Chapter 751 - 31: Monumental Achievement, Foundation of Unification

Gu Jin was unconscious for nearly two days.

Fortunately, he had already arranged everything, allowing the entire Song Army to carry out his strategies methodically.

He was indeed too tired.

The kind of mental and physical exhaustion he endured was something an ordinary person could not withstand.

To persevere, he relied solely on his unparalleled willpower.

Only until this moment—

News from Gubeikou Gate and Juyong Pass began to spread gradually.

...

Liao, main camp of the Liao Army.

Wang Yingchen’s face was as gloomy as water, his fingers tightly clutching the emergency military report just delivered, stained with the aura of war flames, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Gubeikou Gate has fallen! Juyong Pass has been breached!

For him, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

The tent was deathly silent, and all the generals and advisors held their breath, not daring to look at the Chancellor’s terrible expression.

The air was thick with oppression and panic.

"Bang!" Wang Yingchen slammed his fist heavily on the table, causing the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone to jump.

His chest heaved violently, anger and frustration intermingling.

He had calculated Gu Jin’s supply lines, the exhaustion of the Song Army, the natural defenses of Juyong Pass, but he hadn’t foreseen that Gu Jin would dare to risk himself to such an extent, personally leading troops through a perilous terrain, and then, without hesitation, striking directly at Juyong Pass after succeeding!

Even now, Wang Yingchen still didn’t think there was anything wrong with his ideas.

Holding Juyong Pass to the death—

Exhaust the Song Army.

Gradually close the gap between Liao and Great Song with Liao’s advantages, and finally launch a full attack.

Even though he lost now, he only felt that Gu Jin was indeed superior to the average person.

——In fact, this statement is also not wrong.

Overall, the strategies devised by Wang Yingchen were undoubtedly the most suitable for Liao.

Looking at the despondent crowd in the tent, Wang Yingchen was silent for a long time, but his strong rationality quickly overwhelmed his emotions.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and swept his gaze over the anxious crowd in the tent.

"Why panic!" he shouted in a low voice, with undeniable authority, "The situation has changed, but it is not yet the end of the road!"

He quickly walked to the giant Yan Yun map, pointed heavily at the already lost Juyong Pass, and said in a deep but clear voice, "Juyong Pass is lost, Youzhou State is wide open, Yan Yun... is hard to maintain."

As soon as these words came out, there was a sound of sharp inhales in the tent, but no one dared to refute.

After successive blows, they also knew what this meant.

The significance of attacking Juyong Pass is just that.

——This will sever Liao’s entire supply route, making it difficult for them to maneuver again.

Plus the losses from this battle.

Wang Yingchen must make a decision.

"Yet, if you save the land and lose the people, both land and people are lost; if you save the people and lose the land, both land and people will flourish!" Wang Yingchen changed his tone, his eyes sharp like an eagle’s, "The urgent task is not to worry about gaining or losing a city or territory, but to preserve Great Liao’s vitality as much as possible, delay the advance of the Song Army, and leave the seeds for a counterattack in the future!"

He hesitated no longer and quickly issued a series of orders, his thinking clear, demonstrating a very high level of strategic acumen: "Order Yelv Xiuge, stationed in Youzhou, not to stubbornly defend the isolated city!"

"Utilize the city defense to consume and delay the Song Army as much as possible, but be sure to preserve the living forces."

"Wait for the main forces to support, then abandon Youzhou opportunely, retreat in stages towards Tan Province and Jizhou State, relying on the remaining ridges of Yan Mountain to construct a second defensive line, resisting at every step!"

"Order Yelv Xiezhen on Shangjing Road to abandon entanglement with Western Xia!"

"Immediately lead his troops to retreat eastward, and join forces with the retreating troops from Youzhou! Tell Yelv Xiezhen that any lost territory can be reclaimed one day!"

"Now, I want his troops to return alive!"

"Besides, organize evacuation immediately!"

"Prioritize the transfer of treasury money and grain, craftsmen, and civilians willing to follow, moving north to Central Capital and Shangjing! These must not fall into the enemy’s hands!"

"Implement a scorched earth policy, leave Gu Jin with nothing but ashes!"

The atmosphere in the tent grew colder with Wang Yingchen’s words.

In fact, just by his various actions, it was enough to show how decisive Wang Yingchen truly was.

——Scorched earth, relocate the civilians at all costs.

The chaos this could cause is also unimaginable.

But this is precisely what Wang Yingchen intended to do!

Upon hearing this, everyone remained silent, but eventually, they nodded.

A counselor from the Chancellor’s office hesitated for a long time, finally unable to resist reminding, "Chancellor, should we contact Western Xia?"

——Western Xia had already agreed to ally with Liao.

At least for now.

Now that such an event has occurred, naturally they must consider Western Xia.

But Wang Yingchen directly shook his head, giving a dismissive laugh: "Do you really believe Western Xia will still join hands with our Liao at this time?"

He was well aware of Li Deming’s mindset, and there was no need to waste time on this.

What Wang Yingchen needed to do now was to hinder the Song Army’s advance as much as possible, reducing Liao’s losses.

And the development of things was exactly as he had said.

...

Shangjing Road, main camp of Western Xia.

When the shocking news that Gubeikou Gate had fallen and Juyong Pass had been breached arrived, the originally relaxed, opportunistic atmosphere in the tent instantly froze.

The silver goblet in Li Deming’s hand fell with a clang onto the carpet, spilling milk wine everywhere, but he didn’t notice.

Li Yuanhao even suddenly stood up from his seat, disbelief written all over his young face.

"What? Juyong Pass... has fallen? Gu Jin... how could he possibly..." Li Yuanhao’s voice carried a trace of tremor that even he did not notice.

He prided himself on his bravery, but also knew the dangerous terrain of Juyong Pass. The Song Army had been attacking head-on for months without success, and he had even secretly agreed with Wang Yingchen’s judgment, believing that the Song Army was at the end of its strength.