After meeting with Yelu Cong and hearing his military strategy, without stopping, Emperor Liao summoned all the civil and military officials who accompanied him and held another military meeting. However, this time, he did not give them any room for free discussion, but directly
Yelvcong's debate made it clear and directly stated his decision to take the initiative and attack the Han army in Nankou.
Regarding the major change in the Liao Emperor's combat strategy, the Northern King Yelu Wuzhi still had reservations. He also admitted that Yelu Cong's considerations were based on the overall situation, based on long-term strategy, and had foresight, but in the end, it was not necessary to make a fatal blow.
Degree.
Moreover, even if a decisive battle was to be fought, in his opinion, given the current situation in the Youyan area, it was not suitable to fight in the small area of Youzhou-Juyongguan-Tanzhou.
However, opinions are just opinions after all, and it is difficult to stop the Liao Emperor if he is determined. Moreover, if the Han army only targets the south entrance, concentrates its forces, and launches a surprise attack, there is indeed merit.
Therefore, in less than a quarter of an hour, the Liao Emperor reached a consensus with the civil and military officials to fight him. In fact, the Liao army who was recruited and followed Yelujing to the south had strong morale and gathered in Wende to rest and recuperate.
This period of time was also a process of recuperating one's energy, and he was also encouraged by Emperor Liao's choice to take the initiative.
Yelvjing arrived in Huaihua on the 21st. From that day on, more than 100,000 Liao troops began to mobilize intensively. At the same time, the Liao Emperor urgently ordered that all the more than 70,000 Liao troops stationed in Wende County be mobilized eastward to participate in the war.
Wende is only a hundred miles away from the Huailai area. Even if the army moves, it can arrive in less than a day while conserving its power.
By the evening of the 22nd, preparations for the two-pronged advance of the Liao army were basically completed, and the deployment of the troops was arranged in place. Then came the final rest and preparation before the war.
The Liao army advanced in two directions, one from Juyongguan, which was the main attacking army. Yelvcong was the main general, leading the Youpishi Army, the tribal army, the original Hu and Han defenders, and some vassal tribes in Mobei, with a total strength of more than 130,000.
The roundabout division that took the victory route was personally commanded by King Yelü Wuzhi of the Beiyuan, and was supplemented by Yelüsagai, Yelüsha and other Liao generals. It had more than 70,000 troops, all of them cavalry, including the Zuopishi army.
It can be said that in order to deal with the Han army at Nankou, the Liao army spent all their money and concentrated their elite troops in order to launch a fatal blow.
On Yelu Cong's side, the Liao Emperor also sent the left and right Iron Kites to him. The "Iron Kites" were not exclusive to Xixia. There was such a force in the military system of the Liao Kingdom. They were also heavily armored cavalry, unparalleled in offense and defense.
The Han army also made some construction of heavy cavalry, but the scale was not large. There was only a heavy armor of 300 cavalry under the cavalry army. There was no shortage of men and a lot of equipment. The main reason was the lack of suitable war horses.
Nankou, the Han army's side, maintained a kind of tranquility, but in this late autumn season, the wind was blowing and the dew was cold, and the chilling atmosphere that permeated both inside and outside the camp became stronger.
The Han camp was divided into five camps, front, rear, left, right, and middle. Each camp was divided into separate camps, and troops and horses were garrisoned in each camp. The front camp at Juyongguan on the front was the strongest and had the largest number of troops. In fact, in the Han camp at the south entrance, there were only more than 80,000 Han troops.
Most of the remaining troops were stationed in Changping City. However, in terms of military strength, they were stronger than the Han army in Tanzhou.
In addition to Fengguo, Xingjie, and the 10,000 Yan troops, the main force of the Hebei frontier army was also stationed here, which numbered about 60,000. It was a bit stronger than what Yelvcong had calculated.
In the Han camp, the soldiers in each camp also calmed down from their busy work. For no other reason, the camp distributed winter clothes and winter mattresses in advance. Winter is approaching, and the weather is already a bit cold. The soldiers are grateful for the imperial court's thoughtful care.
Dayue. At the same time, taking this opportunity, he also changed the uniforms and colors of the Yan army and unified them with the imperial troops and horses.
"King Chenliu, I think there is something wrong with the Liao army!" Luo Yanxuan, the envoy of Shun'an Army, found An Shenqi in the Chinese army commander's tent and said to him.
Hearing this, An Shenqi couldn't help but perked up, and his face became tired. He is already sixty-two years old. It is not easy for him to command an army at such an age and maintain abundant energy and a clear mind.
matter.
"What did you find?" An Shenqi asked.
Luo Yanxuan responded seriously: "Although the Liao army has not been dispatched in large numbers in the past few days, there has never been a shortage of casual cavalry scouts. Especially in the past two days, the intention of spying on our camp's defense has been too obvious. The sentry cavalry also reported, Juyongguan
, the sound of knocking is endless, it seems that ordnance is being forged, so the general will be suspicious..."
"Do you doubt that the Liao army will take the initiative to attack?" An Shenqi became more alert and stared at it with a frown.
Luo Yanxuan also showed a little tangled look on his face, and said: "I can't guarantee it, but I just feel strange. Since the troops came out of Changping, the Liao army in the pass has attacked several times, but we have beaten them back. Now the army is strong and strong."
Standing here, with the strength of the defenders, how dare we offend? Perhaps the Liao army's unusual movements are just preparations for defense!"
Although Luo Yanyi was hesitant, An Shenqi took it seriously. He thought about it seriously and said, "The defenders in the pass are certainly not strong enough. What if Wende's Liao army also dispatches?"
With his brows furrowed, An Shenqi immediately summoned the officer in charge of communications and ordered: "Send my command to all battalions and villages to strengthen their defense, especially Han Lingkun, and ask him to be more vigilant. The waiting cavalry will closely monitor Juyongguan City!"
"yes!"
After thinking for a while, An Shenqi ordered again: "Send someone to ask the people in the Military Intelligence Department whether Wende's Liao army has moved eastward!"
Seeing that his warning had been taken seriously by An Shenqi, Luo Yanxuan breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously and listened to his arrangements. He rolled his eyes and said: "Guanshan is dangerous and it is inconvenient to transmit information from spies. Even if the Wende Liao army really
I’ve been mobilized, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to spread it for a while!”
In response, An Shenqi just nodded, ordered his soldiers to put on their armour, put on their belts, and said, "Let's go to the front camp to inspect it!"
When the enemy's situation was unknown, the Han army had An Shenqi's command, and the battalions did increase their vigilance to a certain extent, but it was only compared to before.
No matter how prepared the Han army was, the Liao army was proceeding methodically according to the established plan. In less than two days and nights, the Liao army completely demonstrated the fighting style of the northern hegemon with great efficiency.
Very high.
In the early morning of the next day, the Liao army, which had rested in advance, adjusted their schedules, and had good food, led by Yelucong, quickly passed through the Juyong Gorge, exited the customs, and attacked the Han camp at Nankou.
Although Guancheng is not far from the south entrance, the movement caused by the attack of hundreds of thousands of troops cannot be concealed. What's more, the Han army monitors the movements of Guancheng day and night.
The Liao army, however, had no intention of completely concealing their whereabouts. They only used their elite cavalry to kill the Han army scouts and arrived in front of the stronghold to ensure the smooth flow of the road. The rest of the army, led by Yelu Cong, calmly forced their way to the front of the Han camp.
.
By dawn, the 130,000 Liao army infantry and cavalry were already in position at the front of the Han stronghold, and the attacking troops were also ready. Then, under Yelu Cong's order, more than 10,000 puppet troops pushed forward the attack weapons.
Launch an attack on Hanzhai.
When the news of the Liao army's dispatch was first heard, the entire huge Han camp had already woken up. Although the soldiers were trapped, they could not care less about the enemy's attack. Under the leadership of their respective generals, they gathered and prepared. Facts
Above, the timing of the Liao army's attack had a certain surprise effect.
Although they were on alert in advance, the condition of the Han army before dawn was hardly good. Let alone sleepiness, empty stomachs and physiological needs were all problems.
Therefore, he rushed to the front village in person, climbed up to the village tower, and looked at the hundreds of thousands of fully equipped Liao troops, densely packed, crowded, and full of murderous intent. In response, An Shenqi's expression was extremely solemn. The Liao army's attack this time
The attack was unusual. Based on his understanding, it could be determined that the troops must be gathered in a very short period of time to launch the attack.
Although the Han army was good at defense, An Shenqi would not be arrogant enough to believe that he could truly be invincible and fearless by relying solely on defense. The state of the soldiers was a big problem that had to be faced.
Fortunately, before the Liao army set up their formation and prepared for the final attack, each battalion of the Han army also ate dry food, drank cold water, and tried their best to replenish their physical strength. As for things like pooping and peeing, they could only hold it in, but they couldn't.
I can only hold it in my crotch.
In fact, after the Liao army launched its attack, the battlefield where the two armies fought fiercely was filled with stench.
