When the Liao soldiers discovered them, it was too late for another retreat.
Another tragic scene unfolded, leaving many confused until they died wondering what happened.
As Jiā Qì charged through his own troops, he swept everything in sight with his eyes and ears, noticing a Liao soldier riding on horseback alongside someone holding a flag.
Even amid the smoke and dust, this pair stood out.
Jiā Qì guessed that they were Liao commanders, so he left his formation and rushed towards one of them.
The Liao commander noticed Jiā Qì's actions and immediately thought this was a fearsome Song general.
He called for his subordinates to attack with their spears raised like a wall of steel.
Jiā Qì’s warhorse charged forward, too close to turn back.
In the critical moment, he jumped onto his horse and leaped over the soldiers in one bound as his horse galloped through the spear barrier.
He landed beside the Liao commander just as he opened his mouth to scream.
Using his spear, Jiā Qì pierced the man's throat.
At the same time, he drew a cavalry sword from his waist and cut off the head of the officer.
Holding the severed head aloft, he shouted, "We have captured one enemy general!" His personal guards, desperate to save their commander, charged into the Liao soldiers’ spear wall, fighting to the death.
The battle was chaotic as they collided with the spear tips, creating a bloody scene.
Jiā Qì quickly obtained the enemy general’s head, causing the Liao soldiers to panic and retreat in fear.
They shouted, "Devil came!Devil came!" even the flag-bearers threw down their flags and fled.
After the surrounding Liao soldiers retreated, his personal guards followed.
One guard dismounted, handing over the reins.
Jiā Qì mounted his horse again, laid his spear across it, and instructed his guard, "Leave a few men to secure this head and take back our war flag." The commander whispered, "My lord, please do not do such reckless things in the future.
If you go after enemy generals, I will be the first one to die!" Jiā Qì realized he had been too hasty.
He nodded slightly, agreeing with his guard’s request.
As per his instructions, several guards took the head and flag back while others returned to their starting position behind the army.
Jiā Qì rejoined the main force when a signal to stop charging sounded.
Looking in that direction, he saw that Hóu Dàyì had given the order.
He instructed his personal guards to sound the retreat and halt the advance.
Only now did Jiā Qì realize he had charged into the remnants of the first ice wall.
The thick ice wall was gone, leaving scattered ice blocks and abandoned Liao equipment behind.
The war horses that died from yesterday's battle remained as skeletons, their bones stripped clean by knives.
Amidst the smoke and fire, Jiā Qì ordered his troops to set up defenses with stakes, triangular spikes, and barbed wire to slow down the Liao cavalry.
Slowing them was enough;then it would be time for the crossbows to do their job.