Yangtze River. Wuzhu sent forces to chase after the Song court, but was ambushed by Song forces led by Han Shizhong and Liang Hongyu at Huangtiandang, northeast of today's Nanjing city. The Jin army was trapped there for 48 days, but finally was able to retreat on the suggestion of a Song resident.[1]
Background
In July 1129, the Jin troops started to invade Song territory in four directions: Wanyan Chang from the east, Wuzhu from the middle, Wanyan Loushi from the west, and other troops led by Wanyan Balisu. Emperor Gaozong ordered the chancellor Du Chong to abandon the defense of Kaifeng, withdrawing his fellow soldiers to the south of the Yangtze River. Then Wanyan Chang successfully conquered Weizhou and Laizhou. On September 26, the Song emperor called the generals together to discuss solutions. Zhang Jun and Xin Qizong suggested pulling back the army to Changsha, but Han Shizhong objected. He stated that the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas were rich and populous, and crucial to the empire, so must not be surrendered. Lü Yihao agreed with him.[2]: 45–46
Emperor Gaozong appointed Du Chong to defend Jiankang (the capital of Song), Han Shizhong to defend Zhenjiang, and Liu Guangshi to defend
Shouchun and Huangzhou, then occupied Jiangzhou on November 9. On December 28, Wuzhu's forces stormed Zhenzhou; several days later they crossed the Yangtze River at the ferry of Majiadu. On January 8, Du Chong capitulated to Jin's troops and Jiankang was lost.[2]
: 46
Han Shizhong loaded all the material reserves in Zhenjiang onto his seagoing vessels, and burned the military installations in the city. His fleet moved to Jiangyin and then to the modern Shanghai area. Yue Fei engaged in combat with the Jin troops, finally lost Guangde. Hangzhou and Yuezhou fell successively on January 22 and February 4. The Song court was forced to flee on ships near Wenzhou and Taizhou, Zhejiang. The Jin sent ships to chase after Gaozong, but were defeated by the Song fleet led by Zhang Wenyu.[2]: 47