Chapter 358 Zhenwu Army Situation (Thanks to the book friend Wenxiangshishu69 for the reward!)
After he and Wang Muzhi had finished praising each other, Chen Dechang seemed to have just remembered Gongsun Heng, who had been sitting on the bench for a while. He immediately turned to Gongsun Heng and said:
"Master Gongsun, do you have any news?"

Hearing Chen Dechang's question, Gongsun Heng looked at Chen Dechang, then at Wang Muzhi, and then said in a deep voice:

"I have good news and bad news!"

"Which one would you two adults like to hear first?"

Chen Dechang and Wang Muzhi seemed a little surprised by Gongsun Heng’s words. Perhaps in their opinion, the Zhenwu Army was winning battles one after another, and its biggest opponent, Song Wenhui, had been beaten to the point of abandoning his weapons and armor, so how could there be any bad news?

After a moment's silence, Chen Dechang said to Gongsun Heng:
"Let me tell you the good news first!"

Seeing that Chen Dechang had made his choice, Gongsun Heng spoke directly:
"The Yun family has sent someone to contact me, hoping to join the Zhenwu Army, and is willing to offer 300,000 taels of silver and 100,000 shi of grain!"

"Humph!"

Before Chen Dechang could make a statement, Wang Muzhi snorted coldly and said in dissatisfaction:
"The Yun family paid nearly one million taels of silver to Song Wenhui, the bastard, to attack Changqing Prefecture and fight us. If it weren't for the Yun family providing money and food to Song Wenhui, would so many of our brothers have died?"

"Now that they see that Song Wenhui is about to fail, they actually want to come and seek refuge with him. Where in the world can such a good thing happen?"

After Wang Muzhi finished speaking, Gongsun Heng frowned slightly and looked at Chen Dechang.

Although there are some dirty tricks and contradictions among the three clans in Liaoyang, at this critical moment of life and death, everyone still has a tacit understanding of being of the same blood and helping each other.

In this feudal society, people still have a strong sense of identity with their fellow villagers and support each other. Everyone will have bad luck someday. If you don't help him when he falls today, then if you fall in the future, no one will help you either...

The reason why the Yun family approached the Gongsun family to express their intention to surrender to the Zhenwu Army was actually because they hoped that the Gongsun family could mediate on their behalf.

Under Gongsun Heng's gaze, Chen Dechang pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice:

"The Yun family is willing to give up the dark and join the light, and the Zhenwu Army is also very welcome, but the surrender must be sincere!"

"A mere 300,000 taels of silver and 100,000 dan of grain, are you just giving alms to beggars?"

Hearing Chen Dechang's words, Gongsun Heng's expression gradually relaxed. As long as the Zhenwu Army did not pursue the past, the rest of the matter would be easy to discuss. He immediately promised:
"I understand! I will definitely ask the Yun family to offer a generous gift as apology!"

Although Wang Muzhi was a little indignant, seeing that the commander Chen Dechang had already expressed his opinion, he naturally couldn't say anything and could only sulk alone...

After dealing with the Yun family's affairs, Chen Dechang continued to ask with some curiosity:

"Master Gongsun, you have finished talking about the good news. What is the bad news?"

Seeing Chen Dechang asking this, Gongsun Heng's expression subconsciously became serious, and he said in a very serious manner:

"News came from the Cui family. Cui Shao decided to support Ye Mingsheng despite all the opposition! Ye Mingsheng took Shoucheng without a single drop of blood, and is preparing to occupy Xuantu and Lelang with the help of the Cui family!"

After these words were spoken, both Chen Dechang and Wang Muzhi looked grim. After a moment, Wang Muzhi was the first to react and cursed:

"This villain Cui Shao really deserves to be cut into pieces! When Song Wenhui was alive, he supported Song Wenhui. Now that Song Wenhui is in trouble, he has gone to support the traitor Ye Mingsheng. Is he sincerely going against my Zhenwu Army and making things difficult for the imperial court?"

Compared to Wang Muzhi's indignation, Chen Dechang seemed calmer. He continued to ask Gongsun Heng:

"Master Gongsun, is your source of information reliable?"

"Very reliable! Ye Mingsheng's mother, Ye Cui, is Cui Shao's cousin. Ye Mingsheng also has Cui family blood in him. Therefore, the Cui family and Ye Mingsheng have always had an ambiguous relationship!"

"I heard that Cui Shao from the Cui family is particularly fond of Ye Mingsheng and has high praise for him. He even wants Ye Mingsheng to be his godson. At the beginning of the year, when Ye Mingsheng defeated Zhen Sanshan and took over Posuo Mansion, the Cui family secretly sent some money and food to Ye Mingsheng!"

“Now that Ye Mingsheng has tens of thousands of troops and is gaining strength, Cui Shao is determined to follow his cousin and take a gamble. There is even news from the Cui family that Cui Shao will go to Posa Mansion to meet Ye Mingsheng in the near future…” Gongsun Heng said with certainty:
Before Gongsun Heng finished speaking, Chen Dechang's face had become very solemn. During the time he had returned to Liaoyang, he had become more and more aware of the Cui family's strong power and influence in Liaoyang.

They initially thought that seeing that Song Wenhui's defeat was inevitable and the Zhenwu Army's momentum was strong, the Cui family would obediently surrender and hand over all the money and grain accumulated by the family for generations. But now it seems that the Cui family is much more courageous and bolder than they imagined.

As for the traitor Ye Mingsheng, although Chen Dechang never regarded him as a real opponent, he only thought that he could easily crush him and the Fengzhou Army after dealing with Song Wenhui.

But if he really gets the help of Cui family, then Zhenwu Army might have to really put in some effort next...

Thinking of the secret letter sent by the Prime Minister not long ago, urging the Zhenwu Army to enter the pass as soon as possible to cooperate with the Imperial Army's actions, Chen Dechang could not help but said in a deep voice:
"Master Gongsun, I want to meet with Cui Shao. Can you contact him for me?"

"Forehead············"

Gongsun Heng was somewhat surprised by Chen Dechang's reaction, but after thinking about it, he still said truthfully:

"I will definitely convey your words to the Cui family, but Cui Shao is a man of great determination. His decision is hard to shake, so I can't guarantee whether he will agree to meet you!"

Gongsun Heng's words undoubtedly made Chen Dechang's face darker, but Chen Dechang did not get angry and just said in a deep voice:

"Lord Gongsun, you just need to do your best. As for Cui Shao, if he refuses to change his ways and insists on going all the way with Ye Mingsheng to the end, then it is God who wants to take him away, and no one can stop him!" After discussing these important matters, Gongsun Heng, who was entrusted with an important task by Chen Dechang, was very tactful and took the lead to say goodbye and leave, leaving Chen Dechang and Wang Muzhi alone.

"Two hours later, we will formally launch an attack on Dongning Prefecture, and strive to capture Dongning Prefecture within three days!" Looking at Wang Muzhi, Chen Dechang ordered in a deep voice:
Hearing that Chen Dechang only gave three days, Wang Muzhi couldn't help but frown slightly, and was a little hesitant about issuing this military order.

Dongning Prefecture, as the capital of Liaoyang Province, is the strongest city in Liaoyang. Its walls are nearly three meters high and nearly ten meters thick. It is equipped with all kinds of defensive facilities such as moats and urn cities.

Song Wenhui tried his best and assembled 20,000 soldiers and horses in the city, as well as sufficient food and grass. There is no doubt that Dongning City is now a tough nut to crack. Wang Muzhi is fully confident that he can chew this hard nut, but if he is only given three days, it would be a bit too much to ask...
Patting Wang Muzhi on the shoulder, Chen Dechang said earnestly:
“I know it’s difficult, but there’s no other way, we have to do it!”

"Song Wenhui has withdrawn all his limited forces back to Dongning City. Now Lelang and Xuantu are very empty. Ye Mingsheng now has the support of the Cui family. With the influence of the Cui family, the two prefectures will surrender to Ye Mingsheng at the sight of him and will not put up any resistance!"

"Ye Mingsheng will be able to take over these two prefectures in half a month at the earliest. By then, even if we take over Dongning Prefecture, the situation we face will be very passive. We must take over Dongning Prefecture as soon as possible so that we can fully interfere with the actions of the Fengzhou Army in Xuantu and Lelang!"

As the commander-in-chief, Wang Muzhi naturally understood what Chen Dechang said, but this could not change the current difficulties.

After a pause, Wang Muzhi said in a deep voice:
"The soldiers and I on the front line will definitely attack with all our might and try to capture Dongning Prefecture within three days!"

Hearing Wang Muzhi's cautious answer, Chen Dechang knew that he couldn't ask for more, so he also warned:

"Attacking the city is inferior to conquering the heart. Now the people in Dongning are in a panic, which is exactly what we can take advantage of. Mu Zhi, you just need to attack the city with all your strength, and leave the rest to me!"

Chen Dechang's words immediately made Wang Muzhi's heart move. It would be difficult to attack Dongning City head-on, but if there were someone in the city to coordinate the attack from both inside and outside, then it would not be impossible to capture Dongning in three days...
Thinking of this, Wang Muzhi suddenly gained confidence and bowed to Chen Dechang and said:
"I will lead my troops to attack the city right now, and I will definitely live up to your trust!"

Chen Dechang nodded with a smile, but after Wang Muzhi turned and left, Chen Dechang, who was smiling a second ago, suddenly looked gloomy. He had just learned the news from the front line. Where could he find someone in the city to support Wang Muzhi?
What I just said was just to give Wang Mu a little confidence!
However, if you want to capture the fortified city of Dongning Prefecture within three days, finding supporters in the city is indeed the best way at the moment!

Chen Dechang, who was sitting on the armchair thinking of a solution, had an uncertain expression. After thinking for half an hour, Chen Dechang finally came up with a solution that was not a solution, which was to outsource the work and let professionals do professional things!

Having made his decision, Chen Dechang immediately ordered his left and right guards:

"Tell Shen Jianzhong to come see me immediately after he comes back!"

"Yes!"

Shen Jianzhong, who had just returned to the military camp two hours later, heard Chen Dechang's order and went to see Chen Dechang immediately despite being exhausted. However, he never expected that Chen Dechang would ask him the first time they met:

"The Cui family is going to support Ye Mingsheng, is that true?"

Seeing Chen Dechang's unfriendly expression, Shen Jianzhong's heart suddenly skipped a beat, but he could only bite the bullet and nodded and said:

"It's true. The Cui family has begun to transfer money and grain from Guangning Prefecture to Ye Mingsheng, and has begun to organize tenants and farmhands to join the Fengzhou Army..."

"boom!"

Before Shen Jianzhong finished speaking, Chen Dechang slammed the table and shouted:
"Shen Jianzhong!"

I asked you to contain Ye Mingsheng last time, but now Ye Mingsheng is still in high spirits and has the support of the Cui family!"

"What did you do? Did you ignore my words?"

Looking at the furious Chen Dechang, Shen Jianzhong could only lower his head, bend over and say in a deep voice:
"Ever since you, the commander-in-chief, gave me the task last time, I have devoted myself to studying the Fengzhou Army!"

"Now, I have found the biggest weakness of the Fengzhou Army!"

As soon as Shen Jianzhong said these two words, Chen Dechang immediately became interested. He looked straight at Shen Jianzhong and waited for Shen Jianzhong to speak.
Shen Jianzhong did not keep anyone in suspense and spoke directly:
"Ye Mingsheng is the absolute center of the Fengzhou Army. All the others revolve around him. Ye Mingsheng is still young and has no children. The Fengzhou Army was established not long ago and lacks foundation and people's hearts. As long as Ye Mingsheng dies, the Fengzhou Army will be leaderless. Then, my lord, you can stop fighting and bring tens of thousands of Fengzhou Army under your command!"

After hearing this, Chen Dechang understood Shen Jianzhong's meaning and looked disappointed. He had expected Shen Jianzhong to bring him some surprises, but he didn't expect that it would be to behead Ye Mingsheng. This was really too cliché...

"If you have any preparations, then act quickly!" Chen Dechang said impatiently:

Shen Jianzhong, with his head down, looked a little bitter when he heard this. Didn't he know that he should act as soon as possible? In fact, before Chen Dechang said it last time, Shen Jianzhong, who realized that his former disciple had grown into a great disaster, had already begun to organize the assassination of Ye Mingsheng. After Chen Dechang said it, he organized two more assassinations against Ye Mingsheng.

The three assassination attempts all ended in failure. Before they even reached Ye Mingsheng, they were foiled by the Fengzhou Military Statistics and Investigation Office, who knew their shame and became more courageous. Countless money and food, as well as several carefully trained informants, were lost in vain!

Of course, you just need to be aware of your own failures in your heart. If you tell Chen Dechang about it, you will be asking for trouble!

Shen Jianzhong considered his words and continued:

"Sir, we have not yet announced Ye Mingsheng's evil ambitions and bad deeds to the world. He is still a general of my Zhenwu Army. If my Supervisory Office were to assassinate him, it would be a disgrace to the court if the action was exposed. So I used a borrowed knife to kill!"

"I asked my men to pretend to be Song Wenhui's men, bring silver and find the Black Dragon Society, and ask them to deal with Ye Mingsheng!"

"There is a group of ninjas from Japan in the Black Dragon Society. They have practiced ninjutsu since childhood and are proficient in various assassination methods. I don't know how many daimyos on Japan have died in their hands. It is most appropriate to use them to deal with such a ruthless person like Ye Mingsheng!"

(I left a foreshadowing in the previous chapter, let’s see if you have guessed it...)
(End of this chapter)