Having already received the news, Right Army Commander Cao Jun and Deputy Commander Liu Pan, who had been waiting there for a long time, led the civil and military officials of the prefecture and some of the garrison troops to meet them ten miles outside the city.
When Cao Jun and Liu Pan saw Zhao Muyun's army, whose soldiers, though weathered by time, still possessed an imposing and intimidating presence, and the civilians who had followed them from Youzhou, they were moved to tears.
"This humble general, Cao Jun (Liu Pan), respectfully welcomes the Grand Commander's triumphant return!"
The two quickly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, their voices choked with emotion.
Zhao Muyun quickly dismounted and personally helped the two men up: "General Cao, General Liu, please rise! We are all brothers, there is no need for such a grand ceremony."
Cao Jun grasped Zhao Muyun's hand tightly and said excitedly, "Grand Commander! Your deeds in Hebei have already spread throughout Hedong!"
"Having marched hundreds of miles, conquered Youzhou, killed Han Yanshou in battle, and then ambushed and severely wounded Arahan... Such unparalleled achievements are enough to shine for a thousand years! We, your humble generals, are here every day eagerly awaiting your return!"
Liu Pan nodded vigorously: "Yes! I heard that the Grand Commander has beheaded that scoundrel Han Yanshou. It's truly gratifying! Today we have finally avenged ourselves!"
Previously, Han Yanshou had massacred the clansmen of Liu Pan and Cao Jun, creating a deep-seated blood feud.
Upon hearing that Zhao Muyun had killed him, he was naturally extremely excited.
Zhao Muyun comforted him, saying, "The victory in this battle was not achieved by my own efforts, but by the soldiers' bravery and the unity of the entire army. Han Yanshou's head is also a tribute to the heroic spirits of your clansmen."
He paused, then asked, "How is the situation in Hedong during my absence? Is Military Governor Han in Jinyang?"
Cao Jun hurriedly replied, "Reporting to the Grand Commander, the situation in Hedong is stable, with Military Governor Han overseeing the overall situation from Jinyang. However... however, the situation in Yinzhou on the northern front is somewhat unfavorable."
"Oh?" Zhao Muyun frowned slightly. "Tell me more details."
Liu Pan took over the conversation, his tone heavy: "Tufa Wugu led an army of 30,000 to besiege Yinzhou. Generals Tong Gu and Zhong Meng led their troops to defend it to the death. Although they relied on the city's defenses to repeatedly defeat the enemy, they suffered heavy casualties and consumed a lot of supplies. The situation was extremely difficult."
“Governor Tian Qing of Yunzhou is on guard against other tribes on the grasslands and dares not act rashly.”
"We, along with Generals Wang Ben, Zhang Huan, and Xiao Cheyun, each have our own defense zones."
"Governor Han has no troops to spare and can only rely on the two captains, Tong and Zhong, to hold on. He hopes that the situation in Hebei will be settled soon so that he can send troops to support him."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Muyun remained silent for a moment.
His troops also needed rest and recuperation, and after a series of battles in Hebei, the army had suffered significant losses.
However, Yinzhou is the gateway to the northwest of Hexi. If it is lost, the Northern Di cavalry can drive straight in and threaten the heartland of Jinyang.
"Yinzhou... must not be lost."
A resolute glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes. "General Cao, General Liu, the 30,000 people from Youzhou that I brought will be temporarily settled in Daizhou. I would appreciate it if you two could make proper arrangements for them, providing them with land and housing to help them settle down."
"Rest assured, Grand Commander, we'll take care of this!" Cao Jun and Liu Pan readily agreed.
"In addition, our army also needs to rest and recuperate in Daizhou for a period of time, replenish supplies, and treat the wounded."
"Of course! The Daizhou treasury still has some reserves of food and military equipment, which will definitely be given priority to the soldiers under the Grand Commander!"
Zhao Muyun nodded, already having made up her mind.
During the period of rest and recuperation, an elite force could be dispatched to aid Yinzhou.
He looked up to the north, his gaze seemingly piercing through mountains and landing on the city that was holding out in a bloody battle.
Zhao Muyun's army set up camp in Daizhou and began a period of intensive rest and reorganization.
The continuous high-intensity combat and long marches have left this elite force feeling deeply exhausted.
The wounded need medical treatment, the equipment needs repair, the newly recruited soldiers need to be integrated into the unit, and the people brought from Youzhou also need to be properly settled.
The governor of Daizhou, Cao Jun, and the defense commissioner, Liu Pan, did their utmost to cooperate, providing ample food and supplies, and mobilizing local laborers to assist in setting up camp and treating the wounded.
The entire Daizhou was bustling and full of life because of the arrival of this triumphant army.
On the third day after they settled in, a troop of weary cavalry galloped in from the south, bringing news from Jinyang—Han Zhong, the military governor of Hedong, had come in person!
Upon hearing the news, Zhao Muyun immediately sent Tang Yanhai, Wu Shangzhi, and others out of the camp to greet them.
Not long after, Han Zhong, led by Tang Yanhai and Wu Shangzhi, came to see Zhao Muyun.
"Grand Commander!" Han Zhong shouted from a distance, then dismounted and strode over, his face filled with undisguised excitement.
"Haha, Old Han is here!" Zhao Muyun also stood up and greeted him with a smile.
The two held hands tightly and shook them vigorously.
No need for further explanation; everything is understood without words.
Looking at Zhao Muyun's face, still bearing the marks of hardship, and the even more profound light in his eyes after being tempered by blood and fire, Han Zhong was filled with emotion.
"The Grand Commander's trip to Hebei was magnificent and inspiring, greatly uplifting the people of Hedong!" Han Zhong's voice was choked with emotion.
Zhao Muyun smiled faintly and said, "It's all thanks to you, Lao Han, providing logistical support in Hedong that we won so easily! Li Si, get Lao Han a seat. Lao Tang, Xiao Wu, you two sit down and talk too!"
He dismissed everyone around him, leaving only Tang Yanhai and a group of core personnel.
Han Zhong's smile gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"Old Han, I already know about the situation with Tong Gu!" Before Han Zhong could speak, Zhao Muyun glanced at Cao Jun and then spoke.
"As the military governor of Hedong, it is my duty to defend Yinzhou, and I should not be bothering you!" Han Zhong said apologetically, "but I really have no troops at my disposal!"
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