Chapter 521: Setting Out!!!

When the Great King arrived at Luo River Pass, the news that Gao Zhe had committed suicide in Establishing Regulations Palace was already spreading widely.

The Great King thought of the amiable Old Grand Commander he had met a few times, and felt deep sorrow. "The Old Grand Commander is such a pity; Baili Jin is not worth it."

The Marquis of Eastern Capital stood nearby, also looking grief-stricken. "Grand Commander Gao was utterly loyal and true to his word; it seems the Former Emperor truly intended to pass the throne to the Taihe Emperor wholeheartedly."

The Great King is quite perceptive, ah: "My father emperor entrusted Baili Jin to the Old Grand Commander? It seems the Old Grand Commander scorns serving as a minister of the fourth dynasty, especially since Baili Jun is a usurper, and it's a shame Baili Jin never trusted him." Otherwise, the ready-made Grand Commander, but the military of the Taihe Dynasty is in the grasp of the Langya Wang clan. Let the Great King say Baili Jin got what he deserved; he merely sympathizes with the Gao family, and hearing that Baili Jun, ashamed and enraged, has already imprisoned the entire Gao clan.

The Great King also advised his cousin: "The Grand Commander would rather break than bend; unable to uphold heaven and earth, he chose to die rather than yield, his sincere loyalty and iron bones worthy of the Great Jin, truly admirable. …But cousin, you are still young; for example, if you fell into enemy hands, you have no fame, no one knows you, so you should kneel and live well, waiting for this king to rescue you." This is truly speaking from the heart.

Wei Shen: "……Thank you!"

The Great King politely said: "No need to thank."

Marquis of Eastern Capital: ……

Is this what I can hear?

The Great King arrived at Luo River and first wrote a letter to his maternal grandfather; this king will finally truly rebel, for now Changzhou need not participate, you should just pay attention to Western Qiang.

After a day of rest, they were about to set out; this time the Supply Battalion brought only two months' provisions from Luo River, meaning he had to settle Baili Jun with two months' worth of food—either eat sparingly or speed up. There's no way: what does a force of 100,000 mean? Just standing takes up a large stretch of land; glancing ahead, you can't see the end. With so many people, daily food and drink consumption is not small. Bringing more provisions means more personnel, and thus more mouths to feed……

Before this departure, the Great King solemnly held an oath-taking assembly; in his own words, success would be recorded in the official histories, failure in the unofficial ones—overall, this event is very important.

He has a just cause and great determination.

The main force of this southern expedition consists of the 50,000 iron cavalry, snow cavalry, and owl cavalry brought from Youzhou, stationed at the forefront; the Black Armor Cavalry from Youzhou, having undergone the trials of several major battles, possesses combat strength far surpassing that of the border garrison troops.

At that time, the 50,000 Black Armor Cavalry will serve as the main assault force for sieges, while the 50,000 Luo River Pass garrison troops will manage and garrison the captured cities; the 100,000 troops have a clear division of labor.

The 100,000 soldiers stood solemnly, banners fluttering, the Great King ascended the platform, and burned incense to heaven.

"Soldiers!... Our Northern Border troops all come from the border garrison; our founding purpose was also to resist foreign aggression and strong enemies, but today we are marching south to support the Jin court in its collapse and save the people from fire and water."

But this king wants to say: the Great Jin has reached a life-or-death juncture; we can no longer remain complacent, closing our gates in the Northern Border to enjoy peaceful days.

Rebellions erupt across the south, various rebel kings frequently shift, warfare has spread throughout the realm; our Northern Border cannot sit and wait for destruction.

The Jiangxia Rebel King violated ancestral institutions, usurped the throne unlawfully, and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Great Jin soldiers.

The Jingzhou Rebel King colluded with foreign powers to besiege and annihilate the Southwestern Army; a 50,000-strong force launched a night raid on the Northern Border.

The Hanshou Rebel King never ceased his expansion; he just seized Wuling, slaughtered the Wuling Prince's household—five thousand souls—and countless innocent civilians.

Corpses litter the land from famine, wars flare up everywhere; our Northern Border cannot remain untouched.

This king's raising of troops today is not rebellion, but to restore the realm, unify all territories, and renew national prestige!

Our Northern Border cavalry are all capable of conquest and battle; this king has confidence in everyone. This king emphasizes here: those who observe military discipline and fight bravely shall be rewarded; deserters shall be executed!

Soldiers, the chance to have your names etched in history has arrived!

The Marquis of Eastern Capital stepped forward, saying, "Defend the state and protect the people, exterminate the traitors!"

"Defend the state and protect the people, exterminate the traitors!"

"Set out!"

The 100,000 soldiers' shouts shook the heavens, their spirit like a rainbow; the civilians of Guyuan outside Luo River Pass fled ever faster. By the time the great army arrived, Guyuan was already like an empty city……