The grassland bandits are back!
The world didn't give him peace for long.
When Li Xin learned of this news, he rushed back to Dongning City overnight.
The horses galloped away at breakneck speed.
On the way, Li Xin also learned about the situation of the grassland bandits.
Since the beginning of spring, the grassland bandits who had been roaming the northern part of Dongning Province have gathered three thousand bandits and five or six thousand guards from the local chieftain's residence, leading nearly ten thousand troops south to Dongning City.
It came on strong.
The momentum was like a ferocious tiger descending the mountain with its jaws wide open, seemingly about to swallow Dongning City whole.
Li Xin was also wary of this fierce tiger.
When spring arrived and the grassland bandits were active in the north, Li Xin had already been keeping a close watch on their movements.
In Dongning City, Li Xin also used every means at his disposal to prepare for war.
Things like watchtowers, new city walls, trenches, thunderclaps, triple-bow crossbows, and new weapons were all designed to prevent grassland bandits from moving south.
Even if the Prince's Guard expands or changes, the same applies.
Although the current royal guard is short of troops, with only a little over a thousand men.
However, ever since the construction of various work teams in Dongning City, Li Xin had the idea of turning these work teams into militia reserve forces.
Therefore, hunting teams and engineering teams were also part of the second batch of troops in Dongning City.
In the entire city of Dongning, almost everyone, regardless of age or gender, was mobilized as a soldier.
Everything was for the sake of war!
Everything is for survival!
The main force, plus the militia reserve, was no less powerful than the grassland bandits.
It was already past midnight when we returned to Dongning City.
Although spring had already begun, it still felt a bit chilly in the early morning.
Back in the main hall of the Prince's Mansion, all the high-ranking military and political figures of Dongning City had gathered there.
Zhao Bingzhang, advisor to the Prince's Palace; Liu Jingxuan, prefect of Dongning; and He Tongyuan, steward of the Prince's Palace.
Infantry Commander Wei Jun, Tiger General Wei Dahai, Cavalry General Mu Yunyan, Shence General He Chaojun, and Guard Commander Bai Fenglan;
And the heads of hunting teams and engineering teams.
Li Xin shook his clothes and hurriedly walked in from outside.
Everyone in the room quickly stood up and said in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Sit down, sit down."
Li Xin waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to sit down.
Without the slightest hesitation, he turned to look at Wei Jun and asked, "What's the situation with the grassland bandits now?"
"Your Highness,"
Wei Jun clasped his hands in greeting and replied, "Yesterday, our scouts in the north reported that the grassland bandits have assembled and are heading south along the official road."
It is more than 300 li away from Dongning City. According to the time estimate, it will be able to approach Dongning City at the earliest this evening or tomorrow morning.
After receiving the news yesterday, I instructed my scouts to continue gathering information. Specific details may not be available until this morning.
Initial estimates suggest that the total strength of the grassland bandits, along with the escort troops of the northern chieftains, may be around 10,000.
In addition, scouts in the Sushen Prefecture area reported that nomadic bandits from the grasslands had been overseeing the construction of siege weapons.
"oh?"
Upon hearing Wei Jun's words, Li Xin frowned deeply.
Unexpectedly, the grassland bandits came prepared!
But thinking about it, it makes sense; it's been more than two months since the beginning of spring.
During this period, the grassland bandits have been loitering around the northern Tufu area, undoubtedly preparing for an attack on Dongning City.
It seems this battle is even more critical than it was before the Lunar New Year!
Mr. Zhao,
Li Xin took a deep breath, turned to look at Zhao Bingzhang, the advisor of the Prince's Palace, and asked, "Is there any progress on the transaction?"
Now that the grassland bandits are heading south, if other grassland bandits also take action, the pressure on our side will increase dramatically.
"At that time, it will be hard to say whether we can hold onto Dongning City..."
"Your Highness, please rest assured,"
Zhao Bingzhang nodded slightly and said, "We have been in contact with the King of Liao during this period of time."
If Dongning is lost, the next target of the grassland bandits will inevitably be Liaodong, which is under the jurisdiction of the Liao King.
The King of Liao understood the principle that "if the lips are cold, the teeth will perish."
Furthermore, after we promised to exchange thunderbolts for food and weapons, the King of Liao also agreed to join forces with us and send troops north to attract the attention of the grassland bandits.
We received news of the Liao King's troop movements a few days ago.
"As for the capital,"
Zhao Bingzhang shook his head slightly and said, "The Crown Prince's faction is too powerful. Our memorial to the court was jointly refuted by the officials under the Crown Prince."
The court was rife with infighting, with constant arguments and disputes.
Even if His Majesty agrees, it will probably take some time.
The Crown Prince is using delaying tactics, trying to wear us down.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
He Tongyuan echoed, "During this period, Qingyu Trading Company's trade in various provinces in the interior has been hampered at every turn."
In some regions where the Crown Prince's faction holds power, Qingyu Trading Company can hardly enter; it can only sell its products in some provinces in Jiangnan.
Even so, purchasing food, ironware, and other items became much more difficult.
According to rumors, the Crown Prince's faction is also behind this..."
"You've never given up on destroying me!"
Li Xin frowned slightly.
As the saying goes, a lot of lice won't bite.
The situation is already like this, so we don't care about a few more difficulties.
"It seems there's no hope with the imperial court."
Li Xin took a deep breath and looked at Zhao Bingzhang, continuing to ask, "How is the contact with Prince Su and Prince Qing going?"
"Your Highness,"
Zhao Bingzhang replied, "It's easy to talk to Prince Su and Prince Qing."
After all, in recent years, the fiefdoms of Prince Su and Prince Qing have suffered greatly from the ravages of grassland bandits, and their fiefdoms have been seized one after another. They also want to defend their cities and protect themselves.
Prince Su and Prince Qing also agreed to join forces with us and send troops north.
However, Prince Su and Prince Qing are far away in the northwest. Even if they agreed, it would be extremely difficult to transport the Thunderclap Bomb there..."
"this?"
Li Xin was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Can a living person die from holding in their pee?"
If the finished Thunderclap bombs can't be transported over, is there no other way?
We can give them the formula, as long as they can send troops north to contain the grassland bandits!
Mr. Zhao, I will break the Thunderclap Recipe into two parts and deliver them to Prince Su and Prince Qing in batches.
You should handle this matter.
"good!"
Zhao Bingzhang nodded in agreement.
Liu Jingxuan, standing to the side, frowned slightly and said, "Your Highness, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
The formula for the Thunderclap Bomb has been given to someone else, how are we going to...?
"Shortsighted!"
Zhao Bingzhang said calmly, "Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles!"
Just imagine, we even gave such an important formula to Prince Su and Prince Qing, how could they not feel our sincerity?
If we form an alliance with them, we will benefit from it at any time.
This old man agrees with Your Highness's decision.
"Uh-huh."
Li Xin nodded.
Even if a formula is provided, it will definitely be modified to ensure that the formula used in Dongning Province is the most potent.
After confirming this, Li Xin inquired about the logistical preparations.
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