Martial Arts Crossover: It All Started with Hijacking Li Canghai

"Dad, is this...is this Liu Miao reliable?" Jia Rong still felt uneasy.

"What do you know!" Jia Zhen glared at his good-for-nothing son. "This is a golden opportunity! Just wait, once I've accomplished this monumental feat, let's see who in the capital will dare to look down on our Ningguo Mansion!"

Completely immersed in his own beautiful dream, he was completely unaware that he had stepped into a trap carefully prepared for him.

……

Meanwhile, in the study of the Prince of Qin's residence.

Qin Han was looking at a secret report that had just been delivered, his expression amused.

The secret report contained the entire conversation between Liu Miao and Jia Zhen at the post station, including everything Jia Zhen promised and what tokens he presented.

This Liu Miao is actually a spy planted by the Ming Cult's Five Elements Flag among the surrendered generals.

How could the Qin and Han dynasties not send their own people to hold such a crucial position of defending a prefecture?

"Your Majesty, this Jia Zhen is truly incredibly stupid."

Yang Xiao, who was standing to the side, also finished reading the secret report, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

"A clown jumping around, nothing to worry about." Qin Han squeezed his palm hard, and his true energy shattered it into ashes.

"I am quite curious how many 'loyal ministers' Liu Miao can contact using the Jia family's tokens. I'll take this opportunity to eliminate the last remaining unstable element in Shuzhou City."

Yang Xiao nodded and said, "Your subordinate understands. I have already given the order. Tell Liu Miao to go ahead and do whatever she wants, and make sure to involve all those with ulterior motives."

Qin Han hummed in agreement.

My gaze drifted out the window to the deep darkness of the night.

Jia Zhen, do you think you're scheming against others?

Little did you know, from the moment you stepped into Sichuan, you were already a pawn on someone else's chessboard.

It's both pathetic and laughable.

What he is more concerned about now is the battle at Iron Gate Pass.

Li Jing's army should be setting off soon.

……

Three days later.

The Qin Prince's Mansion, Military Council Hall.

In front of the sand table in the very center, Li Jing, the commander, gathered with a group of generals.

The sand table meticulously simulates the terrain and landforms of the Iron Gate Pass and its surroundings, including mountains, rivers, and passes.

Just yesterday, Xiao Feng sent back the latest urgent report from the front lines.

Emperor Yelü Hongji of the Liao Dynasty has already begun to take action.

He personally led 100,000 troops to penetrate the rear of the Jin state from the north, catching Wanyan Zongbi off guard.

He had always believed that the marriage alliance between the Liao and Qin-Han dynasties was merely a political verbal agreement.

After all, the Liao princess had not yet arrived, and it was truly unexpected that Yelü Hongji would personally lead the expedition.

With his rear attacked, Wanyan Zongbi was forced to divide his forces to defend against the attack.

This is the best time for Shu Prefecture to send troops.

"Gentlemen," Li Jing said in a steady and powerful voice, holding a command pole, "the Liao army is now fighting the Jin people in the north. Wanyan Zongbi is unable to attend to both ends, and the morale of the army is wavering."

If our army launches an attack now, it will surely achieve remarkable results. It might even be able to decide the fate of the world in one battle.

"Li Shuai, there's no need to keep us in suspense. Just tell us what we're going to do."

Dong Tianbao couldn't wait any longer.

Li Jing directed the movement of the command pole on the sand table, finally placing it at the location of the Iron Gate Pass.

"Although Wanyan Zongbi has divided his forces, his main force is still intact, especially in the plains, which is the absolute territory where the Jin Iron Pagoda can rampage across the battlefield. If our army launches a strong attack, it may attract the Jin Iron Pagoda. Even if we win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory."

Then, pointing to another spot in front of the Iron Gate Pass, he said, "I will personally lead my main force of 80,000 men to this place to launch a feigned attack on the front of the Iron Gate Pass."

The daily drumming challenge created the illusion of an impending battle and drew the attention of the main Jin army.

This is the proper way of military strategy: to overwhelm others with power.

"And the real killing move..." Li Jing knew that talking too much nonsense was useless, so he might as well just make the arrangements directly.

The control stick in his hand traced a precipitous arc, pointing to the side of the Iron Gate Pass, an area marked by towering mountains.

"This place is called the Ziwu Road. It is an extremely dangerous and difficult path that ordinary armies would never be able to pass through. But precisely because of this, the Jurchens' defenses are inevitably the most lax."

According to observations by scouts at the front over several days, their supplies for the past month or so have been replenished from this rear area, near the exit of the Meridian Pass.

"We can send another reinforcement, led by two brave generals, to bypass the Ziwu Road and launch another surprise attack on the Jin army's supply camp!"

The perilousness of the Ziwu Road was something all the Sichuan generals present had heard of.

"General Li, the Ziwu Road is rugged and difficult to traverse. How will the army get through?"

Qin Qiong frowned. The iron cavalry couldn't get through there. The fastest way was to use light cavalry, and the number of them shouldn't be too large.

"General Qin is absolutely right," Li Jing said. "Therefore, the number of men cannot be large; they must be the elite of the elite. Three thousand light cavalry will suffice! And they only need to carry one thing."

"What is it?" Dong Tianbao asked curiously.

"Explosives," Li Jing uttered.

These two words stunned everyone present except for Li Jing.

Explosives—this was something Qin Han had recently ordered people to research; it could also be described as a type of explosive charge.

It was developed by Tang family disciples after they subdued the Tang Clan of Sichuan.

The principle behind it is simply to use sulfur, saltpeter, charcoal, etc. Firecrackers already exist in this world, and Cheng Kun wanted to use this thing to blow up the entire Bright Peak.

So after Qin Han gave a general explanation, his subordinates only needed to mix the ingredients according to a specific ratio and then gradually test how to increase the power.

Although the manufacturing process is still relatively crude and the stability is not enough, it is an excellent tool for destroying grain and creating chaos.

"With the mobility of three thousand light cavalry, combined with the might of explosives, once we succeed, the Jin army's supply camp will surely be engulfed in flames!" Li Jing's voice was filled with confidence.

"Supplies are the lifeblood of the army. If supplies are cut off again, the hundreds of thousands of Jin soldiers at Iron Gate Pass will fall into chaos without a fight! At that time, our main force will seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, forming a pincer movement with the Liao army in the north. Wanyan Zongbi will have no chance of escape!"

After he finished speaking, the entire council hall was quite shocked by Li Jing's bold plan.

A feint attack on the front lines to draw out the main force.

Elite troops launched a surprise attack, striking directly at the heart of the enemy's stronghold.

"The task of launching a surprise attack on the Ziwu Pass requires only brave and decisive generals. Qin Qiong, Dong Tianbao!" Li Jing announced, selecting his generals.

"Your subordinates are here!" Qin Qiong and Dong Tianbao immediately stepped forward.

"I hereby order you two to lead three thousand light cavalry, carrying sufficient explosives, to carry out this mission!!"

"This subordinate obeys!" Qin Qiong's voice boomed like a bell.

"Don't worry, Commander Li! I guarantee I'll blow up the Jin Gou's supply camp!" Dong Tianbao exclaimed excitedly.

"The rest of the generals, follow me in a feigned frontal attack!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

After the military conference concluded, troops and supplies were mobilized throughout Shuzhou City.

One day later.

Li Jing led an army of 80,000 straight to Iron Gate Pass.

Banners obscured the sun, and a murderous aura filled the sky.

Meanwhile, Qin Qiong and Dong Tianbao led three thousand light cavalry to break away from the main force and head towards the Ziwu Road.

The defenses within Shuzhou City, along with those in the other three prefectures, seemed to have become weak after the main army went on the expedition.