Yinji remained silent for a long time.
He looked at the map, then at Zhao Muyun's resolute face, and finally nodded slowly.
"Since Master has made his decision, I... grant it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhao Muyun bowed, then turned to the crowd, "This plan is top secret. No one except those present must divulge a single word about it. To the outside world, just say that I personally led a large army to reinforce Longmen Pass."
"Minister Pei, you are in charge of allocating grain, provisions and military equipment. Make sure everything is ready within three days."
"Minister Fan, you continue to deal with Pang Qing."
"Minister Zhou, you will be stationed in Xijing to assist His Majesty in handling state affairs."
As orders were issued, the atmosphere inside the Hall of State Affairs was solemn yet orderly.
After everyone had received their orders and left, Yinji left Zhao Muyun behind alone.
"Master, please take good care of yourself on your journey."
The young emperor's eyes were filled with reluctance and worry. "The Great Yin Dynasty can do without me, but it cannot do without its master."
Zhao Muyun felt a warmth in his heart and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind. I will go there to open up a new chapter for Your Majesty and for the Great Yin Dynasty."
He paused, then said in a low voice, "I have made all the arrangements. If anything happens to me, Pei Lun can take charge of military affairs, Fan Nan can manage the court, and although Zhou Hong is conservative and stubborn, he is loyal and can be used."
"Master!" Yinji's eyes reddened slightly. "You'll be alright. I haven't even seen my nephew yet! If anything happens to you, Yao'er won't let me off the hook!"
“Your Majesty is now the ruler of a nation and should have the decisiveness to make decisions.” Zhao Muyun bowed deeply. “Your subject takes his leave.”
Stepping out of the Hall of State Affairs, a cold winter wind hits your face.
Zhao Muyun looked up at the sky; dark clouds covered the sky, as if a snowstorm was about to break.
In chaotic times, like a game of chess, will his move lead to a desperate comeback or total defeat?
The answer lies ahead.
......
Three days later, outside Xijing City.
Banners fluttered in the wind, and the military formation was impeccable.
Zhao Muyun, clad in golden armor and riding the Black Cloud Snow Steed, received the command flag from Yinji under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands of soldiers.
"General, you must be victorious on your journey!" Yinji personally poured wine for Zhao Muyun.
Zhao Muyun took the wine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and then mounted his horse.
"Set off!"
The army of 50,000—in reality, 3,000 Jiannan soldiers plus 20,000 temporarily conscripted able-bodied men—marched eastward in a mighty procession.
People lined the streets to see them off, their cheers deafening.
"With the General personally leading the expedition, Longmen Pass is saved!"
"May the Great Yin Dynasty prosper!"
The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the world.
At Longmen Pass, Lin Feng, covered in blood, learned that reinforcements were coming. His spirits soared, and he personally beat the drum to cheer them on. The morale of the defending troops was high, and they managed to repel another fierce attack by Li Hu.
Meanwhile, in the Fengtian Army camp, Li Hu received a scout's report and sneered repeatedly.
"Zhao Muyun is personally leading 50,000 troops to reinforce us? What a grand display!" He threw the intelligence report on the table. "Pass down the order: intensify the offensive and break through the pass before the reinforcements arrive!"
"General, Zhao Muyun is a brilliant strategist who has never lost a battle. We must be on guard," the military advisor cautiously reminded him.
"What's there to be afraid of?" Li Hu scoffed. "It will take the army at least ten days to march from Xijing to Longmen Pass. Ten days is more than enough time for me to take this pass!"
He looked towards Xijing, his eyes filled with ambition: "Once we break through Longmen Pass, I'll see how Zhao Muyun, with his exhausted troops, can stop my 100,000 elite soldiers!"
Meanwhile, outside Lantian Pass, at the Fengtian Army camp.
Niu Dejin also received the intelligence.
"Zhao Muyun personally rushed to the aid of Longmen Pass?" He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "When did this god of war start acting so conventionally?"
"General, this is a golden opportunity!" the lieutenant exclaimed excitedly. "Zhao Muyun has taken away the main force of Xijing, leaving Guanzhong vulnerable. If we can break through Lantian Pass, we can take Xijing directly!"
Zhang Tao, however, was not so optimistic.
He had been following Zhao Muyun's rise to prominence in Henan ever since.
This person has never lost a battle.
Since he dared to go all out to fight Li Hu at Longmen Pass, Lantian Pass must have already made preparations.
Their 40,000-strong army suffered repeated losses against Xiao Cheyun, who had only 10,000 men, and Gao Min was also taken prisoner.
If we rashly attack Lantian, we'll probably suffer another loss.
Therefore, Zhang Tao advised, "General, I don't think things are that simple. We should be careful!"
"Zhao Muyun is a master of feints. His grand entrance to Longmen Pass might actually be aimed at us!"
"Hahaha, how could that be?" Niu Dejin laughed loudly. "We have Wuguan right behind us; he won't get the upper hand. As far as I know, Xijing doesn't have many troops left!"
"Sending 50,000 men to Longmen Pass at once will drain Xijing dry."
"General, I don't think things are that simple. We should be careful!" Zhang Tao advised earnestly, seeing Niu Dejin's carefree attitude.
"Alright, alright, I know. You don't need to remind me!" Niu Dejin waved his hand.
Zhang Tao sighed inwardly.
However, for three days in a row, the weather remained calm.
The garrison at Lantian Pass remained holed up and did not come out, and there was no unusual activity outside the pass.
Scouts reported that a large army was indeed heading east from the direction of Xijing, with banners stretching for miles, which was definitely not a bluff.
Zhang Tao began to doubt his own judgment.
Did Zhao Muyun really go to Longmen Pass?
"Reconnoiter again!" he ordered. "Especially in the northeast direction of Lantian Pass, send three times the number of scouts!"
......
The seventh day, night.
In a valley eighty miles from Lantian Pass, a force of three thousand men is quietly assembling.
They were equipped with the standard weapons and equipment of the Dayin army: infantry armor, horizontal swords, composite bows, triangular spears, and repeating crossbows.
These are equipment that only the elite troops of the Great Yin Dynasty possess.
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