After sending the letter to Datong by express courier, Li Qin himself began to organize his troops and prepare to head to Xuanfu.
The army in the capital had been preparing for this period of time, but it was still not quite ready to attack Taiyuan.
However, it's more than enough to go to Datong, which is closer to Taiyuan.
After reorganizing the army, Li Qin immediately led the army to Xuanfu.
Both Zhang Hengshuo in Zhending and Li Xuanshang in Zezhou and Lu'an Prefecture received Li Qin's orders.
They immediately began to muster their troops and march towards Pingyang Prefecture in Shanxi Province, attempting to intercept Yang Zhiyong's army retreating south, and at the same time occupy Pingyang Prefecture to block the road from Shaanxi into Shanxi.
Suddenly, the entire Shanxi province was engulfed in flames of war.
Upon receiving Li Qin's order, Jiang Xiangyang of Datong immediately slammed it onto the table in anger.
“That treacherous Li Qin said he was going to attack Yang Zhiyong in Taiyuan. He kept urging and forcing me to join him in sending troops to attack Yang Zhiyong in Taiyuan.”
Yang Zhiyong has now left Taiyuan and led his army south.
It's time to seize territory.
But he told us not to move.
Seeing Yang Zhiyong's expression, his deputy, Bi Chengzhi, spoke up:
"General, calm down. Li Qin's decree to you states that he will lead a large army to patrol the borders of Xuanfu and Datong."
If we rashly lead our army away from Datong and head south to seize Taiyuan, Li Qin will definitely take the opportunity to attack Datong, which will be left vulnerable after we leave.
"We'll be in real danger then."
After hearing what his deputy, Bi Chengzhi, said, Jiang Xiangyang waved his hand and replied:
"I know, I'm just furious at Li Qin's shamelessness. When we were fighting desperately on the battlefield, he thought of us first, but now that it's time to seize the spoils and territory, he won't let us move."
Then a general stepped forward and said:
"So, Commander, what should we do now?"
"Wait for Li Qin."
Jiang Xiangyang practically choked out those words.
Zhang Hengshuo led his army to Jingxing and was about to order his troops to launch an attack.
Then he saw the garrison commander of Jingxing Pass, who actually opened the city gate on his own initiative.
He then personally rode to Zhang Hengshuo's army and said:
"This humble general, Qi Wenbai, pays his respects to the general. I have endured humiliation and hardship for many years under the treacherous general, and today I finally see the imperial army arrive."
"This humble general today abandons darkness and embraces light, offering the strategic pass to the imperial court."
Zhang Hengshuo was taken aback when he saw the general named Qi Wenbai in front of him, but then he ordered the vanguard to enter the pass and, after confirming that it was safe, proceeded to the pass.
He had just led his army in, and right after he entered the pass, the general named Qi Wenbai said:
"Um, General, the imperial court is benevolent. I've heard that the court is quite lenient towards generals like us who have abandoned the darkness and embraced the light. I wonder if I..."
Seeing Qi Wenbai's smiling face, Zhang Hengshuo understood what he meant.
He was referring to the surrender terms that Li Qin had promised them.
Then Zhang Hengshuo nodded and said with a smile:
"The imperial court has indeed always governed people with tolerance, and has treated generals like you who have abandoned darkness and turned to the light with great favor."
Since you have voluntarily abandoned darkness and embraced the light, according to the court's regulations, you can retain your official position.
"Okay, so, if I make further contributions, my official position can be inherited."
Qi Wenbai looked at Zhang Hengshuo with a fawning expression.
Zhang Hengshuo nodded and said:
"Yes, that's what the imperial court stipulates."
"Good, General, I have a merit to earn. I have served as an official in Shanxi for many years and have a wide network of connections."
I have good relationships with the generals and officials guarding the passes and cities behind me. I can lead my troops to clear the way for the general and persuade the generals guarding those passes and cities to surrender.
Even after the traitor Yang Zhiyong left Taiyuan, many of the officials stationed in Taiyuan were relatives of me.
I could also try to persuade the city gates of Taiyuan to be opened.
Qi Wenbai said to Zhang Hengshuo with a fawning smile.
Upon hearing Qi Wenbai say that he could persuade the gates of Taiyuan to open, Zhang Hengshuo was overjoyed. If he could really take over the cities and passes behind without losing a single soldier, and even Taiyuan, he would be in a great position.
That would be an absolutely monumental achievement.
Then Zhang Hengshuo patted Qi Wenbai on the shoulder and said:
"Alright, I'll make you the vanguard if you can really persuade the gates of Taiyuan to open."
I personally petitioned the Duke to allow your family to inherit the official position.
"Good, good, good, thank you, General, thank you, General."
Qi Wenbai immediately bowed and thanked Zhang Hengshuo.
Qi Wenbai then took the initiative to lead his troops ahead, carrying their army's flag.
Zhang Hengshuo led his army to follow behind.
Then he noticed something was wrong.
Why did I send you ahead to persuade the city's garrison commanders to surrender?
How come the city generals surrendered so readily after you raised our flag, without even trying to persuade them?
Was this your attempt to persuade us to surrender, or ours?
Although Zhang Hengshuo felt helpless about Qi Wenbai's behavior.
But we still let him continue to be the vanguard and explore the way.
Along the way, Zhang Hengshuo found it to be incredibly convenient.
When the local commanders saw their banners, they surrendered without a second thought.
They offered no resistance whatsoever.
Then he walked up to him, just like Qi Wenbai, and ignored the generous surrender terms offered by the court.
After he promised that he would definitely keep his word.
Many of the defending generals even had to go and lead the vanguard, just like Qi Wenbai, to persuade Taiyuan City to surrender.
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