Chapter 525: The Carriage

Latest website: The gentle sea breeze blew.

The voices of the Ningjin Army soldiers were swept up into the sky along with the wind.

The cheering lasted for a full quarter of an hour before it gradually ceased.

Yet the look of shock on the soldiers' faces did not disappear.

Ever since the Northern Di occupied the Ningjin Dusi, the land of the Ningjin Dusi no longer belonged to them.

The fertile fields they once cultivated were directly partitioned off to the Northern Di people.

And that was the land their ancestors had tilled.

"It seems you are very eager to take back the land that belongs to you. Since that is the case, from now on, complain less and train with all your might. If you fight the battle like cowards, don't even mention the land—don't even bother keeping your lives." Having said what needed to be said, Zhao Xu added a reminder.

He then ordered the soldiers to disperse and train at their respective Drill Grounds.

Once the Ningjin Army soldiers had left, Yang Zhen remarked with emotion, "Your Highness, your visit this time was so timely. The soldiers wouldn't believe me when I said it, but once you said it yourself, they no longer had any doubts."

Zhao Xu nodded, "This King also considered this point."

Following this, he looked toward the Ningjin Dusi opposite them, "General Yang, regarding the battle ten years ago, this King is clear that the fault did not lie with you. But even so, I fear you have not been able to get past this hurdle in your heart. Therefore, this time, this King hopes you can take back what you desire."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhen suddenly knelt down.

Although Yan Wang had put Bai Shang in charge of training the Ningjin Army.

He had, however, handed the command of the Ningjin Army over to him.

Once the training was complete, he would officially take over the Ningjin Army.

Originally, his spirit was dead, and he believed that in this life, there was no longer any possibility for him to lead troops to wash away his shame.

But Yan Wang had placed a hope before him once again.

"This subordinate will never forget Your Highness's kindness."

"Get up. Whether you forget this kindness or not is unimportant; what this King wants is a Ningjin Army as fierce as tigers and wolves. Just don't let this King be disappointed." Zhao Xu helped Yang Zhen up.

Yang Zhen nodded heavily.

After discussing this matter, Zhao Xu, accompanied by Bai Shang and Yang Zhen, went to inspect the Forts on the island.

These Forts were all cast from Concrete.

Each Fort corresponded to one piece of Artillery.

Circling the island, there were a total of one hundred and twenty pieces of Artillery.

Especially on the side facing the Ningjin Dusi, there were sixty pieces of Artillery in total.

Currently, seventy percent of the Forts were completed, and the remaining thirty percent were estimated to be finished in half a month.

After all, the craftsmen he had dispatched were from the Government Office's Works Department, basically a professional construction team.

Returning to the General's Mansion on the island.

Zhao Xu recalled one thing and said to Yang Zhen, "Bai Shang is about to harass Gaoli with Zhou Yi. Can you handle the training of the Ningjin Army by yourself?"

"Your Highness, this subordinate feels there is no problem. Everything that could be taught, this subordinate has already taught to General Yang," Bai Shang said.

Aside from returning to Yanzhou to mobilize troops and prepare to deal with Gaoli after receiving the order.

He had spent the rest of his time basically staying on the island.

Since Yang Zhen was his former superior, he had not held anything back.

After witnessing the firearms, Yang Zhen was also in a state of eager desire to understand them.

He had been humbly seeking advice from Bai Shang all day long.

Now, he basically understood the use of firearms and some tactical methods.

Furthermore, he himself had experience in leading troops and had commanded armies of over one hundred thousand in battle.

After integrating and mastering them, he caught on quickly.

"Your Highness can test this subordinate," Yang Zhen said, fearing Yan Wang did not believe him.

"No need. 'Employ no one you suspect, and suspect no one you employ'—this King still understands this principle. Since that is the case, the training of the Ningjin Army is left to you. This period is just right for the commanders and soldiers to get in sync, so as to facilitate future battles." Zhao Xu wore a smile.

If Yang Zhen could shoulder the heavy responsibility, this was naturally for the best.

Because in his vision, the Ningjin Army was not just these thirty thousand men.

He hoped that in the war against the Northern Di, Yang Zhen would make the army grow larger as they fought.

Continuously rescuing the Song People of the Ningjin Dusi and incorporating them into the Ningjin Army.

At the same time, it would be best to support the war through war, without consuming too many of Yanzhou's resources.

Simply put, it was like Li Yunlong's Independent Regiment.

He provided a foundation, and the rest depended on them to forge ahead on their own.

Staying on the island for one day.

Zhao Xu returned to Yanzhou by Warship on the afternoon of the second day.

Chrysanthemum Island was too small; it only took two hours to walk from south to north, so there was really nothing to admire.

He then returned to Yancheng from Leting.

Just as Zhao Xu returned to the Prince's Mansion, Xu Ke arrived right behind him.

"Your Highness, this subordinate has just received news that Ma Han has already intercepted Changle Junzhu and is currently rushing toward Yancheng," Xu Ke said.

Zhao Xu was startled, "So smooth?"

Xu Ke smiled, "There was no movement in Yanzhou, so they became quite careless. Moreover, this time Ma Han did not set out from Qinzhou, but took a detour from Jinzhou, exited Tongguan, and laid an ambush at the southern foothills of Yin Mountain, catching them by surprise."

"Oh?" Zhao Xu was slightly surprised, "Did Ma Yuan and Mo Kuan just let Ma Han openly sabotage the marriage alliance like that?"

"Your Highness, Ma Yuan and Mo Kuan have always been of the War Faction in the imperial court and have a deep hatred for the marriage alliance; it is not unreasonable for them to cooperate with Ma Han."

Zhao Xu nodded; he naturally knew this.

However, what he cared about was the different implications revealed within this.

Ma Yuan and Mo Kuan, just like Yang Feng and Mo Di, were both subjects foolishly loyal to Zhao Heng.

Now, they were actually doing this behind Zhao Heng's back, which showed that their intentions must have changed during this period.

The most likely cause of this change was first the death of Mo Di, and currently, the exile of Yang Feng.

These two matters were each chilling.

"I didn't expect that saving Changle Junzhu this time would have such a harvest," Zhao Xu thought to himself.

In this way, he would no longer need to worry about the issue of coal.

If they could help Ma Han, it naturally meant they were helping him.

After speaking of this matter, Xu Ke returned.

Zhao Xu did not return to his bedchamber, but instead sat in a chair in the Council Hall to ponder.

The main reason he saved Changle Junzhu was still because when he had just transmigrated, Tianxiang Lou had exposed the conspiracy of the Zhang Family.

Regarding this Changle Junzhu herself, he had no other thoughts.

After all, the matter of a betrothal was, to him who had come from the modern era, quite ridiculous.

He would not care about it as much as the people of this era.

Therefore, upon learning that Changle Junzhu had been saved by Ma Han, he was happy.

But regarding Changle Junzhu coming to Yancheng, he only felt it was like sheltering Yang Feng.

Nothing else.

After all, in his memories, the Ninth Prince had only met Changle Junzhu once.

Furthermore, just like with Xu E, before he figured out the purpose of this Tianxiang Lou's existence.

He had to always maintain a trace of vigilance.

However, Changle Junzhu had promised to assist him with Tianxiang Lou.

He was looking forward to what important intelligence she could provide him.

Thinking of this, he turned and left.

These were actually just small interludes for him.

In his view, the most important thing was still Yanzhou itself.

In the face of absolute power, all conspiracies and schemes were nothing but flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water.

……

At this moment, the Grassland.

Tiemuta was leading a troop of Cavalry heading east.

At the back of the troop, there was a strange carriage.

This carriage was wrapped in canvas on all four sides.

A twenty-meter-long rope connected the carriage to the horses.

A Beidi soldier, his face full of fear, urged the horses pulling the carriage to move forward.

Just at this time, a troop of Cavalry approached from afar.

They arrived before Tiemuta and said something.

"Bastards!" Tiemuta was furious.

What the Cavalry said was precisely the matter of Changle Junzhu being abducted.

"Yan Wang, do you really think that because we Beidi are seeking peace, it means we are afraid of the Great Song? Hmph, you must be very pleased with yourself now, but you won't be pleased for long." Tiemuta glanced at the carriage, a chilling coldness flashing in his eyes.