Encirclement

Tuoba Rui had been sweeping through everything and was currently in high spirits, completely failing to notice that he hadn't encountered any resistance at all along the way, and all the cities he occupied were empty.

Indeed, the successful experience in Zhongnan Circuit was being applied flexibly by Wen Pin, especially since he was facing the vengeful and hot-blooded Tuoba Rui.

However, his plan was still missing the most important link: troop strength.

Thus, Gao Yuan, who had been somewhat indulging in the domestic bliss of a warm bed with his wife and children, had to set out on a campaign. One thousand two hundred elites plus seven thousand five hundred Xuanjia Army soldiers—this was the entire force for this expedition.

“Husband, you must go and return quickly. Yuer and I will wait for your safe return!”

After giving birth, Zheng Wan became increasingly clingy toward Gao Yuan, and the mature charm she exuded was becoming more and more alluring.

“Mhm, Naner and I are also waiting for your early triumphant return!”

Beside her, Song Yao held her child with tearful eyes, nodding continuously. Since giving birth, the young woman's face had rounded out a bit, making her feel soft and comfortable when held.

The last to say goodbye was Zhao Xiyao. She didn't say much, only leaning quietly in her Husband's embrace.

“Husband, before you make any decision, you must think more about us and the children.”

Gao Yuan comforted the tense woman in his arms.

“Don't worry, we will definitely return in one piece!”

Seeing the three ladies' reluctant expressions, Gao Yuan understood more and more what it meant for romantic entanglements to sap a hero's resolve.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed away the soft, fragrant warmth in his arms. Gao Yuan and Mu Qing mounted their horses, casting one last look at the three women and a meaningful glance at Wu Xu behind them before galloping away.

Hong Wantong and his men were so excited that their hands were trembling slightly.

Having served in the military for many years and in the Jiannan Army for over three, this was the first time they were stepping onto a battlefield to resist foreign invaders.

In this space-time, there was no Victory Celebration at Mount Langjuxu achievement, but there was no lack of generals who became famous for resisting foreign tribes. To look no further than Gao Yuan's father and brothers, they had all made names for themselves fighting in the north.

The minds of martial men are sometimes far simpler than those of scholars; if they envy someone's achievements or status, they think of emulating or surpassing them rather than pulling them down.

Taking advantage of the fact that Gao Yuan hadn't arrived yet, Hong Wantong stepped before the crowd once more.

“Brothers, why do we serve and fight? Naturally, it is to protect our homes and country, and to win honors for our wives and children. This resistance against the Western Kang invasion is the best opportunity. So, everyone, pull yourselves together and let those barbarians see what we're made of!”

The first to respond were the soldiers of the Beiwei Army, who raised their right arms and shouted loudly:

“Expel the barbarians, protect our homes and country!”

With someone leading the way, the soldiers of the Xuanjia Army followed suit with the slogans, and finally, even those who had just joined began to shout along.

Gao Yuan arrived outside the drill grounds and was very satisfied with the scene.

“The morale is high; we will surely win this time!”

Mu Qing looked at her man's smug smile and also revealed a radiant grin.

“With you here, we will definitely be able to win.”

“If you keep praising me like that, Qingqing, I might get cocky.”

“I'm just telling the truth!”

Seeing the woman's cute expression with her pouted lips, Gao Yuan truly loved her to death. If not for his subordinates being present, he would have definitely pulled her into his arms to pamper her properly.

Since the work of boosting morale had already been done, Gao Yuan didn't repeat it.

“Bang Jie, you lead the Fourth Division as the vanguard to reinforce Wen Pin first. Hong Wantong, you take command of the Xuanjia Army and move with me.”

“Yes, sir!”

The two stepped forward, took the command tokens handed over by Gao Yuan, and began to move separately.

At a normal marching pace, the Xuanjia Army's maximum daily distance was fifty li, but considering the need to conserve energy, they actually covered only forty li a day.

The Beiwei Army was different; they were handpicked elites. Even the newly formed Fourth Division had physical strength far exceeding ordinary people, capable of covering sixty to seventy li a day. During light-weight forced march training, they had even covered nearly eighty li in a single day.

With Xia Luqi leading this elite force to join the battlefield at the fastest speed, Gao Yuan felt more at ease regarding the front line.

Lijiang City had long since been emptied; not a single person or grain of food was left behind.

Following the plan, Wen Pin retreated from Lijiang City after resisting for a few days, feigning insufficient strength.

Losing over a thousand men but capturing the prefectural city of Lijiang made Tuoba Rui feel as if he were possessed by the God of War.

If not for Tuoba Tao sending orders and his deputy generals desperately advising against it, this Young General would have been prepared to Pursue and Attack.

“Young General, the army's provisions only suffice for five days. You see...”

Tuoba Rui raised an eyebrow and shouted impatiently:

“Didn't I tell you several days ago to send people to urge the transport of provisions?”

“Young General, we march dozens of li a day; the supply train simply cannot keep up with us. Should we perhaps halt here for a few days and wait until the provisions are replenished?”

Tuoba Rui was clearly displeased, but he knew very well that without provisions, the army couldn't move an inch, so he could only reluctantly agree.

Previously, the Western Kang vanguard under Tuoba Rui's leadership had been rushing along, giving Wen Pin no opportunities at all.

But because of the provisions, they had stopped, which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Wen Pin.

On the second night after Tuoba Rui entered Lijiang City, Wen Pin appeared with his main force. Two thousand five hundred Beiwei Army soldiers and five thousand Xuanjia Army soldiers surrounded Lijiang City from the east, north, and west.

As for the south, Wen Pin truly hadn't set any ambushes, simply because he had no more troops left.

But Tuoba Rui didn't know that. He only thought the south was a deliberately exposed flaw, and since the southern roads were densely forested, he was certain there were ambushes there.

Realizing he had been tricked, Tuoba Rui sent for reinforcements while starting to demolish houses to prepare for a defensive battle.

However, the biggest problem he faced now was a lack of food. Provisions were already low, and now that the subsequent supplies couldn't get through, they were on the verge of starvation.

Learning that his brother's only bloodline was besieged and that provisions were about to run out, Tuoba Tao also became somewhat anxious. He immediately urged the army to strike camp at once, determined to rescue Tuoba Rui.

Tuoba Rui had previously captured two cities in succession, and his fame was unparalleled for a time, making some people inevitably envious.

Now that he was tricked and surrounded, it not only affected morale but also led many to start making sarcastic remarks.

“Wasn't that kid so capable? Look at him now, trapped after falling for a trick.”

“Exactly. Before, it seemed like their Tuoba Tribe was so great, but now they still have to beg us to rescue them.”

“Everyone knows the Han people are full of schemes. It wasn't enough that an old one died; now a young one has to be dragged down too. Serves him right!”

“Forced march? I can't walk that far.”

“I think it's better to let that kid suffer a bit before we go to the rescue.”

“Good idea!”

“I also think that's a good idea.”

With people hindering things, the speed of the Xikang Army not only failed to increase but actually slowed down a bit.

Tuoba Tao naturally heard the sarcastic remarks. He was anxious but helpless, only able to brace himself and coax the troops from other tribes to speed up.

After two days of fussing, the Xikang Army finally set off southward, covering only twenty li at a leisurely pace on the first day.

At this moment, the Tuoba Tribe's main camp was in an uproar.

“General, those people are clearly refusing to help, intending to weaken our Tuoba Tribe's strength.”

“I think we should send someone to report to His Majesty and have him issue an edict to reprimand them.”

“No, no. With the time it takes to go back and forth, I'm afraid Rui'er won't be able to hold out!”

“Then what should we do?”

“I think we should detach an elite force to march through the night to reinforce Rui'er. At the very least, we must get provisions inside first.”

“Yes, I think that's the way to go!”