It doesn't matter at all.

  Zhao Xi no longer cared about these things after seeing through Di Qing's so-called plan.

  Di Qing can think of this plan, naturally will consider all the links, should be able to reach the point of leaving nothing to chance.

  What a great general!

  Zhao Xi was worried that if the other side really paralyzed, who would sneak attack Kunlun Pass.

  "De Shuai..."

  It was the unanimous idea of the entire Imperial Guard. Zhao Xie also wanted to let the Imperial Guard show off a bit, test the results of many years of training, and let the most elite Western Army of the country see what it means to be a true king of soldiers.

  "Your Highness, as you wished! The crucial point of breaking through the barrier that Qing has been thinking about has fallen on your personal guard."

  "I knew that Your Highness would be accompanying the southern expedition, so I paid close attention to your personal guards. During the training at Wan Yin Mountain, we had many practice sessions, and I often felt inferior. Even when leading the Jingsi Road Imperial Guards myself, I was mostly on the losing side in those drills."

  "I also learned about the extraordinary nature of Your Highness's personal guards, and was deeply moved by their military discipline and demeanor on our journey together... truly unmatched in the Western Army."

  "Although Your Highness's personal guard has returned to Qing Jie's command, I think their duty is to protect Your Highness completely. Although they have the intention, they dare not speak out. What Your Highness said today is what Qing has been hoping for many days! Thank you, Your Highness!"

  This Di Qing... Alas, how can I put it. After all, we've been together for so long, our words are straightforward, no hiding or concealing from each other.

  Since I said I'd be under your control, of course I'll follow your arrangements. In the end, it's still like this, seeing each other as outsiders. This temperament is a bit too cautious, isn't it?

  Can't be cautious? At first, Han Qi was able to cut off his subordinates without saying a word. Now, let alone the crown prince, even Lv Gongzhu dares to dispose of his subordinates at will.

  Although he also felt that the Crown Prince was affable, what's the point? Slightly disrespectful, and even if the Crown Prince didn't make a sound, there would be plenty of civil officials jumping out... After all, he had killed a large number of Guangnan generals.

  But Di Qing was still very honest and told Zhao Xi what he thought in his heart.

  In a sense, this expedition to the south was the most free one for Di Qing as the commander-in-chief, without any interference, no pointing fingers, and not even the usual secret reports from the Imperial City Guard and the Supervising Army.

  The key is that His Highness the Crown Prince should be knowledgeable about military affairs, but instead he has handed over everything and let himself take charge. If he were to act like a weak woman again, it would not only be unbecoming of him, but also disrespectful to His Highness the Crown Prince.

  ……

  "Look at their precautions and there is no slackening, is it that the subtle work has not been leaked out or has it been seen through by the other side?"

  Lying on a mountain slope not far from the Kunlun Pass Gate, Lü Gongzhu looked at the moving figures on the gate wall and asked in a low voice.

  Zhao Xi felt that this was normal. Whether or not such a plot existed, it should be said that those who have fought wars would all consider this. After all, the tactic of delaying troops has been used since ancient times to the present.

  Even if you make it sound more realistic...it's already true that we're celebrating the New Year, tomorrow is New Year's Day. But the other party will also consider the possibility that you are faking it.

  "Brother, all strategies on the battlefield are actually just mental struggles. Both sides are just guessing each other's intentions, there is no such thing as seeing through."

  "A true battle array, still relies on strength. In the face of strength, all strategies are useless. Just like this Kunlun Pass, because the enemy is defending firmly, if we attack, it will be very difficult, and even if many soldiers sacrifice their lives, it's not necessarily possible to take it down."

  "There is also the consideration of increasing troops, which is a prolonged and severely damaging tactic. The reason for playing such a trick is not that the opponent does not understand, but rather a psychological contest between the two sides."

  "But if we were to bring in the tiger squatting cannons designed by Su, and line up dozens of them in front of the pass, no matter how solid the gate is, it would still be blown to pieces."

  Su Song is a scientist in the strict sense of the word, really, Zhao Xi truly thinks so.

  In the years of guarding the camp, on the basis of Zhao Xie's two handheld cannons, continuous improvement and extension were made, constantly wasting money and grain. And indeed, a tiger-squatting cannon-like firearm was produced.

  It's just that the cost is too expensive. With the current national situation, it's fundamentally impossible to equip them, let alone the entire Imperial Guard, even the Imperial Bodyguard only has one or two prototype models.

  Su Song was so afraid of playing tricks after completing the sample that he didn't dare to play tricks for a while. Half of the income of the entire guard camp workshop was lost by him alone.

  A row of dozens of tiger squatting cannons? The prince also dares to think about it.

  Speaking of the tiger squatting cannon, Lü Gong's heart was all aflutter. However, if there were really dozens of them, let alone you bandits, even the cavalry of Xia and Liao would be blown to smithereens.

  Let's get back on track and think about how to take down Kunlun Pass instead.

  Di Qing led his own generals on the other side, also discussing this still unrelenting defense.

  "Let's just get through New Year's Eve. The city guards are a bit more relaxed during the holidays, so let's try to act naturally."

  Isn't it just a mental game? The Crown Prince won't intervene, and Di Qing is confident he can drag it out.

  It's said that Guangnan may be short of money, but it's never short of grain. Even the wild and untended rice is better than what those Northwestern people carefully cultivate.

  In Guangnan, when troops are deployed, there is no need to worry about the transportation of food and forage. Food, spices, fruits and vegetables, even salt, nothing is in short supply.

  It's just right for winter days, apart from being damp and cold, others think that life here is pretty good, even people from the northwest.

  In the following days, people were sent every day to change different positions to scout out the defense of Kunlun Pass.

  The city of Pennsylvania has a festive atmosphere, and this atmosphere finally relaxed the defense of Kunlun Pass.

  How can you tell? It's actually simple, they're all old soldiers, and they've also done patrols before. If the superior officer requires them not to stop, it's very tense, patrolling non-stop on the city wall, and from time to time throwing torches down below the city wall.

  If the superior officer is simply taking turns on duty without any specific requirements, as long as they don't emphasize certain points, then the patrol will naturally become lazy and the frequency of resting will increase. There will also be some idle time for a few soldiers to gather and chat.

  You troops should be a mob, and military discipline is out of the question. They were all gathered together by spending a lot of money on them.

  One mountain head one does master's, in these barbarian soldiers' hearts, their own leader is more important than the emperor of this big southern country.

  Originally guarding the Kunlun Pass was already a position on the front line, plus the news from Pennsylvania, they were busy celebrating the festival. So, day after day, I finally told myself in my heart: at this time, the government troops will not attack.

  The whole city of Pennsylvania is filled with a festive atmosphere, from the southernmost comfort gate to the lowest-level citizens, all lanterns and streamers... it's time to celebrate.

  Zhao Qing's brow furrowed deeper. She didn't dare to ask anyone, the people of Guangnan were suffering, Yongzhou City was still occupied by the bandits, and this group of imperial court officials who came to conquer the bandits were celebrating so grandly.

  Father, not all officials are as loyal as you, even the Crown Prince is just here to take a stroll in Guangnan.

  "Don't be gloomy every day, if you want to know, just follow me and listen."

  Xiao Nu Hai De Xin Si Zhao Xi Neng Dong, Ye Li Jie Ta Men Men Bu Le De Yuan Yin.