vstars Chapter 273 Wanyan Ping Leads the Jin Army Across the Yellow River
Chapter 273 Wanyan Ping Leads the Jin Army Across the Yellow River
In the eastern part of Yanggu County, on the banks of the Yellow River, several fishermen are casting their nets, carrying their hopes, onto the shimmering water as the sun rises. Despite the turbulent waves and swift current that seem capable of swallowing up any obstacle, each throw of the heavy net into the rushing water requires their utmost effort, followed by a strenuous haul. Sweat mingles with the river water, blurring their figures.
However, for the warmth and longing they held for their families—the smiles of their wives and children, the hopes of their elderly parents—they were willing to risk their lives, searching for sustenance amidst the turbulent waves. This perseverance was a responsibility to their families, and an indomitable spirit against fate.
For those who have personally experienced the banks of the Yellow River, this mother river, seemingly flowing gently on the surface, actually harbors hidden dangers. As experts say, beneath the calm surface often lie more turbulent undercurrents, silent yet incredibly powerful. Furthermore, the shifting sands deposited on the riverbed over the years, like witnesses to time, silently recount the vicissitudes and changes of the past, also adding to the difficulty and danger of the fishermen's work.
Just as these fishermen were about to reach the shore, a fleet of warships sailed in from the lower reaches of the Yellow River. A closer look at the flags on the bows revealed that they belonged to the Jurchen navy.
Seeing the dire situation, the fishermen immediately considered going ashore to avoid disaster. However, the more anxious they became, the more the boat seemed to be dragged along by an invisible force, making it increasingly difficult to move forward. Just at this critical moment, the Jurchen ships had quietly approached, almost within arm's reach.
On the ship's gunwale, the Jin soldiers' figures were as cold as frost. Without the slightest hesitation or greeting, they drew their bows and shot arrows. The arrows, like dark clouds pressing down, quickly covered the few small boats.
Fisherman Ge Gouzi witnessed this scene, and his heart sank as fear surged like a tide. Watching the golden boat approaching ever closer, he no longer cared about his safety. Driven only by the instinct for survival, he plunged headfirst into the turbid Yellow River water and instantly disappeared into the waves, leaving only ripples that gradually subsided.
Ge Gouzi swam leisurely in the water, completely unaware of the passage of time. When he finally poked his head out from the swaying reeds downstream, the world around him had quietly changed. As far as his eyes could see, a fishing boat on the riverbank was belching out thick black smoke, like the heavy and conspicuous breath of an ancient behemoth.
At this moment, on the water's surface, the figures of the Jin people moved like a woven tapestry, while on the north bank of the Yellow River, the thunderous roar of iron cavalry and the surging tide of the Jin army, their ambition to build a pontoon bridge across this narrow river to the other side, were palpable, determined to cross this insurmountable barrier.
In the pitch-black night, where the stars were hidden, Ge Gouzi, desperate to escape the relentless pursuit of the Jurchens, swam with all his might towards the south bank of the Yellow River. The river water was icy cold, but it couldn't compare to the burning desire for survival in his heart. When he finally reached the south bank, he was nearly exhausted. He found a secluded spot and rested for most of the day until his strength returned slightly. Then, he staggered westward.
As night deepened and all was quiet, Ge Gouzi finally staggered to the edge of Li Jiajun's camp in Taiqian County. He was nearly exhausted, and with only a sliver of his strength, he cried out hoarsely, "Help...any hero, save my life!"
The faint cry for help sounded particularly mournful in the quiet night, but fortunately it caught the attention of Li's army soldiers on patrol. They quickly surrounded him and found Ge Gouzi lying on the ground, like a candle flickering in the wind, barely alive.
Without hesitation, the soldiers carried him into a warm room where a roaring fire dispelled the chill. A bowl of warm rice porridge was carefully poured into his parched lips and teeth, like life-giving rain, allowing Ge Gouzi to slowly open his heavy eyelids and grasp the hope of life once more.
"Where am I?" Ge Gouzi was bewildered, his eyes filled with a sense of disorientation.
A composed officer in military uniform, a gentle smile playing on his lips, slowly said, “Fellow villager, do not panic. This is the camp of the Li family army. Our brothers happened to meet you while on patrol. You are soaking wet and shivering in the cold wind. Where did you come from? I will arrange for men to escort you safely home later.”
The officer's words were like a ray of warm sunshine in winter, instantly melting the frost in Ge Gouzi's heart. His eyes involuntarily welled up with tears, his gratitude overflowing. After a moment, once his emotions had calmed down, Ge Gouzi recounted in detail to the kind-faced officer all the extraordinary encounters he had had during the day.
Upon hearing this, the officer's expression turned grave, clearly realizing the urgency of the situation. He made a decisive decision, instructing the soldiers beside him to take good care of Ge Gouzi, while he himself needed to immediately deal with this sudden turn of events.
Upon receiving word that the Jurchens had secretly crossed the river, Qian Dazhuang swiftly summoned all officers and convened an emergency meeting despite the darkness of night.
At this time, Li Jiajun's cavalry and infantry were already in full battle array, with more than 20,000 troops setting up camps in Yanggu and Taiqian respectively, forming two impregnable fortresses, determined to block any sudden invasion by the Jin army.
During the daytime, Ge Gouzi's reconnaissance of the Jin army's movements, like a glimmer of light in the fog, revealed some clues. The Jin soldiers' spearheads didn't seem to be aimed directly at Li's army's territory, but rather had another purpose, their target vaguely pointing towards Li Gang's rebel army on the south bank of the Yellow River. This discovery made the atmosphere at the meeting even more tense, with each officer's eyes flashing with deep thought and vigilance regarding the impending battle.
On the ancient and tranquil land of Shenxian County, Yue Peng, the commander of Li Jiajun, was extremely anxious. He quickly released a carrier pigeon, which carried an urgent message that pierced the sky and sent a warning to the distant rebel army—it was imperative to take precautions and guard against a surprise attack by the Jin army.
However, fate seems to love playing tricks on people. Yue Peng's urgent worries could not change the impending tragedy. That very evening, like an ominous shadow in the afterglow of the setting sun, Pingyin County, the fortress defended by the righteous army, quietly fell under the iron hooves of the Jin army. The news, like the wind in the dark night, was silent yet swift, but it failed to reach Yue Peng's ears in time.
At this moment, the night was as dark as ink. Several pontoon bridges, like giant dragons, lay across the Yellow River, carrying the massive Jin army. Ignoring the darkness, they hurried towards the south bank, each step a testament to their thirst for victory. Their gazes, beyond the turbulent waters, were fixed on Dongping Prefecture, the city steadfastly guarded by Li Gang, which seemed like the brightest light in the night sky, attracting greedy hunters.
Wanyan Ping sat upright on his steed, his gaze piercing through the night, landing on the winding army lined with countless torches, a cold smile playing on his lips.
His deep, resolute voice carried an undeniable authority in the night wind: "Pass down the order to the generals at the front—on this campaign, in any city captured by the rebel army, once the city walls fall, regardless of the social status of the inhabitants, the order to massacre the entire city is issued. I want to witness firsthand whether the resilience inherent in the hearts of these Han people can withstand the baptism of iron and blood!"