Although Wen Hu did not personally lead the troops, Du Yucheng executed his military orders very efficiently, quickly breaking through the western border defense line of Zhao Han and advancing through Guliang County to Changsui with unstoppable momentum.
To the west of Changsui lies a pass called Qingxia Valley.
Once the Qingxia Valley is breached, the Han capital, Changsui City, will be completely exposed to the Jin army's sight.
Because the Southern Zhou dynasty was defeated too quickly, Wen Hu could not proceed step by step and could only pursue speed and launch a blitzkrieg.
Before Zhao Cheng's withdrawal, the Han army would capture Changsui City, halting the Han forces outside the city and creating a north-south confrontation. If the Han army failed to capture Changsui after a prolonged siege, they would have to retreat to Yunjing, where they could then contact the remnants of the Southern Zhou army to launch a pincer attack. At that point, Zhao Cheng would have to make a choice, and would most likely choose the weaker Southern Zhou.
In that case, Zhao Cheng would retreat to Southern Zhou, and Wen Hu would take the opportunity to recover the Zhao Han territory and share the world with Zhao Cheng.
Wen Hu's plan was brilliant; he capitalized on the time difference.
Du Yucheng truly grasped the spirit of Wen Hu, entrusting most of his cavalry to the vanguard Zhang Dalian, who then launched a rapid attack.
Over the years, Du Yucheng has fought just as many tough battles as Xiao Luofeng. He fought against the northern deserts, suppressed the sea pirates, pursued Zhao Huan, fought in Suidong, attacked Dayue... It is no exaggeration to say that after the older generation of generals retired, he has grown into the most outstanding general of the middle generation.
The strategist Luo Wushan initially looked down on the young general Du Yucheng, but his attitude towards him changed during the march. He followed Du Yucheng's instructions in everything, and was only responsible for providing advice and taking action when encountering strong enemies.
If we divide the Jin army's operation into two phases, the first phase, which involved capturing Chengdu, was completed quite well. The second phase, however, involved capturing Changsui City.
But before that, he faces a major challenge.
Qingxia Valley.
Upon seeing the large banners bearing the names of "Han" and "Zhao" on the pass, Du Yucheng ordered the entire army to garrison and rest. This was the first rest period for the Jin army after its expedition.
Du Yucheng knew very well that the 'Zhao' flag was not hard to guess.
Zhao Cheng couldn't possibly come back, and Zhao Zhan wouldn't know how to use troops, so the only ones who could be here are Zhao Huan or Zhao Yan.
Neither of these two men, father and son, could be underestimated by Du Yucheng.
Let's take a break first.
"Have you found out the details?"
"Reporting to the Grand Commander, the general guarding Qingxia Valley is Zhao Han, the Azure Dragon General Zhao Yan."
"As expected, Zhao Cheng will not entrust such an important position as Qingxia Valley to anyone else."
"Grand Commander, we have also discovered that Lian Zhongyi is in Qingxia Valley."
Du Yucheng narrowed his eyes and asked, "Is Zhao Huan also in Qingxia Valley?"
The scout replied, "I haven't found that."
Du Yucheng sat in the head seat, while the others stood on either side. Luo Wushan, who was sitting next to him, said, "Now that Lian Zhongyi is here, it doesn't matter whether Zhao Huan is in Qingxia Valley or not."
Du Yucheng nodded, understanding Luo Wushan's meaning.
Although Zhao Huan is the master, Lian Zhongyi is the old fox of the Zhao army. Now Zhao Yan can already stand on his own. With Lian Zhongyi as his strategist and Qingxia Valley having geographical advantages, it is indeed a difficult problem in front of them.
"Rest tonight, attack tomorrow morning, Zhang Dalian..."
Just as Du Yu was about to appoint his generals in Chengdu, Wen Yong stepped forward and said, "Grand Commander, General Zhang has been fighting continuously for several months. Tomorrow, let me be the vanguard and lead the charge!"
Seeing Wen Yong volunteer, Zhang Dalian remained silent.
Du Yucheng took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, attacking a city is different from open field battles. Leading the charge is extremely dangerous..."
"Why does the Grand Commander look down on me?"
Wen Yong frowned and said, "There is no Crown Prince in the army!"
Du Yucheng said, "There's no reason to have the deputy commander-in-chief lead the vanguard."
Wen Yong, with a senior-like demeanor, first bowed to Luo Wushan, then bowed to each of the generals in turn, saying, "Although I am the Crown Prince, in terms of military experience and aptitude, I am the least qualified. A jade must be carved to become a gem, and I hope that you seniors will give me a chance to accumulate some military prestige."
With things having come to this point, the generals in the tent were all satisfied with Wen Yong's attitude, and no one refuted him.
Du Yucheng looked at Luo Wushan and asked, "Grand Preceptor, what do you think?"
Luo Wushan smiled and said, "It is a blessing for Wenjin that the Crown Prince has such courage. What harm is there in letting Luo Ying and Xu Qingshan accompany him?"
Du Yucheng understood Luo Wushan's meaning and shouted sternly, "Left Commander Luo Ying! Right Commander Xu Qingshan!"
"exist!!"
"Tomorrow morning, you two will assist the Deputy Commander in attacking Qingxia Valley!"
"promise!!"
All the generals left the central command tent, except for Luo Wushan and Du Yucheng's personal guards who remained behind.
After a moment of silence, both men sighed that Chengdu was still too young and asked first, "The Grand Preceptor doesn't object to the Crown Prince being the vanguard, but has the Prime Minister given any instructions?"
Luo Wushan countered, "Didn't the Prime Minister give any instructions to the Grand Commander?"
Du Yucheng's expression stiffened for a moment, thinking to himself that Luo Wushan was truly an old fox. He said calmly, "Now that the Prime Minister is in charge of the military and political power of Wenjin, there are some things that don't need to be said so clearly, right?"
Luo Wushan asked, "Then should we recall Luo Ying and Xu Qingshan?"
"His Majesty is still alive," Du Yucheng said coldly.
Luo Wushan smiled and said, "General Duyu, are you worried that if something really happens, you, the Grand Commander of the Eastern Expedition, will be blamed? Actually, there's no need to worry. As the Imperial Advisor and Military Advisor for the Eastern Expedition, I will certainly advance and retreat together with the Grand Commander."
"Grand Commander!" said the personal guard behind Du Yucheng, "There are no outsiders in the tent. This is a golden opportunity!"
Du Yucheng looked back with a serious expression and asked, "What opportunity?"
"The Grand Commander was promoted by the Prime Minister, and the Imperial Preceptor was also invited by the Prime Minister from the Black Mountain. Both of them are the Prime Minister's right-hand men. Now His Majesty is old and senile and has long since neglected state affairs. If His Majesty were to fall ill, would the Crown Prince be able to stabilize the court with his current abilities? His Majesty only has one prince, the Crown Prince. Why not take this opportunity to clear the obstacles for the Prime Minister!"
Du Yucheng stood up, stared at his personal guard, and said, "You mean, take this opportunity to get rid of the Crown Prince?"
The guard said solemnly, "There's no need for us to take action in this matter. As long as the left and right commanders don't intervene, the Crown Prince will surely perish in battle!"
Clang!
Suddenly, Du Yucheng drew his sword and slashed it at the throat of his personal guard.
The guard looked at Du Yucheng with an incredulous expression, then slowly collapsed.
Du Yucheng angrily shouted, "Traitor!"
Luo Wushan said calmly, "This man is the Grand Commander's personal guard. The Grand Commander is rather ruthless."
Du Yucheng sheathed his sword and said sternly, "When we are fighting against foreign enemies, this man plots rebellion. He is not worthy of being a soldier of Wenjin!"
"What a magnificent spirit of the Grand Commander!"
Luo Wushan stood up, smiled slightly at Du Yucheng, and said, "Aren't you afraid the Prime Minister will blame you?"
It was obvious that this personal guard was Wen Hu's man. Du Yucheng said without fear, "I am the Grand Commander of the Eastern Expedition. Court disputes are none of my business. What I want is to conquer Changsui and destroy Zhao Han!"
"good!"
Luo Wushan widened his eyes, pushed his wheelchair out of the tent, and said, "Since the Grand Commander is so determined, I will certainly spare no effort tomorrow!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
