On the other hand, the Han-Liao War had a far-reaching impact, and its tragic situation was also spread to the Western Regions. It was only through word of mouth that there was some distortion. However, some basic understandings are certain. The Khitan lost troops and territory, suffered heavy losses, and suffered heavy losses.
After civil strife and rebellion, it is time to recover and recuperate.
Under such circumstances, it was not easy for the Khitans to deal with the powerful Han people, so how could they dare to gather their troops and expedition to the Western Regions? With this mentality, one can imagine the Gaochang Uighurs' war preparations and response.
Of course, since such news came, if there was no reaction at all, wouldn't it show lack of respect for the Khitan people? So, the Uighur monarchs and ministers issued orders from Gaochang, asking the military and political chiefs of the border towns, especially Beiting, and Yizhou to strengthen their defenses, and then
There is no more action.
Naturally, such an order was not taken seriously by the local authorities. After all, if the Khan and Gaochang's upper-class aristocratic ministers did not care, how could they ask the officials and generals below to be more vigilant and fulfill their duties?
Therefore, Gaochang is still the Gaochang of the past, and the border town is still the border town of the past. From top to bottom, there is no change at all. The atmosphere is not tense at all, let alone armed preparations for war.
However, after a little analysis, it is understandable that the Xizhou Uighurs have been at peace for too long after early expansion. To the east is the Guiyi Army. As mentioned before, the Cao family was in love with each other, and the two parties were intermarrying; to the south, the Tubo was in
The Great Schism is sinking day by day, with no hope of revival, and is harmless to everyone; as for the Black Khan (Karahan Khan) dynasty in the west, after experiencing internal reform and turbulence, its national power has become increasingly strong, but the Samanid dynasty in the Transoxiang region has suffered even more.
It is harmless; and the Khotan Kingdom, which is sandwiched between the Uighurs and the Black Khans, can play a more buffering role.
It is said that one is born in sorrow and dies in happiness. In such a comfortable surrounding environment, it is inevitable to slack off. The appearance of comfort can often deceive people's eyes. Therefore, when they heard that the Liao army might march westward, their first reaction was disbelief.
, is doubtful.
Of course, if Emperor Liu had not been the unexpected factor that forcibly reversed history, then according to the original historical process, the Gaochang Uighurs could have existed comfortably for many years, and they were still in a semi-independent state until the Western Liao period.
Therefore, one can imagine how shocked the Uighur monarchs and ministers were when the Liao army crossed the Jinshan Mountains and was attacked by quicksands from far away. The Uighur monarchs and ministers knew each other, and probably like many others, they stubbornly believed that the Liao capital was far away in Linhuang, Modong.
The government sent teachers across thousands of miles to mobilize the masses and attack the Western Regions. This is too exaggerated. This is cheating...
However, they just couldn't imagine that the plan for the Western Expedition had been proposed four years ago and they considered it top secret. They had made sufficient preparations for the past two years. In addition to the five thousand palaces that Yelv Xiezhen brought from Shangjing, the troops sent
The rest of the tent cavalry were recruited from Mobei, and the Naiman, Dadan and other tribes recruited from Moxi.
Starting from Moxi and crossing the Altai Mountains, is such a journey very far for the Khitan cavalry who have been training in the northwest of Liao Kingdom for a long time?
As for the strategic issues of the Liao army, after the internal troubles were quelled, the only thing left that could pose a fatal threat to the Khitan was the rising Han Empire. Like the Ding'an Kingdom established by the Bohai officials, when you look at it, it can barely be called
It's a threat, and when you ignore it, it doesn't matter.
After experiencing the bloody battles and civil strife between Han and Liao, if the Liao Kingdom resumes development at a normal pace, it will only be further and further left behind by the Han. As time goes by, the comprehensive strength and war potential of the two sides will widen to a very wide gap.
In this case, is there any more effective way than to go back to the old business and plunder resources? As for the direction of external plunder, is it to continue north, plunder Hagas, go deep into Siberia, and reach the Arctic Ocean?
Or go east to destroy Goryeo, but don't you really think that Goryeo is so close that it is easy to fight, and it is easier than an expedition to the Western Regions? Or seek death, start the war again, and start the second Han-Liao War?
Comprehensive comparison, only heading west, taking the rich Western Region as the target of plunder, is the best target regardless of the geographical environment or wealth and interests. At the same time, it will also have the greatest impact on the Han Dynasty. No, it has completely affected
Let’s look at the views of important ministers and generals like Chai Rong, Wu Tingzuo, and Wang Yansheng on the strategy of advancing westward.
Let’s go back to the war in the Western Regions. When the Liao army arrived at Beiting City like a divine force and launched a surprise attack, the defenders were completely at a loss. There was almost no effective resistance organized, and even the relatively complete city defenses were not launched.
No matter how effective it was, Beiting City easily fell into the hands of the Liao army.
By capturing Beiting City, the Liao army's western expedition got off to a good start. The progress was smooth and the capture was easy beyond imagination. Of course, the key lies in the sudden sharp arrows of the Liao army and the carelessness of the Uighurs.
Beiting is located to the south of Jinshan Mountain. It is the most important town in the north of Xizhou Uighurs and can be called the key to the north gate. Once Beiting falls, Luntai (today's Urumqi) to the west will be directly exposed to the Liao army. At the same time, Beiting is located in the south of Jinshan.
, the Liao army has also gained a foothold in the Western Region, which is conducive to the next attack.
However, although they were surprised for a moment and angry at the easy loss of Beiting, they were not too afraid, because according to officials and soldiers who had fled back, the Liao army did not have many troops and did not have any siege weapons.
The ability to capture Beiting was all due to the advantage of sneak attack.
As subsequent military news came in, we also had a clearer understanding of the Liao army's Western Expedition. After discussing with ministers and generals, the Uighur Khan Wugu made a decisive decision to counterattack while the Liao army was far away.
Before his footing was stable, he sent troops to recapture Beiting.
In the eyes of the Uighur monarchs and ministers, it was too much for the Liao army to dare to attack their own country with only 20,000 to 30,000 men, and they must be given some color.
Perhaps the Uighur Khan's idea is that our country has long-term friendship with the Khitan, has made constant contributions, and has never neglected its etiquette, but now you are coming to attack me. Although the Khitan is powerful, you have not been defeated by the Han army and lost territory. We Uighurs
Humans are also a nation on horseback, and there is no shortage of warriors. Let's see who's army is stronger and whose sword is sharper forty years later.
There are only two things that the Uighur monarchs and ministers relied on. First, the Khitan came here to go on an expedition, and they occupied a favorable location and people, waiting for work; second, Xizhou has a population of millions. What is the concept of millions? It is almost close to that of Han and Liao Dynasties.
After the war, the Khitan had only one-third of its population. It could be said that they had a large number of people and could arm enough troops to defeat the Liao army coming from afar.
At the same time, they also hoped to quickly repel or even destroy the Liao army and restore peace to the country to prevent the country from suffering excessive losses due to the war...
As a result, the Uighurs quickly mobilized troops and horses from various cities and ministries under their jurisdiction, and went north to gather part of the Luntai army, totaling more than 50,000 troops. Led by General Ge Lu, they set off eastward, aiming directly at Beiting City.
Over in Beiting, the Liao army was enjoying the fruits of victory. The hard work of the march was relieved by Beiting's wealth, livestock, and women. Moreover, they were more enthusiastic about the richer Gaochang and Yanqi areas at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains.
At that time, Yelv Xiezhen was really thinking about his next marching strategy and rushed to Beiting, which also slightly disrupted his original plan. When he learned that the Uighur army had come on their own initiative and intended to recapture Beiting, he was overjoyed and decisively led his troops to attack.
.
Even though there were more Uighur soldiers, Yelv Xiezhen did not hesitate at all. He attacked with his entire army and had no intention of using the city to defend the enemy. He could see clearly that there were many Uighurs in Beiting City because of the looting and killing of the Liao army and their resentment.
It's very heavy, so it would be a bad idea to stick to the city and kill the Uighurs.
The two sides met at Zhonggou, sixty miles west of Beiting. After a tentative attack, the Uighurs actually won. So the Uighurs took advantage of the victory to pursue them. The Liao army, under the command of Yelu Xiezhen, retreated while fighting. The Uighur army
He pursued them closely, caught up with them, and entangled them, but the final result was a defeat.
The tactic of feigning defeat and luring the enemy has been used in ancient and modern times at home and abroad, but often this seemingly simple tactic can work wonders. However, it also depends on the person, the command, and the operation. The Uighur Army probably felt that,
In the wilderness, he had a wide field of vision, and he had a large army, so he was not afraid of ambush. However, he did not expect that Yelu Xiezhen used himself as bait to fish, but placed the hook a hundred miles away, and ambush the attacking army a hundred miles away on the battlefield.
Another surprise attack was launched from behind. The Uighurs were caught off guard and were defeated.
In the battle of Beiting, the Liao army killed more than 10,000 people, captured more than 9,000 people, and captured countless war horses, sheep, camels, grain, and ordnance. It was once again greatly supplemented. On the Uighur army's side, the defeated army fled back to Luntai.
The city is here to stay.
When the Uighur Khan of Gaochang heard about it, he was shocked and could not speak. He quickly sent an envoy to express his condolences and ordered the soldiers to strictly guard. At the same time, he replenished his troops, food, equipment, and horses. After being severely beaten, he finally learned his lesson.
The Liao army was not only powerful in combat, but also capable of conspiracy.
After feeling that the Liao army in the Western Expedition was not easy to deal with, the Uighur Khan also gave up the idea of a quick battle to drive away the Liao army, and turned to fighting conservatively. After discussion, the civil and military officials believed that although the Liao army captured Beiting, they had a small victory.
, but in the Western Region, it is water without a source and water without roots. A Beiting City is not enough to keep it there for a long time.
As long as they hold on to Luntai and block it to the north of the Tianshan Mountains, drag it down and wear it down until their troops are exhausted and their food supplies are exhausted, they will inevitably leave without support. The final victory will still belong to them.
