Jiang Pengji's troops were divided into two groups. One group followed her to Zhanjiang Pass in Cangzhou, while the other group was led by Fu Wang to Hu County to prepare for the war. Fu Wang's army had yet to arrive at the frontline when an urgent secret letter was sent, making him think that something big had happened.
Fu Wang crushed the bamboo tube and took out the neatly folded letter. He opened the letter and squinted his eyes to read it carefully.
After reading ten lines at a glance, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed so tightly that they could kill a fly.
"Someone, quickly invite the general's advisor here. Say that there's something important to discuss."
He was a little annoyed. Didn't he lead the troops to attack Yang Tao?
Why did she change the order and let him focus on defense and attack when the opportunity arose?
The experience of attacking and defending were completely different. Fu Wang had always attacked as a form of defense and rarely defended passively.
At present, the military camp's allocation of supplies was mainly for attack. Their defensive capabilities were relatively weak. Jiang Pengji's order put him in a difficult position. Although the logistical supplies were already on the way, it would take some time to transport them to the frontline. If something happened during this time, such as the enemy suddenly launching a sneak attack, it would be a pain in the ass.
He summoned everyone to the main tent overnight to discuss how to stabilize the situation and clean up the mess caused by his lord's last-minute change of orders.
By the time they reached a conclusion, the sky outside the tent had completely darkened, like a pool of ink that couldn't be stirred up.
It was midsummer and the temperature was hot and humid. There were so many mosquitoes and flies around the tent that they couldn't sleep.
Feng Zhen went back to get a basin of water to wipe his sweat, but he still couldn't sleep. He simply came out for some fresh air.
Not long after walking, he met a familiar face.
Feng Zhen wiped his sweat with a handkerchief in his left hand and fanned himself with a cattail leaf fan in his right. He said to Yang Si, "Jing Rong, you can't sleep in the middle of the night?"
Yang Si wore thin pajamas and a light muslin cloak. His slightly damp long hair draped over his shoulders. He was probably too angry to sleep.
Glancing at Feng Zhen from the corner of his eye, Yang Si said calmly, "Aren't you the same?"
The news of the change in military orders came too suddenly. Not many people could sleep peacefully.
"I've been weak and afraid of heat since I was young. Summer is especially hard to bear," Feng Zhen said. "I've enjoyed too much in the north these years. I'm not used to this weather."
Feng Zhen was from Zhangzhou's Anshan County. Logically speaking, he should have been used to it, but he was even more afraid of heat than Yang Si.
Both of them couldn't sleep, and since they had nothing to do in the middle of the night, they decided to play chess and play a few rounds.
Yang Si could tell Feng Zhen's state of mind with one look at his playing style. He was impatient and full of worries, unlike Prodigal Feng.
Feng Zhen had lost three rounds in a row. He waved his hand disinterestedly and said, "No more, no more. I'm not in the right condition today."
Yang Si thought of something and asked, "Zishi, are you worried about your son's safety?"
According to the original plan, Fu Wang's army would be the main attacking force, while Jiang Pengji's army would mainly defend.
Occupying the natural stronghold of Zhanjiang Pass, the troops under the tent were all elites. The difficulty of defending against invading enemies was relatively low, and the danger was also greatly reduced. Now that the order had been changed, Zhanjiang Pass had switched from defense to offense, and the danger level had skyrocketed. Feng Yi had been assigned to the Lord's team and could face life-threatening danger at any time.
"This child has always been smart and sensible. It's the first time he's been so far away from home, and he doesn't have any relatives to take care of him."
Feng Zhen usually behaved in a carefree manner, and his attitude towards his son was completely lax, but he was very concerned about him.
Yang Si couldn't help but laugh. "Outsiders say that Prodigal Feng only cares about his own happiness and doesn't care about his son. Now that I see it, it doesn't seem so."
Feng Zhen snorted and sighed. "Most fathers feel the same way."
He didn't say it, but he was concerned about him in his heart.
Yang Si listened to Feng Zhen's sentiments and couldn't help but think of his child who was still in swaddling clothes.
His and Jiang Xiaowei's child was born last year. It was a baby girl. She was small and soft, and her limbs were so soft that they seemed to have no bones.
When Yang Si hugged her for the first time, his hands were trembling. When the child meekly snuggled into his arms, an inexplicable emotion welled up in his heart, as if it wanted to fill up a certain empty wasteland. For the first time, he realized that he had become the father of another life.
Yang Si could understand Feng Zhen's concern and concern for the child.
The conditions of the march were harsh, and the summer nights were especially unbearable. Feng Yi tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, so he simply picked up his sword and practiced outside.
He only stopped when his arms were swollen and he was covered in sweat.
Perhaps he was too tired, but he fell asleep as soon as he returned to his tent. He actually had a good night's sleep.
There was still half a day's journey before they reached Zhanjiang Pass. Jiang Pengji led the troops and marched at a normal speed, while Sun Wen galloped toward Zhanjiang Pass under the escort of a group of troops and horses. The two armies hadn't started fighting, but there was an atmosphere of a storm brewing. It was solemn and dignified. The Nie family's army had already arrived at the frontlines in batches and set up camp. Standing at the gates of Zhanjiang Pass and looking out, there was an endless stream of crimson flags at the end of the horizon, like a burning cloud.
Not only did the flag have the word "Nie" on it, but it also had the Nie family's emblem.
Within the borders of Zhongzhao, the common people recognized the word and the meaning of the emblem.
The people near Zhanjiang Pass had long since fled after hearing the news. Their families had migrated to other places.
If they stayed near the battlefield, who knew if they would be beheaded by the ruffian soldiers to claim their military exploits?
It wasn't like such things had never happened in the past. In troubled times, human lives were as worthless as grass. It was a luxury to even cry out for grievances when one died.
Sun Wen had already handed over the document that Jiang Pengji had personally written. This was diplomatic between the two armies. It was reasonable for Nie Liang to personally summon him.
Nie Liang was sitting in the tent. Below him sat a group of trusted subordinates.
These people were quite famous within the borders of Zhongzhao. In comparison, Nie Liang's close friend and trusted subordinate, Lao Ai, did not have much of a presence.
Nie Liang looked at the contents of the document and said, "The words are good, but the attitude is perfunctory."
The contents of the document were personally written by Jiang Pengji, but the content was written by someone else.
"Why did Liu Xi send an envoy at this time?"
"He's most likely here to test the waters. Liu Xi's troops are divided into two groups. The pressure is not small. Nansheng and Yang Tao are nothing to be afraid of, but they know very little about our army. I'm afraid they don't have much confidence in rashly starting a war, "someone answered." Right, who is this envoy? Sun Wen? I don't think I've heard of him. "
The person who spoke was a young man in his early twenties.
He felt that the name Sun Wen was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember who he was.
Not only him, but the others in the tent also didn't immediately remember.
It couldn't be helped. Apart from being in the limelight during the battle of the northern borderline, Sun Wen had been governing the rear. His presence was frighteningly low.
"Sun Wen? Wait — could it be Sun Zaidao who works under Liu Xi's camp? "Someone remembered." Why is this person here? "
It was rare in the world to be able to develop a spy's career to such an extent, to have one foot in several boats and still do it with ease.
Playing the northern borderline in the palm of his hand wasn't the most flashy thing. The most flashy thing was that after doing so many things, Sun Wen could still escape unscathed.
Ever since the battle of the northern borderline, Sun Wen had quietened down. The outside world guessed that Jiang Pengji was afraid of Sun Wen, so she was demoted and hid him.
They didn't expect Jiang Pengji to put Sun Wen in an important position at this time.
Nie Liang lowered his eyes and said, "It's not a big deal to test the waters. The important thing is … what is he testing?"
Testing the strength of the Nie camp?
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