strictlysupreme Chapter 1413 Give them a good beating!
Chapter 1413 Give them a good beating!
At the same time, Zhu Han said to another group of spies: "You are to secretly monitor the residences of the conservative ministers, and pay attention to their every move, especially at night."
Under the cover of night, spies lay in ambush around the residences of the conservative ministers.
One late night, outside Lord Wang's mansion, the spy A Yong noticed several strangers sneaking up to the mansion gate and gently knocking on the door.
After the door opened, the stranger quickly slipped inside.
Ah Yong said to his companion, "It's the middle of the night, these people going in are definitely not up to anything, we need to keep an eye on them."
After a while, the strangers entered the mansion, stayed inside for a long time, and then quietly left with some packages.
Ah Yong and his companions looked at each other, all feeling that there must be a secret involved.
Upon learning of this situation, Zhu Han speculated, "These strangers are likely engaged in some kind of secret transaction with Lord Wang. We must find out the truth." Therefore, he decided to send a highly skilled, resourceful, and brave spy named A Fei to infiltrate Lord Wang's residence.
On a dark and windy night, Afei quietly arrived at the high wall of Lord Wang's mansion.
With a light leap, he scaled the high wall and landed inside the mansion.
Ah Fei carefully moved through the crowd, avoiding wave after wave of patrolling guards.
Finally, Afei found the room where Lord Wang was meeting with the stranger.
He quietly approached the room, hid under the window, and listened to the conversation inside.
Lord Wang said, "Be careful with the goods you brought this time. Things are tense lately, so don't let anything go wrong."
A stranger replied, "Don't worry, sir, we have a way, it's just that the price..."
Lord Wang sneered, "The price is negotiable. As long as you can successfully transport the goods in, you'll get your share of the profits. However, you'll also have to help me win over other officials, which will help me expand my influence."
The stranger quickly replied, "Don't worry, sir, we will do as you say."
Ah Fei held his breath and pressed his ear tightly against the window; the conversation inside was still going on.
Lord Wang continued, "Given the current situation, with uprisings erupting everywhere and the Yuan court preoccupied with its own problems, it's the perfect opportunity for us to make our mark. However, Zhu Chongba's rebel army is gaining momentum, so we must be wary."
A deep, unfamiliar voice responded: "Sir, that Zhu Chongba is nothing but a peasant. Even if he has some skills, he won't amount to much. As long as we successfully transport the goods in, recruit soldiers, and expand our power, what do we have to fear from Zhu Chongba?"
Lord Wang snorted coldly: "Hmph, don't underestimate Zhu Chongba. He has a younger brother named Zhu Qiwu by his side. I've heard that this man is not simple. He is not only exceptionally intelligent, but also proficient in some esoteric arts. He helps Zhu Chongba devise strategies and has won many battles."
"Zhu Qiwu?" a stranger asked doubtfully. "He's just a young upstart, what kind of ability could he possibly have? Sir, don't boost others' morale and diminish your own."
Lord Wang said solemnly, “You are unaware of the truth. This Zhu Qiwu is no ordinary man. It is said that he often produces strange yet incredibly powerful items, causing the Yuan army considerable trouble. Moreover, he enjoys the deep trust of Zhu Chongba and holds a high position in the rebel army. If we want to gain a foothold in this chaotic world, or even rise to a higher level, we must eliminate Zhu Qiwu and Zhu Chongba!”
Upon hearing this, Afei was startled and thought to himself: This Lord Wang dares to openly plot against Zhu Qiwu and Zhu Yuanzhang. This is no small matter. I must go back and report to him as soon as possible.
Just then, footsteps suddenly came from inside the room. Afei's heart tightened, and he quickly hid behind the artificial hill. The door opened, and a burly stranger came out. He looked around, and seeing nothing amiss, turned and went back into the room.
Ah Fei breathed a sigh of relief and continued to lie in wait, waiting for the right opportunity to leave. After a while, the conversation inside the house gradually subsided, as if they were preparing to end their meeting. Ah Fei knew he couldn't wait any longer, and under the cover of night, he quietly made his way out of the mansion.
However, just as A-Fei was about to scale the high wall, a bright light suddenly shone through, followed by shouts: "Assassin! Catch the assassin!" It turned out that Lord Wang had taken precautions and had set up hidden sentries around the mansion. A-Fei felt a sense of foreboding and quickened his pace, trying to break through the encirclement.
A group of guards, holding torches, surrounded A-Fei. The head guard shouted, "You audacious assassin! How dare you break into Lord Wang's residence at night! Surrender now!"
Afei sneered, "You think you can catch me?" With that, Afei drew his long sword and engaged in a fierce battle with the guards.
Ah Fei was highly skilled in martial arts, his swordplay fierce and swift, making it difficult for the guards to get close for a time. However, the guards were numerous and well-trained, and Ah Fei gradually began to struggle. Just as Ah Fei felt his strength waning, he suddenly heard a familiar whistle. Ah Fei was overjoyed, knowing that reinforcements had arrived.
It turned out that after learning that A Fei had infiltrated Lord Wang's residence, Zhu Han was worried that he might be in danger, so he sent Xu Da, Tang He, and others to provide backup. Upon hearing the whistle, Xu Da, Tang He, and the others quickly arrived and joined the battle.
Xu Da, spear in hand, roared, "Brothers, charge! Save Afei!" With that, his spear lashed out like a dragon, thrusting straight at the head of the guards. Tang He, not to be outdone, brandished his broadsword, slashing left and right, and wherever he went, guards fell to the ground.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the head guard shouted, "Quickly, go and inform Lord Wang to request reinforcements!" As soon as he finished speaking, a guard turned and ran into the mansion.
Seeing this, Afei shouted, "We can't let him get away, or our whereabouts will be exposed!" With that, Afei mustered all his strength, broke through the guards' encirclement, and chased after the fleeing guard.
Ah Fei was incredibly fast, catching up with the guard in the blink of an eye. Seeing no hope of escape, the guard turned and fought Ah Fei. But the guard was no match for Ah Fei; after a few rounds, Ah Fei stabbed him with his sword, and he fell to the ground dead.
At this moment, Xu Da, Tang He, and the others had also dealt with the remaining guards and reunited with A Fei. A Fei said gratefully, "Thank you all for your timely help, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been able to escape today." Xu Da patted A Fei on the shoulder, "We're brothers, no need to be so polite. Let's hurry back and report the situation here to Zhu Qiwu and Marshal Zhu."
The group returned to Zhu Yuanzhang's tent, where Zhu Qiwu and Zhu Yuanzhang had been waiting for a long time. Afei told Zhu Qiwu and Zhu Yuanzhang everything he had heard at Lord Wang's residence.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "This Lord Wang dares to collude with others in an attempt to deal with us; he is utterly despicable. Seventh Five, what is your opinion on this matter?"
Zhu Qiwu stroked his chin and said, "Fourth Brother, judging from the current situation, this Lord Wang must have a considerable force supporting him. Their plot to deal with us is nothing more than wanting to seize territory and power in this chaotic world. We can't sit idly by and wait to be killed; we must take the initiative and catch them off guard."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "What Qi Wu said is very true. But we don't know how powerful Lord Wang is right now. If we attack rashly, there may be risks."
Zhu Qiwu smiled slightly: "Fourth Brother, don't worry, I have a plan. We can send people to secretly investigate the forces behind Lord Wang and find out their background. At the same time, we can deliberately spread some false information to lure them into a trap, and then wipe them out in one fell swoop."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up: "Seventh Five, this plan is excellent. In your opinion, who would be most suitable to investigate the forces behind this Lord Wang?"
Zhu Qiwu thought for a moment and said, "I think General Xu Da is more suitable. General Xu Da is meticulous, highly skilled in martial arts, and familiar with the surrounding terrain and environment. It would be perfect to have him investigate."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Alright, let's do as Qi Wu says. Xu Da, you set off immediately and make sure to find out the power behind this Lord Wang as soon as possible."
Xu Da accepted the order and said, "This humble general obeys! Marshal Zhu, please rest assured, this humble general will certainly not fail in his mission!" After saying that, Xu Da turned and left the tent.
Zhu Qiwu then said to Tang He, "Brother Tang He, you lead a group of men and, as I just said, deliberately spread some false information to lure Lord Wang and his men into a trap."
Tang He patted his chest and said, "Brother Zhu Qiwu, don't worry, leave this to me! I'll definitely keep those guys in line."
After arranging everything, Zhu Qiwu and Zhu Yuanzhang sat in their tent, quietly waiting for news from Xu Da and Tang He.
A few days later, Xu Da returned to the camp, travel-worn. Zhu Qiwu and Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly went to greet him. Zhu Yuanzhang asked anxiously, "Xu Da, how's the investigation going? Who exactly is the power behind this Lord Wang?"
Xu Da took a breath and said, "Marshal Zhu, Brother Zhu Qiwu, after my investigation over the past few days, I have discovered that the force behind Lord Wang is a remnant of the Yuan Dynasty. They are entrenched in a nearby mountain town, gathering some defeated Yuan soldiers and bandits, attempting to use Lord Wang's local power to rise again and fight against us."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Qiwu sneered, "So they are the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty. No wonder they are so arrogant. General Xu Da, have you ascertained their troop strength and deployment?"
Xu Da nodded: "I've figured it out. There are about three thousand soldiers in that mountain city, commanded by a Yuan general named Arutai. He is highly skilled in martial arts, brave in battle, and a formidable opponent. The mountain city is also very well defended, with high walls and a moat all around, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."
After listening, Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and said, "Three thousand soldiers are not many, but that mountain city is easy to defend and difficult to attack, so we cannot be careless. Seventh Five, what good plan do you have for this matter?"
Zhu Qiwu thought for a moment and said, "Fourth Brother, although that mountain city is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it also has its weaknesses. We can use the terrain to outflank the mountain city from the flank and cut off their food supply. At the same time, we can send a part of our troops to launch a feigned attack on the front to attract their attention. When their food supply is cut off and their morale is in chaos, we can then take down the mountain city in one fell swoop."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up: "Seventh Five's plan is excellent. Then, in your opinion, how should we specifically arrange our troops?"
Zhu Qiwu walked to the map, pointed at it, and said, "Fourth Brother, look, there's a narrow path on the flank of this mountain city. Although the terrain is treacherous, it can accommodate a small number of troops. We can send Brother Tang He with five hundred elite cavalry to outflank them through this path and cut off their food supply. At the same time, we can send Brother Zhou Dexing with a thousand men to launch a feint attack from the front to draw their attention. Fourth Brother and I will lead the remaining troops to ambush behind the mountain city. Once Brother Tang He succeeds, we'll launch a general offensive together and break through the mountain city."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded after hearing this: "Qiwu's arrangements are very thorough. We will proceed as you say, and prepare immediately. We will set off early tomorrow morning to attack the mountain city!"
After receiving their orders, everyone began preparations. Early the next morning, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Qiwu led the rebel army in a grand procession toward the mountain city.
Tang He led five hundred elite cavalrymen, stealthily flanking the mountain city along narrow paths. Along the way, Tang He proceeded with extreme caution, afraid of making even the slightest sound and alerting the enemy within the city.
After several hours of arduous marching, Tang He finally led his cavalry to the vicinity of the grain depot on the flank of the mountain city. Tang He surveyed the surroundings and found that there were not many enemies guarding the grain depot, only a few dozen defeated Yuan soldiers and bandits.
Tang He was overjoyed and said to the cavalry behind him, "Brothers, our chance has come! Let's charge forward, take this granary in one fell swoop, and cut off the enemy's food supply!"
Upon hearing this, the cavalrymen raised their arms and shouted, "Kill! Kill! Kill!" With that, Tang He led his cavalrymen like tigers descending a mountain, charging towards the grain depot.
Seeing this, the dozens of defeated Yuan soldiers and bandits were terrified and grabbed their weapons to resist. But their fighting strength was far too weak, and they were no match for the elite cavalry led by Tang He. In the blink of an eye, they were all slaughtered by the cavalry.
After Tang He successfully occupied the grain warehouse, he immediately sent men to burn all the grain inside. In an instant, thick smoke billowed and flames soared into the sky.
At the same time, Zhou Dexing led a thousand men to the front of the mountain city and began a feint attack. Zhou Dexing ordered his soldiers to shout loudly and launch a fierce attack on the city walls.
Hearing the battle cries, the enemy in the mountain city surged onto the city walls, preparing to resist. Arutai stood atop the walls, looking down at the rebel army below, and sneered, "With so few men, you think you can break through my mountain city? What a pipe dream! Pass on my orders: give them a good beating!"
Upon hearing the order, the defeated Yuan soldiers and bandits grabbed bows and arrows and hurled logs and stones at the rebel army below the city. The rebels pretended to be unable to withstand the attack and retreated.
Seeing this, Arughtai laughed triumphantly: "Haha, these rebels are nothing but a rabble, utterly incapable of being defeated! Issue my order: open the city gates, go out and pursue them, and wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
Upon hearing the order, the defeated Yuan soldiers and bandits opened the city gates and pursued the rebel army outside the city. After chasing for some distance, they suddenly heard shouts of battle coming from behind the mountain city. It turned out that Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Qiwu, seeing that Tang He had succeeded, had led their remaining forces in a general attack from the rear of the mountain city. (End of Chapter)