Chapter 204: Retaliation is inevitable
Not everyone has [Eagle Eyes and Owl Vision]. Chen Xuan was just ordered to scout in the north of the city.

He saw a general on a white horse from afar. At first he thought it was the Jin soldier who had gotten lost last night. When he got closer he realized it was his nightmare Yang Chang, so he frantically pulled the reins to stop.

The Jin cavalryman beside him was puzzled and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"Yang Yang Chang, he is Yang Chang."

Yang Chang rode alone and rushed over. Seeing the relaxed expressions of the fifty or sixty Jin soldiers, he teased Chen Xuan, "You have a good memory. You can still remember it after two years. I only remember that you are a good runner, but your name is just..."

"I don't remember, I don't remember, I haven't been here."

While Yang Chang was teasing him, Chen Xuan decisively pulled the reins, turned around and ran, and whipped the horse's buttocks hard to speed up his escape.

"Haha, he's quite sensible. If you don't run away now, are you waiting to die?"

"This guy is so arrogant. No matter how tall or short he is, he is alone on a horse. Let's just surround him and trap him, then cut him into pieces!"

"Yes, yes, yes, take his head back and see what Tian Bao can do with his noise!"

Seeing that everyone was speaking Jurchen, Yang Chang became impatient and called out to them, “Hey, have you finished your last words? I’m going to kill them now!”

"court death!"

"kill him!"

How could dozens of Jin soldiers defeat Yang Chang? When they met, they were like dead leaves being swept away.

A few people at the end of the team came up a little later. Seeing that the situation was not right, they turned around and ran. Yang Chang took out his flying knife and shot and killed several people. At least only two riders chased Chen Xuan.

Yang Chang looked around vigilantly, and when he saw that no one in the city was approaching, he calmly dismounted and picked up the body.

If any fish slip through the net and go back to report, there will be no point in continuing to gather intelligence.

Yang Chang quickly picked up the fallen items and got on his horse. He was originally planning to return to Hongdong County immediately, but before leaving, he found that no one was following him.

What do you mean?
fear me?

"drive."

Yang Chang urged his horse to gallop towards Linfen.

You can tolerate this? Then I will go a step further and continue my arrogance to the end.

Yang Chang was confident of his horse's speed and strength, and he rushed towards Linfen City with his phoenix-wing gilded halberd in hand. From afar, he saw the army that had assembled outside the city before, and they went into the city gate like mice digging a hole.

When he reached the edge of the moat, even the drawbridge was raised.

The scene was so incredible that even Yang Chang suspected he was dreaming.

Are the Jin people so cowardly? Or are there no generals in the city?

In fact, it was not that the Jin people were cowardly, but that the circumstances at that time were special.

Yin Shuke was also in the city at this time. He went south from Hongdong to Linfen early yesterday morning and occupied the city with almost no resistance.

Linfen was the seat of government in Pingyang, with prosperous business and many wealthy households.

The provincial officials left in a hurry and did not arrange for the people in the city to evacuate. These people, who were unaware of the military situation, only woke up from their dream when refugees from the north poured in.

Even if the boat is broken, there are still three thousand nails. How can it be easy to move the whole family?

When the Jin army was approaching the city, many families had not finished loading the goods onto the trucks, and some people, hoping to get away with it, did not leave. They were all fat sheep in the eyes of the Jin soldiers.

Not long after Yin Shuke occupied Linfen, he sent Basuli to take Xiangling and Fushan counties. The Jin soldiers who stayed behind to share the fruits of victory were his closest 8,000 elite troops.

The eight thousand trusted aides were busy making money, but the defeated Hongdong army brought unbelievable news.

Yang Chang, the governor of Qinzhou, led his troops to rush to the rescue, and the number of his troops was so large that it was difficult to estimate, at least several times that of the Hongdong defenders.

According to the Jin people's habitual thinking, the Song army's combat effectiveness in the field was extremely poor.

One Jin soldier can defeat ten Song soldiers.

Therefore, the fall of Hongdong yesterday must have been due to the huge imbalance in military strength.

Yin Shuke also agreed with these views, but Tian Bao and Chen Xuan who were with the army did not agree with them. They both urged the commander not to take it lightly.

Finally, these two advisers were ordered to go to Hongdong to confirm the enemy situation.

So, Yang Chang saw that scene.

Just now, Tian Bao was assembling his troops outside the city, but he was frightened by Yang Chang and was afraid of being ambushed by Yang Chang when he was assembling his troops, so he sent Chen Xuan to guard the periphery.

When he heard that Yang Chang was coming to attack, Tian Bao was like a mouse seeing a cat. He didn't care how many soldiers the other side had. He immediately ordered his men to return to Linfen City and retract the drawbridge to avoid fighting.

Upon hearing the news, Yin Shuke came to the north city tower and thought that Yang Chang was leading a large army to attack, but there was only one horse outside the moat.

He retracted his scrutinizing gaze, stared at Tian Bao and asked, "You were scared away by one person? This governor needs a reason!"

"Calm down, Commander." Tian Bao hurriedly clasped his fists and explained, "Captain Yang has the courage of Zhang and the wisdom of Zhuge. He dares to come to the city alone at this moment. He must want to lure us out. There is probably an ambush behind us. Don't be fooled!"

"It's open outside the city, and I didn't see any ambush. There are nearly 10,000 warriors in the city, but now they are blocked by Yang Chang alone. It doesn't matter if you two are afraid of fighting, but if this gets to the Marshal's ears, how can I, Yin Shuke, put my face aside?"

"This"

"We must seize this opportunity and lower the drawbridge immediately. If we can capture this man now, Qinzhou will fall without a fight, and we can rescue the girl and Salumu!"

Yin Shuke was giving orders to the Mouke beside him when Chen Xuan suddenly stepped forward, clasped his fists, knelt on one knee, and pleaded, "Wait a minute, General. I just led 60 riders to encounter them, but only two of them escaped with me. Yang Chang is no match for them."

"He killed all sixty riders by himself?"

"I have never lied, as Wuqigu and Woduo can attest."

Seeing that Chen Xuan's words were so confident, Yin Shuke recalled Gao Qingyi's words, and thought that since Yang Chang had the ability to throw and catch stone lions, his personal bravery was naturally beyond doubt.

But Linfen had 8,000 elite soldiers, and they were blocked outside the gate by Yang Chang alone. Yin Shu could not swallow this humiliation.

Yin Shuke was an excellent archer. He was planning to let Tian Bao attract Yang Chang's attention while he would hide in the dark and shoot calmly. However, he heard harsh and continuous mocking voices from under the city.

"Hey, are you afraid of me?"

"With your little courage, you dare to covet the land of the Han people? Go back to Liaodong and catch Saker Falcons, or go to Siberia to grow potatoes."

"Tian Bao is also on the tower? You are destined to die in my hands."

Yin Shu could understand most of Yang Chang's sarcastic remarks at this time, except for futuristic words such as Siberia and potatoes.

When Tian Bao was mentioned, Yin Shuke reminded in a deep voice: "Quick, pick up the conversation and curse at Yang Chang. This commander wants to shoot him with a bow and arrow. Bring me my dragon tendon bow!"

"Yes"

Yang Chang was not satisfied after cursing for a few times. At this time, he particularly missed the [Tongue Arrow Curse] he used during the fight against Tian Hu, and thought it would be very cool to use it to insult the Jin soldiers.

Seeing that the defenders did not fight back, he decided to call it a day.

At this moment, Yang Chang saw the golden man next to Tian Bao, who seemed to be telling him something.

After a moment, Tian Bao waved and called out, "Yang Chang, the Jin Kingdom was able to destroy the Liao Kingdom, and Xixia has now become a vassal. The Zhao Song Dynasty is doomed, so why should you work hard for the Zhao emperor? A man who knows the current situation is a hero."

"You are acting like a dog to the Jin people, yet you are still so proud of yourself. How lowly can you be?"

While Yang Chang was responding to Tian Bao, he kept his [Eagle Eyes and Owl Vision] activated to observe and closely watch the Jin general.

Yin Shuke was seen hiding behind a Jin soldier, and an arrow slowly extended from his shoulder.

Looking at me here?
Tian Bao is assisting you? That old guy is quite cunning.

"Don't say such harsh words. Zhao Song has made it impossible for me to survive. My brothers and I have already rebelled. Why should you be so loyal?"

While we were talking and laughing, there was a whoosh sound of wind.

The feather arrow on his shoulder suddenly shot out and flew straight towards Yang Chang's chest.

So fast!

Yang Chang's pupils widened. Even he felt that the arrow was moving fast, which meant that the arrow was really fast.

With the warning of [Eagle Eyes] in front and the agility provided by [Flying General] in the back, Yang Chang was not only able to dodge easily, but also caught the arrow. "That's it?"

"how is this possible?"

Seeing Yang Chang holding up a feather arrow to provoke him, Yin Shuke took a few steps forward with his bow in hand. He had an incredible expression on his face, thinking that he had never failed in his sneak attacks.

This Yang Chang is really amazing!

Yang Chang is not only powerful, but also vindictive.

As the saying goes, "It is rude not to reciprocate," he took the silver magic and the hidden arrow, then took out his flying knife and threw it towards the city.

Suddenly, a flash of cold light appeared in the air, rushing straight towards Yin Shuke's face.

Yang Chang had the [Power of a Tiger] to provide him with strength, and the [Meteor Shatters] to buff his hits, so he thought he could kill directly with the flying knife.

However, there are exceptions.

Yin Shu is indeed an expert in archery, with outstanding eyesight and agility. Although he is not as good as Yang Chang, he instinctively retracted his head at the last second before the flying knife approached.

The flying knife flashed over his head like lightning and finally got nailed to the pillar with the helmet tassel.

Just a little bit.

Being able to throw a flying knife so far was completely beyond Yin Shuke's understanding. He thought, could this be done by a human?
Tian Bao and Chen Xuan, one on the left and one on the right, quickly dragged him behind the wall to hide.

"What?"

"General, be careful. Yang Chang can throw objects from a distance. It's not safe to show your head now!"

"You mean the flying knife? It must have been an accident just now. How could I have thrown it accurately this time?"

Yin Shu refused to admit that Yang Chang was powerful, but Chen Xuan had seen it with his own eyes two years ago and could still remember the cannonball exploding Ma Ling. He was so excited that he held him back and wouldn't let him get up.

"It's no coincidence. This guy can not only throw knives, but also can throw cannonballs!"

"What shells?"

“It’s just this big.”

Tian Bao gestured with his hands while reminding Yin Shuke: "When Yang Chang led his troops to capture Pingyang, he broke through the gate of Linfen by throwing cannonballs with his bare hands. The commander-in-chief must not be careless. It is better to quickly recall the troops heading south, otherwise we may not be able to hold on."

"Damn it, he's alone!"

Yin Shuke let go of Chen Xuan, but was affected by their conversation and remembered that he was almost shot to death by a flying knife just now. So he half-crouched and poked his head out from the concave part of the city wall to peek at the evil god outside the moat.

If this guy is really like what the two said, shouldn't the Marshal stop here? How can he talk about drinking from the Yellow River and joining the army in Bianliang?
Yang Chang saw clearly the funny scene on the city wall.

The purpose of intimidation today has been achieved, so he pointed the boring at Yin Shuke who had shown his head, and gestured at his neck with his left hand, mocking: "Listen up, you golden dogs on the city wall, clean your necks and wait for me, none of you can escape!"

After saying this, Yang Chang rode away on his horse, and the soldiers on the city wall stood up one after another.

Yin Shuke frowned and slapped the wall brick, thinking to himself, I am also a famous general of the Great Jin Dynasty, how could I be shocked by just one person?

The shame is secondary. Solving the current trouble is the key. If they cannot defeat Yang Chang and recapture Hongdong, the 20,000 Jin troops that went south to Pingyang may not be able to return.

The situation in Hongdong is unclear now, and it is also unknown how many reinforcements Qinzhou has. All we know is that the commander, Yang Changwu, is brave and strong.

After repeated deliberation, Yin Shuke called his attendants and issued an order to mobilize the troops: "You immediately go to Xiangling and Fushan, and have Basuli lead the troops back to Linfen immediately. No matter whether they have broken into the city now, stop everything you are doing and rush back tonight!"

"Yes!"

"Tian Bao, you should continue to scout in Hongdong as planned!"

"I dare not."

Tian Bao was so anxious that he almost cried. He knelt on one knee and begged with fists clasped. Chen Xuan did not wait for Yin Shu to give him orders and knelt down to beg for mercy, not wanting to go.

Yin Shuke cursed them inwardly as trash and waved his hand to signal the two to leave.

But after seeing the fleeing Jin soldiers and hearing his own people describe Yang Chang as a fierce person, he never mentioned the scouts again.

If you don't want to explore, then don't explore. Wait for Basuli to return with the main force, and then compete with Yang Chang.

When Basuli received the order, he did not withdraw all his troops immediately. Except for a group of his troops who went to Fushan, the troops who stayed in Xiangling also made a fortune.

Xiangling is very close to the government seat of Linfen, and is also one of the wealthier cities in Pingyang Prefecture.

It is not easy to make the Jin soldiers spit out the meat once they have eaten it.

Commanding General Yin Shuke urged the troops to move quickly, but his deputy General Basuli was unable to assemble them quickly. He received the order to send only 3,000 men back to Linfen, and promised that the rest would arrive within three days.

The Jurchens fought bravely, half of the reason being driven by profit. If you don't allow the grassroots soldiers to rob enough, who will be willing to fight for you in the future?

Basuli could not return on time, but Yang Chang's reinforcements arrived ahead of time.

On the 30th day of the first lunar month, Lu Zhishen, Zhu Tong, the three Ruans, Han Tao, Shi Qian and others, leading a total of 16,000 regular troops and local militia, arrived in Hongdong County.

At night, Yang Chang gathered his generals at the Hongdong County Government Office to discuss the next step of the advance.

He first informed everyone of the military situation. According to the intelligence obtained from interrogating prisoners of war, Yin Shu had a total force of more than 25,000 in Pingyang, and they were all genuine Jurchen soldiers. In addition, there were another 10,000 in Fenzhou.

The composition of Yang Chang's troops is difficult to describe. He has a total force of less than 23,000, of which only 5,000 infantry and cavalry and 3,000 sailors are veterans of Liangshan. The remaining 6,000 are Qinzhou Yisheng Army, 2,500 are Pingyang Yisheng Army, 800 are Hechuan County local soldiers, and 4,600 are newly recruited militiamen.

The Jin soldiers were fierce in field combat. Yang Chang initially prepared to defend the city, then use his personal bravery to wear down the Jin army's morale, and finally launch a general attack in one go.

Although Yin Shu had a large number of elite soldiers, he behaved in such a cowardly manner. After being humiliated by Yang Chang's "blocking the door", he was reluctant to send troops to take revenge.

After that, Yang Chang continued to scout and found that Linfen did not make any move to mobilize troops, as if nothing had happened.

Having said this, Yang Chang spread his hands, revealing a speechless expression.

Apart from the newly recruited militia, local soldiers and sailors, the only army Yang Chang could really rely on was just over 10,000 men. Was he going to take the initiative and attack the city?

Is the silver technique so timid?

Everyone frowned after hearing the analysis, except Lu Zhishen, who disagreed and shouted, "Although I don't understand the art of war, since Yin Shu is afraid of fighting and dare not attack, we should take the initiative to attack. Didn't we have fewer soldiers when we attacked Linfen? Didn't we capture the city easily?"

"Master, you can't count it that way." Yang Chang took over and reminded: "Before, Tian Biao's bandit army was not strong, and I also benefited from the artillery shells that blew up the city towers, otherwise it would not be easy to attack the city. Where can I get the artillery shells now?"

"What should we do? Just waste time like this?"

"Yin Shuke has many soldiers but he is not moving. Maybe he is waiting for reinforcements from Fenzhou? The best way is to surround the enemy and attack the reinforcements, but our troops are relatively short. We can only concentrate our forces to deal with one side. We are afraid that the enemy will come from the south or north, or from the north or south, and we will not be able to take care of both ends."

"I have something to say."

Zhu Tong, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly stood up and interrupted Yang Chang, "Perhaps it was because you were alone and your actions outside Linfen City were too shocking, and Yin Shu was not sure about our details, so he dared not send troops. Or maybe he was waiting for reinforcements from Fenzhou. Why not split the troops into two groups to fight the enemy?"

"My brother just said that we should concentrate our forces."

Liu Tang gave a kind reminder, but Zhu Tong ignored it and continued to add his words while stroking his beard.

"Waiting in vain will do no good to the army, and the people will suffer more. I would like to volunteer to lead an army and go north to take over the South and North Gates. As long as we can stop the reinforcements from Fenzhou, Yinshu will be trapped."

"I have also thought about Brother Zhu's plan."

Yang Chang frowned and said nothing, mumbling in response: "That is indeed the best way, but it is not easy to attack the North and South Passes. How many soldiers will you bring? Five thousand?"

"If five thousand is too much, three thousand will also be fine."

"Three thousand. How is that possible?"

"hehe."

Zhu Tong stroked his beautiful beard and smiled confidently, "I didn't say that we must capture it. I can definitely station troops in Huoyi and organize the people there to bluff, which can at least delay the reinforcements from Fenzhou."

"hiss"

Yang Chang was startled when he heard this, and a plan immediately came to his mind.

"Great, I got it!"

The current war situation is a bit like Li Yunlong gathering troops to attack Ping'an County, and Zhu Tong leading the county brigade and district squad to fight and block the attack.

(End of this chapter)