Wen Boyuan led 200,000 private soldiers and left Kaifeng City in a mighty manner.

In order to speed up the march of the army, he decisively ordered the logistics army to come with heavy grain and grass, while he personally led 50,000 cavalry and 100,000 infantry to rush to Lanzhou under the stars.

In the night, Wen Boyuan was wearing armor, sitting on a war horse, looking at the front with a solemn expression.

His heart was filled with anxiety and worry, and he knew that the situation in Lanzhou was already precarious, and every moment of delay could put the defenders in the city in a desperate situation.

Therefore, he must rush to Lanzhou as soon as possible and lead a large army to fight to the death against the enemy.

At Wen Boyuan's urging, the army accelerated its march.

The cavalry galloped on horseback, while the infantry followed closely and marched rapidly.

At the same time, on the city of Lanzhou, Zhang Junhe and Xu You, who joined the army, looked anxiously outside the city.

They saw that the enemy's men and horses were pouring like a tide, and the black pressure was overwhelming, almost submerging the entire city of Shanzhou.

Especially the 1,000 artillery pieces in the hands of Jin Bing made them feel even more frightened.

These cannons are like the scythes of death, and each roar takes the lives of countless defenders.

Both Zhang Jun and Xu You knew that this was the toughest battle they faced. The defenders of the city were less than 20,000 and were exhausted and suffered heavy casualties.

If no reinforcements arrive, the city will fall.

However, they had no intention of giving up, because they knew that once Lanzhou was lost, the situation in the entire Great Song Dynasty would become even more critical. So they had to stay the course and wait for reinforcements to arrive.

In the anxious waiting, time seems to have become extraordinarily long.

Zhang Jun and Xu You constantly patrolled the city wall and observed the movements of the enemy army.

They saw that the enemy forces had begun to assemble and prepare for a final attack.

At this moment, their hearts almost stopped, as if they could hear their own rapid breathing.

"Join the army, do you think this city can still be defended?" Zhang Jun looked at Xu You beside him, and his tone revealed a trace of helplessness and despair.

Xu You was silent for a moment, and then said firmly: "General, as long as we still have a breath of air, we must not let the enemy army step into Lanzhou City!" ”

Zhang Jun smiled bitterly, shook his head and said: "But the reinforcements have not arrived for a long time, and the defenders in the city are less than 20,000, and if it continues like this, I am afraid that it will ......."

Zhang Jun looked at Xu You beside him, with a trace of confusion and helplessness in his eyes.

He knew very well that this soldier who had always been by his side was a resourceful and wise man, and he was also a battle-hardened warrior.

However, at this moment, even he was not optimistic about the battle situation, which made Zhang Jun's heart can't help but feel a chill.

"Xu You, look at this situation, what should we do?" Zhang Jun sighed, revealing deep helplessness in his tone.

Xu You didn't answer immediately, his eyes were fixed on the soldiers who were struggling to resist the enemy army on the city wall.

Their figures looked so determined and resolute in the firelight, however, exhaustion and casualties had greatly reduced their combat effectiveness.

If this continues, I am afraid that the remaining more than 10,000 people and horses will all be buried in this blood and fire.

Thinking of this, Xu You took a deep breath and slowly spit out two words: "Break through." ”

"Breakout?" Zhang Jun was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes widened, "You mean to give up the city and run away?" ”

"No, General." Xu You shook his head, "I'm not saying giving up, but retreating temporarily." If we continue to hold on here, there will only be more brothers who will die. And after the breakout, we can also join up with the reinforcements and find an opportunity to turn around. ”

Zhang Jun's brow furrowed, he was obviously not satisfied with this proposal.

As a general, he knew the importance of holding on to the city, and he also knew the shame of abandoning the city and fleeing.

However, he also knew that Xu You's proposal was based on a sober judgment of the current war situation.

"Xu You, do you know what I value most in my life?" Zhang Jun asked suddenly.

Xu You was slightly stunned, and then understood what Zhang Jun meant.

He nodded and said softly: "The general has been loyal and righteous all his life, and naturally values integrity and reputation. ”

"That's right!" Zhang Jun shouted, "I, Zhang Jun, would rather die on the battlefield than abandon the city and flee!" This is my bottom line as a general of the Great Song Dynasty! ”

Xu You was silent for a moment, he knew Zhang Jun's temper and character, and he also understood his decision. However, as a wise man, he could not watch so many soldiers die in vain.

"General, I understand your decision." Xu You took a deep breath, "However, you also have to worry about the lives of these more than 10,000 soldiers. ”

Xu You looked at Zhang Jun's firm eyes, knowing that it was useless to persuade again. He knew the general's temper very well, and once the matter was decided, the nine cows would not be able to pull it back. In desperation, he had no choice but to sigh, gave up the idea of persuasion, and decided to defend the city with Zhang Jun and fight until the last moment.

By this time, the enemy forces outside the city had launched a new round of onslaught.

The sound of the iron hooves of the Jin soldiers, the shouts of Liu Yu's troops, and the roar of the artillery were intertwined, shaking the entire city of Shanzhou.

On the city walls, the defenders put up a hard fight, but suffered heavy casualties and the situation was precarious.

Zhang Jun clenched his long sword and stood by the city wall, looking firmly ahead.

He had been wounded in many places, and his robe was stained red with blood, but he still stood like a banner that inspired the defenders to fight bravely.

The fighting between the two sides continued from the hour to the end, and as time went on, the casualties of the defenders became heavier and heavier.

However, the enemy's offensive showed no signs of abating, but became more and more violent.

Especially the artillery in the hands of the Jin soldiers made the defenders helpless.

Suddenly, with a roar, the eastern wall finally collapsed under the continuous bombardment of artillery.

In the smoke and dust, the figure of Wanyan Sosuke appeared in the gap in the city wall.

He sneered, waved his long knife in his hand, and ordered the army to attack the city quickly, and be sure to take Lanzhou at sunset.

Seeing this, Zhang Jun, who was guarding the city, sank in his heart. He knew that the loss of the city was inevitable.

But even so, he will not let the enemy succeed easily.

So, he ordered the remaining 10,000 horses to descend the city wall and engage in fierce street battles with the enemy.

In the street fighting, the defenders took full advantage of the terrain and engaged in a desperate struggle with the enemy. Every street and every house has become their battlefield, unflinching, defending every inch of land in Lanzhou with their lives and blood.

Zhang Jun took the lead and rushed to the front.

His bravery and determination deeply infected everyone and boosted the morale of the defenders. Under their leadership, the defenders repelled enemy attacks again and again.

However, the enemy attack was too fierce and outnumbered the defenders.

Gradually, the defenders began to feel powerless, and the casualties became heavier and heavier, and Zhang Jun was also seriously wounded.

At this time, the city of Lanzhou had become a ruin.

The streets were littered with rubble and bloody corpses. The air was filled with a strong smell of blood, which made people feel suffocated.