Chapter 61: Quick Guide to the Soldier King (XIX)
As night fell, the flickering candlelight in the tent stretched my shadow. Bi Yuntao's words were still echoing in my ears. The main force of the Qing army was approaching, and we didn't have much time left.
Li Zicheng's proposal was like a life-saving straw, but it was also like poison wrapped in honey, making it difficult to make a decision.
"General, you haven't slept for a day and a night. You should take a rest." The maid Xiaolan brought a bowl of porridge and comforted him softly.
I shook my head, forced myself to cheer up, pointed to the map on the table and said, "The Qing army is coming with great force. We must make a decision as soon as possible. Pass the order down and summon all the generals to discuss the matter overnight!"
The sound of the horn outside the tent broke through the night sky, and the generals hurried into the tent. I handed Li Zicheng's letter to them to read, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, the situation is critical now, how to deal with it, everyone can speak freely."
There was a lot of discussion in the tent, with voices of those who advocated war and those who advocated peace intertwined and fighting. I listened in silence, but my heart became more and more determined. Although Li Zicheng was cunning, he was right about one thing, that is, we have a common enemy - the Qing army. Instead of waiting to die, it is better to give it a try!
"Report--" a scout rushed in, "General, Li Zicheng sent someone here to discuss something important!"
My heart moved. It seemed that Li Zicheng was also waiting for my reply. I raised my head, looked at the crowd, and said in a deep voice: "I have made up my mind. I will cooperate with Li Zicheng and fight against the Qing together!"
Everyone was shocked and looked at each other. I took a deep breath and said firmly, "I know you all have doubts in your hearts, but I believe that at this critical moment, we can only defeat the powerful enemy if we unite as one! I have decided to go to Li Zicheng's camp in person to meet with him and discuss cooperation!"
Having said that, I ignored everyone's dissuasion, put on my armor, mounted my horse, and led a few personal soldiers, braved the night, and headed straight for Li Zicheng's camp.
Li Zicheng's tent was much simpler than I had imagined. He was dressed in coarse linen clothes and sat in front of the marshal's desk with a big horse and a golden sword. When he saw me coming, he smiled heartily and said, "General Feng is really brave. He came to the appointment so quickly after being fooled by me several times!"
I got straight to the point: "General Li, let's not beat around the bush. I came here to discuss cooperation in resisting the Qing. You and I both know that the Qing army is our common enemy. Only by joining forces can we preserve the Han Dynasty!"
Li Zicheng put away his smile and said seriously, "Okay! General Feng is straightforward and I, Li Zicheng, am not a shy person. Tell me, how do you plan to cooperate?"
I walked to the map, pointed to a canyon along the Yangtze River, and said, "This place is strategic and easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is the only way for the Qing army to move south. We can set up an ambush here and catch them off guard!"
Li Zicheng walked up to me, looked in the direction of my finger, pondered for a moment, and nodded, "Good idea! But how should we arrange the ambush? Please let General Feng tell me clearly."
I had prepared a plan in advance, and explained confidently: "Our army is familiar with the terrain, and can be used as the main force to ambush on both sides of the canyon. After the Qing army enters the encirclement, we can attack them from the front and back. General Li will lead the elite cavalry to ambush at the exit of the canyon to cut off the Qing army's retreat. We must capture them in one fell swoop!"
After listening to my plan, Li Zicheng clapped his hands and laughed: "Great! What a great way to catch a turtle in a jar! General Mao is indeed a womanizer. I, Li Zicheng, admire you!"
After the discussion was complete, I immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Bi Yuntao by courier, ordering him to lead his elite troops to set out overnight and ambush at the designated location. Bi Yuntao is a master of military tactics, and with him leading the elite troops, we will surely be able to inflict heavy damage on the Qing army!
I called Sima Kongxian and Hua Mucao and ordered them to be responsible for the transportation and dispatch of logistics and fodder to ensure the supply of soil for the front line. The two took the order and left, and I felt relieved.
Looking at the densely packed marks on the map, I took a deep breath. This battle can only be won, not lost! Success or failure depends on this one move. I must do my best to defend Jiangnan and the Ming Dynasty!
After sending the messenger away, I couldn't calm down for a long time. Cooperating with Li Zicheng is like plotting against a tiger, but he has a large army and a favorable geographical location, and is currently the only force that can compete with the Qing army. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the people of Jiangnan, I can only give it a try!
I forced myself to calm down and put all my energy into the defense work in the rear. I visited cities and towns, encouraged the people to actively participate in the defense of the city, and personally supervised the reinforcement of the city walls, the digging of trenches, and the preparation of rolling logs and stones.
When the people heard that I would join forces with Li Zicheng to fight against the Qing Dynasty, they became very enthusiastic and donated money and supplies. There were even many young people who volunteered to join the army to defend their country.
I looked at the determined faces and felt touched and hopeful. Perhaps this is why I persisted in fighting.
A few days later, Bi Yuntao sent someone to bring the news that he had led his troops to the designated location and successfully set up an ambush, waiting for the Qing army to arrive. I finally felt relieved and quickly ordered Li Zicheng to gather his troops and prepare to set off.
On the day we set out, the sky was gloomy, as if foreshadowing a great battle was about to come. Li Zicheng and I walked side by side, with a mighty army behind us. I looked back and saw that the city walls were full of people who were seeing us off. They waved their arms and shouted loudly to see us off.
"General Feng, aren't you worried about the dangers of this journey?" Li Zicheng suddenly asked with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
I retracted my gaze, turned to look at him, and smiled calmly: "General Li is not worried, so what should I be afraid of as a person with no ties in the world? Moreover, this battle concerns the life and death of the people in Jiangnan. As a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, I have no choice but to fight to the death!"
Li Zicheng looked at me deeply, without saying anything, but nodded vigorously, then waved his whip and sped forward. I looked at his back, feeling mixed emotions. The road ahead is long, and I wonder if victory or a more cruel fate awaits us?
After we arrived at the designated location, we immediately deployed according to the plan. Li Zicheng's troops were ambushed on both sides of the valley, while Bi Yuntao led the elite troops to ambush at the exit of the valley, ready to deal a fatal blow to the Qing army.
The air was filled with tension, and everyone held their breath, waiting for the moment of the decisive battle.
"Here they come!" The scouts came on horseback to report that the Qing army's vanguard troops had entered the valley.
I took a deep breath and tightened my grip on the hilt of the sword. Success or failure depends on this one move, I must stay calm!
With an order, the shouts of killing shook the earth, and Li Zicheng's troops rushed out from both sides of the valley, rushing towards the Qing army like a tiger descending from the mountain. The Qing army was caught off guard and their formation was immediately in chaos.
"Kill!" Bi Yuntao's voice rang out like thunder. He led his elite troops to attack directly into the center of the Qing army.
The Qing army's vanguard was attacked from both sides, suffered heavy losses, and was soon defeated. I saw the Qing army commander Duoduo rushing left and right in the chaos, but he was unable to break through the encirclement.
"Duoduo has been surrounded, we are sure to win!" Li Zicheng said to me excitedly, his face full of joy of victory.
But I couldn't feel happy, and I felt even more uneasy. "General Li, we must not let our guard down. The main force of the Qing army has not yet entered the valley. We must make a concerted effort to defeat them completely!"
Li Zicheng was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "General Mao is right. Pass the order down, and the whole army will attack. We must annihilate the Qing army completely!"
We led a large army in pursuit, and with great force, we captured several cities occupied by the Qing army one after another.
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