Chapter 174 Xiren
Xiao Jing rode as fast as he could, day and night, trying to get to Xiao Qingfang and urgently report Zhao Ji's unusual movements.

Who knew that Xiao Qingfang also got into trouble at the Khitan royal court and was in a state of panic.

It turned out that Li Jinzhong's condition had deteriorated rapidly, from a mild cough at the beginning to gradually developing into coughing up blood, and now he was bedridden.

The witch doctors of the Khitan tribe and the medical masters of the Snake Spirit Organization all came to examine Li Jinzhong, and they all came to only one conclusion: the Khan did not have much time left.

In the darkness of the Khitan king's tent, Li Jinzhong lay weakly on the bed, while his brother Li Shaogu took care of him with a worried look on his face.

Xiao Qingfang, and Sun Wanrong's other brother-in-law, Li Jinzhong's brother-in-law Yi Yuanyu, were sitting below.

"Khan, please rest assured and recuperate. The plans with Dongxieshi Valley and the Turks are going smoothly. When the news of the great victory comes, Khan may be so happy that he will feel better." Xiao Qingfang comforted.

Li Jinzhong was a pragmatic tribal chief. He shook his head and said, "I know my health very well. I'm afraid I don't have much time left."

Li Shaogu's eyes turned red when he heard this, and his voice choked up: "Khan, please don't say such things, you will definitely recover."

Yi Yuanyu's eyes flashed with a gleam of light: "Khan, should we consider recalling the marshal at the front and let him come back to take charge of the situation?"

Li Jinzhong shook his head again with difficulty, his tone firm: "No, the battle on the front line is more important. We can't let Wan Rong be distracted and worry about me. I can still hold on for a while, enough time for him to come back and hand over my affairs."

At this moment, a guard outside the tent hurriedly reported: "Report, a messenger from General Xiao's command has returned, saying that he has something urgent to report to General Xiao."

Xiao Qingfang apologized and left the tent.

Xiao Jing was waiting outside the tent. When he saw Xiao Qingfang, he hurried to her and told her the truth about Zhao Ji's change of marching route.

Xiao Qingfang was surprised when she heard this: "Great! Zhao Ji is really hard to deal with."

"Sister, what should we do? How should we explain to Crown Prince Mochu?" Xiao Jing asked.

Xiao Qingfang's eyes flashed with a fierce look: "There is nothing to be said. Notify Mochu immediately and let him act according to the original plan. Since the troops have been mobilized privately, what difference does it make whether we fight inside or outside the Turkic territory?"

Xiao Jing looked embarrassed when he heard this. There is a huge difference between fighting domestically and fighting abroad.

"This...will Mochu agree to it?" Xiao Jing hesitated.

Xiao Qingfang sneered, with an unquestionable firmness in her tone: "He has already boarded the pirate ship, and there is only one way to go. You have to agree to it, whether you agree or not."

"Tell him that only by doing this can he inherit his father's throne. Otherwise, he will bear the consequences himself. Humph!"

"I understand. I'll do it right away." Xiao Jing bowed and was about to leave.

"Wait!" Xiao Qingfang stopped Xiao Jing and added, "As a last resort, we should get rid of Zhao Ji to avoid future troubles. The action in Dongxishigu is more critical, and we must not allow any complications to arise."

"Yes." Xiao Jing agreed.

Xiao Qingfang watched Xiao Jing leave, then turned and went into the big tent.

Li Jinzhong actually sat up with the help of his servants: "General Xiao, is there any more news?"

Xiao Qingfang nodded slightly and explained in a serious tone: "The Khan is right. When Zhao's troops left Danzhou, they did not go around the Turks, but went directly north and headed straight for Yingzhou."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yi Yuanyu and Li Shaogu in the tent looked at each other, and then turned their eyes to Li Jinzhong. There was a hint of tension in the air.

Yi Yuanyu's mind raced, and he advised again: "Khan, please call back the marshal."

Upon hearing this, Li Jinzhong coughed violently again. He gasped and said, "The generals in the Zhou Dynasty's army are full of talented people. They are not ordinary people. General Xiao, do you have any good ideas for this?"

Xiao Qingfang took a deep breath and analyzed: "Although Zhao Ji temporarily changed the marching route, it is still the enemy in the open and we in the dark. As long as we ask the Turks to set up an ambush in the Raole area, we can still annihilate Zhao Ji's troops."

"Moreover, Zhao Ji's unexpected move just fits our plan in Dongxishi Valley, making it seem more natural. If we can take advantage of this opportunity to severely damage Wang Xiaojie's 100,000-man army, all the sacrifices will be worth it." Li Jinzhong closed his eyes and thought for a moment. After a moment, he nodded heavily to show his agreement: "What General Xiao said is very much in line with my opinion. I will send an envoy to meet the Xi leader Li Dafang and ask him to cooperate with you."

"With his help, the Turkic army can move smoothly, and Zhao can't escape. But Li Dafang is timid and cowardly, so the Turkic army must be in place as soon as possible to pose a real threat to him."

Xiao Qingfang was overjoyed when she heard this and praised, "Thank you, Khan. This is absolutely foolproof."

Li Jinzhong coughed again, as if he had exhausted all his strength, and said to the guest, "In that case, General Xiao, please go in."

Xiao Qingfang understood what Li Jinzhong meant. He knew that Li Jinzhong's body could no longer bear the burden and he might have to make arrangements for his funeral. It would be inconvenient for her, an outsider, to be present.

"Take care, Khan." She finally said with a hint of emotion and left the tent.
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The Xi people, also known as the Kumo Xi, ruled over a territory west of the Khitan. Their chief was given the surname Li by Emperor Taizong of Tang. At their peak, they were known as the "two barbarians" of the northeast together with the Khitan.

The relationship between the two tribes is very complicated. They belong to the same tribe and depend on each other, but they also compete with each other.

However, since the rise of Li Jinzhong, Sun Wanrong and others, the power of the Khitan gradually grew and gradually surpassed the Xi people.

Li Dafang, as the leader of the Xi tribe, was unfortunately involved in the chaos of the Khitan and was caught in a dilemma.

The atmosphere in the tent of the Xi tribe leader was solemn.

The two envoys sent by Li Jinzhong brought an unquestionable order, asking Li Dafang to assist the Turks in ambush Zhao Ji.

Li Dafang just greeted him with a smile, neither willing to agree immediately nor daring to refuse.

Seeing this, an envoy was anxious and a little angry: "Li Dafu, don't forget that you also participated in the Khan's succession ceremony and the alliance. The Zhou people will not let you go."

Li Dafang looked embarrassed and sighed bitterly, "Two envoys, we Xi people are not as powerful as you Khitans. We have sent many troops to help you fight against the Great Zhou some time ago, and we are now with your Marshal Sun. I don't have many soldiers around me anymore."

Another envoy said temptingly: "You don't need to send many troops. You just need to welcome the Turkic army and restrain your subordinates so that they don't inform the Zhou army."

"If you are willing to help the Turks ambush the Zhou army, send some people to follow, and share some of the spoils. It's such a good thing, why not do it?"

When Li Dafang heard about the Turkic army, his face suddenly changed, and he was confused and uncertain: "Will the Turks also help the Khan?"

The envoy said proudly: "Of course, wait a day or two, and you will hear the sound of the Turkic army's horses. By then, it will be out of your control."

Li Dapo nodded slowly and was about to agree.

Suddenly, Li Dafang's younger brother Li Lusu rushed into the tent in a hurry, as if he had an emergency to report.

But when he saw that there were two Khitan envoys in the tent, he hesitated to speak.

Li Dafang immediately understood that something had changed. He smiled and said, "Messengers, please go down and rest for a while. Give me some time to think about it. I will give you a reply today."

The two Khitan envoys stared at Li Dafang coldly, seemingly dissatisfied with his indifference.

"Then you better hurry up, we are still waiting for a reply from the Khan!"

After saying that, the two of them left with a wave of their sleeves.

Li Lusu then told the truth: "Brother, the Zhou army is here, and they will reach the Yazhang in a few hours."

Li Dafang was surprised again when he heard this and stood up from his seat: "How come you are here so soon? Didn't you say you just crossed the Rushui River yesterday?"

"I don't know. Those who came are all cavalry. There seem to be more than 10,000 of them, carrying a big banner with the word Zhao on it. It seems that they are the new governor of Yingzhou. Brother, what should we do?" Li Lusu swallowed and said.

Li Dafang took a deep breath and said, "Take your men and look for those two Khitan envoys immediately. Don't let them get away. I will go meet with Governor Zhao in person and then make a decision."

(End of this chapter)