Along the Baigou River, a cold wind swirled the remaining snow, sweeping past the makeshift military tents.
Inside the tent, the charcoal brazier crackled, but it couldn't dispel the almost stagnant, icy air.
Zhao Muyun and Yang Yan, two commanders from opposing camps whose soldiers still harbored blood feuds, finally sat down face to face.
The imperial decree had just been read aloud, and the atmosphere inside the tent was delicate.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree and Cui Mian, the Vice Minister of War, stood there somewhat awkwardly, awaiting Zhao Muyun's reaction.
The offer of rewards was dismissed with contempt, but the appointment as "Grand Commander of the Hebei Road Army" was the real drama.
"However, I have never liked being subordinate to anyone, especially not to a defeated opponent!"
"You think you can get Prime Minister Yang to control my Hedong army with just a piece of paper? Have you forgotten how he was utterly defeated at the gates of Xijing?"
Upon hearing this, several generals behind Yang Yan glared angrily and placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.
The loss of Xijing, the deaths of generals Yang Fan, Yang Long, and Yang Yi, the capture of Li Hu, and the annihilation of tens of thousands of troops are an indelible shame for Yang Yan.
Yang Yan slightly raised his eyelids, suppressed the commotion behind him, and calmly said, "Grand Commander Zhao, it is not the act of a hero to bring up old matters. Now, the Northern Di Wuzhu is entrenched in Youzhou, and he is our common enemy. The court's proposal is also out of consideration for overall planning and the rapid recovery of Youyun."
"Could it be that Grand Commander Zhao is unwilling to expel the Tartars as soon as possible, but instead is keen on internal strife?" He turned the tables on Zhao, his tone still calm, but with hidden sarcasm.
"Internal strife?" Zhao Muyun scoffed. "While my lads from Hedong were fighting a bloody battle in Luancheng on a snowy night, I wonder where Prime Minister Yang's army was?"
"Now that you see I've defeated Wuzhu's main force, you want to reap the rewards? That's a rather ambitious plan. You want me, Zhao Muyun, to be under your command, Yang Yan? Fine!"
He changed the subject, stood up, his posture as straight as a pine tree, and said, "But we soldiers ultimately speak through our battle achievements, not through empty words."
He walked to the map of Yan and Yun hanging in the tent, pointed heavily at the location of Youzhou, and then drew a line towards two cities in the southwest:
“Xuanzhou and Changzhou are the southeast and southwest gateways of Youzhou, like the two wings of Youzhou.”
"We will each take one city, with a ten-day deadline! Whoever captures the target city first will become the Grand Commander of the Hebei Army, and the other will be convinced and obey his orders! Prime Minister Yang, do you dare?"
Yang Yan's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at the map.
Xuanzhou and Changzhou are indeed strategic locations. Taking them would not only protect the flanks of the attack on Youzhou, but also provide a large amount of supplies.
Zhao Muyun's move is to put the competition out in the open and let strength determine the dominant position.
If he dares not fight, not only will his morale be damaged, but he will also find it difficult to regain his former glory.
"What is there to be afraid of?" Yang Yan slowly rose, his gaze meeting Zhao Muyun's, sparks seemingly flying in the air. "Then let's do as Grand Commander Zhao says. How shall we allocate the targets?"
"Simple!"
Zhao Muyun took out two identical tokens from his pocket, turned his back and fiddled with them for a moment, then held them in his hand and held them out. "One is inscribed with 'Xuan' and the other with 'Chang'. Let's each take one and accept our fate!"
Yang Yan gave Zhao Muyun a deep look, stepped forward, and casually picked one.
Flip the token over, and you'll see the character "昌" (Chang) clearly on it.
Zhao Muyun opened his palm, and on the remaining token was the character "Xuan".
"Alright! I'll attack Changzhou!" Yang Yan put away the token.
“Then I will take Xuanzhou.” Zhao Muyun also put the token into his pocket. “Ten days later, regardless of success or failure, we will meet again here. I hope that Prime Minister Yang will… achieve a resounding victory.”
The last four words carried a subtle hint of sarcasm.
"Likewise."
Yang Yan responded expressionlessly.
With the agreement reached, there is no need for further discussion.
The two men each led their troops away from the military tent without looking back, returning to their own camp.
Beneath the ice of the Baigou River, turbulent currents surge.
Upon returning to the Hedong army camp, the generals immediately surrounded him.
Upon hearing the contents of the bet, Zhong Meng was the first to shout, "Grand Commander, why waste words with that old codger Yang Yan? Let's march east and take Youzhou as well, then see what he can do to us!"
Xi Sheng remained relatively calm: "General Zhong, please calm down. Although our army has won a great victory at Luancheng, our strength is only 15,000. After continuous fighting, our men and horses are exhausted and urgently need rest and replenishment."
"Yang Yan commands an army of 100,000, making him a formidable force. A direct conflict at this time would be disadvantageous for us. The Grand Commander's method of limiting the scope of competition through a wager, thus avoiding large-scale internal strife, is truly the best strategy."
Guo Luo nodded and said, "General Xi is absolutely right. Xuanzhou's defenses are not as good as Youzhou's, which is perfect for our army to take this city while we rest and reorganize. We can obtain supplies and gain prestige at the same time, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop."
Zhao Muyun gave the two of them an approving look: "Not bad. Yang Yan is powerful, and it is not wise for him to fight head-on."
"But I am determined to take Youyun; I cannot allow the Fengtian Army to occupy it alone. This battle must not only be swift, but also decisive! Xi Sheng, Zhong Meng!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I order you to lead the Mo Dao Battalion, three thousand infantrymen, and a portion of the Shenji Battalion, carrying half of the Zhentian Thunder, as the vanguard. Set off immediately, march day and night, and besiege Xuanzhou! Assess the enemy's situation, and once my main force arrives, we will attack the city!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" Xi Sheng clasped his hands in a fist salute, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
"Guo Luo and Liu Yi, follow me to command the central army and escort the grain and supplies. We will set off later."
"Murong Chunhua, Wu Shangzhi, you lead the light cavalry to patrol the flanks and be vigilant about the movements of the Fengtian Army!"
"The night scouts and the scout battalion will spread out for thirty miles. I need to keep a close eye on the movements in Changzhou and Youzhou!"
"yes!"
The generals responded with a resounding roar and dispersed to make their own preparations.
Zhao Muyun walked outside the tent and looked towards the northeast.
Xuanzhou…this is just the first step.
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