Xiahou Juan's tone was certain, and her eyes held resolve.
Although… as a woman, she was timid, but… at this moment, it concerned the safety of the entire Xu Du city, and the safety of many loved ones. She had to stand up, just like those soldiers of the Dragon Cavalry Camp, to protect the city behind her.
Women are naturally soft, but… the moment they are given a "belief," they become exceptionally strong.
The saying "a mother's love makes one strong" explains this principle.
"Miss Xiahou, this… this is not a game!" Xun Yu asked again, his tone much more serious this time.
"Lord Xun, please… please believe me just once! I… I can really find it!"
She didn't know how to convey it.
Xiahou Juan could only bite her lip, her gaze becoming even more resolute.
"Rengshan? Is there really a secret cave?" Zhao Rong also asked, puzzled.
"Yes!" Xiahou Juan nodded. "There are many pine trees there, perfect for collecting firewood. Many woodcutters also go there, but… few dare to venture deep into Rengshan. It's quite steep there… and the secret cave is located there, as if isolated from the world. If one hides within, they will never be discovered."
This…
Xun Yu pondered deeply and made a decision. "Alright, then… please lead the way and take our scouts to investigate."
Just then.
Xiahou Heng and Xiahou Ba cupped their hands and requested.
"Please permit, Lord Xun, for my brothers to escort sister Juan…"
At these words, Xiahou Heng and Xiahou Ba glanced at Zhuge Jun. Xiahou Ba said, "My brothers, like Kongming, are also Taixue students and will never disappoint you, Lord Xun!"
Xiahou Heng added, "If anything goes wrong, Lord Xun can punish us according to military law!"
Evidently, "Zhuge Kongming" had become the role model for the Taixue students.
Hearing this…
Xun Yu nodded with considerable satisfaction. "As expected of Taixue students, and disciples of Minister Lu and Miss Cai Yan. Old man agrees, but… remember to be extremely careful!"
"Yes!"
Xiahou Heng and Xiahou Ba bowed their hands in salute.
Someone then selected a slender female light armor from the armors and handed it to Xiahou Juan. The journey was dangerous, and she had to be equipped.
In no time, Xiahou Juan put on the female light armor. Beneath her agile and cute appearance, she wore a layer of chilling, battle-hardened light armor… giving her a unique aura.
It was a bit heavy, but Xiahou Juan could bear it.
However, her waist was too slender, and even the "leg armor" within the light armor could not be fitted. Unfortunately… she had to wear her original attire for her lower body.
Under the faint light of the night, the group quickly headed towards Rengshan to investigate the cave.
Of course!
In Xun Yu's view, this was far from enough.
Even if they could find Liu Bei's troops…
The most important part was yet to come. Facing an enemy force several times their size, he had to find a way to utilize the terrain to annihilate as much of the enemy's fighting strength as possible!
"Kongming…" Xun Yu subconsciously turned his gaze towards Zhuge Jun. "If… if Xiahou Juan can really find the enemy soldiers' location? Do you have any contraptions in your workshop that can annihilate these tens of thousands of enemy soldiers?"
This…
Although Zhuge Jun was honest, he was not foolish. He immediately understood Xun Yu's meaning.
Lord Xun's unspoken implication was the "Zhuge Divine Crossbow"!
However…
"Lord Xun…" Zhuge Jun shook his head. "This Zhuge Divine Crossbow… is not for combat, but a type of hidden weapon for self-defense. It can kill one or two enemies at short range, but against a large number of enemy soldiers… its effectiveness in causing widespread casualties is simply insufficient!"
Sigh…
Xun Yu exhaled. Zhuge Jun's answer was not unexpected. His own thoughts were too naive; how could this small black box… possibly stop tens of thousands of enemy soldiers?
"Area of effect? Area… of effect!"
Xun Yu murmured.
Coincidentally, his words… made Zhuge Jun suddenly think of something.
He suddenly realized that it was August, a blazing August… a sweltering August!
Even at night… the air was still scorching hot, and this… this extreme temperature was perfect for the deployment of another kind of "weapon"!
To be precise, it couldn't yet be called a weapon, but a type of "powder"!
But… during previous tests, this powder's power was immense, and it could cause short-range area casualties in advance.
With this thought…
Zhuge Jun's eyes snapped open.
"Lord Xun, I… I've thought of a method… a method to defeat the enemy!"
…
…
Guandu, within a small farmstead along the Yellow River bank, it was deep in the night, and all was silent.
Suddenly, the sound of soldiers' footsteps and the rustling of armor erupted, and in an instant… torches illuminated the deep, long alleyway.
"Cough, cough…"
At this moment… Cao Hong dismounted and walked up to a group of armored soldiers, coughed lightly, and said to the leading personal guard, "Hurry up, don't make too much noise."
The personal guard grinned, "General, rest assured, this isn't the first time we've done this kind of thing…"
Saying this, he turned and waved his hand. The personal guards rushed into the alley like hungry wolves. Cao Hong bit a reed and stood with his hands behind his back at the alley entrance. Before long, the sounds of crying and shouting could be heard from within the alley!
These personal guards of Cao Hong had changed into Yuan army armor and charged into the alley…
Then came the wanton smashing and looting. Even more exaggerated, some dragged women into the houses, and then… came the sounds of women struggling and the roars of laughter from the armored soldiers, finally, all sounds returned to nothingness.
Naturally… there were also those who ran out of the alley with money, grain, and cloth, throwing them all into carriages. The common people cried out in sorrow, and the scene was chaotic!
Just then…
"Clippity-clop…"
The neighing of a warhorse echoed out, followed closely by the sound of hurried hoofbeats from the end of the alley. A young general led a troop of cavalry, galloping in, and with a whip, he knocked down the personal guard who was leading the looting!
"Stop…"
"All of you, stop!"
This young general was Cao Xiu, and the knights behind him were from the Dragon Cavalry Camp!
He was patrolling nearby when he heard the cries of distress and rushed over. He initially thought it was remnants of the Yuan army looting civilians, but upon getting closer, he realized these were from the Qing Province troops!
The personal guard who was whipped had a clear bloodstain on his face. He was about to draw his sword, but upon seeing Cao Xiu and the Dragon Cavalry Camp, he dared not act rashly!
It was no exaggeration to say that in the Cao camp now… these Qing Province soldiers were not even worthy of carrying the shoes of the Dragon Cavalry Camp!
"So it's… it's General Cao Xiu!"
Cao Xiu, his face filled with anger, dismounted but lowered his voice, "Who gave you permission to impersonate Yuan soldiers and commit evil here?"
The personal guard whispered, "This… this is… the old rule!"
Sigh…
Cao Xiu's brows furrowed tightly. The Dragon Cavalry Camp, due to "grave robbing" and "various businesses," had always had ample military pay, with meat at every meal, and even strict daily meat consumption requirements.
It was no exaggeration to say that the soldiers of the Dragon Cavalry Camp could eat meat until they vomited!
But a full belly cannot understand the hunger of a hungry person…
The military pay for the Qing Province soldiers was not so abundant. Forget eating meat; it was good if their two meals a day were not short-weighted.
Therefore…
After marching and fighting, many Qing Province soldiers would change into enemy uniforms and loot villages, and also… enjoy the company of women.
After all, when the news spread, it wouldn't be the Cao army doing the looting… in the dark, who could recognize them clearly?
Thus, generals in many camps would turn a blind eye and implicitly allow such behavior, which led to the personal guard's words, "This is the old rule!"
The Dragon Cavalry Camp naturally did not know about these things.
Cao Xiu certainly did not know, and he could only sneer, "How come I don't know about such rules that disturb the people and disrupt discipline!"
He looked around and said coldly, "Quickly gather your men and get lost! Do you… want the Dragon Cavalry Camp to enforce military discipline and rectify military regulations?"
At this, those "perpetrating" Qing Province soldiers exchanged glances. Some didn't even have time to pull up their pants before they gathered, looking at Cao Xiu with great difficulty.
"Hahaha…"
Just then, a burst of laughter came from the alley entrance.
Cao Xiu turned around and saw Cao Hong striding over. "I was wondering who it was! So it's Wenlie!"
Cao Xiu frowned and cupped his hands towards Cao Hong.
"Uncle Zilian!"
"Hahaha…" Cao Hong was still laughing, but then, he slapped the personal guard across the face…
First, the stinging pain from the whip, and now… another slap. He felt like he had truly drawn the short straw today.
"Don't you have eyes? Didn't you see the banner of the Dragon Cavalry Camp? How dare you commit violence in front of the Dragon Cavalry Camp? Get lost…"
Cao Hong reprimanded coldly.
At this, these personal guards no longer dared to hesitate. They scrambled to leave, not even taking time to pull up their pants.
Cao Xiu's expression softened slightly.
Cao Hong patted his shoulder. "These dog-like things have angered Wenlie! They should be punished… I will severely punish them tomorrow!"
Cao Xiu, however, waved his hand. "Uncle Zilian, do Cao Sikong and Minister Lu know about your personal guards' conduct…"
This…
Cao Hong scratched his head. "The Battle of Guandu has been going on for more than half a year. Aren't the brothers waiting for this day?"
"Then…" Cao Xiu retorted, "Then… then we can't loot the civilians, can we?"
Cao Hong chuckled, "We didn't loot the civilians either! Look… they're all wearing Yuan army clothes. If the news gets out, it will be Yuan army remnants looting civilians, and we are protecting them, aren't we? Ah… haha…"
Unashamed, even proud.
Cao Hong was accustomed to doing such things. He had always been fond of wealth, and he couldn't possibly not engage in such a risk-free and profitable business.
"From now on, Uncle Zilian, don't do this anymore!"
Cao Xiu said righteously.
Cao Hong's face faltered. "Even my elder brother never stopped us before. The soldiers followed my elder brother to conquer cities and capture territories, and with such little military pay and food, who would risk their lives? If they aren't allowed to gain some advantage, who will fight with all their might!"
"Our Dragon Cavalry Camp will!" Cao Xiu's tone became increasingly stern.
Cao Hong was taken aback. "Your Dragon Cavalry Camp doesn't understand the struggles of the hungry. In the entire Cao camp, how many legions have the treatment of your Dragon Cavalry Camp? Meat at every meal, several pounds of meat daily, and fruits… Is this being a soldier? This is being a 'master'!"
This…
Cao Xiu was speechless.
Cao Hong's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Furthermore, Wenlie… in this world, there is no absolute black and white. Before, our Cao camp had 200,000 troops, and the grain supply was insufficient. Now, it's 600,000. 600,000… If everyone does nothing, will they just sit and wait to go bankrupt? At that time… the entire army might mutiny, which would be far more impactful than looting a few villages! It's possible that the very foundation of our Cao camp could be shaken! You are still too young… you don't understand these things!"
Hmph…
Cao Xiu's brows furrowed tightly. He subconsciously said, "But… but regarding the grain, hasn't Commander Lu already volunteered to go to Xuzhou to procure grain?"
"Procure grain from Xuzhou? Heh heh…" Cao Hong shook his head. "Your Commander Lu is my 'brother,' so I can understand his thoughts, but it's ultimately too idealistic!"
"The situation in Xu Du city is still unknown. If, by chance… our main base is wiped out, and the grain supply is cut off, how can he have time to procure grain? Even if he really goes to Xuzhou, procuring grain? Is it that simple? Let alone others… even I, Cao Hong, even if I have tens of thousands of grains at home, I will absolutely not donate it! Merchants… are all cunning merchants, do you think they are easy to deal with? Is it easy to procure grain?"
Indeed…
Cao Hong's words rendered Cao Xiu speechless. He didn't know how to retort.
Yes.
These are troubled times. The collected Yuan army grain and fodder, at best, would last for a month.
But… the situation in Xu Du city is still unclear. Who knows… what the scene will be like after a month?
Betting everything on Commander Lu indeed… has a gambling flavor to it!
"Alright…" Cao Hong finally patted Cao Xiu's shoulder. "I won't talk to you anymore. Your Dragon Cavalry Camp has a good commander, and I don't care if you eat well and drink well, but you have to let us brothers fill our stomachs, right? Let's go… don't interfere with such matters in the future!"
Saying this, Cao Hong turned around, sighing and lamenting, and walked away.
Leaving Cao Xiu standing there numbly…
For a long time, he remained silent, unsure if what he had done was right… or wrong.
…
…
Xu Du City, in the medical office.
The moon was already past its halfway point…
But Xun Yu could not sleep!
Even with his injuries, he could not sleep without the intelligence from Rengshan.
"Report, Lord Xun… Miss Xiahou has already investigated Liu Bei's troops!"
"It has been confirmed that Liu Bei's tens of thousands of troops are hidden in the secret caves of Rengshan."
Sigh…
As these words were spoken, Xun Yu, who was lying down, suddenly sat up. Because he got up too quickly, his chest suddenly ached. He instinctively reached out to cover it, but his body swayed due to weakness.
Zhuge Jun quickly went to support him…
Only then did Xun Yu steady himself. He waved his hand and looked at the armored soldier who reported.
"Have the conditions outside the cave entrance in Rengshan also been fully investigated?"
"Numerous trees and forests… can be used for ambushes!"
The armored soldier thought Lord Xun intended to ambush the outer perimeter and annihilate the enemy in one fell swoop at dawn. But upon second thought, it didn't seem right. The enemy had tens of thousands, while Xu Du city only had a few thousand defenders. In this case, even an ambush seemed… seemed…
Before he could figure it out. Da Feng Novel Network.
Xun Yu's eyes turned towards Zhuge Jun.
"Kongming, the trees and forests outside these cave entrances are indeed suitable for your plan…"
As he said this, Xun Yu paused. His heart throbbed repeatedly.
A few months ago, he would never have imagined that now… the hope of saving Xu Du city from dire straits was concentrated on these young Taixue students.
"Kongming, what are the chances of success?"
Xun Yu, unable to rest assured, added another sentence…
Zhuge Jun hesitated for a moment, still not daring to boast, and simply shook his head, "I don't know… but… this operation is our first collective action as Taixue students. We will definitely not disgrace the reputation of Taixue, nor will we shame Master Lu and Master Cai… No matter the chances of success, we will do our utmost!"
Do our utmost.
Sigh… Hearing this, Xun Yu felt his heart grow heavier. This phrase "do our utmost" was enough.
"Good, regardless of success or failure… be sure to come back alive!"
Xun Yu's gaze suddenly became serious. The last sentence was spoken word by word, each word powerful and resonant.
He had to survive, otherwise… how could Xun Yu explain to Lu Yu, how could he explain to Yin Lin, how could he explain to Cao Cao's eldest son!
"Yes…"
Zhuge Jun bowed his hands in salute…
And walked out of the pavilion.
Outside the pavilion, a group of young people were already waiting there.
—Cao Ang, Cao Anmin, Huang Xu, Dian Man, Xu Yi… and He Yan, Qin Lang!
If one were to add Xiahou Heng and Xiahou Ba, who had already rushed to Rengshan.
It could be said…
The most outstanding and brilliant students from the batch that entered Taixue three years ago were all mobilized.
"Everyone, are you ready?" Zhuge Jun asked.
These Taixue students had received transmissions from the Dragon Cavalry Camp earlier, learned about the current situation, and also understood "Kongming's" plan!
"Kongming, the knights of the Dragon Cavalry are already outside the gate… waiting for us!"
Cao Ang recited loudly.
Cao Anmin added, "Along the way, we have 'our people' to guide us! We will arrive in an hour!"
Hearing this, Zhuge Jun raised his eyes and looked at He Yan.
"Pingshu? How is your side?"
"Everything is foolproof." He Yan nodded, his delicate face, even more tender than a woman's, was now filled with determination!
"Good…" Zhuge Jun extended his hand, and everyone else extended theirs, countless hands gripping together.
Zhuge Jun began.
—"We will not disgrace the name of Taixue! We will not disgrace the names of our mentors!"
Upon these words…
Everyone shouted in unison:
—"We will not disgrace the name of Taixue! We will not disgrace the names of our mentors!"
—"We will not disgrace the name of Taixue! We will not disgrace the names of our mentors!"
The sound shook the tiles, making the medical office rumble under the night sky.
As if…
At this moment, in the land of Yongqiu, by the bank of the Ying River… the golden characters "Pillars of the Emperor, Pillars of the Nation" inscribed on the Taixue stone classics were shining brightly, brilliant and radiant!
But just then.
"Are you… really going? Are you really going to risk your lives?"
A clear yet low female voice came from behind the group.
Everyone looked up to see who it was, and their hearts skipped a beat.
It was… her?
…
…