Chapter 1288: The Battle of Yaozhou

Perhaps hearing the people's cries, Heaven could not bear to continue baking the earth. After more than half a month of scorching heat, a torrential rain arrived as if on schedule, washing Luoyang thoroughly, cleansing the heat, and bringing the people of the Western Capital a measure of rare coolness and relief.

Rain poured down in sheets, clattering against tiles and pattering on the ground. Doors and windows stood open; outside, the wind and rain grew fiercer, yet inside, the atmosphere grew ever more stagnant.

Emperor Liu sat expressionless in the military affairs chamber of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Having arrived in evident haste, his robes, cap, and boots were all soaked, and beads of rain clung visibly to his hair. Yan Tuo held out a silk handkerchief to wipe him dry, but the Emperor pushed it away.

Shi Shouxin, Cao Bin, and the other officers of the Bureau of Military Affairs stood by with grave expressions, not daring to make a sound. Touching his topknot, Emperor Liu rose and stood beneath the military map, staring blankly at the densely marked Liaodong region.

The posture made it clear—there was trouble on the front lines. Before long, a somewhat hurried commotion sounded outside the hall. Chancellor Zhao Pu, Song Qi, Li Ye, Finance Minister Shen Yilun, and Minister of War Pan Mei arrived one after another, straightened their court attire at the door, and then entered.

"All of you, sit! Everyone's here—speak!" He raised a hand to stop the men from bowing. Emperor Liu's expression had already regained its composure as he gestured for Shi Shouxin to report the situation.

Emperor Liu bade them sit, yet under such an atmosphere, with even he himself standing, the others held their breath and quietly remained standing around the perimeter. Shi Shouxin made a bow, drew a deep breath, and had just opened his mouth when a gust of wind swept in, slamming the propped-open window shut with a bang, startling everyone present.

Glancing at Emperor Liu and seeing no change in his expression, Shi Shouxin finally spoke in a low voice: "We have just received an urgent battle report. Our army suffered a minor setback beneath the walls of Yaozhou..."

"A minor setback? A defeat is a defeat—nothing shameful about saying it outright. Afraid of losing face?" Emperor Liu turned his head directly, fixing Shi Shouxin with a piercing stare. "You, Shi Shouxin, have learned to speak such diplomatic platitudes. Does a defeat at the front need you to save face and gloss over it?"

"Yes!" A trace of embarrassment flickered across Shi Shouxin's face, and his expression grew even more solemn. "Previously, after reinforcements were sent across the sea to Liaodong, An Shouzhong, Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong, led the main army to attack Chen and Yao. Chen Prefecture fell in five days. He then advanced on Yaozhou, where the Liao army defended with great rigor. Though our army, upholding the court's will, attacked resolutely to open the route toward Liaoyang, in the end, lacking sufficient strength, we could not take the city.

By the nineteenth day of the fifth month, An Shouzhong's army had been stalled before Yanyuan for over half a month. Repeated assaults failed, morale suffered, and with the heat of the weather, not a few officers and men fell ill from the unfamiliar climate. Su, Fu, and Ning Prefectures, ravaged by the Liao army's withdrawal north, had very unstable populations, which also drained considerable attention.

On the morning of the twentieth, the Liao army suddenly abandoned its defensive crouch. With tens of thousands of troops, it burst forth and struck without warning. Though our army had not let down its guard, after prolonged frustration before a strong city, the troops were weary and morale low. An Shouzhong, Shi Yande, and the other commanders organized their men to fight desperately, but outnumbered, they were defeated by the Liao army, and the camp fell.

They retreated step by step, fighting as they went. Fortunately, covered by the East Sea Fleet, they managed to withdraw into Chen Prefecture and hold the city, finally stemming the tide of defeat. Though the Liao army had thoughts of pressing the attack on the city, they were driven back by our defenders..."

Hearing Shi Shouxin's account, the Emperor could not help but laugh—though the smile was somewhat awkward. Looking at Shi Shouxin, he said: "You've summarized the defeat at Yaozhou quite neatly. Are you trying to make excuses for An Shouzhong and the others?"

Under Emperor Liu's gaze, Shi Shouxin seemed somewhat embarrassed and gave a wry smile. "What Your Majesty's servant has said is based on the actual situation at the front. Interrogation of Liao prisoners later revealed that the Liao army had been preparing this counterattack for a long time. Their Great King of the Southern Division, Yelu Xiezhen, led the troops personally, nearly emptying Liaoyang to do so. Failing to anticipate the enemy's move led to this defeat—the Bureau of Military Affairs bears responsibility as well..."

That was what he said, but Emperor Liu felt that Shi Shouxin was somewhat constrained by the face of Shen**Shen of Xiangyang.

"This is not the time to assign blame!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said in a low voice: "Continue with the situation on the eastern front. How heavy were the losses at the Battle of Yaozhou?"

At this, Shi Shouxin continued: "According to post-battle tallies, An Shouzhong ultimately gathered only a little over thirty thousand troops in Chen Prefecture. Excluding earlier losses in the sieges, the Battle of Yaozhou cost over seventeen thousand men, and grain and equipment were almost entirely lost. However, there should still be many scattered soldiers who can be gathered up. Within Chen Prefecture, considerable stores of supplies remain for defense, and with the aid of the fleet, it need not be a complete rout..."

Glancing cautiously at Emperor Liu, Shi Shouxin added: "At present, An Shouzhong's army has stabilized its position. The Liao army also suffered no small losses in that battle—they were wounded in the melee as well—and have now withdrawn to Yaozhou!"

After hearing his account, the atmosphere in the hall grew even heavier. Everyone wore grave expressions, including Song Qi, who had never been enthusiastic about the northern expedition—even his brows betrayed a hint of worry.

As Shi Shouxin had said, though they had suffered setbacks and considerable losses, they had stabilized their position and avoided irreparable damage. But the problem could not be viewed only on the surface. With this defeat, the eastern front was essentially crippled. The heavy loss of grain, equipment, and supplies was painful enough, but the severe blow to morale was the real crux. The western front at Jinzhou remained deadlocked; if this defeat affected the overall situation of the eastern offensive and defensive posture, that would be the real problem.

The assembled ministers rapidly calculated the consequences and implications of this defeat in their minds, but for a moment, all remained silent, their gazes involuntarily darting toward Emperor Liu.

Emperor Liu's expression, however, gradually softened. Seeing the heavy atmosphere, he gave a light laugh: "Why so serious? It's just one defeat, some troops and supplies lost. In war, how easy is it to win every battle? Learn the lesson from this defeat. Clearly, the Liao army is not as easy to deal with as we imagined. A setback like this might even temper some of the arrogance of our frontline officers and men!"

When Emperor Liu spoke these words, the others breathed a sigh of relief. They had truly feared he would fly into a rage over this battle—an enraged Emperor Liu was a terrifying thing...

"Yelu Xiezhen lives up to his reputation. He is indeed a dangerous enemy. We thought him constrained and hard-pressed, yet he could still stake everything and strike our army a sudden blow!" Emperor Liu could not help but sigh.

Pan Mei picked up the thread: "We committed forces on both the eastern and western fronts, advancing side by side, clamping Liaodong, seizing its throat, and choking it. The defeat at Yaozhou is like one prong of the pincers breaking—it will give the Liao army in Liaodong more breathing room!"

"Your Majesty, the Commissioner of the Wude Office requests an audience!"

"Admit him!"

Soon, Li Chongju arrived, water still trickling down his forehead—whether sweat or rain was unclear. His expression was grim as well. Bowing his head, he reported: "Your Majesty, according to our investigations, the Liao army dispatched a force from the Supreme Capital as early as last month, moving east to reinforce Liaodong, numbering no fewer than thirty thousand men..."

"Well, well! You only figure out the situation after receiving news of the defeat!" Emperor Liu said in a flat tone.

Without even raising his head, Li Chongju could feel the chilling weight of Emperor Liu's gaze. His heart trembled, and he immediately knelt to confess: "Your servant has failed in his duties. Please—"

"Enough!" Emperor Liu waved his hand. "How rare—you're all so eager to take responsibility!"

He looked toward Shi Shouxin and the others: "In your view, where should the Liaodong campaign head after the defeat at Yaozhou?"

The men were silent for a moment, all considering. After a wait, Emperor Liu called on Cao Bin by name: "Cao Bin, you speak!"

Cao Bin maintained his usual cautious and deliberate demeanor, but being called upon, he responded composedly: "Your Majesty, in your servant's view, though the defeat at Yaozhou cost us dearly, its impact on the overall situation is limited. Chen Prefecture remains in our hands, and the fleet still firmly controls the Liao Sea.

The only concern is that after this defeat, the eastern front will need time to regroup—to restore morale and recover its offensive capability, replenishing troops, grain, and equipment.

Additionally, Jinzhou will inevitably be affected. We should remind the field headquarters to prepare accordingly!"

"Does the Bureau of Military Affairs have any adjustment plans?" Emperor Liu looked at Shi Shouxin.

Shi Shouxin replied: "The foremost priority now is to continue dispatching reinforcements to Liaodong and replenishing supplies, so as to rapidly restore strength. After morale is lifted, we can advance again.

However, we must not be rash or impetuous again. The rainy season in Liaodong is approaching, and we should take precautions. Moreover, the fleet should play a greater role—we should seek an opportunity to enter the Liao River. If we can break through the Liao army's blockade and land a certain force in their hinterland, that should also break the deadlock..."

"Why wasn't this done before?" Emperor Liu asked, but quickly made his decision and ordered: "The Bureau of Military Affairs should adjust promptly. Troops, money, grain, laborers, armor, and equipment—whatever needs replenishing, replenish it!"

These words were aimed at everyone present. His gaze was piercing, and even Song Qi had no room to object, only wearing a bitter expression. Who knew how many troops and how much civilian labor would be mobilized this time? Such a mobilization would only add to the burdens of the court and the people.

Finally, Zhao Pu reported: "Your Majesty, with this loss on the eastern front, how should the commanders be arranged? Should we send replacements?"

Indeed—a defeat had occurred, and someone had to bear responsibility; otherwise, the hearts of the people and the army could not be satisfied. Emperor Liu considered for a moment, then said directly: "Have Gao Huaide cross the sea to Chen Prefecture to take charge of the eastern front! An Shouzhong and Shi Yande will remain at their posts to atone for their crimes and serve at the front. Bring An Shouzhong a message: know shame, then be brave! I am watching from the Western Capital, and the officers and men who died beneath the walls of Yaozhou are watching from heaven!"

The assembled civil and military officials had no objections to this, though all understood that if An Shouzhong and Shi Yande achieved nothing from here on, their futures would be grim indeed.

By giving them the chance to redeem themselves through merit, Emperor Liu had also cut off their retreat. Should they fail again, old and new accounts would be settled together.