Yang Sizhong of the Yang family in the Northwest wrote to him. With the establishment of the Jinling court, a fierce conflict broke out within the Yang family over whether or not to recognize it.
Many members of the Yang family believe that he has swept through Hebei and Shandong in a short period of time, eyeing the Central Plains, and is currently very powerful, so he should not be made an enemy.
Those die-hards within the Yang family were only barely suppressed.
As long as the Duke destroys the Jinling court, they can completely defeat those die-hards, and he can become the head of the Yang family.
At that time, he will definitely lead the Yang family to follow his lead.
At the same time, they faced the statistics of tax revenue and expenditure in both regions, and saw the huge fiscal deficit.
Li Qin gradually made up his mind to head south.
At this time, within Henan Province, Li Xuanshang left Zhang Hengshuo and 30,000 troops to guard Zhengding against Yang Zhiyong.
He then led the remaining army south and quickly conquered the entire territory of Zhili. After that, he swiftly took over the three northern prefectures of Henan and left behind 20,000 troops in places like Huaiqing to defend against Shanxi.
Li Xuanshang also left 20,000 troops to garrison the three prefectures of Zhili and Henan that he had occupied.
Furthermore, he dispatched an army of 20,000 to Shandong to monitor and intimidate Qin minister Yao Hou.
He continued to lead the remaining 50,000 troops south and stationed them on the north bank of the Yellow River, preparing to continue the attack on Kaifeng.
He first ordered Marquis Geng Zhixiang of Jinshun to lead 10,000 troops as the vanguard to cross the river first.
Meanwhile, in Kaifeng, Dong Zhonglou, who was treating the arrow wound on his buttocks, immediately received news that Li Qin's army was marching towards Kaifeng.
Upon hearing this news, Dong Zhonglou, who had barely escaped with his life, immediately jumped out of bed in fear.
Then, clutching his throbbing buttocks, he asked:
"What did you say? Li Qin's army is coming after us."
"Yes, Li Qin's army is heading towards Kaifeng, and its numbers are no less than ten thousand."
"Tens of thousands!"
Upon hearing this number, Dong Zhonglou was so terrified he almost fainted.
Last time, a few hundred of Li Qin's cavalry defeated his tens of thousands of troops, but this time he has less than 20,000 troops in Kaifeng.
Most importantly, according to previous intelligence, Li Qin's nephew, Li Xuanshang, had amassed an army of 50,000 north of the Yellow River.
These tens of thousands of people may only be the vanguard of the 50,000-strong army, which will eventually cross the river to attack.
How could his 20,000 men possibly be a match for those 50,000 fierce and powerful troops?
Then, he said tremblingly to the soldier in front of him:
"Quickly, assemble the army and escort me out of Kaifeng."
Upon hearing Dong Zhonglou's order, the soldier immediately obeyed and went to organize the troops.
Dong Zhonglou was also preparing to leave Kaifeng with his gold and silver jewelry.
Just then, Dong Zhonglou's aide turned his eyes and walked up to Dong Zhonglou, saying:
"General, Henan is located in the Central Plains, a flat plain. Even if you lead your army away, you probably won't escape Li Qin's elite cavalry."
Upon hearing his words, Dong Zhonglou immediately trembled and said:
"Then, what should we do?"
"General, I have a plan that can not only help you but also relieve Li Qin's military troubles."
There's also the possibility of annihilating Li Qin's 50,000-strong army in one fell swoop, thus achieving unparalleled merit for the general.
When Dong Zhonglou looked at his strategist and said he had a plan, he immediately had a bad feeling.
Because his strategist was ruthless and had a reputation as a poisoner.
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