Nong Zhigao did not disappoint Zhao Xie.

  There's a saying that goes: "The barefooted are not afraid of those who wear shoes." Another phrase says, "A clay pot and porcelain have nothing to fear from each other," both meaning the same thing.

  For humans, it means that the richer and more luxurious one's life is, the more precious one's life becomes.

  Nong Zhigao is the top person in the entire Nong clan, not only has he seen the big ports of Shanglong City and Guangzhou, but also a figure who says one thing and gets ten thousand responses.

  He was afraid of death, and besides, he had already prepared a way out. So Nong Zhigao escaped, either alone or with his family.

  Di Qing and the deputy generals of the Western Army all gathered in the largest house in the city, which was also Nong Zhigao's residence.

  It's very messy, almost chaotic. I don't know if it was these rough men who rummaged through or if Nong Zhigao escaped in a hurry and still had time to tidy up his belongings.

  "You thief, run away!"

  Di Qing seems to be regretful... After thinking about it again, it doesn't seem to be that way.

  The established strategy, Zhao Xi's pie in the sky, cannot be changed again.

  Di Qing did this, seemingly just a simple lament for Zhi Gao's intelligence. Also, as the leader, when he was supposed to lead people out of the city to battle, he himself quietly slipped away.

  As the commander-in-chief and a military general, Di Qing indeed has some feelings about it.

  The next thing to do is to take over Guangyuan City. For the Anfu government of Guangnan, it's not a difficult task at all. Compared with Nong Zhigao, the officials of the current dynasty are still better in terms of governing cities.

  Besides, in today's Guangyuan City, apart from captives, there really aren't many people left.

  The only thing that cannot be relaxed is vigilance. Those people who are on the verge of collapse and fleeing at the slightest touch, may still have some reckless ones hiding in the nearby mountains, and it's possible that they will come out again to make trouble.

  So, the night watch of Guangyuan City was even stricter than when they were originally camping, and even sent out scouts as far as three to five miles outside the city.

  "Your Highness, the scholar humbly invites Your Highness to move to the main hall. There is a delicate matter from Annan..."

  Just after settling down, someone came from Yu Jing's side. What kind of courtesy or not, Zhao Xi immediately heard the words "Annan fine work" and quickly dressed neatly.

  The patrol in the city was arranged by the Anfu Mansion, while the hidden sentries a few miles outside the city were arranged by the Commander's account. When Zhao Xie arrived at the main hall, everyone from both the Anfu Mansion and the Commander's account had arrived.

  "Mandarin?"

  Zhao Xi listened to the interrogation and became somewhat perplexed. This Annan fine work, unexpectedly spoke very smoothly in official language.

  Not to mention the Annamese, even locals from Guangnan may not be able to speak Mandarin so fluently. In this case... Zhao Xi was a bit hesitant to believe he was a spy, and tended to think of him as a merchant or someone from the Central Plains.

  "Your Highness, do not be surprised. The name of Annan originated from the An Nam Protectorate of the previous dynasty, which was established in present-day Th?ng Long Prefecture. The scholars and people of Annan all take pride in speaking Mandarin, even more so than those from Guangnan."

  Moreover, the royal family of Annan is now surnamed Li and also claims to be a remnant of the previous dynasty. Although it was used to justify its usurpation, it can also be seen that Annan has always revered the national dynasties.

  Alright, regarding the investigation of Guangnan, Zhao Xixin believed Yu Jing's words, this old fellow indeed did a lot of homework.

  Let's just assume this is a minor issue then.

  However, what he said was quite astonishing.

  Annan has stationed 30,000 troops thirty miles outside Guangyuan Prefecture... What does this mean? Can it be true that you think you have outwitted me and succeeded?

  No, Zhao Xi suddenly remembered that before he left Bianliang, he had heard that Annan wanted to send troops to help the country pacify the rebellion in Guangnan.

  These days have been filled with the fact that Annan has been secretly instigating Niu Zhigao, and I forgot that Annan had a good heart like this... Whether the country agrees or not, it seems that Annan will send troops anyway.

  Ambition as fierce as a wolf's, clear and evident.

  This news should be responded to, first of all, Di Qing didn't hesitate at all, and directly ordered the entire Wang Shi army to enter a state of readiness for battle.

  Zhao Xi's guard corps, very consciously directly pushed southwest for reconnaissance.

  The spies of this era seem to be much worse than those of later generations. As it happens, the information obtained from interrogating these spies is quite accurate.

  Thirty miles away, the vanguard sent by the Guards Regiment returned that night. In a vast open area about thirty miles southwest of Guangyuan, there was indeed Annan's camp, with as many as 30,000 troops, give or take a few.

  The next day, the entire advance of the king's army was a search advance. The whole guard searched forward from both sides of the mountain forest, coordinating with the main force action.

  Annan set up camp here, it's not a matter of one or two days, and it can be inferred that before the Nong army besieged Guangzhou, at least before the royal army defeated the Nong army.

  So, it is necessary to avoid the ambush of the king's army... The dense forest and mountains are not suitable for the advancement of a large army.

  For identifying directions, the guards are well-trained, so they took on this task without hesitation.

  Although the final result proved that caution was somewhat redundant...

  "Imperial Flag?"

  The king's army set up camp two or three miles away from An Nam's camp, and the enemy's encampment could be vaguely seen from the watchtower.

  "Ann Nan Grand Prince personally governs..."

  The princes of An Nan are collectively referred to as the Crown Prince, from the eldest to the youngest. Zhao Xi wondered how Yu Jing knew that this was the Great Crown Prince and thought about how to fight this battle.

  Troops are stationed along the border, and what Annan is after is already clear.

  The reason why Nong Zhigao was defeated, and Annan remained calm, is that it cannot be ruled out that Nong Zhigao ambushed Annan. This can also explain why there were Annan spies in Guangyuan City...

  Just watch you cleverly abandon your own people and escape while deceiving them into going to war, this kind of thing that harms allies is not something that can't be done.

  "It's going to be a fierce battle!"

  Di Qing looked at the opposing camp and could roughly judge the combat ability and style of the entire team. It was clear that this Annan team was not weak.

  Annam was in turmoil due to the struggle for the throne during the Lê dynasty, and was replaced by the Ly... The founder of this Annam Ly dynasty held a position equivalent to that of the Grand Ancestor of the country, both being Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard.

  Since the founding of the Li Dynasty, domestic rebellions have not been interrupted, and soldiers have always been at war, never slackening. Therefore, the Annan army is not weaker than the Western Army.

  To say something unpleasant, if you are clever and start making trouble, Annan will directly enter the border, and the Guangnan Rebellion of the imperial court will not be so easily calmed down.

  Let you try your hand first, and it happened that you helped the imperial court of our country to calm down Guangnan Province.

  "Scholars, now that the imperial carriage has passed through the gate, how many of the king's soldiers and their equipment remain?"

  A battle is not necessarily a fair fight where both sides must make equal sacrifices in terms of soldiers' lives. At least, Zhao Xie doesn't think so.

  "Your Highness, what do you mean? The transportation of supplies can meet the needs of the southern expedition for three months."

  Sun Ben directly and affirmatively replied: "There are almost no soldiers in Guangnan now, or it can be said that they are all here."

  You are wise in this chaos, the entire Guangnan Forbidden Army is dead, wounded, and escaped, while the expenses of the Guangnan Forbidden Army have not been reduced by the court.

  Not to mention Wang Shi's usage, even if it were doubled, Sun Ben would still be able to support it.