That night, Wu Shangzhi convened a military meeting at the Guannei Jiedushi Mansion.
"The three generals, each report on the situation of your respective units."
Han Fang began by saying, "The troops I command from Hedong number ten thousand, all of them elite soldiers who have fought countless battles. Among them are three thousand cavalry and seven thousand infantry. They carry ten divine cannons, five hundred barrels of fire oil, and enough provisions for half a month."
Li Mao continued: "Yunzhou has 5,000 cavalry, each with two horses, making them highly mobile. However, they lack siege equipment, are good at field battles, but not at siege warfare."
Liu Qi concluded: "The Jingxiang army numbers 10,000, half infantry and half cavalry. They are fully equipped with siege weaponry: 100 siege ladders, 20 battering rams, and 30 catapults. However... they have not been in battle for a long time, and their combat strength may not be as good as our friendly forces."
Wu Shangzhi nodded, understanding the situation.
He pointed to the map: "Our army will depart tomorrow, heading south via Wuguan Road. We expect to reach Dengzhou in five days. The entire route is under our control, so there is no need for combat. We can march at full speed."
He looked at the three men and said, “General Han, your Hedong Army will be the vanguard, clearing roads through mountains and building bridges over rivers.”
"Yes, sir!"
"General Li, the Yunzhou cavalry are flanking cavalry responsible for reconnaissance and guard duty."
"Understood!"
"General Liu, the Jingxiang Army is the main force of the central army, guarding the grain and supplies."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
After making the arrangements, Wu Shangzhi said, "I have 25,000 men under my command, of which 5,000 are Tangut cavalry. General Li of Mozang."
Mei Zang E Pang stepped forward: "Your subordinate is here!"
"The Tangut battalion served as the rear guard and was also responsible for picking up stray soldiers to ensure that no one was lost in the entire army."
"yes!"
The military meeting continued until midnight.
After the generals had left, Wu Shangzhi stood alone on the gate tower, looking towards the southeast.
General, we will meet tomorrow.
"General, it's late, you should rest," the guard reminded him.
Wu Shangzhi shook his head: "I can't sleep. Go and call Meicang Epang here."
Before long, Mozang Epang rushed over: "What are your orders, General?"
"Come for a walk with me."
The two walked slowly along the gate wall.
The night sky was dotted with stars, and the campfires inside the pass blazed like daytime.
"Are you nervous about not being able to hide E'pang?" Wu Shangzhi suddenly asked.
Mei Zang E Pang nodded honestly: "A little. I've never seen such a big scene before..."
"I'm nervous too," Wu Shangzhi laughed. "Sixty thousand troops, a thousand-mile raid, heading straight for the heart of the enemy... If we win this battle, the world will be at peace. If we lose..."
He didn't continue.
After a moment of silence, Mo Zang E Pang suddenly said, "General, I have a question."
"explain."
"What kind of person is the Great General?"
Wu Shangzhi looked eastward, his eyes flashing with reverence: "The Great General... he is the kind of person who, as long as you stand beside him, makes you feel that there is nothing difficult in the world."
He paused for a moment: "Two years ago, the General and we were just ordinary soldiers at Yanqingdun Beacon Tower in Shuozhou. Now, he is a General, and I have become a commander-in-chief."
"We've followed the General for the past two years and have never lost a battle. We started with ten men and have grown to one hundred thousand!"
"The Tartars invaded many times, Li Jingang swept through the Three Qin regions, and the Great Yin Dynasty was in turmoil. It was the General who led us from the small state of Shuozhou to the present-day Hedong, Guannei, Longyou, and even the Western Regions!"
Mei Zang E Pang was deeply moved by what he heard.
“So you don’t need to be nervous.” Wu Shangzhi patted his shoulder. “Just follow the General and win battles with your eyes closed.”
......
March 26th, dawn.
Sixty thousand troops marched out of Wuguan Pass, surging into the Wuguan Road like a black torrent.
This is a vital passage connecting Guanzhong and Jingxiang. The Longji Mountains stand majestically on both sides, and the road winds along, yet the army marches in an orderly fashion.
Meanwhile.
The night in Dengzhou was as dark as ink, but the general's temporary camp was brightly lit with candles.
Zhao Muyun sat alone at his desk, several confidential reports spread out before him: Tian Qing's great victory at Feihu Ridge in Yunzhou, Han Zhong's capture of Youzhou, Wu Shangzhi's subjugation of the Dangxiang in Hexi...
The reports of good news should have been encouraging, but he frowned slightly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.
"General, it's late." Chen Kai quietly entered and served a cup of ginseng tea.
Zhao Muyun took the teacup but didn't drink it: "Has Wu Shangzhi arrived in Xijing yet?"
"We arrived yesterday. His Majesty has ordered General Wu to rest for three days before leading his troops out of Wuguan to Dengzhou."
Chen Kai said in a low voice, "Accompanying them are Han Fang from Hedong, Li Mao from Yunzhou, and Liu Qi from Jingxiang, totaling 63,000 men."
"Sixty thousand..." A glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes. "Adding the existing troops in Dengzhou, that makes ninety thousand. How many combat-ready soldiers does Li Jingang have left in the capital?"
"The Imperial Guard numbers 50,000, plus the temporarily conscripted able-bodied men and Li Hu's routed troops, the total is estimated to be no more than 100,000. But..."
Chen Kai paused for a moment, then said, “Commander Fan’s latest intelligence indicates that Ma Zongliang is mobilizing troops in Huainan, Jiangdong, and Jiangnan regions.”
"In addition, Li Biao also moved towards the capital from Shandong, with an army of 50,000."
"Li Bao's 50,000 elite troops are tied down in Ye City unless he abandons the entire Hebei region and retreats to the Yellow River."
Zhao Muyun stood up and walked to the window.
The city of Dengzhou was silent in the night, with torches on the distant city towers twinkling like stars.
This city, which he personally conquered, and Luyang, which Zhong Meng occupied, form a strategic triangle. Now, it has become the front line for advancing into the capital and the focus of the struggle between the Great Yin and the Great Feng for control of the Central Plains.
“Hebei…” he murmured. “Li Biao and Li Bao’s troops are Li Jingang’s last resort. If they completely obey Ma Zongliang’s command, it will be a real headache for us.”
He turned around and said, "Chen Kai, you will personally infiltrate the capital and meet with Commander Fan."
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