Chapter 899: Taking the Initiative

Hearing this, Yelu Jing revealed a wry smile: "Your strategy is quite similar to that of the Great King of the Southern Division!"

"I implore Your Majesty to assess the situation and decide accordingly!" Yelu Cong bowed.

Seeing this, Yelu Jing sighed: "Do I not understand your counsel, my ministers? However, in a national war of this scale, both Liao and Han are committing their full strength. The Great Liao's iron cavalry can certainly sweep southward and plunder the Han lands, but how could the Han army be unprepared? Looking at previous battles, the Han army already has methods to counter our raids.

Cities, mountains and rivers, supplemented by infantry and cavalry, along with those sturdy fortresses—these are enough to constrain our forces. The Southern Dynasty has a tactic called 'strengthening walls and clearing the fields.' If our great army breaks through the passes and marches south, if we cannot live off the enemy's land, how will we maintain our grain supplies, how will we replenish our weapons and equipment?

Even if our Khitan warriors, undaunted by hardship, can overcome all difficulties and press forward aggressively, inflicting heavy casualties on the Han army, how can we control our own losses? Once deep in their territory, of those who march to war, how many can return?"

From Yelu Jing's words, one could clearly sense where his anxieties lay. He could see the advantages, but he was also weighed down by concerns, and his greatest worry was that the achievement would be hard to complete, the goal difficult to reach, and the losses too great.

After all, the vast majority of those Yelu Jing had mobilized were Khitan core troops—these tribes were the true ruling foundation of Liao. Don't assume that just because they are Hu barbarians, they should be treated as uncivilized savages; they too are mindful of casualties.

Of course, the strategies proposed by the likes of Yelu Talie and Yelu Cong do have merit for Liao and are more suited to them. But while the strategies are good strategies, they are somewhat idealistic—achieving the desired effect is not so simple.

Marching to war, especially a national war of this kind, cannot be one-sided wishful thinking. The Han army will not passively absorb blows. In terms of hard power, the Great Han, after more than a decade of relentless military development, is indeed stronger than them.

In fact, in the early stages of this war, the Liao army's strategy of killing and plundering in Youyan had achieved no small effect—farmhouses were destroyed, the people suffered greatly, and commoners could only shrink back and take refuge within cities and fortresses.

Although in the course of the fierce fighting between the two sides, the Han army achieved considerable results and inflicted heavy casualties, it cannot be denied that the Liao army did achieve a certain degree of success. As things stand now, the effective support that the people of the Youyan region can provide to the Han army's operations has become scarce. Able-bodied men can join the army, be uniformly organized into corvée service, and sell their labor. But there are still more elderly, weak, women, and children who, as time passes, gradually become a burden.

But why wasn't this expanded? First, because the Han and Yan armies actively resisted, and the Hebei border troops provided timely support. Second, at that time, the Liao army's military strength deployed in the south was insufficient—their forces were not enough.

This is also what was mentioned earlier: in dealing with the Great Han's northern expedition, they were underprepared and responding hastily. In the plans of Liao's ruler and ministers, the Han-Liao war was supposed to be initiated by them, but they never expected the Han army to suddenly change its national policy and launch a massive northern expedition, putting them at a disadvantage in initiative.

By the time Liao had mostly finished mobilizing, the Han army had already marched north, pressing forward step by step with an extremely aggressive posture. This left the Liao army on the defensive, following the Han army's rhythm in the overall situation. During this process, the Liao army did resist—several times they sent cavalry to take the initiative and attack, precisely to break the Han army's pressure and advance, but the results were not as desired, and they were forcefully pushed back.

By now, the main body of the Han army has already advanced powerfully northward, gradually sealing off several passes convenient for the Liao army's movements, leaving clearly insufficient room for the Liao army to maneuver.

In summary, the Han army successfully achieved its goal of striking first, leaving the Liao army unable to advance or retreat, in an awkward position.

Combining intelligence from all sides, along with the opinions of civil and military officials during this period, Yelu Jing, though his understanding of the Liao army's current predicament was not yet especially clear, had finally gained some insight.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Liao army had genuinely mobilized three hundred thousand troops—the quality of personnel was uneven, combat effectiveness varied, and they were also dispersed to respond on multiple fronts. Yelu Talie was sent to deal with the Han army in Hedong, which required no small number of troops; many were also conscripted for the Liaodong and Luanping camps, but they were not up to major tasks. The only forces truly reliable and capable of dealing with the Han army's main force were the two hundred thousand or so troops along the Yan Mountains line.

And if Yelu Jing were to go all-in and commit these forces into Han territory, that decision would be hard to make. After all, he was not a gambler, and for Liao, although the situation appeared strained, it had not yet suffered damage to its vital core—it was not yet time to stake the nation's fortune.

After pondering for a long while, Yelu Jing looked at Yelu Cong and said: "Even if I send a great army through the passes, now that the Han army has massed its forces in Youyan, how do we break through their blockade? How do we break through the Han army at Nankou? Although Hebei is flat and open, with all those mountains and rivers, how can every place be crossed?"

"Since you have proposed such a strategy, you must have given thought to how to accomplish it!" Yelu Jing asked.

Hearing Yelu Jing say this, Yelu Cong's expression was not relaxed—a hint of hesitation appeared on his face, and then he said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the Han army now has us in a stranglehold. Prolonged stalemate will certainly be to our disadvantage. At this moment, we must break through with unwavering courage and determination!"

"Go on!" Knowing he had more to say, Yelu Jing waved his hand.

Seeing this, Yelu Cong's spirits lifted, and pointing toward Juyong Pass, he said: "Your Majesty, I recommend we take the initiative and attack the Han army at Nankou!"

Glancing at the Liao emperor, Yelu Cong laid out his thoughts in full: "I have investigated carefully. Although the Han army has sent a great force north, even combined with the Yan army's numbers, counting the militia and civilian volunteers, they do not exceed five hundred thousand, of which actual combat troops are less than half—this can be confirmed.

Excluding those lost in previous engagements with our forces, of the remainder, a portion has been transferred east to deal with our Luanping forces; excluding again the garrisons at various cities, passes, and defiles, as well as those protecting the supply routes, only about three hundred thousand are concentrated at Youzhou.

And these three hundred thousand are the main strength of this Han northern expedition. If they were to concentrate in one place and face us head-on, even if we committed our full strength, our chances of victory would not be great.

However, the Han army, relying on its numerical superiority, has divided its forces to attack our cities—this gives us the opportunity to defeat them one by one! Of the three hundred thousand Han troops at Youzhou, over a hundred thousand are at Miyun, a hundred thousand at Nankou, and the rest are all in Youzhou.

Although the Han army at Nankou numbers a hundred thousand, their regular combat troops certainly do not exceed fifty thousand infantry and cavalry, perhaps even fewer. Their strength is not as formidable as it appears—otherwise, they would not have adopted a defensive posture after seizing Nankou.

If we can concentrate our elite troops and launch a surprise attack, annihilating this Han force in one stroke, the tide of battle will be completely reversed!"

Hearing this, Yelu Jing involuntarily drew in a breath, staring at this old general, somewhat surprised by the scale of his appetite.

Frowning in thought for a moment, Yelu Jing asked: "Are you confident you can defeat them?"

"I dare not claim certain victory!" Yelu Cong answered bluntly: "But our army has three major advantages! First, our forces are numerous—with our elite troops and crack soldiers here, we can commit a hundred and thirty thousand to strike their mixed forces with full strength;

Second, I know the enemy, but the enemy may not know us. This time, Your Majesty has secretly led the troops eastward—if we launch a surprise attack before word spreads, we can catch them off guard;

Third, although the Han army's defensive arrangements at Nankou are sturdy, they can hardly be called comprehensive. In particular, in the direction of Deshengkou, they have not paid sufficient attention. We can send elite troops out from Deshengkou to circle around and strike their rear, attacking from both sides—this can achieve extraordinary results."

Hearing this, Yelu Jing unconsciously nodded, his gaze gradually turning cold and sharp, and he said in a low voice: "The Han army has always been strong in defense. In engagements back and forth, the Great Liao has suffered no small losses against their formations and stockades—they can often form death formations and stubbornly resist several times our numbers!"

It was clear that Yelu Jing was already tempted. Yelu Cong said with fervor: "Though the Han stockades are sturdy, we need only drive our officers and men to fight with all their might! In this national war, our people should devote their lives—how can we shrink from difficulty and retreat!"

Seeing his bold spirit, Yelu Jing's expression instead grew more solemn as he bowed his head in deliberation. The air inside the great tent grew tense, and time seemed to pass with excruciating slowness. Yelu Cong did not disturb the Liao emperor—he too knew this was not an easy decision to make.

After a long while, Yelu Jing suddenly rose, waved his hand, and said with a solemn, decisive tone: "Then we fight!"

Hearing this, Yelu Cong's expression turned grave: "Your Majesty, speed is of the essence in war—we must make arrangements quickly. I believe we can launch the attack tonight!"

But Yelu Jing said: "No rush. You may temporarily work with the generals to plan the attack, feed the horses and sharpen the weapons, and make preparations. I will urgently transfer the Wende forces—all of them—eastward, committing them entirely to the attack!"

Hearing this, Yelu Cong was momentarily stunned. Yelu Jing then said: "Since we've decided to strike, why hold back strength? There are a hundred thousand Han troops at Nankou—I will attack them with twice that number. Even if the Han army at Youzhou comes to their aid, we need not fear!"

Yelu Cong was both surprised and delighted that Yelu Jing could show such boldness. Cupping his hands, he said with emotion: "With this, our army's chances of victory are even greater!"

With the great matter settled, the knot in his heart loosened. Yelu Cong looked at the Liao emperor and couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty, regarding the attack—should we not consult with the other ministers?"

Hearing this, Yelu Jing's flat tone carried a hint of forcefulness: "The other ministers—I will persuade them!"

"Yes!"

Bowing once more, Yelu Cong prepared to go down and plan the details of the attack, but seeming to think of something, he bowed again: "Your Majesty, in these difficult times, precisely when we need capable men, I would like to recommend someone to Your Majesty!"

"Oh?" Seeing this, Yelu Jing was slightly surprised and gestured: "Who has earned your regard?"

Yelu Cong said directly: "Yelu Xiezhen, grandson of the Yuyue Yelu Helu!"

"Yelu Xiezhen, that dissolute fellow!" Hearing this, Yelu Jing couldn't help but laugh.

Yelu Xiezhen and Yelu Jing were cousins of the same generation, and he was still young in years. Seeing the Liao emperor's attitude, Yelu Cong said: "Your Majesty, although Yelu Xiezhen is young, he is quick-witted by nature. His dissoluteness is merely a wild exterior—he is truly a rare talent for the nation. He can handle affairs and is especially skilled in military strategy. In the earlier Battle of Wenyu River, when the Han cavalry pursued hotly, I followed his advice and set an ambush at Nankou, killing over a thousand enemy riders. In this attack plan, I consulted him and gained much benefit..."

Hearing Yelu Cong speak thus, Yelu Jing also grew more serious. After thinking for a moment, he said: "If that's the case, I should find time to meet him!"