Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

A few days later, at Mangshan, Jin State.

A troop of soldiers was advancing slowly along the road.

The weather in June was very hot, and the people in armor were exhausted. Even the big flag in the middle with the word "Chu" written on it could not flutter.

In the middle of the army, Chu Ning rode his horse and stood, looking at the exhausted appearance of the people, he could not help but frowned and said:

"Go through this valley at once, and set up camp ahead."

It is not good to march in summer because the weather is too hot.

In addition to the key geographical environment of Jin State, this place is actually much hotter than Chu State, which makes many Chu State soldiers difficult to accept.

In order to calm the troops as quickly as possible, Chu Ning could only pass through this narrow valley and set up camp in front to rest.

At the command, the Chu army immediately became energized and rushed forward faster.

At this time, Jia Yu rode up to report: "Your Highness, the Han and Wei armies are fighting our army!"

Chu Ning raised his eyebrows when he heard this, revealing a serious look, and immediately took the information handed over by Jia Yu.

After reading it, he sneered: "Sima Yi is crazy about becoming the emperor. He even dared to send people to attack our army's granary in Yanzhou."

"And Huo Quji actually dared to attack Maple Leaf City. He really overestimated his own capabilities."

After a pause, Chu Ning sneered and said, "It seems that I need to teach him a lesson."

"Come here, please prepare your writing!"

A guard immediately brought writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone.

Chu Ning picked up the brush, quickly wrote a letter and handed it to Jia Yu: "Send someone to deliver it to the messenger immediately, and ask him to present it when Sima Yi ascends the throne."

Jia Yu took the letter respectfully, put it away, hesitated for a moment, and then continued: "Your Highness, the Tang army and the Jin army have made a move."

"The 30,000 new soldiers of the Jin army are setting up an offensive at Jianguan Pass to block the advance of our Eastern Route Army."

"The Emperor of Jin asked the officials of Jin to gather the soldiers and form a 20,000-man army to stop our Western Route Army."

"As for us, it was the Tang army general Yuchi Gong who personally led his men here. According to the information from the Jinyiwei, they are setting up their battle array 50 miles away from the Mangshan Valley!"

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, and a hint of coldness flashed across his face: "It seems that the Tang Dynasty is determined to intervene in this matter."

"Humph, in that case, then I will destroy these 50,000 Tang troops first."

"Send the scouts to gather information immediately and find out the Tang army's deployment."

"Yes!" Jia Yu responded, and then immediately went down to make arrangements.

But before he could get on the horse, Chu Ning suddenly said, "Wait!"

In Jia Yu's surprised eyes, he raised the corners of his mouth slightly and chuckled, "I promised Ran Ming that I would let him and Yuchi Gong fight each other."

"Since Yuchi Gong is here, let's transfer Ran Ming over. The other two armies cannot decide the outcome of this battle. Only by destroying the Tang army can our army enter the heartland of Jin with peace of mind."

"I understand!" Jia Yu smiled and said, "I will send someone to invite General Ran Ming here right away."

After the two men finished their discussion, Jia Yu immediately went down to make arrangements.

And one day later, the Chu army finally walked out of the long valley.

For safety reasons, Chu Ning ordered the Chu army to set up camp twenty miles away from the entrance of the valley.

In other words, the camps of the Chu and Tang armies were only thirty kilometers apart.

In order to find out the situation of the Tang army, Chu Ning, after a day's rest, personally took Jia Yu and a team of cavalry to check the Tang army's deployment.

Because it was the first time he fought against the Tang army, he was not clear about the Tang army's habits and schedule, so Chu Ning planned to observe the Tang army personally for a day!

The scorching sun burned the land of Jin State, and white mist rose from the cracked loess.

Fifty thousand Tang troops spread out along the fan-shaped terrace of the ancient city of Jiaohe, and their camp was arranged as neatly as a chessboard.

The scarlet banners of the central army tent hung low in the heat. The six halberd bearers were sweating through their heavy armor, but they still guarded the gate as if they were cast in bronze or iron.

The camp was located on the north side of a stream. Craftsmen used hollowed-out poplar trunks to erect bamboo dragons to divert water, and clear water flowed into the camps along twelve ditches.

The light cavalry of Zuo Yuhou's army were watering their horses at the river bend. Salt frost was on the horses' manes and the linen pads under their saddles were soaked with sweat.

The quartermaster directed the civilians to put mint leaves and licorice slices into the waterwheel. The water droplets brought up by the turning of the windlass were sucked up by the scorching sand before they even hit the ground.

A black flag was flying in the front military camp, and eight hundred Modao soldiers were sharpening their weapons under the shade of tents.

Their Ming Guang armor was hung neatly on wooden racks, with reeds stuffed between the armor plates to maintain ventilation.

The cooks brought in thirty copper-wrapped wooden barrels. When the lids were opened, clouds of white mist rose up - this was a drink made from sour milk chilled by ice bricks from the snowy mountains. The soldiers lined up holding bamboo tubes to receive it, and the sound of their Adam's apples rolling could be heard one after another.

There were eight three-meter-high watchtowers surrounding the central army tent. The sentries wore bamboo hats soaked in tung oil, and bronze mirrors refracted the dazzling skylight into fine spots of light.

Suddenly, dust rose from the northwest corner, and three scouts with red feathers on their backs rushed into the gate like a whirlwind, with leather bags tied to their horses' bellies still dripping with icy water.

This is a sample of drinking water brought back from dozens of miles away. The medical officer wants to check whether there are any signs of poisoning.

As the sun set, thirty-six white wind flags rose above the camp, and cooks in each camp lit their marching stoves at the same time.

Baked naan wrapped in wet mud is stewed in a clay jar, and jerky camel meat and alfalfa sprouts are boiling in an iron pot.

The night watchmen began to pour water on the fence. The wet rammed earth wall could not only prevent night raids and fire attacks, but the evaporated water vapor could also cool down the defenders.

When the first star lit up, three drum beats were heard from the central army tent. The clashing of 50,000 pieces of armor startled the night owls living in the red willows.

The Tang army spent the whole day under Chu Ning's nose.

Chu Ning, who had been watching for a whole day, put his hands behind his back, a solemn expression flashed across his face: "The Tang army is indeed an elite force, it is simply comprehensive!"

"Whether it's the sentries, the layout of the camp, the soldiers' drills, or even the water sources, we would send people to check every day to see if there are any signs of poisoning."

"Such an army has stricter discipline than the Qin army."

Jia Yu, who was standing by, also had a serious expression on his face: "Yes, this Tang army is more powerful than we thought!"

"Also, the Mingguang armor and Mo Dao they are wearing should not be underestimated. Although their Mo Dao may not be as sharp as ours, their combat effectiveness cannot be ignored."

In the past, the Chu army's Modao team was simply invincible.

But now the Tang army also has the Modao team!

Although they had not fought each other yet, just looking at the tall stature of the Tang army's Modao soldiers, one could tell that their opponents were not easy to deal with.

Chu Ning's eyes were tightly locked, revealing a hint of contemplation.

After a moment, he waved his hand and said, "Let's go back first. According to the time, Ran Ming will be here soon."

The specific strategy to defeat the enemy needs further discussion.

But what Chu Ning didn't know was that at this moment Yuchi Gong received news from the scouts.

The central camp of the Tang army.

A scout said in a deep voice: "General, the person who has been watching our camp has gone back."

"I saw from afar that the leader was wearing a purple python robe!"

"Purple python robe?"

Yuchi Gong grinned: "That must be Chu Ning, the crown prince of Chu!"

"Hey, since he's here, I'll have a good meeting with him tomorrow!"

"Order that tomorrow, 10,000 vanguard troops will follow me to challenge the Chu army camp!"