Chapter 713 - 17: Unifying the Central Plains, Zhao Kuangyin’s Demise (Part 1)

The overall strength of the Song Army was inherently superior to that of the Liao Army.

There were many factors involved in this.

It was not only due to the slight changes brought by the Gu Clan but also the morale built by the Song Army’s consecutive years of successful campaigns.

Of course—

The most critical reason was still because the Liao Kingdom had just recovered from chaos.

Yelv Jing, a tyrant already quite famous in the original history, was even more so in the current development.

What always affected the Song Army was that the Liao Army had the geographical advantage!

And now, this issue was finally resolved!

...

——The situation changed suddenly!

In fact, only in such a situation could a commander’s abilities be displayed to the fullest extent.

Gu Jin was not a top-notch commander.

At least in the eyes of Gu Yi, who had encountered many extraordinary individuals, Gu Jin, whether in terms of attributes or performance, was difficult to become the top talent.

But, unfortunately, he had been planning this matter for too long!

He was fully prepared.

He had considered various possibilities.

It could be said that from the moment the Liao Army charged out from various important places, these people already fell into his ambush!

This is what makes him terrifying!

Faced with the Liao Army attacking from all sides, Gu Jin did not immediately counterattack.

Of course—

He didn’t choose to directly let the Song Army abandon each city and retreat as usual either; instead, he began engaging the Liao Army between several small cities around Taiyuan, but without ever displaying his full strength!

Exactly, still luring the enemy!

The most elite of the Liao Kingdom was their cavalry.

This has always been a characteristic of these foreign races!

And on the other hand, the Song Army, although their cavalry strength was not weak either, Gu Jin was unwilling to pay too high a price!

He must utilize the terrain of Taiyuan!

This is also a psychological war.

If it had been in another period, the Liao Kingdom’s generals would absolutely not take risks.

But now it’s different!

They needed to prove that Wang Yingchen was wrong!

In any case, they must do their utmost to drive the Song Army out of Taiyuan, only then can they prove that they are correct and establish their position in the whole court in the days to come.

This is the judgment of the Gu Clan on human hearts!

It is also Gu Jin’s sharpest weapon in his hand this time!

...

In the eighth year of Kai Bao, July.

The Liao Army first breached Xinzhou, and the Song Army was defeated and fled all the way to Taiyuan.

The news spread, and Kyushu was greatly shaken!

This was the most significant defeat since Zhao Kuangyin proclaimed himself emperor and established the Song!

It was also the first setback for the Gu Clan in a thousand years!

This instantly rekindled the greed of the Liao Kingdom’s soldiers, and the pace of the various troops’ attacks quickened noticeably, with even a hint of competition among them!

And just that month—

The Liao Army broke through Daizhou once again.

Countless troops looted their way from all sides towards Taiyuan.

Among them, there were also many who took the opportunity to spread exaggerated battle reports throughout the land!

The impact of this was also not insignificant.

The Gu Clan was too illustrious.

A thousand-year-old family, it was too dazzling in the entire history of Huaxia.

Especially to the common people.

The Gu Clan seemed almost divine.

Even though the people of Kyushu today had not yet directly experienced the grace of the Gu Clan, they were greatly influenced by the legends about the clan.

When these people heard this news, it was as if their faith was collapsing.

Including many aristocratic families, who would, like the common people, think of a question.

"Is the invincible name of the Gu Clan finally going to perish here?"

But....

No matter how much the enemy tried to sway, Gu Jin still steadfastly adhered to his plan, suppressing the desire of the soldiers to fight and allowing the Liao Army to continuously approach Taiyuan!

In the eighth year of Kai Bao, mid-August.

Lanzhou was breached once again.

From here—

All routes for the Liao Army’s attack on Taiyuan were now open, with various troops gathering and advancing along three fronts towards Taiyuan City!

One route entered the Taiyuan Basin from Xinzhou via Shiling Pass.

This was also one of the main battlegrounds in the original history of the Song-Liao war.

Another route came from Lanzhou via Tian Men Pass to Taiyuan.

Besides these, there was yet another flank,.

Advancing from the west along Jingxing Road.

This route was extremely perilous, and the terrain was not suitable for the Liao Kingdom’s army to fight in. In usual times, they wouldn’t have stationed troops there.

But just as Gu Jin expected.

Under the temptation of great profit and prestige.

These people lost their reason.

They were unwilling to forgo any opportunity; even if they couldn’t capture Taiyuan themselves, they wanted to partake and claim credit.

Within just a few months, the situation was completely reversed.

The Song Army transitioned from attack to defense.

The stalemate within the Northern Han’s borders quickly turned one-sided.

But even at this stage.

Gu Jin was not anxious.

He continued to employ various means to convince the enemy that the Song Army was in complete disarray, luring them to venture deeper, constantly dividing the enemy through the terrain around Taiyuan.

Mountains, rivers, and all terrains were factored into Gu Jin’s calculations.

He was also using this strategy to force Yelv Xian to kill Wang Yingchen.

He had already received word from Liao Kingdom.

This was also his last attempt.

Wang Yingchen was definitely a variable.

This person combined the great teachings of Confucianism, Legalism, and Huang-Lao philosophy, governing the country by law, and comforting the people with Confucianism and Huang-Lao thought.