thirty
The news of Chai Wenyi's re-arrest sent shockwaves through the court and the public. This time, no one dared to plead for him. The discovery of the armory and the secret letter made it clear to everyone—the evidence of Prince Zheng's treason was irrefutable.
However, Zhan Zhao had no time to celebrate his victory. He stood in his study in Kaifeng Prefecture, gazing at a map of the southern frontier, his brow furrowed with deep worry.
"Cat, we've caught them all, why are you still looking so worried?" Bai Yutang leaned against the door frame, his tone relaxed.
Zhan Zhao pointed to the map: "Although Chai Wenyi has been captured, Chai Siyi in Southern Xinjiang will definitely not stand idly by. I'm worried..."
Before he could finish speaking, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Gongsun Ce strode in, holding a sealed letter: "Guard Zhan, urgent message! Something has happened in the southern border!"
Zhan Zhao unfolded the secret letter, his expression changing drastically. The letter read: Chai Siyi has gathered various tribes in the southern border region and launched an uprising under the pretext of "purging the emperor's inner circle," and has already captured three border cities.
Bai Yutang leaned closer for a look and gasped, "This woman has some nerve!"
Xuan Yuan Tianyi appeared at the doorway at some unknown time, his expression grave: "Chai Siyi is seeking revenge for her brother."
Zhan Zhao said in a deep voice, "That's not all. Her choice to start this now is clearly to catch us off guard."
Upon hearing the news, Bao Zheng rushed to the scene. After reading the secret letter, he immediately decided: "Go to the palace to see the Emperor at once!"
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the atmosphere was as heavy as iron. Zhao Zhen looked at the military report, his face so gloomy it could drip water.
"That Chai Siyi!" Zhao Zhen slammed the military report heavily on the table. "How dare she openly rebel!"
The Eighth Prince stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the southern border is a strategically important and easily defended region. Furthermore, Chai Siyi enjoys the strong support of the various tribes in the south; this battle will likely be no easy task."
Zhao Zhen looked at Zhan Zhao: "Guard Zhan, what do you think we should do?"
Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment: "Your Majesty, although Chai Siyi has the support of the people, she is ultimately a rebel. If we can achieve a swift victory, it will surely deter other those with ulterior motives."
"Easy for you to say." A soft, feminine voice rang out, and Eunuch Li entered carrying a memorial. "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War reports that if we are to send troops to the southern border, we will need to mobilize at least 50,000 soldiers, not to mention countless supplies and provisions."
Zhan Zhao's heart skipped a beat. Eunuch Li had always been on good terms with Chai Wenyi, so his appearance at this time was probably for ulterior motives.
Zhao Zhen frowned: "Fifty thousand troops? What about the border?"
Eunuch Li bowed and said, "This old servant believes it would be better to send an envoy to offer amnesty first. If that fails, then we can resort to force."
Xuanyuan Tianyi suddenly spoke up: "Eunuch Li, you are mistaken. Since Chai Siyi has already raised an army, she will never accept amnesty. Sending someone now is merely giving her time to prepare."
Eunuch Li's expression changed slightly: "What do you mean by that, Patriarch Xuanyuan?"
Zhan Zhao immediately replied, "Your Majesty can pacify the southern border with a single battle; why undertake such an unnecessary undertaking?"
After a long silence, Zhao Zhen finally said, "Zhan Zhao, listen to my decree."
"Your subject is present."
"I hereby appoint you as the Military Supervisor of the Southern Expedition, bearing my imperial decree, to command all military affairs in the southern border regions. Di Qing is appointed as the Grand General of the Southern Expedition, leading 30,000 elite troops south immediately."
"Your subject obeys the decree!"
Even after leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhan Zhao did not appear relaxed.
Bai Yutang asked, puzzled, "Cat, the Emperor has already granted you permission to lead troops to quell the rebellion, so why are you still looking so gloomy?"
Zhan Zhao said in a low voice, "Didn't you see Eunuch Li's look just now? I'm worried that someone in the court is secretly helping Chai Siyi."
Xuanyuan Tian nodded: "That's right. Just now in the hall, Eunuch Li was clearly stalling for time for Chai Siyi."
The three returned to Kaifeng Prefecture and immediately began preparations for their journey south.
Zhan Zhao said to Bao Zheng, "My lord, after I leave, I entrust the affairs of the court to you. In particular, keep a close eye on Eunuch Li and his ilk."
Bao Zheng nodded solemnly: "Guard Zhan, rest assured, this prefecture will handle this matter appropriately."
Gongsun Ce handed over a medicine pouch: "Guard Zhan, the journey to the southern border is fraught with miasma. These pills can prevent the spread of miasma; remember to take them daily."
Zhan Zhao accepted the medicine pouch, deeply moved: "Thank you, sir."
That night, Zhan Zhao was packing his belongings when a familiar, cool fragrance wafted from outside the window. He opened the window and saw Xuan Yuan Tian standing in the moonlight, his red robes more fiery than fire.
"Tianyi? What brings you here?"
Xuanyuan Tianyi handed him a brocade pouch: "This contains the 'Dark Feather's' contact information in the Southern Frontier. If needed, you can use this to mobilize them."
Zhan Zhao took the brocade pouch, its surface warm to the touch: "You...aren't you coming with me?"
Xuanyuan Tianyi shook his head: "I want to stay in Bianjing and keep an eye on the court's movements. Chai Siyi must have an inside agent in the court; if we don't expose her, the consequences will be dire."
Although Zhan Zhao felt reluctant, he knew she was right: "Then be careful."
Xuanyuan Tianyi suddenly stepped forward and stuffed a protective talisman into Zhan Zhao's hand: "This is something I specially obtained from the Daxiangguo Temple to ensure your safety."
Zhan Zhao gripped the amulet tightly, a warm feeling welling up inside him: "Wait for me to come back."
The next morning, the troops were mustered at the drill ground. Thirty thousand elite soldiers stood in neat formation, banners waving. Di Qing, dressed in full military attire, looked imposing and awe-inspiring.
Zhan Zhao was also dressed in light armor, his giant sword gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He mounted his horse and bowed to Bao Zheng and the others who were seeing him off.
"Set off!"
The army set off, marching south in a grand procession. Zhan Zhao and Di Qing rode side by side, discussing military affairs.
"Commander Zhan," Di Qing said, "according to our scouts, Chai Siyi has already occupied the strategically important Ailao Mountain, a natural stronghold that is easy to defend and difficult to attack."
Zhan Zhao nodded: "Mount Ailao is indeed a tough nut to crack. However..." A wise glint flashed in his eyes, "Even the most fortified fortress is vulnerable to internal strife."
Di Qing understood: "What does the supervising officer mean?"
"Although Chai Siyi enjoys popular support, the various tribes in southern Xinjiang are not a monolithic entity," Zhan Zhao analyzed. "If we can divide and weaken them, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Just then, a commotion arose ahead. A scout rode up at full speed to report: "General, spies from the southern frontier have been spotted ahead!"
Zhan Zhao and Di Qing exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. The army had only been leaving Bianjing for a short time, yet they were already being watched by spies from the southern border, which meant that Chai Siyi had far more informants than they had imagined.
"Pass down the order to strengthen vigilance," Di Qing commanded.
Zhan Zhao, however, said, "General, I think this is an opportunity."
"oh?"
"Since Chai Siyi has sent people to investigate, why don't we turn the tables on her?"
That night, a message quietly circulated in the military camp: the Pingnan army was running out of food and supplies and could only fight a quick battle.
The news was quickly relayed back by spies in southern Xinjiang.
However, what they didn't know was that at the same time the news spread, another grain transport team was quietly taking a detour and heading straight for southern Xinjiang.
Zhan Zhao stood outside the tent, gazing at the southern starry sky with a deep look in his eyes.
"A brilliant plan, Inspector." Di Qing walked to his side. "By using deception and trickery, we've kept Chai Siyi guessing our true intentions."
Zhan Zhao sighed softly, "This is just the beginning. The real battle is yet to come."
He knew that this battle was not only about the fate of the Song Dynasty, but also about the lives of countless soldiers. What he had to do was to quell the rebellion at the lowest possible cost.
The towering mountains of southern Xinjiang loomed in the night, like a lurking beast awaiting their arrival.
Zhan Zhao gripped the giant sword in his hand, his eyes resolute.
He absolutely cannot lose this battle.
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