Martial Arts Crossover: It All Started with Hijacking Li Canghai

Qin Han mentally cursed the Southern Song Dynasty.

On the surface, they used Guo Jing's life and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Xiangyang as a moral imperative to force him to send troops, but behind the scenes, they sent people to sabotage Guo Jing, clearly intending to turn Xiangyang into a complete mess.

Xiangyang is the gateway to Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and one of the two main routes into Sichuan. Converted to modern distance, it is about 600 kilometers away.

One is the Northern Route (Hanzhong Jinniu Road), which has a moderate route and has been the main passage for wars throughout history.

The second is the Three Gorges waterway, which is mainly winding and treacherous, and is only occasionally used for transporting goods.

It would take the army more than two months to reach Xiangyang, carrying heavy loads.

However, traveling by horseback would only take ten days, which forced him to send cavalry to provide rapid support.

When the Shu King's troops finally arrived, they were met with Mongol cavalry in front and the Southern Song court's knives from behind. Squeezed from both sides, they were worn down and died under the walls of Xiangyang.

That's quite a scheme, but I wonder which treacherous official in the court came up with it.

However, this tactic wouldn't work on him. Qin Han wasn't Yue Fei; loyalty to the emperor didn't apply to him.

Will count.

"Guo Jing cannot die."

His gaze fell on the distant, rolling mountain ridges, his tone calm.

"At least not now."

In the hearts of the Han people in the south, Guo Jing is a symbol. Perhaps some people are disappointed with the corrupt court, but they have faith in Guo Jing and his wife who guarded Xiangyang for decades.

That prestige is undeniable, and he needs to use this banner. Whether it's purging corrupt officials or launching a northern expedition, having Guo Jing's support will save him a lot of trouble in the future.

"Pass on the order."

Qin Han made a decision immediately.

"I will personally lead three thousand Tiger Guard light cavalry south immediately to reinforce Xiangyang."

The surroundings were quiet for a while.

Wang Yuyan was the first to come to her senses, her brows furrowed with worry.

"Qin Lang, you just..."

He had just completely distanced himself from the identity of the King of Shu in front of everyone, but then turned around and launched an attack in the name of the King of Shu. How could he explain such a situation if word got out that they were happening one after the other?

Qin Han looked down at her and patted the back of her hand.

"To outsiders, I am Ye Wudao."

"Internally, I am the King of Shu, Qin Han."

"As for which one the people of the world should believe..."

He paused for a moment, then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"It depends on my mood."

Wang Yuyan opened her mouth, but swallowed the rest of her words. She had been by this person's side for so long.

He should have realized this a long time ago. Reasoning has never been his approach; getting others to accept the rules he sets is.

The Qin and Han dynasties shifted their focus to Xia Qing and Zhu Meichu.

"You should return to the Golden Snake Camp in Shandong now. Please take care of Yu Yan."

"Tianbao and Junbao remain. If anyone still harbors disloyal intentions..."

The meaning was conveyed before the words were even finished.

Dong Tianbao and Zhang Junbao clearly understood what this meant: bandits like Chu Hongliu and Sha Tianguang were definitely going to be purged.

Xia Qingqing lowered her head and responded.

"Your Highness, rest assured."

Zhu Meichu also bowed slightly, the faint blush on her cheeks still lingering, her posture a little unnatural, after all, what happened last night was a first for her.

Qin Han didn't look any further and was about to turn around.

A slender figure stepped forward and knelt down.

Jiang Yuyan.

Her black hair fell from her shoulders, making her face appear even more delicate.

"When Your Highness is on campaign, you always need someone to take care of your daily needs."

"This servant is willing to follow Your Highness."

Her eyes were watery and full of submissiveness; anyone who saw them would think she was just a devoted maid who wanted to serve her master.

Qin Han glanced at her again.

He drained Murong Fu's power last night, and this morning he's eager to show his loyalty—a clever move.

"Follow along."

……

Three thousand light cavalrymen set out from Mount Tai and headed south.

They changed horses but not riders along the way, marching by day and resting by night, covering an average of 150 li per day. The soldiers of the Tiger Guard Battalion had all been through countless battles, so this kind of forced march was nothing to them.

Qin Han glanced at Jiang Yuyan, who was dressed simply, a few more times during the journey. This woman was truly not afraid of hardship.

"How skilled is Murong Fu?"

Jiang Yuyan paused, pulling on the horse's reins.

"Everything I have is a gift from Your Highness."

"Being able to serve Your Highness is already an immense blessing."

The Qin and Han dynasties are neither confirmed nor denied.

"You're talented and very smart."

The voice sounded like approval and that they didn't mind this kind of person.

"But the direction you reach out can only be the direction I point."

Jiang Yuyan naturally understood that this was a deliberate warning. Although she didn't mind that she had absorbed all of Murong Fu's internal energy, she shouldn't make decisions on her own; she had to report it to Qin Han first.

"This servant knows her mistake..."

Her voice trembled, and she almost bit her lip until it bled.

"I would never dare to lay a hand on anyone around me."

Qin Han was fairly satisfied with the other party's thoughts and state of mind.

"Just this once."

Jiang Yuyan breathed a sigh of relief and continued to spur her horse to keep up.

Figure out your place in this man's heart.

You can make a knife and a glove, specifically for doing things that His Highness disdains to do himself.

But that's enough.

That's enough for her.

……

Ten days later.

Xiangyang, outside the North Gate.

Three thousand light cavalrymen of the Tiger Guard Battalion formed a wedge formation on the open field, their black armor and black horses creating a silent ranks. The main force of the Mongol army was concentrated in the south and west, leaving only a scout force of over a thousand men to monitor the north gate.

Half an hour ago, this scouting cavalry was completely wiped out by the Tiger Guard Camp's vanguard in a single charge. The remaining Mongol cavalry retreated westward, without even having a chance to finish blowing their warning horns.

Five miles outside the city gate, three thousand light cavalrymen stood still.

A Qin army captain spurred his horse forward and shouted towards the city tower.

"His Highness the King of Shu is personally leading his army to reinforce us! The defending general must open the north gate immediately!"

The sound rolled across the wilderness and into the city!

The Mongols, who were attacking the south, also noticed the unusual activity in the north, and their offensive became chaotic.

A commotion broke out on the city wall.

A moment later, a middle-aged general with a bloated belly appeared on the city wall, surrounded by his personal guards.

Lü Wende, the garrison commander of Xiangyang.

Jia Sidao still kept the secret letter he wrote three days ago close to his body.

If the King of Shu arrives, refuse him entry. This man is a wolf in sheep's clothing and not a loyal minister or general; he must not be allowed into the city.

He squinted his tiny green eyes and looked down. Three thousand cavalry, is that all?

He snorted through his nose.

"The King of Shu?"

He braced himself against the battlements with both hands.

"Which Shu King? Why haven't I received any orders from the Ministry of War to transfer me?"

"Why is a prince from the Song Dynasty not staying in Sichuan, but instead coming to Xiangyang to join the fun?"

The Qin army captain's face darkened.

"Insolence! His Highness is here, how dare you..."

"This general only recognizes official documents from Lin'an!"

Lu Wende slammed his hand on the battlement, cutting off his words with a sharp shout.

"Without an official edict or a written document from the Privy Council, anyone who dares to open the city gates will be punished as a traitor!"

He turned and shouted at the guards behind him.

"Keep a close eye on it! Not even a fly is allowed in!"

After roaring, he glanced down at the city walls. Only three thousand men, sandwiched between the Mongol army of one hundred thousand and this fortified city, would soon be torn to shreds by the Mongol cavalry who had come to their senses!

Lord Jia is right. Let this Qin fellow suffer a terrible fate outside the city, even if he doesn't die. Then he'll naturally know who his master is.