms hard.
On this day, his mood was also ups and downs. After being in the army for so long, he certainly realized the key points of Jinzhou and its importance to this Northern Expedition.
Therefore it is important, so we pay attention to it. After successfully blowing up the gap and the Han army rushed in, I was particularly excited. However, when the news came that the Liao army was determined not to retreat and resisted tenaciously, I couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in my heart. The Liao army in Jinzhou was difficult to deal with, and this was the Han army. There was a consensus among the upper echelons. When the fierce battle in the city was at a stalemate, Liu Yang even felt anxious.
Zhao Kuangyin, on the other hand, always remained calm, adjusted in time, calmly dispatched, and supported the battle. When he heard the news, his expression was relaxed, but he was still calm.
Looking at the prince, Liu Yang noticed his calm expression, quickly adjusted his attitude and said, "Just give the order, Duke Rong!"
"Yes!" This is where Zhao Kuangyin knows how to behave. Although he holds great power, he always takes Liu Yang into consideration, even though His Highness the Crown Prince has already shown his tolerance and generosity.
After some consideration, Zhao Kuangyin gave direct instructions: "Instruct all armies in the city to eliminate the remaining enemies as soon as possible, control the gates of Jinzhou, and stabilize the situation in the city. At the same time, clear a passage, and the forbidden cavalry and side cavalry will attack in full force to pursue and annihilate the defeated enemies. Tell the soldiers to focus on killing and wounding. It is getting late and the distance is limited to thirty miles!"
"Yes!" Murong Defeng responded.
"The fire in the city is getting bigger and bigger!" Zhao Kuangyin pointed to Jinzhou City, seemingly confused. The fire filled the city and almost turned the entire sky red.
Murong Defeng said: "Back to Rong Gong, the Liao army hoarded a large amount of grain and grass in the inner city. Before the Liao army was defeated, they set it on fire and destroyed the houses!"
"This brother Yelu Xiu is extremely ruthless! He is young and not well-known. Although he lost Jinzhou, he has become famous in one battle..." Although he doesn't want to praise the man who has caused a lot of trouble for him. The enemy, but after reaping the fruits of victory, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help but sigh.
"Send the order, let Zhang Yongde lead the people to put out the fire and put it out as soon as possible!" Zhao Kuangyin ordered.
"Ronggong, although Jinzhou has been conquered, the casualties among the soldiers are very heavy! Today's battle was even more fierce. I don't know how many soldiers fell to the Liao army's counterattack!" Liu Yang had completely adjusted, and took two steps forward. Holding on to the seemingly stable railing, he looked at the war-torn Jinzhou City in the distance and sighed.
The hard bone of Jinzhou has been broken down, but the price paid seems a bit heavy, and what was taken was almost a ruin!
Seeing Liu Yang's impressed look, Zhao Kuangyin stood beside him, held his head high and moved forward, his facial hair fluttering wildly in the summer wind, and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, this is war. Some prices must be paid, and some sacrifices must be made. It’s also necessary, there’s no room for bargaining!”
"Gu Ye understands!" Liu Yang said: "Since the founding of the country, the Han Dynasty has experienced hundreds of large and small wars and more than twenty years, and it has paid many casualties to soldiers and civilians!"
Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin looked at Liu Yang and said: "Your Highness, the Zhaolie Temple in Tokyo holds memorial ceremonies every year, and the inscriptions on them all record the events, and they will always be worshiped by future generations!"
"I wonder how many soldiers and soldiers will return to Zhaolie Temple after this Northern Expedition..." Liu Yang's expression became more serious.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin frowned slightly, raised his hand to Liu Yang, and said in a serious tone: "Your Highness, I must be frank, the Northern Expedition is far from over. Although the Battle of Jinzhou was brutal and the sacrifice was huge, it may not be the most cruel. War, more brutal battles, and greater sacrifices may be yet to come. Your kindness is a blessing to the world, but as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition, you must face up to these casualties and sacrifices!"
Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's heartfelt words, Liu Yang couldn't help but feel a little moved. He put away his unbearable emotions, turned around and bowed back: "It's just that my heart has softened. Thank you Rong Gong for your advice. I will keep it in mind!"
After saying that, Liu Yang added: "I want to go to the city to see you!"
At this time, there was still a lot of noise and movement in Jinzhou City. The Han army was still continuing to clear out the remaining soldiers defending the city. However, the main force had been defeated, and some remaining enemies were fighting against trapped beasts. Being extinguished is not far away.
However, Liu Yang wanted to go, but Zhao Kuangyin would not allow it. This was much more risky than watching the battle, so he advised: "Your Highness, it is better to wait until the city is cleared before going! The overall situation has been decided, no surprises, you must I’m also hungry and thirsty, so let’s rest for a while!”
Faced with Zhao Kuangyin's dissuasion, Liu Yang still gave him face although he was a little unhappy. Until the evening, as the remaining enemies in the city were killed, captured, and surrendered, Liu Yang, escorted by the soldiers of Fengchen Camp, walked into Jinzhou City and stepped onto the bloody land.
At this time, Jinzhou City was almost in ruins, especially the west and south outer city walls, which were mainly attacked by the Han army, were the most severely damaged. All the houses in the streets near the outer city were demolished. At that time, when the city defense supplies were severely consumed, they were demolished by Brother Yelvxiu for defense. Of course, there were also cases of being burned down by Han army's fire oil bombs.
The smell of smoke and blood intertwined, permeating the air and difficult to dissipate. Liu Yang went to the explosion site to take a look. Corpses from both the Han and Liao Dynasties were piled up layer after layer. Some of them were even trampled into blood and mud. The scene was shocking.
With a solemn face and heavy steps, Liu Yang looked at the inner city again. This was the place where Brother Yelvxiu originally planned to use for his final resistance. However, the city was suddenly destroyed and it was useless in the end. Burnt to the ground...
Jinzhou North City is a relatively dry place among the chaos in the city. It is temporarily used as a place to treat wounded soldiers. When Liu Yang arrived, it was in a busy state. Wounded people were being transported continuously, and there were many more. The soldiers died because they were too late to receive treatment.
"Your Highness!" Zhang Qiong, who was fighting a bloody battle against the city, was carried up on a stretcher.
Seeing this, Liu Yang hurriedly squatted down, held his rough hand tightly, and asked with concern: "The general took the lead in breaking the city in this battle. How is his injury?"
The heavy armor had been removed, and Zhang Qiong suffered a lot of injuries. There were seven obvious bandages on his body, from his hands to his feet. However, he was still barely able to answer and showed a pale smile: "Thank you for your concern, your highness. It's all just flesh." Injury, no problem!”
"The last general is lucky!" Zhang Qiong pointed to a terrible scratch under his neck and said with a smile: "If the arrow had been deflected any further, he would have died! It's a pity that Brother Yelvxiu ran away, and then the last general rushed forward. I don’t know how many of the city’s soldiers are left..."
"General, enjoy your rest!" Listening to his ramble, Liu Yang was not bored at all. Instead, he developed a slight fondness for this vulgar warrior. No one dislikes a strong general who is loyal, brave, and brave enough to fight and charge, even if he is simple-minded.
