Chapter 29: Defeating Liao Shi (Part 1)

  The Jurchen people did not change their nature after founding a country. Aguda celebrated his ascension to the throne with a war.

  In the same month that he declared himself emperor, Wanyan Aguda led his army to pressure the Northern Liao dynasty's heavy fortress of Huanglong Prefecture. This was a plundering war without suspense; the garrison in Yizhou (not the Yizhou in southwest China) where Huanglong Prefecture was located did not have the ability to fight the Jin army in the field, and upon hearing the news, people from Yizhou fled into the city of Huanglong Prefecture, while those who were unable to escape were taken away by the Jin army. Aguda did not actually attack Huanglong Prefecture - he merely showed off his military might before returning to Huining.

  The 800 Han troops also participated in this battle, but for them it was just an exercise. As Cao Guangyi did not approve of such banditry without strategic significance, they did not plunder any people or property during this operation, but Yang Yingqi took out the tea leaves that Liu Cong had just transported and exchanged some of the spoils from the Jin army.

  Now, there are five villages in Han Department with smoke rising from kitchen chimneys, and the ratio of men to women is gradually becoming balanced, with a population of nearly 4,000.

  Zhe Yan Chong returned to the Han Department, Ou Yang Shi's deputy Liu Qi also came back. He brought a major piece of news: The Great Liao had sent troops again to attack. Zhe Yan Chong heard and hurriedly took him to see A Gu Da. A Gu Da had already received the news and was convening a meeting with his generals to discuss it.

  Liu Qi said his own experience in the capital, finally said: "This time, I heard that there are 200,000 cavalry and 70,000 infantry!" When he said this, his face turned yellow.

  "Has anyone heard who the commander is?" Ah Gu Da asked.

  Liu Qi said: "The commander-in-chief of the expeditionary army is Yelü E'erduo, the left deputy commander is Xiao Yisu, the right deputy commander is Yelü Zhangnu, and the supervisor is Xiao Se Fulu."

  Liu Qi said a name, Ah Gu Da sneered and finally said: "A mediocre talent!" He also told Liu Qi: "You did well, go down and receive the reward." He also sent his confidant to the border to intercept and inquire.

  Agu Da asked Zhe Yan Chong: "What do you think?"

  Zhe Yan rushed to say: "The so-called 270,000 infantry and cavalry have always been 'nominal', the actual number must be greatly discounted. Even if tens of thousands of soldiers really come over, it's impossible for every single one of them to be a good fighter, Liao State doesn't have that many elite troops either. Moreover, I've heard that Liao State has also appeared with the problem of 'empty salaries' and 'empty quotas', some troops only have their organization but no actual numbers - so this army's number is highly suspicious. Besides, tens of thousands of soldiers on a long expedition will consume a lot of grain. We just need to hold the strategic points, making it impossible for Liao State's elite troops to use their strengths, then Liao State will defeat itself in time."

  "Agu Da exclaimed with joy: 'Among the younger generation, only you, Zhan Han and Xiao Si can discuss military strategy to my satisfaction.'"

  Everyone went to prepare, and soon new news came that this time the Liao army came east not to "conquer" but to "guard the border".

  Yang Yingqi burst out laughing and said: "I thought the Liao people had decided to send a fierce tiger, but it turns out they sent a water buffalo! Since you've come to garrison the border, there must be many untrained militiamen. When commoners are not trained yet ordered to go to the battlefield, that's called abandonment! It seems I have something to do again." He looked back at Yang Pu and said: "My system of one mother with eight sons, nine villages linked together, is indeed too narrow-minded."

  Yang Pu said: "The Liao people have a lot of troops after all, and we can't be too careless."

  Yang Yingqi said: "The Jurchen people are full of vigor. I reckon the Khan will not adopt a passive defense, but will take the initiative to attack!"

  In the evening, Abaoji indeed gathered all his generals and ordered them to set out with their troops the next day. As they passed by the La River, Abaoji's younger brother Shulü came to join forces with him. Although their military strength was less than 20,000 men, under the repeated victories of the Jurchen people, there was not a single hint of fear.

  Soon after the meeting, the Liao army sent an envoy to present a letter of peace talks. However, the letter was written in Khitan script. Wanyan Xiyin opened it and looked at it, getting very angry: "The Khitans are being rude!"

  "What's wrong?"

  Wanyan Xiyin said: "Yelü Yanxi started by saying that the Emperor of Great Liao decreed to someone, but he directly called out my imperial name taboo!" Yelü Yanxi was the name of the Liao ruler. Because this letter from the vassal state directly called out Abaoji's name, Wanyan Xiyin also directly called out the Liao ruler's name in response.

  Aguo Da remained unmoved and calmly asked: "What did he say?"

  Wanyan Xiyin said: "Yelü Yanxi said that as long as we acknowledge their suzerainty, he will allow us to be a vassal state of the Khitan. But we must pay tribute every year and attend court at fixed times."

  Xie also took a step forward and was about to tear up the national letter, but Aguda waved his hand and said: "Don't mind him. Wait until he's beaten sorely, see if he dares to be presumptuous again."

  Wanyan Xiyin said: "He has come with a national letter, we should respond with a national letter! To show that we are a country that knows etiquette."

  "Alright, you write it down. Say that if they return Ashu, the army will withdraw from Huanglong Prefecture, and I'll allow them to negotiate a peace!"

  Wanyan Xiyin took up brush, ink and paper, and wrote: "The Great Jin Emperor decrees to Yelü Yanxi...". Before long, he finished writing, threw it at the Liao envoy, and drove him out of the camp.

  On the second day of their march, a fireball suddenly streaked across the sky, and it was unclear where it had fallen. Abaoji exclaimed loudly: "Look! This is a divine omen given to us by Heaven! Heaven is assisting Great Jin, this campaign will surely be victorious!"

  Tens of thousands of people shouted together: "Heaven helps Datong, this trip will surely win!"

  Zhe Yan Cong stared blankly at the place where the flames had disappeared and sent a personal soldier back to inform Yang Yingqi.

  The army advanced, pressing straight to the city of Dagu where the Liao army was located. Abaoji led more than a dozen trusted cavalrymen to climb high and look far, seeing only the Liao people stretching for tens of miles, but their formation was disorderly.

  Aguo asked his sons and nephews: "What do you think?"

  Zong Xiong Dao said: "Although there are many people, they are like sheep."

  Zong Wangdao said: "The rows of troops are uneven in strength."

  "Apparently, the so-called 200,000 cavalry and 70,000 infantry are just intimidating numbers. And what kind of warriors are these people? They're obviously temporary recruits from farmers and herders."

  "Agu Da nodded and said: 'That's right! The Liao army is nothing to be feared!'"

  Zhe Yan rushed to say: "We have been waiting here for a long time, and the enemy army is already very close. But the Liao people didn't even send a vanguard to guard against or capture us, which shows how incompetent the commander of the Liao army is! The terrain here is high and steep, if we form an array here and push forward, it will be like a mighty avalanche, unstoppable!"

  "Agu Da exclaimed: 'Just as I wished!' He ordered the Jurchen army to form a battle array on high ground. The Liao army across from them seemed to be making some movements, but they hesitated and did not send troops to block or surround them."

  Ah Gu Da pointed at the mountain below and said: "The Liao people are slow to react! Until now, they have not yet formed an array! Children, raise your knives and sticks, defeat the enemy today!"

  Zong Xiong led the right wing of the Jin army as the main force, and Zhe Yan Chong followed with 800 cavalrymen. They charged straight at the Liao army's left wing. The Liao army's left wing had more than twice the number of men compared to Zong Xiong's troops, but they lacked fighting spirit and their formation was not yet complete. Some soldiers even dropped their weapons and fled as soon as they saw the Jin army. As soon as the two armies clashed, the Liao formation collapsed. When the Liao army's left wing retreated, Xiao Tienu shouted loudly and led his 100 cavalrymen in a fierce charge, actually charging ahead of Zong Xiong. Several thousand men were like a sharp sword, tearing the Liao army's left wing in two. Xiao Tienu's 100 men did not suffer a single injury or loss as they charged to the rear of the Liao formation!

  Zong Xiong shouted from behind: "The left wing has collapsed, charge his right wing!"

  Who gave the order? Xiao Tienu had already crossed over from behind the Liao army and was rushing straight to the rear of the Liao army's right wing. The Liao army's right wing had already formed a battle array, with the front troops becoming the rear troops and the rear troops becoming the front troops, firmly blocking Xiao Tienu. Xiao Tienu thought to himself: "This right wing is indeed much more stable than the left wing."

  Suddenly someone beside him shouted: "Liu Nu'er, can't you rush anymore?"

  The one who mocked Xiao Tienu was Alu Bulan, but Xiao Tienu turned around and made a feint, then led his hundred cavalrymen in a charge from the side, disregarding their lives as they plunged straight into the Liao army's formation.

  Xiao Tienu was enraged by Alu's words and deeds, and he rushed in like a madman, killing as he went. The Liao army retreated slightly, but after he charged in, they immediately closed in, surrounding the two groups of cavalry in the middle.