148: Dingzhou is in urgent need of leaving the border! Ninth-grade genius Ye Wan

Chapter 147: Ding Province in Crisis, Out of the Border Pass! The Ninth Rank Genius, Ye Wan! (23)

Sang Wen, gentle and emotional, blushed crimson upon hearing Li Chang'an's teasing remark.

This poem itself depicted the shy feelings of a young girl on her wedding night, and she had, to varying degrees, infused her personal emotions into her singing.

Now, exposed by Li Chang'an, Sang Wen's heart pounded, and she was too nervous to utter a single word.

By the time she calmed down, she found the bed already empty.

Li Chang'an enjoyed teasing Sang Wen and watching her shy reactions.

It was late; time to return to the bridal chamber.

Li Chang'an silently returned to the bridal chamber. Just as he picked up the nuptial cup from the table, Ye Ling'er suddenly erupted, launching a powerful ‘Great Coffin Split’ attack with her bridal veil still on!

Li Chang'an caught her fist, and with a gentle exertion of force, Ye Ling'er's small hand opened.

Then, he placed a cup of wine in Ye Ling'er's hand, "Ling'er, are you trying to murder your husband?"

Ye Ling'er removed her veil herself. Upon seeing it was Li Chang'an, she immediately dropped her fierce expression.

"So... Your Highness has returned."

Ye Ling'er had never worn makeup in her life. Although it was only light makeup now, her appearance was still extremely beautiful.

"Ling'er, drink this wine, and you will be this King's person."

Ye Ling'er nodded gently, saying, "Everything is as my husband wishes."

After they drank the nuptial wine, Ye Ling'er became somewhat flustered.

"Ling'er is new here and knows nothing. I hope my husband will guide me!"

Ye Ling'er nervously cupped her hands, adopting a stance as if for a martial arts discussion.

Li Chang'an put his arm around her slender waist, walked step by step to the bed, and drew the curtains.

"Ling'er, the wedding night is actually not difficult at all. You just need to listen to me."

Soon after, Ye Ling'er suddenly let out a muffled groan of pain, "It hurts so much."

Li Chang'an was puzzled. "I haven't even used any force, and you're already crying out in pain?"

Ye Ling'er said with a crimson face, "It has nothing to do with my husband. Ling'er was injured a few days ago, and the swelling hasn't gone down."

After being beaten by Lin Wan'er, it hurt with even a slight touch, even when putting on clothes today.

The subsequent process went much more smoothly. After all, she was a woman who had practiced martial arts since childhood, truly resilient.

Three days later.

In the Imperial Study, Emperor Qing received an urgent military report, an 800-li dispatch.

Ku He assassinated Shi Fei, who was temporarily acting as the Grand Commander of Ding Province. The Conquering Western Army of Ding Province was leaderless and fought independently.

The 100,000 convict soldiers newly deployed by the Western Qin State took advantage of the chaos, occupying three prefectures of Ding Province, and even the important pass, Yang Pass.

The Ding Zhou Army lost half its strength, with only 50,000 troops remaining, camped east of Yang Pass, barely holding back the Western Qin Army's offensive.

Yang Pass was the name Emperor Qing had given to that pass after Li Chang'an composed his poem.

"That old man Ku He, he's still obsessed with revenge and murder!"

"Eunuch Hou, summon Uncle Prince Yong to my presence!"

After Li Chang'an arrived at the Imperial Study, Emperor Qing immediately laid out a border map before him.

"Chang'an, the five prefectures north of Ding Province are the territory we seized from Northern Qi last year."

"Now, with the rise of the Western Qin, they have actually seized more than half of our newly occupied lands!"

"The border is in crisis, and your opportunity to achieve great deeds has arrived!"

"I order you to oversee all military affairs of Ding Province and Qing Province, and to additionally mobilize 50,000 troops from other border armies."

"Including the original 50,000 troops, the only forces I can give you now are these 100,000!"

The Qing Kingdom's various armies totaled 500,000, with border armies accounting for about 350,000. 100,000 troops was not a small number.

Qing Province was a territory the First Prince had taken from the Western Hu people, and population relocation had just been completed there.

The authority to oversee all military affairs of Ding Province and Qing Province meant control over all border armies in the Northwest, which was the position of Grand Commander, only established in the Qing Kingdom during wartime.

"Ye Zhong, Gong Dian, and all border generals below them will all be under your command!"

Li Chang'an asked, "Your Majesty, what is the objective of this war?"

Emperor Qing looked at the map and said fiercely, "I want you to destroy the Western Qin State!"

"I know this is very difficult; it might take ten or even eight years to achieve."

"The Western Qin State has 150,000 elite troops within its borders, and their weapons and armor are exceptionally fine."

"The forces currently confronting our Conquering Western Army are not the main strength of the Western Qin Army."

"Rather, they are convict soldiers composed of severe criminals from various Northern Qi vassal states and captured Northern Qi soldiers by the Western Qin State."

Li Chang'an was very clear about this matter, and it was he who had arranged it.

Li Chang'an did not want to go to the battlefield and fight against the elite troops he had painstakingly nurtured; these convict soldiers were merely cannon fodder.

Therefore, he had Han Xin assemble this convict army.

He himself hadn't expected that after Shi Fei's assassination, these convict soldiers would actually push deep into their territory, capturing cities and seizing land!

"Your Majesty, to destroy the Western Qin State, the required funds and provisions are not a small amount."

Emperor Qing pointed to the Western Hu west of Ding Province, "You can raid the Western Hu, fighting to sustain the war, just as the Eldest Prince did."

"The court's provisions can only guarantee the upkeep of the army; if you want to destroy the Western Qin State, you will have to find your own means."

Emperor Qing, that old fox, habitually treated everyone as pawns.

After studying the Western Qin State, Emperor Qing clearly understood its potential.

If he allowed it to develop further, it might become even more formidable than Northern Qi.

However, he could not now divert most of the troops confronting Northern Qi to eliminate Western Qin.

Therefore, he would let Li Chang'an lead 100,000 border troops to fight a war of attrition with Western Qin, preventing Western Qin from rising smoothly.

Once he had planned and eliminated Ku He and Si Gu Jian, he could even personally suppress the Western Qin State.

Of course, a prince who stayed in the border army for a long time would be far from the central court, reducing the Crown Prince's pressure significantly.

Moreover, with Li Chang'an in the border army and the Crown Prince at the center, the Crown Prince would have more means to constrain Li Chang'an.

In this way, Li Chang'an was stabilized, the Western Qin State was held back, and the Crown Prince could continue to be tempered.

In Emperor Qing's view, this arrangement was flawless and achieved multiple objectives.

Li Chang'an deliberately sighed, "This journey to the border is long; who knows when I will be able to return to the capital!"

Emperor Qing spoke seemingly from the heart, "Chang'an, when I was the Crown Prince, I already had outstanding military achievements."

"If you want to establish authority in the court, how can you command respect without solid military merits?"

This grand promise from Emperor Qing was theoretically sound; if Li Chang'an could achieve great merits in expanding territory, he would completely overshadow the Crown Prince in all aspects.

However, if the Western Qin State had not been a situation pre-arranged by Li Chang'an, destroying Western Qin with 100,000 troops, and with the Crown Prince constraining him in court, this task would be incredibly difficult.

In Emperor Qing's view, no matter how capable Li Chang'an was, he could at best achieve what Li Chengru did—holding the existing territory would be commendable.

"Speed is of the essence in war, Chang'an. Depart tomorrow!"

After this western campaign, Li Chang'an would be able to reasonably reveal his strongest backing.

By then, Li Chang'an would wield immense power in the Qing Kingdom's court, with unparalleled achievements, and Emperor Qing would not dare to act rashly.

If he were to publicly reveal his Great Grandmaster status, let alone the Crown Prince, Emperor Qing might even consider abdication.

Upon returning to Dragon Guard Manor, Li Chang'an ordered Jing Ni to remain in the capital to oversee the Net's activities and monitor all movements. Xing Yusen was to lead 100 Shadow Guards to protect Dragon Guard Manor.

Wang Qinian and Teng Zijing, leading 200 Shadow Guards, would accompany Li Chang'an on his westward journey.

Li Chang'an also mobilized experts from Net branches across the land, whether in Northern Qi, Southern Qing, or Dongyi City.

Another 300 experts of Seventh Rank and above were to be summoned to Ding Province to rendezvous with Li Chang'an.

In this way, Li Chang'an could form a 500-strong Shadow Guard special forces unit.

Guangxin Palace.

The Crown Prince let out a long sigh, "Father has finally sent Uncle Prince Yong away..."

Li Yunrui chuckled, "Chang'an succeeds at everything he does. You went to admire chrysanthemums and took a big tumble, while he went to admire chrysanthemums and earned the great merit of protecting His Majesty."

When the assassination at Hanging Temple occurred, the Crown Prince panicked and stumbled over a wine cup, injuring his back.

"Aunt, do you think Uncle Prince Yong might really be a Celestial Vein Holder? It seems he never fails at anything he does."

Li Yunrui warned, "So you must be careful. If he really destroys the Western Qin State, His Majesty will have nothing left to reward him with."

The Crown Prince shook his head firmly, "Absolutely impossible!"

"I have consulted Old General Qin numerous times, and he has thoroughly analyzed the Western Qin military for me."

"Not only are their troops elite and their provisions ample, but that Han Xin is no less capable than Father and Zhan Qingfeng."

"Old General Qin said that even if His Majesty were to personally lead an expedition in his prime, it would require at least 300,000 troops and three years of time!"

"Uncle Prince Yong has never fought a war, has only 100,000 troops, and half of those 100,000 are controlled by generals under the Qin Family."

"Even if the Ye Family is loyal to him, he can only effectively command 50,000 men, which is simply not enough to destroy Western Qin!"

Li Yunrui raised an eyebrow and said, "His Majesty truly still favors his son."

"With this move, Chang'an will likely have to stay on the frontier for eight to ten years."

The Crown Prince chuckled, "Not entirely. If he can't endure it, I can intercede for him and have him return to the capital."

Li Yunrui, of course, understood the crucial point. "In that case, his prestige would be greatly diminished."

A hint of ruthlessness appeared in the Crown Prince's eyes, "No, an expedition far from home, with prolonged fighting and no success, that could lead to punishment."

Li Chang'an, leading 200 Shadow Guards, and Ye Zhong, leading his eldest son Ye Wan and 100 personal guards, rode swiftly out of the capital.

After a day of forced march, they rested at the Taiyuan Road Post Station station for the night.

As soon as Li Chang'an dismounted, Ye Wan knelt on one knee before him.

"Your subordinate, Ye Wan, thanks the Grand Commander for his promotion!"

Name: Ye Wan

Age: 22 years old

Realm: Ninth Rank Lower Level

Talents: Military Strategy (Ninth Rank), Command (Eighth Rank), Martial Dao (Eighth Rank)

Abilities: Military Strategy (Ninth Rank), Command (Seventh Rank), Management (Fifth Rank)

Affection: 50

Ye Zhong's eldest son, Ye Wan, started riding and practicing martial arts at the age of three, and began learning battle formations. He was a renowned Genius.

At seventeen, he distinguished himself in the Ding Zhou Army, making a thousand-li raid and personally slaying over a hundred Western Hu people.

However, he was too young and impetuous. Ye Zhong had high expectations for him and disciplined him strictly, intentionally suppressing his military achievements.

As a result, the young man, feeling aggrieved, directly left the Ding Zhou Army, where the Ye Family's influence was strongest, and went to serve in the Nanzhao border army.

After four or five years, not only did his martial arts break through to Ninth Rank, but he also rose to the rank of a partial general commanding ten thousand men through his military merits.

Li Chang'an's marriage to Ye Ling'er was also Emperor Qing's intention to bind him to the Ye Family.

The Ye Family would, of course, desperately assist Li Chang'an on the battlefield, but if Li Chang'an harbored any rebellious intentions, the Ye Family would be the first to turn against him.

Because both the Qin Family and the Ye Family were descendants of the founding heroes of Southern Qing, they were utterly loyal to the Southern Qing Dynasty.

Ye Wan, with his white horse and silver spear, was a young hero whom Li Chang'an greatly admired.

Therefore, as early as when Emperor Qing proposed his western expedition, Li Chang'an had requested Ye Wan's transfer.

"Ye Wan, Nanzhao has already submitted and become a vassal state of our Great Qing."

"The Western Qin is powerful, and now is the time to achieve great deeds. Since this King has summoned you, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

"Rise, there's no need for formalities among family."

Ye Wan stood up and respectfully said, "Thank you, Grand Commander!"

Li Chang'an then spoke to Ye Zhong and Gong Dian, "Marshal Ye, General Gong, let's go inside and discuss the current war situation."

Name: Ye Zhong

Age: 52 years old

Realm: Ninth Rank Upper Level

Talents: Military Strategy (Seventh Rank), Command (Eighth Rank), Martial Dao (Seventh Rank)

Abilities: Military Strategy (Seventh Rank), Command (Eighth Rank), Socializing (Sixth Rank)

Affection: 40

Ye Wan's talent was indeed higher than Ye Zhong's, and he was also easier to control than Ye Zhong.

Ye Zhong had commanded on battlefields for decades, having fought alongside Emperor Qing in various campaigns. No one in the army would fail to address him as Marshal Ye.

The group rode at full speed, reaching Ding Province territory in seven or eight days.

Upon arriving at the first city within Ding Province, Li Chang'an saw 300 people standing neatly in front of the city gate.

Ye Wan, seeing them from afar, exclaimed in surprise, "Grand Commander, these Martial Artists have long breaths, and their cultivation is at least Seventh Rank and above!"

"Such a large gathering of Upper Third Rank Martial Artists, and so orderly, only your Shadow Guard could achieve this."

Li Chang'an said, "Indeed, they are the experts newly recruited by the Shadow Guard from the Jianghu."

Li Chang'an spurred his horse forward, and these men uniformly knelt on one knee.

"New recruits of the Shadow Guard, greetings to our King, the Grand Commander!"

These Seventh Rank and Eighth Rank Martial Artists were all discovered by Li Chang'an during his travels in the Jianghu years ago.

They might have been salt workers, miners, farmers, or hunters before. If not for Li Chang'an, their Martial Dao talents would have been buried for life.

Without Li Chang'an, there would not be such a special force of Upper Third Rank in this world.

The seeds planted five or six years ago had finally grown into robust fruits, becoming a sharp blade in Li Chang'an's hands!

These fruits were merely the tip of the iceberg of Li Chang'an's vast power!

Li Chang'an said to these people, "My Shadow Guard, normally personal guards, will be elite shock troops on the battlefield!"

"Now that the border is in crisis, it is time for you to achieve great deeds!"

"All rise, and follow this King to reclaim Yang Pass!"

The 300 men stood up in unison, shouting, "We swear to follow the Grand Commander to the death!"

Ye Zhong, Gong Dian, and Ye Wan were all inwardly startled. Including the 200 men Li Chang'an brought from the capital, there were now 500 Shadow Guards around Li Chang'an: over 300 Seventh Rank, over 100 Eighth Rank, and more than twenty Eighth Rank Upper Level.

This was comparable to His Majesty's Tiger Guards and Inner Court Imperial Guards, but even combined, the Tiger Guards and Inner Court Imperial Guards numbered no more than 300.

Prince Yong, Li Chang'an, truly was unfathomably deep!

Another three days passed, and Li Chang'an's party arrived at the Ding Zhou Army camp.

There were 50,000 Ding Zhou Army troops here; the other 50,000 troops allocated by Emperor Qing would take another month to arrive.

In the central command tent, Li Chang'an looked at the dozen or so border military officers and asked his first question upon taking office.

"With 50,000 troops currently, can we reclaim Yang Pass?"