The battle was imminent, so why would anyone come?
Yue Fei did not understand this and asked, "Who are the visitors?"
"They only say they are righteous individuals from the martial world, who heard of the Northern Expedition and have come to assist," Yue Yun replied truthfully.
Hearing this, Li Shimin became interested. "Oh? There are actually people from the martial world seeking us out? This is rather strange. Take me to see them!"
Yue Yun quickly led the way, escorting him and Li Shimin towards the rear of the army formation.
Upon arrival, they indeed saw several people dressed in different attire gathered there, a mix of men and women, old and young, including a bald monk.
In the distance, a large contingent of men were looking over, seemingly their subordinates.
Seeing them approach, Zhang Xian addressed the group. "Esteemed guests, this is our Marshal Yue. Your request must be presented to the Marshal first."
"Are you the Marshal Yue?" someone stepped forward, asking Yue Fei.
"Indeed," Yue Fei nodded gently, then asked with confusion, "May I ask who you are?"
"Hahahaha, it truly is Marshal Yue!" the man exclaimed, bursting into laughter. He then took a few steps back and bowed to Yue Fei.
"From Peach Blossom Island, Huang Yaoshi, with his untalented disciples, pays respects to Marshal Yue!"
From within the crowd, five men and one woman emerged. The woman held a young girl, delicate as a jade carving, and the group stood behind Huang Yaoshi.
"We pay respects to Marshal Yue!"
Following them, others announced their origins one by one.
"Lingjiu Palace, Xu Zhu."
"Fuyuan Escort Agency, Lin Yuantu."
"Seven Heroes of Jiangnan."
"Eight Friends of Hanguguan."
"We pay respects to Marshal Yue!"
Just as everyone had stated their identities, a loud shout echoed from afar.
"Second Brother, to undertake such a righteous endeavor and not send word to me? Has time indeed dulled our affection?"
Everyone turned to look. A troop of men approached from the distance. The leader, though appearing nearly fifty, possessed an incredibly handsome face. Beside him walked a stunning woman.
Xu Zhu, amidst the crowd, was overjoyed and hurried to meet him. "Third Brother? You've come too?"
The man first smiled at Xu Zhu, then walked to Yue Fei's front. "Dali's Duan Yu, with his unfilial grandson Duan Zhixing, greets Marshal Yue!"
He was the King of Dali, and by status alone, held a position slightly higher than Yue Fei. Thus, he merely cupped his fists in greeting.
Yue Fei was somewhat bewildered. He hadn't heard of the others, but he knew of Dali's Duan Yu. He quickly returned the greeting.
"Greetings, King of Dali. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"
"That, you should ask my Second Brother. I am merely accompanying him today," Duan Yu said with a smile, looking at Xu Zhu.
Xu Zhu, seeing this, finally stepped forward to explain their purpose.
"Marshal Yue, you may not know, but though we are men of the martial world, we cannot tolerate the atrocities of the Jurchens."
"In the past, due to the court's policies, we could only act in the shadows."
"Now that the Yue Family Army is launching a full-scale invasion of Jin, and it has reached the point of decisive battle, we have come specifically to offer Marshal Yue our assistance!"
Yue Fei was overjoyed. These individuals from the martial world were all masters of their skills. While their direct utility in a pitched battle might be limited, in specific situations, they were far superior to ordinary soldiers.
He then bowed deeply to everyone. "Your righteousness is profound. I, Yue Fei, on behalf of the Song army and its people, thank you all for your aid!"
Li Shimin, who had been observing, stroked his beard and smiled. However, his smile froze the next moment, and he turned to look at Xie Anbi behind him.
"Send a dispatch to Lin'an, tell that Zhao Guangyi to send more men out to find the dog and give him a good beating on my behalf!"
"Damn it, he doesn't understand how to seize opportunities with so many righteous individuals from the populace, yet he only thinks of peace talks!"
"I spit on him!"
"What kind of nonsense is this~"
With the unexpected increase in his forces, Yue Fei returned to revise his battle plans.
These martial artists gathered together, inquiring of the soldiers about the progress of the recent battles.
Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qiye, Duan Zhixing, and Wang Chongyang somehow found themselves together. They were all young men full of vigor. After some discussion, Duan Zhixing proposed.
"It is a great joy to meet the three brothers today."
"I have a suggestion. Why don't we emulate what my grandfather, Grandfather Xu Zhu, and Grandfather Xiao Feng did, and become sworn brothers?"
The men exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha, excellent!"
"Since we are all children of the martial world and have come for the great cause of attacking Jin, becoming sworn brothers is only fitting!"
"Indeed, indeed!"
After their laughter subsided, the four stood in a line and knelt facing the open wilderness.
"Heaven above, Earth below."
"We, Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qi, Duan Xingzhi, and Wang Chongyang!"
"Today, on the eve of battle, we become brothers by oath, not seeking to be born on the same day, month, or year, but only to die on the same day, month, or year!"
"May heaven and earth bear witness, and the sun and moon be our proof!"
Following their oath, the four looked at each other and laughed heartily again.
"Youngest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother~"
"Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother~"
"~~~~"
Half an hour later, the army began its offensive.
Fan Wujiu launched a Gatling gun attack on the southern gate of Beiping, with Yue Yun leading two hundred Qiang Beiwei soldiers in support.
Dong Xian led ten thousand Tabai troops closely behind.
The eastern gate was assigned to Yao Zheng, leading ten thousand Youyi troops, while the western gate was completely entrusted to the martial artists.
Simultaneously, one hundred and fifty Qiang Beiwei soldiers were dispatched to each of the east and west gates. Their task, similar to those at the east gate, was to surround but not attack.
This was a classic strategy of "surrounding three sides and leaving one open."
As Liang Hongyu's drumstick fell, the General's trumpet call echoed across the battlefield.
The Gatling gun mounted on the Caterpillar roared again, unleashing a continuous barrage of bullets towards the city gate.
Inside the city, Wanyan Dan, upon hearing the drumbeat, knew the battle had begun. He asked a nearby guard.
"Has the King of Liao made preparations to meet the attack?"
The guard nodded. "Replying to Your Majesty the Emperor, all arrangements are in place. His Royal Highness the King of Liao says that no matter how extraordinary the Song army's abilities, they will not be able to breach the city."
Wanyan Dan nodded with satisfaction. "Good."
Meanwhile, Wanyan Zonggan was seated in the city tower, looking down upon the Song army outside the city.
The suddenly fired bullets chipped away at the city bricks, turning many nearby Jin soldiers into mist before they could even react.
The chains on the drawbridge were struck, sending sparks flying, and in moments, they were severed in two. The heavy drawbridge crashed down, spanning the moat.
Upon seeing this, Wanyan Zonggan immediately ordered, "Proceed according to the plan! Push those Han people to the city walls!"
"Yes!"
The personal guards went down to relay the order.
Before long, a large group of Han civilians were pushed onto the city walls. Their hands were tied behind their backs, leaving them utterly defenseless.
Then, the Jin soldiers on the city walls shouted in unison.
"Soldiers of the Song army below, listen! These are all Han civilians from the north. If you have the guts, kill them too!"