The wind and snow were turbulent, and the Sui army chose to secretly cross the river on a night with the thickest and most dense snow.
As a result, many obstacles set in advance became ineffective. The next day, Yun Huai received an alarm, and 300,000 Sui soldiers and iron cavalry were already stationed under the beacon tower.
Of course, not all of them are the iron cavalry of the Qinglang Battalion, but also the troops and horses of the subordinate countries recruited. All the Guozhu of the subordinate countries were also summoned to the military to watch the battle, including the Guozhu of the Three Kingdoms in Jiangnan. Sui Heng sent his trusted subordinates and fierce generals to Jiangnan to fight and cooperate with the Sui army in the northern region, and the Guozhu of the subordinate states were deprived of the right to command the battle.
As it was a long-distance assault, the supply of food and forage exceeded the sky. The Left Prime Minister, Jimo Qingyu, personally led his subordinates, Mo Cavalry to be responsible for the transportation of food and forage for this southern expedition.
There are Yunlian Crossbows with extremely long range on the beacon tower, which were destroyed by a group of Mo cavalry who secretly climbed up the wall at night, but it does not affect normal use. Yun Huai quickly reorganized his defenses and restored the function of the Yunlian Crossbows.
The Sui army temporarily set up their camp ten miles away.
Xu Qiao, Chen Qi, and the brothers Lu Jishi went to the tent of the Central Army to see Sui Heng. Sui Heng has his hands behind his back, leisurely looking at the map of Jiangnan hanging in the tent.
Xu Qiao understood Sui Heng’s temperament and knew that the more significant the war, the more it could arouse Sui Heng’s desire for conquest and victory. The more Sui Heng was able to demonstrate a clear mind and calm mentality at times like this, that was beyond ordinary people.
Xu Qiao also understood that Sui Heng likes to taunt and satirize the Crown Prince of Jiang, who was on the other side of the river, but this time he went south, he did not belittle the enemy this trip to the south. The time and details of crossing the river were all carefully considered, so the Sui army was able to overcome all obstacles and defenses on the south bank smoothly and directly attack the beacon tower, catching the Jiang Empire off guard.
Each of the three reported the news.
Xu Qiao reported on the dynamics of the Qi army, while Chen Qi reported on the situation at Muyun Pass and the news that Jiang Yun had personally rushed to the pass to supervise the battle. The Lu Jishi brothers mainly proposed some strategies and ideas for attacking the beacon tower.
“Jiang Rongyu remained steadfast and guarded the Muyun Pass like an iron barrel. If we relentlessly attacked, we would probably suffer heavy losses.”
Lu Jishi spoke up.
If Muyun Pass is a solitary city, they can choose a siege strategy and just wait for the city’s food and forage to be cut off. However, Muyun Pass is not. Last year, the Crown Prince of the Jiang implemented a reclamation order in the pass, and the wasteland in the pass has been planted with food. Muyun Pass has established a huge grain warehouse specifically for military supply, and even if there is no supply of food and forage from other places, the food in Muyun Pass is enough for the Jiang army to sustain for a month or so. Moreover, Muyun Pass is not an isolated city, and the supply of food and forage from the Jiang capital and other places can be continuously supplied. On the contrary, the Sui army, which fought long distances, needed to worry more about food and forage issues.
Fortunately, Sui Heng was well prepared for this battle, with the support of the Left Prime Minister and the Mo cavalry of the Jimo family, as well as the strong support of the domestic Emperor Sui, so the Sui army did not have to worry about hunger.
But it still can’t be delayed.
By spring, the surface of the Yellow River would freeze, putting the Sui army in a very passive position.
Everyone was waiting for Sui Heng’s decision, but he said it was not urgent and asked everyone to rest for two days. Sui Heng was still staring at the topographic map of Jiangnan in the tent, and he specifically had someone draw a detailed map of the Muyun Pass, especially the surrounding water system map.
At this moment, Shi Fang walked in.
Shi Fang was holding a small figure in his hand. The figure had thick eyebrows and big eyes, thick arms and legs, and was as strong as a calf. He was also wearing a red cloak and a small model of bright armor. It was Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang, who accompanied Sui Heng southward this time.
Sui Zhang was hiding in the pouch of one of the Crown Prince’s soldiers and sneaked up. When Sui Heng found out, he was not very angry. He just gave a rare click of the tongue and immediately had someone send him back to the Sui capital. Unexpectedly, at a young age, Sui Zhang escaped again under the watchful eyes of a group of soldiers and followed him.
Sui Heng was so impressed with this ugly nephew that he let him stay.
He could see that this ugly nephew was not the material to settle down and govern the country. If he comes to the military early to experience it, it would be good to become a general in the future.
“Your Highness.”
Shi Fang put Sui Zhang down and said with great concern, “Xiao Junwang insisted on shouting to see Your Highness. Just now, he injured the soldiers guarding the camp and ran away, but was caught by the subordinate.”
Shi Fang has long heard of the fierce name of this Xiao Junwang. It is said that in the Second Prince Mansion, including but not limited to the Second Prince, who was his biological father, the Second Prince’s consort, who was his legitimate mother, the Second Prince’s concubine, who was his biological mother, and Lan Guifei, who was his biological grandmother, they have all been injured by this naturally divine and violent Xiao Junwang.
Lan Guifei almost had her nose bridge bone broken.
Sui Heng frowned and glanced at his ugly nephew. “What are you looking for Gu for?”
Sui Zhang clenched his small fists, imposing like a tiger, and said, “Your Highness, I want to be a vanguard official and go fight against the Jiang Empire and Muyun Pass!”
Sui Heng replied with one word.
“Scram.”
Sui Zhang: “……”
Sui Zhang had an expression of humiliation on his face, and his tears were almost coming out. However, he held back two bags of tears and said firmly, “I can make a military order to Your Highness that I will not return until I take Muyun Pass!”
“Gu is still waiting for dinner if you don’t come back.”
Sui Heng instructed Shi Fang, “Take him down, and if he dares to fool around again, just tie him up with a rope.”
Shi Fang suppressed his laughter and answered yes, he grabbed the screaming Xiao Junwang under his arm, carrying him out.
Jiang Yun also stood in the tent, looking at the topographic map.
On the left and right columns sat all the guards and officials of Muyun Pass, including Luo and Yun’s Guozhu, Luo Changqing. After returning to the Luo Kingdom, was scolded by his own Empress who pointed at his nose. In addition, he was really worried about his son and hastily paid respects to his ancestors’ ancestral temple. He then returned to the Jiang capital in a disheveled manner and voluntarily requested to come north.
He could see that the current Crown Prince of the Jiang Empire is not what he used to be. Instead of being passive and lazy, it is better to actively serve the Lord and strive for an opportunity to make contributions so as to find a way out for himself and his son. Luo Changqing was not a mediocre person like the Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu. He naturally had the ability to sit as the ruler of a country. The construction of the city gates in the Luo Kingdom was somewhat similar to that of Muyun Pass. After arriving at Muyun Pass, Luo Changqing put forward many practical and reliable suggestions for Jiang Yun in terms of defense.
As for Yun Hao, due to his former reputation as the number one granary in Jiangnan, he is very skilled in granary management. The Yun Kingdom also has many unique techniques for grain cultivation.
Jiang Yun asked Yun Hao to help manage the granary at Muyun Pass. Yun Hao was now determined and had no other thoughts. Seeing Jiang Yun use him without any past grievances, he was moved and actively contributed many suggestions on land reclamation. Jiang Yun asked the official to take note and quickly passed it among the people.
The Sui army’s iron calvary pressed against the border, making people inevitably anxious. This also played a role in stabilizing people’s minds to a certain extent.
Luo Changqing and Yun Hao finally had the opportunity to see the true face of the Crown Prince, and they were surprised to find that the Crown Prince of Jiang was not as ugly and hypocritical as rumored. Instead, his grace shines through, as if he were a celestial being.
In the past year and a half, Jiang Yun personally took control of the pass and reorganized the defense of Muyun Pass. Nowadays, it is not an exaggeration to say that Muyun Pass is like a copper wall and an iron wall. It was not easy for the Sui army to launch a strong frontal attack. Even with the help of the Mo cavalry from the Jimo family, Jiang Yun had Gongsun Yang select many equally skilled and elusive knight errand teams in advance to resist the invasion of the Mo cavalry.
The two sides are now in a brief stalemate, but Sui Heng has achieved remarkable military achievements and is ruthless and not a kind-hearted person. The Qinglang Battalion is also well-known, with outstanding military achievements and the terrifying title of Blood Slaughter in the north of the Yangtze River. Even if the Muyun Pass is like an iron wall, the generals still dare not relax in the slightest.
Jiang Yun held daily military meetings to understand the situation of the Sui army across from him, and everyone was waiting for Jiang Yun’s opinion.
Jiang Yun had been staring at the topographic map for nearly a quarter of an hour and finally turned around in anticipation of everyone’s gaze. The corner of his mouth was slightly raised, and he said, “It’s not urgent, wait for two days, stay closed, and defend.”
Everyone showed a surprised expression, but seeing the Crown Prince’s confident and relaxed expression with a confident appearance, they all agreed in unison.
After discussing the matter, the attendant reported that Divine Physician Meng had arrived.
Jiang Yun said, “Invite Divine Physician Meng to come in.”
Meng Hui arrived at Muyun Pass last night and learned that Zilong Gu had suddenly been banned. He immediately developed another anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointment overnight. Although the effect was not as good as Zilong Gu, it could at least help Jiang Yun relieve pain and not affect his normal handling of military affairs.
If we talk about the entire Muyun Pass, the one with most troublesome at the moment is probably Luo Fengjun.
Although Luo Changqing took the initiative to return to the Jiang capital, the Crown Prince of Jiang still spent a lot of money and invited Luo Fengjun to enter the palace to teach the zither to Xiao Huangsun. This time, Xiao Huangsun followed the Crown Prince northward, so Luo Fengjun was also forced to come northward.
Luo Fengjun has never seen Jiang Yun before, and he only listens to his father, Luo Changqing, boasting in his ears about how charming the Crown Prince of Jiang is. Luo Fengjun’s heart was calm, and there were no waves. He was a music enthusiast and had no interest in anything other than the position of music. The beauty or ugliness of the Crown Prince of Jiang had nothing to do with him.
He was just a little dissatisfied with Jiang Yun’s way of doing things. Making him go into the palace to teach the zither is also just, but he also makes him teach a young boy whose hair hasn’t even grown fully yet.
And so the attendants were treated to a bizarre sight day after day. It was rumored that after sitting alone at the table, the Prince of Music was playing the world-renowned Kunshan zither expressionlessly. Xiao Huangsun, sitting on the lower head, listened with cold eyes and expressionless, his eyes becoming colder and colder.
The air could even freeze, it was colder than the snow drifting outside.
Gongsun Yang personally sends Xiao Huangsun to learn the zither every day. He doesn’t understand music, but he thinks that since it was played by Luo Fengjun, it would definitely not be bad. Gongsun Yang happily asks Jiang Nuo, “Does Little Highness like to learn the zither?”
Jiang Nuo, at a young age, although not yet able to speak, but he already knew who the question was intended for.
He nodded obediently, and as he turned his small face, his two beautiful black eyes, like jewels, immediately turned into a cold and aloof color.
Gongsun Yang sighed.
“Your Highness is so well behaved.”
Luo Fengjun clearly saw and couldn’t help but look up, giving him an indescribable glance.
Luo Fengjun also looked at the little boy across from him with some curiosity. The baby was born as white as snow and was cute, like a snowball. His black hair was thicker than that of babies of the same age, and he was tall. He had two small horn-shaped buns tied to his head and sat cross-legged on the mat, like a fairy kid in a New Year painting.
Although Luo Fengjun ignored external objects, but he had eyes and could see the little boy’s every little move. He looked at his fickle two faces and doubted that the little boy had become a man.
After finishing the song, Luo Fengjun stood up with a zither and said to Gongsun Yang, “I want to see your Highness.”
Luo Fengjun had no interest in acting with a little boy here. He made up his mind to protest in front of Jiang Yun and uphold his dignity.
But Gongsun Yang regretfully said that His Highness is busy with military affairs and has no time.
Luo Fengjun couldn’t break through Jiang Yun’s central army tent. Luo Fengjun glanced at the obedient little boy, who had turned back into obedience in an instant, and left in anger.
Gongsun Yang picked Jiang Nuo up and let him ride around his neck, saying, “Let’s go, Uncle will take you to drink elk antler soup!”
It was calm for two days.
Two days later, in the morning, Jiang Yun went to the center tent to have the military discussion as usual.
One of the guards suddenly rushed into the tent to report, “Your Highness, it’s not good. The Sui army has sent an elite team over and is now shouting and cursing outside the city!”
There is a beacon tower blocking it, and the front door of Muyun Pass is still some distance away from the battlefield.
Qin Wei angrily said, “The other party’s language is vulgar and very rogue!”
The Generals’ faces paled slightly. Jiang Yun also stood up from behind the table and asked, “Who’s leading the troops?”
Qin Wei said, “The Sui’s General, Fan Qi.”
“Fan Qi?!”
In the past two years, Fan Qi has grown rapidly and has been officially promoted to general due to his bravery and good combat skills.
Many defenders of Muyun Pass have heard of his heroic name.
All the generals looked at Jiang Yun together.
Jiang Yun slowly sat back and said, “Don’t worry, tell Yun Huai to hold on and not leave.”
