Chapter 367 It’s a pity that the master is not here
Does Peng Jiang have such a person under his command?
Yan Xing was silent for a moment: "Your Highness means..."
The Crown Prince was very disappointed: "It's already this time, and you are still playing dumb with me! Lu Xueyin! She must have done something."
"She's still on the way..." Yan Xing said subconsciously.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, "Yes, she is on her way, but I can't think of a second possibility other than her. So, after eliminating all impossibilities, the remaining answer, no matter how bizarre, is the only one."
This statement was very logical and reasonable, and Yan Xing was unable to refute it.
Yan Xing had no choice but to say, "The situation is still unclear. Your Highness should remain calm. Wait until you have a clear understanding of the situation in Lin'an Prefecture before making any decisions."
The prince was distraught. Was the situation unclear? No, in his opinion, the situation was already very clear. Peng Jiang was likely defeated, so the conditions for his surrender were likely impossible to meet.
But how could he accept this? Everything was going smoothly according to his plan, and he had clearly seen hope, but suddenly, overnight, everything was gone.
The prince's eyes flashed, and he suddenly stood up: "I will send troops!"
Yan Xing was suddenly startled. "Your Highness, absolutely not! The situation is unclear right now. It would be unwise for Your Highness to rush in." He thought for a moment and said, "How about this? Send someone to Lin'an Prefecture to inquire about the situation, and then make a decision."
"Then it's too late." His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, "Give the order now and send the troops immediately."
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at Yan Xing and said, "Cheng Xiao, I have never fought in a war and I don't know how to lead an army. I will hand this army over to you. Are you willing to fight in my place?"
The Crown Prince had ordered Yan Xing to deploy his 100,000 elite troops, 50,000 of whom were originally recruited by Emperor Qianyuan. The remaining 50,000 were recruited after he gained access to Emperor Qianyuan's private treasury. These 100,000 elite troops were all highly skilled and well-equipped, and they were his only bargaining chip.
However, the prince had never fought in a war. If he were to lead the troops, he probably wouldn't be able to defeat Lu Xueyin, let alone the Yilin Army - after all, the Yilin Army had several times more troops than him.
So Yan Xing is the only candidate.
Moreover, given Yan Xing's character, once he accepted this army, he would definitely give it his all because Yan Xing knew that this was the only trump card in the prince's hand, his only support.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked at Yan Xing seriously and said solemnly, "Cheng Xiao, I place myself and the Zhenguogong Mansion in your hands. My life, and the future of Da Gan, all depend on you."
Yan Xing: “…”
Yan Xing was being forced into this, and he had no choice. He knew the prince was forcing him to take sides, forcing him to make a choice, but... he couldn't refuse.
However... since the team has been handed over to him, how to operate it is his business.
Yan Xing's eyes flashed.
Yan Xing immediately assembled his troops and set out for Lin'an Prefecture.
Of course, Gao Ming couldn't hide this. Lu Xueyin had already sent him a letter, explaining that she would delay the journey and ask him to cover for her. She didn't reveal her specific plan, but if even the Crown Prince could guess, Gao Ming could guess it too.
Seeing Yan Xing inspecting his troops and leaving, he immediately called Cao Wenkai.
"General Cao, you should also lead your troops to support the adults." Gao Ming said in a deep voice: "Also..."
He lowered his voice and whispered a few words to Cao Wenkai, who looked surprised.
"This...if the adults knew about this, they would not agree, right?" Cao Wenkai couldn't help but say.
Gao Ming's face was expressionless. "General Cao, now is a critical moment, and also the best opportunity. If anyone wants to bear the blame, I, Gao, am willing to bear it all myself!" A hint of madness flashed in his eyes. "As long as I can restore peace to the world, and only you can do this! Therefore, for your great cause, everything is worth it!"
Cao Wenkai was shocked, then nodded heavily in agreement.
"Mr. Gao is right. In that case, I am willing to join you!" Cao Wenkai said in a deep voice.
Cao Wenkai turned and left, arranged everything, and then hurried to Lin'an Prefecture.
Gao Ming looked at his departing back with deep eyes.
His premonition was about to come true, and everything was finally coming to an end.
Gao Ming called someone over: "Send someone to keep an eye on His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and all his subordinates. No one is allowed to leave the city!"
The guard was stunned. What was Lord Gao doing... He didn't have time to think about it and could only nod his head in agreement.
Gao Ming had made some decisions in his mind. As for Lu Xueyin's great cause, the only ones standing in her way were Emperor Qianyuan and the Crown Prince.
Emperor Qianyuan was nothing to be feared; he had been ill for the past few years and probably didn't have many days left to live. So the only obstacle left before Lu Xueyin was the Crown Prince, and no matter what, he would eliminate him for him!
Lu Xueyin had a good reputation, and she couldn't afford to tarnish her reputation in order to achieve great things in the future. But he could, as he was just a minister, and his reputation wasn't important.
He had already made up his mind that after the matter was accomplished, he would die to atone for his crime. Although he was Lu Xueyin's man, outsiders might question him and think that he was ordered by Lu Xueyin.
But he would not let the dirty water be thrown on Lu Xueyin. If Lu Xueyin wanted to assassinate His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, she could have done it secretly. How could she lose one of his capable ministers?
At that time... Gao Ming's eyes flashed with determination. He would settle accounts with the royal family for their negligence over the years. Even if it meant death, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must deserve it!
Lu Xueyin didn't know Gao Ming's intentions yet. She was currently leading the army on the road. According to the plan, she would not arrive in Ningzhou until the morning of the next day.
Lu Xueyin thought for a moment and gave the order: "The entire army will march towards Lin'an Prefecture."
Tan Feng asked, "Are you worried about the situation changing?"
Lu Xueyin nodded slowly, her expression solemn: "I don't know why, but I've always felt uneasy."
Lu Xueyin gave the order and the entire army immediately advanced at full speed towards Lin'an Prefecture.
Lu Xueyin was really anxious, so she finally took her men and rode over on horseback.
The weather was already cold, and the wind outside was howling, cutting her face like a knife. But Lu Xueyin didn't care about that and still led her troops to Lin'an Prefecture.
At this time in Lin'an Prefecture, a war was about to break out.
After Peng Jiang successfully escaped, he reunited with his subordinates.
Peng Jiang had been unable to control the senior officers in the army over the years, as they each had their own agenda. However, the ordinary soldiers of the Yilin Army still recognized him.
Peng Jiang was the one who led them out of desperate situations. When their respective commanders were absent, his appearance made the soldiers subconsciously obey him.
Peng Jiang gathered most of his troops, and this took a whole day. Several of his generals were captured in Lin'an Prefecture, so he had to rely on himself to contact the troops.
But the result was not good for him. In the end, only 500,000 people were willing to obey him. At this moment, he realized that Dou had already allied with a group of people and had betrayed him.
Peng Jiang sat in the army in shock, and only then did he feel a little safer.
At this time, Dou Ye and Ji Ping's army also joined forces, and at this time, Peng Jiang no longer had the advantage in numbers.
The Yilin Army is said to have a million-strong army, but in fact it only has about 800,000 men. Lu Xueyin brought 400,000 men this time. With 800,000 men against 400,000, the Yilin Army can still be said to have the advantage.
However, Lu Xueyin sent an army of 200,000, and Dou Ye also instigated a rebellion of 300,000 troops, so the two sides were outnumbered by 500,000 to 500,000.
Ji Ping also muttered to Dou Ye: "For so many years, every battle has always been won by a smaller force. Our master always racked his brains and used all means to win. This is the first time we have encountered an opponent with equal numbers. Alas, it's a pity that the master is not here yet."
Dou found it funny but also felt sad.
If you think about it carefully, isn't it? From the very beginning, Lu Xueyin has always won by using fewer troops to defeat more, and by using the weak to defeat the strong.
The Nanyang King had a numerical advantage, and his soldiers were meticulously trained. What did Lu Xueyin have at the time? They were just a bunch of refugees who hadn't made a living, and after a period of training, they were dragged into battle.
Their battle preparations and combat experience were no match for the King of Nanyang. Yet, Lu Xueyin relied on this team to defeat the King of Nanyang and drive away the Tatars.
Dou also sighed: "Your Excellency is truly extraordinary and admirable."
Ji Ping nodded in agreement.
Weidong's eyes sparkled and he looked proud.
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