Chapter 695 - 8: The Song Army’s Northern Expedition, an Unprecedented Era of Chaos

"At that time—"

"Whether it’s the ambition in the Western Regions or the strategy in Liaodong, it will no longer be possible!"

"I implore Your Majesty to dispatch troops immediately!"

"We absolutely cannot let the Song Army break the Northern Han!"

His expression was extremely serious, coupled with his notorious reputation from the Legalist School, the entire palace atmosphere became even more solemn as he spoke of warfare.

Upon hearing this, Yelv Xian immediately furrowed his brows.

He could naturally see the gravity of the situation.

But to fully support a foreign country, he was somewhat unwilling. He hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Chancellor."

"If we mobilize troops to assist Han—"

"Then what about our Great Liao’s plans to attack the Western Regions and Liaodong... how should we proceed?"

He didn’t want to miss the opportunity to strengthen national power.

In the original history, Yelv Xian was posthumously titled Emperor Jingzong and was hailed as the reviver of Liao, maintaining peace with the Northern Song for a certain period during his reign.

Just from this, one can understand Yelv Xian’s character.

He excelled in employing talent.

Compared to external warfare, he hoped to continuously strengthen Liao’s national power.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty."

Wang Yingchen showed no hesitation, seemingly having planned everything long ago, he immediately spoke: "Although the Song Army is strong, the terrain of Northern Han is easy to defend and hard to attack."

"I believe the key to this battle lies in Taiyuan."

"For the Song Army to break Northern Han, they must breach Taiyuan."

"Our army only needs to threaten the Song Army at crucial points or sever their supply route!"

As he spoke, he even had someone bring a topographic map and earnestly explained everything in front of everyone.

"As for territorial expansion..."

Wang Yingchen paused, then continued, "Matters of the Western Regions can be postponed, our army can take the lead in attacking Liaodong."

He had already planned everything.

As the Chancellor of Liao.

Wang Yingchen had absolute control over military and political affairs, naturally considering everything well.

Yet, Yelv Xian still did not make an immediate decision.

He slowly looked at the others present, allowing the ministers to express their opinions.

After a long period, he finally made his decision, slowly nodding: "In that case, I leave this matter to the Chancellor."...

...

In March of the third year of Kai Bao, world turmoil was rekindled.

The Song Army officially set out.

Zhao Kuangyin personally led an army of two hundred thousand, advancing north in five routes, launching a massive attack on Northern Han.

One route from Luzhou, one from Fenzhou, one from Xinzhou, one from Daizhou, and one directly targeting the perilous pass north of Taiyuan.

Such an advancement strategy was indeed repeatedly deliberated by the court’s monarchs and ministers.

Just as Wang Yingchen predicted, the key to this battle lies in encircling Taiyuan—due to the terrain, Northern Han has nowhere to hide.

It is worth noting—whether Zhao Kuangyin or Gu Jin, neither planned to employ the traditional tactic of sowing ethnic discord during this campaign.

This was an unspoken agreement between them.

Zhao Kuangyin’s ambition far exceeds that of all emperors of his era; he wishes to expand unprecedented territories, turning them into people of Kyushu.

He naturally wouldn’t employ such a tactic.

As for the Gu Clan, there’s even less need to elaborate.

The Gu Clan has practiced the system of ethnic integration for many years, now is the time for fruition; Gu Jin, like Zhao Kuangyin, has vast aspirations.

He seeks to leverage the grand momentum to forge an unprecedented great undertaking.

This era of great conflict is his opportunity to assert his vision.

—The army sets forth!

The blades of war that rested for a while, from this day, once again rose abruptly in smoke.

Gu Jin and Zhao Kuangyin both commanded from central command, directing decisively.

The Song Army far surpassed Northern Han in strength, with elite troops and overwhelming morale.

Their true focus was on the strategic location of Taiyuan—this is the gateway to Northern Han; if it cannot be breached, all strategies are empty talk, thus there’s no need for meticulous, personal oversight.

And as the battle progressed, it was indeed as they expected.

The Song Army achieved consecutive victories, advancing north like a landslide, pressing into the heartland of Northern Han.

Northern Han’s national power was simply incomparable to that of Great Song.

Including military might.

Because of this, the morale of the entire Song Army grew even more daunting, completely viewing Northern Han as prey.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all this along.

He didn’t know if Great Song could emerge victorious in this battle, if they could break Northern Han.

But he was sure—Great Song and Liao’s confrontation this time would be far stronger than originally in history.

History has been fundamentally altered.

The ideologies are now flowering and bearing fruit in this era of great contention, the impact of which cannot be easily assuaged.

He can only silently watch over all this, always wary of events spiraling out of control.

Time quickly passed.

The Song Army’s continuous northern advance indeed placed immense pressure on Northern Han but unexpectedly halted the long-standing internal turmoil within Northern Han.

Facing a crisis of survival.

These Northern Han royalties ultimately retained a shred of clarity, having no choice but to elect someone to step forward, oversee the entire situation, and fully resist the Song Army.

Their decisive action largely relied on Liao’s support.

This was the confidence Liao gave them.

—Indeed, Liao had already mobilized.

Liao’s army had long divided into two routes southward, one directly heading to the northern fortress Shiling Pass, the other advancing in the area of Dingzhou, intending to cut off the Song Army’s supply line.

Such deployment was orchestrated by Wang Yingchen.

Although he might not be considered a military genius, his insight was exceptionally sharp.

These two actions directly targeted the crux of the battle.