"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, there is a man outside the city claiming to be Yue Fei, saying he has urgent military intelligence and requests an audience!"

"Yue Fei?" Xigong was slightly taken aback. "Wasn't he demoted to Heyuan Village in Blackwater City? How did he end up here?"

"Commander, Blackwater City is several hundred miles away from Suzhou. Yue Fei's personal visit must mean something big has happened."

The speaker was Zhang Cai, a military commander under Xigong. Zhang Cai was originally just a commander, but he performed bravely in the war against Xia, wiping out an entire army of the enemy with his battalion.

Due to the rapid expansion of military forces in the Northwest, he was promoted to the position of Military Commander.

Although he was Xigong's subordinate, he was a staunch admirer of Yue Fei.

This person went to the Imperial Military Academy for intensive training in the first half of this year, memorized almost all of Yue Fei's classic battles, and took Yue Fei as his role model.

A glint flashed in Xigong's eyes. Originally, a mere captain was not worth his attention as a commander of a garrison. But Yue Fei was different. He was Yue Fei, the one who had defeated Jiaozhi and destroyed the country, and who had swept through the enemy army in the war against Xia!

After thinking about it, Xigong decided to put on the airs of a commander of the garrison.

"Zhang Cai, go see Yue Fei and ask him what brings him here?"

Upon hearing that he would have the opportunity to meet Yue Fei alone, Zhang Cai was overjoyed: "Yes!"

The city gates were opened, and Yue Fei and Zhang Xian entered Suzhou City.

Suzhou City is located between Xuanhua Prefecture and Xiping Prefecture, and 600 li to the north is Heishui City. It can be said to be the core area connecting several major towns.

Starting this year, the imperial court has begun constructing a town between Suzhou and Heishui City to connect the two major towns and link the entire Northwest.

Xigong was considered an outstanding general in the Western Army and had accumulated a great deal of military merit.

However, his narrow-mindedness was his fatal flaw.

Zhang Cai welcomed Yue Fei into the city and into his military camp, where he laid out wine and meat, intending to treat Yue Fei well.

Yue Fei said, "This humble servant has come to report important military information to Commander Xi!"

"Brother Pengju, you must be tired from your journey. Please eat and drink your fill first, and then I will take you to see Commander Xi."

"This matter is of great importance and cannot be delayed."

"Pengju, what is the matter? May I speak with you first?"

"The Mongol army is marching south and besieging Blackwater City. Yelü Dashi has personally led his army there, and the northern front is in imminent danger!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang spat out the wine he was about to drink.

He stopped drinking wine and eating meat, and headed towards the commander's mansion with Yue Fei and Zhang Xian.

However, Xi Gong refused to see Yue Fei, so Zhang Cai had to go in alone.

Before going in, Yue Fei also expressed his concerns.

"Commander, something terrible has happened! Yue Fei has come to report that the Mongol army is marching south and besieging Blackwater City. Yelü Dashi is personally leading his army south, and the northern front is in imminent danger. He has come to request reinforcements!"

Xigong was also greatly surprised. The imperial army was at its peak, with 300,000 troops in the Hetao region. Why would those savages on the grasslands be worried about moving south?

However, he quickly regained his composure and said with a normal expression, "Blackwater City has an army of 100,000, which accounts for one-third of the regular border defense forces of the entire Hetao region. What do they need to ask for reinforcements? A bunch of savages could swallow Liu Yanqing whole."

Zhang Cai is an honest man, and having only recently been promoted, he still retains a strong sense of pragmatism.

Furthermore, he instinctively trusted Yue Fei, and since Yue Fei had come to request reinforcements, it indicated a military crisis.

"Commander, according to intelligence from the Imperial City Guard, Yelü Dashi now commands an army of 200,000. We cannot underestimate him. Please make the final decision, Commander!"

"Commander, Liu Yanqing has 100,000 elite troops stationed in Blackwater City, with ample supplies. He has no need for our support at all!"

The speaker was Zhou Can, a trusted confidant of Xi Gong.

“Zhou Can is right. I am here to guard Suzhou by order of the imperial court. What if something happens to Suzhou if I rashly head north?”

Zhang Cai's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Commander, this humble general is willing to lead five thousand troops north!"

"No!"

"You're all handsome..."

"Step back!"

Zhang Cai was about to speak when Zhou Can interrupted him: "Zhang Cai, did Yue Fei give you some benefits to speak on his behalf?"

"Absolutely not. Yue Fei is a man of great righteousness. He rushed here overnight to ask for help, which must be because the military situation is critical. I just felt that as fellow border troops of the Song Dynasty, we should lend a helping hand when the enemy attacks!"

Xigong roared, "Who is this commander-in-chief, you or I?!"

"This humble general dares not do so, please forgive me, Commander!"

"Zhang Cai, step back, or I will have you court-martialed!"

"This humble general takes his leave!"

Just as Zhang Cai was about to leave, he remembered something and turned back, saying, "Commander Xi, Yue Fei said we should be wary of the Tanguts in the city!"

Xigong coldly replied, "The Tanguts are now completely obedient to our Great Song Dynasty. What's there to say? Yue Fei just likes to make a big fuss."

Zhang Cai came out of the Marshal's Mansion and bowed to Yue Fei, saying, "Marshal Xi is busy with military affairs. Pengju, come to my place for a drink first."

Yue Fei could tell from Zhang Cai's tone that Xi Gong did not want to send troops and would not see him.

Yue Fei was both hungry and tired. As long as he went to Zhang Cai's military tent with Zhang Xian, he would eat and drink his fill first.

Soon it got dark, and Yeliming, the commander of the Tangut army, entered the general's mansion. Several people were drinking.

Zhou Candao said, "To be honest, Yue Fei came to Suzhou today. He said that the Mongols in the north are moving south, and the Dangxiang people in Suzhou will collude with the Mongols from within and without to betray the Song Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Yeli Ming was immediately shocked and hurriedly stood up in fear, saying to Xi Gong, "Please, Commander Xi, investigate thoroughly. My loyalty to the Song Dynasty is as clear as day!"

"Commander Xi naturally believes in you, but Yue Fei does not. He is currently spreading such rumors everywhere, which is very detrimental to you."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!