Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

In front of Zhao Ji's main tent, Tong Guan led the way, with the generals of the Imperial Guards and the commanders of various armies kneeling there.

Each of them was shirtless, with thorns tied behind their backs.

Many of them were still injured, and the sight of them kneeling at the entrance of the camp was truly shocking.

After kneeling for a moment, by the firelight, Zhao Ji lifted the tent flap and walked out expressionlessly.

"I am very disappointed."

Zhao Ji scanned everyone around before speaking, his first words expressing his disappointment.

“You are all warriors of my Great Song Dynasty. I trusted you and led you into battle, but today the war has turned out like this. How can you face the people of the Great Song Dynasty?”

Tong Guan and the others remained silent, keeping their heads down and obediently accepting the scolding.

"I know this is your first time siege warfare in so many years, but I just don't understand. Three hundred thousand men fought for a whole day. Shouldn't they at least have made it to the top of the city walls?"

“Look at today’s battle report. Nearly 20,000 people have been killed and countless others have been wounded, but the Liao people’s cities are completely unscathed. Tell me, who have you done right by?”

"Prime Minister Tong, tell me, what happened?!"

"Your Majesty, I am incompetent and beg your forgiveness."

Tong Guan sighed deeply, then offered his apology.

"Your Majesty, we are incompetent and beg your forgiveness!"

As soon as Tong Guan spoke, the others behind him also started to speak.

"Alright, I'm not an unreasonable person. After all, you have indeed paid a lot today."

Emperor Huizong of Tang originally wanted to give everyone a good scolding, but when he saw that those people had naked upper bodies and bloodstains, he suddenly softened.

Well... this is my first time commanding, and these generals of the Imperial Guards are also commanding me for the first time. So let's just consider today's poor performance due to a mismatch in coordination. That's understandable.

"My lords, it is not that I want to make things difficult for you, but this northern tour is of paramount importance. The fate of our Great Song Dynasty for the next century rests on this gamble!"

"The land of Yan and Yun, I, like you all, have long awaited for it. Now that we finally have the opportunity to reclaim it, I hope you will put aside your prejudices, work together, and go all out to make unparalleled contributions to our Great Song!"

Emperor Huizong understood the principle of giving a slap followed by a sweet treat very well, so when his heart softened, he immediately said some nice-sounding words.

"Tomorrow, I hope that all of you will be alert and fight a good battle."

"Yes!"

Tong Guan and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Okay, they got away with it.

"Tong Qing!"

Emperor Huizong suddenly called out Tong Guan's name.

"Chen is here!"

Tong Guan was taken aback. Oh, what does this have to do with me?

"You will be in charge of the siege tomorrow."

Surprisingly, Zhao Ji directly relinquished command.

"Your Majesty... what is this...?"

Tong Guan didn't quite understand.

"I was just thinking about it. When it comes to attacking cities, I was indeed a bit inexperienced. But you, Tong Qing, had experience attacking cities when you were in the Western Army. As the ancients said, every inch has its advantages and every foot has its disadvantages. Since you have experience attacking cities, then this task will be entrusted to you."

Emperor Huizong of Song would never admit that he was incapable of commanding, so he gave himself a seemingly perfect excuse.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your high expectations!"

Tong Guan was overjoyed and immediately declared that he would never let Zhao Ji down.

"Well, I will take over command of the entire army after you have captured the city walls. Alright, that's settled then. Go back and prepare."

Zhao Ji said, "Then everything is settled. We'll continue fighting tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt much relieved, at least it meant they wouldn't have to listen to Zhao Ji when attacking the city tomorrow, which was great!

Nothing happened that night. The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, messengers began relaying orders from various camps in the Song army.

Tong Guan, as expected of someone with experience in the Western Army, issued a series of orders, and the entire military camp transformed into a sophisticated war machine from early morning, with each unit coordinating with the others.

Tong Guan, on the other hand, was issuing his orders one by one.

"Do you have any more ladder trucks? If not, use grappling hooks! If you don't have grappling hooks, use a simple long ladder!"

"Shields! Large shields at the front, archers for cover! Don't be scattered like yesterday, concentrate them! Archers from each army, gather together and fire simultaneously to suppress one section of the city wall!"

"Did you bring the catapult this time? Yes? If you did, why didn't you use it yesterday? Why didn't you say so! Are you stupid?!"

"Whoever reaches the top of the city wall first will be rewarded with 100 taels of silver! Killing a general will be 150 taels! Capturing a flag will be 200 taels! Killing an ordinary Liao soldier will be rewarded with 1 tael of silver per head!"

"In addition, those who achieve any one of the first three conditions will be promoted five ranks!"

……

You know what, after Tong Guan issued this series of orders, at least in terms of morale, the Song army was incomparable to yesterday. They went from being listless to being willing to fight for the great "money" future!

"Attack the city!!"

Tong Guan knew that speed was of the essence in war. Yesterday, a whole day had been wasted. The Liao people were not fools. Once they learned that Nanjing was in danger, they would definitely send people from all over the country to provide support. Tong Guan did not want to get entangled with the Liao people. He also hoped to break through the city as soon as possible!

So the Song army launched a full-scale attack from early morning!

It must be said that Tong Guan's measures were effective. Yesterday, Zhao Ji dispersed the archers along a very long battle line, and the distance was not well controlled. Many archers' arrows did not land on the city walls, but instead landed on their own men who were climbing them.

But today Tong Guan was different. He had five thousand men, five thousand archers lined up neatly below the city, all aiming at the same area and firing arrows at the same time. It was truly a rain of arrows, so much so that the Liao people on the city walls didn't dare to show their heads.

When there are enough arrows, accuracy becomes less important.

Therefore, in the areas of the city wall where archers provided cover, the infantry of the Zhao Song Dynasty began a very efficient siege. Although the catapults were troublesome to assemble, they were pushed to the battlefield as soon as they were assembled and launched stones at the city wall!

Who says the Song army lacked fighting power? It all depends on whether they know how to use it!

"What's going on? Why are the Song army different today than yesterday?"

The pressure on the defenders on the city walls suddenly increased significantly. Although the Song army fought a lively battle yesterday, it was basically just for show. Today is different; they've really got something going!

"Don't panic! Nanjing is a fortified city, and we are well-equipped with military strength. These Song people are nothing to fear!"

On the city wall, a Liao army soldier was standing up to boost morale when, in the next second, a stray arrow suddenly fell from the sky and accurately pierced his neck!

This made the Liao people less daring to act recklessly. After all, given the situation, if they stood up on the city wall today, they would probably be in big trouble!

"Privy Councilor, we're making much better progress today! Some of our brothers almost made it up to the South and West city walls just now!"

With Tong Guan personally overseeing the operation, the results were indeed quite good; within just half an hour, a significant breakthrough had been achieved.

"Alright! Tell the brothers, let's go all out! Today, let's charge at a section of the Nanjing city wall! The team that succeeds, I'll personally go to the Emperor and ask for a reward!"

Tong Guan felt very pleased. He thought he had a good chance of being the one to break through the Liao Kingdom's Nanjing city. If that happened, he, Tong Guan, could be made a king based on his military achievements!

To be awarded a title of king for military merit would absolutely make one's name go down in history!

But just as the Song army was engaged in fierce fighting, Tong Guan suddenly felt his table begin to shake slightly.

Tong Guan thought he had moved the table, but upon closer inspection, he realized that the table was indeed shaking!

"What's going on? Did the earth suddenly turn upside down?"

Tong Guan frowned. At a time like this, a natural disaster?

He was just about to send someone to find out what was going on when a scout lifted the curtain and scrambled in!

"Report! Report! Privy Councilor! Dust is rising from two directions to the north, suspected to be a large Liao cavalry force, attacking our troops!"

"What did you say?!"

Tong Guan was shocked. What the hell? Liao cavalry?

You arrived so quickly?

"Privy Councilor, Liao cavalry, Liao cavalry are coming!"

……