Snowflakes fluttered down.

Behind them, Dongning City was already a snow-white world covered in silver.

Even the sea was covered with dark clouds, and the cold wind was blowing like ice knives.

As the second batch of reinforcements, Li Xin, along with the Tiger Army, the Shence Army, artillery shells and gunpowder supplies manufactured by the Dongning Manufacturing Bureau, and a group of craftsmen, headed south.

Heading south from Dongning City, we entered the endless sea.

As we headed south, the wind and snow gradually subsided.

He glanced back at the receding Dongning City and knew in his heart that once he left, he would have to wait until next spring to return!

This journey is one I must make a name for myself!

South of Silla, the fleet sailed around the strait and headed north. After another four or five days of sailing, the fleet finally arrived at the shore in mid-October.

Fortunately, the Dongning merchant ships had achieved remarkable feats at sea recently, destroying numerous large naval vessels, so they did not encounter any enemy ships along the way.

The seas in this area are covered with dark clouds and the weather is very cold.

It looks like it's going to snow soon!

On the open sea, Zhao Bingzhang, He Chaojun and other troops also joined forces with Li Xin, Wei Dahai and others.

On Li Xin's flagship, a group of people gathered here.

"Your Highness, Yuguan Pass is just ahead!"

Zhao Bingzhang pointed to the faint shadows on the distant coastline and said, "Yuguan Pass, located between the Yanshan Mountains and the Bohai Sea, stretches from north to south, cutting off the main transportation route from the capital to Liaodong, Dongning and other places. It has always been a strategic location fought over by military strategists!"

After Emperor Gaozu of the Great Gan Dynasty founded the country, he built Yuguan Pass, with a wall stretching for tens or even hundreds of miles, and constructed the Yuguan City.

Starting from Laolongtou in the south, it guards the sea frontier.

Not far to the north lies Yuguan City.

This Yuguan City is a magnificent city, with barbicans, outer walls, and tall city walls.

Normally, 30,000 elite soldiers are stationed there, controlling the main transportation route between Liaodong and the capital!

This is also the only route for people from Northeast China to enter the Central Plains!

Listening to Zhao Bingzhang's introduction, Li Xin picked up his binoculars and looked at Yuguan City under the dense clouds.

The sky was overcast, and it wasn't very clear.

However, Li Xin also knew how important the location of Yuguan City was!

Not only is its terrain extremely advantageous, but it also controls the supply routes for money, grain and materials in various prefectures and counties of Liaodong. Large armies traveling between the capital and Liaodong must also pass through this place!

This was also the purpose of Li Xin and his men's surprise attack from Dongning City, bringing their troops to the gates of Yuguan City!

Once Yuguan City is captured, the connection between Liaodong, Dongning, and the capital will be severed.

At that time, the large armies from Liaodong and other places will be trapped in Dongning!

Without logistical support, it's not impossible to wipe out this army!

By then, the territory under Prince Xin's command will expand several times over, and the rear base will be more secure!

This is a risky move!

This is also a brilliant move!

Li Xin put down his binoculars, went into the cabin, and asked, "What is the troop deployment like at Yuguan?"

On the table inside the cabin, there was a huge sand table model.

This is also the information about Yuguan that the Embroidered Uniform Guard and intelligence personnel from Qingyu Trading Company and other organizations have gathered during this period.

Last summer, when Li Xin went to the capital, he also passed through Yuguan.

Although there was no detailed investigation at the time, Zhao Bingzhang, the councilor beside him, knew it by heart!

"Your Highness,"

Zhao Bingzhang picked up a wooden stick, pointed to the location of Yuguan City on the sand table, and said, "Since we broke with the court, the court has also been mobilizing troops to support Liaodong."

Because winter is approaching, it is difficult to deploy troops in the inland provinces. In addition, there is a shortage of supplies and provisions. The army is stationed in Tongzhou, Jinghai, Zhuozhou, Jizhou and other places, and is still waiting for food and supplies.

Meanwhile, of the original 30,000 troops stationed in Yuguan City, more than 20,000 had recently moved eastward to the Jinzhou area.

Currently, there are only over 10,000 troops stationed in Yuguan City, stationed at Laolongtou, Guancheng, Wengcheng, Luocheng, and beacon towers along the route.

The troops were relatively dispersed, and most of them had not been involved in combat for a long time, resulting in a decline in their morale and competence.

This is also where our advantage lies in our surprise attack on Yuguan!

"Uh-huh!"

Li Xin nodded.

Near Yuguan City, there were only over 10,000 government troops, and they no longer had a significant numerical advantage.

This time, accompanying Li Xin, Zhao Bingzhang, He Chaojun, and others were troops from various units including the Divine Martial Army, the Divine Brave Army, the Divine Resolute Army, the Divine Protector Army, the Divine Machine Army, and the Tiger Warrior Army.

Although these troops were not at full strength, their total strength was still nearly 10,000.

In terms of troop strength alone, it is already comparable to the troop strength of Yuguan City!

More importantly, the Dongning army has completed the complete re-equipment of all its personnel, and in terms of weaponry, equipment, and personnel quality, it far surpasses the Yuguan garrison!

This is also the source of Li Xin's confidence in launching a surprise attack on Yuguan City!

Despite such a huge advantage, Li Xin did not rush to attack.

He turned to look at Zhao Bingzhang and asked again, "Mr. Zhao, is there any news about General Wei and General Zhang?"

This time, the surprise attack on Yuguan City was not only part of this plan, but also involved another surprise force: the Divine Might Army under Wei Jun and Zhang Cheng.

As the elite force of Dongning, the Shenwei Army's mission this time was to launch a feigned attack on Liaodong City to draw the attention of the armies of various prefectures and counties in Liaodong, thereby reducing the threat to Yuguan City.

Feigned attacks along one front, surprise attacks along the other!

A two-pronged approach!

The purpose, of course, is to trap and beat the dog!

Close the gates to Liaodong!

"We have news."

Zhao Bingzhang said, "This morning, we just received news that Wei Jun and Zhang Cheng's troops have arrived at Fushun Pass."

The army emerged from the snow-covered mountains and quickly captured Fushun Pass.

The Liaodong region will surely be shaken in the next few days!

"Fushun Pass?"

Li Xin frowned slightly, his gaze shifting from Yuguan City on the sand table to Fushun Pass, located northeast of Liaodong City.

Fushun Pass is also the gateway to Liaodong!

Taking Fushun Pass means opening the gate to Liaodong City, and Liaodong City will likely take action this time!

"Tell Wei Jun and Zhang Cheng to be careful!"

Li Xin began by giving a word of advice.

After all, Wei Jun and Zhang Cheng were marching on land. If they were to be surrounded by the Liaodong army, how could they possibly survive in the freezing cold?

Their feigned attack on Liaodong was not as effective as their surprise attack on Yuguan!

The surprise attack on Yuguan City, seemingly an isolated and dangerous operation.

In reality, the Dongning army held an absolute advantage on the sea.

Even if we can't take Yuguan City, or even if we take Yuguan City but can't hold it, we can retreat back to the sea.

In any case, the surprise attack on Yuguan City shouldn't have been a complete failure.

However, a feigned attack on Liaodong City was a different story!

After pondering for a long time, Li Xin said, "We need to take action on our side as soon as possible!"

"Pass down the order: land first thing tomorrow morning and launch a full-scale assault on Yuguan City!"

"yes!"