"Qingzhou City has fallen!"
Wuzhu Gu, in the silver tent, frowned tightly.
Three days ago, Zheng Chengwen led a cavalry unit out of Juyong Pass and headed straight for the Golden Horde's silver tent. He needed to convey this news to Wuzhu Gu.
At that time, Prince Liang had sent an envoy to the Golden Horde's Shengdu, and as one of the envoys, he had some interactions with Wuzhu Gu.
"The news is absolutely true. In Yunzhou City, Prince Qi's army utterly defeated the allied forces of the three princes, and then they broke through and invaded Liang." Zheng Chengwen's eyes darted around.
Wuzhu Gu squinted at Zheng Chengwen and snorted coldly, "In that case, why didn't you tell me this news earlier? I suspect you have ulterior motives, wanting to replace Prince Liang yourself."
Zheng Chengwen was startled, as Wuzhu Gu had hit upon his true thoughts. Just as he was about to explain, Wuzhu Gu suddenly said, "You don't need to explain. For our Golden Horde, who Prince Liang is doesn't matter, as long as he is obedient."
Zheng Chengwen was overjoyed upon hearing this. He said, "Taiji, Prince Liang has always been outwardly compliant but inwardly disobedient towards Taiji, but I am utterly sincere towards Taiji."
Wuzhu Gu nodded slightly. He said, "This Prince Qi truly seems to be a grave concern for our Golden Horde. If it weren't for Japan attacking Goryeo at this moment, we would surely use the full strength of the nation to destroy him."
Zheng Chengwen said, "Taiji is absolutely right, but Prince Qi's army has yet to establish a firm foothold. There's still time now."
Wuzhu Gu frowned. "However, my Khan is unwilling to fight on two fronts. Even if we support you now, we can only send 30,000 cavalry and 70,000 slave soldiers. Only when the Goryeo war ends can we concentrate on dealing with Prince Qi."
"Taiji, but then Prince Qi might also eliminate Prince Zhao, and at that point, no one will be able to help Taiji," Zheng Chengwen said, somewhat anxious.
He had come this time hoping that the Golden Horde could send a large army to help him retake the cities of Liang, which would then legitimately make him the King of Liang.
After all, with Prince Liang now captured and the Second Prince killed in battle, he was the only one left in Liang who could inherit the great lineage.
"What you said makes sense, but this Taiji is helpless right now. The threat from Japan is imminent; this is a provocation to the Khanate, and the Khan is furious. At this moment, he cannot even spare a thought for Prince Qi. These troops are also reserved by the Khan for you and Prince Zhao, and there truly are no others." Wuzhu Gu said.
Zheng Chengwen was extremely disappointed. These troops would at most be enough for him to hold Juyong Pass.
Seemingly discerning Zheng Chengwen's thoughts, Wuzhu Gu said, "These troops are for you to hold Juyong Pass. When the Goryeo war ends, I guarantee I will lead a large army to destroy Prince Qi."
Zheng Chengwen sighed inwardly. Now, he could only do this. He said, "I only wish Taiji could lead the troops here soon."
Wuzhu Gu nodded.
Zheng Chengwen dared not linger. After bidding farewell to Wuzhu Gu, he rushed back to Juyong Pass. However, when he arrived at the pass with the barbarian reinforcements, he was instantly struck with dismay.
At this time, the soldiers on Juyong Pass were no longer from Liang; they were clearly Prince Qi's army in green military uniforms. In just six or seven days, Juyong Pass had changed hands.
"Return Juyong Pass to me!" Zheng Chengwen cursed. He had calculated everything but never anticipated that Prince Qi's army would take Juyong Pass so quickly.
However, only the roar of cannons answered him.
At the same time, Niu Ben also arrived at Juyong Pass.
Ordered to supervise the battle, he never expected to learn of Prince Liang's capture just as he arrived in Qingzhou. Then he hurried to Juyong Pass.
Because Lu Fei then led his army in a forced march to attack this place.
Upon entering Juyong Pass, Niu Ben immediately felt a tense atmosphere before battle. The common people coming and going in Juyong Pass hurried with worried expressions on their faces. There were no street vendors, and fully armed soldiers occasionally appeared from alleyways.
"General, you must be tired from the long journey. Let's go to the grand camp first," Lu Fei said, noticing a hint of weariness on Niu Ben's face.
Niu Ben shook his head and said, "No, the battle is urgent. How many barbarian soldiers are outside the city?"
"Reporting, General. According to the identification by the soldiers inside the city, this person is Zheng Chengwen, the commander of Juyong Pass. This time, he probably brought borrowed troops from the barbarians, numbering about 100,000, including 30,000 cavalry and 70,000 slave soldiers."
Juyong Pass was the northwest gateway of the Great Yu Empire, located between Liang and the Golden Horde's territory. Juyong Pass was surrounded by mountains, especially on the side adjacent to the plateau, where the mountains were high and the roads treacherous. Juyong Pass was situated at the throat of the passage to Liang.
The construction of Juyong Pass was also based on its military characteristics. Facing north, the city wall on the north side was thick and high. The Juyong Pass Grand Camp was stationed in the north city, constantly defending against threats from the barbarians.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the West City. The soldiers here were noticeably more numerous and very busy, constantly moving back and forth. Soldiers carrying ammunition and transporting stones were everywhere.
Ye Qingyun then said, "This time, the smooth capture of Juyong Pass is thanks to the Yong army. Chen Xinran also led his troops to attack this time, and together with us, he took this last city of Liang."
Niu Ben showed an appreciative expression upon hearing this. He said, "I never expected Prince Yong to have such a valiant general under him."
"This Chen Xinran is indeed a talent," Lu Fei also didn't deny it.
The three spoke as they entered the grand camp, and in front of them was the city wall.
The city wall of Juyong Pass was not very high, only about twelve meters, but it was cast from bluestone and appeared quite sturdy. Ascending the two-meter-wide steps to the city tower, Niu Ben's vision was suddenly filled with lush green grasslands.
Not far from the pass were barbarian cavalry and barbarian slave soldiers roaming around.
Picking up his telescope and looking at the barbarian soldiers not far away, Niu Ben observed for a while and then mused, "No need to worry. These are not the elite of the barbarians. His Imperial Majesty truly has divine foresight. The barbarians are unwilling to fight on two fronts right now, so the cavalry they dispatched are not elites."
Lu Fei and Ye Qingyun also breathed a sigh of relief. He said, "General, the soldiers have been fighting fiercely for several months and are now extremely exhausted. It's time for them to rest for a while."
Niu Ben understood Lu Fei's meaning. The problem caused by continuous hard fighting was the soldiers' war-weariness, and this emotion needed to be vented through rest and relaxation.
After a moment of thought, he said to Lu Fei, "You go gather the pleasure women of Liang. Pay them some silver and have them sing songs for the soldiers or something similar. But remember not to force them, lest it damage His Imperial Majesty's reputation."
Lu Fei's eyes immediately widened. Not to mention the soldiers, he himself felt irritable during this time, all due to the suppression caused by the war. Having such a joyous activity was certainly wonderful.
So, he was naturally happy to carry this out. He chuckled, "General, would you like me to pick out a top courtesan for you?"
"Get lost!" Niu Ben glared at him. "This general having someone find people is not for matters of the bed! If you mess around, just see how this general deals with you!"