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

Chapter 280 The Bloody Battle Between Xia and Liao, The Great Song Dynasty Unsheathes its Sword (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Time flies by.

The entire world was thrown into turmoil by the Western Xia's military expedition, a truly dramatic scene.

Nearly ten years later, the great war has begun again.

—Facing the attack from the Western Xia.

The Liao Kingdom naturally wanted to resist.

In fact, although the Liao Kingdom is currently weak, it still has the strength to fight as long as it is not facing the Song Dynasty.

Even a centipede that dies does not stiffen.

Not to mention a country.

Of course, the outbreak of a major war at this time was also a heavy blow to the Liao Kingdom.

But they must fight!

This is their only chance, but it will only make life even harder for the people.

February of the twelfth year of the Longhe era.

A major battle suddenly broke out.

Faced with the Western Xia's attack, the Liao Dynasty also made various countermeasures.

Yelü Yanxi issued several edicts in the capital, Linhuang Prefecture, and assembled the Liao army, which was divided into two routes to deal with the offensive.

The Liao army, amassed a large force on the eastern route, intending to engage in a decisive battle.

Xiao Wuna, the Privy Councilor of the Northern Court, was appointed as the commander-in-chief. He led the elite palace guards of Shangjing and Zhongjing, as well as the iron cavalry of the six Xi tribes, westward from Dading Prefecture in Zhongjing, and deployed along the Tuhe River to build strong fortifications to meet the main force of the Western Xia Eastern Route Army head-on.

Meanwhile, another detachment was dispatched south from Qingzhou to threaten the flank of the Western Xia Eastern Route Army, with the intention of cutting off its connection with the Xijing Road base.

The Liao Kingdom adopted a strategy of holding its ground and containing the western army.

Yelü Wotela, the Northwest Route Commander, was appointed to command the troops of the main force in Zhenzhou Qadun City, and to conscript troops from subordinate tribes such as Wugu and Dilie. Relying on the Luqu River defense line and oasis strongholds on the edge of the desert, they adopted a scorched earth policy, setting up layers of defenses. They did not seek a quick victory, but only to hold back the Western Xia Western Route Army and prevent it from advancing eastward to join the main force.

The Liao Dynasty's strategic intentions were very clear: to concentrate superior forces on the eastern front and strive to engage in a decisive battle with the main force of the Western Xia in the relatively narrow area of ​​the Tuhe River Valley, so as to defeat or severely damage the enemy by taking advantage of fighting on home soil.

On the western front, they used the vast geographical space of northern Mongolia to maneuver and exhaust the morale of the Western Xia's detachment.

This is a major battle that will determine the fate of the nation!

For a time, war raged on both the eastern and western fronts of the Liao Kingdom.

March of the twelfth year of the Longhe era.

The eastern route, the upper reaches of the Tuhe River, Baishui Lake.

The first major battle has officially begun.

The main force of the Western Xia Eastern Route Army encountered the Liao Dynasty's Xiao Wuna's troops here.

With their fierce charge, the Western Xia cavalry broke through three lines of Liao army forward camps and approached within a hundred miles of Zhongjing.

The Liao army, relying on the terrain of the Tuhe River, used powerful bows and crossbows to blunt the enemy's advance. The Xi cavalry launched several flanking attacks, and the two sides fought a bloody battle all day long, leaving corpses strewn across the fields and the river water stained red.

Although the Western Xia gained a slight advantage and seized the grasslands around Baishui Lake, the main force of the Liao army was not damaged. They retreated to the Huangshui Stone Bridge line and held their ground, resulting in a stalemate in the battle.

This battle, of course, will not end so easily.

The news spread rapidly.

The atmosphere of impending doom grew increasingly intense throughout the land, yet the Song Dynasty remained completely inactive!
In the twelfth year of the Longhe era, in the middle of the fourth month.

Ma Mengshan on the eastern flank.

The Western Xia vanguard discovered the tracks of a Liao army detachment heading south from Qingzhou, and thus set up an ambush with elite cavalry in the valley of Ma Meng Mountain.

In a fierce battle, the Liao army's detachment suffered more than 3,000 casualties and was forced to retreat to Qingzhou.

Although this battle failed to completely sever the connection between the Western Xia Eastern Route Army and the rear, it successfully forced the Liao army to abandon its strategy of large-scale flanking maneuvers, making the eastern front battle situation more concentrated.

The situation is constantly changing.

During this period, countless people tried every means to escape into the Song Dynasty, even willing to give up all their possessions.

—There was no other way for the Liao Kingdom to wage this war but to oppress its people.

Although the Song Dynasty did not directly participate in the war.

However, the invisible pressure exerted on them was still immense, and they dared not interrupt their annual tribute, fearing that the Song Dynasty would take military action as a result.

Ten thousand shi of grain per year, that would be fine in ordinary years.

But in wartime.

All of this pressure is indeed a bit too much.

It was precisely because of this that countless people felt despair and fled to the Song Dynasty.

Gu Rui would naturally not refuse such a request.

He was still waiting for an opportunity, clearly wanting to deliver a fatal blow.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, and he actually had no objection to the choice Gu Rui had made.

This matter may seem to affect the Gu family's political credibility.

But compared to the potential benefits, all of this seems insignificant.

The Gu family is no longer comparable to what it used to be.

The accumulation over the past thousand years, and the blossoming of new life in the countryside, have made the Gu family no longer a simple clan.

Moreover, Gu originally intended to achieve great success in his later years.

If successful, this move will not only bring short-term benefits to Kyushu, but also enhance the Gu family's reputation in the long run.

Why not do it?
As for whether this move would bring disaster to the Gu family, Gu Yi didn't really care.

For the Gu family today—

Even the imperial power was not enough to threaten the survival of the Gu family.

Unless the emperor is willing to risk everything.

Of course, an emperor who is capable of doing such a thing doesn't really care about political credibility at all.

As for others.
The Gu family doesn't need to care at all.

It can be said that this was the best decision for both the Nine Provinces and the entire Song Dynasty.

This is evident from how things are developing now.

Countless people migrated to the Song Dynasty. Even if the Liao Dynasty could stop some of them, it was not the whole population.

As these people flowed into the Song Dynasty.

That would further strengthen the national power of the Song Dynasty!

Gu Rui also made very proper arrangements for these people. Apart from a few basic land reclamation areas and tea plantation workshops, he settled them on the border, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

This move also had a significant impact.

Rumors spread throughout the land almost instantly, making all the people aware that moving to the Song Dynasty would give them a chance to survive.

It wasn't just the people of the Liao Dynasty, but also those of the Western Xia Dynasty.

Especially in those areas that were severely affected by the disaster!
Although the Western Xia's war did divert everyone's attention, the people who were most severely affected by the disaster didn't care about anything else.

They just wanted a way to survive!
May of the twelfth year of the Longhe era.

Northern desert.

Wei Minglu ordered that no expense be spared in the fierce attack and capture Kaolaoluo, an important stronghold of the Liao Kingdom in the northern desert, and seize a large amount of supplies.

The impact of this battle was no less significant than that of a major frontal war, because it expanded our foothold in the northern desert!

This is extremely crucial for a battle that will determine the fate of the nation.

Unfortunately, although Weiming Luling won, the price he paid was also considerable.

For such important places.

The Liao Dynasty had made deep preparations for defense and left behind a considerable number of Western Xia people. Most importantly, after this battle, the remnants of the Liao army broke up into smaller units and continued to harass their long supply lines, which severely delayed the eastward advance of the Western Route Army.

This is a strategy of trading space for time!
Although one city was lost, the Western Xia western army was successfully dragged into a quagmire of attrition, preventing it from joining forces with the eastern army, and the strategic objective on the western front was initially achieved.

This is also crucial.

If it were any other city, this would certainly be a profit for the Liao Kingdom.

Unfortunately, Kaolao is just too important!

Even so, it was still a loss for the Liao Kingdom.

Because the Western Xia army might be able to break through their current defenses, but given their strength, it would be difficult for them to retake Kaolaoluo.

June, Huangshui Stone Bridge.

The great battle continues.

No, this was arguably the most brutal battle since the start of the war.

Perhaps it was because of the loss of Kaolaoluo, coupled with the continuous migration of the people, that the Liao royal family members began to oppress the people more and more, and naturally they also devoted more resources to prevention.

The Western Xia's "Iron Falcon" heavy cavalry charged repeatedly, and after three days of bloody fighting, they finally tore a gap in the Liao army's defenses, occupied the bridgehead on the north bank of the stone bridge, and brought their forces one step closer to Zhongjing.

The number of men and soldiers lost by both sides during this period was no less than 20,000.

Throughout the entire war, almost all the elite troops of the Western Xia and Liao dynasties were mobilized.

Corpses piled up like mountains, and broken spears and arrows were stuck all over the ground.

The dying cries of warhorses mingled with the groans of wounded soldiers, and some men, with their intestines spilling out, struggled to crawl forward, leaving long trails in the blood and mud.

The entire battlefield was filled with cries of agony.

However, for the Western Xia, this victory came at a great cost, with their most elite Iron Falcons suffering heavy losses, which was also a considerable price to pay.

Although the Liao army retreated again and defended the city and fortress, the main force was not defeated. The soldiers relied on the city and fortress and their determination to fight to the death was not extinguished. They still firmly guarded the last barrier of Zhongjing.

At the same time, the Liao royal family was also constantly sending envoys to the Song Dynasty.

They are truly in dire straits now.

They ceded land and doubled the annual tribute. They even gave people to them, forcing them to submit to their rule.

They brought out all sorts of excuses that would never normally come up with, and they did so with great seriousness.

They have been completely driven to the brink of despair!
This is the only path that offers them even the slightest chance.

Kaifeng, the Grand Tutor's Residence.

The candlelight flickered in the study, illuminating several somber faces.

Gu Rui sat in the main seat, with Wang Anshi, Zeng Bu, and other important officials sitting on either side. The air was filled with an almost tangible sense of oppression.

Before them, Yelü Yudu, the Liao envoy and the Southern Court Xuanhui Envoy, disregarded etiquette and knelt deeply on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles.

The surname and title alone are enough to explain Yelü Yudu's status in the Liao Dynasty.

And yet he is now capable of doing such a thing.

Clearly, they had no other choice!

"Lord Gu! Gentlemen!" Yelü Yudu's voice was hoarse from a long journey, and it conveyed a sense of despair and urgency at the imminent fall of his kingdom. "Our lord is willing to cede the entire territory of Zhongjing Circuit and all the prefectures south of Liaoyang Prefecture in Dongjing Circuit!"

"From now on, the Song army can directly target the capital and control Liaodong!"

"I only beg that the superior nation, remembering our past friendship, will send heavenly troops to relieve our suffering!"

He specifically pointed out "south of Liaoyang Prefecture," which was the most prosperous area in Liaodong, possessing important salt fields and agricultural areas of the Liao Kingdom.

This also represents the last remaining strength of the Liao Dynasty on the Liaodong Peninsula.

Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Wang Anshi's eyes narrowed.

If this land could be acquired, the Song Dynasty would not only gain vast pastures, but would also be able to form a pincer movement against the remnants of the Liao Dynasty from the east.

However, before Yelü Yudu could throw out all his chips, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot: "If you think it's not enough, my Liao Kingdom is willing to double, no, triple, the annual tribute!"

"Five times is negotiable!"

"We are willing to share the profits from salt and iron in Liaodong, and the benefits from fishing and salt production in the Bohai Bay, with our superior nation!"

"Furthermore, our Great Liao is willing to offer three thousand palace cavalry and five thousand warhorses, only asking that the royal army turn its attention northward!"

He practically roared out these conditions, each word sounding like it was stained with blood and tears.

The cession of the Central Capital Region and half of the Tokyo Region, which are vital to the nation's survival, the submission of tribute, and the surrender of strategic resources and economic lifelines were not merely acts of submission, but rather a complete mortgage of the country's future.

But what can they do?

If the Western Xia's iron hooves were to trample the Liao Kingdom, then these people would have nothing left, and even survival might be a problem.

This move, though seemingly treasonous...
But at least, these members of the royal family still have some things left.

Putting everything else aside, one can still maintain a lifetime of wealth and honor.

The study was deathly silent, with only Yelü Yudu's heavy breathing audible.

All the Song officials' eyes were focused on Gu Rui, and everyone's face was filled with shock.

These people are the true core of the Song Dynasty.

At this moment, I couldn't help but recall the scene when Gu Rui made this decision in the imperial court.

"Did the Grand Tutor foresee all of this back then?" This thought arose in everyone's minds almost simultaneously.

—To weaken both countries at the same time!
These five seemingly casual words now carried immense weight, causing everyone's emotions to surge. It turned out that from the very beginning, the Grand Tutor's gaze had already transcended the immediate gains and losses, focusing instead on the more distant game of chess.

In the silence, Gu Rui slowly put down his teacup.
His gaze swept calmly over Yelü Yudu, who was kneeling on the ground, his face expressionless, as if the astonishing conditions proposed by the other party were nothing more than a gentle breeze across the water.

“Your Excellency,” he finally spoke, his voice steady yet sending a shiver down Yelü Yudu’s spine, “please rise and speak.”

Yelü Yudu dared not disobey, and stood up shakily, his face full of bitterness.

He had already given up hope.

Because the Liao envoys had been repeatedly rejected over the past few months, the Song Dynasty's attitude was crystal clear.

The Liao Kingdom is now at its wit's end and has no more bargaining chips to offer.

How could Gu Rui possibly agree to that?
However, Gu Rui's next words made him look up abruptly, almost unable to believe his ears.

"Great Song Dynasty, you may send troops."

These words struck Yelü Yudu like a thunderbolt, leaving him completely stunned and speechless for a moment.

However, Gu Rui didn't pay any attention to him.

They didn't even ask the Liao Kingdom to show its sincerity first, or to cede land or anything like that.

Of course, this is not an act of kindness.

Rather, he was certain that the Liao Kingdom would not dare to harbor any ulterior motives.

If we were to force him to cede territory at this time, it would attract the attention of the Western Xia, which would be a loss rather than a gain.

But that's secondary.

The real key is that the time has come!
—That's right, as the Western Xia army continues to advance deeper into the territory, the time has come for the Song Dynasty to draw its sword!
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(End of this chapter)