Bingzhou Prefecture.
This city, recently captured by the Jin soldiers, was retaken a day later by fifty thousand Tang iron cavalry led by Cheng Yaojin.
The blood-stained city walls exuded a faint crimson hue. The entire Bingzhou Prefecture was a mountain of corpses and a river of blood, with the fallen soldiers of Jin, the clans and sects of Bingzhou, and the Tang iron cavalry alike.
Since the great chaos under heaven, Bingzhou had been immersed in a maelstrom of blood and strife, with sects and families continuously converging upon it.
The three southern commanderies were under the rule of the Governor of Yizhou, Marquis Anguo. The northwestern Yong and Liang regions had long been occupied by Yang Hao. Shan Xiongxin held sway in the northeast, while the land of Qing and Xu was in turmoil. The top powers of the Wu Kingdom were deeply entrenched in these two regions.
The Central Plains were firmly held by King Wu Ji Fa. Considering all this, the clans and sects of the Wu Kingdom turned their gaze towards the chaotic Bingzhou.
Wave after wave of martial artists and sects poured into the land of Bingzhou, plunging it into widespread conflict, with multiple factions vying for control of even a single city.
This situation persisted until the arrival of the Jin soldiers.
Under the command of Xielü Fengsan, one hundred thousand Jin iron cavalry marched south from the Bingzhou fortress. Wherever they went, the local forces, mere cannon fodder, were no match for them. Consequently, the warlords of Bingzhou scattered at their approach, opening their gates and surrendering.
With each city conquered, Xielü Fengsan would station a portion of his Jin soldiers to guard it, preventing his rear from being ambushed and his supply lines cut.
Alas, along the entire route, every city fell to Cheng Yaojin!
Everything north of Bingzhou Prefecture had been occupied by Cheng Yaojin. Leading fifty thousand Tang iron cavalry, Cheng Yaojin maintained a consistent distance of one city behind the Jin forces, following them at a distance.
Upon receiving his orders, Jing Ke immediately dispatched three hundred elite guards into Bingzhou. Some were stationed at the border between Bingzhou and Sili, executing all imperial spies to prevent information from reaching the capital.
Others cooperated with Cheng Yaojin's troops, assassinating Jin scouts to prevent news of the occupied cities from reaching Xielü Fengsan's ears.
Under Jing Ke's meticulous command, this operation was carried out in utmost secrecy, enveloping Xielü Fengsan and King Wu Ji Fa in a thick fog of deception.
King Wu Ji Fa considered the unrest in Bingzhou to be a mere child's squabble. Furthermore, lacking sufficient troops, he did not intervene, allowing the situation in Bingzhou to unfold on its own.
Meanwhile, the Jin forces, marching south, experienced smooth progress without encountering any resistance. They bypassed Bingzhou Prefecture and within two to three days, were poised to assault the border passes.
Since their southward march from the Bingzhou fortress, no intelligence had come from their rear. Coupled with an inherent prejudice and disdain for the Wu Kingdom, the Jin troops mistakenly believed their rear to be secure.
Blinded by victory and the flattery of Yang Hao, Xielü Fengsan's fighting spirit intensified. He madly urged his troops southward, determined to fulfill the task assigned by the Jin King and secure a higher position upon his return to Jin. Sudan Novel Network.
Clang!
Cheng Yaojin pulled his triple-bladed halberd from the head of a Jin soldier, stating, "Lord Jing, since we marched south from the Bingzhou fortress, we have killed approximately twenty thousand Jin soldiers."
Jing Ke, leaning on the three-foot-long sword at his waist, said calmly, "Indeed. According to the calculated route, by the time the Jin army reaches the capital, their forces will be reduced to about fifty thousand. This is good, as it will further weaken the enemy's strength!"
"When the time comes, we can tighten the noose and eliminate this Jin army with minimal cost."
"General Cheng, soon our Lord will dispatch officials from Liangzhou to assume their posts in Bingzhou Prefecture. I will temporarily manage this place. I trouble you, General, to continue your march south!"
Jing Ke said sternly to Cheng Yaojin, emphasizing that the entire plan could not afford any delays.
"In that case, I entrust it to your care, my Lord!"
Cheng Yaojin bowed slightly, turned his horse, and led his fifty thousand Tang iron cavalry further south to seize cities and tighten the noose!
Liangzhou Prefecture.
"My Lord, news from Lord Jing indicates that the plan for Bingzhou is progressing smoothly. Based on the Jin army's march route and speed, they are expected to reach the capital of the Wu Kingdom within three days!"
"General Cheng Yaojin is following at a distance, gradually eroding the Jin army's strength and occupying the cities of Bingzhou!"
Zhu Sheng said calmly as he read the dispatch.
"What is the situation in the Xuzhou campaign? Is there any progress?"
Yang Hao and Chen Gong, looking at the map, asked as they heard Zhu Sheng, who was handling administrative affairs in the rear, speak. The situation in Bingzhou was proceeding as planned; everything now depended on the speed of the Xuzhou campaign.
"My Lord, according to intelligence reports from Xuzhou, the campaign is also nearing its end within these few days. The imperial court and Marquis Anguo are coordinating closely, pursuing and pressing forward, effectively encircling Cheng Taisheng and the Tiangang army at the border of Xuzhou and Yang Prefecture. The defeat of the Tiangang army is imminent!"
"However, based on the analysis of the Xuzhou campaign, Duke Ji has been holding back, using Chen Taisheng to weaken the imperial forces. The imperial army's leader, Grandmaster Zhang Yan, has been severely wounded and lost an arm!"
Zhu Sheng fanned himself with a feather fan, a smile on his face. Everything was proceeding steadily according to the predetermined plan.
However, unexpectedly, Duke Ji was also depleting the forces of the Tiangang Sect and the imperial court. The imperial army suffered heavy losses, and Grandmaster Zhang Yan's strength was greatly diminished.
Once Xuzhou fell, the fall of the Wu Kingdom would be next, and the implementation of the subsequent plan. For the time being, they would rule the north and south with Marquis Anguo. Once the northern powers were consolidated, they would launch a full-scale southward offensive to crush Duke Ji's forces and unify the world.
"My Lord, in that case, I should depart for Yanzhou."
Chen Gong spoke.
"My Lord, the imperial court, Marquis Anguo, and the Tiangang Sect are all deeply embroiled at the border of the two prefectures. Once the Tiangang army is defeated, with General Shan Xiongxin alone, it will be difficult to annex Xuzhou and Yuzhou."
"For the sake of the overall situation, my Lord, I must go to Yanzhou to assist General Shan Xiongxin!"
Chen Gong's expression was grave as he spoke.
"Indeed!"
Yang Hao listened to Chen Gong's analysis, pondered as he looked at the map of the thirteen prefectures of the Wu Kingdom on the wall, and said, "In that case, Gongtai, time waits for no one. You should depart immediately. Once you are outside, you are not bound by my orders. Discuss the specific situation with Shan Xiongxin and act accordingly. There is no need to report back to me!"
"As you command!"
Chen Gong bowed slightly, turned, and stepped out of the Prefect's mansion, walking eastward into the void alone.
Chen Gong, a Grandmaster of the first level, had the confidence to go wherever he pleased in this Wu Kingdom.
Yang Hao watched Chen Gong disappear from sight, then turned to Zhu Sheng. "Go, order Lu Kang to lead fifty thousand elite Eastern Wu soldiers to garrison Hanzhong Commandery. Once the capital falls, he is to immediately lead his troops north, occupy southern Sili, and advance towards the capital!"
"As you command!"
Zhu Sheng bowed slightly, joyfully accepting the order. The net was cast, the fish were about to enter, and the time for harvest had arrived.