The key lies in the era of the Great Ancestor and Emperor Taizong, during which the Great Ancestor and Emperor Taizong built a large number of straight roads in Jizhou and north of the Great Wall, to facilitate their campaigns against the Northern Yuan Dynasty.
This made their marches faster and more convenient, with many soldiers even able to take brief rests and recover their energy and spirits by riding ox carts.
Unfortunately, many of the Shenji Camp soldiers were not skilled horse riders. The great majority among them tied their legs on the horse and moved on, otherwise, their speed would have been faster.
Hovering over the torch and human-animal-filled ’expedited road’ was Li Xuan, standing on a flying boat.
Xue Yunrou’s ’Nine Heavens Ten Lands Pimo Divine Shuttle’ had flown to the Capital City, but Heavenly Master Zhang Shenye had various flying artifacts at his disposal.
The ’Green Ming Divine Vessel’ was one of them. Its speed was not very fast, only around 10000 miles a day, and its flying height was only about 100 ters. The advantage was that it had a larger interior space, about 500 square ters, sufficient to accommodate Li Xuan’s entire command team.
"There are already more than 120,000 troops gathered outside Chaoyang Gate? The noble families of the Capital City have been ’forcibly conscripted’ with 7,000 troops and family retainers? What a forcible conscription!"
Li Xuan looked at the military information sent by Luo Yan’s subordinates and sneered, using the light inside the flying boat to mark a point on the map in front of him: "So, he’s planning to fight a field battle outside the city. As expected, my decisive battle with Liang Heng will be near here. Near Tongzhou and the three rivers area, along the Chaobai River line!"
His generals, including Zhang Yue, surrounded him, staring at the map and deep in thought.
Left Qiandu Yushi Wei Zhen asked in confusion: "Why at the Chaobai River?"
The Chaobai River lies between Tongzhou and the three rivers area, and to the west of Tongzhou is Beijing, also the northernmost point of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
"Although Liang Heng is arrogant and domineering, I’ve observed his military deploynts, and he’s always been bold but careful. He’s rather cautious when commanding troops."
Li Xuan calmly explained, "How could he be unprepared when he learns that my army of 100,000 annihilated Shulv Ping? He doesn’t know the strength of my army and won’t rashly fight head-on with us. Also, the news of the victory in Chengde must have reached the Capital City, and the restoration of Zhengtong’s reign is unpopular - he can’t help but feel uneasy.
Even if Liang Heng can forcibly conscript the local Weisuo armies near the Capital City by relying on the power of the northern generals, it will be difficult to unite the soldiers. Therefore, his best option is to set up a formation along the Chaobai River, block our army from crossing the river, or strike while we are halfway across the river. This can allow him to avoid disadvantages to the greatest extent."
Li Xuan looked up at the two cavalry commanders in front of him: "You know what to do, right?"
One of them responded imdiately with a salute: "I understand, our mission is to get to the Chaobai River as quickly as possible, occupy the bridges along the river, gather boats up and downstream, and seize the initiative!"
Li Xuan nodded slightly in satisfaction: "Also, my father, Zongbing Li Chengji, departed north with 30,000 of his transport troops on boat two hours ago. Their speed travelling upstream is faster than ours.
I estimate our arrival in Tongzhou will coincide with theirs. You need to coordinate with my father and establish a solid foothold on the west bank of the Chaobai River."
He then looked to Zhang Shenye: "May I also ask Heavenly Master to go with the army, and choose a place near the Chaobai River to construct an altar! This ti, not only do I need the entire Tongzhou and three rivers area to be rain-free, but also to prepare for the whole army’s water crossing."
Zhang Shenye pondered slightly: "The water level of the Chaobai River is indeed not high, but it is still risky to cross by wading - we could leave ourselves open to attack. We might as well use ice magic. Given it is currently late spring, I can use this to my advantage and temporarily freeze the Chaobai River."
Freezing the river instead of walking across seed a better plan to Li Xuan.
"Let’s go with that, then. I would ask the Heavenly Master to quickly prepare the altar."
The earlier Zhang Shenye set up the altar, the more advantage he would have in the ’Fa Duel’.
As with the battle at the Qiuhu Office in Chengde, Xue Yunrou had prepared in advance, collecting the local Ley lines and Dragon Qi, suppressing them on the altar, and therefore limiting the Ley lines Zhang Guanlan could utilize.
And when the two cavalry commanders and Zhang Shenye had left, Li Xuan asked again: "What’s the situation in Miyun? Where have their 6,000 elite cavalry reached?"
Jizhou Town currently had a total of 50,000 cavalry, but only 19,000 of them were truly competent. After all, Yu Jie’s policy of "clearing the fields" had not even been implented for half a year, and the Weisuo’s combat effectiveness was still far from recovering to its peak during Emperor Taizong’s reign.
Li Xuan had arranged the 6,000 cavalry in Miyun to guard against the ’Doyan Three Guards’.
Years ago, the Duoyan Sanwei was driven north and swept away by the Jin Dynasty, and their original grasslands were occupied by the newly built ’Changming Guard’ of the Jin Dynasty.
Li Xuan was concerned that Duoyan Sanwei would resort to desperate asures and attack the unsteady ’Changming Guard’. Therefore, he stationed a cavalry force in Miyun for precaution.
Now that the Chengde Qiuhu Office had a great victory, Li Xuan estimated that no matter how bold Duoyan Sanwei were, they wouldn’t dare to challenge the might of the Jin Dynasty, which ans these six thousand elite cavalry could be used for suppression of rebellion.
At this ti, although there are three hundred and seventy thousand troops in Jizhou Town, Li Xuan doesn’t have many that can be used for combat at the mont. The number that can reach Tongzhou before the Hour of Mao in the early morning is even fewer.
This group of six thousand elite cavalry is a crucial part of the combat power in Li Xuan’s plans. They are not enough to determine the outco of the battle, but they can reduce the casualties of the ’Shenji right and left camp’.
Every soldier he has at his disposal is precious.
"The latest news is that they have arrived near Zhenluo Pass!"
Zhang Yue assists Li Xuan, mainly responsible for collecting and organizing military intelligence: "The news from there says that the Commander of Miyun hesitated for about two hours, but in the end, he still permitted them to pass. Their marching speed is very fast and they are expected to arrive at the battlefield before the Hour of Mao."
Li Xuan couldn’t help but snort lightly, thinking to himself that this Commander of Miyun was sowhat sensible after all.
Otherwise, he would undoubtedly label him as a rebel and behead him!
However, after this rebellion suppression, he could not use this man anymore. Liaodong frontier would be a good place for him and would not disgrace his military skills.
At this ti, Dongfang Liang hurriedly flew into the boat on his sword, throwing a man dressed in Jin Army’s armor directly in front of Li Xuan.
"This is the Commander of Shin Guard. When I rushed over, he not only demolished several nearby bridges but also disbanded the entire cavalry of Shin Guard and let them return to their garrisons."
Li Xuan couldn’t help but frown. Although the several rivers in Shin Guard’s territory have shallow water levels and can either be crossed or frozen by spellcasters, the demolition of these bridges would still cause so trouble for their march.
"Take him out and execute him!" Li Xuan lowered his head, "Dongfang Liang, after this go to Shin Guard again and execute my orders. From the position of Commander down and above the hundred households, all the military officials should be beheaded! Pass their heads to various Weisuo Institutes as a warning to others! Take my supervision team with you this ti to assist you."
Dongfang Liang then imdiately pulled up that man and left without any expressions on his face.
The face of the Commander of Shin Guard suddenly turned pale, and he roared furiously, "Li Xuan, you dare? I am a commander of the third-rank official, do you dare to kill a senior general of the court without permission?"
"And! Li Xuan, you dare to lead troops into the capital without authorization, do you have an imperial edict of the court? You are rebelling! Now that the Jingtai Emperor has passed away and the True Emperor has taken the throne, not only does it conform to the rites, but it is also supported by the people, it is the will of heaven——"
Li Xuan couldn’t be bothered to respond, and the roaring voice of that man gradually faded away until it abruptly ceased a mont later.
This signified that Dongfang Liang had cut off the head of this commander of the Shin Guard.
The Grand Counselor of Zuochun House and the Servant of the Ministry of War, Shang Hong, bowed with a pale face, "Marquis of Guanjun, this man——"
"This man disobeyed the military order and should be put to death by law!" Wei Zhen coldly looked at Shang Hong, "What? Xueshi Shang, do you want to bla Marquis of Guanjun for marching without an edict and accuse him of plotting a rebellion? Do you also believe that the True Emperor taking the throne is appointed by heaven?"
Shang Hong stuttered for a mont and then sighed gently, "It doesn’t have to co to this. Marquis of Guanjun, why not halt your troops here and observe the situation in the court? The capital has just begun to enjoy peace after the White Lotus Rebellion years ago. How heartless you are to let the capital suffer from war again?"
"Xueshi Shang, all you want to do is scare with high-sounding principles and persuade to surrender myself."
Li Xuan gave him a cold glance, "Why didn’t you say these words to the True Emperor, to Liang Heng? I respect your erudition, Xueshi Shang, but if you dare to speak nonsense again, I will take your head to avenge the flag."
At this mont, he felt sothing and instinctively looked towards the direction of the capital, feeling a strong sense of anxiety in his heart.
What Li Xuan fears the most is the Qianqing Palace. Is the Jingtai Emperor. Can they hold on before he enters the capital?
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