A plan within a plan to turn the tide
Chapter Quote: Traveling day and night to break the treacherous plot, speaking frankly about the pros and cons to awaken the foolishly loyal. Making a false play into reality to lure the enemy in, only in a bloody battle can the hero's bravery be revealed.
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Yan Qing was like a gust of wind in the dark night. Regardless of the pain in his body, he used his Qinggong to the extreme and rushed back to Zengtou City with all his strength. He had to expose Wu Yong's evil plan before Duan Jingzhu did!
However, when he sneaked into Shi Wengong's mansion again, he learned that Shi Wengong had been summoned by Zeng Nong to discuss matters in the mansion and had not returned yet!
Yan Qing's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Duan Jingzhu had already returned? Or had he heard some rumors?
He didn't dare to delay and immediately turned to Zeng Nong's residence. The Zeng residence was brightly lit and the security was several times stricter than usual. It was obvious that something big had happened.
Yan Qing's mind raced, knowing that forcing his way in was impossible. He went around to a secluded corner behind the mansion wall, took a deep breath, and channeled his inner strength. He condensed his voice into a line, sending it through the high wall like a mosquito, a true mastery of "secret sound transmission."
"Teacher Shi! Grandpa Zeng! Do not listen to Duan Jingzhu's words! This is Liangshan's Wu Yong's vicious plot to sow discord, intended to cause civil unrest in Zengtou City and lead to its own collapse! The 'Jade Lion Shining in the Night' is currently in Liangshan's rear camp; it's a decoy!"
He repeatedly sent these words into the mansion, not daring to stay too long. He immediately changed his position, hid himself, and nervously observed the movements in the mansion.
Inside the mansion, Zeng Nong was discussing military affairs with Shi Wengong and the Five Tigers of the Zeng Family. The atmosphere was tense. Duan Jingzhu had indeed "escaped" back in a state of disgrace and was kneeling in the hall, weeping bitterly:
"Grandpa! Gentlemen! I risked my life to escape back because I have a huge secret to report! That Shi Wengong... Shi Wengong has already secretly defected to Liangshan. We agreed to use the 'Jade Lion Shining at Night' horse as a signal tonight, open the camp gates, and join forces from inside and outside! This is the handwritten letter and jade pendant he asked me to bring back as proof!"
As he spoke, he presented a letter and a jade pendant. The handwriting was identical to Shi Wengong's, and the jade pendant was indeed something Shi Wengong always carried with him!
Zeng Nong's face turned pale, and the Five Tigers of the Zeng Family were even more furious. They all drew their swords and pointed them at Shi Wengong: "Shi Wengong! You ungrateful bastard!"
Shi Wengong was shocked and furious. He had no idea about this! He had no recollection of the letter or the jade pendant! "Grandpa! This is a false accusation! I swear to heaven, this is absolutely not true! This must be Duan Jingzhu colluding with Liangshan to frame me!"
The two sides were arguing and blood was about to be spilled on the spot.
At this critical moment, Yan Qing's voice, as thin as a gossamer but extremely clear, reached the ears of everyone in the hall like an alarm bell!
"...Don't listen to Duan Jingzhu's words! This is Liangshan's Wu Yong's vicious plot to sow discord... 'The Jade Lion Shining in the Night' is currently in Liangshan's rear camp, acting as bait!"
Although the voice was soft, it was like thunder exploding in everyone's heart!
Shi Wengong's spirits perked up, and he shouted sternly, "Grandpa! Did you hear that? This is a warning from a master! Duan Jingzhu, you bastard, what else do you have to say?!"
Duan Jingzhu was so frightened that his face turned pale. He stammered, "It must be...it must be Shi Wengong's accomplice..."
Zeng Nong was a mature and steady man. Although he was still a little confused, the mysterious voice and Shi Wengong's fierce defense at this moment made him alert. He slammed the table and shouted, "Shut up!"
His gaze shot towards Duan Jingzhu like lightning. "Duan Jingzhu, you keep saying that Teacher Shi has betrayed us. Where is the 'Jade Lion Shining in the Night' now?"
"Since... naturally, Shi Wengong handed him over to Liangshan..."
"Hmph!" Zeng Nong sneered. "If Mr. Shi really was colluding with Liangshan, why would they have gone to the trouble of sending you back with the letter? Wouldn't it be better to just silence you and open the door at midnight? Your words are full of loopholes, and your actions are sneaky. I think you're Liangshan's spy! Come! Capture Duan Jingzhu and torture him!"
Duan Jingzhu was so frightened that he tried to argue, but he was pinned to the ground and tied up tightly by the fierce and ferocious guards.
Shi Wengong breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, and bowed to Zeng Nong: "Thank you for your trust, Grandpa!"
Zeng Nong waved his hands, his expression still solemn. "Teacher Shi, it's not that I believe you, but this matter is strange. Now the Liangshan army is approaching outside the city, and there are such incidents inside... Sigh." He looked in the direction of the mysterious voice, thoughtfully, "The person who gave the warning just now..."
Shi Wengong hurriedly said, "Grandpa, this is the prodigal Yan Qing, a disciple of Lu Junyi of Daming Prefecture! He is a righteous man who came to Zengtou City specifically to help us break the Liangshan conspiracy!"
"Yan Qing?" Zeng Nong had obviously heard of this name before. He pondered for a moment, "In that case, could you please ask this righteous man to show himself?"
Shi Wengong looked outside the door, but there was no sign of Yan Qing.
At this moment, Yan Qing's voice could be heard again, still vague and elusive. "Grandpa Zeng, Mr. Shi, my identity is sensitive, so I cannot appear in person. The most urgent task is to deal with Liangshan's plot tonight! Wu Yong will not be willing to accept his plan being discovered, and he may have a backup plan!"
Zeng Nong's expression froze when he heard this, and he looked at Shi Wengong: "Teacher Shi, what do you think we should do?"
Shi Wengong's eyes flashed coldly: "Grandpa, Wu Yong wants to cause civil unrest in Zengtou City. Why don't we take advantage of his trick?"
"Oh? How do we turn this trick against them?"
"Since he's agreed to use the horse as a signal at midnight, we can coordinate internal and external forces. We should feign civil unrest to lure the Liangshan army into a surprise attack! Then..." Shi Wengong gestured to close in, "set up an ambush and make sure he can't get away!"
Zeng Nong clapped his hands and said, "This is a brilliant plan! Let's follow the teacher's advice!"
With the plan finalized, the Zengtou City war machine immediately began to operate efficiently. Zeng Nong and Shi Wengong personally arranged and mobilized elite troops, setting up numerous ambushes inside and outside the designated village gates. Simultaneously, they deliberately created signs of chaos on the city walls and quietly relaxed security at the "arranged" village gate.
The night deepens and midnight is approaching.
At the Liangshan camp, Wu Yong received a report from a spy: there seemed to be changes in Zengtou City. The defenders on the city walls were frequently transferred, and the guards at the "agreed" gate were lax. He twirled his beard and smiled, thinking that his plan had worked.
"Pass the order down. According to the original plan, at midnight, a surprise attack will be launched against the east gate of Zengtou City!"
It was midnight, the moon was dark and the wind was strong.
A large Liangshan force, led by Qin Ming, known as "Thunderbolt," and Suo Chao, known as "Vanguard," quietly approached the east gate of Zengtou City. Seeing the gate ajar and faint cries of killing coming from within the city (impersonated by Zengtou City soldiers and civilians), Qin Ming was overjoyed, believing Shi Wengong had succeeded. He brandished his mace and shouted, "Brothers, follow me and charge in!"
The Liangshan army shouted and rushed towards the camp gate like a tide!
As the soldiers at the forefront entered the village gate, they suddenly heard a gong sound overhead! Then, torches lit brightly on the city walls, and ambushes emerged from all directions! Rolling logs, rocks, and arrows poured down like a torrential rain!
"Oh no! We've fallen into a trap!" Qin Ming was shocked and hurriedly reined in his horse.
But it was too late! The Liangshan soldiers who had rushed into the city were instantly divided and surrounded, suffering heavy casualties! The gate behind them slammed shut, cutting off their escape route!
At the same time, the gates of Zengtou City opened wide, and Shi Wengong took the lead, holding a Fang Tian Hua Ji, and rushed out like a god descending from heaven! The Five Tigers of the Zeng Family each led their elite troops and attacked from both wings, cutting off the Liangshan army outside the city!
"Shi Wengong is here! Liangshan bandits, accept your fate!" Shi Wengong shouted, brandishing his painted halberd like a tiger among a flock of sheep, unstoppable! Not a single general in the Liangshan army could match him!
Although Qin Ming, Suo Chao and other generals were brave, they were caught off guard by the ambush and intimidated by the momentum of Shi Wengong and Zeng's army. Their formation was in chaos and they could only fight on their own and strive to break out.
The chaotic battle lasted until dawn. The Liangshan army retreated back to camp in disarray, leaving behind thousands of corpses. Qin Ming and Suo Chao were both injured, representing a heavy loss.
On the walls of Zengtou City, cheers resounded, and the morale of the soldiers and civilians was greatly boosted!
Zeng Nong and Shi Wengong stood side by side on the city wall, looking at the retreating Liangshan army and smiling at each other. The previous grudges had disappeared in this bloody battle.
"This great victory is thanks to Mr. Shi's quick decision-making and his dedication to the cause with his soldiers!" Zeng Nong sighed. "I must also thank that righteous man Yan Qing. If he hadn't warned us in time, Zengtou City would have been in great trouble!"
Shi Wengong nodded, his eyes sweeping across the city, searching for the mysterious figure, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew that if it weren't for Yan Qing last night, he, Shi Wengong, would have been killed by the sword, and Zengtou City would be in imminent danger.
However, Yan Qing was no longer in the city at this moment.
Just as the ambush began last night, he had quietly left Zengtou City. His goal had been achieved: he had thwarted Wu Yong's plot and helped stabilize the situation in Zengtou City. Next, he had more important things to do.
Wu Yong would never give up after this defeat. The siege of Zengtou City was far from over.
The next move of the "Anti-Liang Alliance" also requires him to discuss it with Gongsun Sheng, Zhu Wu and others as soon as possible.
He looked back at Zengtou City standing tall in the morning light, turned around and headed into the vast wilderness, his figure quickly disappearing below the horizon.
The flames of war in Zengtou City were temporarily extinguished, but the situation in the north became more unpredictable because of this night.
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Chapter 32 End
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