I Can Control My Ancestors

Mount Heng, Huanqing.

This place is currently the main battlefield between Western Xia and the Song Dynasty.

But even though it’s the main battlefield, the casualties from this battle are not actually that high.

The same is true for the battlefield on the Liao side.

As for the reasons, they are also quite simple.

Because the two countries are not truly allied; both are just aiming to wear down the Song Dynasty.

There’s no choice—

At least in their view, the current grain transport issues of the Song Dynasty cannot be resolved in a short time, especially given the ongoing natural disasters.

This drawn-out fighting is the most profitable strategy for them.

But now the situation has changed!

The sudden turn of events has completely affected all their judgments, rendering all their previous efforts futile.

Everyone understands that for Liao and Western Xia, the best decision now should be to retreat!

But still, the question remains.

How can they retreat at every step?

The two countries are interdependent and can only seize every opportunity to possibly counter the Song Dynasty.

Now, even though they haven’t done much to the Song Dynasty.

They themselves have already suffered significant losses, as considerable military supplies have been expended over this period. How could they be willing to just leave it at that?

At this moment, in the main tent of the Western Xia military camp,

The commander, Ren Duo Baozhong, furrowed his brow, tapping heavily on the map at Huanqing Road, and said in a deep voice, "The scout reports that the restoration of the Song’s grain transport is far faster than expected!"

"That Gu Clan cement has such miraculous effects, the Si Province section is already passable for light boats, and in due time, the full line restoration is inevitable."

"By then, the Song Army will have no logistical concerns, and it will be difficult for us to make any progress!"

His expression was very solemn.

Anyone could see that the commander’s mood was very irritable at this time.

Upon hearing this, Guiming A Wu suddenly stood up: "What are we waiting for then? Should we just retreat? Our Great Xia has mobilized a large force and spent countless resources; how can we face the Emperor and the Prime Minister if we return empty-handed?"

"And how can we face our tribesmen who look to us with great hope?"

Yeli Rongwang pondered for a moment, a fierce expression flashing in his eyes: "General Renduo, what General Guiming says is not without reason."

"The Song’s focus is still on grain transport; though their border army is stable, prolonged defense leads to eventual loss."

"Why not... establish contact with Liao, set a date, and instead of these minor skirmishes, launch a real offensive!"

"We don’t seek to destroy the Song court in one go, but at least capture some key military regions and plunder enough resources to compensate for the expenditures of this campaign, and also severely diminish the morale of the Song people!"

Perhaps due to the influence of Li Yuanhao in earlier years,

these young Western Xia generals have always longed to attack the Song.

Whether it’s the Song or the Gu Clan,

in their view, it’s nothing noteworthy.

If it weren’t for the elderly Prime Minister holding back on this matter, they might have launched an attack long ago.

Ren Duo Baozhong’s gaze swept across the generals in the tent, and seeing the many faces of reluctance, he knew the discussion of retreats was infeasible.

He took a deep breath and resolutely said: "Fine! Then we’ll take a gamble!"

"Immediately send an urgent message to Xingqing Prefecture, requesting the Emperor and Prime Minister’s decision, and rapidly coordinate with Liao."

"At the same time, order all units to prepare for battle, dispatch more scouts, and investigate the defense details of the Song Army at Huanqing and Fuyan, especially the movements of the Zhong and Zhe families!"

"Yes!" the generals responded in unison.

Almost simultaneously, a similar debate was unfolding within the military tents on the Liao Nanjing Road.

Xiao Hui, the Chief Minister of the Northern Office, received a secret decree from Yelv Zongzhen in the Central Capital, which also expressed concerns about the Song’s swift restoration of grain transport and the urgency of achieving tangible results before the Song fully recovered.

After discussing with his subordinates Yelv Dilu Gu, Xiao Yulu, and others, they unanimously agreed that the strategy must be changed.

"The Song relies on solid city fortifications for defense; although we’ve achieved some results looting along the borders, it hardly affects their foundation." Xiao Hui pointed to the map of the Song Army deployment in Yan Yun, "Now, we need to concentrate our elite forces, pick one or two key breakthrough points, such as Daizhou, Yanmen Pass, and attack without consideration of cost!"

"Simultaneously, request Western Xia to apply more pressure on the western front, so they cannot manage both sides."

Yelv Dilu Gu rubbed his hands in anticipation: "We should have done this long ago! Our Great Liao cavalry is invincible, why should we entangle with the Song like this?"

"As long as the Emperor is determined, I am willing to be the vanguard and will certainly break through the Song’s border defenses for the Emperor!"

Soon, messengers between Xia and Liao traveled frequently, and a more detailed and fierce joint attack plan was quickly established.

The plan went very smoothly.

In fact, for both countries now, their mindset is very similar.

They don’t have to gain.

But they absolutely cannot let the Song Dynasty not suffer losses!

Only in this way can both countries gain more time for adjustment.

They indeed can still confront the Song Dynasty.

But if the Song is allowed to develop peacefully, what will happen in the future is self-evident!

The occurrence of this situation is also due to the fact that neither of the current two countries is incompetent!

The two sides agreed to launch a large-scale offensive in half a month’s time.

Western Xia will mainly attack Huanqing Road, targeting the strategic location of Qingjian City to threaten Yan Province;

Liao will primarily attack the Daizhou-Yanmen Pass line in Hedong Road, intending to tear a gap in the Song Army’s defenses in western Hebei;

Both sides will invest their true elite forces, striving to inflict a painful blow on the Song Dynasty, making them suffer irreparable losses during the initial weak phase of the grain transport restoration.

War clouds once again gathered densely over the borders of the Song-Xia and Song-Liao, more intense and murderous than before.