"Crossing the mountain isn't impossible, it's just..."

The scout frankly said, "It's taking too long; I'm afraid we won't make it in time."

The fear of not having enough time is the fear of not being able to wait.

By the time the central army received the news, the defensive fortifications on Muqiao Bridge would be completed. At that point, it would be easy to defend and difficult to attack. Moreover, the Zhennan Border Army dared not launch a full-scale counterattack on Muqiao Bridge, for fear that the Southern Zhou army would come from other bridges and directly attack the main camp.

Everyone knows that once you've captured the main base, you won't care about alliances anymore.

Yuan Zhang looked up at the unpredictable sky above the woods and said, "The situation is quite clear. The most urgent task is to launch a general offensive against the Southern Zhou army before they complete the defensive fortifications at Muqiao."

Zhao Cheng understood Yuan Zhang's meaning and glanced at Yuan Fei.

Yuan Fei nodded.

Zhao Cheng said, "Yuan Fei can send a message to the central army camp and Yun Jing City."

The scout interjected, "Excuse my bluntness, but the Southern Zhou's blockade is airtight."

Yuan Fei said confidently, "Crossing the mountain is impractical, but we can make use of this mountain."

Zhao Cheng was equally confident in Yuan Fei, saying, "Your Highness, I have never seen anyone with better lightness skills than Yuan Fei."

“I believe you,” Yuan Zhang said, looking at Yuan Fei. “But this journey is very dangerous.”

Yuan Fei suddenly smiled and said, "Since arriving at the border, when have I not done dangerous work?"

Yuan Zhang's eyes revealed admiration as he said, "If we win this battle, I will give you the greatest credit, and the imperial court will bestow honors upon you, bringing glory to your family!"

Yuan Fei clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Yuan Zhang's expression turned serious again, and he said, "To launch a general offensive against Muqiaokou, the central army camp alone is not enough."

Zhao Cheng asked, puzzled, "Why is that? The Zhennan Border Army has several times the strength of the Southern Zhou forces at Muqiao Pass, can't they even take it down?"

Yuan Zhang explained, "It is called a general offensive, but we must not let the whole army attack. The more we do this, the less troops we can reduce at other bridge passes."

"Zhao Cheng, none of our men have seen Yang Qingzhi at Muqiao Pass. What if we launch a full-scale attack on Muqiao Pass, and Yang Qingzhi leads his army to launch a surprise attack on our central camp from another bridge?" Qian Qianren said.

“Then the Jing Army will suffer even greater losses.” Yuan Zhang said calmly, “I even suspect that Yang Qingzhi is planning this.”

Zhao Cheng understood this part and gasped.

Yuan Zhang continued, "No matter what stage the war develops into, we must always prioritize the overall situation. Therefore, the best approach at present is to redeploy as many troops as possible without affecting the border defenses."

"Without the black hat embroidered robes, how many troops can the central army camp spare?"

Although Tuo Tie Wuhua only commanded the three guards in the northern border, he was always by Yuan Zhang's side and had a thorough understanding of the situation of the Zhennan border army. He immediately said, "At most 20,000 men."

Yuan Zhang said, "Twenty thousand men is not a small number, but the Southern Zhou army at Muqiao Pass is also showing a trend of increasing to twenty thousand, so our assistance is crucial to retaking Muqiao Pass."

As he spoke, Yuan Zhang looked at Yuan Fei, took out a token and gave it to him, saying, "Don't worry about the central army camp for now. Go directly to Yun Jing City to find Cai Qiong, give him the token and let him take over the central army camp."

Yuan Fei took the token and asked, "Is there any message you wish to convey to Lord Cai?"

"The reason I put Cai Qiong in charge of the troops is because I was worried that the generals in the central camp would act rashly and bring everyone out after they learned that I was trapped."

Yuan Zhang said solemnly, "Let Lord Cai take control of the overall situation. Only 20,000 men will be transferred to Muqiaokou. Anyone who disobeys... Lord Cai has the right to execute first and report later!"

"Yes!" Yuan Fei replied solemnly.

“Lord Cai fought his way up from the ranks of the army, and I believe he has that kind of intimidating power,” Yuan Zhang said to himself, as if trying to reassure himself.

"The final step is for us to send a surprise force to destroy the fortifications of Muqiao, creating chaos in their rear. Once this chaos reaches the front lines, I and Lord Cai will launch a simultaneous attack, ensuring we capture Muqiao in one fell swoop!"

Zhao Cheng said, "This plan is feasible! Xiao Fei, go and tell Lord Cai to lead his men to lie in ambush outside the Muqiao Bridge and wait for the signal from the bridge."

"yes!"

Yuan Zhang looked at Tuotie Wuhua, then at Zhao Cheng, and said, "The experts of the Zhennan Border Army are all in the central camp. I only have Tuotie Wuhua by my side. This special force needs someone with superb martial arts skills. Who should go?"

Zhao Cheng pursed his lips and said, "Your Highness, you can just give us our ID numbers."

“I’ll go!” Zhao Yan was the first to step forward.

"You may not be afraid of death, but I'm afraid you'll die." Zhao Cheng kicked Zhao Yan in the calf and roared, "If anything happens to you, won't my parents kill me?!"

Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhao Wu and Heng Wenhao, then looked at Yuan Zhang and asked, "Your Highness, does the business deal still stand?"

Yuan Zhang said seriously, "Even if you don't go this time, I will not stop your business. But the problem is, if Muqiao Pass is lost, Yun Jing City and the Central Army Camp will be directly exposed to the Southern Zhou army. At that time, the people of Yun Jing County will be in a panic, and business will probably not be easy."

Without much thought, Zhao Cheng directly called out: "Zhao Wu! Heng Wenhao! Gan Lang!"

"exist!!!"

"Do you dare?!"

Zhao Wu curled his lip, holding the broken knife, and said, "Master, don't insult people."

Heng Wenhao said solemnly, "Before we came out, His Highness instructed me to treat the Prince Consort the same way I would treat His Highness. Even if it means my death, I will not blink an eye."

Gan Lang thought for a moment and said, "I am honored by the Princess's favor and have begun a new life. Although I have been with my master the shortest, I firmly believe that my master is destined for great things. As long as I follow my master and am loyal to the Princess, even if I fall on this path, I will die a worthy death!"

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