Three days later, in Longcheng.
On the training ground of the Po Lu Army, banners fluttered, the three armies were arrayed, their iron armor gleaming, and their swords and spears were like a forest.
Today is an important day for Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin to personally lead his army to suppress the rebellion, and it is also the day he presents flags to the commanders of the left and right armies of Longcheng.
After the flag was presented, Chen Huai'an's more than 200,000-strong army of Longcheng punitive expeditionary force split into two routes to conquer the south and the north.
They marched north to the north to confront the northern barbarians, the Turks.
The other route marched south to Yunzhou, heading straight for the Yunhui army's main camp.
Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
As the resounding war drums rang out, Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin, clad in golden armor and with the Seven-Star Dragon Abyss Sword at his waist, and his civil and military officials,
And then, Dongfang Xiao, the black-robed monk still wearing a dark, coarse cloth robe, arrived at the training ground, in front of the three armies, accompanied by thunderous drumbeats.
As the commander-in-chief and his generals took their positions, the sound of the war drums abruptly ceased.
On the vast training ground, only the occasional snorting of warhorses, the low breathing of soldiers, and the fluttering of banners in the wind could be heard.
Looking at the dark mass of elite soldiers before him, Chen Huai'an slowly drew the Seven Star Dragon Abyss Sword from his waist, held it in his hand, and raised his arm to shout, "The Broken Army is mighty!"
"General, you are mighty!"
"The army that breaks through the enemy lines is mighty!"
"Long live the Prince of Jin! Long live the Prince of Jin! Long live the Prince of Jin!"
On the training ground, tens of thousands of soldiers roared in unison.
Chen Huai'an's gaze swept across the determined soldiers on the training ground, and he once again addressed them with domineering authority:
"Soldiers, ten years have passed. The Turkic barbarians who were once defeated and forced to submit by the late king and the generals of the Polu Army are now trying to cross the northern border to spy on Longcheng!"
"Now, with treacherous officials stirring up trouble within the court and powerful northern barbarians surrounding us from the outside, we, as members of the Po Lu Army, have no way out!"
"Today, I hereby swear that I will shed my blood on the battlefield with the soldiers of the Po Lu Army, and that I will go to war with the entire army."
I, the king, will fight three battles and win them all, cut down the enemy's banner, kill their commander, and tell them:
The loyal and valiant army that has broken through the enemy lines is still here. Tell them that the iron cavalry of Longcheng guarding the border is still here. Tell those arrogant and barbaric Turks to withdraw from the north and ensure their bodies are intact!
"The army that breaks through the enemy lines is mighty!"
"Powerful! Powerful! Powerful!"
The soldiers roared in unison once again.
The sound of thunder resounded throughout the sky.
After a long while, as the roars of the entire army gradually subsided, Chen Huai'an raised his hand and pressed down, signaling the generals to be quiet.
Then, with each word ringing out firmly, he gave the order: "Chang Yuchun, step forward!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
At a command, Chang Yuchun, the most valiant general of the Ming Dynasty, clad in bright armor and with a ring-pommel sword at his waist, stepped out of the ranks and stood proudly like a javelin below the platform, his sharp gaze fixed on Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin on the reviewing stand.
Chen Huai'an said, "Chang Yuchun, I hereby formally promote you to the position of Deputy Marshal of the Left Route Army of Longcheng, and bestow upon you the title of General Who Conquers the South. You shall lead 150,000 troops from the Longshan Camp on a southern expedition. Set off immediately and take Yunzhou without delay!"
Chang Yuchun immediately clasped his hands in obeisance and accepted the order: "This humble general obeys!"
Chen Huai'an waved his hand and ordered, "Someone, present the Southern Expeditionary Army flag to Vice Commander Chang!"
Soon, Xiao Po, the commander of the Golden Guard, clad in golden armor, approached Chang Yuchun with a four-clawed yellow dragon flag bearing the four large characters "Conquering the South Army" held aloft in both arms. He walked with steady and firm steps.
Upon seeing this, Chang Yuchun straightened his back and took the military flag of the Southern Expeditionary Army from Xiao Po's hands with both hands straight.
Then, under the fervent gazes of tens of thousands of Longcheng soldiers on the training ground, he raised the military flag high with both hands, walked step by step to his warhorse, and mounted the horse with one arm while holding the flag aloft.
Chang Yuchun, mounted on his horse, turned and glanced back at Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin, who stood in the center of the reviewing stand on the parade ground. The latter nodded firmly to him.
The next moment, Chang Yuchun on horseback roared: "The Southern Expeditionary Army, set off immediately!"
After Chang Yuchun and his 20,000 troops who had participated in the oath-taking ceremony before the battle left the training ground, only the Longcheng Iron Cavalry and Xuanjia Light Cavalry remained on the vast training ground, with a total force of more than 80,000.
As Chen Huai'an watched the Southern Expeditionary Army gradually disappear from sight, he continued to issue the order: "Pang Xianchu, step forward!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Among the military officers, Pang Xianchu, the military officer in charge of the Longcheng garrison, who was the second to be called out by Prince Chen Huai'an, was quite surprised, but he still stepped out of the line immediately to await the general's orders.
Chen Huai'an said sternly, "Pang Xianchu, I hereby promote you to the position of commander-in-chief of the Longcheng army's northern expedition. You will assist me in personally leading 80,000 infantry and cavalry troops northward to conquer Shuobei and confront the Turks. Set off immediately without delay!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
On the training ground, Pang Xianchu stood there in disbelief, tears welling in his eyes.
Pang Xianchu originally thought that in the Battle of Longcheng, as the commander-in-chief, he had exhausted the bloodline of 5,000 elite troops of the Polu Army. Even if Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin was magnanimous and did not pursue his responsibility for the poor performance, he should at least be sidelined in the army for a period of time.
He himself was also mentally prepared to recruit soldiers and train the new army of Polu in the rear.
Who would have thought that the Prince of Jin would disregard past grievances and entrust him with such an important task, handing over the crucial matter of the royal army's northern expedition to him in front of the three armies.
He was even promoted to the position of commander-in-chief of the Northern Expeditionary Army, leading 80,000 elite cavalry. What a great favor and trust this was!
Pang Xianchu silently told himself: The King of Jin has been incredibly kind to me. As a mere warrior, Pang Xianchu has no choice but to go through fire and water to repay him with his life!
Chen Huai'an looked at Pang Xianchu, whose eyes were glistening with tears, gave him a firm and resolute look, and continued loudly, "Present General Pang the flag of the Northern Expeditionary Army!"
Xiao Po, who was once the flag bearer of the Eighth Regiment of the Po Lu Army, once again raised a scarlet flag with the four large characters "Northern Expeditionary Army" written on it and came to Pang Xianchu.
Then, with reverence and solemnity, the battle flag, symbolizing the soul of the Longcheng Northern Expeditionary Army, was handed to the commander-in-chief, Pang Xianchu.
Upon seeing this, the latter's trembling hands had been waiting for a long time.
When Pang Xianchu's hands touched the cold and hard flagpole, his trembling hands instantly became as steady and firm as a sculpture.
He then raised the banner of the Northern Expeditionary Army of Longcheng high, and with firm steps, looked back every three steps at Chen Huai'an on the reviewing stand.
With the latter giving a slight nod of permission, Pang Xianchu mounted his warhorse, raised the battle flag high, and shouted, "The Northern Expeditionary Army, set off immediately!"
It took the entire time it takes for an incense stick to burn for the 80,000 Xuanjia infantry and cavalry to set off from the training ground.
With the departure of Pang Xianchu and the Xuanjia infantry and cavalry, the vast training ground suddenly became empty, leaving only a thousand or so Polu Army soldiers who remained to guard Longcheng and a group of civil and military officials.
Chen Huai'an gave the order again: "Chen Qingzhi, step forward!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Chen Qingzhi, the white-robed scholar-general, still appeared in a flowing white robe, exuding elegance and refinement.
Chen Huai'an continued, "Chen Qingzhi, I hereby promote you to Deputy Marshal of the Right Route Army of the Longcheng Garrison, in charge of the army's provisions and supplies, to defend Longcheng, recruit soldiers, and train the new army. You must not fail in your duties!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Chen Qingzhi bowed slightly and immediately accepted the order.
With the white-robed scholar-general Chen Qingzhi stationed in Longcheng, Chen Huai'an's worries were relieved, and he could now confidently lead his army to attack cities and conquer strongholds.
Next, Chen Huai'an encouraged the local officials of the city and thirty-six counties in the Prince of Jin's fiefdom, and entrusted the important task of local administration to the thirteen-year-old Prince Chen Longxiang.
Chen Huai'an raised his hand and gently punched Chen Longxiang's thin body, just as his father, Chen Polu, had entrusted him with the affairs of the royal palace and the administration of his fiefdom when he was fifteen years old before going to war. He then said to Chen Longxiang:
“Longxiang, you are your father’s youngest son, my own brother, one of only two men in the royal palace, and a true man of integrity.”
"Now that I am about to personally lead a large army on a northern expedition, you have become the only male member of the royal family left behind in Longcheng, your fiefdom. You have the obligation and the responsibility to shoulder the duties of the young prince of the Jin royal family!"
Then, Chen Huai'an continued earnestly, "I will now hand over the million people of my fiefdom, encompassing one city and thirty-six counties, to you."
In the future, consult General Chen on military matters and Master Dongfang on political affairs. Never again be mischievous and unruly. Be like your father and your elder brother, a true man—a man who stands tall and is respected by all!
"Chen Longxiang, did you understand?"
"Brother, I understand!"
Chen Longxiang's once mischievous and playful face had lost some of its former charm, replaced by a calm and wise demeanor that revealed his understanding of right and wrong. He nodded vigorously and continued, word by word:
"Brother, don't worry, I will never disgrace Father, I will never disgrace you, and I will never disgrace our royal family!"
Looking at his younger brother Chen Longxiang, who was already looking quite grown-up, Chen Huai'an finally showed a relieved smile.
Then, he called over the old monk in black, Dongfang Xiao, and said sincerely, "Master, I will entrust the dragon and elephant to you for the time being!"
Dongfang Xiao nodded and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this humble monk will do his utmost to assist the young prince in governing the fiefdom and await Your Highness's return from the northern expedition!"
Chen Huai'an said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Master!"
Dongfang Xiao smiled reservedly and waved his hand.
Then, with a calm expression, he said to Chen Huai'an, "Your Highness, last night I observed the celestial phenomena and found that the southern imperial star had moved north. So I cast a divination, and the divination showed that Your Highness's army will be victorious in its campaigns to the south and north, and a great victory is expected."
Hahaha!
Upon hearing this, Chen Huai'an laughed heartily, then said to Dongfang Xiao with overwhelming domineering confidence:
"Master, although I am not good at divination or consulting the heavens, I already know that this army will sweep across the north and south with overwhelming force."
"Because the person leading the troops in battle is none other than Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin, whose bravery surpasses that of the entire army!"
"Master, you're gone!"
After speaking, Chen Huai'an left gracefully, turned around and mounted his horse.
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Huai'an's top-quality steed, the Yellow Horse, swept away like a golden gust of wind and lightning, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
Seeing this, Dongfang Xiao, the black-clad monk who had been standing there watching Chen Huai'an leave, raised his aged right hand and stroked his white beard. A meaningful smile appeared on his usually calm face.
......
Shuobei City, a strategically important border town.
At the same time that Chen Huai'an personally led the Longcheng army in two separate campaigns to conquer the north and south, a group of uninvited guests also arrived at Shuobei City, a key border town in the northwest of the Daxin Dynasty.
This is a standard steppe cavalry unit consisting of one rider and two horses, with a strength of around 20,000.
The soldiers on horseback all wore combat uniforms made of tough leather and iron, and their helmets were uniformly shaped like wolf teeth from the grasslands. Their wrist guards, knee pads, and even their riding boots were embroidered with mysterious and eerie totems.
It was the renowned Turkic cavalry under Timur Khan of the Turkic Empire!
This time, the enemy Turkic cavalry, numbering 20,000, suddenly appeared at the gates of Shuobei City, a key town on the northwestern border of the Great Xin Dynasty. Instead of alerting the Yunhui Army soldiers stationed in Shuobei to light beacon fires on the beacon towers to warn the border regions, they opened the city gates wide, making it seem as if they were welcoming the enemy army into the city.
Moreover, the Yunhui Army soldiers defending the city turned a blind eye to the enemy cavalry's rampage outside the city, slaughtering and harming innocent people of Daxin, abusing innocent women, and robbing passing caravans, allowing them to wreak havoc on the border people at will.
Some border guards with a conscience could not bear to see this atrocity and rushed to the central command tent to volunteer for battle. However, they were beaten out by Liang Erhu, the commander of the Yunhui Army's vanguard, who was stationed in Shuobei, and all of them were thrown into the army's prison to reflect on their mistakes.
At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), Liang Erhu, now dressed in armor and with a short sword at his waist, led his personal guards out of the city and arrived before Huobo Guiren, the commander of the Turkic cavalry. With a fawning expression, he said, "General Huobo, let's enter the city. I have prepared some wine inside. Tonight, we will drink until we're drunk!"
snort!
The Turkic cavalry commander, Huobo Guiren, snorted coldly, not even glancing at Liang Erhu, and asked arrogantly, "General Liang, what about the pay promised by your army's commander, General Wu, for the Imperial Iron Cavalry's departure, and the three thousand young girls prepared to reward the Imperial soldiers?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Erhu spurred his horse forward, his face still bearing a fawning smile, and said, "General Huobo, rest assured, everything is ready. We will present it to you all at once after you lead your army into the city!"
snort!
Huo Bo Guiren snorted coldly again, saying in an icy tone, "That's more like it!"
Then, he loudly commanded, "Messenger, convey my order: the army shall march into the city!"
"Understood!"
Soon, the messenger from the Turkic army hurriedly left.
Before long, the Turkic cavalry, who had been resting on the spot, began to move. They rode in orderly formation towards the ancient city that had blocked the Turkic cavalry from marching south into the Central Plains for hundreds of years, their faces bearing the arrogant and savage smiles of victors.
Liang Erhu, who was leading the way on horseback, asked, "General Huobo, how many troops did the Turkic army bring with them as they marched south to Longcheng?"
Huo Bogui glared fiercely at Liang Erhu and replied impatiently, "Twenty thousand iron cavalry!"
As he spoke, Huo Boguiren ignored Liang Erhu, who was standing there dumbfounded with a blank expression. He suddenly spurred his horse on the belly, and the warhorse, in pain, neighed and galloped away along the bluestone road in the city. Only Liang Erhu, who was still standing there dumbfounded and at a loss, was left bewildered in the wind.
After a long while, he spat out a mouthful of saliva and said irritably:
"Hey!"
"Damn it, those cunning northern barbarians tricked us again! They promised 50,000 Turkic cavalry, but only 20,000 showed up. And they still want to pay and take women according to the standard of 50,000! Those bastards have absolutely no conscience! Bah!"
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