Chapter 873 Strategic Adventure!

In the study, Sun Chenggong asked Cheng Pingzhi with a bad look:
“Master Cheng, why did you stop me just now…”

The agreement reached with the Fengwu Army not long ago gave Sun Chenggong a lot of confidence. In addition, he also understood that the Luoan court was now focusing all its energy on the Yunbing battlefield. Even if he turned against them now, it would be difficult for them to deal with him.

So if it weren't for Cheng Pingzhi's look, Sun Chenggong would have really wanted to turn against Lin Jiesheng when he challenged him just now.
In response to Sun Chenggong's question, Cheng Pingzhi spoke calmly:
"Sir, Lin Jiesheng was just forcing you to take action!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Sun Chenggong's heart suddenly trembled, and he couldn't help but recall what had just happened. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong.

Lin Jiesheng was the governor of Jingchu sent by the Luoan court and the court's spokesperson in the Chu army. Although he was arrogant on weekdays, he was not so arrogant as to openly provoke him!
And today he openly challenged me in front of so many military and political leaders, which was really unexpected!
If Cheng Pingzhi hadn't reminded Sun Chenggong, he might not have cared at all. But now that he thinks about it carefully, could it be that Lin Jiesheng was acting like this because he had something to rely on?
Thinking of this possibility, Sun Chenggong's heart suddenly sank, and then he raised his head and looked at Cheng Pingzhi. In response, Cheng Pingzhi still said calmly:

“I don’t know what Lin Jiesheng relies on, but just now Lin Jiesheng has greatly humiliated you, Young Marshal, in the meeting. With his ambitious personality, I believe this is the moment when he is feeling very proud…”

"If he had something to rely on, he would have revealed some clues at this moment!"

Hearing what Cheng Pingzhi said, a gleam of light flashed in Sun Chenggong's eyes. Seeing this, Cheng Pingzhi bowed to Sun Chenggong and then said goodbye and left.

After Cheng Pingzhi left, Sun Chenggong immediately made arrangements:

"Someone, get Liu Peng here for me!"

"Yes!"

Following Sun Chenggong's order, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, fierce appearance, but a slight limp appeared in front of Sun Chenggong.

This person is Liu Peng. He used to be Sun Chenggong's personal bodyguard. He saved Sun Chenggong's life in an ambush a few years ago, but it also caused him to have problems with his left leg. Now he is a black glove who specializes in helping Sun Chenggong do shady things.

Liu Peng, who was called over, also understood why Sun Chenggong wanted him to do something, so he bowed and asked:
"Young Marshal, please give me your orders!"

Sun Chenggong didn't waste any words after hearing this, and immediately ordered:

"I want to know what Lin Jiesheng did in the mansion tonight and who he met! Do it quietly and don't alarm him!"

"understand!"

After receiving the order, Liu Peng immediately went down to make arrangements...
Because he was very concerned about the answer to this question, Sun Chenggong was also restless and couldn't sleep, so he sat in the study waiting.
"Sir, Lin Jiesheng has hosted a banquet for General Wang Zhengzai and Commander Niu Jiawen in his mansion tonight!"

Although Sun Chenggong already had a premonition after Cheng Pingzhi's reminder, he still couldn't help but be shocked when he heard these two names!
Lin Jiesheng attacked me in public today, it turned out that he was well prepared!

Wang Zhengzai is the deputy governor of Hanyang. Currently, nearly 30% of the Chu army in Hanyang City are his troops. Although Niu Hao looks like a commander, if his guess is correct, Niu Jiawen is just an agent, and he represents his uncle Niu Dahong!
Niu Dahong was also a general of the Chu army. He was the general of Xiaochang and had more than 10,000 soldiers under his command. The most important thing was that Xiaochang was only more than 100 miles away from Hanyang. If anything happened in Hanyang, Niu Dahong could immediately lead his troops to Hanyang!

Thinking of this, Sun Chenggong couldn't help but feel a chill on his back. No wonder that bastard Lin Jiesheng dared to challenge him. It turned out that he had won over those two bastards, Wang Zhengzai and Niu Dahong!
Sun Chenggong pondered for a while, then instructed the guards outside the door:

"Bring Master Cheng, General Zhang Hui and the others to me..."

"Yes!"

Half an hour later, Cheng Pingzhi and Sun Chenggong's favorite general Zhang Hui both came to Sun Chenggong. Sun Chenggong first asked Liu Peng to inform the two of them of the current situation, and then said to Cheng Pingzhi in a deep voice:
"Unfortunately, what you said came true. How can you teach me now?"

Although Sun Chenggong asked, Cheng Pingzhi knew from Sun Chenggong's eyes that the young commander had murderous intentions. He hesitated for a moment and then said:

"Since you have made your decision, young commander, let's make it quick. Otherwise, things might change!"

After hearing Cheng Pingzhi's answer, Sun Chenggong nodded with satisfaction. Cheng Pingzhi's answer was exactly what he wanted. As the saying goes, if a minister is not discreet, he will lose his body; if a monarch is not discreet, he will lose his country. His position in the Chu army was not very solid to begin with, and now he was severely humiliated by Lin Jiesheng in public, and he lost face in front of all his subordinates.
Although he was reluctant to admit it, Sun Chenggong also understood that the longer time dragged on, the more unstable his position would become, and he might even be in danger of being sidelined by Lin Jiesheng.

Therefore, in order to regain the power in his hands, Sun Chenggong must act as soon as possible!
Sun Chenggong looked at Zhang Hui and Liu Peng. The two of them looked very determined under his gaze. As the saying goes, if the lord is humiliated, the ministers will die. As Sun Chenggong’s confidants, they would prosper and suffer together with Sun Chenggong. Naturally, they would absolutely support Sun Chenggong at this time...
With cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes, Sun Chenggong arranged in a deep voice:

"There are 2,000 people in the Royal Guard Battalion. Zhang Hui, you take 1,000 people to the City Defense Camp to control the situation. Tell the brothers to eat and drink well tonight, but no one is allowed to leave the camp. Anyone who wants to leave the camp will be killed without mercy!"

"For the remaining one thousand men, Liu Pengni will lead eight hundred men to split into two groups and kill Wang Zhengzai and Lin Jiesheng respectively. Wang Zhengzai's life or death does not matter, but Lin Jiesheng must be alive. This is our token of loyalty to Marshal Ye!"

"Yes!"

After receiving the orders, Zhang Hui and Liu Peng nodded heavily and went to carry out their respective orders.

Watching the two leave, Cheng Pingzhi on the side offered advice:

“After we have dealt with Lin Jiesheng and Wang Zhengzai, you can ask Niu Jiawen to tell Niu Dahong that Lin Jiesheng has taken control of the situation and invite him to lead his troops to Hanyang to stabilize the situation. Niu Dahong will definitely not doubt it, and we can deal with him outside the city of Hanyang at that time!”

After hearing Cheng Pingzhi's plan, Sun Chenggong nodded with satisfaction and said:

"Master Cheng, your plan is brilliant!" Upon hearing Sun Chenggong's praise, Cheng Pingzhi bowed respectfully and whispered:
"Once you get rid of these old guys, the Chu army will be able to command you, young commander!"

Sun Chenggong was stunned at first when he heard this, but he also understood what Cheng Pingzhi meant. He immediately reached out and patted Cheng Pingzhi on the shoulder and said meaningfully:
"I will need your advice from now on, Master Cheng!"

Understanding Sun Chenggong's hint, Cheng Pingzhi knelt on the ground in excitement and said:
“I am willing to serve the young commander at my utmost…”

Helping Cheng Pingzhi up from the ground, Sun Chenggong was also looking forward to your bright future. Although Lin Jiesheng's provocation was a big crisis for him!
However, crisis is both a danger and an opportunity. I can seize this opportunity to concentrate the power that originally belonged to several veterans in the Chu Army in my own hands. With power, I can emulate the reforms implemented by Ye Mingsheng in the Fengwu Army and strengthen my strength through reforms.

In time, I will be like Ye Mingsheng, transforming from a chess piece that is used by others to a chess player who truly controls my own destiny!

...
...
Just when Jingchu was about to usher in a round of bloody purge, in a mansion in Xiaode County, Zheng Chuang walked towards Yuan Song happily holding a letter.

"Sir, the Flying Tiger Battalion has sent a message that the Imperial Guards of Shizhou have taken action!"

When Yuan Song, who was studying the sand table, heard the news, his eyes suddenly lit up and he took the letter from Zheng Chuang.

The letter was sent by Zhang Huihuang, the captain of the Flying Tiger Battalion, who was on a mission to investigate the movements of the Imperial Guards. Zhang Huihuang reported that according to his observations, the Imperial Guards in the Shizhou area had been packing their luggage and preparing dry food in the past few days, as if they were going on a march. Therefore, Zhang Huihuang inferred that the Imperial Guards would march towards Jinyang within three days.

Yuan Song felt relieved after hearing this news, and immediately asked Zheng Chuang:

"When will the 4th and 9th divisions arrive at Xiaode?"

Zheng Chuang said without hesitation:
"The vanguard troops of the 4th and 9th divisions have arrived in Xiaode. It is expected that the follow-up large forces of the 4th and 9th divisions will arrive in the next two days!"

Yuan Song nodded and said:

"Inform them to double the number of scouts. I want to keep abreast of the movements of Yang Chongqing's troops. I will also hold a combat meeting tomorrow night!"

"Yes!"

After receiving the order, Zheng Chuang immediately passed on Yuan Song’s order...
Yuan Song, who was in a good mood, was preparing to go to bed at this time. In addition, because Yang Chongqing had not led his troops to rescue Jinyang as he had expected, Yuan Song was worried and kept thinking about the movements of Yang Chongqing's troops every day.

In addition, his sleeping condition was not very good, so Yuan Song only slept for two hours a day during this period, and he was very tired physically and mentally. Now that he finally learned the movements of Yang Chongqing's troops, Yuan Song, who was relieved, was ready to have a good sleep.

Yuan Song fell asleep quickly after lying on the bed with a relieved mind. However, unlike what he had imagined, which was to sleep until the sun rose the next morning, the voice of the guard rang in his ears in the middle of the night.

"Master Yuan, Master Yuan?"

Hearing the guard's voice, Yuan Song gradually woke up from his sleep. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked the guard with some doubt:
"What happened?"

Seeing Yuan Song wake up, the guard immediately reported:

“My lord, Lieutenant General Zheng Chuang and General Ye Tao came here together to ask for a meeting. They said they have important military information and need to see you immediately…”

Yuan Song, who was still a little confused, immediately woke up after hearing this. Although he didn't know what was going on, the fact that Zheng Chuang and Ye Tao came together at this time must be a very important matter!
After realizing this, Yuan Song did not even bother to change his clothes, and immediately ordered:
"Tell them both to come here immediately!"

"Yes!"

Half a cup of tea later, Zheng Chuang and Ye Tao walked into the room with serious expressions. Without waiting for Yuan Song to ask, Zheng Chuang anxiously reported:

"The Flying Tiger Battalion has sent us the latest information from the front line. The enemy troops in Shizhou have indeed been dispatched, and 40,000 soldiers have come out in full force. However, they are not heading towards Jinyang. They have already reached Dashigang. Their target is very likely Pingyang!"

Although he had a feeling that something serious might have happened, Zheng Chuang's words still made Yuan Song stunned, and he subconsciously asked back:

"Why would Yang Chongqing go to Pingyang instead of Jinyang at this time?"

In response to Yuan Song's question, General Ye Tao of the Eighth Division replied:

"Sir, I suspect Yang Chongqing is heading for the Third Division!"

Ye Tao’s words woke Yuan Song up. After a little thought, Yuan Song walked towards the sand table, biting his lip and looking at the coordinates on the sand table...
Half a cup of tea later, Yuan Song punched the sand table hard, and the sand table he had carefully arranged was instantly shattered. At this time, Yuan Song had figured out everything!
In this contest, Yuan Song thought he had the upper hand and that the Fengwu Army had an overall advantage, so he felt he could force Yang Chongqing to come to the vicinity of Jinyang to fight a decisive battle with him!
But Yang Chongqing is worthy of being the military god of the Great Zhou Dynasty who made the Cumans dare not invade. He is even more cruel, more ruthless and more crazy than Yuan Song imagined!
He was not sure of winning a decisive battle with the Fengwu Army in the vicinity of Jinyang, so he chose to abandon this important city!
Give up Jinyang City, which has great political influence and Shangguan Changgong asked him to protect!

After giving up Jinyang City and treating Wang Muzhi and 30,000 Yunbing soldiers as discarded pawns, the dead chess game in front of Yang Chongqing suddenly came alive again!

What Wang Muzhi has to do now is to attack Pingyang and annihilate the Third Division of the Fengwu Army stationed there!
Yes! This crazy guy gambled on the fate of himself and the entire Luoan court. He wanted to exchange Jinyang City for the Third Division of Fengwu Army...

(Everyone has read the previous chapter. I am very grateful for your support. I can only try my best to write this story to the best of my ability. Finally, I would like to thank my book friends Jian Mo KING and the lovely An An for their rewards!)

(End of this chapter)