All Heavens: From Joy of Life to The Great Feng Night Watchman

Page 215

"It's because Western Qin doesn't have a ruler as wise and virtuous as Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qing said with some disdain, "I overestimated the methods and abilities of the eunuch Gao Yao!"

"However, judging from what he has done over the years, he doesn't seem like such a muddle-headed person."

Chen Pingping analyzed, "Under the pressure of internal and external troubles, a sudden change will expose the hidden contradictions. Prince Yong's move is very clever."

"Upon learning of the news, the Northern Qi has dispatched an army of 100,000 to the border of the Western Qin, intending to take advantage of the chaos."

The land occupied by the Western Qin Kingdom originally belonged to the vassal states of the Northern Qi. Even if Li Chang'an could occupy half of it, it would still be a great achievement in expanding the territory.

Emperor Qing had a feeling that Li Chang'an was about to return with another great achievement.

Northern Qi Dynasty, Imperial Study.

The Empress Dowager and the young Emperor were listening to Wei Hua report the latest intelligence.

"Your Majesty, the Western Qin is beset by internal and external troubles. Our 100,000 troops are already on standby at the border."

“The eunuch Gao Yao sent a letter claiming that the Southern Qing army was pressing on the border, Han Xin intended to establish himself as emperor, and Western Qin could no longer hold out.”

"He is willing to offer the capital city of Langya to the Great Qi and restore the status of the Great Qi's vassal state. He also hopes that the Empress Dowager and His Majesty will forgive his past transgressions."

The Western Qin state rebelled against the Northern Qi, defeating the Northern Qi army's repeated suppressions. Tens of thousands of Northern Qi soldiers died at the hands of the Western Qin army.

The young emperor asked, "How many Western Qin troops are still in Langya City?"

Wei Hua replied, "There should also be 60,000 elite troops, 20,000 imperial guards, and 40,000 capital guards."

The young emperor analyzed, "The Western Qin army is very powerful, but this time it was attacked from both sides, and Gao Yao had no choice but to request surrender."

"But his 60,000 men cannot stop Han Xin's nearly 100,000 troops. If Li Chang'an takes advantage of the chaos, he will surely die."

Wei Hua continued, "Therefore, Gao Yao invited me to lead 100,000 troops into Langya City to help Western Qin stabilize the situation and fight against Southern Qing and Han Xin."

"Western Qin was originally a vassal state of my Great Qi. Now that it is in danger, it is only natural for it to request to submit. I think it is acceptable."

Empress Dowager Wei continued, "However, Li Chang'an's 100,000-strong army is still eyeing Dingzhou covetously."

"Moreover, Li Chang'an is treacherous and shameless. He never leaves empty-handed and is extremely cunning. It's impossible for him not to take advantage of the chaos."

Empress Dowager Wei spoke her opinion of Li Chang'an through gritted teeth, as she herself had firsthand experience with him.

However, in Zhan Doudou's heart, she still admired and respected Li Chang'an.

"After we join forces with the Western Qin, we will have 160,000 men. Langya City is also a fortified city. It is unwise for Li Chang'an to launch a lone attack on a fortified city."

For a long time, even during the prime of Emperor Qing's reign, the Southern Qing army never ventured too far into the north.

Because it was too dangerous for the army to venture deep into enemy territory alone, and because supplies were difficult to obtain, the Qing Kingdom lacked popular support in the north, and it was also difficult to replenish its troops.

Empress Dowager Wei nodded and said, "What my son said makes sense, but I still feel uneasy. Perhaps we should listen to the opinions of the ministers."

The following day at court, to Empress Dowager Wei's surprise, in addition to the original imperial faction, many important officials agreed with the young emperor's opinion.

Even Marquis Changning, Wei Bi, was confident that Li Chang'an would not dare to rashly head north, as he was the Empress Dowager's elder brother and the father of Wei Hua, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Luo Wang organization is more developed in Shangjing than in the capital of Nanqing. Marquis Changning, Wei Bi, is greedy and lustful, and is a key target for their capture.

In addition, the Embroidered Uniform Guard obtained incriminating evidence against some important officials, which enabled the Luo Wang (a powerful network of intelligence) to threaten so many people into supporting the young emperor.

Ultimately, Empress Dowager Wei made the final decision to send the army westward to Langya City to restore the Western Qin Kingdom!

Dingzhou, Yangguan.

Wang Qinian had just finished reading Zhao Gao's latest letter when the generals in the tent fell silent.

Zhao Gao's letter stated that he was willing to cooperate with Li Chang'an from within and without to wipe out the 100,000-strong army of Northern Qi.

Then, the entire Western Qin surrendered to Southern Qing and became a vassal state of Southern Qing, a temptation that was undeniably great.

At this moment, in addition to the generals of the Ye family lineage, the generals of another 50,000 border troops also arrived at the military tent.

These generals implicitly regarded Qin Yi as their leader, who was also an important figure in the second generation of the Qin family and Qin Heng's cousin.

Most of the generals from the Ye and Qin families held rather conservative opinions.

"Grand Commander, our army has never ventured deep into the north. Why not take advantage of the chaos to seize some cities in the southern part of Western Qin? This would be a great achievement in expanding our territory."

"Western Qin was originally a vassal state of Northern Qi. If Western Qin and Northern Qi collude, it will be very dangerous for us to venture deep into enemy territory alone."

"Even if Gao Yao is truly loyal, with 100,000 Northern Qi border troops hindering us, we will surely suffer heavy losses in a protracted war."

This time, it was the young and bold Ye Wan who raised a different opinion.

"Grand Commander, I believe that the eunuch Gao Yao, a castrated man without an heir, is bound to lack foresight."

“While he was sending messages to us, he must have also been in contact with the Northern Qi. He was hedging his bets and waiting for the right price to go.”

"After several major battles between the Western Qin and Northern Qi, the Northern Qi suffered heavy losses. Gao Yao was worried that the Northern Qi would settle scores with him, so he had no bias towards the Northern Qi."

"When the northern barbarian tribes moved south, the elite cavalry of the Northern Qi did not dare to move rashly. The 100,000 troops that went to Western Qin this time were mostly infantry."

Hearing Ye Wan's words, Ye Zhong's heart skipped a beat. Could this kid be planning to lead all his cavalry on a thousand-mile raid to intercept and kill the Northern Qi army?

"Ye Wan, what are you trying to do, kid?"

"The Daqing army has never penetrated so far into the north before!"

Li Chang'an said dismissively, "I think what Ye Wan said makes some sense. Please continue."

Ye Wan continued, "Grand Commander, the Northern Qi border army has begun its march towards Langya City and is expected to arrive in about ten days."

“You can reply to Gao Yao, offering him high-ranking positions and generous salaries, and allowing him to continue to control Western Qin after his surrender.”

At this point, Qin Yi objected, "General Ye, this matter requires His Majesty's approval."

Ye Wan said with a cold laugh, "When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders!"

By the time you've obtained the imperial decree, Western Qin will have already been taken back by Northern Qi!

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war; opportunities are fleeting, and hesitation will surely lead to missed chances!"

Li Chang'an watched coldly. Upon hearing Ye Wan's words, Ye Chong broke out in a cold sweat, while his expression remained unchanged, as if he were lost in thought.

"I am the military commander of two provinces, and His Majesty has appointed me to the great task of destroying the country. Such a trivial matter does not require permission. Ye Wan, please continue."

Despite his father Ye Zhong's fiery glare, Ye Wan continued, "We can ask the Shadow Guards to spread rumors in Langya City."

"For instance, the Northern Qi is already preparing to purge the officials and generals of the Western Qin, and they've even figured out how to deal with each level. The ringleader, Gao Yao, will be executed by slow slicing..."

"Then... I request that the Grand Commander entrust all 50,000 elite cavalry of the Western Expeditionary Army to my command, and have them march swiftly a thousand miles to the outskirts of Langya City!"

"As long as we disrupt the Northern Qi's formation, Gao Yao will surely send the Western Qin army to assist in the battle!"

"In this way, we can gain the allegiance of the Western Qin Kingdom and wipe out the 100,000 Northern Qi border troops!"

"This is a great achievement in expanding our territory and will also severely damage our long-time enemy, Northern Qi. Grand Commander, we cannot wait any longer!"

Ye Wan's words immediately provoked opposition from almost everyone.

"Including the time it takes to transmit intelligence, the Northern Qi army has been on its way for several days and should arrive in Langya City in another three or four days."

"Can you march a thousand miles in three or four days? That's too risky!"

"If we venture deep into enemy territory alone and are targeted by the combined forces of Northern Qi and Western Qin, all 50,000 elite cavalry will be lost, and it will be too late to regret it!"

"Grand Commander, this proposal is absolutely unacceptable!"

Ye Wan insisted on his own opinion and did not back down at all.

"The elite cavalry of Daqing can easily travel 300 li a day; there's plenty of time!"

"When His Majesty launched his third Northern Expedition, the odds of victory were not as good as they are today!"

Ye Chong angrily said, "Ye Wan, you are being insolent! You know perfectly well that His Majesty was defeated that time and almost lost his life in Northern Wei!"

Ye Wan said firmly, "Father, you're overthinking it! Times have changed!"

"The Northern Qi of today has neither Zhan Qingfeng nor even Shang Shanhu!"

"An orphan and a widow are no match for the enemy; their repeated defeats at the hands of Western Qin have already revealed their decline!"

"If His Majesty were not wary of Grandmaster Ku He, he would have already led his troops north."

"Those mere border troops of Northern Qi are nothing but worthless trash, used for selling their heads!"

"If we don't fight now, when will we fight?"

Then, Ye Wan knelt down and said, "Grand Commander, if we miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven for Your Highness to conquer Western Qin again!"

"This humble general humbly requests Your Highness, the Grand Commander, to make a swift decision!"

Faced with the argument in the tent, Li Chang'an quickly made a decision.

"Ye Zhong, what a fine son you have! Ye Wan truly deserves to be called a great general!"

"Issue the order to immediately transfer 50,000 elite cavalry from various units to Ye Wan's command. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed!"

"Ye Zhong will be the commander-in-chief, with Gong Dian and Qin Yi as his assistants. Lead the remaining 50,000 infantrymen to defend Yangguan. If Yangguan falls, they will come to me with their heads!"

"Wang Qinian, order the five hundred Shadow Guards to be equipped with warhorses!"

"This surprise attack will be carried out by General Ye!"

Chapter 150 Han Xin Requests to be Granted the Title of King of Qi! Northern Qi Loses 100,000 Troops! (23)