While Zhao Muyun was actively deploying in Liangzhou to prepare to hold off Yang Yan's retreating army, Lin Feng in Xiazhou City, after a brief period of euphoria and rest, also began to prepare in accordance with the instructions sent from Jinyang.
This red secret order, brought by Fan Bingbing, the deputy commander of the Night Watch, and bearing the seal of Prince Yinji of Jin and the signature of the Grand Commander's Office, contained only eight characters:
"Besiege Wei to relieve Zhao, then advance on Xijing!"
These eight words, like a raging fire, instantly ignited the fighting spirit in the hearts of all the generals, including Lin Feng!
"Your Highness and Commander Han have such foresight!"
Li Mao excitedly slapped his thigh, aggravating his wound and causing him to wince in pain, but he remained excited.
Xi Sheng's eyes gleamed: "Xijing! If we can take Xijing, not only will the siege of Longyou be lifted, but we will also have the foundation to contend with Li Jingang for supremacy!"
Tong Gu burst into tears: "Late Emperor! Can you see? We are about to take back Xijing!"
Lin Feng took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart.
He surveyed his generals and said in a deep voice, "The order from the Prince and the Grand Commander's Office is perfectly timed for the current battle!"
"Yang Fan has just suffered a defeat, losing all 20,000 elite troops. The Xijing region will inevitably be shaken, leaving its defenses vulnerable!"
"Although our army has fought a bitter battle and suffered heavy casualties, its morale is high, and with the addition of four thousand fresh troops brought by the lady, our strength has not diminished but increased! If we do not attack now, when will we?"
He paused, looked at Huan Naxue, and said with respect, "Madam, you have brought not only victory, but also this once-in-a-lifetime strategic opportunity!"
"This time, as we march into Xijing, we will need the strong support of you, my lady, and your brave warriors!"
Huan Naxue, her greatsword slung across the ground, stood tall and proud, and said without hesitation, "Governor Lin, there's no need for such formalities. Recapturing Xijing is also my husband's ambition. My men are willing to obey your commands!"
"good!"
Lin Feng did not hesitate any longer and immediately issued the order:
"The entire army will rest for three days. Those with minor injuries will be incorporated into the combat sequence, while those with serious injuries will remain in Xiazhou for proper medical treatment. Prisoners will be selected to replenish the various units."
"Take inventory of all captured grain, weapons, and horses."
"General Murong Chunhua, your cavalry has suffered heavy losses. Prioritize replenishing their horses, and after reorganization, they will remain the vanguard of the entire army!"
"Madam, your cavalry will be operating in coordination with General Murong, while the infantry, commanded by Xu Yunlong and He Yunsheng, will form the main force in the central army!"
"Li Mao and Xi Sheng, your units suffered the heaviest casualties. You will temporarily serve as the rear guard, responsible for escorting grain and supplies, and clearing out any remaining enemy forces along the way to ensure the supply route remains open!"
"Governor Tong, the defense of Xia Prefecture and Yan Prefecture remains your responsibility, and you are also in charge of liaison with Jinyang and Liang Prefecture!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
The generals responded with a resounding roar, each one eager to get started.
......
Three days later.
After a brief rest and replenishment, Lin Feng's army, led by Lin Feng, Huan Naxue, and Murong Chunhua, comprised approximately 15,000 combat-ready soldiers, including those who had recovered from their injuries and returned to their ranks, and marched out of Xiazhou City in a grand procession.
Banners fluttered, and swords and spears gleamed.
Like an unstoppable torrent of iron, it marched towards Xijing in the southeast!
At the same time, news of the great victory in Xiazhou and the execution of Yang Fan spread like wildfire through various channels, reaching Xijing City first.
The news soon reached Yang Yan, who was still outside the city of Liangzhou.
In Xijing City, the officials and powerful families who had originally relied on Yang Yan because of his power suddenly became panicked.
Yang Fan was Yang Yan's cousin and a famous general in the Xijing Army. Despite having superior numbers, his entire army was wiped out, and he himself was killed in battle by a woman!
Just how powerful was the Hedong army, especially Zhao Muyun and his wife?
A sense of impending doom began to spread throughout Xijing City.
Meanwhile, inside the central command tent of the Xijing Army camp outside Liangzhou City.
Holding the urgent battle report stained with the messenger's blood, Yang Yan's withered fingers trembled violently. His originally gloomy face was now deathly pale, devoid of any color.
He seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, and his once upright body became slightly hunched.
"Yang Fan...20,000 troops...completely wiped out..."
He muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and dry, filled with disbelief and excruciating pain.
Yang Fan is not only his capable assistant and nephew, but also the next generation core he is focusing on cultivating.
His defeat and death were a devastating blow to the Xijing military and political group led by Yang Yan.
"Prime Minister! Take care, Prime Minister!"
Upon seeing this, the trusted advisors and generals inside the tent all knelt down, their faces filled with worry.
"Zhao Muyun... Lin Feng... and that Wuhuan woman..."
Yang Yan suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with extreme resentment.
But hidden deep within this resentment was a fear that even he himself was unwilling to acknowledge.
He had calculated everything, including Zhao Muyun's difficulty, the strength of Liangzhou, and Lin Feng's tenacity.
But they never expected that they would suffer such a huge setback in Xiazhou, a place where victory seemed assured.
And he was dealt a fatal blow by a woman he had never taken seriously!
"Prime Minister, now that Xia Prefecture has been lost, the traitor Lin Feng will surely take advantage of the victory and march south to threaten Xijing! Xijing is our foundation, and we cannot afford to lose it!" a general said urgently.
"Liangzhou has been sieged for a long time without success. Our strategists are old and our soldiers are exhausted, and the transportation of supplies is becoming increasingly difficult. If Zhao Muyun learns of the situation in Xiazhou, he can coordinate with Lin Feng from the east and west..."
The strategist didn't say everything, but the meaning was self-evident.
Yang Yan closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently.
He knew full well that his meticulously planned drama had been fatally damaged by Xia Zhou's crushing defeat.
Continuing the siege of Liangzhou would not only be difficult to achieve quickly, but would also pose a huge risk of having their base raided and being attacked from both sides.
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