CHAPTER 1100: CHAPTER 603: CONTACTING THE TRAITOR_2

The "Military God," with a fair complexion and short beard, nodded and replied seriously, "His Majesty has already sent the document. Next, I will head to Xiping Road, leading the Capital Imperial Guard and the Five Army Camp, to join the Duke in repelling the invasion of the Western Regions people."

Indeed!

This time, the Empress had spared no expense, dispatching most of the forbidden army that guards the inner court, leaving only enough to maintain basic order in the city.

In this way, led by Xue Shence, there is a great chance of eliminating Prince Hejian before spring, then reorganizing the forces to defend against the ambitions of the Western Regions Buddhism.

Zhao Douan nodded and said, "Since everyone knows, it saves me the trouble of explaining. I’ve learned a bit about the situation in Jingchuan City, but it’s not specific. Along the way, I had some interaction with the Jiancheng Rebel Army; what do you think of the Jiancheng Army?"

Facing his inquiry, everyone was silent at first, then Shi Meng spoke first: "Very strong."

He explained earnestly: "Our Divine Mechanism Camp has also fought against the Yunfu Army on the Western Front, but it’s clear that the Jiancheng Army’s cohesion is stronger, including their weapons and armor, which are the most powerful among the Eight Princes. However, these are secondary; the real challenge lies in the strategic steadiness of the Prince Jing Group’s talents. Although we have won many battles recently and captured a lot of territory, the Jiancheng Army rarely engaged in desperate battles with us. Many territories were willingly abandoned, leaving us with a mess..."

Such words should not be spoken by Xue Shence, the commander, but Shi Meng explaining it was fine.

Zhao Douan listened solemnly and asked, "So, the losses of Prince Jing’s army are not significant?"

"Yes," the Commander of the Three Thousand Camp sent to the Eastern Front early on nodded: "And new recruits are being continuously sent from within Jiancheng Road... Prince Jing has long forged a deep alliance of interests with major families within Jiancheng Road, including the Shen family, providing them with a solid backing."

Zhao Douan exhaled lightly and mocked himself: "It truly seems like a tough bone to chew."

He glanced at everyone’s expressions and smiled: "But no problem, if I can handle Xu Jingtang, Xu Wen is not invincible... Are Prince Jing and his son on the Hu Ting front now?"

Xue Shence shook his head: "They are not. Before winter, they were there, but after the winter truce, Prince Jing and his son withdrew to Jianning Prefecture, ostensibly to stabilize the rear and prepare for spring warfare. However, the latest intelligence from the Shadow Guard says Prince Jing and his son have secretly entered Marine Road."

"Prince Jing went to Marine Road?" Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow: "For what purpose?"

Xue Shence said: "Not specifically clear, but likely either for Prince Chen or Qingshan."

Within Marine Road, two forces are the strongest: Prince Chen, as one of the Eight Princes, sealed off the entire Marine Road after raising his army during the Sealing, acting like a local emperor without extending influence outside. As for Qingshan... also an old adversary.

"Heh, heh, with Xu Jingtang’s death, Prince Jing certainly wants to seek allies. Prince Chen, fearing for his survival, might collaborate with him. However, in my analysis with His Majesty, Prince Chen’s indecisive nature may not immediately agree... For now, our main target remains the rebel army opposite," Zhao Douan commented.

If analyzed with the Three Kingdoms situation, he feels Prince Chen resembles Eastern Wu... just uncertain if Marine Road has someone like Da Qiao or Xiao Qiao...

Ahem.

Xue Shence commented: "Currently, the rebel army at Hu Ting is nominally led by Ye Xin, who was originally the Vice Commander of the military mansion in Jianning Prefecture. When Prince Jing rebelled, he killed the original commander to rise to power, controlling the camp. He is a scion of the Ye family in Jiancheng Road."

After a pause, he continued: "However, although Ye Xin is the nominal leader, many strategic decisions are actually made by a mysterious strategist."

Zhao Douan’s heart stirred: "I’ve heard about this person, seems to have the surname Xu?"

"Indeed," Xue Shence nodded: "This person appeared very suddenly. For now, we speculate that he is a branch member of the Xu Family; there are many with the surname Xu in Jiancheng Road."

"But there are not many with the capability to be valued by Prince Jing," Zhao Douan interrupted: "I previously had the Shadow Guard collect information on capable individuals in Jiancheng Road, and no one matches so far."

Mo Chou said: "Maybe we can mobilize our people within the rebel army to investigate."

Zhao Douan glanced at the female chancellor, thinking, are you hinting at me? Has the matter of the Princess Consort being my pawn been discovered by you? Is His Majesty that indiscreet?

Mo Chou, seeing him staring at her, misunderstood and proactively explained: "It’s officials from the Prince Jing Group we turned."

Good heavens... you startled me... Zhao Douan exhaled, surprised: "Is the level high enough?"

Regarding the court’s subversion of the rebel army... it was no surprise to him.

Since the Vassal Kings could buy off officials in the court as spies,

Then the Great Yu court surely made similar moves, but the process of subversion and bribery had been exceptionally difficult in the past few months.

Understandably so.

Back then, various Vassal Kings’ flames of war were raging, and the court was on the brink of collapse, with only the Empress standing firm with her cultivation.

The rebels were on a high morale; how could they accept the court’s subversion?

But as the war progressed, Zhao Douan’s consecutive victories made the situation delicate, and at this point, many rebels started wavering, losing confidence.

Gradually accepting secret contact from the court... creating a possibility for subversion.

Mo Chou said: "Our progress in subverting the Jiancheng Army’s high echelon has not been smooth; those who have truly defected to us so far hold only low positions. However, some truly high-ranking members have already established contact with us, though they have not completely defected yet."

Zhao Douan asked: "Why? Are you reluctant to offer benefits or exert pressure?"

Mo Chou shook her head: "No, it’s because of you."

"Me?" Zhao Douan was momentarily dumbfounded, thinking, good heavens, Mo Chou, your fox tail is finally revealed, you’re planning to slander this official, aren’t you?

Play this official a round with the Execution Stick...

Mo Chou explained wryly: "They don’t believe our promises and must wait for someone of sufficient weight and authority to truly defect."

"..." Zhao Douan was speechless: "With Lord Xue and you as the ’supervisor,’ they still don’t believe?"

Xue Shence smiled wryly: "Perhaps the situation is still unclear; actually, before the negotiation rumors spread, they were anxious, but once the negotiation collapsed, they weren’t in a hurry anymore."

Understood.

Ultimately, it’s that the situation remains uncertain, and the other side is indecisive... Zhao Douan pondered for a moment and asked: "Who’s in charge of subverting the enemy’s high echelon?"

The Inner Court Tributor Tang Jinzhong suddenly spoke: "Song Jinxi is following up."

After successfully subverting Zhao Shixiong, and realizing the Western Front’s major situation was set, Song Jinxi was sent by Zhao Douan to support the Eastern Front.

He is currently not in the conference room.

Zhao Douan nodded and said: "Go find him to come over; this official will inquire about this matter personally."

"Yes." Tang Jinzhong stood up and walked out.

Subsequently, the crowd discussed other topics, and after a full hour, the meeting adjourned.

Xue Shence began preparing to depart, as the Commanders of the Three Camps would not leave, making the handover relatively easy.

...

After the meeting.

Zhao Douan called Mo Chou alone, and they walked to another room, meeting with Song Jinxi, who had been waiting with folded hands.

"Lord." The Tributor skilled in hiding and assassination bowed deeply.

"No need for formality, tell us about the situation of subverting the enemy’s high echelon." Zhao Douan sat down with a profound gaze.

Mo Chou sat on one side, also looking over.

Knowing yourself and the enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger. If the subversion succeeds, the subsequent war will be much easier.

At the same time, this is Zhao Douan’s area of expertise.

Song Jinxi said: "Currently, within the Hu Ting enemy forces, the highest-ranking official we made contact with is Jiang Wangsun, ranking in the top ten among civil officials of the Jiancheng Army. Also, within Hu Ting army, apart from the Xu surnamed strategist, he holds the highest civil position, equal to Ye Xin."

After a pause, Song Jinxi added: "Originally, Jiang Wangsun was supposed to manage Hu Ting alongside Ye Xin, but once that Xu surname strategist appeared, a significant portion of Jiang Wangsun’s power was divided, and he is now demoted to the third chair of the Hu Ting rebel army."

Jiang Wangsun? What a grand name... Zhao Douan recalled the information and remembered that this person was originally a Magistrate within Jiancheng Road.

After thinking for a moment, he said: "Make arrangements, I want to meet him."