Chapter 73: Relying on
Pujin Pass, formerly known as Linjin Pass, is located on the west bank of the Yellow River. It controls the ferry crossing, one of the three major ferry crossings, and is an important passage between Guanzhong and Bingzhou.

Since the Warring States Period, the Qin State built a ferry bridge here. After the establishment of the Great Yan State, the ferry bridge was rebuilt to facilitate the transportation of grain and fodder from Hezhong, Hebei and other places.

Early this morning, hundreds of fully armored cavalrymen holding imperial seals and carrying the banner of the Xiaoguo Army appeared outside the Puzhou Pass.

Upon seeing this, Captain Xue Xiong ordered his men to check the authenticity of the tokens and seals.

After knowing that it was correct, he personally opened the door to welcome him.

"I am Li Yuanhui, a general of the Xiongguo Army. I have been ordered to take over Puzhen Pass. This is the imperial edict and the order of the general commander of the march. All the ferries, soldiers, and baggage at Puzhen Ferry are under my control. Commander Xue, do you have any objections?"

The young man in front of him was wearing a bright armor and a wind-wing helmet on his head. He had a handsome face and sharp eyes. He took out the imperial edict, the decree, and the seal.

Xue Xiong was sweating profusely. "Since it is an order from above, I will cooperate. Please give the order, General."

Li Yuanhui nodded. The other party was a very tactful person, which saved a lot of trouble.

"Have all the soldiers guarding the pass withdraw and hand them over to our brave army. Then take your people to collect ferries immediately. The more the better. And keep an eye on the bridge for me."

"Yes, I'll go right away."

With sweat on his brow, Xue Xiong immediately ordered the 400 soldiers at Puzhou Pass to surrender the pass and immediately went to the ferry to prepare the ferry.

He was actually very curious as to why the Xiaoguo Army, which was supposed to be on a western tour, appeared at Puzhindu. Were they heading to Bingzhou?

Is there something wrong with Bingzhou?

Li Yuanhui was relieved to see Xue Xiong taking orders and leaving. He was afraid that when he arrived at the Puzhen ferry, the bridges and boats here would be burned down.

It seems that the army is moving fast enough. Murong Xu in Taiyuan probably hasn't reacted yet and hasn't raised the banner of rebellion.

In this way, the army can cross the river safely.

As a Tiger Guard General, he didn't need to lead the way himself.

Unfortunately, the entire Xiaoguo Army, as the vanguard of the army, is now under the command of General Li Shenfu, the vanguard commander of the Western Expedition.

Li Yuanhui was a descendant of Li Shenfu. General Li had always been strict in managing his troops, so he specially let Li Yuanhui's troops lead the way.

He also secretly instructed him to lead the elite cavalry ahead before crossing the river to set an example for the entire army.

However, after crossing the river, you must send your officers and lieutenants to go ahead and not take risks yourself.

Li Yuanhui naturally knew that his uncle was experienced, so he personally led more than 600 cavalrymen to clear the way for the army.

Half a day later, Li Shenfu personally led more than 15,000 cavalrymen to Puzhou Pass and ordered the entire army to cross the river.

It took another half a day for the army to complete the crossing of the river.

After crossing the river, he only let the army rest for one night. Before the daybreak, he quickly led the army to advance along the river and toward the north, as if to interpret the meaning of the four words "speed is of the essence in war".

This time, Li Yuanhui was in the center of the army with the heavy cavalry, riding side by side with Liu Xuanji, wearing only a robe and no armor.

The cavalry in front and behind followed them, with their armor and helmets tied together and placed on the pack horses beside them.

Although it was February, the spring chill still made the knights on horseback shiver involuntarily.

Li Yuanhui said that he was riding a Qinghai horse, a fine horse that is abundant in the Qinghai Plateau. Liu Xuanji, who was standing by, looked at the horse with undisguised envy.

"This Qinghai Cong is a really good horse. Looking at its pace and breathing, it's really good."

Li Yuanhui smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. This is the horse that His Highness Jinyang personally picked for me. He said it has good endurance. I dare not give the horse to you. When we return to Chang'an, you can pick any horse from the Li family's stable. I can't make the decision about the things in the princess's mansion."

Liu Xuanji joked, "You have to go to war with the army right after you got married. I'm sure Your Highness misses your husband too."

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Hahaha."

The guards nearby all burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at, you all, you want to be whipped, right?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

As soon as Li Yuanhui said this, everyone laughed even louder. The people around were Li Yuanhui's personal guards and Liu Xuanji's old subordinates, who were also familiar with Li Yuanhui's temper. The distinguished son-in-law didn't really care about the jokes he made during the march.

But if you dare to compromise on military orders, you will be subject to military law.

After saying this and laughing, Liu Xuanji looked at the surrounding terrain and said, "Bingzhou is all mountainous. The terrain from Hedong to Taiyuan is long and narrow. This battle will not be easy to fight."

Li Yuanhui also looked around and said, "Now we can only hope that Murong Xu will not be prepared, and we can take Taiyuan in one fell swoop. But this is a bit presumptuous. However, the worst case scenario is that we rush to the city and Taiyuan is prepared. That would be simple. The central army will come to attack the city, and we don't have to climb the wall."

Liu Xuanji shook his head: "I think this journey was a bit too smooth. If Murong Xu really wanted to rebel, would he let us cross the river so smoothly?"

Li Yuanhui frowned and said, "Brother Liu, do you mean that Murong Xu is trying to lead you into a trap?"

"I don't know, but if I were Murong Xu, I would definitely occupy Hedong County first and destroy the Pujin bridge to prevent the imperial army from entering Bingzhou so easily."

Although Liu Xuanji was only a captain before, he had been involved in military operations for many years. After being promoted to captain, he read a lot of military books, so he was naturally good at military strategies.

"Did he collude with the Turks?"

Taiyuan County, Jinyang City. Also known as Longcheng, the seat of Bingzhou.

It is said to "control the mountains and rivers and sit on the shoulders of the world", "it is located at the strategic point of the four passes and controls the capital of the five originals".

The Governor's Mansion is located in the inner city, adjacent to the Governor's Mansion. The current Governor of Bingzhou, Prince of Guangling Murong Xu, is currently in the public housing in the Governor's Mansion, politely greeting the two guests who have come from afar.

Both of them were wearing printed robes, had taken off their felt hats with goose feathers on them, had many braids of different sizes on their heads, were both tall and strong, and had somewhat similar faces.

The older one was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, in the prime of his life, and his name was Tuoba Yufu. The younger one was in his early twenties, with a fierce look in his eyes, and his name was Tuoba Hao.

They were from the Tuoba family of Daibei, and were the brothers and sons of Tuoba Yuqing, Duke of Dai.

After the Tuoba tribe was defeated by the Wei Dynasty, a group of them submitted to the Central Plains and were settled in Dai County.

After the Great Yan came to power, the Tuoba tribe chose to surrender because they were also Xianbei people. They were still allowed to be settled in Dai County and the leader of the Tuoba tribe was named Duke of Dai.

"General Tuoba, I'm sorry for not welcoming you from afar. Please have some tea."

"Thank you Captain."

After some pleasantries, Murong Xu went straight to the point.

"General Tuoba, since you are willing to come to Taiyuan, it means you agree to our agreement."

Tuoba Hao said: "Of course, the current saint is not a wise leader. Our Tuoba tribe originally conspired with the governor to achieve great things. I came here to represent my brother and sign a covenant with the governor."

"Okay, Duke Dai is very righteous. When the world is stable, the Murong family and the Tuoba family can share the wealth and honor."

Murong Xu was very happy to get the support of the Tuoba family, and his joy was evident on his face.

After some agreement, Murong Xu personally escorted the two people from the Tuoba family out of the Governor's Mansion.

"Uncle, this Murong Xu doesn't look like someone who can accomplish anything. He doesn't have the heroic spirit at all. Why should Aye support such a man?" After the two of them left the Governor's Mansion and returned to the inn where they were staying, Tuoba Hao couldn't hold back and asked directly as soon as he entered the house.

Tuoba Yufu asked: "Ah Hao, why do you think your father will support Murong Xu?"

Tuoba Hao said: "Then we are not here to make a covenant with Murong Xu? Could it be..."

"Hahahaha, you also said that Murong Xu has no heroic spirit. How can he succeed? We want to make an alliance with him. We are just trying to give him courage. Even if the imperial court launches an expedition, we will attack his Taiyuan first. We in Daibei can just watch him and act immediately. Besides, do you think we are helping Murong Xu?"

Tuoba Yufu's words revealed a lot of information, which made Tuoba Hao unable to understand for a while.

After a while, he finally understood what was going on: "Uncle, you mean, there is someone behind Murong Xu?"

"Do you think he would dare to do such a big thing?"

Just after the uncle and nephew of the Tuoba clan left the Governor's Mansion, several people dressed like businessmen with obvious foreign blood entered the Governor's Mansion.

The leader among them clenched his fist at his chest and bowed.

"Your Majesty, the Khan sends his regards."

(End of this chapter)