The next day, Xiao Feng assembled 50,000 troops and divided them into three groups. One group took a detour from the northeast to capture Fenzhou, another group set out from outside Jianwu City, and their impressive momentum gave General Ji, who was still guarding the border between Yong and Liang, a startling surprise. The final group headed southeast.
On the plain at the junction of Yong and Liang, only 10,000 of the 20,000 soldiers and horses led by General Ji are left. The remaining 10,000 have been transferred back by Fan Du to support Yunzhong County, which borders Bingzhou.
The news that Xiao Feng had used Liang Province as a base and issued a manifesto denouncing Emperor Jian'an had spread throughout Wei. Yong Province was caught between the forces of Prince Su and Liang Province. Prince Su's attack on Yunzhong County was intended to contain Xiao Feng within Liang Province. If Xiao Feng's power grew, he would face enemies on three sides.
Fan Du and Prince Su had a personal grudge, and it was impossible for him to submit to Prince Su no matter what. When Yunzhong County was invaded, Fan Du immediately dispatched troops to provide support and sent a letter to the court asking for help.
Emperor Jian'an allowed him to recruit soldiers on a large scale. Fan Du had already started recruiting soldiers on a large scale before the secret letter from Emperor Jian'an was sent. The Prince Su next door was restless, and Fan Du's mind was not so peaceful either.
Unfortunately, after just one meeting, the news that came back indicated that his Yunzhong County would soon change hands.
Fan Du and a group of trusted generals were sitting in the tent discussing matters, and at this moment he had a frown on his face.
Fan Du's eldest son, Fan Yi, asked, "Father, has the King of Qi not replied yet?"
When Fan Du proposed the marriage, everyone thought that the King of Qi would definitely agree. However, it had been so many days since the proposal was made, but there was no response at all.
"Report, the Fenzhou prefect has asked me to relay urgent military information."
After receiving the order, the bloodied soldier entered the tent, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and said, "Sir, the King of Qi captured Fenzhou last night. The Duan and Tian families have surrendered to the King of Qi."
"Report..."
Another sharp, panicked voice rang out in the tent.
The soldiers who came again this time were General Ji's men.
"Sir, General Ji has been captured, and Fuping County has been occupied by the Liangzhou army."
These two pieces of news surprised everyone in the tent.
"Fenzhou had 10,000 soldiers guarding it, Fuping County had 3,000, and General Ji was leading 10,000 soldiers. How could they all change hands overnight?"
The commander who escaped from Fenzhou said, "Sir, the Qi army has a magical weapon that can penetrate shields. The fire caltrops they wield are incredibly powerful. Last night at midnight, the Liangzhou army captured the city wall with almost no effort."
General Ji's soldiers also said, "That fire caltrop is truly powerful. When it explodes, it's like thunder from the sky, sending blood and flesh flying everywhere in an instant."
It would be an exaggeration to say that it was a thunder from the sky. I was just scared to death.
The garrison commander who escaped from Fenzhou said, "The King of Qi asked me to bring a message to you, my Lord."
Fan Du asked with a serious face: "What are you talking about?"
The commander lowered his voice considerably. "The King of Qi said that he appreciates your intention to form an alliance, but that it would be unfair to her to take her as a concubine. He has many brave and skilled unmarried men under his command. If you find any that you like, please let him know."
The muscles on Fan Du's cheeks were twitching. No matter what the King of Qi said, the fact was that his daughter was disliked.
The commander paused and continued, "The King of Qi also said that his princess's mother's family, the Wan family, also has a promising unmarried son in the southwest."
After he finished speaking, many people in the tent frowned.
"Could it be that the King of Qi is henpecked?"
The commander lowered his head and said, "During the siege last night, a valiant young woman, wielding a spear with great vigor, rode on the same horse with the King of Qi. They were acting very intimately. This woman must be the King of Qi's wife."
"The Zhenguogong Mansion has deep roots in the southwest. The King of Qi is not content to stay in Liangzhou. He is aiming for the capital. In the future, he will have to rely on the Wan family. The King of Qi must be concerned about the Wan family."
"In my opinion, Miss Wan is a fierce woman. Otherwise, why would the King of Qi refuse?"
Fan Du's complexion looked better. He might not be able to save himself from the attack from both sides, but he could cause great trouble to Xiao Feng.
Seeing the guard's mouth opening and closing, he shouted, "What else do you have to say? Say it all!"
The commander said, "The King of Qi is arrogant. He claims he'll reach Gaoling County by tomorrow at the latest. If you're willing to surrender, we'll open the city gates to welcome you."
The anger that had just subsided in Fan Du flared up again.
Did the King of Qi think that his city of Yongzhou was so easy to conquer?
After the messenger left, Fan Du looked at everyone and asked, "What do you think?"
"Sir, the King of Qi is trying to intimidate you."
"If the King of Qi really possesses such a powerful weapon, I'm afraid even the gates of Gaoling City won't be able to stop him for long."
"Your Excellency, it's best to make a decision soon. Prince Su is determined to take Yunzhong County, and the imperial court won't provide us with military support. Although Yongzhou has recruited many soldiers, the military pay and food supplies are already dwarfed by the enemy, and the people are complaining."
Fan Du thought for a moment with a serious face and said, "Move 10,000 troops from Maling to Gaoling and prepare for battle with all our strength."
The King of Qi was arrogant. He wanted to know who was superior and who was inferior. He would fight to see who would submit.
Fan Du made arrangements and deployed the troops from Fenzhou to the cities around Gaoling. He set up an ambush between Huaxian and Gaoling City, waiting for Xiao Feng's troops to arrive.
Fan Yi hesitated and said, "Father, if the King of Qi is deliberately exposing his intentions and then making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, wouldn't all this arrangement be in vain?"
The wrinkles at the corners of Fan Du's mouth were very tight. He looked at his trusted aide, Mr. Shang, and asked, "What do you say, sir?"
Mr. Shang held a palm-leaf fan, his demeanor full of scholarly grace. "In my opinion, the King of Qi wouldn't lie to you, Your Excellency. He pointed out his wife's maternal family, the Wan family, hinting at his henpecked side, explaining to you that he quickly seized Fenzhou and Fuping to intimidate you. No matter what the King of Qi does, his real intention is Yongzhou. An alliance with you is the best option with the least loss. Attacking Gaoling City is just a demonstration of his strength to you, so you can align yourself with him."
Mr. Shang's analysis put Fan Du at ease.
While Fan Du was preparing for a battle between Huaxian and Gaoling, on the other side, Xiao Feng and Wan Jinlan, who had just taken Fenzhou, did not stay in Fenzhou. Instead, they left General Ji and Li Yue behind to take Junxian.
The two of them rode together and headed south with Li Mazi and a hundred other people. They went through desolate and remote areas with few people.
Wan Jinlan put on a warrior's uniform again and combed her hair into a man's bun. She was sitting on the horse and nestled in Xiao Feng's arms. Even though it was bumpy, she slept for more than two hours on the horse.
And when Li Yanfeng led his men to siege the bandit camp, Xiao Feng had made up his mind to take her with him wherever he went. Last night, during the night raid on Fenzhou, she and he rode together. After capturing Fenzhou, the two of them headed south without a moment's rest.
Xiao Feng sent someone to tell Fan Du to capture Gaoling by tomorrow at the latest. He also kept General Ji and Li Yue out of Fan Du's sight. In fact, his goal this time was to capture Feiyan Yunjing.
After galloping for several hours, they finally met up with Wan Zhijing, Gu Changlin and 10,000 soldiers and horses at the foot of the mountain south of Wei County.
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