Han Shizu

Chapter 897 Yelu Cong's Suggestion
Compared with the earth-shattering situation in Tanzhou, the situation in the direction of Juyongguan is much calmer and more peaceful.Unlike the direction of Miyun, for Juyongguan, the Han army mainly focused on surveillance and responded to the offensive from Tanzhou.

Tanzhou is a place that must be pulled out, and Juyongguan, as the eight Xings of the Taihang, is a powerful pass in the world, and the situation is precarious. Compared with Miyun, it is not a little bit superior in terms of geographical advantages.After Juyongguan, the Liao army has already gathered a large number of troops, ready to support at any time. It is not so easy to break through, and if it is not good enough, things will not be good.

Therefore, although the Han army also mobilized its troops and mobilized the masses, attacking from Changping on a large scale, it looked aggressive, but in fact it was cautious and very prudent.Changping is very close to Juyongguan, only about [-] miles away, and the two sides can be said to be under the nose of each other.

Therefore, there is no need to set up another camp to supply food, fodder, ordnance, and all of them will be stationed in Changping City. Han Hui, a doctor of the Ministry of War and deputy envoy of battalion and transportation, will be stationed and responsible for dispatching supplies.Han Hui, the "tumbler", has been an official for some years. He is a rising star in the court. He has been serving in the Ministry of War and is highly valued by Prime Minister Wei Renpu.

Of course, this is not only because he is Han Tong's son, but also because he is indeed qualified. Although he has a little image, he has good knowledge and ability to do things in the Ministry of War over the years.This time, he was able to participate in the Northern Expedition and was entrusted with a key position. As long as he did not make mistakes, it would be natural for him to be promoted and honored after returning to the court.

Unlike Miyun, the Han army directly attacked the city and surrounded it, seized the key points, cut off contact, and oppressed.On An Shenqi's side, with a rate of [-] people, he was as stable as an old dog, and he didn't even dare to get too close to Juyongguan City. He only seized the Nankou, and then made no progress.

Similar to the situation in Miyun, in the south of Juyongguan, the Han army also carried out large-scale construction, erected strong walls, and set up solid fortifications. It was clearly an attack, but they made a defensive posture.At the same time, between Changping and Nankou, a corridor about ten miles long was built to level the road for the transportation of grain, fodder and supplies.

For the Han army, these actions can be described as proficient, and they are not afraid of consuming people's strength.Regarding the behavior of the Han army, the Liao army at Juyongguan did not completely sit back and watch, and sent cavalry to harass it, but just like the previous confrontation, there was a harassing effect, but the effect was minimal.

Even, under the strong and decisive response of the Han army, they were entangled several times, and once they stayed or failed to retreat, they would have the effect of being surrounded by infantry.Therefore, since the Han army came out of Changping, the Liao cavalry who attacked from Juyongguan were annihilated by nearly 2000 people.

As a matter of fact, not to mention the Han army, the Liao army has discovered it, and it seems to be completely suppressed.If you want to rely on iron cavalry to strike vertically and horizontally, it will not work at all. In field battles, the Han army is completely worthwhile. In frontal battles, relying on the cooperation of cavalry and cavalry, the Han army can completely suppress the Liao army.

However, to make full use of the maneuverability of the cavalry, a small number of soldiers is useless. The tens of thousands of cavalry that the Hanting Central Committee spent ten years in armed training have all been transferred to participate in the battle.If there are many soldiers, they will enter the pass and have to worry about whether they can return smoothly.The infantry of the Han army may not be able to catch up with four legs, but if they are combined with cavalry, castles, and terrain, coupled with a huge army and human strength, their suppression is too strong.

Thanks to the powerful engineering capabilities of the Han army, a huge and strong fortress was erected outside the south of Juyongguan. After the stronghold was completed, there was no more movement, and there was no intention to move forward to attack the Liao army.

Except for forging heavy weapons and monitoring the enemy's pass, there is no other change.As the coach, An Shenqi, in addition to commanding the soldiers, paid more attention to the battle situation in Tanzhou, and at the same time led people to inspect the terrain around Juyongguan, praising its majestic mountains and beautiful scenery.
The Han army in the south of Juyongguan seems to have come for an "outing", but the scale is a bit large and the visitors are not good.Attacking and not attacking, retreating and not retreating, this made the defending Liao army uncomfortable.

Since the Northern Expedition of the Han Army, the Liao army has gathered a large number of soldiers and horses in the Juyongguan area, nearly 50,000 people, mainly cavalry, stationed in Guancheng and the former Confucian and Gui areas after it.

This area has been a place for hegemony since ancient times, and it has been a key point of defense. For thousands of years, wars have occurred many times.Regardless of the distance, since the Tang Dynasty, the warlords have fought for hegemony, and the struggle between Hedong and Lulong has basically revolved around this area. Li Keyong repeatedly sent troops to attack, intending to pass through Juyongguan and take Youyan.

That is to say, Shi Jingtang was too "generous", gave the sixteen prefectures to Khitan, won the mountains and rivers, fortified the dangerous obstacles, handed over to others, and caused huge troubles for the latecomers.Of course, the terrain is definitely an important point and is occupied by the enemy, but it is hard power that determines the outcome of a war.

The chief general of the Liao army at Juyongguan, named Yelu Cong, was born in the Khitan royal family. He once followed Yelu De to destroy the Jin Dynasty.Since the Northern Expedition of the Han Army, Xiao Siwen and him have been leading and cooperating with each other in front-line battles against the Han.Overall, it's pretty good.

However, during the period when An Shenqi's army occupied Nankou, he was very irritable.One is that the performance of the Han army made him flustered and worried, and the other was the strategy against the enemy from the Emperor Liao's palace tent, which made him bored.

That's right, Yelv Cong was opposed to the tactics of "defensive counterattack", relying on city gate defense, and consuming the morale of the Han army's soldiers.When he learned that it was Yelu Yazhi, the great king of the Northern Academy, who made the proposal, he was even more depressed. He didn't know why Yelu Yazhi, who had always been known for his wisdom and decisiveness, would come up with such a foolish plan.

Several times to express his ideas to the Wende camp, he was beaten back, and he was only allowed to guard the city gate.Fortunately, on September 21st, Liao Emperor Yelujing came east in person, accompanied by 130,000 Liao army infantry.With his arrival, the strength of the Liao army on the front line of Juyongguan suddenly exceeded [-].

Hearing this news, Yelu Cong couldn't help being overjoyed, he explained the defense affairs of Juyong Pass, flew out of the pass, and went straight to Huailai, wanting to visit Liao Emperor in person.

"I see Your Majesty!" In the imperial tent, Yelu Cong successfully met the Liao Emperor and paid respects.

"Exemption from courtesy!" For this kind of veterans of the Taizong Dynasty, Yelujing has always been very polite and trustworthy.

Ordering someone to serve him milk tea, Yelujing looked at him and asked, "How is the defense of Juyongguan? I heard that the Han army has not launched an attack yet."

Yelu Cong nodded, and said: "From the current situation, the Han army at Nankou is only a feint, and their main attack direction is Miyun, Tanzhou. After seizing Nankou, build a defensive fortress to block our army. The intention in the north of Nankou is obvious, I guess, they want to remove Daliao's city gates in Yannan step by step, step by step!"

Hearing what he said, Yelujing looked a little serious, thought about it seriously, looked at Yelucong, and said solemnly: "You have written a letter several times, saying that Daliao should not be defended, but should be based on attack. I'm here to hear your thoughts!"

"I want to report to Your Majesty!" Seeing Emperor Liao's attitude, Yelu Cong immediately said: "This time the Han army's Northern Expedition has mobilized more than a million troops. Although its momentum is fierce and unstoppable, Daliao is certainly not enough to confront it head-on. If you want to take a defensive position, want to rely on defense to retreat from the enemy, and compete with the Han army for consumption, I really don't agree with it!"

Glancing at Yelujing, seeing that he was listening seriously, Yelucong had a clear mind and spoke more calmly: "Since ancient times, southerners are good at attacking and defending cities, while northerners are good at riding, shooting and hunting. The army of Daliao is mainly composed of cavalry. For example, if a person who controls the strings hides in the city and pass the village, waiting for the Han army to attack, it is not a waste of martial arts, and it is self-defeating.

However, the Han army is mainly infantry, and its strengths in battles and city battles allow them to approach the city calmly and be fully prepared, but sending troops to attack is to make use of their strengths and attack our weaknesses, which is really not enough!
I have heard for a long time that the Han army has strong armor and has prepared a large number of huge siege weapons.For example, Juyong Pass, although the terrain is critical, the pass city is also said to be strong, but there are not many troops, and it is convenient for defending the north. Now the Han army is attacking from the south entrance, but it is difficult for our army to rely on it. "

After a short pause, Yelu Cong continued: "Even if our army sticks to the line and can be effective, the Han army is hard to advance, but if we want to confront it for a long time, it is even worse.

This time, for the Royal Han Army, Your Majesty will send out 300,000 troops from west to east. With 300,000 troops, the amount of rations and fodder they need to consume every day is huge. With the current national strength of Daliao, how long can it take to supply the army?

The Han army is not the case. Its strength is strong, and the time it can support is really incalculable.If a long-term and fierce battle is adopted to drag down and drag down the Han army, I am afraid that not only will the goal not be achieved in the end, but it will be in his hands."

Yelv Cong's remarks, the former has already explained very clearly in the above memorial, and it was precisely because of this that Yelvjing's attitude changed and he led the army in person.

After pondering for a while, Yelvjing asked: "If according to your words, defense is not enough to defend, but based on offense, how to attack! Facing the enemy head-on, can you defeat the Han army?"

In this regard, Yelu Cong said: "Your Majesty, the Han army is powerful and talented, and it actually mobilizes the masses. The army and civilians definitely exceed 500,000, which can be described as prosperous. However, the price to be paid for the military supplies for these 500,000 people is even more than Imagination, and the key lies in the way of food! If you can hit the way of food, how can you be afraid of the crowd, and this is also the strength of the Daliao iron cavalry, which should be developed!"

Hearing what he said, Yelujing frowned deeply, showing a hesitant expression, and replied: "Before, when the iron cavalry went south to plunder and kill Youyan, the soldiers and civilians of Han and Yan fought hard for more than forty days. The effect was not good, and our army lost a lot!"

Regarding this, Yelu Cong said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I believe that the loss of the former lies in the lack of strength of the attacking army. Even so, the damage caused to the soldiers and civilians of Youyan and Han can be regarded as serious.

Now Your Majesty is personally leading the army to hunt south. If you can use your grand strategy and concentrate your strength, attack its grain roads, attack its rear, and spread the flames of war to Hebei.Through field battles in the plains, how can Daliao be afraid of entangled with the Han army on this road, and also use my strengths to attack their weaknesses! "

(End of this chapter)