Duan Jianwei made up a reason that Cuan Shouyu could not verify. After all, Cuan Shouyu had been besieged in Nanning Province. How could he know what had happened in Taihe City? Naturally, whatever Duan Jianwei said was the truth.
Cuan Shouyu was still very upset that he had received such an answer after hoping for so much. He believed that Cuan Chongdao was the one in the wrong and that Nanzhao should stand on his side and help him defeat Cuan Chongdao. However, he did not expect that Nanzhao would have internal turmoil. This made him sad and helpless.
"Since you're in a difficult situation, I can't force you. However, it's impossible for us to reconcile with Cuan Chongdao. He killed my father and we can't live under the same sky."
Cuan Shouyu's attitude was extremely unyielding.
Duan Jianwei was secretly delighted. He pretended to be calm and said, "As the saying goes, everyone has their own aspirations. If you insist, I cannot force you. However, Nanzhao is temporarily unable to provide any help. Everything depends on you. Even if you are unwilling to reconcile, you are currently at a disadvantage. It is better to pretend to reconcile and numb Cuan Chongdao."
Cuan Shouyu nodded and said, "I understand your difficulties. It is not impossible to pretend to reconcile. I hope you can resolve the domestic rebellion as soon as possible."
Duan Jianwei sighed and held Cuan Shouyu's hands. He pretended to be sincere and said, "You and I can be considered good friends. There are some words in my heart that I must say. My lord has always hoped that the various tribes in Cuandi can live in harmony. He married the two princesses to Cuandi in order to get closer to each other and let Nanzhao and Cuandi become closer. However, he never expected that such a good thing would be destroyed by the vicious Cuan Chongdao. In fact, my lord has long known that Cuan Chongdao's heart is impure. Therefore, he would rather marry his daughter to the son of Cuan Rijin than to the son of Cuan Chongdao. My lord's intention was to suppress the impure Cuan Chongdao. However, he did not expect that Cuan Chongdao would be so evil that he would commit such an evil deed that angered both men and gods. However, I, Nanzhao, can only comfort him with kind words. This is really infuriating."
After he finished speaking, he had an angry expression on his face.
Cuan Shouyu was immediately moved by Duan Jianwei's fake sincerity. He believed that Duan Jianwei was a true friend and believed that Nanzhao really encountered a setback and could not help them.
"Sir Duan can tell my lord that Cuan Shouyu is willing to ally with Nanzhao forever and be friends with Nanzhao for generations."
Cuan Shouyu could not wait to express his goodwill.
Duan Jianwei smiled and cupped his hands. "Don't worry, Commander. I will tell him the truth. It's getting late. I will take my leave."
"Come, send Sir Duan out."
"Sir Duan, please."
Duan Jianwei stepped out of Cuan Shouyu's camp with a smug smile. His sinister plot had taken another step forward.
"Mother, why are you here?"
Cuan Shouyu had just sent off Duan Jianwei when he saw his mother walking quickly into the tent.
"Mother, I heard that Sir Duan came. Why did you leave so quickly?"
Ah Cha frowned slightly.
Cuan Shouyu replied, "Mother, you don't know. Sir Duan brought some bad news."
"What bad news?"
Ah Cha was slightly shocked.
"The remnants of the Five Zhao in Taihe City are rebelling. Nanzhao has no time to care about the East. They sent Duan Jianwei to mediate. Also, Nanzhao has officially married another princess to Cuan Fuchao."
Cuan Shouyu said softly.
Ah Cha was shocked. "How could this be? So Nanzhao does not intend to help us. No, Nanzhao has been unified for many years. The remnants of the Five Zhao are less than a thousand. They can't make any waves. It seems that Pi Luoge is deliberately looking for an excuse not to help us."
"Mother, you worry too much. From what I see, Duan Jianwei is completely distressed. It is very likely that there really is a large-scale rebellion in Taihe City. After all, Nanzhao has only been unified for a few years. The people of the Five Zhao may not be convinced."
Cuan Shouyu said softly.
Ah Cha frowned slightly. She felt that there was no rebellion in Nanzhao and that they were deliberately not helping her.
After leaving Cuan Shouyu's camp, Duan Jianwei returned to Cuan Chongdao's camp.
"Sir Duan, you returned so soon. What does Cuan Shouyu mean? Is he willing to reconcile?"
Cuan Chongdao asked.
"Great Ghost Lord, Cuan Shouyu knows that he is not strong enough. He is willing to reconcile with you."
Duan Jianwei lied.
"Hahaha, that's good. As long as Cuan Shouyu is willing to reconcile, we are willing to give up Nanning State and let him have a foothold."
Cuan Chongdao said generously.
"Great Ghost Lord is so sincere. Cuan Shouyu must be very happy. From now on, the two of you will turn hostility into friendship and never fight again."
Duan Jianwei pretended to sincerely congratulate him.
"Hahaha, I have to thank Sir Duan for matchmaking. If it weren't for Sir Duan, we would never have finished our revenge against Cuan Shouyu. Sir Duan, you don't have to leave today."
Cuan Chongdao said hypocritically.
"Great Ghost Lord, you are so kind to ask me to stay. I will respectfully accept."
Everything was under Duan Jianwei's control. He was naturally not afraid of Cuan Chongdao's request to stay. Since he dared to come, he had already disregarded life and death.
After Duan Jianwei went to the guest room, Cuan Fuchao said loudly, "Father, are you really going to give Nanning State to Cuan Shouyu? It was fought hard by the soldiers."
Cuan Chongdao smiled and shook his head. "Since I have taken Nanning State, how can I give it back to Cuan Shouyu?"
"Father, what do you mean?"
"I have thought about it for a long time. I feel that there is no possibility of reconciliation between us and Cuan Shouyu. We are very tired and want to take a rest, but Cuan Shouyu must be even more tired than us. At this time, it depends on who can last until the end. I have decided to set up an ambush in the city. Once Cuan Shouyu really sends troops to take over Nanning State, we will immediately annihilate all these troops."
Cuan Chongdao said with a sinister face.
Cuan Fuchao was overjoyed. He cupped his hands and said, "Father is wise. I am far inferior to you."
Cuan Chongdao waved his hand and let Cuan Fuchao immediately go to prepare.
Ever since Cuan Chongdao killed King Cuan Gui and took over Nanning Province, the hatred between him and Cuan Shouyu had been deeply rooted. It was impossible to resolve it unless he chopped off his own head and handed it to Cuan Shouyu.
Since the hatred could not be resolved, the only way was to completely annihilate the other party.
Cuan Chongdao and Cuan Shouyu had been fighting for more than a month, from midsummer to early autumn. With the addition of the Crow Barbarian army, Cuan Chongdao felt that he could not destroy Cuan Shouyu in a short time. Thus, he planned to use the Duan Jianwei's visit to mediate a truce with Cuan Shouyu. But after some thought, he suddenly changed his mind. He felt that there was a better way to destroy Cuan Shouyu in one fell swoop. That was to pretend to give up Nanning State and set up an ambush in the city. When Cuan Shouyu took over the city, he would suddenly launch a pincer attack and wipe out Cuan Shouyu's forces in one fell swoop.
In the direction of Gourd Valley, the army was becoming more and more proficient in their training. In just one or two months, the army had wiped out a small number of bandits.
However, during this time, Ang Lee paid more attention to the situation in Cuan Land and received many important messages from Cuan Land.
After processing these messages, Ang Lee obtained a lot of useful information. He also felt that the situation in Cuan Land was becoming more and more urgent. Nanzhao was about to attack, so he had to make preparations as soon as possible.
Under Tong Sanpang's management, the production of the gold mine had been steadily increasing. This made Ang Lee not have to worry about the pay of the army. Furthermore, there was a large amount of money that could be used to reward the soldiers who had contributed to the war effort and raise the morale of the soldiers.
The blacksmiths in charge of making weapons were also constantly making all sorts of weapons that the army urgently needed, as well as bows and arrows. With a large number of bandit captives as laborers, their progress was greatly accelerated. The entire Gourd Valley was piled up with large amounts of weapons, arrows, and crossbows. It was like an arsenal and weapons warehouse.
In order to stock up, Ang Lee ordered the blacksmiths to continue making weapons. Of course, they were more focused on making bows and other consumable weapons. There was no need to make too many weapons that were not easily damaged. In any case, Ang Lee did not lack money, nor did he lack bandit captives. He could make as many as he wanted.
After learning that the Wutong people had also fallen into a battle in Cuan Land, Ang Lee decisively gathered his soldiers to discuss how to deal with the situation in Cuan Land.
In the central tent, all of Ang Lee's generals had gathered. Other than the generals from the capital, there were also the newly promoted generals.
"The situation in Cuan Land is out of control. Cuan Chongdao and Cuan Shouyu have already fallen into a fierce battle. This general has decided to personally go to Cuan Land to understand the situation there."
Ang Lee loudly said.
"General, this is too dangerous. The people in Cuan Land are all barbarians. They don't know you. If an accident happens, it will be troublesome."
"General, let this general go. This general will definitely complete the mission."
"If the general insists on going, this general is willing to follow."
Ang Lee lightly smiled and waved his hand. "You don't need to worry. This general is not going alone. This time, this general will personally inspect the situation in Cuan Land. Then, I will transfer the main force of the army to Cuan Land at any time. You must all be prepared to set off at any time."
"How many men does the general plan to bring?"
Ang Lee thought for a moment, then seriously said, "I will bring the two most elite scouting teams of the special forces. With them, this general will definitely be unharmed."
"Nan Jiyun is willing to lead a scouting team of one hundred and ten soldiers to go with the general to Cuan Land."
Ang Lee lightly nodded. "This time, I am only going to scout the situation. Nan Jiyun, Kun Xiong, and Fei Yu will follow me. The rest of the soldiers will stay in Gourd Valley and wait for my orders. Understood?"
"Yes, general."
All the generals replied.
Ang Lee nodded with satisfaction. He looked at Nan Jiyun and said, "Nan Jiyun, immediately go and gather the scouting team. Right, have them all change into commoner's clothes and pretend to be hunters."
"Yes, general."
"Kun Xiong, Fei Yu, each of you take five confidants and wear commoner's clothes. Get ready to set off at any time."
"Yes, Big Brother."
After arranging all this, Li An found the captain of the supply regiment and asked him to send out a troop of soldiers to be in charge of providing rations and supplies for Li An's small army. Furthermore, they had to disguise themselves as a merchant caravan to avoid attracting too much attention and thus spoiling Li An's objective.
The scouting team and the transport team only took two hours to get everything ready. Kun Xiong, Fei Yu, and the ten confidants of the Dragon Martial Army were all ready long ago. They were just waiting for Ang Lee's order to set off.
When Ang Lee was about to set off, he found Zhang Guangcheng, Li Fei, and Shouyu. There were some important things that he had to tell them in order to avoid trouble in Gourd Valley after he left.
"Shouyu, after I leave, I will leave the army to you. If there is a need for troops, I will send my confidants back. At that time, you will be in charge of leading the army to Cuan Land."
Ang Lee said.
"Don't worry. With me here, the army will be fine."
Ang Lee then looked at Zhang Guangcheng and said, "Guangcheng, after I leave, the Dragon Martial Army will be under your command. Once Shouyu receives the order, he will lead the entire army out of Gourd Valley. At that time, there will be less than six hundred Dragon Martial Army soldiers left in Gourd Valley. They will be less intimidating to the bandits. You have to be careful and not give the bandits a chance to cause trouble."
"General, don't worry. Six hundred Dragon Martial Army soldiers will be enough to maintain Gourd Valley. With me here, no accidents will happen."
Zhang Guangcheng said confidently.
Ang Lee was quite relieved to leave the main force and the Dragon Martial Army to Zhang Guangcheng and Li Fei Shouyu. These two had known Ang Lee for a long time, and Ang Lee knew them well. He believed that they had the ability to stabilize the situation.
In the afternoon, Ang Lee led a small group out of Gourd Valley. They followed a rugged path toward Nanning Province in Cuandi.
This group was made up of eleven hundred scouts, fifty-five transport soldiers, and ten elite soldiers of the Dragon Martial Army. In addition, there was Ang Lee, Kun Xiong, Fei Yu, and Nan Jiyun, making a total of one hundred seventy-nine people.
Such a large group was obviously too eye-catching. However, disguising themselves as a caravan could also serve as a decoy.
After entering Cuandi, Ang Lee had Kun Xiong, Fei Yu, and ten Dragon Martial Army soldiers disguise themselves as hunters. They split into two groups to scout the terrain and report back to Ang Lee.
Nan Jiyun also sent out 20 soldiers of the reconnaissance team to open up a path at the front of the team and gather information at the same time.
Along the way, Ang Lee would occasionally meet his confidants who were sent out a month ago and obtain the latest information about Cuandi.
Because the soldiers themselves were hardworking farmers and had undergone strict professional training, they could advance very quickly even on the rugged mountain roads.
In just a few days, Ang Lee led a small group of soldiers to Ma Province in the northeast of Nanning Province. They were only a few dozen miles away from Nanning Province.
"Big Brother, Cuandi is really not a good place. It's already autumn, but the weather is still so hot."
Li Kun Xiong complained.
Ang Lee grinned. "You're right. Cuandi is indeed not a good place. If an official of the Tang dynasty was sent here to be an official, it would be a demotion."
"General, there are officials of the Tang dynasty in Cuandi."
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