lcionline Chapter 307 A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Chapter 307 A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
One night, several days after the march began.
"My lord, something's not right. This isn't the direction to the border between my Great Yong and Tian Sheng. This is the direction to the border of Great Zhou. Have we taken the wrong road?"
Deputy General Mei Ruhua, who had been traveling day and night in a hurry, suddenly discovered a big problem.
"All roads lead to Hangu Pass. I think this road is quite good, isn't it? It's so wide and flat, and the scenery along the way is beautiful. It's not as arduous as when we came here before. Isn't it nice to march and enjoy the scenery along the way?"
"What scenery? We've been rushing non-stop, who has the time for that? We just slowed down a little, and you're already yelling at us to hurry up, like we're being rushed to our next life!"
As soon as Sikong Jin finished speaking, Meng Benbo, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but complain.
"That's right, sir, where are we going? Hangu Pass probably won't hold out much longer. If we don't hurry, it might be too late by the time we get back! And what about the Emperor..."
"Alright, enough with the rambling. Who exactly is the highest-ranking military commander here?"
"Of course it's you, sir!"
"Since I am the highest military commander, you should just obey my orders. Why ask so many questions? Alright, where are the messengers? Order the army to rest where they are and continue their journey at dawn. Make sure to set up sentries, eight men per squad. Go and relay the order!"
"Sir, where are you going again? We haven't seen you for days while we've been traveling!"
"Just follow the planned route and head forward on the official road. I guarantee that we will arrive at Hangu Pass safely within half a month!"
A black gust of wind flashed by, and Lord Sikong had vanished without a trace.
……
The Imperial Study of the Great Zhou Emperor.
"Your Majesty, an urgent dispatch from the northwest border, traveling eight hundred li!"
Upon receiving the summons from His Majesty the Northern Emperor, Feng Yang, the young commander of the Great Zhou Imperial Guards, hurriedly entered with a document in his hand. His cheerful and urgent voice echoed in the spacious imperial study, startling His Majesty the Northern Emperor, who was reviewing memorials at his desk.
"Send it up."
Feng Yang immediately presented the urgent document in his hand. Di Beizun took it, opened it calmly, glanced at it with his mysterious and unpredictable eyes, and then casually tossed it in front of Feng Yang.
Feng Yang was startled and immediately bent down to pick up the memorial from the ground, looking at it with trepidation. After a moment, his face was filled with doubt as he asked, "Your Majesty, why is the Minister of Works leading her troops to the border of our Great Zhou? Could it be that she intends to borrow passage from our Great Zhou? But with just her small force, it's absolutely impossible to relieve the crisis at Hangu Pass. Even the Great Yong court doesn't believe that Hangu Pass can escape this calamity! What is the Minister of Works trying to do? If she wants to borrow passage, the Great Yong court doesn't seem to have sent any word. Is this feasible? Even if she can return to Hangu Pass, what then?"
The situation at Hangu Pass was known throughout the land, and Feng Yang, as a military commander, was even more aware of it. He himself was not optimistic about the situation at Hangu Pass; he even felt that Hangu Pass was on the verge of collapse and would inevitably be breached by the Liao army.
"Who said Hangu Pass would be breached by the Liao army?"
As soon as Feng Yang finished speaking, Emperor Beizun's indifferent voice rang out. Feng Yang subconsciously looked up and found that His Majesty had already closed the memorial in front of him, put it aside, and slightly adjusted the alluring red spider lily on the hem of his sleeve. He said calmly, "I originally thought that the Heavenly Saint Emperor would consider the face of the alliance and would at least put on a show. I didn't expect that he would be nothing more than a foolish coward. The iron cavalry of Xifeng Lie has made them so terrified. I would like to see whether Xifeng Lie's Eagle Division is more powerful or my legion is stronger."
"Your Majesty intends to..."
Feng Yang looked at Di Beizun with some astonishment.
"Xi Fenglie's successful eastern expedition did not benefit our Great Zhou. The current situation in Dayong is just right for our Great Zhou. As for Xi Fenglie, I still need him to deal with Tuoba Yu. With Tuoba Kang dead, Tuoba Yu gained such a huge advantage. If Tuoba Yu knew, how would he thank me?"
"Why doesn't Your Majesty let Tuoba Kang and Tuoba Yu fight each other? That way, we can save some effort dealing with them. Now that Your Majesty has stepped in to help Tuoba Yu get rid of Tuoba Kang, it will be effortless for Tuoba Yu to become the Crown Prince of Tiansheng."
Feng Yang asked, somewhat puzzled.
Upon hearing this, Di Beizun suddenly fell silent, and after a long while, he did not answer Feng Yang's question.
After a long while, he finally gave the order: "Draft a secret decree, ordering the Wing King to immediately dispatch 200,000 troops from Guanzhong to join 100,000 troops on the border in the Yuezhi Kingdom. The goal is to conquer the Yuezhi Kingdom as quickly as possible. Afterward, the army will be divided into two routes: one to intercept the fortresses on the border between Wu and our Great Zhou, and the other to head north to Yanmen Pass, the gateway between our Great Zhou and Dayong, where they will rest and await further orders."
"Your Majesty, do you...do you wish to provide support to Hangu Pass in Dayong?"
Feng Yang was startled. The battle between Da Yong and Da Liao had nothing to do with their Da Zhou. The fiercer the battle, the better, as it would save them a lot of trouble dealing with Da Yong later. But now…
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! I would approve if the Minister of Works wanted to pass through, but if Your Majesty were to send troops... I'm afraid most of the ministers in the court would object! Your Majesty, please think it over!"
Feng Yang's face turned pale instantly, and he immediately knelt down and clasped his hands in greeting.
Their Great Zhou and Great Yong have absolutely no connection now. Moreover, His Majesty has wanted to take over Great Yong for quite some time now. Great Zhou is currently recuperating and strengthening its military, waiting for the right opportunity. However, His Majesty has suddenly done this...
"Feng Yang, we cannot only look at the present. This expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. I know what I'm doing. Go and give the order."
Di Beizun was unwilling to offer further explanation. He stood up casually, and a rare hint of gentleness appeared on his noble and aloof face, indicating that he seemed to be in a rather good mood.
Feng Yang paused for a moment, then saw that Di Beizun had already walked calmly and elegantly toward the door with his hands behind his back. Not daring to say anything more and spoil His Majesty's rare mood, he could only nod in agreement.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"