Chapter 150 Setting the Stage

The troops from the east and west camps of Zhennan Pass had already moved out. The first to move were the cavalry from the two camps, each with ten thousand riders. However, even though the Yan army was right there, these two cavalry forces did not choose to outflank them but instead supported the Chu infantry within the fortress, beginning a slow advance.

In truth, the use of cavalry wasn't a secret to any experienced commander.

Its main characteristic lay in its mobility, far surpassing that of infantry.

Most of the time, once the battlefield was laid out, aside from the special case of so-called heavy armored cavalry, cavalry would likely be deployed outwards, either to shield the battlefield or to carry out flanking maneuvers. In short, they would have a lot of freedom.

But the two cavalry forces of the Chu army were as if shackled, with two chains locked on them, not to mention freedom at all.

Because their main general and commander-in-chief dared not grant them freedom.

According to common sense, to devour an enemy force that had ventured deep, one should first compress its space for maneuver, block its retreat, and finally force it to engage in a decisive battle.

Compressing space was what cavalry should do, but Nian Yao dared not let the Chu people’s extremely precious cavalry do such a thing.

Had it been other Yan generals, they might have done so, but who told him that the commander of the opposing force was Tian Wujing!

Nian Yao knew that if he dared to send them out, Tian Wujing would dare to eat them.

The Great Chu's cavalry was not plentiful to begin with, and during defensive battles, they were even more needed to coordinate and link up with each other. If they were to be lost in the wild battlefield for nothing, then Nian Yao would truly have water in his brain.

However,

The Yan army had already arrived here and could even see Zhennan Pass. It wouldn't be appropriate if you did nothing.

It was one thing to admire that Yan Southern Marquis; after all, it could be said that heroes cherish each other.

But if one were truly frightened into cowering and dared not make the slightest move, the blow to morale would undoubtedly be enormous.

The Yan people could boast about how invincible the Great Yan iron cavalry was in field battles. There was even a saying circulating near Xuehai Pass that "ten thousand iron cavalry are not enough, but ten thousand are invincible."

But you, as the opponent, must never admit it!

If you admit it, then the soldiers below will naturally start to subconsciously admit it as well. Defensive battles are defensive battles, but defense is to wear down the opponent's strength and wait for an opportunity to act!

If you were to completely degenerate into the kind of trash that the Qian people were, collapsing as soon as they left the city, what was the point of playing?

Therefore, General Nian must send out troops.

But troops were sent out. As for what to do after sending them out, well… there were too many things to carefully consider.

The troops from the east and west camps, rather than saying they were attacking, were more like seeing off guests.

The infantry formation was in the center, with the cavalry providing support, advancing steadily forward.

And the north gate of Zhennan Pass had never been opened from beginning to end.

The Jingnan King's royal banner still stood there, giving off a sense of a change in host and guest.

General Nian stood on the city tower, his eyes full of bloodshot veins.

The bloodshot veins were not because of tension, but because he hadn't slept for two days, so he was naturally somewhat exhausted, but his mind was still exceptionally clear.

He had already seen through the Yan people's layout and calculations.

He had set up a pocket, but the Jingnan King had thrown a nail into it.

The so-called battlefield game was actually not much different from martial arts competitions between wandering heroes. It was just a matter of reacting to each other's moves and seizing an opportunity to strike.

Nian Yao knew what Tian Wujing was here to do with his troops. The other party was clearly not really here to attack the city. How could the tall and imposing Zhennan Pass be scaled with just a slip of the horse's hooves?

But it was precisely at this time that it was even more dangerous. You think the other party wasn't here for a serious battle but just to put on a show, but they might really give you a show of turning a feigned attack into a real one.

But unfortunately, General Nian's various armies, camps, and fortresses to the north were all being "watched" by various Yan armies. Therefore, the troops he could mobilize were also limited, and dealing with the situation was naturally somewhat constrained.

However, after the troops from the east and west camps slowly pressed out, a series of military orders had already been issued by General Nian. The troops from the rear camp would soon arrive, and the various armies to the north would also complete a new round of adjustments in half a day.

At the very least, the two mobile forces of Dugu Nian and Xiao Lou would be able to quickly return to defend.

It was like playing cat's cradle. You dismantle me, and I'll flip you over again, seeing who reacts faster and whose hand speed is more agile.

At that time, with the Yan army dispersed outside, the Chu army could completely form a sufficient advantage in local forces.

Yangshan Stockade could be eaten; even Tian Wujing under Zhennan Pass, Nian Yao had the guts to encircle him like dumplings.

But unlike the cautious and slow advance of the Chu armies from the east and west camps, the Yan army, apart from the outer sentry scouts, was actually completely in a state of rest.

The army's rapid march was a drain on the horses' strength, so taking the time to replenish their strength was the top priority.

Even the Jingnan King's *Pixiu* was lying on its side, letting the sun shine on its belly.

And Tian Wujing himself was sitting on the ground beside him.

The Chu people's trepidation and careful layout, at this time, seemed like winking at a blind man.

…

About twenty miles south of Xishan Fortress, Gong Wang's unit was slowly trailing a Chu army.

That Chu army was well-disciplined, with bright armor, and at first glance, it was not the private soldiers of Chu nobles, but the Great Chu royal guards.

They came out of Xishan Fortress. Facing this army leaving the fortress, Gong Wang did not order a direct ambush because the other party had already prepared for his side's attack.

Gong Wang remembered that during the military meeting, the Jingnan King had said that Yangshan Stockade was a bait laid by the Chu people, and the army in front of him must be the first move that the Chu people had arranged in advance for this bait.

The two armies were like this, one in front and one behind, seemingly at peace with each other, but facing each other from a distance.

The reason why this "spectacle" occurred was also because the other units were being watched by each other and could not exert pressure or provide support from other directions.

In the end, the Chu people were marching, and the Yan people were escorting, both at a snail's pace.

"General, the scouts have just reported that Chu troops have also come out of Dongshan Fortress, and Gongsun Zhi's unit has made the same choice as us," Deputy General Lin Xu reported.

"Mm."

Gong Wang nodded.

"General, it's been more than a day since Yangshan Stockade, and there's still no result," Lin Xu said with some worry.

"Why the rush? After all, he's the Earl of Pingye. Could there be any accidents?"

"It's better to be safe than sorry…"

"There won't be any accidents." Gong Wang seemed very confident about this. "Some people are destined to stand on the stage and be admired. The Jingnan King is this kind of person, and that Earl of Pingye is also this kind of person.

The more you give these people a big stage, the better they can perform, and they will never disappoint on the big stage."

"General, you wouldn't have said things like this before."

"Before the war, the Jingnan King had already assigned my unit and Gongsun Zhi's unit to be under the command of that Earl of Pingye. Therefore, we have to hope for the best for ourselves, right?"

"However, this subordinate doesn't think that the General is someone who likes to be subordinate to others."

Now, the army was on the march, and Gong Wang was surrounded by his absolutely trustworthy personal guards, so he could speak more freely.

"It's not about being subordinate to others, but the current situation is like this. The Yan people are on top, and we Jin people naturally have to be below. In the current Three Jin region, it's really too difficult for a Jin person to get ahead.

Even this General was able to continue to stand alone as a Jin general in the current situation because of the legacy of the late emperor.

Therefore, this campaign against Chu is extremely crucial.

Right now, the Jin people are a head shorter than the Yan people. This is something that can't be helped. But as long as we break through Zhennan Pass and enter the Chu territory, even if we can't destroy the Chu kingdom, at least there will be a group of Chu people below us Jin people. We Jin people won't be at the very bottom anymore.

Secondly, the Yan people's real wish is not to attack Chu, but to attack Qian. This campaign against Chu, using the power of the entire country, is actually because if the Chu kingdom is not weakened, then the Jin region will be difficult to pacify. Attacking Chu is also to pacify the Jin region."

"Pacify our Jin region?"

"Yes, only when the Jin region is stable will the Yan people let go of their defense against Yan and Jin. I won't say anything about this General, because I've already shamelessly sat in this position and have nothing to be dissatisfied with in my heart.

As for you and Lin'er, you will truly have the opportunity to get ahead in the future."

Lin'er was Gong Wang's son, Gong Lin, who was now a vanguard general in the army, leading a force to put pressure around the Chu army.

After a pause,

Gong Wang continued:

"Also, there should be a deeper reason why my unit and Gongsun Zhi's unit were placed under the command of the Earl of Pingye. In this General's opinion, it's not simply to cooperate with this offensive, nor is it simply to give a leader to the three armies on my eastern side.

But it has the beginnings of a reward system after the war.

Once Zhennan Pass is broken, the eastern Jin region, which was originally devastated by frequent wars, will be re-assigned to governance. If we can destroy the Chu kingdom in one battle, that would be good. If not, then the Jin east can continue to contain the Chu kingdom, secondly, it can be vigilant against the barbarians, and thirdly, it can deter the entire Three Jin region."

"The General means that the Earl of Pingye will also be stationed at Zhennan Pass?"

"It might be him, but the Earl of Pingye already has Xuehai Pass. It wouldn't be appropriate to assign him to Zhennan Pass again. In this General's opinion, Gongsun Zhi's unit should be suitable for guarding Zhennan Pass in the future.

My unit will most likely be stationed in the current Fengxin City. My three units will guard this important place in Jin east in the future.

And above the three units, a prefecture should be established. Even if it can't compare to the Yan people's Northern Marquis Manor and Southern Marquis Manor, it's only second to them.

Don't forget that Earl of Pingye is shouldering the position of Grand General of Cheng.

At that time, the Earl of Pingye will actually control Xuehai Pass and nominally control Gongsun Zhi's unit and my unit. Only then will this Grand General of Cheng be worthy of the name."

"The imperial court has been planning this step for a long time?" Lin Xu was a little surprised.

"I don't know, I'm not sure, but when the Yan people trampled the Helian and Wen families, the Jin Emperor first opened the Nanmen Pass, and then the various fortresses of Nanmen Pass defected. This shows how much effort the Yan people put into this area in the past few years.

Back then, the Eastern countries called the Yan people Yan barbarians, but in fact, the current Yan Emperor understands the principle of planning before acting better than any emperor.

If they really decided to hand over this area to one person to guard it, then in terms of reason, effort, and merit, the Earl of Pingye is the most suitable.

Therefore, this battle of Yangshan Stockade, with a million-strong army building a stage for the Earl of Pingye alone, what they seek and need is naturally the key to breaking the stalemate of the war. Everyone knows that once this vital area of Yangshan Stockade is removed, the Yan people's scouts can freely compress the Chu people's sphere of activity, and the Chu people will face the situation of being pulled out one by one by my army because they have lost this dangerous terrain.

But in the final analysis, the Jingnan King's appointment of the Earl of Pingye to take on the responsibility of attacking the stockade should also mean adding to his already blazing merits.

In this way, it will be logical to establish a mansion and open a government after the war."

"Enfeoffment as… Marquis?"

Since the Jin region was returned to Yan, the Jin people naturally began to familiarize themselves with the official and meritorious systems of the Yan people. Therefore, Lin Xu naturally understood what a "Marquis" position meant in the Yan country.

For hundreds of years, the Great Yan could not be called King unless they were of the Ji surname. Now, there are four Kings in the Great Yan.

The Northern and Southern Marquises have outstanding achievements, and it is only natural to be enfeoffed as Kings. In fact, these Northern and Southern Marquises have already exceeded the rank, and whether or not they are Kings is just icing on the cake.

The other two Kings, one is the Prince Cheng Mansion in Yingdu, and the other is the Jin Prince Mansion. The former, Situ Lei, has the merit of offering surrender, and the latter, the Yu clan, should have had this respect from their ancestors.

The other nobles with different surnames, Earls, are already at the top. This is why the young Earl of Pingye caused such a huge sensation.

And if,

Enfeoffment as Marquis…

That would truly mean Enfeoffment of Territory!

Gong Wang glanced at his trusted deputy and said angrily:

"Hey, you say that our Jingnan King spent so much effort to push and promote, and the Earl of Pingye disregarded everything to snatch the princess and make great contributions. If they are not busy with being enfeoffed as Marquis, what are they doing?

I can't say anything about other units, but we may be the garrison under the Pingye Marquis Mansion in the future. It's good to enjoy the shade under a big tree. There are fewer Yan people and more Jin and barbarian people under that Earl of Pingye. No matter what, with him as a shield in the future, at least we Jin-born generals will have a support when we run for a future.

Of course, since we are establishing a Marquis Mansion in Jin east, we need the Pingye Earl to provide an umbrella, but in fact, the Pingye Earl also needs our support. It is a mutually beneficial and mutually beneficial relationship.

If it were replaced by Li Fusheng or other Yan generals, the days of our Jin-born generals would definitely not be good. The feeling of being guarded against like a thief is really uncomfortable."

"Report!!!!!!!! General, a unit of Chu troops has broken away from the main army and is moving rapidly towards Yangshan Stockade!"

This move by the Chu people is not exactly a golden cicada shedding its shell, but more like a lizard cutting off its tail, meaning that the situation at Yangshan Stockade should be really critical. Therefore, the remaining main force is holding the rear, and a unit is immediately dispatched to rush forward to serve as reinforcements.

Gong Wang restrained his previous ease of conversation, his eyes narrowed slightly, and directly ordered:

"Order the Young General to block this reinforcement at all costs and absolutely not allow it to affect the Earl of Pingye's attack on Yangshan Stockade.

Tell him not to be stingy with his family assets. Family assets are accumulated for use at critical moments!"

"Yes!"

Gong Wang immediately looked at his deputy beside him and said, "Deputy General Lin."

"This subordinate is here."

"Immediately integrate the central army. It seems that the Chu people think the pressure we are giving is too small, so let's give them a decisive battle.

Order the left and right wings to compress the Chu army's formation, and you personally lead the central army to give me a charge!"

………

"Order the vanguard to block the Chu reinforcements to the death and absolutely not allow a single soldier to leak out to Yangshan Stockade from our side. Tell Yuan Lun that if he can't do this, I'll chop off his head!"

Gongsun Zhi roared and issued orders, and then ordered the left and right:

"Before the war, the Jingnan King assigned my unit and Gong Wang's unit to be under the command of the Earl of Pingye. Don't think it means after this battle. If you really think it means after this battle, then why are Gong Wang and I respectively staring at Dongshan Fortress and Xishan Fortress?

This is like sworn brotherhood in the martial world. We are sending a certificate of allegiance to the boss in advance!

You, immediately integrate your subordinates. The Chu people really think we are just seeing them off. Well, let's really see them off!"

………

Local conflicts broke out between the Yan and Chu armies everywhere, but in general, both sides still maintained restraint.

The Chu people's various fortresses and camps still prioritize protecting their own foundations. This is not "watching the fire from the other side," but if a Yangshan Stockade really causes the dragon lock to fail and the Chu army to attack and fight with the Yan army in a melee, no matter how the battle losses are, the Yan people will still take advantage.

Because the Chu people have military fortresses as support, going out to fight in the wilderness is voluntarily giving up their existing advantages.

A few military fortresses that felt they had the ability to protect themselves and also had the ability to support each other did send some reinforcements to Yangshan Stockade, but with the tone set by the Jingnan King before the war and the prestige and status of the Earl of Pingye in the army, no matter which Yan-Jin generals dared to watch the show or preserve their strength and let that reinforcement slip out from in front of them.

And under Zhennan Pass,

After the two armies from the east and west camps reached their designated positions and formed a mutually supporting pincer attack, a cavalry force from the rear camp had also arrived.

At this time, General Nian finally ordered the opening of the north gate of Zhennan Pass and personally led the central army to leave the city.

At this time,

A special signal fire rose from the due north.

The news immediately spread through the transmission of the scouts.

Nian Yao had already set up a feast to invite guests. As the host, he had exhausted everything he had and planned to treat the Jingnan King to a meal.

However,

The host's actions were too slow. The guest had been here for too long, and the dishes had not been served yet, which was a loss of hospitality.

The Jingnan King got up from the ground, and the Pixiu understood and crawled down. After the Jingnan King sat on it, the Pixiu stood up on all fours and let out a roar.

Tian Wujing's Pixiu turned around,

Then,

The Yan army began to retreat like a tide.

Only,

Under the order of the Jingnan King,

A royal banner was left there, not taken away.

Under Zhennan Pass,

General Nian, who had just left the city, faced this situation,

In his heart,

There was three parts shame, three parts relief, three parts helplessness, and a bit of bitterness.

"Report to the imperial court, saying that today, the Yan Jingnan King Tian Wujing led a large army to press the city, and I calmly responded by mobilizing the various armies and forced him to retreat, seizing a Jingnan King's flag."

————

Ah, there will be more tonight.