As the autumn grasses withered and fell across the Liaodong plains, heavy snow arrived within days. Wang Zhidao, the Grand General of Liaoyang, and Commander Lang Degong stood on the city wall, gazing at the vast wilderness. They felt a chill, knowing that amidst internal turmoil and external threats, a bloody battle in Liaodong was inevitable. With the Ministry of War effectively useless, where could they turn for aid?
Wang Zhidao, a native of Jinzhou, was intimately familiar with the region. He knew that at such critical junctures, it would be unnatural if the enemy did not act.
Lang Degong, having just returned from inspecting Guangning, felt uneasy about the Jinzhou area. He said, "Marquis Yi, Li Chengliang is in a fit of pique, practicing with his troops around Zhaoshan these days. Jinzhou is undefended. Marquis Yi, might I suggest ordering Niu Xin to garrison the city?"
Wang Zhidao, who styled himself Yizhai and took pride in being a civilian capable of leading troops, was affectionately addressed as "Marquis Yi" by his close subordinates.
"Heh heh," Wang Zhidao chuckled wryly, shaking his head and sighing. "Why would Niu Xin listen to me? Yang Bo can't control him either."
"But Jinzhou is in imminent danger! Niu Xin is also a Deputy General, how can he remain aloof? He is currently in Liaoyang city. Why don't you persuade him, Marquis Yi?"
Lang Degong knew that their troops were insufficient, their supplies inadequate, and the harsh Liaodong climate made farming yields poor. The garrison soldiers had neither enough to eat nor proper clothing, let alone fighting spirit. If the enemy launched a full-scale invasion, they would be overwhelmed. In this vast wilderness, there would be nowhere to flee. For his own survival, he felt they should coerce Niu Xin to contribute, as it was unfair for honest men to bear the brunt while the Yan family remained untouched.
Wang Zhidao understood. He patted Lang Degong's shoulder and said, "Degong, forget it... If we are defeated, we'll be captured. Those Tumet Khan and Jurchen Wang Gao wouldn't do much to us. But Niu Xin, with a single word to the Junior Grand Secretary, Yang Bo would make life difficult for us. Oh, right, Degong, are your wife and children still in Guangning?"
Lang Degong, merely a commander, could not bring his family within the passes. He worried, "Marquis Yi, your subordinate, alas..."
"Go, you should go first and bring your wife and children to Jizhou. Jizhou is the gateway. If anything truly happens, the court will not abandon it," Wang Zhidao had always treated his subordinates well.
Lang Degong clasped his hands, "Thank you for your concern, Marquis Yi!"
With that, he suppressed his emotions and turned to leave the wall. Reaching the watchtower, he saw the city gate open, and a group of thirty to forty men hurried out of the city, led by Niu Xin.
The two were greatly surprised.
Lang Degong, displeased with Niu Xin, called out loudly, "General Niu, what is the meaning of this?"
Niu Xin turned back. He had no intention of responding, but seeing Wang Zhidao still on the wall, he felt obliged to say something. He smiled and said, "Marquis Yi! Minister Yang of Jizhou has summoned me!"
Lang Degong, seeing Niu Xin's sly expression and a hint of a smile, recalled the man's recent suspicious movements. He whispered, "Marquis Yi, could this be a ruse? The Tumet and Jurchen are poised to attack at any moment. Why is he leaving the city? Has he received some intelligence?"
Wang Zhidao considered himself far superior to these military men. Having served as the Grand General of Liaodong for many years, he knew how these schemes worked. Hadn't there always been inside collaborators in every city breach? Niu Xin was a childhood friend of Yan Shifan. Without some intelligence, why would he suddenly leave? It was just that no one could control him.
At this moment, he saw Niu Xin hurrying away. Despite trying to maintain composure, his inner panic was palpable. Doubt filled Wang Zhidao's mind. If he let Niu Xin go like this, leaving them to hold the fort and die, it would be too much of a sacrifice. At least he had to make Niu Xin understand something.
"General Niu, Liaoyang is in grave danger! Please convey a message to Minister Yang! Tell him that Liaoyang urgently needs provisions and supplies, otherwise, we cannot hold for three days! General Niu, I implore you!"
Wang Zhidao's words had subtly revealed the underlying situation, but he only sought provisions. If they didn't arrive, and Liaoyang fell, he would have an excuse.
Niu Xin laughed heartily and said loudly, "Lord Wang's strategy is brilliant! Liaoyang is a strong city, garrisoned by many troops! How can it not be defended? Lord Wang, until we meet again!"
With that, he turned his horse and galloped southwest, without looking back, bypassing the river bridge.
Lang Degong cursed, "Traitor! Marquis Yi, I believe this is a trick? That Yan fellow—" He dared not continue speaking.
Wang Zhidao sighed, "Degong, you should also leave quickly, go to Guangning to bring your wife and children to safety. It might be too late if you delay."
Lang Degong felt a pang of sadness. The Yan family could openly flee the front lines, while they had to cover for them. If defeated, their wives and children would often be captured and enslaved by the Tumet and Jurchen, suffering untold misery. What was it all for?
The more he thought about it, the more he was alarmed. He decided not to go to the watchtower. He thought he should flee tonight, settle in Jizhou, and then return to face death. But just then, a figure came galloping from a distance outside the city.
From experience, he recognized it as a border guard. He wondered which direction it came from. As he hesitated, the scout approached slowly, and a rough, hoarse voice drifted over—"Jinzhou is in urgent need!"
"Jinzhou is in urgent need!"
Three or four riders, their armor tattered, their sharp voices echoing across the desolate wilderness, sent shivers down one's spine. Many border guards on the city wall stood up, their faces etched with grave concern.
Wang Zhidao and Lang Degong hurried down the wall. The Jinzhou scout shouted, "General Wang! Jinzhou is about to fall!"
"What?"
"Impossible!"
Wang Zhidao's face turned cold, and he said indignantly, "Nonsense! The Tumet are currently eyeing Liaoyang, and Wang Gao is supporting them from the north. Where are the enemy forces in the direction of Jinzhou? You must not falsify military intelligence. Speak truthfully!"
The scout, having fought all night, was terrified to his core. He fell to his knees and hoarsely cried, "It's Huang Taiji..."
"What?"
"How is that possible?"
Wang Zhidao and Lang Degong exchanged bewildered glances.
It was known that Huang Taiji was the eldest son of Anda, named Xin Ai. Why would he suddenly attack Jinzhou? Since Zhu Mo and Anda established a peace treaty, the Tumote people had not invaded for two years. Why now? Xin Ai had always been stationed in Tumote, so how could he leave his king's tent?
Wang Zhidao asked urgently, "Are you sure?"
The scout shouted loudly, "It's Xin Ai! We recognized his command arrow!"
"Oh," Wang Zhidao felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Having served on the frontier for many years, he knew that Anda's sons fought fiercely, especially in sieges. Each time, they personally shot a command arrow engraved with their name into the city to signify that the city was conquered by them, and their troops would not snatch the merit. Since this man had seen Xin Ai's command arrow, it was undoubtedly true.
"Could it be..."
Wang Zhidao pondered for a moment and continued, "Is there infighting in Fengzhou? Has Xin Ai established his own faction?"
Lang Degong nodded and said, "Most likely! Marquis Yi, this is indeed perilous! Not only Jinzhou, but I fear Liaoyang and even Jizhou are in danger!"
Wang Zhidao exclaimed, feeling his head explode. He knew that such things often happened on the grasslands. Every time there was internal strife, someone would attack the Ming Dynasty. He immediately cursed, "Niu Xin! You scoundrel! I shouldn't have let you go!"
He paced anxiously and shouted, "Jinzhou is unholdable! We must defend Liaoyang now! Mobilize the entire city!"
Lang Degong sighed dejectedly, "It is impossible to leave the city now. The Tumet, Xin Ai, and Wang Gao, three forces attacking, Liaoyang is also unholdable..."
The two immediately ordered soldiers to sound the alarm throughout the city. All able-bodied men were to ascend the walls, and three teams of scouts were dispatched to Jizhou, urgently reporting that the Tumote, Xin Ai's contingent, had suddenly attacked. An hour later, the two ascended the city wall again and saw the vast, dark armies of three sides indeed approaching.
A little later, in the vicinity of Gubeikou.
Liang Menglong and Li Chengliang also received the urgent report: Xin Ai had suddenly captured Jinzhou!
The two had only over three thousand men and could not possibly alter the situation. Waiting there was only for early detection of the enemy's plans. Now, they could only watch as Jinzhou fell and Liaoyang was encircled.
Liang Menglong was highly astute and cursed, "Why did Xin Ai attack so suddenly? It's impossible! Who incited him?"
Li Chengliang said calmly, "I too have awakened from a dream... I have always heard that Xin Ai and Ba Han Naji were not on good terms, and that he was quite dissatisfied with his father, Anda. It seems the rumors are true... This Xin Ai is unhappy with Anda's close relationship with the Great Ming, and he worries about Ba Han Naji inheriting the khanate. Now that the court is in chaos, he wants to take advantage of the situation to break the alliance between the Great Ming and Anda."
Liang Menglong nodded, "If that's the case, then Xin Ai must have been persuaded by Niu Xin... The Yan family has paid a high price this time... We must quickly report this to Grand Tutor Zhang."
Apologies, my apologies. I had some urgent matters over the past week, and there was a delay of several days. This book will definitely be completed, please rest assured.