Hai hour (9-11 PM).
The night was dark.
A secluded courtyard for both refined and common tastes.
"Is everyone here?"
Zhao Cheng, Yuan Yun, and the others were waiting in the courtyard outside the main hall. As soon as Yuan Fei jumped down, Zhao Cheng immediately asked a question.
Unlike when they faced Miao Shaohua at the Third Pier, Zhao Cheng and the others also seemed somewhat nervous.
It's not that Zhao Cheng was faking his attitude towards Miao Shaohua; it's just that he had to maintain a relaxed demeanor when facing outsiders. But everyone among his own knew that Qi Bainian was, after all, the head of a prefecture, and his counterattack had to be taken seriously.
It would be foolish to underestimate your opponent at a time like this.
This is not Yanchuan City after all.
Yuan Fei said, "Six groups of troops have already gathered outside the city, totaling three thousand men. There are also three groups of troops on the way."
Zhao Cheng asked, "Approximately when will it arrive?"
Yuan Fei said, "The latest is midnight."
"What's the situation with Qi Bainian?"
"I haven't left the prefectural governor's mansion, but I've seen some people enter the mansion and never come out."
That's his trump card.
Zhao Cheng thought for a moment, glanced at the people around him, and asked, "What do you think Qi Bainian is planning?"
While everyone was pondering, Huang Hua confidently stated, "The Eldest Princess has become involved in this matter. The garrison in Jiangcheng is no longer under her command. Qi Bainian is aware of this and can guess that the Eldest Princess will gather troops from the surrounding areas of Jiangcheng. No matter how strong his foundation is, he wouldn't dare to fight us head-on because he knows he has no chance of winning. So I estimate that he will flee."
Zhao Cheng nodded and asked, "Where do you want to run?"
Without a second thought, Huang Hua said decisively, "In Jiangcheng, if Qi Bainian doesn't want to become a pirate, then he can only go to Nanzhou."
Zhao Cheng said, "So he would run towards the south gate?"
Huang Hua shook his head and said, "That's beyond my judgment."
Xu An interjected, "It's no use him running anywhere. We have more than 6,000 men gathered together, divided into four groups to guard each city gate. He can't escape."
Zhao Cheng said, "That's not how it works. I don't believe Qi Bainian only has Gan Lang as a master by his side. If several top-tier masters recklessly try to break through, we'll have a very difficult time."
As he spoke, Zhao Cheng looked at Yuan Yun.
Yuan Yun thought for a moment and said, "Young Master's words make sense. We must arrange people to ambush at every city gate, otherwise it is not practical to follow him. Therefore, I think we can only rely on our numerical advantage and divide our forces with him."
“I understand.” Zhao Cheng nodded and said, “But I have my own ideas.”
Upon hearing this, everyone stared intently at Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Cheng said, "I'm just guessing. Qi Bainian probably won't run to the South Gate, even though that road is closest to Nan Zhou. I think he'll go to the East Gate."
Xu An asked doubtfully, "East Gate? By water?"
Zhao Cheng said confidently, "He has served as the prefect of Jiangyang County for many years, and suppressing pirates is his regular job. But precisely because of this, he must have some connection with the pirates. Who can guarantee that there aren't any pirates who are close to him?"
This is an experience that Zhao Cheng learned from his previous life. In his previous life, when the Ming Dynasty dealt with the Japanese pirates, which of the main forces along the coast who fought against the pirates was not familiar with the big bosses among the pirates?
Zhao Cheng affirmed, "Taking the waterway south along Jinghai to Nanzhou is truly the fastest route for him."
“I agree,” Yuan Yun said decisively. “Therefore, I suggest that we still send people to ambush at all four city gates, but strengthen the manpower at the East Gate.”
Zhao Cheng glanced at everyone and asked, "Any objections?"
Everyone nodded and remained silent.
"Alright." Zhao Cheng looked at He Laosan's face and said, "Laosan, you guard the north gate."
He Laosan clasped his hands and said, "Yes!"
"Yu Jin, you guard the west gate."
"yes."
"Do you want more money? If so, say so now, don't start fighting and then talk about money."
Yu Jin said sternly, "Treating corrupt officials doesn't require money!"
"Zhao Yan".
"exist!"
"You will guard the south gate."
"Oh..." Zhao Yan was a little unhappy.
"Zhao Wu, Heng Wenhao, you two guard the east gate."
"yes!!"
"Brother!" Zhao Yan interjected, "I want to guard the east gate!"
Zhao Cheng frowned and said, "Third brother, we're not at home, don't fool around."
Zhao Yan argued, "You promised me you'd let Gan Lang handle things!"
Just as Zhao Cheng was about to speak, Yuan Yun said, "Cheng, Third Brother and Atao have sparred at home, so don't underestimate him."
Without needing to ask further, Zhao Cheng understood Yuan Yun's meaning. After thinking for a moment, he looked at Zhao Yan and said seriously, "If Qi Bainian really heads towards the East Gate, are you sure you can stop him?"
Zhao Yan knelt on one knee and said sternly, "I can sign a military pledge!"
Zhao Cheng scoffed and said, "Who taught you to make such a solemn pledge? This isn't a military campaign; I'm just arresting someone."
"This is what military campaigns are all about! Brother, don't forget you are the victorious general!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng was stunned, as he often overlooked the fact that this general was a person he had previously overlooked.
Zhao Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Alright! You and Heng Wenhao can switch places. You and Zhao Wu will guard the east gate, and Heng Wenhao will guard the south gate."
"Yes!" Zhao Yan immediately beamed with joy.
Zhao Cheng added, "Heng Wenhao, the probability of Qi Bainian running towards the south gate is not low, so you can't let your guard down."
Heng Wenhao clasped his hands and said, "If he dares to come, I'll kill him."
Zhao Cheng waved his hand and said with great bravado, "If that's the case, then let's fight like crazy! Killing Qi Bainian a hundred times wouldn't be too much!"
"yes!!!"
...
The hour of Chou (1-3 AM).
After the first torchlight appeared in the manhole cover on the street a mile east of the prefectural government, a continuous stream of lights followed.
The people in front walked slowly, waiting for those behind.
Before long, more than 300 people had gathered.
It was late at night, and the torches illuminated almost the entire area of Jiangcheng, but everyone moved very lightly and cautiously.
Gan Lang and Qi Bainian, who were in the middle of the group, said, "Now that everyone's up here, let's charge towards the east gate in one go."
Qi Bainian said, "No rush. Let's slow down for now and divide sixty men into three teams to break through to the North Gate, West Gate, and South Gate respectively."
Gan Lang exclaimed in surprise, "Then these brothers will never come back."
Qi Bainian said solemnly, "There must always be sacrifices."
"Forget it, I'll do it." Qi Bainian pushed Gan Lang aside, glanced around, and said, "I need sixty men to launch feint attacks on the North Gate, West Gate, and South Gate. To be honest, these brothers will most likely not return, but it will give the remaining brothers a better chance. Anyone willing to go?"
Upon hearing this, all three hundred people knelt down in unison.
"I'm willing to go!!!"
Qi Bainian glanced at Gan Lang, then took the lead and walked towards the east street, saying, "You make the arrangements, hurry up and follow."
Gan Lang said in a hoarse voice, "Yes..."
"Towards Glory!!"
Qi Bainian raised his arm and shouted, "Follow me! Leave this place of trouble, and I will lead you to glory!!!"
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