Chapter 448

In a short period of time, winter came again, but the people of Beijiang had long since gotten rid of the bitter cold, and now there were rarely cases of people freezing to death.

And inside the Ming Prince's Mansion in Shuoning, the stove was burning brightly, and Jiang Jinshi stood in front of the huge sand table, his eyes stopping at the direction representing Luoyang in Western Liang.

"Western Liang has just experienced civil strife, and after Xuanji was executed, Wei Wenlie also became a frightened bird."

Jiang Jinshi's voice was not high, but it fell clearly into the ears of the generals standing on both sides. "Si Wushuang is busy taking over Xuanji's intelligence network, and Wei Wenlie is busy cleaning up the inside. This winter is their weakest time."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over core generals such as Han Xiao, Bai Ting, Luo Feng, Zhang Honghong, Wang Hou, and Jiang Ze, finally settling on the winding Qinling Mountains on the sand table.

"And what we are waiting for is winter."

A curve appeared at the corner of Jiang Jinshi's mouth. "The cold wind of Beijiang is the battlefield we are most familiar with. Western Liang soldiers cannot endure the bitter cold, and as one grows and the other wanes, this is a heaven-sent opportunity."

Even without the help of a mole, Jiang Jinshi was confident that he could defeat Western Liang, but relying on the right time and place could reduce unnecessary casualties.

Jiang Jinshi turned around and gave the order without any hesitation: "Order the whole army to enter combat readiness immediately! There is only one goal for this battle! Step over Tongguan and go straight to Luoyang!"

"Yes!"

The generals responded in unison, and suppressed excitement permeated the air.

"Han Xiao!" Jiang Jinshi began to call names.

"This subordinate is here!" Han Xiao stepped forward, his armor clinking.

"The Tongguan direction is still your battlefield."

Jiang Jinshi's finger pointed to Tongguan on the sand table. "But this time it's not a feint! I want you to completely become a thorn in Murong Ke's side! I will supplement your troop strength to fifty thousand, and prepare more banners, torches, and war drums.

From today on, I want the sound of killing to shake the sky outside Tongguan City day and night, and smoke and dust to cover the sun! Let Murong Ke think that our main force is all here, and not dare to move a single soldier!"

He paused, his tone even firmer: "At the same time, send elite squads to harass the pass walls in turns. Don't aim to break the pass, just aim to tire the enemy! Consume their arrows, rolling logs, and stones, and even more so, consume their spirit!

I want the Tongguan defenders to be unable to eat well or sleep well this winter, and everyone to be exhausted!"

"This subordinate obeys!"

Han Xiao's eyes were extremely firm. "I will surely make Murong Ke unable to sleep or eat in peace, and Tongguan will never have a day of peace!"

Of course, Han Xiao also understood Jiang Jinshi's deep meaning; if Murong Ke really thought this was just a feint by the Ming Army, then he would take the opportunity to take Tongguan directly.

"Bai Ting!" Jiang Jinshi's gaze turned to the other side.

"This subordinate is here!" Bai Ting stepped out solemnly.

"Wuguan!"

Jiang Jinshi's finger slid toward Wuguan. "This is the key to breaking the situation! Si Wushuang thinks that by deploying heavy troops to defend Tongguan, he can sit back and relax, but I want you to give him a surprise!"

He pointed to the rugged mountains near Wuguan: "I will give you twenty thousand elite troops to cross the Qinling Mountains! The target is the grain transport hub behind Wuguan! I want you to completely cut off this grain route! At the same time, take the opportunity to harass the Western Liang army outside Wuguan and create chaos!"

Bai Ting took a deep breath and cupped his hands: "Don't worry, My Lord! Although the Qinling Mountains are dangerous, they cannot stop our Beijiang sons! This subordinate will surely make the other side unable to attend to both ends!"

"Luo Feng!" Jiang Jinshi looked at his brother.

"Big Brother!" Luo Feng straightened his back.

"You are in charge of the defense of Chang'an and Lantian, and command Zhang Honghong's unit!"

Jiang Jinshi said in a deep voice, "Your task is the heaviest! First, ensure the stability of Chang'an and the safety of Guanzhong; never let the remaining moles of Western Liang or Tufa Yan have any opportunity! Second, when my order is issued, Lantian will be the main attack direction!"

His finger pointed to the Lantian position: "Tufa Yan has just been defeated, and although the Qianghu cavalry are fierce, they are a defeated army with unstable morale and cannot endure the bitter cold! Zhang Honghong!"

"This subordinate is here!" Zhang Honghong's right arm was still in a sling, but her eyes were still firm.

"Avenge your own grudge!"

Jiang Jinshi stared at her. "After your wounds heal, reorganize the army immediately! Luo Feng will provide you with troops, horses, and cold-weather clothing.

I want you to be the vanguard on the Lantian front line once the general attack begins, and tear open Tufa Yan's defense line for me! Remember, the Qianghu cavalry cannot run fast in the snow!"

Zhang Honghong clenched her fist with her one arm and hammered her chest hard: "Thank you, My Lord! This subordinate will surely cut off Tufa Yan's dog head to sacrifice to the brothers of Eagle Beak Pass!"

"Wang Hou!" Jiang Jinshi looked at his own intelligence chief.

"This subordinate is here!" Wang Hou bowed.

"Your eyes must be fixed on Luoyang!"

Jiang Jinshi's tone carried murderous intent. "I want to know any movement of Si Wushuang and any troop deployment of Wei Wenlie at the first time!

At the same time, activate all the secret pillars we have in the Western Liang army; there is no need to cherish their lives anymore! If this battle is successful, Western Liang will no longer be a threat to our army!

Tell them that the day of success is the day of glorious return! If there is a risk of exposure... prioritize delivering the last piece of intelligence!"

Wang Hou naturally understood the importance of this matter, his eyes full of determination: "This subordinate understands! I will surely not fail the trust of My Lord!"

"Jiang Ze!" Jiang Jinshi finally looked at the other party.

"My Lord!" Jiang Ze replied.

"Grain, military equipment, cold-weather clothing, and medicine must be provided continuously, prioritizing the front line!"

Jiang Jinshi's tone was unquestionable. "The new policies in Guanzhong must not be stopped because of the war! Measuring fields and settling refugees must be accelerated! Only when the rear is stable can the front line have no worries!

Tell Old Feng that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures; anyone who dares to obstruct the new policies or withhold military supplies, no matter who they are, will be killed without mercy!"

"Yes! Don't worry, My Lord!" Jiang Ze nodded heavily.

After the deployment was completed, Jiang Jinshi looked around at everyone, his voice suddenly rising: "Gentlemen! The fate of Western Liang is exhausted, and Wei Wenlie is just a dead bone in a grave!

This battle is the battle for our Beijiang to determine the world! If we sweep away Western Liang, we can plot for the Central Plains, and the world can be settled! I hope you will work together and not fail this life!"

"Work together, sweep away Western Liang!" The generals were boiling with blood, and the roars continued.

Inside Tongguan, Murong Ke pressed against the crenellations of the city wall, and the cold snowflakes stuck to his beard, quickly freezing into ice beads.

Outside the pass, the camps of the Beijiang army were endless, and even in the wind and snow, one could see the shadows of troops moving and hear the faint sound of drums and horns.

"General, the Beijiang army is increasing troops again! Judging by the flags, it looks like Han Xiao's main vanguard camp!"

The Vice General pointed to the newly erected camp in the distance, his voice carrying worry.

Murong Ke's face was very gloomy: "Increasing troops? It's just bluffing! Jiang Jinshi's main force cannot all be piled up at Tongguan! He is trying to pin us down here!"

He slammed his fist onto the cold city bricks. "Is there any news from Military Advisor Si? How are the Wuguan and Lantian directions?"

"None... no abnormal military reports."

The Vice General whispered, "It's just that the wind and snow are too heavy, and the carrier pigeons are difficult to travel..."

"Useless!"

Murong Ke interrupted him irritably. "Send more fast horses! Send more routes! I want to know the exact news from other directions!

Also, tell the brothers to cheer up! The Beijiang army is accustomed to harassing in snowy nights! Rolling logs, stones, fire oil, and hot water must be prepared at all times! Anyone who dares to be negligent will be dealt with by military law!"

"Yes!" The Vice General took the order and hurried away.

Murong Ke looked at the vast wind and snow outside the pass, but the anxiety in his heart grew heavier.

He had been a general for many years and had always had some keen intuition; he always felt that Beijiang would have some big moves.

Jiang Jinshi... what exactly are you planning?