After experiencing initial fear and chaos, the people of Youzhou City discovered that although the "Hedong Army" that had stormed into the city was murderous, they did not engage in the burning, killing, and looting that had been rumored.
Instead, they posted notices to reassure the public, sent people to patrol and maintain order, and extinguished the fire, which put their minds at ease.
Some of the bolder ones peeked out through the crack in the door and saw the red flag with black clouds on the other side, their hearts filled with complex emotions.
There was a sense of bewilderment at the end of the Northern Barbarian rule, but also a glimmer of hope for the future.
More than anything, there is curiosity and awe towards this army that has created miracles.
The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the world at an astonishing speed.
The first to receive the news was Arahan, who was frantically rushing towards Youzhou.
When his scouts saw the glaring red banner with black clouds on the city wall of Youzhou and the tightly closed city gates, they felt as if all their strength had been drained away, and they almost fell off their horses.
"Youzhou... is lost... Lord Han... is dead..." The news brought by the scouts blew into the hearts of Arahan and every Northern Di cavalryman like a cold wind.
"ah--!"
Arahan let out a beast-like wail, drew his scimitar, and frantically slashed at the air around him, as if his mother had died.
Ten thousand elite cavalrymen rushed back and forth, but to no avail. In the end, they even lost the city of Youzhou, and Han Yanshou died!
How could he possibly face the Left Wise King?
Morale also plummeted.
This exhausted army stopped fifty miles northeast of Youzhou City, caught in a dilemma.
Almost simultaneously, Wuzhu, who was far away on the front line in Xiangzhou and confronting Ma Zongliang's 140,000-strong army, also received this devastating news that came as a bolt from the blue!
"Youzhou... has been captured by Zhao Muyun? Han Yanshou died in battle?"
Wuzhu held the blood-stained letter, his hands trembling so much he could barely hold it, his face instantly turning ashen, his eyes bloodshot!
"Your Majesty!"
His attendants were shocked and rushed forward to help him up.
After taking a deep breath, Wuzhu managed to stay upright, but he seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.
The atmosphere inside the tent was as oppressive as a tomb. All the generals were pale, their eyes filled with disbelief and the panic of impending crisis.
"Great Khan... Youzhou... This matter needs careful consideration..." an advisor began in a trembling voice, but did not know how to "consider" it.
Wuzhu waved his hand, his voice hoarse and weary: "Plan? What is there to plan? Youzhou has fallen, our rear is cut off, our supply lines are in danger, and the morale of our army is collapsing... Can we still stay in Xiangzhou?"
He gazed at the endless camps of the Fengtian Army outside the tent, his heart filled with bitterness and resentment.
They were on the verge of defeating the main force of the Fengtian Army, but their efforts were in vain!
Zhao Muyun's knife strike was too ruthless and too precise, hitting his vital point directly!
"Pass on the order..."
Wuzhu took a deep breath and made the most difficult decision of his life: "The entire army...withdraw."
“Withdraw the troops? Your Majesty, our army still has the strength to spare, and the enemy may not dare to pursue us…” a fierce general disagreed.
"Shut up!"
Wuzhu interrupted sharply, a fierce glint in his eyes, "Do you want these hundreds of thousands of men to perish in this foreign land?"
"Withdraw! Cover each other as you retreat back north of the Sudatta River! Order Arahan... to find a way to rejoin us!"
The order to retreat further destabilized the morale of the Northern Di army.
Although Ma Zongliang used his troops cautiously and did not launch a large-scale pursuit, the Northern Di retreat was still chaotic, with countless supplies abandoned and morale extremely low.
The Xiangzhou campaign, which lasted for several months, ended abruptly in a way that no one had anticipated.
Li Jingang's court narrowly escaped disaster, but everyone understood that the one who truly turned the tide of the war was not themselves, but the powerful warlord from Hedong, far away in Youzhou.
Tanzhou, Fengjun Camp.
When the news of the recapture of Youzhou arrived, the entire camp was first deathly silent, and then erupted into thunderous cheers!
The elation of the sudden reduction in pressure filled the hearts of every soldier.
However, Ma Zongliang, Niu Desheng, Li Biao, Li Bao, and others had complicated expressions.
Niu Desheng scoffed, seemingly disdainful: "Without us fighting the main force of the Tartars here, how could Zhao Muyun have recaptured Youzhou?"
“We’re forced to fight the main force of the Tartars, while they’re easily reaping the benefits from behind. What’s there to brag about?” Li Biao said indignantly.
"Now look what's happened! Youzhou has been taken over by Zhao Muyun, and we haven't gotten any benefits at all," Li Bao said indignantly.
Ma Zongliang, usually calm and brooding, had a solemn expression: "Regardless of how Zhao Muyun took Youzhou, his taking Youzhou did shake Wuzhu's morale."
"If I'm not mistaken, Wuzhu will definitely withdraw his troops!"
"King Ma, the Tartars are retreating, let's chase after them and kill them all!" Li Biao said excitedly.
“No!” Ma Zongliang immediately waved his hand in disapproval.
"Why?" Niu Desheng and the other two asked in unison, "If the Tartars withdraw their troops, why don't we pursue them?"
"Chase them? Who said we wouldn't?" Ma Zongliang's eyes lit up. "Li Biao, Li Bao, once you see the Tartars retreating, you two lead your troops as the first echelon and follow them at a distance. Do not engage in battle!"
"Niu Shuai and I will lead the second team, closely following behind the two of you."
Niu Desheng glared at him with his bull-like eyes: "Old Ma, what are you trying to do? Are you escorting the Tartars away?"
Ma Zongliang gave a sly smile: "The Tartars are definitely not willing to accept the loss of Youzhou. Wuzhu will definitely take Youzhou back."
"We're like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!"
Niu Desheng suddenly realized, and Li Biao and Li Bao's eyes lit up.
With over 100,000 Tartars besieging Youzhou, they will surely fight Zhao Muyun to a standstill.
By then, with the 140,000-strong army of the Great Feng Dynasty making their move, wouldn't it be easy to take back Youzhou?
"Gentlemen, return to camp immediately, assemble your troops, and await the opportune moment!"
"Someone come here! I need to draft a memorial to report to His Majesty so that he can make plans as soon as possible."
Ma Zongliang's plan was obvious. Now that the Tartars had retreated, shouldn't the temporary cooperation between Da Feng and Zhao Muyun come to an end?
Ma Zongliang was still resentful that he had failed to capture Longmen Pass.
They could even secretly mobilize troops, break ties with the Da Yin side, and launch a surprise attack on Longmen Pass!
......
What?
Leaving Youzhou, will they also take the city's grain, supplies, and people with them?
Inside Youzhou City, the Hedong Army, having just finished its rest and reorganization, recruited three thousand men from prisoners and ambitious individuals within Youzhou City who harbored patriotic sentiments towards the Great Yin Dynasty to replenish its ranks.
Just as everyone was busy recruiting new soldiers, treating veterans, and disposing of spoils of war, Zhao Muyun issued an order that left no room for discussion, like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads.
The Grand Commander just gave up the city he captured at such a heavy price?
The crowd was confused and unwilling to accept it.
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