Qu Zhao soon received a reply from the Jiao army. As they had expected, the message instructed them to head for Chongzhou.
The Grand Chanyu’s face darkened. “They really aren’t showing us the slightest courtesy.”
Meng Su sighed helplessly. “That was within our expectations. The question now is what you intend to do, Grand Chanyu.”
The Grand Chanyu furrowed his brows and thought for a moment before speaking. “There is no suitable place for us to establish ourselves in Chongzhou.”
Meng Su was not surprised by his choice. After thinking it over, he said, “In that case, we can agree to the Jiao army’s request, but we’ll have to pass through Kang County on our way to Chongzhou.”
The Grand Chanyu’s eyes flickered, and a smile appeared on his face. “Agreed.”
Dingyang Palace.
Jiao Kang frowned as he looked at the note in his hand. “Qu Zhao has agreed to go to Chongzhou, but he wants to pass through Kang County.”
Jiao Hualing knitted his brows. “Pass through Kang County? Does Qu Zhao intend to attack Shouci Commandery in Chongzhou?”
Jiao Kang nodded. “That’s what Qu Zhao said.”
Shi Rui fell into thought. “It’s reasonable for Qu Zhao to fear the Jinyang army and choose not to take the route through Shangjing Commandery.”
Jiao Hualing sighed. “I’m only afraid that Qu Zhao’s real objective lies elsewhere.”
Jiao Kang nodded. “Qu Zhao may have other designs on Anwu County as well. However, we can send people to accompany him until they enter Chongzhou.”
Concern showed on Jiao Hualing’s face. He had a feeling that things would not be so simple. Still, when he thought of the terrain around Kang County, he relaxed somewhat.
Great Chanyu Qu Zhao watched as Jiao Tai led ten to twenty thousand Jiao soldiers to “escort” him. A cold glint flashed through his eyes, but he smiled and thanked them.
“Then I’ll thank you for escorting us along the way.”
Jiao Tai wore an equally radiant smile. “We’re all family, so there’s no need to be so polite. I hope we’ll have the opportunity to continue working together in the future.”
The Grand Chanyu smiled and gave him a perfunctory reply. “Of course. We’ll certainly have many more opportunities to cooperate in the future.”
Jiang Jin soon learned that the Jiao army was “escorting” Qu Zhao. A smile spread across her face. “They were so harmonious when they attacked Han territory together. Now they’ve fallen out with each other so quickly?”
Qiu Liao stroked his beard. “It’s simply a matter of conflicting interests.”
Jiang Jin nodded. “Where do you all think Qu Zhao is headed?”
Xie Nanxiao spoke first. “My lord, judging from Qu Zhao’s current route, they should be heading for Shouci Commandery in Chongzhou. As for which county they’ll choose, we don’t know yet.”
Hua Ruo looked somewhat worried. “If that’s the case, will the Ji army come to demand an explanation from us?”
Dong Si snorted coldly. “An explanation for what? We didn’t drive Qu Zhao toward Chongzhou. That was the result of their own discussions. What does it have to do with us?”
Zhou Sui’s eyes flickered. “Qu Zhao’s objective may not be Chongzhou.”
Qiu Liao nodded, his face carrying a mocking smile. “Exactly. Anwu King’s territory lies directly west of Kang County.”
“No matter how you look at it, Anwu County is currently Qu Zhao’s best choice. Its geographical position is simply too advantageous.”
Yao Ji pondered. “That’s true. With the Stone Mountain River to the front and the Xiling Mountains behind it, the area is highly suitable for a small or mid-sized force to hide away and develop.”
He was from Liang City himself and was relatively familiar with the whole of Qiuning Commandery. He knew the conditions in Anwu County and Chuny County very well.
Xie Nanxiao inhaled sharply. “So that’s how it is. Then doesn’t that mean Qu Zhao intends to stab the Jiao army in the back?”
Yao Ji smiled and nodded. “If that is indeed the case, Qu Zhao will not only betray the Jiao army but also clash with Anwu King. As for which side will come out on top, that’s difficult to say.”
Dong Si slapped his palm. “Excellent! Hopefully, they’ll fight until both sides suffer heavy losses.”
Xie Nanxiao shook his head. “If both sides suffer heavy losses, the Jiao army will benefit. That wouldn’t be good.”
Dong Si suddenly realized. “Right. Then it would be best if Anwu King died, Qu Zhao seized Anwu County, and only afterward clashed with the Jiao army.”
He sneered. “A mere county magistrate actually dares to call himself a king. Calling himself a king would be bad enough, but he even bows and pays tribute to the Jiao army. Such a traitor and rebel deserves to die to atone for his crimes!”
He hated Tian Xiang even more than he hated the barbarians. To him, someone who betrayed his own country and took advantage of a national crisis to rebel was more despicable than an invader.
Zhou Sui said, “Your idea has a very high chance of becoming reality. Whether in terms of troop numbers or combat strength, Tian Xiang is inferior to Qu Zhao.”
“Although Tian Xiang is defending a city, Qu Zhao should have little trouble taking Anwu County if he launches a surprise attack while Tian Xiang is completely unprepared.”
Jiang Jin smiled and nodded. “Exactly. Since Jianzhou is already in chaos, we might as well make it even more chaotic.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up, and they all turned toward her.
Jiang Jin pointed at the map. “Before Qu Zhao takes Anwu County, they most likely won’t be willing to confront the Jiao army. So it’s very possible that, after entering Chongzhou and once the Jiao army has left, they’ll circle back and launch a surprise attack.”
She tapped the area on the map northwest of Anwu County. “The Xiling mountain range is highly likely to be the route Qu Zhao chooses for the assault.”
Zhou Sui agreed. “That’s right. The terrain of the Xiling mountain range is complicated, but if they are determined to succeed or die trying, it’s not impossible to pass through.”
“Besides, once they enter the Xiling mountain range, they won’t need to march quickly. With so many Qu Zhao soldiers, they shouldn’t have much trouble dealing with the wild beasts in the mountains or transporting food and supplies.”
He looked up at Jiang Jin. “My lord, what did you mean when you said we should make Jianzhou even more chaotic?”
Jiang Jin wore a confident expression. “Qu Zhao wants Anwu County simply because it has water sources, farmland, crops, food, and Han people. They can slowly build up their strength there.”
She rapped her knuckles against the table. “But what if we destroy the crops and take all the Han people away?”
Qiu Liao drew in a sharp breath. “In that case, the Anwu County Qu Zhao fought so hard to seize would be little more than an empty shell. They would immediately face a shortage of food and labor, leaving them no choice but to go out and loot!”
As for whom they would loot, it would be either the Jiao army or the Ji army. In any case, it would not be the Jinyang army.
Of course, they would most likely target the Jiao army, because the Xiling mountain range stood between Anwu County and Shouci Commandery.
“Brilliant.” Dong Si could not help exclaiming in admiration.
Zhou Sui was equally excited. “What does my lord intend to do?”
The corners of Jiang Jin’s lips curled upward. “The crops in the fields will be easy enough to deal with. The autumn weather is clear and dry right now—one fire will take care of them. As for the civilians working the land, bring them all back.”
This time, she intended not only to make Anwu King exhaust a large portion of Qu Zhao’s forces, but also to ensure that the county Qu Zhao captured would be empty. That would force Qu Zhao into conflict with the Jiao army and ease the pressure on Daqing.
In the dense forest outside Wenxia City, Xia Chanyi led her people to the base where the tunnel was being excavated.
Luo Ah-di was delighted to see her. “Captain, you’re here.”
Xia Chanyi gave a brief hum. “How are things?”
Luo Ah-di reported, “Everything is going smoothly, but the pace is still too slow. At the current rate, it will probably take another month or so to finish digging through.”
Jiao Kang nodded. “I brought another five hundred people this time. Some of them will help you dig the tunnel, while the rest will harass and eliminate enemy forces around Punan Commandery, leaving the Ji army with no time to concern itself with this place. You can speed things up.”
Joy appeared on Luo Ah-di’s face. Then, remembering something, he hurriedly said, “We took in a group of civilians a few days ago—several dozen people. What about their food?”
