Upon entering the residence of the military governor of Longyou, Wu Shangzhi, without taking a break, immediately convened a military meeting.
Immediately, someone who had enlisted spread out a military map.
“The Northern Di vanguard suffered a setback, but the main force still has more than 50,000 troops, and its strength remains.” He pointed to the map. “According to intelligence reports, the three Northern Di forces have joined together and retreated to ‘Wild Horse Beach’, a hundred miles north of Baiting Pass. There, the water and grass are abundant, and the terrain is open, making it suitable for the cavalry to rest.”
Zhang Zan frowned: "Three hundred li north of Yematan is the border of the Northern Di. Are they retreating back to the grasslands?"
“Not necessarily,” Guo Luo analyzed. “The Northern Di suffered heavy losses in this southward campaign. If they retreat now, Wuhan’s position as heir apparent will be in jeopardy. He may regroup at Yematan and then either march south again or change course elsewhere.”
Where to turn?
“The Western Regions,” Wu Shangzhi said in a deep voice. “Four hundred li west of Yematan is Yumen Pass. Beyond Yumen Pass are the kingdoms of the Western Regions. If the Northern Barbarians cannot take Longyou, they may turn to plundering the Western Regions to make up for their losses through military achievements.”
Everyone looked solemn.
The kingdoms of the Western Regions nominally submitted to the Great Yin, but in reality, they were autonomous.
If the Northern Barbarians invade the Western Regions, the various kingdoms will be powerless to resist, and countless lives will be lost.
More importantly, the Western Regions were a vital source of fine horses, jade, and spices. If they fell under the control of the Northern Barbarians, it would be extremely detrimental to the Great Yin Dynasty.
"The Grand Commander's order states: If the situation permits, we may pursue the defeated enemy into the Western Regions and restore the Great Yin's rule in the Western Regions."
Wu Shangzhi looked around at his generals and said, "I believe now is the time."
Zhang Zan was startled: "General Wu is going to launch a distant expedition to the Western Regions?"
"It's not an expedition, it's an expulsion."
Wu Shangzhi said, "The defeated Northern Di army still numbers over 30,000. If we allow them to flee into the Western Regions, they will surely become a disaster. Our army, riding the momentum of our great victory, will pursue them into the Western Regions. This will not only annihilate the remaining enemy forces but also intimidate other countries and rebuild the authority of the Great Yin."
He paused for a moment, then continued, “Moreover, the Grand Commander needs warhorses and supplies from the Western Regions. If we can control the trade routes, our military's financial resources will increase significantly, which will be crucial for the future restoration of the Great Yin.”
One general worried, "General Kewu, your reinforcements number only 15,000, and even with the garrison in Liangzhou, it's less than 25,000. A long expedition to the Western Regions will be extremely difficult logistically!"
“Therefore we must act quickly,” Wu Shangzhi said resolutely. “We must eliminate the remnants of the Northern Di within a month, stabilize the situation in the Western Regions within two months, and then return to the capital swiftly.”
He looked at Zhang Zan and said, "As for logistics, I'll leave that to Governor Zhang and all the other officials."
The military meeting continued late into the night.
The final decision was: Zhang Zan would leave 8,000 Liangzhou troops to guard against a possible surprise attack by the Northern Di; Wu Shangzhi would lead 15,000 Western Expeditionary troops to pursue the Northern Di into the Western Regions.
At the same time, orders were sent to the garrison troops in Suzhou and Guazhou to strengthen their defenses and ensure logistical support.
The expedition is scheduled to begin in three days.
That night, Wu Shangzhi wrote a battle report to Zhao Muyun, detailing the great victory at Broken Heart Valley and the decision to launch a western expedition to the Western Regions.
At the end of the letter, he wrote:
"Grand Commander, I know this mission is perilous, but the opportunity must not be missed. The Northern Barbarians have just suffered a defeat and their morale is low; the Western Regions are in awe of our power and cherish our virtue."
"If this battle is successful, Longyou will be forever at peace, the Western Regions will be won over, and our army will have a source of fine horses and a foundation of financial resources. Even if there are countless dangers, this humble general is willing to go."
"I only hope that the Grand Commander will take good care of himself and await my triumphant return."
The messenger set off overnight, delivering the message to Xijing by express courier.
What Wu Shangzhi didn't know was that Xijing at this moment was no longer the Xijing he left behind.
A covert war, even more dangerous than the Longyou battlefield, is quietly unfolding in that ancient city.
......
Chengdu, the Jiannan Military Governor's Residence.
In July, Sichuan is hot and humid.
The banana leaves in the courtyard drooped listlessly, and the cicadas' chirping was so noisy it was irritating.
Yang Yan sat in his study, playing with a warm, smooth jade pendant in his hand—a gift he had personally given to Yang Chao on his fifteenth birthday.
“Chao’er…” he murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with pain and struggle.
Half a month has passed since he received that secret letter, and the three groups of spies he sent out still have no definite news.
The Xijing authorities remained tight-lipped, and there were only two versions of Yang Chao's whereabouts: one was that he was treated with courtesy by Zhao Muyun and participated in military affairs; the other was that he was secretly imprisoned and his fate was unknown.
Pang Qing tiptoed into the study and, seeing Yang Yan looking dazed, coughed lightly, "My lord."
Yang Yan snapped out of his reverie and put the jade pendant into his pocket: "Any news?"
"Not yet," Pang Qing shook his head. "But military intelligence has come from the direction of Xijing. Zhao Muyun's main force is on a westward expedition to Longyou, where they are engaged in a major battle with the Right Wise King of the Northern Di. It is said that they ambushed the Northern Di vanguard of 5,000 at Broken Heart Valley."
Yang Yan's pupils contracted: "So fast?"
“Yes. The commander of the troops is Zhao Muyun, an old man from the beacon tower. He is ruthless in his tactics, and the new firearms are incredibly powerful.” Pang Qing said in a low voice, “What’s even more puzzling is that the night before, a fire suddenly broke out in the Right Wise King’s army, causing considerable chaos.”
Yang Yan sneered: "This inexplicable fire has given Zhao Muyun an opportunity."
He stood up and walked to the window: "If Zhao Muyun quickly resolves the war in Longyou, Li Jingang will have no opportunity to take advantage. At that time, his next target will be..."
“It must be Jiannan,” Pang Qing continued. “Therefore, my lord, we must make a decision as soon as possible. Should we ally with Li against Zhao, or…”
"Or surrender to Zhao?" Yang Yan turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife.
Pang Qing bowed: "Your subordinate dares not. It's just that the situation is pressing, and we need to weigh the pros and cons. Jiannan is strategically located and can hold out for a better price, but now that Young Master Yang Chao is in Xijing, this has become a variable."
Yang Yan's expression darkened when Yang Chao was mentioned.
If Yang Chaozhen has already surrendered to Zhao, then Zhao Muyun will have a thorough understanding of Jiannan's true strength and weaknesses.
The thirteen prefectures of Jiannan appear to be a unified whole, but in reality, undercurrents are surging.
Many generals outwardly comply but inwardly defy orders; if there are also internal collaborators…
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