Chapter 218: The Bird Theory and the Return Journey
Since Zhao had already planned everything there, Li Yuanfang generously requested the mission, and Di Renjie agreed.

But Ruyan flatly refused: "No, I don't agree! This is too dangerous! No matter how powerful Yuan Fang is, he can't complete this kind of mission with just the two of us!"

Zhao Ji quickly comforted them and added: "Of course it's not just you two. The dozens of Qianniu Guards have already returned to the team. They can all pretend to be subordinates of the Snake Spirit and go with you. If it's still not enough, you can ask Jili Khan to send more troops to help."

"That's too dangerous!" Ruyan was still a little reluctant.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji said more earnestly, "There is definitely danger, but if it doesn't work, you can choose to give up. Your safety is the most important."

After hearing this, Ruyan still looked hesitant.

At this time, Li Yuanfang gently but firmly took Ruyan's hand, led her to the side, and began to give her verbal persuasion and education.

Di Renjie and Zhao Ji looked at each other, but they didn't dare to follow them, so they could only watch the two people walk further and further away.

With Zhao Ji's keen hearing, he could only hear something like "If you know it's wrong but still do it, what's the difference between you and an animal?"

"If you persist in doing wrong, you are worse than an animal" "If an animal can turn over a new leaf, then it will become a good animal"

After listening to the whole set of theories about animals, Zhao Ji couldn't help but burst out laughing.

……

Li Yuanfang looked Ruyan in the eye: "Ruyan, you made too many mistakes when you were in Snake Spirit before. If you hadn't stopped us yesterday, would we have had a chance to catch Xiao Qingfang?"

"Now that the mistake has been made, I won't blame you, but now is your chance to make amends. Why don't you agree?"

Ruyan stamped her feet and said angrily: "You are such a fool, I am worried about your safety!"

Li Yuanfang tried to play hard to get and said, "In this case, I have no choice but to go to Yingzhou alone. If I die there..."

Ruyan immediately covered his mouth with her hand: "Don't say unlucky words!"

Li Yuanfang chuckled, his smile was filled with a hint of indifference and fearlessness: "A real man should return home wrapped in his horse's hide! After this battle, thousands of soldiers have shed their blood on the battlefield due to the conspiracy of the Snake Spirit and the Khitan. Why should I, Li Yuanfang, be afraid of one more person!"

"Your parents also died in the war, why can't you think of others? If Chengyuan's plan can be realized and accomplished in one battle, how many lives can be saved?"

"I think this little risk is worth it! Ruyan, I hope you are Ruyan, not the cold and heartless Su Xianer. I hope you can understand me! Support me! Do you understand?"

After saying this, Li Yuanfang held Ruyan's hand tightly and looked at her seriously and sincerely.

He knew Ruyan would agree, but he didn't want Ruyan to agree just because of him.

Ruyan looked at Li Yuanfang's eyes that were full of determination and tenderness, and the hesitation and fear in her heart gradually dissipated.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and finally nodded. Her voice was soft but firm: "Yuan Fang, I understand. I understand what you mean, I promise you!"

Li Yuanfang's eyes flashed with relief and gratitude when he heard this. He gently pulled Ruyan closer and let her lean on his shoulder: "Thank you, Ruyan."

"But I have a condition!" Ruyan suddenly looked up at Li Yuanfang.

Li Yuanfang was puzzled and asked, "What conditions?"

Ruyan smiled slyly: "For this operation, everything must be arranged by me. If there is any danger, you are not allowed to take risks!"

Li Yuanfang also laughed. He asked her the same thing on the way from Luoyang to Pingzhou.

"Okay, I promise. I'll do whatever you say." Li Yuanfang replied.

Afterwards, they turned back to Di Renjie and Zhao Ji, and Ruyan took the initiative to speak: "Uncle, General Zhao, I am willing to go to Yingzhou with Yuan Fang to complete the mission."

Di Renjie looked at the two of them, his eyes full of approval and trust: "Okay, that's great. But you must be careful, safety first." Li Yuanfang and Ruyan nodded heavily.

The plan was decided. In addition to Li Lang going to pass on the order to Yang Xuanji in Danzhou, Di Renjie assigned all the Qianniu Guards including Zhang Huan to Li Yuanfang.

He himself asked Jili Khan to send other guards to return to Pingzhou with Zhao Ji.

Before leaving, Jili Khan once again personally handed the Tiger-head Flying Eagle Ring to Di Renjie, bidding him farewell and agreeing to meet again...
-
A few days later, Pingzhou City returned to martial law because the Khitans were coming again.

Zong Huaichang has recovered from his injury and has recently been accompanying Quan Shancai and Zeng Tai, who is in charge of Pingzhou’s government affairs, to inspect defense every day.

A large amount of military supplies from the rear were continuously transported into Pingzhou City, and Quan Shancai would soon order the city to be closed and defended.

Quan Shancai stood on the top of the city wall, with Zeng Tai and Zong Huaichang beside him. The three of them were pointing and talking to the generals beside them.

The generals were puzzled and said passionately: "General, our army is stronger than the Khitan. Why should we defend Pingzhou? We can go out of the city and fight, and show the Khitan a little bit of our strength!"

Zong Huaichang coughed twice and said loudly: "You all don't know that Marshal Di issued a strict order before leaving. You can only defend in winter and cannot attack! Do you want to disobey the order?"

When the generals heard that it was Di Renjie's order, their enthusiasm immediately dissipated.

At this time, a scout came running to report: "General, the scouts in the front army reported that Sun Wanrong personally led the Khitan vanguard to travel day and night. Now they are less than 150 miles away from Pingzhou!"

"Sun Wanrong will lead the army personally, are you sure?" Quan Shancai asked seriously.

"The Khitan vanguard is indeed flying under Sun Wanrong's banner!" the scout replied.

Quan Shancai nodded and waved his hand, saying, "Investigate again and report back!"

The scout responded loudly and ran away.

Zeng Tai frowned: "It's coming too fast!"

Quan Shancai nodded slightly, calculating in his mind: "Three days ago, I received a report that the Khitan army, which is said to have 100,000 soldiers, came out in full force from Yingzhou. Today, their vanguard troops are less than 150 miles away from Pingzhou."

"Even if the Khitans could fly, they couldn't come so fast. Sun Wanrong must have abandoned the main force and is advancing too fast with the light troops! This is a taboo in military strategy!"

Zeng Tai looked at Quan Shancai in surprise and asked, "What? General Quan is going to leave the city and eat up this Khitan vanguard?"

When the generals near the wall heard this, they immediately started to clamor: "General, you can give it a try!"

Quan Shancai looked quite interested, as if he was considering the risks and benefits of sending troops.

Zong Huaichang tried to dissuade him, "General, no, we can't disobey Lord Di's orders! If we win, we will only destroy the Khitan vanguard, but there will be no major results, which is a waste of merit! If we lose, it will be a violation of orders and the loss of troops, which will be difficult to explain to Lord Di!"

Zong Huaichang's words made sense, but they were too utilitarian and mercenary, and the generals looked at him with some contempt.

I heard that this man has been defeated in numerous battles and has become discouraged. He is truly a disgrace to the military!
Quan Shancai sighed with regret, "Do not take advantage of doubtful gains. It is easy to lose when you gain it! General Zong's words make sense. Send more scouts, and the rest are not allowed to leave the city at all!"

Zeng Tai watched from the side with his hands clasped, and finally nodded with satisfaction.

Quan Shancai suddenly asked Zeng Tai, "When will Lord Di and Governor Zhao come back? Is there any news?"

Zeng Tai smiled and said, "According to the pigeon letter, my teacher has persuaded Jili Khan to withdraw his troops and helped the Khan to quell the Mochu rebellion. Jili Khan treated us warmly and tried his best to keep us."

"In addition, Master has just broken a siege of the Snake Spirit rebels in the Stone Country, and he still has some unfinished business to finish. He won't be able to come back for a while, so I'm afraid we'll have to wait a few more days."

Quan Shancai was quite worried: "There will be a big battle in Pingzhou, and Di Gong hasn't returned yet, which is not easy to deal with!"

(End of this chapter)