Within less than ten days, news of the Song army's massive siege of the capital spread throughout the entire Jin Empire.

Jin Wuzhu exclaimed, "How is this possible? I have always blocked the Song army outside of Kaifeng Prefecture. Did they fly to the capital?"

A messenger trembled as he said, "I don't know, all I know is that there are many Song soldiers everywhere. They wear different armor, and their numbers are countless..."

What else can we do? We must quickly send reinforcements!

We can't just sit idly by while our own stronghold is being captured.

When the Jin army suddenly withdrew overnight, leaving behind an empty city, Cao Gou was still somewhat confused.

All he knew was that Minister Yue's plan in the north was successful in tricking the Jin forces to return.

However, Yue Fei had indeed launched an army of hundreds of thousands to besiege the enemy's capital.

In less than two months, three thousand men turned into several hundred thousand, descending upon the enemy's rear and heartland.

But in reality, these soldiers and horses did not appear out of thin air.

These troops, who were not well-equipped and could even be described as a motley bunch, were actually various armed groups that General Zong Ze had once gathered: local militias, bandits, deserters, and other armed factions.

When Yue Fei served under General Zong's command, he had fought alongside them. However, after General Zong's death, Du Chong took power and drove them all away.

When Yue Fei gathered these former comrades, a bold plan formed in his mind.

These "motley troops" hid in the deep mountains, infiltrated the plains, and disguised themselves as ordinary people. Almost simultaneously, they gathered beneath the walls of the capital.

In an instant, Yue Fei, with his heaven-sent army of hundreds of thousands, surrounded the capital!

Your Majesty, our General Yue Pengju is not employing diversionary tactics or besieging Wei to rescue Zhao...

We are being serious!