Upon hearing this, Xi Yuelei's lips curled into a barely perceptible, cold smile.
He knew what Gao Lizhu was up to. She said she wouldn't fight or snatch anything, but in reality, she wanted to possess Princess Anyang more than anyone else.
He waved his hand, "Anyang is just a small city. There's no need for Brother Gao to take action. Just send 30,000 cavalry to attack Anyang. You can just focus on looting the city."
Upon hearing this, the Northern Barbarian general Bargu was immediately displeased. Before his departure, the Northern Barbarian emperor had already issued a secret order: all treasures were to be forfeited, as long as Princess Anyang was brought back safely, it would be worth more than a thousand pieces of gold and silver.
He quickly said, "Brother Xiyue, you're too kind. How could we use the Xiyue Iron Cavalry for such a small matter? Just let my 50,000 light cavalry be the vanguard. I guarantee we'll break through the city before noon."
"General Ba, you're making a mountain out of a molehill. Anyang is just a tiny place. Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Let my Southern Frontier take the lead. You can all just rest." Nangong Jin also harbored ulterior motives.
Xi Yuelei gritted his teeth inwardly. These bastards, they talk about uniting forces to fight as one family, but their minds are full of scheming and backstabbing; not a single one of them has a good heart.
It seems that winning over Princess Anyang will not be an easy task; for now, the only option is to rely on the strong to bully the weak.
Thinking of this, he frowned and reprimanded sternly.
"Alright, all of you, stop arguing. This war was initiated by my Western Moon Kingdom, and the strategy was also devised by my Western Moon Kingdom. This war should rightfully be led by my Western Moon Kingdom."
Nangong Jin sneered, "Brother Xiyue, you are mistaken. Although this feint attack strategy was devised by your Xiyue Kingdom, my Southern Frontier also contributed by instigating unrest on the border to draw the Da Ning army to guard it. Otherwise, how could you have arrived here so smoothly?"
“Yes, what Brother Nangong said is true,” Balhu quickly echoed. “If it weren’t for my Northern Barbarian Kingdom, how could Chu Jiuqing have sent the National Protector Marshal to guard the northern border? That’s an army of 200,000. Based on that, my Northern Barbarian army should rightfully serve as the vanguard and follow Brother Xiyue to sweep Pingyang City.”
Goryeo-ju observed coldly; of the four nations, Goryeo-ju's country was the weakest, and it was inappropriate for him to speak in this situation.
However, the fiercer their fight, the better; who knows, in the end, he might be able to reap the benefits.
Seeing their aggressive attitude, Xi Yuelei immediately drew his waist knife, his eyes filled with a chilling murderous intent.
"Do you two mean you want to fight me? Why don't we have a match and whoever wins will be in charge?"
Xi Yue Lei is the number one warrior of Xi Yue. He once killed five tigers with his bare hands. His strength is also astonishing. He can easily lift a stone cauldron weighing a thousand catties. Anyone who fights with him will either die or be crippled.
Nangong Jin shrank back in fright and waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, no, Brother Xiyue, you misunderstand. How could I dare to fight you? You can take the lead, and I will be completely convinced."
Barhu immediately softened, "I was just afraid there might be an ambush in Anyang, and I wanted to lend Brother Xiyue a hand. Since Brother Xiyue doesn't need it, I'll just wait here for your good news."
Xi Yuelei snorted coldly, "They only listen to force, not gentleness; they're a bunch of spineless cowards."
Gao Lizhu felt utterly contemptuous. They thought they could stand firm to the end, but they were easily intimidated by a few words. What a bunch of cowards!
But he didn't dare show it, instead plastering his face with a smile and flattering her.
“Brother Xiyue, I fully support your decision. It is most appropriate for you to take on the role of the vanguard.”
Hearing Gao Lizhu's flattering words, Xi Yuelei laughed heartily in a rough voice.
"Since you all agree that I should be the vanguard, then you can rest where you are and take me to attack Anyang. Two hours later, you can lead your men into the city to plunder its wealth."
Screw you! Two hours later, Anyang will be a ghost town. Let's go pick up some farts to eat!
Although the group was dissatisfied, they dared not object.
Xi Yuelei personally took command, mustered his troops, and led 30,000 cavalrymen at breakneck speed toward Anyang City.
Along the way, he secretly plotted that once he captured Anyang, he would first take Princess Anyang for himself, and then plunder the city for its treasures.
If we bring Princess Anyang back to Xiyue Kingdom, and use both soft and hard tactics, the country will become prosperous and strong within three to five years.
When he ascends the throne, he will conquer Daming and incorporate the Northern Barbarians, Gaoluo, and Southern Frontier into the Western Yue territory...
Just then, chaos erupted ahead, followed by a series of heart-wrenching cries of agony, accompanied by the neighing of warhorses.
Xi Yuelei was taken aback and quickly reined in his horse, asking the approaching officer, "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Your Highness, there are numerous traps and tripwires ahead, causing heavy casualties among our cavalry."
"Damn it, it seems the garrison in Anyang has already made preparations." Xi Yue Lei's lips curled up into a sinister smile. "How can such tricks stop the trampling of my Xi Yue Iron Cavalry? Give the order: only advance, no retreat! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"
"Yes, sir!" The officer did not hesitate for a moment, and quickly withdrew after receiving the order.
Xi Yuelei's idea was quite good; he wanted to use sheer numbers to advance, but he didn't know that Chen Qingqing had already ordered people to dig countless horse traps in this area.
The soldiers dared not disobey orders and had no choice but to grit their teeth and move forward.
The horse traps were very well concealed. When the first horse's hoof fell into the trap and it lost its balance, the cavalry that followed had no time to react and also quickly stepped into the traps and fell. The scene instantly spiraled out of control, filled with cries of agony.
Hundreds upon hundreds of skilled horsemen were instantly thrown into the air, flung far ahead.
Some fell into the trap, while others crashed to the ground and died instantly.
They were either stabbed to death by swords hidden in traps, had their necks broken from falling, or were trampled to death by panicked horses.
Seeing his cavalry in complete chaos, Xi Yuelei finally understood.
Anyang was not as easily obtained as he had imagined; Princess Anyang was in charge there.
These traps must have been ambushes she set.
Xi Yuelei was filled with remorse. He had been so clever all his life, but made a foolish mistake. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have been so impulsive as to be the first to charge.
Now things are really bad; the elite cavalry has suffered heavy casualties, and who knows how many traps and ambushes lie ahead.
If they are wiped out, there will be no one to burn, kill, and plunder when they attack Anyang, so they can help capture Princess Anyang.
It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost; preserving our strength is the best course of action now.
Thinking of this, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Sound the retreat immediately and withdraw!"
The soldiers had long since lost the will to charge forward, and upon hearing the order to retreat, they took off running back.
On the city wall.
"Report..." A soldier ran over quickly, "Lord Zhou, the enemy has already set up camp fifty miles east of the city, and one of their troops is heading towards Anyang. The leader is none other than the Crown Prince of Xiyue Kingdom, Xiyue Lei."
"Understood, continue the investigation." Zhou Jingyuan said with a serious expression.
"Yes, sir." The soldier replied and left to carry out the order...
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