Hearing what he said, Yelvjing showed a wry smile: "The Duke's strategy is similar to that of the King of the South Academy!"
"I hope your majesty will judge the situation and decide it!" Yelvcong said.
Seeing this, Yelujing sighed: "Don't I understand your advice! However, in such a national war, both Liao and Han are going all out. Of course, the Liao cavalry can sweep south and plunder the Han land, but How could the Han army be unprepared? Judging from previous battles, the Han army already had ways to deal with our army's looting.
Cities, mountains and rivers, supplemented by infantry and cavalry, as well as those strong fortresses, are enough to restrain our army. The fighting method of the Southern Dynasties is to build a strong wall and clear the country. The army breaks through the pass and goes south. If it cannot feed the enemy, how will the food and grass be maintained and the ordnance replenished?
Even if we, the Khitan warriors, could overcome all difficulties and forge ahead without taking any risks, and cause heavy damage to the Han army, how could we control our own losses? If you go deep into its territory, how many people can return from the battle? "
From Yelujing's words, we can clearly feel where his worries lie. I can see the benefits, but I also have many concerns. The biggest concern is that it will be difficult to achieve the goal, and the losses will be too great.
After all, most of the people Yelujing mobilized this time were Khitan troops. These tribes were the true ruling foundation of the Liao Kingdom. Don't treat them as uncivilized savages just because they are barbarians. We should also care about casualties.
Of course, the strategies proposed by those like Yelu Talie and Yelv Cong did have merit for the Liao Kingdom and were more suitable for them. However, the strategy is a good strategy, but it is somewhat ideal. It is not that simple to realize it and achieve the desired effect.
Marching to fight, especially this kind of national war, cannot be wishful thinking, and the Han army will not be passively beaten. In terms of hard power, the Han Dynasty, after more than ten years of unremitting military development, is indeed stronger than them.
In fact, in the early stages of the war, the Liao army's strategy of killing and plundering Youyan achieved great success. Farms and houses were destroyed, and people were devastated. The people could only shrink and take refuge in cities and fortress walls. .
Although during the fierce fighting between the two parties, the Han army achieved a lot of results and a lot of casualties, it is undeniable that it achieved a certain degree of effectiveness. For now, the people in the Youyan area have provided insufficient effective support for the Han army in fighting. The young men can join the army and be uniformly incorporated into Ding service to work hard. However, there are more elderly, weak, women and children who gradually become a burden as time goes by.
But why it failed to expand is that the Han and Yan troops actively resisted and the Hebei frontier troops provided timely support. The second is that the Liao army deployed in the south at that time was insufficient and not strong enough.
This is also mentioned above. In response to the Northern Expedition of the Han Dynasty, there was insufficient preparation and it was a hasty response. In the plan of the Liao monarchs and ministers, the Han-Liao War was supposed to be initiated by them, but they did not expect that the Han army suddenly changed its national policy and launched a large-scale Northern Expedition. In terms of initiative, it fell behind.
By the time the Liao army was almost fully mobilized, the Han division had already moved northward, pressing forward step by step with an extremely strong attitude. The Liao army fell into passivity. From the overall situation, it has been following the rhythm of the Han army. During this process, the Liao army did not resist. They sent cavalry several times and took the initiative to attack, just to interrupt the oppression and pressing of the Han army. However, the result was not as expected and they were forcefully pushed back.
Up to now, a large number of Han troops have marched forcefully northward, gradually blocking several passes that facilitated the entry and exit of the Liao army. There was obviously not enough space left for the Liao army to display.
To sum up, the Han army successfully achieved its goal of preemptive strike, so that the Liao army was unable to advance or retreat and was in an embarrassing situation.
Based on all aspects of intelligence and the opinions of various civil and military officials during this period, Yelujing's understanding of the current situation of the Liao army was not particularly clear, but he finally gained something.
Regardless of the Liao army, there were actually 300,000 troops mobilized, but the personnel were mixed, the combat power was uneven, and the response was scattered. The Han army in the east of Hedong was dealt with by Yelu Talie. Soldiers and horses were indispensable. A lot of people were also recruited in the Liaodong and Luanping camps, but they were not of much use. The only ones that are truly reliable and can be used to deal with the main force of the Han army are the 200,000 troops on the Yanshan front line.
And if Yelujing is given the opportunity to send these troops to the Han territory, this determination will be difficult to make. After all, I am not a gambler, and for the Liao Kingdom, although the situation is grim, it is still not broken, and it is not time to gamble on the fate of the country.
After pondering for a long time, Yelvjing looked at Yelucong and said: "Even if I send a large army to enter the pass, and the Han army has gathered heavily in Youyan, how can we break through its blockade? How can we break through the Han army at the south entrance? Although Hebei is a flat river, there are thousands of mountains. How can it be saved everywhere if there are thousands of rivers?”
"Since you have proposed such a strategy, you should also consider how to implement it!" Yelujing asked.
Hearing what Yelujing said, Yelvcong's expression was not relaxed. There was a trace of hesitation on his face, and then he said seriously: "Your Majesty, the Han army has become a stranglehold on me now. If we persist for a long time, it will be detrimental to me. We must deal with this." At this time, we can only break it with firm and fearless courage and determination!”
"Go on!" Knowing that he had more to say, Yelujing waved his hand.
Seeing this, Yelvcong couldn't help but perked up, pointed in the direction of Juyongguan, and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that we take the initiative to attack the Han army at the south entrance!"
After glancing at Emperor Liao, Yelu Cong summed up his thoughts: "I have carefully investigated and found that although the Han army sent a large army to the north, even if it combined with the Yan army, including the brave soldiers and civilians, the number was less than 500,000, among which the fighting There are less than half of them, that's for sure.
After excluding those who were casualties from previous confrontations with our army, some of the remaining people will be transferred eastward to deal with our Luanping division. After excluding the garrisons at various city gates and roadblocks, as well as those who protect the food routes, only 300,000 people will be gathered in Youzhou. about.
And these 300,000 people were the main force of the Han army's Northern Expedition. If they gather in one place and face the enemy head-on, even if we put all our strength against them, our chances of winning are not great.
However, the Han army was so powerful that they divided their forces to attack our city, which gave us the opportunity to defeat each of us! There are 300,000 Han troops in Youzhou, hundreds of thousands on the other side of Miyun, 100,000 at the south entrance, and the rest are all in Youzhou.
Although the Han army at Nankou has a strength of 100,000, its main brigade soldiers never exceed 50,000 infantry and cavalry, or even less. Their strength is not as strong as it appears. Otherwise, they would not have captured Nankou. Take a defensive stance.
If we can concentrate our elite soldiers, launch a surprise attack, and wipe out this Han army in one fell swoop, the situation of the war will be completely reversed! "
Hearing what he said, Yelujing subconsciously raised his voice and stared at the veteran, slightly surprised by his huge appetite.
After frowning and thinking for a while, Yelujing asked: "Do you have the confidence to defeat him?"
"I dare not say that we will win!" Yelvcong replied simply: "But our army has three major advantages! First, our army is strong and has a strong force of elite soldiers. We can attack the hybrids with all our strength with a force of 130,000. soldiers;
Secondly, I know the enemy, but the enemy may not know me. This time His Majesty secretly led his troops to the east, and launched an attack before the news spread, so as to catch them by surprise;
Third, although the Han army's defensive layout at the south entrance was strong, it could not be said to be comprehensive. In particular, insufficient attention was paid to the direction of the victory entrance. You can send elite troops to attack from the opening of victory, surround the enemy from behind, and attack from both sides, which can achieve miraculous results. "
Hearing this, Yelujing nodded subconsciously, his eyes gradually became stern, and he said in a deep voice: "The Han army is always strong in defense. After fighting back and forth, Daliao suffered a lot from its army's stronghold. They can often form a deadly formation and resist an army several times my size!"
It can be seen that Yelujing is actually tempted. Yelucong said with emotion: "Although the Han stronghold is strong, only the officers and soldiers under the supervision are fighting with all their strength! In this national war, the people of the country must fight to the death, how can we shrink back in fear of difficulties!"
Seeing his arrogance, Yelujing's expression became more and more serious, and she buried her head in thought. The air in the tent became tense, and time seemed to pass extremely slowly. Yelu Cong did not bother Emperor Liao. He also knew that this was not an easy decision to make after all.
After a long time, Yelvjing suddenly stood up, waved his hand, and said decisively: "Then fight!"
Hearing this, Yelvcong looked solemn and said: "Your Majesty, your troops must be dispatched as soon as possible. I think we can launch an attack tonight!"
Yelujing said: "There is no rush. I will tell the generals to plan the attack, build horses and troops, and be ready. I will urgently mobilize Wende's troops to come east and attack them all!"
Hearing his words, Yelvcong was slightly stunned. Yelv Jing said: "Since we have decided to attack, why do we need to reserve our strength? There are 100,000 Han troops at the south entrance, so I will attack them with twice the strength. In this way, even if the Han troops from Youzhou come to help, we will not be afraid of them!"
Yelu Cong was surprised and delighted that Yelu Jing could have such courage. He cupped his hands and said with emotion: "In this way, our army has a better chance of winning!"
After discussing the important matter, Yelucong relaxed his worries. He looked at Emperor Liao and couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, do you want to discuss the attack with the ministers again?"
Listening to his words, Yelujing's calm tone revealed a bit of strength: "I'll convince the rest of you!"
"yes!"
After saluting again, Yelu Cong was about to go down and plan the details of the attack. He seemed to have thought of something, and bowed again: "Your Majesty, in this difficult time, when it is time to hire people, I would like to recommend someone to your Majesty!"
"Oh?" Seeing this, Yelujing was slightly surprised and stretched out his hand to indicate: "Who can get into the eyes of a male?"
Yelv Cong said directly: "Yelu Xiezhen, the grandson of Yelu Holu in Yuyue!"
"Yelü Xiezhen, that libertine!" Hearing this, Yelv Jing couldn't help but laugh.
Yelu Xiezhen and Yelu Jing are brothers of the same generation, but they are still young now. Seeing the attitude of Emperor Liao, Yelu Cong said: "Your Majesty, although Yelu Xiezhen is not in his prime, he is alert and dissolute on the surface. He is actually a rare talent in the country. He is capable of doing things and is especially good at military strategy. The former warms the Yu River. In the battle, the Han cavalry were in hot pursuit, so I listened to his advice, set up an ambush at the south entrance, and killed thousands of enemy cavalry. This time, I used the strategy of the attack, and I relied on my counselor to benefit more..."
After hearing what Yelu Cong said, Yelu Jing became more serious. After thinking about it, he said, "If that's the case, I'd like to make time to meet him!"
