Chapter 46

"Don't worry!"

Su Xuan waved his hand and said: "Don't forget, the main force this time is not us, but the new Nanyang Administrator Qin Jie;"

"I have looked into this person. He was previously the Jiangxia Commandant and had several thousand elites under his command;"

"Additionally, if Nanyang is properly integrated, it won't be a problem to scrape together 30,000 to 50,000 troops;"

"Let’s wait for him to do these things, then go to Wancheng to hit a wall, suffer a small loss under Zhang Zhang Mancheng, and then go to discuss cooperation in pacifying the rebellion with him!"

"Otherwise, I worry that this person might not put me in his eyes, and might even want to drag us in to be cannon fodder."

Su Xuan was very glad that the Son of Heaven directly ordered him not to accept Qin Jie’s command, that the two were independent of each other and could discuss things.

Otherwise, his worries might have become reality.

After all, this Qin Jie was clearly a protégé of the Lord Yuan clan, and he did not believe the Lord Yuan clan would not have informed Qin Jie to secretly deal with Su Xuan.

"That’s fine too!"

Su Lie heard this and nodded: "As long as you have a plan in your heart!"

"I can't handle these things, so I’ll just honestly guard Dengxian and provide you with grain and logistics!"

As a father, not being able to help his son, Su Lie also felt quite guilty.

"Hmm! I leave my rear base to you, Father!"

Su Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

Over in Luoyang,

After Zuo Feng returned, he went to see Zhang Rang, told him about this experience and Su Xuan’s attitude, and handed over the "local specialties" Su Xuan had sent to Zhang Rang.

"Hehe! This Su Xuan is quite a clever person!"

"It seems he is very sensible and has no prejudice against us. We can have good contact and friendship in the future; he might be useful later."

Zhang Rang said with a beaming smile.

"That is what this humble servant thinks too!"

Zuo Feng nodded respectfully, then said: "I also reminded him about Lord Yuan Feng targeting his father, and reminded him that after he earns more merit, he can send someone to visit your residence, and we will help him. I beg your forgiveness for my presumption."

"No!"

Zhang Rang heard this, shook his head, and said: "I had already instructed you before you set off, so it’s not presumption. On the contrary, you did very well!"

"In the future, remember to keep in touch with this person more!"

"Yes!"

In a flash, half a month passed.

Qin Jie, as Su Xuan expected, successfully gathered and recruited a 50,000-strong army and headed toward Wancheng.

Additionally, Jingzhou Inspector Xu Ju also led 6,000 troops to rendezvous with Qin Jie, and together they headed toward Wancheng.

"Is that Su Xuan still staying in Dengxian with no intention of moving?"

On the way to Wancheng, Qin Jie asked his deputy general Zhao Ci.

"That’s right!"

Zhao Ci nodded affirmatively: "That brat hasn't left Dengxian since he received the decree and took office!"

"I previously thought this person was someone of note, but now it seems he’s just a lucky guy!"

"Perhaps, all his military merit was just attributed to him by his father!"

Zhao Ci’s tone was full of disdain and jealousy toward Su Xuan.

Thinking that he was already over thirty and had only managed to become a Military Military Sima.

This Su Xuan was only 17 and had been unknown in the past. Why did he suddenly surpass others and sit on equal footing with him, or even exceed him?

Zhao Ci was not convinced.

Qin Jie heard this, glanced at Zhao Ci, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes, but it vanished instantly. He warned: "Don't underestimate this person. How could someone valued even by Minister Lord Yuan Feng be simple?"

"Since he doesn't come, then let him not come;"

"Once we take Wancheng and behead Zhang Zhang Mancheng, there will be no merit left for him in Nanyang;"

"At that time, I want to see how he repays His Majesty’s trust, hehe!"

Inaction is sometimes also a crime.

As for Zhao Ci, this person had been under his command for several years. He knew very well that this person was jealous of talent, had great ambition but little talent, and was a traitor at heart.

He might have some ability, but he was a complete villain.

After this time, he would kick this person back to Jiangxia to avoid him being an eyesore.

Zhao Ci did not know that Qin Jie was already planning to use him and then send him away. Hearing Qin Jie’s words, he still smiled dismissively: "Perhaps!"

Two days later,

"Kill!!!!"

Qin Jie and Xu Ju led 60,000 government troops to attack Wancheng, but failed.

They were eventually defeated, losing over 20,000 men, and had to retreat to the Fancheng area to garrison.

At the same time, they sent someone again to invite Su Xuan to rendezvous and discuss countermeasures together.

This time, Su Xuan did not refuse.

Leading the 3,000 iron cavalry he had named the Xuanjia Battalion, he spent several hours rushing to Fancheng.

On the city walls, Qin Jie and the others looked at the iron cavalry outside the city, all clad in iron armor, uniform and orderly, with a solemn military appearance and murderous aura, and their expressions changed drastically.

"Is this the so-called merchant guard in Su Xuan’s hands?"

"This is probably no less than the Son of Heaven’s Imperial Guards, maybe even stronger?"

Qin Jie muttered in shock.

Not knowing if it was his illusion, he seemed to sense that the blood and energy of these 3,000 iron cavalry were connected as if by nothing, like a single entity.

"Could it be that Su Xuan’s iron cavalry can form a military formation?"

"No! Absolutely impossible!"

"Although Su Xuan’s ancestors were Su Wu, I heard they had long since declined. They shouldn't possess a complete military formation method!"

"Moreover, how long has this army formed by merchant guards been built? How could it meet the requirements for constructing a military formation?"

"Illusion, it must be an illusion!"

Qin Jie denied it repeatedly in his heart.

"Cavalry Commandant General Su Xuan leads the army to pacify the rebellion! Please open the city gates!"

At this moment, a scout ran within bowshot and shouted loudly.

"Good! Welcome General Su’s arrival! Men, quickly open the city gates and welcome General Su into the city!"

Qin Jie did not hesitate, immediately ordered the city gates to be opened, and went outside the city gates to welcome him in person.

"Welcome General Su, you have finally arrived. I have been looking forward to you for a long time! Hahaha!"

Qin Jie smiled and looked at Su Xuan opposite him, welcoming him.

"Hahaha!"

Su Xuan heard this and immediately smiled, cupped his hands in return: "Thank you for welcoming me, Administrator! I am unworthy of such honor!"

Qin Jie made a gesture of invitation: "Enter the city for a chat?"

"Good!"

Immediately, Su Xuan led the army into the city and had Wen Pin settle the troops.

He then brought Huang Zhong, Old Dian Wei, and a few personal guards disguised as dark guards to the City Lord’s Mansion for a banquet.

Afterward, Qin Jie couldn't wait to bring Su Xuan and the others into the side hall, his expression turning serious: "General Su, I have long heard of your bravery, killing Huang Jin soldiers like slaughtering pigs and dogs. Do you have any way to help me break Wancheng and behead Zhang Zhang Mancheng?"

"I don't mind telling you, we tried to attack Wancheng a few days ago;"

"In the end, we underestimated Zhang Zhang Mancheng and the Huang Jin army, and returned in defeat, losing over 20,000 men;"

"Seeing that His Majesty is urging us, if we cannot retake Wancheng and pacify the Nanyang rebellion as soon as possible, and His Majesty blames us, neither you nor I will have an easy time!"

Between the lines, it was both a request and a half-threat, wanting Su Xuan to exert effort to retake Wancheng as soon as possible.

To erase the stain of his previous defeat.

As long as Wancheng is retaken and a victory is won, his awkward situation will be resolved, and he will be able to sit firmly in the position of Nanyang Administrator.

Zhao Ci, Xu Ju, and others heard this and also looked at Su Xuan.

Su Xuan smiled faintly: "Actually, it is not difficult to break Wancheng!"

"The Huang Jin army is numerous! But we all know that the vast majority of the Huang Jin army are just local Nanyang people who were coerced;"

"Most of them are forced by circumstances and do not really want to join the Huang Jin rebel army;"

"Therefore, when defending the city, the Huang Jin army’s combat power is still acceptable, but they are completely useless when fighting outside the city!"

"Not to mention my Xuanjia Army, even the government troops under you, Administrator Qin, can easily defeat them."

Zhao Ci couldn't wait for Su Xuan to finish, couldn't help but roll his eyes and said: "We know this without you telling us!"

"But the Huang Jin rebels are holed up in the city and won't come out. What can we do?"

"Do you have a way to lure them out of the city?"

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