Chapter 785 - 43: The Longhe Northern Campaign, Liao Tribute

This matter was thus completely settled.

That’s right—as Gu Rui made his final decision, this campaign swiftly became unstoppable throughout Great Song. In a short span, all necessary judgments were made.

Kaifeng.

Orders were issued one after another, swiftly reaching various border routes through the well-developed courier system.

This time, Great Song did not push the entire line as before but precisely revealed its double-edged strategy—the main force on the eastern line, led by the renowned General Zhong E, commanding 200,000 elite troops of the Forbidden Army. They departed from Youzhou State through Juyong Pass, dividing into two routes. The northern route, led personally by Zhong E, headed straight for the Central Capital of the Liao Kingdom, Dading Prefecture; the southern route, led by Guo Kui, advanced northward from Zhending Prefecture, to distract the Liao Kingdom’s Nanjing Road garrison.

This arrangement aimed to emulate the northern campaign ambition of Gu Jin from years past, targeting the heart of the Liao Kingdom.

On the western line, the veteran General Wang Shao stationed at Yan Province, leading the northwest border army, built defenses relying on the natural barrier of Heng Mountain.

At the same time, the valiant General Liu Changzu led ten thousand light cavalry to frequently raid the eastern borders of Western Xia. This move not only guarded against Western Xia taking advantage but also attacked as a form of defense, making it difficult for Western Xia to fully aid the east.

This was the strategy devised by Gu Rui and his generals after extensive discussion.

Western Xia and the Liao Kingdom are closely linked.

Since the decision for a large-scale war had been made, comprehensive preparations were essential. Great Song must not allow either side to hinder its progress.

The core of this battle is swiftness!

If held back, even the strength of Great Song cannot withstand the combined forces of two nations.

This is inevitable.

Because, in any case, Gu Rui must make a choice.

——Which nation to attack mainly!

And after careful consideration, Gu Rui has given his answer.

Yes, it is the Liao Kingdom.

It is not for the sake of inheriting the ambition of forebears.

In fact, this is the choice that best fits the current situation; the Liao Kingdom’s national strength surpasses Western Xia, coupled with Western Xia’s existing ties and grievances with Great Song and the Liao Kingdom.

There are myriad ways within this for Gu Rui to maneuver and adapt.,.

...

Year of Longhe, April.

——War reignites.

This was the reign title specifically requested by Gu Rui to invigorate military morale.

"Long" signifies prosperity and nobility; "He" not only denotes harmony but also implies a unified world, echoing the royal path’s posture of achieving unity through prosperity and peace.

Merely by this reign title, Gu Rui’s determination is apparent.

In line with the intention for the unification of Kyushu.

To stop war through arms.

The news spread, causing a great upheaval in Kyushu!

Even though the people of Kyushu had become accustomed to the various conflicts among the three nations, this large-scale outbreak of war immediately caused movements all around.

And as for Western Xia and the Liao Kingdom, their reactions were equally swift.

Almost instantly.

The entire world moved in response to Great Song’s developments!

Year of Longhe, July.

The main force of the Song Army on the eastern line advanced like an unsheathed sharp sword, rapidly thrusting northward from the Youyun region. Zhong E personally led 100,000 elite troops out of Juyong Pass, capturing the Liao Kingdom’s Fengsheng, and Guihua Prefectures in succession, with their forces directly targeting Ruzhou State.

This battle-hardened veteran commanded like a deity. With the Divine Arm Bow battalion at the front and heavily armored infantry advancing in formation, the Liao Army’s garrison forces retreated repeatedly.

Totally unprepared.

No longer anything like the campaigns of old.

Under Gu Rui’s orders, Great Song’s stance was fully displayed, showcasing the accumulation of nearly a hundred years to its fullest extent.

All the iterated equipment wreaked havoc on the battlefield.

Even in cavalry battles, the Song Army was not inferior to the Liao Army in the slightest, striking into the Liao Kingdom’s territory with thunderous momentum.

Various pieces of news spread continuously.

——The world was shocked!

The Song Army’s offensive completely stunned everyone.

This also completed Gu Rui’s predetermined strategy; at the very start of this war, it established a formidable reputation with a thunderous momentum.

Great Song was indeed too powerful.

A century’s accumulation provided this nation with unfathomable strength.

Even in its weakest aspect, logistics.

With the restoration of canal transportation and continuous improvement in military farming systems, Great Song can now sustain itself through this war.

This alone sufficiently demonstrates the current terrifying strength of Great Song.

Liao Kingdom, on the city walls of Ruzhou State.

The smoke had yet to dissipate, and the city walls bore the deep marks of the Divine Arm Bow’s arrow clusters. The defending General Yelv Han leaned against the parapet, gazing out at the endless Song Army camps. The hands, accustomed to drawing bows and shooting eagles, trembled slightly.

"Is this truly the Song Army?" he murmured, his voice carrying unprecedented heaviness.

Fear....

Incredulity....

All sorts of emotions erupted at that moment.

Even he, as the defending general, felt this way, not to mention the other defenders in the city.

Even with the advantage of terrain.

Ruzhou State had already become a scene of devastation.

This was beyond everyone’s expectations.

They could not hold on!

This thought surfaced almost instantly in Yelv Han’s mind, but as a member of the Liao royal family, he had to forcefully suppress these thoughts.

Regardless, he had to get through this!

At this moment, the deputy general, Xiao Woli La, with shoulders wrapped in blood-seeped bandages, staggered over: "General, I have just counted the casualties. The Song Army’s arrows are unparalleled."

"Their Divine Arm Bow has a range over thirty percent farther than ours, and the arrow clusters are specially designed armor-piercing cones. Our leather armor is completely ineffective."