Mid-February of the second year of the Dongjing Restoration.
Zhao Cheng led 200,000 Dongjing troops into Yunjing County.
Including Zhao Huan's southward expedition last year, this is the third southern expedition since the establishment of Dongjing.
General Zhao Cheng was appointed commander-in-chief, and General Zhao Yan, who was in charge of pacifying the south, was appointed deputy commander-in-chief.
He appointed Cheng Xu as his military advisor.
Yan Zheng was appointed as the Chief of Logistics.
Generals Zhao Hu, Heng Wenhao, Tuo Tiewuhua, Yuan Fei, Tu Wei, and Pu Ke accompanied him.
Zhou Nuo still came, staying by Zhao Cheng's side at all times.
The two have been married for quite some time, but Zhou Nuo seems to have given up on having children, especially since even Dong Hua, the last to marry into the family, is pregnant.
Deng Yanjiao couldn't conceive due to health reasons, which made her seem abnormal to others, but Zhou Nuo was different.
Rather than staying at home and facing those strange looks, it's better to go to war with Zhao Cheng.
This world of martial arts and battlefields is more suited to her temperament.
"How far are we from Nantong City?" Zhao Cheng asked from his horse.
Tuo Tiewu said, "It will take at least two more days. But we can reach Jiangxia Pass in just half a day."
Zhao Cheng said, "Yang Qingzhi is still a bit slow. If he occupies Jiangxia Pass early on, it will be difficult for us to fight."
Tuo Tiewuhua said, "That's right. Jiangxia Pass is a pass that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. As long as there is enough food and supplies, the enemy will find it difficult to advance. Back then, Lord Cai Qiong resisted the Southern Zhou army here for a long time."
Cheng Xu interjected, "An army of 300,000 is not suitable for a long-distance raid. Yang Qingzhi's supplies are not keeping up. I estimate that his first target is Nantong City. Once he takes Nantong City, Yang Qingzhi can store grain in the city and set up a large camp around it. After breaking through Jiangxia Pass, they can advance unimpeded."
After being appointed as a military advisor, Cheng Xu's attire changed somewhat. He no longer wore armor, but instead dressed in a scholar's robe with a feather fan, somewhat imitating Lian Zhongyi.
However, his entire outfit, including his fan, was predominantly black.
Cheng Xu continued his analysis: "I talked with President Yuan Fei last night. The Southern Zhou army's marching speed is not fast. I think they know that you are coming, so they are proceeding cautiously and dare not advance rashly. This is also the reason why they sent 10,000 scouts to explore the way first."
Zhao Cheng said, "Let him go slowly if he wants; I won't tolerate it. Nantong is the transportation hub of Yunjing County; we need to get there first."
"General Tuo Tie, pass down the order: full speed ahead!"
"promise!"
Originally, Tuo Tie Wu Hua, Heng Wen Hao, and Zhao Yan were in the vanguard. Tuo Tie Wu Hua was just summoned by Zhao Cheng for questioning.
After removing his hat and returning to the front lines to relay the order, Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhao Hu beside him and said, "Cui Wuming is a grandmaster now. If you were to encounter him, could you defeat him?"
Zhao Hu said seriously, "If I could beat them before, I can definitely beat them now."
"You're making it sound so real."
Zhao Cheng scoffed, "Even Gong Xue can't beat him, how could you possibly beat Gong Xue?"
"We can't beat them."
"Then how can you defeat Cui Wuming?"
"Because I have never beaten Gong Xue, but I have beaten Cui Wuming."
"..."
As the clouds parted, the outline of Jiangxia Pass gradually emerged in the distance.
Zhao Cheng said, "Now is not the time to show off. Please be realistic and don't blindly encourage me."
Zhao Hu said, "Oh, then I can't beat him."
Zhao Cheng wanted nothing more than to kick Zhao Hu off his horse and yell, "I'll beat you up!"
Zhao Hu said quietly, "Master, he is already a Grandmaster. You should at least give a Grandmaster some face. Even a top expert can't beat a Grandmaster. With the Third Young Master here, there's no need to panic."
"This guy sees me as an enemy and will probably look for an opportunity to assassinate me."
"I will always protect my master."
"You can't beat him."
Zhao Hu pondered for a moment and said, "Transfer Heng Wenhao to our side as well. As long as the Third Young Master has Tuo Tie Wuhua, that's fine. Heng Wenhao and I have been partners for many years and have a good working relationship. Even if Cui Wuming comes, he is a newly promoted grandmaster and may not be able to do anything to us."
"He has a sword, we have two knives!" Zhao Hu said with great pride.
Zhao Cheng said, "We'll do as you say, but we need to think about it some more and come up with a way to control Cui Wuming."
Zhao Hu glanced at Zhao Cheng and said, "Master, are you up to no good again?"
"Think about it again, think about it again, you'll figure it out..."
Zhao Cheng muttered to himself for a while, then suddenly said, "We've won this battle. When we get back, I'll arrange your wedding with Atao."
"Really?!" Zhao Hu immediately stood up from his horse.
Zhao Cheng said, "I already have three sons, I can't let you be idle too."
Zhao Hu laughed and said, "Haha, Master is truly the best master in the world!"
"so……"
Zhao Cheng's expression became much more serious. He said, "Show me all your fighting spirit. And don't die."
Zhao Hu said, "Master, you haven't attended my and A Tao's wedding banquet yet, I can't close my eyes in peace."
"good!"
Zhao Cheng said sternly, "Then let's unleash all our power! We'll go back to the wedding feast, and Yang Qingzhi can go back to eating shit!"
Zhao Hu muttered to himself, "The master's mobilization speech was truly gratifying, and his words were quite eloquent..."
Just then, a gentle breeze swept by.
Yuan Fei has arrived.
"General, we have discovered that the Southern Zhou scouts, numbering ten thousand, are still patrolling outside. Their organization is the same as before, divided into ten groups, with a patrol range of one hundred li."
Zhao Cheng stopped joking with Zhao Hu and asked seriously, "What area have they reached?"
Yuan Fei said, "The ones farther away are around Nantong City, and the ones closer are near Jiangxia Pass."
"Have you entered the pass yet?"
“There are 5,000 troops stationed at Jiangxia Pass from Yunjing County, but they were unable to enter the pass.”
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