Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

"No matter how many cities we lose, we can take them back."

Wanyan Xiyin said, "The Jin state has already conquered land."

"This is the land of the Jin Dynasty!"

"Now we're supporting puppets,"

"After a few years, we can truly take it over."

The two argued incessantly.

Keep arguing there.

After much deliberation, Wanyan Zongwang made up his mind and said:

"I will lead the main force to Zhengding first,"

"You will each go to the central and eastern routes respectively."

"Once I confirm that the Liangshan Emperor is over there,"

"You should send troops and supplies to reinforce us,"

"All the elite troops have been transferred to Zhengding Prefecture,"

"We can do without the other two routes."

"This battle cannot be lost,"

"The Liangshan Emperor's firearms are formidable,"

"I'm afraid that if we split our forces, we'll have a harder time winning."

Wanyan Zongwang was determined to take a desperate gamble.

.....

The Hutuo River is one of the largest rivers in Hebei Province.

If we exclude the Yellow River,

It's number one!

The two armies each controlled half of the river.

The Ming army controlled that section of the central battlefield.

The Jin army controlled the two sections of the eastern and western battlefields.

Zhao Yuan led his army to retreat.

They relied on the Hutuo River for water transport.

Of course, the soldiers mainly relied on foot.

Only various types of supplies are loaded onto ships for transport.

Zhao Yuan first arrived at Gucheng (Jinzhou City).

This city is located on the south bank of the Hutuo River.

This was not favorable for the Jin army's operations.

He was directly abandoned by Wanyan Zongwang.

As early as half a month ago,

The magistrate of Gucheng County under the puppet Song dynasty,

They had already surrendered to Zong Ze.

Next up is Gaocheng.

It is located at the confluence of the Hutuo River and the Qinshui River.

Being surrounded by water on two sides is ideal for holding out.

It was a military bridgehead belonging to Zhen Ding Prefecture.

Generals such as Guan Sheng, Yue Fei, and Li Qiong,

Leading the Ming army of Zhao Prefecture northward,

Stationed on the east bank of the Qinshui River,

The main camp was located in the southwest of Gaocheng.

Zhao Yuan led the main force westward.

They set up camp in the northeast of Gaocheng.

Two Ming armies,

They are only about thirty miles apart.

This trapped the enemy forces in Gaocheng.

After Zhao Yuan set up camp,

Immediately contact Guan Sheng and Yue Fei.

Yue Fei personally led two hundred cavalrymen to see him.

They also brought along a scholar from Gaocheng named Dong Yu.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor!"

Yue Fei stood with his back straight.

His left hand rested on the hilt of the knife at his waist.

He raised his right hand in a military salute.

Judging from appearance alone,

Zhao Yuan felt somewhat disappointed.

The famous Yue Fei,

He's only 1.7 meters tall!

Moreover, he is not physically imposing.

He was not as good as many of Zhao Yuan's fierce generals.

Of course, appearance can be disregarded.

Zhao Yuan even harbored a secret sense of excitement.

It just hasn't been revealed yet.

He held Yue Fei's hand and said:

"I've heard that you are extremely strict in disciplining your troops,"

"He is truly a fine general of our time!"

Yue Fei said, "The people of Hebei have suffered greatly from the Jurchen invasion."

"The royal army should strengthen its military discipline even more,"

"Otherwise, how are we any different from those barbarians of the Jin Dynasty?"

"good."

Zhao Yuan smiled and nodded.

Yue Fei pointed to the scholars beside him and said:

"This is Dong Yu, a son of the Dong family of Gaocheng."

"His uncle, Dong Ti, served as the Minister of Rites in the puppet Song Dynasty."

Dong Yu immediately knelt down: "Yu, a scholar of the Great Ming Dynasty, pays respects to Your Majesty the Emperor!"

Chapter 253 Three Thousand Soldiers

Zhao Yuan personally helped him up, saying, "No need for formalities."

Dong family of Gaocheng

They moved to Gaocheng during the Five Dynasties period.

During the Jin and Yuan dynasties, different branches of the imperial family held high-ranking official positions.

First, the force led by Dong Shizhong of the Jin Dynasty.

He rose to the position of Prime Minister of the Jin Dynasty.

Secondly, there was the branch led by Dong Wenbing during the Yuan Dynasty.

A large number of officials, including Wanhu, Taishi, and Taiwei, emerged.

Dong Wenbing himself...

He was also responsible for organizing a Han Chinese personal guard for Kublai Khan.

Previously, Wanyan Zongwang installed a puppet emperor.

Gaocheng happened to be under the rule of the puppet dynasty.

Dong Shi of Gaocheng quickly surrendered to the Jin dynasty.

Dong Ti, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) during the Song Dynasty,

He was even given important positions as a central official in the puppet court.

This time, Liu Yu seized power in the court.

They didn't dare do anything to Dong Ti.

Instead, he was promoted to Minister of Rites.

Because the location of Gaocheng is too important.

The Dong family was the most prominent family in Gaocheng.

Dong Ti served as a dog for the Jin Dynasty.

On the one hand, he secretly contacted Zong Ze.

They disregard matters of national and personal interests.

He only wanted to protect his own family.

"Your Highness the Emperor,"

Dong Yu quickly explained the situation.

"The false dynasty in Zhending was in great chaos a few days ago,"

"Liu Yu impeached Huang Qianshan for treason,"

Dozens of people from Huang Qianshan's gang were imprisoned.

"The puppet regime is now in a state of panic."

"Many are willing to serve our Great Ming Dynasty."

"Although my uncle is the Minister of Rites of that pseudo-dynasty,"

"But he never stopped thinking about returning to the Ming Dynasty."

"The Dong family of Gaocheng,"

"I am willing to fight to the death for the Ming Dynasty against the Jin!"

Zhao Yuan, looking moved, sighed and said:

"There is a loyal and devoted family in Hebei, and that refers to the Dong family."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yu

They became even more excited.

With the phrase "Emperor of Liangshan",