Chapter 252 Danger at Xuanjian Pass
Huainan.
Lingzhou City, City Lord's Mansion.
Jia Xu and others had not slept a wink all night and had been sitting in the lobby, looking at the map in front of them. The atmosphere in the hall seemed very depressing.
"Sir, urgent report from Beijing."
When Jia Xu heard this, his expression immediately hardened. He took the secret letter and began to browse it. After a long time, he said in a deep voice: "Da Yan's 300,000 troops are pressing down on Xuanjian Pass, and Donghuai has also mobilized more than 100,000 troops."
"The imperial court is surrounded by enemies on both sides and has insufficient troops. The Huainan side has to rely on us."
As soon as Jia Xu finished speaking, Ji Sui and Li Xiuning looked solemn, while Ran Min said softly: "So, the only troops we can use are 100,000 new troops and 10,000 begging troops?"
"good!"
Jia Xu nodded slightly and said sadly: "After the battle in the southern border, Marquis Qingyun of Zhennan City gathered King Huai's 70,000 troops, so naturally he can't send out troops now."
"And we have to beware of Julongcheng's 50,000 troops heading north. We are in a worrying situation."
"gentlemen!"
Ji Sui suddenly looked at Jia Xu and said in a deep voice: "No matter what, we must ensure that Lu Kan's troops will not go north. At this time, the border is in turmoil. If there is another disturbance in Beijing, it will definitely shake the morale of the troops on the front line."
"Why don't we just send troops to reject Dragon City, capture Dragon City and defend it first, and then plan for it slowly?"
"No!"
Li Xiuning shook his head and denied it, and said softly: "Now our food, grass and ordnance are gathered in Lingzhou City. Once we send out troops, these food, grass and ordnance will not be transported out for a while."
"If we besiege Julong City, once King Huai leads his army to follow us, we will not only be in a dilemma, but we will also be attacked by soldiers from both sides."
"Now we can only hold on and not move lightly."
Hearing the words of the two people, Jia Xu remained silent, with a gleam in his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "How many soldiers and horses does King Huai have?"
"Sir, according to reports from our spies, there are 70,000 fine armors on the southwest border alone, and they are all capable of hundreds of battles."
"It is also the trump card in King Huai's hand. As for whether there are any hidden soldiers secretly, I don't know."
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Jia Xu looked at Ran Min and Ji Sui. The three of them were silent. Another figure hurriedly stepped in and said in a deep voice: "Master Qi, the spies from the front are here to report that King Huai has sent troops."
"How many troops and horses are coming from which direction?"
"Sir, 70,000 soldiers and horses are coming all the way to attack Lingzhou City."
"Where is Julong City?" Jia Xu stared at the map and said softly: "There is no movement in the direction of Julong City."
"Princess, are the new recruits available?"
"The new recruits have been established for half a year. During these six months, they have trained hard day and night. Their combat power is not weaker than the border soldiers and horses, but they have never seen blood after all, and it is difficult to compare with the fine armor of King Huai's command."
Jia Xu fell into silence, but Ran Min on the side said softly: "If a hundred thousand new troops are to besiege Julong City with all their strength, how many days will it take?"
"Three days."
Ji Sui suddenly spoke and muttered: "Jilong City will be destroyed within five days at most."
"Sir, Prince Huai gives it to me. I will hold him back for five days. Lord Ji and the princess will attack Julong City with all their strength."
"No!"
Jia Xu stared at the map, pointed a finger, and said in a deep voice: "Set fire to burn the food, and withdraw the entire army to Julong City. We will conquer it in one day!"
"Yong Zeng, this battle is up to you."
…
Western Territory.
Hanging Sword Pass.
As the gateway to the western border of Dayu, at the beginning of the founding of the country, Emperor Taizu of Dayu spent three years to build this pass, recruiting 700,000 corvees, and the loss of manpower and material resources was not counted.
For more than a hundred years, this pass has experienced ups and downs, and it has withstood countless waves of savage armies for Dayu, and it still stands tall today.
"Fire the arrow!"
As a guard shouted, thousands of arrows were shot at the dark army below. One after another figures fell on the charging road, but people continued to come one after another.
"Kill!"
The shouts of killing below were loud, and the towering towers kept approaching the gate. Hundreds of ladders were set up on the city wall several feet high, and the city rams hit the heavy city gate again and again.
"Is there any letter from the court?"
"Back to General, there are no reinforcements yet. Your Highness is already on his way back."
"In just half a day, the soldiers have already suffered over 10,000 casualties. If Da Yan maintains this high-intensity offensive, we can hold on for two and a half days at most."
"Damn it, did these big Yan brats get chicken blood?"
A burly general cursed and raised the broadsword in his hand, slashing at the enemy soldiers who climbed up the tower.
"Now Da Yan's 300,000 troops are pressing down on the territory. Even if His Highness returns, I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on. So we should send an urgent dispatch of 800 miles to inform the court and send troops to help immediately."
"General!"
The scout was hesitant to speak. He stepped forward and lowered his voice and said: "The imperial court has no troops available. King Huai has conspired to rebel. Donghuai has once again pressed directly on our territory. The entire army of Zhenguo has been restrained."
"Now, we can only...save ourselves and defend ourselves."
"no!"
Chang An's expression immediately changed and he shouted angrily: "Don't the imperial court know the importance of Xuanjian Pass?"
"Once the Xuanjian Pass is defeated, Da Yan's cavalry will conquer the imperial city in two days at most!"
"Go to me quickly and ask for help, and explain the interests to Your Majesty."
"promise!"
The scout left in a hurry again. Chang An's face was as gloomy as water. He looked at the dozens of miles of company camps in the distance and murmured: "Does Da Yan really have only 300,000 soldiers and horses?"
…
City of King Yu.
When Ning Fan returned to Prince Yong's Mansion, the sky was already dark, and he, Zhuge Liang and others had not slept a wink all day and night.
"Kong Ming, Fengxiao, between you, can Xuanjian Pass be defended?"
"Lord!"
Guo Jia's expression condensed and he said in a deep voice: "If Da Yan really sends 300,000 troops to attack the city using conventional means and the dangerous terrain of Xuanjian Pass, it will be difficult to capture it even if it takes three or two months."
"But what if..."
"What if?"
"Da Yan has devoted all his national power and revealed all his secrets. Just as His Highness King Sheng said, it will be broken in three days at most."
Hearing Guo Jia's words, Chen Gong's expression suddenly changed: "Feng Xiao, what do you mean...Which troops will Da Yan dispatch?"
"Dayan Dragon Rider!"
"I'm afraid it won't stop." Zhuge Liang also looked worried and said in a deep voice: "The reason why Xuanjian Pass has been as stable as a rock over the years is not just because His Highness King Sheng is in charge."
"Although His Highness is brave, Da Yan is even more skilled. The biggest reason is that Da Yan has not exhausted all his knowledge."
"Why?"
There was a trace of confusion on Ning Fan's face. Over the years, Dayan and Dayu had been having constant friction in the Western Region, but they had never taken half a step past the Xuanjian Pass.
Everyone in the world praised King Sheng for his bravery and called him Dayu, the God of War.
But now after listening to Zhuge Liang's words, Ning Fan also noticed something unusual. Although the emperor's brother was unparalleled in military power, Da Yan had no shortage of peerless generals. There were even eight ministers of the country sitting in charge, making it a powerful country.
There are over a million soldiers and armor.
…