Shi Yanchao's sacrifice was still valuable. Kang Zaiyu was finally able to lead the remaining army and successfully escaped southward. Also on the Liao army's side, although they won the victory, they were exhausted after such a hard night battle and suffered heavy casualties. Therefore, they did not pursue them in depth, but withdrew their troops and returned to camp to rest.
The Han army was already extremely exhausted and exhausted mentally and physically. If it were not driven by the desire to survive, they would not even be able to escape. It was Kang Zaiyu who noticed the Liao army's situation, stopped in time, gathered the soldiers, and retreated in order to prevent the Han's elite cavalry from completely turning into stragglers.
After retreating to the entrance of the Great Wall, they felt the darkness and got a chance to breathe. Even so, in order to reduce their attention and avoid attracting possible Liao pursuers, they did not even dare to light a fire. After a little inventory, the Han army that successfully followed Kang and fled southward only had less than a thousand horses, and most of them were injured.
After such a short rest, several officers and soldiers fell off their horses, but they were too exhausted and never knew it again. The remaining people, except for a moment of panic, were all drowsy.
Seeing this miserable image, Kang Zaiyu couldn't help but lament in his heart, since the Northern Expedition, have any Han armies been as miserable as this one? At the same time, he secretly scolded Shi Yanchao, "You went away happily, how could he have the dignity to return to camp with this remnant of his defeated troops?"
Of course, no matter how much negative emotions you have, you don't dare to show them in this situation. You have to try your best to appease the soldiers and urge them to continue to withdraw southward. The entrance to the Great Wall is still close to the Liao army. It is not a place to stay for a long time, so we should leave immediately.
"General, look!" Just as he was about to leave, a junior officer exclaimed.
Looking around following the sound, they saw several lights flickering on the mountain road to the south, undulating towards them. The other Han riders couldn't help but waver when they saw this, and subconsciously clenched their knives.
"Is it another Liao army ambush?"
"Shut up! If the Liao army was ambushing the army, the killer would have come long ago! There are not many people coming, more like sentinels!" Sensing the instability of the army's morale, Kang Zaiyu scolded him, quickly made a judgment, and ordered: "Everyone be on guard and prepare for battle! Listen, no matter who comes, anyone who dares to block our way will be killed by me!"
Kang Zaiyu's performance effectively stabilized the soldiers. At least everyone still had a backbone. However, what finally made them nervous was that it was Yang Yejun who came from the north.
Speaking of Yang Ye, he set off about an hour later than Shi Yanchao, but when he caught up, the delay was far behind. Although Yang Ye was anxious in his heart, he controlled his emotions forcefully, unlike Shi Yanchao who was so quick and hasty. Although the speed was increased, the soldiers and horses had to be given enough rest time every hour. Even so, they had to walk for a while before arriving at Jiaoshan Pass.
However, Shi Yanchao's army was still not seen, and he immediately judged that Shi Yanchao had marched overnight. Yang Ye couldn't understand why Shi Yanchao had the confidence to march at night, cross the Great Wall and climb the mountains.
Therefore, Yang Ye is even less optimistic about Shi Yanchao's situation. While sending sentry cavalry to continue northward to investigate, hoping to get in touch with Shi Yanchao's army, they temporarily rested at Jiaoshan Pass. However, at that time, Shi Yanchao's army was already locked in a deadly battle to break out of the encirclement.
When Kang Zaiyu led the remnant army and joined Yang Ye's army, even the defeated soldiers couldn't help but express the joy of surviving the disaster. As for Kang Zaiyu, his old eyes almost shed tears.
Yang Ye ordered them to rest on the spot. He sent people to investigate and arranged for defense. At the same time, he distributed rations and drinking water to supplement the forbidden cavalry who had survived the bloody battle. He also asked accompanying military medical officers and soldiers who knew basic medical treatment skills to help heal their injuries.
Yang Ye himself took Kang Zaiyu and helped him heal his injuries. At the same time, he asked Shi Yanchao and the situation of the war. The defeat was an obvious thing. What Yang Ye wanted to know was the course of the war and the situation of the Liao army.
In fact, facing the inquiry from Yang Ye, a young general, Kang felt quite uncomfortable when he met such a veteran again, but he still took his face into consideration. However, a defeat is a defeat after all. Regarding the military situation, it was even more inappropriate and I dared not hide it, so I told the whole story. However, there was not much to say about Shi Yanchao's rash advance. Although he was the culprit, Kang Zaiyu had no intention of adding insult to injury.
"You have been fighting fiercely with the Liao soldiers for nearly two hours? The Lord of Liao is also in the rear army?" Yang Yeze quickly analyzed the military situation and asked in surprise.
"If it hadn't been for the attraction of the Lord of Liao and the lack of troops and horses, General Shi would not have rushed in to pursue!" Probably because of the wound, Kang Zaiyu couldn't help but gritted his teeth and replied: "However, the Liao army's pursuit of our army, Obviously he was prepared and laid an ambush in advance, resulting in this defeat and heavy casualties!"
"It's so hard to return to the army!" Yang Yeze sighed.
After thinking for a while, Yang Ye asked: "Do you know where the Liao army is stationed?"
"I don't know? But I think it's not far from the battlefield!" Kang Zaiyu responded, but noticed Yang Ye's strange expression and suddenly asked: "General Yang, you don't have any ideas, do you?"
Hearing this, Yang Ye shook his head, but it was obvious that he didn't mean what he said: "I came to Xiabei to support you. General Shi and all the soldiers died in the battle, but now that I have received you, it's time to retreat!"
After resting for about an hour, there was still no movement from the Liao army. The Han army at the entrance of the Great Wall also felt relieved. Most of the soldiers who escaped were wrapped in armor and slept on the ground, snoring loudly.
As the commander-in-chief, Yang Ye personally inspected the security situation until the sentinels returned. Yang Ye quickly asked: "How is the situation ahead?"
Several sentry riders, skilled in their profession, immediately reported the situation: "The valley where the ambush was being carried out was in a mess. There were no soldiers of the Liao army left, and corpses were piled all over the ground. The armors and weapons had not been cleaned up yet. Perhaps it was because it was already dark. , the Liao army was tired from fighting and prepared to clean up again during the day."
"Have you been noticed by the Liao army? Have you discovered the Liao army's camp?" Yang Ye asked again.
The sentry immediately said: "General, don't worry, we have been paying attention to hiding our whereabouts. As for their camp, it is in a mountainous area about five miles north of the ambush valley. There is no fence, only some felt tents, piles of vehicles and horses, and it stretches for a long distance. You can't see the edge. It was probably the first victory of the Liao army, and the defense was not very tight. From outside the valley, there is another narrow path leading to the Liao army garrison, but it is rugged and difficult to navigate..."
Listening to his description, Yang Ye showed a satisfied smile: "You did a good job. You were able to find out the situation of such a complex terrain in such a short time!"
"General, my subordinates have been spying in secret before, but they can walk this way!" the sentry officer replied hehey.
"Do you still have energy left? Come with me for another walk!" Yang Ye asked.
"I would like to follow the general!" the officer said without hesitation.
So, taking advantage of the thick darkness of night, Yang Ye went north in person, climbing over the mountains and walking through the gorges to spy on the Liao army's situation. The secret was kept secret for a long time, and by the time he returned to the Han Army garrison at the entrance of the Great Wall, it was already the ugly time.
The first thing he did when he came back, Yang Ye ordered people to call the officers together, looked around and said directly: "While you were sleeping, I personally went to explore the Liao camp. Not far from here, more than ten miles away, An hour of urgent march will take us there..."
As soon as he said this, a military academy immediately understood and asked: "General, you don't want to attack the Liao camp, do you?"
"Exactly!" Yang Ye nodded without hesitation.
The two decisive words made the officers feel sleepy. Under the stunned eyes of everyone, Yang Ye said: "I looked at the layout of the Liao army. It is quite restricted in the mountains. It can be said that it is full of flaws. It stretches for ten miles and it is difficult to see the beginning and the end. . And after the previous encirclement and annihilation battles, they were exhausted from running around and their vigilance was greatly reduced. They could expect a troop of soldiers and horses to pursue them, but it was unexpected that there would be pursuers after the pursuers. And even though they were defeated and frustrated, they still dared to stay overnight. Advance troops and launch an attack.”
"This is a fighting opportunity. It is an opportunity that thousands of Han soldiers have given their lives to fight for for us. We must not let it go!" Yang Ye mobilized his men passionately: "Furthermore, the Lord of Liao is also in the army. If we march this time, we will not let it go!" If you can control it, all of you here will achieve unparalleled military exploits!"
"In the Battle of Luancheng, Yang was fortunate enough to follow His Majesty and defeat hundreds of thousands of Liao troops. Now, we are once again under the care of Tianwei, and we are attacking tens of thousands of exhausted enemies. How can we be invincible if our troops are scattered?" Will you all come with me?"
Yang Ye's words were very effective in inspiring others. Coupled with his long-standing reputation for being good at planning and fighting, his subordinates also had a subconscious trust in him. Those cavalry officers also often heard Yang Ye's name, so they expressed their willingness to follow him even after a little hesitation.
After reaching a consensus, Yang Yesuo led 5,000 Han troops and immediately mobilized, preparing to attack at a very efficient speed. Unexpectedly, after learning Yang Ye's plan, Kang Zaiyu marveled at his courage, and at the same time expressed his willingness to let him lead some of the forbidden riders who had taken a short break to assist in the battle.
But Kang Zaiyu felt that if the army was defeated, he would inevitably be punished if he returned, so he might as well fight. Of course, it is also Yang Ye's calm performance and his analysis and grasp of fighters that are much more trustworthy than Shi Yanchao.
On the Liao army's side, chariots, horses, camps, and luggage stretched all the way along the mountainous terrain. As Yang Ye and the sentry cavalry discovered, the loss was serious. This was also for the convenience of marching. Coupled with an ambush against the Han army's pursuers, it was inevitable to relax after a great victory.
Although there are defenses and sentries in the poor, dangerous and narrow places, apart from serving a certain warning function, they cannot be relied upon for defense.
The Emperor of Liao was in an ordinary felt tent, and his imperial tent could not be opened. Before dawn, Yelujing was sleeping with a beautiful concubine in his arms. Suddenly he heard a killing sound and was quickly awakened.
"Come here, where is the killing sound, what's the situation!" During this period, Yelujing was under great mental pressure, so when she heard something strange, she took the gold knife she carried with her and went out of the tent wearing lining to inquire.
The leather-based sergeants in Suwei all looked at each other, for some unknown reason, but they all stood on guard and protected him firmly.
The morning was hazy, and the sound of killing came from the south, and as time went by, it became more intense and closer. When Yelujing was getting ugly, he received news that three Han armies had launched a surprise attack. The front was in danger and the rush was unstoppable. He was asked to retreat north first. After Yelujing heard about the change, he had already organized a resistance...
