The convoy moved in a hurry.
Mr. Zhou, who was riding in the same carriage with Yinji, whispered, "Your Highness, the so-called 'support' Xiao Lie arranged is probably an ambush by the Northern Di. We are on this journey and it's a life-or-death situation."
Yinji clenched his fists, his eyes determined: "I know. But for my father, I have to brave the dangers!"
"And... I believe that Master will not sit idly by."
For some reason, he thought of Zhao Muyun, and a sense of certainty arose in his heart.
Zhang Huan rode his horse closer to the carriage and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, rest assured. I have arranged for trusted scouts to patrol twenty miles ahead and report back immediately if they detect any unusual movement. Even if there is an ambush, we will protect Your Highness at the risk of our lives!"
Wang Ben shouted, "Why should we be afraid of him? It's just the right time to kill a few Tartars as sacrifices!"
Li Mao remained silent, just observing the surrounding terrain vigilantly.
He sighed inwardly, thinking that this journey was likely to be dangerous, and he only hoped that he could fight his way out with the troops in his hands.
Just as Yinji's convoy left Jinyang, undercurrents surged in the Heifengyu area of Jingzhou, Hebei.
Fan Wenjing, the chief strategist under the command of King Zuoxian of Beidi, was currently sitting in a secret house in Jingzhou City, listening to the reports from his spies.
He was about fifty years old, with a thin face, but his eyes were as cold as a poisonous snake.
"Sir, Xiao Lie sent a letter stating that Crown Prince Yinji has departed, escorted by Zhang Huan, Wang Ben, and Li Mao with approximately 500 cavalry. They are expected to arrive in the Black Wind Valley area in five days."
Fan Wenjing nodded and traced his finger across the map. "The terrain of Black Wind Valley is dangerous and prone to ambush. Have the 1,000 cavalrymen sent by Lord Han Yanshou, as well as the 2,000 infantrymen from the Cao and Liu clans, all arrived?"
"Sir, we have all arrived at the designated location in secret."
"The cavalry will lie in ambush in the open area outside the Black Wind Valley, while the infantry will occupy the ridges on both sides of the valley entrance. We only need to wait for the Crown Prince's convoy to enter the valley, then we can attack from both sides and annihilate them in one fell swoop!"
"very good!"
A hint of pride flashed in Fan Wenjing's eyes. "Remember, our target is Yinji and those three generals. Try to capture them alive. If that's impossible, kill them without mercy!"
"As for the Prince of Jin... Humph, he's a seriously injured and dying man, so he's insignificant. If we can get rid of him, it will also end the Yin family's last hope."
"yes!"
However, Fan Wenjing did not know that his supposedly secret transfer had already been discovered by the Shuozhou Yebushou secret agents operating in the Yanyun area.
Detailed intelligence was flying to Yingzui Valley in Guizhou via carrier pigeons and fast horses.
Almost at the same time, Wu Shangzhi's light cavalry had quietly arrived at Heishan in the north of Jingzhou and hid in the mountains and forests.
After many hardships, the troops of Xi Sheng and Liu Yi successfully arrived at Yingzui Valley, and immediately began to build concealed fortifications and set up artillery and crossbows.
Zhao Muyun, accompanied by his personal guards and Ye Bushu, arrived at Yingzui Valley like a ghost.
He checked the positions chosen by Xi Sheng and Liu Yi and nodded with satisfaction.
Yingzui Valley is located at a higher altitude and overlooks the open area outside the exit of Heifeng Valley. It is an ideal artillery position and sniper point.
"Xi Sheng, your Mo Dao Battalion is lying in ambush in the dense forest to the left of the valley entrance. Hear the cannon fire as a signal, cut off the enemy's retreat, and strangle the fleeing soldiers!"
"I have received your order!"
"Liu Yi, your Thunder Bombs and Divine Arm Composite Crossbows, prioritize enemy cavalry and generals under their banners! Cover areas where enemy forces are densely packed with Divine Machine Cannons!"
"I understand! We will make sure the Tartars never return!"
“Wu Shangzhi’s side…” Zhao Muyun looked at Shen Qian.
"General Wu has sent word that they are in position and can cut off the enemy's escape route to the north at any time and snipe any reinforcements that may come from the direction of Yanjing."
Zhao Muyun's lips curled up slightly: "Very good. Now, we just wait for our 'guest' to arrive."
......
Five days later, at dusk.
The setting sun was as red as blood, dyeing the rugged mountain path of Heifeng Valley and the rugged rocks on both sides a sad and bright red.
After a long journey, Yinji's caravan finally arrived at the entrance of Heifeng Valley.
The soldiers looked a little tired after days of traveling, but thinking about meeting King Jin, there was still a sense of anticipation and tension in the team.
Zhang Huan reined in his horse and looked at the deep and steep canyon in front of him with a frown.
As a veteran, he instinctively felt a little uneasy.
"Your Highness, the terrain here is dangerous and there might be an ambush. It would be better to send scouts to search it carefully before passing through," Zhang Huan suggested.
Yinji looked at the sky and thought of his seriously injured father, feeling anxious:
"General Zhang, our father is in imminent danger. We can't afford to delay! Besides, didn't Xiao Lie say he had arranged for help? Perhaps he's just ahead."
Wang Ben said impatiently, "Old Zhang, you're just too cautious! How could there be an ambush in this desolate mountain? The right thing to do is to go over and pick up His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin!"
Li Mao also spoke up, "General Zhang's concerns are not without reason."
"We have a small force, so if we encounter a few scattered bandits, we won't have to worry. But if we encounter an enemy force more than twice our size, we must be extremely careful!"
"Order the front troops to be on high alert, the central troops to guard His Highness, and the rear troops to hold back. We will pass quickly."
Yinji adopted Li Mao's advice: "Let's do as General Li said, speed up and pass through Heifeng Valley!"
The convoy began to enter the canyon.
The mountains on both sides are steep and densely forested. The setting sun is blocked by the towering cliffs, and the light in the valley quickly dims, making it seem particularly deep and quiet. Only the sound of horse hooves and wheels rolling on the road echoes in the valley.
Mr. Zhou was in the car, feeling increasingly uneasy.
He tightly grasped a dagger in his sleeve, ready to deal with any unexpected situation at any time.
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