Yelujing completely felt the warning in the tone of Yelu Wuzhi's statement, and was silent for a moment. In fact, after this period of time, Yelujing learned from the experience and had a very clear understanding of the situation of the Liao army.
If we fight, we will definitely not be able to fight. On the one hand, our strength will be greatly damaged, and on the other hand, our morale will be unsustainable. As for the prolonged confrontation, although Yelvcong was loyal to the country, Yelvjing still fully recognized his views on the overall strategic situation.
Winter has come. For the nomads outside the Great Wall, every winter is a calamity and a hurdle. Even with the Khitan's unprecedented ability to control the grassland, objective laws must be followed and they cannot fight with the sky.
What's more, it is also very difficult to maintain a huge army in the south during a two-thousand-mile expedition. It can be seen from the Han army's attack on the Tang Dynasty that the Han army was able to persist in fighting in winter.
As for the Liao Kingdom itself, if the army could march straight in, fight in the enemy's territory, and plunder the Han territory as a supplement, it could still hold on. But outside the Great Wall, if there is a long-term confrontation in the ice and snow, not to mention the logistical supply pressure, it will be difficult to protect one's own morale.
Sometimes, the clearer he thinks and the more thorough he sees, the more uncomfortable Yelujing feels. In the decades since the rise of the Khitan as a nation, Han Chinese have been able to come and go with ease, although they can't really be called upon to do so. Taizong was even able to command his troops to destroy the Jin Dynasty, achieve unparalleled achievements, fulfill his role as emperor, and establish the Liao Dynasty.
Even during Yelu Ruan's time, the Khitan took the initiative in matters dealing with the Han Dynasty. However, when it was his turn, he faced the Central Plains Empire that was about to be unified, and had already put its troops directly in front of it...
After all, Yelujing is not very old, and it has been smooth sailing for so many years without any major setbacks. However, since the war with the big man started, he was extremely tired.
After pondering for a while, he eliminated the distracting thoughts that were constantly growing in his mind, and looked at the quality of Yelu's house. Yelujing said in a low voice: "The situation is like this, I have to admit it, but how to deal with the Han army, please give me the advice of the King of Beiyuan!"
After hearing the question, a slight hesitation flashed across Yelu Wuzhi's solemn face. After a moment of deliberation, he reported: "Your Majesty, our army suffered heavy losses in the battle at Nankou, and so did the Han army. They also need to replenish their troops, horses, and ordnance." , grain and fodder, the Han army was unable to launch a large-scale attack in a short period of time.
Therefore, in my opinion, for the Liao Dynasty, the most important thing is to soothe the morale of the army and regroup. After this defeat, how much fighting spirit the soldiers in the army have. If this situation is not reversed, it will be worse than the Han army. Even more dangerous! "
"What the King of Beiyuan said is true!" After Yeluwu questioned, Xiao Husi immediately stood up and agreed with a serious tone: "I inspected the armies. Except for the Pishi army, which is as solid as iron stone, the rest of the soldiers and state soldiers are no longer strong. I am in a panic, but I also feel at a loss. If the army has no morale, it will not be able to fight, so calming people's hearts and boosting morale is the most important thing!"
"I know it too!" Yelujing sighed slightly. This is what he has been working on during this period, and said directly: "What suggestions do you have?"
Yelvuzhi thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, in this battle at Nankou, none of the soldiers were timid and afraid of the enemy. They fought bravely and fought to the death. I suggest that the meritorious soldiers be promoted and rewarded, no matter how much gold or silver they have. , cattle, sheep, horses and camels. Many officers, both high and low, were killed in battle, so we can reorganize our troops and horses, and spend more time with the soldiers to rest. In this way, the soldiers will be grateful for His Majesty's kindness, and the morale and morale of the army will be reunited!"
Yelu Wuzhi's opinion, simply explained, is to rely on profit and salary to win over the morale of the military, while at the same time affirming the contribution of the Liao soldiers in the Battle of Nankou. In fact, these days, Yelujing has tried his best to appease the army's actions and has not criticized them harshly. However, he has not considered rewarding the soldiers.
Seeing Yelu Jing nodding, Yelu Wuzhi continued: "The way the Lord of Han personally held a memorial ceremony at the south entrance, I think your Majesty can also follow suit to unite the hearts of the soldiers!"
"Just do it like this!" Yelujing agreed, pondered for a while, and asked Yeluwu: "In the Battle of Nankou, for those generals who have outstanding performance, you and the other armies and departments will draw up a list of commendations. I will personally Give them rewards. As for other soldiers, all will be rewarded!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
After saying that, he looked at several ministers and asked again: "It will take time to restore the morale of the army. We should also come up with regulations on how to deal with the aggressive Han army!"
In this regard, there was another period of silence. After this battle, these Liao Kingdom's think tanks actually had no hope of defeating the Han army. Similarly, it was difficult to come up with a practical solution for the next offensive of the Han army.
This is not a matter of timidity, but a matter of strength comparison. From the actual start of the Han-Liao War at the end of July to the Battle of Nankou, the Han army suffered about 110,000 casualties, which was a considerable loss.
However, a more terrifying reality is that the casualties of the Liao army before and after actually exceeded 170,000, and they lost cities and territory. From Gao Mohan to Yelu Cong, the Liao Kingdom had already lost two important ministers of the Zhuguo. Since the entire Yanshan period, only the Luanping and Zunhua areas west of Yuguan are still under the control of the Liao army. However, after the main force of the Liao army was moved to the right of Yanshan, it was only a matter of time before they were lost.
For the Liao Kingdom, the casualties of 170,000 people were completely unbearable pain. However, even if the Han army suffered 110,000 casualties, the total number of soldiers and civilians who could be put into the battlefield would still be nearly 400,000. This contrast can be described as strong.
The further the war progressed, the more the Liao monarchs and ministers felt how terrifying the rise of the Central Plains Empire was. Therefore, when Yelujing asked him about his strategy against the enemy, he was silent for a moment.
After all, Yelujing still set her sights on the King of Beiyuan.
Facing the emperor's gaze, Yelu Wuzhi said: "Your Majesty, the loss of victory and the fall of Jinshan Mountain have made the danger of Yanshan Mountain no longer a barrier for our army. The 200,000 Han troops in front of the pass are not of concern for the time being, but The 20,000 Han troops in Jinshan are like a bullet in my throat."
"Did you suggest that I destroy the enemies of Jinshan?" Hearing his words, Yelujing couldn't help but tense up, and looked at Yelu House with slightly widened eyes. Others couldn't help but look at him in horror.
Seeing this, Yelu Wuzhi couldn't help but smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I don't mean that! The Han army has already occupied the city walls and passes. If we attack rashly, we will only fall into a bitter battle again, which our army cannot support!"
With such a move, the Liao monarchs and ministers all breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously, and at the same time they also realized that with Yelu Wu's poise, they would not come up with such risky ideas in this situation.
Yelu Wuzhi explained: "I believe that with the Han army at Jinshan behind and the Nankou army in front, Yanshan is too dangerous to rely on. Although Juyong Pass is dangerous and narrow, it seems to be attacked from both sides and cannot be used to defend against the Han army.
At this time, the Han army has not moved, and is only resting and reorganizing, perhaps to paralyze our army. The minister suggested that Juyongguan and Huailai should be abandoned, the army should withdraw from Wende to the west, and the Han army should be released from Yanshan. In this way, we can not only shrink the defense line and get out of the terrain dilemma, but also lengthen the Han army's front line..."
After paying attention to Yelu Jing's expression, Yelu Wuzhi continued: "How to resist the enemy then, and then act randomly!"
Yelujing couldn't help but frowned, thought about it for a while, and said, "If the dangers of Yanshan Mountain are not worth relying on, how can the city on the right side of the mountain resist the Han army's attack?"
Yelu Wuzhi immediately said: "If the army stays here for a long time, it will have the opportunity to attack from both sides with the Han army, and the army will be in a critical situation."
"What do you think?" Yelujing asked Xiao Husi and other ministers.
On the side, Yelusha, who participated in the battle at Nankou, took the initiative to report: "Your Majesty, I think that the king of Beiyuan is very worried. Huailai and Juyongguan are not enough to rely on. We should withdraw from the trapped area before the next move of the Han army." , choose another place to rest!”
Others, after Yelu Wuzhi made this point, also reacted and agreed. Coming to this place is indeed incomplete.
After pondering for a long time, Yelujing looked at Yelu Wuzhi and others, and finally made a decision and said: "Everyone agrees, then withdraw to the west as soon as possible!"
