After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

On the night of December 30th, the second year of the Zhiping reign of the Song Dynasty, an "unknown" small battle recorded in later history books became a major event that reversed the military situation between the Song and Liao dynasties.

This "Battle of Juma River" can be regarded as the most classic defensive battle in the history of the Song Dynasty, and has been reproduced by countless talented and powerful generals in later generations.

Zhang Qiao, who was originally an unknown person in time and space, suddenly became a top defensive master on par with Zhang Xun of Tang Dynasty and Zhu Wenzhen of Ming Dynasty.

At the same time, because of his outstanding performance in completing the task of defending the border of the Song Dynasty, he was praised by Emperor Yingzong and a certain Han as the "Shield of the Song Dynasty", and he supported half of the subsequent defensive battles of the Song army.

When time goes back to the cold and snowy days of December, the entire Song-Liao border, covering nearly a thousand miles of land, was filled with the smell of gunpowder mixed with swords and fire.

And on both sides of the Juma River in the center, this most extreme offensive and defensive battle is about to begin.

"Your Majesty, General, General Yelu Xiyin's advance troops are approaching the Juma River and will reach the other side in less than half an hour!"

Xiao Boyu's deputy, Yelu Zhalin, who was from the Khitan royal family, rode over from the side to report.

"Your Majesty, will you lead this battle or will I?"

Xiao Boyu was praised within the Liao Kingdom as having the talent of "Han Xin of Han Dynasty". Although there was some water in his praise, his strategic and tactical levels were higher than many people within the Liao Kingdom.

"Come here. Since I was injured, my energy has been a little low. If I want to coordinate all parties, you are the most suitable person, Aqi."

Yelu Hongji did look a little unhappy, and the entire army could see it.

Xiao Boyu originally wanted to dissuade the other party from leading the army in person, but Yelu Hongji was stubborn and no one could stop him once he made up his mind.

"Then I will fight faster and do my best to ensure Your Majesty has a good New Year in Song!"

Xiao Boyu smiled confidently and immediately began to issue military orders.

"Zha Lin, tell Yelu Xiyin to send an advance force to follow Yang Wenguang's army from Song Dynasty, cross the Juma River, and charge directly at the Baigouyi stronghold in the rear!"

"The rest of the central army will be divided into three parts. One part will follow the rear of the advance army to prevent it from being ambushed by the Song army."

"The second division will advance from the west, cross the Juma River, bypass Baigou Post, and head straight for Xiongzhou City, cutting off the Song army's rear support."

"After the three divisions advance from the east and cross the Juma River, they will immediately join forces from the flanks to surround Gu Tingye's army at Baigouyi!"

Yelu Zhalin immediately clasped his fists and saluted: "Yes!"

As Xiao Boyu's military order was issued, the entire Liaozhong Army began to change its formation while marching, and the three parts each performed their duties and began to carry out their own tasks.

Upon receiving the order, Yelu Xiyin's advance troops did not hesitate and followed the "Yang" flag, madly stepping onto the ice of the Juma River.

The next second, a huge roar was heard in the cold wind, followed by rolling, collision and heart-wrenching howls of pain.

"boom--!"

"boom--!"

"boom--!"

“Crackling—!”

“Crackling—!”

"..."

"Ah! Oh no! There are caltrops on the ice!"

“Ouch! Who the hell is so wicked as to put a nail board there!”

"Shaha! It's poisonous! These things are poisonous!"

"Medic—! Where's the medic—?"

"General! Someone come quickly! The general has fallen from his horse!"

“Ah! Help!”

"..."

For a moment, the entire ice surface was covered with Liao soldiers lying on the ground. Their heart-wrenching cries in the cold wind of the night made people shiver.

"Don't worry about the front, just charge straight to the Baigouyi stronghold on the other side!"

Yelu Xiyin's eyes were bloodshot, and he immediately realized that the Song army had set up various traps and hidden weapons on the ice of the Juma River.

But the cavalry has already gained momentum, so it cannot be stopped. It must charge forward to unleash its maximum destructive power.

"General! We can't cross the shore. There's something wrong with the ice!"

The deputy general exclaimed in surprise, but such a sound was basically drowned out in the cavalry formation where the cold wind was howling.

Soon, the rear of the Liao cavalry rushed up onto the ice surface that was cracked by the fire.

"boom--!"

After a shocking groan, a huge explosion resounded throughout the venue.

Everyone stared at the collapse of the ice, and the Liao soldiers above fell into the icy river like dumplings.

“Ah! Help!”

The entire Juma River was instantly filled with Liao soldiers. They struggled frantically to get ashore, but unfortunately, the next second, the entire south bank was lit up with torches, illuminating everyone's shocked eyes.

"Crossbowmen, step out!"

"Due north—! Six salvos—!"

"preparation--!"

"put--!"

A big man in sharp armor in front of the Song army raised the spear in his hand and roared loudly.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"

"..."

The terrifying giant crossbow mixed with arrows filled the sky, all pouring down at once. The whole scene was truly spectacular.

But this was only for the Song army, while the Liao army in the river was full of panic and swam frantically towards the north bank, trying to escape the range of the arrows.

"Pfft-!"

As the first Liao soldier was shot through the throat, subsequent dense arrows fell.

There were no more roars or cries for help in the entire Juma River, only the "swish" sound of arrows piercing through bodies.

In an instant, both banks fell into silence, and countless corpses floated in the river, looking extremely strange in the dark night.

"General..." The deputy general called out to the somewhat embarrassed Yelu Xiyin in a trembling voice.

"Follow orders, charge at me regardless of the consequences—!"

Seeing this tragic scene, Yelu Xiyin also wanted to retreat, but Yelu Hongji and Xiao Boyu behind him were not so easy to deal with, and they would not let them retreat easily.

After saying this loudly, Yelu Xiyin jumped onto his horse, drew the Liao-style weapon from his waist and swung it.

"Khitan boys! Now is not the time to retreat!"

"Behind us is His Majesty, the Great Emperor! Before us is a vast and rich land!"

"There are countless gold, silver, treasures and beauties of all kinds waiting for us to claim—!"

"For the Liao Dynasty! Charge!"

Following Yelu Xiyin's ruffian-like speech, the enthusiasm of the entire advance army, which had been defeated by the Song army's barrage of fire, rose again, and they roared like prairie wolves.

"Ouch——!"

"Ouch——!"

"Awww-!"

"..."

The crazy howls of wolves resounded on both sides of the Juma River. Then, under Yelu Xiyin's roar, the advance army immediately began to speed up, preparing to rush across the river.

Originally, Yelu Xiyin planned to build a pontoon bridge, but there was not enough time as the main force of the central army behind would be arriving soon.

Secondly, looking at the Song army on the other side who were eyeing them covetously, it was estimated that the floating bridge would not be built well.

It would be better to force your way across the river and join forces with the Song army, so as to pave the way for the subsequent central army.

In the end, his idea was good, but Zhang Qiao was not made of clay, so how could he watch the enemy climb ashore without stopping them?

"Shieldmen advance to hold the riverbank, spearmen follow closely behind. Anyone who dares to climb ashore will be killed—!"

Following Zhang Qiao's order, the shield bearers who had been prepared for a long time rushed out with large shields.

Seeing that several nimble Liao soldiers had actually come ashore with their horses, he immediately sped up, combined men and shields, and charged forward.

The Liao soldiers who were still feeling lucky to have reached the shore never expected that a group of nine-foot tall men would appear behind them, each holding a shield taller than themselves and pressing forward.

Just as he was about to turn around, his face came into direct contact with the huge black shield.

"Get back into the river for grandpa—!"

Following a loud shout from a Song soldier, all the Liao soldiers on the south bank of the river were pushed down again, along with their horses.

Seeing this, the Song army on the shore couldn't help but burst into laughter, mocking these Liao soldiers as "drenched rats".

"Damn it! These southern barbarians!" Yelu Xiyin threw his horsewhip in anger.

"General, we can't charge in headfirst. The Song army has made preparations on the south bank. It will be difficult for us to fight them in the river!"

The deputy general quickly picked up the horsewhip and knelt on one knee to present it to Yelu Xiyin.

"Then what should we do? The central army is about to arrive. If they see such a scene, wouldn't it make our advance troops look incompetent?"

Yelu Xiyin thought with some resentment, looking at the Song army on the other side, his teeth itching with anger.

"General, why don't we take a detour? This section of the river has collapsed, but the river surfaces on both sides should also be fine."

This deputy general is quite smart.

"Are you stupid?! If the Song army can set up an ambush here, can't they also set up an ambush on the flanks?!"

"We can't attack now, and I can't let my brothers continue to soak in the river. Send the order to set up camp on the north bank."

"I will go to the central army tent to meet His Majesty and the general!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yelu Xiyin hurriedly rode his horse north.

As for Zhang Qiao's army on the south bank, seeing that the Liao army had begun to stop forcing a crossing, he became somewhat puzzled and reported this to the rear.

Both sides tacitly stopped the first phase of attack and defense and began to wait for the next order.