"Sir, there is no need to be discouraged. The difficulties are only temporary. I predict that the Tanghe Empire has run out of fuel and is just returning to its glory. Although we are temporarily withdrawing from Wenning, we have also taught the Tanghe Empire's army a profound lesson. The losses of their two legions are no less than ours. If you want to pursue victory, you have to carefully consider yourself. I have ordered Bi Xiao to intercept the southward fifth legion of the Tang River Empire in the north of Baling. However, the enemy uses ships. I I don't think the effect will be very good, so we still have to leave here as soon as possible, otherwise once the enemy encircles us, we may not be able to break out." Yan Ning's face still looked calm, but there was a hint of anxiety in his words.
"The damn Taiping people violated their covenant and stood still, sitting on the mountain and watching tigers fight. One day I will let them suffer the consequences!" Lei Juetian said bitterly, and then turned around and asked, "Our side Are you ready
"Don't worry, sir. Arrangements have been made. We have people stationed inside and outside the city. We will have everything under control." Yaning nodded knowingly. He knew the implication of the Minister of State's words.
"Well, take away what you can, especially the grain in the granary. You must move it away first, and don't destroy what you can't pull away." Lei Juetian stepped out of the door and looked around reluctantly at the desolate appearance of the street. Then he said with a tone full of sadness: "We will come back, we will definitely come back."
As the Machi Khan army withdrew its divisions to the west, the leading troops of the Empire's Sixth and Seventh Legions joined forces to advance eastward. On May 22, 697 in the Continental Gregorian Calendar, Wenning Fucheng was recovered. This exciting news immediately spread around as quickly as possible, and the Sixth and Seventh Legions did not hesitate to use beautiful words to report to the emperor how the Imperial Army worked together and fought bloody battles for countless days and nights, defeating the Ten Counties of Maci Khan. An army of tens of thousands finally recaptured Wen Ning Mansion.
On May 24, the four regiments of Machi Khan, who fought day and night, ran all the way, and finally crossed the Jingjiang River, a huge natural chasm between Wening and Baling, before the Imperial Fifth Army marching south, and successfully entered Baling. Within the territory, the Machikhans responsible for the interception also paid a considerable price. Facing the flexible and powerful imperial navy fleet with long-range strike power, the Machikhans used various means, even using flesh and blood to design The blocking finally slowed down the advance of the Empire's Fifth Army Corps and bought valuable time for the four regiments returning west from Wenning.
On May 25, the entire territory of Wenning was liberated, and the imperial flag of Two Dragons Playing with Pearls was again planted in urban and rural areas.
"Fighting bloody for three days and nights, sacrificing the spring and Autumn period with blood! - Battlefield records of the Seventh Army Corps", "Continuing forward and taking the lead bravely - Ode to the Fifth Army Corps of the Empire", "Being sincere and sharing weal and woe - Field collection of the Sixth Army Corps of the Empire" A large number of documentary articles were immediately published in the imperial capital and by news media across the empire as quickly as possible. This series of extremely sensational articles greatly inspired the people and morale of the entire empire, and almost the entire empire was enthusiastic. Mobilized, from Yanyun to Jiangnan, from Donghai to Zhongzhou, large numbers of people spontaneously took to the streets and held parades and rallies to celebrate this historic victory. For more than a year, the suffocation in the hearts of the people has been eliminated. After the victory was swept away, merchants put on lights and decorations, slashed prices and sold at a profit. The local government even declared a three-day holiday to celebrate this great victory.
At the same time, the grain merchants who were hoarding were complaining, and grain prices plummeted. Rice plummeted from one silver coin and six copper coins before the restoration of Wen Ning to eight copper coins per liter, while wheat dropped from one silver coin and two copper coins per liter. Copper coins per liter dropped to six copper coins per liter. This sudden contrast made grain merchants cry without tears. Everyone is predicting when the imperial army will regain Baling and Jiujiang, and the price of grain will naturally return to its original price. Some grain merchants who are undecided have begun to open warehouses to sell grain. The price of grain has declined steadily, which has also made the people even more worried. Be happy and smile.
While the whole country was celebrating Wen Ning's recovery, some people couldn't sit still. In a mansion 200 meters south of the Yanyun County Sheriff's Mansion in Beiping Mansion, the capital of Yanyun County, Situ Tai was anxiously pacing back and forth in the hall. Several people were clearly visible in the seats below.
"You guys should tell me, what should we do now? My father has recovered. The third and seventh sons worked together to achieve the great victory of Wen Ning in Wuhu. The empire received rave reviews. The ninth son has died and has no voice at all. I think it's time for us to change our strategy?" Situ Tai was indeed a little angry. He still held his father's imperial edict in his hand, and his words were more intense than ever before. And look at these various newspapers, which one is not for The third child and the seventh child were singing their praises, but seeing that the ninth child had lost power, it was up to him and the third child and the seventh child to compete for the position of prince. If he failed to perform, he might really be kicked out. What's the use of conserving strength? If the whole country unanimously supports Lao Qi or Lao San, there will be no help even if he has two more legions to help him.
Seeing that their master had lost his composure, Zhao Chenghuai and Leng Qian couldn't help but exchanged glances with a wry smile. The drastic change in the situation before them was indeed somewhat beyond their expectations. His Majesty the Emperor surprisingly recovered and returned to the government, which was almost a miracle. Didn't the imperial physician definitely declare that it would be difficult for him to survive this year? How could he suddenly be completely healed? Is there something fishy about this? However, all the information sent back from the imperial capital did not show any suspicion here. The only thing that makes people suspicious is that the Forbidden Palace has tightened its security. It is said that His Majesty the Emperor has invited foreign doctors to perform operations. Could it be some kind of special treatment, some method of stimulating potential, to temporarily restore His Majesty the Emperor? This question has been lingering in the minds of everyone here, but it cannot be confirmed, and even if it is confirmed, there is nothing you can do. Take the Lord's words, if you have built enough momentum for the third or seventh child, even if His Majesty the Emperor dies , our own side is also at an absolute disadvantage, and it will be even more difficult to counterattack. After all, it is really impossible for one county to compete with the entire empire.
"Your Highness, I wonder if we should take another look. I always feel that there is some doubt about His Majesty's sudden recovery. Can we wait until the news from the palace comes to us before making a decision?" Leng Qian saw that Zhao Chenghuai remained silent, so he had to bite the bullet and comfort him. .
Exhaling a sullen breath, Situ Tai snorted, "Mr. Leng, the situation is compelling. You have read the imperial edict. My father is already extremely angry. If we don't behave, I'm afraid we will really be in trouble. Last time, my father The emperor is already a little angry with Cheng Huai, if he disobeys again, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep Cheng Huai.”
Zhao Chenghuai's face changed slightly. Of course he knew that his fate was tied to the person in front of him. If he let go, he would be crushed to pieces immediately, but he couldn't say much at this time. It was worth keeping his eyes secretly Looking at Leng Qian next to him.
Leng Qian also knew the pressure that his lord was under. It seemed that His Highness Ninth Prince was losing some power at the moment. It was no wonder that the lord who had already given up his mind was getting excited again. In the eyes of the lord, since he was the eldest son and had the strongest strength, he could completely suppress the two of them. As brothers, why can't we take this opportunity to give it a try? No matter what, it is far better than staying in Yanyun to wait and see the situation, and if His Majesty the Emperor is really angry, I am afraid it will be difficult to secure his current position, which has to be taken into consideration. However, if you intervene in the war so easily, it will not be easy to escape. Moreover, it is not easy to replenish the army now, especially since His Majesty the Emperor is in power. I am afraid that the original plan of the few of them to take the opportunity to increase the army has come to nothing. However, Situ Lang clearly strengthened his control over the newly-established Third and Fourth Legions, and Situ Yuan also took the opportunity to obtain the right to form the Tenth Legion. The ebb and flow of this force had to be carefully considered.
"Your Highness, I don't think it's better than this. We can make two preparations. First let the First Army prepare for war, and at the same time strengthen pre-war reconnaissance and intelligence collection in Cangzhou. If there is still no news in the Imperial Palace within three to five days, we It is not too late to take action against Cangzhou, but we must pay attention to the secrecy in the preliminary work and keep it secret. If there are any changes in the imperial capital, then we will discuss it. In addition, the northern border line must be well arranged, although the Pu people You have behaved very calmly during this period, but you should not take it lightly." Leng Qian put forward a compromise suggestion, "By the way, Your Highness, the envoy to the Kingdom of Duodun has returned, and there has been some progress, but the Duodun side is still very Caution, they don’t want to confirm it so early, and ask that everything be kept secret for the time being, and they will make a decision after the situation in the empire stabilizes. It seems that they still want to see what happens.”
"Huh, don't worry about them. We can't care about them right now. They can't play much of a role now. We still have to make up our mind to solve the Cangzhou problem. Chenghuai, are there any problems?" Situ Tai has already sent The matter of marrying the Kingdom of Duodun has been forgotten. The most important thing now is how to regain the favor and trust of the father. Judging from the current situation, the rewards for the third and seventh children will be given by the father soon. Come down, if I don't seize the opportunity to show off, I'm afraid I won't even be able to occupy a corner in my father's heart.
"Currently, there are about 30,000 Taiping troops stationed in Cangzhou, and there are also 30,000 to 40,000 armed personnel. However, it is difficult to estimate how high the combat effectiveness of these armed personnel is. It may be very poor. After all, they have not received formal training and have not participated. After a real war, he may not be weak. The Taiping sect is still very good at using religious superstition methods to fool people. Once a person is not afraid of death, it is difficult to say." When talking about military affairs, Zhao Chenghuai immediately became energetic and his tone suddenly became tougher. "But if Your Highness wants the First Army to attack with all its strength, I am confident that the war in Cangzhou will be resolved within a week!"