Chapter 233 Withdrawal
After resting for three days, Lin Changning officially began to reorganize the army and prepare for the attack on the city.
Her hands are still wrapped in thick bandages. Today, they are slowly getting hot. She hasn't dared to pop the blisters on her hands, but can only apply ointment every day and wrap the outside of her hands with bandages to speed up the healing process.
However, the bumps on her face had all disappeared.
When Qin Zhong learned that Qi Rong had imprisoned the King of Zhou, he didn't say anything. He simply reorganized his troops the next day.
Anyway, the people of Taiyuan have offended the imperial court many times, so one more incident won't make a difference.
The next morning, after getting up, the group began to organize the horses and supplies, preparing to head towards Yongzhou City.
Currently, the number of Tartar troops stationed in Yongzhou City is probably the largest, so Lin Changning and his men are prepared for a tough battle.
What's strange this time is that the Crown Prince of Qin has also started to don armor and go into battle. Given his status, it would be acceptable for him to stay in the rear, as he even equipped himself with a set of armor and a sharp sword hanging at his waist.
They got up early to help them organize the guards brought by the Prince of Qin's mansion. As for the others, they were very well-behaved and obediently followed Qi Rong's orders.
Upon learning that Prince Zhou had been imprisoned, the other people from the royal palaces couldn't help but think of the alarm bells, and they all cooperated unusually well.
It's a joke. The emperor's own brother has been imprisoned, so what are these close advisors of the various princes compared to him?
Didn't you see that the Prince of Qin was being completely controlled? Apart from the imprisoned King of Zhou, who has a higher status than those two?
So why bother making trouble for themselves? Just obediently follow along in the war. Even if they lose, it won't be their responsibility. With that young man from the Duke of Qi's mansion's military talent, following him will at least earn them some military merits.
This way, you can get a good reward when you go back, so why not?
So there was almost no mobilization. Early on the third day, the entire army was ready and set off for Yongzhou City.
Lin Changning estimated that there were at most 8,000 people in Yongzhou City, while they brought 12,000 soldiers with them this time.
Therefore, it is a sure win.
Yongzhou City —
Before the scouts had returned, someone had already come back with a message. Lin Changning and his men were making a big fuss about reorganizing the army. The man the Third Prince sent out rushed back to deliver the message on the second day.
The people who went to inquire about the Prince of Sheng's situation had only been gone a few days, and no news had come back.
The more than 1,000 men who went to launch the raid disappeared without a trace after leaving the city that day; even one of their Tatar chieftains did not return.
The third prince couldn't help but think more. He only had six thousand people in his city, while Shubo, who supported his ascension to the throne, had allocated four thousand people to each of the other two cities. So, the Han people had sent back several thousand people, but those soldiers' Achilles tendons had been cut, so they were no longer a fighting force.
"Third Prince, our mole in Datong City has returned. He says he has important news to report."
The person who entered spoke respectfully to the third prince, who was sitting on a tiger-skin stool in the middle.
The third prince waved and replied, "Let them in."
The man said yes, turned around and left the tent before coming in with his men.
"Greetings, Third Prince."
The third prince raised his hand slightly, and the braid on his head swayed with the movement.
"Get up, what's wrong? Has something changed in Datong City?"
After bowing, the man clasped his hands on his right chest and said, "The Third Prince guessed correctly. There are changes in Datong City. Yesterday we heard that troops were gathering in the city. They must have already left the city today, and their direction should be Yongzhou City."
The third prince frowned and asked again, "Approximately how many people are there?"
The man thought for a moment, then stammered, "Big, about, at least 10,000 people."
After saying that, he added, "I can't find much outside the city, but I'm coming. The four princes' personal guards, excluding those left behind, number at least 10,000."
The third prince's heart skipped a beat. At this time, they actually sent out troops. Presumably, the news brought back by these prisoners was true.
Otherwise, why would Datong City suddenly raise an army to attack Yongzhou City?
Presumably, they were working together with the imperial court to take them down in one fell swoop. The imperial court had already captured Prince Sheng, and several border princes had sent their personal guards to surround them with almost no pressure.
All the people he brought with him this time were his supporters, and also the forces that were indispensable for his struggle for the throne.
The reason they attacked Daxing earlier was because they learned some information from Prince Sheng, and they tasted some success by occupying these cities, accumulating some merit for themselves, and giving themselves a greater advantage in the struggle for the throne.
But now, with wolves in front and tigers behind, Da Xuan is clearly going to encircle it like dumplings.
Therefore, they had no choice but to change their strategy. Otherwise, not only would they lose their troops, but if they lost these forces, the struggle for the throne would likely change when he returned.
After all, his older and younger brothers were not to be trifled with.
The third prince sat in his tent, while several of his supporters waited quietly below for his final decision.
However, the third prince is unlikely to act impulsively, because if these people are lost, the third prince will likely lose his greatest support and be at a disadvantage in the struggle for the throne.
Sure enough, a short while later, the Third Prince slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Guards! Pass on my orders: begin the reorganization today! Discard all unnecessary items! After the reorganization is complete, leave the city tonight and return to the grasslands!"
Then send two more teams to Daxing and Yongning respectively, instructing them to evacuate both cities as soon as possible and avoid falling into the Han people's trap!
After the third prince finished speaking, the leaders below all stood up, placed their right hands on their left chests, and respectfully said, "Yes, Your Highness."
Lin Changning was completely unaware of these matters; they were currently hurrying on their way.
He led his troops in a hurry toward Yongzhou City, knowing that there would likely be many tough battles to fight in the coming days.
Now that the prince has been imprisoned again, they have no choice but to fight a desperate battle.
After traveling for two days, they finally arrived outside Yongzhou City with more than 10,000 people.
Qi Rong sent out two teams of scouts, while he ordered the rest of his men to set up camp and prepare.
About half an hour later, the two teams of scouts hurriedly returned.
Upon seeing Qi Rong and Qin Zhong, one of them immediately dismounted, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Commander, something's wrong in the city. We were almost at the city gate, but there were no guards on the gate tower."
Lin Changning asked again, somewhat uncertainly, "What did you say? There's no one in the city."
The soldier glanced at Lin Changning, hesitated, and nodded: "At first we didn't dare to get too close, but then we found that there was no one on the city gate tower, so we got a little closer. There really was no one guarding the gate."
Overjoyed, Lin Changning turned to Qi Rong and asked, "Commander, did they abandon the city and run away?"
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