Lu Benzhong felt relieved, but still had some doubts.

"But you must not leave anything to chance when it comes to military strategy."

Although Zhao Jiu did not turn around, he seemed to have eyes behind his head and saw through Lu Benzhong's thoughts at once. "Everyone thinks the Jurchens will leave, but what if they don't? The more we have to show our courage and preparation for a decisive battle, if Wanyan Wushu and Wanyan Balisu dare not leave, we will really pin them to death in Hetao and take the opportunity to attack Hedong!"

When these words were spoken, Ren Baozhong puffed up his cheeks and nodded repeatedly, while Lu Benzhong nodded hurriedly, but it was unclear whether he really understood or was at a loss after hearing that a major battle might really have to be fought.

"Of course, there is another benefit to making a big show. Even if the two sides have never fought, we can make the 200,000 or 300,000 soldiers of the two armies and the people of the world believe that the Jurchens are really afraid of us and were driven out by us! Some things, if everyone in the world believes them, will become true even if they are not true!" Zhao Jiu added at the end. Perhaps this is what he really wants to achieve.

But it didn't matter. On that day, relying on the fact that the two rivers were only a hundred miles apart, and with the forts and reinforcements, the coalition army advanced 50 miles before stopping. The next morning, Zheng Zhichang, who went to look for the Jurchen camp, came back with a clear message - Wanyan Wushu and Balisu did not hesitate at all and moved their camp eastward, as if they were preparing to retreat to the former Liao Tiande Army (Baotou area in later generations) east of the Hetao. He did not see the Jurchens at all.

Judging from the speed, it is very likely that the scouts abandoned Hetao immediately after detecting the arrival of the Song army.

In other words, the Jurchens really left.

When the news spread, the army was excited. Not only did they continue their march eastward that day, Xiao Worila, the chief general under Yelu Dashi, also made a special trip to come during the march and had a quick meeting with Emperor Zhao.

"Your Majesty, what my king means is that if the Jurchens refuse to leave after crossing the river, we will lead our army to confront them across the river... Our army has been confronting the Jurchens here for half a month, and we know very well that the Jurchens' logistics are actually a little weak. If we confront them here, we can hold out until autumn, but they can't." Xiao Worila's words were straightforward.

But Zhao Jiu did not respond directly. On the contrary, he just looked at the person who came and continued to remain silent. He just continued to ride his horse forward slowly, as if he had ignored Xiao Worila's words.

"What if the Jurchens continue to retreat after crossing the river?" Ren Baozhong and Lu Benzhong, who had been observing for a long time, understood the situation, but Lu Benzhong really didn't know how to intervene in military affairs, so Ren Baozhong took the initiative and confronted them proudly.

"If the Jurchens cross the river, the coalition forces must also cross the river." Xiao Worila urged his horse to catch up. He was also a little shocked and angry, but he did not dare to look at the Zhao Song officials. He could only talk seriously with the old Dangxiang man beside him.

"But if we cross the river and pursue them, will the Jurchens lure them deep into our territory and then counterattack us?"

"There is no danger until we reach the Liao Southwest Recruiting Office (near Hohhot in later generations)!"

"What do you mean?"

“Although the terrain east of the Hetao is no longer a so-called deadly place for cavalry, west of the Liao Southwest Recruiting Office, the Liao Tiande Army and Yunnei Prefecture are still between the Yin Mountains and the river, which is a narrow and long area. The coalition forces are so powerful that they can advance properly… Therefore, if the Jurchens retreat this time and abandon the confrontation across the river, they will most likely retreat to the Southwest Recruiting Office (Hohhot) or even Xijing (Datong).”

"General Xiao." Ren Baozhong secretly glanced at the back of Emperor Zhao, and then continued to ride his horse and march while facing him sternly. "You must remember one thing. The army of 200,000 people relies entirely on the supply of food and grass from the Song Dynasty, and the main force here is also the troops of the Song Dynasty... Once we cross the river to pursue, the supply line will be lengthened, and we will recover the old territory of your Liao Kingdom, but we will have to pay out real military rations. Is there such a cheap thing in the world?"

"My king has something to say..."

"If Dashilin Ya wants to talk to my Majesty, he should be allowed to do it himself." Ren Baozhong saw that Emperor Zhao had no reaction, so he simply interrupted him. "Now it's General Xiao who is telling me some military ideas... Why do you always bring up Dashilin Ya to pressure others?"

Xiao Wulila also glanced at the back of Emperor Zhao who showed no reaction, then he looked at Ren Baozhong with a serious face:

"General Renduo, we know that the Song Dynasty is the main force, but we have only advanced to the Yunneizhou area, and the logistics line is not stretched too much, and we are not planning to go any further. As for the benefits, if the army can reach the Southwest Recruiting Office of the Liao Dynasty, not only will the Liao Dynasty recover the core states and counties, but the Mongols will also loosen the shackles on the side. Can't your country also sweep all the land outside the Yellow River?"

Ren Baozhong was about to say something else, but unexpectedly Xiao Wulila sneered: "More importantly, once this happens, the Jurchens will shrink back to Hedong and Hebei, and will no longer be able to easily touch the Xixia land that your country has conquered this time. You Song people will no longer have to worry about the half-heartedness of those Dangxiang dogs!"

Ren Baozhong was not angry when he heard this. Instead, Zhao Jiu finally turned around at this time, which startled Xiao Worila so much that he reined in his horse suddenly. The horse under his crotch neighed for a while, but he soon recovered and continued to ride along.

"General Xiao." Zhao Jiu laughed at this and confronted him. "Why didn't Dashi Lin Ya come in person for such an important matter?"

"Your Majesty." Xiao Wulila bowed his head and explained earnestly. "It's not that my king is deliberately neglecting me. It's just that it's hard to be in the army."

"I understand." Zhao Jiu said as if he didn't care. "I will tell the three commanders Yue, Wu, and Qu about what you just said. I will listen to their orders. I will not ask about the specifics of the war. But, do you really not want to take back Xijing?"

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