Chapter 753 - 31: Monumental Achievement, Foundation of Unification

The encirclement strategy was thus formed.

Unfortunately, Wang Yingchen still possessed some capability.

At least in facing the current situation, he did not panic excessively but instead, unlike ordinary people, directly headed to the frontline to block the Song Army’s offensive, buying time for the scorched-earth policy.

And this was, indeed, a very successful strategy.

But unfortunately, this could not stop the inevitable trend of the Song Army’s conquest of Yan Yun!

Juyong Pass.

A suppressed cough intermittently echoed in the tent. Gu Jin pressed a fist to his lips, his face pale, fatigue lingering in his brows, yet he continued to muster his spirits, listening to subordinates reporting on military situations from various places.

"Intensify the offensive," his voice was somewhat hoarse, yet it carried an undeniable determination, "we must not allow the Liao Army to calmly evacuate all the people."

After a brief pause, he looked at Gu Ming beside him and instructed, "Ming—release the news in the name of the clan."

"All are my Kyushu citizens; the Gu Clan will not favor one over the other."

Gu Ming immediately understood, nodding solemnly.

He understood his elder brother’s intention. Since Wang Yingchen aimed to leave a barren Yan Yun for the Great Song, they must plan ahead and give the people a reason to stay.

As long as someone uses this opportunity to avoid the forced conscription, Yan Yun can retain some vitality. Even if they cannot preserve everything, it’s far better than watching everything being hollowed out.

However, looking at Gu Jin’s bloodless face, Gu Ming’s throat moved, hesitating repeatedly, eventually he couldn’t hold back and advised, "Brother, you... should go back to Kaifeng to recuperate."

He had said these words not for the first time in recent days. Not only him but Zhao Guangyi, all the generals in the army, and even the Emperor in faraway Kaifeng had repeatedly advised.

"Brother bears the responsibility for the safety of the nation, and must not suffer any mishap."

"Now that the general situation in Yan Yun is set, why do you still..."

As soon as he spoke, everyone in the hall immediately knelt down earnestly advising Gu Jin.

But Gu Jin merely shook his head.

He couldn’t go back.

Even if his body returned to Kaifeng, his heart would definitely remain on the battlefield.

Of course, Gu Jin also understood his key role.

This was the reason he hadn’t personally handled everything, but he still had to inspire the army at the frontline.

Seeing this, everyone could no longer continue to speak; they could only quietly withdraw. ....

——————

"During the reign of the Grand Tutor, Gu Jin held overall authority in the court, reforming corrupt policies, repairing canal transport, promoting maritime transport, and accumulated grain as high as hills.

Over ten years, the Great Song’s national strength reached an unprecedented peak. Jin prepared troops and horses with plans to recover Youyun.

In June of the eleventh year, Jin departed Kaifeng, with King Jin Guangyi personally escorting the carriage.

At that time, the Liao advisor Wang Yingchen, a hero in his own right, gathered troops in Youyan, holding the strategic points for defense.

Jin ordered Yang Ye’s unit to feign an attack on the Yan Sect, also sending envoys to ally with the Western Xia, instructing Li Yuanhao to deploy troops on the Western Capital road.

The Liao Army was hemmed in on both east and west, exhausted from rushing here and there.

Jin personally led two hundred thousand troops out of Xiongzhou State, attacking Juyong Pass incessantly day and night.

The Liao general Yelv Xiuge gathered his troops for steadfast defense, intending to wear down the Song’s morale with strong fortifications.

Jin then overtly repaired the plank road, while secretly crossing the Chencang Granary, leading a select force of thirty thousand over Feihu Pass, crossing sheer ravines, scaling precipitous paths, soldiers falling into the gorges and lying dead in purses.

At the dawn of July, they reached Gubeikou Gate, launching a surprise attack in the fog, capturing it in one go.

At this time, the bloody battle at Juyong Pass was in full swing.

Jin, disregarding his wounds, deceitfully hoisted Liao banners and returned the army by night.

The defenders, unaware of the deception, opened the gates to admit him.

Jin then set the Pass on fire, attacking from within and without; once the Pass fell, Yan Yun was shaken.

Although Wang Yingchen gathered remnant forces to block at Tanjicheng, the great momentum was lost.

Western Xia’s Li Deming, upon hearing the news, hastily submitted a memorial, acknowledging subordination and wishing to be a vassal state.

Jin then delineated the various prefectures, welcomed by the elders of Youjing with wine and grains filling the roads.

Since the land was ceded to Later Jin, over sixty years had passed, and Yan Yun was finally recovered."

——"Song History. Biography of Gu Jin"