Chapter 937: One City, One Battle

From Huaian County westward, it was no more than two hundred li to Yunzhong. Though still surrounded by mountains, the towering peaks appeared scattered from a broad perspective, not as dense as the Yin Mountains or the Yan Mountains, and the roads threading between them were much easier to traverse.

In springtime Yunzhou, the dense long awn grass had already spread across the wilds. A light drizzle once again halted the imperial camp's advance.

"Spring rain is as precious as oil!" Amid the rain and mist, gazing at the scenery on all sides, Liu Chengyou sighed softly.

The Yunzhou region was a basin, not a place of abundant rainfall, so rain was all the more precious here. Yet, having welcomed a good season at the time of farming, there was not a single plow ox or a single farmer in the fields — it was all wasted away.

Along this journey, what Liu Chengyou saw was nearly all desolation, with sparse population, and the direct cause was this great war. Of the common folk in the prefectures and counties, some fled, some migrated, some died, some were wounded.

Under the shadow of war, the Yun-Shuo prefectures were truly ruined and dilapidated. For the people who originally lived on this land, the arrival of the Han army brought mostly misfortune, I suppose...

"The people of Yun and Shuo need proper consolation!" Liu Chengyou let out another long sigh.

Although the population of the Yun-Shuo region had sharply declined after this war, a portion still remained, especially in the southern prefectures of Shuo, Ying, and Wei, which were less affected — though that was only relative to the northern prefectures.

The rain was not heavy, but it was clingy. His body was covered in rain mist, yet that thin drizzle was not enough for Liu Chengyou to wash his hands that had grabbed at soil. Zhang Dejun personally held an umbrella over him, and seeing this, hurriedly ordered someone to fetch clean water for him to wash with.

"We're almost at Yunzhong, aren't we?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked.

Zhang Dejun immediately replied: "According to General An, we have already exited Qingpi Road. The mountain ahead is Baideng Mountain, and Yunzhong is thirty li from here. Uncle Gao has already sent men to contact the Yunzhong field headquarters to discuss the matter of receiving Your Majesty!"

"Baideng Mountain!" Liu Chengyou took an interest, smiling faintly: "Remember to remind me, when I have time, to go take a look!"

"Your Majesty, that is an inauspicious place!" Zhang Dejun reminded him cautiously.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but glance at him: "You mean to say that Liu Bang, the Grand Ancestor of the Former Han, was once besieged here by the Xiongnu, and that it was a national shame, right!"

"You've read a few books after all!" Seeing Zhang Dejun nod, Liu Chengyou said flatly: "But what does the Former Han have to do with me?"

Seeing this, Zhang Dejun immediately changed his tune, saying: "Your Majesty speaks truly. You raised a million troops, campaigned north against the Khitan, swept through like splitting bamboo, won victory after victory, the Hu barbarians fled north, and all the passes and mountains were recovered — how could that rascal and scoundrel Liu Bang compare!"

"A founding ruler is naturally a hero of his era — how could you dare to despise and slander him!" Liu Chengyou rebuked again.

This left Zhang Dejun feeling uncomfortable — neither left nor right was right, so he simply shut his mouth. Liu Chengyou was also acting on a whim; after letting off steam, as he returned to the imperial carriage, he reminded again: "Remember, from now on, do not call Gao Cangyong 'Uncle of the State.' He has a noble title and official rank — if you anger him one day, he'll make trouble for you!"

Zhang Dejun was briefly stunned at the words, then responded: "Yes!"

Perhaps out of self-respect, perhaps out of pride, despite having the status of the Emperor's maternal uncle, Gao Huaide did not like being addressed that way, especially not in the army, where Noble Consort Gao was accompanying the imperial entourage.

It was not until the afternoon that the light rain finally stopped. On the twentieth day of the second month of the twelfth year of Qianyou, under the reception of the Yunzhou field headquarters, the Son of Heaven arrived at the foot of Yunzhou city, entered the Han camp, and reviewed the three armies.

The matter of receiving the imperial carriage needed no detailed account; Liu Chengyou, experienced in personal campaigns, was already well-versed in it. As the "host," Fu Yanqing had long since arranged the camp fortifications properly — they only needed to move in.

At this time, Yunzhou city was completely surrounded by 250,000 Han troops. Dense camps stretched to the horizon, utterly beyond sight, forests of banners nearly blotted out the sky above, and the mingled sounds of voices and livestock almost shook the walls of Yunzhong.

Still using their previous tactics, the Han army undertook major construction outside the city — moats, traps, earthen walls, watchtowers, palisade stockades — a series of fortifications displaying their might, pressing down upon Yunzhong city with a suffocating momentum.

Of course, after the army arrived at the city walls, under Yelu Talie's command, the Liao cavalry in the city sallied out day and night to harass, hoping to weary the Han army and disrupt their morale.

But once the Han army's deep moats and high ramparts were established, the effect became less obvious. Even so, the Liao army only reduced the frequency of their sorties, striking from time to time. Though it was hard to have much impact on the besieging Han army, it was like mosquitoes buzzing by one's ear — annoying.

Yunzhong's protective moat had already been filled in considerably, and the city walls bore no small amount of damage, with traces visible everywhere — clearly, attacks had already been launched.

Entering the military camp, he received the various army commanders and listened to reports on the battle situation.

"Your Majesty, Yunzhong city holds at least twenty thousand defenders, commanded by Yelu Talie, the Great King of the Southern Division of Liao. They are all Hu barbarians; the Han civilians have all been moved out. After the main force completed the encirclement, we launched two probing attacks. The defenders are very stubborn, their will to resist remains firm, and there are no signs of flagging morale. Due to several spring rains, we have temporarily ceased fighting and are making preparations for the assault..."

Fu Yanqing sat below, briefly describing the enemy situation and battle conditions in Yunzhong to Liu Chengyou. Liu Chengyou nodded — the general situation, he already knew.

Liu Chengyou asked directly: "Internal strife has broken out within Liao, and the Liao sovereign is eager to suppress the rebellion and settle internal affairs, hence the withdrawal of troops. But why, when the main army all withdrew, did they leave behind a single elite detachment, commanded by a high minister, to hold the city alone?"

Facing the Emperor's question, Zhao Kuangyin reported: "Your Majesty, we ministers have discussed this and believe it is because the Liao army is unwilling to completely abandon the Yun-Shuo region. For Liao, if Yunzhou falls, then most of the territory south of the Yin Mountains will come under attack from the Great Han and be difficult to preserve — the situation in the north would no longer hold full initiative.

If a single division is left to hold the city, it can serve to pin down the retreating Liao army. At the same time, if they can hold out, it will greatly deplete the Great Han's military strength and national resources — the longer they drag it out, the greater the damage to the Great Han.

To support the operations at Yunzhou, our army's supply and logistics are extremely difficult, and the burden on the rear is heavy. If the Liao army truly can hold the city, not only will it drain our national strength and weaken our morale, but it will also lay the groundwork for the Liao army to come south again..."

As Zhao Kuangyin spoke, Liu Chengyou nodded along, thought it over, and more or less acknowledged their reasoning, expressing a hint of emotion: "Liao is gambling here — using a Great King of the Southern Division and more than twenty thousand troops as their stake, betting that he can hold Yunzhong!"

"What boldness! What spirit! What resolve!" Liu Chengyou said, a note of admiration in his tone.

Hearing this, there were naturally those who were unconvinced. Dang Jin stepped forward and declared loudly: "Your Majesty, now that our army surrounds the city with ten times the troops, how can this paltry Yunzhong possibly withstand the might of the Great Han's forces!"

Glancing at Dang Jin, Liu Chengyou's eyes showed a glint of approval — at a time like this, this kind of boldness and determination to win was exactly what was needed.

After a brief pause, Liu Chengyou's expression turned especially grave. He looked around the circle and said in a resolute tone: "Gentlemen, this is precisely the spring plowing season. To support the northern campaign, agricultural labor at home has already suffered no small delay — the ministers in the Eastern Capital have already complained to me several times.

Since the northern campaign began, we have achieved major results, and the only thing separating us from complete success is this city of Yunzhong. The Liao army wants to use this city to delay and exhaust us, wants to gamble with us on this battle of offense and defense — I will grant them that.

However solid this city may be, we shall gnaw through it! Once the weather turns favorable, I will drive the officers and men to attack with full force and break Yunzhong!"

"Yes!" Facing the Emperor's urging, the assembled generals naturally answered in unison.

For the Han army as it stood now, they held advantages on every front and were full of confidence — there was no reason they could not break through. Of course, Liu Chengyou did not dare underestimate them either; that the Liao army dared to make such a decision showed the strength of their resolve to defend.

"Yuanlang came from Weizhou — how are things there?" Liu Chengyou asked Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin replied: "I led the army here, breaking passes and taking cities, almost like walking on level ground. The local Han people welcomed us with food in baskets. Now Army Commander Wang Shenqi of Feihu is stationed there to hold it!"

Nodding, he then asked Fu Yanqing: "How have the elderly and weak of Yunzhou been settled?"

"Temporarily moved south, settled in Shuozhou!"

"..."