The smoke of gunpowder in Jinyang City was gradually dissipating, and the air was filled with blood, burnt food, and a complex smell of surviving a disaster.
The morning light shines on the ruined city walls, blood-stained streets and busy soldiers, sketching out a tragic and desolate picture.
The courtyard in front of the main hall of the General's Mansion was quickly cleared, and Xiao Lie's body was hastily collected and prepared to be hung on the city gate for public display.
Wang Pan, Bai Shouren and other rebels were tied up and escorted to the downtown area in the south of the city by Wang Ben himself. The people along the way cursed them and threw rotten eggs and rotten vegetable leaves at them like raindrops.
Zhao Muyun and Yinji were not immersed in the joy of their initial victory.
They knew very well that Xiao Lie's execution only eliminated the internal troubles. The real threat - the reinforcements from Beidi - were coming from the north and west like dark clouds.
The atmosphere in the temporarily cleared meeting room of the general's mansion was still tense.
Core figures such as Zhao Muyun, Yin Ji, Mr. Zhou, Xiao Cheyun, Zhang Huan, Wang Ben, Li Mao, Xi Sheng, Wu Shangzhi, and Liu Yi gathered together, while Shen Qian stood aside, ready to report the latest intelligence at any time.
"Chen Qian, what's the movement of the Tartar reinforcements?" Zhao Muyun asked straight to the point.
Shen Qian immediately stepped forward and spoke quickly: "General, Your Highness!"
"According to our latest intelligence, the allied forces of the Cao family of Jingzhou and the Liu family of Guizhou, numbering approximately 50,000, have marched south to 'Wolf Valley', 50 miles north of Jinyang, and are camping. They are remaining motionless, seemingly waiting and watching."
"Tuoba Xiong, a general under Han Yanshou, the Privy Councilor of the Northern Di Southern Court, is also near 'Wolf Valley' with 10,000 cavalrymen."
"Ashinadu, a general under the Right Wise King of the Northern Di, led approximately 4,000 cavalrymen, joining forces with Yelirong of the Dangxiang, a force of approximately 2,000 cavalrymen, for a total of 6,000 cavalrymen. They did not come directly to Jinyang, but instead split into two groups!"
"A group of about 3,000 cavalrymen, led by Ashina Du himself, bypassed Yunzhou and emerged from Daizhou to the northeast of Xinzhou. They should be supporting 'Langyu'!"
"Another group of approximately 3,000 cavalry, led by Ye Lirong, made a grand gesture, feinting their attack on Yunzhou. However, their main force remained at the border and did not actually launch a strong attack!"
Everyone's faces turned serious when they heard this.
The Northern Di's move was quite vicious. While sending troops to rescue Jinyang, they also attacked the weak spot, threatening the flanks and Shuozhou, trying to make it difficult for Zhao Muyun and Yinji to deal with both ends.
"What's the situation in Yunzhou?" Yinji asked with concern. He knew that Yunzhou was the barrier of Shuozhou.
"Captains Lin Feng and Shi Yong are relying on the fortress to hold it securely. Captain Guo Luo's cavalry is still harassing the border and delaying the enemy. But if the main force of the Northern Di continues to exert pressure, the pressure on Shuozhou will increase." Shen Qian replied.
Wu Shangzhi was impatient and shouted, "General! Your Highness! The Northern Di barbarians are afraid of us! They dare not come to Jinyang to face any difficulties!"
"Now that we have captured Jinyang, we have a strong army and sufficient food. Why not take the initiative to attack and first destroy the 50,000 miscellaneous troops in Langyu, and then go and deal with Tuoba Xiong!"
Liu Yi was relatively cautious and shook his head, saying, "Captain Wu, the enemy has 50,000 and 10,000 cavalry! Although our army has won, it was also a hard-fought battle. The soldiers are exhausted and need to rest."
"Jinyang has just been conquered, and the people are still unattached. The remnants of Xiao Lie's followers in the city may not be completely eliminated. If we rashly divide our forces and attack now, if Jinyang is in turmoil or the battle on the field is not going well, the situation will be lost."
Xi Sheng also agreed: "Captain Liu is right. The most urgent task is to stabilize Jinyang and integrate our forces."
"The Northern Di cavalry comes and goes like the wind. Our army has few cavalry and relies mainly on infantry. If we pursue them in a field battle, we will probably not be able to achieve complete success. Instead, we may be led by them by the nose and exhausted."
The generals in Jinyang listened to the conversation of Zhao Muyun's generals in surprise. It seemed that they did not take the 60,000 Tartars seriously at all.
You know, they only have a few thousand people under their command!
Xiao Cheyun, Li Mao, Zhang Huan and Wang Ben also spoke.
Everyone had different opinions, and their eyes were all cast on Zhao Muyun who was silent and Yin Ji who was frowning.
Yinji looked at Zhao Muyun with a trusting and asking look in his eyes: "Master, what do you mean?"
Zhao Muyun's finger slowly moved on the map, finally stopping at a point between Jinyang and Xinzhou, and said in a deep voice:
"Everyone has a point. The Northern Di's plan is to mobilize us, force us to leave the fortified city, and wear us down in a field battle, or to divide our forces and weaken Jinyang's defenses."
He raised his head, his eyes sharp. "But we can't just passively take the beating. Jinyang must be stabilized, Xinzhou must be saved, and Yunzhou cannot be ignored."
He began to give orders, his thoughts clear:
"General Li Mao, you are fully responsible for the defense of Jinyang City and the security within the city!"
"Reorganize the surrendered soldiers, identify the officers, and eliminate the remaining enemies!"
"Issue a notice to reassure the people, open the granaries to release grain, stabilize prices, recruit craftsmen and laborers, and urgently repair the city defenses."
"We must let the soldiers and civilians of Jinyang see that by following Your Highness, they can have food to eat, a way to survive, and be able to protect their homes."
"I obey your orders!"
"Generals Zhang Huan and Wang Ben, lead your troops and horses, carrying the banners of His Majesty and His Highness, and push south all the way to the Dahe River. Conquer Jinzhou, Jiangzhou, Puzhou, Zezhou, Luzhou, and other prefectures, and reinforce the Dahe River defenses to prevent Li Jingang from crossing."
"I obey your orders!"
"Wu Shangzhi! Lead a thousand light cavalry and set out immediately, bypassing the Tartars north of the city and rushing to Xinzhou's aid!"
"Your mission is not to engage the Tartars, but to rely on the fortress and cooperate with the local garrison to harass and delay the enemy! We must not let the Tartars easily cut off our connection with Shuozhou!"
"If it's impossible, we can abandon the periphery and defend Xinzhou City!"
"Understood! I will not let the Hu horse pass through Yanmen!"
Wu Shangzhi clasped his fists, turned around and was about to leave.
"Wait a minute!"
Zhao Muyun stopped him and said to Liu Yi, "Liu Yi, dispatch one hundred crossbowmen, carry one hundred thunder bombs, and set out with General Wu to strengthen the long-range firepower of Xinzhou City's defenses!"
"Yes!" Liu Yi accepted the order.
"Xi Sheng!"
"I will be here!"
"You will lead the Modao Battalion and two thousand infantrymen to a point ten miles north of Jinyang. Set up camp in a strategic location and confront the enemy forces at Langyu Valley!"
"You don't have to attack proactively, but you must be ready to strike at any time! I want to make sure those fence-sitters from the Cao and Liu families don't dare to act rashly!"
"Understood!"
Xi Sheng responded in a muffled voice.
"Chen Qian, send more messengers to ensure smooth communication with Shuozhou. Tell Han Zhong and Lin Feng that Shuozhou and Yunzhou are the foundation and must be defended!"
"As for Pei Lun and Tang Yanhai, it's up to them."
"I understand!"
Zhao Muyun finally looked at Yinji, Xiao Cheyun and Mr. Zhou:
"Your Highness, Mr. Zhou, General Xiao, I'll leave these important internal affairs to you three, calming the people, raising food and fodder, issuing decrees, and contacting officials from the various prefectures and counties in Hedong. We must consolidate the forces of Hedong as quickly as possible."
Yin Ji nodded solemnly: "Master, don't worry, I will do my best!"
Mr. Zhou also twirled his beard and said, "General, you are a master of strategy, and I admire you. As for matters of internal affairs, I and Your Highness will certainly live up to your trust."
With one order, the entire Hedong Road was put into operation.
This time, Zhao Muyun no longer used Shuozhou and other prefectures to fight against the Tartars, but the entire Hedong!
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