The original food supply was sufficient for fifty people, but now with an additional fifty people, the rate of food consumption would undoubtedly accelerate.
If there were any combat operations, just like today, the soldiers on the city walls would certainly become even more excited. This excitement would further increase the consumption of food!
In any case, Taiyuan City had now completely become an isolated island. As long as they surrounded it tightly, the supplies within the city would eventually run out!
"The General is brilliant!"
"Enough talk. It's better to spend this time thinking about how to fight this war!"
Compared to Wanyan Yin Shuke, Wanyan Loushi considered issues more comprehensively.
Although they still held the upper hand and the Song army was in a passive position, he sensed something unusual amidst their favorable situation.
Under normal circumstances, Taiyuan had been under siege for so long, and as a vital stronghold in Hedong, other Song forces should have sent reinforcements.
Especially the Zhe family army, which controlled the three prefectures of Lin, Fu, and Feng. Logically, as the most important part of Zhang Xiaochun's Song army, they should have been on their way by now.
However, to this day, Zhe Kecun seemed as if nothing was happening, showing no intention of coming to Taiyuan's aid!
His calmness and composure made Wanyan Loushi feel a sense of threat!
The Jurchen invasion this time had deliberately avoided the three prefectures of Lin, Fu, and Feng. One reason was that the Zhe family army was indeed formidable, and another was the complex terrain of these three prefectures.
Furthermore, the Zhe family had been developing the area for nearly a hundred years and had long since turned it into an impenetrable fortress.
If it were not absolutely necessary, even Wanyan Zonghan would not want to engage them on their territory!
When Wanyan Zonghan left, he had left him so many troops. On one hand, it was to help him capture the important stronghold of Taiyuan, and on the other hand, it was to tie down the Zhe family army here!
Now, nearly a month had passed, and even he had to admit that taking Taiyuan City in a short period was an almost impossible task.
In the recent days, to guard against Zhe Kecun's surprise attacks, he had dispatched scouts a hundred li out.
Moreover, after completely encircling Taiyuan City, he had people spread rumors everywhere that Taiyuan was on the verge of falling, all to lure out the last of the elite Hedong forces in Zhe Kecun's hands.
But after all this effort, even he was becoming anxious, and there was still no movement from Zhe Kecun. This made Wanyan Loushi begin to suspect if Zhe Kecun had some personal grudges with Zhang Xiaochun!
"Report!"
"Reporting to the General, Zhe Kecun has led an army of twenty thousand straight towards us. They have now reached the vicinity of Yuci!"
Just as he was about to lose his composure, a soldier outside the tent finally brought him good news.
"Good! This damned old fox has finally made a move! Give the order, keep a close eye on him, and do not let him escape under any circumstances!"
The most capable fighting force among the Song army was undoubtedly the Western Army. The army under Zhe Kecun could definitely be considered an elite force among the Song troops.
If they could defeat the army led by Zhe Kecun, they would no longer have to worry about their supply lines being harassed by Zhe Kecun in the short term!
"Troops move, provisions go first." Warfare has always been about logistical supply. Even though the Jurchens were all cavalry, they still needed to eat and drink!
As long as Zhe Kecun and his army were not eliminated, the Jurchens would have to worry!
"General, let me go. I guarantee I'll bring you that old man's head!"
Upon hearing that there was a battle to be fought, Wanyan Yin Shuke immediately stood up.
Unlike siege warfare, fighting the Song army in the open field was something the Jurchens had almost never lost.
Wanyan Yin Shuke had not yet recovered from the significant setback he suffered at Taiyuan City. Having finally found an opportunity to redeem himself, he was unwilling to let it go.
"No, I will lead this campaign myself! We must defeat his army! I will leave you with 50,000 troops to continue the siege of Taiyuan City, and to continue driving all the nearby civilians into Taiyuan City!"
Wanyan Loushi rejected his plea to fight without a second thought.
While that fellow was indeed brave in battle, this was both his strength and his weakness.
If it were against the straightforward Liao army, his bravery would be very effective.
This was because the Liao army was arrogant from beginning to end. They always looked down on the Jurchens and, when facing Jurchen cavalry, they always chose to charge head-on.
However, the Song army was different. The Song army focused on military strategy, and they were also skilled in using various peculiar weapons. Although they had not encountered any decent resistance since their southward invasion, apart from Zhang Xiaochun,
Wanyan Loushi did not dare to be careless when facing a renowned general like Zhe Kecun.
"Yes!"
Regardless of whether he was willing or not, Wanyan Yin Shuke could only accept the military order for the time being.
After arranging matters in the camp, Wanyan Loushi quickly mustered 30,000 troops and marched towards Yuci in a mighty procession.
"Report!"
"Reporting to the General, Zhe Kecun has retreated twenty li with his army and has already withdrawn from Yuci!"
Hearing this news, Wanyan Loushi was dumbfounded. What the hell was going on?
Before they had even arrived, Zhe Kecun had already retreated?
This strange situation made it difficult for him to understand what this old fox was up to.
If he wasn't here to provide support, he could have stayed in his own stronghold and not come here!
But if he was here to provide support, wasn't his current action too cowardly?
Was a person who acted this timid truly a famous general?
"General, should we pursue them and give them a taste of our power?"
Upon hearing that Zhe Kecun had retreated twenty li, several generals around Wanyan Loushi could not help but request to engage.
"There's no need to pursue. Since he has given up Yuci to us, if he doesn't come to us, we will go to him!"
Gritting his teeth, Wanyan Loushi decided to respond to change with constancy!
In any case, as long as he held this road, unless Zhe Kecun changed his route, he would eventually have to face him!