Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

They are not truly invincible.

Chapter 1771 Severance Pay

Zhao Yuan's plan was to deliver a crushing blow to the Liao Kingdom.

He wasn't arrogant enough to think he could reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

After all, of these 50,000 troops, less than 10,000 were veterans from Liangshan.

The rest were all Song Dynasty imperial guards who had only been reorganized a few months prior.

A few months is not enough for the Song Dynasty's imperial guards to transform into a powerful army.

Moreover, they didn't experience any fighting after the reorganization.

Although the Liao Dynasty had also enjoyed a long period of peace...

However, the frequent cross-border raids also allowed the Liao soldiers to maintain a decent fighting strength.

Zhao Yuan thought for a moment and said,

How much gunpowder is in the camp?

Lu Junyi said, "It hasn't been used since we sent out the troops. It weighs five hundred jin."

Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "That's enough."

"It seems we still have to rely on gunpowder,"

"Give the Liao soldiers a good beating,"

"So that they will never dare to invade my Central Plains again."

"Everyone, go back and prepare,"

"Tomorrow we will head north and retake Xiongzhou."

Zhang Qing immediately clasped his hands in greeting and said...

"This humble general requests to be the vanguard."

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "Since the Featherless Arrow can't wait any longer,"

"Then I will make the arrangements."

"Zhang Qing's troops will form the vanguard, Lu Junyi, Zhang Kai, and Han Cunbao's troops will form the central army, and Guan Sheng will be at the rear."

"The entire army is advancing straight towards Xiongzhou City; we must capture Xiongzhou before nightfall."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qing couldn't help but say,

"If Liao troops come to our aid, the entire army shall march at full speed."

"I'm afraid the soldiers are too weak to withstand the Liao army."

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "The Liao soldiers have never entered our territory."

"Presumably, the Liao emperor did not give the order, so they probably won't come to the rescue."

"Let the scouts go further away. We should have spies in Xiong Prefecture, right?"

Lu Junyi nodded and said, "The people of Xiongzhou were taken hostage and surrendered to the Liao Kingdom, their sworn enemy, which has aroused great public resentment."

"The border residents suffer from harassment by Liao soldiers every year,"

"It can be said that most of them had relatives who died at the hands of Liao soldiers."

"Therefore, many people were thinking of fleeing south,"

"But that corrupt official was afraid that the people would all flee, so he sealed off the city gates."

"But that corrupt official was also afraid we might suddenly head north and attack,"

"Therefore, many soldiers were sent out to scout our army's movements,"

"Therefore, many soldiers fled."

"I persuaded a group of deserters to surrender and brought them back to Xiongzhou,"

"If the Liao troops march south, they will find a way to notify us."

"After Yelü Dashi stopped selling horses to us,"

"Duan Jingzhu also led dozens of brothers born in the north into the Liao Kingdom to gather information,"

“The Liao troops’ unusual movements should send us a message.”

Before the main army moves, scouts go first.

Although the outcome of a battle between two armies is often determined by the fighting capacity of the soldiers,

However, there are also many times when the decision is made by the brilliant strategies and tactics of a good general.

The necessary prerequisite for the successful implementation of ingenious plans is to have a clear understanding of the enemy's and one's own situation.

Otherwise, no matter how ingenious the plan,

If unexpected situations arise on the battlefield,

All of these could lead to failure.

Zhao Yuan observed that although Lu Junyi was not from a military family,

He had never led troops before.

But the scouts were arranged so meticulously,

He nodded secretly.

"Where are the provisions?"

"With ample provisions, the Song Dynasty planned to ally with the Jin to destroy the Liao,"

"Therefore, they stockpiled a large amount of grain and fodder in Hejian Prefecture in preparation for the army's attack on Liao."

"After I led my troops to Mozhou,"

"Then they sent someone to transport 50,000 shi of grain,"

"Enough to sustain the army for more than a month."

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "The Song Dynasty has indeed left us a lot of wealth."

"Alright, everyone go back and get ready."

The next day at dawn,

The army then set up cooking pots and prepared meals.

After a hearty meal, the entire army assembled.

Zhao Yuan, clad in golden armor, stood atop the camp.

The rising sun just emerged in the east.

The bursting red light shone on the golden armor.

It was as if a soft halo had been added to Zhao Yuan.

Adding to Zhao Yuan's undefeated past,

In the eyes of his soldiers, Zhao Yuan was like a god at this moment.

"The Liao Dynasty has deceived the Central Plains for two hundred years,"

"Now they want to take advantage of the fact that our Great Liang is not yet firmly established and go south to plunder."

"Our Great Liang will never be like the Song Dynasty, offering gifts to seek peace."

"Because our Great Liang has an invincible army,"

"They will never kneel before the enemy."

"Since I began leading troops, I have never suffered a defeat,"

"Soon I will have another defeated opponent, the Liao Kingdom."

"In this battle, I hope all armies will advance without hesitation,"

"Anyone who retreats without orders will be executed without mercy."

“If the commander of a thousand men retreats, I will kill him; if the commander of ten thousand men retreats, I will kill him with my own hands.”

"send troops!"

……

Capture Xiongzhou

It felt quite unpleasant, like punching the wrong target.

When the Liang army arrived in Xiongzhou,

The prefect of Xiongzhou has fled.

Soldiers and civilians in the city began to flee.

The Liang army easily captured Xiongzhou.

Yelü Dashi stood on horseback on the pontoon bridge over the Baigou River.

He looked at Nanfang with a helpless expression.

Chapter 1772 Yelü Dashi

A few days ago,

Yelü Dashi then ordered the construction of three pontoon bridges across the Baigou River.

The Liao cavalry could cross the border river at any time.

They marched straight in and plundered the rich Central Plains.

Even expanding into new territories,

To compensate for the prefectures and counties in the northwest that were seized by the Jin dynasty.

However, the 50,000 troops had been assembled for many days.

But then news came that the emperor was going to personally lead the army.

Before the emperor arrived,

The imperial decree forbade the troops from crossing the river.

Fifty thousand troops were thus halted on the north bank of the Baigou River.

They dared not make a single rash move.

Although Yelü Dashi strongly argued that Xiongzhou had already surrendered to Liao.

The army can enter Xiongzhou.

Thus,

The army then had a foothold on the south bank.

However, he was stopped by the Imperial Brother, King Yelü Dezhong.

Yelü Dashi also knew what Yelü Dezhong feared.

He was simply afraid that the emperor would think he also had ulterior motives.

Emperor Yelü Yanxi of the Liao Dynasty had four sons.

The second prince, Prince Jin, was highly respected in the army.

The third prince was born to the favored concubine, Consort Yuan.

Consort Yuan's brother, Xiao Fengxian, also gained favor as a result.

He served as Privy Councilor.

He served the emperor closely.