Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Tong Guan failed to stop Yelü Zonglei, and the troops from other directions also failed to stop the remaining three brothers of the Yelü family!

Therefore, the 300,000 Song troops were chased and attacked by 120,000 cavalry, and had no choice but to retreat and avoid the enemy.

After pursuing the enemy for a while, the Liao 120,000 cavalrymen realized that there was no possibility of annihilating them in one battle, so they withdrew.

"Third brother, have you captured the emperor of the Song Dynasty? Let your younger brother see what this emperor looks like?"

Below the city, Yelü Zonglin and Yelü Zonglei met up. The moment Yelü Zonglin saw his third brother, his first thought was to see if the emperor of the Zhao Song dynasty was there.

"We didn't catch him. That bastard's chariot was driving faster than our cavalry!"

It would have been better if we hadn't brought it up, because as soon as we did, Yelü Zonglei would start cursing and swearing. The main problem was that nobody would believe what he was saying!

Yelü Zonglei led his 30,000 elite cavalry in pursuit of a chariot. Although they encountered some interceptions along the way, they ultimately failed to catch up with the chariot, which was really a bit unreasonable!

"It's alright, Third Brother. We didn't catch him this time, but we definitely won't let him get away next time!"

Yelü Zonglin comforted his third brother, though he himself found it unbelievable.

How could someone actually escape the cavalry's pursuit by driving a chariot?

This is truly amazing. But thinking about it carefully, I seem to recall my father telling me when I was a child that there was once an emperor of the Song Dynasty who managed to escape the pursuit of the Liao warriors using only a donkey cart. So it seems that the Song Dynasty royal family must have been very talented in driving.

Chariots are more advanced than donkey carts, so it's understandable that they could escape.

Thinking of this, Yelü Zonglin said to his brother again:

"Third Brother, next time we capture the emperor of the Song Dynasty, let's not give him a carriage. Without a carriage for him to drive, he definitely won't be able to escape!"

"You're right, I'll definitely catch him myself next time!"

Yelü Zonglei clearly didn't think as much as Yelü Zonglin; he was obviously just venting his dissatisfaction.

……

"Tong Qing, Tong Qing, what are the casualties of our army today?"

In the Zhao Song camp, Zhao Ji, still looking frightened, quickly asked Tong Guan about the current situation.

"Your Majesty, this is very bad. In today's battle, we have lost more than 40,000 men."

Tong Guan also had a bandage wrapped around his head. During the retreat today, his helmet was knocked off, so a flying arrow grazed his scalp.

As for today's battle report, to be honest, there were no problems before, and we even had a slight advantage during the siege.

However, after the enemy cavalry charged in, the Song army was basically in a state of collapse. Although they did not suffer a complete rout due to their superior numbers, a crushing defeat was inevitable.

Even worse, many of these wounded soldiers did not die from enemy swords and arrows, but were pushed and trampled to death by their own people during the retreat.

"Forty, forty thousand people?"

Zhao Ji felt as if his heart was bleeding!

In other words, including yesterday's losses, he has lost 50,000 of his 300,000 troops.

"So, how many enemies did we kill?"

Emperor Huizong thought for a moment and then tentatively asked.

"No statistics have been compiled, but Your Majesty, there should only be a few thousand people."

Tong Guan shook his head helplessly. Today's defeat was really too demoralizing!

"Several, several thousand people?!"

Emperor Huizong was dumbfounded.

He really didn't expect that his confident personal involvement would result in such an outcome!

Am I really not suited for battlefield combat?

Zhao Ji remained silent. He didn't speak, and Tong Guan and the others didn't dare to say anything either. The tent fell silent instantly.

"My Lord, I wish to return to the capital."

After a long silence, Zhao Ji spoke, but his words sent chills down everyone's spines.

No, it was you who insisted on personally leading the expedition, despite the earnest advice of many ministers! Then, 300,000 troops from across the country risked their lives to accompany you on your northern tour. Now that you've suffered a defeat, you want to go back?

What do you think war is? Child's play?!

"Your Majesty, you..."

Tong Guan suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disappointment!

"My lord, I am tired. War is no fun. I want to go back to the capital."

Zhao Ji ignored Tong Guan and continued talking to Yang Jian like a child.

"Your Majesty, we've only fought two matches, and the final outcome is still uncertain. Why are you already thinking of leaving?"

Tong Guan couldn't hold back any longer.

"Minister Tong, I am not a warrior, but I am not a fool either. We have lost forty or fifty thousand men, while the Liao have only lost a few thousand. What is the point of this battle?"

Zhao Ji looked at Tong Guan and said, word by word:

"Minister Tong, tell me, can you guarantee we'll win this battle?"

Tong Guan was speechless when asked the question.

Unfortunately, Zhao Ji's question, though unpleasant to hear, was very direct.

"Your Majesty, you promised to personally tour the north. In the hearts of the soldiers, you are the driving force for this expedition and the symbol of our Great Song army. If you leave like this, the morale of our Great Song will surely collapse, and then when we fight the Liao people again..."

Tong Guan remained silent, but the generals behind him couldn't hold back any longer! Some of them spoke up directly, their words filled with dissatisfaction!

"I know!"

Emperor Huizong of Zhao suddenly waved his hand, interrupting the man's words!

"I know, I know what you want to say, that I am a coward, that I am afraid of war, but I tell you! I am not, I have not!"

"I am assessing the situation! I am being pragmatic! To knowingly fight when we can't win is to be playing with the lives of our soldiers!"

"There are clearly better methods, so why use the lives of our soldiers to fill the gaps!"

Zhao Ji began to roar; he was now like a wounded wild beast, trying his best to maintain his ferocity!

"Your Majesty, what is the better method you mentioned?"

When Zhao Ji lost his temper, no one dared to say anything, but as soon as he finished speaking, Tong Guan immediately retorted with a question.

"Payment, of course! The Liao people just want money, don't they? Give them to them! I have plenty of money!"

Zhao Ji answered without hesitation!

"Then, what about Yan Yun?"

"Buy them back! How much do the Liao people want? Name your price! I'll buy them back!"

Zhao Ji spoke loudly, his voice becoming hoarse.

"Your Majesty, you've already arrived at the front lines, why are you still thinking about tribute..."

Tong Guan was very confused. If you wanted to buy it, why did you come all this way?

"I don't want to fight anymore! Minister Tong, do you understand?"

Zhao Ji looked at Tong Guan, his tone already harsh.

"Your Majesty, when I was young, I also followed the late Emperor. When the late Emperor was on the battlefield..."

"Tong Guan! How dare you!"

Upon hearing Tong Guan's words, Zhao Ji was furious!

After he became emperor, what he hated most was hearing people compare him to his brother!

"My elder brother is my elder brother! I am I! What do you mean by saying this now?!"

"Guards, drag him out! Lock him up! Lock him up!"