Eastern Chu.
After more than two months of arduous fighting, and conquering one city after another, Xuan Yuanzhan and his men were finally getting closer and closer to the capital.
Looking at the city of Kyoto in the distance, Mu Lingchen said excitedly, "It'll be soon. We should be able to reach the outskirts of Kyoto in a day at most."
Xuanyuan Zhan's eyes also gleamed with excitement as he raised his voice, "Rest where you are. Tonight is the last night of rest. We'll attack Kyoto tomorrow morning!"
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded loudly and immediately obeyed, resting on the spot.
Xuanyuan Zhan, Mu Lingchen, Bai Ying, Ling Lang and others also sat together and began to discuss attack strategies while looking at the sheepskin map.
"I heard that Xuanyuan Yu seems to have asked the Su family army to defend the city this time. This last hurdle will be a tough battle for us!"
Mu Lingchen was still quite wary of the Su family army.
The Su family army is renowned for its bravery and skill in battle, and the fact that Xuanyuan Yu could mobilize the Su family army to defend the city is extremely disadvantageous for them.
Even though Bai Ying and Ling Lang were stationed at the border, they had heard of the Su family army very well.
"The Kyoto army has 200,000 troops, plus 100,000 reserve troops, which already makes 300,000 troops. If the Su family army joins in to defend the city gates, it will be too difficult to attack the city."
They originally thought that Kyoto only had 300,000 troops, and they also had 300,000 troops. Even if they really had to forcefully attack the city gates, they were not afraid of anything. But now they have doubled their troops.
Moreover, it was the renowned Su Family Army, whose strength no one dared to underestimate. As a result, their chances of winning were much smaller.
Xuan Yuanzhan's gaze was cold and deep: "No matter how difficult it is, we must take Kyoto!"
If this battle is lost, not only will Mu Lingchen and Bai Ying be implicated, but also Ling Lang and the others will be affected, and so many soldiers will be dragged down as well.
Even if it's just for these soldiers, he must win this battle!
Moreover, that person is currently in dire straits, controlled by Gu worms. He has to go and save him, otherwise he will surely be tortured to death by those two unfilial sons, Xuan Yuan Yu and Xuan Yuan Zhi.
Mu Lingchen also knew that he was eager to take over the capital city and save the emperor, but the Su family army was not easy to deal with!
Mu Lingchen suddenly thought of something and frowned, saying, "Even the Emperor couldn't control the Su family army before, so why are they so obedient to Xuan Yuan Yu this time, even coming out to help him defend the city?"
Since General Su's death, the Su family army has been like a ghost, never getting involved in any battles, and even the emperor couldn't command them. Why did they listen to Xuan Yuan Yu's words so easily this time?
Xuanyuan Zhan narrowed his eyes and said, "I don't know either."
The Su family army is a special case; only the father-in-law's Su family army military tally can control it. Previously, Su Huiyan and the others were still looking for the Su family army military tally, so they shouldn't have the real Su family army military tally in their hands. How did they manage to get the Su family army to obey their commands?
Mu Lingchen sighed mournfully, "If only my cousin Ning'er were here, she might know the whereabouts of the Su family army's military token. If we had that token, not only would we not have to worry about the Su family army, but we could also make them work for us. The capital city would surely fall, and we would surely win!"
Bai Ying and Ling Lang also looked eagerly at Xuan Yuanzhan.
Along the way, they had come to know that their queen was the daughter of General Su.
General Su is deceased; perhaps his military tally is indeed in the hands of the Princess.
Xuan Yuanzhan smiled bitterly: "The military tally should be in my mother-in-law's hands. She has lost her memory and is far away in Xiliang. It's too late to help her now. Let's forget about the military tally and think of other ways."
Xuanyuan Zhan then called over Deputy General Liu: "Isn't Cao Qi the current general of the Kyoto Reserve Army?"
"Yes." Deputy General Liu nodded.
What is your relationship with him like?
Xuan Yuanzhan's question left Vice General Liu somewhat bewildered: "It was alright before I joined the Prince's side."
...Xuanyuan Zhan was speechless.
He was so embarrassed by that reply that he didn't dare to continue.
Mu Lingchen gave Xuan Yuanzhan a strange look, as if she had guessed his intention: "You wouldn't be thinking of..."
Xuanyuan Zhan coughed awkwardly, then looked at Deputy General Liu and asked, "If I were to ask you to persuade your General Cao to defect, do you think you could succeed?"
"Cough cough!" Deputy General Liu was so frightened that he coughed violently.
Mu Lingchen gave him a look that said, "I knew you were going to say that," and gave him a thumbs-up in agreement: "You know what, that's actually a good idea!"
The Kyoto reserve army originally numbered 200,000, but now 100,000 are in their hands, and another 100,000 are in Kyoto.
If they could also turn the other 100,000 Kyoto reserve troops against them, wouldn't they have a chance to win?
Moreover, the reserve army is an army in itself. It would be too cruel to let them kill each other. It would be best to keep them in the same camp.
Sending Deputy General Liu to persuade General Cao to defect is indeed a good idea.
Deputy General Liu coughed twice before looking at Xuan Yuanzhan and saying, "If this is Your Highness's plan, this humble general is willing to try it."
He had a fairly good relationship with General Cao when he was in the Huangli military camp. General Cao valued him quite a bit. Perhaps if he went to talk to General Cao, General Cao would be willing to join the prince's army.
To be fair, General Cao is quite loyal to His Majesty. If he knew that the main reason the Prince started the rebellion was to save His Majesty, he might actually agree to join the Prince.
Xuanyuan Zhan nodded and pondered, "Here's what we'll do. Take a few men and head to the Huangli military camp tonight. If you can persuade General Cao to defect, that would be best. If not, make sure you return safely."
"Yes," Deputy General Liu replied immediately.
Xuanyuan Zhan then looked at Ye Feng: "You go with Vice General Liu and protect him."
"Yes," Ye Feng replied.
Deputy General Liu immediately went back and gathered five or six men, who, along with Ye Feng, rushed towards the capital city.
Mu Lingchen watched the group's departing figures and sighed softly, "I wonder if Cao Qi will defect to us?"
Xuan Yuanzhan wasn't sure either: "If he's one of Xuan Yuanpeng's men, maybe so."
If Cao Qi wasn't a royalist, then it's hard to say.
Seeing that Xuan Yuanzhan was preoccupied, Mu Lingchen comforted him, "Alright, don't look so gloomy. It's just the Su family army. We can fight them head-on. We've fought battles like this before, where we won with fewer troops! Didn't our 40,000 bandit troops wipe out the 100,000 Northern Rong troops? As long as we work together, I don't believe we can't break through the capital city!"
"Lord Marquis is right, our army will surely win!" The soldiers on the other side seemed to have heard Mu Lingchen's words and immediately joined in the shouting.
"Our army will surely win!"
The soldiers ate their steamed buns while shouting.
Xuan Yuanzhan smiled slightly. The soldiers were in good spirits, which was a good sign.
Yes, they've won battles with fewer troops before, so who's to say they'll definitely lose!
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