Chapter 1321: The Abandoned Yelu Xiezhen

Tongzhou, situated in the heart of the Songliao Plain, was a key thoroughfare linking the two circuits of Liao's Supreme Capital and the Eastern Capital. It had always been a strategic point, and against the backdrop of the Han-Liao war, under the direct influence of the Liaodong campaign, its status skyrocketed within just over a month.

Now, on Liao's side, this city had already replaced Liaoyang as the political and military center of Liao's rule over the northeastern region. Of course, this wartime elevation of political status felt utterly illusory, tinged with a hint of desolation, even a touch of irony.

This was the direct consequence of the defeat on the Liaodong front. At the same time, the territory it could directly control and maintain a certain influence over had become extremely limited—compared to the vast northeastern lands, it was now but a corner. And all that Yelu Xiezhen could rely on was this single corner to resist the relentless, aggressive Han army.

The Haidong region to the rear, which he depended on, nominally still belonged to Liao, but in reality, it had completely slipped out of control. The Jurchen and Shiwei troubles that had never been fully eradicated seized the opportunity to rise up, as expected, while the former Balhae lands boiled over with chaos—various tribes and peoples vying to revolt, resisting Liao court rule, driving out and slaughtering Khitan officials and generals, destroying Liao's dominion over the northeast through simple, brutal, fierce, and cruel means.

Because rebellions erupted in swarms and spread across the entire region, many prefectures and tribes could no longer be contacted. Among Liao's officials and generals, some may have remained loyal and held their ground awaiting relief, but more simply switched their banners, changed their appearances, and seized the opportunity to scramble for power and profit.

Many tribes, officials, and generals under Liao's rule had already set up their own independent domains, some even brandishing appointment documents from the Great Han and flying the Great Han's banners as they began seizing territory and annexing tribes...

Counting from Yelu Abaoji's eastern expedition against Balhae, Liao's rule over the northeast had lasted nearly fifty years. Half a century was no short time; the work of assimilating and governing the locals had been ongoing, and the results had always been fairly good.

Yet, in fact, it proved that the rule which had seemed fairly stable was so fragile that its collapse came too fast for anyone to react. The defeat on the main battlefield had too great an impact—even mere spies and agents had stirred up chaos that spiraled completely out of control. The rear that Yelu Xiezhen had wanted to rely on, to use as a backrest against the enemy, ultimately collapsed first, becoming a thorn in his back.

Much like Liaoyang, Tongzhou was also in chaos—the morale of the troops was in disarray, the hearts of the people were in disarray, and all sorts of people had converged on Tongyuan City. There were local tribal folk, refugees fleeing the war, nobles on the run, and scattered remnants of defeated soldiers.

The massive influx of people directly exceeded the carrying capacity of this originally unremarkable city. Even with Yelu Xiezhen's forceful reorganization, it was only treating the symptoms, not the root cause.

The most basic issue—with so many mouths to feed, how could they be filled and supported? After the prolonged great war with the Han army in Liaodong, all supplies had already been severely depleted, and the Battle of the Liao River had all but destroyed the vast stores of grain and baggage that had been extorted and scraped from the cities of Liaodong for the purpose of retreating north to hold their ground.

Therefore, for the remnants of the Liao army that had retreated to Tongzhou, the threat from the Han army to the south was certainly enormous, but the most pressing crisis lay in food, in military supplies.

Since retreating to Tongzhou, aside from reorganizing the troops and repairing the city defenses in anticipation of the Han army, Yelu Xiezhen had devoted most of his energy to procuring military supplies. The situation was already bad enough, but what gave him the greatest headache was still this matter—it was an imminent problem that had to be solved.

To this end, Yelu Xiezhen exhausted every means, even more so than before, leaving no room for retreat and disregarding consequences. All those who fled to Tongzhou, regardless of their status, had their wealth, clothing, and food confiscated entirely. At the same time, he dispatched troops to plunder in all directions, scouring the people's grain, livestock, and property—anything usable was concentrated in Tongyuan City.

Yelu Xiezhen sent several armies northward and eastward, both to suppress the rebel forces and pacify the insurgents in an attempt to restore stability in the rear, and on the other hand, to "requisition" grain and livestock, feeding the troops off the land.

At the same time, the refugees in Tongzhou were also screened—able-bodied laborers were conscripted into the army, while the old, weak, women, and children were all driven out, given a small ration of food, and sent toward the Supreme Capital, their fates no longer a concern. In this way, some of the logistical pressure was alleviated.

There were also nobles and officials who had fled to Tongzhou—they too fell on hard times. Many of them had not intended to stop in Tongzhou but wanted to flee onward to the Supreme Capital for refuge. However, Yelu Xiezhen would not allow it. Not only were the people detained, but the property, cattle, and horses they had brought were also confiscated to supply the military.

Under such circumstances, one can imagine how demoralized and full of complaints the people within Tongzhou City were. What was most troubling was the loss of military morale—even though Yelu Xiezhen was making efforts to boost it, distributing the gold, silver, and jade objects seized from plunder did nothing to restore the troops' spirits.

It was only when the armies sent out to suppress the rebellions achieved some victories and transported back some spoils, allowing the Liao army to have a full meal, that the soldiers' morale was somewhat appeased.

But the emotions of defeat and despair still spread through the Liao army, shrouding the city, impossible to dispel no matter what. After the Battle of the Liao River, Yelu Xiezhen's lofty prestige had also suffered a major blow. Many throughout the Liao army had lost confidence in him, no longer believing he could lead them to victory again.

And the loss of confidence was the most terrifying thing of all.

This year's autumn wind seemed especially cold and gloomy. Though the sky was high and the clouds thin, the entire Tongyuan City seemed shrouded in a pall of gloom. Inside and outside the city walls, it was very quiet—apart from the sound of wind and the lowing of livestock, human voices were barely heard.

On the city walls, Liao's banners still fluttered, yet they gave one a feeling of being on the verge of collapse. The soldiers' defense was still fairly tight, with Liao patrolmen passing by from time to time, but every person seemed bound by an invisible pressure.

Tongyuan City was both Liao's final and most important base for defending the northeast, and at the same time, it seemed to have become a cage, binding Yelu Xiezhen and all those he had "kidnapped" along with him.

Standing on the city wall and looking out, one could see two rivers encircling the area, with stretches of farmland exuding desolation and ruin. In past seasons, birds and beasts would forage among the fields, but this year, because of the war, the land lay fallow, and even the birds and beasts were unwilling to visit much.

Yelu Xiezhen stood solemnly atop the city wall, the bleak and chilly wind scraping against his face, cold penetrating to his heart. He was not yet forty, but he showed every sign of age—his hair hung gray and streaked with white. Even compared to just a few months ago, he was almost a different person.

Defeat, especially the kind that cuts to the bone and is etched into the memory, is often a catalyst of time... And so it was with Yelu Xiezhen.

Gazing at the desolate scene below the city, feeling the oppressive atmosphere within, Yelu Xiezhen's eyes grew somewhat hazy, and his feelings were beyond words. No one understood the current situation better than he did. The end of the road had not yet come, but in the end, he could see no hope, no way out. In a daze, he could even see the fate of himself, Tongyuan City, and all the remnants of the Liao army.

Perhaps there was still a path of survival—leading the remnants west in retreat to the Supreme Capital. But that was destined to be a difficult road. Whether because of personal face, pride, or something else, he had already chosen to reject that decision.

Regarding the loss of Liaodong, Emperor Yelu Xian of Liao had still not blamed him. In fact, after receiving the battle report, he had sent a consoling edict at the fastest speed, still putting Yelu Xiezhen in charge of the northeastern campaign, coordinating military and civil affairs, and defending against the Han army.

Behind this magnanimity and show of trust, Yelu Xiezhen could clearly detect the interwoven emotions of anger, disappointment, and dissatisfaction.

Yelu Xiezhen himself understood that he had no other path. If he chose to flee back to the Supreme Capital, he would likely face death by punishment. After all, having previously disregarded the court's edicts and abandoned Liaoyang on his own authority, ultimately leading to that great rout at the Liao River, he was already guilty of a capital offense.

And the reason Yelu Xian still entrusted all military and civil affairs of the northeast to Yelu Xiezhen was that Yelu Xian had already chosen to give up. He, Yelu Xiezhen, like the vast northeast itself, was an object to be abandoned, no longer holding any hope for him...