Chapter Seventy-One: Conquering Korea

  Back in the Divine Continent's grasslands, another month had passed.

  December has arrived.

  Due to geographical advantages, the Huns in the north were completely suppressed, causing Li Jing's attention to shift entirely from the north and focus on the situation in the south.

  This month, the intelligence system has received a lot of information through business channels.

  Shenzhou Business has been using the unique products of the grassland as a pioneer since last year, and has quietly extended its tentacles to the surrounding counties of Beidi County.

  As for the entire Beidi County, it was basically penetrated and connected with Chang'an Sanfu.

  Of course, this connection is not close. The three important passes and county towns adjacent to Sanfu in Beidi County are actually all in the hands of Han's rebel army.

  The 20,000 troops originally stationed in the middle of Zuishui County, Anding Prefecture, facing Fu Ping's rebel army, suddenly disappeared and withdrew. Their real target was several county towns at the border of Beidi Prefecture and Zuofengyuan!

  Niyang, Yiju and Qixian!

  These three cities were occupied by the rebels, although they did not completely cut off the communication between the Three Auxiliaries, but for the rebels, strategically speaking, they played an extremely important role.

  In these three cities, there were also subordinate shops of the merchant group, so they could still get some news from Chang'an and its surrounding areas.

  As for the surrounding areas of Li Zhong's territory, most counties in Anding County to the south also have subordinate shops of business firms, and Wuwei County to the west has also been infiltrated.

  According to the news from all over, Li Zuo and Xun Yu analyzed that Han Sui had transferred 20,000 troops from Zuoye Valley, but he did not relax his defense against Li Zuo.

  Whether in Wuwei or Anding Prefecture, there were enough troops stationed. Of course, these troops had not yet shown their ferocity to Li Zhong.

  According to Xun Yu's conjecture, Han Shou may have also seen through some of Li Jue's actions and was not loyal to the Han dynasty. Therefore, to a certain extent, Han Shou did this, perhaps to show closeness to Li Jue.

  "It's possible that he'll even send an envoy to negotiate with the lord, and pull him onto his warship to resist the imperial court together!"

  "It's possible."

  Li Zheng nodded slightly.

  "But he was wrong. As for the imperial court, I really didn't care much about it anymore. To say that I was disloyal might not be entirely accurate, but it's reasonable. But Han Shou thought that I would follow him down the same path, and that's a huge mistake! I'm not some idiot like Wang Guo who does his bidding and takes the fall for him!"

  Xun Yu smiled and said, "Han Sui's attention has always been focused on the Three Auxiliaries, devoted to the imperial court, unaware of our lord's current strength. Such speculation is only natural."

  "Huangfu Song and Dong Zhuo's army, unexpectedly stationed in Chang'an all along..." Li Jingyu pondered: "Isn't Chen Cang already surrounded? Why doesn't Huangfu Song send troops to rescue?"

  "Huangfu Yi Zhen is a famous general of his generation, and he deeply understands how important it is to have the initiative in war." Xun You pondered: "If we follow Han Shui's line of thinking, not to mention that we will definitely lose, at least it will be difficult for us to gain the upper hand. What he is doing now is actually taking back the initiative!"

  Li Zhen heard this and his eyes lit up: "That makes sense! Han Suo let Wang Guo be the vanguard, surrounded Chen Cang, and Huangfu Song deliberately didn't save him. Regardless of what Han Suo's next plan is, there's nothing that can be done."

  "Indeed." Xun You said: "Chencang's terrain is dangerous and its city gate is strong, only a few thousand soldiers are needed to defend against a large army of 100,000. Huangfu Song naturally thought of this point and knew that Chencang was safe for the time being, so he stopped his troops from advancing. In this way, not only can we regain the initiative, but also use Chencang as a shield to weaken the rebel army's attack, wait until the rebel army is exhausted and their morale is low, then launch a counterattack, and we will surely achieve great success!"

  Xun You's eyes grew brighter as he spoke, saying: "Huangfu Song is indeed worthy of the title of famous general!"

  Li Zhong listened to Xun You's analysis and couldn't help but secretly admire him. Since Huangfu Song was famous for thousands of years, he naturally didn't get his fame in vain!

  But in an instant, Li Zhēng furrowed his brow again and said: "In this way, the rebel army suffered a great defeat, but it is contrary to our previous strategy!"

  A few months ago, when they learned that Emperor Xian had appointed Dong Zhuo as his assistant, the two of them discussed this matter and concluded that Dong Zhuo would eventually betray him.

  But if Huangfu Song wins a great victory and annihilates Han Sui, things will be difficult for Li Jue.

  Without Han Jie being in the front to block arrows, many of Li Jing's actions would be exposed and it would be hard for him not to be intimidated by Han Ting. The current Li Jing is still far from being able to contend with Han Ting!

  The emperor had not yet died, Dong Zhuo had not yet begun his tyranny, and the world was still at peace!

  Xun Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. Huangfu Song will naturally win a great victory. But I reckon that Dong Zhuo won't use his full strength against the rebels. Moreover... haha, haven't you noticed, my lord? The one who has been pushed to the forefront this time is still Wang Guo, while Han Sui is still in Hanyang! Even if Wang Guo loses and dies, Han Sui will not be affected at all! Therefore, even if Dong Zhuo uses his full strength this time, it's likely that he won't achieve a complete victory!"

  Li Zheng couldn't help but pat his forehead and laugh: "Gong Da still understands things clearly."

  The two men analyzed all kinds of situations thoroughly and decided to immediately assemble the main force of elite troops still in Baishui River to Fuping, preparing for the impending war.

  At one time, all counties under Li Zhong's jurisdiction seemed to be wound up like a spring.

  All levels of managers worked together, and various war materials began to be stockpiled.

  In the following month, 8,000 troops stationed at Baishui River, except for leaving 2,000 to guard the city gate, the other 6,000 soldiers were all transferred to Fuping.

  Unite with Fuping Nu Luo's troops, totaling 10,000 soldiers!

  The end of the lunar month is approaching, and the year-end festival is near.

  Chen Cang was still besieged by the kingdom, and Huangfu Song remained motionless. Han Sui was also leisurely, still hiding in Hanyang.

  It seemed as if nothing had changed, but Li Zhong could clearly feel that tense atmosphere.

  The great war is about to arrive.

  In 189 AD, in the sixth year of Zhongping, in spring, in the first month.

  The kingdom besieged Chen Cang for over two months, a total of more than 80 days. The army of 100,000 men launched wave after wave of attacks, but failed to capture the city and instead suffered heavy casualties under the gates of Chen Cang City.

  The low temperature was appalling, and the sharp north wind was like a knife, which blew away the last bit of morale of this army of one hundred thousand who had not achieved anything for a long time.

  The king was not a good general, but he was the leader of one side. Feeling that things couldn't go on like this, he prepared to withdraw his troops and wait until the weather warmed up and they had enough food and fodder before fighting again at Chen Cang!

  Huangfu Song has been waiting for this moment!

  Although Dong Zhuo suggested that Huangfu Song should not pursue, only saying that the exhausted bandits should not be pursued, Wang Guo's 100,000-strong army had suffered significant losses and morale was low. However, a cornered rabbit will still bite back, so to avoid any unexpected events, it was suggested that Huangfu Song wait until spring when the flowers bloom before making further plans.

  However, Huangfu Song completely refuted Dong Zhuo.

  Huang Fu said, "This national army is not a poor bandit, but a tired and weak teacher. A tired and weak teacher without morale and fighting spirit, with a dignified and upright momentum, attacking the defeated enemy, will surely achieve great success!"

  He then, in the name of Ping Pu Tongshuai and Left General, ordered Li Zhong, the protector of Hu Qiang, to wait for an opportunity to move and prepare to respond to the imperial army's offensive. He then led tens of thousands of elite soldiers to attack Chen Cang directly!

  In January, before the Lantern Festival, Li Zhēn in Fúpíng received an order from Huángfǔ Sōng.

  At this time, he did not slack off and immediately gathered Xun Yu and Zhang Liao, White Wolf, and other generals to discuss the plan of advancing troops.

  "Master, just proceed according to the original plan."

  Xun Yu spoke up immediately.

  Li Zheng slightly nodded, stood up, and with a stern expression, shouted: "Zhang Shan, Nu Luo!"

  "The end is near!"

  "I order you two to lead five hundred elite cavalry, 2,500 heavy infantry and 2,500 light archers, a total of 5,500 men, each carrying siege equipment. Advance on Wuwei, and it is imperative that you capture Juzhang, marching from west to east, and crush the rebel Han Sui!"

  "Ah!"

  The two men stood in line, clasped their fists and promised.

  "White Wolf, you lead the vanguard of five hundred wolf cavalry to Three Waters! I will lead one hundred green armor war cavalry, five hundred light war horse cavalry, and three thousand five hundred elite infantry, following closely behind!"

  Xun Yu serves as Military Advisor of the Imperial Army, participating in strategic planning!

  "Each department pays attention to contact at any time, and reports immediately with Blue Bird if there is any news!"

  "Ah!"

  "Alright everyone, let's go!"

  Hanyang, Jicheng.

  From the Zhongping 4th year, Han Sui killed Beigong Boyu and Li Wenhou, swallowing all their subordinates. Later, after going through the chaos of Zangke, he also defeated Hanyang, making him the only dominant force in Longzhou with tens of thousands of troops!

  For nearly two years, Han Xian had been staying in Handan, and he didn't make a single move.

  The seemingly intense war was actually orchestrated by the kingdom, and Han Shui only pushed behind the scenes, without spending a single soldier or soldier, and sat on more than half of Liangzhou.

  Such means indeed make people fearful.

  Han Sui was an old and cunning villain, naturally knowing the skills of Wang Guo. And Huangfu Song was a famous general of his generation, although he had also fought with him in the second year of Zhongping and ended up evenly matched, but Han Sui knew that it wasn't because of Huangfu Song's abilities!

  As for the kingdom, it is absolutely not a match for Huangfu Song, even with him directing from behind the scenes.

  So when he learned that the siege of Chencang by the kingdom was unsuccessful and they were preparing to withdraw their troops, Han Sui had already made preparations.

  The kingdom can die, it was originally his cannon fodder before he retreated to the stage, and death is not worth lamenting. Furthermore, as Wang Guo's forces grew stronger under his command, he gradually became less obedient, and his death would actually help Han Xian solve a problem.

  But the kingdom is dead and cannot let the imperial court's army enter Liangzhou!

  Han Sui stared at the map hanging on the wall, lost in thought.

  Suddenly, his gaze was fixed on Beidi County. After a while, he said, "Yanming, do you think that Hu Qiang Xiao Wei will make a move?"

  Yan Xing stood by, his lips moving slightly, and after a while, he replied: "Master, I think he will make a move."

  "Oh? Reason."

  "This man has ambitions." As he spoke, Yan Xing touched the ugly scar on his face that was burned by the big fire and said with hatred: "And he's not a small talent, I don't believe he will let go of the opportunity to muddy the waters."

  Han Sui nodded slightly.