As long as the Song army stopped building camps and digging trenches so exaggeratedly along the way, the Liao army could have stormed into the Song army camps even at night, just like Cao Cao's surprise attack on Wuchao at night.

"This plan may be worth a try, but I think it is unlikely."

Zhang Jian shook his head.

"Why?"

Yelu Zongzhen asked.

"Because I believe Fan Zhongyan has someone supporting him."

"Who? The Emperor of the Song Dynasty?"

"no."

Zhang Jian looked out of the hall with a gloomy gaze and said, "I'm afraid it's the head of the Political Affairs Council."

Yelu Zongzhen was silent for a moment.

In fact, he and Li Yuanhao only figured this matter out afterwards.

After all, as monarchs of an enemy country, they would certainly pay attention to the political situation in Song State in order to understand the situation and make corresponding judgments.

However, not long after Zhao Jun came to power, he traveled around the country, and the state affairs were basically handled by Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng.

Afterwards, the Song-Xia War and the Song-Liao War broke out one after another. Fan Zhongyan rose to prominence like a shining new star, so dazzling that people could not take their eyes off him.

After the war, Fan Zhongyan took over the Qingli New Deal and became the leader of the reformists, while Zhao Jun hid behind the scenes.

In addition, Zhao Zhen has been engaged in scientific research in recent years and has made many new inventions. In terms of reputation and fame among the people, Zhao Zhen and Fan Zhongyan are obviously much more famous than Zhao Jun.

Therefore, apart from having the highest status within the Constitutional Court, Zhao Jun was actually overshadowed a lot by Zhao Zhen and Fan Zhongyan outside.

If he had not been decisive in killing people, and had not launched a large-scale war against evil forces, corrupt officials, generals, nobles, and landlords, killing so many people, I am afraid that the world might only know that someone became the mayor, but would not know who it was.

Only Yelu Zongzhen and Li Yuanhao discovered the clues in recent years and understood that the changes in Zhao Zhen, Fan Zhongyan and even many prime ministers of the Political System Council were all caused by someone behind the scenes.

If Zhao Jun fully supports Fan Zhongyan, given the political program of the Constitutional Council that is now final and Zhao Zhen has never opposed the policies of the Constitutional Council, perhaps even if they use counter-espionage tactics to make Zhao Zhen suspicious, as long as the Constitutional Council insists, Zhao Zhen will not necessarily replace Fan Zhongyan.

"No matter what, let's give it a try."

Yelu Zongzhen sighed deeply and said, "When the late emperor handed the country to me, the Liao Dynasty was so powerful. How dare the Song people provoke the Liao Dynasty? In just a few decades, the Liao Dynasty, while not declining, has undergone tremendous changes. How can I face the late emperor again?"

He shook his head, closed his eyes, and said, "Anyway, I won't initiate peace talks. Who knows what harsh conditions the Song people will put forward? Back then, they took away the ten counties north of the Guan River. Now, who knows, it might be Xijin or Datong. The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were won by our ancestors with great effort. I will never let anyone take away my territory again!"

"well"

Zhang Jian also sighed slightly. How could he not know that the Liao Kingdom was in a difficult situation right now?

If we really fight a bloody battle with the Song Dynasty, the chances of winning are very slim.

But Yelu Zongzhen was also right.

The former Liao Kingdom was like a wild wolf, constantly encroaching on the territory of the Song Dynasty.

But one day, something suddenly changed. The Song Dynasty turned from a lamb into a tiger and began to invade the Liao Kingdom.

Under such circumstances, if the Liao Dynasty took a step back, it would be a step back.

First, Zhuozhou was taken away, and then the border was forced to open. Now, if they want to negotiate peace, I am afraid that only Youzhou or Yunzhou or even the entire Yanyun area can satisfy the appetite of the Song Dynasty.

Don’t say that it was the Liao Kingdom that started the war first.

There is already a survival issue between the two countries, and a war is inevitable sooner or later.

What's more, the Liao Kingdom did not take the initiative to attack the Song Kingdom, but attacked the Song Kingdom's allies, which gave the Song Kingdom an excuse to attack it.

Therefore, no matter whether they take the initiative to attack or not, as long as others want to attack them, they will always find a reason.

So Yelu Zongzhen actually had only two choices: one was to give in and be forced to sign a humiliating treaty with the Song Dynasty.

The second is to fight to the death, just like the Battle of Chanzhou in the Song Dynasty, and fight for a chance of survival.

As long as they could win and push the Song Dynasty back, letting the Song people know that the Liao people could still defeat them, then the Song Dynasty would not take the initiative to invade again.

Then the Liao Kingdom would have gained a precious period of development, and could have continued to research gunpowder technology and improve its firearms to the same level as the Song Dynasty.

"In that case, let's fight to the death."

Zhang Jian exhaled and said softly, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, we cannot delay any longer. A quick victory is best! And don't even think about attacking at night. The best strategy is to lure the main force of the Song army into an ambush in the open field, using artillery to cover our cavalry's surprise attack. As long as we can penetrate the Song army's formation, victory is possible!"

"Well, what do you think?"

Yelu Zongzhen looked at the others.

Yelu Chongyuan said, "My Royal Highness, I think what the Grand Tutor said is not without reason. You and I have both led troops in battle and we naturally understand the dangers of night battles. It's fine to send a few dozen or a few hundred men at a time, but if we concentrate them and are overwhelmed by enemy fire, I'm afraid we'll be defeated in an instant."

Xiao Ying also said, "Your Majesty, I believe this is indeed the case. During the day, we might be able to prepare a large number of iron shields in front of the battle line, or roll out iron and wooden curtain carts to block the enemy's musket fire. As long as our army closes in, the Song people will be nothing more than lambs to be slaughtered!"

"That's it. Once the rear army arrives, I will withdraw the troops from Yuhe, Wanping, and other places, gather them together, and draw the Song army towards Xijin Prefecture."

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