The Shenshu Battalion had a total of seventy thousand men, with two deputy generals below the commanding general, leading seven battalions, and four参将(cānjiāng) and four游击(yóujī)佐击(zuǒjī). However, this time, only about fifteen thousand men were brought out, led by two参将(cānjiāng). The troops brought out were mainly from the combat soldier battalions and garrison soldier battalions. These were disciples of the old Three Thousand Battalion, and Wu Ding had always been in the old Three Thousand Battalion. After the reorganization into the Shenshu Battalion twenty-nine years ago, he continued to lead the original two combat soldier battalions.
As for Guo Hu, he was originally a Governor's Assistant Commissioner. Because he had military achievements in Xuan and Da, he was considered to be at the rank of Deputy Commanding General. This rank was naturally a high military official outside, but in the Capital Garrison, it was not much. After all, below the Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Garrison, there were more than twenty Assistant Commissioners. Compared to someone like Wu Ding, who actually led troops as a参将(cānjiāng), he was not even as significant.
At this moment,
Wu Ding and another参将(cānjiāng), Yang Tianchen, along with two游击(yóujī), could feel something unusual, but since it did not concern them, they were not too worried. Guo Hu, however, felt immense pressure. After all, the reason the Crown Prince had an incident was ultimately due to poor combat performance. Given the Emperor's exaggerated tone, one could imagine how angry he was.
He hesitated for a moment, thinking it best not to let too many people know about this matter. He coughed dryly and said:
"Everyone, the immortal decree of Emperor Wanshou is to inform the front lines, so that we may know our great responsibility... But in the end, these matters from above have nothing to do with us soldiers, right? Everyone, don't spread the word when you go down. Military morale is important!"
This person, out of nowhere, suddenly said such a thing?
Wu Ding, however, felt amused internally: This Prince Jing had indeed matured. In this way, Guo Hu would be under immense pressure…
One must know,
By bringing this up, Prince Jing had indirectly implied that Guo Hu's hesitation and delay in relieving the siege had caused the Crown Prince to be relegated to ancestral shrine duty and his future to be uncertain. How could he bear such a heavy accusation? With just this sentence, even if Prince Jing were to strip him of his military command, he would find it difficult to refute.
Indeed,
Guo Hu immediately thought that his military command might be seized by Prince Jing. He immediately said:
"Your Highness, we have only been out of the capital for three days, how can we possibly relieve such a siege? Moreover, we only have over ten thousand men, while the enemy's three forces combined number no less than fifteen thousand. How do you expect me to relieve the siege? Furthermore, for these past few days, I, Guo Hu, have been extremely respectful to Your Highness and have not concealed anything. Why does Your Highness say this? Guo Hu absolutely dare not accept it!"
Hmph!
Prince Jing paced a few steps and said calmly:
"Between moments of battle, it is like lightning. Three days, three days… do you think three days is a short time? On the battlefield, even three hours can be fatal…"
He paused, looking at Guo Hu with a smile that was not a smile, and suddenly said to the four of them:
"I find it strange… why is General Guo so reluctant to send out troops? Only upon hearing Emperor Wanshou's immortal decree did I understand… it turns out, General Guo is here for this very reason… Remarkable, truly remarkable…"
You!
"Slander!"
Guo Hu immediately jumped up and shouted:
"Your Highness, even if I, Guo Hu, were to hesitate, how could it possibly relate… relate to what you are saying!"
He stopped himself before he could say more. He thought that this was an indirect accusation that he was a party member of the Yan family, which was even more terrifying. However, to explain it clearly at this moment would only make things worse, making even himself fearful.
Prince Jing smiled faintly, but his expression became even more sinister than before. Guo Hu urgently said again:
"Your Highness, as for what kind of person Guo Hu is, Lord Wu knows me best. How could I possibly…"
"General Guo, it is useless to say anything. What is important now is to send out troops… As you heard just now, Emperor Wanshou's Lingxiao is enraged, that is no small matter…"
This?
Alas…
Even though Guo Hu had fought battles his whole life, this was the first time he had encountered such a situation. Thinking of the brutal factional struggles in the Great Ming Dynasty and having personally witnessed many people being wrongly accused and dying, he was immediately scared to the point of his legs going weak. He pleaded:
"Your Highness Prince Jing, Guo Hu has never offended you. I beg, I beg Your Highness to show mercy…"
Hmph!
Prince Jing snorted. Seeing that he had yielded, he said decisively:
"I believe our army must immediately advance beyond the pass to relieve the siege of Liaoyang!"
But…
How to fight?
Guo Hu wanted to speak but held back. Thinking that his life was essentially in this person's hands, he immediately changed his tune and said:
"Everything will be as Your Highness commands…"
Good!
Prince Jing suddenly flung open the tent curtain, and several people followed him in.
He pointed to the terrain and said:
"As for the current situation, there is only one feasible plan… Everyone, please look, what is this place?"
Wu Ding blurted out:
"Zhuoshan!"
Zhuoshan?
Several people also thought of something.
Guo Hu couldn't help but say:
"It seems… feasible?"
Hmph!
Prince Jing did not even look at him and said slowly:
"Naturally, it is feasible… it depends on whether you have the courage… Everyone, I intend to lead our army to raid Zhuoshan, burn their supplies, and seize their livestock… In this way, no matter where Tumen is, they will inevitably come to rescue… If our army succeeds in the surprise attack, then the various armies of Jizhou will also be spurred into action, and the situation might be opened up…"
Mmm, mmm,
Brilliant!
A brilliant idea!
Only now did Guo Hu carefully examine Prince Jing and realize that he had underestimated him. Just this strategy alone was far beyond his capabilities. What was even more terrifying was that this person had hidden so deeply, not uttering a single word in these three days…
He shivered and praised:
"Your Highness is wise! This humble general is willing to follow Your Highness's lead!"
Good!
"Depart immediately!"
Prince Jing did not look back, flung open the tent curtain, mounted his horse, and shouted:
"Each of you lead your own contingent, depart beyond the pass in half an hour!"
The four參将(cānjiāng) and游击(yóujī) immediately went to their respective troops. Guo Hu remained alone, lost in thought and bewildered.
Prince Jing smiled and said:
"General Guo, how is my strategy?"
Guo Hu bowed and said:
"Guo Hu is sincerely impressed!"
Heh heh,
"I will also tell you, General Guo, as long as we win this time, then everything will be fine…"
Mmm, mmm,
"Yes, yes, yes…"
Not long after,
The various armies had been assembled and arrayed on the open plain not far below. The central tent was on a flat area on a hill. Prince Jing, on horseback, looked at the assembled troops from afar, but a chill instinctively rose in his heart—
If they returned without success, Guo Hu would surely have to bear the blame…
With this thought,
He urged his horse and galloped down the slope.
At this moment,
Everyone saw a young man in a blue cloth robe, with disheveled hair, coming down as if riding the wind under the scorching sun. As they got closer, all the troops also saw that this person had a pale and sinister complexion, and his eyes were like cold light. Even under the scorching sun, he exuded a piercing aura…
Guo Hu, on the other hand, felt a multitude of emotions churning within him—
This Prince Jing seemed to have a streak of madness ingrained in him…
Beneath his calm exterior, a frenzy churned. Although he had tried his best to conceal it, it was now clearly visible: as he galloped, there was a wildness, as if he himself was a ball of killing intent, or a wave of hatred, giving people a terrifying sense of oppression…
"Alas…"
Guo Hu sighed, muttering to himself:
"If this person truly ascends the throne, it may not be a blessing for the common people…"
Giddy up!
He also urged his horse and quickly caught up to Prince Jing.
And so,
Prince Jing led the way, with the armies following behind, passing through the pass under the blazing sun. With Wu Ding directing and Guo Hu assisting, the fifteen thousand men were divided into front, middle, and rear armies, heading directly northwest.
…
At the same time,
In the Yan Mansion.
The atmosphere seemed somewhat oppressive. Even the household servants had lost their usual arrogance; they were all downcast and wore expressions of resentment.
Inside the study,
There were more people than usual. In addition to a few close confidants, even magnates like Zhang Yu, Yuan Wei, Guo Pu, Xu Lun, and Lu Ben were present. There were also some who did not visit often, such as Liu Boyue and Wu Peng. Although the study was very large, it was already a bit crowded.
At this moment,
The news of Prince Jing's departure beyond the pass also arrived via a secret report from Lu Bing. The people of the Yan family were naturally very puzzled.