The north wind in winter is rough without any warmth, blowing through the Monan grassland and sweeping through the wild grass. The wind is not biting, but it seems to be able to penetrate the skin and blood, cooling people's hearts.
Of course, for Liao Emperor Yelvxian, what was even more chilling was the tragic failure he experienced not long ago. Overcast clouds were gathering above the head, and the whole world seemed to be dyed with a faint ink color. Standing by the Manarsson River, Yelvxian's heart was also shrouded in a lingering shadow.
Surrounded by dense and towering green pines, the Narzon River is still crystal clear and pours white water slowly and slowly to the southeast. After fleeing north, everyone temporarily relaxed their tense nerves, and a large number of Liao soldiers dismounted and went to the river to get water.
It was a busy and chaotic scene, with noisy voices, howling wind, and neighing horses and animals intertwined together, making it even more desolate. Some generals were actively running around, performing their duties, trying to restrain the soldiers, waving their whips and roaring at the top of their lungs, and they achieved some results.
A retreat eventually led to a defeat. The interception of the Kangbao Yi Army played a key role. Although the Liao Emperor supervised the battle and the Liao Army's desperate assault, it was only blocked for less than three days, but it still won the victory. The arrival of Liu Tinghan and Li Hanqiong's armies.
In the foothills and wilderness south of Baishuiluo, a war broke out between Han and Liao that was second only to the Liaohe River War since the Kaibao Northern Expedition. The fighting area reached from the Great Wall in the south to Baishuilu in the north. There were about 200,000 troops from both Han and Liao. , launched a desperate struggle on the front of more than 70 miles from north to south. They were all tired soldiers and once fell into melee and chaos.
But the consequences of this battle were far more serious and deadly. In terms of military strength, the Liao army was not at an absolute disadvantage, but during the pursuit and interception by the Han army, many Liao soldiers were overwhelmed and collapsed. This last strategic army of the Liao Kingdom was severely damaged. The soldiers suffered heavy casualties.
Even Emperor Yelvxian was in crisis several times. He was able to escape from the crisis of life and death only after the desperate rescue of a group of Suwei soldiers. The price was that the elite troops of Suwei and Pishi, who defended the imperial power and were the core ruling force of the Liao Kingdom, suffered severe injuries.
It only took one day to go from an orderly commanded evacuation to a disorderly and chaotic retreat. Although due to the lack of troops and the fatigue of the soldiers, the Han army did not achieve a complete victory in this encirclement and suppression war, which was chaotic and risky from the beginning, it was a victory in the end.
During the retreat, the Liao army still had a large number of troops and horses trapped in the foothills of Yin Mountain, including the rear troops led by the emperor's uncle Yelu Daoyin. As for the baggage livestock, most of the proceeds from the seizure eventually became the spoils of war for the Han army.
The tribes were scattered and countless people were killed. When things came to an end, Yelvxian had no choice but to save himself. Under the protection of the royal guards in the palace tent, he hurriedly fled north, rout hundreds of miles away.
Yeluxian almost rolled off the horse, staggered when he landed, and almost fell. The general guard jumped off the horse in a hurry and tried to help him, but Yeluxian pushed him away.
Yelvxian's expression was dull, and he staggered toward the riverside. A group of Liao soldiers who were fetching water subconsciously stepped aside to give him space when they saw the emperor.
Yelvxian, on the other hand, ignored him and squatted by the water, holding the river water and splashing it on his face. He poured ice water on his face and rubbed it hard several times, which made his face even redder. He felt as cold as a knife. Also insignificant.
Lowering his head to comment on the unclear reflection on the water, Yelvxian's soul seemed to have just returned. Whether it was tears or river water, it fell from the corners of his eyes.
At this time, Yelvxian was in a very embarrassed state, covered with mud and disheveled hair. The shadows of swords and swords kept flashing in his mind, and the sound of the Han army's pursuit seemed to still linger in his ears.
I had made up my mind to go south with high spirits, defeated the Han army, and wreaked havoc in Shanyang. In the end, I still ended up losing my troops and fleeing hastily north. The victory of coming south was exposed after the Han army's counterattack peeled off the sweet skin. The truth is the bitter pill.
Regardless of whether it was done or not, Yelvxian held the water again and took two sips, feeling the coldness in his heart. He stood up, his blood surged, he felt dizzy for a while, and after a pause, he recovered. Looking at the Narzon River shrouded in the cold mist in front of him, Yelvxian murmured: "I don't know if I will have the chance to taste this water again in this life." taste......"
"Your Majesty, you should take care of your health and regain your confidence! Daliao still needs you to regroup. A defeat is not terrible. As long as you remain perseverant, you will eventually make a comeback!" Seeing Yelvxian regaining his vitality, Han Derang slowly walked closer. He came forward, handed him a towel, and comforted him softly.
Hearing this, Yelvxian turned to look at Han Derang, who was also in embarrassment, and said bitterly: "Han Qing has profound knowledge. In your opinion, does Daliao still have a chance to make a comeback?"
Obviously, Yelvxian's self-confidence was severely affected by personally experiencing the feeling of defeat. Sensing the desolation and bitterness in Yelvxian's tone, Han Derang was silent for a while, and finally said: "Despite repeated setbacks, the foundation of the Liao Dynasty is still there. Even if it is unable to confront the Southern Dynasties head-on, as long as we concentrate on development and raise the people, , can wait for the future. Although the Han army is strong now, how long can it last?
No undefeated imperial dynasty will eventually decline. The so-called prosperity will lead to decline. Today, the Southern Dynasties are huge and unrivaled, but the larger they are, the more bloated they are, and the more likely they are to have problems.
Your Majesty should follow the example of Taizu's past, even if he cleans up the matter from scratch and revives the Liao Dynasty..."
Hearing Han Derang's words, Yelvxian was touched, but his reaction was not strong. Looking at Han Derang talking eloquently, he pointed to the south: "Han Qing, for the Southern Dynasty, whose country is rising like the rising sun, is it too much to talk about its decline and fall? A little early?"
This question made Handerang unable to help but sigh. He was originally trying to enlighten Yelvxian, but he never thought he would take it so seriously. After thinking for a while, he replied: "Hundreds of years ago, who would have thought that a country as powerful as the Sui Dynasty would die in two generations. Today's Han Dynasty is expanding too fast, just like the original Sui Dynasty. The successor! Who can say for sure what will happen in the future?"
"It was their prince who led the Han Dynasty army to conquer Liaodong. After learning about his performance, do you think their prince is a foolish lord?" Yelvxian asked in return.
Han Derang: "The prince is a prince after all. Whether he can successfully inherit the throne is still doubtful. Since ancient times, how could a monarch as powerful as the Han Emperor accommodate a promising prince? Moreover, I heard that the Han Emperor had many heirs and many talents. There is only one emperor, and this may become a major problem in the Southern Dynasties. Your Majesty should know how much impact the struggle for the right to inherit the throne will have on the country! This is true for me in Liao, let alone the Han Dynasty?"
Han Derang was probably smooth-talking, and he did not hesitate to hint at the past struggles and civil strife in the Liao Kingdom over the issue of succession to the throne. And this point also brought back Yelvxian's memories.
"That's it! Han Qing, you don't have to persuade me anymore. Although this failure was disastrous and I was heartbroken, it still won't sink me completely!" Yelvxian also felt Han Derang's relief and sighed: "Han Dynasty It is not our turn to care about the future, and it is futile to speculate. The situation Daliao is currently facing is what we need to face! After this setback, I even have no shame in going back to Beijing! I don’t know what the situation is in Beijing. So what about Mobei, can we still feel safe?"
Han Derang couldn't help being silent about this. Of course he knew that in the long and fierce war, the situation of the Liao Kingdom was not optimistic. It was on the verge of collapse. However, this time the army that went to the capital went south and suffered a heavy setback. After returning, , if you are not careful, Daliao will end up falling apart.
In the past, the Liao court was powerful enough to intimidate all parties and suppress the grassland tribes. But now, because of the war and military service, the tribes of Uighur and Tatar descent are full of complaints, and even the tribes inside and outside the Khitan have a tendency to renounce.
Under such circumstances, Han Derang did not dare to think deeply about what kind of mess Yelvxian would face after returning to Mobei...
"Your Majesty, the strength of the Southern Dynasties began with the Han Emperor. You were at the peak of your spring and autumn, while the Han Emperor is already old. You have plenty of time for the future..." But no matter what, life must go on, and Han Derang must too. Cheer up Yelvxian.
"Okay, just look at your eyes!" Although Yelvxian was a little impatient, Han Derang's "nagging" finally cheered up Yelvxian.
