Chapter 577: Chapter 577

The main battlefield in Jiangnan was Lanzhou. Lanzhou, located at the intersection of Jiangnan and the Twelve States, had highly developed waterways. This time, the Sannan army chose to engage in combat north of Lanzhou, avoiding water battles. Water warfare was what the Jiangnan stationed army excelled at. In past years, exercises with the Jiangnan Army were almost exclusively conducted on water. Marshal Fang never expected Sannan to adopt the most insidious method of poison warfare. Before the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry arrived, the Jiangnan Army had already suffered heavy losses.

After the Yangzhou Prefect took over the rear supply lines of the army, the entire strength of Jiangnan was mobilized to resist Sannan. The vegetation and grains outside Lanzhou City became barren due to the poison warfare, and the area outside Lanzhou City was heavily engulfed in toxic miasma. The army, invaded by the toxic fumes, became physically weak, suffering from continuous vomiting and diarrhea. Although not fatal, their combat strength was significantly diminished. Moreover, there was almost no cavalry because warhorses, being highly sensitive to miasma, simply couldn’t enter the battlefield.

The Sannan army breached the Lanzhou City Gate multiple times, yet it was due to the unwavering defense of Marshal Fang and the Jiangnan Army that the city was held. Although reinforcements from Jiaozhou brought some effect, it was not substantial. This time, Sannan had dispatched two renowned generals, the illustrious Han Biao and Chen Jun. Han Ziqi, as the Princely Heir, accompanied the campaign and led the vanguard in a surprise attack on West State. The surprise attack plan was flawless, and West State’s defenses were weak. It was widely believed that Han Ziqi could take West State. Once West State fell, the morale of the Twelve States would falter, and the vanguard forces together with the main army in a coordinated attack would render the Twelve States no match for Sannan. However, unexpectedly, Han Ziqi failed to capture West State, as Fengyu led troops to defend it.

Once the campaign plan failed, the consequences were profound, significantly impacting the entirety of Sannan’s invasion strategy. Forced by circumstances, Han Biao and Chen Jun had no choice but to revise their combat plan. As a result, Sannan found itself mired in a grueling struggle.

While Sannan was fighting bitterly, Marshal Fang also faced intense battles. Both sides were locked in a stalemate. The experienced Marshal Fang adopted a defensive strategy, merely defending without counterattacking. The army, wary of the miasma, could not afford to take risks. Sannan, after all, had traveled thousands of miles for this campaign. Once the battle line was prolonged, it would be disadvantageous for them. The plan was simple: wear them down until their resources were exhausted and then rally an all-out effort to drive the enemy away.

During this time, good news also arrived from Beiman and Ningzhou.

Following the victory of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, Fang Chuning and Xie Jue successively reinforced Lanzhou. While Marshal Fang and Xie Jue held differing political stances, with external enemies pressing on all sides, there was no refusal of support from the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. Together, they fought a few victorious battles, leveraging weather and poisonous conditions to disrupt Sannan’s plans. Thus, both sides entered into a prolonged tug-of-war in Lanzhou.

The news of Xie Xun’s ascension to the throne came just as they had achieved a remarkable victory in Lanzhou. The entire army celebrated jointly. Marshal Fang rewarded the troops and consoled the soldiers, and the camp was abuzz with joy and excitement.

Inside the tent, it was filled with the main commanders of both the Jiangnan Army and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. Marshal Fang sat in the primary seat. On his left and right sat the generals of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry and those of the Jiangnan forces, sharply divided. Fang Chuning and Xie Jue, sitting at the same table, were counted among the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. Despite fighting for such a long time, the two sides had little opportunity to communicate. Even on the battlefield, what coordination existed was minimal—with Xie Jue commanding the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry and Marshal Fang overseeing Jiangnan forces. There may have been insufficient rapport, but the results on the battlefield were respectable.

Though the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry and Jiangnan stationed army were not of one heart, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was also thrilled at the victories against Sannan.

Putting political divides aside, Marshal Fang drank heartily with Xie Jue. Just then, the news of Xie Xun’s ascension to the throne arrived. Marshal Fang was stunned, spilling the wine in his cup all over his armor. The officers in the tent reacted with mixed emotions. The Jiangnan generals were extremely shocked, while the Ningzhou generals were overjoyed. "The Prince has achieved something remarkable!" they exclaimed. "The war in Jiangnan hasn’t even concluded, and yet he has ascended to the throne."

"This... this calls for celebration!"

This group of boisterous generals, lacking restraint, almost raised their cups to toast Xie Jue on the spot.

Marshal Fang turned, glaring furiously at the slightly dazed Xie Jue. "Xie Tingfeng, what a masterful use of diversion tactics! You brought the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to support Jiangnan while Xie Xun struck the Capital City with no one left to guard it. Well... well... what a brilliant strategy!"

When Xie Jue’s forces had arrived earlier, Marshal Fang had asked him why Xie Xun hadn’t joined. Xie Jue had replied that Xie Xun was gravely injured and needed to recover in Ningzhou. Fang Chuning had also corroborated Xie Xun’s severe injuries, leaving Marshal Fang without suspicion. He had assumed that the leader of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry couldn’t afford to risk coming to Jiangnan. Little did he know that the Xie brothers had employed a masterstroke of misdirection with one attacking from the shadows. Xie Xun had stormed the Capital City and declared himself Emperor! ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N()velFire.net