Dust billowed outside the pass, obscuring the sky and the sun.
The scene is filled with a somber atmosphere.
General Mu Qing of the Northern Xiang Kingdom, clad in golden armor, gleamed in the sunlight.
He rode a tall and majestic black horse, standing at the very front of the army.
He raised his spear, its tip gleaming coldly, pointing it at Jianmen Pass, and shouted:
"Soldiers! Jianmen Pass was once the territory of our Northern Xiang Kingdom!"
"Now, we will take it back!"
"Take it back! Take it back! Take it back!"
The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and their momentum unstoppable.
The shouts were like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, echoing through the valley and shaking the earth.
They held swords, spears, and halberds, clad in armor, their fighting spirit soaring, their eyes filled with a desire for victory.
Banners fluttered in the wind, war drums beat more intensely, and the atmosphere on the battlefield reached its peak.
After Lu Yan led his army to Jianmen Pass, he immediately dismounted and quickly walked up to the city wall.
The wind whipped his black cloak, making it flutter like rolling dark clouds.
He squinted and looked into the distance. The banners of the Northern Xiang Kingdom's army blotted out the sun and stretched for miles.
They are slowly approaching Jianmen Pass.
"Indeed, it was a grand affair."
Lu Yan said in a low voice, tapping his fingers lightly on the city wall.
It makes rhythmic sounds, as if it's thinking about something.
"My lord, the forces of the Northern Xiang Kingdom far surpass ours; this battle will be difficult."
Li Kui stood behind Lu Yan, his tone tinged with worry.
He rubbed his hands nervously, his gaze falling on the densely packed enemy troops outside the pass.
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Lu Yan didn't turn around, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a confident smile.
"Having more troops does not guarantee victory."
"Jianmen Pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack, making it an ideal place for us to win with fewer troops."
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the defensive fortifications on the city wall.
"Pass down the order: immediately organize the soldiers to reinforce the city defenses, set up traps, and prepare for battle!"
When he spoke, his tone was firm and powerful, and every word resonated deeply.
It seemed to carry a powerful force, infecting the soldiers around it.
On the city wall, soldiers, like industrious ants, carried defensive supplies such as thunderclaps, logs, and kerosene.
They were busy in a tense but orderly manner.
Beneath the city walls, craftsmen toiled under the scorching sun, reinforcing the city gates and walls.
The clanging and banging sounds echoed through the valley.
For a time, the entire Jianmen Pass was filled with a tense atmosphere of preparation for war.
Based on the terrain features of Jianmen Pass, Lu Yan devised a battle strategy of "luring the enemy deep into the pass and then trapping them inside."
He summoned his generals and led them to a spacious council hall inside the Jianmen Pass city gate tower.
A huge map hangs in the hall; it is a detailed topographical map of Jianmen Pass and its surrounding area.
On the map, mountains, rivers, roads, passes, cities, and villages are all clearly marked.
Lu Yan pointed to several strategic locations marked with cinnabar on the map and explained his plan in detail.
His voice was deep and powerful, and every word clearly reached the ears of the generals.
"Jianmen Pass is strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack, but it also has its weaknesses."
The Northern Xiang Kingdom's army is coming in with overwhelming force; we cannot fight them head-on, we must outsmart them."
Lu Yan paused, his gaze sweeping over the generals.
Seeing that they were all listening attentively, he continued:
"My plan is to first feign defeat, lure the enemy deep into Calabash Valley, and then..."
He pointed his finger heavily at the location of Gourd Valley on the map.
"Then, close the valley entrance, cut off their retreat, and launch a surprise attack from the mountain peaks on both sides to encircle and annihilate the enemy in the valley!"
The generals gathered around the map, their eyes following Lu Yan's finger.
They carefully observed the terrain of Hulu Valley.
They would nod in agreement from time to time, or offer some additional suggestions.
An elderly general with white hair and beard stroked his beard and pondered:
"My lord, this plan is brilliant, but Calabash Valley is narrow and our forces are limited. How can we ensure that we can completely annihilate the enemy?"
Lu Yan smiled slightly and said confidently:
"General, there's no need to worry. I've already arranged for elite troops to ambush on both sides of the mountain,"
"Once the enemy enters Calabash Valley, we can launch a thunderous attack."
Lu Fei said excitedly:
"Your plan is brilliant! Victory is assured!"
Dressed in all black, Night Owl appeared before Lu Yan like a ghost.
"My lord, I am ready to infiltrate the enemy camp."
He knelt on one knee, his tone calm and firm, as if he had long since disregarded life and death.
Lu Yan nodded, patted Night Owl on the shoulder, and spoke with a hint of concern.
"This journey is dangerous; please be extremely careful."
"Your mission is to spy on the enemy commander's battle plans and spread rumors to disrupt morale."
"Understood."
Night Owl accepted the order, rose, and vanished into the night like a black shadow.
On the city wall, a cold wind howled, and Lu Yan looked in the direction where the night owl had disappeared, a look of worry flashing in his eyes.
He knew that Night Owl's mission was extremely dangerous, but he believed in Night Owl's abilities and that he would complete the task.
The army camp of the Northern Xiang Kingdom was brightly lit.
Mu Qing, dressed in silver armor, sat upright in the main tent.
He was discussing the plan to attack Jianmen Pass with several of his lieutenants.
"Jianmen Pass is strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. We must devise a foolproof plan."
Mu Qing pointed heavily at the location of Jianmen Pass on the map, his tone steady and powerful.
A lieutenant clasped his hands and said:
"General, I suggest we send a force to launch a strong attack on Jianmen Pass to draw the defenders' attention,"
"Then the main force will flank from the side and take Jianmen Pass in one fell swoop."
Another deputy general raised a different opinion:
"General, Jianmen Pass is a strategically important and dangerous place. A direct assault would inevitably result in heavy losses."
"I believe we should first send someone to investigate the true strength of Jianmen Pass before formulating a corresponding strategy."
Just then, a commotion arose outside the tent.
A soldier rushed in, knelt down, and loudly reported:
"Report! General, there are many rumors circulating in the army, saying... saying..."
He stammered, not daring to continue.
"say what?"
Mu Qing frowned, her tone tinged with impatience.
The soldier said, trembling:
"They say...they say...their army is short of food and supplies, and the soldiers are panicking. They all...they all want...they all want..."
What are you thinking about?
Mu Qing suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with anger, which made the soldiers tremble.
"They...they all want to...they all want to desert their posts!"
The soldier finally mustered his courage and finished speaking in one breath.
Upon hearing this, Mu Qing's face immediately turned terribly gloomy.
He glared fiercely at the soldier and roared:
"Nonsense! Investigate! Find out who is spreading these rumors!"
Meanwhile, Night Owl had successfully infiltrated Mu Qing's main tent and stolen the enemy's battle plan.
A cold smile appeared on his lips as he placed a piece of fake intelligence on Mu Qing's desk.
He then left the military camp quietly.
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