Chapter 924: The Liao Army's Situation Gives No Cause for Optimism

In early spring, the city of Yunzhong was dotted with a hint of green inside and out, yet the surroundings remained steeped in bitter cold. Of the Liao army's two hundred thousand troops, the greater part was concentrated within and around Yunzhong city, and outside the walls, twenty camps had been erected.

After a full winter, the morale of the Liao army at Yunzhong could hardly avoid sinking low. If the Han army was resting and regrouping, then the Liao army was enduring torment. Though the Liao military system far surpassed that of previous steppe peoples, it could not ultimately escape its inherent limitations.

The Liao troops at Yunzhou, apart from elite imperial guard units like the Pishi Army, were still composed of the various Khitan tribes, the Xi tribes, numerous vassal levies, and provincial soldiers. After half a year of bitter fighting against the Han, their combat strength had plummeted.

They knew their own situation best. Though they still numbered two hundred thousand, those fit for battle were only the imperial guard and a portion of the tribal levies, plus some soldiers who had recovered from wounds and returned to camp. Even so, there was no guarantee how much fighting capability these forces could bring to bear by spring.

The greatest problem lay in morale and fighting spirit. The warriors of the Great Liao now had officers without any will to fight and soldiers longing to return home. After a winter of stalemate, they had completely missed the traditional raiding season of nomadic peoples. Add to that the massive pressure of the Han army pressing in, having gained no advantage in the fighting before and behind, and retreating step by step—under such circumstances, a sentiment had arisen within the Liao army: Yanyun was originally Han territory; if the Han army wanted it, let them take it. Why pay such a heavy price to fight to the death over it...

This winter, the Liao army's logistics problem had not been as severe as imagined—with vast numbers of cattle, sheep, horses, and camels, there was no shortage of meat. However, this had also inflicted major economic damage on Liao itself, and after the spring thaw, it would inevitably hamper the recovery of production.

The full impact of this great Han–Liao war on Liao had yet to erupt; this year had only just begun. For the entire Liao state, to support this war, the core tribes—the Khitan and Xi peoples—had all mobilized their forces on a massive scale.

If they had won, it would have been fine. But after bitter fighting to this day, with no progress, with losses of men, horses, and territory, and no hope of victory in sight, unrest and anxiety were already brewing within Liao.

To support the war against the Han, the summoned tribesmen had thrown everything into going to the front. Adult males and horses were their most important means of production. If these were consumed on the battlefield without replenishment, it would be a severe blow to the survival of the steppe tribes.

Originally, after withdrawing to Wende and resting for a month, Yelu Jing had planned to launch a counteroffensive. Winter warfare favored Liao over Han—after all, their living environment was harsher, and they were more tolerant of the northern cold. If they could fight in winter, they would be exploiting their advantage in seasonal timing.

But the Han army's steady defense left Yelu Jing frustrated and helpless. Whether at Huailai or Yingzhou, the Han army simply held in place and passed the winter quietly. All of the Liao army's attempts to lure the enemy out were completely ineffective—all wasted gestures, as the Han army was utterly unmoved. Thus, the winter standoff between Han and Liao was itself an act of helplessness on the Liao side. After all, the Han army was far too shameless...

And now, spring had come with ice and snow melting—a season that should have been full of vitality and hope—but the Liao army was mired in an atmosphere of gloom and oppression. The Liao army's morale had not always been this low; at least after the rest following the Battle of Nankou and the victory at Jiming Mountain, it had received some boost. But in the end, it could not withstand the erosion of time.

Ten li northeast of Yunzhong city lay a town called Fengyi, where roughly ten thousand Liao tribal troops were stationed. The spring wind carried a biting chill, and the entire camp was filled with a busyness tinged with anxiety. There was only one reason: the Han army had launched a major offensive, and the Emperor had issued an edict—the entire army was to prepare for battle.

The Prince of Anping, Yelu Dilie, was among the Liao troops at Fengyi. A few rays of sunlight fell upon him but brought little warmth. Before his tent, Yelu Dilie, dressed in barbarian-style riding garb with his sleeves rolled up high, revealing sturdy arms, was personally brushing and washing his beloved horse.

Yelu Dilie's horse was of excellent stock and had always been fed the finest fodder, so it naturally remained in good condition. However, the Liao cavalry numbered in the hundreds of thousands, and their horses numbered in the hundreds of thousands as well—how could they all receive such "treatment"? The reality was that after the winter, most of the Liao army's horses were emaciated and weak, having lost a great deal of condition. Skinny horses with long shaggy coats—that was simply how it was.

Thus, walking through the camp, Yelu Dilie could not help but say to a Xiangwen of the Fifth Division: "The warhorses are this skinny—how can we fight a battle?!"

Hearing Yelu Dilie say this, that Xiangwen immediately chimed in, his mouth full of complaints: "In all past campaigns, we should have waited until the horses fattened up and regained their strength. The tribesmen answered the call and came, endured an entire winter, and gained nothing—everyone wants to return to their tribes. I don't know why His Majesty insists on fighting the Han. Prince of Anping, you are His Majesty's younger brother—could you speak up for the lads and urge His Majesty to withdraw the army for now? Even if we must fight the Han, waiting until autumn when the skies are high and the horses are fat wouldn't be too late!"

Hearing this, Yelu Dilie inwardly cursed the man as utterly foolish and short-sighted. But his eyes rolled around a few times, a strange glint flickering in them, and he spread his hands and said: "I'd like to speak up for you too, but His Majesty won't listen—I'm helpless as well! The current state of the various tribes and armies truly is unfavorable for engaging the Han army!"

As he spoke, Yelu Dilie joined these tribal commanders in sighing and groaning with heavy lamentation. Yelu Dilie harbored resentment toward his elder brother. Ever since the Battle of Baicaokou last year, he had been perpetually frustrated and unrecognized. Though he had accompanied the army in the great Han–Liao war, he had never been given any important role. Thus, since the Battle of Nankou, this young Prince of Anping had been showing unusual activity...

Inside Yunzhong city, at the Liao Emperor's temporary residence, in a heavy and solemn atmosphere, Yelu Jing once again convened a meeting. However, this time the number of participants was very small, and their status was very high. Seated in attendance were only Yelu Wuzhi, Yelu Talie, Xiao Husi, and Han Kuangmei. Because of his performance at Tanzhou, Han Kuangmei, like his elder brother Han Kuangsi, had formally entered Liao's center of power.

Yelu Jing looked exhausted, his beard growing wild like weeds, and his entire demeanor was especially oppressed. He looked up at the several senior ministers and said: "How goes the Han army's advance?"

Xiao Husi, as the Northern Commissioner of Military Affairs, rose and reported to Yelu Jing: "Your Majesty, the Han army is advancing in three columns. News has already come from Weizhou—tens of thousands of Han troops under the Han general Zhao Kuangyin have emerged from the Feihu Pass, broken through the defensive line, and are now advancing toward Lingxian County. Our forces at Weizhou are weak, and I fear they will be unable to withstand the Han army's spearhead—losing the prefecture seems inevitable. Once the Han army takes Weizhou, they will certainly turn west and head straight for Yunzhou..."

Yelu Jing did not show much emotion regarding the situation at Weizhou—this was understandable and he had ample psychological preparation. After taking in the information, he asked: "What about the Han army to the east?"

Xiao Husi said: "Yelu Sha has sent troops to harass Murong Yanzhao's army day and night without rest, slowing their advance. According to the latest battle report, his main force has only just passed Jiming Mountain, still fifty li from Wende. However, though the harassment tactics have had a delaying effect, they cannot ultimately repel the enemy. Yelu Sha reports that the Han army is strictly disciplined, advancing in orderly formation, and during several days of harassment, no opportunity to break through has been found. Based on the Han army's rate of advance, they will reach Wende in at most two days."

Hearing this, Yelu Jing calmly ordered: "Send word to Yelu Sha—he must delay the eastern Han army at all costs. Tell him there is no need to fight them head-on!"

"Yes!"

"How goes the Han army at Yingzhou? Are they still sitting at Huairen?" When mentioning Fu Yanqing's army, Yelu Jing's spirits visibly lifted somewhat.

If the approach toward Murong Yanzhao was one of delay and attrition, then toward the Han army at Yingzhou, Yelu Jing desperately wished they would advance rashly and recklessly—ideally marching straight to the walls of Yunzhong.

All the senior ministers present knew exactly what Yelu Jing was calculating. After learning of the Han army's spring offensive, this was their response to the Han battle plan: to seek an opportunity to annihilate one of their columns, and the target was naturally Fu Yanqing's army coming from Yingzhou.

But with the lesson of the Battle of Nankou still fresh, the Liao army did not dare to take the initiative and strike out again. Instead, they hoped the Han army would come to the walls of Yunzhong, where they could break them against the solid city and superior numbers. To make the act convincing, they even ordered the Liao cavalry sent south to harass to go through the motions without real effort.

However, Yelu Jing's calculations were destined to come to nothing. The reply Xiao Husi gave sent his frustration soaring. Fu Yanqing had led his army out of Yingzhou, and whether or not Liao cavalry attacked, he advanced no more than ten li per day. Up to now, he had only reached Huairen County, still more than seventy li from Yunzhong.

Even worse, after taking Huairen County, Fu Yanqing had stopped moving and had already rested for two days! Hearing this, Yelu Jing could not help but angrily slap his thigh: "The Han army is this cowardly! This is outrageous!"