The Liao Emperor's strong anger was deeply felt by all the Liao ministers present, and they were all palpitating. This winter, Yelujing's temper gradually became irritable and erratic, and his whole person exuded a sense of hostility. He ordered the killing of seven of the servants who served him, and the execution methods were various and surprisingly cruel. .
Everyone knew that Yelujing was venting the hostility and anger in his heart. The ministers had tried to persuade him, but it was of no use. Killing some servants was like disposing of some slaves and objects, which were the emperor's private property. The consequence of this was that everyone around Emperor Liao was in danger, and the generals also had an extra layer of respect for him.
Therefore, the atmosphere of the military council meetings during this period was obviously depressing. Faced with Yelujing's anger, no one dared to answer the question. After a moment of silence, it was Yelvuzhi who took the initiative to speak: "Your Majesty, the situation is obvious. After the battle at Nankou, the Han army became more cautious.
Since he launched his troops on the 18th, he has been advancing slowly and steadily without revealing any flaws or giving any chance. The Han army is well prepared. If this progress continues, our army's plan to profit from them and annihilate them all together will probably be difficult to implement! "
After paying attention to Yelujing's face, I saw that the gloomy expression was even more worried. After hesitating for a while, Yelu Wuzhi continued: "Your Majesty, now the Han army has sent three armies to attack Yunzhou. Their force is huge, they are not impatient or impatient, they attack steadily and gradually suppress, with the intention of joining forces in Yunzhou and decisively fighting at the foot of Yunzhong City. Although the war has not yet started, the situation of our army is already very bad. After the Battle of Nankou, we suffered heavy casualties, many elites were lost, our combat power was gone, and our morale has never been truly restored.
After this cold winter, the soldiers longed to return home and had no desire to fight. The ministers inspected the various tribes. From the commander-in-chief and down, there were many complaints and they urgently wanted to return the tribal pastures to rest. Nowadays, the troops are exhausted and the horses are weak. Facing the Han army's massive pressure, it is not easy to defeat them! "
"The words of the King of Beiyuan are full of majestic words about the Han army. According to you, we are already doomed to fail before we even engage in battle? Are our 200,000 warriors in Daliao all rotten trees and withered trees, waiting to be broken by others? "Yelujing looked at Yelu's house, her anger in her tone unrestrained.
Yelu Wuzhi stood up, raised his hands to his chest, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the situation is like this. In the early spring, the war situation is indeed not conducive to our army. Now, Yunshuo's army has almost the best soldiers in the poor country. It can no longer withstand it." It will cause serious damage, otherwise, it will be harmful to the country of Liao, Jiangshan and Zuo. I hope your majesty will think carefully about it and devise strategies to defend against the enemy!"
Yelu Wuzhi was very calm and collected, but after hearing what he said, Yelu Jing couldn't help but stare at him: "Plan! Plan! Are you trying to persuade me to give up Yunshuo again and give the land that our ancestors fought bloody battles to the Han Dynasty? military!"
Obviously, it was intolerable for Yelujing to abandon Yunshuo after losing Youyan. And the 200,000 people who still remain here are probably the last straw for him to persist.
Faced with the Liao Emperor's question, Yelu Wuzhi shook his head and said seriously: "At this moment, I do not recommend giving up Yunzhou. Regardless of the slow progress of the Han army, they want stability and safety. However, given the current situation, once we give up Yunzhou, State, they will definitely pounce on us like a pack of hungry wolves, chasing them one after another!"
"How to resist the Han army and what countermeasures are available? Let's be honest!" At this time, Yelujing's mood slowly calmed down and she regained her usual calmness. She looked at Yeluwu and asked.
Although his expression was still cold, it gave people a sense of peace of mind, unlike before, where he was always worried. Yelu Wuzhi cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I still advise you as before. No matter how difficult it is for Yunshuo's army to withstand heavy losses, for the sake of the country, the priority should be to preserve its strength. The current situation, regardless of military strength, morale, baggage, and food, None of our armies are inferior to the Han army. Under such circumstances, if we engage in a decisive battle with the Han army in Yunzhou, the chance of victory is slim. If we lose, our Daliao vitality will be completely lost. Gains and losses are important. Pros and cons are important. I hope your majesty will think twice!"
Looking at the hostage of Yelu's house and seeing the loyal words on his face, Yelujing knew that this was indeed a loyal minister who was far-sighted and well aware of the interests. When he said this, he was very upright, almost using his own reputation and reputation to plan for himself. After all, such suggestions that are humiliating to the country will be criticized.
Taking a deep breath, Yelujing glanced at the other ministers and asked: "The King of the North Academy suggested conserving strength to avoid war. What do you think?"
First of all, he looked at Yelu Talie, who was the oldest clan minister present. Yelu Talie thought for a while and responded in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, if we follow the Han army's current military strategy and marching method, and wait for its army to encircle Yunzhou and fight decisively with it, our army will definitely not be an opponent!"
It was Xiao Husi's turn. He lowered his head slightly, considered his words, and said, "Your Majesty, King Xi has come to report that the various tribes of the Xi tribe are unstable. I hope that we can withdraw our troops and suppress the tribe!"
Within the Liao Kingdom, the Xi people can be said to be a backbone force. They are widely distributed and have a large population. They are also the basis of rule. In the early years, Yelu Abaoji's rectification of the Khitan tribes included the integration of the Xiren tribes. Therefore, the importance of Xi people to the Liao Kingdom is self-evident.
However, Xiao Husi wanted to remind Yelujing to look at the domestic situation of the Khitan because he was ridiculing people for being unstable. You must know that the frontline troops who are bound by military discipline and law are all uneasy, and what's more, the domestic tribes who sent troops and supplies because of the Han-Liao War.
Yelujing obviously understood Xiao Husi's intention, and his brows furrowed even more tightly. In fact, he didn't know anything about the situation in the country, and because of this, he was particularly depressed. He wanted to fight the Han army to the end, but all aspects of the situation were not favorable to him. He, the Liao Dynasty, the overlord of the grasslands, was actually in such an embarrassing situation. He was still under the rule of Yelujing, and his heart was filled with a sense of depression and shame.
"Han Qing, what do you think?" Yelujing sighed and turned his attention to Han Kuangmei, who was sitting silently aside.
Han Kuangmei looked at the Liao Emperor carefully, and then at several ministers. He hesitated for a while and responded: "Your Majesty, there is no way to fight now. If you want to avoid retreat, you should take advantage of the Han army's steady advance and take action as soon as possible." Plan. Otherwise, when the Han army comes to the city, it will not be easy to get rid of them!"
Looking at several ministers, regardless of Hu Han, they all expressed one idea. In the current situation, the possibility of defeating the Han army is extremely slim. Except for Yelu Wuzhi, although they did not say it explicitly, they all tended to avoid war. Of course, a nicer way of saying it is to preserve strength and vitality for the future. To be more realistic, it means to save people in Shirdi and withdraw troops and return to the north.
"Let me think about it again!" Looking at several important ministers, Yelujing couldn't help but sigh.
A feeling of loneliness surged into her heart. It wasn't that Yelujing didn't understand the current situation, but there was a hurdle in her heart that was difficult to overcome. It is not difficult to make the decision to abandon Yunshuo. If you choose to withdraw, it will not be difficult. At least compared to the south entrance, the Liao army has too much room to evacuate.
The key point is that if they withdraw this time, all the land and population gained from the expansion to the south since Taizong Yelu Deguang will be wasted. After twenty years of hard work, the Khitan came to nothing and returned to the starting point. And if Yunshuo is lost, the large areas of land and grassland south of Yinshan Mountain will also be under attack and attack by the Han army.
If that is the case, although the Liao Kingdom is not in decline, it will still be the hegemon in the north. However, the situation between Han and Liao will have undergone earth-shaking changes. It will no longer be possible for the Khitan to occupy the strategic advantage of the "Tianhu" like before against the Han.
The competition between the grassland dynasties and the Central Plains empire will most likely return to the track of history. Taking history as a guide, in such a struggle, under the background of the unification of the Central Plains and the rise of empires, China will ultimately win.
With such an understanding, Yelujing can be considered far-sighted. However, the reality continued to force him. If the remaining military strength is really exhausted in Yunzhou and the vitality is exhausted, it will be difficult to maintain the qualifications to compete with the Han Dynasty in the future.
Yelujing also considered sending envoys to negotiate a peace with the Han Dynasty, delimit the territory, and return the Youyan area to the Han Dynasty. However, Yelvwuzhi directly suggested not to humiliate yourself. With the martial arts displayed by the Han army this time, how could they give up without completely conquering the Yunshuo area.
After hesitating for a while, a general officer came in with a serious expression and presented a military report: "Your Majesty, Shuozhou Military Report!"
"Speak!" Looking at his expression, Yelujing knew that it wouldn't be good news.
Tongshi replied: "Shanyang was captured by the Han general Zhe De, Shuozhou fell, and the defenders surrendered!"
As soon as these words were said, although the expressions of the Liao monarchs and ministers present were a little tense, they were not too surprised, but disappointment was unavoidable. In the Shuozhou area, a certain amount of military strength was still arranged to be stationed, and some ideas were saved for the future to produce some unexpected miraculous effects. But now, with Shanyang being destroyed, the plan has completely failed.
One report was followed by another. When Yelujing was hesitant about his strategy, a secret report from Shangjing dealt him another heavy blow.
After reading the secret report from Beifu Prime Minister Xiao Haili, Yelujing did not hold back her emotions. Her face was almost distorted, and the bloodshot eyes in her pupils seemed to be much heavier. She slapped the case hard, took a few big breaths, and cursed angrily. Said: "Damn it!"
After closing her eyes for a long time, Yelujing slowly relaxed her body and opened her eyes again. There was a sharp aura in her whole body and she said in a cold voice: "Get ready to withdraw!"
