"But Brother Ma, tell me, how do you plan to fight this battle?"
With the ruler and his ministers united, they rediscovered the feeling of being old brothers. Li Jingang regained his heroic demeanor and then asked.
"Your Majesty, I have three strategies that can turn the tide."
"speak."
"First, General Li Biao's 50,000 elite troops from Shandong should arrive in the capital immediately. Li Biao's troops are His Majesty's old forces from Xia Prefecture, and they are the strongest in terms of combat power."
"Secondly, I order General Li Bao to break through the blockade of Ye City at all costs and cross the river to provide reinforcements. Li Bao has 50,000 troops under his command, most of whom are brave warriors from the Central Plains and have the strongest fighting spirit."
"Third..." A cold glint flashed in Ma Zongliang's eyes, "I intend to choose the battlefield outside the capital and take the initiative to fight Zhao Muyun in open field!"
Li Jingang slowly sat up straight: "Field battle? Zhao Muyun has formed a defensive triangle in Luyang and Dengzhou, slowly encroaching on the capital, intending to turn the capital into an isolated island. Moreover, he also has heavy cavalry and Mo Dao battalions, as well as weapons like the Zhentian Thunder."
"Your Majesty, his heavy cavalry and Mo Dao battalion are still on their way back. We must seize the initiative!"
"Li Biao commands 50,000 troops, Li Bao commands 50,000 troops, the Imperial Guards of the capital commands 50,000 troops, and troops that can be mobilized from surrounding prefectures and counties, totaling 200,000!"
Ma Zongliang raised his voice, "We have superior troop strength! Moreover, our army is backed by the Heluo region and has ample supplies; Zhao Muyun has a long supply line. As long as we win a battle and blunt their morale, those who are watching from the sidelines will not dare to act rashly!"
These words were like a shot of adrenaline, reigniting the light in Li Jingang's eyes.
He abruptly stood up: "Very well! I grant it! Ma Zongliang, listen to my decree—"
"Your subject is here!"
"I hereby appoint you as the Grand Marshal of all the armies under Heaven, overseeing all troops in the capital and surrounding areas! All generals under Li Biao and Li Bao shall be at your command! I hereby bestow upon you the Imperial Sword; those who disobey will be executed first and reported later!"
"Your Majesty, I obey! I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust!"
......
On the first day of the fourth lunar month, the grass grows and the orioles fly.
Thirty li south of Ye City lies the ferry crossing on the great river.
Li Bao stood on the high slope of the riverbank, looking at the continuous Yin army camps on the opposite bank, his face ashen.
Fifty thousand soldiers stood solemnly behind him, but each of them looked exhausted—they had been blocked by Xiong Dayong for more than a month, their supplies were running out, and their morale was low.
"General, a scout reports that Xiong Dayong's main force is moving northwest, seemingly heading back to Hedong," the military advisor whispered. "The garrison at the ferry crossing has less than five thousand men left..."
A cold glint flashed in Li Bao's eyes: "A good opportunity! Order the entire army to cross the river immediately!"
"General, isn't this too hasty? What if it's a trap..."
"Even if it's a trap, we have to cross!" Li Bao gritted his teeth. "His Majesty's decree has arrived, ordering us to return to the capital. If we don't leave now, we'll truly be an isolated army!"
He looked north, a look of pain flashing in his eyes.
When the news of Li Sheng's defeat and suicide arrived three days ago, he vomited blood and fainted on the spot.
The first thing he said after waking up was, "Han Zhong... Xiong Dayong... I will kill you all to avenge my father!"
But reality is cruel.
Xiong Dayong occupied the key passage to Xiangzhou and built fortifications against the mountains. A direct assault would result in heavy casualties.
After a stalemate lasting over a month, not only did they fail to break through, but they also suffered heavy losses.
Until yesterday, an advisor offered a plan: "Xiong Da is extremely protective of his men and lives. General, you can feign a full-scale attack, making it seem like a desperate gamble. He will surely be unwilling to fight to the death and will open a gap..."
Li Bao followed the plan, and it worked.
Seeing Li Bao's fierce offensive, Xiong Dayong worried about heavy casualties and indeed transferred the main force elsewhere, leaving only a small number of troops to monitor the situation.
"Cross the river!" Li Bao brandished his longsword.
Fifty thousand soldiers surged toward the ferry like a tidal wave.
When there weren't enough ferries, they used rafts, and some people even swam across while holding onto logs.
When the Yin army commander on the opposite bank saw the Feng army coming in a fierce manner, he put up a little resistance and then retreated. Xiong Dayong had already given instructions: there was no need to defend to the death, let them pass.
Two hours later, Li Bao's entire army crossed the Yellow River.
He reined in his horse and looked back at the opposite bank, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
This crossing meant completely abandoning Hebei, and also meant forging a deadly feud with Xiong Dayong and Han Zhong.
But I couldn't worry about that now.
His Majesty's edict was sternly worded: "If you do not arrive in Luoyang within three days, you will be punished for treason."
His father had already died for his country, and he could not allow the Li family to be disgraced any further.
"General, a messenger has arrived from the direction of the capital!" a personal guard reported.
The messenger was a trusted captain of Ma Zongliang, who presented a secret letter and a military tally.
The letter reads: "General Li is a man of great righteousness who crossed the river to come to the rescue, which pleases His Majesty. He is now granted the title of General Who Pacifies the North, and his troops are now under the command of his commander. I hope that the General will quickly set up camp thirty miles west of the capital to discuss strategies for defeating the enemy."
Li Bao accepted the military tally, remained silent for a long time, and finally knelt on one knee: "This humble general Li Bao will obey the orders of the Grand Marshal!"
He knew what relinquishing military power meant.
But at this moment, only by uniting as one can we have a glimmer of hope.
At the same time, on the official road from Qingzhou to the capital, Li Biao was leading 50,000 elite troops on a rapid march.
He was about thirty years old, with a face like a red date, a broad back and a thick waist. He was also Li Jingang's nephew and a fierce general.
He was always at the forefront of the attack on Luzhou in Hedong, which was under the control of the Great Yin Dynasty, and when he resisted the Tartar attack in Weizhou.
He was strict in disciplining his troops, and his 50,000 elite soldiers were well-equipped and well-trained, making them a major trump card of Fengchao.
"General, the capital is just ahead," the deputy general said.
Li Biao reined in his horse and looked into the distance; the city walls of the capital were already faintly visible.
His heart was heavy—he had left Shandong to join the war, and if he failed in this battle, Fengchao would have no way out.
But the imperial decree had already been issued, and he had no other choice.
"Send word to set up camp twenty li east of the city. You will come with me to see Marshal Ma."
"General, Ma Zongliang, he..." The deputy general hesitated before speaking.
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