While the imperial decree was still en route, the situation in Hebei was rapidly evolving.
Zhao Muyun led the main force of the Hedong Army, which had been rested and reorganized, eastward and was invincible.
The fame of the great victory at Luancheng had spread far and wide. The remaining Northern Di garrison troops and the puppet troops who had surrendered to the Northern Di surrendered without resistance. Shenzhou, Qizhou and other places were recovered almost without bloodshed, and the army's advance was aimed directly at Baoding Prefecture.
Yang Yan was quick to act as well; his vanguard cavalry entered the now-empty city of Hejian Prefecture ahead of the Hedong army.
They also divided their forces to control Xiongzhou and Bazhou, east of Hejian Prefecture, thus creating a barrier around Youzhou and preventing the Hedong army from continuing its eastward advance.
The vanguards of the two armies formed a stalemate in the Baigou River area, thirty miles east of Baoding.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
At the Hedong Army camp, the generals were filled with righteous indignation.
"Grand Commander! Yang Yan is going too far! We fought a bloody battle to win this victory, why is he standing in our way? Baoding should be ours!" Zhong Meng shouted angrily.
Murong Chunhua frowned and said, "Yang Yan's actions are intended to prevent our army from reaching the gates of Youzhou, and he wants to monopolize the credit for the recapture of Youzhou. His intentions are despicable!"
Guo Luo remained calm and analyzed, "Our army has been fighting continuously, and although morale is high, our troops are exhausted. Moreover, our elite troops, such as the Heavy Cavalry Battalion and the Mo Dao Battalion, need time to rest and replenish. If we clash with the Fengtian Army at this time, it may not be a good strategy."
Xi Sheng nodded and said, "General Guo is right. Moreover, Li Jingang and Yang Yan will never sit idly by and watch us grow stronger. They will definitely try to weaken us, and may even launch a sudden attack."
Just as they were discussing this, a scout came to report: "Grand Commander, Yang Yan has sent an envoy to invite you to meet at the Baigou River to discuss the joint advance of the two armies to recapture Youzhou."
The tent fell silent immediately, and everyone looked at Zhao Muyun.
Zhao Muyun sneered: "Oh? Yang Yan is finally going to show up in person? Very well, I'll go and meet him and see what tricks he's up to."
Wu Shangzhi said urgently, "Grand Commander, Yang Yan has a deep grudge against us. Be careful, it might be a trap!"
Zhao Muyun said calmly, "It's alright. Yang Yan still has his pride and wouldn't dare to openly attack me. Besides, do you think I, Zhao Muyun, am a pushover? Just be fully prepared."
......
The next day, a temporary military tent was erected on the banks of the Baigou River, in the middle of the two armies' confrontation.
Zhao Muyun only brought Tang Yanhai, Li Si, and a hundred personal guards to the meeting.
On the other side, Yang Yan also brought several trusted generals and an equal number of personal guards.
This was the first formal meeting between Zhao Muyun and Yang Yan.
Yang Yan looked to be around forty years old, with a resolute face, distinct features, and a pair of eyes as calm as an abyss, as if he could see through everything.
He wore ordinary bright armor, not a general's robe, but the majesty of someone who had long held a high position and the murderous aura of a seasoned general were overwhelming.
Zhao Muyun, dressed in a black close-fitting outfit with a soft armor over it, had a calm and confident look on his young face, and sharp eyes like an eagle, which contrasted sharply with Yang Yan's composure.
"Prime Minister Yang, I regret that I couldn't meet you in Xijing. Now that I can see you, I have no regrets!" Zhao Muyun took the lead in bowing and brought up Xijing as an excuse.
Upon hearing this, Yang Yan paused for a moment. Thinking of the loss of Xijing, the deaths of his three nephews Yang Fan, Yang Long, and Yang Yi, and the annihilation of tens of thousands of troops, he wished he could rush up and tear Zhao Muyun to pieces.
But he took a deep breath, suppressing his impulse, and said calmly, "Grand Commander Zhao, our two families are now joining hands to fight the enemy, yet you are mocking your ally. Isn't that a bit petty?"
"Haha, sorry, I just couldn't help it!" Zhao Muyun couldn't help but admire Yang Yan for being so composed.
The two entered the tent and took their seats as host and guest.
The atmosphere inside the tent appeared peaceful, but undercurrents were actually swirling.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yang Yan got straight to the point: "General Zhao's victory at Luancheng was earth-shattering, and I admire it greatly. Now that Wuzhu has been defeated and retreated to Youzhou, it is the perfect opportunity for our army to seize the opportunity and recover the lost territory of Youyun."
"However, an army cannot move until its supplies are ready. For the two armies to coordinate, unified command is also necessary. I wonder what Grand Commander Zhao's insights are?"
Zhao Muyun smiled slightly: "General Yang is absolutely right. Youzhou is an important town of the Northern Barbarians, and a direct assault would inevitably result in heavy casualties."
"In my opinion, our Hedong army should be the main force, and we should besiege Youzhou City without attacking, thus cutting off its external support."
"Please lead the Fengtian Army to stabilize the rear, wipe out the remaining enemy forces, and secure the supply lines. Once Youzhou runs out of food and reinforcements, it will naturally fall. At that time, the greatest credit will naturally go to Commander Yang for stabilizing the rear and ensuring supplies."
These words sound polite, but in reality, they firmly grasped the initiative in attacking Youzhou, only giving Yang Yan the role of "logistics captain".
Yang Yan remained expressionless: "While Grand Commander Zhao's troops are indeed elite, they must be exhausted from continuous battles. Our Fengtian Army has been recuperating for a long time and should be at the forefront for the country."
"How about we have my Fengtian Army lead the attack, while your troops provide support from the side and are responsible for the western defense, preventing the Di army from the Yanshan direction from coming to our aid? What do you think?"
The two men argued sharply, neither willing to relinquish control of the attack on Youzhou.
Just then, a fast horse galloped in, and it was Cui Mian, the imperial eunuch and vice minister of the Ministry of War!
"Imperial edict! Zhao Muyun and Yang Yan, receive the edict!"
Those on Yang Yan's side inside the tent were all taken aback, then rose and knelt to receive him.
But Zhao Muyun's men remained unmoved!
What business is it of theirs if Li Jingang issues an imperial edict!
Seeing that Zhao Muyun and the others did not move, the eunuch who was delivering the decree did not dare to say anything, and then loudly read it aloud.
The imperial edict was nothing more than praising the great victory at Luancheng, granting Zhao Muyun an official position and title, and then the key point—establishing the Hebei Road Military Commander's Office, appointing Yang Yan as the Military Commander-in-Chief and Zhao Muyun as the Deputy Military Commander-in-Chief, under Yang Yan's command, to jointly advance and recover Youyun.
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