The flames rising from Shandan Town and the defeated remnants of the army were like stones thrown into a calm lake, causing huge ripples in the already turbulent situation in Longyou.
The news spread like a dying bird with wings, and the first person to reach it was the ears of Yang Yan, the left prime minister and commander of the Dafeng Army, who had stationed troops in Xiaoguan and was eyeing Liangzhou covetously.
Inside the central army tent, the crackling charcoal fire illuminated Yang Yan's face, which was full of wrinkles but showed no emotion.
He listened to the scout's detailed report, his fingers tapping lightly on the rosewood table covered with the map of Longyou, making a dull "thump thump" sound.
"Zhao Muyun...it's really him!"
Yang Yan spoke slowly, his voice low and deep, without a trace of surprise. Only a barely perceptible solemnity flashed across his deep, pool-like eyes. "I knew Hedong wouldn't sit idly by and watch Longyou crumble, but I never imagined he would personally lead his troops here. What courage, what a decisive man!"
He seemed to be making a comment, or talking to himself.
Standing before him were his nephew, the young and vigorous general Yang Yi, and Li Hu, the nephew of the Dafeng Emperor Li Jingang.
"Uncle, although Zhao Muyun's move is a unique one, it is also too risky!"
Yang Yi took a step forward, his tone filled with disapproval, "Shan Dan is just a minor problem. How much trouble can he cause if he goes deep into the enemy's territory alone?"
Yang Yan raised his eyes, his gaze like lightning, sweeping over Yang Yi:
"How big a storm was that? With one strike, Wumuchi's army of tens of thousands was thrown into disarray, the rear was shaken, and the food supply was in jeopardy. It even caused Zhang Zan and Pei Lun to come back to life. How could this storm be considered small?"
He paused, then pointed at the location of Shandan Town on the map. "This man, in his military tactics, has mastered the principle of 'attack until the enemy must be rescued.' He has a sharp vision and decisive actions. He is definitely not an ordinary person."
"I advised Your Majesty to destroy him first, but unfortunately you ignored my advice and only wanted to pacify the south. Alas!"
Li Jingang asked Li Hu and Yang Yan to guard Xijing together, with the intention of surveillance, but Li Hu did not take it seriously.
Li Hu didn't like Feng Liang. He had been with Yang Yan for a long time and admired Yang Yan's wisdom and character.
"Prime Minister, what should we do? We can't just watch him muddy the waters of Longyou and let the duck fly away that we have in our mouths, right?"
"It can't fly!" Yang Yan retracted his finger and regained his composure, as if he was in control of the situation. "Have you found out? How many troops did Zhao Muyun bring to Longyou this time?"
A military officer in charge of intelligence quickly bowed and replied:
"Prime Minister, after verification from various sources, it is confirmed that Zhao Muyun brought with him from Jinyang a mixed force of 5,000 infantry and cavalry, all elite troops from Hedong. After arriving in Longyou, no further reinforcements were seen."
"Five thousand?"
Yang Yi cried out in shock, his face filled with disbelief. "With only 5,000 men, he dared to march straight into the heart of Longyou and challenge the tens of thousands of Beidi and Chechi allied forces? Is he... is he crazy?"
Even Li Hu widened his eyes, finding it unbelievable.
It is possible to use a small force to defeat a large one, but in Longyou where various forces are intertwined, with only 5,000 people, a long-term battle would result in the annihilation of the entire army if one is not careful.
Yang Yan frowned slightly. This number was also somewhat beyond his expectations.
He pondered for a moment, a gleam in his eyes. "Five thousand... Either Zhao Muyun is arrogant and ignorant, seeking his own demise; or, he has other reliance, or he is absolutely confident in the combat power of his subordinates, intending to use the power of his elite troops to launch a thundering attack and change the situation."
Yang Yan was more inclined to the latter, because judging from Zhao Muyun's past performance, this man was definitely not a reckless man.
"Whatever his intentions, his forces are still operating north of Ganzhou, hundreds of miles away from Liangzhou. They're also separated by the armies of Beidi and Chechi, so they can't directly threaten Liangzhou in the short term."
Yang Yan made a quick judgment and pointed his finger heavily at Liangzhou City. "This is our army's golden opportunity to capture Liangzhou!"
He stood up suddenly, and the majestic aura of a long-time superior emanated from him: "Yang Yi, Li Hu, listen to my orders!"
"I am here!" Yang Yi and Li Hu were cheered up and clasped their fists solemnly.
"Order Yang Yi to lead 10,000 infantrymen out of Xiaoguan Pass, advance along the Zuli River, and approach Liangzhou from the southeast!"
"Order Li Hu to lead 10,000 elite cavalrymen to bypass Huining and encircle it from the northwest, cutting off its connection with Suzhou!"
"The two armies will form a pincer attack and must encircle Liang Province within ten days!"
Yang Yan's voice was firm and decisive. "At the same time, quickly send an envoy to inform the Qiang and Rong leader, Namtso, that we will jointly attack Liangzhou. After the city is captured, the entire Hehuang area will belong to them!"
"Understood!"
Yang Yi and Li Hu responded loudly, turned around and strode out of the tent to inspect the troops.
Yang Yan looked at the map again, and his eyes fell on Liangzhou City, his eyes cold.
He calculated that Zhao Muyun had limited military strength. After the victory in the first battle, whether he chose to lift the siege of Heidushan or go south to Liangzhou, it would take time to mobilize and march.
This time difference is the best window for him to take over Liangzhou, the core of Longyou.
As long as Liangzhou is taken, the overall situation in Longyou will be half settled.
At that time, both Zhao Muyun who was trapped in the siege and Zhang Zan who was trapped in the isolated city would become turtles in a jar.
Soon, the 20,000 elite troops transferred from Xijing by Dafeng started to move and rushed towards Liangzhou according to Yang Yan's deployment.
At the same time, after receiving Yang Yan's promise and witnessing the movements of the Dafeng Army, the Qiang Rong leader Namtso no longer hesitated and personally led 10,000 plateau cavalry, like a galloping herd of yaks, to press towards Liangzhou from the southwest.
Liangzhou, which had originally had a respite due to Zhao Muyun's surprise attack on Shandan, was instantly shrouded in a heavier cloud of war.
Zhang Zan stood on the top of Liangzhou City, looking at the three plumes of dust gradually rising on the distant skyline, his face became extremely ugly.
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