Chapter 745 - 28: Schemes and Strife, the Three Kingdoms Compete for Supremacy

——The three armies thundered!

This time, Gu Jin had clearly made up his mind. He was willing to pay a hefty price to reclaim Yan Yun.

And this, in fact, was not a foolish method.

Because without paying such a high price, it wouldn’t have deceived someone as shrewd as Wang Yingchen.

In fact, Gu Jin was right.

To deal with someone like Wang Yingchen, one must exploit his character flaws.

And this was the only opportunity at present!

In front of Juyong Pass.

Without any warning, the Song Army intensified their offensive once again.

And Liao’s judgment on this was exactly as Gu Jin had expected.

Wang Yingchen was not flustered at all and remained firmly confident in his judgment.

Under his influence.

Even many ministers of Liao gradually calmed down and began to believe in Wang Yingchen’s idea.

There was no way around it; the price the Song Army paid under Juyong Pass was too high.

It was hard for them to believe that having paid such a high price, the Song Army would make any other choice.

....

Xijing Road, in the Western Xia’s central army tent.

The crackling flames in the brazier illuminated the faces of the people, reflecting their greedy excitement.

The tent was filled with the mixed aroma of lamb and milk wine, creating a lively atmosphere.

And the reason, too, was very simple.

——Western Xia’s current situation was indeed quite good.

The direct conflict between the Song and Liao countries allowed the small nation of Western Xia to reap many benefits, enjoying an unprecedentedly favorable position.

How could they not be excited?

At this moment, facing the news from Juyong Pass and hearing about the continuous battles between the Song and Liao at Juyong Pass, they couldn’t hide the smiles on their faces.

"The Song Army at Juyong Pass, blood flows like rivers. Their offensive is fierce but gaining no ground."

A general who had just returned hurriedly from a border post was reporting loudly, with an irrepressible joy in his tone, "Your Majesty, Crown Prince, the Liao Army relies on the natural fortification, holding steadfast and not retreating. The Song Army, though brave, pays a great price for every step forward!"

"If this continues, a fight between two tigers will result in mutual destruction!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Li Yuanhao clapped and laughed, his youthful face slightly flushed, eyes gleaming with wild light. "Let them fight! The more fiercely they fight, the more blood they shed, the greater the opportunity for my great Baigao to rise!"

"Father, it is the blessing of heaven upon our nation!"

"We should seize the opportunity to advance westward with all our might, to swallow up the entire prosperous land of Liao’s Xijing Road!"

His proposal immediately received support from many military generals.

General Yeli Yuqi said in a loud voice, "Crown Prince’s words are absolutely right!"

"If not now, then when?"

"While Wang Yingchen is being stalled by Gu Jin in Youzhou, we should take Datong Prefecture in one fell swoop, cutting off Liao’s western wing!"

"At that time, our territory will greatly expand, and our national strength will surge. Watch as neither the Song nor Liao dares to underestimate us any longer!"

The tent was bustling, and all the ministers believed that the opportunity had arrived, eager to deploy troops eastward immediately and seize the imagined wealth and population of Liao’s Xijing Road back to Xingqing Prefecture.

However, amidst the optimism, a steady voice suddenly sounded.

"Your Majesty, Crown Prince, dear colleagues, I implore you to remain calm." It was the seasoned and strategic Yeli Renrong speaking, his brow slightly furrowed, eyes sweeping over the excited crowd, finally settling on the composed Li Deming. "The setback of the Song Army, for us, is certainly a good thing."

"But have you ever thought that if the Song Army were to collapse or even be counterattacked successfully by the Liao Army, what would be the consequences?"

The tent quieted down slightly, and Yeli Renrong continued, "If Liao wins quickly, wielding the might of victory, who will be their next target?"

"Would Wang Yingchen allow us to comfortably occupy Xijing Road?"

"By then, our great Baigao would alone face a mighty Liao who just defeated the Southern Dynasty! This is certainly not a fortunate situation!"

He paused, looking at Li Yuanhao, "On the contrary, if our army launches a full-scale attack now, pressing Liao too hard, Wang Yingchen might, in desperation, sacrifice some interests in Youzhou to resolve the thorn we pose."

"Facing Liao’s main force alone, the outcome is uncertain; even if we win, it would be a Pyrrhic victory, allowing the Southern Dynasty’s Gu Jin to reap the benefits from the conflicts."

Strategist Zhang Pu also nodded in agreement, "Yeli is absolutely right."

"Your Majesty, the current stalemate is the most advantageous situation for us."

"Both the Song and Liao are deeply mired; neither has the strength to pay attention elsewhere."

"What we need is not to hastily enter the fray and break the balance, but to let this balance last longer, making them bleed more!"

Li Yuanhao was not a foolish man. Hearing this, his fervent mind gradually calmed down.

He was indeed distinguished.

But he was evidently still young now.

In the current situation, he was also influenced by many pieces of information in his judgment, although he reacted quickly, nodding immediately: "Then... according to the gentlemen, what should we do now?"

——For a ruler.

It is not necessary for him to remain absolutely rational at all times, but merely needs to regain clarity when required.

At this moment, the silent Li Deming finally spoke slowly: "Yeli Renrong and Zhang Pu, you see clearly."

Compared to Li Yuanhao, Li Deming was much more shrewd and strategic with a deep gaze that swept over everyone, speaking calmly, "The setback of the Song Army, for us, does not signal a full-on attack, but rather.... increases our bargaining chips."

When he said the last part, he looked at his most favored son.

Seeing a flash of insight in the latter’s eyes, he nodded with satisfaction before continuing to say, "Previously, our slow advance was essentially waiting to negotiate our price."