Just as everyone was speculating, Zhao Muyun suddenly raised her voice: "Zhong Meng!"
"General, please give your orders!" Zhong Meng stepped forward.
“You will lead these five thousand elite troops, flying my banner, north to Luyang, and create the illusion of a feigned attack on Heluo.”
Zhao Muyun pointed out the location on the map, "What Li Jingang fears most right now is that we will take Xijing directly. If you make a move, he will definitely redeploy troops to defend it, and the pressure on other directions will be reduced."
Zhong Meng's eyes lit up: "This subordinate understands!"
"Xiao Cheyun, Yang Chao!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"You shall lead your troops to set up an ambush in Wancheng, northwest of Dengzhou. If Li Hu comes, he will surely pass through Wancheng. You shall wait for him there and take out his vanguard first."
"yes!"
"Zhang Tao."
"Your subordinate is here!"
"You are in charge of defending the city. Fortify the city's defenses, stockpile grain and fodder, and at the same time be vigilant about Liu Song's movements."
"Yes, sir!"
The generals accepted the order and departed.
Only Zhao Muyun remained in the hall.
He walked to the window and looked north.
The snow started falling again, turning the world into a vast expanse of white.
"Xiong Dayong... if you don't move, I'll make you regret it!"
......
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, in Zhao Prefecture, Hebei Province.
Xiong Dayong stood on the city wall, looking at the secret letter in his hand, his expression changing constantly.
The letter was sent by Han Zhong. It was very simple, urging him to take action against Xiangzhou within three days, or all the conditions that Dayin had previously agreed to would be null and void.
"My lord, Zhao Muyun is forcing us to make a statement!" the strategist Guo Huai whispered.
Xiong Dayong gritted his teeth: "Who does he think he is? Does he think I'd risk my life for him just because he gives an order?"
"My lord, please calm down," Guo Huai advised. "Actually... this is also an opportunity."
"Chance?"
“Exactly,” Guo Huai analyzed. “Our scouts have reported that Li Bao has led the majority of his forces south, leaving Xiangzhou vulnerable. Now is the perfect time to start an uprising. Moreover, the rewards promised by Zhao Muyun… are indeed tempting.”
Xiong Da remained silent.
He was certainly tempted.
These are things he has always dreamed of.
But he knew all too well that once the uprising began, there would be no turning back.
“Although Li Bao has gone south, there are still 10,000 troops garrisoned in Xiangzhou, commanded by Deputy General Gao Tong.” Xiong Dayong pondered, “Isn’t this clearly to guard against us? This is a real headache.”
"My lord, please do not be troubled," Guo Huai said. "I have a plan..."
He whispered in Xiong Da's ear, and Xiong Da's eyes gradually lit up.
"Okay! Let's do it this way!"
Late that night, outside Ye County, north of Xiangzhou.
An army of about a thousand men arrived quietly, carrying a banner with the character "奉" (Feng).
The leading general was Xiong Wu, a trusted and beloved general of Xiong Dayong.
"Open the gate! By order of General Li, we are here to reinforce Ye County!" Xiong Wu shouted from below the city.
The city guard peered out and saw that the soldiers were indeed dressed in Fengtian Army uniforms and had command flags and documents. He had no suspicions and ordered the gate to be opened.
As soon as the city gates opened, Xiong Wu suddenly drew his sword: "Kill!"
A thousand elite soldiers rushed in.
Caught off guard, the defending troops lost control of Ye County in less than half an hour.
When the news reached Xiangzhou City, Gao Tong was furious: "That traitor Xiong Dayong! How dare he deceive the city! Order the troops to be assembled, I will personally lead the expedition to Ye County!"
The lieutenant advised, "General, Xiong Dayong's rebellion was probably premeditated. We should immediately report to General Li and garrison the city for defense!"
"To garrison?" Gao Tong's eyes widened. "A mere Xiong Dayong dares to rebel? I'll take five thousand men; that'll be enough to wipe him out!"
Ignoring his deputy's advice, he immediately mustered five thousand soldiers and headed north out of the city.
However, when they reached a valley halfway through the journey, soldiers suddenly appeared on both sides of the hillside.
"Gao Tong! You've fallen into their trap!" Xiong Dayong personally led his troops out to attack.
It turns out that capturing Ye County was just bait; the real purpose was to lure Gao Tong out of the city.
After Gao Tong left the city, another army quietly approached Xiangzhou...
......
Ten days later, the news reached Dengzhou.
"Report! Xiong Dayong has captured Ye County, ambushed and defeated Li Bao's general Gao Tong, beheading two thousand! He is currently besieging Xiangzhou City!"
Zhao Muyun smiled upon receiving the battle report.
"Xiong Dayong does have some brains; he certainly didn't disappoint me. Issue an order to immediately petition the court to bestow upon Xiong Dayong the title of Marquis of Zhao and grant him an iron certificate. Tell him that if he can capture Xiangzhou, the dukedom will be immediately granted."
"yes!"
He then looked at the map.
Hebei is in chaos, so Li Bao will certainly not dare to go south again.
Now, only Li Hu of Longmen Pass, Liu Song of Jingxiang, and... the Tartars remain.
"Chen Kai, is there any news from Yunzhou?"
"Yes." Chen Kai's expression was solemn. "The Tartars have already sent 30,000 troops to bypass Yunzhou and head south, aiming for Daizhou and Weizhou. General Tian Qing wants to go out of the city to intercept them."
A cold glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes: "Tell Tian Qing again that there's no need for a direct confrontation. Fight and retreat, and you can lure the Northern Di troops to..."
He pointed to a spot on the map: "Here, Flying Fox Ridge!"
"What does the General mean..." Chen Kai asked.
“Three years ago, we flooded the armies of the King of Loufan and the King of Zhelan here. Later, we set up countless traps and secret passages here specifically to deal with the Northern Di cavalry,” Zhao Muyun said calmly. “Now, it’s time to put them to use.”
"Hebei has already made its move, Yunzhou is prepared, and Jingzhou and Xiangyang are watching and waiting. Now, it's time to deal with Li Hu."
"Li Hu's vanguard must have arrived in Wancheng by now!"
Zhao Muyun remained calm.
On the 25th day of the first lunar month, in Wancheng.
This ancient city, which guards a strategic point between the north and south, is unusually quiet tonight.
The cold wind howled through the crenellations of the city wall, swirling fine snowflakes in the air.
There were no soldiers on the city walls, the city gates were tightly closed, the drawbridge was hanging high, and the whole city looked like it was dead.
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