Iron Dynasty Chapter 664

"Qingzhou City has fallen! "

Inside the silver tent, Wushugu furrowed his brows deeply.

Three days prior, Zheng Chengwen had departed from Juyong Pass with a troop of cavalry, heading directly towards the Golden Horde's silver tent. He needed to inform Wushugu of this news.

At the time, the King of Liang had dispatched envoys to the Golden Horde's capital. As one of these envoys, Zheng Chengwen had previously interacted with Wushugu.

"The news is absolutely true. In Yuzhou City, Prince Qi's army decisively defeated the Three Kings' Coalition Army. Following that, they advanced like a hot knife through butter, conquering the State of Liang," Zheng Chengwen's gaze flickered about.

Wushugu cast a sidelong glance at Zheng Chengwen and let out a cold snort. "Since that is the case, why did you not tell me this news sooner? I fear you harbor ulterior motives and wish to usurp the King of Liang's place, do you not? "

Zheng Chengwen froze for a moment, as Wushugu had hit upon his thoughts. Just as he was about to explain himself, Wushugu suddenly declared, "You need not explain. To us, the Golden Horde, who the King of Liang is matters not, but merely that he is obedient enough. "

Zheng Chengwen was overjoyed at these words. He said, "Tayiji, the King of Liang has always feigned compliance with you while secretly opposing you, but my heart towards you, Tayiji, is one of absolute sincerity. "

Wushugu nodded slightly. He said, "This Prince Qi truly seems to be a veritable thorn in the side of my Golden Horde. Were it not for Jinao's attack on Gaoli at this very moment, we would assuredly expend the entire nation's might to destroy him. "

Zheng Chengwen said, "What the Tayiji says is absolutely correct. However, Prince Qi's army has yet to firmly establish itself, so there is still time. "

Wushugu furrowed his brows. "It's just that my Father Khan is unwilling to fight on two fronts. Even if we were to support you, we could only dispatch thirty thousand cavalry and seventy thousand slave soldiers. Only once the war in Gaoli concludes can we concentrate our forces against Prince Qi. "

"Tayiji, it's just that by then, I fear Prince Qi will have annihilated Prince Zhao as well. At that point, there will be no one left to assist the Tayiji," Zheng Chengwen grew somewhat anxious.

He had originally hoped, upon coming here, that the Golden Horde would dispatch a large army to help him reclaim the cities of the State of Liang. In this way, he would rightfully become the King of Liang.

After all, with Qingzhou City having fallen, the King of Liang's life or death was uncertain, and the Second Prince had died in battle. Only he remained in the Liang territory capable of inheriting the throne.

"What you say has merit, but this Tayiji currently has no recourse. The menace of Jinao is upon us; this is a provocation against the Khanate. Father Khan is enraged, and at this moment, he cannot concern himself with Prince Qi. These soldiers are also what Father Khan has prepared for you and Prince Zhao. There truly are no others," Wushugu said.

Zheng Chengwen was immensely disappointed. At best, these soldiers would only be sufficient for him to hold Juyong Pass.

As if discerning Zheng Chengwen's thoughts, Wushugu said, "These troops are for you to defend Juyong Pass. Once the war in Gaoli concludes, I guarantee I will lead a grand army to annihilate Prince Qi. "

Zheng Chengwen sighed inwardly. For now, this was all that could be done. He said, "I only wish that the Tayiji can lead his troops here soon. "

Wushugu nodded.

Zheng Chengwen dared not linger. After taking his leave of Wushugu, he immediately rushed back to Juyong Pass. However, when he arrived at the pass with the barbarian reinforcements, he was utterly dumbfounded.

Atop Juyong Pass, there were no longer soldiers of the State of Liang; it was clearly Prince Qi's army, clad in green military uniforms. In merely six or seven days, Juyong Pass had changed hands.

"Return my Juyong Pass! " Zheng Chengwen cursed loudly. Despite all his calculations, he had never foreseen that Prince Qi's army would capture Juyong Pass so swiftly.

However, the only response he received was the roar of cannons.

Concurrently, Niu Ben also arrived at Juyong Pass.

He had been ordered to supervise the battle. He never expected that he would learn of the King of Liang's capture just as he arrived in Qingzhou. He then rushed to Juyong Pass.

This was because Lu Fei had immediately led his army on a forced march to attack this place.

Upon entering Juyong Pass, Niu Ben immediately felt a tense atmosphere of impending battle. The common folk moving through Juyong Pass all walked with hurried steps, their faces etched with worry. There were no merchants on the streets, and fully armed soldiers constantly emerged from various alleyways.

"General, you must be weary from your journey, traveling by carriage and horse. Perhaps we should proceed to the main camp first," Lu Fei said, noticing a trace of weariness on Niu Ben's face.

Niu Ben shook his head. "No, not yet. The situation is pressing. How many barbarian soldiers have arrived outside the city? "

"Reporting, General. According to the identification by soldiers within the city, this man is Zheng Chengwen, the commandant of Juyong Pass. The troops he brought this time are estimated to be borrowed from the barbarians, approximately one hundred thousand in number: thirty thousand cavalry and seventy thousand slave soldiers. "

Juyong Pass is the northwestern gateway of the Great Yu Kingdom, located between the territories of the State of Liang and the Golden Horde. There are many mountains surrounding Juyong Pass, especially on the side adjacent to the plateau, where the mountains are high and the roads treacherous. Juyong Pass itself is situated at the choke point leading to the State of Liang.

Juyong Pass was also constructed based on its military characteristics, situated with its main defenses facing north. The northern walls are both thick and high. The main camp of Juyong Pass is precisely stationed in the northern part of the city, constantly defending against threats from the barbarians.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the west city. The soldiers here had clearly increased in number and were extremely busy, constantly moving to and fro. Soldiers carrying ammunition and transporting stones were everywhere.

Ye Qingyun then said, "That we were able to smoothly capture Juyong Pass this time is largely thanks to the Yong Army. Chen Xinran also arrived leading his troops for this assault, and together with us, captured this last city of the State of Liang. "

Hearing this, Niu Ben revealed an expression of approval. He said, "I never thought the King of Yong would have such a brave general under his command. "

"This Chen Xinran is indeed quite a talent," Lu Fei did not deny it.

As the three spoke, they arrived at the main camp. Ahead of them was the city wall.

The walls of Juyong Pass were not particularly high, measuring only about twelve meters. Constructed from bluestone, they appeared quite sturdy. Following the two-meter-wide stairs up to the battlements, the verdant grasslands immediately came into Niu Ben's view.

Not far from the pass were barbarian cavalry and barbarian slave soldiers roaming about.

Picking up his telescope and looking at the barbarian soldiers not far away, Niu Ben observed for a moment before musing aloud: "No need to worry. These are not the elite forces of the barbarians. The Emperor's calculations are indeed divine. The barbarians are currently unwilling to fight on two fronts, so the cavalry they dispatched are not their elites either. "

Lu Fei and Ye Qingyun also breathed a sigh of relief. He said, "General, the soldiers have been fighting arduously for months and are now extremely fatigued. It's time to let them rest for a while. "

Niu Ben understood Lu Fei's meaning. The problem arising from continuous arduous combat was the soldiers' weariness of war. This sentiment needed to be alleviated through rest and relaxation.

After pondering for a moment, he said to Lu Fei: "Go and gather the courtesans from the State of Liang. Pay them some silver, and have them sing songs or perform for the soldiers. However, it is crucial not to coerce them, lest it tarnish the Emperor's reputation. "

Lu Fei's eyes immediately lit up. Not to mention the soldiers, he himself had felt irritable and restless during this period, all due to the oppressive atmosphere of war. To have such a pleasant diversion would naturally be wonderful.

Therefore, he was naturally delighted to carry out this task. He then chuckled and said, "General, would you like me to select a leading lady for you? "

"Get out," Niu Ben glared, his eyes wide with anger. "This general ordered people to be found not for matters of the bedchamber! If you dare to act wantonly, you shall see how this general deals with you! "