Chapter 171

…

Upon receiving news that Chou Yu and Zhai Xing had successfully taken control of Yizhou, Zhao Yu was overjoyed.

This was a decisive first victory, and moreover, one that reclaimed an entire prefecture—undoubtedly a remarkable triumph.

Recall that the entire Yan-Yun region comprised no more than sixteen prefectures; even if one added Pingzhou, Luanzhou, and Yingzhou, the total would still be only nineteen, and if one considered only Yan territory, there were truly just seven prefectures.

In this single battle, Zhao Yu reclaimed one-seventh of Yan territory.

If every campaign proceeded this smoothly, Zhao Yu might easily accomplish the very achievement that every emperor of the Zhao Song dynasty since Zhao Kuangyin had longed for but never attained—becoming the second-greatest emperor of the Zhao Song dynasty, after Zhao Kuangyin himself.

Of course, this was merely a beautiful wish.

In reality, from a macro perspective, Zhao Yu's easy capture of Yizhou was due not only to Zhao Liangsi acting as a negotiator, the Li Clan's willingness to defect to the Song, and the deep-seated resentment between the Khitans and Han people after years of Khitan oppression, but more importantly, to the Liao's abysmally weak war mobilization capacity.

By conventional logic,

nomadic peoples, primarily pastoralists who followed water and grass, lived lifestyles that made every man a soldier: adult males were herders in peacetime and could swiftly transform into cavalrymen for war, mounting their horses to march. Moreover, tribal leaders exercised direct control over their members, so when war was called, a single command from the leader could summon the entire tribe.

Agricultural peoples, by contrast, relied on farming, with peasants tied to the land, engaged in stable, sedentary labor. When war broke out, the court had to summon farmers from their fields. Furthermore, agricultural societies had complex, hierarchical social structures; the vast bureaucratic apparatus often suffered from sluggish communication and low efficiency in transmitting mobilization orders. Additionally, agricultural peoples spent their lives tilling soil, not fighting—few had even killed a chicken, let alone wielded a weapon—and required extensive training before becoming soldiers.

These factors should have made the Liao's war mobilization capacity far superior to that of the Zhao Song dynasty.

Yet the current reality was that, due to prolonged peace, the Khitans had become deeply sinicized, indulging in comfort and luxury; many had abandoned nomadic life entirely, settling like the Han to engage in farming or handicrafts, enjoying the splendor and ease of cities. The once-mighty horseback people now struggled to find horses, let alone maintain their former ferocity on the steppes. Former tribal leaders had transformed into civil and military officials, lost in court intrigues, their authority over subordinates greatly diminished.

The Liao army had long since lost its former prowess. The famed Khitan cavalry, once renowned across the land for their archery and horsemanship, now included vast numbers of infantry and, due to insufficient training, had seen their combat effectiveness drastically reduced. Logistically, while some livestock still accompanied the troops, most supplies now depended on grain and materials requisitioned from Han territories, severely undermining their mobility and flexibility.

More seriously, corruption and internal strife within the Liao had intensified. Officials embezzled funds and withheld soldiers' pay, causing morale to plummet. Ethnic tensions and conflicts remained unresolved, preventing the state from forging a unified will or strength to confront external enemies.

This had drastically weakened the Liao's war mobilization capacity.

In contrast, the Zhao Song dynasty had been fighting the Western Xia for years; Zhao Yu had specifically established the Divine Mechanism Army and the Four Auxiliary New Armies, designed solely for war, and had long been preparing for mobilization.

Thus, the Song army arrived at the battlefield ahead of the Liao forces and, leveraging this advantage, successfully seized Yizhou, delivering the Liao a crushing first blow.

Zhao Yu immediately dispatched messengers to deliver this victory report to the court, boosting morale.

Then, Zhao Yu ordered Chou Yu, Zhai Xing, Li Chuweng, and others to immediately reinforce the city's defenses, purge all remaining Liao outposts, troops, and armed forces from the Yizhou region, and seize the strategically vital Zijing Pass when opportunity arose…

…

The Liao capital operated under a five-capital system: Shangjing, Zhongjing, Dongjing, Xijing, and Nanjing. Shangjing was the official capital; the other four were secondary capitals. The imperial palace of Nanjing stood in the southwest corner of Yanjing, modest in scale. Its walls stood three zhang high and one and a half zhang wide. The palace compound was a self-contained area, housing not only the palace halls but also orchards, the Yaochi Lake, and a ball court. The main gate of the palace, Xuanjiao Gate, connected directly to Yanjing.

Outside the grand hall lay the Yaochi Lake, its waters shimmering, the scenery bright and charming, uniquely enchanting. The Yaochi was a beautiful lotus lake, vast and horseshoe-shaped, situated at the heart of the imperial palace complex. In the lake stood a small island called Yao Yu, upon which stood the Yaochi Palace.

Just as Zhao Yu had arrived in Yan territory, Yelu Yanxi had also arrived in Yan territory. He now resided within the Yaochi Palace, living in daily ease and pleasure.

Yelu Yanxi learned of Li Chuweng's betrayal and defection to the Song army, and he was furious—but also helpless.

Although he had initiated war mobilization and planned to assemble a force of seven hundred thousand troops.

Yet as of now, he had mustered only half that number—some three hundred thousand troops.

A small portion of these remained stationed along the Song-Liao-Xia border, threatening the Zhao Song dynasty, ready to reinforce Western Xia should it falter.

The remaining two hundred thousand troops were scattered: some guarding the critical Juyong Pass, others defending other passes and fortresses, some holding positions along the Baigou River and Fancun against the Song army, and another hundred thousand guarding Yelu Yanxi himself.

In short, though the defending forces appeared vast, they were dispersed across countless locations, unable to concentrate for any decisive offensive.

In past wars between Liao and Song, the Liao typically attacked while the Song defended; now the roles were reversed, leaving Yelu Yanxi and every Liao soldier utterly unprepared.

And this was precisely the effect Zhao Yu and his ministers sought.

To defend? The Zhao Song's defensive works along the Hebei frontline were useless—unusable, undefendable.

If so, better to launch a full-scale offensive into Liao territory, forcing the Liao to disperse their forces in defense; then the Song could turn defense into offense, seize the initiative, and firmly grasp the war's momentum.

"Your Majesty, fifty thousand elite Khitan-Han cavalry from Tiande, Yunnei, Shuo, Wu, Ying, and Wei have assembled by early August, originally destined for Yun territory, but now they are advancing toward Nanjing."

"The Northeastern Command's hundred thousand troops are already en route; the Wugudielie tribal command's fifty thousand elite cavalry will reach Nanjing in twenty days; the Shiwei Wang Fu's ten thousand elite cavalry will arrive shortly."

"The Great Wang Fu of Hesuguan Jurchens, the Southern Jurchen State, the Northern Jurchen State Great Wang Fu, the Jurchen State Shunhua Wang Fu, the Huang Longfu Jurchen Great Wang Fu, and the Yalu River Jurchen Great Wang Fu have collectively contributed fifty thousand elite Jurchen troops."

"Yingge says his tribe is on the verge of war with Goryeo, overwhelmed by its own affairs, unable to spare any troops—begging Your Majesty…"

Yelu Yanxi cut off Xiao Changge's report with an imperious tone: "Tell Yingge: if the Sheng Jurchens do not send fifty thousand troops to fight, I shall halt all trade with the Jurchens and cede Helan Dian to Goryeo."

Hearing this, some could not help but fear for the Sheng Jurchens. Clearly, Yelu Yanxi was threatening them: if you do not aid Great Liao in defeating the Zhao Song, I will first cut off your economy, then support Goryeo in destroying you.

This revealed that Yelu Yanxi was not entirely devoid of political acumen.

Xiao Changge continued reporting on troop contributions from each prefecture and tribe.

Yet without exception, all delayed as long as possible; some even claimed they needed two or three more months to mobilize—anyone unaware might think they were agricultural people, requiring such time to raise an army.

The thought that even the fastest troops would take over a month to assemble filled Yelu Yanxi with headaches. He asked his attendants: "The Song army has arrived; my forces are not yet gathered. What should I do?"

Yelu Asu, the Northern Academy Chief Secretary, said: "Send envoys to question the Song emperor: why has he rashly ignited war and seized our Liao's Yizhou? This will buy us time. Moreover, the Southern army fears the bitter cold; time is on our side. If the Southern army falls for our ruse, when heavy snow falls, our Liao will effectively gain an extra hundred thousand troops—and the Southern court will surely be defeated."

Yelu Yanxi was delighted. He was about to praise Yelu Asu when the son of Emperor Xingzong Yelu Zongzhen, younger brother of Emperor Daozong Yelu Hongji, Prince of Song and Wei, Yelu Heluwan, spoke calmly:

"The Southern emperor has personally led his army north to fight us precisely to tie us down, preventing us from sending large forces to reinforce Western Xia. If we employ a delaying tactic, he will surely turn our own strategy against us—by then, Western Xia will be destroyed, and we alone will face the Southern court, risking his ambition to seize our Western Jing Dao, Nanjing Dao, and Pingzhou Dao."

Yelu Dabeinu added: "The Southern emperor is young and impetuous; one word out of place, and he personally leads his army against us. Without Western Xia to distract him, the consequences are unthinkable. Our urgent priority is to crush the Song army swiftly, leaving him unable to defend both front and rear."

Yelu Yanxi listened, his expression turned solemn. He knew Yelu Heluwan and Yelu Dabeinu spoke truth: if Zhao Yu succeeded, Liao would be in grave danger.

At this moment, the Deputy Chief Secretary of the Northern Academy, Xiao Deledai, said: "It is not that our Liao wishes to delay defeating the Southern court—it is that our forces are not yet assembled. If we rush into battle, victory would be welcome, but if we suffer defeat, Western Xia will fall, and rebellious tribes within our realm will rise in rebellion. Our Liao will be in peril. I believe our urgent priority is to hold firm and await reinforcements, while sending envoys: one to communicate with Western Xia, urging them to hold out, and another to negotiate peace with the Southern court, buying time until our forces are fully assembled, then we can decide the outcome with one final battle."

Yelu Yanxi listened, his brow furrowed, his gaze sweeping across his ministers as if weighing options, seeking the best strategy. The grand hall fell silent, broken only by the whisper of wind over lotus leaves in the Yaochi—a sound utterly out of place amid the tension.

"Xiao Deledai's words are prudent, yet overly passive," Yelu Dabeinu could not help but speak, his voice urgent. "Our Liao is the Celestial Empire—how can we so easily show weakness? If we do not strike first to break their momentum, when the Southern army arrives in full force, brimming with morale, our troops may not withstand them."

"Dabeinu speaks truly," Yelu Heluwan nodded in agreement. "The Southern emperor has come personally, determined to win. If we retreat further, we only embolden his arrogance—harmful to our state."

Yelu Yanxi listened, pondering inwardly. He understood Yelu Dabeinu and Yelu Heluwan's arguments held merit, yet Xiao Deledai's warnings were no empty fear: defeat would be catastrophic.

Torn between options, Yelu Yanxi waved his hand: "Let me consider this further before deciding."

With that, Yelu Yanxi rose and left, leaving behind a group of ministers in stunned disbelief!

The situation was dire—fire at the door—and Yelu Yanxi refused to devise any strategy: whether to negotiate, fight, or defend—giving them any direction—he once again, as before, chose to retreat to his estate, evading the crisis.

Worse, based on the experience of these Liao ministers, once Yelu Yanxi retreated, no one knew when he would reappear—perhaps he would go hunting again, and this matter would become a nightmare.

What should they do?

The ministers, deeply concerned for Liao's future, quickly gathered to discuss a strategy.

After much deliberation, the ministers agreed to send the Empress's uncle's household to fetch Consort Seeing Xiao Sese, asking her to urge Yelu Yanxi to make a decision quickly, or they might miss their chance.

The uncle's household could not refuse, so he went to find Seeing Xiao Sese, who was awaiting childbirth, and clearly conveyed the ministers' wishes to her.

Seeing Xiao Sese then dragged her heavy body to seek out Yelu Yanxi.

Just as Seeing Xiao Sese was about to speak to Yelu Yanxi calmly about the matter, he struck first—he pointed at her and shouted, "It's all your fault! You misled me, persuading me to ally with the Western Xia. Now the Southern Dynasty's Emperor has personally led his army and seized Yizhou, leaving me trapped between a rock and a hard place—what am I to do? You've brought me great suffering!"

Seeing Xiao Sese never imagined Yelu Yanxi could say such things. She had devoted herself entirely to the Liao Dynasty and to Yelu Yanxi, yet received only baseless accusations in return. In an instant, her heart felt as if pierced by knives, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing Xiao Sese forced back her tears, her voice trembling slightly yet still steady and dignified: "Your Majesty speaks wrongly. The Southern Dynasty's Emperor seeks to emulate Han Wu and Tang Zong, seizing Western Xia and Yan-Yun to restore the old Han and Tang lands. Our Great Liao and Western Xia are like lips and teeth—if one falls, the other suffers. Uniting against the Song is the wisest strategy. The gain or loss of a single city is routine in warfare—how can we discard our entire alliance with Western Xia over a temporary setback? If Your Majesty swiftly gathers troops and marches south, we may yet reclaim what was lost and restore our nation's prestige. What I fear is not this battle's outcome, but the long-term safety of our Great Liao. If Your Majesty, in a fit of rage, abandons Western Xia, what will become of our Great Liao when the Southern Dynasty triumphs?"

Empress Xiao Duoli Lan, Imperial Consort Xiao Guige, and even Virtuous Consort Xiao Shigu all urged Yelu Yanxi. His expression softened slightly, but his inner fury had not fully subsided. He snorted coldly and said, "You speak lightly. My troops are scattered everywhere—hard to gather. The Southern Dynasty's army presses upon us. What can I do?"

Seeing Xiao Sese couldn't help thinking: "If only my man were the Song Emperor, not this foolish ruler."

Seeing Xiao Sese suppressed this unrealistic thought and continued to urge Yelu Yanxi—at least send envoys to Xiongzhou to meet the Southern Dynasty's Emperor and buy time for our army to assemble; otherwise, aren't we just wasting precious time?

……

(End of Chapter)