Xijing, the Imperial Study of the Imperial Palace.
Li Jingang slammed the victory report, delivered by Yang Chao with an urgent 800 courier, to the ground:
"Defeat reinforcements? Regroup? Does Yang Chao think I'm a three-year-old child?"
Niu Desheng picked up the report of victory and examined it carefully: "Your Majesty, please calm down. What Yang Chao said is not entirely unreasonable."
"Zhao Muyun has personally led reinforcements to arrive, and a fierce battle is inevitable. Yang Chao's request for rest is also in order to break through Wannian in one fell swoop."
"Go all out in one go?"
Li Jingang sneered, "His 50,000-strong army fought for almost a month and couldn't even take down a Wannian. Now Zhao Muyun has only brought 1,000 men, and he's already forced them to request a rest. I think he's deliberately preserving his strength, isn't he?"
Ma Zongliang advised, "Your Majesty, although Yang Chao is incompetent, he still commands an army of 50,000. If we push him too hard, something unexpected may happen."
"An unexpected turn of events?" A murderous glint flashed in Li Jingang's eyes. "He dares! Issue an order that Yang Chao must conquer Wannian within three days, or he will be punished according to military law!"
"Furthermore, Zhang Tao, the military governor of Henan Circuit, is ordered to lead 20,000 troops from Wuguan Pass to prepare to take over the defense of Xijing."
Feng Liang exclaimed in alarm: "Your Majesty, this is an attempt to seize Yang Chao's military power! What if he becomes desperate and does something rash..."
"Then wipe him out too!"
Li Jingang slammed his hand on the imperial desk, "I've had enough of these guys who hold military power and act arrogantly! Yang Yan and his nephew Yang Chao are cut from the same cloth."
"Once we take Xijing and destroy the Yin family, I will reorganize the military forces across the land and bring all military power back to the court!"
"Feng Liang, immediately send someone to urge Yang Yan to return. He's been gone for so long and still hasn't reached the capital. What is he planning to do?"
Niu Desheng and Ma Zongliang were immediately indignant.
The two men joined Li Jingang's uprising and enjoyed extraordinary prestige in the army, with a group of old brothers under their command.
If it weren't for the Tartar invasion, they would have suffered a defeat in Xiangzhou, losing not only their troops but also Yang Yan temporarily taking away their military power.
Now that Yang Yan's military power has been taken back, it was thought that the two of them would be able to take command of the troops again, but unexpectedly, they have also lost their military power.
Seeing the uncertain expressions on the two generals' faces, Feng Liang hurriedly and cautiously said, "Your Majesty, shouldn't we wait until we take Xijing before..."
"No!" Li Jingang interrupted him. "Yang Chao is still useful, but he must know what the Great Feng really is! Issue the decree, and make sure it's stern. Let Yang Chao understand that he is not irreplaceable."
"I obey the decree."
The imperial edict was sent out by express courier, traveling 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers
Li Jingang looked at the map again: "Zhao Muyun's appearance in Wannian indicates that Hedong is vulnerable."
"Minister Niu, you will lead 50,000 troops to attack Longmen Pass. Minister Ma, you will lead 30,000 troops to attack Luzhou. Take advantage of Zhao Muyun's absence and seize Hedong in one fell swoop!"
Upon hearing that they were to lead the army, Niu Desheng and Ma Zongliang immediately perked up: "Your subject obeys!"
Feng Liang said, "Your Majesty, Yang Yan is still on his way back to the capital. If we take action against the Yang family now, what if Yang Yan finds out..."
“Then let him never reach Chang’an.” A cold glint flashed in Li Jingang’s eyes. “Minister Feng, I’m entrusting this matter to you. Do it cleanly.”
Feng Liang felt a chill run down his spine, but still bowed and said, "Your subject... obeys the decree."
After the three left the Imperial Study, Feng Liang pulled Niu Desheng and Ma Zongliang aside and asked, "Gentlemen, what do you think of His Majesty's will today?"
Niu Desheng said, "Old Yang's achievements overshadow the emperor's, serving as a cautionary tale for us. Back then, our Four Heavenly Kings were already dead in name only. Listening to His Majesty is the right thing to do!"
Ma Zongliang also said, "We have been friends with His Majesty through thick and thin. Although Yang Yan is also a friend of His Majesty, and even his brother-in-law, he is too arrogant and should not kick someone when they are down."
“His Majesty is now the emperor, not the elder brother he once was. How can Yang Yan be so unreasonable? He deserves it!” Niu Desheng immediately said.
"It's good that the two generals think this way!" Feng Liang smiled, but secretly shook his head in his heart.
Those two roughnecks were truly naive; they had no idea of the dark side of imperial power.
The three exchanged a few pleasantries and then parted ways, each with their own thoughts.
......
Meanwhile, Yang Yan's convoy was resting in Tongguan.
"Grand Steward, a secret message from the capital."
The guards handed over two sealed letters sealed with wax.
Yang Yan saw that one of the letters was from his wife, Li Jingang's sister, and he immediately opened it.
After a quick glance, his face darkened: "His Majesty actually sent his wife to urge me to come to the capital. Is there any need for such a rush?"
For the sake of the greater good of the Feng Dynasty, he resolutely gave up his military power and obeyed the imperial decree to go to the capital to assume the post of Grand Commandant. This was a compromise with Li Jingang.
Is it necessary for my wife to send a letter urging me to hurry up?
Yang Yan opened another letter with a puzzled look. It was written by a trusted confidant he had left in the capital.
The letter detailed recent events: Yang Chao's progress in Xijing Wannian was unsuccessful, but Li Jingang urged Yang Chao to launch a full-scale attack and mobilized 20,000 troops from Zhang Tao, the military governor of Henan Province, to enter Wuguan!
"Your Majesty, I helped you recover Youzhou, drive out the Tartars, and relinquish my military power to enter the capital without a word. Why do you treat me like this?" Yang Yan looked desolate, his heart seemingly broken.
Li Jingang is going to wipe out the Yang family completely!
Yang Chao is the Yang family's only hope.
Li Jin said anxiously, "Grand Steward, what should we do? The Mengjin Ferry is right across the river. Once we cross Mengjin, we'll be in the capital region. At that point, we won't be able to leave even if we wanted to!"
After pondering for a long time, Yang Yan slowly said, "Let's bypass the capital region and find a way to get to Jiannan!"
"Go to Jiannan?" Li Jin was taken aback. "Then... what about Madam?"
"Would His Majesty really kill his own sister?" A resolute glint flashed in Yang Yan's eyes. "Our only hope now lies in Chao'er's troops. I'm going to help him reclaim Xijing!"
"If all else fails, we can occupy Jiannan Road and observe the changes in the world."
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