The night is as dark as ink.
Inside the central military tent of the allied forces camp outside the south gate of Jinyang City, tallow candles made slight crackling sounds as they burned, illuminating several solemn and resolute faces.
On the simple sand table, a model of Jinyang City made of clay was illuminated by candlelight.
The main streets and city gates can be identified and are clearly visible from a bird's eye view.
Zhao Muyun stood in front of the sand table with his hands behind his back, his eyes sweeping across the entire sand table like an eagle.
Yinji stood beside him, his plain white mourning clothes particularly eye-catching in the candlelight, his young face intertwined with grief and determination.
Mr. Zhou twirled his beard and frowned.
Generals such as Xi Sheng, Wu Shangzhi, Liu Yi, Zhang Huan, Wang Ben, and Li Mao stood with their swords drawn.
The tent was extremely solemn and quiet. The armor shone coldly in the light, and the air was filled with the solemnity unique to before a war.
There was only the sound of people breathing and the crisp sound of the oil lamp wick exploding.
“Report—!”
The curtain was suddenly lifted, and the cold wind blew in, causing the candlelight to sway and dance.
Shen Qian walked in quickly, knelt on one knee, and presented a small bamboo tube in both hands, "General, a secret letter from General Xiao!"
Everyone's eyes were instantly focused on the bamboo tube.
Zhao Muyun took it, unscrewed it skillfully, and took out a roll of paper as thin as a cicada's wing.
There was only one line of tiny charcoal-written characters on it, but they carried a weight of weight: "East City is ready, with thirty-seven internal supporters. Light the fire at three o'clock as the signal to seize the gate!"
The suppressed breathing sounds in the tent suddenly became heavier.
Yin Ji clenched his fists, a fire of revenge blazing in his eyes: "Master! The time has come!"
Zhao Muyun slowly raised his eyes, the candlelight dancing in his deep eyes.
He looked at Yinji, his voice as steady as a mountain: "Prince, the decisive battle will be tonight. Swords have no eyes. Please, you, Mr. Zhou, and General Zhang Huan, take command of the central army, hold the main camp steady, and wait for good news."
"No! Master!"
Yinji took a step forward, his voice excited, his body trembling slightly, but with unquestionable determination.
"The blood feud between my father and king is irreconcilable! Restoring the sunshine of Jin is my son's duty!"
"If I sit back, how can I face the world and the heavens? How can I face my father in the underworld?"
"I want to be there in person to see the old villain Xiao Lie executed! I want the soldiers and civilians of Jinyang to see with their own eyes that the Yin family's flag has never fallen, and the Yin family's backbone has never bent!"
He met Zhao Muyun's gaze with burning eyes.
The perseverance and determination that transcended his age moved all the generals in the tent.
Zhao Muyun stared at him for a moment, and saw the unshakable determination in the eyes of this young prince, as well as a hint of the outline of a king.
He nodded slowly, a hint of imperceptible approval in his tone: "Alright! Since you have such courage, then follow my central army!"
"However, the battlefield is treacherous and dangerous, and swords and arrows are merciless. Prince, you must stay close to my side and not leave without permission. Do not act rashly and obey my orders!"
"Disciple will obey Master's orders!" Yinji clasped his fists heavily.
Having made up his mind, Zhao Muyun turned around, his eyes like lightning sweeping over the generals in the tent, and an invisible majesty spread out.
"Commander Xi Sheng, listen to my orders!"
"I will be here!"
Xi Sheng stepped out of the line, his voice like a loud bell.
He was as big as a mountain, and his heavy iron armor glowed dimly in the candlelight. Just standing there gave people an unshakable sense of oppression from a mountain.
"I order your Mo Dao Battalion to be the vanguard of the entire army! When the fire breaks out at the east gate, and the sound of cannons is the signal, seize the city gate at all costs and build a defensive line!"
"I want you to be like a wall of swords, welded to the city gate! Do not retreat a single step until the entire army enters the city!"
"Understood!"
A fierce light flashed in Xi Sheng's eyes, and his large hand, like a palm-leaf fan, slammed heavily on the breastplate, making a dull sound. "Don't worry, General! The Modao Battalion is here, and the city gate is here!"
"Unless I am completely wiped out, I will not let a single enemy step past the city gate!"
The deputy commander and Sima behind him also beat their chests at the same time, their armor clanged, and murderous aura filled the air.
"Commander Liu Yi, listen to my orders!"
"I'm here!"
Liu Yi took a step forward. He was not as big and strong as Xi Sheng, but his eyes were sharp, revealing the concentration and calmness unique to technical officers.
"The three Shenji Cannons of the Shenji Battalion, advance to a pre-set position 400 steps from the west gate and load them with solid ammunition! At the signal, all three cannons fire in unison, concentrating their firepower to bombard the east gate tower! Cover the Modao Battalion's advance to the city!"
"Deploy the composite crossbows in a dispersed manner, specifically targeting officers, standard-bearers, and messengers on the city walls!"
"clear!"
Liu Yi's tone was firm and resolute, "I have spent the past hundred days calibrating all the parameters and preparing sufficient arrows and ammunition! I will surely make the defenders of the city lose their minds before the battle even begins!"
"Commander Wu Shangzhi, listen to my orders!"
"I will be here!"
Wu Shangzhi clasped his fists. He had a nimble physique and the demeanor of a typical cavalry general.
"Your light cavalry, remove unnecessary loads! Once the Modao Battalion controls the city gates, immediately charge into the city at top speed!"
"Ignore the small groups of fleeing soldiers. Your mission is to march straight into the heart of the city along Suzaku Street! All the way to the General's Mansion, control the Central Arsenal, and seize the government office along the way!"
"Remember, speed is life. Overwhelm them! Disrupt their deployment!"
"Yes! I will pierce Jinyang like a three-edged spear!"
Wu Shangzhi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Li Mao and Wang Ben, listen to my orders!"
"I am here!" the two men answered in unison.
"General Li, your unit will be the second echelon, following the cavalry into the city."
"There are two missions: First, eliminate the remaining enemies in the city and occupy the main roads of the various markets; second, maintain order, appease the people, put out any fires that may occur, and strictly prohibit any looting!"
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