Yan Sikong's strategy was quite to Zhao Fuyi's liking, but he had much more experience in leading troops than Yan Sikong and also raised many concerns.

"To get from Kuizhou to Yueyang, we must pass through Jingzhou. King Liang controls the waterway fortress of Jingzhou, so we can't take the waterway. If we take the land route, we have to go around Jingzhou..." Zhao Fuyi frowned deeply in front of the map, "Don't we have to go over Nanyue?"

"Yes, the only way to get to Yueyang is to go over the mountains."

Liang Guang said, "No, if we want to cross Nanyue, our soldiers will have to abandon their baggage and heavy equipment, and can only carry a few days' worth of food. Nanyue is a mountainous area with deep valleys and many steep peaks. If the King of Liang sets an ambush in the mountains, our army will be caught in a trap."

"What the Chief Secretary said makes sense," said Lieutenant General Sun Feng. "Since ancient times, we have only circled the city to attack the enemy, but we have never heard of circling the city to attack and defend. Moreover, crossing the mountain is so dangerous. Not to mention the journey of more than 400 miles, how long it will take to cross the Nanyue Mountain? Even if our army really reaches Yueyang, what if King Liang does not send troops? Wouldn't everything be in vain?"

"If the King of Liang does not want to die in Jingzhou, he has no choice but to go south. If he wants to go south, he must take Yueyang." Feng Ye bowed vigorously to Zhao Fuyi, "General, you can report to Your Majesty and ask for troops to be transferred from Nanchang Prefecture to join our army in Yueyang. When the King of Liang hears about this, he will be desperate and attack Yueyang before the Nanchang army arrives. Or, if the King of Liang has foresight, he will even send troops to Yueyang before our army arrives. At that time, our army will attack the city from behind and cut off his retreat. The King of Liang's army will meet me in Yueyang. The King of Liang will be attacked from both sides and will be defeated."

Liang Guang said in a deep voice: "If we go to Nanyue to lure King Liang, I'm afraid we will never come back. Is it your intention to use my divided troops as bait?"

"Why not?" Yan Sikong said calmly, "Only by sending a large force can the King of Liang believe in our determination to rush to Yueyang, and force him to send out troops early and abandon the fortified city to fight me."

"Who will lead these troops to lure the enemy?"

"I am willing to go."

"I am willing to go."

Feng Ye and Yan Sikong answered in unison.

They were both startled, and looked at each other with complicated expressions, but they saw the same determination and fearlessness in each other's eyes. Feng Ye was startled, and the anger that had just appeared on his eyebrows was suppressed again.

Liang Guang and Sun Feng looked at each other, and the other generals were also speechless.

Zhao Fuyi stared at the map in silence.

Feng Ye said again: "General, our army's food and grass are running low. Time is running out. If we don't fight hard, we will have no choice but to retreat."

Liang Guang sighed deeply: "Our army has already recovered Kuizhou and put down the rebellion. It can't be said that we have returned in vain. The shortage of food and fodder is not our army's fault. The prince is so eager to show off his achievements. I am afraid that our army will be in a desperate situation."

Feng Ye said proudly: "If we do not stop the King of Liang and just sit back and watch him gain power, once he seizes Yueyang, there will be endless troubles. If I withdraw my troops, how can I face your majesty and the cities in the south of the Yangtze River?"

Liang Guang wanted to say something, but Zhao Fuyi stopped him with a wave of his hand. His face was solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "I have made up my mind. Who is willing to follow the prince to divide the troops to Nanyue?"

After a moment of silence, Wang Moxiu stepped out, clasped his fists and said, "I am willing to go!"

"Okay, appoint Feng Ye as the guerrilla general and Wang Moxiu as the deputy general. Lead 5,000 soldiers to cross Nanyue Mountain and rush to Yueyang."

"Yes!"

Zhao Fuyi looked at Yan Sikong and said, "Appoint Yan Sikong as a military officer to accompany you. Do as you see fit."

"Yes!"

"Lord Liang," Zhao Fuyi said to Liang Guang, "Please personally draft a letter. One letter will be sent to the capital, asking His Majesty to transfer the Nanchang Army to support our army and urge for more food and fodder. Another letter will be sent to Nanchang, asking Governor Xu to prepare the equipment and be ready to go." He narrowed his eyes, "This information must be leaked to King Liang through spies."

Liang Guang bowed and said, "I accept your command."

Zhao Fuyi looked at Feng Ye and said, "Feng Ye, the day when the King of Liang's army sets out is the day when I will attack the city. Once Jingzhou is captured, I will immediately come to your aid. But if Jingzhou cannot be captured... I will count on you to destroy the King of Liang's army."

It is not easy for Feng Ye to destroy the army of King Liang with only 5,000 soldiers. The most important mission of these 5,000 soldiers is to lure the army of King Liang out of Jingzhou and defeat it by dividing the troops. But even if King Liang divides his troops, he will still have the advantage, because if King Liang divides his troops, they will also divide their troops. No one knows what will happen if this move is carried out, but they have no choice but to fight to the death.

——

“Feng Ye, Feng Ye.” Yan Sikong took a few quick steps, caught up with him, and grabbed Feng Ye’s arm, “Feng Ye!”

Feng Ye shook off his arm and poked him hard with his finger, but he was speechless.

Yan Sikong dragged Feng Ye to the corner of the wall and whispered, "Now is not the time for you and me to get angry."

"To keep angry?" Feng Ye gritted his teeth and said, "The last time I warned you, you forgot everything right away. Do you think I was just angry with you?"

"Feng Ye." Yan Sikong held Feng Ye's arm, looked deeply into his eyes, and said seriously, "I know you are worried about my safety, and I am also worried about your safety. You also asked for permission to be bait and take risks, so should I stop you?"

"You and I are different."

"What's the difference?" Yan Sikong said sternly, "Is it because I am a civil official and you are a military general? You and I are officials in the same court, we are both men, and we both have the ambition to serve the country and save the people. Why can you go to the battlefield but I can't?"

"You...you are making excuses."

"You obviously underestimated me."

"I have never looked down on you! You are just a civil servant with mediocre martial arts skills, but you are good at making plans. Why do you want to take risks with me? Is it wrong for me to want to protect you?" Feng Ye's face was full of anger.

"I want to protect you too!" Yan Sikong said loudly.

Feng Ye was stunned.

Yan Sikong's eyes flickered, staring at Feng Ye without blinking: "That's why I want to go with you. This journey through Nanyue is extremely dangerous. Although you are a rare general, you are young and frivolous, and you are bold and reckless. I knew that you were eager to achieve success and would definitely ask for your life. I was worried. Since it was my plan, I must make sure you return safely."

Feng Ye lowered his eyelids, his thick eyelashes blocking his pupils, making it impossible to see his thoughts.

Yan Sikong looked at him silently.

Feng Ye suddenly hugged him in his arms.

"Feng, Feng Ye." Yan Sikong looked around nervously and struggled hard at the same time, "Be careful not to be seen."

"Just watch it." Feng Ye's arms were like iron clamps, firmly holding the person in his arms. He said sullenly, "Kong'er, the more I get along with you, the more I like you. What should I do?"

Yan Sikong's heart softened, and he felt a myriad of mixed emotions. For a moment he couldn't tell whether it was sour or sweet, happy or sad.

Feng Ye's infatuation with him was a good thing. Only a young man of 18 or 19 would be so unreserved and devoted to him, but he was always trying to hold back. Facing Feng Ye, he often felt ashamed of the inequality of his contribution, but he was calm and sober and knew that he must not fall into this trap and could only give so much.

——

Before sending out troops, Zhao Fuyi arranged everything and discussed the siege plan with Di Rong.

Zhao Fuyi and Di Rong were both famous generals of the time, and at a time when the Great Sheng Kingdom was in decline, they were the best lineup that Emperor Zhaowu could deploy. For this reason, Yan Sikong and Feng Ye dared to take the risk, believing that as long as they could lead the army out of Jingzhou, these two would be able to capture the city. At worst, they could engage in a battle with King Liang's army and weaken its military strength, which was always a much better chance of success than storming a strong city.

On the eve of the expedition, they found two local hunters from Nanyue as guides. At the same time, Feng Ye and Yan Sikong were about to read the map to pieces. Feng Ye had a unique ability, which was his strong memory and analysis of terrain. He only needed to observe the terrain once and he could draw a map in his mind. Similarly, he only needed to look at the map several times and the terrain and topography of the place would be in his mind. When he used it, the difference was no more than a hundred meters.

So when Yan Sikong said that Feng Ye was a rare military talent, it was by no means a compliment. He had observed Feng Ye for a long time and knew what kind of natural talent Feng Ye had. He also knew his unique birth and background. As long as he could get through his impulsive and unruly youth, he would surely soar to great heights.

At this point, before setting out on the expedition, Feng Ye already knew Nanyue like the back of his hand. Relying on his military tactics and actual combat experience, he finally selected two marching routes, one as a backup for the other.

Even so, there are still natural dangers in the mountains that cannot be avoided. Not to mention the danger of marching, what they worry about most is an ambush. But now they have no choice but to take a gamble.

The day before the expedition, Yan Sikong asked to see Zhao Fuyi and said straight to the point: "General, I am here to remind you that if you capture the city, don't rush to celebrate, but first rescue the officers and generals from the two lakes who are imprisoned by King Liang."

"Of course, but I don't know if King Liang still keeps them."

"Since the King of Liang rebelled, I have only heard that Governor Ge and others were imprisoned, but there has been no news that the King of Liang executed them, so I believe they should still be alive."

When Zhao Fuyi heard Ge Zhong's name, something strange flashed in his eyes. He said, "I hope so."

Yan Sikong said casually, "Actually, I have some doubts about this matter."

"oh?"

"Prince Liang holds the military power, why would he keep them around?"

Zhao Fuyi frowned: "It's indeed a bit strange. Maybe he wants to leave a way out for himself."

Yan Sikong hissed, "What the general said makes sense. I heard that the Governor-General of the Two Lakes, Mr. Ge Zhongge, was someone that Eunuch Xie tried very hard to promote."

Zhao Fuyi glared, "Lord Yan, the way out I was talking about was not this. I meant that the King of Liang did not want to suffer more sins. Once he was defeated, he might be able to save his life in front of Your Majesty. What do you mean by this?"

Yan Sikong stood up hurriedly: "Oh, I misunderstood. I have nothing to say, nothing to say."

Zhao Fuyi's brows knitted even more tightly together. He said, "This matter is not important. Let's talk about it after I take Jingzhou."

"yes……"