Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 252 Conquering the Central Plains, Zhao Kuangyin's Death (Part 2)

Zhao Kuangyin died.

This hero, who rose to power in a chaotic world and vowed to unify the country, ultimately could not withstand the passage of time and, as originally recorded in history, fell on the journey of pursuing his ideals.

Gu Yi noticed this scene, but it didn't stir much emotion in him.

In any case, Zhao Kuangyin's ending was much better than the one in the original history.

The Chenqiao Mutiny and his ascension to the throne were the starting points for his later criticism.

The story of "releasing military power over a cup of wine" has become the reason why many people attribute the weakness of the Song Dynasty to him.
The Candle Shadow and Axe Sound represent the tragic end of this ruthless warlord.

In the original history, he was always accompanied by countless controversies.

In this life, although he still failed to conquer the Central Plains and achieve unification, his actions have already surpassed the original historical trajectory.

He has done more than enough.

Just like in the original history.

A brand new era will officially begin with the rise of Zhao Kuangyin.

And this new era is destined to be far ahead!
Taiyuan.

Gu Jin learned of the news at almost the same time.

Although Zhao Kuangyin ordered that it be kept from him, the two of them had always respected each other.

How could Gu Jin be completely unprepared?

At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot, and his whole body was trembling uncontrollably.

But he still gritted his teeth, took deep breaths again and again, and forced himself not to make a sound.

Outside the main tent.

You Chenfeng, the imperial secretary appointed by Zhao Kuangyin before his death, was loudly reading out the emperor's last edict.

The imperial edict was still written with an overbearing and domineering style, exuding an aura of power and influence.

He claimed that all of this was his own scheme to lure the enemy into attacking.

He ordered all troops to concentrate on following Gu Jin's command and strive for a great victory.

This was the last thing Zhao Kuangyin could do—to calmly stabilize the army's morale and resolve the overall situation with a single document.

But all of this sounded incredibly desolate to Gu Jin.

His great undertaking was unfinished when he passed away prematurely.

For people like them, this is probably the deepest regret and the heaviest pain.

"kill!!!"

"kill!!!"

"kill!!!"

"."

As You Chenfeng finished speaking, deafening shouts of battle erupted at that moment.

Upon hearing this shout of battle...

Gu Jin finally stood up, took a few deep breaths, and then headed out of the tent.

This battle must be won decisively, no matter what!

Even though Zhao Kuangyin had already passed away.

He also had to ensure that Zhao Kuangyin could leave in peace!
Before his soldiers, Gu Jin, clad in armor, slowly raised his spear: "Soldiers!"

His voice was deep and powerful, instantly drowning out the noise on the training ground.

Gu Jin's gaze swept over every face brimming with fighting spirit: "Your Majesty has strategized meticulously, using yourself as bait to lure the enemy deep into your territory. This is the moment you've been waiting for!"

"This is a brilliant strategy, and also the key to victory for our Great Song Dynasty!"

He raised his spear high, its tip ringing in the wind: "We are deeply indebted to the Emperor and entrusted with this great responsibility by His Majesty. In this battle, only a complete victory can repay His Majesty's profound strategies and ingenious plans!"

"Only by annihilating the enemy can we live up to His Majesty's risky actions!"

"Victory is assured in this battle!!!"

As the shouts of the messengers faded away.

The shouts of battle rang out again almost instantly.

Even Gu Jin had to admit the significance of Zhao Kuangyin's imperial edict.

As the founding emperor.

This is the best tool for stabilizing morale.

Even Gu Jin today can't compare!
Time flies.

The Liao Dynasty's offensive continued, and its main force had even approached Taiyuan.

Regarding everything that happened within the Liao Kingdom and within the Song territory.

These people, of course, have no way of knowing.

All they see now are those naked achievements.

Gu Jin's tactics actually had another purpose: to unleash the ferocity of the Liao Kingdom's elite troops.

This is the weakness that every elite foreign cavalryman possesses.

—Plunder and greed.

Although Wang Yingchen had been trying his best to control everything since he became prime minister, it was still not enough.

After Wang Yingchen was placed under house arrest, these soldiers won a series of victories.

Such problems will then quickly erupt.

It might even be more excessive than before.

This is human nature.

In any era, a team that can always maintain morale and obey orders will exert strength far exceeding that of ordinary soldiers!
This is the biggest weakness of the Liao army at present!

The war continues!

—Throughout the entire city of Taiyuan, shouts of battle and cries of agony echoed through the sky.

The arrows flew like locusts, blotting out the sky.

Several towering siege ladders were firmly attached to the city wall, and the fearless elite Liao soldiers, with sharp blades in their mouths, frantically climbed upwards, their eyes gleaming with greed for glory and wealth.

Although the Song soldiers on the city wall looked solemn, their formation remained intact.

The rolling logs and rocks crashed down with a deafening roar, accompanied by piercing screams, knocking the climber and ladder to the ground.

The scalding hot liquid was poured over their heads, and the acrid smell instantly filled the battlefield. Those hit were torn apart and fell to the ground screaming in agony.

But even so.

These Liao soldiers did not retreat in the slightest.

They still held onto their judgment, believing that the Song army would, as before, abandon the city after some initial resistance.

Under these circumstances, a long-term battle of attack and defense ensued in the entire city of Taiyuan.

One day. Two days. Three days.
With the city's strong defenses, these Liao soldiers, who were not skilled in siege warfare, had no chance of crossing Taiyuan.

Even so, they remained mad.

Even if they realized that the Song army would not easily give up Taiyuan, what could they do?

Their elite troops have arrived one after another!

That's right—

As time went by, various forces had successively arrived at the gates of Taiyuan.

How could they possibly give up such an opportunity?

The war continued.

In fact, the biggest reason why Gu Jin dared to take such a risk this time was because of Taiyuan's terrain and city defenses.

This includes the fact that the Liao army was not good at attacking cities.

This gave Gu Jin a lot of confidence.

He has the ability to stall for time!
Drag it out until the Liao army's fighting spirit is gradually exhausted!
Ten days;

20th;
30th;
The entire city of Taiyuan has become a meat grinder, reaping lives every moment.

The Song army, naturally confident and fearless, had nothing to fear.

This has always been the case in offensive and defensive warfare during the era of cold weapons.

The defending side naturally holds a significant advantage.

But all of this was a devastating blow to the Liao army.

But how could they possibly retreat?
Even though they had already gained considerable benefits, as long as Wang Yingchen was still alive, this group of people would not retreat.

Because everyone understands the potential consequences of retreating in this way. Power is never a game; it's a life-or-death struggle.

This was true in the Central Plains dynasties.

The same was true in the Liao Dynasty.

They can't back out, and there's no way for them to back out.

The current situation has completely trapped these people here, leaving them no choice but to do their utmost to achieve the goal!
As time goes by...

As their comrades fell one by one beneath the walls of Taiyuan, and the morale of the Liao soldiers began to waver, the Song army's long-awaited opportunity finally arrived.

Shiling Pass.

Located between Xinzhou and Taiyuan, this place is nestled between two mountains and has been a strategic location fought over by military strategists since ancient times.

Right now, we're in the valley between the two mountains.

One by one, the soldiers, covered in dust and dirt, charged out from the dense forest, each with a resolute look in their eyes.

And the leader among them was none other than Yang Ye!
That's right, this is the elite force led by Yang Ye!
This included not only Yang Ye's trusted confidants, but also the elites that Gu Jin had cultivated over the years.

It can be said that, apart from the imperial guards personally led by Zhao Kuangyin,

These two armies are undoubtedly the sharpest blades in the Song Dynasty at present!
"Pass on my order!" Yang Ye's voice was solemn, his eyes piercing. "Immediately send men to the Fenhe River Valley, Tianmen Pass, and Jingxing Pass to inform all units of our army—the remnants of the Liao army must not be allowed to pass safely!"

Although he had been lying in wait in the deep mountains and dense forests for many days, Yang Ye never forgot the important task that Gu Jin had entrusted to him.

The success or failure of this battle rests entirely on his shoulders!
Gu Jin must remain in Taiyuan.

Even though Taiyuan's defenses were as solid as a mountain, a prolonged stalemate required a commander who could unite the army and inspire soldiers to fight to the death to defend it.

Gu Jin was the only candidate.

It was for this reason that Yang Ye and several members of the Gu family resolutely took on the heavy responsibility of annihilating the enemy on the periphery.

They needed to conceal their movements while coordinating the troops lying in ambush in various locations, ensuring mutual support and close cooperation.

The area surrounding Taiyuan is characterized by overlapping mountains and complex terrain, making it an ideal location for hiding troops.

Yang Ye had been stationed here for a long time and knew every plant and tree here like the back of his hand.

Only he could strategize and take on this important task in such a complex terrain.

"Here!"

Without hesitation, the soldiers under his command obeyed the order and rode out.

Yang Ye was always cautious in his military campaigns.

While ordering his men to bring out the warhorses hidden in the forest one by one, he also sent out scouts to gather intelligence on the Taiyuan army.

It wasn't until several days later, when messengers from various directions brought back messages, that he finally made up his mind.

Sword drawn, horse leaping, arm raised, shout:
"Brothers, follow me and we'll march back to Taiyuan!!!"

The army marched toward Taiyuan in an instant.

Like a sharp blade, it directly disrupted the formation of the main Liao army from the rear!
Almost at the same time—

The ambushes in the Fenhe River Valley, Tianmen Pass, Jingxing Pass, and other places were also launched one after another.

They were not simply attacking the Liao army's rear!
Similarly, this also includes occupying key locations, all of which are essential passages for the Liao army to completely conquer!
—The situation has changed drastically!
The morale of the Liao soldiers was already low after a prolonged siege without success.

Let alone face the current situation again.

"Song army! It's Song army reinforcements!"

"Where did it come from?!"

"The rear guard has been scattered!"

"."

Fearful shouts broke the silence of the night, and panic spread like a plague through the rear of the Liao army.

What followed was the collapse of the entire county.

The problem of a lack of discipline has become fully apparent under the current circumstances.

Even though the Liao army's royal generals wanted to maintain their position.

But apart from the most elite group.

In such chaos, they simply couldn't maintain order in the army.

This is a complete collapse!

Similarly, there was also a counterattack by the defending troops in Taiyuan!
Gu Jin's long-planned ambushes, like a giant net already spread, joined forces with the Taiyuan garrison, which had been poised to attack, to encircle and annihilate the various Liao armies.

The call to counterattack has officially sounded!
The balance of power has also reversed!

The Song soldiers, like hungry wolves spotting rabbits, relentlessly charged towards the Liao army.

Who doesn't have a grudge in their heart?
The Song army today is not the same as the Song army in the original history.

Their commander was not the racing legend who became a laughing stock in history!
At least--

This general will not abandon them, but will always charge to the front!

Wars broke out everywhere.

Under these circumstances, countless Liao soldiers completely lost any possibility of resistance and could only retreat without any discipline, following the route they had come from.

No matter how comprehensive the Song army's encirclement was, it was impossible to stop everyone.

But don't forget about Taiyuan's topography!

Rivers and Mountains
All of this can affect many things, and the chaotic routes taken by troops rushing to seize credit will have disastrous consequences at this time.

Not to mention, Gu Jin had already ordered the guards to be stationed at various key locations!

Even if we can't wipe them all out!
But they absolutely cannot escape easily!

—The situation has been completely reversed!
Gu Jin was clearly also holding back his anger, so he actually released all his troops, letting them vent their pent-up frustration!
His only rule was that people must not be kidnapped!

It's not kindness!
Gu Jin had already come to regard the Northern Han as the territory of the Great Song Dynasty.

The people of Northern Han have suffered far too much plunder, and Gu Jin must give them a glimmer of hope during this time.

Only in this way can it be completely stabilized!

And the same—

He wanted to use these people to eliminate all enemies as much as possible!
The situation suddenly changed, and the entire Northern Han territory was filled with fleeing Liao troops.

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

He would not give the Liao Kingdom any time to prepare, and while pursuing the enemy, he would send troops from all sides to occupy various places.

December of the eighth year of the Kaibao era.

The Song army recaptured Lanzhou.

In the same month——

Xinzhou and other places were pacified one after another.

The entire Taiyuan and its surrounding areas were once again in the hands of the Song army, which then sped off to conquer various regions.

Taking advantage of the Liao army's inability to react, they successively occupied various key locations.

Of course, the news couldn't be kept secret forever.

Just as the Song army had occupied most of the Northern Han territory, Yelü Xian finally received the news.

Even though he had already made preparations.

But when he learned of this, he was quite frightened.

He released Wang Yingchen immediately, hoping that Wang Yingchen would go to rescue the Liao army.

But after learning the specifics, Wang Yingchen shook his head.

In his words—

He can't save these people anymore.

These people were completely terrified by the Song army. Even if more troops were sent to rescue them, it would definitely be affected and could very likely cause even greater casualties.

His only suggestion was to guard Yanmen Pass.

To prevent the Song army from invading Liao territory.

Even though Yelü Xian had some doubts, he could only obey.

He can't gamble.

Even he felt a chill when he heard about the current situation, let alone the soldiers who were being hunted down!

The eighth year of the Kaibao era—

Gu Jin led his army to a great victory against the Liao army at Taiyuan.

They killed over 100,000 enemies.

The Song Dynasty completely occupied the entire territory of the Northern Han.

One war, and the Central Plains are settled!
(P.S.: I'm begging for monthly votes! I'd be incredibly grateful for your support, brothers.)
(End of this chapter)