Chapter 716 - 18: Securing the Central Plains, Zhao Kuangyin’s Demise (Part 2)

"That’s right—

As time passed, various armies arrived beneath Taiyuan City.

How could they give up such an opportunity?

The battles continued relentlessly.

The main reason Gu Jin dared to take such a risk this time was still due to the terrain and defenses of Taiyuan.

Including the fact that the Liao Army was not adept at sieging cities.

This gave Gu Jin tremendous confidence.

He had the ability to drag it out!

Drag it out until the moment the Liao Army’s fighting spirit gradually depleted!

Ten days;

Twenty days;

Thirty days;

The entire Taiyuan became a meat grinder, constantly reaping lives.

The Song Army was naturally fearlessly confident.

In the era of cold weapons, siege defense had always been like this.

The defending side naturally held a significant advantage.

But for the Liao Army, all of this was a devastating blow.

But how could they retreat?

Even if they had gained considerable benefits, as long as Wang Yingchen was still alive, this group of people could not retreat.

Because everyone understood the potential consequences if they retreated like this.

Power has never been a game, but a life-and-death struggle.

This was true for the Central Plains Dynasty.

It was equally so for the Liao Kingdom.

They couldn’t retreat, nor could they withdraw.

The current situation had completely trapped them here, and they could only strive for complete success!

And as time continued to pass.

With their colleagues falling one by one under Taiyuan, as the morale of the Liao soldiers wavered, the opportunity the Song Army had been waiting for finally arrived.

...

Shiling Pass.

This place was located between Xinzhou State and Taiyuan, flanked by two mountains, a strategic location for military contention since ancient times.

At present, in the canyon between the two mountains.

Disheveled soldiers dashed out from the dense forest, each with a resolute gaze.

And leading them—was Yang Ye!

Indeed, this was the elite force led by Yang Ye!

It included not only Yang Ye’s trusted followers but also the elite trained by Gu Jin over the years.

It could be said, apart from Zhao Kuangyin’s personally led Forbidden Army.

These two forces were definitely the sharpest blades of the Great Song at present!

"Pass my orders!" Yang Ye’s voice was stern, eyes blazing, "Immediately send men to the Fen River Valley, Tian Men Pass, and Jingxing Path, and inform all our troops — absolutely do not allow the remnants of the Liao Army to pass through peacefully!"

Though they had been lurking in this deep forest for days, Yang Ye never forgot the heavy responsibility Gu Jin entrusted to him.

— The success or failure of this battle rested on his shoulders!

Gu Jin had to stay in Taiyuan.

In the prolonged siege, even with Taiyuan’s formidable defenses, it needed a leader capable of rallying the troops, making them swear to fight to the death.

And Gu Jin was the only choice.

Because of this, Yang Ye and several disciples of the Gu Clan resolutely shouldered the responsibility of annihilating the enemy outside.

They had to conceal their movements and coordinate the ambushes, responding and cooperating closely.

The overlapping mountains around Taiyuan and the intricate terrain made it easy to hide troops.

Yang Ye, having long stationed here, knew every grass and tree by heart.

Only he could strategize in this complex terrain and assume this heavy responsibility.

"Understood!"

The armored soldiers under his command accepted his orders without hesitation and galloped out.

Yang Ye was always cautious in warfare.

While ordering men to lead out the warhorses hidden in the woods one by one, he also dispatched scouts to probe Taiyuan’s military situation again.

Until, days later, various messengers brought back news, he made up his mind.

He drew his sword and mounted his horse, rallying his comrades:

"Brothers, follow me back to Taiyuan!!!"

The army instantly set out toward Taiyuan.

Like a sharp blade, they directly struck the main formation of the Liao Army from the rear!

Almost simultaneously—

The ambushes at the Fen River Valley, Tian Men Pass, Jingxing Path, and other locations were also set into motion.

They weren’t just attacking the rear of the Liao Army!

Equally, they occupied strategic locations, places that all Liao troops must pass through to retreat!

— The situation changed abruptly!

With siege failure prolonged, the morale of the Liao soldiers was already low.

Let alone facing the current situation.

"Song Army! Reinforcements of the Song Army!"

"Where did they come from?!"

"The rear army has been scattered!""

"..."

Crying out in fear first broke the silent night, with panic spreading like a plague among the rear ranks of the Liao Army.

What followed was the complete collapse of the county.

The problem of lack of discipline became entirely apparent under such circumstances.

Even though the Liao royal commanders wanted to stabilize the situation,

except for the most elite group,

it was impossible to stabilize the entire army amidst such chaos.

This was a total collapse!

Similarly, there was the counterattack of the defending forces within Taiyuan City!

The long-prepared ambushes of Gu Jin, like a giant web already set, joined forces with the Taiyuan garrison, ready for action, to surround and annihilate the Liao forces.

The horn of counterattack officially sounded!

The situation of attack and defense reversed!

The Song soldiers charged at the Liao Army like hungry wolves seeing rabbits.

Who hadn’t been holding in a breath of frustration?

The Song Army now was not like the Song Army in the original history.

Their commander was no longer that chariot god who became a historical laughingstock!

At least—

This general would not abandon them but would always rush to the forefront!

War erupted on all sides.

Countless Liao soldiers, under such circumstances, completely lost the possibility of resistance, retreating in disorder along the remembered routes they had come by.

Even though the Song Army’s encirclement was thorough, it could not possibly capture everyone.

But, don’t forget the terrain of Taiyuan!

Rivers... Mountains...

All these were enough to affect many things, and the chaotic route of rapid marches for merit turned into a bad fruit in such times.

Moreover, Gu Jin had long ordered the guarding of all key areas!

Even if they couldn’t completely annihilate these people!

But they absolutely could not simply escape!

—The situation completely reversed!

Gu Jin apparently was also holding back anger, as he released all the troops, letting them vent the pent-up anger in their hearts freely!

The only rule he established was, not to plunder the civilians!

It wasn’t out of mercy!

Gu Jin had already considered Northern Han as the territory of the Great Song.

The people of Northern Han had suffered too much plundering, Gu Jin had to make these people feel a hint of hope in such times.

Only in this way could they be completely stabilized!

And likewise—

He also wanted to leverage these people, to eliminate all enemies as much as possible!

The situation suddenly changed, and the entire land of Northern Han was filled with fleeing Liao soldiers.

At the same time, Gu Jin also completely sounded the horn of counterattack.

He wouldn’t give Liao any time to prepare, pursuing the enemy while spreading his forces to occupy various places.

In the eighth year of Kai Bao, December.

The Song Army recaptured Lanzhou State.

In the same month—

Xinzhou State and other places were successively pacified.

The entire Taiyuan and its surrounding areas returned to the hands of the Song Army, while the Song Army raced forward, attacking everywhere.

Taking advantage when the Liao Army could not react, they occupied every strategic point in succession.

Of course, it was naturally impossible to keep the news hidden.

When the Song Army had already occupied most of Northern Han’s land, Yelv Xian finally received the news.

Even though he was already prepared.

When he learned of the matter, he was still quite scared.

He immediately dispatched Wang Yingchen, wanting him to rescue the Liao Army.

But Wang Yingchen, after understanding the situation, simply shook his head.

According to his words—

He couldn’t save these people.

These people were completely terrified by the Song Army, even bringing forces to rescue them would certainly be impacted, likely causing even more significant casualties.

His only advice was to guard Yan Sect.

To prevent the Song Army from entering Liao’s territory.

To this, even though Yelv Xian was somewhat doubtful, he could only comply.

He couldn’t gamble.

Even he was terrified upon hearing the current situation, let alone those officers and soldiers being pursued!

...

The eighth year of Kai Bao—

Gu Jin led the army and defeated the Liao Army at Taiyuan, a great victory.

Over a hundred thousand enemies were slain.

The Great Song completely occupied the entire Northern Han territory.

In one battle, the Central Plains were settled!...

.....

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