In the famine, others ate Guanyin soil, but he had space to build a farm.

Yang Chenhe couldn't help but feel ashamed when he was questioned by Ma Weidong. He argued, "Governor, I know this is not a wise choice, but Dakun is facing internal and external troubles. If we don't compromise temporarily, how can we resist the invasion of foreign enemies?"

After hearing this, Ma Weidong sneered and pointed out bluntly: "We have come all the way here to serve the king. Even if we don't sneak attack those barbarians, I am confident that we can repel them once the iron cavalry from the northeast arrives. Why do we have to negotiate peace? After the peace talks, not only will we give them money and food, but the barbarians will also ask for the opening of the border market. By then, how can we prevent iron tools and gunpowder from flowing into their hands? In this way, the barbarians will become even more powerful, and it will be even more difficult to fight them again!"

Yang Chenhe stood up and paced back and forth in the tent with his hands behind his back. After a moment, he stopped in front of Ma Weidong, forced a smile and said, "This is just a temporary measure. When the barbarians' morale is low, we will look for an opportunity to win in one fell swoop."

However, Ma Weidong did not believe his words and sneered again: "Don't try to fool me! I have already known the news and the peace talks have been planned. Aren't you and the military supervisor Zhou Qiqian responsible for negotiating peace with the barbarians?"

Yang Chenhe thought that this matter was extremely confidential, but he did not expect that even Ma Weidong, who came from afar, knew about it. For a moment, he did not know how to explain it, so he had to bite the bullet and continue to defend himself: "Governor Ma, you misunderstood. We did not negotiate peace with the barbarians. We just hope to get them to withdraw their troops through negotiations and promise not to invade our Dakun border at will."

"Negotiation? Humph, it's just an excuse for you to take credit in front of His Majesty." Ma Weidong shook his head and sneered, obviously not believing what Yang Chenhe said.

Yang Chenhe was so anxious that he waved his hands repeatedly: "We have absolutely no such intention!"

Ma Weidong was unmoved: "I don't care what you think, I only believe in my own judgment. I know that I may not be able to keep these soldiers under my command. If you want them, just take them. But from now on, Daqian will be eroded step by step by the barbarians. How can you face your ancestors and the people of Dakun?"

After seeing Yang Chenhe off, Ma Weidong sat alone in the tent and pondered. He knew very well that Yang Chenhe and the others would not make such a decision on their own, and there must be the will of Emperor Chongming behind it. He originally planned to fight the barbarians to the death after the iron cavalry from the northeast arrived, but now it seems that the iron cavalry from the northeast will no longer be under his command. I am afraid that the 30,000 soldiers under his command will not be able to hold out for long. He could not help but begin to doubt Emperor Chongming's trust in him, and a sense of inexplicable loss surged in his heart.

He thought of Yuan Chong, who commanded hundreds of thousands of troops in the northeast. If he followed Yuan Chong's strategy and was given a few more years, he might be able to completely reduce the living space of the barbarians and gradually let them die out. However, all this came to nothing because of Emperor Chongming's suspicion. He could not help but sigh indignantly: "Since ancient times, there has never been a powerful minister in the country and a general who can make achievements outside!" This sentence expressed his helplessness and unwillingness.

Several deputy generals gathered around, and one of them comforted Ma Weidong in a gentle tone: "Sir, we have been stationed at the border for a long time, and it is rare for us to have the opportunity to meet His Majesty. Why do you have to argue with those court officials? What if they go to His Majesty to make trouble and harm you? How should you deal with it?"

Ma Weidong frowned and said angrily, "I really can't stand it anymore! As important officials of the court, they don't think about how to serve the country, but instead try to reconcile with foreign enemies. Since Taizu founded the foundation, when has our Dakun ever bowed to the enemy? Now a mere barbarian with less than 100,000 soldiers and horses has frightened them into a panic!"

Another deputy general nodded in agreement: "I've heard about it too. It's mainly because a large number of rebels have emerged in the western border. Therefore, His Majesty plans to quell the rebellion in the west first, and then deal with the barbarian threat in the northeast."

Ma Weidong slammed the table and stood up, shouting angrily: "I really can't stand it anymore! Now the enemy troops have penetrated deep into the border, the capital has been under martial law, and their attention is all focused on suppressing the bandits in the northwest, and they are even willing to sign a humiliating alliance. How can I sit back and do nothing?"

The deputy general who had tried to comfort him sighed helplessly, "But Yang Chenhe is now favored by His Majesty. His Majesty would rather send his own Minister of War Sun Ting to deal with the rebellion in the northwest than to give it to him. This shows that His Majesty values ​​him even more than Sun Ting. Although you are broad-minded and don't care about those slanders, I'm afraid you will face more difficulties and obstacles if you want to lead the army to fight against the barbarians again in the future."

Ma Weidong was silent for a long time, with a determined light flashing in his eyes: "What can difficulties and obstacles do? I, Ma Weidong, have been in the military all my life. What kind of challenges have I not experienced? As long as it is for the prosperity of Dakun and the peace and happiness of the people, even if it is a sea of ​​fire and a mountain of sword, I will move forward bravely and fearlessly!" His words were full of ambition and fearless spirit, which moved all the deputy generals around him.

……

While people in and outside the capital were preparing for the coming barbarians, Lin Kunlun led thousands of soldiers on the expedition. They marched along the way, sometimes stopping and sometimes hiding to avoid enemy detection. After some twists and turns, they finally arrived at the mountainous area where Yuan Quan was.

"Chief Lin, the valley ahead is where we are temporarily stationed. Let's wait here for a while! They will be here soon!" Mu Feng, as a guide, stood beside Lin Kunlun, pointing to a valley not far away.

Lin Kunlun surveyed the surrounding terrain and exclaimed, "This place is indeed an ideal base.

Lin Kunlun's eyes sparkled with wisdom. He knew that choosing a good base was crucial to the next battle. He turned to Mu Feng and said firmly, "Mu Feng, lead the way. Let's go in and take a look."

As the team slowly entered the valley, Lin Kunlun found that this was indeed a good place that was easy to defend but difficult to attack. There were steep slopes on both sides of the valley, covered with dense forests, which could conceal their whereabouts very well. At the bottom of the valley was a relatively flat open space, large enough to accommodate thousands of soldiers to camp.

"Chief Lin, we have already set up some simple defensive fortifications here." Mu Feng pointed to some trenches and wooden fences ahead and said, "But time is running out and we don't have time to complete them."

Lin Kunlun nodded to show his understanding. He knew that it was not easy to build such a defense in such a short time. He turned to the soldiers behind him and said, "Thank you for your hard work! We will stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will continue to set out and find a place more suitable for a decisive battle with the barbarians."

As night fell, the camp in the valley gradually quieted down. Lin Kunlun sat by the campfire, discussing the next plan with Mu Feng and several other generals. They analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, discussed various possible situations, and formulated corresponding response strategies.

At this moment, a scout hurried over, knelt in front of Lin Kunlun and reported: "Chief, we found traces of an unidentified group of people, and they seem to be approaching our direction!"

During this period of time, these thousands of people? As they walked along the way, they can already be considered qualified soldiers! At least they can do reconnaissance and sentry very well.

Lin Kunlun frowned upon hearing this. He realized that this battle might come sooner than he expected. He quickly stood up and said to everyone, "Pass the order down, the entire army enters the first level of alert! Mu Feng, you immediately take people to scout the enemy situation and make sure to find out the number and movement of the enemy!"

The atmosphere in the valley suddenly became tense, and the soldiers picked up their weapons and prepared for battle. Lin Kunlun stood quietly by the campfire, looking deep into the distance, as if thinking about how to win the upcoming battle.

At this time, Mu Feng also eagerly stood on the hill next to him.

"Don't be nervous, they are our own people! It's Young Marshal Yuan Quan who brought people here!"

Hearing Mu Feng's shout, the tense atmosphere in the valley was relieved. Lin Kunlun's eyes also flashed with joy, and he quickly ordered: "Order the entire army to lift the first level alert and prepare to welcome the arrival of Young Marshal Yuan!"

As the order was conveyed, the soldiers put down their weapons one after another, with long-lost smiles on their faces. They lined up neatly on both sides of the road, waiting for Yuan Quan's arrival.

After a while, Yuan Quan appeared at the entrance of the valley with an elite force. Although the clothes on these people were not uniform, everyone was wearing armor, which was obviously taken from those officers and soldiers. He was wearing black ink armor and riding a tall horse, looking heroic. Seeing Lin Kunlun and others standing on both sides of the road to greet him, he quickly dismounted and walked forward quickly.

"Brother Lin, Uncle Mu, sorry to have kept you waiting!" Yuan Quan greeted them warmly with a bright smile on her face.

Lin Kunlun and Yuan Quan hugged each other, and after exchanging a few words, the three of them walked into the valley together.

After sitting down in the tent, Yuan Quan couldn't wait to ask about Lin Kunlun and others' situation and the next plan. When he learned that Lin Kunlun and others brought 5000 people and a lot of food this time, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Great! With your joining, we will definitely be able to defeat Sun Ting." Yuan Quan said confidently, "I have received news that the barbarians have recently entered the Fortress! I am afraid that Sun Ting will not be able to hold on for long and will be called back!"

Lin Kunlun also echoed, "That's right! Da Kun is now at the end of its rope due to internal and external troubles! Let's overthrow this corrupt dynasty together!"

"I wonder how many people are left, Brother Yuan?" After Lin Kunlun and he reminisced about the past, he began to calculate the combined strength of the two teams. He never thought that Yuan Quan and his team would be suppressed so badly. Looking at the people they brought with them, many of them were injured.