After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

With Qian handling all the affairs of Longcheng, everything proceeded smoothly.

Whether it was the land tax reform, commercial planning, or the resettlement of displaced people by the Ministry of Agriculture, all were properly arranged.

Chen Futu focused his attention on military matters.

The military academy and the Northern Frontier Academy have completed their final arrangements.

Chen Futu issued a decree on enrollment and planned to prepare for the establishment of a lower-level academy.

"But we don't have that much money."

Yu Qian was very troubled by the finances of northern Xinjiang.

Currently, business efforts are focused on the development zone, and the funds raised by businessmen are sufficient for its construction. However, the finances of the northern border region currently have only a little over 200,000 taels left.

The businesses undertaken by the Ministry of Commerce have only just begun to take off, and the financial situation cannot be resolved in the short term.

In addition, setting up lower-level schools in various towns and cities is not only a matter of money, but also a matter of talent reserves.

The northern frontier is too close to the northern Wu and the Hu people. Merchants from the Central Plains are willing to come for money, but scholars and literati are afraid of war and are unwilling to come to the northern frontier.

Without solving this problem, everything is just empty talk.

After a moment's thought, Chen Futu took out the various subjects that Dong Xian'er had helped compile, and then proposed a plan: first, let the Northern Frontier Academy study these subjects properly, and then assign people to teach in the local areas after they have completed their studies. Therefore, planning the lower-level schools is not a problem at all.

As for money, we're currently recruiting students, so we'll start by creating some buzz.

For example, if the deans of the military academy were Zhang Liang and Qin Liangyu, as long as their children were sent there, they would surely have a bright future after completing their studies.

For this reason, Chen Futu specially set up a "special class" for the sons of merchants.

By donating money and grain, the children of merchants could enter elite classes and enjoy the best treatment.

Of course, this treatment is limited to living expenses; truly talented people should be taught in other classes.

Yu Qian thought this method was feasible, so he had someone release the news.

As expected, upon hearing the news, merchants were scrambling to get their sons into the military academy and into the elite class. It's worth noting that going directly from a lowly merchant to a future military officer is impossible in any other country, but in the Northern Frontier, the opportunity was within reach, so they were willing to pay any price.

With the money issue resolved, everything else became much easier.

"Your Highness, Zhao Xi'er is preparing to set off."

Qin Liangyu and Cao Zhen have prepared a large army, ready to embark on their journey home with Zhao Xier at any time.

Chen Futu immediately summoned Liu Bowen, Guan Yu, and others for a meeting.

"Da Qian and Zhang Shouren will not stand idly by and watch us bring 50,000 warhorses back to Longcheng, so we must pool our wisdom and efforts."

"Your Highness, Zhang Shouren has General Li and others stationed with 100,000 troops, forming an encirclement in various key towns. They cannot break through the defenses. Our greatest enemies are Daqian and Longman."

Liu Bowen pointed to the map, "If nothing unexpected happens, once General Qin and General Cao bring their horses back, they will definitely take the Jiuyuan Road into the northern frontier. Nearby is Shenqiu, the Western Garrison Command of the Great Qian Dynasty stationed at Tongguan, with 20,000 wolf cavalry and 40,000 infantry under his command."

Tongguan is less than 200 miles from Jiuyuan Mountain. To enter the northern border region from Xizhao by passing through Jiuyuan, one must pass the border between Longman and Tongguan, which is 50 miles from Jiuyuan. This area is undoubtedly the main battlefield where the two major forces intercept the return journey of the northern border.

Li Xiuning asked, "Is there any way to get around this place?"

“Unless we travel west from Xizhao, bypassing Longman and a mountain range to penetrate deep into the Western Regions, and then return to the Northern Frontier, this route is too long and there are no supplies. If Longman pursues us, the consequences will be unimaginable. The only way is to fight them near Tongguan.”

Liu Bowen has finished his analysis.

Guan Yu stepped forward; "Let me go."

"Gao Shun is willing to go!"

"Li Xiuning is also willing to go and fight!"

The three generals were full of fighting spirit, but unfortunately, Dragon City did not have enough military strength at the moment.

The troops in Longcheng have all been assigned to Li Huaifeng and others to defend against Zhang Shouren. Moreover, these 100,000 men cannot be moved when Qin Liangyu and Cao Zhen are being escorted, otherwise it will give Zhang Shouren an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. At present, the only troops available in Longcheng are the generals' own forces.

[Host's military strength is insufficient, making a difficult decision. Please make the following choice.]

[1. Choose to personally lead an army out of Jiuyuan Road to the Tongguan battlefield. The reward is to replenish the entire army to full strength.]

[2. Choose to personally accompany Qin and Cao to Western Zhao, and you will be rewarded with 10,000 Xiliang Iron Cavalry, with the commander-in-chief being the Divine Might General Ma Chao, whose cultivation level is at the peak of the Innate Realm.]

[3. Choose to remain in Longcheng alone, dispatch all troops, with Liu Bowen as the strategist, to Tongguan. Reward: 10,000 coins for the Night-Returner. Commander: Zhu Wenzheng, Rank 9.]

"Zhu Wenzheng?"

Chen Futu stared at the options panel in surprise.

Zhu Wenzheng held off Chen Youliang's 600,000-strong army with only 40,000 troops in Hongdu. He can be said to be the most defensive general under Zhu, and he was also a general of the Ming Dynasty.

Unfortunately, Chen Futu had to go in person this time.

After a moment's thought, Chen Futu chose option two.

[Selection complete. Divine General Ma Chao has arrived at Jiuyuan Road to await orders. Host, proceed to join him immediately.]

Ma Chao is unlikely to have any impact on the Western Regions in this world, but his Xiliang Iron Cavalry is strong enough. Combined with Qin Liangyu's White-Spear Soldiers and Cao Zhen's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, this battle will be quite a fight.

"How can our lord go in person!"

Guan Yu was the first to object.

Li Xiuning also frowned. "Your Highness, you must not. Shenqiu is a wolf in sheep's clothing and has always been at odds with the Prince of Zhenbei. Moreover, the Crown Prince of Longman is ruthless and cruel. If he finds out that Your Highness is going to Tongguan, he may surround you with a large army."

"My mind is made up, there's no need to persuade me further."

Chen Futu waved his hand, instructing Yu Qian to continue managing the overall situation, while leaving the affairs of the academy to the old fox Liu Bowen, who would surely make the merchants bleed profusely.

The army set off the following morning.

Qin Liangyu led the White-Spear Soldiers in front, while Cao Zhen led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry behind.

Chen Futu and Zhao Xier rode in a carriage, with Dian Wei accompanying them beside the carriage.

Zhao Xier asked in confusion, "I didn't expect that the young master would personally go to Xizhao to receive the warhorses. Are you worried that someone will stop you on your way back?"

"There will definitely be people who try to stop us. After all, that's 50,000 horses. How can we not take them in person?"

"If you conquer the Dragon Barbarians and occupy their territory, things won't be so troublesome."

"That's easy for you to say. The Dragon Barbarians are not weak. If they really come out in full force, they would have a force of one or two hundred thousand. At present, the internal troubles in the northern frontier have not been resolved. How can we easily resort to force?"

Chen Futu would not be swayed by Zhao Xier; he had his own strategic resolve.

Even if we have to fight, we should fight Zhang Shouren first, then Daqian, and after we've dealt with everything, we can then deal with the various tribes in the Western Regions.

"Oh, right, General Qin just returned this to me."

Zhao Xier suddenly pulled out a silk handkerchief, her expression extremely strange.

Chen Futu said awkwardly, "General Qin doesn't like seeing me take advantage of others."

"I thought General Qin was jealous."

At this point, Zhao Xier raised her alluring face with a serious expression and asked, "Does the young master like General Qin more, or me more?"

"Is it important?"

"Important. If the answer satisfies me, I will reward you with a great gift upon your return to Western Zhao."

"Ah this..."

Chen Futu looked at her seductive face and couldn't help but twitch his lips.