Winning hearts and minds is the best strategy.
Shen Qian chewed over these four words repeatedly.
After he led the Night Scouts to infiltrate Jiannan, he and Tang Yanhai wove a large net in Jiannan.
Assassination, bribery, spreading rumors, sowing discord... all these actions were for one purpose: to make Yang Yan suspicious, to make the generals fearful, to make the gentry greedy, and to make the people in turmoil.
Now, the net is cast, and it's just a matter of time before it's hauled in.
But a trace of unease still lingered in Shen Qian's heart.
Although Yang Yan was previously defeated, he would never sit idly by and wait for his death.
Sending Pang Qing to Xijing was a brilliant move—it not only tested Zhao Muyun's attitude and bought time, but also served to appease the internal situation and stabilize morale.
“Pang Qing…” Shen Qian murmured, “This person should not be underestimated.”
He decided to add fuel to the fire.
"Someone come here."
A night scout appeared silently.
"Notify the Xuan Group to execute 'Thunderclap'."
Excitement flashed in Ye Bushou's eyes: "Yes!"
The "Thunderclap" was a backup plan personally devised by Zhao Muyun: if Yang Yan showed any signs of negotiation, a "natural or man-made disaster" would be created in Chengdu to completely shatter his wishful thinking.
Specifically, they would create explosions and fires near the governor's residence, disguised as "divine retribution" or "internal rebellion," to make Yang Yan feel that his life was directly threatened, forcing him to either surrender quickly or take a desperate gamble.
This is a risky move and could backfire.
But Shen Qian judged that the time was right.
As night deepened, the city of Chengdu slept soundly in the sweltering heat.
Little did anyone know that an even bigger storm was brewing.
......
In the west of the city, there is a secluded courtyard.
This is one of the secret outposts of the night watchmen in Chengdu.
Inside the courtyard, ten members of the Xuan character group were making final preparations.
Before them were twenty earthenware jars filled with black powder—this was gunpowder specially made by Zhao Muyun's workshop, several times more powerful than that used by ordinary people.
"Target: the granary on the east side of the Jiedushi's residence, the stable on the west side, and the armory on the north side."
The team leader whispered instructions, "Light the fuses simultaneously at 1:45 AM. Remember, evacuate immediately after lighting the fuses and assemble at Outpost No. 3. If caught, take poison. Do not divulge a single word."
"clear!"
The ten people were divided into three groups, and they put the pottery jars into baskets and covered them with firewood to disguise them.
They disguised themselves as night watchmen, porters, and beggars, blending into the night.
At midnight, a curfew was imposed in Chengdu, and the streets were deserted.
Three groups of people approached their target silently.
The granaries, stables, and armories were all key parts of the military governor's residence, and were heavily guarded.
But the night patrol officers had already figured out the patrol patterns and found the blind spots.
Outside the granary, two guards yawned.
Suddenly, two crossbow bolts flew out of the darkness, striking the guard squarely in the throat. The guard fell to the ground silently.
Three night watchmen quickly stepped forward and placed four earthenware jars at the four corners of the granary, connecting them with a string.
After the fuse was lit, they vanished like ghosts.
The same scene is playing out in the stables and the armory.
At 11:45 AM, three almost simultaneous loud bangs shook the entire city of Chengdu.
Boom! Boom boom!
In the direction of the granary, flames soared into the sky, and smoke filled the air; in the stable, warhorses neighed in fright and charged in all directions.
Although the armory was not completely destroyed, the walls collapsed, and shouts of alarm came from inside.
"Fire! Fire!"
"Assassins! Protect the lord!"
The governor's office was thrown into chaos.
The guards rushed toward the explosion site, only to find raging fire and a chaotic crowd.
Yang Yan was escorted by his guards as he rushed out of the bedroom. His face turned ashen as he looked at the three flames.
"My lord, it's a thunderbolt!" Li Jin, a trusted aide, exclaimed in a trembling voice. "The same kind that Zhao Muyun used in Youzhou!"
Yang Yan gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his face grim.
This is not a natural disaster, but a man-made one.
Moreover, it happened on the very night he sent Pang Qing to Xijing for peace talks.
Zhao Muyun was telling him in the most direct way: peace talks are possible, but don't try anything funny.
I can blow up your granary, stables, and armory, so I can blow up your bedroom.
"Investigate!" Yang Yan squeezed out the word through gritted teeth. "Search the entire city, dig three feet into the ground, find the assassin!"
But he knew in his heart that he couldn't find it.
Since the night watchman dared to make a move, he must be confident that he could escape unscathed.
This bombing destroyed not only the grain, fodder, and horses, but also Yang Yan's good fortune and the confidence of the people and soldiers of Jiannan.
Li Jin stood behind him and whispered, "My lord, it seems that Zhao Muyun... doesn't want to give us too much time."
Yang Yan did not answer.
He gazed at the towering flames, his eyes reflecting both the flickering fire and his deep weariness.
Chengdu was sleepless that night.
Meanwhile, Shen Qian and his men were already on their way to their next stronghold.
He knew that the thunder was just the beginning.
More "surprises" await Yang Yan.
......
Xijing City, the Hall of Prince Jin.
As dawn broke, Yinji was already handling military affairs in the main hall.
The desk was piled high with documents: battle reports from Longyou, movements in Jiannan, scouting reports from Luoyang, grain and fodder dispatches...
He rubbed his tired eyes, picked up the tea that had long since gone cold, and took a sip.
At twenty-five years old, he has grown rapidly in the past six months.
Before leaving, Zhao Muyun entrusted Xijing to him, Pei Lun, Fan Nan, and others. On the surface, it was for training, but in reality, it was a heavy responsibility.
"Your Highness, it's time for breakfast," a maidservant gently reminded him.
Yinji waved his hand: "Wait a little longer. Has Minister Pei arrived yet?"
"They are already waiting in the side hall."
Yinji got up and walked towards the side hall.
Pei Lun was standing by the window, his brows furrowed, holding a secret letter in his hand.
"Minister Pei, what has happened?"
Pei Lun turned around and handed over the letter: "Just received an urgent report from Jiannan. Yang Yan has suddenly dispatched an envoy, who is expected to arrive in Xijing in three days."
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