In the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the Guannei Plain should have been a prelude to a bountiful harvest with rolling wheat fields, but a fast horse galloping from Longyou disrupted Zhao Muyun's carefully planned development rhythm.
"Report—!"
The thunderous sound of hooves echoed through Xijing Street, reaching the gates of the Grand Governor's Mansion.
The messenger dismounted and almost rushed into the mansion gate, the red lacquered tube he held high in his hand glaringly bright in the morning light.
Zhao Muyun, who was discussing the details of taking Jiannan after autumn with Yinji, Pei Lun, Fan Nan, Wang Tiezhu and others, looked up when he heard the sound.
"Urgent dispatch from Longyou! The Right Wise King of the Northern Barbarians, Wuhan, has led three armies southward, and the vanguard has already passed Baiting Pass!"
The hall fell silent instantly.
Pei Lun took the lacquer tube, examined the sealing wax, and quickly opened it.
His brow furrowed more and more as he read, and finally he presented the letter to Zhao Muyun:
"Grand Commander, Zhang Zan, the military governor of Longyou, General Shi Yong, and Guo Xiaoti jointly submitted an urgent report: The Northern Barbarians are coming in a fierce manner this time, and their total force may exceed 60,000."
"The western route has reached Heidu Mountain outside Guazhou City, the central route is approaching Suzhou, and the main force of the eastern route is heading straight for Liangzhou. All three cities are in dire need of attention!"
Zhao Muyun took the urgent report and quickly scanned it.
The handwriting on the letter was hasty, and many parts were blurred by sweat, indicating that it was written in a hurry.
Zhang Zan added at the end: "The rebel forces are overwhelming, and the Longyou army is newly formed and unlikely to hold out for long. I implore the Grand Commander to send reinforcements immediately!"
"They've come at the worst possible time." Zhao Muyun placed the letter on the table and tapped the surface lightly with his fingers. "The autumn harvest hasn't been completed yet, and Jiannan's plans have just begun when the Northern Di have arrived."
Fan Nan pondered: "Grand Commander, this matter is strange. The Northern Barbarians suffered a recent defeat at the beginning of the year and have not yet recovered their strength. Normally, they should need at least a year to recuperate."
"It's only May now, yet they've launched a major southward offensive, dividing their forces into three routes, as if they have some ulterior motive."
"you mean?"
“I fear someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes,” Fan Nan said in a low voice. “It could be that Li Jingang is secretly colluding with the Northern Di, intending to attack from both the east and the west; or it could be that there is a power shift within the Northern Di, and the new elites need to establish military merits to solidify their positions.”
Pei Lun added: "According to previous reports from the night scouts, the Northern Di Chanyu has reduced the territory of the Left Wise King Wuzhu and granted it to the Right Wise King Wuhan, causing internal strife among the brothers. This southward expedition may be to establish Wuhan's authority."
Zhao Muyun walked to the sand table and stared at the terrain of Longyou.
Longyou Road connects to the Western Regions in the west, borders the Mongolian Plateau in the north, is adjacent to the Qilian Mountains in the south, and connects to the interior of China in the east.
The three prefectures of Liang, Su, and Gua, like a long snake, guard the Hexi Corridor.
If the three prefectures fall, the Northern Barbarians could advance unimpeded and threaten the flank of Guanzhong.
“We cannot lose it,” Zhao Muyun said resolutely. “Longyou is not only the western barrier of Guanzhong, but also a vital route for us to conquer the Western Regions and acquire fine horses. If we lose Longyou, our connection with the Western Regions will be severed.”
He turned around and said, "Order: The entire army to enter a state of war. The plan to take Jiannan in the autumn is to be postponed. First, we must relieve the crisis in Longyou."
Pei Lun asked anxiously, "What if our army is moved west, and Li Jingang takes the opportunity to move east, or Yang Yan goes north? How should we deal with that?"
"Therefore, I will not personally lead the expedition this time!" A resolute look flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes. "I will stay in Xijing to prevent Li Jingang and Yang Yan from making any rash moves. I will send another capable general to conquer Longyou in the west!"
He walked towards the door and addressed Li Si, the commander of the guards who had been standing by for some time:
"Beat the drums, raise the tent!"
The drums of the Grand General's Office resounded once again in Xijing after a six-month hiatus.
Within half an hour, all the generals in Xijing City gathered in the main hall.
Even Liu Yi, the commander of the Shenji Battalion, and Lin Yuan, the commander of the Bow and Crossbow Battalion, who were training troops outside the city, rushed back on horseback.
The atmosphere in the hall was somber.
Zhao Muyun stood before the sand table and got straight to the point:
“The Right Wise King of the Northern Barbarians, Wuhan, led 65,000 cavalry in three routes southward, and the three prefectures of Longyou are in dire need. I intend to send troops to their aid.”
The generals were greatly encouraged.
After six months of training, the new weapons are ready and eager to be tested in battle.
"General of the Left Guard, Wu Shangzhi!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Wu Shangzhi stepped forward.
He is no longer the hot-blooded young man he was two years ago.
Two years of military service made him grow into another capable general under Zhao Muyun, following in the footsteps of Han Zhong and Lin Feng.
This honor originally belonged to Tian Qing.
Unfortunately, Tian Qing was located in the important defense zone of Yun, Feng and Sheng prefectures, which reduced his opportunities to make meritorious contributions.
"I hereby appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition, with the authority to act on behalf of the emperor. Guo Luo will serve as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, leading the Heavy Cavalry Battalion, Light Cavalry Battalion, Divine Machine Battalion, Archer Battalion, and Longdao Battalion to form the Western Expeditionary Army. Prepare the troops immediately and depart in three days."
Wu Shangzhi's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "This subordinate obeys!"
Zhao Muyun continued to assign tasks: "Liu Yi, are the new cannons of the Shenji Battalion ready for battle?"
Liu Yi knelt on one knee: "The twenty new-type Divine Machine Cannons have been debugged, and three hundred explosive shells are in reserve. However... the new cannons are heavy, and a large number of mules and horses are needed for transportation."
"All packhorses and vehicles from the workshops will be supplied to the Western Expeditionary Army as a priority."
Zhao Muyun looked at Lu Da, "Supervisor Lu, you will personally lead a hundred craftsmen to accompany the army and be responsible for the maintenance of the cannons."
"Yes, sir!"
Lu Da responded excitedly. This was his first time going on a military campaign.
"Lin Yuan, the crossbow battalion has just started training the 'five-stage shooting' technique. This battle will be the touchstone. I want you to let the Northern Barbarians know that the truth lies within the range of arrows."
"This humble general will certainly not fail in his mission!" Lin Yuan clasped his hands in a fist salute.
Zhao Muyun then looked at Xi Sheng: "The Mo Dao Battalion suffered heavy losses in Youzhou last time. After these months of rest and reconstruction, we hope to achieve new merits."
Xi Sheng licked his lips, his eyes filled with fighting spirit: "Rest assured, Grand Commander, under the Mo Dao, men and horses will be shattered!"
"Lord Pei, the logistics for the Western Expeditionary Army will be entrusted to the Ministry of War!" Zhao Muyun said to Pei Lun.
Pei Lun and Tang Yanhai were pioneers in developing Longyou. They conquered Longyou with only a thousand men, so he was naturally familiar with Longyou.
Putting him in charge of logistics in Longyou is the safest option.
"Rest assured, Grand Commander, the Ministry of War will work with the Longyou Circuit to ensure that the Western Expeditionary Army has no worries about its rear."
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