Chapter 169: Deploy Troops Immediately

Jia Jing furrowed his brow and said:

"At this point, saying this is meaningless! The urgent report from Elm Forest to the court for aid is probably already on its way!"

"Elm Forest borders the Mao Wu Su Desert to the north, shields the Guanzhong Plain to the south, lies adjacent to the Yellow River in the east, and connects to Ningxia Town in the west; it is a strategic choke point that blocks Guanzhong, controls the Hetao region, and links east and west."

"If Elm Forest falls, the Northern Yuan could follow the Wuding River southward, rush straight to Yan'an, threatening Xi'an; this place cannot afford any loss!"

"It seems we must dispatch troops immediately; we can no longer wait for the cavalry's supplies and provisions. We'll first send light cavalry to charge Elm Forest."

Zhu Que thought for a moment and comforted:

"The walls of Yu Lin Wei Cheng stand three zhang high; the court has repaired them many times, making the walls tall and thick, and there are over ten thousand garrison troops."

"Inside Yu Lin Wei Cheng there are ample granaries with enough provisions for a year, so holding out for a while should be no problem!"

Although Elm Forest Town claims to have more than seventy thousand troops, that figure is inflated.

Moreover, the troops are spread across more than forty frontier forts along Elm Forest's defensive line, leaving only about ten thousand stationed in Yu Lin Wei Cheng.

Jia Jing fell silent for a moment, then said gravely:

"No one can be certain! This battle is of great importance; we cannot gamble with the lives and fortunes of the millions of civilians in the Western Four Towns, and we must not entertain any hope of luck."

Jia Jing glanced at the map, his eyes shifting between Elm Forest and Datong, then glanced toward the Ganzhou direction.

A decisive expression appeared on his stern face, his voice ringing like struck metal, and he ordered:

"Gather the cavalry at once; twenty thousand cavalry must set out by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Also assemble two thousand elite light cavalry from the army as the vanguard."

"I will return to the mansion, then go to the palace to submit my resignation to His Majesty; three hours later, I will lead the light cavalry from the Grand Camp straight to Elm Forest."

Zhu Que clasped his hands and said:

"Yes!"

……

Jia Jing rode his swift horse back to the Jia Mansion, heading straight for his own courtyard.

Passing through the strolling gallery, Jia Jing clearly sensed that the servants of Rong Guo Mansion now carried a few more solemn airs than before.

From the overseers down to the footmen and maids, each one was cautious and humble, heads bowed, lacking the boisterous chatter and reckless talk of before.

"Third Miss's steward has indeed shown some results," Jia Jing thought, feeling a bit gratified at the sight.

At this moment in Jingwu Yuan, the personal troops were also packing their gear; most of them would accompany Jia Jing on the campaign, leaving only fifty behind to guard the mansion.

Jia Jing entered the back courtyard and saw Xiangling, Qingwen, Xiaohong, and Xiao Jiaoer there.

Each wore expressions of anxiety, worry, and reluctance.

Even though they had been in Jia Jing's courtyard for just over a month, Qingwen, who had only spent a few moments with him, already had red eyes; Xiangling and Xiao Jiaoer were even wiping away tears.

People are like that; strangers become forgotten in an instant.

But once you become familiar, especially when sharing daily life, you naturally grow more understanding and closeness.

Although Jia Jing hasn't spent long with them, some affection has nonetheless developed.

"Third Uncle, you're back!"

When Jia Jing entered, several of them immediately rushed forward, eyes fixed on him.

They had already learned from the personal troops that Jia Jing was about to set out, so they waited in the courtyard for his return.

Jia Jing looked around at the maids and said:

"We're setting out; we leave today. Stay obedient at home; if anything arises, see Third Miss."

"Or let the front courtyard's personal troops handle it; I will leave fifty personal soldiers at the mansion for guard."

Xiangling, Qingwen, and the others grew even more reluctant upon hearing this.

They had thought they could stay for another two or three days, have time to bid farewell, but didn't expect to depart today.

Xiao Jiaoer, the most uninhibited, stepped forward, clasped Jia Jing's hand, and with tearful eyes said:

"Third Uncle, could you not go? I don't want to go another two years without seeing you!"

Jia Jing lifted her up, his gaze softening, and smiled:

"Silly girl! I am a general; fighting for the country is my duty, and this is also a good thing."

"Only if I achieve merit on the battlefield will our days at the mansion become ever better, right?"

Xiao Jiaoer furrowed her brows, thought for a moment, then choked out:

"Then, may I also go with you, Third Uncle?"

"I've grown up now; unlike two years ago when I could only swing curtains, I can now ride a horse, and Fourth Miss can't ride as well as I do!"

Xiao Jiaoer gestured with her little arms, showing how strong she now is.

Jia Jing, amused by this childish scene, softened his gaze further and said:

"That won't do; if you want to be a female general, you'll still have to wait a few years."

Having said that, he hooked his finger and gently brushed her little nose, then turned to Xiangling, Qingwen, and the others and said:

"You needn't worry about me; just do whatever you must at home, following the usual routine."

"Matters in the courtyard, Xiangling, Qingwen, Xiaohong, you three should discuss and handle them."

"Sir, how long will this trip to the northwest take before you return?"

Xiangling stood nearby, her eyes slightly watery, clutching a handkerchief, and after a long pause asked this question.

These past months in Jia Jing's courtyard have probably been the most comfortable days of her life since she was abducted.

Lord Hou need not say more; although they haven't spent much time together, his temperament is excellent.

He not only let her study poetry with Miss Lin, but also never lost his temper with the maids.

Xiaohong, Xiao Jiaoer, and Qingwen in the courtyard are all easygoing, without scheming, living happily and freely each day.

It was just unexpected that, after returning to the capital for only a few months, he would again set out for the northwest to fight.

I estimate that at best it will be half a year, at worst a year; the time won't be too long. Exactly how long it will take still depends on the situation at the front.

Jia Jing thought for a moment and said.

The journey to the Northwest is far; this trip is not only about fighting False Qing, Northern Yuan and other states.

If the war goes smoothly, he will stay in the Northwest for a while to reorganize the border troops of the four towns there, as Jing Sheng Di instructed him.

Some of the troops in those Northwest towns are under the control of Jingnan Wuxun; Jing Sheng Di has long intended to reorganize them, but has been waiting for the right moment.

Xiangling's expression relaxed a bit at his words.

Half a year to a year isn't long; they had thought this parting would be at least two or three years.

"Will Grandfather be in danger during this war?"

Qingwen followed up with a question, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Grandfather commands hundreds of thousands of troops this time; what danger could there be? If Grandfather himself were in danger, you wouldn't be safe even in Shenjing City!"

Jia Jing tried to keep his tone even, giving them some confidence.

"Then that's fine; as long as there's no danger, it's fine. Whether the time is long or short doesn't matter. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; Grandfather must be careful. We're all at home waiting for you to return…"

Qingwen blushed, lowering her voice a bit as she said.

Doesn't this sound a bit too familiar?

She has a straightforward temperament; although she's a little better than most people, she's certainly not frivolous!