Chapter 58: Quick Guide to the Soldier King (Sixteen)
Without time to feel sad or angry, I quickly said goodbye to the emperor and ran out of the palace. Jiangnan, my homeland, my compatriots, are in dire straits at this moment. I must go back, stand with them, and face the national crisis together!
I mounted my horse and galloped towards the city gate. Sima Konghan followed closely behind me, heading south, walking side by side with me. The sound of horse hooves beat against my heart, and also beat against this stormy era.
Along the way, we worked day and night without sleep, and finally rushed back to Jiangnan at the most critical moment. However, the scene before my eyes made me shudder - the once prosperous Jiangnan was now in ruins, the city was ruined, the people were displaced, and the traces of Qing soldiers could be seen everywhere.
Soon we returned to the capital. "Xiaoyu, don't worry, we are here!" Bi Yuntao held my hand tightly. His eyes were firm and warm, giving me infinite strength.
"Yeah!" I nodded, suppressed the grief in my heart, and began to organize the remaining troops.
"Pass the order and summon all the people who are still able to take up arms to follow me and defend our homeland!" I drew the sword at my waist, pointed the blade straight to the sky, and spoke with a firm and resolute tone.
"Protect our home!" Bi Yuntao stood beside me, his voice loud and clear, echoing through the sky.
For a moment, the crowd was excited, and everyone's face was filled with determination to die. "We are very familiar with the mountains and rivers of Jiangnan, and the Qing soldiers have just arrived and are unfamiliar with the place. This is a good opportunity for us to take advantage of the situation." Bi Yuntao pointed to a steep valley on the map, his tone calm and calm, as always giving me strength.
I looked in the direction of his finger. That was the only way to Jinling City. The mountains on both sides were steep and rugged, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. It was indeed a perfect place to set an ambush.
"You want to..." I raised my head, with hope glittering in my eyes.
"That's right, we will set up an ambush here and catch them off guard!" Bi Yuntao's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his tone was firm, "I have already investigated. Although Wu Ergou is unpredictable, he is cautious in using troops. He will definitely choose to march into Nanjing from this road. When the time comes, we can kill him without leaving a single piece of armor!"
I nodded, and I agreed with his plan. But if we want to wipe out the main force of the Qing army with only our troops, it would be like hitting a rock with an egg. We must have the support of other forces. "Sima, as the prime minister, can you help us mobilize some troops?" I asked, feeling a little worried.
"Don't worry, I've already sent people to make contact. I won't sit idly by." Sima Kongyan comforted me, his tone full of confidence.
Sure enough, within a few days, a group of strong generals led a group of elite soldiers to join us.
"Master Feng, we are late!" When the leading general Hua Mucao saw me, his face was full of guilt.
"Hua, don't blame yourself. I'm already very grateful that you came." I shook my head, indicating that she shouldn't worry about it.
"Although General Hua is a woman, she lost to a man. We are very grateful that you are willing to help us when we are facing internal and external troubles." Bi Yuntao's young face was filled with desire to fight.
I looked around at everyone and was relieved to see that everyone was in high spirits. "Okay! In that case, let's proceed according to the plan!"
I pointed at the map and began to lay out the battle plan in detail. "General Hua, you lead your troops to ambush on the left side of the valley. Once the Qing army enters the encirclement, you will attack from the flank and disrupt their position!"
"Don't worry, leave it to me!" Huamucao bowed and accepted the order.
"General Hua, the task of charging and breaking through the enemy's formation is now handed over to you. Remember not to fight too long and stop when you see an advantage." I turned to look at General Hua and warned him.
"Yes! I guarantee to complete the task!" Huamucao took the order excitedly and left.
After everything was arranged, we quietly hid in the valley, waiting for the decisive battle.
The cold wind whistled past, as if mourning the upcoming bloody battle. I stood on the top of the mountain, wearing armor and holding a long sword, overlooking everything in the valley. In the distance, the Qing army was like a long black snake, slowly approaching the trap we set.
"Coming!" Bi Yuntao's voice rang out beside me, with a barely perceptible hint of nervousness in his tone.
I held my breath and stared at the "black snake". It was getting closer and closer! At the moment when the Qing army's vanguard entered the valley, I raised my sword and shouted, "Kill!"
In an instant, the shouts of killing shook the earth, and the originally quiet valley instantly turned into a hell on earth. The Ming troops ambushed on both sides rushed out like a tiger descending from the mountain, firing bows and arrows, rolling logs, and battering rams, catching the Qing troops off guard.
Although the Qing army had a large number of people, they were quickly defeated by the traps we set and the heroic fighting of the Ming army. I led the personal guard battalion to charge into the enemy camp, and we were invincible. Blood stained my armor, but I was unaware of it. I had only one thought in my mind: Kill the enemy! For the country! For the people!
"General Feng, Wu Ergou is trying to escape!" A soldier shouted to me, pointing at a figure riding a horse in the melee in the distance.
I looked closely and it was indeed Wu Ergou! He was wearing golden armor, riding a black warhorse, and was desperately trying to escape from the valley.
"Where are you escaping to!" I roared and rode after him.
"Zi'ang, be careful!" Bi Yuntao grabbed my reins and said worriedly, "Don't chase me, I'll go!"
I know he is worried about my safety, but I understand even more clearly that Wu Ergou is the key to this war and he must not be allowed to escape!
"Don't worry, I'll be fine!" I gave him a reassuring look and resolutely rode after him.
Wu Ergou's horse was running very fast, and was about to escape from the valley. I was extremely anxious. At this moment, Bi Yuntao's voice came from a distance: "Zi'ang, watch me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a feather arrow flew through the air and headed straight for Wu Ergou. With a scream of "Ah", Wu Ergou fell off his horse, the feather arrow hitting him squarely in the back.
I pulled the reins and looked at Wu Ergou lying in a pool of blood, feeling mixed emotions. This once powerful general of the Ming Dynasty eventually embarked on the path of treason and ended up like this, which was really sad.
"Pass the order down, pursue the victory and drive the Qing army out of Jiangnan!" I raised the blood-stained sword high and shouted the order.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The Ming army generals were greatly encouraged and rushed towards the fleeing Qing soldiers like a tide, eventually driving them out of the land of Jiangnan.
The people of Jiangnan lined the streets to welcome him, tears in their eyes, and they shouted the title of "National Hero". I rode on the horse, accepting this hard-earned honor, but I didn't feel any joy in my heart. The pain brought by war is far heavier than the joy of victory.
At the celebration banquet, Sima Kongxian and Hua Mucao were both honored, their young faces were filled with hope and fighting spirit. Looking at them, I seemed to see the hope for the future of the Ming Dynasty.
"Zi'ang, what are you thinking about?" Bi Yuntao's voice rang in my ears, his eyes full of worry.
"Nothing, I just feel that all this has come too hard." I shook my head, trying to hide my inner uneasiness.
Bi Yuntao held my hand. His hand was warm and strong, which made me feel at ease. "We will protect this hard-earned peace," he said firmly.
However, Liu Xing has already become a traitor and started his subversion plan. This wise man, whom we were once proud of, and even our teacher, is now standing on the opposite side of us. I thought his ultimate goal was to protect the people in this area, but the result was destruction.
Just as we were immersed in the joy of victory, a fast horse galloped over, breaking the laughter and joy of the banquet. The messenger was a messenger from the northern border, and he brought shocking news: the main force of the Qing army had assembled and was preparing to march south!
My heart suddenly sank, and a sense of foreboding came over me. Before I could celebrate my victory, a greater challenge was already looming. Could we really defeat the Qing army again and defend the Ming Dynasty?
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