Chapter 1698 - 537: Luo Yuan Admits Fault, Three Armies Encircle, Xu Ning’s Little Scheme (3)

Chapter 1698: Chapter 537: Luo Yuan Admits Fault, Three Armies Encircle, Xu Ning’s Little Scheme (3)

Xia Chuan and Yuwen Dao rode like the wind, and following them were Yuan Cheng, Qiu Peng, Luo An, Lu Yang, Yue Feng, Lin Kai, Liu Yuan, as well as Hong Tian, Hong Guang, Meng Yi, Zhao Long, Cheng Feng, and others. In recent years, they have caught up, and are all currently of the sixth rank marquis.

Although everyone claims to follow Xia Hong, they each have their own ambitions. As their status and power have grown over the years, they’ve naturally started to vie with each other, not only in strength but also in noble titles.

"Originally, among the four army commanders, he should have taken the lion’s share of the merit, but Luo Yuan stumbled. Even if he manages to make up for it later, it won’t help, unless the other three armies also make mistakes. However, with Minister’s unparalleled wisdom, Yuwen Sizheng’s steadiness, Yuan Cheng’s seemingly reckless yet meticulous nature, and helped by Qiu Peng, they shouldn’t encounter major issues. So, Luo Yuan’s noble rank will certainly advance slower than the others, and it might even affect whether he can lead the army in the next great war."

Xu Ning’s expression flickered. Luo Yuan’s mistake was actually beneficial for him.

The Battle Formation Order Flag position is important, but if he could command an army, it would be much better. Unfortunately, during the pre-war selection, Madam didn’t consider him.

Actually, when you think about it, it makes sense. When Madam Li Xuanling selects leaders, she would certainly choose those who can command respect. Xia Chuan needs no explanation; for the Minister position, even being appointed as the Northern Expedition Commander would suffice. Yuwen Dao, too, as Director of the Military Department, is already the controller of the entire Great Xia army.

What remains are Luo Yuan and Yuan Cheng, one in charge of the Hunting Department and the other the Garrison Department. Among the Eight Divisions of Great Xia, besides the Military Department, these two have some relevance to warfare, so appointing them as commanders is understandable.

"This means that the next time the army sets out, it’s highly likely that the commander will still be selected from the heads of the Eight Departments. As the Deputy Director of the Garrison Department, I also have a chance..."

"Alright, everyone get back to your work!"

"Understood!"

Xu Ning’s train of thought was interrupted by Xia Hong, who quickly snapped back to attention, bowed with the others, and then swiftly headed in the direction of Wuchuan City to the west.

Luo Yuan and Yuan Cheng also returned to their departments to mobilize the army and continue their northward pursuit of the Wuchuan and Jinshan alliance forces.

Xia Hong did not leave; he intended to stay with Yuwen Dao’s Right Route Army.

The three armies all had to pursue the alliance forces from the two towns, with Cai Qianshan and Cai Qiu’s Tribulation Body and Manifestation Yang members present. Naturally, he couldn’t stray too far from the main forces.

"Xu Ning just informed me that Qiu Peng has already mobilized all of Great Xia’s Defensive Army to head north. One contingent of twelve thousand is moving up from the Cold Jade Secret Tunnel and will enter East River City by tomorrow night. Another sixty thousand is advancing north from Chui Mountain and will be slightly later, reaching the Yinhe Valley region before dawn the day after tomorrow. You can slow down the march a bit. There’s no need to rush, as long as we defeat the alliance before Cai Qiu’s army comes south in three days..."

"Understood!"

Upon hearing Xia Hong’s advice, Yuwen Dao nodded heavily.

The newly added 160,000 troops, of course, are not just for defeating the Wuchuan and Jinshan alliance forces, but to guard against the two Great Feudal Towns in the north.

However, Xia Hong’s words weren’t finished.

"Besides, we may not even need to engage the 100,000-strong allied forces ourselves!"

Upon hearing Xia Hong’s latter words, Yuwen Dao was initially stunned but quickly grasped the implication. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by confusion as he said, "Isn’t Qin Feng and Shangguan Yang’s situation hopeless? They’ve likely already been controlled by Cai Qiu’s men, otherwise, during the recent persuasion to surrender, they should have shown some signs."

Xia Hong disagreed with him and shook his head with a smile: "Shangguan Yang and Qin Feng are not the type to sit and wait for death. They will certainly find a way out, and any disruption they cause among the 100,000 troops will give Cai Qianshan significant trouble. Just wait and see, I have high expectations for these two."