CHAPTER 425: CHAPTER 45 CHARACTER_2

Enfeoffment wasn’t a major issue. Given the working style of Yan State’s upper echelons, they would certainly understand. After all, it made no sense to abandon someone who had surrendered to your mercy.

However, this delay meant that by the time Zheng Fan and his troops caught up with the main army, it was already late at night.

As soon as Zheng Fan entered the camp, he received a military order stating that Li Fusheng was furious about his tardiness.

Left with no choice, Chief Zheng, without even a chance to rest, had to head to the main military camp immediately. The moment he announced his presence and entered the command tent, Li Fusheng, who was seated on a mat, immediately erupted.

"Direct Thief! Why are you only returning to camp so late? I told you to keep an eye on Qingshan City. Did you go off and capture it or something?"

Zheng Fan paused for a moment, then asked, "Sir, you already know?"

"Huh? What would I know?"

"My troops have captured Qingshan City."

Li Fusheng was rendered speechless.

It took Li Fusheng a long moment to find his voice before he said, "Tell me everything."

Zheng Fan recounted the events, naturally omitting details like the "sleeping dragon" or the city’s development potential.

After listening to Zheng Fan’s account, Li Fusheng slapped his thigh and sighed, "Chief Zheng, your luck is truly unparalleled."

"Actually, sir, it was your recent battle that shattered the courage of the Qian people. They feared the military prowess under your command, lost the will to defend the city, and that’s why they surrendered directly."

"Enough with the flattery. Capturing this city doesn’t really change much, but I’ll record your achievement on the merit list."

"Thank you, Sir!"

"Alright, alright. Let’s get down to business."

"Business?"

"We received a military report during the night. Li Bao’s half-strength garrison has severely defeated the eighty thousand auxiliary troops personally led by the Jiedushi of Beihe."

Li Fusheng’s expression darkened as he said this.

Because of the Chuzhou City affair, his troops had been delayed by several days. As a result, they were still within the borders of Shu Prefecture and had not yet entered Beihe.

Yet, Li Bao’s troops had not only already entered Beihe but had also fought a major battle there.

"The Qian State’s auxiliary troops are just rubbish," Zheng Fan commented.

The majority of Qian State’s auxiliary troops are farmers rather than soldiers. Such units truly lacked combat effectiveness. Furthermore, the auxiliary troops of Beihe had previously been screened. The somewhat capable soldiers and officers were selected and handed over by the Jiedushi of Beihe to his son-in-law, Han Wu, who then led them north. They were part of the Qian army Li Fusheng had crushed a few days prior. This clearly showed what dregs remained of Beihe’s auxiliary troops.

"We’re both fighting rubbish, but I defeated thirty thousand of them, and Li Bao defeated eighty thousand! He’s stolen the limelight!"

So that’s what was bothering Li Fusheng, he thought. The internal competition within their own ranks.

"What are General Li Bao’s troops doing now?"

"They didn’t pause to regroup. They continued marching south."

They’re in such a hurry,

Zheng Fan recalled what the blind man had said that afternoon. Combined with Li Fusheng’s mention that Li Bao only had a half-strength garrison, it seemed the Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan, commanding nearly two hundred thousand troops, were maneuvering and concealing themselves within Shu Prefecture, waiting for the Qian State armies from the three border regions to be drawn back as reinforcements. The only forces truly marching south from Shu Prefecture were Li Fusheng’s half-strength garrison and Li Bao’s half-strength garrison.

Their objective was to advance south, relentlessly south, deep into the heartland of Qian State. This was to compel the Qian Emperor to issue an edict, urging the armies from the three border regions to return and reinforce the core.

This was the grand strategy. On a smaller scale, however, it was a race between Li Fusheng and Li Bao. Whoever reached the imperial capital first would be considered the victor. This wasn’t just about bragging rights; there were profound political implications and future prospects at stake.

Now that the North Border Army had moved south, it would be impossible for all of them to return to Beifeng Prefecture. A significant portion was destined to remain garrisoned in the newly conquered lands. Realistically speaking, any fool could choose a comfortable life over a harsh one. Even if the generals were indifferent—or even if men like Li Fusheng actually preferred the unrestrained slaughter they could engage in on the northern frontiers—what about the soldiers under their command? Sometimes, as a leader, you represent not just yourself but also the collective interests of the men who follow you.

However, Li Bao’s troops were indeed living up to his name—swift as a leopard. It seems impossible to catch them now.

"Sir, I have a plan."

"Oh? Let’s hear it."

Li Fusheng had clearly already discussed this with his officers. They must not have found a solution, which was why he was now asking Zheng Fan. After all, Li Fusheng had recognized Zheng Fan’s military acumen on the battlefield the other day.

Zheng Fan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. This time, there’s no outside help to rely on. It’s all up to me. But he genuinely had an idea.

"Sir, if we slow down a little, we can actually reach the imperial capital faster than Lord Li Bao’s forces."

"Slow down?" Li Fusheng looked at Zheng Fan, puzzled.

"Sir, Lord Li Bao’s troops have already penetrated deep into Beihe. It’s only a matter of time before they enter West Mountain. By then, even the most foolish Qian officials will realize what Lord Li Bao intends to do. Consequently, they will undoubtedly gather all available combat-ready forces from the capital city and surrounding regions. They’ll do everything to stop Lord Li Bao’s attempt to advance directly from West Mountain to the imperial capital. The Qian people absolutely do not want to see our Great Yan cavalry outside their imperial capital."

"Are you suggesting I deliberately lag behind and let Li Bao face the brunt of the Qian people’s pressure alone?"

Qian State’s military is enormous; the numbers on their official rolls are enough to frighten anyone. Of course, in reality, while their military strength has been greatly diminished, their forces are still considerable when compared to Yan State. Although many of their units aren’t very effective, there are bound to be some that can still put up a fight. No one doubts that.

The eighty thousand auxiliary troops Li Bao previously crushed were merely Qian State’s irregulars, hardly counting for much. However, as he continues to advance deeper, the Qian State court, upon receiving the news, can immediately mobilize as many elite troops as possible from the surrounding areas to defend West Mountain, or even Bianzhou County. If Li Fusheng’s troops aren’t there to provide support or divert some of the pressure, it will likely be very difficult for Li Bao to break through the Qian people’s defensive lines. Of course, if the Qian people truly prove incompetent and Li Bao breaks through anyway, then that’s that.

"Chief Zheng, the six commands of my North Border Army are constantly competing, and none of us yields to another. However, on the battlefield, we never do things that would pain our allies and please our enemies."

Li Fusheng’s expression and tone became stern. Zheng Fan’s suggestion had clearly touched a raw nerve.

Zheng Fan immediately responded, "Sir, with Lord Li Bao’s division advancing ahead, they will draw the Qian people’s attention. This will cause the Qian people to concentrate their few remaining battle-worthy troops from near the capital city against Lord Li Bao. Our army will then have the opportunity to find a gap in the Qian people’s defenses, slip through, and strike directly at the imperial capital! Bringing the shock of our army’s presence to the imperial capital—that is the true objective of this southern campaign! I believe Lord Li Bao is a man of profound understanding and righteousness. He would willingly provide cover and create a diversion for our army, helping us advance south to the imperial capital. Indeed, Lord Li Bao’s rapid advance itself might be a deliberate tactic to create distance and thus an opportunity for our army. His intentions are truly commendable, and he clearly understands the greater good!"

"Hmm..." Li Fusheng mused, the image of Li Bao’s face—and that mouth that always reeked of strong garlic—surfacing in his mind.

Li Fusheng had often said he was a coarse man, and even a bit slow-witted. But when it came to Li Bao, Li Fusheng always felt a sense of intellectual superiority. Among the seven great generals of the North Border Army, Li Bao was undoubtedly the densest. Li Bao loved to eat, loved to hoard, loved to snatch military merits, loved to seize any opportunity—he loved to grab everything! His methods were often utterly shameless!

Still, Li Fusheng remarked with a tone of admiration, "Yes, yes. I have always deeply admired Li Bao’s character."