Shi Yanchao was known for his bravery, and he certainly lived up to his reputation when fighting. Five thousand Han cavalry were divided into four teams by him, one team was in reserve, and the other two teams were outflanking him. He ordered his generals to be held high. Banner, with only 500 cavalry, headed towards the intercepting Liao cavalry.
The Han general's arrogant and arrogant arrangement seemed to anger the Liao army, and they rushed over. Five hundred Han cavalry can defeat three thousand Liao cavalry. In more than half a year of fighting, the Han army's cavalry gradually figured out a set of tactics. The skill of riding and shooting may not be as good as the Khitan's control of strings, but the power of the weapons is difficult to compare with the Liao army.
Nearby, a flurry of crossbow fire immediately knocked down a group of Liao soldiers and horses, and then they charged with their swords. The Liao army was obviously prepared and not at all confused. The two cavalrymen collided like needles against each other.
The five hundred Han cavalry were like a sharp knife and a sharp arrow, and Shi Yanchao was the tip of the knife and the arrow, leading his men to forcefully penetrate the Liao army's cavalry formation. Of course, his purpose was not to penetrate the Liao army, but to delay it and disrupt its formation.
Therefore, at the moment of intersection, Shi Yanchao's arrow began to turn towards strangulation. In a melee fight, the numerical advantage was huge. Shi Yanchao quickly found himself in a situation where he was surrounded by enemies on all sides, but his goal was basically achieved.
With Shi Yanchao's entanglement, the outflanking armies also moved in place, adjusted their formations, and rushed towards the Liao army, as if they were going to swallow up the three thousand Liao army.
Shi Yanchao was frightened every step of the way, but he was extremely excited as he walked between life and death. He led the army in battle and killed eleven people with his own hands.
The goal of the Liao army is also very clear, which is to kill the 500 Han troops who broke away from the main group and invaded the formation arrogantly, and kill the arrogant Han army general, so that the 5,000 Han cavalry can be defeated.
Of course, it failed in the end. Under the leadership of Shi Yanchao, the Han army's combat capabilities were enhanced, and the Liao army could not easily defeat them.
When the two wings of Han cavalry came around, knowing that nothing could be done, the Liao general decisively ordered a retreat. However, it is easy to come but difficult to leave. There is Shi Yanchao trying his best to entangle him inside, and he is attacked from two sides outside. It is impossible to escape easily.
A confrontation gradually turned into a melee and eventually a chase. Three thousand Liao cavalry were completely defeated. Shi Yanchao succeeded in the first battle. He pursued and killed more than 700 people. It is not so easy to conduct cavalry operations in the wilderness without absolute superiority in strength.
Shi Yanchao started to fight. Seeing that he had not achieved the results he deserved, how could he be willing to do so? He immediately wanted to lead his army to continue the pursuit, but was stopped by the previous lieutenant: "General, don't pursue the poor enemy. There is something different about the Liao army on this road!" "
Shi Yanchao was in high spirits, and the blood splattered on his face made his face look a little ferocious. He glared at the general and said: "Since the enemy has been defeated, you should take advantage of the victory to pursue and expand the results!"
The lieutenant general was very courageous. Shi Yanchao was impulsive and spoke louder: "General, this Liao army has given up its usual wandering tactics and outnumbered the enemy, yet it is able to flee at the slightest touch. Its behavior is full of weirdness. , I’m afraid it’s deceitful. Now that we’ve gained something, why not just take it when it’s good?”
Hearing this, Shi Yanchao immediately scolded: "Kang Zaiyu, you have repeatedly blocked me, are you afraid of the enemy?"
Hearing what Shi Yanchao said, the Han general named Kang Zaiyu was also angry. He reached forward and grabbed Shi Yanchao's horse rein, and said loudly: "The general is brave and fearless. He will fight on the battlefield and go through life and death. Have you ever been afraid?" ? The general’s words are too insulting!”
Facing Kang Zaiyu's fierce look, Shi Yanchao calmed down a little and said in a deep voice: "This general, following the orders of the King of Guards, went north to attack the enemy and test the reality. We are going to have a small battle today. How can we withdraw our troops due to suspicion?"
Kang Zaiyu let go of the horse's reins and said in a deep voice: "General, we are here. We have marched sixty miles and fought five battles in a row. The soldiers have not had a moment to rest. They are exhausted and their horses are running low. The sky is already dark. It's time to fight now." At this time, it’s really not appropriate to pursue him too deeply!”
After his dissuasion, Shi Yanchao finally calmed down. He looked at the soldiers around him and found that they were indeed in bad condition. After all, he is a veteran on the battlefield, and he still has basic judgment. Although he was unwilling to do so, he still chose to follow Kang Zaiyu's suggestion. He almost gritted his teeth and said: "Send the order to withdraw the troops!"
Seeing Shi Yanchao's reaction, Kang Zaiyu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He was newly transferred to Shi Yanchao's command after the Northern Expedition. The relationship with this person was not close. Shi Yanchao had a reputation for having a rough temper. It was not easy to persuade him after all.
And Shi Yanchao, looking at the defeated Liao army retreating away, let out a long roar, drew his bow and arrow, fired an angry arrow, and plunged into the grass a hundred steps away.
However, although he temporarily stopped pursuing the pursuit, Shi Yanchao was still restless. After thinking for a while, he said to Kang Zaiyu: "You lead the army to rest here and clean up the battlefield. I will bring a hundred cavalry and go to detect the enemy's situation!"
"To detect the enemy's situation, we have our own sentries and cavalry. General He Lao will go there in person. The general is the commander of the army, and the relationship is very important..." Kang persuaded again.
But this time, it had no effect at all. Instead, Shi Yanchao scolded him: "General Kang, I think you are the right person to be the Xuanwei Lang in the army. Why are you so noisy? A dignified man, Qi. You ruler man, are you so cowardly? Are there any of our famous generals who can survey the enemy's situation without actually being there?"
After saying that, he ordered a hundred riders, prepared their luggage, replenished their drinking water rations, rested for half an hour, and then led everyone towards Yunzhong City.
In the two fields outside Yunzhong City, Yelu Talie personally led ten thousand cavalry, hiding and waiting, forming an encirclement. If the Han army rushed in recklessly, they would definitely suffer heavy losses. Of course the three thousand Liao cavalry heading south were to lure the enemy, otherwise they would not be so vulnerable.
If Kang hadn't met again, Shi Yanchao would have really dared to pursue him directly to Yunzhong City. However, when the defeated army returned, there was no Han cavalry behind them. Asking about the situation, Yelu Talie couldn't help but smile bitterly and was surprised: "Then Shi Yanchao is a general of the Han army, but he has a fiery nature and is eager for quick success, but he still resisted the desire to pursue him?"
It's a pity that no one can explain Yelu Talie.
"Your Majesty, how are you doing now?"
Sighing, Yelu Talie said: "If the strategy fails, withdraw your troops and return to the city!"
"Send more people to keep an eye on the Han army's movements, strangle their scouts, and avoid casualties. We must control their every move!" Yelu Talie ordered again seriously.
The ambush plan failed, and the Liao troops outside the city gradually withdrew and returned to the city. Yelv Tarlie's old face couldn't help but show a bit of fatigue and worry. He looked to the south, then to the north, and finally turned his eyes to the northeast. The withdrawal of troops from Yunzhou has been going smoothly so far. Even if the Han army marches northward, with him here to restrain it, it will not be able to pose much of a threat to Yelujing.
On the contrary, the Yelusha Army on Wende's side, with more than 60,000 Liao troops in his hands, was also the basic strength of the Liao Kingdom, and it could no longer withstand damage. Facing a Han army twice as large as our own, whether we can escape is also a question.
As dusk fell, Shi Yanchao and his men galloped northward, and soon encountered a group of Liao army scouts. After an encounter, they killed more than ten of them.
"I thought about it, and Kang Zaiyu was right. I'm afraid that Liao army just now was really trying to lure me!" Shi Yanchao said after wiping the bloody sword and returning it to its sheath.
Hearing this, the trusted officers around him couldn't help but said: "General, I don't understand why you want to go to Yunzhou in such a hurry?"
Staring at him, Shi Yanchao said, "You have been with me for so many years, have you forgotten where I am from?"
After hearing what he said, I came to my senses. Shi Yanchao, a native of Yunzhou, came from his old hometown and fell into the hands of the barbarians for twenty years. How could he not be filled with ups and downs in his heart when he returned as a wanderer?
Of course, this is only one reason. They left the battle formation to fight. Taking into account the actions of the Liao army, it felt even more strange. He came with only a few thousand cavalry and separated from the main group. He was actually alone. With the strength of the Liao army in Yunzhou, if you want to plot against him, just send a large army. There is no need to engage in "tactics to lure the enemy". The Liao army is bound to have something. ghost.
Not long after, Shi Yanchao rushed to Yunzhong City with Baiqi. Under the clouds at night, the city wall stands tall, like a mighty armored warrior, waiting for the enemy to arrive.
