Chapter 207
Going out to do odd jobs was a secret, and only a small number of people knew about it.
But everyone was excited when they heard Master Yao say that he would send people out to do some small jobs recently. Small jobs? They were good at this.
Because this time the mission is to go deep into the hinterland of Xu and Qing states, the soldiers who carry out the mission must have good physical fitness and flexible reactions, and it is best if they have relevant experience... Even with many requirements and restrictions, the places are still scrambled for by the soldiers in the army.
Third Brother Qi, relying on Qi Yingshan's connections, quietly asked his younger sister-in-law, Yao Chunnuan, "Master Yao, can you tell me a little bit about what we're going to do? Are we going to rob a treasury or a granary?" Did Prince Ruyin have a treasury or a personal secret vault? He should have. He and Marshal Zhu—no, General Zhu—were both powerful figures in their respective regions. How could such powerful figures not have a treasury or a private vault?
"Neither." Prince Ruyin rebelled with his own family wealth, and he did not set up a private treasury. However, when studying the two states of Xu and Qing, Yao Chunnuan discovered a very interesting situation.
"What's that for?"
Yao Chunnuan smiled but said nothing, "You'll know when they return after completing their mission."
While the soldiers were vying for their qualifications, Yao Chunnuan was also busy. After spending two or three days confirming her hypothesis, she consulted with the generals and deduced relevant strategies and tactics.
After constant deduction, overturning and adjustment, we finally determined the final action plan.
There are three parties involved in this operation, so it can be considered a plan within a plan.
After careful consideration, Yao Chunnuan and several important generals in the army decided that Mu Ye and He Qing would each lead a group of troops and act secretly. When they acted, their camp would cooperate to attack Luwei County and Xianlai County.
When the battle plan was issued, the entire military camp was excited.
Previously, Yao Chunnuan's original plan to seize the opportunity and march south to threaten the Sili was altered by the news of the general. He decided to first digest the victory and wait for the general to take control of Jiaozhou. Therefore, his immediate focus was to take over and govern the prefectures and cities he had captured, and most importantly, to appease the people and allow them to work peacefully. Consequently, Yao Chunnuan's 100,000 soldiers, believing that there would be no more fighting and a truce, were bored and bored.
But Yao Chunnuan's plan made them excited again, like chicken blood, woooo~
In Yao Chunnuan's words, they might not fight the imperial court for now, but don't they have another rival nearby? The Prince of Ruyin recently seized two counties that should have belonged to them. Do you hate him?
Hate, how can I not hate!
It’s right to hate it. The main task of our army in the near future is to take back those two counties!
roar!
On a dark and beautiful night, Yao Chunnuan came overnight to see off the soldiers who were going to work.
At this moment, Yao Chunnuan's eyes were slightly bruised, and her usually clear black and white eyes were now a little bloodshot. Her slightly tired face showed her exhaustion from the past few days. There was no other way. The compilation of data, the speculation, and the rebuttal of contradictions were tedious, demanding, and exhausting. This mission was far more difficult than the initial attempt to seize Marshal Zhu's secret vault.
She desperately wanted this operation to succeed, as she had a plan in mind that required the support of these supplies. To achieve that ultimate goal, Yao Chunnuan mobilized every possible force at her disposal. The success or failure of their operation depended on the greater good, on the well-being of tens of millions of people...
With Yao Chunnuan and several other important generals watching, He Qing and Mu Ye each led a team off. He Qing took the elite of the infantry and heavy infantry battalions, while Mu Ye led the elite of the cavalry battalion. Even the hooves of their horses had been specially treated, making very little sound when they stepped on the ground.
He Qing took advantage of the night to look up and identify the direction. The young man's face was full of determination. Finally, he led the group to the left. His mission was top secret. Apart from him and a deputy team leader, no one knew the content of their mission. They only knew that they were to seize something very important.
Xuzhou, Ruyin Palace
To be honest, the news that General Xing Changfeng had killed the leader A'geli upon his first appearance after his disappearance frightened the King of Ruyin. At this time, he really regretted offending the Yichun forces for the sake of the two counties.
Previously, King Ruyin was still unconvinced and was eager to compete with the 100,000 Youzhou troops led by Yao Chunnuan.
Although the military advisor had told him that the soldiers of the Yichun Corps had the best individual quality among the three forces. First of all, their soldiers were very good, the best of the best, the young and strong among the strong. In addition, their food was good and their training was strict, so the army was naturally strong.
Even if the imperial army of 200,000 were to face this 100,000-man army, they wouldn't necessarily be able to defeat them, let alone the Xuzhou troops. Their Xuzhou army, formed only a short time ago, couldn't even match the imperial army, so how could they imagine competing with the Yichun Legion?
King Ruyin had thought before, if he couldn't defeat 100,000 against 100,000, what about 200,000 against 100,000? If that didn't work, he would just use 300,000!
Knowing his thoughts, Sima Xian could only sigh. "Let's not even talk about the distant past. Back then, the imperial court had over a million troops, right? How many were there in the Yichun Legion? And how many were there on both sides now? The Yichun Legion, they're getting stronger with each battle. Are you trying to follow in the imperial court's footsteps?"
The court: It hurts.
The King of Ruyin thought about it and said, "At worst, I can just return the two counties to them."
Sima Xian shook his head and said, "It's easy to invite a god, but hard to send him away." They were the ones who started it, but they had no say in how to end it.
"Then what should I do?" I can't just stand there and get beaten without fighting back, right?
"My Lord, haven't you always wanted to compete with Yichun? Then let's prepare well." It just so happened that he also wanted to fight with Yao Chunnuan. Sima Xian thought to himself, they were both top strategists, so who was better than who?
"Okay!" King Ruyin said quickly. They were all heroes vying for dominance over the world, and he was unwilling to let him avoid their edge and not fight.
King Ruyin thought that he was now a warlord who controlled three states and two counties, and he had the capital to compete.
After the two reached a consensus, Sima Xian said in a deep voice, "Then, we must be prepared to deal with the 100,000 soldiers led by Yao Chunnuan."
Sima Xian put himself in their shoes. He felt that the enemy would definitely use a feint to the east and attack in the west. Overtly, they would definitely attack Luwei and Xianlai Commanderies, because nothing could better demonstrate their strength than reclaiming these two counties in Jizhou that they had stolen. But given Yao Chunnuan's temperament, she would definitely have other plans in the dark.
After Sima Xian finished his speculation, he continued, "Secretly, we must strengthen the defenses of the two large granaries, the weapons depot, and your private vault."
He knew the history of the Yichun Army's rise to power very well. He had studied Yao Chunnuan in particular, especially her achievements, and had imagined what would happen if the two of them really faced off. So, now that they were facing each other, he naturally would not be careless about her.
King Ruyin nodded repeatedly, these important places should indeed be heavily guarded.
"Finally, we must also take precautions at the docks and ports along the coast of Qingzhou and Xuzhou." After saying this, Sima Xian let out a breath. He thought that all the precautions that should be taken had been taken.
"Wait, the Youzhou navy hasn't been active for a long time. Do we still need to be on guard against this?" King Ruyin was puzzled.
Sima Xian explained, "When General Xing Changfeng disappeared, Youzhou was facing a punitive attack from the imperial court, and the Youzhou navy and its large and small ships remained largely untouched. It's easy to guess why. If news of Xing Changfeng's death eventually reached them, these navy and ships would have been used to protect the two hundred thousand soldiers in Jiaozhou."
"Now that Xing Changfeng is fine, the enemy navy can naturally move. Because even if the navy encounters an accident, with Xing Changfeng leading them, they can still cross the land and head north to join the Youzhou army led by Yao Chunnuan."
Prince Ruyin originally did not think that his power was inferior to that of Yichun, but now after hearing Sima Xian's detailed account, he felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.
"Now that you mention it, do we need to be on guard in Qishan?"
Sima Xian was also considering this issue. Qishan had been well hidden, heavily guarded by trusted soldiers. Furthermore, the prisoners working there were all on death row, poisoned and silenced. However, he feared that if they moved, Qishan would be exposed.
Sima Xian finally said, "It is better to be still than to move."
Zhu Fugui: That’s what I thought at the beginning.
In the end, King Ruyin suppressed the idea of sending reinforcements to Qishan.
Imperial Palace in Beijing
The Regent was cursing Yao Chunnuan and the others, "Traitors, you're not satisfied with just four states!"
At this moment, he received the news that Xing Changfeng was safe and sound, and had killed the Nanman leader Aguli.
He flipped the table in anger, "You can't kill him like this? Agli is incompetent!"
Although his prediction of the general trend was not as good as his royal brother's, he had a vague feeling that the situation had deteriorated again.
The regent hesitated, wondering whether to wake up the new emperor and inform him of the situation.
The new emperor had been in a coma recently. His last conscious moment was when he learned that the Yichun authorities had detained their envoys, unilaterally refusing to negotiate. Upon hearing this news, the new emperor's face turned pale, the light in his eyes gradually faded, and he passed out. Later, the enemy marched westward, advancing with great force and plunder, capturing much of Jizhou and Bingzhou.
When the new emperor was awakened again by the imperial physician using golden needles, he was very thin and weak.
As soon as he woke up, he was told about Xing Changfeng. Perhaps because he had been mentally prepared, the new emperor was still calm. "Help me up." He sighed in his heart. The thing he was most worried about had happened.
The Regent quickly asked the palace servants to bring him a bowl of ginseng chicken soup, and in the process reported to him the recent developments of various forces.
After the new emperor finished his chicken soup, he leaned back on the dragon couch and asked, "Yao Chunnuan is not attacking anymore?"
"Yes, her 100,000 troops are resting there."
The new emperor remained silent. In this situation, on the one hand, the other party was wasting their gains, and on the other hand...
"Where's Xing Changfeng?"
The Regent was silent for a moment before replying with some difficulty, "They are currently engaged in a life-and-death battle with the Nanman army, and they seem determined not to give up. I heard they have captured a large number of Nanman prisoners and are chasing them around like pigs and dogs."
The new emperor nodded. The Yichun forces have always been like this. They are ruthless to foreigners. This is their style.
"Royal brother, I'm afraid our Daliang is finished." The new emperor sighed, his voice full of desolation.
What wars are fought for? National strength! Their court is no longer able to recapture the territory currently occupied by Xingchang Feng, Prince of Ruyin, and others. And when it comes to local governance, Yichun has the capable figure of Yao Chunnuan, a figure their court lacks. If this continues, when the enemy becomes fully fledged and their military is strong, how can they not attack them? After all, they previously proposed dividing the territory into prefectures and giving up half of the territory to the enemy, but they refused.
The Regent was silent for a long time before he asked with difficulty, "Is there no way to solve these problems once and for all?"
"Ahem, there is—"
"Brother, speak quickly!"
"That is, if you can kill Xing Changfeng and Yao Chunnuan at the same time, then Yichun will really be leaderless. Perhaps, we still have a chance."
It was only after Xing Changfeng disappeared that the new emperor realized Yao Chunnuan's cohesiveness in Youzhou. Yao Chunnuan was deeply loved by the people and was deeply recognized by the soldiers of the Yichun Legion. It would be useless to just execute Changfeng alone; they had previously misjudged her.
Of course, just killing Yao Chunnuan would not be enough, or rather, it would be even more unacceptable, as this would arouse the anger of all the people and the army in Youzhou. With Xing Changfeng leading the way, their Daliang Dynasty would probably be destroyed ahead of time.
The regent was discouraged when he heard this. Killing Yao Chunnuan? How difficult it would be.
Hadn't they sent assassins to kill her? They had, but this cowardly woman had a human shield named Axia beside her, and she also had secret guards. Furthermore, she was always heavily protected when she went out, never going to dangerous places. This made it difficult for their men to kill her, and if they did, they would easily be exposed.
Although Xing Changfeng is not as exaggerated as Yao Chunnuan, he is usually accompanied by two to four skilled guards. In addition, he himself is also very skilled, so it is very difficult to assassinate him.
"If you can't kill both of them, and only kill one, the imperial court might face catastrophic disaster."
Look at what his brother said, it's hard to execute one, let alone two? Obviously, this path is not feasible.
"Brother, is there no other way?"
The new emperor closed his eyes wearily and said, "Let me think about it."
"Then my royal brother, please take your time to think about it. When you come up with something, send someone to inform me." As he said this, the Regent considerately tucked the quilt for him.
Right and wrong, success and failure are all in vain. At the last moment of his life, he suddenly realized and no longer obsessed with how to make the Daliang Dynasty stand firm, because from ancient times to the present, there has never been a dynasty that lasted for a thousand years.
Like the Yangtze River, the waves behind push the waves ahead; there will always be newcomers to replace the previous dynasties. Dynasties may change, but the land remains. This was true for the previous dynasties, and for Daliang. Even if Xing Changfeng truly conquered the world, the dynasty he founded would be like this; it, too, would be replaced by those who came after him.
But in the end, the new emperor struggled to get up, picked up his pen, and left a letter to the regent.
Jiaozhou
Since the general reappeared, especially after he killed the Nanman leader A'geli, the morale of the Yichun Army in Jiaozhou was immediately boosted. The general led more than 200,000 soldiers in Jiaozhou and attacked the Nanman.
"Hurry up, hurry up, work faster!"
"After we take care of Jiaozhou, we still have to head north. Lord Yao is waiting for us in Jizhou with 100,000 brothers. How can we keep them waiting too long?"
Inspired by the team leaders' words, everyone worked with all their might.
"Come here, two brothers, there are a few Nanman soldiers hiding here!"
"Tie them all up tightly!"
The Nanman lost their leader and became leaderless. Hunted down by the high-spirited Yichun Army, they were chased like chickens and dogs.
The captured Nanman tribesmen were tied up, and some of the more ferocious ones even had their joints removed. They were then put on ships and treated like animals before being shipped back to Youzhou to open up wasteland. Well, perhaps not to Youzhou, but to Jizhou, Bingzhou, Liangzhou, and other places, which were all newly conquered territories by the Yichun Legion. However, the destination of the captives was subject to Lord Yao's instructions.
In fact, Jiaozhou also needs coolies, but the southern barbarians are too familiar with this place and can easily escape, making it too tiring to defend against them. It would be better to transport them back to the north, where they will be easier to manage.
Many Nanman soldiers fled back to the mountains and forests of the south. There was no other way; these Yichun soldiers were too brutal. If they didn't flee, they would be captured and forced into hard labor! Even far away in the south, they had heard about the life of the Northern Di captives captured by these people. It was exploitation. If they didn't squeeze every last drop of their energy, even death would be a luxury!
The author has something to say: I'll catch some bugs later. Some people say Wang Lang's death was too hasty, mainly because he was just a supporting character. The heroine had no feelings for him, so there was no need to dwell on him too much. Moreover, he had already walked a dead end, unable to return to the capital, and could only flee far away from Daliang. However, he wanted to steal his daughter away, which offended the heroine, so he had no choice but to die. He didn't have absolute strength, and he was not as smart as the heroine. I didn't want to write a reversal, so I had to arrange for him to die.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
