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Chapter 118: Why don’t you call yourself a young man out of anger?

"Young people are really full of energy. Unlike me, who is getting older and more courageous..."

Wang Jing chuckled, with a rather emotional tone. In many cases, age can indeed affect a person's spirit.

After hearing this, a line popped up in Li Yi's mind: Isn't it infuriating to call someone a young man?

"What do you think of Li Du Yuhou's plan?"

Wang Jing looked at everyone and asked. Seeing that no one objected, he immediately made the decision, "Then let's do as Li Du Yu Hou said. It's settled."

Since there is no objection to how to fight, the next step is to arrange the specific matters.

Wang Jing pondered for a moment, then said, "During the previous attack on Shu, it was Zhang Jianxiong, a military officer under my command, who led the troops to capture eight military camps including Huangniu. He is quite familiar with the situation along the Chencang Road."

"This time, I have asked him to lead a thousand soldiers stationed in Longzhou and serve as the vanguard with Li Du Yuhou. They will be under your command."

Wang Jing was quite kind and did not leave the task of attacking the city to Li Yi alone. However, as the main general attacking Shu, it was only right for him to send his men to assist.

"I obey your command." As soon as the words were spoken, a ferocious-looking general stepped out.

At this moment, Xiang Xun stepped forward and volunteered, "I would like to ask the king to lead his troops and follow Li Duyuhou out of Sanguan Pass to provide support to the front army at any time."

After hearing this, Li Yi glanced at him and felt that Xiang Xun was indeed a friend worth making friends with, and he wanted to deepen his relationship with him in the future.

Unexpectedly, Wang Jing shook his head and said, "Don't worry, General Xiang. I have another mission for you. As Li Du Yuhou said before, in order to prevent the Shu army from coming to rescue Fengzhou from Qinzhou, our army needs to send a team of troops to Qinzhou to monitor the northwest at all times."

"This mission is best for General Xiang Jie... I will assign half of the troops from Zhangyi Jie Town to you, and add the 1,000 light cavalry from your headquarters. I think it will be enough to keep an eye on Qinzhou's movements."

After hearing this, Xiang Xun didn't say anything more and could only nod and take on the task.

In fact, Wang Jing's arrangement was also well considered. Although Qinzhou was not the main attack direction of this battle, it was also a very important link. Sending Xiang Xun, who had a high status, to take charge was a safer approach.

After saying this, Wang Jing looked at one of the generals and made an arrangement, "General Pan Mei will lead the troops stationed at Yongxing. They will set off after Li Duyuhou's vanguard army and follow the Chencang Road to provide support."

Li Yi followed Wang Jing's gaze and saw that the general who was named looked to be around thirty years old. He was gentle and dignified, and did not look like a pure warrior.

Historical records show that Pan Mei was a dashing man in his youth and had served as an official in charge of guest reception affairs, which was quite consistent with Li Yi's first impression of him.

After making all the arrangements, Wang Jing continued, "Marquis Li Duyu will lead the vanguard troops to attack, General Xiang will lead the troops to guard against any movement towards Qinzhou, and I will personally lead the remaining 4,000 troops to provide support at any time in the rear."

"But I would like to remind Li Duyuhou that although the imperial court has ordered the prefectures and counties near Fengxiang to fully assist in the dispatch of food and fodder, the cost of food and supplies for tens of thousands of troops is by no means a small amount."

"So, I can only provide your troops with food and fodder for ten days at most from the rear. If the stalemate drags on for too long, Fengxiang Prefecture will be unable to afford it given its current situation. Even if I wanted to risk my life to provide you with food and fodder, I would never be able to do so."

Li Yi stood up, clasped his fists, and saluted, saying, "I understand!"

Wang Jing said no more and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, rest in Fengxiang for two days. The day after tomorrow, we will officially leave Sanguan and march towards Chencang!" "Yes!"

The generals saluted and responded.

The plan and date for the war were set, and everyone didn't have much to say. They then dispersed from the government hall and returned to their respective bases to convey military orders.

At the main gate of Fengxiang Prefecture Government Office.

Xiang Xun pulled Li Yi aside and said with a worried look on his face, "Brother, you are really too reckless. Can you issue this military order so easily?"

"It's definitely not easy to capture Weiwu City within half a month. Just marching from Sanguan Pass to the city of Wuwei would take several days, not to mention taking out the Shu army camps along the way and facing the Shu army's resistance."

"Even if the Shu army is truly vulnerable and cannot defeat the elite of our Imperial Guards, it will take at least ten days to attack them all the way... Besides, the Shu army may not be so easy to defeat."

Facing Xiang Xun's caring words, Li Yi couldn't help but feel touched when he recalled how Xiang Xun had stepped forward to lead the troops to assist him from behind. However, he also had his own considerations about taking Wuwei City within half a month.

Li Yi bowed and thanked him, then explained: "If you want to take Qin and Feng, you must first take Fengzhou. And if you want to attack Fengzhou, you must first capture Weiwu City."

"If we can't capture Weiwu City within half a month, then taking Qin, Feng and the other four states within two months will become a pipe dream...Brother Xiang, have you forgotten that I signed a military order before His Majesty?"

"So regardless of whether I sign a military order in front of the prince or not, I must capture Weiwu City within half a month. This is related to the progress of subsequent operations."

"I have no choice but to take this gamble!"

After listening to Li Yi's explanation, Xiang Xun thought about it carefully and realized that it was indeed the case. He couldn't help but sigh.

Then he smiled bitterly and said, "The last time I led the Imperial Guards to war, you saw me off outside the Xinzheng Gate and even wished me a successful attack on Shu. Now, I have to ask you to come and help clean up this mess... I'm so ashamed!"

Li Yi thought to himself: Brother, I am not here to help you clean up the mess. Before, I was hoping that you would fail in attacking Shu so that I would have a chance to perform.

Of course, these words were just thoughts in his mind. Li Yi consoled him with words, "Victory and defeat are common in the military. Winning or losing once or twice doesn't matter. There's nothing in the world that's always winnable."

"Don't worry, Brother Xiang. The Shu army only got lucky last time. This time, you and I will join hands and show the Shu army how powerful our Great Zhou Imperial Guards are!"

Li Yi's words were not blind confidence. He personally participated in the reform of the Later Zhou imperial guards. All the officers, both big and small, were elite soldiers who had experienced battles. He was very confident in the combat effectiveness of the army.

On the other hand, the Shu army had not fought any wars for twenty or thirty years, and the earliest backbones of the army that entered Shu were almost all dead.

He didn't believe that the combat effectiveness of the Later Shu army could withstand the elite imperial guards of the Later Zhou in a head-on confrontation.

Perhaps infected by Li Yi's confidence, Xiang Xun also put aside his concerns and laughed heartily, "My dear brother, you are right. I will borrow the words you said before the princes: when two brave men meet on a narrow road, the brave prevails... The Shu army is nothing to worry about!"

(End of this chapter)