In mid-March, the Mongolian army besieged Yangzhou for many days. They once broke through the city gate and occupied a section of the city wall. However, at the critical moment, Zhao Kui led his soldiers to arrive. Seeing the privy minister personally going into battle, the soldiers in the city resisted desperately, and the Mongolian army was Drive down the city wall.
The invasion of Mongolia this time was the most critical moment in the Southern Song Dynasty since the peace negotiations between the Song and Jin Dynasties.
Under the fierce attack of the Mongolian army, the soldiers and civilians in the city suffered heavy casualties. Facing the powerful Mongolian army, many people were already desperate.
That night, the soldiers guarding the city hugged their weapons, stared blankly at the sky, and huddled on the city wall to rest.
There were so many defenders on the city, but no one wanted to talk, and the atmosphere was desperate.
At this time, Zhao Kui came over wearing a big cloak. The soldiers didn't even get up. The accompanying officer kicked him a few times and shouted, "The Privy Councilor is here, and he's still sleeping!"
Zhao Kui waved his hand, "Forget it, let the soldiers rest more and save some energy."
Seeing this, the officers could only stop their movements and walked around the city wall with Zhao Kui.
At this time, Zhao Kui came to the city gate and looked towards the north with worried eyes. Xia Gui, a general on the side, couldn't help but said: "My lord! If this continues, Yangzhou will not be able to defend it for long. Is there any hope for the Song Dynasty?"
Zhao Kui turned to look at him, forced a smile, and said with relief: "As long as we defend Yangzhou, the situation will get better. Don't think too much, and defend the city well!"
Xia Gui was not satisfied with this answer, but he could only bow and salute, "Yes!"
Zhao Kui patted him on the shoulder, then turned around and left the tower. Just as Xia Gui was about to follow, he suddenly glanced outside the city and exclaimed: "Ms., there is something going on in the Meng camp!"
Zhao Kui's body froze, and he quickly walked back to the city wall and looked towards the distant camp. There were torches in the camp, and there were faint sounds of horses neighing, which made his heart tremble. "Could it be that the Northern Army is planning to attack the city overnight!"
Xia Gui also became nervous. If the Mongolian army continued to attack day and night, Yangzhou might not be able to sustain it.
Zhao Kui waved his hand quickly, "Quick! Let the soldiers prepare for defense."
For a moment, the soldiers who were resting at the top of the city were urged to get up by the officers. The spearmen stood up with their spears, and the crossbowmen picked up their weapons and aimed at the city.
The unusual movements in the Mongolian camp made the Yangzhou defenders extremely nervous. However, when the defenders were in place, no Mongolian attack was seen.
The garrison soldiers stood like this all night with their bows and arrows. When dawn approached, many of them were so tired that they even fell asleep holding their bows and arrows.
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"Cheer up!" Xia Gui reminded him loudly as he patrolled by.
He walked to Zhao Kui and said with some confusion: "Ms. sir, something is not right! Why is it getting quieter and quieter outside the city!"
At this time, the sky turned fish white, and heavy fog formed under the city, making it difficult for the defenders to see the situation outside the city.
Zhao Kui frowned, "Send two scouts to the city and go out to have a look!"
The two scouts were thrown off the city, took a boat in the moat, and disappeared from the sight of the defenders.
Zhao Kui held on to the wall and waited quietly. After a long time, the scout figure appeared at the bottom of the city, shouting excitedly, "Mr. sir, the Mongolian army has withdrawn, the Mongolian army has withdrawn!"
After hearing this, the garrison at the top of the city couldn't help talking. They all rushed to the edge of the city wall and looked out.
Zhao Kui and Xia Gui looked at each other in surprise! The Mongolian army withdrew?
"Ms. sir, there is no fraud, right?" Xia Gui couldn't believe it.
Zhao Kui frowned, "Pull the people up first!"
Not long after, two scouts were brought to Zhao Kui and saluted, "Ms. sir!"
Zhao Kui's face was serious, "Where are the Mongolian troops withdrawing?"
One person saluted and replied: "Reporting to Sir, after we left the city, we sneaked towards the Mongolian camp, but we found that the Mongolian camp was already empty!"
"That's right. When the young man entered, he found that there were no Mongolian troops in the camp, and there were no horses. There was only a pile of siege equipment that was not taken away."
Zhao Kui showed an expression of surprise and waved, "Okay! You go down and rest first."
Xia Gui asked: "Ms. sir, are the Mongols really retreating?"
Although the scouts said it was an empty camp, Zhao Kui did not dare to take risks. "If we send scouts to investigate again, we must confirm whether the Mongolian army has really evacuated!"
Xia Gui cupped his fists and turned around to make arrangements.
Not long after, the city gate opened and several horses galloped out.
When it was daybreak, the fog outside the city dispersed, and the scouts reported one after another that no Mongolian troops were found for thirty miles around the city. Only then did Zhao Kui lead his troops out of the city, enter the Mongolian camp, and destroy the siege equipment.
At this time, Zhao Kui was exploring the Mongolian camp. A horse galloped over, dismounted, and held up a military report, "Master Privy Council, good news from Chuzhou!"
Zhao Kui raised his eyebrows and quickly took it to watch, "Hahaha~ Linyi Wang Zhongyong is unparalleled!"
The battle report was written by Zhao Fan. The content is very simple. It is a report of victory. It describes the Qi army crossing the river and severely damaging Sawur.
Xia Gui reacted instantly, "Is the loyal army going south?"
The Mongolian army suddenly retreated, which made Xia Gui confused, but if the Qi army went south and threatened Kublai Khan's back, then everything would be easily explained.
Zhao Kui nodded, "Send the good news to Lin'an quickly, so that the officials can feel at ease!"
…
When Kublai Khan learned that Sawur was defeated and the Qi army had crossed the Huaihe River, he immediately summoned Sawur to see him.
Sawur led the remnant troops and entered the Mongolian camp at night. Kublai Khan inquired all night and found out that the 10,000 elite cavalry had lost nearly 70%. He was immediately shocked to the point of splitting his liver and gallbladder.
Kublai Khan was shocked by the fighting power of the Qi army and immediately realized that his situation became dangerous after the Qi army crossed the river.
Although Yangzhou was captured quickly, Kublai Khan decisively ordered his troops to withdraw overnight in order to avoid being flanked.
After the Qi army crossed the river, the siege of Chuzhou was lifted. After Zhao Tai and the Chuzhou Song army joined forces, Kublai Khan suddenly had more than 100,000 troops behind him.
If it is winter and the river freezes, Kublai Khan can leave if he wants, but he is not afraid of Zhao Tai.
But now it is spring, the rivers are all thawed, and the Jianghuai area is crisscrossed by river networks. If he is not careful, he is in danger of being left behind in the Jianghuai area.
The Song army is not scary. What is scary is that Zhao Tai came and won the battle as soon as he arrived. The impact was too bad.
Kublai Khan was worried that under the influence of Zhao Tai, the originally timid Song army would become brave enough to fight, and the Mongolian army would be too dangerous.
Therefore, Kublai Khan did not bother to punish Sawul, so he ordered the Mongolian troops besieging Yangzhou, as well as the Mongolian troops occupying various places on the north bank, to cross the pontoon bridge on the canal overnight and withdraw toward Huaixi.
Kublai Khan originally wanted to run all the way, cross the Huaihe River from the direction of Haozhou or Shouzhou, and return to the Central Plains. He did not want his army to run into Chuzhou and run into a Song army.
When the two armies came into contact, both sides were shocked.
Kublai Khan thought that Zhao Tailai was blocking him and ordered his army to attack. However, he found that the Song army on the opposite side was quite elite.
The Song army on the opposite side was none other than General Meng Gong under Shi Songzhi. He was ordered to prepare for a sneak attack on the Mongolian army, and did not want to run into Kublai Khan who was retreating.
When the Mongolian Communists were surprised, Kublai Khan's Mongolian army launched the attack first. The main forces of the Mongolian and Song armies had an unexpected encounter in the north of Chuzhou.
