Zhang Chen ordered the two to withdraw, then carefully pondered Yang Feng's words.
Yang Feng said that only after Zhang Yan came to find Zhang Ning did they abandon their original headquarters and relocate to that mysterious village. This also confirmed Zhang Chen's previous conjecture that Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Army was indeed closely related to the Yellow Turban, and even that his leader behind the scenes was precisely Zhang Ning.
From the day she left the letter at the inn, Zhang Ning, step by step, led Guan Hai into the trap she had set, causing Guan Hai and his hundred thousand troops to be annihilated. This move was undeniably brilliant. But her willingness to sacrifice a hundred thousand troops meant she must have another force loyal to her.
It seems that force is undoubtedly the Black Mountain Army!
The battle of Yingtao County severely weakened the Black Mountain Army and cost her four major generals, forcing her to lie low temporarily. She sent Zhang Yan to gather remnants and secretly accumulate strength, while simultaneously plotting to eliminate the great threat of Guan Hai, thus regaining control of the Yellow Turban authority.
As expected of the Yellow Turban Holy Maiden, truly formidable!
But now, the enemy is hidden while we are exposed, and we don't know what their next step will be.
What did Yang Feng mean by 'everything is ready' just now? Do they intend to open the Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove, take out the wealth inside, and recruit soldiers and horses?
If that were the case, Ji Province would surely fall into chaos!
No, I cannot sit idly by.
Zhang Chen's eyes snapped open, and he quickly summoned a messenger, ordering, "Summon Guo Jia, Ju Shou, Tian Feng, and Dong Zhao to see me."
The messenger left with the order, and before long, the four came to pay their respects.
Zhang Chen got straight to the point, immediately describing in detail everything Yang Feng had just revealed upon surrendering.
Upon hearing this, everyone's brows furrowed, their faces filled with worry.
After a long while, Guo Jia was the first to speak: "Lord, now that Zhang Ning has purged her internal ranks, her next step must be to deal with us. Having suffered losses in the battle of Yingtao County, she will certainly not let the matter rest. Moreover, I have always been puzzled as to why the Black Mountain Army, which is active in the Eastern Commandery and Taihang region, would penetrate deep into the heart of Ji Province to attack Yingtao County? But now, hearing what Lord has said, I dare to speculate that the 'Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove' is likely in Yingtao County!"
"What?!" Upon hearing this, Dong Zhao was instantly shocked: "I served as the magistrate of Yingtao County for several years, and yet I did not know there was a treasure left by the Yellow Turban rebels hidden within the city of Yingtao County!"
Guo Jia continued: "According to my estimation, those treasures must have been hidden before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, a contingency plan left by Zhang Jiao. And the village Lord just mentioned, where the villagers are all strong, it is likely a formidable force also left by Zhang Jiao in advance!"
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "Indeed, Fengxiao's words coincide with my own thoughts. But these are all just conjectures, without concrete evidence."
"If the rebels intend to capture Yingtao County, they will surely make thorough preparations," Guo Jia pondered for a moment and said, "Lord can send people to Yingtao County to investigate. If people from the Yellow Heaven Holy Sect appear recently, it is almost certainly the case."
"No need to investigate," Dong Zhao sighed. "Fengxiao is truly a divine man! Since Lord greatly defeated the Yellow Turban, the Yellow Heaven Holy Sect has disappeared without a trace. These days, I have continuously ordered people to secretly search for their whereabouts. Yesterday, my former subordinate in Yingtao County wrote to me saying that recently, people from the Yellow Heaven Holy Sect have reappeared in the city."
Upon hearing this, everyone was immediately startled.
Zhang Chen said, "If that's the case, then Zhang Ning's target is indeed Yingtao County!"
Guo Jia said, "It certainly seems so now. However, given the Yellow Turban's cunning, they will surely use feints if they intend to act. Does Lord still remember that the soldiers who resold military supplies said they sold the supplies to the Black Mountain Army, but the ones who came to receive the goods were mountain bandits from outside Nanpi City? I suspect that most of the mountain bandits within Ji Province have likely been absorbed by the Black Mountain Army. When they act, these mountain bandits will simultaneously respond, causing beacons to light up throughout Ji Province, leaving us overwhelmed and unable to cope. While we are stretched thin dividing our forces, they will seize Yingtao County in one swift move!"
Zhang Chen pondered silently, feeling that Guo Jia's words were very reasonable. He immediately asked, "If this is the case, what good strategies do you all have to counter this?"
Ju Shou said, "I believe Lord can station heavy troops within Yingtao County and search the entire city for members of the Yellow Heaven Holy Sect. In addition, vigilance should be strengthened, and all passing individuals should be strictly checked to prevent rebels from infiltrating the city and causing trouble."
"Impossible!" Tian Feng immediately said, "Wouldn't that cause a city-wide panic and unrest? Furthermore, we don't know when they will act."
Upon hearing this, Ju Shou immediately retorted, "It is better to believe it might happen than to dismiss it. If the rebels find an opportunity, wouldn't that harm all the people in the city?"
Tian Feng, hearing this, also said somewhat displeasedly, "If they don't act, must we continue like this indefinitely? Isn't this being led by the nose by the rebels?"
"But..."
"Lord," Ju Shou was about to say something else, but was interrupted by Guo Jia, who said, "Lord, Mr. Yuan Hao's words are reasonable, but Gongyu's words are not wrong either. In my opinion, reinforcing Yingtao County is still necessary, but it shouldn't be the only place reinforced. Lord can use the pretext of stationing troops in various commanderies to select one city in each commandery to add troops. This way, the people will believe that the troop movements are just normal military deployments and won't suspect anything else."
"As for not knowing when the enemy will act," Guo Jia mused for a moment, saying, "If the rebels are going to act, they will surely choose a time when we are most relaxed. If my prediction is correct..."
Guo Jia paused mid-sentence, looked up at Zhang Chen, and said, "The second day of the second month, the day of Lord's grand wedding, will be the best time!"
"What?! Fengxiao, are you saying the Yellow Turban rebels plan to take advantage of Lord's wedding to attack Yingtao County and cause chaos in Ji Province?"
As soon as Guo Jia finished speaking, everyone was shocked, and Ju Shou immediately asked.
Guo Jia said calmly, "I cannot be certain, but if I were Zhang Ning, I would definitely choose this day to act. Because on this day, everyone's attention will be focused on Lord's wedding, and the troops in Ji Province will be fully dedicated to securing the official road from Zhongshan to Ye City, ensuring everything is foolproof. This way, other places will inevitably be less guarded, making it easier for them to act."
After Guo Jia finished speaking, Zhang Chen couldn't help but frown, lost in thought.
Indeed, there was sense in what Guo Jia said. The second day of the second month was indeed the best timing.
If Zhang Ning truly chose that day to act, how should he respond?
And would they make a move against Zhen Jiang?
Nothing must happen to Zhen Jiang, and Yingtao County must not fall into the hands of the Yellow Turban rebels!
Zhang Chen pondered for a while, then slowly spoke.
"Fengxiao, convey my order: Qu Yi and Gao Shun shall lead twenty thousand troops to defend Yingtao County. Qian Zhao shall lead five thousand troops to defend Nanpi. Fang Ping shall lead five thousand troops to defend Pingyuan. Xu Huang and Yang Feng shall lead ten thousand troops to defend Bohai. Zhang He and Gao Lan shall lead ten thousand troops to defend Zhongshan. Three days from now, all units shall proceed to their assigned locations for defense, without delay!"
"Understood."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, Tian Feng couldn't help but say worriedly, "If this is the case, Lord will only have General Zhao by his side. Won't this be..."
"Don't worry, Zilong is divinely brave and invincible. With him here, Ye City is safe!"