Chapter 118 - 114: Hurry and Invite Mr. Zhao
Li Gang handed the letter to Mr. He, his voice low and serious.
Mr. He took the letter, read it carefully, and also showed a look of concern on his face.
"These two countries have always been on peaceful terms with us, and it is only late spring now, far from the autumn harvest. Why would there suddenly be any disturbances?"
"I don’t know." Li Gang pondered for a moment, "Mr. Cao just tells me to guard Yong’an City well, pay attention to the Turkic movements, and not to worry about them. But with constant Turkic harassment and now those two countries showing signs of unrest, the current situation really makes one uneasy."
"General, what should we do then?" asked a Colonel nearby.
Li Gang’s gaze turned once more to the distant Turkic Grasslands.
"Act according to Mr. Cao’s orders, send out more Scouts to investigate Ala and Meng Country’s movements. Simultaneously, strengthen the defenses of Yong’an City just in case."
Ala and Meng Country, these two seemingly calm and peaceful neighbors, their actions described in the letter inevitably raised suspicions.
What are they really plotting?
Just as Li Gang was getting anxious, a young soldier ran up the city wall, drenched in sweat, looking panic-stricken, one knee on the ground, speaking between gasps with a tremble in his voice.
"Re... report to the General, a Turkic army has been spotted two hundred miles away, man... manpower, preliminary estimates not less than two hundred thousand!"
At that moment, everyone on the city wall was shocked. As the commander, Li Gang’s pupils suddenly contracted, staring at the young soldier incredulously.
"What?"
A two hundred thousand strong army, that is no small number, almost equivalent to the elite forces of the entire Turkic nation.
"Not...not less than two hundred thousand?"
Li Gang swallowed, confirmed again, now with a noticeable tremble in his voice.
The young soldier nodded vigorously, his tone even more assured.
"Yes, General, I saw it with my own eyes. The Turkic army is like a dark cloud pressing down, endless in number, definitely not less than two hundred thousand."
Li Gang felt a chill run from his feet straight to the top of his head, his entire being plunged into an ice cellar.
Turkic, this ever troublesome neighbor, now exerting national strength, assembling a two hundred thousand strong army approaching the border—what a threat!
His mind involuntarily conjured up images of the thin city walls of Yong’an City and the well-trained but limited number of defenders inside.
With a garrison of fifty thousand at Yong’an City, how could they withstand the iron hooves of the Turkic army?
"Quick! Send word to the Capital City, report to His Majesty."
Li Gang issued orders in a flustered manner.
A two hundred thousand strong army invading, Yong’an City’s fifty thousand garrison can only hold out for a short period. Now, the primary task is to have the court dispatch troops.
"Yes!"
The messenger immediately sprang into action.
What next?
What should be done next?
Li Gang began pacing back and forth on the city wall, his fists tightly clenched, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead.
In times past, serving alongside Cao Xiong in the Imperial Army at the Capital City felt like just yesterday. Back then, they were full of vigor and fearless.
However, in the more than three months since arriving at Yong’an City, though they faced daily small-scale harassment, it had always been just Turkic probing.
Now, with the true test at hand, he found himself filled with fear and anxiety.
"What... what to do?"
He muttered to himself, bringing his clenched hand to his mouth, biting down on the flesh of his fingers, trying to maintain calm, but his voice carried a clear sense of helplessness.
If only Cao Xiong were still in Yong’an City, acting under Cao Xiong’s command, he would at least have someone to depend on.
Now, to let him face this alone, with a two hundred thousand strong army pressing down, not only did his pupils quake, but it seemed as though his very heart was trembling.
In a moment of desperation, his eyes happened to fall on Ma Cheng standing in the distance, but Ma Cheng avoided eye contact and turned his head away silently.
How could he forget, because of his recommendation, Ma Cheng was now a small Centurion.
Even though Ma Cheng could help him at this moment, he had no authority to command in such a significant battle. Moreover, by avoiding eye contact, Ma Cheng had already expressed his stance.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind—retreat!
Yes, the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best option.
This place is no fun, living with one’s head on the waistband every day. He wanted to be a General, wanted military merit, but not at the expense of his life!
A match of fifty thousand against two hundred thousand, going head-to-head would be like an egg hitting a rock, leading to self-destruction.
It would be better for him to retreat in time, preserving his strength, perhaps finding a slim chance of survival.
But the moment this thought surfaced, he dismissed it himself.
As the commander of Yong’an City, he bore the responsibility of protecting the people’s safety; how could he easily admit defeat and flee in battle?
Even if he did flee, returning would mean certain death.
Just as he was losing composure and felt utterly helpless, his gaze once more returned to Ma Cheng, and suddenly a familiar name flashed in his mind—Zhao Zun!
Yes, Zhao Zun.
Zhao Zun is now King of Cangzhou.
He’s currently in Cangzhou.
With this thought, Li Gang suddenly released the finger he was biting, the light of hope reigniting in his eyes.
He ran quickly off the city wall, sprinted back to the central military tent, and took out the edict from Emperor Jing from the drawer.
This edict is now his greatest trump card, his only leverage to request Zhao Zun’s assistance.
"Someone come!"
Li Gang shouted towards the tent entrance, urgency in his voice.
A trusted aide responded and entered: "General, what are your orders?"
Li Gang handed the rolled-up edict to the trusted aide, speaking hurriedly: "Take this edict to the Cangzhou Royal Mansion at once, quickly, go invite Mr. Zhao!"