Chapter 96 [VIP]
The divination result is very auspicious!
As darkness fell, Gu Zhizhuo led five hundred men, along with Qi Fu, and they quietly left the camp in several groups. After regrouping, they passed through thorns and paths and arrived at the cave that Gu Zhizhuo and Gu Yican had visited before.
This was the first time Qi Fu had ever taken this route. They had been in the capital region for so long, and had even been ordered to survey every corner of the region several times, yet they had never discovered this path.
Gu Zhizhuo looked towards the direction of Daliang Mountain in Yizhou, sent out scouts, and then it was time to ambush and wait.
On the way here, Gu Zhizhuo had already explained the purpose of his trip.
Ten million arrows—just hearing about them was enough to make Qi Fu's heart burn, his mouth water, and make him wish he could roll around in a pile of arrows.
That's a really big ticket!
If it worked out, he couldn't even imagine how happy he would be.
No, it definitely will work!
The soldiers dispersed as ordered. Gu Zhizhuo, along with Qi Fu and nearly a hundred others, stood on the high ground. With the moon shining brightly and the stars sparse, they could see all the movements in the mountains and forests from their vantage point.
Qi Fu used flag signals to indicate the location of the ambush.
Everything was proceeding quietly.
Once the ambush was in place, the first wave of scouts returned and reported, "Young lady, the enemy is about ten miles away. At their marching speed, they will probably pass the main road ahead in about half an hour."
"Go explore again."
"yes!"
Qi Fu stared at the official road with gleaming eyes, hehehe, his little arrow!
Gu Zhizhuo: ?
"You're drooling."
Qi Fu casually wiped his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled.
Gu Zhizhuo: "..." It's the middle of the night, this is a bit scary, what should I do?
Scouts kept coming back to report.
From ten miles away to three miles away, not long after, the sound of horses' hooves and rolling wheels came from afar, and a procession of about two or three thousand people escorting the supply wagons slowly approached.
There were more than a hundred supply wagons, each loaded with an extremely heavy load. The wheels left two deep marks on the ground as they rolled, and the shafts of the wagons were bent slightly under the weight.
Soldiers dressed in imperial guard uniforms escorted them on both sides, slowly making their way along the official road.
The night grew deeper.
Not far ahead is the capital region.
The person escorting this batch of arrows was a middle-aged man in his thirties, Pang Yi, a captain of the Fifth Army Battalion.
This was no easy task. From Fengyang to here, they encountered at least two groups of bandits, and then their supply wagon broke down, delaying them for several days. They had to travel day and night. Now they were finally almost through it. After finishing their mission, he would go to a brothel to relax.
"Kids, hurry up."
"Captain, are these arrows really not going to be distributed to the Thousand Machine Battalion?"
"That's what Admiral Gong said." Pang Yi, with his long beard, said nonchalantly, "It's also because the Gu family didn't know their place. Knowing that their achievements were too great and could overshadow the emperor, they should have handed over the tiger tally much earlier."
"The Gu family is holding onto the northern frontier and insists on keeping troops stationed in the capital region. How can we allow others to snore beside our bed? If Gu Yican is smart, he should understand what the higher-ups mean. Knowing when to retreat is the right thing to do. Either disband the camp or voluntarily merge the Thousand Machine Battalion into the Imperial Guard, otherwise let's see how long he can hold out. An army without even arrows is not even as good as a bandit."
Pang Yi glanced back at the supply wagon. The scout had just returned to report that everything was fine ahead, and the mission had finally come to an end without any major incidents.
Pang Yi sneered, "Gu Yican relies on his high birth and doesn't know his place. If he weren't the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, he would have been beaten to death long ago." The hatred in his voice was almost overflowing.
The captain didn't respond. Earlier, when Gu Yican was assigned the task of suppressing bandits, Pang Yi was ordered to disguise himself as a bandit and launch a sneak attack. At that time, Gu Yican was surrounded by men from the Fifth Army Battalion, and the sneak attack seemed almost certain to succeed. Pang Yi even made a pledge to the army. However, he not only failed but was also shot in the chest by an arrow from Gu Yican and almost died.
For him, this mission to escort the supplies was a way to atone for his past mistakes.
"Yes." The captain responded, following his words, "If it weren't for the support of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the arrogant young master Gu would never have made it. How could he compare to you, who came from a military examination background and earned his position through military merit?"
Of course!
"You worthless brat..."
Before his voice had even faded completely, his pupils suddenly reflected a tinge of orange-red, shimmering brilliantly in the dim forest.
Wait a minute. This is...
Fire!
"There's an ambush!"
Pang Yi screamed in alarm, his sharp voice shattering the surrounding silence.
Why were there still ambushes even in the capital region? Were they bandits? Did they chase us all the way from Yizhou to here?
Various thoughts flashed through Pang Yi's mind. Suddenly, the flames intensified, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound. A black feathered arrow pierced the darkness and struck the supply wagon behind him. The arrowhead was tied with a cotton cloth soaked in oil, which would ignite at the slightest touch. In an instant, the supply wagon burst into flames, and the intense flames engulfed the entire vehicle.
"wrong!"
"This arrow..."
Pang Yi stared at the arrow, his eyes unblinking, a feeling of fear igniting in them.
"This is Gu Yican's arrow!"
The general instinctively blurted out, "What?"
"It was Gu Yican's arrow!"
At that moment, it was this three-pronged black arrow that broke through the darkness and the ambush, striking him in the chest.
If his heart hadn't been slightly tilted to the left, he would have been dead long ago. The sight of the black arrow caused Pang Yi's chest to ache again.
"Captain, watch out!"
The general rammed him aside with his horse's head, and a second arrow, a third arrow... more and more arrows, each bound with oil-soaked cotton cloth, shot out from all directions. These fire arrows struck the supply wagons, startling the horses pulling them, causing them to neigh.
We can't let them drag the burning supply wagons and drive recklessly!
"Quickly, quickly cut the harness."
The soldiers frantically chopped at the harnesses, the intense heat scorching the surroundings. They pushed their horses backward, jostling and colliding, a chaotic cacophony of shouts, curses, and neighing.
Pang Yi looked around at the surrounding mountains and forests, where shadowy figures seemed to be everywhere.
Thick smoke billowed into the air and rushed into the nasal cavity.
Cough cough! The coughing sounds rose and fell in a chaotic mess.
Whoosh!
Another volley of arrows followed, and a black arrow, amidst the dense rain of arrows, flew from the bowstring and struck him directly in the head and face.
"ah!"
Pang Yi cried out in alarm. He bent down, and the arrow pierced his helmet, the lingering force knocking his head to the ground.
Pang Yi winced in pain, clutching his throbbing forehead, and a drop of blood appeared on his fingertip.
It's Gu Yican!
It must be Gu Yican.
No, they'll all die if we don't run now. The fear of near-death experiences kept surging into his mind. The dark forest seemed like a monster with gaping jaws, ready to leap out and skin him alive.
Thick smoke filled my nostrils, making me dizzy and lightheaded.
"Withdraw...withdraw."
"Captain," the captain coughed, disagreeing, "There are ten million arrows in total; we cannot afford to lose any."
Pang Yi hesitated for a moment, but the third wave of rockets, carrying a scorching heat wave, swept into the sky, burning away the last line of defense in Pang Yi's mind.
"withdraw!"
"The supply wagons are all on fire. No one can take them away before the fire is extinguished. The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light, making us most vulnerable to ambushes. We should retreat first and then switch from defense to offense to ensure our invincibility."
It's unclear whether he was trying to persuade the other person or himself.
Pang Yi made a decision: "Retreat quickly."
Military orders are paramount, so the sergeant had no choice but to wave the flag and signal with flags.
The soldiers had been wanting to run away for a long time. As soon as they saw the retreat, they abandoned the burning supply wagons and followed Pang Yi, running for their lives.
They fled in such a hurry that no one noticed the birdsong echoing through the mountains, the chirping accompanied by a peculiar rhythm, continuous and persistent.
The captain glanced back at the firelight and said worriedly, "Captain, what if this batch of arrows is lost..."
"I know, I know!"
Pang Yi knew that he absolutely could not fail on this mission, or he would be finished. Not only would his career never advance, but he wouldn't even be able to save his life.
"The arrows are all wrapped in fireproof cloth, so they won't get burned."
"Let's go ask Shang Zhiwei for help."
Yes. They weren't fleeing; they were just seeking reinforcements. Without the supply wagons and with the fire raging, even if Gu Yican were to carry those ten million arrows, it would take him quite a while. There's still time!
"There are imperial guards patrolling the capital region, so we won't get lost..."
There are people ahead!
A group of people rushed here from the direction of the capital region.
Pang Yi was already a frightened bird. Without thinking, he picked up his bow and arrow. Just as he was about to draw the string, he heard the man shout first: "Captain Pang! The Admiral has given orders."
Huh?
Before long, the enemy was right in front of him. Seeing that there were only about a hundred people, Pang Yi relaxed his vigilance slightly.
Immediately afterwards, a pitch-black token was thrown over.
Pang Yi caught it, and the moment he saw that it was the token of the Five Armies Commandery, he relaxed completely, as if he had let out his last breath. He collapsed on his horse, his back covered in cold sweat, and he almost couldn't breathe.
The young general rode over, clasped his hands in greeting to Pang Yi, and said, "Captain Pang, were you truly ambushed? Where are the supply wagons?!"
"We can't show weakness!" Pang Yi said in a deep voice, "The supply wagons have been burned."
The young general's expression changed, and he hurriedly asked, "Are the arrows alright?"
"The arrows are no problem." Seeing that he asked about the arrows, Pang Yi believed him more and said, "They were wrapped in oilcloth. But the fire was too big to put out, and we couldn't push the supply wagons out."
They were all covered in soot, their hair and clothes showing signs of burning. Pang Yi's face and hands were covered in red burn scars and blisters of all sizes. When they fled, they not only left behind their supply wagons, but also abandoned a lot of weapons, crossbows, and provisions, like stray dogs.
The young officer pretended not to see it and said, "Admiral Gong ordered us to come and provide support."
"How did Admiral Gong know we would be ambushed?"
“It’s the Thousand Machine Battalion,” the young officer said through gritted teeth. “Gu Yican heard that a batch of arrows was going to be transported to the capital, so he went to ask Governor Gong for them but failed. So he came to forcibly seize them. Governor Gong learned of this and ordered us to come and meet him.”
He said with a hint of relief, "Fortunately, Lieutenant Pang acted in time, and the arrows caused no damage."
It really was Gu Yican! He wasn't mistaken, it really was Gu Yican. Pang Yi's hand gripping the reins trembled slightly; this fear, as if he had encountered a natural enemy, made his whole body tremble.
"Admiral Gong said that this batch of arrows was hard-won and must not be lost. Iron ore production has decreased significantly recently, and if we lose this batch of arrows, the next batch may not arrive for another six months. The Imperial Guards cannot be without arrows."
yes.
Soldiers without bows and arrows are like wild beasts without claws.
Pang Yi turned to look in the direction of the firelight. He couldn't escape; the consequences of losing these arrows were something he couldn't bear. But... could he protect them?
"Let's go back first," the young general said preemptively. "Otherwise, if Gu Yican really takes it, neither of us will be able to explain ourselves."
"I brought three thousand men. I went ahead as soon as I saw the light, and they are rushing here at full speed. You and I only need to hold out for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
Pang Yi was completely convinced.
"As long as we stay hidden and wait for Gu Yican to put out the fire, reinforcements will arrive. If we can capture Gu Yican in one fell swoop, it will be a great achievement."
In that short time, Pang Yi experienced a complex mix of emotions—first surprise, then fear, then joy—which coalesced into a single sentence: "Okay. Let's go back!"
The group returned along the same route, but the direction of the supply wagons was completely shrouded in thick smoke, with grayish-white smoke filling the air. Continuing forward into the smoke, the smoke grew thicker and thicker, choking them and making their throats itch; Pang Yi coughed until he felt dizzy and disoriented.
"Ahead," Pang Yi pointed, "Huh, Gu Yican hasn't appeared yet. Is the fire really too big?"
"Shall we ambush them here?" He turned to ask the young officer, "By the way, which battalion are you from, and what's your name?"
Several double images seemed to appear before his eyes, and his body, sitting on the horse, swayed from side to side involuntarily.
I feel a little dizzy... what's wrong?
Thump!
A soldier fell off his horse.
Knock knock!
People kept falling to the ground, and others were swaying and spinning around like they were drunk.
"Captain, no, that's not right."
Before the sergeant could finish his sentence, he too fell down.
"You're not..."
Pang Yi's head grew heavier and heavier, and he suddenly realized that he hadn't seen the young general's face clearly at all. He tried desperately to open his eyes, but more and more overlapping images appeared before his eyes, one after another.
He fell headfirst off the horse.
Everyone fainted; only the young general and his hundred or so men remained standing.
"I am Qi Fu from the Thousand Machine Battalion."
"Got it, you coward?"
"However, you're too dizzy to remember anything, which is a real shame."
Qi Fu kicked Pang Yi, who was lying on the ground, muttered a few words, and then ordered, "The flag signal is complete."
Behind him, a soldier took out a red flag, raised it high, and waved it rhythmically.
"Put out the fire, it's almost dawn."
The soldiers took the fireproof cloth off their horses, and in groups of several, they deftly spread out the huge cloth and covered the burning supply wagon.
Their noses were stuffed with yellow paper, and two pills were placed in their nostrils, so they were unaffected by the smoke.
The arrows they just shot had cotton cloths tied to the arrowheads soaked in kerosene and a sleeping potion.
The young woman made the sleeping potion herself. When lit, it will release a sweet, intoxicating aroma into the smoke.
However, the incense took a little longer to take effect. Originally, it was thought that Pang Yi would have to guard the supply wagon and hold off the attack for a while, and that the incense would take effect in just one incense stick's time.
Who would have thought that Pang Yi, that coward, would be so frightened as to flee in panic before even finishing a single round, abandoning his supply wagons altogether.
Fortunately, the young lady was prepared.
"Young lady!"
Gu Zhizhuo rode up, a longbow lying across her saddle. She surveyed her surroundings, her demeanor calm and composed.
Great fortune.
Her calculations were really accurate!
"Young Miss," Qi Fu stepped forward and reported, "Everything went smoothly!"
The soldiers worked together seamlessly, and in no time, all the fires on the supply wagons went out, leaving only a few sparks flickering.
Most of the supply wagons were badly burned, leaving only their tattered frames.
Wrap your hands in fireproof cloth, open the charred box, and you'll find it lined with thick layers of fire-resistant paper and fireproof cloth, wrapped up layer upon layer. The arrows are undamaged, their arrowheads gleaming brightly.
Qi Fu's eyes lit up immediately.
These are new arrows!
It's brand new, unused, not salvaged.
arrow!
"A new arrow!"
Qi Fu completely disregarded the fact that the arrow was still warm and pressed his face directly against it.
Hehehe.
It was an arrow. He rolled it over and over with his cheek.
Finally, we can get rid of all the junk and scrap metal in the camp!
Gu Zhizhuo: "Don't drool on it."
Not only Qi Fu, but all the soldiers wept with joy after the charred boxes were opened.
Some people covered their faces and squatted down, crying.
Some people even picked up a handful of arrows and kissed them.
There were also shouts: "We have arrows!"
Gu Zhizhuo couldn't help but smile, a feeling of indescribable satisfaction filling his chest.
"Hurry up, it's almost dawn!"
"Once we get back to camp, we'll have plenty of time to make you drool; you can even swallow it whole."
"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
Qi Fu raised her head, wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, and said resentfully, "Miss Gu, what you're saying..."
A soldier opened the last supply wagon and exclaimed with delight, "Young lady! Come and see!"
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