Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 172 Cangzhou Falls

Anguo was only a prefecture, but even with its small territory, it was a mature and independent regime, and given its geographical advantages, it wouldn't be easy to conquer.

Therefore, Shen Qing has recently devoted most of his energy to studying the terrain of the Anguo Mountains and figuring out battle strategies. After several sand table simulations, he discovered that the biggest challenge was not defeating the enemy's main force, but rather finding it!

Last time, when the three-nation allied forces launched a surprise attack on Pingshan Pass, it was the Anguo army that took the initiative to attack into the territory of Xuanguo. However, if the Xuanguo army, which is good at plains warfare, were to cross mountains and valleys to fight jungle warfare, using their own weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths, not to mention whether they could win, they might not even be able to find a hair on the enemy's head.

If the other side uses its home advantage to wage guerrilla warfare against you, then you can't afford to waste time. When the previous dynasty unified the country, it took several generations to assimilate the natives of Anzhou, which shows how difficult it is to conquer them.

Shen Qing's desire to attack Anguo is not only for its coal resources, but also because of the lessons learned from the previous surprise attack by the three-nation coalition. Anguo has a long coastline and numerous ports, so who knows what kind of surprises it will bring next?

As the old saying goes, "How can one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's bed?"

Just as they were pondering how to train the troops, the voice of a messenger came from outside the tent.

"General Shen, the Marquis requests your presence in the command tent for a meeting."

·

"What!" Shen Qing stared in astonishment, "Jing Kingdom has captured Cangzhou of Qi Kingdom?"

He had witnessed the fighting strength of the Cangzhou garrison, so how could they be so weak that they couldn't even last one round before being wiped out? Shen Qing couldn't think of any other reason besides an inside traitor and Jing Guo's collusion.

"With the fall of Cangzhou, we should also take precautions."

Lu Zhen said this because the distance between Qi Kingdom's Cangzhou and Xuan Kingdom's Yongzhou is neither too close nor too far. Although Jing Kingdom is currently at war with Qi Kingdom, it should not offend Xuan Kingdom at the same time. But what if Jing Kingdom does something unexpected? For example, who would have thought that he would send troops to attack Cangzhou during the spring planting season?

Everyone understood. Qi Shang, who had just returned from Jiayong Pass and was newly promoted to the commander of the Lingxiao Army, couldn't help but look at the Jing Kingdom on the map. Could it be that the Jing Kingdom provided the money and supplies? But hadn't the Jing Kingdom already formed a marriage alliance with the Qi Kingdom? Why would it join forces with Jing to attack Qi?

Thinking this, he raised his head, about to voice his doubts, when he saw Shen Qing's brows furrowed and his face grim. He couldn't help but ask, "General Shen, have you noticed anything amiss?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking of my old friends in Cangzhou."

If Cangzhou had been captured by the Jing Kingdom's army under normal circumstances, Shen Qing wouldn't have needed to worry about Ye Mingzhu. Based on his understanding of the integrity of aristocratic families, they would definitely have to fight. Not fighting would be a disservice to the integrity of the gentry. However, their principles were limited. If they couldn't win, they would surrender and continue working under a new ruler. As long as there was no deep-seated hatred or conflict of interest, the enemy leader would most likely be happy to use the local prominent families to appease the people.

The fact that Cangzhou fell so quickly this time clearly indicates an internal traitor. This person cannot be the governor of Cangzhou. If it were him, he wouldn't even need to fight once; he could simply open the city gates and surrender. Besides, he is the top official in Cangzhou, and Qi Kingdom is stronger than Jing Kingdom. There would be no point in him betraying the state.

The most likely candidate is Zhen Sima, the second-in-command of Cangzhou. If so, his only son, Zhen E, is deeply in love with Ye Mingzhu and should not make things too difficult for the Ye family, at least ensuring their safety.

The worst-case scenario is that the mole is the third-in-command. To avoid future repercussions from the Ye and Zhen families, the third-in-command will strike first and eliminate the Ye and Zhen families before the leader of Jing Kingdom takes over Cangzhou to prevent future troubles!

Meanwhile, the new governor of Jing Kingdom, who was to receive Zhang Cang Prefecture, was traveling by carriage to Fan City.

Lu Shang stretched his limbs from sitting for so long and complained, "Wen Jingyi, you bastard, you always order people around!"