Chapter 1314 Backstab

On the eighth day of October, Zhang Xu took a concubine.

Zhang Xu did not hold a grand celebration, nor was it possible for him to do so.

On the one hand, it is because taking a concubine and marrying a wife should be distinguished.

On the other hand, it is also because Zhang Xu’s parents are not in Shuobei.

His parents are still alive but they don't show up. According to Daqian, this is called incomplete etiquette.

In this case, it would be a bad idea to hold a grand celebration.

Moreover, Zhang Xu was afraid that if the ceremony was too grand it would affect his family in the imperial city, so he agreed with Pang Lushan from the beginning to just keep it simple and just invite some acquaintances to the banquet.

Pang Lushan also understood Zhang Xu's difficulties and had no objections.

There were indeed not many people coming to watch the ceremony and attend the banquet.

All the people added together couldn't even fill ten tables.

However, those who could come to watch the ceremony and attend the banquet were all important figures in Shuobei.

Zhang Xu didn't have any elders in Shuobei, so he asked Mrs. Shen to accept tea from Zhang Xu and Pang Rou as their aunt.

The etiquette for taking a concubine is indeed much simpler than that for marrying a wife.

Even concubines had to enter through the side door.

Just as Yun Zheng was watching the ceremony with everyone else, Lin Ji quickly came to Yun Zheng, whispered in his ear, and handed Yun Zheng a report.

Yun Zheng opened the report, glanced at it briefly, and then signaled Lin Ji to leave.

Seeing Yun Zheng's expression, Ye Zi, Shen Luoyan and others cast inquiring glances at him.

Yun Zheng shook his head slightly and smiled back, signaling them not to worry.

It was not until Zhang Xu and Pang Rou finished their ceremony and everyone started to take their seats that Shen Luoyan asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Yun Zheng replied: "Yu Shizhong suffered a defeat..."

Dugu Ce sent someone to bring back urgent news from the Northwest Protectorate.

Xiqu wanted to completely defeat Sakya's army before winter officially arrived, so eleven days ago, it launched a fierce attack on Yu Shizhong's army of more than 20,000 with an army of 100,000.

While the two sides were fighting fiercely, the Xibo tribe suddenly betrayed the alliance and launched a surprise attack on Yu Shizhong's troops with an army of 10,000.

Yu Shizhong fought hard for three days and led less than 4,000 remnants to break out.

After receiving the news, Dugu Ce urgently ordered Fu Tianyan and Huo Gu to lead 10,000 troops to rescue Yu Shizhong.

Including the 6,000 soldiers who had been secretly training in the rear of Sakya, Sakya now has only about 20,000 troops.

Dugu Ce judged that Suzan and the Xibo tribe would certainly launch a large-scale attack on Sakya again, and they might want to destroy Sakya in one fell swoop, and then push their army to Sawtooth Ridge to confront them.

In this way, Xiqu will have the energy to deal with the rebels of the Hun Gu tribe.

Therefore, Dugu Ce ordered Zuo Ren to urgently mobilize 15,000 troops to go to Sawtooth Ridge in case of emergency.

Dugu Ce has already sent someone to convey a message to Yu Shizhong that victory and defeat are common in military affairs.

If it really doesn't work, he will lead his troops back to Sawtooth Ridge and hold on.

Right now, the priority is to preserve our manpower.

"Is Yu Shizhong okay?"

Shen Luoyan asked worriedly.

Yu Shizhong is Yun Zheng's favorite general.

If something happened to Yu Shizhong, Yun Zheng would surely fall into grief.

"Dugu Ce didn't say."

Yun Zheng shook his head slightly. "Since he didn't say anything specifically, it means that Yu Shizhong himself is fine."

"That's good."

Shen Luoyan felt relieved, but cursed angrily: "Damn Xibo tribe, how dare they betray the alliance! Sooner or later, we will make them pay the price!"

Although she didn't know the details of the battle, she knew without a doubt that the defeat of Yu Shizhong and his men was closely related to the betrayal of the Xibo tribe.

Yu Shizhong also followed Yun Zheng all the way and had never been defeated before.

There is no doubt about Yu Shizhong's leadership ability.

If the Sibo tribe had not betrayed him, even if Yu Shizhong was defeated by the 100,000-strong army led by Su Zan, he would not have suffered such a disastrous defeat.

"We must settle this account with the Xibo tribe!"

Yun Zheng nodded slightly, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Shen Luoyan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to write a letter to Yu Shizhong?"

"Need not."

Yun Zheng shook his head gently. "Dugu Ce's arrangement is very good! Even if I write a letter to Yu Shizhong, the most I can do is to comfort him and, like Dugu Ce, tell him to retreat to Sawtooth Ridge if things really go wrong..."

There really isn't much point in him writing to Yu Shizhong now.

He had no idea about the specific battle situation at the front, the enemy's troop distribution and deployment.

Giving orders without knowing what's going on would not only fail to help Yu Shizhong, but might even harm him.

At this time, no one, including Dugu Ce, could give orders recklessly.

Yu Shizhong was also a veteran general, and the loss he suffered was only temporary.

As long as Dugu Ce provides him with corresponding support, I believe Yu Shizhong will be able to stabilize the situation soon.

Moreover, even though he was besieged head-on by a force four times his own and stabbed in the back by his allies, Yu Shizhong was still able to lead several thousand remnants to break out, which speaks volumes about his ability.

If someone else goes, the whole army might be wiped out.

While they were talking, Zhang Xu came over quickly and whispered, "Your Highness, if you have any urgent matters, go and do your business first! Anyway, we are so close, we can always..."

"You're sending me away, aren't you?"

Yun Zheng looked at Zhang Xu with a smile.

"No no……"

Zhang Xu waved his hands repeatedly, "I'm just afraid of delaying your highness's business, right?"

"fine."

Yun Zheng smiled indifferently, "It's just a small problem, it won't affect anything."

"That's OK!"

Zhang Xu laughed, "Then Your Highness must eat and drink well today!"

"Don't worry, I'm still polite to you, right?"

Yun Zheng smiled and said, "Okay, don't worry about us. Go and greet the other guests."

Zhang Xu nodded and went to greet other guests.

After Zhang Xu left, Yun Zheng began to think silently again.

"Maybe I should write a letter..."

Yun Zheng suddenly said, "You guys eat first, I'm going to Zhang Xu's study!"

Having said that, Yun Zheng quickly stood up and left.

"Let me help you grind the ink!"

Miaoyin also stood up.

"it is good!"

Yun Zheng was very familiar with Zhang Xu's residence and came to Zhang Xu's study with ease.

Yun Zheng pondered for a moment, and after Miaoyin ground the ink for him, he quickly started writing.

He didn't need to write to Yu Shizhong, but it was necessary to remind Dugu Ce.

Be careful of Chi Yan!

No matter what, there must be enough troops to guard Somai City.

Otherwise, if Chi Yanzheng was colluding with Xiqu, he might take advantage of the lack of military strength in Somai City to launch a direct attack on Somai and open the north gate of the Northwest Protectorate.

After stamping the letter with his own seal, Yun Zheng quickly put it away.

"Do you think Chi Yan has the guts to do this?"

Miaoyin asked with a frown.

"do not know."

Yun Zheng shook his head slightly. "Xiqu Lian Lou Yi has thought of it. It should be impossible for him not to send someone to contact Chi Yan! Regardless of whether Chi Yan has the courage or not, it is always better for us to be prepared."

Heart is under the kyte.

Only Chi Yan himself knows what he is thinking.

What they have to do is to take precautions before it happens.

When they came outside, Yun Zheng handed the letter to Lin Ji.

"Immediately send someone to deliver this letter to Dugu Ce at an expedited speed of 800 miles!"

"Yes!"