"Such a fortified city was destroyed in a few days, which shows the sharpness of our Han army, and His Majesty's majesty came. The soldiers were brave and courageous, and the thieves and enemies were trapped in the road..." Seeing the city destroyed, all Han troops Greatly encouraged, the spectators were also filled with joy, and Zhang Jie even flattered Liu Chengyou.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but have a slight smile on his lips, and calmly commented with a victor's tone: "The attack and defense of the city are my strengths and the enemy's weaknesses. No matter how much preparation the Liao army has, they will be trapped in the city and resist stubbornly. Heavenly soldiers ultimately use short attacks to attack long-term enemies. Moreover, the Han Dynasty is surrounded by ten times the number of people. They have elite soldiers and sharp weapons, regardless of losses, and attack steadily. How can they defend a lonely city for a long time?"
Since the Northern Expedition, there have been hundreds of large and small battles between the Han and Liao armies, but for the Han army, there were only two real siege operations, one in Tanzhou and one in Yunzhou. Although the Han army's attack on the city was a rogue way to fight for wealth, this siege mode was actually difficult to use as a conventional combat method. It was too extravagant.
If every city was attacked like this, the Han Dynasty would not be able to afford it. The Han army only arranged appropriate tactics in the right place. Two battles in total were enough to determine the direction and outcome of the battle.
"What your Majesty said is true. If you use force to overwhelm it, it will be unstoppable. It cannot be resisted by the mere Yunzhong defenders!" An Shouzhong also expressed his opinion.
"However, Yelu Talie can be regarded as a heroic figure. He has the overall situation in mind and long-term plans. He dares to defend the city alone and resist our army. His courage and courage are worthy of admiration. It has been nearly a month since the troops arrived at the city. Yue, in the face of unremitting attacks for days and nights, it is rare to be able to persist to this point!" Liu Chengyou said again.
Hearing this, Zhang Jieze said: "To be so praised by His Majesty, Yelu Talie will die without regrets!"
"More than 20,000 Liao troops in Yunzhong have been annihilated again, which has once again caused heavy damage to the Khitan! If there is civil strife again, the Khitan will not only suffer a great loss in national strength, but may also be in danger of national subjugation!" said his uncle Guo Tong, who was accompanying the army.
"That's just adding insult to injury!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Up to this point in the Northern Expedition, the direct battle losses of the Liao army must have totaled about 200,000 people, not to mention those who were injured and missing. These are the elite soldiers of the Liao Kingdom. Their vitality has been severely damaged by these losses. After this fierce battle, the Han Dynasty not only recovered Yanyun, but also inflicted heavy damage on the Khitan. It can be concluded that in the next ten years, the Hu barbarians will not be able to invade the south, and the Han Dynasty will have no worries in the northern frontier... "An Shouzhong expressed his opinion.
"The Liao army suffered heavy losses, and the casualties of the Han Dynasty were also not small!" Liu Chengyou nodded and sighed: "The national power was severely depleted, the soldiers were exhausted, and the farmers were injured in the wrong time. I can already foresee that after returning to the court, I am afraid that I will have to do something for The word 'money and food' gives me a headache!"
Although he said this, everyone could feel the ease in the emperor's words and the joy in his mood. Because although the big man paid a lot of money in this battle, it was worth it compared with the gains. In this era, probably no one understands the significance and value of regaining Yanyun better than Liu Chengyou.
The word "Yanyun" is indeed a bit heavy, but I am afraid that no one can truly share the joy of recovery with him, and it is difficult to achieve empathy. However, Liu Chengyou's relief was enough.
"Send someone to ask if there is an army that can defeat the city first!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"yes!"
On the high platform, while the emperor was talking with his ministers, the battle in Yunzhong City was still going on and was still fierce. This city is indeed solid. Although it was bombarded by the Han army and was devastated everywhere, the city foundation was not greatly damaged. The long city wall was already occupied by the Han army, because the city gates were completely sealed. Countless Han soldiers, like ants, climbed up the city with the help of various climbing facilities to kill the Liao army.
In all directions, hundreds of war drums were beating crazily, urging the soldiers to advance. The Liao army at the head of the city was defeated and retreated into the city. However, the soldiers of the Han army also lost their formation in the melee. They just pursued and fought fiercely and marched into the city based on their daily training.
The ensuing battle proved that the Liao army's ambition was not completely taken away. The northern city wall was broken first and was defeated, but the other city gates were still struggling to hold on.
Although the city was destroyed, Yelu Talie still refused to admit defeat, just as he had promised to Emperor Liao before leaving, and he would fight to the last soldier. In an emergency, he did three things.
First, to appease the morale of the army and strengthen the defense accuracy of the inner city; second, to order the remaining three gate guards to withdraw voluntarily, shrink towards the inner city, and send some troops and horses to respond along the streets; third, to personally lead the army, Gather the defeated troops at the north gate to resist the attacking Han army.
Under Yelu Talie's calm command, the Liao army was defeated but not in chaos. After paying a certain price, they regrouped and continued to resist. Therefore, the battle after entering the city, instead of weakening, became more intense.
The Liao army's response was also beyond the expectations of the Han army. In their past understanding, after breaking the city, they would chase the enemy northward and massacre wantonly. Even if they encountered some resistance, they could be easily pacified. Tanzhou’s experience also supports this point.
However, the Liao army in Yunzhong really surprised the Han army with their firm will to resist and their tenacity in fighting. Under the orderly response arrangement, the Liao army in the city relied on every street and row of houses to launch a desperate struggle with the Han army. Sneak attacks, outflanking, cutting, and various walled warfare methods that the Han army had mastered were actually used by the Liao army. For a time, they caused a lot of casualties to the Han army.
Of course, the Liao army's trapped beast fight was almost a provocation to the Han army soldiers, and it also completely angered them. Without the slightest hesitation, the middle and lower-level generals spontaneously led their officers and soldiers to fight fiercely with the Liao army in the city.
In the battle inside the city, the Han army actually lost a lot of advantages. The sharp siege weapons were useless. As the space shrank, the superior strength could not be fully deployed. Under the desperate resistance of the Liao army, casualties began to increase, even more serious than the battle on the city. Of course, the casualties were from both sides.
The Liao army's tough resistance also quickly made the commanding general realize that the battle was not over yet and the Liao army was far from collapse. And, as time went by, they unanimously changed their tactics and ordered that there was no need to rush for success. , but continued to compress and steadily eliminate the remaining enemies.
As the Han army changed its tactics, the pressure on the Liao army also increased exponentially, and breakthroughs were achieved in all aspects. Seeing that they were unable to support themselves, the Han army naturally continued to strengthen its attack, and Yelu Talie also continued to shrink into the inner city.
And, while retreating, another fire was set off, a huge fire. Yelu Talie's preparations were indeed sufficient. He also stored a large amount of licorice and firewood in many houses, and sprinkled them with fire oil and grease. Water and fire are ruthless, and it is beyond the power of flesh and blood to compete.
The Han army's offensive was inevitably contained. Under the boiling fire, the soldiers subconsciously retreated to avoid being swallowed up by the fire. The Liao army took this opportunity to retreat back to the inner city.
The inner city in Yunzhong is not that big, but it is equally strong. It is completely bare all around, and the houses and buildings have been demolished. It is used both for defense and as a fire zone.
Looking at the raging fire outside the inner city, Yelu Ta Liebi's expression was extremely solemn. Although he blocked the Han army's offensive, he could not relax at all. In his estimation, these backup forces would have to be used after a month. However, the speed at which the Han army conquered the outer city was too fast...
There was not much time for him to reflect and sigh. The Liao army that had retreated to the inner city still had more than 10,000 soldiers, most of whom were tired soldiers, and the proportion of wounded soldiers was very high. Yelu Talie personally made the city defense layout, treated the wounded soldiers, and comforted them. Military morale.
The Liao army retreated in embarrassment, and the Han army was also somewhat disgraced. Flames soared into the sky, thick smoke billowed, and the entire sky was almost blackened. Of course, it was getting late, so it looked bleak.
On the viewing platform, the "joyful laughter" was no longer there, the battle situation in the city was constantly being heard. For the Han monarchs and ministers present, it was a bit embarrassing. After all, it was a slap in the face, and they were happy too early.
Looking at the fiery scene from a distance, Liu Chengyou smiled, pretending to be relaxed, and said: "It seems that I have not underestimated Yelu Talie, and he still has to fight against the trapped beast!"
"Your Majesty, King Wei sent someone to ask for instructions. Do you want to replace the troops and continue the attack?" An Shouzhong asked.
"King Wei is the commander-in-chief of the siege, he can make his own decision!" Liu Chengyou responded. However, after a pause, he still ordered: "Send the order to temporarily stop the attack. We will fight for four days and three nights, and let the soldiers rest!"
"yes!"
