Chapter 869: Resisting the Enemy

Without much tidying up, Yang Ye left his residence and went straight to the northern barbican. Close against the barracks and troop walls stood a multi-eaved building of six rooms—Yang Ye's usual place for handling official business. Under the night sky, Yanmen Pass retained its majesty beneath the veil of dusk, its sharp edges sheathed, the towering heights gaining an extra measure of peril.

"Army Commander!" The gate tower was brightly lit. As Yang Ye strode in, a martial officer of about forty, with a grave bearing, saluted him.

The man was named Kang Yanze, currently serving as Army Supervisor of the Dingxiang Army. He came from a military family, possessed both administrative and command abilities, and was one of the more accomplished figures among the former dynasty's meritorious nobles who had crossed over from Jin to Han. Of course, compared to the rising stars who had sprung up like bamboo shoots after rain in the Great Han's military and political spheres in recent years, Kang Yanze's experience was more ordinary—though ordinary also meant solid. He had been transferred to the Dingxiang Army two years prior.

Kang Yanze, as Army Supervisor, had been sent by Liu Chengyou to assist Yang Ye—at least, that was what the Emperor said. Previously, Yang Ye's deputy Wang Shenqi, due to years of meritorious frontier service and Yang Ye's recommendation, had been transferred to serve as Army Commander of the Feihu Army. With a fine general like Wang Shenqi gone, Liu Chengyou had filled the gap for Yang Ye with a capable talent like Kang Yanze.

In the nearly two years of working together since, the two had cooperated well. In training troops, Yang Ye had found in Kang Yanze a powerful helping hand. Kang Yanze was a man of magnanimity and breadth of mind, bearing no resentment that a younger man like Yang Ye stood above him. With a generous temperament, an ability to see the larger picture, and real competence, he was bound to make his mark sooner or later.

"Tell me, what's the situation?" Yang Ye didn't stand on ceremony with Kang Yanze, asking directly about the military intelligence.

A map hung in the hall, showing not only the defensive arrangements of the Yanmen Pass fortifications but also the terrain and routes of the Yunshuo region beyond the northern frontier, in considerable detail.

"The frontier army beyond the northern frontier has sent out scouts, and word has come through the Baicaokou garrison fort, warning the pass!" Standing before the map, Kang Yanze pointed at the markings and reported to Yang Ye: "According to reports, Liao troops in the Yunshuo region have been moving frequently. Soldiers are being levied and assembled at Yingzhou. This activity has continued for a full day. Since this is out of the ordinary, I am reporting it upward!"

Hearing this, Yang Ye's tiger-like eyes narrowed at once, a hint of hesitation on his face: "Why would the Liao army suddenly stir like this? In recent years, though there have been many clashes along the Han-Liao border, it has never reached the point of mobilizing soldiers like this!"

"This move by the Liao army suggests they intend to march south! Assembling troops at Yingzhou—their target is likely our Yanmen Pass!" Kang Yanze said.

Hearing this, Yang Ye's expression grew even more grave: "Are they trying to tear up the peace and provoke a full-scale Han-Liao war? That Yelu Talie—for years he has focused on herding, farming, and governing the people with lenient policies. The peace treaty between the two states still stands. Would he dare move troops on his own authority?"

"Army Commander, do not forget—there were earlier reports that the Liao sovereign is hunting at Yunzhou. With such troop movements inside Liao territory, how could the Liao sovereign be unaware? I fear this has been done with his approval!" Kang Yanze analyzed. "If that is the case, the situation is grave indeed. As you said, Army Commander, a Han-Liao war is not far off!"

"We must not jump to conclusions!" Yang Ye thought for a moment, then immediately gave orders: "Send word to all garrisons in the passes: cancel all leaves, return everyone to their posts, raise vigilance, and strengthen defenses. In addition, have the scout cavalry and secret agents continue probing enemy intelligence and get a clear picture of the Liao troop movements."

"Yes! I'll make the arrangements at once!" Kang Yanze clasped his hands in acknowledgment, and did not forget to remind Yang Ye: "Army Commander, should we report this matter to the Hedong command and the imperial court?"

After a slight hesitation, Yang Ye said: "The situation is not yet clear. First notify the command of this matter, then contact the Ninghua, Baoning, Yongning, and Feihu armies to coordinate on this military intelligence and see whether they have any unusual movements on their end!"

Standing atop the pass, stroking the cold stone of the crenellated wall, firelight illuminating his resolute face, Yang Ye gazed northward with a somewhat complicated heart. Having guarded Yanmen for so many years, he longed for a war, longed to render distinguished service—but equally, as the Emperor's trusted general, he understood the Great Han's strategic direction.

At this critical juncture when the realm was on the verge of unification, he did not wish to see a great war erupt between Han and Liao. He would rather the northern border remain calm, yielding to the nation's grand strategy and suppressing his own desire for achievement. Yet if Liao now meant to break the tacit understanding and balance of the past, as the military commander responsible for the front-line fortress, how should he respond?

From Yunzhong to the prefectural seat of Yingzhou was only a little over a hundred li. In just one day, the Liao Prince of Anping, Yelu Dilie, led two thousand Pishi Army troops into Jincheng County, awaiting the assembly of troops from the other tribal garrisons and the prefectural and county forces.

Under stern military orders, and with a certain faction of warmongers actively responding to the call to march south against the Great Han, the Liao army's assembly was not slow. In only three days, they concentrated ten thousand infantry and cavalry. After brief drilling, under Yelu Dilie's leadership, they drove straight from Jincheng toward the northern mouth of the Yanmen road.

If one relied solely on these ten thousand Liao infantry and cavalry to breach Yanmen Pass, it would be nothing short of a fool's dream. Yelu Dilie was enterprising and ambitious, his heart set on breaking the pass and winning merit—but in truth, he had not thought through how to fight this battle. Before receiving his orders, he had agreed readily enough to Yelu Jing's instructions, but once actually leading troops, he found it difficult to know how to proceed.

During the three days of Liao troop assembly, at the cost of nearly ten elite scouts and secret agents lost, Yang Ye had basically ascertained the Liao army's situation and intentions. An army of over ten thousand—this could no longer be explained away as a small-scale clash. He raised the defense readiness level once more and sent the military intelligence by swift horse to the Eastern Capital.

While Yelu Dilie led his army south, Yang Ye was also considering how to deal with these ten thousand Liao troops.

"Yanmen is a strong pass, and all the defiles are perilous. If we simply hold our defenses, we can protect ourselves without worry!" Kang Yanze directly offered his opinion.

However, Yang Ye, seated behind the main desk, nodded but clearly had other ideas. Seeing this, Kang Yanze continued to point out: "Army Commander, this Liao force's coming is unusual. It is summer—not the season when the Liao army traditionally campaigns, when autumn brings high skies and fat horses. Their arrival is too abrupt. Moreover, they number only about ten thousand infantry and cavalry. With such strength alone, they couldn't even sustain the losses of a direct assault! I believe we should remain cautious!"

In fact, Yang Ye had also considered these irregularities. After pondering at length, he raised his eyes to Kang Yanze and said: "I intend to lead a portion of our forces out to strike, to fight a battle with the Liao army as a probe!"

"No!" Kang Yanze directly opposed this, saying solemnly to Yang Ye: "The enemy's situation is not yet clear, and their intentions are not yet evident. Holding the pass is the safest choice. You, General, bear the Emperor's command to guard the frontier—defending the pass is your primary duty.

Moreover, the enemy outnumbers us severalfold. Attacking a larger force with a smaller one carries too much risk. Furthermore, without the court's authorization, if our Dingxiang Army takes the initiative to sally forth—win or lose—and it ultimately triggers a Han-Liao war, expanding the conflict, how would we answer to the court then?"

Kang Yanze had laid out all his thoughts and considerations. Seeing his opinion refuted, Yang Ye was not angered, but said frankly to him: "I understand your concerns, General. However, the Emperor once granted me discretionary authority, explicitly stating that if the enemy comes to invade, I may dispatch troops to strike them and decide the matter myself. Now the Liao army marches south with hungry eyes—this fits that very situation. On the other hand, since their intentions are unclear, I also intend to fight them and see whether we can force their intentions out into the open!"

Hearing Yang Ye say this, Kang Yanze thought for a moment, then asked: "How many men does the Army Commander plan to take on the sortie?"

"Two thousand infantry—that will suffice!" Yang Ye said.

"The General intends to resist an enemy five times his number?" Kang Yanze was slightly taken aback.

"As you said, the defense of Yanmen is the priority—enough troops must be left behind for the garrison!" Yang Ye replied, his calm tone carrying confidence: "The surrounding terrain is all mapped in my mind. If the Liao army wants to break the pass, they must go through Baicaokou.

If I use the advantage of the terrain, with my back against the fort walls to resist, luring them to attack—though the Liao troops are numerous, I am confident I can drive them back! We have drilled our elite troops for years; the results need to be tested in battle against the Liao army. The Emperor said that shutting the door and building a carriage in isolation is unacceptable!"

Hearing Yang Ye say this, Kang Yanze breathed a slight sigh of relief. It seemed Yang Ye was not arrogant or overconfident—judging from his plan, he remained quite level-headed.

"If that is the case, I approve of the General's sortie!" Kang Yanze clasped his hands, then, after thinking, added a suggestion: "However, I believe the General need not rush to give battle. You might observe their intentions for a while. If they truly head for Baicaokou, then a decision can be made without delay. If they attack in force, we hold our defenses; if they hesitate and do not attack, we can wear down their edge before striking out."

Yang Ye glanced at Kang Yanze. This man truly had a grasp of military doctrine and strategy. After thinking it over, he agreed.

Kang Yanze had another suggestion: "If the General prepares to sally forth, it will ultimately weaken the strength of the pass and the various defiles. You could conscript the people of Yanmen Prefecture to assist in defending the pass, to guard against the unexpected!"

"Good! The General has thought of everything!" Yang Ye said with a smile.

Kang Yanze clasped his hands once more and said: "When the General faces the enemy, I am willing to lead a thousand cavalry, concealed behind Baicaokou, and act as circumstances dictate!"

Yang Ye looked Kang Yanze over carefully for a moment, then rose and firmly grasped his hand, saying earnestly: "For you, General, to serve as Army Supervisor of our Dingxiang Army—it is far too low a position for your talents!"