Chapter 410: Ma Han's Sincerity

"This subordinate will return to research and build the Steam Engine right away!"

The complex mechanical structure on the blueprints did not make Wang Chong choose to retreat; instead, it ignited his interest in the challenge.

He picked up the blueprints, unable to wait to return.

"Be careful during testing; if something goes wrong, it will explode," Zhao Xu reminded him.

He did not want to hear about any accidents involving Wang Chong while he was in the middle of a war.

"Yes, Your Highness." Wang Chong's eyes remained fixed on the blueprints, and it was unclear if he had even taken the words in.

Shaking his head helplessly, he let Wang Chong return.

September 30th.

The Prince's Personal Army assembled outside the city, and Zhao Xu donned his Armor, mounted his Warhorse, and led the troops toward Qin Pass.

Although they would be fighting in Qinzhou and Yongzhou this time, which was a much greater distance, the logistics for the Prince's Personal Army were actually not a major issue.

Due to the current relationship between the Prince's Mansion and the Ma Family, Ma Han would provide him with convenience regarding logistics.

Moreover, he had also arranged for the grain and fodder allocated by the Imperial Court to be sent directly to Sizhou.

This war was initiated by the Imperial Court, so the Imperial Court naturally had to provide the money and grain.

Jinling.

At this moment, the fifty-meter-wide Imperial Way was packed full of Imperial Guard soldiers.

At the very front of the procession, the Imperial Guard Cavalry responsible for the honor guard held the Dragon Soaring battle flag, looking formidable.

Behind the Cavalry, Zhao Heng rode a white horse, wearing golden armor, with a red tassel on his Helmet.

On both sides of him were cavalrymen wearing Silver Armor.

They held long spears, guarding Zhao Heng in the center.

This gave Zhao Heng an even more imperial air.

If any soldiers from Yanzhou saw the armor on these cavalrymen, they would surely break into a smile.

Because this was precisely the Plate Armor manufactured by their Yanzhou Armory.

"The Emperor is leading the expedition in person; it truly boosts the spirit of our Great Song."

On both sides of the Imperial Way were the commoners of Jingshi, their hearts stirred by such a grand display.

Over these years, they had grown accustomed to hearing rumors of the Northern Di and Western Liang bullying Great Song.

Everyone held a sense of resentment toward Western Liang and the Northern Di in their hearts.

Now that the Emperor had decided on the Northern Expedition, it naturally allowed this resentment to pour out.

Yet, while they felt refreshed, they also felt a bit of worry in their hearts.

Could this Northern Expedition succeed?

The great army exited Jinling City and marched another five miles, where a royal carriage had long been prepared by the roadside.

Zhao Heng dismounted, panting, and boarded the royal carriage.

Over these years, his body had been hollowed out by wine and women, and it was already difficult for him to walk for so long while wearing such heavy armor.

But since it was an imperial expedition, he naturally had to display the majesty of the Imperial Clan, so he had stubbornly endured for such a long time.

Once he boarded the royal carriage, the procession set off again.

At the same time.

In Xiangcheng, Jingzhou, a great army set out from within the city toward Wuguan.

The leading general was named Dou Xiao, recognized as an excellent general among the descendants of the Dou Family.

On the rugged mountain paths of Yizhou, another army of one hundred thousand was trekking; this was the Xiao Family's force, currently marching toward Jian Pass.

And in Yuzhou, the Wang Family's army and the Han Family's army joined forces at Kaicheng before heading to Wuguan together.

The twenty-third year of Taihe, October 5th.

After five days of trekking, Zhao Xu arrived at the foot of Qin Pass in Sizhou.

Here, he met Ma Han, who had been waiting for him for a long time.

"Your Highness, this subordinate has finally waited for you." Seeing Zhao Xu, Ma Han was all smiles as he stepped forward to bow.

"Haha, how has the Prefect been lately?" Zhao Xu laughed loudly.

After entering Sizhou, the commoners Zhao Xu met along the way were all very enthusiastic toward the Prince's Personal Army.

Commoners brought rice Wine and fruits to welcome them, and when they rested at night, the county officials would treat them with food and drink, just as they did when marching in Yanzhou.

The reason for this, besides his far-reaching reputation in Yanzhou, was that the entire Ma Family seemed, as Ma Han had said, to follow his lead.

Another point was that news of the Northern Expedition had long since spread.

Facing this brutal war, the commoners and officials of Sizhou naturally placed high hopes on the Yanzhou troops.

"Your Highness, it sounds more comfortable if you just call this subordinate Ma Han." Ma Han felt somewhat embarrassed.

During this period, he had introduced one million refugees into Yanzhou according to their agreement, and Yan Wang had also given the Ma Family one hundred and twenty pieces of Artillery, with more to be delivered later.

Besides this, he had also received twenty thousand Matchlocks, thirty thousand sets of Scale Armor, and three thousand sets of Plate Armor.

There were also generals from Yanzhou specifically responsible for teaching them how to use the Flintlock.

They even specifically taught them a type of Battle Formation to deal with cavalry.

With such great kindness, he was naturally deeply grateful to Yan Wang.

Yan Wang's support had not only transformed the Ma Family's mere one hundred and twenty thousand troops but also earned him unquestionable prestige within the Ma Family.

After all, anyone who wanted to challenge his authority had to weigh the Yan Wang standing behind him.

"Ah, that's fine in private, but this is a formal occasion now." Zhao Xu patted Ma Han on the shoulder, subtly demonstrating their good personal relationship.

The Ma Family officials and generals behind Ma Han all revealed smiles upon seeing this.

With Yan Wang and their Head of the Family on such good terms, they felt as if they had taken a reassurance pill.

They exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Ma Han ordered Dian Zhang to go with Chang Wei to arrange a camp for the Prince's Personal Army to station.

He led Zhao Xu to the residence inside the pass to rest and feast.

After three rounds of Wine, Ma Han said, "Does Your Highness know the movements of the Northern Di now? Since the matter of the Third Prince was directed by the Northern Di, they will certainly seize the opportunity to act during this war."

On the way to Sizhou, the Four Courts had been continuously transmitting intelligence to him.

Currently, the Northern Di had left two Royal Tents north of Yanzhou to pin him down.

The Black Iron Royal Tent was naturally constantly attempting to pass through the Bastion Fortress.

There was another Royal Tent in Ning City; two days after he led his troops to depart, this Royal Tent set out from Ning City, arrived beneath the walls of Yanguan City, and pitched camp.

There was another Royal Tent heading toward Gaoli Ancheng; there were three Royal Tents remaining in the northeast.

As for the other seven Royal Tents, one seemed to be in the Extreme North of the Northern Di, and another was in the far west.

According to the intelligence from the Four Courts, these two Royal Tents had not moved.

At present, the Northern Di only had five Royal Tents that could be mobilized.

Currently, two Royal Tents were already stationed at Yin Mountain.

There were three more Royal Tents at the Khan Court, remaining still and not moving.

Thinking of this, he told this news to Ma Han.

"Five Royal Tents." Ma Han's eyes narrowed slightly, "This Northern Expedition will truly be a fierce battle to face."

Then he looked at Zhao Xu, "However, in this subordinate's view, whether this battle can be won still depends on Your Highness."

Zhao Xu hurriedly waved his hand; he acknowledged that his Prince's Personal Army could fight.

But he would never show off; after all, the military strength gathered by Ma Jin, Xiliang, and the Northern Di was in no way inferior to Great Song.

Only if the forces from all sides cooperated sincerely in this battle would the chances of victory be greater.

So he said, "As the saying goes, a single rope is easy to break, but ten ropes are as tough as iron. Whether it is your Ma Family Army or the Dou Family Army, everyone should cast aside their respective identities and work together with one heart to achieve victory."

Ma Han nodded and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right. Therefore, to show the sincerity of our Ma Family, this subordinate is willing to hand over the Ma Family Army to Your Highness's command."

"This..." Zhao Xu hesitated.

"We are willing to obey Your Highness's orders," the Ma Family generals said in unison at this moment.

Zhao Xu looked at Ma Han and saw that Ma Han's gaze was sincere.

The words of refusal circled in his mouth, then were swallowed back down.

This war was no child's play, and unified command was not a bad thing.

Since that was the case, he agreed.

Moreover, for this Northern Expedition, Yang Feng was the Grand Marshal.

They all had to listen to Yang Feng's military orders.

If there were no mistakes, Yang Feng should send someone to deliver military orders in these few days, giving him a title for commanding troops.

The Ma Family Army would likely also be ordered to obey his commands.

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