Chapter 78: Chongshan Pass, a Declaration of War
The wind blew the flags on the wall fluttering, as if at this moment, the wind between heaven and earth was full of murderous intent.
The Northern Yan army set up camp at Xiaochongshan, a hundred miles outside Chongshan Pass, facing Chongshan Pass from afar.
Yan Xingchuan led his personal guards and several generals to a hilltop outside Chongshan Pass, using a telescope to observe the situation at Chongshan Pass.
Speaking of which, this 'telescopic mirror' was made by Cui Si in the previous life.
Since it is indeed very useful for marching and fighting, and the method is not difficult, Yan Xingchuan asked the craftsmen to make it, and it has just been received.
Everyone looked at the situation in the mountain city through telescopes and was amazed.
From a distance, this mountain city looked like a giant beast lying between the broken mountains, sleeping silently, with the surroundings dead silent.
But once it is awakened, it will open its bloody mouth, choose a person to bite, and stretch out its sharp claws to tear the person to pieces.
But through the telescope, they could see the soldiers guarding the city gates and the troops patrolling back and forth.
Suddenly it didn't seem so scary anymore.
"This telescope is truly magical. It can see from such a distance. It's very useful for marching and fighting."
Shangguan Tong used a telescope to look at the situation in Chongshan City and said, "There are quite a few troops stationed there. It will be a tough battle."
Because they were going to attack Yunzhou, Shangguan Tong was worried, so he handed over the affairs of Yuanzhou City to others and followed the army.
"Let's go, go back first."
Yan Xingchuan brought everyone back to the camp and discussed the next attack on Chongshan Pass.
"What we know now is that the commander-in-chief of Chongshan City is Jiang Shao, the son of Duke Ping. He has an army of approximately 60,000 men. Adding the soldiers and civilians who have been waiting here for years, the total number could be over 100,000."
"We currently have 60,000 troops."
"When will the army arrive?"
"About three days later."
When Yan Xingchuan crossed the river to the south, he brought only 50,000 troops with him.
However, later on, a lot of soldiers were recruited in Pingzhou and Yuanzhou, and there were no losses, so more than 20,000 soldiers were added, bringing the total to more than 70,000.
Some of these troops followed Shen Mo to pacify Pingzhou, some to pacify Yuanzhou, and there were 60,000 troops following here.
Yan Xingchuan acted very directly. He recruited soldiers and gave money and land to those who joined the army. Therefore, wherever he went, there were many people willing to join the army.
The Zhou Dynasty was ruled by a tyrant emperor and corrupt officials, and coupled with the oppression of the aristocratic families, the people had a very difficult life. In order to make life better for their families, many people were willing to risk their lives.
Right now, Beiyan still has 20,000 reserve troops recruited in the two states, and they have not yet been trained.
The army mentioned at this time was the army of about 50,000 people that came south from Northern Yan to attack Chongshan Pass.
This is the maximum number of troops that Northern Yan can mobilize.
The rest had to stay in various places within Northern Yan and defend against foreign invaders.
"If we were to attack directly, the imperial court would occupy a natural stronghold, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Even if we have the advantage in numbers, fighting would still be extremely difficult, and we would probably suffer heavy losses."
"What if we use wits to defeat them?"
"Outsmart? How? Trick the commander out and kill him? Or incite a rebellion?"
"Killing the commander is impossible. The Prince of Pingguo is not stupid. If we try to instigate a rebellion, my lord, do you think it will succeed?"
"Whether you can succeed or not, I think you have gone crazy!"
Don’t be too optimistic!
You are even trying to instigate the Prince of Pingguo to rebel. Why don’t you talk about instigating the old emperor to rebel and let him surrender directly?
As everyone talked, their voices grew louder and louder, becoming a chaotic scene like an argument.
"Alright, stop arguing." Yan Xingchuan stretched out his hand and frowned, "Prepare a letter of challenge for me. I want to challenge Jiang Shao to a duel. The battle between the two armies will be fought by me and the other two."
What? !
The faces of the people present changed.
"My Lord! No!"
"This is absolutely unacceptable!"
"My Lord, this matter..."
"Alright, I've made up my mind. No need to say more. Besides, I'm still confident in facing Jiang Shao."
In the previous life, the attack on Chongshan Pass was a direct attack.
The two armies fought each other, and both sides suffered heavy losses. The Chongshan Pass was littered with corpses and bones.
In the end, he narrowly won half a piece and won the battle. Jiang Shao was defeated and later continued to block his journey eastward.
In this life, even if he was reborn, there was no better way to capture Chongshan City. The only way to reduce the losses was to change the battle between the two armies into a battle between him and Jiang Shao, the two main generals.
Moreover, he is no longer the Yan Xingchuan of the past. He is confident that he can kill Jiang Shao with his sword.
"If he wins, the Northern Yan army will retreat to Yuanzhou City and will not cross Chongshan Pass again until they are absolutely sure of their victory. If I win, the imperial army will withdraw from Chongshan Pass and hand it over to us."
Cui Jing's face was not good. "My Lord, this is not appropriate. Please think twice. Have you forgotten the letter you wrote to me?"
This is to use Cui Si's words to point at him.
Yan Xingchuan glanced at him and said, "I am not crazy."
He was wide awake.
"Military Advisor, write a declaration of war for this king. Also, recall Chen Mo. If the affairs of Pingzhou have not been completed, hand them over to other generals."
"Forget it, I'll just write it myself. Bring me paper and pen."
Yan Xingchuan personally wrote a letter of war and ordered someone to send it to Chongshan City, and then let everyone disperse.
Shangguan Tong, Shen Sui and other close associates stayed behind.
Chen Sui, who was always cold and indifferent, with an icy face, was getting a little anxious:
"Are you crazy? If we want a two-person battle, I will compete with Jiang Shao."
Yan Xingchuan's expression was calm: "You are indeed extraordinary and worthy of being a great general, but your chances of winning against him are slim."
"If Jiang Shao accepts the challenge, it would be best if I win. If I lose, I will retreat to Yuanzhou.
If that doesn't work, then we'll head north to the Jiang River and return to its northern shore. Also, anyone in Pingzhou or Yuanzhou who's willing to leave will be taken with them."
The Cui family values life so much that they would probably follow them north. Moreover, they have defected to Northern Yan, so if they stay, they will die.
"Chen Mo, I have summoned him back. If I lose, all future affairs of Northern Yan will be handed over to him. You two will assist..."
This is arranging funeral arrangements.
Shangguan Tong frowned upon hearing this. "If you want to fight Jiang Shao, I have no objection. Winning would be the best. If you lose, it's crucial to save your life. At most, we can temporarily refrain from attacking Chongshan Pass."
"There's a saying that goes, 'As long as the green mountains remain, there's no need to worry about having no firewood.' Only by living can everything be possible, and only by living can one have the opportunity to take revenge."
"Besides, have you forgotten Cui Liuniang?"
Yan Xingchuan paused slightly.
Shangguan Tong knew something about the affairs between Yan Xingchuan and Cui Si.
He said, "If you leave, Cui Liuniang will really have to marry someone else. Then you can only watch her in the underworld as she makes love with someone else and has children."
"How about this? As long as you come back alive, if Cui Liuniang dares to marry someone else, I will accompany you to snatch her away and make her your queen."
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