Chapter 324: Two Tigers Fighting Over Food

The Prince's Mansion.

In the Council Hall, after Xu Ke urgently reported a piece of military intelligence, Zhao Xu was instantly wide awake.

Originally, he had been sleeping quite soundly when a maid knocked on the door of his bedchamber.

After Feng'er made some inquiries, he learned that Xu Ke requested an audience.

"The Northern Di army is advancing toward Tongguan?" Zhao Xu's expression was grave.

"Yes, Your Highness. This subordinate has already planted eyes in the Grassland to scout the movements of the Northern Di. When this news reached my hands, it was simultaneously sent to General Chang Wei," Xu Ke said.

Just like in Xiliang, there are a large number of Song people in the Northern Di.

These Song people are either from the Ningjin Dusi or were previously plundered from the Great Song by the Northern Di.

Northern Di merchants often enslave these Great Song people.

Therefore, in the Border Market at Yanguan, one can often see servants with Great Song faces together with Northern Di merchants.

The situation of these people in the Northern Di is miserable, but they have no way to break free.

Utilizing the dissatisfaction of the Northern Di's Song people toward the Northern Di, he successfully bribed several of them.

He promised that as long as they were willing to provide intelligence, he would help them escape the Northern Di.

The news of the Northern Di army's mobilization was provided by them.

"You of the Four Courts have done very well this time," Zhao Xu said with a serious face.

If the intelligence had reached his hands first and then had to pass through his hands to reach Chang Wei, it would likely have ruined the major matter.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness," Xu Ke bowed.

Zhao Xu nodded; this matter once again proved that intelligence work is very important.

Otherwise, many conspiracies could happen right under his nose, and he would be completely unaware of them.

After pondering for a moment, he said: "I will have the Government Office continue to increase the financial expenditure for your Four Courts. Do not be afraid of spending Silver. You must build an intelligence network for me that covers the entire Great Song, and furthermore, submit an intelligence report to me every month from now on. Everything, no matter how trivial, must be written on it."

"Yes, Your Highness," Xu Ke was delighted.

Although the hot pot restaurant is very popular in Yancheng.

But as the number of people in the Four Courts expanded from dozens to hundreds, and then to thousands, Silver was spent like flowing water.

After all, to bribe various types of people, one cannot succeed without a price that tempts them.

Not to mention that in order to cover the identities of the Four Courts' agents, one must always set up a shop, obtain an identity, and the like; these are all things that consume Silver.

Having reported this important intelligence, Xu Ke tactfully took his leave.

He knew that the next step would be for Yan Wang to make corresponding arrangements.

Zhao Xu watched Xu Ke depart, then said to Feng'er: "Send someone to the North Camp to call Lv Chang here."

Feng'er acknowledged and left.

Before long, Lv Chang strode into the Council Hall.

He did not go to the war in Jinzhou this time, but remained in Yancheng to guard it.

Although he was one hundred percent unwilling, he had no choice as this was Chang Wei's order, and he dared not disobey.

Upon learning that Yan Wang had called for him, he was instantly as happy as if he had drunk two liang of Wine.

So early in the morning, Yan Wang calling him must mean there is a major event.

"Your Highness,

is there a battle to be fought?" Seeing Zhao Xu, Lv Chang bowed and asked with bright eyes.

"That's right. At this moment, at least three royal tents' worth of troops are raiding toward Tongguan in Jinzhou. You must immediately send someone to Yanguan to mobilize thirty thousand veteran soldiers, then gather ten thousand new recruits from Yancheng and head to Jinzhou to rendezvous with Chang Wei, and take Tongguan before the Northern Di does," Zhao Xu said like a machine gun.

He had originally found it strange that the Northern Di had been excessively quiet during this period.

It turns out they had been watching the war in Jinzhou, wanting to play the fisherman who gains while the snipe and the clam fight.

If Tongguan falls into the hands of the Northern Di, then his Jinzhou would have been taken for nothing.

Holding Tongguan, wouldn't Jinzhou become a back garden that the Northern Di can enter and exit as they please?

Lv Chang's excited expression suddenly became serious.

He had guessed there was a major event, but he hadn't expected it to be this big.

However, although he stopped smiling, he felt a surge of hot blood rush to the top of his head.

Fighting the Northern Di—this is something he must be part of.

"Yes, Your Highness, this subordinate will go at once." Cupping his fists heavily, he turned and ran out.

The southern foothills of the Yin Mountain.

Tiemuta gazed at the white clouds lingering among the mountains, a cold sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

It had been many years; he had long wanted to cross the Yin Mountain and let the Northern Di people graze freely here.

After all, this is the Hetao Grassland that both the Northern Di and the Great Song covet.

As long as one controls this place, the Great Song will never again lack excellent Warhorses.

And if the Northern Di obtains this place, their strength will advance a step further.

Before Tiemuta stood the kings of three royal tents.

Behind them were one hundred and fifty thousand Northern Di Iron Cavalry and two hundred and fifty thousand Servant Soldiers.

"How much further is the journey to Tongguan from here?" Tiemuta turned back, looking toward the southeast.

The Yin Mountain connects with the Yancheng mountain range, extending westward from the north of Jinzhou to Liangzhou.

However, there is no mountain pass from the Yin Mountain that reaches Tongguan directly from the Grassland; one must detour to the Hetao Grassland in the northeast direction of Liangzhou.

And from there, proceed to Tongguan.

"About two more days," replied Lang Lu, who was beside him.

Tiemuta nodded, a hint of worry faintly visible in his eyes.

When Yan Wang had just entered Jinzhou, he had led three royal banners to arrive at the northern foothills of Yin Mountain and set up camp.

During this period, he had been constantly scouting for intelligence on Jinzhou.

Upon learning that Xiliang had suffered a crushing defeat in Jinzhou, he made a prompt decision to lead his troops across Yin Mountain.

Xiliang had been defeated and its military strength severely damaged; this was precisely the opportunity for the Northern Di.

Their hatred for this enemy, situated in the belly of the Northern Di, had existed for a long time.

This nation, caught in the cracks, would stop at nothing for its own interests and had no credibility whatsoever.

When Xiliang was first founded, the Northern Di were not yet called the Northern Di; they were merely many scattered tribes and were not very powerful.

After retreating steadily under the attacks of the Great Song, they found one of the tribes called Kemu and, on the condition of attachment and marriage, requested this tribe to send troops to assist them.

The Kemu tribe helped Xiliang as promised, but after defeating the Great Song, Xiliang tore up the contract and turned around to seize the Kemu pastures.

This pasture is the area that is now the Hetao Grassland.

However, because the tribes on the Grassland had not yet been unified at that time and were fighting each other,

this matter could only be left as it was.

But to him, this had always been the territory of the Northern Di.

His Great Khan had also told him this since he was small.

And he had said that one day they must take it back.

Now.

This is that opportunity.

"Speed up the march; we must capture Tongguan before Yan Wang takes it," Tiemuta said.

For Yan Wang, if Tongguan is lost, the Northern Di can enter and exit Jinzhou at will, and Jinzhou will never have another day of peace.

And for the Northern Di, if Yan Wang captures this place, he will naturally also be able to enter and exit the Grassland at will.

Although they do not fear the Cavalry of Yanzhou, at the very least, this is still a nuisance.

Therefore, this Tongguan must be contested.

If it cannot be taken, it will not be too late to turn back and take Xiliang.

"Yes," everyone said in unison.

Before long, the sound of horn trumpets suddenly resounded across the sky.

The Northern Di Cavalry surged, like a black river surging across the Grassland.

Tiemuta took one last look at Yin Mountain, tightened the reins, and with a heavy crack of his whip, headed in the direction of Tongguan.

(https: //)

Let's set a small goal first, for example, remember it in 1 second: mobile reading website for Shukerju: