The armies of Lü Changhe routinely built many cooking stoves, while Liang Xiao’s troops, even if they lacked enough, would construct temporary ones and immediately dismantle them after use, scattering stones around the remaining stoves to create a false impression.
Liang Xiao's forces advanced rapidly, covering over forty li a day even when encountering forests.
Lü Changhe's army marched at a normal pace of twenty to thirty li per day.
Simultaneously, both Liang Xiao's and Lü Changhe's armies dispatched large numbers of scouts and patrols, strictly forbidding any unauthorized individuals from approaching the troops.
Should they encounter civilians, soldiers would first check their household registration, confirm they were not enemy spies, then bestow a day's worth of provisions and provide good comfort.
Only after both armies had broken camp and marched did the various spies responsible for reconnaissance dare to approach the former campsite.
By inspecting the stone-built cooking stoves, they could roughly estimate the army's size for reference.
"The troops marching to Xichuan have stoves for over twenty thousand people..."
"The troops marching to Liaodong have stoves for at least eighty thousand people!"
The spies, having gained a preliminary understanding of the situation, dispatched their messengers to report to their respective masters, not forgetting to release carrier pigeons to ensure the swift transmission of information.
At the Western Palace Villa, Xiao Qing and Zhuo Xun, having returned to rest, gently stroked Zhuo Xun's growing belly, their hearts filled with longing.
Would he be able to return to the capital in time to witness the child's birth with his own eyes...
"The people of the capital, having heard that Liang Xiao indeed went to Liaodong, believe he will achieve his mission. As for Xichuan, holding Hanzhong first and pacifying Shu will be a matter of time; at least, that's what the people believe..."
Zhuo Zifang and Wang Canghai, discussing the matter in the Prime Minister's mansion, were also quite pleased.
The absence of public discontent, and even their unwavering faith in Liang Xiao's abilities, would further serve to mislead the enemy.
Ten days after the two armies marched, urgent reports from their spies began to arrive across the regions.
"The news that Liang Xiao is leading ninety thousand troops to support Liaodong is true?!"
The Xianbei Khan, who was enjoying himself with his consort, leaped from the bed in shock and hastily signed military orders.
"Liang Xiao himself is coming! Immediately withdraw the Xianbei cavalry nearing the Liaodong border and defend our homeland!"
Following Liang Xiao's strategic maneuvers, the Xianbei cavalry in the northeast retreated hundreds of miles, and the crisis in Liaodong was averted!
Mo Hongming, the newly appointed Staff Officer of Liaodong, had already rendezvoused with Nie Yuan. Upon receiving news of the Xianbei retreat, they exchanged a knowing smile.
"Pacify the people of Liaodong, continue building the imperial roads and reinforcing the city walls. The Xianbei have fled, but we must not let our guard down!"
Helian Heng, stationed in Xichuan's Jincheng, also successfully received one of the spy's pigeon messages.
"The reinforcement troops for Hanzhong, including logistics, are only around twenty thousand? Adding the troops brought by Nan Jiyun and the Hanzhong garrison, Hanzhong has less than fifty thousand men?"
Helian Heng's face lit up with excitement, but he remained somewhat uneasy, asking the assembled strategists below, "Liang Xiao's march to Liaodong, is it truly just to attack the Taiji Kingdom?"
The strategists exchanged views and finally reached a consensus.
"My Lord! Perhaps Liang Xiao intends to launch a surprise attack on the Xianbei. After all, those ninety thousand troops include ten thousand cavalry!"
Helian Heng finally understood: "It seems he knows that Xichuan is easily defended but difficult to attack, and being eager for merit, he intends to conquer the Taiji Kingdom to establish his authority. However, if he were to surprise attack the Xianbei and drive them into the barren northern lands, it would also shock the Taiji Kingdom into surrender, killing two birds with one stone..."
"I heard that the Xianbei have recently grown stronger. They lost ten thousand cavalry to the Great Qian Kingdom, so the two nations are practically at war. Liang Xiao's move to Liaodong is likely a feint, to preemptively strike!" the military advisor analyzed.
Helian Heng was still concerned: "It's not yet certain. Investigate further!"
For three consecutive days, pigeon messages were sent back to Xichuan's Jincheng.
Without exception, they all consisted of observations from two different spies regarding the cooking stoves left behind when the two armies departed, mutually confirming their authenticity.
"Xichuan is safe and sound!" Helian Heng roared with laughter, then his expression hardened. "But the true gateway to Xichuan is Hanzhong. Without capturing Hanzhong, we can never prevent Liang Xiao from attacking Xichuan!"
"Does my Lord intend to take the initiative and attack Hanzhong?" the strategists were greatly alarmed.
Helian Heng stated gravely, "Hanzhong has at most fifty thousand men, and they must also garrison various locations. My army numbers over fifteen thousand; we can dispatch at least eleven thousand. While Liang Xiao is in Liaodong and unable to send reinforcements, our army can advance on Hanzhong. Even if we fail, we can retreat to Xichuan early! But if we succeed, from this day forward, the Shu region will be under the control of my Helian family. Defending this strategic position, we can declare ourselves emperor!!"
The strategists below were shocked and quickly recovered, all pledging their support.
"My Lord is wise! With the capture of Hanzhong, Xichuan will have an extra layer of defense. Even if Liang Xiao possesses divine abilities, he will be unable to enter Shu!"
Since the Great Qian Kingdom could not invade, if Helian Heng were to usurp the throne and become emperor, would they not all be founding dignitaries...
The Helian family of Xichuan was stirring, sharpening their blades, preparing to advance on Hanzhong.
General of Conquest of the South, Zhuo Ying, had returned to Jiangnan. After communicating with Gongsun Ye, he led his troops to defend the southwestern region of Jiangnan, with Shi Liuyun as his deputy.
"The entire army, heed my orders! Train rigorously, prepare for battle, and remain vigilant against the rebels of Jiaozhou and the southwest!"
As Zhuo Ying's command spread, the entire army intensified its training, fearing a repeat of the Lúzhōu incident.
This time, there was no Marquis Anguo to assist in the defense of Lúzhōu.
The court of Da Liang also received news of Liang Xiao's main force heading to Liaodong, and was greatly shocked.
"The news is confirmed. From the scale observed by the spies, the main army is indeed assembling in Liaodong. It seems Liang Xiao is more eager to resolve the border threat."
The officials below murmured amongst themselves. The Assistant Minister of War said, "Could it be that Liang Xiao is merely using the attack on the Taiji Kingdom as a cover, and his true intention is to deal with the Xianbei, to permanently remove the threat to Liaodong?"
Everyone suddenly understood and praised the idea.
Qin Feng, the Minister of War, remained silent.
The Left Prime Minister, Yan Liu, glanced at Qin Feng and said coldly, "What are your thoughts, Grand Son-in-law?"
The conflict between imperial power and the aristocratic families was growing increasingly sharp, and Qin Feng, a staunch supporter of Mu Cheng, bore the brunt of it, offending the most aristocratic families.
Qin Feng ignored him and instead stepped forward to report, "Your Majesty, this minister believes that our country should accelerate military and political reforms, and enhance our national strength, so that we will not be unable to hold our heads high when facing Da Qian in the future and become a vassal state!"
"As you wish!" Mu Cheng said without hesitation.
This proposal did not anger the aristocratic families, for at this moment, they were the ones who least wished for Da Liang to be annexed by Da Qian. No one wanted to directly confront Liang Xiao, the gravedigger of aristocratic families.
In the imperial study, Qin Feng finally revealed his guess to Mu Cheng.
"Father, Liang Xiao launching an expedition to Liaodong in deep winter must have a profound meaning. Given Liang Xiao's importance to the common people, merely dealing with the Taiji Kingdom and his ancestors is less critical than rescuing the people of Xichuan. Perhaps the two armies' commanders have switched places."
Mu Cheng suddenly realized: "Even if we were to try and sabotage this and expose his strategy to the Helian family, it would be too late. Our country should seize this opportunity, and while reforming, secretly absorb landlords and influential families fleeing from Da Qian!"
Qin Feng returned home, his brow furrowed with worry.
If Da Qian completely controlled the Heavenly Kingdom of Abundance, it would be one step closer to unification. The next step would inevitably be Jiaozhou, and then...
Qin Xun, having successfully been promoted from a book boy to Qin Feng's retainer, suggested, "My Lord, haven't you acquired new crops from Da Qian? Why not transplant some and send people to the Guishuang Dynasty, the Xianbei, the Taiji Kingdom, and the Izumo Kingdom? Let these nations, which do not threaten us, grow stronger and jointly resist Da Qian, forming alliances afar and attacking nearby!"
Zhirou, standing nearby, her expression changed, and she looked anxiously at Qin Feng.