nycdaug Chapter 93 The storm rises again
Chapter 93 The storm rises again
Under Li Mao's arrangement, the entire palace immediately sprang into action.
Everyone is busy preparing for this grand event.
When Li Mao came out of the study, he saw that the courtyard was full of craftsmen sweating profusely and servants bustling about.
"Afu, how's it going?" Li Mao asked as he walked into the courtyard.
"Your Highness, everything is proceeding according to plan. The repairs and setup of the racetrack are expected to be completed within three days," Afu replied without daring to look up.
Li Mao nodded in satisfaction and continued, "We must make sure the preparations are perfect, not only for ourselves but also for the people of Chang'an."
Just then, General Feng hurried over, his face grave: "Your Highness, I have just received news that the palace seems to be paying some attention to our actions."
Li Mao was taken aback, his brows furrowing slightly. "Has anyone in the palace noticed our preparations?"
General Feng nodded. "It is said that His Highness the Crown Prince has been acting quite cautiously lately, and there seems to be a sign that he is trying to find out about us."
Li Mao hesitated for a moment, then turned his gaze to the distance. "It's alright. As the Crown Prince said, we should remain calm and wait for the right moment. We are upright and honest, so we have nothing to fear from their notice."
Then, Li Mao instructed, "All personnel should continue to work in an orderly manner, and be extremely careful not to reveal any flaws."
A few days later, the racetrack gates finally reopened.
Merchants and ordinary people from the city flocked to the venue to witness this grand event.
Inside the racetrack, Li Mao walked among the crowd, a smile appearing on his lips as he watched so many people arriving in an endless stream.
The chives arrived in perfect unison.
.........
"The Prince of Shou's racecourse has finally reopened. Our trip was definitely worthwhile."
"Everything the prince has done is truly for the people. Putting everything else aside, just watching this scene is incredibly inspiring."
The people were talking about it excitedly.
On the streets outside the racetrack, vendors hawked their wares, their lively voices mingling with the laughter of the crowd.
However, just as Li Mao was happy about the reopening of the racecourse, urgent news came from his residence.
Afu hurriedly walked to Li Mao's side and whispered, "Your Highness, a messenger from the palace has arrived, saying that His Majesty has important business to discuss with him."
Li Mao felt a chill run down his spine, but remained outwardly calm.
After a quick tidying up, accompanied by General Feng and Afu, they hurriedly headed to the palace.
Upon entering the Taiji Hall, Li Mao saw Li Longji sitting on the dragon throne, looking even more exhausted than before, which made him feel somewhat uneasy.
"Father, what important matter has summoned me here for?" Li Mao asked respectfully.
Li Longji looked at Li Mao for a moment before slowly speaking: "Mao'er, I have summoned you here today because there is an important decision that requires your participation."
Li Mao was startled and hurriedly replied, "Please enlighten me, Father. Your son will do his utmost."
Li Longji nodded slightly, then turned to look at the several important ministers beside him, signaling them to offer their opinions.
Li Shizhi, who had been silent all along, cleared his throat and said, "Prince Shou, what we need to discuss this time is the issue of strengthening the defense of the northern border. The current situation is not optimistic."
Li Mao was slightly moved. He hadn't expected it to involve such important military affairs, and hurriedly asked, "What exactly is the situation in the northern frontier?"
Gao Shi stepped forward, his expression solemn: "According to intelligence from the front lines, there seems to be enemy forces stirring in the northern border. To protect the relevant defenses, we need to dispatch capable generals to gain the upper hand."
“Your Highness has performed exceptionally well in Jiangnan; why not bring along a share of the honor this time?” Li Heng interjected with an ambiguous smile.
Li Mao knew that this mission would not be easy. After weighing his options for a moment, he solemnly replied, "If Father and everyone trust me, I am willing to go to the northern frontier and fulfill my mission."
Li Longji said with a sharp gaze, "You must make preparations for this trip to the northern frontier as soon as possible and make sure to protect the territory."
"My son, I obey."
Northern Xinjiang?
An Lushan seems to have eventually hidden himself in the northern frontier.
Upon returning to his residence, Li Mao immediately gathered several capable generals to discuss strategies for the trip to the northern frontier.
"Your Highness, who will assist you on this trip to the northern frontier?" General Feng asked first.
After glancing thoughtfully at General Feng, Li Mao said, "As for the choice of those who will accompany and assist me, I would like to ask General Li Jingqing to assist me."
General Feng was recruited by me from An Lushan.
If we go to the northern frontier together now, there's bound to be trouble.
If General Feng hadn't switched sides at the last minute, the outcome would have been very uncertain.
"Your Highness, why won't you let me accompany you?" General Feng asked in confusion.
Li Mao replied softly, "Last time I returned in a hurry from Jiangnan, and this time I will have to trouble General Feng to help me govern Jiangnan."
"If assistance is needed, General Feng can lead the Jiangnan army directly to support me."
"I will obey my orders."
Although General Feng was unwilling, he had no choice but to obey Li Mao's orders.
Li Mao handed a letter to Afu and instructed in a calm voice, "Afu, this letter is a secret order to the front-line guards. You must deliver it personally and there must be no mistakes."
Afu took the letter and immediately replied respectfully, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will deliver the letter safely."
Li Mao looked at him with a solemn expression and said, "The affairs of the northern frontier are of great importance, but we must also pay attention to safety."
"Understood, Your Highness." Afu immediately accepted the order and set off.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Li Mao mounted his horse and set off.
During the march, Li Mao and Li Jingqing walked side by side.
“Your Highness, although we know the approximate size of the enemy army, the terrain in the northern frontier is the easiest place to hide troops, so we need to carefully survey the surrounding area,” Li Jingqing said, pointing to several key locations on the sheepskin map.
Li Mao looked at the map, carefully considering every possible variable.
"The general is absolutely right. With the terrain still unclear, we must carefully consider every step we take."
After several days of trekking, Li Mao and his accompanying army arrived in the northern frontier.
They were stationed at a high-lying camp, from which they could overlook the surrounding terrain.
Li Mao stood at the edge of the camp, looking around at the vast and desolate northern frontier.
“Your Highness, this place is strategically important and can be used for defense,” Li Jingqing said, walking up to Li Mao and pointing to the surrounding mountains.
Li Mao nodded and continued, "This place is both high up and easy to defend, making it a good choice."
Because he knew that the enemy was usually good at using complex terrain to launch surprise attacks, so he had to take precautions in advance to avoid being led by the nose by the enemy.
He then immediately ordered his subordinates to begin constructing a temporary camp and setting up watchtowers to ensure that the army could advance steadily and surely in this location.
Shortly afterward, the sentry returned from a distance, reporting that some suspicious traces had been found in the northeast of the highlands.
Upon hearing this, Li Mao immediately dispatched an elite squad to scout ahead.