On the coast of Qingzhou, Great Han, a three-story pavilion ship slowly approached. Ling Xuan on the deck continuously observed the scenery of the Great Han coastal port.
"Miss, this Great Han is not simple. The concentration of primal energy here is extremely dense, even stronger by three parts than in the Moluo Dynasty!" Li Shang, supported by Liang Er, walked onto the deck, gazing at the Great Han citizens walking on the land in the distance.
"Everyone, this poor Daoist will escort you this far. As long as you abide by the laws of Great Han, you can move freely across the thirteen prefectures. If you wish to establish a sect, engage in business, etc., you will still need to report to the imperial court!"
"Farewell, everyone!"
Yuan Tiangang bowed slightly and turned to walk towards the Taoist sanctuary.
"Miss, what about us?" Liang Er frowned, his eyes wide open.
"Let's walk around and see first!" Ling Xuan looked around. Perhaps this Great Han could bring her unexpected gains.
...
The western foothills of Mount Yunwu, Yan Yang Dynasty – The Trumpet's Mouth.
This place was narrow and stretched for dozens of miles, serving as the shortest route from Wuzhou to Yunzhou, and an ideal location for surprise attacks and ambushes by armies.
Wang Baobao and Lu Junyi, commanding two hundred thousand soldiers of Great Han, had been delayed for two days a few miles outside the Trumpet's Mouth. The detailed situation of Wuzhou and Yunzhou had been thoroughly investigated by the two. The standoff between the two cities had reached the brink of eruption.
Launching an attack at this moment was an unwise choice. Shen Yu of Yunzhou was at the fourth level of Tong Ling and commanded two hundred thousand troops; Bei Feng of Wuzhou was at the third level of Tong Ling and commanded three hundred thousand troops. If Great Han were to send troops now, it would inevitably lead to being attacked from both front and back, greatly increasing the difficulty. Su Dan Novels.
The moment the scouts reported, Wang Baobao had already made his strategic decision. In his previous life, he had clashed with many top marshals and generals of the Great Ming, possessing his own unique insights into military strategy.
Wang Baobao and Lu Junyi sat on a vantage point, from which they could survey the dozens of miles of the Trumpet's Mouth at a glance.
"General, Shen Yu has mobilized two hundred thousand troops and the entire army is advancing towards the Trumpet's Mouth. Around the hour of Hai tonight, the army will enter the Trumpet's Mouth."
A scout reported, flying in on horseback.
"What about the Wuzhou direction?"
Wang Baobao, resting his hand on the sword at his waist, surveyed the Trumpet's Mouth in the direction of Wuzhou. A day ago, dust had been rising there, and dense black dots could still be seen moving.
"Reporting to the General, the Wuzhou army is already ambushed at the tail of the Trumpet's Mouth!" The scout clasped his fist in a slight bow and turned his warhorse to ride back.
"General Lu, it seems we will be busy tonight!" A cold smile flickered across Wang Baobao's rugged face.
"General Wang, I have a matter I don't understand?" Lu Junyi's expression was solemn. He knew Wang Baobao intended to fish in troubled waters between the two factions, but he couldn't understand why the man standing before him was so certain that the two factions would decide the battle at the Trumpet's Mouth.
The terrain of the Trumpet's Mouth was perilous; it was a path of death!
"Heh heh, General Lu, this is not difficult. It's because I'm gambling, and they are also gambling!"
"It doesn't matter if I lose this gamble; at most, we'll postpone the occupation of Wuzhou. But Bei Feng and Shen Yu cannot afford to lose."
"Bei Feng is eager to prove himself before the Ren Wang lineage, wanting to stand out among the many followers without sharing the merits of victory with others. Thus, there is only one path for him: this Trumpet's Mouth."
"As for Shen Yu, he is brave but foolish. This man is fond of glory. Although he is one of Xiao Beilong's Five Tigers, he has no independent judgment and no brains. Naturally, such a person would not choose to detour. He would reject all other options and unceremoniously choose the shortest route."
Wang Baobao gazed at the long and narrow terrain of the Trumpet's Mouth in the direction of Wuzhou. Mist swirled, but an oppressive aura of killing intent hung heavy.
"Since that is the case, General Wang, let us proceed with the prior tactics!" Lu Junyi's expression was solemn. Battlefields were ever-changing, and the best, most potent moment must be seized to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.
"General Lu, take care!" Wang Baobao's tone held a hint of anticipation and worry as he clasped his fist in greeting.
"Take care!"
Lu Junyi mounted his horse. Two large banners vibrated in the void; one was the Great Han national flag, exuding a spirit of iron-blooded killing, and the other was the Lu General's banner, fluttering.
Lu Junyi cast a heavy glance at Wang Baobao, then turned and led one hundred thousand troops towards Yunzhou in the northwest.
Yunzhou was a crucial strategic city in the western part of the Yan Yang Dynasty. Its terrain was treacherous, and it had always been an important gateway for the Yan Yang Dynasty to control the southwest. With Shen Yu's entire army mobilized, Yunzhou's military strength was weak. They would seize the opportunity to eliminate Xiao Beilong's important forces in the southwest.
Furthermore, they could use Yunzhou's geographical location to further suppress local forces loyal to the Ren Wang lineage.
After Lu Junyi left, Wang Baobao's expression grew grim. His own Divine Mansion eighth level put considerable pressure on him. He needed to wait for the optimal moment to gain the greatest harvest from this ambush.
...
The County Duke's Mansion in Huizhou City, Yan Yang Dynasty.
"What about the Wuzhou direction?"
A middle-aged man, slightly corpulent, with a beard covering his lips, his eyes subtly surveying the figures in the hall.
"My Lord, the Left Bo heir apparent appeared in Wuzhou City a few days ago and lightly touched Bei Feng. This subordinate does not understand the meaning of this." A man looked at the position of honor, where sat Zuo Zheng, a slightly corpulent man. Zuo Zheng was part of the Ren Wang lineage of the Yan Yang Dynasty. He was the youngest brother of the previous generation's Ren Wang and had been conferred the title of County Duke by the current Ren Wang.
"Hmph, my nephew Zuo Bo is quite calculating. This Bei Feng was lent to him by me to help him establish a foothold in the west, forming a pincer with me to jointly resist Xiao Beilong in the capital, as well as Zuo Lengchan in the south. I never expected my nephew to set his sights on me." Zuo Zheng's face was extremely displeased.
"My Lord, this subordinate has long reminded you that this Zuo Bo harbors ambitions for the Ren Wang position. My Lord should have eliminated him back then!" an old man dressed as a scholar said softly.
"My Lord, shall we send someone..." The old man's tone was filled with killing intent, and he made a light gesture across his neck with his right hand.
"No need. This brat is still somewhat useful to me now. Let him tie down some of Xiao Beilong's forces in the west; it can be considered a return for my nurturing."
"What movement is there from Zuo Lengchan in the south?"
When Zuo Zheng spoke this name, his eyes were filled with apprehension. Zuo Lengchan was the son of the previous generation's Ren Wang and the elder brother of the current Ren Wang. He was the heir apparent with the highest prestige during the competition for the Ren Wang position. He was also the only one who escaped Xiao Beilong's ruthless purge.
"My Lord, Zuo Lengchan has been quiet recently. However, My Lord, do we really not need to concern ourselves with Zuo Bo?"
"He might be using Bei Feng to contain Shen Yu of Yunzhou, intending to seize Yunzhou City!" the old scholar said with a worried expression.
"Heh heh, he underestimates Xiao Beilong too much. Who is this Shen Yu? How could Xiao Beilong not know? How could he entrust such an important strategic city to a brute like Shen Yu!" Zuo Zheng said with disdain. This Zuo Bo had too low an opinion of Xiao Beilong.