Chapter 1342: The End of the Northern Expedition 2

"The Han army hasn't continued the pursuit, has it!" Looking back to the southeast, Yelu Xian coughed a few times and asked.

Han Derang nodded and replied, "Both sides are weary from prolonged fighting, and the Han army is even more exhausted from their long march. Even if they wanted to pursue, they lack the strength. After breaking away from White Water Lake, their pursuit has already slowed. The rear-guard scouts report that within thirty li, there are no Han cavalry!"

Yelu Xian subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, then fell into thought, his expression shifting between dark and uncertain. With reluctance in his voice, he said, "If I hadn't chosen to retreat, but instead turned to face them and fought to the death, would the outcome have been different?"

Seeing that Yelu Xian was still immersed in the defeat, Han Derang felt somewhat helpless. Indeed, how could one adjust so easily? Wounds need medicine to heal, and pain needs time to ease. They hadn't even fully escaped the Han army's pursuit yet, and it wasn't easy to gather one's spirits. Yelu Xian's will was not that firm, nor was he strong enough.

At this, Han Derang could only remind him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, since things have come to this, it is not fitting to dwell on failure. Gathering ourselves and returning to Shangjing should be the top priority!"

Looking around, the Liao soldiers nearby were all exhausted, their spirits drained. Yelu Xian said, "We've been fleeing all this way—let's rest. We'll camp here and let the soldiers recover!"

"Your Majesty, we have not yet fully escaped danger. I observe that the soldiers are all becoming lax—this is not good. In such circumstances, we can afford even less negligence!" Han Derang urged.

"You mean we should keep moving?" Yelu Xian's voice grew louder as he gestured at the guards around him: "Look at these soldiers—fleeing continuously day and night, even the horses can't hold out, let alone men! I, too, have had enough of fleeing!"

Seeing Yelu Xian's furious expression, Han Derang hesitated for a moment, then still reported solemnly: "At the very least, let us first cross this river and camp on the opposite bank!"

Han Derang's pitiful expression of enduring humiliation while offering loyal counsel did move Yelu Xian somewhat. The nameless fire in his heart subsided a little, and he nodded: "Then let's cross the river first!"

The Naersong River was not too wide, nor was the current swift, but under the slightly dim sky, the water's surface was heavy and still, its depth impossible to discern. Yelu Xian immediately called out: "Nüli!"

"Your servant is here!" Soon, Nüli, the close minister who had rendered great service during Yelu Xian's succession, ran forward to receive orders: "Your Majesty commands!"

"Test the water's depth, then inform Yelu Sagei—the entire army crosses the river to rest!"

"Yes!"

The water's depth was quickly measured—even the deepest part only reached a horse's head. Building a pontoon bridge was neither worth the effort nor necessary.

Amidst a burst of horse neighing, Yelu Xian mounted his saddle and, ignoring all dissuasion, fiercely whipped his horse's haunches, charging into the river and swimming across directly. The guards followed closely behind, hurriedly trailing to protect the Emperor from any mishap. With Yelu Xian setting the example, the other defeated Liao soldiers, led by their officers, also entered the river one after another. For a moment, the sound of splashing filled the Naersong River.

There were inevitably some unlucky ones who drowned, but most of the Liao army successfully crossed. After crossing, the most important task was setting up camp and building fires for warmth. Everyone was enthusiastic about this—though accustomed to the grassland climate, they still feared the cold. In this weather, anyone who had rolled through the icy water would find it torment.

Fortunately, the surroundings were dotted with pine forests and shrubs, so firewood was not lacking. They busied themselves until evening before the crude Liao camp gradually quieted down. But it did not stay quiet for long—sobbing and whimpering sounds began to spread. With safety temporarily assured, the emotions of defeat began to seep through. The Liao army was human too, and they had been beaten to tears.

Sensing the despair and unease in the army, Yelu Xian had no choice but to force his exhausted body to rise, forcibly pulling himself out of pessimism to patrol the camp and comfort the soldiers. This approach had some effect.

Only as night fell did Yelu Xian drag his utterly weary body back to the center of the camp, resting by the campfire for warmth. Guards periodically added pine branches, and the fire crackled from time to time. The bright flames illuminated Yelu Xian's face—a face still heavy and grim, even appearing withdrawn.

Yelu Xian looked very weak, an extra sheepskin draped over him, completely lacking the bearing of an emperor. His constitution had never been good to begin with. After the high-intensity march south, the fighting, the retreat, and then wading through the Naersong River, the cold had seeped into his body—how could he feel well?

In fact, if comparing by age, Emperor Liu indeed could not match Yelu Xian—there was nearly twenty years between them. But in terms of physical condition, though Emperor Liu had his deficiencies, Yelu Xian was hardly better off. After this blow, whether he could even outlive Emperor Liu was a question. Therefore, some of Han Derang's words could only be taken as consolation—listen to them, but don't take them to heart...

"Your Majesty, please eat something!" Nüli held out a piece of roasted meat to Yelu Xian, his face still wearing a respectful smile as he attended to him carefully.

As a favored minister, pleasing the Emperor was his foremost duty. Throughout this journey, he had clung tightly to Yelu Xian's side, never leaving, putting on a complete display of loyalty. But it wasn't out of faithful protection—it was because the Emperor's guard was the strongest, and staying close was safer.

Looking at the roasted meat—it should be horse meat—its steam dissipating rapidly in the cold wind, Yelu Xian was indeed famished, but he had no appetite. He said coldly: "I have no appetite!"

"But you must eat something. You haven't eaten in a long time, Your Majesty. The road north is still long. I beg Your Majesty to rouse yourself and take care of your health!" Nüli knelt directly, his voice choked with emotion, tears seemingly about to fall at any moment.

Seeing his posture of offering the meat with both hands while prostrating, Yelu Xian's expression softened somewhat. He sighed: "Rise!"

With that, he took the horse meat and bit into it, eating with some enthusiasm. Going against one's stomach only brings suffering upon oneself.

Before long, Pishi Xiangwen Yelu Sagei arrived together with Han Derang. In the previous battle, the Liao army had lost many nobles and generals. At this point, the highest-ranking general beside Yelu Xian was Yelu Sagei. Although he was a general promoted by the late emperor Yelu Jing, in guarding Yelu Xian, this man held nothing back and devoted himself wholeheartedly. In doing so, he had truly earned Yelu Xian's recognition—at least, Yelu Xian no longer urgently thought of replacing him.

"Your Majesty, the camp and patrols have all been arranged. Military morale is gradually stabilizing, and the soldiers are all resting!" Yelu Sagei reported.

"You've worked hard!" Yelu Xian nodded, then looked at Han Derang, who was equally weary, and said: "Minister Han, my words earlier were harsh and my attitude excessive. I've wronged you—please forgive me!"

"Your Majesty speaks too gravely!" Han Derang seemed to see the magnanimous and generous Yelu Xian of old. He immediately replied: "Compared to the shame of defeat and the pain in Your Majesty's heart, what is this small grievance of mine! I only hope Your Majesty can rouse yourself anew—I will still follow unto death!"

Yelu Sagei, standing nearby, also hurriedly expressed that he felt the same. Looking at this pair—one civil, one military—Yelu Xian found some comfort in his heart.

Looking at Han Derang, Yelu Xian said in a heavy tone: "Your Han clan—a family of utmost loyalty, serving the Great Liao for decades with utmost devotion, sparing no effort unto death. I am deeply grateful! When the day comes, I will surely repay you richly!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! The Great Liao's grace toward us is beyond measure—we can only repay it with utmost sincerity!" Han Derang was visibly moved, a trace of sorrow on his face.

They had already learned of the defeat at Wild Fox Ridge and the death of Han Kuangmei—Han Kuangmei was Han Derang's own uncle.

"How many people still follow me?" Yelu Xian asked Yelu Sagei again.

Yelu Sagei seemed reluctant to speak, his expression extraordinarily heavy. Under Yelu Xian's gaze, he still uttered a result that made his heart ache as if twisted: "The guards, personal troops, and soldiers combined—fewer than ten thousand!"

Hearing this, Yelu Xian bit through his lip, his voice mournful: "The finest of the nation—an army of over a hundred thousand marching south—and not even one in ten remains..."

Seeing Yelu Xian about to break down, Han Derang counseled: "Your Majesty, though the soldiers guarding you number less than ten thousand, many took separate routes to retreat. The actual losses need not be this severe. Afterwards, we should still be able to gather more troops.

Those who escaped the mountains and charged through the passes—as long as they retreat with full effort, they should be able to shake off the Han army's pursuit. The Han army is primarily infantry, with few cavalry—not enough to cover all directions. They also lack the energy to pursue deeply and expand their gains!"

Han Derang's words were not entirely consolation—they had a factual basis, even if not as optimistic as he made them sound. After all, even after shaking off the Han army's pursuit, on the vast grassland, with winter already setting in, and the southern desert region plowed into a vast no-man's-land by the war between both sides, with most of their supplies lost—how many of the Liao army could ultimately hold out until they returned north was a very big question mark!