Chapter 269: First Volume, Chapter 269: The Curtain Rises

First Volume, Chapter 269: The Curtain Rises

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

Li Zhan hurried in: "Your Majesty, disaster! The Northern Di have launched a sudden attack, sending seven thousand cavalry straight for Beixi County!"

At the words "Northern Di have launched a sudden attack," the Liang Emperor paused; upon hearing the target was Beixi County, his hand suspended mid-air then dropped, continuing to review memorials with calm composure: "No need to panic. South of Beixi County lies the Piaoqi Grand General; east, the Cheji General; west, the Border Army. Even seventy thousand cavalry would make little ripple."

After a moment, the Liang Emperor asked casually: "Was the man reporting war intelligence outside the palace Qin Feng?"

Li Zhan quickly shook his head: "It was Ning Hu."

The Liang Emperor let out a soft "Oh": "Whatever Ning Hu reports, approve it—no need for him to appear in person."

Only after Li Zhan had left did the Liang Emperor finally set down his brush, pick up the map from beside him, flip through it idly, then toss it back down with a faint snort: "Beixi is weak. Such a gaping vulnerability lies right there—am I mad to ignore it? The Border Army, Piaoqi, and Cheji forces already form a sack. I only fear the Northern Di won't come!"

As he spoke, the Liang Emperor pulled two military dispatches from a thick stack of memorials and tossed them behind him onto the screen.

The Black Guard immediately picked them up and whispered: "Your Majesty, what is your intent?"

The Liang Emperor's face was expressionless: "Two envelopes—one punishment, one reward. Deliver both to the Ministry of Personnel. If Beixi County falls, punish. If Beixi County holds, reward."

The Black Guard did not leave immediately but reported again: "The Baron of Fuyun County has been in Jingdu for two days, staying at the Yi Guan, seemingly headed for Qin Feng."

The Liang Emperor snorted coldly: "Ignore him!"

Meanwhile, Liu Hongyan had returned to Tianji Camp and packed all available silver money into crates.

Ning Hu also returned to Tianji Camp, without a word of delay, bluntly stating: "Approved!"

Qin Feng immediately gave no further hesitation, ordering Xu Mo to lead the First Battalion of the New Army to Beixi County.

Since the New Army's formation, the First Battalion numbered one thousand five hundred men; marching on foot to Beixi County was utterly impractical—they must ride, but one thousand five hundred warhorses were far beyond what any local yizhan or county city could replace.

Relying on a single horse's stamina could never achieve rapid advance.

Thus, Qin Feng ordered Xu Mo to reach Beixi County within fifteen days.

Before departing, Qin Feng grabbed Xu Mo's arm, his gaze intensely serious: "Xu Brother! The battle at Beixi County is nothing less than the opening of a National War. Though direct confrontation remains distant, from today onward, probing attacks and attrition will come endlessly—constant skirmishes. Li and I have faced Northern Di commanders before; none are merciful. Even if the New Army is armed to the teeth, never underestimate the enemy."

"Beixi County is the military oath we swore before the Emperor. If Beixi holds, we all rise; if Beixi falls, we all fall. This concerns not just the Qin Family, but the martial fortune of us all."

"Lastly, you goddamn come back alive!"

Since Ning Hu was appointed as a Thousand-Household, Xu Mo had lost his appetite and sleep, eager and readying for battle.

Now the opportunity had come, Xu Mo was ecstatic—but hearing Qin Feng's parting words, he was deeply moved, nodding firmly: "Brother Qin, rest assured—I'll bring the brothers back alive!"

Qin Feng exhaled softly, slapped the horse's rump, and Xu Mo mounted his warhorse, leading the First Battalion of the New Army toward Beixi County.

Since troop movements forbade unauthorized entry into cities or disturbance of civilians,

the fifteen-day forced march was a severe trial for the First Battalion.

Qin Feng had given Xu Mo ten thousand liang of silver for expenses en route.

The remaining silver, Qin Feng entrusted entirely to Liu Hongyan to purchase grain across the Thirty-Six Counties of Jingdu, then head south of Beixi County to find a relay station.

Thus, the purchased grain could be transported directly to the forward relay station, ready to supply Beixi County at any moment.

After all, once combat began, all commercial activity in the region would halt.

Grain and supplies were the key to whether Beixi County could hold out.

Besides grain, weapons and materials were equally vital.

The Tianji Camp, which had normally moved slowly, resting every few days, now operated at full capacity under Qin Feng's orders—mass-producing arrows and other consumable weapons—and began hiring cart teams, ready to deliver supplies to Beixi County at any time.

Only when night fell did Qin Feng finally catch his breath.

Ning Hu, who had remained by Qin Feng's side, frowned anxiously: "Even if Xu Mo's New Army reaches Beixi County as fast as possible, it'll take fifteen days. Before we left Beixi, the garrison—local yabing and guards—numbered barely a hundred. And those yabing were all temporary hires, poorly trained—"

Before Ning Hu finished, Qin Feng waved him off: "I anticipated the Northern Di would strike Beixi, but not this soon. Though rushed, we're not unprepared. Don't forget—my mother is still in Beixi County."

At this, Ning Hu's eyes lit up.

Given Qin Feng's nature, he would never leave his mother in danger.

Beixi County was a weak point of Shedynasty, constantly threatened by the Northern Di.

Since Qin Feng had left Qin Cheng Clan in Beixi County, he must have made preparations.

Unknown to others, since returning to Beijing, Qin Feng had never idled away his days.

He sent letters to Beixi County every few days.

Each letter covered people's livelihood, official conduct, military matters—everything.

Whatever came to mind, he'd write a letter.

The greatest weakness of Beixi County was its weak garrison—a fact known throughout Shedynasty; how could Qin Feng not know?

From the start, Qin Feng had allocated special funds to recruit soldiers and horses, aiming to form at least four battalions of yabing.

Though called yabing, they were no different from Regular Army.

But due to the haste and Beixi County's small population, he had to borrow men from neighboring counties.

Thus, to this day, only one battalion had been formed.

This one battalion of yabing was under the full command of Qi Meng, former First Squad Captain of the guards.

Surely, upon hearing of the Northern Di invasion, Qi Meng had already deployed the yabing within the city for defense.

Thus, the city likely held around sixteen hundred men—poorly trained, but if they held the city walls, they could hold until Xu Mo arrived.

The Ministry of War's Beidi War Mobilization orders had also been dispatched at full gallop to the Piaoqi and Cheqi Grand Generals.

As for whether they would send reinforcements,

Qin Feng held a pessimistic view—merely grasping at straws.

Today, Ning Hu reported war intelligence to the palace; the Liang Emperor dismissed it with a single "Approved."

Clearly proving Qin Feng's long-held suspicion.

Beixi County had always been the Liang Emperor's "bait," deliberately luring the Northern Di into the trap.

If Beixi County falls and the Northern Di army occupies it, the Piaoqi, Cheqi, and Border Armies can form a tactical encirclement.

If Beixi County holds, it will severely cripple the Di frontier vanguard and boost the Liang Army's Military Morale.

Either way, the Liang Emperor comes out ahead in blood profit!

The ones who lose are Qin Feng and the people of Beixi County…

Note: The Baron of Fuyun County is a noble title — Baron, one rank of nobility.