Everyone nodded at Xiao Jingyun's words.
Liu Rumei clasped her fists again, "There's movement outside Qingniu City as well. Zhu Jianyǔ is indeed planning to escape towards Qingniu Mountain. Should we proceed with our original plan?"
Xiao Jingyun pondered for a moment, "Let him ascend the mountain. It's too late to mobilize troops to intercept him now."
At this moment, Princess Zhaoning, standing beside him, spoke up, "Imperial Brother, why don't we send people to infiltrate their troops as they enter the mountain, causing chaos for them?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded approvingly at her suggestion, "An excellent plan. They are entering the mountain overnight, so it must be quite chaotic."
"But where will we hide once we enter the mountain?"
While marching, everyone can be in disarray, but once they set up camp, there will be nowhere to hide.
At this point, Liu Rumei spoke, "Your Highness, perhaps we should search for Chen Xiaobei again. He must have a solution."
Xiao Jingyun looked up at the sky, "It's already nearing the third watch. Is it appropriate?"
"Your Highness, please have preparations made. I will go now." Liu Rumei galloped off quickly towards Wengong Ridge.
Upon hearing of Liu Rumei's arrival, Chen Xiaobei immediately realized that something important must have happened.
After patiently listening to Liu Rumei's explanation, Chen Xiaobei found himself scratching his head.
Infiltrating and then finding a place to hide was indeed a difficult task. He thought of the few places on Qingniu Mountain where people could hide: one was Hulu Valley, another was the recently discovered underground passage.
And then there was the location of Longyan.
However, it was uncertain whether the Longyan location was accessible at the moment, and it was also too far away. Therefore, the most realistic options were Hulu Valley or the underground passage. The underground passage was damp and unsuitable for long-term hiding, and it was also easy to be trapped like a turtle in a jar.
After much thought, Hulu Valley seemed the most suitable.
With this in mind, he cupped his fists towards Liu Rumei, "Miss Liu, there is indeed a hiding place on the mountain, but I've only been there a few times myself. I don't know the specifics."
Liu Rumei smiled faintly, "As long as it can be a hiding place, that's enough. Once the war is over, I will send people to thoroughly inspect it for you."
While Liu Rumei was making tense preparations, on Qingniu Mountain, Zhu Meng also received good news: Da Tuo Kingdom and Da Lin Kingdom had finally sent their troops.
After reading the letter, Zhang Liao laughed heartily, "Marshal, since Da Tuo Kingdom and Da Lin Kingdom have sent their troops, I don't think we should have General Zhu come over."
Upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, Zhu Meng pondered for a moment and nodded.
"That makes sense. Quickly send word down the mountain for Wang Long to bring another twenty thousand troops to reinforce Qingniu County. We must hold the line."
Zhu Jianyǔ had everything prepared and was about to leave the city when a soldier rushed in.
"General, an urgent letter has arrived from the mountain, from the Marshal."
Zhu Jianyǔ took it and glanced at it.
There was a moment of silence, and then he handed it to Peng Chong beside him.
After Peng Chong finished reading, he sighed, "Alas, we are a step too late."
"Brother Peng, what should we do about this situation?" Zhu Jianyǔ seemed uncertain.
"There's no other way. We can only wait for General Wang Long to arrive and take charge."
Upon hearing Peng Chong's words, Zhu Jianyǔ waved his hand in resignation and ordered everyone to return to their camps.
Back in his own tent, Zhu Jianyǔ was extremely frustrated. He was on the verge of leaving this wretched place, only to be suddenly ordered to stay and to have Wang Long come for reinforcements.
"General Zhu, there's no need to be overly distressed. The Marshal must have his reasons for changing his mind so suddenly."
"Everything will become clear once General Wang Long arrives."
Facing Peng Chong's comfort, Zhu Jianyǔ sighed, "Wang Long is a loyal follower of the Marshal. When he arrives, he will surely order us to hold our ground. Honestly, I really don't want to have a conflict with His Highness the Crown Prince."
Peng Chong chuckled, "Then why don't we go and send a message to the Crown Prince before General Wang Long arrives? If there are any changes in the future, we would have rendered great service."
Zhu Jianyǔ nodded, picked up his brush, and wrote a letter. He then summoned his trusted subordinate and ordered him to leave the city overnight to deliver it to Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
The Crown Prince's side was fully prepared, and Chen Xiaobei had arrived. Just as they were about to head towards Qingniu Mountain, they suddenly received a letter from Zhu Jianyǔ.
After reading Zhu Jianyǔ's letter, Xiao Jingyun frowned.
"I suspect Zhu Meng must have received some news, which is why he ordered Zhu Jianyǔ to hold Qingniu County," said Su Dan Novel Network.
Princess Zhaoning, standing beside him, said dismissively, "Imperial Brother, even if they hold their ground, what of it? Once our ten armies arrive, we will surely defeat them."
Xiao Jingyun sighed, "Yes, if our ten armies arrive, it will be fine, but it will take at least another ten days to gather sufficient forces. We cannot afford to wait."
Seeing this, Liu Rumei said sternly, "Your Highness, why don't we break them down one by one? We'll attack Qingniu County first, and then take Qingniu Mountain."
Xiao Jingyun nodded and turned to look at Chen Xiaobei standing beside him.
"Brother Xiaobei, this has been a wasted trip for you. You should go back and rest."
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly and cupped his fists towards Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, if I may offer my humble opinion, why not reverse the order? Attack Qingniu Mountain first, then Qingniu County. It will be as easy as turning your hand over."
Xiao Jingyun frowned at Chen Xiaobei's words.
"There are over a hundred thousand troops on Qingniu Mountain. How can it be easy to break through?"
Chen Xiaobei remained calm, "Your Highness, didn't that little girl and her companions descend the mountain with relative ease? This indicates there are still vulnerabilities."
Hearing his words, Xiao Jingyun's eyes lit up, "Then tell me, what is the plan?"
"It's very simple. Set fire to the mountain and burn all their tents and provisions. Their morale will naturally falter."
Xiao Jingyun shook his head, "But if twenty to thirty thousand troops charge down from the mountain, we won't be able to stop them."
Chen Xiaobei smiled slightly, "Your Highness, as long as you hold your camp and refuse to engage, within a day, Zhu Meng's army will surely collapse."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Xiao Jingyun slowly stood up and pondered for a long time, then looked at Princess Zhaoning beside him.
"Jingfeng, what do you think?"
Princess Zhaoning understood that he was asking her if she wanted the little girl and her group to ascend the mountain again.
She nodded repeatedly, "This plan is excellent. I will immediately place all my personnel under your command."
Liu Rumei also cupped her fists, "We are willing to follow Your Highness's orders."
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand, "The most pressing matter is to first ascertain where the army's provisions are stored on the mountain."
At this moment, Liu Kai, standing nearby, spoke.
"Your Highness, I scouted the mountain a couple of days ago and discovered that a large portion of the provisions needs to cross a rope bridge."
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei exchanged a glance. Their expressions immediately turned grave. Crossing a bridge meant it was near the top of Qingniu Mountain, in the vicinity of the zhuyu tree forest.
This indicated that Zhu Meng was very cautious and had placed the provisions right under his nose.
However, this made burning their provisions extremely difficult.
Seeing both Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei fall silent, Xiao Jingyun realized the matter was not as simple as it seemed.