My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Zhang Liao had already prepared a map, and immediately turned around, ordering someone to hang it on the wall of the hall, his finger pointing to the Liaodong region:

"Grand Marshal, since Gongsun Kang rebelled last month, he has established his capital in Xiangping, proclaimed himself King of Liao, and gathered forces from all over Liaodong."

He paused, then moved his fingertip to a pass, and continued:

"To destroy Gongsun Kang, the first place to capture is Liaodu City!"

"This city is the gateway to the Liao Kingdom. It is strategically located, easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is currently guarded by five thousand elite troops led by Gongsun E, a general under Gongsun Kang."

"According to the scouts, Gongsun Kang already knows that the Grand Marshal is leading an army on a campaign, and he will definitely send troops to reinforce and strengthen the defense of Liaodu City."

At this point, Zhang Liao cupped his hands and offered his advice:

"In my humble opinion, our army should take advantage of the fact that Gongsun Kang's reinforcements have not yet arrived and advance swiftly to capture Liaodui City in one fell swoop, thus opening the gateway to Liaodong!"

Xiao He looked in the direction he was pointing, his eyes showing approval:
"Wen Yuan is indeed very familiar with the situation in Liaodong. This plan suits my needs perfectly."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao immediately bowed humbly and said:

"This humble general has merely kept an eye on the movements in Liaodong for many years and knows a little bit about it. How could I possibly compare to the Grand Marshal's strategic planning? I hope the Grand Marshal will forgive my ignorance."

"Wen Yuan, obey my command!"

Xiao He said no more, his eyes suddenly narrowing.

"The general is here!"

Zhang Liao straightened his posture.

Xiao He stood up and walked to the map, saying in a deep voice:
"You are familiar with Liaodong and the strengths and weaknesses of the Liao army. I order you to lead an elite cavalry force, travel day and night, and launch a surprise attack on Liaodong City!"

"You must take this city before Gongsun Kang's reinforcements arrive. Is that possible?"

A glint of light flashed in Zhang Liao's eyes, and he kowtowed deeply:

"Thank you for your trust, Grand Marshal. I will certainly live up to your mission, even if it means going through fire and water, to capture Liaodu City and clear the way for the army!"

"it is good!"

Xiao He nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand to give the order:
"Depart immediately! I, the commander, will then lead the army to Liaodui City to meet you!"

"The last general takes command!"

Zhang Liao bowed again to accept the order.

Dark as ink.

Outside Ji County, Zhang Liao led a contingent of elite cavalry away silently, galloping towards Liaodu City, gradually disappearing into the quiet wilderness…

Meanwhile, at the east gate of Ji County, Xiao He personally led tens of thousands of soldiers on a slow march.

This deliberately slowed pace was intended to lull Gongsun Kang in Liaodong into a false sense of security, making him believe that the main force of the Han army was still resting and regrouping, and thus he dared not advance north rashly.

...

News that the Han state would immediately launch an attack on Liao after pacifying Shu spread like wildfire across the border into Liaodong, heading north and eventually reaching the Liao capital, Xiangping.

Inside the palace of the Prince of Xiangping, the lights were bright and the aroma of wine filled the air.

Gongsun Kang sat in the main seat of the hall, with a table in front of him laden with delicacies and fine wines. He was holding a grand banquet with his civil and military officials to celebrate his formal ascension to the throne.

The hall was filled with pleasant music, and everyone raised their glasses in celebration, creating a scene of peace and prosperity.

As the banquet reached its climax, the noise inside the hall grew increasingly intense.

Just then, a guard, looking flustered, burst through the palace gate, staggered to his knees, and shouted an urgent report:

"Your Majesty, a secret report from the south!"

The sudden urgent report shattered the joy in the hall, and everyone turned to look.

Gongsun Kang paused slightly in the hand holding the wine cup, his brows furrowing slightly:

"speak."

"Grand Marshal Xiao He of the Han Kingdom has pacified the Shu region and returned in triumph!"

"Liu Bei has issued an edict ordering Xiao He to lead his army north, intending to invade our Liao Kingdom. Now, Xiao He's army has reached the capital of Youzhou!"

"what?"

An uproar immediately erupted inside the hall.

The expressions of the civil and military officials changed drastically, and whispers rose and fell among them, their previous joy vanishing completely.

Gongsun Kang was startled, and the wine cup in his hand shook violently, spilling the wine.

He, however, was completely oblivious, his eyes filled with disbelief:

"Xiao He actually pacified Shu so quickly?"

In his view, Sichuan is protected by the natural barrier of the Qinling Mountains, as well as strategic passes such as Yangping Pass and Jiange Pass, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

He had previously estimated that even if Xiao He's campaign against Shu went smoothly, it would still take at least two years.

He had planned to use these two years to recruit soldiers and expand his military, so that he could contend with the Han Kingdom once he was strong enough. But who would have thought that Xiao He would pacify the Shu region in just half a year? Such speed far exceeded his expectations.

"Your Majesty, Xiao He's military strategy is divine; he should not be underestimated!"

Chancellor Li Xu solemnly advised:

"This man is a man of profound strategy; his journey north will not be easy to defeat!"

As soon as Li Xu finished speaking, many officials in the hall nodded in agreement.

The eldest son, Gongsun Yuan, scoffed disdainfully:
"Prime Minister Li, you are mistaken. You are only boosting the morale of others while diminishing your own!"

Li Xu was taken aback, turned to look at Gongsun Yuan, and looked puzzled.

"Our Liao Kingdom is located in Liaodong, a remote and mountainous region with rugged roads."

"If Xiao He were to raise an army to attack us, the supply lines stretch for thousands of miles. Such a long supply line would be difficult to transport supplies and vulnerable to harassment. I ask you, how could Xiao He possibly support such a large-scale expedition?"

Gongsun Yuan's counter-question left Li Xu speechless for a moment, unable to find a way to refute it.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Kang's tense expression relaxed slightly, and he slowly nodded:

“Yuan’er is right. The Han army’s supply lines are too long and their food supplies are running out. There is nothing to fear.”

Li Xu still had reservations and insisted:

"Your Majesty, even so, we must not be careless. I believe that we should immediately send reinforcements to Liaodong City to guard the gateway to Liaodong. This is the safest course of action!"

"Xiao He's army is still 400 li away from Liaodu City. If they want to attack, they will inevitably leave a trace, and the spies will definitely report in advance."

"Prime Minister Li is overthinking it."

Gongsun Yuan immediately rejected his proposal:

"Jixian is 400 li away from Liaodui City. If the Han army moves, we will have plenty of time to deal with it. If we rashly send reinforcements now, it will only be a waste of food and supplies."

"It would be better to hold back for now and wait for Gongsun E, the commander of Liaocheng, to send someone to report the news before sending reinforcements."

Li Xu wanted to argue further, but Gongsun Kang raised his hand and waved it away, interrupting him:

"Alright, Yuan'er is right. Let's do as he says. Send down the order to have troops secretly assemble and await orders from Gongsun E. Once we receive news from Gongsun E, we will send troops to reinforce Liaodu City."

"My father is wise!"

Gongsun Yuan immediately cupped his hands and loudly flattered him.

Seeing this, Li Xu knew that further words would be useless, so he could only sigh helplessly.

Ultimately, Gongsun Kang did not adopt the suggestion to send more troops, but instead ordered the border scouts to increase their patrols and closely monitor the Han army's every move.

...

Ten miles west of Liaocheng.

Zhang Liao was leading an elite force through towering mountains.

At this moment, he was heading north towards Flying Tiger Pass.

This road is a hundred miles longer than the coastal road.

Zhang Liao led 8,000 troops, but lost more than 1,000 men on the way.

"How many more miles until we reach Liaodu City?"

Zhang Liao shouted at the guide.

The guide looked up and then said:
"Reporting to General Zhang, we are seven li away from Feihu Pass and Liaodu City."

Seven miles!

Zhang Liao's eyes lit up.

Looking back, the six thousand soldiers were exhausted.

Fortunately, we are almost there, otherwise the soldiers would have been trapped and died in the mountains.

"Heroes of the Han Dynasty, there are only seven li left! Hold on!"

Zhang Liao shouted loudly, inspiring the people.

The seven thousand soldiers were invigorated.

So he mustered his strength and continued his frantic run.

The next day at dawn.

Zhang Liao climbed up a hillside.

Looking into the distance, a city appears and disappears in the distance.

The Liaodong team has arrived at the city. (End of Chapter)