The combat effectiveness of infantrymen in urban warfare is beyond doubt.
With such an excellent commander as Yang Yi, the resistance that Ghazni was involved in was quickly eliminated one by one.
The banners of the Song Dynasty fluttered atop the city walls.
This ancient city, with a history of over a thousand years, has now officially become part of the territory of the Song Dynasty.
Wu Jie captured this important city in the Hezhong region with minimal casualties.
This was of great strategic significance to the westward expedition.
First, by eliminating the Khitan's right hand, their fighting strength in the Western Regions was weakened.
Second, by advancing the battle line to the Yellow River region, they bypassed and outflanked the Khitan's rear, which had a deterrent effect on the main Khitan force at Mulu City in the north and greatly eased the war pressure on the front.
As for the psychological impact of this battle on the kingdoms of the Western Regions, it did not manifest itself so quickly.
After all, the Western Regions are sparsely populated and transportation is not well developed.
As for the news of the fall of Purusha and Ghazni, it has not spread so far.
The 100,000-strong Ghaznavid army, heading north, continued to follow Yelü Dashi's son, Yelü Yilie, as they marched towards Suyab.
As for the Seljuks to the west, Sanjar's attention was focused on Suyab.
At the same time, Sanjar mobilized troops extensively within the country, preparing to attack both the Khitan and Song armies simultaneously as the war between the Song and Khitan neared its end.
After capturing Ghazni, Wu Jie immediately used light cavalry to pursue the remnants of the Ghazni Royal Guard.
Two days later, they captured Sannir, the commander of the Imperial Guard.
Next, Wu Jie faced the problem of how to deal with this group of Ghaznavid nobles.
Instead of wreaking havoc, he adopted a policy of appeasement and surrender.
The Western Regions were still too unfamiliar to the Song Dynasty, and it had to rely on the strength of these people.
Take Sultan Abu Muzaffar for example, was he effective?
Of course it was useful. Not killing prisoners of war was a sign of leniency towards the Ghaznavids, which could greatly soothe the tense morale after the war.
Is Yeli Muzaxi useful?
It's also useful.
He was the vizier of Ghazne, and he had maps of Ghazne, as well as records of garrisons, grain reserves, and tax revenues in various regions.
These were all treasures to Wu Jie.
A hundred years ago, Ghaznavid territory reached Mesopotamia and touched the western border of the Karakhanid Khanate to the north.
Therefore, the map of Ghaznavidy shows that place.
That area now belongs to the Seljuks and Khitans.
With these more detailed maps, Wu Jie was as if divinely aided.
He immediately wrote to the emperor, reporting everything that had happened on his side to Zhao Huan.
At this time, Zhao Huan was on the opposite bank of the Chu River.
After defeating the Karluks, Zhao Huan began building ships.
The ship was repaired very quickly.
They had only built a few small boats when they sent out a thousand people to cross the river.
However, they did not actually cross the river. Instead, they had the Liao army on the opposite bank lure them into believing that the Song army was about to cross the river to start a battle.
The news quickly reached Yelü Dashi's ears, and without a doubt, Yelü Dashi's ministers all agreed to increase the troop strength at the Chu River crossing east of Suyab.
In the past few days, Zhao Huan simply set up camp and stayed there.
He would go to inspect the army every day, and occasionally he would pull a few officers aside to chat and boast with the soldiers.
At this time, Zhao Huan and the emperor in the court were completely different people.
The imposing aura that Zhao Huan exuded in the imperial court was completely concealed here.
He was more like a military general leading troops into battle, his words and actions revealing a rough and uncouth air.
When chatting with those spirited young men, he seemed more like an elder from the same hometown who had come to fight alongside them.
Of course, besides caring about the soldiers' daily lives...
He was more concerned with the progress of the ships.
He did not intend to actually cross the river to fight.
Currently, the Song army on the Chu River front has been divided into three branches.
Han Shizhong led 50,000 men, and Yue Fei led 50,000 men, while Yue Fei's side had as many as 320,000 men.
This arrangement clearly shows that the two Imperial Guard units were designed to divide the Liao army's forces.
The main battlefield for crossing the river is on Yue Fei's side. Once Yue Fei successfully crosses the river, he will tear a hole in the defense of the Chu River, rendering Yelü Dashi's other defenses on the Chu River ineffective.
When Suyab is besieged, Xiao Hanli will have no choice but to return to defend it. Han Shizhong will then be able to easily cross the river, bypass Khitan territory from the left, and launch a devastating attack on the cities behind, completely isolating Suyab.
At that time, it will be easy to surround and kill Yelü Dashi.
That evening, Zhao Huan had just finished dinner when he received the latest intelligence from the Intelligence Division.
Ghazni's 100,000-strong army has marched north and is expected to arrive in Suyab in three days.
Erbus in Mulu has not yet made a move, clearly because he is wary of Sanjar in the west taking the opportunity to advance eastward.
However, Khwarazm had already mobilized its troops, and the forces of the Ghur Kingdom in the south were also approaching Suyab.
"It seems that the kingdoms of the Western Regions are completely convinced by Yelü Dashi. My army has arrived, and instead of rushing to kowtow to me, these people are going to kowtow to Yelü Dashi!"
"Very well, come on then. I am right in front of you, and I will crush you all, whom I consider invincible, and grind you into the ground!"
"This battle is to establish our prestige in the Western Regions. After this battle, these countries will never dare to defy the Song Dynasty again. All trade routes must be opened at once!"
With the battle progressing in his favor, Zhao Huan was in high spirits, intently studying the map of the Western Regions.
At this moment, Wang Kuian said from outside, "Your Majesty, Lord Xue has returned."
Zhao Huan looked up and said excitedly, "Come in quickly."
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