"Such a fortified city was destroyed in just a few days, which shows the sharpness of our Han army. Even more so when His Majesty came with majesty. The soldiers were energized and courageous, while the thieves and enemies were trapped in the road..." Seeing the city destroyed, all the Han troops He was greatly encouraged, and everyone on the viewing platform was filled with joy. Zhang Jie even flattered Liu Chengyou.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but have a slight smile on his lips, and calmly commented in a victor's tone: "The attack and defense of the city are my strengths and the enemy's weaknesses. No matter how prepared the Liao army is, they will be trapped in the city and resist stubbornly. Heavenly soldiers ultimately attack with short attacks. Moreover, the Han Dynasty surrounded the city with ten times the number of people, equipped with fine soldiers and sharp weapons, regardless of losses, and fought steadily. How can a lonely city be defended for a long time?"
Since the Northern Expedition, there have been hundreds of large and small battles between the Han and Liao armies, but as far as the Han army is concerned, there are only two real siege operations, one at Tanzhou and one at Yunzhou. Don't look at the Han army's attack To attack a city, you are playing rogue and fighting for wealth, but this siege mode is difficult to use as a regular combat method. It is too extravagant.
If every city was attacked like this, the Han Dynasty would not be able to afford it. The Han army only arranged appropriate tactics in the right place, and two battles in total were enough to determine the direction and outcome of the battle.
"What your Majesty said is true. If you use force to overwhelm it, it will be unstoppable. It cannot be resisted by the mere Yunzhong defenders!" An Shouzhong also expressed his opinion.
"However, Yelu Talie can be regarded as a heroic figure. He has the overall situation in mind and long-term plans. He dares to defend the city alone and resist our army. His courage and courage are worthy of admiration. It has been nearly a month since the troops came to the city. "Yue, in the face of unremitting attacks for days and nights, it is rare to be able to persist to this point!" Liu Chengyou said again.
Hearing this, Zhang Jieze said: "If you can receive such praise from your majesty, Yelu Talie will die without any regrets!"
"More than 20,000 Liao troops in Yunzhong have been annihilated again, which has once again caused heavy damage to the Khitan! If there is civil strife again, the Khitan will not only suffer a great loss in national strength, but may also be in danger of national subjugation!" said his uncle Guo Tong, who was accompanying the army.
"That's just adding insult to injury!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Since the Northern Expedition, the direct battle losses of the Liao army totaled about 200,000 people, not to mention those who were injured and missing. These are the strongest soldiers of the Liao Kingdom. Their vitality has been severely damaged by these losses. .After this fierce battle, the Han Dynasty not only recovered Yanyun, but also inflicted heavy damage on the Khitan. It can be concluded that in the next ten years, the Hu barbarians will not have the power to invade the south, and the Han Dynasty will have no worries in the northern frontier... "An Shouzhong expressed his opinion.
"The Liao army suffered heavy losses, and the casualties of the Han Dynasty were also not small!" Liu Chengyou nodded and sighed: "The national power was severely depleted, the soldiers were exhausted, and the farmers were injured in the wrong time. I can already foresee that after returning to the court, I am afraid that I will have to do something for The word 'money and food' gives me a headache!"
Although he said this, everyone can feel the ease in the emperor's words and the joy in his mood. Because although the great man paid a lot of money in this battle, it was worth it compared with the gains. In this era, probably No one understands the significance and value of regaining Yanyun better than Liu Chengyou.
The word "Yanyun" is indeed a bit heavy, but I am afraid that no one can truly share the joy of recovery with him, and it is difficult to achieve empathy. However, Liu Chengyou's relief is enough.
"Send someone to ask which army defeated the city first!" Liu Chengyou ordered.
"yes!"
On the high platform, while the emperor was having a grand discussion with his ministers, the battle in Yunzhong City was still going on and was still fierce. The city was indeed solid. Although it suffered from indiscriminate bombing by the Han army, everywhere was devastated. But the foundation was not greatly damaged. The long city wall was already occupied by Han troops everywhere, because the city gates were completely sealed. Countless Han soldiers, like ants, climbed up the mountain with the help of various climbing facilities. city and attacked and killed the Liao army.
In all directions, hundreds of war drums were beating wildly, urging the soldiers to advance. The Liao army at the head of the city was in a rout and was shrinking into the city. The soldiers of the Han army were also out of formation in the melee. Just based on the usual training, they chased and fought fiercely and headed into the city.
The ensuing battle proved that the Liao army's ambition was not completely lost. The northern city wall was broken first and was defeated, but the other city gates were still struggling to hold on.
Although the city was destroyed, Yelu Talie still refused to admit defeat. Just as he had promised the Liao Emperor before leaving, he would fight to the last soldier. In an emergency, he did three things.
First, to appease the morale of the army and strengthen the defense accuracy of the inner city; second, to order the remaining three gate guards to withdraw voluntarily, shrink towards the inner city, and send some troops and horses to respond along the streets; third, to personally lead the army, Gather the defeated troops at the north gate to resist the attacking Han army.
Under the calm command of Yelu Talie, the Liao army was defeated but not in chaos. After paying a certain price, they regrouped and continued to resist. Therefore, the battle after entering the city not only did not weaken, but became more intense.
The response of the Liao army was also beyond the expectations of the Han army. In their past understanding, after breaking the city, they would chase the enemy northward and massacre wantonly. Even if they encountered some resistance, they could easily pacify it. Tanzhou's Experience also proves this point.
However, the Liao army in the clouds really surprised the Han army with their firm will to resist and tenacity in fighting. Under the orderly coordination arrangement, the Liao army in the city relied on every street and row of houses to fight against the Han army. Fighting to the death, sneak attacks, outflanking, cutting, and various walled warfare methods that the Han army had mastered were actually used by the Liao army. For a time, they caused a lot of casualties to the Han army.
Of course, the Liao army's trapped beast fight was almost a provocation to the Han army soldiers, and it also completely angered them. Without the slightest hesitation, the middle and lower-level generals spontaneously led their officers and soldiers to engage in fierce battles with the Liao army in the city. fight.
In the battle inside the city, the Han army actually lost a lot of advantages. The sharp siege heavy weapons were useless. As the space shrank, the superior strength could not be fully deployed. Under the desperate resistance of the Liao army, casualties suffered It began to grow, even more serious than the battle on the city. Of course, the casualties were on both sides.
The Liao army's tough resistance also quickly made the commanding generals realize that the battle was not over yet and the Liao army was far from collapse. Moreover, as time went by, they invariably changed their tactics and ordered that there was no need to rush for success. , but continued to compress and steadily eliminate the remaining enemies.
As the Han army changed its tactics, the pressure on the Liao army also increased exponentially, and breakthroughs were made in all aspects. Seeing that it was unable to support itself, the Han army naturally continued to strengthen its offensive, and Yelu Talie also continued to move inward.
The city shrinks.
Moreover, while retreating, another fire was set off, a raging fire. Yelu Talie's preparations were indeed sufficient. He also stored a large amount of licorice and firewood in many houses, and sprinkled them with
Fire, oil, grease, water and fire are ruthless, and they are beyond the power of flesh and blood.
The Han army's offensive was inevitably contained. Under the boiling fire, the soldiers subconsciously retreated to avoid being engulfed by the fire. The Liao army took this opportunity to retreat back to the inner city.
The inner city in Yunzhong is not that big, but it is equally strong. It is completely bare all around and the houses and buildings have been demolished. It is used both for defense and as a fire zone.
Looking at the raging fire outside the inner city, Yelu Ta Liebi's expression was extremely solemn. Although he blocked the Han army's offensive, he could not relax at all. In his estimation, these back-up moves would take a month.
However, the speed at which the Han army captured the outer city was too fast...
He didn't have much time to reflect and sigh. The Liao army that had retreated to the inner city still had more than 10,000 soldiers, most of whom were tired soldiers and a high proportion of wounded soldiers. Yelu Talie personally made the city defense layout, treated the wounded soldiers, and comforted them.
Military spirit.
The Liao army retreated in embarrassment, and the Han army was also a little disgraced. Flames rose into the sky, thick smoke billowed, and the entire sky was almost blackened. Of course, it was already late, so it looked bleak.
On the viewing platform, the "joyful laughter" was no longer there, and the battle situation in the city was constantly heard. For the Han monarchs and ministers present, it was a bit embarrassing. After all, it was a slap in the face, and they were happy too early.
Looking at the fiery scene from a distance, Liu Chengyou smiled, pretending to be relaxed, and said: "It seems that I have not underestimated Yelu Talie, and he still has to fight against the trapped beast!"
"Your Majesty, King Wei sent someone to ask for instructions. Do you want to change the people and continue the attack?" An Shouzhong asked.
"King Wei is the commander-in-chief of the siege. He can make his own decision!" Liu Chengyou responded. However, after a pause, he still ordered: "Send an order to temporarily stop the attack. We will fight for four days and three nights and let the soldiers rest."