I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 307 The Recapture of Yanjing

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Because of thorough prior preparations, and because Yelü Aoluwo's ​​replacement of Yelü Yanxi as emperor of Liao was in the best interest of Liao, with the help of Zhao Yu, Yelü Aoluwo smoothly became emperor of Liao, and Liao's resistance against Jin finally had unified command again.

However, things are far from that simple.

Leaving aside the fact that the Liao Kingdom was suffering repeated defeats on the front lines and urgently needed reinforcements.

The reason why Zhao Yu went to such great lengths to help the Liao Kingdom was not because he was beautiful and kind-hearted, but because he wanted to recover the five prefectures of Yan, pacify the three prefectures of Luan and Ying, and the Juyong Pass, that is, to recover the Yanping region and complete the unification.

This is the core interest of the Song Dynasty. Only if the Song Dynasty satisfies this core interest will it truly help the Liao Dynasty restore its kingdom. Otherwise, the Song Dynasty would destroy the Liao Dynasty before the Jin Dynasty even had to take action against it.

Therefore, as soon as Yelü Aoluwo ascended the throne, Xiao Puxian and Xiao Sese summoned the ministers to court to discuss strategies for dealing with the Jin army's invasion and the cession of the Yanping region to the Zhao Song Dynasty.

In dealing with the Jin army's invasion, the Liao state was in complete agreement, believing that it was imperative to stabilize its defenses; otherwise, the war between Liao and Jin would be impossible to continue.

Specifically, in areas such as the southern Mongolian Plateau, the western Liaoning grasslands, and the Xilamulun River basin, a defensive line for "actively recovering lost territory" needs to be established. This requires moving beyond the mindset of "building cities and holding out to the death" and utilizing the terrain such as grasslands, mountains, and rivers. It also requires combining the advantages of the remaining Liao cavalry with the control over nomadic tribes to construct a dynamic defense system "centered on mobility, based on tribes, and guided by counter-offensive."

Its core logic is: instead of setting up fixed defensive lines, it relies on "forward bases + cavalry groups + tribal alliances" as its pillars, actively advancing to the edge of the Jin army's controlled area, and gradually compressing the Jin army's living space through harassment, containment, and concentrated attacks, while waiting for an opportunity to recover Liaozhongjing and the lost territory to the north.

Not all the Liao people were useless. Yelü Chun, Xiao Gan, Yelü Dashi, and others were all top-notch generals of their time, and they were familiar with the terrain within the Liao territory. Therefore, their strategies were quite targeted.

However, the Liao Kingdom is currently facing a shortage of troops, especially in Yanjing, where there are only about 50,000 troops. Even including the troops in Pingluanying and the other two prefectures, the total number is less than 80,000.

If the Liao Kingdom wanted to defend the Yanping region, it wouldn't be able to spare too many troops to reinforce the front lines.

If effective reinforcements cannot be provided to the front lines, the possibility of the front lines collapsing will greatly increase, which is something the Liao Kingdom cannot afford.

Of course, this matter was easy to resolve. In accordance with the Zhao Song Dynasty's proposal, the entire Yanping region was handed over to the Zhao Song Dynasty, and Yelü Chun and others led the Liao army stationed in the Yanping region to reinforce the front line.

In fact, the Liao Dynasty did have troops on the front lines. In fact, there were hundreds of thousands of Liao soldiers on the front lines. However, due to the lack of unified command, the Liao soldiers on the front lines could only fight independently. In addition, the emperor was missing and there was no reliable leader. Furthermore, Yelü Yudu, who was familiar with the Liao army, turned against them and even helped the Jin army to persuade the Liao soldiers to surrender. This led to the Liao army's repeated defeats.

Now, the Liao emperor has changed from Yelü Yanxi to Yelü Aoluwo, whom all Liao people want. The Zhao Song dynasty is also willing to unite with the Liao to resist the Jin. With some reinforcements, as long as they are well organized, there should be a fight on the front lines.

However, there is one problem: some people are insatiable and are not willing to give the Yanping region to the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Frankly speaking, it's normal for these people from Liaoning to have such thoughts.

After the Liao capital was captured by the Jin army, Yanjing became the political heart of the remaining Liao forces. It was not only the operating center of the Liao bureaucracy, but also a place that maintained the legitimacy of Liao rule by sending a signal to all regions (especially those not occupied by the Jin army) that the Liao dynasty was not dead.

Furthermore, Yanjing, located on the southern slopes of the Yanshan Mountains, bordered by the Jundu Mountains to the north and the Taihang Mountains to the west, presented a natural obstacle to the Jin army's southward advance into the Central Plains. The Liao Dynasty established the Yanjing Military Command here, commanding elite Han and Xi troops, and constructed a defensive line relying on passes such as Juyongguan and Gubeikou. For the Liao Dynasty at this time, the defensive function of Yanjing was directly related to the survival of its remaining forces—if Yanjing fell, the Jin army could advance unimpeded into the North China Plain, completely severing the Liao Dynasty's connection with the Central Plains.

The Yanjing region was one of the most agriculturally developed areas in the Liao Dynasty. Relying on the alluvial plains of the Yongding and Chaobai Rivers, it was rich in grains, mulberry trees, and hemp, and had a dense population. At the same time, as a trading center between the Liao and the Song Dynasty, Yanjing's commercial taxes and handicraft (textiles, iron smelting) revenues accounted for nearly 30% of the Liao Dynasty's finances. After the fall of Zhongjing (the central capital), the livestock industry in the grasslands was destroyed by the Jin army, and Yanjing's agricultural and commercial revenues became the core source of income for the Liao Dynasty to maintain its army and bureaucratic system.

The Pingluanying three prefectures, located east of Yanjing and on the west coast of the Bohai Bay, are key nodes connecting Yanjing and Liaodong. Their value lies in their defensive buffer and resource connection.
Pingzhou was the core of the three prefectures, and since ancient times it has been the eastern gateway to Youyan. It is bordered by the Yanshan Mountains to the north and the sea to the east, and its terrain is strategically important. The Liao Dynasty established the Pingzhou Military Governor's Office here, stationing tens of thousands of troops as an eastern shield for Yanjing. If the Jin army advanced from Liaoxi, the three prefectures of Ping, Luan, and Ying could rely on the Luan River, Qinglong River and other waterways to delay the enemy and prevent Yanjing from being attacked from two sides.

Historically, when the Jin army attacked Pingzhou, the defending general Zhang Jue resisted tenaciously by taking advantage of the terrain of the three prefectures, buying Yanjing several months of time to prepare for defense.

The three prefectures of Pingzhou, Luanzhou, and Yingzhou also controlled two crucial routes: the land route "Yuguan Road" (from Pingzhou through Shanhaiguan to Liaodong) and the sea route (from Yingzhou Port to the Liaodong Peninsula). After the fall of Liaozhongjing, the remaining Liao forces in Liaodong relied entirely on these two routes for communication with Yanjing (Beijing). The existence of these three prefectures allowed Yanjing to receive small numbers of soldiers and horses from Liaodong, while simultaneously maintaining its war potential by transporting strategic materials such as salt and iron from Liaodong via the sea.

Pingzhou, Luanzhou, and Yingzhou were known as the "land of fish and salt" along the Bohai Bay. Pingzhou's salt industry, Luanzhou's iron mines, and Yingzhou's fisheries were all highly developed, and their output could supplement the resource gap in Yanjing (Beijing).

In addition, the three prefectures of Ping, Luan, and Ying have been Han Chinese settlements since the late Tang Dynasty, with a population of about 200,000. They were not only the labor force for agricultural production, but also an important source of soldiers for the Liao Dynasty (especially Han soldiers), which was crucial to making up for the population loss after the fall of Zhongjing.

The five prefectures of Yan and the three prefectures of Pingluanying did not exist in isolation, but formed a dual-core, interconnected defense system: Yanjing served as the "main fortress," undertaking political and core defense functions; the three prefectures of Pingluanying served as the "flank barrier," ensuring the security of the east and the access to resources.

This cooperative relationship allowed the Liao Dynasty to maintain its resistance for nearly two years after the fall of Zhongjing. It was not until Yanjing was captured by the Jin army and the three prefectures of Pingluanying surrendered to the Jin that the Liao Dynasty's remaining forces completely lost their foothold and eventually perished.

In short, for the Liao Dynasty at this time, Yanjing was the "soul of survival," and Pingluanying Three Prefectures were the "bones of survival," together constituting its last "territory for survival."

It's no wonder that many Liao people were reluctant to give the Yanping region to the Zhao Song Dynasty; without it, they would be like rootless duckweed.

Empress Xiao had long anticipated that some Liao people would back down, so as soon as Yelü Aoluwo ascended the throne, she ordered Yelü Dashi and Xiao Gan to each lead 20,000 troops to reinforce the front line, citing the urgency of the battle at the front.

Xiao Sese knew that Xiao Puxian was using a diversionary tactic.

Well, actually everyone knows that Xiao Puxian is using a diversionary tactic.

However, the Jin army continued its southward advance and was about to break through the Liao army's defenses.

This news threw the Liao court officials into a panic, and they knew they had no choice but to send troops to reinforce the front lines.

Therefore, Xiao Puxian handed over almost all the Liao troops in the Yanjing area to Xiao Gan, instructing him to immediately lead his troops north.

At the same time, General Xiao Puxian opened the national treasury in Yanjing City and recruited 20,000 Liao soldiers, which Yelü Dashi led north.

Xiao Gan and Yelü Dashi knew very well that they had taken all the troops from Yanjing to make way for the Song army. By the time they returned, Yanjing would have changed hands.

Xiao Gan and Yelü Dashi, who had served as Zhao Yu's advisors for nearly ten years, were well aware that Zhao Yu was determined to obtain the Yanping region, especially given the growing strength of the Jin Dynasty and the weakening of the Liao Dynasty. In other words, Zhao Yu did not believe that the Liao Dynasty could hold onto the Yanping region, so he had to firmly grasp it in his hands first.

Therefore, if Zhao Yu could not recover the Yanping region through political means, he would definitely resort to military means to recover it.

This is the real reason why Zhao Yu personally led his army north.

If Zhao Yu were to recapture the Yanping region by military means, the Liao state would likely lose its value, and the Zhao Song dynasty might no longer ally with the Liao.

In that case, the Liao Kingdom might completely lose hope of restoration.

Based on this, Xiao Gan and Yelü Dashi felt that taking the troops from Yanjing away was actually helping the Liao Kingdom.

Therefore, Xiao Gan and Yelü Dashi gladly accepted the order and led the Yan army northward, entering the grasslands from Gubeikou and Songtingguan respectively to reinforce the Liao army.

Xiao Puxian's guess was correct. When they discussed ceding the Yanping region to the Zhao Song Dynasty, Yelü Chun stepped forward and said:

"The Great Song Dynasty has provided timely assistance and is willing to help our Great Liao Dynasty restore its kingdom. Logically, we should cede the Yanjing and Pingzhou circuits to the Great Song. However, these two circuits are crucial to the restoration of our Great Liao. If we cede them to the Great Song, our Great Liao will likely face imminent destruction. We earnestly request that the two Empress Dowagers petition His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song to grant our Great Liao permission to retain these two circuits for a while longer. Once the region is more stable and the people's hearts are at ease, we will respectfully prepare and personally present the maps and registers to return these two circuits to the Great Song. This is not a delaying tactic, but a heartfelt plea. We earnestly hope that His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song will understand!"

Knowing that Zhao Yu would never agree to such conditions, Xiao Sese shook her head: "The matter is settled. Ninth Prince, do not ruin the country."

Fearing that Yelü Chun and the others might not understand the situation, Xiao Sese continued, "The Yan region is currently without soldiers or provisions, barely able to take care of itself, how can it possibly reinforce the front lines? We can only hope that the Great Song will step in to mediate and give our Great Liao some breathing room. Furthermore, we hope that the Great Song will lend our Great Liao some provisions and weapons, only then can we alleviate our Great Liao's urgent crisis. If we do not cede the Yanping region to the Great Song, why should the Great Song help our Great Liao? Even if His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song is benevolent, how can he explain this to his subjects?"

At this point, Xiao Sese said in an unquestionable tone, "This matter has already been settled and there is no need to discuss it again. The most urgent task is to hand over the Yanping land to the Song Dynasty as soon as possible, sign an alliance with the Song Dynasty, and win as much support as possible for our Liao Dynasty, rather than wasting time on this matter that cannot be changed, and causing unnecessary complications."

As soon as Xiao Sese finished speaking, Liao officials such as Li Chuwen, Xiao Fengxian, and Yelü Huluwa stood up to criticize Yelü Chun and those Liao officials who did not want to hand over the Yanping region to the Zhao Song Dynasty. Some even cursed these people for being untrustworthy, short-sighted, and unable to distinguish between what was important and what was urgent. Others bluntly stated that there was a "million-strong army" of the Zhao Song Dynasty around Yanjing, and if they remained stubborn, the Song army would definitely attack.

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of cannon fire came from the direction of Yingchun Gate.

Everyone in the hall was taken aback, including Xiao Sese.

Only Xiao Puxian remained calm and composed. She said indifferently, "This is the Divine Army taking over the city gate. Don't worry about it. His Majesty will enter the city in an hour. You should quickly organize the people, monks, Taoists, and elders to prepare to welcome him."

This is Xiao Puxian's decisiveness.

The main force in Yanjing City is now just the Shenji Vanguard Army. Why should I bother discussing anything with you? Of course, I'll take Yanjing City as soon as possible.

Want to talk?

It is not impossible.

However, we'll have to wait until I have the core interests in hand first, and then we can talk about it slowly.

Soon, the Shenji Vanguard Army took control of all the city gates of Yanjing.

It doesn't take an hour at all.

In just over half an hour, tens of thousands of elite cavalrymen of the Zhao Song Dynasty arrived at the gates of Yanjing.

Next, the Northern Army and the Tiger Army all arrived at the gates of Yanjing.

Zhao Yu also personally led the Central Army, Left Army, and Right Army of the Divine Machine to the city of Yanjing.

At this time, Xiao Puxian had already ordered Xiao Fengxian and others to send people to post notices along the streets and alleys, and to shout to the citizens in Chinese and Khitan: "People in the city, whether soldiers or civilians, whether barbarians or Han, if they surrender immediately, no one will be killed; if they resist, they will be killed without mercy."

The people of Yanjing were awakened by the sound of horses' hooves and shouts, and they soon realized that the Song army had entered the city.

They knew this day would come, so they weren't surprised.

They learned that Zhao Yu was about to arrive at the North Gate of Yanjing.

Xiao Puxian and Xiao Sese, along with Yelü Aoluwo and officials from the two Liao courts, opened the gates and lined up to welcome Zhao Yu into the city.

Zhao Yu, clad in golden armor and riding a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse, marched majestically into the city with three armies of the Divine Machine Army behind him.

Accompanied by Xiao Puxian, Xiao Sese, Yelü Aoluwo, Yelü Chun, Li Chuwen, Xiao Fengxian, Liu Yanzong, and others, Zhao Yu arrived at the inner palace and slowly ascended the Wansui Hall.

This is where Yelü Yanxi and his son Yelü Aoluwo once issued orders.

Inside and outside the palace, there were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps, with strict security.

Zhao Yu sat solemnly on the throne in the main hall, while Yelü Aoluwo led civil and military officials, monks, Taoists, and elders in paying their respects.

Zhao Yu declared loudly, "From this day forward, Yanjing returns to the embrace of my Han dynasty..."

……

(End of this chapter)