Chapter 893: The Direction of Attack

Before holding the welcome banquet to deepen ties with the civil and military officials of Youyan, Liu Chengyou took advantage of his rest time to summon the four senior commanders of the northern expedition army—An Shenqi, Guo Rong, Murong Yanzhao, and Gao Huaide—to his side.

Opening his mouth, he asked directly: "How is the Yan army's defensive deployment, how is morale, and how is Youzhou's defense?"

From Liu Chengyou's three consecutive questions, it was clear that in his heart, he was not as at ease about the Yan army as he appeared on the surface—open and sincere, heart-to-heart. After all, the Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, and some of the Yan army's generals could not represent all of the Yan troops.

The Zhao Siwan rebellion that had erupted earlier was enough to serve as a warning. Although Zhao Siwan had already been executed for his crimes, there might well be those who had associated with him over the years and maintained similar thoughts and attitudes.

Clearly sensing the Emperor's concerns, An Shenqi immediately clasped his hands and reported: "The Yan army's combat troops total about twenty thousand men. After the war began, militia were expanded, bringing strength to forty thousand. After fighting against the Liao army, the troops still capable of battle number over thirty-six thousand. Apart from those left to guard Zhuo and Yi, the rest are stationed at the three cities of Changping, Huairou, and Yuyang, with roughly ten thousand infantry and cavalry remaining stationed in Youzhou."

"To pacify the Yan army's hearts, after I led the main force north into Youzhou city, I left these ten thousand Yan troops to guard the northern city, while our army controls the other three cities and the surrounding major camps respectively."

"I have carefully inspected Youzhou's city defenses—they can be called formidable. Barbican gates, arrow slits, watchtowers, and other defensive facilities are all complete, capable of accommodating a hundred thousand troops without feeling crowded. The Prince of Yan has indeed put real effort into the city's defensive preparations."

"With such a strong city, it can serve as a solid rear base and foothold for the main army's northern attack on the Liao forces!"

Hearing An Shenqi's explanation, Liu Chengyou was somewhat reassured, nodded, and sighed: "Forty thousand Yan troops—fully double what they had before the war began. Add joint military-civilian defense, and the land of Youyan has mobilized every able-bodied person!"

Upon hearing this, Guo Rong solemnly concurred: "Your Majesty speaks truly! After coming north, I toured the various counties. Due to the more than forty days of back-and-forth fighting, nearly every able-bodied man in Youyan has repaired his weapons and armor. Because the Khitan cavalry ravaged everywhere, this year's autumn harvest has been largely destroyed. I inquired with Song Qi, and according to him, this year's autumn harvest will likely be less than three-tenths of previous years—the rest all destroyed.

"Youyan already shows signs of grain shortage. For now they can still barely manage, but I predict that before long, of the military grain shipped north, apart from supplying the main army, a portion will need to be diverted to relieve the Yan people!"

Liu Chengyou immediately asked: "Even if this year's fields are not bountiful, do the people of Youyan truly have no surplus grain?"

Guo Rong calmly replied: "Taxes remain high, and with the ravages of war, even if they had surplus, how could it be preserved?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment and said: "From the looks of it, the burden of grain for the northern expedition is even heavier than we imagined!"

Guo Rong said: "According to Li Chuyun's calculations, the current field headquarters army, counting the Yan troops, auxiliary soldiers, and laborers, consumes about five thousand dan of grain daily, and this figure is expected to rise. Since the war began, military grain consumption plus transport losses has already exceeded four hundred fifty thousand dan..."

Hearing this figure, Liu Chengyou's expression shifted: "At this rate of consumption, the two million dan of military grain the court prepared will only last a little over half a year!"

Guo Rong solemnly responded: "There may be some discrepancy, but not much. After all, this campaign has mobilized four hundred thousand troops and civilians; adding the military and civilians of Yan lands, it exceeds five hundred thousand—not even counting local conscription. Hedong's troops and horses are also a major expenditure..."

The account Guo Rong gave was already a conclusion reached under the most ideal conditions, and grain was only the most basic item of consumption in army operations—but it was the one that best illustrated the problem. From this, one could also see how great a price the court was paying for this northern expedition.

And Liu Chengyou could almost imagine how Wei Renpu, Xue Juzheng, and Li Chuyun—the officials and officers responsible for military logistics—were racking their brains.

However, no matter how difficult, it could not shake Liu Chengyou's resolve; instead, it spurred him to greater drive and determination. As he had remarked earlier while observing supply transports on the canal, having paid such a great price, there was no room for failure.

After considering for a while, Liu Chengyou, with an extremely calm demeanor, instructed: "These situations should be reported back to the Eastern Capital in a timely manner. The rear of the field headquarters should all make proper preparations—make more sufficient arrangements. Levy where levies are needed, replenish where replenishment is needed. The war has only just begun; there is no reason for hesitation or fear of difficulty!"

"Yes!" Guo Rong acknowledged the order, admiring Liu Chengyou's resolute stance.

From the war's start in late July to early September, nearly fifty days had passed, and the Great Han had already paid no small price. The deepest wounds were suffered by Youyan. Though they had inflicted considerable casualties on the Liao army and achieved no small victories, in truth, the Youyan region had been battered to pieces...

And Guo Rong, to be honest, did not show much sympathy for the people of Youyan. Liu Chengyou was the same—he often had acts of loving his people and thoughts of pity for them, but his greater considerations lay in his own rule.

On the issue of logistical supply, Liu Chengyou did not continue to delve deeper, but instead looked at the several men and said: "Over this period, the fighting has gone well. From the Eastern Capital all the way here, I have received victory reports one after another!"

"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's prestige and blessing!" An Shenqi said.

"No need for pleasantries!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand, looked at An Shenqi, and said seriously: "Tell me about the Liao army's situation. Also, how the main army should move next—has there been any change from the earlier plans? You should have discussed this among yourselves!"

At the question, Guo Rong reported: "Your Majesty, since our main army came north to Youzhou, the Liao army has completely pulled back. Only a small number of roving cavalry remain active, solely for reconnaissance, not daring to venture deep. We have discussed it—the Liao army intends to rely on their fortress defenses to continue grinding down our army's edge and morale, stalling for time and waiting for an opportunity.

"Although our army's earlier achievements were considerable, the losses were mainly among the Han people's troops, Bohai, and Xi. As for the Khitan's core forces, the blow was not deep enough—their losses are not too severe!

"The Liao army has many apparent defeats, but its foundation is unharmed. Its actual strength remains considerable!"

Seeing that Guo Rong and the others could maintain such awareness—not growing arrogant from victory but keeping clear heads—Liu Chengyou felt unconsciously reassured. The soldiers below could be arrogant and wild, but only the commanders, as the brain and center of the army, could not afford to be careless or underestimate the enemy.

"Given this situation, what should the next step be?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Guo Rong said: "We believe we should follow the established plan—advance north and take the offensive. First, Tanzhou; second, Juyong Pass. The Liao army's defensive deployment clearly intends for these two places to support each other like horns. Our army should seek to break them—Tanzhou as the main target, Juyong as the secondary.

"If we take them, the most important nail the Liao army has in the southern Yan region will be pulled out. After that, we can concentrate our efforts on dealing with the Liao main force at Juyong Pass.

"As for the Zunhua direction, we can send a detached force to keep watch. For the Luanping direction, the field headquarters previously approved Ma Quanyi's proposal to manage the eastern route, and we have already reinforced them with fifty thousand troops—using offense as defense. This both manages the Lulong region and guards the eastern flank, blocking Liao reinforcements from the Yu Pass road, allowing the main army to focus on the Liao forces north of Youzhou!"

Liu Chengyou raised no objection to Guo Rong and the others' plans, nor did he see any problem with dividing forces—after all, their strength was sufficient. In fact, both Han and Liao knew that the main battlefield of this conflict lay in the Tanzhou and Juyong Pass region.

Because of the terrain, the Liao main force coming south must pass through Juyong Pass; crossing mountains from other areas was unlikely. And if these two places were lost, the initiative in the war would fall completely into the Han army's hands.

"How strong are the defenders at Tanzhou?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Tanzhou is held by Xiao Siwen, the Liao's Southern Pivot. His forces number roughly forty thousand, a mix of Han and barbarian. If he chooses to defend to the death, we can throw everything at him and break through!" Guo Rong said with certainty.

"Then fight!" Liu Chengyou said decisively, looking at the several men: "I want to see just how much of the art of city defense the Khitan have learned!"