Chapter 89

Over in Luoyang,

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

"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 I think too!"

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

"No!"

Zhang Rang shook his head upon hearing this: "I had already instructed you before you set off, so it doesn't count as 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.

In addition, Jingzhou Inspector Xu Qiu also led 6,000 troops to join 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.

"Correct!"

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 person!"

"Maybe all those military merits were just credited 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 mix into the position of a Military Sima.

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

He, Zhao Ci, was not convinced.

Qin Jie glanced at Zhao Ci upon hearing this, a flash of disdain in his eyes, but it vanished instantly. He warned: "Don't underestimate this person. Someone even Lord Yuan Feng values, how could he be simple?"

"Since he won't come, then don't let him come;"

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

"By then, I want to see how he repays the Son of Heaven's trust, hehe!"

Inaction is sometimes also a crime.

As for Zhao Ci, this person had been under his command for several years, and he knew very well that this person was jealous of the talented and capable, had great ambitions but little talent, and had a rebellious bone in his neck.

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

After this time, he would kick this person back to Jiangxia, so as not to be an eyesore by his side.

Zhao Ci did not know that Qin Jie was already prepared to send him away after using him. Hearing Qin Jie's words, he still smiled dismissively: "Perhaps!"

Two days later,

"Kill!!!!"

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

They were eventually defeated, lost more than 20,000 people, and finally had to retreat to the Fancheng area to garrison.

At the same time, they sent people again to invite Su Xuan to join them and discuss countermeasures together.

This time, Su Xuan did not refuse.

He led the 3,000 iron cavalry, which he had already named the Black Armor Battalion, and 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 surging murderous intent. Their expressions changed drastically.

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

"This damn thing is probably not inferior to the Son of Heaven's Imperial Guards, or even stronger, right?"

Qin Jie muttered in shock and confusion.

He didn't know if it was his illusion, but he seemed to sense that the blood and energy between these 3,000 iron cavalry seemed to be connected as if there was nothing there, like a whole.

"Could it be that Su Xuan's iron cavalry can even 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 complete military formation methods!"

"Moreover, how long has this army composed of merchant guards been built? How could it reach the requirements for constructing a military formation?"

"Illusion, it must be an illusion!"

Qin Jie repeatedly denied it in his heart.

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

At this time, a scout ran within arrow range and shouted loudly.

"Good! Welcome the arrival of General Su! Someone, quickly open the city gates and welcome General Su into the city!"

Qin Jie did not hesitate, immediately gave the order, opened the city gates, and personally went outside the city gates to welcome him.

"Welcome, General Su. You have finally arrived. I have looked 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 and returned the salute: "Thank you for welcoming me, Administrator! I dare not accept such honor!"

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

"Good!"

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

He then brought Huang Zhong, Dian Wei, and a few personal guards disguised as secret guards to the City Lord's mansion to attend the banquet.

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

"I am not afraid of you laughing, but a few days ago we tried to attack Wancheng once;"

"In the end, we underestimated Zhang Mancheng, and we also underestimated the Huang Jin army, and were defeated and returned, losing more than 20,000 troops;"

"Seeing that His Majesty is urging us tightly, 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, just wanting Su Xuan to exert effort and 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 immediately, and he will be able to sit firmly in the position of Nanyang Administrator.

Zhao Ci, Xu Qiu, and the others heard this and looked at Su Xuan one after another.

Su Xuan smiled faintly and said: "Actually, wanting to break through Wancheng is not difficult!"

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

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

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

"Not to mention my Black Armor Army, the government troops under your command, Administrator Qin, can also easily defeat them."

Zhao Ci could not wait for Su Xuan to finish speaking, and couldn't help rolling his eyes: "We know this without you saying it!"

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

"Could it be that you have a way to lure them out of the city?"

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