He paced anxiously back and forth in front of the map.

Zhang Tao's suspicions, Yang Chao's unclear whereabouts, Zhao Muyun's covetous gaze, Yang Yan's unknown fate...

A barrage of bad news left him distraught, and a nameless panic began to creep into his heart.

"Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to stabilize the situation in Henan," Feng Liang advised in a low voice. "Since General Zhang Tao has requested reinforcements, we should send more troops. This will boost his confidence and also deter Yang Chao and Zhao Muyun."

Li Jingang stopped and stared at Wuguan, Wannian, and Xijing on the map, then looked at Longmenguan, Luzhou, and Youzhou.

"Reinforcements...who should we send? How many?" he pondered.

Although there are still tens of thousands of Imperial Guards and garrison troops in the capital, they need to protect the central government and cannot all be transferred away.

"What about Gao Min?" Feng Liang suggested. "General Gao Min of the Left Guard has ten thousand elite troops stationed in the capital for a long time. He is capable of fighting. We can reach Wannian in five days by taking the Wuguan Road."

Gao Min is Feng Liang's cousin. Feng Liang's recommendation of Gao Min at this moment is naturally an attempt to strengthen his own power.

If Gao Min can accomplish this mission, then Zhang Tao will be replaced as the military governor of Henan.

After a moment's thought, Li Jingang nodded: "Approved! Order Gao Min to lead 10,000 troops to set off immediately to reinforce Zhang Tao."

"Tell Zhang Tao that once reinforcements arrive, immediately launch an attack on Wannian and ascertain Yang Chao's true strength! If Yang Chao has truly rebelled, we must defeat him. If Zhao Muyun's main force is there, we must hold them off!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the map to Youzhou, Xiangzhou, and Weizhou.

Are Zhao Muyun's main forces really all in Wan Nian?

"Furthermore," a ruthless and calculating glint flashed in Li Jingang's eyes, "Issue an order to Cui Mian and Li Sheng of Youzhou, instructing them to gather 20,000 troops and move towards Daizhou, making an offensive posture to contain the Hedong army and prevent them from making any rash moves."

"Give orders to Li Biao of Xiangzhou and Li Bao of Weizhou, instructing them to gather their 30,000 troops and move towards Huguan to intimidate Luzhou and support Niu Desheng and Ma Zongliang!"

He wanted to apply pressure from multiple fronts, making it difficult for Zhao Muyun to attend to both ends.

Since the situation is unclear, let's use overwhelming force to squeeze from all directions!

Feng Liang quickly memorized the imperial decree, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, such a transfer will leave the defenses of Hebei and Shandong somewhat vulnerable, and the pressure on the transportation of grain supplies will be enormous..."

"We can't worry about that now!"

Li Jingang waved his hand, his face showing a gambler's obsession, "Resolve the immediate crisis first! Zhao Muyun and Yang Chao must be suppressed! Quickly draft the imperial edict!"

One after another, imperial edicts bearing the emperor's seal were swiftly issued from the palace.

Gao Min's 10,000 elite troops from the capital began to assemble, preparing to march to Wuguan; the garrisons in Youzhou, Xiangzhou, and Weizhou also began to be mobilized.

Li Jingang attempted to use the power he still had to control to weave a large net that would cover Xijing and Hedong.

However, all his deployments were based on a crucial premise: Yang Chao's main force was still near Wannian, either colluding with or confronting Zhao Muyun.

He was unaware that Yang Yan had already taken control of the army.

Unbeknownst to them, Yang Chao's 10,000 elite troops had already silently pierced the vulnerable Xijing like a poisoned dagger.