The army set out on its expedition, with Guo Luo and Murong Chunhua leading the way.
After Zhao Muyun waited for Yin Ji to arrive, they had a detailed discussion.
The master and disciple talked all night long and then went to pay their respects to Yin Zhao.
When Yin Zhao saw Zhao Muyun recover Xijing and negotiate with Li Jingang to jointly resist the Di, he offered words of encouragement but sneered inwardly.
Zhao Muyun makes all her decisions without consulting Yinji at all.
What difference is there between Prince Yinji, the Prince of Jin, and this mascot emperor?
Upon learning that Zhao Muyun was going to personally lead troops north out of Hedong and into Hebei, Yin Zhao remained calm, but his eyes flickered, as if he had suddenly become lively again.
After meeting Bai Ruolan, Yin Yao, and Huan Naxue, Zhao Muyun didn't have time to be affectionate with them. He simply gave each of them some instructions and then mounted his warhorse.
His instructions to Bai Ruolan were to establish connections between the Bai family's business and An Dehai, a merchant from the Western Regions, and to exchange goods such as glass, coal, tobacco, tea, silk, porcelain, and fine salt for warhorses from the Western Regions.
Just as Zhao Muyun was bidding a hasty farewell to his wife, daughter, Yin Yao, and others, preparing to set off, a weary-looking team arrived.
The leader was Pei Lun, whose eyes now held a hint of the harshness of the northwest winds and the effects of burning oil.
Zhao Muyun ordered the army to proceed first, and he and Yinji met with Pei Lun: "Lord Pei, you've had a hard time! We've wronged you by keeping you here in Heidu Mountain these past few days!"
"Haha, Your Highness, Grand Commander, these days in Black Dushan have been the most carefree and joyful of my life!" Pei Lun laughed heartily.
He was left by Zhao Muyun to oversee the mining of flammable oil in Heidu Mountain, but he did not complain about it. Instead, he did a great job.
They not only built mining workshops, but also managed the workers properly, increased the mining output, and studied transportation methods to ensure that the raging oil was continuously delivered to Shiyong and Xijing in the west.
Zhao Muyun went up to help him up: "Heidushan is of utmost importance, and you have made invaluable contributions! Now that Li Jingang has joined forces with us, the passage from Longyou to Xijing needs to be made smoother."
"After discussing with the Prince of Jin, I hereby appoint you as the concurrent Military Governor of Guannei, to assist the Prince of Jin together with Fan Nan and Zhou Hong, to oversee the military and political affairs of all the prefectures within Guannei, and to be fully responsible for the security and operation of the Heidushan Pass, ensuring a continuous supply of strategic resources such as flammable oil to the front lines!"
"I want you to be our strong support!"
Pei Lun said in a deep voice, "This subordinate obeys! I will ensure the safety of the rear and assist the Grand Commander in conquering the Northern Barbarians!"
With Pei Lun's return and appointment, the rear of Xijing and its vital logistical lifeline were strongly protected.
Han Zhong has also rushed to Jinyang to take over the defense of Hedong.
Seeing that the arrangements at the rear were in place, Zhao Muyun was finally able to confidently lead his troops eastward.
......
When the army reached the territory of Yanzhou, a soldier suddenly reported that people from the secret base in the Yanzhou valley had arrived.
Zhao Muyun's heart stirred, and he personally went out to greet them.
All he could see was the old craftsman Lu Zhizi, whose hair and beard were all white but whose spirit was vigorous. He was looking at him with a smile, with dozens of large carts pulled by oxen and horses and covered with thick cloth behind him.
"Master Lu! What amazing treasure have you created this time?" Zhao Muyun was both surprised and delighted.
Lu Zhizi laughed heartily: "I've heard that the Grand Commander is going to launch a northern expedition against the barbarians and recover Yan and Yun. How can I stand idly by?"
"These are five hundred sets of specially made heavy cavalry armor, forged from refined steel using cold forging techniques. The key parts are thickened, yet the weight is 30% lighter than the old armor, providing even greater protection!"
"In addition, ten improved Divine Machine Cannons, five thousand Heaven-Shaking Thunderbolts, and three hundred rapid-fire crossbows are also sent to assist the Grand Commander!"
Zhao Muyun stroked the heavy armor that gleamed with a cold, eerie light, and a surge of pride welled up within him: "With the master's help, it's like gaining ten thousand powerful soldiers! Muyun thanks you!"
He immediately ordered that 500 sets of heavy armor be prioritized for the most elite armored cavalry under Wu Shangzhi and Guo Luo.
The gun mounts and the Thunderclap Repeating Crossbows were handed over to the Divine Machine Battalion.
As early as when Zhao Muyun left Hedong to fight in Longyou, he arranged for Lu Zhizi and his team of craftsmen to develop it.
Seeing the new equipment arrive on schedule, Zhao Muyun was greatly encouraged.
Liu Yi was overjoyed.
After a brief rest in Yanzhou, where they replenished their supplies with the new equipment brought by Lu Zhizi and familiarized themselves with it, Zhao Muyun's army continued eastward, like a sharp blade honed in fire, plunging straight into the heart of Hebei.
......
Before the smoke of war had completely dissipated from the Daqingshan Fortress, the 30,000 iron cavalry led by the Northern Di general Tuoba Wugu had already pressed in like dark clouds, completely surrounding Yunzhou City.
On the city wall, Commander Tian Qing stood with his hand on his sword, his armor gleaming coldly in the dim sunlight.
He gazed at the Northern Di army camp outside the city, which swarmed like ants, his eyes calm and still.
Although the fortress of Daqingshan was dangerous, the Tartar army was too large, so Tian Qing had to preserve his strength, abandon the border, and retreat to Yunzhou.
He intends to rely on the city walls to fight this Tartar army to the death.
To deal with this detachment of the Tartars, they have two strongholds in Yunzhou and Shuozhou. As long as they can hold out and endure, they can drag the war out until a complete victory.
"General, all gates have been reinforced with sandbags as you instructed, and sufficient logs and rolling stones have been prepared. The flammable oil has also been distributed." The lieutenant reported in a low voice.
Tian Qing nodded slightly: "Tell the brothers that behind Yunzhou lies Shuozhou, our homeland! The Grand Commander entrusted this place to me, and only by fighting to the death can we repay him! Anyone who retreats in fear of the enemy will be executed on the spot!"
The siege has begun.
The Northern Barbarians did not immediately commit their elite troops. Instead, they drove thousands of captured border residents and auxiliary soldiers to carry makeshift ladders and surge towards the city walls like a tide.
Behind them, the Northern Di archers unleashed precise and deadly volleys.
"Raise your shields! Dodge the arrows!" roared the officer on the city wall.
Arrows rained down, striking shields and battlements with a thud, occasionally punctuated by the muffled groans of those struck.
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