Chapter 348

The event was sudden, and many officers and soldiers had not yet reacted.

But Li Mao was already dead, and Zhao and Qian had always had some prestige in the army, and they mentioned "the Imperial Court is without Dao" and "the Ming King treats well," plus the despair for the future and the fear of the Ming Army breaking two passes, most people only hesitated slightly before choosing silence or following.

Fence-sitters are always the most numerous existence; most people like to watch the situation and move, rather than having their own opinions.

Only a few of Li Mao's die-hard loyalists wanted to resist and were instantly killed.

The entire camp and even the main strongholds inside the pass were soon controlled by Zhao and Qian and their confidants.

"Open the city gate! Welcome the Ming Army!"

Deputy Lieutenant Qian climbed the pass tower, lit three huge torches toward the dark night sky outside the pass, and waved them hard! This was the signal agreed upon with the Ming Army in advance.

Luo Feng, Zhang Honghong, and others, who had been closely monitoring the movements inside the pass, were stunned when they saw the three torches suddenly ignite on the pass tower, and then wild joy surged into their hearts.

"It's done! They succeeded!" Zhang Honghong almost jumped up.

Luo Feng suppressed his excitement and took a deep breath: "All troops, be on alert, advance slowly! Zhang Honghong, you lead the elite vanguard into the pass, control the city gate and main roads! Bai Ting, cover on the flanks to prevent any changes!"

"Yes!"

Low horns sounded in the Ming Army formation, and the main army began to move forward, but not fast, maintaining a high degree of vigilance.

If the other side was faking a surrender, the Ming Army would also suffer quite a few losses.

When the city gate opened, Deputy Lieutenant Zhao and Deputy Lieutenant Qian led dozens of officers, holding Li Mao's head and the garrison commander's seal, slowly walked out and knelt on one knee.

"We have killed the rebellious general Li Mao, offer Zhenguo Pass, and lead our troops to surrender to the Ming King! We hope the General will accept us!"

Zhang Honghong took the lead, came to the front, verified that the head and seal were correct, and saw that most of the garrison inside the pass had abandoned their weapons and were orderly, knowing that the overall situation was settled.

Bai Ting flipped off his horse and helped Zhao and Qian up: "The two generals are deeply righteous and have turned back to the right path; this is a great merit! The Ming King and General Luo will definitely reward you generously! Please get up quickly!"

Luo Feng, under the protection of his personal guards, also came to the front of the pass.

He looked at Zhao and Qian kneeling on the ground, and then at the last pass taken without bloodshed, his heart filled with joy.

Luo Feng stepped forward, "You all have abandoned darkness for light and helped our army break the pass; your merit is undeniable! This general will definitely report it truthfully to the Lord!

For now, please ask the two generals to assist in stabilizing the inside of the pass as soon as possible, count the troops and materials, and repair the city defenses."

"We are willing to die for the Ming King and General Luo!" Zhao and Qian responded loudly, a heavy stone in their hearts landing.

As the main force of the Ming Army entered the pass in an orderly manner and took over the defense, Guansongling changed hands.

The "Qian" flag on the pass wall was also replaced with the "Ming" flag; more importantly, this news had to be released as soon as possible.

Wang Hou knew what to do at this moment and immediately spread this news through Beijiang's channels.

Their Beijiang originally wanted to "flex its muscles," and with such a great victory report, it was natural to pass it outward, which could also avoid quite a few troubles.

Jiang Jinshi also set off for Guansongling the moment he received the news; now that the rear affairs had been arranged and logistics were being watched by Li Xinyue, he was still more willing to go to the front line.

Inside Guansongling, Ming Army soldiers, under the command of officers, were methodically clearing the battlefield, repairing the city defenses damaged in the previous battle, counting the captured materials and rations, and reorganizing the surrendered garrison.

Although the Imperial Court's 250,000-strong army would soon arrive, everyone was not panicked at all.

The city wall of Guansongling was so towering, and their own troops were not fewer than the opposite side; they wished the Imperial Court would take the initiative to attack the city, which could greatly damage quite a few of the other side's men.

As for breaking the city?

Absolutely impossible!!

Beijiang had a total of 350,000 soldiers, and the Imperial Court sent 250,000; the two sides already had a disparity in numbers, and Beijiang now occupied a geographical advantage.

If the other side still dared to take the initiative to attack the city, that would truly be lighting a lantern in a latrine—looking for death!

After Jiang Jinshi arrived at the front line, Luo Feng stepped forward to report: "The surrendered soldiers have been initially broken up and mixed; Zhao Wu and Qian Yong and their confidant officers are temporarily retained, but our people have been sent in to serve as deputies to monitor and guide them."

"Hmm! This matter was done beautifully!" Jiang Jinshi nodded with a smile, "But don't be careless, prepare to welcome the Imperial Court's army!"

"I have already deployed catapults, bed crossbows, etc., focusing on the front and the high points on both sides; as long as the Imperial Court dares to fight, the Ming Army will eat as many people as they send!!" Luo Feng was very confident, and this statement was not exaggerated at all.

"Yang Jiye's vanguard scouts have already appeared fifty miles away, and his main force will definitely arrive at the pass in three days at the latest." Wang Hou brought the latest intelligence, "In addition, in Jiangnan, Zhongyuan, and other places, the news about our army taking Guansongling has completely spread."

Jiang Jinshi asked upon hearing this: "What are the reactions from all sides?"

"Still unknown!" Wang Hou answered truthfully; it was not that he hadn't obtained the news, but that the time was too short, and all sides might still be in shock, so no news had been sent back.

Yan Wu spoke slowly: "The impact of this battle far exceeds the taking of the pass itself; such an Imperial Court dangerous pass changing hands in a few days, the strength our army has shown is visible to the whole world."

Han Xiao took over the conversation: "In the past, the world might have viewed our Beijiang as a border hero that relied on geographical advantages and luckily defeated the Xiongnu; now one battle has completely proven that our Ming Army is already a strong army that can contend head-on and win."

"Without some strength, could I hold this Imperial Seal?" Jiang Jinshi smiled, "Our Beijiang army is strong and horses are sturdy, and we have the Imperial Seal in hand; the Imperial Court will have a headache now!"

Previously, Western Liang King Wei Wenlie was powerful, and the Imperial Court still had its foundation, looking like a contest between the two sides.

And after Si Gui's operation, forcing Beijiang onto the chessboard, only to find that Beijiang's strength was profound, then Si Gui would definitely suffer a backlash.

Those who were watching should also place their bets; with three forces confronting each other, betting wrong meant being doomed forever!

At this time, a personal guard walked in quickly and knelt on one knee: "Report to the Lord, there is someone from the south outside the pass, claiming to be Yan family disciple Yan Shining, carrying heavy gifts to see the Lord, saying there is an important matter to discuss, and has now been arranged in the post house under the pass."

"Yan family? Yan Shining?" Jiang Jinshi raised an eyebrow, not expecting the other side to act so quickly; Guansongling had just been taken, and the envoy was already at the door.

"Looks like they smelled the blood." Luo Feng grinned.

"It's not smelling the blood, it's seeing the tiger show its fangs and rushing to send meat." Bai Ting added.

Yan Wu pondered: "The Yan family is a great clan of Guanlong; although they are weak in the court now, they have deep roots in trade and connections. They come at this time, nothing more than seeing our army's strength, wanting to place a bet in advance, form a good relationship, or even seek cooperation."

"Lord, this person's identity is sensitive; should we see him or not?" Wang Hou asked.

Jiang Jinshi responded decisively: "See! Why not see? I want to see what sincerity the Yan family can bring! Xiao Chunqiu and Han Xiao, go take a look!"

With Jiang Jinshi's current status, how could he go to see people? Such small matters should be left to the brothers below!