Wanyan Loushi stood on the high ground outside Chang'an City, looking at the ancient city with solemn eyes. Chang'an City is like a pearl in the Central Plains, which has gone through many vicissitudes but remains dazzling. However, at this moment, this pearl became the pain in Wanyan Loushi's heart. "General, shall we continue the attack?" The general on the side couldn't help but ask. Wanyan Loushi was silent for a moment and shook his head: "No, give the order and the whole army will retreat." The generals looked at each other with expressions of disbelief on their faces. One of them couldn't help but said: "General, we have been marching southward with overwhelming momentum. Now that Chang'an City is right in front of us, why should we retreat?" "Look at these casualties," Wanyan Loushi pointed to the scattered corpses on the battlefield, "If this continues, our sons and daughters will be lost here. The artillery in Chang'an City is too powerful, and we can't get close to the city wall at all." "But General, are we just giving up? General Wanyan Zonghan's reinforcements are already on the way. As long as we persist..." "That's enough!" Wanyan Loushi interrupted the general, "I am the commander-in-chief, and all obey my orders. Send the order immediately and the entire army retreats!" Although the generals were reluctant, they did not dare to say anything more. They knew that Wanyan Loushi's decision must have its own reasons. As a result, the Jin army began to retreat slowly, leaving corpses and abandoned weapons all over the ground. In Chang'an City, guard Ma Guang stood on the city wall, watching the Jin army retreat. There was a smile of victory on her face
"Send the order, strengthen the city defense, and be ready to face the Jin Kingdom's counterattack at any time." Ma Guang said to the generals around him.
"Yes!" At the same time, in the camp of the Jin army, Wanyan Loushi was sitting in the commander's tent with a heavy heart. He knew that his decision caused dissatisfaction and confusion among the generals, but he did not explain anything. "General, are we really giving up like this?" A general couldn't help but ask. Wanyan Loushi glanced at him and sighed: "It's not giving up, it's a temporary retreat. We need time to regroup and wait for the opportunity. Chang'an City is not easy to capture. We need a more careful plan and a stronger force. troops." "But General, if we retreat like this, will the Song army think that we are afraid of them?" Another general said worriedly. "Hmph! Afraid of them?" Wanyan Loushi sneered, "We Jin cavalry have never been afraid of anyone? We just need to face this war more cautiously and rationally. Send the order and let the soldiers have a good night's rest. , we will withdraw to Taiyuan Prefecture early tomorrow morning." Although the generals still had doubts and unwillingness in their hearts, they could only obey the orders. As night fell, there was silence inside and outside Chang'an City. However, this silence did not last long. As the sky gradually became brighter, the Jin army began to slowly withdraw. Ma Guang stood on the city wall and watched the Jin army disappearing in the distance, feeling relieved. The beacon fire in Chang'an City gradually subsided, and the battle report reached the ears of Zhao Yingluo, who had just arrived at Xingqing City, like flying snow. She stood outside the camp, looking at this ancient and fortified city, her heart filled with determination and expectation. "Your Royal Highness, Wanyan Loushi has withdrawn his troops, and Taiyuan City has been recaptured by our army!" A messenger walked over quickly and handed over the battle report. Zhao Yingluo received the battle report, her bright eyes shining with joy and determination. She nodded slightly, with a confident smile on her lips: "Okay, pass on the order, the whole army will rest, and attack Xingqing City early tomorrow morning!" When the generals around him heard the order, they immediately became energetic and followed the order. go. Zhao Yingluo turned back to the camp and began to discuss with the counselors the specific strategy for tomorrow's attack on the city. As night fell, Li Qianshun in Xingqing City also learned about the battle situation in Chang'an City. He sat in the dim palace, filled with anxiety and helplessness. He knew that Daxia Kingdom had reached a critical moment of life and death. "Your Majesty, the only solution now is to seek peace with the Song Dynasty. Maybe there is still a glimmer of hope." The voice of a minister echoed in the silent palace. Li Qianshun sighed and nodded bitterly: "As of now, this is the only way it can be. Pass on the decree and open the city gate early tomorrow morning. I will personally go out of the city to ask for peace with Zhao Yingluo."
The gate of Xingqing City slowly opened in the morning light, and Li Qianshun walked out with a serious look on his face, leading a group of civil and military officials. Although the steps of their group were steady, there was a trace of unnoticeable anxiety. Not far away, flags were fluttering in the Song Army camp and war drums were shaking. Zhao Yingluo stood on a high platform, her military uniform made her look heroic and extraordinary. She watched Li Qianshun and his group coming from a distance, with a sharp light shining in her eyes. "Emperor Li Qianshun of the Great Xia Kingdom has met Her Royal Highness the Princess of the Song Dynasty." Li Qianshun walked up to Zhao Yingluo and bowed deeply, his tone full of respect and humility. Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly as a return gift. She looked at Li Qianshun and said calmly: "Now that Xingqing City is under my control, the Song Dynasty, what do you want?" Li Qianshun was shocked when he heard this. He looked up at Zhao Yingluo, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He was fully aware of his situation and also understood that Daxia no longer had the capital to compete with the Song Dynasty. At
Yes, he lowered his eyebrows and said submissively: "Your Royal Highness, I know that I am no match for the power of the Song Dynasty. I am willing to lead the subjects of the Great Xia Kingdom to submit to the Song Dynasty. I will be a vassal and pay tribute every year. I will never dare to rebel." After hearing Li Qianshun's words, Zhao Yingluo raised a faint smile on her lips. She said slowly: "Your Majesty Li is able to understand current affairs, which is really a blessing for Daxia. This princess does not require you to remove your title. You can still be your emperor within Daxia. However, for the Song Dynasty, you You need to be called King Shun and pay tribute to the Song Dynasty with a thousand war horses every year to show your sincerity." Li Qianshun breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. He nodded quickly and agreed: "Your Highness the Princess is so magnanimous and I am deeply grateful. From today on, I am the Shun King of the Song Dynasty, paying tribute every year and coming to court every year." Zhao Yingluo nodded with satisfaction and immediately ordered the withdrawal. However, Zhao Yingluo did not order the army to return to Chang'an City, but changed its route to Huanzhou. She had a bigger goal in mind, which was to intercept Wanyan Loushi's army, which had no hope of attacking Chang'an City and was returning north. She and Wang Zaixing wanted to attack from front to back and defeat Wanyan Lou's army in one fell swoop!
Wanyan Loushi's army was slowly retreating. Their morale was low and they were exhausted. Wanyan Loushi was riding on a war horse with a gloomy expression. He knew he had failed, but he was not resigned to it. He looked back in the direction of Chang'an City, his heart filled with endless regret and anger. At this moment, there was a rapid sound of horse hoofbeats, and a scout came galloping over: "Report! Traces of the Song army were found ahead, and the leader is none other than Princess Zhao Yingluo of the Song Dynasty!"