Chapter 701 - 11: Historical Upheaval, Recruiting Liu Jiye to Capture Taiyuan (Part 3)

These two banners eventually became the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

Liu Jiye never anticipated this.

The chaos within the city came so swiftly.

But when he discovered and realized the situation had completely exceeded his expectations, all the soldiers found it hard to turn the tide.

.....

Chaos;

——Great chaos!

The noise within the city, combined with the cries of battle from the Song Army outside, completely shattered the peace of Taiyuan City.

"Kill!!!"

"Brothers, surrender to Lord Gu. These Liao savages never treated us as humans on ordinary days, and now they dare to harm our families. How can a man of worth endure such humiliation?"

"That’s right!! Surrender to Lord Gu! Help the Song Army break the city!"

"...."

Chants of killing continuously echoed.

The pressure from inside and outside the city completely destroyed the Bei Han Army’s last bit of morale.

The entire defending army fell into visible disarray.

What followed was mutual slaughter.

Even though the Song Army had yet to breach the city gates, the inside was already increasingly uncontrollable.

Many people rushed the city gates, wanting to open the way for the Song Army.

Some were fiercely resisting.

But all of this was ultimately in vain.

The outcome had long been predetermined.

History once again began to change, Zhao Kuangyin would ultimately step through the cage he had never reached in the original history, like a submerged dragon soaring to the sky.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The war drums of the Song Army thundered across the field, mixing with the shouts and cries inside the city.

Massive siege rams struck Taiyuan City’s gates repeatedly, each loud noise like a death knell in the hearts of the Bei Han defenders. Although arrows rained down like raindrops from the city walls, they could not hide the billowing black smoke rising from within.

"Hold the line! Everyone, hold the line!"

A Bei Han commander shouted hoarsely, yet his hand holding the battle sword trembled uncontrollably.

He watched helplessly as several soldiers suddenly turned their guns and stabbed their comrades through.

"Open the gates to welcome the Song Army! Exterminate the Liao dogs!" The rebellious soldiers and civilians surged toward the gates like waves, clashing with the defenders.

The sounds of clashing swords, screams, and furious curses mixed together.

Some were pierced through the chest with spears, yet they still clung tightly to the enemy’s legs; some lit the granary, roaring flames shot up.

Liu Jiye stood high on the city tower, watching the hellish scene unfold, his nails dug deep into his palms.

His personal guards surrounded him, barely holding this small space.

"General! The east gate has fallen!" A blood-drenched Captain ran over, "Vice General Wang... Vice General Wang has led a rebellion!"

Liu Jiye closed his eyes, taking a deep breath in the smoke-filled air. When he opened them again, his gaze was resolute: "Issue orders, abandon the outer city, retreat to the inner city."

"But General, the inner city lacks sufficient provisions..."

"Execute the order!" Liu Jiye drew his saber sharply, "Those brothers who can still fight, follow me! Let these traitors know what a soldier’s death truly means!"

He would never surrender.

Even though deep down he knew this battle was unwinnable, Liu Jiye would also fulfill his duty, until the very last moment.

Even in the original history, he was the same.

Even when he surrendered to the Great Song in the end.

It was only after receiving Liu Jiyuan’s letter that this fierce general gained fame on the path of resisting Liao.

He would only choose a last-ditch battle.

Even though the outcome cannot be changed!

"Press the attack! Taiyuan will fall today!"

Outside the city.

Zhao Kuangyin, clad in armor, was brimming with spirit, incessantly issuing orders.

And Gu Jin had long entered with his men.

Perhaps due to his youth, Gu Jin was completely different from the renowned Gu Clan youths before; he was more willing to personally lead the charge like Gu Xiao and Gu Cheng.

And this, precisely, was the most morale-boosting!

With the Gu Clan’s banners fluttering in the wind, the shouts of war were deafening.

As the Bei Han Army retreated.

The outer city gates of Taiyuan City were swiftly breached one after another by the Song Army.

Horns resounded.

Countless Song Army soldiers poured into the city like a tidal wave, their cries of killing like thunder, sending shivers down one’s spine!

The Bei Han soldiers naturally could not quickly retreat to the inner city at first sight.

Under such circumstances, the Song Army was like a pack of wolves in a flock of sheep.

These soldiers had no resistance whatsoever.

Especially when seeing the Gu Clan’s banners fluttering in the wind, even when some had the courage, they ultimately let go of their butcher knives uncontrollably.

How should this fight be fought?

Why did they fight?

To defend their homeland?

But their homeland was being invaded right now!

They didn’t even know if their families were safe now, so why should they sacrifice their lives for some so-called integrity?

What’s more, this was in front of the Gu Clan!

Even though the people of Kyushu had not felt the Gu Clan’s grace for a long, long time.

But over these years, the legends of the Gu Clan never ceased to be passed down.

This is inherited through the bloodline of the Huaxia people.

How could they forget?

The outcome was already beyond doubt!

...

For several whole days.

Gu Jin stayed with his brothers throughout the city to receive surrendering soldiers, resolve the chaos in the city, and preserve provisions.

At the same time, Zhao Kuangyin aimed his offensive at the inner city.

Yes——

Liu Jiye still had not surrendered.

Even at this point, he still led his confidants, holding firm in the inner city, unwilling to give up.

Merely based on this, one could see a general’s capability.