The afternoon wind stirred the fallen leaves in the mountains, the sobbing sound like a lament.

Even many years later, Wanyan Yuchi could still remember the sound of the wind that blew outside Hanzhong City that afternoon.

Following Wanyan Xiyin for many years, he had grown up with the prosperity of the Jurchen people, witnessing and participating in countless victories and cheers. In the mid-term of the Jin Dynasty's rise, even if he occasionally encountered difficulties or setbacks on the battlefield, he could always see the pride and unyielding spirit hidden in the bones of the Jin army. These armies that had followed Aguda out of Chuhe Store had already engraved arrogance in the deepest part of their hearts.

"The Jurchen are not afraid of ten thousand, but ten thousand are invincible."

It was also because of this that on this afternoon, he saw an unprecedented scene for the first time.

The closer he got to the Tuanshan battlefield, the more scattered Jin soldiers he saw in his field of vision. The Liaodong people, Khitans, Xiren... and even the Jurchens, scattered in twos and threes like a receding tide.

Units without commanders randomly gathered, wounded soldiers supported each other, heading towards Hanzhong. There were also scattered soldiers who had lost their organization, walking aimlessly with weapons, seeing anyone as if they were startled birds. Wanyan Yuchi tried to gather them, but due to the urgency of time, he couldn't spend too much time on it.

Some of the soldiers joined his team and continued towards Tuanshan.

Wanyan Yuchi inquired about the situation on the Tuanshan battlefield, as well as the units to which these soldiers belonged and their past experiences. At first, it was the relatively weaker peripheral forces, but soon members of various units appeared. When the core members of the Tushan Guard described the situation on the battlefield to him, Wanyan Yuchi noticed that the tall Tushan Guard warrior in front of him was afraid while narrating.

"Those Black Flag Army people... they are desperate... If you encounter them on the battlefield, remember not to charge head-on... They coordinate very well, and... even if there are only three or five people, they will come over desperately... They specialize in killing leaders. My team leader (队正), Pulin, Talei Zuo Bo, was besieged and killed by three Black Flag members..."

"Zuo Bo?" Wanyan Yuchi asked. The Tushan Guards were all elite troops in the army, and their officers were mostly Jurchens. Wanyan Yuchi knew many of them. This Pulin named Talei Zuo Bo was extremely brave in battlefield combat and had a forthright personality. Wanyan Yuchi had an early impression of him.

"Yes." The soldier nodded, and then continued to talk about his impression of the Xia Army on the battlefield.

Over the years, the Tushan Guard had achieved brilliant results, and the soldiers were mostly elite. This soldier, after being defeated and scattered, was able to summarize this impression, and was already capable of serving as an officer in ordinary troops. However, the content he described – although he tried to suppress it as calmly as possible – still revealed a huge sense of frustration.

Combining the accounts of some Tushan Guard survivors he gathered later, a cruel reality quickly took shape in his mind – he was unwilling to believe it at the first moment this outline formed.

The elite Tushan Guard led by Commander Zongwang had been defeated head-on by the Xia Army.

The nearly 100,000 people led by the commander in Hanzhong had experienced many small-scale battles and victories and defeats in the past five days. Despite many defeats, because large-scale operations had not yet begun, most of the most core and elite Jin soldiers were still waiting for the appearance of a large-scale battle with anticipation.

Xiyin's troop reinforcement to Hanzhong and his deployment of a decisive battle boosted morale, allowing the Tushan Guard warriors here to launch another offensive against the Xia Army. However, the great battle that took place at Tuanshan in the previous half-day finally shattered the illusions of these Jurchen warriors on the front. The contrast between victory and defeat on the battlefield was so strong and clear that these Jurchen warriors directly felt the crushing power.

Large-scale charges could not form power, forming formations became targets, and they had to be divided into sand-like scattered steps to fight; but the Xia Army was better than their own in coordination in small-scale battles; mutually launching beheading operations, the other side was basically unaffected; various tactics in the past could not play a role, and the entire battlefield was like a gang fight, with the Xia Army forcing the Jurchen troops to be at a loss...

The nightmare that was only vaguely visible in the past, and which one could still have luck, finally landed on the Tuanshan battlefield this day. The Tushan Guard struggled hard, and some Jurchen warriors launched repeated charges against the Xia Army, but after the generals above them died, such charges were just futile retaliation. The Xia Army's forces only looked scattered, but within a certain range, they could always form large and small formations and coordination. The Jurchen troops that fell into it would only be mercilessly strangled.

If recalled in the future, Wanyan Yuchi had not yet fully digested all of this at that time. The troops he led had already entered the inner perimeter of the Tuanshan battle. At this time, he had 3,000 people gathered from Hanzhong, more than half of whom were defeated or transferred soldiers who had experienced battles near Hanzhong in the previous few days. In the process of his gathering the defeated soldiers along the way, the morale of these soldiers had actually begun to dissipate.

Time did not allow him to think too much. The moment he arrived at the battlefield, the battle in the distant hills had reached a feverish pitch. Commander Zongwang was leading his troops towards where Qin Shaoqian was located, and Sabaha's cavalry was outflanking Qin Shaoqian's rear. Wanyan Yuchi was no mediocre, he arranged the military law team at the first time, and then ordered the rest of the troops to charge towards the battlefield, with the cavalry following on the side, ready to go.

Facing these three thousand people head-on was a battalion of the nearby Xia Army. They quickly organized defenses on the hilltop, and three cannons blocked the way. Wanyan Yuchi ordered the troops to charge up and level this hilltop. Before the two sides had fully entered the battle, chaos began to appear in the distant view.

At the hour of Shen (3-5 pm) on April 24th, the fifteenth year of Tianhui, Zongwang ordered a breakout at the Tuanshan battlefield. Before this, he had invested the entire army in the confrontation with Qin Shaoqian. At the most intense moment of the battle, even he and his personal guards had joined the ranks of engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the Xia Army soldiers. His troops kept advancing, but with every step forward, this behemoth was bleeding more blood. The battle at the core of the battlefield was like this Jurchen god of war burning his soul. At least at that moment, everyone thought he would carry out this desperate battle to the end. He would bleed the last drop of blood, or kill Qin Shaoqian, or be killed by Qin Shaoqian.

But Zongwang finally chose to break out.

Wanyan Yuchi witnessed the moment when this huge chaos began. This was perhaps also the moment when the entire Jin Dynasty began to collapse. On the battlefield, flames were still burning. Wanyan Sabaha gave the order to charge. The cavalry under his command began to stop, turn around, and ram into the Xia Army's position. This fierce impact was to create an opportunity for Zongwang to withdraw. Soon after, several troops that looked like they still had combat effectiveness began to disintegrate in the battle.

Wanyan Yuchi waved his arms. At this moment, he led thousands of cavalry to break through the blockade, trying to open a path for Wanyan Zongwang.

Soon after, various shouts rang out on the battlefield. The Xia Army shouted: "The Jin dogs have been defeated!"

"Zhanhan wants to escape!"

"Kill Zhanhan!"

In the sound of the charge, there were scarlet signal flares rising in the battlefield, which were signals symbolizing victory and pursuit, constantly pointing towards Wanyan Zongwang's direction in the sky.

…

The red signal flares rose like extending, burning bloodstains.

At Qingyang Post, several miles away from Tuanshan, the soldiers who had fought with Wanyan Yuchi before began to gather after seeing the red signal flares in the distance. In their view, the signal flares were spreading one after another in the sky.

Two miles away, on the bank of a small river, three Xia Army soldiers wearing wet clothes were walking by the river. After seeing the red order in the sky in the distance, they were slightly stunned and talked to each other. They jumped excitedly on the river bank a few times, and then two soldiers jumped into the river first. A soldier in the back found a piece of wood with some difficulty, holding it and swimming hard towards the opposite side...

Under the sky, one team after another was gathering towards this side.

Several miles away from the Tuanshan battlefield, Wanyan Sheyema, braving wind and rain, was leading thousands of troops, rushing towards this side at full speed. He saw the blood red color in the sky and began to lead his personal guards, rushing frantically.

…

With the cavalry leading the way, the Jurchen troops' breakout was like a storm, rushing out of the Tuanshan battlefield. The Xia Army's attack surged up, and the collapse of one Jin army after another was taking shape, but after all, because the Xia Army had fewer troops, it was difficult to intercept the core of the defeated soldiers for a while.

Qin Shaoqian rode his warhorse up the hillside, watching small groups of Xia Army forces pouring in from all directions, rushing towards the breaking Wanyan Zongwang, his expression was a little complicated.

"If there is a chance, I really want to ask Zongwang what he is thinking."

Judging from the troop deployment and attack intensity in the early stage, Wanyan Zongwang's determination to kill himself at all costs was beyond doubt. One step further, the entire battlefield would burn to the end in the most intense confrontation. However, just when Zongwang invested himself in the attacking team, he suddenly chose to break out as if he had realized something.

Gamblers at the gambling table usually do not choose to stop at this time, because it is too late. As a general on the battlefield, he had already invested everything, and this sudden abandonment seemed a bit early - and embarrassing. In all fairness, at that moment, even Qin Shaoqian had believed that Zongwang's purpose was to fight to the death, so he was also a little surprised by his sudden breakout.

But it was just an accident.

Thousands of Xia Army soldiers were gathering towards this side under the order of the signal flares, launching wave after wave of interceptions against the fleeing Jin army. On the battlefield, some Jurchen generals couldn't bear to see this scene of defeat, and still led their troops to launch a desperate charge towards where Qin Shaoqian was. Some soldiers seized warhorses and began to gather under the order, passing through the hills and plains, detouring towards Hanzhong.

"Intercept Zhanhan! Catch him! Kill him!"

Qin Shaoqian issued orders while moving forward. Under the afternoon sun, there was a calm wind in the wilderness, and the sound of explosions rang out, and there was a whistling sound in his ears. In the past few decades, the strongest of the Jurchens was leading his troops to escape. This era was talking to him, he remembered that evening many years ago, when he led the team to go out, ready to die on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide. He and Liheng sat under that sunset, that was the sunset of the Wu Dynasty, his father was the Right Chancellor and his elder brother was the Prefect, everything in Bianliang was prosperous and magnificent.

He was willing to pay for all of this with his life.

"The Wu Dynasty is in debt..." He remembered Ning Yi's words at that time.

He asked: "How many lives can fill it?"

That romantic and wealthy rain hit the wind, the magnificent palace collapsed into ruins, his elder brother died, his father died, he killed the emperor, he lost his eyes, they walked through the difficulties of Xiaocang River, the fighting in the Northwest, countless people cried sadly, his brother's wife fell into the Jin Kingdom and suffered more than ten years of torture, the little child was even chopped off his fingers like an animal in those ten years.

How many lives can fill it?

"The Jin dogs have been defeated—"

"—Kill Zhanhan!!!"

He led the army to pounce on him.

…

The signal flares rose like blood, and the news of Zhanhan's defeat and escape surprised and horrified many people. For most Xia Army soldiers, it was not necessarily a predetermined result.

The fighting in these few days was equally intense. The team battle was not necessarily a decisive battle as expected. If Zongwang chose to break out and transfer, the Xia Army was also prepared to fight all the way to Hanzhong, and then use Hanzhong City as the next round of the battlefield.

People expected victory, but at the same time, if victory did not come so easily, the Xia 7th Army was also prepared to bite Zongwang and fight to the death – If I am not dead, don't even think about going back!

In the current operation, such a tragic psychological expectation to the extreme is necessary. Although the Xia 7th Army has undergone several years of training with hatred, the Jurchens have rarely been defeated before all. If they only fight with an optimistic attitude, and cannot make a desperate fight, then the 7th Army may lose on such a battlefield.

Because of this, as the signal flares rose, the scouts who sent the message rushed all the way to Hanzhong, conveying the order that Zhanhan had escaped and that all teams along the way should intercept and kill with all their strength. Many people felt a huge surprise like a dream.

Liu Muxia was even a little dazed because of this. At this moment, many things flashed in his mind, and then under the leadership of the squad leader, they rushed to the predetermined defense route.

The scouts were still fighting constantly in the mountains and wilderness. Zhanhan led the defeated troops forward all the way, and some of the already defeated soldiers also gathered because of this. This unit was like a storm sweeping across the wilderness, sometimes stopping for a moment, sometimes detouring. After the Xia Army units gathered nearby, they rushed over, and the horse teams were constantly entangled in the running.

The appearance of the sun showed that the moment in front of him was still afternoon. In the wilderness of Hanzhong, Zongwang knew that the sunset was coming soon.

He directed the army to flee all the way, away from the direction where the sun was setting. Sometimes he would be slightly absent-minded. The fierce fighting was still in front of him. This old Jurchen general seemed to have turned gray-haired in the blink of an eye. He was no longer holding a knife in his hand.

Before, near that hill, in front of Qin Shaoqian's formation, it was the first time in more than ten years that he had taken up a knife and went into battle. A long-lost breath rose in his heart, and memories of many years ago became clear in his heart. He knew how to fight hard, how to kill, and how to give up this life... Many years ago, when facing the Liao people, he risked his life countless times and crushed the enemy under his sharp teeth.

On this day, he went into battle again, to risk this life, just like forty years ago, to fight his way out in this world, in a place where there seemed to be no way to go. He fought hand-to-hand with two Xia Army soldiers one after another. Forty years had passed, and in the fighting at that moment, he finally understood what kind of troops the Xia Army in front of him was. This understanding finally became real at the moment when the blades intersected. He was the most敏锐 hunter of the Jurchens. At this moment, he saw clearly the outline of the behemoth opposite the wind and snow.

He gave up the charge and turned away.

At least at this moment, he already understood the consequences of the charge.

Not now…

"...The Xia Army's gunpowder is constantly getting stronger, and future battles will be different from the past millennia... Ning Yi's words make sense, and must be passed on to the entire Da Zao Yuan (Great Manufacturing Institute)... Not only the Da Zao Yuan... If we want our soldiers to be able to lose formation on the battlefield without being chaotic, we must prepare before the war... But especially important is to vigorously promote papermaking so that soldiers can read... No, it's not that simple yet..."

The warhorse moved forward all the way, and Zongwang was talking to Han Qixian and others next to him. Some of them sounded like ominous last words. Someone tried to interrupt Zongwang's speech, and he scolded him loudly: "Listen carefully to these! Remember these! The Xia Army will fight to the death. If you and I cannot go back, someone in my Jin Dynasty must understand these principles! This world is different, and the future will be completely different from the past! Ning Yi's set cannot be learned, and my Jin Dynasty's fate will be difficult to preserve... It's a pity that I and Gu Shen are old..."

As he said this, someone came to report the approach of the Xia Army, and then someone else brought news that Sheyema was leading his personal guards to come to rescue from the northeast. Zongwang shouted: "Order him to immediately turn to support Hanzhong. This King does not need rescue!"

Soon after, one Xia Army after another killed from the side, and Sheyema also rushed over quickly, cutting diagonally into the chaotic escape route.

"Who dares to hurt my father -!"

He led the team to fight bravely.

Zongwang sent a message: "Tell him to get out—"

The sunset was spreading in the sky. Thousands of Jurchens were running away in the battle. The Xia Army chased all the way, and sporadic pursuers rushed over, striving for the last strength, trying to bite this dying beast.

Liu Muxia followed the main force, fighting forward. The squad leader was covered in blood, shouting loudly in front: "Kill Zhanhan! Quarter him—" They tore towards the distant flag all the way, and the surrounding was full of chaotic battle conditions. Small groups of cavalry rushed over, and the soldiers were looking for grenades on their bodies. Most of the grenades had been used up. Some people found two fire thunders from the corpses of the Jurchen soldiers. When the warhorses came, they threw them out. Cavalry rolled off their horses, and there was a chaotic fight around.

"Kill them back and catch Zhanhan—" the squad leader shouted in the fight. He had a bloody feud with the Jurchens, and seeing that the Jurchen's flag was getting closer and further away, he was also hysterical and his blood was on his mind. This is not surprising. Since the Jurchens went south, how many people had their families broken and their homes destroyed. How many opportunities could they have in their lifetime to be so close to Zhanhan with knives and guns?

"I will kill you! Dog-like Han Chinese—"

Smoke and dust rolled around, and among the enemies on the opposite side were also Jurchen generals, and the surrounding personal soldiers were also good at martial arts. Liu Muxia held a knife in one hand and a shield in the other, and killed one person in the shouts from the opposite side, and then cooperated with the comrades next to him to press forward. He was a veteran in the 7th Army. He did not serve as an officer only because he did not like to command people very much, but his skills in fighting and cooperating on the battlefield were among the best in the entire battalion and regiment. While fighting, he was still conserving his strength and protecting his comrades.

The two comrades he was leading charged forward with him in the shouts. The small barrier formed by the three shields knocked away a Jurchen soldier. The squad leader's shout came from the side, "Kill Zhanhan, charge..." But that voice was already a little wrong. Liu Muxia turned his head and saw that the squad leader was being pierced through his stomach by the Jurchen general in armor, and the long knife was pulled out after twisting it.

"Han dogs, go to die—Notify my father to leave quickly! Don't care about me! He bears the hope of the Jurchens, I can die, he must live—"

Blood splashed on Wanyan Sheyema's armor. While waving the steel knife, he ordered the personal guards next to him. Seeing the Xia Army soldiers rushing up from the side, he met them with all his strength!

On the battlefield over there, Zongwang looked at Sheyema entering the battlefield, also giving orders, and then leading the soldiers to pounce over here, to meet with Sheyema's troops.

"Go tell him! Let him transfer! This is an order, if he doesn't leave, he is not my son—"

Liu Muxia and the Xia Army soldiers next to him rushed towards Wanyan Sheyema, and several Jurchen guards also rushed up. Liu Muxia killed a Jurchen guard and rammed the shield towards Sheyema. Sheyema took two steps back and slashed with the knife. Liu Muxia let go of the shield, his figure swooping down, and smashed a knife on Sheyema's leg bend. Sheyema staggered a step, splitting open a rushing Xia Army member, before turning back, Liu Muxia waved his big knife, and slashed with all his strength from the air, with a loud bang, sparks flew everywhere. That knife slashed on Sheyema's helmet, like being hit by a dull stick.

Sheyema's mind buzzed, and he returned a knife. The next moment, Liu Muxia swung a knife horizontally and heavily砍 at the back of his head. The Xia Army steel knife was quite heavy, and Sheyema's mouth was sweet, and he waved his long knife randomly to counterattack.

Personal guards rushed over, and Xia Army soldiers also pounced over. Liu Muxia fought two knives with Sheyema, and suddenly slammed into the other party, causing them to retreat two or three steps. Sheyema was tripped by the stone behind, and Liu Muxia chased after him, waving his long knife with all his strength. Sheyema's mind was already messed up. He relied on his armor, got up from the ground, and waved a knife forward. Liu Muxia waved his big knife and kept砍ing at his shoulders and neck. When he砍ed the fourth knife, Sheyema stood up half of his body, the armor was already opened, and blood spurted out from under the blade.

Liu Muxia砍ed again, Sheyema staggered to his feet and took a step, and knelt down again. He still wanted to wave the knife back, the banner of Zongwang in front was moving towards this side, Liu Muxia砍ed the gap in his body even more, and then砍ed again.

Under the sunset, Zongwang watched his son's body being砍ed open by the Xia Army soldier one knife after another in the melee...

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah—"

The roar of an old man like a fierce tiger rang out in the wilderness, his face was distorted, his eyes were ferocious and terrible, and the Xia Army soldiers were pouncing over with the same fierce posture—