Chapter 443

Wei Wenlie's eyes were gloomy and uncertain: "You used 'necessary means'? And still couldn't pry their mouths open?"

Si Wushuang lowered his eyes: "Yes. The seven were subjected to interrogation; three were seriously injured, and one... did not survive. But their testimonies were consistent, with no flaws.

I infer that either the mole is hidden very deeply and is highly skilled, leaving no traces! Or..."

He paused, "The problem does not lie in the delivery process."

"Oh?"

Wei Wenlie narrowed his eyes. "Not the delivery process? Then where else could it be?

Could it be Tufa Yan himself, or his two Vice Generals?

Or perhaps..."

His gaze swept sharply toward Si Wushuang again, "Military Advisor, you?"

Si Wushuang's expression did not change, and he met Wei Wenlie's gaze calmly: "Your Majesty, please judge. If I had ulterior motives, I would not be standing here right now.

As for General Tufa and his Vice Generals, I have ordered the Royal Court Secret Guards to secretly monitor their families and confidants, and so far, no abnormalities have been found.

Moreover, General Tufa fought to the death to heavily damage Zhang Honghong; if he were a mole, the price of this action would be too high and contrary to reason."

The hall fell into a deathly silence, and Wei Wenlie's fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest of the throne, making a dull sound.

After a long time, he spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion: "In other words, after investigating the whole circle, we have gained nothing? That rat hiding in the dark is still at large?"

Si Wushuang was silent for a moment before saying: "Your Majesty, the matter of the mole is like a maggot attached to the bone, difficult to eradicate.

Although we failed to catch them this time, it was not without gains.

At least, we have locked onto the most likely path of the leak.

In the future, when delivering top-secret military intelligence, we can enable more secretive single-line channels, or have Your Majesty and the generals communicate orally in person.

At the same time, the scope of those who know must be strictly controlled."

He paused and continued: "In addition, although General Tufa failed to take Zhang Honghong's life this time, he heavily damaged her unit and annihilated thousands of enemies, while our own casualties were only in the hundreds, which is indeed a great victory.

This battle has greatly boosted our army's morale and frustrated the recent aggressive momentum of Beijiang. This is a good opportunity for us to consolidate our defense lines and accumulate strength."

Wei Wenlie snorted coldly: "A small victory? Hmph, if not for that mole, Zhang Honghong's head would be hanging on the walls of Wuguan right now!

What I want is for Jiang Jinshi's trusted generals to be beheaded one by one! I want the rout of Beijiang!"

He stood up abruptly and paced restlessly in the hall. "If this mole is not removed, I cannot sleep or eat in peace! Today they can leak Tufa Yan's ambush, tomorrow they could leak my whereabouts, or leak the defense layout of Luoyang! Si Wushuang!"

He stopped and stared fixedly at Si Wushuang: "Continue to investigate for me! Use all means! Better to kill the wrong person than let one go! I don't believe they can hide it flawlessly!

Investigate everyone they have contacted, investigate every document they have handled, investigate every brick and tile in their home! I want to see results!"

Si Wushuang bowed deeply: "I obey the decree. I will certainly do my best to root out this villain."

He raised his head, his gaze calm. "But Your Majesty, the mole is cunning, and verification takes time. The top priority is to stabilize the battle results; General Tufa has just won, so he should be rewarded to settle the army's heart.

We also need to send more elite troops to the Tongguan defense line to strictly guard against Beijiang's retaliation.

I suggest that we can transfer some elite troops from Murong Ke's unit to secretly reinforce the Wuguan direction, under the unified command of General Tufa."

Wei Wenlie took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and anxiety in his heart.

He knew Si Wushuang was right; now was not the time to act on impulse.

He walked back to the throne and sat down heavily: "Approved! Do as the Military Advisor says. The decree promoting Tufa Yan to Marquis of Zhenxi will be issued immediately. You have full authority to coordinate the troop reinforcements, and it must be done secretly."

"Yes," Si Wushuang replied.

Wei Wenlie waved his hand, looking somewhat exhausted: "Go! Regarding the mole, I await your news. Remember, I want them alive! I want to ask them personally why they betrayed me, why they betrayed Western Liang!"

"I understand." Si Wushuang bowed again, his figure slowly retreating into the shadows and disappearing.

The palace doors closed again, leaving only Wei Wenlie in the vast palace.

Meanwhile, in the council hall of the Ming Prince's Mansion in Shuoning, Zhang Honghong was supported by two personal guards as she stepped into the hall; her face was deathly pale, and her right arm was wrapped in thick, blood-soaked gauze.

A gruesome wound was visible where her armor was damaged, and her steps were unsteady, yet she stubbornly held her back straight.

"My Lord..."

Zhang Honghong broke free from the support, stumbled a step, and was about to kneel on one knee to plead guilty: "This subordinate is incompetent, having fallen for Western Liang's treacherous scheme, causing the loss of thousands of brothers..."

"Support her!"

Jiang Jinshi interrupted sternly, having already walked down quickly from the main seat.

He caught Zhang Honghong's uninjured left arm, his gaze sweeping over every wound on her body, his brow furrowed, his eyes showing not a shred of blame.

"Why are you still acting tough when you're wounded like this! Military doctor! Treat General Zhang immediately!"

Two military doctors waiting on the side hurried forward, carefully helping Zhang Honghong to a soft couch nearby.

Only then did Jiang Jinshi turn to Bai Ting, patting his shoulder hard: "Bai Ting, it's fortunate you arrived in time! This is not the fault of either of you; it is Western Liang that is cunning, and even more so... I underestimated Si Wushuang's strategy!"

Bai Ting did not dare to take credit and quickly cupped his hands in response: "If it weren't for you, My Lord, worrying about changes and sending me to provide support, I would not have been able to save General Zhang in time."

Jiang Jinshi nodded and did not respond further; after this battle, his mole in Western Liang could no longer be used, and even Wang Hou did not know if the other party was safe now.

And without a mole, the Ming Army's deployments naturally needed to be more cautious.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the core generals standing in the hall, such as Han Xiao, Luo Feng, Wang Hou, and Jiang Ze: "The defeat at Eagle Beak Pass is a pain for our Beijiang! But now is not the time to assign blame or lament!

Western Liang has won a small victory, and Tufa Yan's momentum is high; Wei Wenlie will surely want to take advantage of this to counterattack! Our army must immediately reorganize, consolidate our defense lines, and never give Western Liang any opportunity!"

He walked to the sand table and immediately made the latest deployments:

"First, the Tongguan direction! Han Xiao!"

"This subordinate is here!" Han Xiao stepped out solemnly.

"The pressure on your unit remains unchanged, and must even be increased! Murong Ke is pinned down at Tongguan, so Western Liang has lost one of its arms! Continue to feign attacks and apply pressure; the momentum must be even greater!

Deploy more decoys, beat the drums day and night, and create the illusion that our main force is still at Tongguan, swearing to break through the pass! I want Murong Ke not to dare move a single soldier!"

"Understood! This subordinate will surely make Murong Ke unable to sleep or eat in peace!" Han Xiao cupped his hands in acknowledgment, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"Second, the Lantian and Wuguan directions!"

Jiang Jinshi's gaze was sharp. "Tufa Yan has just won and will surely become arrogant; he might take advantage of the momentum to move east, attempting to retake Wuguan, or even covet our Shangluo! Luo Feng!"

"My Lord!" Luo Feng stepped forward.

"I order you to immediately withdraw ten thousand elite troops from Chang'an, rush to the Lantian front line overnight, and come under the command of Zhang Honghong's unit!

Remember, you are not going there for a strong attack, but to hold firm! Rely on the mountain dangers, reinforce the camps, and dig deep trenches and build high walls!

If Tufa Yan dares to come, rely on the terrain and hit him hard!

If he shrinks back, there is no need to force it; use defense to replace attack and wear down his momentum!

Honghong is heavily wounded and needs quiet recuperation, so you will temporarily act as the commander of the Lantian front line; consult with Tang Lin more when encountering matters!"

"Don't worry, Big Brother! With me here, Tufa Yan won't be able to step across Lantian even once!" Luo Feng's voice was resolute.

"Third, the placement of the wounded and the morale of the army!"

Jiang Jinshi finally looked at Jiang Ze. "Jiang Ze, treat the heavily wounded soldiers at all costs! Give generous pensions to the families of those who died in battle!

For the surviving soldiers of General Zhang's unit, reward those with merit, comfort those who are wounded, and after rest and replenishment, they will still be our elite Beijiang troops!

Order all armies that I, Jiang Jinshi, have noted the grudge of Eagle Beak Pass! But victory and defeat are common in military affairs, and Western Liang has only had a moment of luck!

Tell the soldiers to cheer up, polish their blades and guns, and blood debts must be paid with blood!"

"Yes! My Lord! This matter is left to me and Old Feng; there will be no mistakes!" Jiang Ze promised solemnly.