From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 497

The Marquis of Zhongwu was appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Eastern Anti-Japanese War, and he led 60,000 elite soldiers from the Five Military Camps to Shanhaiguan to fight a decisive battle with the enemy.

This battle was related to the foundation of the Jin Dynasty and the stability of the country, so it was crucial.

Empress Zhaojing also attached great importance to it. Early in the morning, she brought civil and military officials and royal nobles to gather outside the Eastern Gate to offer sacrifices to the heaven and ancestors, beat gongs and drums, and bid farewell to the warriors.

Zhou Yuan, under the service of Ningyue and the nagging of Jianjia, put on his armor and cloak, went out of the southern gate and rushed to the Five Military Camps.

Soon, the soldiers of the Five Military Camps went from south to north and finally arrived at the Eastern Gate.

War drums were beating, firecrackers were blasting, and countless people rushed out of the city, standing on both sides of the official road, shouting loudly.

"Loyal Marquis! Loyal Marquis will definitely return victorious!"

"Loyal Marquis, beat those Donglu Tartars hard and teach them a lesson!"

"We must avenge our compatriots in Jizhou! Those bastards killed 200,000 of our people. We must avenge them!"

"The soldiers of the Five Army Camps will surely be able to enhance our national prestige and defeat the Donglu, right?"

"Yes! Defeat the Donglu!"

Countless people shouted like a tsunami, cheering for Zhou Yuan and others.

Zhou Yuan rode on a steed, with Li He, Liu Fang, Xiang Yong, Wang Xiong, Shi Yi and Song Wu behind him.

Familiar faces also appeared among the people.

Xiong Kuohai and his wife's family, Wang Ang and his wife's family, as well as Jianjia, Ningyue and Ziyuan.

The brothers of the Wucheng Bingmasi also came, including Hongbo, Luo Kun, and even the old bastard He Xiangnian. It was really strange.

Zhou Yuan got off his horse and strode forward.

Civil and military officials lined up to look at him.

Zhou Yuan strode over and saw Yang Guozhong, Zeng Cheng, Deng Bochi, Xu Shigong, Wang Lun, Wu Qingrong, Liu Jing and other key figures of the country.

Zhuang Xuansu also brought female guards and looked at Zhou Yuan quietly.

Princess Bishui was there, standing in the ranks of the royal family, with a gentle look and encouragement in her eyes.

There were all kinds of faces, and everyone had high hopes for Zhou Yuan.

At this moment, the court of the Great Jin Dynasty seemed to have no party struggles, only unity, and only life and death.

"Your Majesty, your servant Zhou Yuan, pays homage to His Majesty!"

Zhou Yuan finally came to the altar.

Empress Zhaojing said: "Zhongwu Hou, burn incense to offer sacrifices to the sky."

"Yes!"

Zhou Yuan lit a stick of incense, bowed three times, and stood beside Empress Zhaojing.

Empress Zhaojing picked up a bowl of wine, and someone handed the wine bowl to the officials.

She raised her wine glass, looked at the countless people present, and said loudly: "Since Emperor Taizu founded the country, the Jin Dynasty has been passed down for four hundred years. The prosperity it has created is unprecedented, and the difficulties it has experienced are like the sand of the Yellow River."

"We have repelled the Eastern Tartars, the Mongols, and all enemies!"

"This time, we can do it all!"

"Zhou Yuan, the loyal and martial marquis, holds the emperor's sword, supports Shanhaiguan, carries the will of the people, and the determination of the Jin court. We will surely defeat the Eastern Tartars and strengthen our country's prestige!"

"At that time, I will also lead the civil and military officials here to welcome the victorious army back!"

"Drink this glass of wine! Defeat the Eastern Tartars! Defend our country!"

She drank the wine in the bowl, and her face couldn't help but turn red.

Zhou Yuan and the civil and military officials also drank together.

The wine bowl fell to the ground, the horn sounded, the drums of war were beaten, and the soldiers of the five military camps finally left the capital and headed for Shanhaiguan under the farewell of the people.

It was the first time that so many people saw him off. Zhou Yuan was also full of emotion, and he couldn't help but feel that the burden on his shoulders was much heavier.

This battle must be won!

It is about 700 miles from Shenjing to Shanhaiguan. The whole army is on the road, traveling 100 miles a day. Even if there are weather conditions, they should arrive within ten days.

Li Yu'an was lying in the carriage, peeling apples for a while, braiding her hair for a while, rubbing her skin and itching, looking like she was worried.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but said, "Sister Saint, why don't you be quiet for a while? I see you are absent-minded, what are you thinking about?"

Li Yu'an sighed and said, "This battle is a battle of life and death for you and for me. If you lose, you will lose your power and I will have no hope."

Zhou Yuan said, "You have always been very confident in me, why don't you have it this time?"

"Can it be the same?"

Li Yu'an said bitterly, "When you were in the Central Plains, you dealt with Zhang Bailong with all your wisdom and strategies, and defeated the enemy with fewer people."

"This time it's a direct decisive battle. Strategies have no effect at all, and the hard power is too different. I really can't think of any way you can win."

Zhou Yuan smiled, but said softly, "I'm thinking about a question."

"What?"

"I'm thinking that even if you regain the country, I'm afraid you can't be the queen. You don't have that ability."

LiYu Qian said angrily: "You are already worried about this before the battle even starts?"

Zhou Yuan said: "Because you don't understand war or politics."

"In fact, it's not just you who doesn't understand. Many outstanding generals don't understand that the essence of war is also a kind of politics. It's just that this is a violent disagreement between ethnic politics and national politics, which eventually evolved into violent means."

"If you can't see through this, then you can only be a famous general at best. Facing an extremely extreme and critical war, it will be difficult to find a breakthrough."

"For example, in this war, everyone is thinking about solving the problem by means of war, but no one has thought about solving it by political means."

"Of course, political means are just a breakthrough, and in the end..."

Before he finished speaking, Guan Lu's voice rang out outside: "Sir, the intelligence is here."

Zhou Yuan hurriedly said: "Come in and tell me!"

Guan Lu jumped on the carriage, sat down without any formalities, and spread the map on the coffee table.

He said in a deep voice: "There are less than 50,000 soldiers left on our side, and they are almost on the city wall all night. The reserve forces and resource supply are mainly concentrated in Sujiazhuang, Dongjiazhuang, Damatouzhuang, Baihezhai and Mengjiadian."

While speaking, he pointed out in detail on the map.

Zhou Yuan said: "Just say the enemy army and the key information."

"Okay!"

Guan Lu pointed to the other side and said in a deep voice: "The other side has nearly 100,000 people. Some of them camped three hundred feet away from the city tower, but more of them were stationed in Yanjialing, Mengjiatun, Balipu and Erlidian, and they continuously launched fierce attacks on Shanhaiguan in shifts."

"Their horses are concentrated in Yong'anbao, and they also take turns to fight, which replenishes their physical strength very well."

"As for food..."

When it comes to the most critical place, he paused slightly and pointed directly to a certain place on the map.

Zhou Yuan immediately said: "Xinglin Fort!"

"Yes! It's Xinglin Fort!"

Guan Lu said in a deep voice: "Xinglin Fort is only a hundred miles away from Shanhaiguan. From here, food and grass can be transported to support the troops. It can be delivered almost on the same day. It is very efficient and safe enough."

"Because Xinglin Fort is almost completely surrounded by their army, no matter where we go, we will be discovered at the first time."

"This almost eliminates our idea of ​​burning their food and grass."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "Nurhaci is very experienced. It seems that he also lives here?"

"No!"

Guan Lu said: "According to the detailed investigation of our spies, Nurhaci's personal guards are in Xiping Township!"

Zhou Yuan's eyes widened immediately, and he quickly looked at the location marked on the map, frowning.

Guan Lu whispered: "Xiping is a good place, with mountains on the north and south sides. We only need to send out dozens of secret sentries to complete the defense."

"The west is guarded by the garrisons of Yanjialing and Erlidian. It is very safe. Even if there is an emergency, we can retreat to Jinxi in the east."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said slowly: "I know... Where is Gao Biao now?"

Guan Lu smiled and said: "It is expected that he will meet us the day after tomorrow."

Zhou Yuan clapped his hands and said immediately: "Good! He is the most important link, and there must be no mistakes."

"This time, we have to hurry up for the decisive battle. I think it will not take half a month. Five days will be enough!"