Even if they suspect they've been instigated, and there are many suspicious points, they'll ignore them. Xiao Long's death is nothing compared to the throne he's about to seize!
Or rather, they were also waiting for this opportunity to clash, a moment to ignite the fuse.
[Tsk, that's why the young prince's move is brilliant. He gets things started, accomplishes about 50-60%, and then there's no need for further detailed planning; the rest will naturally be handled by them.]
[Once the Northern Barbarians descend into chaos, it will give the Great Sheng a chance to regroup. The next step is to see how the young prince expands his gains and reaches a peace agreement.]
Xiao Zhixing stopped watching and mentally rehearsed the next steps.
Now that things have turned out as she wished, any further plans can only be made gradually.
"Someone come here."
"Young Prince?"
"Please invite General Su Zhen and General Xiao Bei over."
Zhang Shanhai has returned to the capital, and Xiao Bei has also been promoted to a military officer. In addition to several hundred guards, she also has 30,000 men given to her by the emperor, whom she helps train.
The two entered the tent one after the other.
Xiao Zhixing had Bai Mei unfold the map of the northern border:
"With the new city walls of Guixiong Pass completed and the Northern Barbarians weakened, they are unlikely to launch another attack for the time being. Taking advantage of this opening, I think..."
He drew circles on several spots with his finger, "We'll lead the team to replicate Uncle Black Moon's great deeds from back then, and also give our troops some training."
Su Zhen pondered, "Young Master, Xiao Kui's main force is still at Guixiong Pass. If their whereabouts are exposed, what if he launches a pincer attack from both sides?"
Having ventured deep into enemy territory alone, and with Guixiong Pass unable to fully engage Xiao Kui's forces, they would be in grave danger if they were surrounded.
Xiao Bei glanced at Xiao Zhixing and tentatively asked, "Have you received any information?"
Xiao Zhixing smiled slightly, "Uncle Bei, you have a keen eye. I just received a secret report that Xiao Kui may return to the capital in four days."
Su Zhen's eyes brightened slightly. "If this letter is true, there is great potential in this matter."
Xiao Bei pondered, "Guixiong Pass must be guarded by 50,000 to 70,000 or even more troops. The troops that Xiao Kui took with him and those who met him on the road probably number no more than 50,000, and they are likely scattered."
The policies of the Northern Barbarians were different. The Khan himself controlled an army of over 300,000 men from his own Iron Wolf tribe.
The other troops belonged to various tribes, and the total number of the Northern Barbarian army was approximately 700,000.
During wartime, the Khan can mobilize troops, and those troops must come from various tribes.
This campaign involved nearly 200,000 troops. Apart from about 200,000 stationed in various locations, he could only mobilize about 200,000 more, and he couldn't bring them all back.
Just in case, he had to preserve his strength; otherwise, if he were to be wiped out, his position as Khan would be in jeopardy.
Su Zhen said, "Xiao Kui learned his lesson twenty years ago, so he probably won't make the same mistake this time."
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