Yin Ji composed himself and spoke first: "Yang Chao's surprise attack was extremely swift, catching our army off guard and causing heavy casualties."
"According to preliminary counts, more than 2,000 soldiers defending the city were killed in action, and more than 3,000 were wounded, of whom nearly 1,000 were seriously wounded."
"General Wu arrived in time to provide reinforcements, defeating Yang Chao's vanguard and pursuing them for twenty miles. Yang Chao's remaining troops retreated to the foot of Qishan Mountain and set up camp. It is estimated that they still have four or five thousand troops, but their morale is low and they should be unable to launch another attack in the short term."
Wu Shangzhi replied, "This subordinate has properly deployed his more than 8,000 men, with heavy cavalry and Mo Dao battalion positioned behind the barbican and main city gates, and light cavalry taking turns patrolling."
"Food and arrows are being replenished at an accelerated pace, but firearms are almost exhausted, with only a small amount of fuel oil remaining."
Wang Tiezhu added intelligence: "The latest intelligence from the night scouts indicates that Yang Yan's 30,000-strong army in Wannian quietly broke camp last night, and their whereabouts are unknown."
"Zhang Tao and Gao Min attacked Yang Chao's camp this morning but encountered slight resistance. After seeing the banners and drums on the walls of Wannian City, they suspected an ambush and retreated. They are currently still encamped in the original location southeast of Wannian, seemingly observing the situation."
Pei Lun stroked his beard, his face filled with worry: "Your Highness, Grand Commander, although the morale of the people in the city has temporarily stabilized, panic still lingers. Although we have enough food and fodder to last for two months, there are many wounded and medicines are in short supply."
Fan Nan also said, "Spring plowing is imminent, and many fields outside the city are abandoned. Staying here for a long time is probably not a good strategy."
A stream of information flooded into Zhao Muyun's mind.
Xijing suffered heavy casualties and was severely weakened; Yang Chao was defeated but not annihilated, and Yang Yan's whereabouts remain a mystery; Zhang Tao and Gao Min's 30,000-strong allied army is eyeing the city covetously; there are many hidden dangers within the city; further away, the pressure on Daizhou, Luzhou, and Longmen Pass has not lessened.
The situation remains precarious, and is even more complex than before.
Zhao Muyun was silent for a moment, then slowly moved his finger across the map: "Yang Yan abandoned the Wannian Camp, neither heading west to join Yang Chao nor holding his ground... Where did he go?"
His finger slid southward, "The Meridian Road, back to Jiannan?"
Pei Lun nodded: "I also think so. If he returns to Jiannan, although the threat to our Xijing will be greatly reduced in the short term, the consequences will be endless. He will take advantage of us whenever he sees an opportunity."
Fan Nan's insight was even sharper: "The wolves in the western Tubo tribes of Jiannan still harbor their ambitions. If Yang Yan tries to lure them with benefits, they cannot be ignored."
“Yang Yan has retreated to Jiannan, and we probably won’t be able to catch up! He will definitely make Yang Chao retreat to Jiannan as well.”
Zhao Muyun nodded and looked towards Qishan in the west. "But Yang Chao's troops are the elite of the Yang family. They are exhausted and easily frightened. We can't let them return to Jiannan so easily."
"Wu Shangzhi!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I hereby order you to lead four thousand light cavalry from the Murong, Wuhuan, and Qiangrong tribes, and set off at dawn tomorrow. There is no need for a direct attack; do your best to annihilate Yang Chao's forces."
"Yes, sir!"
Wu Shangzhi accepted the order.
"yes!"
"Tang Yanhai, send out the entire scout battalion to track down the exact whereabouts of Yang Yan's army."
"At the same time, the night watchmen are closely monitoring the movements of Zhang Tao and Gao Min's allied forces, as well as the latest military intelligence in Hedong and Longmenguan. I need to know what Li Jingang's next move will be."
Tang Yanhai and Wang Tiezhu solemnly replied, "Understood!"
Zhao Muyun finally looked at Yinji, Pei Lun, Fan Nan, and Zhou Hong: "Your Highness, Lord Pei, Lord Fan, and Lord Zhou, I entrust the city's administration, grain distribution, and the pacification of the people to the three of you."
"Pay special attention to His Majesty's side, and send more reliable people to ensure that no more trouble occurs."
"For external audiences... we can appropriately publicize Yang Chao's atrocities during the siege, as well as the fact that our army fought bravely to defend the city, that reinforcements arrived in time, and that we finally repelled the powerful enemy, in order to set the record straight and unite the people."
Everyone responded in unison and went off to carry out their orders.
When Zhao Muyun arrived at his residence, Huan Naxue and Yin Yao were already asleep, while Bai Ruolan, heavily pregnant, was still waiting for his return.
Upon seeing Zhao Muyun return to the manor, Bai Ruolan prepared to have someone wake Huan and Yinyao, but Zhao Muyun stopped her.
Bai Ruolan walked to Zhao Muyun's side, looked at the deep weariness hidden between his brows, and said softly, "Husband, you have been traveling for so long, rest for a while."
Zhao Muyun shook his head and took her hand: "I'm fine. But you, why aren't you asleep yet?"
“The doctor said that moving around more would help with childbirth.” Bai Ruolan shook her head, but her eyes welled up with tears. “It’s just that… so many soldiers died, and the people were also greatly frightened. I… I almost thought that Xijing couldn’t be defended.”
Zhao Muyun gently pulled her into his arms, his voice low but firm: "We held on. Xijing held on. War inevitably brings death and injury. What I can do is make their sacrifices worthwhile, and ensure that those who survive will never have to experience such war again."
Bai Ruolan nestled against his chest, feeling the reassuring calmness and strength within him. The fear and exhaustion of the past few days seemed to find an outlet.
But she quickly raised her head, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and suddenly thought of something: "Husband, I don't want Chunxiang to serve you tonight. This girl has been married to me for a year and has always been virtuous."
Zhao Muyun was taken aback, then shook her head: "Make arrangements for your maid and Yao'er's maid, find them good families!"
"The three of you are enough for me!"
"Moreover, the Great Yin is currently in its most difficult time. How can I, as the commander-in-chief, only know how to enjoy myself?"
Hearing Zhao Muyun say this, Bai Ruolan felt a little guilty and then said, "Husband, please don't let Miss Fan Bingbing go to such a dangerous place as Xijing, okay?"
Zhao Muyun frowned: "Did she contact you on her own initiative?"
"Husband, you've misunderstood. She has feelings for you. How could I not see it? Back when you led people to rescue her from Xiazhou..." Bai Ruolan hurriedly explained.
"Let's talk about that later! You should get some rest. I'm going back to the Marshal's Mansion!" Zhao Muyun left without looking back. Bai Ruolan stood there, stunned, and tears suddenly streamed down her face, looking aggrieved.
...
Zhao Muyun arrived at the Marshal's Mansion, only to find that Yinji was still there.
"Master? Why aren't you with your wife and the others?"
"They've all gone to sleep, and I didn't want to disturb them, so I came back here to make do. Why aren't you resting either?"
"Master, I can't sleep!"
"Then let's talk!"
Zhao Muyun walked to the window, gazing at the deep night outside and the scattered lights of the city, and slowly said:
"I know what you're worried about. Our situation may seem passive, but it has actually turned around."
"With Yang Yan gone, the pressure has eased considerably. Zhang Tao and Gao Min are newcomers, unsure of the situation, and suspicious, so they dare not act rashly in the short term. The real priorities are Hedong and Longmen Pass!"
"Yes! Master, I'm worried about whether General Han and General Xiao can hold out! Li Jingang has mobilized troops from Youzhou, Xiangzhou, and Weizhou to put pressure on Hedong, but Hedong only has tens of thousands of troops."
Zhao Muyun smiled slightly: "You have to trust Lao Han and Xiao Cheyun. Hedong has the upper hand, and Li Jingang is attacking from above, so he won't gain much advantage."
"That being said, but..."
Before Yinji could finish speaking, Li Si, the guard in charge, suddenly called out from outside:
"Your Highness, Grand Commander, Lord Shen has urgent business to discuss with us!"
What?
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