Just as Zhao Muyun was stirring up a storm in Hebei, causing upheaval in the rear of the Northern Di, the two places on which he relied for his foothold, Hedong and Xijing, were not peaceful either.
Beneath the walls of Yunzhou, Commander Tian Qing, relying on the fortified city and his fierce spirit, withstood the fierce attack of Tuoba Wugu's 30,000-strong army, leaving this valiant Northern Di general battered and bruised.
However, Tuoba Wugu did not give up. After suffering heavy losses in the stalemate for half a month, he made an unexpected and bold decision.
He abandoned the siege of Yunzhou and suddenly turned his main force to the northwest. Using the mobility advantage of his cavalry, he bypassed the Yunzhou defense line and plunged into the Xichuan Grassland, which is adjacent to the northwest of Shuozhou, like a black whirlwind!
The Xichuan Grassland, with its abundant water and grass, has always been a key area for many nomadic tribes and for trade with Hedong, and a natural barrier for Yinzhou, Shengzhou and other places in the northwest of Hedong.
The military strength in this area is relatively weak. If it is ravaged by the iron hooves of the Northern Barbarians, not only will the people suffer, but the two prefectures of Yin and Sheng will be directly exposed to the enemy's advance. The flank of Hedong and the trade routes with the grasslands will be seriously threatened.
When the news reached Jinyang, Han Zhong, the military governor of Hedong and the garrison commander of Jinyang, was furious.
"Tufa Wugu is so cunning! He didn't even take Yunzhou, yet he dares to venture deep into my territory!" Han Zhong slammed his fist on the table, causing the ink and brush to scatter wildly.
He knew the matter was thorny; Zhao Muyun had taken the main force to fight in Hebei, leaving the troops in Hedong short of manpower.
"Issue the order immediately!"
Han Zhong quickly made arrangements: "I order Tong Gu, the Right Army Commander, to take my imperial insignia and proceed swiftly to Yinzhou to coordinate the troops of Yinzhou, Shengzhou, and the surrounding military towns. Relying on the city's strategic locations, we must implement a scorched-earth policy and ensure that the enemy is stopped outside the pass!"
"I also sent a proclamation to Zhong Meng, the military commander of Shuozhou, ordering him to lead his three thousand elite soldiers from Shuofang and to recruit skilled horsemen and archers from the surrounding area to form a rapid reaction force to penetrate deep into Xichuan, harass Tuoba Wugu's flank and rear, burn his pastures, cut off his supplies, and absolutely not allow him to gain a foothold in Xichuan!"
He paused, then added in a heavy tone, "Tell Tong Gu and Zhong Meng that the Grand Commander is currently engaged in a battle with Wuzhu's main force in Hebei. We must hold Hedong and absolutely cannot cause trouble for the Grand Commander!"
"This battle concerns the safety of Hedong. We hope they will give their all, regardless of the cost!"
The messenger rushed out with Han Zhong's strict orders.
......
Xijing, a large city that has become the new political center of the Great Yin Dynasty, appears to be bustling with activity.
The relocation of the capital and the logistics at the front were handled in an orderly manner by Fan Nan, Pei Lun and others.
Prince Yinji of Jin, who was in charge of the country, listened to reports and reviewed memorials every day as usual, showing a composure beyond his years.
However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents are quietly surging.
On this day, a message suddenly came from Yinji's eunuch: Yinzhao, who was nominally the Emperor of Dayin but actually lived in seclusion in the deep palace, wanted to summon Yinji.
Yinji's heart stirred slightly.
Since being "invited" to Jinyang, his uncle had lived a secluded life, rarely venturing out and hardly ever getting involved in any political affairs.
Whenever his presence was needed, it was Yinji and Zhao Muyun who went to him.
Now that they have arrived in Xijing, why did he take the initiative to summon Yin Zhao?
With a hint of wariness, Yinji arrived at the palace where Yinzhao resided.
The interior of the hall was simply furnished, exuding a sense of desolation after the fall of its former glory.
Yin Zhao, dressed in casual clothes, sat by the window, looking at the fallen leaves in the courtyard, his expression somewhat dazed.
"Ji'er is here, please sit down."
Yin Zhao's voice was calm, even carrying a rare gentleness.
Yinji sat down according to etiquette, but his vigilance grew even stronger.
"I heard that the fighting at the front is fierce. Minister Zhao... oh, now I should call him Grand Commander Zhao, he has won another victory in Hebei and even captured Zhuozhou?" Yin Zhao asked casually.
“Uncle, you are well-informed; this is indeed true. It is all thanks to the soldiers’ bravery and the Grand Commander’s skillful command,” Yinji replied cautiously.
"Yes, excellent command..."
Yin Zhao sighed softly, turning his gaze to Yin Ji with a complex emotion, "Ji'er, you've had a hard time these past few days. The burden of being regent is heavy."
Yinji lowered his head slightly: "It is my duty to serve the country and its people."
Yin Zhao was silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject:
"In this world today, there are the Di people in the north and Li Jingang in the east... In fact, the one who truly supports the situation of our Great Yin Dynasty is none other than Grand Commander Zhao. If it weren't for him, you and I, uncle and nephew, would probably not even be able to sit peacefully in this corner of Xijing."
Yinji felt a chill run down his spine but did not reply.
Yin Zhao seemed not to need his answer and continued slowly, "Grand Commander Zhao is indeed an unparalleled hero. He is the best in training troops, fighting battles, and governing the country."
"Now his prestige is growing daily, and he commands a large army... When the day comes that he truly defeats Li Jingang, clears the world, and welcomes back the old capital..."
"Ji'er, have you thought about what kind of position you plan to give him? A king? Or... something more?"
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Yinji's ears!
He suddenly looked up at Yin Zhao, only to see that the other man's face was calm, but his eyes were as deep as a pool, carrying a hint of probing and guidance that was not easily detected.
Yinji's heart began to pound violently.
Uncle is trying to sow discord!
He realized this immediately.
But...but Yin Zhao's words were like a poisonous thorn, precisely piercing into a corner of his heart that even he himself was unwilling to easily touch.
Yes, to be made a king?
Being a king of a different surname is already the pinnacle of a subject's power, but with Zhao Muyun's current strength, can a mere kingship satisfy him?
Going a step further?
Then what about the Yin family's empire...?
Moreover, whether it was negotiating with Li Jingang or relocating the Jinyang forces to Xijing on a large scale, when had Zhao Muyun ever truly discussed these matters in detail with him, the "young master"?
My position as regent, though seemingly prestigious, is actually being sidelined.
Doesn't the final decision-making power for all major military and political affairs ultimately lie in the hands of that man far away in Hebei?
Seeing the fleeting wavering and gloom in Yinji's eyes, Yinzhao's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.
He knew that the seeds had been sown.
He lowered his voice, his tone carrying a seductive power: "Ji'er, this world ultimately belongs to the Yin family. This empire should rightfully belong to the Yin family, not the Zhao family..."
"You're still young, you should plan ahead for some things..."
A long silence fell over the hall, broken only by the rustling of leaves falling in the wind outside the window.
Yinji sat there, head down, his hands clenched tightly in his sleeves, the turmoil in his heart far more intense than it appeared on the surface.
My uncle's instigation was certainly hateful, but the questions he raised were so realistic and cruel.
Power, trust, suspicion, the future... all sorts of thoughts collided fiercely in his mind.
While Zhao Muyun was fighting valiantly on the front lines, he, the "young master" who had been thrust into the limelight, was back in the rear contemplating how to guard against the possibility of someone becoming too powerful and overshadowing his master.
The sky over Xijing seemed to be shrouded in a dark cloud that was difficult to dispel because of this secret conspiracy.
The flames of war at the front have not yet died down, while undercurrents are already surging at the rear.
As Zhao Muyun's large ship sailed through the raging waves, it seemed that tiny cracks were appearing inside the hull.
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