Chapter 24: Against the Khitan (Part 1)

  The Liao people finally took action. Not long after Ah Xi Bao returned, it was rumored that the Liao ruler ordered General Xiao Pi to lead troops from Ningjiang Prefecture. Ningjiang Prefecture is located south of the La Lin River and is a strategic location for the Liao Kingdom in the northeastern border region, as well as a hub for various goods in the northeast. The wealthy merchants Zhao Lümin and Liu Jie both had a base here, and since Zhao Guan and Liu Cong obtained contact with the Han department, the importance of these two bases has been continuously upgraded. At this time, when they heard that the army was gathering, both of them hastily withdrew their troops and secretly sent people to inform the Han department.

  Zhe Yancong rushed to Huining after hearing the words of Zhao Guan's envoy. Abaoji also knew about this matter. Zhe Yancong said: "Now Ningjiang Prefecture is quite chaotic, but I don't know how many soldiers and horses the Liao people have mobilized."

  "Agu Da said, 'I have already ordered Wokou to go to Ningjiang Prefecture to fetch Soa.' Everyone present burst out laughing; 'fetching Soa' had become a habitual excuse for their espionage activities against Liao."

  Soon after, Pu Zhong came back and reported that there were countless soldiers and horses in Ningjiang Prefecture.

  Agu Da angrily said: "When the Khitan people first mobilized their troops, where did so many horses and men come from? Abaoji was deceived!"

  Zhe Yan said: "I'll let Ouyang Shi go take a look."

  Agu Da Xi said: "Ouyang is a cunning person, he must be able to get real news!"

  Ouyang Yi was a language genius, proficient in Chinese, Jurchen, Korean, and Khitan languages. He could disguise himself as a Khitan, a Korean, or even a Bohai person without any flaws! Soon he returned and said: "The Liao army is divided into three divisions, one is the Four Institutes Unified Military Command, one is the Ningjiang State Army, and there are also 800 temporary mobilized Bohai soldiers."

  Aguo Da and others had long known the true situation of the four institutes' military affairs and the Ningjiang state army's strengths and weaknesses, and upon hearing this they were overjoyed.

  Wu Kui Mai, brother of A'gu Da, said: "With such troops and horses, I will never take the city of Huining!"

  Zhe Yan charged forward: "The Liao army is weak! However, I reckon they must have follow-up troops. If we wait for the Khitan people to gather their main forces, I'm afraid the morale of our own people will be unstable. Before his great army gathers, we must first win a victory to boost the morale of our army. At the same time, let people know that the Great Liao is no longer the Great Liao of 100 years ago."

  "Aguo nodded and said, 'That's right! The Liao people know I will rebel, they must gather troops from all directions. Strike first to gain the upper hand, strike later to be at a disadvantage! I have already decided to launch an attack!'"

  All the generals said in unison: "We are willing to obey the extreme order of General Dou!"

  The various generals handled their respective affairs, while Aguoda led his younger brothers Wuqimai and Xiaoye to pay respects to their aunt, Empress Fucha.

  Aguo Da reported the plan to attack Liao, and Fucha said: "You are the head of the clan and the master of the country. If you see it as feasible, then go for it! Don't worry about this old bone! Moreover, I have a premonition that you will surely win this battle!"

  Zhe Yan Chong also returned to the Han village, at this time Wanyan Hu was already pregnant. Zhe Yan Chong stroked her belly and said: "Originally, I should have stayed with you, protected you..."

  Wanyan Hu interrupted him, saying: "What nonsense is this! A real man should be able to roam the world freely. Staying at home with his wife and children, who's worthy of being Wanyan Hu's husband?"

  Zhe Yan was deeply moved in his heart, went out to gather all the Han people and said: "We have been dependent on the Jurchen, and thus we have been able to live and breathe. Many of you have even married Jurchen women as wives. Now that the Jurchen are rising up with a self-reliant spirit, we should fully assist them!"

  Hundreds of people shouted in unison: "We are willing to listen to the orders of our leader!"

  Zhe Yan Chong again gathered several leaders and said: "The rise and fall of the Jurchen people concerns our life and death, we must do our best. This time I will lead Mr. Di, Guang Bi, A Lu Man, and Tie Nu to command 160 cavalry to fight in the vanguard! Ouyang will be responsible for intelligence work, Kai Yuan will lead the engineering troops to assist in the battle, and Ying Qi will preside over other matters in the rear!"

  Leaders unite!

  Aguo ordered the flying cavalry to go to various routes to comfort and persuade the Liao-registered Jurchen, calling on the Jurchen people to unite and resist the Khitan. He ordered General Bao Lu Huo to lead the troops of the lazy road Di Gu Nai. He also sent someone to capture the officials of the Liao State who were stationed in this place, in order to cut off the rear route.

  In September, Abaoji led his troops to besiege the Liaohe City near Ningjiang Prefecture. Poluohi failed to arrive on time after gathering his troops and was punished with a reduction of thirty in military rank. After all the troops gathered, they had a total strength of 2,500 men.

  The Jurchen people held a sacrificial ritual in the city of Luohui, announcing to heaven and earth, denouncing the crimes committed by the Khitan people against the Jurchen people.

  "We have served the Liao state for generations, offering fine horses and fierce eagles in peacetime, and charging into battle at the forefront. What have we gotten in return? The corpses of Jurchen people piled up on the Eagle Road, the increasingly heavy taxes imposed upon us, the slaughter of our fathers, uncles, brothers, and the violation of our sisters, wives, and children! The Liao people have always ignored our contributions, repaying us only with insult and plunder time and again. Today, we rise up in revolt to demand justice from the Liao state. May heaven and earth, and the spirits, bear witness!"

  The crowd of women heard this and all let out a loud roar, their voices like wild beasts. The 160 Han soldiers also shouted in unison to add to the intimidation.

  "I swear to you, in this war, you must exert your utmost strength! Slaves who have military merit will be given their freedom by me. Civilians who have military merit will be granted official titles and ranks by me! Those who were officials before, will be promoted or demoted according to the weight of their merits! If I violate this oath, may I die under the knife, and my family be without pardon!"

  On that day, he took an oath and advanced, with Zhe Yan Chong commanding the Han troops as his deputy on the right wing.

  The army crossed the Lalin River and encountered the Bohai troops of the Liao army. The Liao army was in high spirits, charging into the left wing of the Jurchen army and reaching the central army.

  Xiao Tiannu said: "If the central army is dispersed, it will be a total collapse! I'll lead men to reinforce!"

  "Absolutely not! We are outnumbered and cannot control the entire battlefield. The left wing has just been repelled, if the right wing is unstable, the military situation will be even more chaotic! The central army consists of the core generals of the Wanyan family, it's not that easy to collapse! Hold steady, wait for an opportunity to strike!"

  The Liao army was indeed unable to break through the Jurchen central army. Cao Guangyi said, "The Liao people's morale is slightly dull! You hold steady the right wing, I and Old Six will go assist the central army!" Without waiting for Zhe Yan to respond, he led twenty cavalrymen with his silver spear, while Xiao Tienu led another twenty, like a blue dragon entering the sea, like fragrant incense opening up a mountain, charging into the midst of the Liao army.

  Xiao Tienu smelled the fresh blood and went crazy, chopping wildly. The Liao army saw him as a devil, like encountering a fierce beast. Cao Guangyi, on the other hand, was calm and composed, fighting in the midst of the army as if reading a book in his courtyard. Suddenly, he spotted a brave general at the forefront of the Liao army, slightly relieving Xiao Tienu's pressure, drew his bow and shot, hitting the horse's head.

  The man was immediately Liaoye Luzeshi, the horse died and fell, the Liao soldiers rushed to rescue him. Abaoji shot one after another, shooting down all the rescuers, and finally shot an arrow into Luzeshi's left arm. A Khitan knight shielded him with his horse, but was shot through the chest by Abaoji. Luzeshi pulled out the arrow and escaped, at this time Cao Guangyue and others rushed closer, one arrow flew over, piercing through the back, it seemed that he would not survive.

  Yelü Xiyin died, and the Liao army's formation was slightly disordered. Cao Wei saw that Zong Gan, with whom he had a good relationship, was trapped deep in the Liao army, so he charged forward on horseback, his silver spear shaking like pear blossoms. The people behind him couldn't keep up with him. As a result, although Cao Wei managed to reach Zong Gan's side, he also got himself trapped.

  Agu Da and Xiao Tiennu came to the rescue from two directions. Suddenly, Xiao Tiennu shouted: "Beware of the cold arrow!" Agu Da heard this and turned his head sideways, the arrow brushed past his face, he drew his bow and shot in the direction the arrow came from, killing another person.

  In the chaos of the two armies, Abaoji raised his bow and shouted loudly: "You sons! Kill them all! Bring me their heads to exchange for golden beauties!"

  Thousands of people were stirred up, shouting together: "Kill them all! Kill them all!" The Liao army was disheartened, and the Jurchen army charged forward with all their might. The Liao army suffered a great defeat, and the rear army fled in disorder. The middle army charged into the rear army, and the front army charged into the middle army, trampling each other to death. Countless people died under the feet of their own comrades.