Zhao Muyun's troops, having returned to the south bank of the Xutuo River, disappeared into the vast plains and hills of Hebei, like a drop of water merging into the sea.
The place they chose to hide was a hill called "Kill Tiger Ridge".
The surrounding rolling hills and shrubs create a complex terrain that provides easy cover and facilitates vigilance and evacuation.
The continuous high-intensity maneuvers and nerve-wracking marches left the soldiers exhausted.
However, Zhao Muyun strictly ordered that the highest level of vigilance must be maintained and scouts must be sent out twenty miles away.
Everyone must start a fire and cook food in a secluded place, and it is strictly forbidden to expose their presence.
He himself worked almost non-stop, analyzing every piece of intelligence sent back with Tang Yanhai, Xi Sheng, Wu Shangzhi, Guo Luo, and others.
"Grand Commander, Arahan's main force has been successfully lured to the west by Murong Chunhua and his men. Their vanguard has even crossed the Juma River and followed our feint into the western foothills."
Tang Yanhai pointed to the map, his tone tinged with excitement.
"As expected, Youzhou has reinforced its troops at Juyong Pass again. According to our sources, this time there are at least five thousand!"
"Currently, within Youzhou City, apart from the necessary city defense troops, the available mobile forces are probably less than five thousand!"
Xi Sheng gasped: "Grand Commander, you're a genius! In this way, Youzhou is practically a ghost town!"
Zhao Muyun shook his head: "It's not an empty city. The city walls are still sturdy, and there are still quite a few soldiers guarding it."
"A direct assault is not feasible with our current numbers. Moreover, Han Yanshou hasn't been driven to the brink yet; he's definitely holding back his last trump card."
His finger moved slowly across the map, eventually stopping at a place called "Black Wind Valley".
This place is about forty miles from where they hid at Killing Tiger Ridge, and it is a small canyon connecting the north and south official roads.
The terrain is not particularly dangerous, but there are mounds on both sides and the valley is relatively narrow.
"What's been happening here lately?" Zhao Muyun asked.
Tang Yanhai immediately replied: "According to reports, the Arahan tribe has a cavalry force of about three thousand men, escorting a large amount of grain, wealth, and people looted from surrounding villages and towns, and is moving from south to north."
"They are expected to pass through Black Wind Valley around noon tomorrow, it seems they are preparing to transport supplies back to the main camp."
"Three thousand people... escorting supplies..."
A glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes, like a cheetah that had finally spotted its prey.
"With Arahan transferred away, the military strength in Youzhou is waning, and this transport convoy is relatively isolated... The opportunity has arrived!"
He suddenly stood up, and the spirits of the generals in the tent were also lifted.
"All troops, listen to my command!" Zhao Muyun's voice was firm and decisive. "Wu Shangzhi, Guo Luo, the heavy cavalry, immediately check your equipment and horses, and have a hearty meal!"
"Xi Sheng, the Mo Dao Battalion is to follow the heavy cavalry and expand our gains!"
"Liu Yi, the Divine Machine Battalion has gathered all the Thunderclap Bombs and Fierce Fire Oil."
"I want you to use the most intense firepower to bombard the canyon entrance at the start of the battle and disrupt the enemy's formation!"
"The remaining generals, organize the auxiliary troops and prepare to receive supplies and prisoners!"
A series of orders were clearly issued, and the entire camp instantly started operating efficiently, like a wound-up machine.
Although the soldiers were exhausted, their morale soared when they heard that they were finally going to fight, and that they would be taking the initiative to attack.
The heavy cavalry and the Mo Dao battalion, in particular, had been hiding and marching for days, and were eager to unleash their full potential.
Wu Shangzhi and Guo Luo personally inspected each of the new heavy armors crafted by Lu Zhizi, ensuring that the armor plates were securely connected and the saddles of the warhorses were properly fitted.
They knew this would be the first tough battle after the large-scale re-equipment, and they had to demonstrate the might of the heavily armored cavalry from Hedong.
Xi Sheng silently polished his specially made extended long broadsword, the blade making a rustling sound on the whetstone, his eyes cold and focused.
Liu Yi then directed his men to distribute the thunderbolts and hundreds of repeating crossbows to their positions, repeatedly confirming the firing data.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zhao Muyun led his army quietly away from Killing Tiger Ridge and marched rapidly towards Black Wind Valley.
To maintain secrecy and surprise, they chose a secluded path away from the main road.
Tang Yanhai's scout battalion acted like the most sensitive tentacles, eliminating all possible spies along the route in advance and reporting the movements of the Northern Di transport team in real time.
It was almost noon, and the sun was blazing.
Heifengyu lies quietly on the plain, with wild grass growing on the mounds on both sides.
Three thousand Northern Di cavalrymen escorted a long convoy and weeping prisoners as they slowly entered the canyon.
Because they were marching in the heart of their own controlled territory, and the main force was "pursuing and suppressing" the Hedong army to the west, this Northern Di army was not very vigilant and their formation was somewhat loose.
The officers shouted orders, urging the troops to speed up and get through the somewhat uncomfortable narrow strip of land as quickly as possible.
Just as most of the convoy entered the canyon, and the rear convoy had not yet fully entered—
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Several earth-shattering explosions resounded at the entrance of the canyon!
The thunderbolts used by Liu Yi's Divine Machine Battalion unleashed terrifying power in the densest part of the Northern Di army!
Flames shot into the sky, thick smoke billowed, and shattered limbs and fragments of the vehicle frame flew everywhere!
The sudden explosion instantly sent the Northern Di rear guard flying, throwing them into chaos!
Then, bags of flammable oil were thrown down, forming a layer of oil mist on the Tartars' heads.
One rocket after another was launched.
boom!
The valley was engulfed in flames, like a raging inferno, turning the Tartars into a sea of fire.
Fire and thick smoke consumed the lives of the Tartars.
"Enemy attack! Form ranks!"
One of the Northern Di leaders, a centurion, was terrified and roared at the top of his lungs.
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