The Western Regions, Yunzhou, Longmen Pass, Jiannan, Hebei, and Lantian Pass—all these places must be taken into consideration.
......
The central command tent of the Fengtian Army camp outside Longmen Pass.
Li Hu stared at the map spread out on the table, his face grim.
He has been wasting almost two months outside this damned Longmen Pass, suffering heavy losses but achieving nothing.
Lin Feng, who was guarding the gate, was like a rock, both smelly and hard, and no matter how he attacked, he remained unmoved.
What annoyed him even more was the news from Xijing—Yinzhao was dead, Yinji had ascended the throne, and Zhao Muyun, as the Grand General of the State, was in charge of the government and held great power.
“Zhao Muyun has now completely taken control of the court,” Li Hu said to the generals in the tent. “If we can’t break through Longmen Pass now, once he finishes his internal reorganization and mobilizes a large army to come to our aid, we’ll have even less of a chance!”
The generals remained silent.
Everyone knows this principle, but Longmen Pass is a natural fortress, and it is too difficult to attack by force.
"General," a military advisor said cautiously, "there seems to be some unusual activity in Guanzhong recently. Our scouts report that Xijing is mobilizing grain and military supplies on a large scale, as if they are about to make a big move."
"What other big moves could there be? Either reinforcements to Longmen Pass, or..." Li Hu suddenly thought of something, "Could it be that something has happened in Yunzhou as well?"
His eyes lit up: "If Zhao Muyun's main force in Hedong is also tied down by the Tartars, then the garrison at Longmen Pass will no longer receive reinforcements? Doesn't that mean our opportunity has arrived?"
"The General is wise!" the generals in the tent echoed.
Just then, a messenger came from outside the tent: "Report! Urgent! A secret decree from His Majesty!"
Li Hu perked up: "Bring it here quickly!"
The messenger delivered a secret letter bearing the emperor's jade seal.
Li Hu opened it and examined it closely, his face growing more and more excited with each look.
"Good! Good! Good!" he exclaimed three times, then passed the secret letter to his generals. "His Majesty has decreed that I, the commander, must launch a full-scale attack on Longmen Pass and breach it within one month!"
"At the same time, we urge General Niu to capture Lantian and launch a pincer attack on Xijing!"
The generals read the secret edict and were all excited.
Li Jingang gave Niu Dejin a death order, which meant that Wuguan was no longer a detachment.
With attacks from two directions, plus threats from Hedong and Yunzhou, even if Zhao Muyun had three heads and six arms, he wouldn't be able to handle it all!
"Send the order to the entire army!" Li Hu stood up abruptly, his voice booming like thunder, "At dawn tomorrow, launch a general offensive! This time, we must take Longmen Pass at all costs!"
"Yes, sir!"
The war drums of the Fengtian Army camp thundered, and the sounds of battle shook the heavens.
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