Chapter 1342 - 328: The Marquis’s Residence (Part 3)

Chapter 1342: Chapter 328: The Marquis’s Residence (Part 3)

Thus, the battle at Yangshan Village this time was set up for Lord Pingye alone by the million-strong army. Naturally, what was sought and needed was the key to breaking the stalemate in the battle. Everyone understands that once Yangshan Village, this crucial hinterland, has been uprooted, the Yan scouts can roam freely, thoroughly compressing the Chu people’s activity range. Conversely, the Chu people will face a situation where our army will pull their teeth out one by one after losing this critical area.

But ultimately, Prince Jingnan specifically designated Lord Pingye to undertake this task of breaking the encampment; it should also be to add another stroke to his already sizzling achievements.

With this, establishing a Royal Mansion and a military headquarters post-war would naturally follow.

"Granting... Marquis?"

Ever since Jin land was incorporated into Yan State, the Jin people naturally began to familiarize themselves with Yan people’s administrative and honor systems. Therefore, Lin Xu naturally understood what a ’Marquis’ rank meant in Yan State.

For centuries, in Yan, if one did not belong to the surname Ji, they could not be called a prince. Currently, Yan has four princes.

The two southern and northern marquises, with outstanding merits, indeed deserve to be granted princely titles. In fact, the two marquises already surpassed their rank ages ago; the princely title is merely icing on the cake.

The other two princes belong to the Royal Mansion in Ying Capital City and the Jin Prince’s Mansion. The former Situ Lei had merits of submission, while the ancestors of the Yu clan rightfully deserved such honor.

The rest of the noble families with different surnames can reach the rank of earl at most, which is why Lord Pingye’s youthful ennoblement stirred such intense sensation.

And if,

a marquis is granted...

That truly means territorial feudalism and becoming a marquis!

Gong Wang glanced at his trusted lieutenant with displeasure:

"Hey, you say Prince Jingnan has been pushing and promoting so much, with Lord Pingye taking reckless actions to capture the princess and establish meritorious achievements, isn’t it all for securing a marquis title? What else are they busy with?

Other divisions may not dare to speak, but us, we might become the stationed troops under the Pingye Marquis Mansion later. Being under a big tree makes one enjoy the shade. Under Lord Pingye’s command, there are fewer Yan people but more Jin people and tribes. Regardless, with him as shelter in the future, Jin-origin military generals will at least have support when pursuing their career.

Of course, since the marquis mansion is to be established in eastern Jin, whether we need Lord Pingye’s patronage aside, he will also need our backing; we essentially complement each other mutually.

If it were someone like Li Fusheng or other Yan generals coming, Jin-origin generals would certainly have difficult days, being treated as thieves—it’s really an unpleasant experience."

"Report!!!!!!! General, a Chu division has split from the main army and is rapidly heading towards Yangshan Village!"

This move by the Chu people, calling it a smart trick is not quite accurate, but more like a gecko losing its tail, which indicates that something urgent is really happening at Yangshan Village, so the remaining main force is having a part dispatched immediately forward as reinforcements.

Gong Wang collected himself from the previous ease in conversation, his gaze slightly narrowed, and directly ordered:

"Pass the order to the young general; tell him to block this reinforcement army at any cost. It must not affect Lord Pingye’s assault on Yangshan Village.

Tell him not to spare resources; resources are amassed exactly for critical moments like this!"

"Understood!"

Gong Wang instantly looked at the lieutenant beside him and said, "Lieutenant Lin."

"I await orders."

"Immediately consolidate the central army; it seems the Chu people think we are applying too little pressure, so let’s give them a straightforward battle.

Order the left and right wings to compress the Chu formation, and you personally lead the central army, charge forward!"

......

"Command the front army; they must keep the Chu reinforcements firmly blocked. Do not let even one soldier slip towards Yangshan Village from our side; tell Yuan Lun that if he can’t achieve this, I will cut off his head!"

Gongsun Zhi shouted orders, then instructed those around him:

"Before the battle started, Prince Jingnan placed our division and Gong Wang’s division under Lord Pingye’s command. Do not think it refers to after this battle; if it were after, then why are Gong Wang and I respectively focused on East Mountain Fort and West Mountain Fort?

It’s like taking an oath of brotherhood, advance the pledge to the boss. Gather your forces immediately; the Chu people really think we are only seeing them off, then fine, let’s genuinely see them off!"

......

All around, local conflicts between Yan and Chu armies erupted continuously, but in the larger context, both sides still maintained restraint.

Chu’s various fortress and garrison camps prioritized protecting their own foundation. This was not "watching the fire from across the river," but if really due to Yangshan Village, Lock Dragon fails to form, causing the entire Chu army to launch an attack with Yan people in chaotic skirmishes, regardless of battle loss, the one to benefit would still inevitably be the Yan people.

Because the Chu people have fortresses and camps for support, going out to fight a guerrilla war means proactively relinquishing their existing advantage.

A few military fortresses feeling self-sufficient and possessing supportive reinforcements indeed began dispatching part of their troops to Yangshan Village as aid. But with Prince Jingnan personally setting the tone before the battle, and Lord Pingye’s reputation and status in the army, no matter which Yan-Jin commanders dare maintain a spectator or conservation attitude letting any reinforcements slip away right before them.

And under Town South Pass,

after two-way forces from East and West Camps reached designated positions forming a pincer position, cavalry from the rear camp also arrived.

At this time, General Nian finally ordered the opening of the northern gate at Town South Pass, leading the central army personally out of the city.

Just at that moment,

From directly north there, a unique wolf smoke arose.

The message was swiftly spread everywhere via scouts.

Nian Yao had already laid out an invitation setup; as the host, he had exhausted his current resources intending to serve Prince Jingnan a banquet.

However,

The host’s actions were too slow, the guests had been present for too long, and dishes hadn’t been laid out, inevitably failing in hospitality.

Prince Jingnan rose from the ground; the Pixiu beside him also knowingly inclined upward. After Prince Jingnan mounted, the Pixiu stood with its four hooves, letting out a roar.

Tian Wujing’s Pixiu turned around,

following which,

the Yan army began retreating like a tide.

Leaving only,

under Prince Jingnan’s command,

a royal flag still planted there, not carried away.

Under Town South Pass,

facing such a scene as just out of the city, General Nian,

internally,

felt thrice embarrassed, thrice relieved, thrice helpless, plus a tinge of bitterness.

"Report to the court, say today Yan’s Prince Jingnan Tian Wujing pressured the city with his army, due to my calm response dispatching forces from various routes compelling retreat and captured a royal flag from Prince Jingnan."

————

Ah, there’s more tonight.