During the decisive battle of Chuzhou, Kublai Khan sent troops to Haozhou first, intending to build a pontoon bridge in Haozhou to communicate with the Central Plains, and sent people to Kaifeng to inform Wokuotai.
At that time, the Qi army made a sneak attack and defeated the Mongolian army that arrived in Haozhou, destroying the pontoon bridge under construction. However, Kublai Khan's messenger for help had already crossed the river.
After Wokuotai received the news in Kaifeng that Kublai Khan would be surrounded by the Song army in Chuzhou, he did not dare to neglect and immediately summoned counselors to discuss.
After Yang Weizhong heard that the Qi Army, Chu Army, Huai Army, and Forbidden Army of the Southern Song Dynasty had gathered in Chuzhou, he believed that 60% of the elite troops of the Southern Song Dynasty had gathered in Huainan, and Kublai Khan was in a bad situation. He also believed that this was an opportunity for Mongolia to solve the Southern Song Dynasty in one fell swoop.
Therefore, Yang Weizhong suggested that Wo Kuotai lead the main force southward, fight with Kublai Khan, and destroy the main force of the Southern Song Dynasty in one battle.
Wokuotai adopted Yang Weizhong's suggestion and immediately led an army of 60,000 people to move south from Kaifeng.
What Ling Wokuotai didn't expect was that as soon as his army left, he bumped into Shi Songzhi's envoy and the messenger sent by Kublai Khan on the road, and learned that the Mongolian army was defeated in Chuzhou and 30,000 Mongolian troops were besieged in Hengjian. News from Mt.
This shocked Ogedai extremely, and he cursed Kublai Khan all the way to Huaibei.
Zhao Tai took over Lu Wende's information from Zhao Hu, read it over in a hurry, and learned that Wo Kuotai had camped on the north bank and was looking for a place to cross the river, so he hurried to Zhao Kui's camp.
At the foot of Hengjian Mountain, at the Song Army's headquarters, Zhao Kui watched the battle on the mountain with a sullen face.
At this time, Zhao Tai ran over on horseback and said, "Your Majesty the Privy Council!"
Zhao Kui was a little surprised, "Why is Your Highness here?"
Zhao Tai did not answer, but asked: "Privy Master, what is the situation now?"
Zhao Kui didn't pay attention, pointing to the main peak of Hengjian Mountain, "The Northern Army is very tenacious, but Kublai Khan won't be able to fight for long. The mountain road leading to the main peak will be opened today!"
Zhao Tai looked over and saw that after many days of violent attack by the Song Army, the flags of the Song Army were planted on many peaks of Hengjian Mountain, and most of the hills around the main peak had been uprooted.
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After several days of repeated attacks by the Song army, most of the hilltops guarded by Kublai Khan were lost. The Song army had already approached the main peak, and it would not take long before they could completely annihilate Kublai Khan's Mongolian army.
"Master Privy Council, Wokuotai has arrived at the north bank of the Huaihe River!" Zhao Tai said in a deep voice.
Zhao Kui looked shocked when he heard this, and Zhao Tai immediately said: "Don't worry, Prime Minister. There is Gu's water camp on the Huaihe River. Gu will lead the Zhongyi Army there immediately, but I am afraid that my husband will attack quickly. Gu estimates that the imperial court will attack soon." There is a message!"
Zhao Kui was anxious in his heart, but his face was calm. He looked at Zhao Tai without saying much, "Your Highness, I'll take care of you from the north!"
Zhao Tai looked solemn and said, "Ms. sir, it's up to you here."
The two looked at each other, and everything was in silence.
At this time, Zhao Tai clasped his fists, pulled the reins, and pulled the horse away.
Zhao Kui watched Zhao Tai walk away, then pulled out his sword with a serious expression and shouted loudly, "Where are the pro-army troops?"
…
Zhao Tai returned to the camp and immediately summoned the generals, "Summon Li Fen and Wuxian to see me quickly!"
Li Fen commanded his troops to attack the mountain. Wu Xian was in the camp. He was summoned and hurried over, "See you, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Tai waved his hand and directly told: "When Wo Kuotai arrives at the north bank, Gu Yao will lead his troops to stop him. The attack here has reached the final moment. In addition to guarding the camp and guarding the prisoners, the armed guards also need to mobilize elites to participate in the attack on the mountain at the critical moment! "
Wokuotai arrived at the north bank. If a forced crossing was launched, the water camp just formed by the Qi army would probably be difficult to resist.
Therefore, men and horses must now be sent to prevent the Mongolian army from crossing the river.
Now that Zhao Kui is commanding the attack on the mountain, the only one who can confront Wo Kuotai head-on is Zhao Tai.
Wu Xian did not dare to neglect, and immediately clasped his fists, "I humbly obey the order!"
At this time, Li Fen also hurried over and saluted Zhao Tai, "Your Majesty, call me!"
Zhao Tai patted his shoulder and said in a deep voice: "The Tianning navy has suffered heavy losses these days. I know clearly in my heart that I will definitely replenish your troops after the war! Gu Gang received the news that Wo Kuotai has arrived at the north bank, and Gu wants to go north to defend the country. Enemy, you must do your best to continue the offensive and capture the main peak of Hengjian Mountain at any cost! Do you understand?"
The Mongolian army occupied various hills. Due to terrain restrictions, the Song army could not deploy and its strength advantage could not be used. It could only add fuel to the battle.
Now Ning Haijun has suffered heavy losses. Even if there are medical soldiers to rescue and treat the wounded, more than 3,000 people have died in the battle.
Li Fen originally wanted Zhao Tai to replace Ning Haijun, but when he heard that Zhao Tai was going to resist Wokuotai, he had no choice but to give up.
"I understand my humble position!" Li Fen clasped his fists.
Zhao Taisui immediately looked at the two of them and said solemnly: "I'll leave this to you!"
"Yes!" The two of them clasped their fists seriously.
After Zhao Tai gave his orders, he immediately ordered 30,000 soldiers and horses, left the camp, and headed north in a mighty manner.
…
On the north bank of the Huaihe River, the Mongolian army camp.
After learning that Kublai Khan was trapped in Hengjian Mountain, Wokuotai cursed all the way and rushed all the way to the north bank of the Huaihe River.
Ogootai didn't care about Kublai Khan's life or death. What he cared about was the 30,000 elite Mongolian troops.
The Mongol Empire headquarters has less than 150,000 available combat troops. If 30,000 Mongolian troops were wiped out by the Song army, it would be a huge blow to Mongolia.
At this time, the Mongolian army set up camp on the north bank of the Huaihe River, and Wo Kuotai immediately summoned his subordinates to discuss matters.
In the big tent, Wo Kuotai had a dark face, and many Mongolian generals also had serious expressions.
This Mongolian expedition to the Song Dynasty, after many days of preparation and careful planning, had a high chance of victory.
At the beginning of the Mongolian army's southern invasion, progress was relatively smooth. Until Zhao Tai came out, bad news came one after another.
Now that 30,000 Mongolian troops are trapped in Hengjian Mountain, Wokuotai has reached the north bank of the Huaihe River and cannot cross the river for a while, making it difficult to make a comeback.
Yang Weizhong saluted and comforted him: "Don't worry, Khan! Back then Yue Fei won a great victory at Zhuxian Town and was about to regain Kaifeng, but he was recalled by the Emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, which made the Jin Kingdom unbeatable. Shi Songzhi sent someone to express his intention to negotiate peace, and I thought it was right. For us, it’s an opportunity!”
Wo Kuotai said with a dark face, "How do you say that?"
Yang Weizhong said: "If my guess is correct, Zhao Tai has won great victories on the battlefield one after another, and has been jealous of the Southern Song Dynasty court. I think that if we want to negotiate a peace, the Great Khan can follow Zongbi's advice and reply to Shi Songzhi that the Southern Dynasty wants peace." , and Zhao Tai is the leader of Hebei Province, so he must kill Tai before peace can be achieved."
Wokuotai frowned and said: "Zhao Tai is the pillar of the Southern people. Will the Southern emperor destroy the Great Wall?"
Mongolia has not had much contact with the Southern Song Dynasty. In the eyes of the Mongolians, 70% of the Southern Song Dynasty's victory this time was because of Zhao Tai.
It was hard for them to imagine that the Southern Song Dynasty court would kill a famous general like Zhao Tai in order to seek peace.
Yang Weizhong smiled and said: "The Great Khan doesn't understand Song people. Even if the Great Khan doesn't mention it, I predict that the Song court will kill Zhao Tai. The Great Khan made this request just to help the Southern Song Dynasty court and make up its mind early!"
