66 Triumph
◎This item was given by Mr. Gu◎
On the second day of April, Xu Lang officially proclaimed himself King of Hedong, changed the reign title to Yuanwu, and ordered all civil and military officials of the Xia Kingdom to return to their original positions.
A few days later, King Zhao's army arrived at Weizhou. The two main forces of the Jin Dynasty joined together, totaling 120,000 troops.
In the City Lord's Mansion, on the first day of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao's arrival, he took full control of the military power by the Emperor's order.
Huai Wang Lu Chen ordered his men to bring out the tiger talismans and seals one by one, and Lu Jing ordered his deputy general to put them all in a box.
This time he agreed to lead the troops to war, and the only condition he put forward to the emperor was that power should not be divided, and all the soldiers on the eastern expedition must be commanded by him.
Prince Huai Lu Chen took a half step back and suppressed all the resentment in his eyes.
All the generals above the seventh rank in the hall were present, and they all clasped their fists together and said, "We will obey the orders of His Highness Prince Zhao."
"I will obey His Royal Highness Prince Zhao's orders."
The sound is like a huge bell, piercing the sky.
The military power changed hands, and although Lu Chen still stood in the center of the hall with King Zhao, he felt that he was being excluded.
The sand table is covered with flags, and military information is urgent.
With the exception of Xiangzhou, the entire Hebei region fell. Upon hearing that King Zhao was heading east, Xu Lang led his main force back to reinforce. En route, Lu Jing dispatched Qin Yu with 20,000 troops to Xiangzhou. Together with Xie Qian, they repelled the Hebei rebels and lifted the siege of Xiangzhou.
Within two days, Lu Jing had redeployed his forces within Weizhou City. Xu Lang formed his battle array in the north, leading his troops in several challenges.
The people in Weizhou City changed their low morale and sent out 5,000 vanguard troops to fight back.
"Your Highness, Prince Zhao!" A young general stepped forward. "I, your humble servant, am willing to lead the charge against the rebels!"
"I, your Highness, will also serve you. I will definitely live up to your trust!"
"The rebels are committing treason, slaughtering civilians, and trampling on royal land. I will follow Your Highness on the Eastern Expedition and earnestly request Your Highness's orders!"
The generals in the hall volunteered one after another, the younger ones especially anxious to be left behind. Lu Chen sat to his right, his eyes blazing with anger as he watched the generals vying for first place and offering their advice. They were all familiar faces, so why had they remained silent while he was in his tent, prompting them to prioritize safety when dispatching troops?
The high morale in the hall had nothing to do with Lu Chen. Back in Kyoto, as both the emperor's legitimate son and a prince of the royal family, he had considered himself no less capable than Zhao Wang Lu Jing. However, even in the same army, he had never before been so aware of the humiliation and threats he faced.
Lu Jingdian and the other two were the vanguards, each leading 3,000 soldiers out of the city to meet Xu Lang.
Over the next three days, the two sides fought several times, and the Jin army won three out of four battles.
Xu Lang's military campaign was unsuccessful, so he abandoned Weicheng County and retreated to Maozhou. The Jin army took advantage of the victory to pursue him.
As the war progressed, another day of meetings ended. Zhen Yuan accompanied Prince Zhao in sorting out military affairs and couldn't help but say, "Prince Huai looked very unhappy just now."
Zhen Yuan was usually a kind person, but he couldn't help but speak harshly to Huai Wang Lu Chen.
Even though Xu Lang was a brave warrior, the Prince of Huai commanded a hundred thousand elite troops, the full support of the imperial court, and the support of the Youzhou governor. How could he have possibly turned the battle in Hebei into this state? If Huai Cheng had not held His Highness's sword and refused the Prince of Huai's order to lead the Xiangzhou troops to reinforce, Xiangzhou City might not have been saved.
His Majesty still ordered the Prince of Huai to serve in the army, hoping that he could take advantage of the favorable situation of His Majesty Prince Zhao and achieve some military exploits. However, His Majesty Prince of Huai remained in Weizhou and never volunteered, unwilling to obey His Majesty's orders.
"Let him be." Lu Jing didn't care and only ordered his trusted generals to garrison Weizhou and keep an eye on Lu Chen's movements. If Lu Chen got into trouble, he would have a hard time explaining it to his father, the emperor, and his mother, the queen.
On April 22, King Zhao led the army on the eastern expedition to recapture Maozhou and pushed the army northward to Yangxiang.
The good news was sent back to the capital, relieving Emperor Mingde's urgent need and reassuring the hearts of the civil and military officials in the court.
…
Since May and June, Xu Lang, who had suffered successive defeats on the battlefield, led his troops back to Mingzhou to defend it, and King Zhao's army confronted them across the Mingshui River.
In Wangyun Tower, Gu Ningxi and Luo Yun exchanged the military intelligence they had recently learned.
The war in Hebei province gripped everyone's hearts. Ever since Prince Zhao had gone off to war, Gu Ningxi had occasionally discussed military affairs with her cousin. Once, she stumbled upon Lord Wei Fan and inquired about his military progress. While Prince Zhao was away from the capital, Wei Fan, as was customary, was in charge of the affairs of the palace.
Gu Ningxi served in the same court as him. She had privately helped Wei Fan twice when officials from the Eastern Palace had troubled him. The two of them had a certain rapport, and Wei Fan would answer any question Gu Ningxi asked.
As for Luo Yun, Marquis of Nan'an had accompanied Prince Zhao on his eastern expedition, and she was privy to many battlefield news faster than those in the capital. The two of them hit it off immediately, discussing military intelligence and nothing else.
Previously, when His Royal Highness Prince Huai was in command, His Majesty intended to send Marquis Nan'an to lead the charge. However, Marquis Nan'an firmly declined, citing a relapse of an old illness. Later, when His Royal Highness Prince Zhao took command of the army, Marquis Nan'an, having recovered from his previous injury, volunteered to accompany him.
Luo Yun stuck out his tongue and spoke to Gu Ningxi from the heart: "Who would be willing to take risks with Prince Huai? If we're not careful, my father's reputation will be ruined."
Take the Battle of Jiashan for example. If Prince Huai had sent reinforcements in time, perhaps Prince Linchang would not have been isolated and helpless, and eventually died in battle at a young age.
Luo Yun asked himself, while following Prince Zhao was equally dangerous, wealth and honor are sought amidst danger. Looking at the younger generals in the court, how many had followed Prince Zhao on the battlefield, achieving great feats and bringing honor to their families? Countless.
Luo Yun looked at the letters of victory news and wished he could have wings to go with them.
She whispered to Gu Ningxi, "My father is going to war, and I want to go with him. I can dress up as a man. In ancient times, there was a saying that one should join the army in place of one's father. But my father has been trying to persuade me and still refuses to take me with him."
The battlefield was fraught with danger, and Gu Ningxi understood the Marquis of Nan'an's love for his daughter. Given his current status, most founding nobles like him would have settled for a life of luxury. But the Marquis of Nan'an, despite his age and strength, still personally participated in the battlefield, hoping to gain His Majesty's favor through his military achievements, thus providing some security for his only daughter a century from now.
Gu Ningxi tried to comfort Luo Yun, and Luo Yun said, "I understand what my father means, but..." She didn't know what to say, "If I were a man like Lord Gu, my father would have taken me to the battlefield long ago. But is it really that important whether I'm a man or a woman?"
In this year's spring hunt, wouldn't she, a girl, still be able to rank fifth?
If she told others this, they would surely mock her for dreaming. But Luo Yun knew that Lord Gu was completely different from them. These days, while discussing military affairs with Lord Gu, she became more and more bold in her words.
The battlefield in Hebei was in a stalemate, and Gu Ningxi circled Mingshui County on the eastern outskirts of Mingzhou City.
Luo Yun followed her gaze. Although he was a civil official, after inquiring about military reports in the past few months, Gu Ningxi had become a bit of an expert.
She tried to analyze it, saying, "Mingshui County is located at the junction of Mingshui and Weishui, controlling the water veins between Mingzhou and the east. No wonder His Royal Highness Prince Zhao and Xu Lang were unwilling to give up this county."
After half a month of fighting, victory news came back yesterday. His Royal Highness Prince Zhao has ordered Prince Zhen to retake Mingshui.
Compared to Xu Lang, who was short of troops and could only focus on competing with His Royal Highness Prince Zhao for Mingzhou, His Royal Highness Prince Zhao could do much more in Hebei.
Luo Yun followed Gu Ningxi's instructions, "Your Highness is holding back Xu Lang's main force in the south, while also sending troops to recapture Xingzhou, Dingzhou, and Zhaozhou. Your Highness also ordered the Duke of Qi to march out of Xiangzhou to recapture Lianzhou and Beizhou. The two forces have successfully joined forces and have already surrounded Xu Lang."
After July, His Royal Highness Prince Zhao sent troops to cut off Xu Lang's military supplies in the surrounding areas, and at the same time ordered his troops to harass Xu Lang's camp to speed up their consumption of food and grass.
Xu Lang's efforts to transfer grain were fruitless and he gradually lost the initiative on the battlefield.
Gu Ningxi's eyes were fixed on several fronts. He planned to fortify the city walls, clear the fields, cut off the enemy's food supply, and then engage in a decisive battle with the enemy. The overall situation in Hebei would be pacified in the near future.
…
Returning from Wangyun Tower, Gu Ningxi saw military supplies being transported to the front lines through several streets and alleys in the city. His driver took a detour, and as he passed the gate of Prince Zhao's mansion, Gu Ningxi opened the carriage window.
Since he left the capital, the vast Zhaowang Mansion seemed much emptier. In the sunlight, the gilded plaque engraved with the three characters "Zhaowang Mansion" was as solemn as ever, and it was not to be offended.
In front of the palace gate, Sun Jing was leading people to dispatch the convoy.
"Master Gu!"
Seeing a familiar carriage, Sun Jing quickly put down what he was doing and stepped forward to greet it.
Gu Ningxi got off the carriage and asked with a smile, "What is Mr. Sun busy with? I'm sorry for interrupting you."
Sun Jing said cheerfully, "Master Gu, what are you talking about? Autumn is approaching, and the court is sending a large amount of military supplies to the Hebei front. According to His Majesty's instructions, the palace and the prince's residence are also preparing some things for His Royal Highness Prince Zhao."
Normally, His Highness Prince Zhao was not one to share the hardships of his soldiers. As His Highness had said before, a commander who endured hardships with his soldiers was not necessarily a good commander; only a commander who could lead his soldiers to victory and establish meritorious service could earn the people's willing followers.
But His Highness said so, but when he really fought on the battlefield, he led the troops from the front, completely disregarding his own body, and even stayed in armor for two days and three nights.
Four of His Highness's mounts have been lost on the battlefield.
Gu Ningxi watched the attendants carrying items in an orderly manner, including clothes and medicines.
Sun Jingfu said, "If Lord Gu has any letters or anything else to send to His Highness, you can take them along with the motorcade."
Gu Ningxi paused, then smiled and said, "What could I possibly bring to His Royal Highness Prince Zhao? Steward Sun, you're joking."
She thanked Manager Sun for his kindness and left without further ado.
…
The bright moon is like a mirror, and it is mid-moon. Emperor Mingde is having dinner in Fengyi Palace tonight.
The Crown Prince also came to the Imperial Palace to pay his respects. Ever since Cheng Yu left for the war, his mother's family had been left lonely. His father had ordered him to visit the palace more often in his free time to comfort his mother.
Lu Heng had read the latest military reports sent back from Hebei. King Zhao's army had won victory after victory, the rebel forces were constantly being suppressed, and Xu Lang was gradually becoming a trapped beast.
The court was excited, and the people were praising King Zhao endlessly.
Lu Heng stirred the soup. Although it was a carefully prepared dinner, he found it tasteless.
The news of victory from the front line came back like snowflakes. Yu Gong, he is the crown prince of the Great Jin Dynasty. The soldiers of the Great Jin Dynasty are advancing triumphantly on the battlefield in Hebei. He should be happy.
But personally... I'm afraid that the crown princes of all dynasties would be more unwilling to have such a fifth brother than he is.
Lu Heng raised his eyes, intently gazing at the emperor on the throne. He felt a complex mix of emotions, wondering what his father would think of the invincible King Zhao.
The atmosphere at the banquet was a little dull. Empress Yao's eyes fell between the father and son. She saw through the situation but was unwilling to say it out loud.
Along with the victory report, letters from Qi'an and Chengyu were also sent back to the capital. Empress Yao was worried about her children who were far away on the battlefield: "I wonder if Chengyu is fully recovered."
The climate in Hebei is different from that in the capital. Perhaps because of acclimatization, Chengyu fell ill when the summer heat subsided.
There are military doctors in the army, but the mountains are high and the roads are long, so it is not convenient for the court to send imperial doctors there.
Lu Heng knew very well that if Qi'an was injured, his father would immediately send an imperial physician to accompany him no matter how far the journey was; and Chengyu had not achieved any success on the battlefield. If he caused the military to be mobilized, His Royal Highness the Prince of Huai would probably lose his reputation in the court and the country.
Lu Heng sighed. This younger brother of his was really disappointing.
He said, "Don't worry, mother. My sixth brother mentioned in his letter that he is no longer in serious condition."
…
From summer to autumn, teams of military supplies were transported to the front line from all over the place in an endless stream.
Inside the military camp, over twenty storekeepers led the troops in counting provisions. Few would dare to withhold military supplies while Prince Zhao was on the march. Excluding necessary losses along the way, the existing provisions in the camp were sufficient to sustain the fifty thousand-man army throughout the autumn.
Outside the main tent, the guards of Prince Zhao's mansion personally brought in several carts of items.
Most of them were moved to the warehouse, and only a few items that were specifically ordered by General Manager Sun and were particularly important were delivered to His Highness's tent.
Without looking up from the military report, Lu Jing casually asked, "What's in it?"
One was a sword bestowed by His Majesty, another was a food box that could store palace food, and another was a brocade box, but no one knew what was inside.
"Um?"
The leader remembered what Steward Sun had asked and said truthfully, "This was a gift from Master Gu. The Steward said—"
"Show it up, and you can go down."
A small brocade box was placed on the desk of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, and Sun Jing even ordered someone to put a lock on it to prevent it from being lost.
Lu Jing opened the brocade box, and on the brocade cushion lay a jade token of peace and a short letter. When he unfolded it, he found it was written by Yuan Le himself.
The letter contained only a few scattered chatter. She had recently been learning jade carving. While woodcarving and jade carving share similar techniques, the hardness and delicate texture of jade made the skills quite different. Yuan Ledao's first attempt at jade carving was a poor one, but her first piece still held some significance.
Lu Jing's fingertips carefully stroked the peace pattern on it, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.
Under the bright moonlight, it lingers for a long time.
At midnight, Zhen Yuan entered the main tent of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao with the newly discovered secret information.
Lu Jingyue read it and found that, including this letter, all the signs before and after indicated that Xu Lang’s camp was on the verge of running out of food and grass.
He draped his fingers over the jade pendant tied around his waist: "Is the Mingshui Dam repaired?"
"Yes, we worked hard all the way to complete it as scheduled in the afternoon."
It was flood season, and Lu Jing ground his ink: "Send a message to Yan Ming, Xu Lang is out of food, make preparations early."
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