Chapter 929: The Bait Plan Comes to Naught

Shi Yanchao had long been renowned for his valor, and in battle, he lived up to his reputation without the slightest shortfall. He divided his five thousand Han cavalry into four units—one held in reserve, two flanking on left and right—while he had his general's banner raised high and personally led only five hundred riders, charging head-on toward the intercepting Liao cavalry.

Such arrogant and reckless deployment by the Han general seemed to enrage the Liao army, which also charged straight at them. Five hundred Han riders clashed hard against three thousand Liao riders. Over more than half a year of campaigning, the Han army's cavalry had gradually developed its own tactics—perhaps their mounted archery could not match the Khitan bowmen, but their superior equipment was something the Liao army could hardly compare with.

Closing in, a volley of repeating crossbow bolts immediately felled a swath of Liao men and horses, and then they raised their blades and charged into the slaughter. The Liao army was clearly prepared, showing not the slightest disorder, and the two cavalry forces collided like needle points meeting spear tips.

The five hundred Han riders were like a sharp blade, a keen arrow, and Shi Yanchao was the blade's edge and the arrow's tip, leading his men as he drove hard into the Liao cavalry formation. Of course, his aim was not to punch through the Liao army, but to delay them and throw their formation into chaos.

Therefore, at the moment of crossing, Shi Yanchao, this arrowhead, began to turn and grind. In close combat, numerical superiority mattered greatly, and Shi Yanchao soon found himself surrounded by enemies on all sides—but his objective had been largely achieved.

With Shi Yanchao's entanglement, the flanking forces on both wings also moved into position, adjusted their formations, and came charging at the Liao army, looking as if they intended to swallow these three thousand Liao riders whole.

On Shi Yanchao's side, every step was fraught with peril, yet dancing between life and death, he was filled with excitement. Leading his men in fierce combat, he personally killed eleven enemies with his own hand.

The Liao army's objective was equally clear: scatter these five hundred Han riders who had recklessly broken away from the main force and plunged into their formation, kill the arrogant Han commander, and then these five thousand Han cavalry could be broken.

Of course, in the end they failed. Under Shi Yanchao's command, the Han army's fighting capability was amplified—how could the Liao army easily rout or scatter them?

When the Han cavalry on both flanks came sweeping around, knowing the matter could not succeed, the Liao general decisively ordered a retreat. But coming was easy, leaving was hard—with Shi Yanchao clinging to them from within and a two-sided pincer from without, how could they break free easily?

A clash gradually evolved into a melee, and ultimately into a pursuit. Three thousand Liao riders were utterly defeated. Shi Yanchao achieved a complete victory in a single battle and pressed the pursuit, cutting down over seven hundred men in total. Conducting cavalry operations on the open plain without an absolute numerical advantage was no easy feat.

Shi Yanchao had worked himself into a fury, and seeing that he had not achieved the results he deserved, how could he be willing to stop? He immediately wanted to lead his troops in continued pursuit, but was stopped by the captain who had previously been at his side: "General, do not pursue a cornered foe—this Liao force is suspicious!"

Shi Yanchao was in high spirits, the fresh blood splattered across his face making his features look somewhat ferocious. He glared at the captain and said, "Since we have already defeated the enemy, we should naturally press the advantage and pursue, expanding our gains!"

The captain was bold, and seeing Shi Yanchao's impulsiveness, raised his voice: "General, this Liao force abandoned their usual hit-and-run tactics, fought outnumbered, yet fled at the first contact—their every move reeks of the strange and suspicious. I fear it may be a ruse. Since we have already made gains, why not stop while we're ahead?"

Hearing this, Shi Yanchao immediately rebuked him: "Kang Zaiyu, you keep obstructing me—could it be that you're afraid of battle and cowed by the enemy?"

Hearing Shi Yanchao say this, the Han officer named Kang Zaiyu grew angry as well. He reached out and grabbed Shi Yanchao's horse's reins with force, saying loudly: "The general is brave and fearless, but I too have fought on countless battlefields, risking life and limb—when have I ever shown fear? Your words, General, are an insult too far!"

Facing Kang Zaiyu's fierce glare, Shi Yanchao calmed down somewhat and said in a low voice: "I am here on the orders of the Prince of Wei to strike north and probe the enemy's strength. We have only just fought a small engagement—how can I withdraw on mere suspicion?"

Kang Zaiyu released the reins and said in a low voice: "General, on this campaign we have marched sixty li and fought five battles in succession. The men have not had a moment's rest—they are weary, and the horses' strength is failing. The sky is already growing dark. At such a time, it truly is not wise to pursue deep!"

After this round of persuasion, Shi Yanchao's emotions finally settled. He looked at the soldiers around him—their condition was indeed poor. After all, he was a seasoned veteran of the battlefield with basic judgment. Though reluctant, he chose to heed Kang Zaiyu's advice and said, almost through gritted teeth: "Pass the order—withdraw!"

Seeing Shi Yanchao's reaction, Kang Zaiyu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He had been newly transferred to serve under Shi Yanchao after the northern expedition. His relationship with the man was not particularly close. Shi Yanchao's reputation preceded him—rough-tempered and violent—and persuading him was never easy.

As for Shi Yanchao, gazing at the Liao stragglers receding into the distance, he let out a long howl, drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and loosed one furious shot that embedded itself in the grass over a hundred paces away.

However, though he had temporarily set aside his desire to pursue, Shi Yanchao remained restless. After thinking for a moment, he said to Kang Zaiyu: "You lead the troops to rest here and clear the battlefield. I'll take a hundred riders myself to scout the enemy's situation!"

"For scouting enemy movements, we have sentry riders—why must the general go in person? You are the commander of an entire army, and your safety is of the utmost importance..." Kang Zaiyu tried to dissuade him again.

But this time, it had no effect whatsoever—instead, it earned him a rebuke from Shi Yanchao: "General Kang, I think you'd be just right for the post of army morale officer—why are you so garrulous? A proper man, a seven-foot-tall fellow, and you're this timid and weak? Is there any renowned general of our Great Han who hasn't personally gone to the ground to scout the enemy?"

Having said this, he picked out a hundred riders, had their packs readied, water and rations replenished, rested for half an hour, and then led them toward Yunzhong City.

Meanwhile, in the wilds outside Yunzhong City, Yelu Talie personally led ten thousand riders concealed in ambush, forming an encirclement. If the Han army recklessly charged in, they would suffer a great loss. The three thousand Liao riders who had gone south were, of course, the bait—otherwise they wouldn't have been so easily broken.

Had it not been for Kang Zaiyu, Shi Yanchao truly would have dared to pursue all the way to Yunzhong City. Yet the defeated troops returned with not a single Han rider behind them. Upon inquiring about the situation, Yelu Talie couldn't help but smile bitterly in surprise: "That Shi Yanchao is a great general of the Han army, but with a temper like fire and a hunger for quick merit—he actually restrained his urge to pursue?"

Unfortunately, no one could offer Yelu Talie an explanation.

"Great King, what should we do now?"

Heaving a sigh, Yelu Talie said: "The plan has failed. Withdraw the troops and return to the city!"

"Send out more men to keep watch on the Han army's movements, hunt down their scouts—without taking casualties—and keep every move they make in our grasp!" Yelu Talie then gave stern orders.

The ambush plan having come to nothing, the Liao troops outside the city gradually withdrew back within the walls. On Yelu Talie's aged face, a measure of weariness and a measure of worry could not help but show. He looked south, then north, and finally turned his gaze to the northeast. The withdrawal at Yunzhou had gone smoothly so far—even if the Han army advanced north in force, with him here to hold them in check, it would be difficult for them to pose too great a threat to Yelu Jing.

On the other hand, there was Yelu Sha's army at Wende. The sixty-some thousand Liao troops under his command were also the foundation of Liao's strength, and they could not afford further losses. Facing a Han army twice their size, whether they could break free was also a question.

As dusk fell, Shi Yanchao led his men racing north and soon encountered a Liao scouting party. After a brief skirmish, they killed over ten of them.

"I've been thinking—Kang Zaiyu was right. That Liao force from earlier was probably indeed bait for us!" Wiping the blood from his war blade and sheathing it, Shi Yanchao said.

Hearing this, one of the trusted officers beside him couldn't help asking: "General, I don't quite understand—why are you in such a hurry to reach Yunzhou?"

Shooting him a glare, Shi Yanchao said: "You've followed me for so many years—have you forgotten where I'm from?"

At his words, the officer understood. Shi Yanchao was a man of Yunzhou—his homeland, his native soil, had been lost to the barbarian invaders for twenty years. A wanderer returning home, how could his heart not surge with emotion?

Of course, that was only one reason. Away from the heat of battle, considering the Liao army's behavior, he found it even more suspicious. He had come with only a few thousand riders, separated from the main force—truly an isolated army. With the Liao forces at Yunzhou, if they wanted to deal with him, they could simply send a large army. Why bother with some "bait plan"? The Liao army must be up to something.

Before long, Shi Yanchao led his hundred riders to Yunzhong City. Under the night sky, Yunzhong's walls rose tall and imposing, like a mighty armored warrior standing silently, awaiting the enemy's arrival.