Chapter 318
Just then, Yelü Jun, the commander-in-chief of the Liao army, walked over from ten miles away.
Wearing a thick sable fur coat and a hat, he approached Duan Gan, placed his left hand on his right chest, and bowed. "General Dingyuan, I am Yelü Jun, sent by the King to assist you. You may call me by my name."
"The fleeing Turkic soldiers have been killed on the spot, General Dingyuan, please rest assured."
The Turkic soldier was shocked to hear this, and was thankful that he hadn't run away, otherwise he would have been lying dead in the wilderness.
But... when did the Celestial Empire and the Liao Kingdom re-form an alliance?
Haven't they already fallen out?
Moreover, logically speaking, since the Liao queen was a princess of the Turkic royal family, the Liao state should have been helping the Turkic Khaganate.
How could they possibly help the Celestial Empire?
Everyone was completely bewildered and filled with doubt.
But no one is destined to answer their questions.
On another border defense line hundreds of miles away in the opposite direction, General Wu Lei was shocked and stared at the fire that had recently erupted in the air.
The power was so great that even Dacheng, which was so far away, could see it clearly.
They were able to see it so accurately because a day earlier, they had detected an army of nearly 20,000 men emerging from the Liao Kingdom.
So we'll inevitably have to pass through their area.
They had initially thought that the Liao army was about to break off relations and start a war against them.
Unexpectedly, they were just quietly passing by, continuing to walk in a certain direction.
"General, that's the direction of Yuquan Pass."
The lieutenant beside him reminded him.
“I know.” That’s why he was so worried.
Wu Lei frowned, looking very worried. He had previously thought of sending people over to provide support, but the chief envoy had not agreed, so he could not act on his own.
Even when chaos broke out in the capital, he remained steadfast in his post to prevent foreign invasion.
"With the Generalissimo here, there shouldn't be any major problems at Yuquan Pass."
A month and a half ago, he received news that Duan Gan would personally go to Yuquan Pass to fight, and these people were his former subordinates who had followed him.
Having witnessed his invincible prowess on the battlefield, they naturally had no worries about anything going wrong.
But now the commotion is too great; the power of this gunpowder will probably kill tens of thousands of people.
"I am writing a letter. Have someone deliver it to the Commander-in-Chief of Yuquan Pass by fast horse."
"Yes, General."
Duan Gan did not allow them to enter Yuquan Pass, but instead had Yelü Jun and his men stay at the Turkic camp to indirectly keep an eye on these Turks.
However, Zhang Cheng also led a group of soldiers from Yuquan Pass to stay behind and guard the area.
"By the way, where is Murong Yan?"
For so long, no one remembered Murong Yan. It was only when Chen Jinghe noticed something was wrong that they realized they had forgotten about Murong Yan.
"Uh, is Murong Yan still alive?"
Zhang Cheng asked hesitantly in return.
Duan Gan raised the corners of his lips slightly, looking at Zhang Cheng with a half-smile, "Go and take a look."
Okay.
Zhang Cheng, seemingly pleased with himself, turned around with a grin and led his men to search for it.
Chen Jinghe was speechless for a moment, touched his nose, and silently thought that this should not be his business. He had just asked casually.
Fourth Master said he'd go take a look, and this guy actually went to see it—what a idiot.
The gunpowder explosion was widespread, and Murong Yan's camp was inevitably affected. In addition, he was already seriously injured and had been unconscious until now.
Zhang Cheng grabbed his shoulders and shook him violently.
"Hey? Wake up! Murong Yan?!"
He didn't react at all, his face was covered in dirt and frostbite, and he looked extremely disheveled.
"Hiss! There's no reason for this..."
Zhang Cheng stretched out his finger and placed it under his nose to feel for his faint breathing.
"Murong Yan?"
After shaking him for a while, Murong Yan finally opened his eyes, his vision was blurry, and he saw a slightly unfamiliar face.
He frowned and asked weakly, "You...you're one of Duan Gan's men?"
"Yes, you have to be thankful that you are her brother. Although you are not her biological brother, you are at least the fourth master's wife's nominal brother."
"There's nothing we can do. Our Fourth Master just knows how to take care of people. Do you know how much gunpowder we used to save you? A thousand catties! A whole thousand catties, do you know that..."
He kept rambling on and on, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Murong Yan looked like he was about to die.
It was only after a soldier beside him reminded him that he had Murong Yan carried out.
When they went outside, most of the people were gone.
Only Meng Tian remained, waiting in the same spot.
"Huh? Where are they? Weren't they supposed to be looking at Murong Yan?"
Zhang Cheng looked completely bewildered.
Meng Tian chuckled and patted his shoulder. "The prince and the others have gone back first. They told me to wait for you here. Leave Murong Yan to me. I'll have to trouble you here, Lord Zhang."
Zhang Cheng stood there, scratching his head. "Wait, what's going on? Did I do something wrong?"
The following afternoon.
Yelü Jun led his men to stand beneath the walls of Yuquan Pass, requesting an audience with Duan Gan.
The soldiers on the city wall had never seen Yelü Jun before and thought it was an enemy attack, so they quickly summoned Chen Jinghe.
Just as he was about to make a move, Chen Jinghe, who had arrived at the scene, stopped him.
He looked down at the people below and called out, "Lord Yelü, please wait a moment."
Yelü Jun looked up and waited for about two incense sticks' time before the city gate opened and Chen Jinghe appeared before him.
Chen Jinghe led him to the hall, where Duan Gan sat in the main seat.
"General Dingyuan." Yelü Jun placed his left hand on his right chest and bowed to show his respect.
"sit."
Thank you.
A servant brought tea and placed it beside him.
"It has been a long time since I heard of your great name, General. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."
Duan Gan picked up his teacup, the rising steam making his indifferent expression even more unreadable.
He took a sip, his voice indifferent, "How is the Liao Kingdom now?"
"The Second Prince was dissatisfied with the King and instigated the court officials to disobey the King's orders, which has led to the current state of Liao being torn apart."
"Originally, Your Majesty intended to suppress the Second Young Master with force, but the Second Young Master has many loyal followers, and his maternal grandmother's influence is formidable. Your Majesty is afraid..."
"If possible, I humbly request your assistance, General."
Yelü Jun spoke very sincerely, and his posture was humble enough.
"This is a matter for your Liao Kingdom. The Celestial Dynasty does not want to interfere. Yelü Lie sent you here because I helped him, and he had no choice but to send someone over."
Duan Gan's eyes were cold, and his tone was indifferent, as if he had no intention of getting involved at all.
Indeed, it's already quite good that the Celestial Empire didn't take advantage of the situation. Previously, Duan Gan offered advice to Yelü Lie in his own name, without involving the Celestial Empire.
And it shouldn't be like this now.
Yelü Jun lowered his head, looking slightly embarrassed. He chuckled a few times and then fell silent.
At this moment, silence fell.
"Yelü Lie presumably intends for you to obey my orders after your arrival, is that correct?"
He nodded. "Yes."
Duan Gan rested his cheek on his palm, tapping his fingers lightly twice, as if he was thinking about something.
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