Chapter 341: The Ming Army Goes to Guansongling

Si Gui was angry in his heart. Now his control over the court was not as good as before. Many of his subordinates had subconsciously kept a distance from him recently, so this matter was something he had to promote.

"Your Majesty, although Old Yan's words are steady, they are too conservative. The rebel Jiang Jinshi is rampant, and the world is shaken, so we need thunderous means to quickly pacify it to calm the hearts of the people. If we stick to defense, I am afraid the world will think the Imperial Court is afraid of war, which will help the rebel's arrogance."

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Chonggu raised his voice immediately, his tone full of pain: "The old minister is not afraid of war! But for the sake of the country! The Jade Seal concerns the foundation of the country and must be taken back without any mistakes! General Heba is brave, but his temper is impatient. If he is defeated due to greed for merit, causing the Jade Seal to be damaged, or falling into a more uncontrollable place, wouldn't it be too late to regret? The old minister recommends one person who can definitely guard Guansongling steadily and will never let the rebel take even half a step!"

"Who?" Wei Xi Yuan asked busily.

"Former Zhenbei Army Lieutenant General, now hanging a post in the Ministry of War, General Yang Jiyue!" Yan Chonggu said loudly.

Yang Jiyue? A low discussion sounded in the hall.

This person is indeed an old general, with very deep qualifications. He was also known for his steady defense in the Zhenbei Army in the past.

But his personality is upright, he is not good at making friends, and... it seems that there is a hidden trouble, he has no offspring, it is rumored that he has a hidden illness, so he has been quite silent in recent years and almost forgotten. Why did Yan Chonggu suddenly mention him?

Si Gui sneered in his heart, Yang Jiyue?

An outdated and childless military general, Yan Chonggu pushed him out, nothing more than fancying that he has no background, is easy to control, and has more defense than progress, which is just in line with the Yan family's intention to delay the war.

"General Yang..." Wei Xi Yuan hesitated, he didn't have a deep impression of this person.

Yan Chonggu continued: "General Yang has guarded the border for decades and knows the Guansongling area like the back of his hand. He has repelled enemies many times in the past. No one in the court can match his ability to defend the city!"

"And the general is loyal and patriotic, just because his personality is upright and he is not good at pleasing, he is in an idle position. Now that the country is in trouble, we need such loyal old ministers to stand up!"

"Moreover, the general... has no offspring to worry about, so he can definitely serve the country with all his heart and guard the pass to the death!"

The last sentence, he deliberately emphasized his tone.

The words "no offspring to worry about" made Wei Xi Yuan's eyes light up.

That's right! Without children, there is no worry about the future, he won't cherish his life to preserve the family, and he won't hold troops to respect himself like some generals!

Let him guard Guansongling, in order to take back the Jade Seal, he will definitely fight to the death!

"Good! Good! Old Yan recommended well!"

Wei Xi Yuan hurriedly made a decision: "Just follow Old Yan's words! Enfeoff Yang Jiyue as... Great General of the Northern Expedition, Governor-General of all defense affairs in Guansongling! Give him troops... give him 200,000! No, 250,000!"

"Must guard Guansongling for me, block Jiang Jinshi in the North! Jade Seal... Jade Seal must be watched for me! Never let the rebel take it out of the Northern Frontier!"

Si Gui's face was even uglier. He was used to refuting, after all, he had been the one in charge in the court before. "Your Majesty, I think..."

Before he finished speaking, only many officials stood out: "The minister agrees!"

"The minister also agrees!"

Now Si Gui's power is falling, it is the time to beat the drowning dog, so how can they watch the other party climb up again?

Si Gui could hardly refute, he hated Yan Chonggu for stirring up the situation, but he had no choice, so he had to settle for the second best and keep the fat meat of logistics.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Si Gui suppressed his anger and bowed: "General Yang is indeed a steady choice. However, when the army goes on an expedition, grain and grass are important. More than 200,000 troops gather in Guansongling, and the daily consumption is huge. We need capable and heavy ministers to coordinate and dispatch, so that the front line can be worry-free. I recommend Lu Wenchang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to be in charge of the transfer of grain, grass, and military equipment. Lu Wenchang has handled grain and grass on the Western Front before and is quite efficient. He will definitely not fail the holy hope."

Grabbing the lifeline of grain and grass in his own hands can also restrain Yang Jiyue, and even... Si Gui's eyes flashed with cold light, if necessary, moving hands and feet on grain and grass can also let this old general know who is the real master.

Wei Xi Yuan only asked for someone to block the Northern Frontier, not caring about these details, waving his hands: "Approved! All approved! Lu Wenchang, the matter of grain and grass is handed over to you. If there is any mistake, I will only ask you!"

"Heba Sheng... don't be idle either, reorganize the Jingying army and be ready to support at any time!"

"The minister (end general) receives the decree!"

Lu Wenchang was ecstatic, another fat job! Heba Sheng was a little disappointed, but didn't dare to say more.

At the end of a court session, the 50-year-old old general Yang Jiyue, who had been silent for many years due to hidden illness and no offspring, was re-employed and shouldered the heavy responsibility of guarding the country and blocking the Northern Frontier.

And the power of grain and grass fell into the hands of Lu Wenchang of the Si Gui system.

Wei Xi Yuan took back the power belonging to the Emperor bit by bit, at least he didn't have to be a "mascot" like before.

According to Yuan Lineage of Divination and Calculation, as long as this matter ferments slowly, Si Gui will inevitably be pushed out by the Scholar-Gentry as a shield. Do you really think the Northern Frontier is so easy to break?

The atmosphere on the front line of the Northern Frontier was very heavy. A group of people looked at the location of Guansongling on the map and frowned. The three passes were dangerous, and this bone was really hard to bite.

"The news is confirmed."

Wang Hou said with the secret report in his hand: "Yang Jiyue is the commander, the Imperial Court is desperately drawing troops from Bingzhou, Youzhou, and other places, but it takes time to gather, set off, and organize the team."

"Its vanguard cavalry is about 20,000, infantry 40,000, just arrived at Taiyuan Prefecture, and it will take at least eight to ten days to reach Gu

Wang Hou held the secret report in his hand and said: "With Yang Jiye in command, the Imperial Court is desperately pulling troops from Bingzhou, Youzhou, and other places, but gathering, mobilizing, and organizing them takes time."

"Their vanguard consists of about twenty thousand cavalry and forty thousand infantry; they have just left Taiyuan Prefecture, and it will take at least eight to ten days to reach Guansong Ridge."

"Right now, inside the pass, there are still the original thirty thousand garrison troops, ten thousand per pass. The number of troops defending the city is not large; this is indeed our best opportunity."

This meant that the Ming Army had at most eight to ten days to take the city. If they could not take Guansong Ridge within this time, then the Northern Frontier would be equivalent to having the door shut on them while they were beaten.

"Good!"

Luo Feng stood up abruptly, his eyes sharp and piercing. "If Heaven gives you something and you do not take it, you will suffer for it! The Imperial Court wants to seal us off with a large army? We will seize the initiative before they do!"

Wang Hou put down the secret report and continued: "Yang Jiye is skilled at defense. If you give him time and troops, Guansong Ridge will become an iron turtle. Before the Imperial Court's reinforcements arrive, and before Yang Jiye is in position, we must break the pass and seize the defile with lightning speed!"

"General Luo, what is the plan of attack?" Bai Ting asked in a deep voice, his fighting spirit undiminished.

"A surprise attack! A night battle!" Luo Feng's speech was fast and steady; clearly, he had already made up his mind.

"The Imperial Court surely does not expect us to dare to turn hostile first and take the initiative to attack, so while the opponent is negligent, that is our opportunity."

Wang Hou took over: "However, the commander guarding the pass is also quite clever; he sealed the pass at the very first moment."

Luo Feng raised his hand: "No matter. Zhang Honghong, listen to the order!"

"Present!"

"You are to lead fifty thousand elite troops and immediately charge straight at Guansong Ridge! Launch a lightning strike first. It would be best if you can break the first layer of the pass, but even if you cannot, you can still test the quality of the defending troops and the ability of their commander."

"Order received!"

Zhang Honghong cupped her hands, a raging fire igniting in her eyes.

"Bai Ting!"

"This subordinate is here!"

"You are to take a team of men, travel light, take the hunter's path on the west side, cross Eagle's Beak, and lie in ambush at Luoma Slope on the side of Guansong Ridge. You have only one mission! Intercept and kill!"

"Any messengers, routed soldiers, or even small groups of scouts escaping from inside the pass or coming from the southern official road are to be killed without exception! I want Guansong Ridge to become deaf and blind, so that not a single whisper of news can get out!"

"Understood! I guarantee that not even a mouse carrying a message will be able to slip through!" Bai Ting was full of murderous intent.

"Finally, I will personally lead the bravest soldiers who are most skilled at climbing, night fighting, and death matches, and concentrate them all to form the 'City-Chiseling Battalion'."

"What is this for?" Wang Hou asked, puzzled.

"I intend to carry grappling hooks, ropes, short blades, fire oil, and other items. Once the battle begins, I will lead them like a nail, drilling in from cliffs, water gates, or even drainage outlets that the defenders would never expect! We will create chaos, burn their grain and fodder, and open the side gate!"

Luo Feng knew full well how much of an impact this campaign would have on the Northern Frontier, so this time, success was the only option; failure was not permitted.

If his method could not open the gates of Guansong Ridge, then he would have to launch a frontal assault, even if the casualties were heavy, he would not shirk from it!