149: The Six Meridians Divine Sword breaks the city gate! Recover lost territory in ten days

Chapter 148: Six Meridian Divine Sword Breaks the City Gate! Reclaiming Lost Territory in Ten Days! (33)

Fifty thousand Ding Province border troops, combined with another fifty thousand border troops gradually brought in, together formed Li Chang'an's Western Expeditionary Army.

The generals of these fifty thousand Ding Province border troops all had intricate connections with the Ye family.

Ye Zhong, Gong Dian, and Ye Wan all rose through the ranks of the Ding Province Army, so these fifty thousand Ding Province troops looked to Ye Zhong as their leader.

Ye Zhong, with a business-like expression, stepped forward and addressed the generals, "The Grand Commander has called a meeting. Speak frankly, without any reservations."

Li Chang'an glanced at Ye Zhong. This man was technically his father-in-law, but he had never once called him 'father-in-law'.

When working, he addressed him by his title. Why call him father-in-law?

He wouldn't call him that in private either. Even if he called him his ancestor, Ye Zhong would never be completely loyal to Li Chang'an.

Li Chang'an knew that the generals of his Western Expeditionary Army would, one day, all be replaced by his own people.

With Commander Ye's approval, these generals finally began to answer Li Chang'an's questions.

"Grand Commander, Yang Pass is built between high mountains, easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are fifty thousand Xi Qin soldiers in the pass city."

"Xi Qin's Convict Army is fierce and fearless, extremely brutal. We should wait until all one hundred thousand Western Expeditionary Army troops are in place before making any plans!"

"Grand Commander, it's not that we are afraid of death, it's just that the pass is too treacherous!"

"If it weren't for Grandmaster Ku He directly killing Grand Commander Shi Fei, who was guarding Yang Pass, this pass would never have been lost."

Li Chang'an turned to Ye Zhong and asked, "Commander Ye, what do you think?"

Ye Zhong replied, "Although the enemy's Convict Army is brutal, their discipline and combat capability are far inferior to the main Xi Qin forces."

"Now that this humble general has arrived, we can definitely retake Yang Pass, even if it costs us one or two tens of thousands of brothers."

"If Your Highness the Grand Commander wishes to reduce casualties and consider the long term, it would be better to wait until the Western Expeditionary Army is fully assembled before engaging in battle."

Li Chang'an had discussed this many times with Ye Zhong, Gong Dian, and Ye Wan on the way.

The mission given by His Majesty to eliminate Western Qin was too arduous, so reducing casualties was very necessary at this point.

At this moment, Ye Wan stepped forward, "Your Highness the Grand Commander, Commander's plan is too conservative!"

Ye Zhong glared at Ye Wan. This eldest son was too sharp. Li Chang'an clearly intended to support this son to counterbalance him.

The problem was, Ye Wan was the most outstanding rising star of the Ye family, and Ye Zhong also hoped his son would achieve great things.

Seeing Commander Ye and his son arguing, the other generals found it even harder to speak.

"This humble general has observed Your Highness's Shadow Guard these past few days. These five hundred Upper Third Rank Martial Artists obey orders strictly and exude a chilling Battle Intent."

"I truly don't know how Your Highness trained them!"

Li Chang'an nodded and said, "You have good eyesight. Ultimately, these people come from impoverished backgrounds and harbor a suppressed drive within them."

Ye Wan continued, "With the help of Your Highness's surprise force, and another thirty thousand soldiers for this humble general, Yang Pass can be taken in a single day!"

Hearing Ye Wan's words, Ye Zhong immediately flew into a rage, "Ye Wan! You are too reckless!"

"Every single soldier is the Foundation of Great Qing. How can I allow you to take such a risk!"

Li Chang'an said calmly, "Commander Ye, you want to say that every single soldier is the Ye family's Foundation, how can they be so reckless, right?"

Ye Zhong's expression instantly stiffened. This son-in-law gave his father-in-law no Face at all. Wasn't what belonged to the Ye family also Prince Yong's, Your Highness?

"Grand Commander, this humble general is also considering Your Highness's long-term interests."

Ye Wan argued forcefully, "The Convict Army charges like a broken bamboo when things go smoothly, but once they encounter a setback, they will collapse instantly."

"This humble general participated in the war to destroy Nan Zhao back then and experienced this firsthand."

Ye Zhong was so angry he almost rolled his eyes. He didn't even have the qualifications to participate in a war of annihilation.

Back then, Ye Wan went to the Nan Zhao border army and happened to encounter Emperor Qing annihilating Nan Zhao, forcing it to become a vassal state, allowing Ye Wan to gain a lot of experience and military achievements.

Of the one hundred thousand Xi Qin Convict Army, fifty thousand were guarding Yang Pass, and thirty thousand were in the three commanderies behind Yang Pass.

The Convict Army had poor discipline but could erupt with powerful combat strength.

Among these Convict Army soldiers, there were insiders from the Net.

Ye Wan was also lucky; the credit for the first battle outside the pass was about to fall to this young man again.

Li Chang'an's goal was to sideline Ye Zhong, completely win over Ye Wan, and have Ye Wan take over the Ye family's influence.

"Ye Zhong, Ye Wan, Wang Qinian, Jing Wuming, stay. The other generals return to your tents and await orders!"

After the others left, Li Chang'an quickly drew up a battle plan for them.

Shadow Guard experts would infiltrate Yang Pass under the cover of night, connect with the insiders, and directly assassinate the Convict Army generals.

Then, they would set fire to the General's Mansion in the pass city, open the city gate amidst the chaos, and let Ye Wan's army enter the pass.

Once the army entered the pass, the leaderless Convict Army would only flee in disarray to save their lives.

Inside Yang Pass City.

The general assigned to guard the pass by the Convict Army was a captured Northern Qi border general.

Upon learning the news of Li Chang'an's arrival at the Ding Province Army camp, he immediately called a meeting.

"Gentlemen, Li Chang'an has arrived at the Ding Province Army. How should we respond?"

A general beneath the tent said, "Li Chang'an is not to be worried about. He's just a profligate Prince who dabbles in literature and has never even been to a battlefield."

"The trouble is that both Ye Zhong and Ye Wan have come. We must be careful that they begin their assault on the pass!"

Another general said, "Yang Pass is easy to defend and difficult to attack. With only fifty thousand of them, they won't be able to break in."

The commanding general guarding the pass said, "When I was in Northern Qi, I confronted Ye Zhong for many years and know his character well."

"Ye Zhong has some capabilities, but he is extremely selfish. This time, the Ye family's Ding Province Army lost fifty thousand men, so he will definitely be reluctant to use the remaining fifty thousand to forcefully attack Yang Pass."

"This general predicts that Li Chang'an, being new to the battlefield, will surely rely heavily on his father-in-law, and thus will wait until all one hundred thousand troops are in place before attacking the pass."

"You all quickly prepare siege equipment. We must fortify Yang Pass into an iron bucket within a month!"

The Convict Army never imagined that on the very first night Li Chang'an arrived at the Ding Province Army camp, the Shadow Guard would launch a decapitation strike.

Teng Zijing provided support from outside, while Wang Qinian and a dozen or so Eighth Rank Upper experts easily scaled the mountains, silently entering the pass city.

Li Chang'an appeared and disappeared like a ghost, standing on a mountaintop beside the pass, watching the Shadow Guard experts successfully enter the General's Mansion.

Immediately after, his figure flickered, and in a few moments, he was inside the gate of Yang Pass.

The soldiers guarding the gate saw a blur, then a young man in splendid robes standing before them.

"Who are you!"

"Why are you here so late at night!"

"If you don't stop, we will fire arrows!"

However, before these men could fire their arrows, several acupoints around Li Chang'an's body instantly released sharp Sword Qi!

The whooshing sounds of air being torn apart were endless. These soldiers were all directly pulverized into bloody foam, leaving no bones behind!

Immediately after, Li Chang'an unleashed a Shaoshang Sword Qi, and the majestic Sword Qi was like a sudden, earth-shattering storm!

"Boom!"

The heavy solid wood city gate was instantly shattered by the Sword Qi, and even the walls of the gate arch were broken by the impact!

Li Chang'an shook his head. For a Great Grandmaster to do this was indeed a bit boring.

To quickly reclaim the entire Ding Province, then rendezvous with Han Xin, and eliminate the Western Hu and Northern Barbarians, only then would it be fitting for a Great Grandmaster.

Ye Wan, ambushed outside the city, heard a loud boom from afar, and the wooden gate of Yang Pass completely disintegrated!

"The reclamation of lost territory is today! Soldiers, follow me and charge!"

Ye Wan, on a white horse with a silver spear and a white battle robe, charged at the forefront, leading five thousand cavalry like a flood into Yang Pass.

The remaining twenty thousand-plus infantry followed suit. There was no so-called siege battle, only a bloody street fight.

The Convict Army in the city heard a thunderous roar, and then saw Qing Kingdom cavalry already charging into the pass.

Everywhere were sounds of fighting and shouting, blades piercing flesh, screams, and curses!

Immediately after, the General's Mansion caught fire, and the head of the defending general was hung on the commander's platform!

Then came the roars and shouts of the Ding Province Army, "Listen, Xi Qin Convict Army!

As long as you surrender, all your convict statuses in Northern Qi and Xi Qin will be abolished!"

"As long as you abide by the Great Qing laws, past crimes in other countries will be forgiven!"

This tactic indeed worked. Most of these convicts, who lived hand-to-mouth, laid down their weapons and surrendered.

Just as dawn was breaking, Li Chang'an and the generals received Ye Wan's report.

Ye Wan was covered in blood but appeared extremely excited, "Reporting to the Grand Commander, Yang Pass has been retaken. Thirty thousand of the fifty thousand Convict Army have surrendered."

"Ten thousand were killed, and another ten thousand scattered. Our casualties were less than five thousand. This battle was a great victory!"

Ye Zhong, Gong Dian, and the other Ye family generals all found it somewhat unbelievable.

Yang Pass was a formidable pass. When it was still in Northern Qi's hands last year, Qing Kingdom had lost thirty thousand soldiers to take it.

Taking Yang Pass meant completely taking that one province of Northern Qi.

But now, Ye Wan had taken this formidable pass with less than one-tenth the casualties.

Ye Zhong smiled and said, "Congratulations to the Grand Commander for a victorious start! This battle's success is entirely due to the Grand Commander's strategic planning!"

Ye Wan also said, "Indeed, the Grand Commander's Shadow Guard is truly miraculous. Not only did they kill the defending general, but they also completely destroyed the gate of Yang Pass!"

Upon hearing this, the generals in the tent finally understood why the casualties were so small.

The city gate was directly destroyed, so there was no need for a siege. Then, charging into the pass under the cover of night was like wolves entering a flock of sheep.

Wang Qinian smiled slightly, "Our Ninth Rank hidden weapons expert, Vice Commander Jing Wuming, possesses extraordinary skills."

Ye Zhong looked at Teng Zijing, who was standing behind Li Chang'an, and a chill ran down his spine.

The previous Ninth Rank archer, Yan Xiao Yi, could launch sneak attacks across ranks. Ninth Rank ranged experts were not to be trifled with.

Li Chang'an said to Ye Wan, "Speed is paramount in war. I order you to lead thirty thousand Ding Province troops in hot pursuit and reclaim the entire Ding Province!"

"You may personally select the generals for each camp. You must achieve a quick victory!"

Ye Wan replied loudly, "Thank you for the Grand Commander's trust. This humble general will not fail in his mission!"

Ye Wan stood up, cupped his hands to Ye Zhong, "Father, please lead a contingent of troops to take Dragon Head City."

Ye Zhong glared at Ye Wan, then cupped his hands to Li Chang'an, "I respectfully obey the Grand Commander's order!"

Subsequently, Ye Wan also selected Gong Dian and another border general to lead troops out of Yang Pass and sweep through the Northwest.

Ten days later, all three northwestern commanderies of Yang Pass were recaptured. Twenty days later, the other fifty thousand men of the Western Expeditionary Army finally arrived, belatedly.

In the capital city, Emperor Qing also received news of Li Chang'an reclaiming the entire Ding Province.

Looking at the urgent military report in his hand, Emperor Qing was somewhat stunned.

"The troops haven't even fully arrived, and he's already reclaimed the entire Ding Province?"

"Could this Li Chang'an truly be a Celestial Vein Holder?"

"Why does everything he does seem so easy?"

In Emperor Qing's estimation, Li Chang'an would at least have to wait for all one hundred thousand troops to arrive, and then spend three to five months to chew through Yang Pass.

During this process, he would have to ask the court for soldiers and provisions, and his arrogant demeanor would surely be reined in.

Not long after, the First Prince and the Crown Prince were summoned.

"You two, take a look. Why do you think Prince Yong achieved such a swift victory?"

The First Prince glanced at the battle report, then showed a look of surprise and delight.

"Uncle Prince Yong's swift victory is, firstly, due to his heavy reliance on the young general Ye Wan, who has few reservations and dares to charge!"

"Secondly, the Xi Qin Convict Army's Battle Intent is not strong, and they lose their will to fight at the first setback."

"Thirdly, the Shadow Guard moves without a trace, making it impossible for the enemy to guard against them."

After seeing the battle report, the Crown Prince felt bitter and disheartened. How had Uncle Prince Yong succeeded again!

By all accounts, Li Chang'an had only been away from the capital for just over a month, yet he had won another great victory!

"The great victory in Ding Province relies on His Majesty's divine might and good fortune, and the prosperity of Great Qing's national destiny."

"Uncle Prince Yong's adaptability and swift military action are indispensable contributions!"

"Since the entire Ding Province has been reclaimed, we should press on with the victory and take Xi Qin!"

Hearing the Crown Prince's words, the First Prince immediately retorted.

"Crown Prince, seizing Xi Qin cannot be rushed!"

"Xi Qin has repeatedly defeated the Northern Qi army. Its soldiers are elite, its provisions are abundant, and its armor is excellent."

"When Great Qing and Xi Qin fight, Western Hu, Northern Barbarians, and Northern Qi are all watching like tigers."

"If we win too quickly, we will inevitably be encircled by multiple parties. This matter must not be rushed!"

Emperor Qing glanced at his two sons. The First Prince was indeed a sincere and honest man.

Every word he spoke was substantial, without any unnecessary talk.

"What the eldest said is reasonable. Destroying Xi Qin is not a task for a single day; it requires long-term planning."

"War on the front lines cannot do without support from the rear. Crown Prince, you come up with a plan in the next few days."

Emperor Qing, being the type of person he was, would not personally intervene unless he was cornered.

Now, by kicking the ball to the Crown Prince, he was also giving the Crown Prince an opportunity.

Li Chang'an's war progress in the Northwest was now in the Crown Prince's hands.

At Yang Pass City.

Li Chang'an called the Shadow Guard and the Ye family generals and told them a piece of news.

"Here is a secret letter from the Northern Barbarian Khan to this Prince. All of you take a look."

Ye Wan's hand reached out halfway, then retracted. Ye Zhong naturally took it.

After Ye Zhong finished reading, his brows immediately furrowed.

"The Northern Barbarian Khan wants to make an appointment with Your Highness to jointly attack Xi Qin."

"The Northern Barbarians have more than ten tens of thousands of cavalry and were previously suppressed by Shang Shanhu."

"Now that Shang Shanhu has defected to Xi Qin, the Northern Barbarians are afraid that Shang Shanhu will lead troops to attack them again."

"However, barbarians are always untrustworthy, so we must be careful!"

Then, Li Chang'an took out another secret letter, "This is a letter from Xi Qin's Grand General Han Xin."

"He also proposes that we jointly eliminate the Northern Barbarians. After the deed is done, the warhorses, cattle, sheep, and slaves will be divided equally between us!"

The generals read both letters and understood a fact.

Xi Qin was now besieged on two sides. Winter was approaching, and the Northern Barbarians were about to move south.

Li Chang'an had just arrived, and his army had recaptured Ding Province, subtly showing an intention to advance north.

Wang Qinian said, "The problem now is, do we help the Northern Barbarians or Xi Qin?"

Li Chang'an said with an air of nonchalance, "We... want it all!"

PS: No dragging out the barbarian extermination and Hu killing, striving to finish tomorrow.