The elder’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Your Excellency means…” Before him, Zuo Zheng, the Duke of the Yan Dynasty, played a masterful game of chess. The Yan Dynasty was in turmoil, with Xiao Beilong controlling the court, attempting to usurp the throne.
Among the lineage of the Human King, amidst the great tides, Duke Zuo Zheng, the elder brother of the current Human King, Zuo Lengchan, had established a formidable presence, holding his own territory and becoming the leading force against Xiao Beilong.
And this Zuo Bo was Zuo Zheng’s pawn. Firstly, to disrupt the west and tie down Xiao Beilong’s military strength. Secondly, to suppress Zuo Lengchan. As the son of the previous Human King and the brother of the current one, Zuo Lengchan was the best choice for Human King in the eyes of many loyal subjects of the Yan Dynasty, while Zuo Zheng himself was somewhat sidelined.
Zuo Bo was ambitious, attempting to use Zuo Zheng’s power to seize Yun Prefecture. However, in Zuo Zheng’s view, if this person could not be used, he could not be killed either. If he were killed, the loyal ministers and clans who supported him would abandon Zuo Zheng.
He could not kill him, but he could use Xiao Beilong to eliminate Zuo Bo.
Zuo Zheng’s expression changed drastically. He glared fiercely at the elder. “Keep a close watch on Zuo Lengchan. Dare to guess my thoughts, and you die!”
“Your Excellency…” The elder hastily knelt, trembling. Daring to analyze the thoughts of the ruler was a grave taboo.
“Go inform Hu Haitong. Once Zuo Bo leaves, seal his retreat route. Also, have him send a general to take Wu Prefecture. Since he is unwilling to serve me, then he has no need to live.”
Zuo Zheng’s expression was icy, showing no regard for familial ties. In his eyes, Zuo Bo was merely a piece to balance Zuo Lengchan, disposable at any moment.
…
Within a small city in the eastern part of Yunwu Mountain, about a four-hour journey from Hui Prefecture, Han Qin Hu and Shi Wansui were studying a map on the wall.
“General Han, Hui Prefecture to the northeast is Zuo Zheng’s old lair. Zuo Zheng is a significant separatist force in the southeast, sharing the southern realm with Zuo Lengchan in the south!” Shi Wansui said softly as he examined a dispatch.
“General Shi, I fear General Wang Baobao and General Lu Junyi in the west face considerable pressure!” Han Qin Hu mused, staring intently at the map.
“Look, this is the border between Wu Prefecture and Yun Prefecture, known locally as the ‘Horn of Plenty’. It’s suitable for ambushes. From the intelligence provided by General Wang Baobao, the contest between Wu Prefecture and Yun Prefecture will unfold here. But Shen Yu is but a brute. Would Xiao Beilong let Shen Yu guard such an important city alone?” Han Qin Hu expressed his worries. He was already aware of Wang Baobao’s battle plan.
Initially, he believed Wang Baobao’s strategic planning was unconventional and decisive. But over the past two days, the more he looked, the more he felt something was amiss. This Yun Prefecture seemed like a large net, aiming to ensnare Zuo Bo in the west in one fell swoop.
Lu Junyi’s mission was extremely dangerous!
“What do you think, General Han?” Shi Wansui asked, looking at the map and reviewing the gathered intelligence, his expression grim. This was a pre-meditated trap designed to swallow Zuo Bo in the west whole, and the armies of Wang Baobao and Lu Junyi were unwittingly drawn into it.
“Withdraw our troops and move west, abandoning the eastward advance plan!” Han Qin Hu said heavily. The three-pronged attack was formulated and issued by Yang Hao. However, the front lines were ever-changing, requiring the commanding general to assess the situation and adjust the operational plan accordingly.
“I agree!”
Shi Wansui added, “A general outside the capital has the authority to disregard the emperor’s orders.”
“If that is the case, General Shi, lead a hundred thousand troops and advance northwest of Yunwu Mountain. Meet up with General Lu Junyi as quickly as possible. Fight if you can, retreat if you cannot!”
Han Qin Hu produced a military token and handed it to Shi Wansui.
“Rest assured, General Han!”
Shi Wansui mounted his horse. “Vice-general, heed my command, muster the troops!”
“Yes!”
“Gather the army!”
The vice-general shouted loudly. Ten thousand troops quickly assembled in the square, awaiting Shi Wansui’s orders.
“Move out!”
Shi Wansui drew the sword at his waist, pointing northwest!
Han Qin Hu watched the army gradually disappear into the depths of Yunwu Mountain, his expression serious. “Vice-general, assemble the army and march towards the Horn of Plenty to the west!”
“Yes!”
Han Qin Hu mounted his horse, looking at the dense dark clouds to the west, his heart filled with worry. “I hope everything arrives in time.”
…
In the southern foothills of Yunwu Mountain, Qin Qiong and Yu Chi Gong, clad in armor and with swords at their waists, stood beside a scout who knelt on one knee, reporting respectfully.
“General, a hundred miles ahead lies a city called Qi Prefecture. The defending general within is named Han Feng. He is at the fourth level of the Tongling realm and is a formidable figure under the southern lord Zuo Lengchan, possessing considerable strength.”
“Continue pressing forward, and watch out for enemy scouts!”
Qin Qiong said solemnly, looking at the dense jungle in the distance.
The twenty thousand troops had advanced relentlessly southward, reaching the end of Yunwu Mountain today.
“Yes, General!”
The scout responded sharply, clasped his hands in salute, and turned to disappear into the distant jungle.
Qin Qiong looked at Yu Chi Gong beside him. Yu Chi Gong’s cultivation realm had now reached the ninth level of the Shenfu realm, just one step away from breaking through to the Tongling realm.
“General Yu Chi,” Qin Qiong smiled, looking at the dark-faced warrior beside him, “would you be willing to command fifty thousand troops and go lure the enemy?”
“The city must be heavily guarded, with a Tongling realm commander. If we attack head-on, our casualties will inevitably be greatly increased. If we can lure them out of the city, I am confident we can defeat this army in one fell swoop!”
Yu Chi Gong secretly analyzed Qin Qiong’s words. Qin Qiong was in the same Tongling realm as the enemy general. If Qin Qiong were to lure the enemy, Han Feng might not easily leave the city.
“Leave it to me!”
Yu Chi Gong clasped his hands in salute.
“Whoosh!”
Qin Qiong opened a map. “General Yu Chi, this place is a basin, densely covered with forests. Furthermore, it has been extremely dry these past few days, making it an excellent battlefield. Once Han Feng leaves the city and enters this area, we can use fire to turn this place into a sea of flames!” Su Dan Novel Network
Yu Chi Gong nodded repeatedly. The southern foothills of Yunwu Mountain had relatively flat terrain, unsuitable for ambushes. Only this basin, with its lower elevation and dense forests, was an excellent location.
“In that case, General Qin, I will go and return. Judging by the time and distance, I should be able to return successfully around the midnight hour tonight!”
Yu Chi Gong’s expression was grave, his tone resolute. To significantly reduce our army’s casualties, we must leverage favorable timing, terrain, and human factors.
“General, be careful in all things!”
Qin Qiong bowed respectfully.
“Don’t worry!” Yu Chi Gong flashed a smile, mounted his horse, and led a detachment of troops, quickly heading towards Qi Prefecture.
“Let’s go!”
Qin Qiong waved his hand and led the way towards the basin. It was currently noon, and there was still a considerable amount of time before midnight, enough for them to prepare.