Chapter 463: The Grand Army Sets Out for Chuanshu

Report!

A scout, his face full of panic, stepped forward, almost rolling to the front of the carriage: "Your Highness! Thirty li behind, we've sighted the Beijiang cavalry vanguard's banner! It's… it's Luo Feng's and Zhang Honghong's banner!"

Inside the carriage, Wei Wenlie clenched his fists tightly.

How many?

"By the dust, the vanguard is about five thousand riders! The following infantry is unknown!" the scout's voice trembled with fear.

"Five thousand riders…" Wei Wenlie closed his eyes, his suppressed resentment deepening.

Luo Feng! That madwoman Zhang Honghong! They're like maggots in the bone, clinging to our rear!

"Si Wushuang!" Wei Wenlie growled low.

Beside the carriage, Si Wushuang, clad in a plain long robe, rode up, "Prince."

"Did you hear? They're catching up again!"

Wei Wenlie's voice crackled with uncontainable fury, "Jiangnan! I didn't even dare linger in Jiangnan! I couldn't even load all the money and grain, and they surged forward like wolves smelling blood! Jiang Jinshi! He never intended to leave me a way out!"

After a moment of silence, Si Wushuang said, "Prince, calm your anger. Jiangnan's waterways are dense, unsuitable for cavalry. Jiang Jinshi sent Luo Feng and Zhang Honghong to tail‑chase, forcing us off the plain into the mountains. This is a sun‑strategy; we have no choice but to go."

Sun‑strategy! Again, a sun‑strategy!

Wei Wenlie hammered his fist against the carriage wall, a dull thud echoing, "He predicted I wouldn't dare stay long in Jiangnan! He predicted I must return to Xiliang! But Tongguan! Tongguan is in Han Xiao's hands! A hundred‑thousand army blocks it! How can I get back?!"

This was the deepest despair; when leaving Luoyang, he still clung to a sliver of hope, thinking perhaps he could detour, perhaps force a breakthrough.

But the constant reports along the way completely shattered his illusion.

At Tongguan, Han Xiao had already dispatched troops; a hundred‑thousand Beijiang elite blocked the Chuanshu‑to‑Xiliang road, stockpiling war supplies day and night, digging deep trenches.

Let alone his weary force, even if the entire Xiliang homeland poured out, they could not move the needle in such a short time!

The road back to Xiliang was cut off by Jiang Jinshi's own hand!

"Prince, the only option now is to enter Chuanshu."

Si Wushuang's voice was weary, "The Shu road is treacherous, but it's the only lifeline. Once we reach Jian Ge, using the natural passes, we can still catch a breath."

"A breath?"

Wei Wenlie gave a grim laugh, "And then? Like a mouse, trapped dead in that mountain gorge? Waiting for Jiang Jinshi to slowly muster an army and starve me to death?!"

Si Wushuang gave no answer; he too was uncertain of the road ahead.

Entering Chuanshu is merely drinking poison to quench thirst, a temporary delay of death.

If the entire Xiliang army arrived and tore a breach in Han Xiao's defenses, there might still be room to maneuver.

"Accelerate! Accelerate forward!"

Wei Wenlie roared toward the outside of the carriage, "Tell Fei Tingxiong! Any more deserters, behead them! Dump any heavy baggage! Lighten the load! Give me a light load! We must get ahead of Luo Feng and enter Chuanshu!"

The order passed down, and the ranks erupted in a stir of cries and wails.

Several ox‑carts laden with heavy goods and families were roughly shoved down the narrow mountain path, plunging into a deep gorge.

The soldiers gritted their teeth, discarding some armor and excess grain bags, just to run a little faster.

Everyone knew what falling behind meant. The Beijiang Ming Army's ruthlessness had already spread throughout the Xiliang forces.

About thirty li behind, Luo Feng halted his warhorse, raising his hand to signal the cavalry behind him to stop.

His gaze swept over the rugged mountain road ahead and the faint wreckage of discarded carts visible in the distance.

"General, there are abandoned supplies and carts ahead! By the tracks, Wei Wenlie is speeding away!" a scout reported from a flying horse.

Luo Feng chuckled lightly, "Accelerate? He thinks he can run to the horizon? Send the order! The vanguard camp change horses! Let me keep the chase! Bite their tails! Don't let them catch a breath!"

"Understood!" the scout obeyed and left.

Zhang Honghong rode up to Luo Feng's side, "Luo Feng, just keep harrying him? Why not charge and kill him outright?"

Luo Feng glanced at her, "Why the hurry? The elder said we should herd them like sheep, driving them all the way into Chuanshu's deep mountain forests!"

If we charge now, they'll fight like cornered beasts; even if we win, we'll break a few teeth. Let them run; the more exhausted they become, the faster they'll die once they're in the mountains!

He paused, looking toward the mountains ahead, "Besides, do you think the few soldiers beside Wei Wenlie are made of mud? Si Wushuang's fox is still by his side."

If pressed, a single bite back is enough for us to endure.

We'll keep them hanging like this, constantly on edge, eating poorly, sleeping badly; once they enter the Shu road, their strength will be nearly spent!

Zhang Honghong nodded, recognizing Luo Feng's point.

"There will be a chance."

Luo Feng tightened his grip on the horse's belly, "Go! Keep the chase! Don't let them get too far!"

While Luo Feng and Zhang Honghong clung tightly to Wei Wenlie's tail, the Jiangnan reception work proceeded with urgent drums.

Jiang Jinshi did not linger long in Jiangnan; he stood atop Jinling, overlooking the city that had just changed hands, its bustling streets.

Within the city, order remained intact, having escaped major conflagrations, thanks to the power vacuum Wei Wenlie left when he fled in panic.

Moreover, with the Ming Army now dominant, no fool with eyes open dared to cause trouble, so everything proceeded smoothly.

"Lord, the roster of Jiangnan's provincial officials and the accounts of the treasury's money and grain have been preliminarily tallied."

Wang Hou presented a thick stack of documents, "Wei Wenlie left in haste, taking a large amount of liquid assets, but the granaries, cloth and other bulk supplies remain largely intact; the Fu family and Yan Family contributed significantly."

Both families were already Scholar-Gentry, well‑connected in Jiangnan and elsewhere, so their assistance here was natural.

The Yan Family also vented a fierce resentment; after their chaotic retreat from the south, many mocked them, and now those people looked up to them.

Jiang Jinshi nodded, his gaze scanning the roster without scrutinizing.

"Leave twenty‑thousand elite troops, cooperate with the new officials sent by Elder Feng, stabilize Jiangnan, implement land measurement, and register households.

Methods must be steady, but principles cannot be discarded! If any powerful families seize the chance to rebel or act hypocritically, act without permission, mete out thunderous punishment!"

"Yes!" Wang Hou replied.

Jiang Jinshi looked toward the solemn Fu family member beside him, "Fu Mingyuan!"

Fu Mingyuan quickly bowed, "Your Majesty, what orders do you have?"

Jiangnan initially settled, all affairs awaiting revival. The Fu family has deep roots and extensive connections here. Stabilizing the region and pacifying the people still requires the Fu family to exert more effort.

Jiang Jinshi said in an unquestionable tone, "Implementing the new policies may meet resistance; the Fu family should set an example."

Fu Mingyuan knew this was a test, as well as an opportunity.

He immediately declared, "Ming King, rest assured! The Fu family, up and down, will surely exert all efforts, support the new policies, and pacify Jiangnan! If any troublemakers cause chaos, the Fu family will be the first to object!"

Very good.

Jiang Jinshi gave a slight nod, "Jiangnan affairs are now entrusted to Old Feng, the Yan family, and you. Wang Hou! Pass the order: the army will rest for one day, depart tomorrow, target Chuanshu."