"How is the situation on the Northern Barbarian side?"
Li Jingang suddenly asked.
Cui Mian hurriedly said, "According to reports from our sources in the Northern Barbarians, the Right Wise King Wuhan has mobilized 30,000 troops from his own forces, 20,000 from the Xiutu King's forces, and 15,000 from the Loufan King's forces for this southward campaign, making it a formidable force."
"However, the Left Wise King Wuzhu was at odds with him and secretly hindered him, so the morale of the Northern Di army was not unified."
"Oh?" Li Jingang raised an eyebrow. "How will Wuzhu restrain me?"
"Specific details are unclear, but it seems they are secretly delaying supplies and misleading intelligence. The Northern Di Chanyu is old, and his sons are vying for the throne, resulting in fierce internal strife."
Li Jingang smiled and said, "If that's the case, Zhao Muyun's western expeditionary force will have a much greater chance of winning. If he quickly defeats the Northern Barbarians and turns back east, our army will miss a golden opportunity."
He stood up, walked to the huge map hanging in the hall, and gazed at the three places: Xijing, Longmen Pass, and Wuguan Road.
"Zhao Muyun dared to launch a western expedition; he must have something to rely on. What is his reliance?"
Li Jingang asked and answered himself, "First, the advantage of firearms; second, the danger of the passes; and third... he calculated that I would hesitate."
Feng Liang nodded: "Your Majesty is wise. Zhao Muyun is a man who enjoys taking risks and is good at using surprise attacks. He dared to move his main force westward because he was certain that our army would not dare to move lightly, or even if it did, he had a countermeasure."
"Then let him miscalculate." Li Jingang turned around, a decisive glint in his eyes. "Li Hu, listen to my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I hereby appoint you as the Marshal of the Western Expedition, leading an army of 100,000 to launch a strong attack on Longmen Pass. I do not require you to quickly capture Xijing, but you must keep most of Zhao Muyun's main force firmly tied down at the Longmen Pass line."
Li Hu knelt on one knee: "This subordinate obeys the order!"
"Niu Desheng!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Go to Henan and order Zhang Tao and Gao Min's troops to make a move to attack Xijing directly."
"But remember, there is no need for a full-scale attack. Just make a show of force, pretend to be attacking the city, and force the defenders in Xijing City not to come out to reinforce Longmen Pass."
Niu Desheng hesitated: "Your Majesty, what if the garrison of Xijing realizes that our attack is a feint..."
“Then let’s really fight,” Li Jingang said coldly. “If there’s an opportunity, we should take Xijing. But the primary task is to contain them, not to launch a full-scale attack. Zhang Tao is familiar with the terrain and should know how to deploy troops.”
"Understood, sir!"
Li Jingang walked back to Long An and sat down: "Cui Mian, you are in charge of coordinating the provisions and weapons to ensure the supply of the Western Expeditionary Army."
He paused, then looked at everyone: "The key to this battle lies in time. We must make decisive progress before Zhao Muyun defeats the Northern Di."
"If he can quickly return to his base, our army will switch to a defensive posture; if he is held back by the Northern Barbarians, or both sides are severely injured, then the interior will be mine."
"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers exclaimed in unison.
Li Jingang waved his hand: "Go and prepare. The army will set off in three days."
After everyone withdrew, only Li Jingang and Feng Liang remained in the hall.
"Prime Minister Feng, what are your chances of winning this battle?" Li Jingang suddenly asked.
Feng Liang pondered, "If everything goes smoothly, we have a 70% chance. But this old minister is worried about two things: First, what is the true strength of Zhao Muyun's western expeditionary force? If he can truly defeat the Northern Barbarians quickly, our eastern and western armies will be in danger;"
"Secondly, there is the attitude of Yang Yan from Jiannan. If he takes advantage of the situation and goes north to share the spoils, the situation will become even more complicated."
Li Jingang nodded: "Keep a close eye on his movements, but he shouldn't have much of an impact."
"This old minister will take care of it immediately."
After Feng Liang left, Li Jingang sat alone in the hall, staring at the map in a daze.
He and Zhao Muyun will eventually have a showdown.
I just didn't expect this battle to come so quickly and so suddenly.
"Zhao Muyun, Zhao Muyun, it's been half a year. I see you've improved quite a bit?" Li Jingang muttered to himself.
......
At the same time, in the Imperial Palace of Xijing City.
Yin Zhao was sitting in the Imperial Study when Cao Chunfeng, the eunuch who had always followed him, rushed over and whispered something in his ear.
real?
Yin Zhao's face showed excitement.
Since the last time he took advantage of Zhao Muyun's absence, he stirred up trouble by stirring up trouble between Yin Ji and Zhao Muyun.
However, Yinji remained unmoved, which greatly disappointed him.
Now, it seems that another opportunity has arisen.
"Your Majesty," another eunuch entered, "Mr. Qu has arrived."
"Please come in quickly."
A middle-aged man dressed in a blue scholar's robe entered the study.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Mr. Qu bowed respectfully, his demeanor composed.
"Mr. Qu, you needn't stand on ceremony," Yin Zhao said urgently. "Do you know that Zhao Muyun's main force has already launched a western expedition?"
Mr. Qu nodded: "I am aware of this. Not only is there a western expedition, but Li Jingang has also mobilized troops to prepare for a pincer attack on Xijing. A great battle is imminent."
"Then what you said earlier, sir..." Yin Zhao lowered his voice, "...is the time ripe to contact and bribe the ministers in the court who are dissatisfied with Zhao Muyun?"
Qu Zhuang smiled: "It's the perfect time. Although Zhao Muyun is temporarily stationed in Xijing, he may go to Longmen Pass or Hedong."
"Although Yinji is capable, he is still young. The powerful families in Guanzhong are outwardly submissive, but inwardly they are resentful. As long as Your Majesty raises your voice, there will surely be people who respond."
Yin Zhao's eyes lit up with hope: "Sir, you already have a concrete plan?"
"Yes." Qu Zhuang took out a list from his sleeve. "This is a list of thirty-seven court officials that I have bribed and won over in the past six months. Two of them are from the Six Ministries, and the rest are mid-level officials. Three of the palace guards have already pledged their allegiance to Your Majesty."
Yin Zhao took the list and became increasingly shocked as he read it.
He never expected that Qu Zhuang, through his secret efforts, had already amassed such power.
Are these people...reliable?
“Reliable,” Qu Zhuang said confidently. “I have leverage over them, and I may use high rewards or threaten their families. They have no way out but to be loyal to Your Majesty.”
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